Pregnancy #3, Update #3: Graduated
It’s the day every IF patient prays for: getting discharged from her RE’s office back to her OB. Because she is pregnant. Graduating.
Today, I graduated. I was in for my 9 week sono, and I knew my day was coming, but I wasn’t sure it would be today.
We had a great visit at 8 weeks. Measurement: 8w1d. Heartbeat: 151
We had another great visit today, at 9 weeks: Measurement: 9w0d. Heartbeat: 165.
And with that, I was done there. They had done their job, and it was time to hand me over to my OB.
The past two visits have been so good. So healing. There was still the nerves the night before and the heart palpitations the morning of. There was still the deep breaths on the table, waiting to see what we would find.
But this time, there was excited chatter as the sono tech explained what we were looking at. Questions not laced with fear and dread. Laughter.
Laughter. During a sonogram. Imagine that. Something I’ve never experienced.
I never had an 8 week sonogram without getting ominous, hopeless news. I never had a 9 week sonogram with a baby that survived.
This time, I did. Not just ‘surviving,’ but ‘doing great.’ ‘Strong.’ (Their words). The wiggling of the hands and feet buds.
Never had that. But today, I did.
A year ago, I had just found out I was pregnant with number #2. Right around my mom’s birthday. That was my gift to her – news of grandbaby #9. But within weeks, it was over.
This year, I’m 9 weeks along with a healthy pregnancy.
I still have my worries and fears, but with each positive sonogram, I am breathing a little easier.
I’m feeling pretty nauseated on most days. It comes on at 3pm and 8pm like clockwork. I have it through most of the night, so sleep isn’t so great lately (guess I should get used to that. For the rest of my life, lol). I don’t really have a lot of symptoms otherwise: boobs occasionally sore, but not much; fatigued at times but not consistently; crazy dreams – but that is really it.
Work is definitely exhausting for me right now (a big reason why I haven’t been blogging. So much take-home work, so worn out by the time get home). The beginning of the year is always draining no matter what, but I’m teaching a new class this year as well as trying to get caught up on the summer projects I didn’t get to finish. On top of the normal stuff. All of which wearies me.
My clothes are getting tight, and my belly is pushing out. Not sure if it is bloating, hormones, leftover IVF meds or whatever, but I’m bigger. And, it’s getting harder to hide at work. It looks like I’ve been pounding down the cookies, but I hate people thinking I’m just gaining weight for no reason! We still have 3 more weeks until our news is public.
I have a feeling (and a fear) that our news is more public than I’d like. Now, I know. It’s probably my fault. I mean, I blog about it. It’s out there. But, I guess I just don’t want random people to know about it yet. For instance, a student in our school – one I don’t know and have never had in my classes – asked my coworker ‘how far along is Mrs. Landry?’ What????
I don’t look that pregnant – so, someone must have said something. That’s the kind of talking I don’t want. I guess I want to be the one to control who knows and who doesn’t. Frustrating. Even though it would be easier to tell, I know it’s smarter to wait until 12 weeks to share it officially.
So, what’s next? Not sure, exactly. I dropped off my records at my OB today, and hopefully, they will call me tomorrow to schedule an appointment. I’m not sure how often they will want to see me. There was something very comforting about my RE looking out for me so closely. I’ll miss that.
It was bittersweet leaving there, today. As they were getting my paperwork today, I said, ‘So I guess this is it, then?’ And it was. And, suddenly, I got all choked up. I started thinking about all we had been through, the past years of miscarriages, failed treatments, bad news, disappointments, heartaches, so many days of fear and dread, so many nights of crying myself to sleep…
And here we were. Pregnant. With a healthy pregnancy. Graduating. And I started tearing up. I felt so grateful for this team of people who had helped us so much. So grateful.
So I gave a hug to the doctor, crying. To the nurses, crying. To the sono tech, the phlebotomist, the NP, the receptionist – crying the whole time. I was sad to leave them. A little bit scared to leave them. I felt like they were all on ‘Team Landry,’ coaching us and cheering us on – an intimate part of our this whole roller-coaster, emotional experience – so invested in our failures and success. And finally – something to celebrate.
It was really hard to say goodbye to them – even though I knew that the fact that I was leaving was a really, really good thing. They had done their job. They were tools in God’s hands to help us get pregnant. Part of a miracle.
Another major milestone reached. Many more to go, but I’m going to celebrate each one.
All I can really say is – to God be the glory. It’s all Him. We still have a long road ahead, but I’m sincerely moved to tears thinking about how good He has been to us. Humbled. Thankful.
And I’m smiling. It’s graduation day.
[And for my IF sisters still in the fight, I’m praying diligently for you, for your miracles. God doesn’t have a limited supply. I’m still following your stories, and I’m still praying. Thank you for your prayers and well-wishes, even though you are still struggling through yourselves. I’m sincerely touched, and I’m believing God for your babies.]
[Photo Credit: Pixabay]
Sooo exciting! Congratulations!!!!
Thanks so much! Praying we have a healthy run ahead of us!
Your faith is inspiring! Hope does not disappoint! 🙂
ALW
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Thank you so much. Day by day – but I’m praying this is it! Hugs! (Praying you and your family are feeling better!!
Oh my gosh, I’m tearing up over here. So happy for you!!!!
Thanks, Jaimie! It’s been a long road for us, and I am praying that we have finally moved on to something new!!
Beautiful. I agree, it is scary moving on from the RE. I remember that feeling from when I was pregnant with my daughter. I couldn’t imagine how I would survive without all of those ultrasounds. But I did survive and so did she, and so will you and your sweet babe. Congratulations, graduate!
Stop making me cry, dammit! lol I love you Kate and I’m sooooooo incredibly happy for you guys!!! Yay!!! God is so good!!!!
Thanks, baby!! It really is a miracle!!! Can’t wait to update again soon!!! xoxo God is so gracious to us!
Oh, wow, Kate!!! SO excited for your wonderful news! Still praying for you often and will continue to. God is SO good…I so look forward to the day your sweet baby arrives! I know today was bittersweet for you as you left one season of this journey behind and started a new one. I can only hope that your OB family will be every bit as supportive and comforting to you. Much love to you and your husband.
Thank you so much, Cheryl! I am so grateful for your prayers- please keep them coming! We are doing well- I’ll be 12w on Thurs, and everything has been looking great! I still struggle with fears and worries, but it is getting a little better each day, and I realize that will be a spiritual battle I need to fight (against fear). But thank you so much for praying. I’ll be updating again soon! xoxo
Congrats on your pregnancy! I’m happy for you. I’m glad your baby is strong.
Thank you so much! It really feels miraculous to me! It is!! xoxo
Congratulations again Kate! So happy for you. I can’t wait to follow you on your pregnancy story! Thank you for your prayers! I will keep praying for you for a healthy baby!! Xo
Thank you so much! It is very surreal to me! I’ll be 12w on Thurs, and all is going well! I am hoping to update again soon! I am so grateful for your prayers! Thank you!
So thankful!
Thank you, friend!!! He has been so gracious to us!
Oh wow! Congratulations!! It sounds like your little babe is growing away furiously! I can feel the happiness and relief in every word of this post and it brought tears to my eyes. You really do deserve this happiness and I am so pleased that you have made it. Keep us all updated! Hugs xxx
Thank you, Rose! Your happiness for us means so much! I still struggle with fears and worries – this time last year, I was miscarrying. But every positive sonogram is a sigh of relief. And so far, they have all been good! So grateful for this miracle! I’m hoping to update again soon! xoxo Rose!
I have been waiting waiting waiting for an update, praying all along. You captured IVF graduation so well. Congratulations, so far, my blogger friend. God has blessed and inspired you through this trial, and you have been faithful to turn His blessing into encouragement for others. Stay the course!
(I am now in the midst of my own two-week-wait. Instead of being impatient, I’ll learn from you and turn this into “How can I bless God” time.)
Thank you, friend! It has been a ride for us, but all is well! I’ll be 12w on Thurs, and everything is looking great! I’ll be updating again soon – it’s been a little crazy – but thank you for keeping up and checking in! It means so much! (How did your TWW go??? Any news???) Love and prayers! xoxo
Congratulations Katie!! I’m so happy that everything is coming along well! 🙂 God got you this far and He’ll get you through every single milestone still to go along the way! ♥
Thanks, Anna. Your encouragement means so much! I still struggle with the fears and worries, but it is getting a little easier every day! Thank you for thinking of me, Anna! I’m on and off with the blog but I’m still reading!! You are an inspiration! xo
Congratulations on graduation day! I am so happy and excited for you hon. Continuing to send you and your little on lots of prayers <3
Thanks so much! We are doing well. Still feels surreal. Still some worries, but everything is going well. Should have an update soon!!!
Yay Katie! You’ve graduated…how exciting! Thank you for thinking of us still in the trenches too…one day I hope to be there too…when the time is right 🙂 So happy for you!! Congrats and you are on your way! xoxo
Thank you so much! So far, we are doing well. I am always praying for you guys! My heart aches for your struggles – but I’m praying for the end of the road soon!!! xo
So happy for you!! Xo
Thanks, Elisha! You are such an encouragement and inspiration!
I don’t find much time to read blogs these days, but I got on looking specifically for your update. Hooray! So glad to read this news. Cheering you on, and sending up prayers!
Thanks, Lindsey! It means so much that you are keeping up! I’ll be 12w Thursday, and al is going well, thank God! I should be updating again soon! I hope you are loving your time with Sam! Hugs, friend! xo
Moved to tears reading this! We graduated on the exact same day! Similar experience in that 2 years ago this appointment marked the beginning of the end for us. This time was so much different. Baby was strong and measuring a couple days ahead even. I was stunned when my RE asked me who will be taking care of me now…can’t believe I’m walking away from that place after all these years. To God be the glory indeed! Unbelievable.
So glad you have moved on, too!!! Praise God! How are things going??? It’s been a little emotionally taxing – this time last year I was miscarrying -but everything is going great so far! I hope the same for you, too! Can’t wait to see your updates! I should have another one soon!!! xoxo God is good!
So thrilled for you Kate!! <3
Thanks, Dani! Things are going well, thank God. I’lll be updating soon! xo
How are you feeling? I’m praying for you (and also apparently nosy 😉)!
I am doing well! Thanks for checking in! That means so much to me! I’ve been a little quiet on the blog b/c we’ve had some ‘game-changer’ news that I can’t put on here yet (good news) – but I’ll be updating soon! Thank you so much for caring enough to follow up!!!! xoxo
A game changer, hmmmm? Intriguing! Glad to hear from you. Was getting a little worried when you didn’t post but then, you’re probably exhausted! Take care!