TWINS!

That's right...twins! We waited to see the doctor for about an hour before we had the ultrasound done. I had been sick with a cold (and morning sickness) for the past week. I missed three days of work because of it. As soon as I got in the doctor's office, my head started to feel heavy, so I stood up and walked around. Then, I started to feel nauseated and light-headed so I grabbed a wet paper towel and put it on my neck. The nurse saw me and asked if I was okay. I asked if they had some crackers, which she was able to provide me, along with some Sprite. It helped for the moment.

When I finally got called back, the doc performed a transvaginal sonogram (since the babies are so small). I have been reading seven different pregnancy books, so I had an idea of what to expect and what to look for. I knew that we should be able to see the heartbeat on the screen but I figured it was a little too early to hear it. Dr. Kaufmann asked how many babies we wanted and when we said two, he said, "Your wish is my command." Sure enough...two little black areas showed up on the screen. After a little manuevering, we saw a grey shadow...Baby A. Then a second grey shadow...Baby B. The nurse pointed out the heartbeat and when they saw both heartbeats, they turned the sound on. I couldn't look away from the screen! How amazing! Baby A had a heartbeat of 117.19 bpm and Baby B had a heartbeat of 131.58 bpm.

It still hasn't totally sunk in yet. Two of everything: crib, clothes, stroller, bouncy seat, etc. and DOUBLE the diapers! We're going to be swimming in diapers! It's going to be a challenge, but people do it everyday. I'm sure we can handle it. The toughest part for us will be picking out names. We're struggling finding one name that we both like, much less two.

I have another appointment with my new OB next Thursday so I will write more then. In the meantime, I will continue to struggle with this cold and morning, noon and evening sickness. :(

Heartbeat Pics:

Baby A

Baby B

5-1/2 Weeks

I am completely exhausted, yet I can only get 8 or 9 hours of sleep. I used to be able to sleep 12 or 13 hours. Sunday was the first day that I really felt a wave of nausea. I slept with a trash can next to the bed. I have placed a trash can in the storage closet of my classroom in case I need to duck away. Gingerale and saltines - that's what I take to work for when I get sick.

The doc had my blood drawn again yesterday to check my hCG levels again. As of 4:30, my levels were 42,432. Wow! That's higher than I was expecting for how far along I am. Based on my calculations, the levels should have been right at or a little below 20,000. Some people attribute high hCG levels to multiples and others have attributed it to a boy. While my mother in-law hopes for a girl, Kevin and I hope for a healthy baby.

Thursday, January 21st will be my first ultrasound with the fertility specialist. I will be 7 weeks by then and we will hear a heartbeat. I picked an obstetrician! I haven't met her, but I hear she is one of the best in Fort Worth. My 8 week ultrasound with the OB will be on January 28th and I can't wait. Kevin is happy but the excitement hasn't hit yet because there's nothing to see. I know he will be excited when he hears the heartbeat and sees the little one for the first time. I know that I will be crying!

Charla

Baby Coming Along

Yesterday I had another blood test and after anxiously awaiting the results, the call came in at 5 p.m. My levels increased from 236 to 1938. Wow! Things are looking good for baby Hawley. I need to go back in on Monday, January 11th to have my levels checked again. I made an appointment with an ob/gyn who was recommended to me. She is one of the best doctors in town. My 8-week ultrasound will be on Thursday, January 28th. We will get a heartbeat that day. I can't wait!

At this point, I'm feeling a little nauseated at the smell or taste of certain foods; meats mainly. I gag when I brush my teeth and I'm hungry every two or three hours. None of which is normal for me. My skin is extremely dry and it feels like I'm itching all the time. I have heartburn and I sneeze constantly because I can't take any of my meds. All of this is uncomfortable but it's a small price to pay for this little ball of cells that will soon be baby Hawley!

Charla

Pregnant! (4 Weeks)

A few months ago, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which makes it more difficult to get pregnant. We decided that because of the difficulty, we would start trying to have our first child now. After talking to the doctor, he suggested clomid to produce an egg. A few days later, I went in for an ultrasound. I had a follicle that was 14 mm. According to the nurse, 18 mm is minimum for a viable egg. The following Monday, I went back and the ultrasound showed a 17.97 mm follicle and another approximately 13 mm. I was instructed to go home and inject myself in the stomach with Ovidrel, an hCG hormone which induces the release of an egg. What are the odds? On our third anniversary, December 17th, I went in to have my first intrauterine insemination done. This procedure involves the "washing" of sperm and injecting it into the uterus through the catheter. The procedure took all of five minutes and then another ten minutes laying there afterwards.

On December 31st, the anniversary of our wedding reception, I returned for a blood pregnancy test. The nurse called me later that afternoon with good news. According to the beta hCG test, anything above a 5 indicates a pregnancy. My level was 236. Normal at this time is 5-420. She wants to see me again on Monday to make sure my levels are still rising. As of now, I don't "feel" pregnant. I haven't experienced any symptoms, other than a little mild cramping last night. I've told a few people but I don't want to make a formal announcement until I get the first ultrasound and/or blood test results that show an increase in hCG levels. I'll write again when I know more.

Charla