Momma feels great, this pregnancy is a blessing and has been so beautiful.
This week is National Infertility Awareness week. It's important for me to comment on this. A year ago today, I didnt imagine that I would be pregnant today. Thankfully to IVF we are pregnant at 23 weeks already, and expecting a daughter!
Our infertility journey has been one of the most frustrating challenges that I (we) have ever had to deal with. It has been excruciatingly painful on my soul, painful on our marriage and a financial struggle too at times. Infertility has changed me, and the way that I view pregnancy and life in many ways. In many ways our infertility journey has made us stronger as a couple and more prepared for parenthood, although I wouldnt wish infertility on anyone and I would much rather not have gone through this. I am scared for the future, of having to go through IVF again and potentially struggle with a 2nd pregnancy. This journey is not over for us, but I am grateful for where we are now. This pregnancy is such a blessing. I am grateful every day.
There are so many people out there who are struggling for their miracle babies. I feel for many women that I know who are still trying; it pains me that IVF worked for us but hasnt for others. It seems so unjust, and unfair. I feel that infertility (especially unexplained infertility) is sometimes stigmatized and unrecognized in our society, and even by our own government. The fact that the opportunity to have a baby through IVF is private, private pay, private clinic and not covered through health care (at all). I feel this shames us, and the disease even more. For these and many other reasons, I share our story.
1 in 8 women (or more) experience infertility. If you are lucky enough to have kids already, take a moment to give them a squeeze and think about how lucky you are to have them in your life.
Thanks for following along and loving us through this journey.
xo
Back to my update:
I still dont have any cravings
I have developed some stretch marks on my breasts. I have been applying coconut oil daily to my boobs and belly to prevent future stretch marks.
My bump is getting more pronounced!
I feel the baby a couple of times a day, and sometimes I can feel her when I place my hand on my belly, which is so amazing! Our midwife assured me that with an anterior placenta it is common not to feel the baby as much.
Our Lazy Boy has arrived! But we're still waiting on the crib and the nursery glider/rocker chair.
This was a late update that some of you may have missed, from last week:
We had our midwife appointment yesterday, April 13. Unfortunately the appointment was rescheduled for the morning due to lots of babies being born. Dennis was disappointed, he was unable to come due to work. I saw a new midwife, Kelsey she is on my team of midwives. She was lovely! She had been working all night and delivered a baby that morning. We talked about the placenta previa, she is hopeful but it will move but if it doesn't we discussed options about having to get an OB/GYN involved sooner than later so that they are a part of the team. She mentioned that the most important thing is for us to be informed and a part of the decision making process all the way. I like that she said that, and very much agree in all areas of health care, this is key. She provided me with paperwork for gestational diabetes lab work and blood tests; I will have both of those done at the beginning of May, around 25 weeks. She measured my belly, for the first time which was cool. They measure from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus, above my belly button. I am measuring at 24 weeks. The centimeters correlate with how many weeks you are pregnant, fascinating. Like my family, we might be growing a big baby! The midwife check the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler. It was so loud and evident immediately. She has a strong heartbeat at 140 bpm. It is normal for the babies heartbeats to slow down later in pregnancy. She has always been between 150 to 160 bpm. My blood pressure, and weight are normal and right on track!
We start our prenatal classes the beginning of May. The midwife thinks it's a perfect time for us to start the classes. Dad's often don't know what to do or how to be involved so it helps them, and earlier and pregnancy is helpful for partnership and collaboration.
My wonderful girlfriends Alli, and Steph are planning a co-ed casual BBQ Babyshower for us September 19th, so mark your calendars :)
We will likely have a separate family baby shower at Aunty Bobby's house, and a separate BBQ with friends.
Our baby registry is at: http://babyli.st/brandi-and-dennis. We will likely have a separate family baby shower at Aunty Bobby's house, and a separate BBQ with friends.
my line is getting darker :)
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