We've made progress. The room has been painted for months, the furniture is in (waiting on the hutch), and the bedding arrived yesterday!
I still have lots to do. Brad has one more thing to do for the wall behind the crib and he's done with the baby room (for now).
Sneak Peak:
A lot goes into making a baby. Hope you can laugh and cry along with us as we figure it out.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Furniture, Bedding, Photos, and Unplanned Hospital Visits
The last few weeks have been a whirl wind.
We selected and purchased baby furniture. Thanks to Todd we were able to save some money and pick up the furniture versus have it delivered. Buy Buy Baby is amazing. You can apply coupons towards your purchase of furniture 90 days after payment/pick up! Brad has become the coupon hoarder.
The room is certainly coming together. All I need now is to finalize bedding. As many of you know I have been hemming and hawing over options for MONTHS now. I have finally placed the order and thanks to Brad's parent's contribution towards the bedding I was able to splurge and get the set I really wanted from Carousel Designs. Brad also gets a break from my endless back and forth on which bedding to buy. All we need now is the mattress from the registry!
So, news flash, Brad and I are not touchy feely. Ok, so that's not really a news flash, but we do actually like each other. Engagement and Wedding photos are there to prove it. AND we got pregnant so ha! We weren't really planning on ever doing a maternity session, but Tiffany (Tiffany Kelly Photography) asked if we wanted to do a session with her. It turned out to be a great session (not surprised)! The photos turned out great. Here's one of my faves:
We selected and purchased baby furniture. Thanks to Todd we were able to save some money and pick up the furniture versus have it delivered. Buy Buy Baby is amazing. You can apply coupons towards your purchase of furniture 90 days after payment/pick up! Brad has become the coupon hoarder.
The room is certainly coming together. All I need now is to finalize bedding. As many of you know I have been hemming and hawing over options for MONTHS now. I have finally placed the order and thanks to Brad's parent's contribution towards the bedding I was able to splurge and get the set I really wanted from Carousel Designs. Brad also gets a break from my endless back and forth on which bedding to buy. All we need now is the mattress from the registry!
So, news flash, Brad and I are not touchy feely. Ok, so that's not really a news flash, but we do actually like each other. Engagement and Wedding photos are there to prove it. AND we got pregnant so ha! We weren't really planning on ever doing a maternity session, but Tiffany (Tiffany Kelly Photography) asked if we wanted to do a session with her. It turned out to be a great session (not surprised)! The photos turned out great. Here's one of my faves:
We also got to experience our first "scare". As you know I am still paranoid (just a little) of something happening to the baby during pregnancy. Anyone that has had a miscarriage has that fear in the back of their mind. We were back at Buy Buy Baby to buy the glider. While we were there I started having some mild, constant pain on the right side of my belly. I assumed standard tummy troubles and took some Tums. It started getting worse so I took more Tums. Still getting worse. By the time we got to the grocery store near our house it was a lot worse and had been going on for 2 hours. Brad ran into the grocery store to grab some items and I called the doctor. I wasn't sure what they would say. These weren't contractions...just constant pain. Of course I checked the Internet and I assume the worst. My placenta is separating! The nurse on call recommended we go to the Women's Center at Northside Forsyth. We did what was natural. Dropped off the groceries and unloaded the glider at home then headed to the hospital. This was our first visit to the Women's Center. We were supposed to plan our tour sometime after the new year, but guess we don't need to now. This place is amazing. Admitted and in a room very quickly and they began observation quickly. They ran tests to rule out gall bladder and liver issues. The baby was fine. I ended up being fine. But that was a practice run to the hospital right? LOL. We were nervous, but wanted to make sure the baby was fine. He's fine. Moving around like crazy and probably was stepping on my liver or gall bladder for 3 hours. Trouble already.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Glucose Test
I took the dreaded glucose test today. Am I weird that I thought the small bottle of orange liquid tasted ok? Now we wait for the results. I hope I don't have to do it again though. A stomach full of sugar water makes the acid reflux worse!
The appointment went well. I have gained a total of 14 lbs and Baby Gorka is already facing head down. Brad seems to want to think Baby Gorka is just that much more smarter and advanced than others. All because Dr. Middleton said most babies don't head south until the 32nd week (we're 19 weeks on Monday). So much pressure on this kid already.
So far Baby Gorka seems like a wild child. He is non-stop in my tummy. I swear he's doing karate or something in there. Brad saw one of his hard jabs the other day while I was just sitting there and of course references the movie Prometheus. Nice visual Brad!
I guess time is ticking down...we get to meet Baby Gorka soon. All I keep thinking is "how can my belly get any bigger" and "I could sure use a beer or 10 now".
The appointment went well. I have gained a total of 14 lbs and Baby Gorka is already facing head down. Brad seems to want to think Baby Gorka is just that much more smarter and advanced than others. All because Dr. Middleton said most babies don't head south until the 32nd week (we're 19 weeks on Monday). So much pressure on this kid already.
So far Baby Gorka seems like a wild child. He is non-stop in my tummy. I swear he's doing karate or something in there. Brad saw one of his hard jabs the other day while I was just sitting there and of course references the movie Prometheus. Nice visual Brad!
I guess time is ticking down...we get to meet Baby Gorka soon. All I keep thinking is "how can my belly get any bigger" and "I could sure use a beer or 10 now".
Friday, November 9, 2012
Showers and Registry!
Talk about clueless. I am clueless to what you really need on your baby registry. To top things off one mom will tell you their favorite products or the "need to have" products, but they often times conflict with other moms. It all boils down to your baby! Well, Baby Gorka isn't due until Feb and I still need to finish my registry.
We are registered at Baby's r Us. I didn't pick another place since it's already hard enough figuring out what you really need at one place! The list is short since we are getting a lot of good hand-me-downs, but recommendations on what we need are welcome.
I know you are all wondering when you can shower the baby with gifts. Date is set for Jan 12, 2013. It will be a non-traditional shower (co-ed). I just want it to be one big get together. Who knows when you will see Brad and I again after Baby G is born lol.
We are registered at Baby's r Us. I didn't pick another place since it's already hard enough figuring out what you really need at one place! The list is short since we are getting a lot of good hand-me-downs, but recommendations on what we need are welcome.
I know you are all wondering when you can shower the baby with gifts. Date is set for Jan 12, 2013. It will be a non-traditional shower (co-ed). I just want it to be one big get together. Who knows when you will see Brad and I again after Baby G is born lol.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Crazy Preggo
I have heard that the bump, or surge, in hormones can make you crazy. All I can say is I have the pregnancy rage. I am not an emotional person in general. Let me clarify. My "range" of emotions prior to pregnancy went from happy to angry. Nothing really in between and Brad can def vouch for that!
I have definitely noticed that I am easily angered these days. I think it's because of the penis growing inside of me. Baby G is making me a crazy, angry pregnant lady. A while back I asked Brad if he would rather I be weepy instead. His reply was he would not know what to do if I cried any. Is it sad to say that he knows how to handle my hostility better?
Last night I was so mad, but I can't tell you what I was mad at and who I was mad at. All I know was I was very hostile towards Brad and I even yelled as Sal for being too happy to see me after work. Poor Sal. Who knows. Good thing Brad is seasoned at handling my anger.
On a side note I have not been the victim of belly rubbers. I hope it stays that way. Brad says it's because I look mean so they would never try. I need to keep it up. Why would a stranger want to rub your uterus? If someone tries to rub my uterus I will beep their boobs or balls.
I have definitely noticed that I am easily angered these days. I think it's because of the penis growing inside of me. Baby G is making me a crazy, angry pregnant lady. A while back I asked Brad if he would rather I be weepy instead. His reply was he would not know what to do if I cried any. Is it sad to say that he knows how to handle my hostility better?
Last night I was so mad, but I can't tell you what I was mad at and who I was mad at. All I know was I was very hostile towards Brad and I even yelled as Sal for being too happy to see me after work. Poor Sal. Who knows. Good thing Brad is seasoned at handling my anger.
On a side note I have not been the victim of belly rubbers. I hope it stays that way. Brad says it's because I look mean so they would never try. I need to keep it up. Why would a stranger want to rub your uterus? If someone tries to rub my uterus I will beep their boobs or balls.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Turtle or Hamburger
Here are the ultrasound pictures from when we found out the sex of Baby G. Apparently they look for either a turtle or a hamburger. LOL
There's a turtle in there!
There's a turtle in there!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Kicking Machine
I started feeling flutters around 13 weeks...at first I thought it was hunger so I would just eat. One night when I was in a Houston hotel (work travel) I started feeling the same fluttering...but I had just eaten. I got around to looking it up and apparently that's Baby G moving. Crazy!
Now at 21 weeks this kid is kicking the crap out of me. It's nice to know he's ok in there without my trusty Doppler. Anyone that has gone through a miscarriage feels paranoid. I was so bad that Brad bought me a Doppler to check the heart beat when I felt nervous or anxious. Little did he know I would check on the baby every day. Whatever gets you through the early stages right? He pretty much kicks me in the AM on the way to work, during lunch and then in the evening. I still check on his heart beat..but only every few days. So far so good. But to tell you the truth I don't think I will ever stop worrying.
PS...I miss drinking
Now at 21 weeks this kid is kicking the crap out of me. It's nice to know he's ok in there without my trusty Doppler. Anyone that has gone through a miscarriage feels paranoid. I was so bad that Brad bought me a Doppler to check the heart beat when I felt nervous or anxious. Little did he know I would check on the baby every day. Whatever gets you through the early stages right? He pretty much kicks me in the AM on the way to work, during lunch and then in the evening. I still check on his heart beat..but only every few days. So far so good. But to tell you the truth I don't think I will ever stop worrying.
PS...I miss drinking
Monday, October 8, 2012
Seeing Blue
Brad and I are happy to announce we are 21 weeks pregnant today! Baby G is due February 18, 2013.
We are excited and apprehensive. I think I will be ok the day the baby is born. Many of you who've been through a miscarriage would know that feeling.
Keep checking in for updates!
PS: It's a....
Thanks Amy and Tiffany for the impromptu photo shoot!
Brad and Yen
We are excited and apprehensive. I think I will be ok the day the baby is born. Many of you who've been through a miscarriage would know that feeling.
Keep checking in for updates!
PS: It's a....
Thanks Amy and Tiffany for the impromptu photo shoot!
Brad and Yen
Surprise!
So my last post was me being a quitter. Little did I know I was actually pregnant. HA. I took 2 pregnancy tests early June and they were negative. A week later I still hadn't started my period. I was annoyed since I figured it was stress. Two digital tests cannot be wrong right? Wrong.
I had been annoyed with my body all week and of course whined to Shea. She gave me her last "cheap" +/- pregnancy test to give me some peace of mind. The morning of June 9th I peed on the stick and waited 3 minutes (what the directions said - I know how to follow instructions). NEGATIVE. I was annoyed! I told Brad and then we went about our day. We were having our neighbors Todd and Shea over for dinner so we had some chores to complete that AM. 30-40 minutes later I was tossing something away in the bathroom trash and the cheapie test caught my eye. I pulled it out the trash and there was a faint +. WHAT? What does that mean? I texted Shea and she said any positive is a positive...I was not so sure since it had been in the trash for a while. Then I texted Amy. She said pee on another one, but I am cheap and said I'll have to wait for the AM to pee on my "expensive" digital one. All I had to do was WAIT! What's another few hours right?
My next "dilemma" was do I drink? What if I wasn't pregnant and the much needed drink was not had? What if I was pregnant and I would be drinking while pregnant? Decisions. Finally Brad said you need a drink just drink a beer and calm down. So yes. I had a Yuengling (yes just one) while possibly pregnant. Bad mother. The night went off without a hitch. The meal was good and the company was great. The night kept my mind off the next AM's task at hand.
I woke up bright and early Sunday. Peed on my last "good" pregnancy test and went and laid down again (yes I washed my hands). Got up again and when to check it. I was pregnant! I don't think I believed it so I carried it over and woke Brad up to make him look at it to. He looked and agreed and then went to back to sleep. I was excited. I texted Shea while she was at church and told her I was a bad mother (for drinking the night before). Told Amy the same thing while she was at church. Erin had just texted me and I blurted (texted) it to her. Then I texted my sister. We called our parents a day or so later (least we called right?). I guess the 2nd time around you want everyone to know before anything happens (yes that is the bit of pessimism that will creep in).
We scheduled our first appointment for July 3. In the back of my mind I wanted it further out just in case. So we had almost a whole month to wait. Waiting. My favorite.
I had been annoyed with my body all week and of course whined to Shea. She gave me her last "cheap" +/- pregnancy test to give me some peace of mind. The morning of June 9th I peed on the stick and waited 3 minutes (what the directions said - I know how to follow instructions). NEGATIVE. I was annoyed! I told Brad and then we went about our day. We were having our neighbors Todd and Shea over for dinner so we had some chores to complete that AM. 30-40 minutes later I was tossing something away in the bathroom trash and the cheapie test caught my eye. I pulled it out the trash and there was a faint +. WHAT? What does that mean? I texted Shea and she said any positive is a positive...I was not so sure since it had been in the trash for a while. Then I texted Amy. She said pee on another one, but I am cheap and said I'll have to wait for the AM to pee on my "expensive" digital one. All I had to do was WAIT! What's another few hours right?
My next "dilemma" was do I drink? What if I wasn't pregnant and the much needed drink was not had? What if I was pregnant and I would be drinking while pregnant? Decisions. Finally Brad said you need a drink just drink a beer and calm down. So yes. I had a Yuengling (yes just one) while possibly pregnant. Bad mother. The night went off without a hitch. The meal was good and the company was great. The night kept my mind off the next AM's task at hand.
I woke up bright and early Sunday. Peed on my last "good" pregnancy test and went and laid down again (yes I washed my hands). Got up again and when to check it. I was pregnant! I don't think I believed it so I carried it over and woke Brad up to make him look at it to. He looked and agreed and then went to back to sleep. I was excited. I texted Shea while she was at church and told her I was a bad mother (for drinking the night before). Told Amy the same thing while she was at church. Erin had just texted me and I blurted (texted) it to her. Then I texted my sister. We called our parents a day or so later (least we called right?). I guess the 2nd time around you want everyone to know before anything happens (yes that is the bit of pessimism that will creep in).
We scheduled our first appointment for July 3. In the back of my mind I wanted it further out just in case. So we had almost a whole month to wait. Waiting. My favorite.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
I Quit!
I don't like being a quitter...but this baby making is for the birds. It's frustrating and annoying and all I want to do is quit! No one says you have to have a baby to be complete. I think I would be happy with material items... cars, houses, boats, shoes, clothes (in order of importance) and no kid. I can be that crazy cat and dog lady you talk about in your neighborhood.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Really???
So my previous post about everyone else being pregnant was funny...but now seriously?!?! Everyone on TV is pregnant! Really? All the sitcoms I watch pretty much have a pregnant woman in it. The reality shows (the few I watch) have someone pregnant. EVERYONE is pregnant! GEEZ!
Friday, April 20, 2012
Too Sexy For My...
Per Karen's request I am updating my blog!
Since my last cry baby post I have recruited the help of my old trainer. I worked with him for 2 years before my wedding 2 days a week and he was awesome! I am asking (paying) him to help be back to at least my wedding fitness level. He's great. He comes to my house 1-2 days a week for 30 mins and then I attend his boot camp every Saturday morning. I, of course, have recruited friends to sweat it out with me on Saturday AMs (Amy, Shea and now Tiffany are going to have hotter bods now too).
My trainer's first question is always "what is your goal". Most people say to loose weight or tone up. Mine is much more specific. To loose my jelly roll. You know what a jelly roll is. It's when you sit, crouch, or bend over and a jelly roll forms. Mine doesn't spill over my pants yet, but I DON'T want it to ever get to that point! I don't own a scale and I never will. I just want to get toned. Tan and firm fat is the goal lol.
Working out with a trainer is tortuous. But it's worth it when I can't walk around without saying ouch or using the handicap rail to go pee. It's really fun to work out with my friends. They make it bearable and fun.
I see it as a chance to get back into shape before pregnancy (when it happens) so that I can lose the weight quicker and easier after pregnancy
Is this good enough KP? lol
Since my last cry baby post I have recruited the help of my old trainer. I worked with him for 2 years before my wedding 2 days a week and he was awesome! I am asking (paying) him to help be back to at least my wedding fitness level. He's great. He comes to my house 1-2 days a week for 30 mins and then I attend his boot camp every Saturday morning. I, of course, have recruited friends to sweat it out with me on Saturday AMs (Amy, Shea and now Tiffany are going to have hotter bods now too).
My trainer's first question is always "what is your goal". Most people say to loose weight or tone up. Mine is much more specific. To loose my jelly roll. You know what a jelly roll is. It's when you sit, crouch, or bend over and a jelly roll forms. Mine doesn't spill over my pants yet, but I DON'T want it to ever get to that point! I don't own a scale and I never will. I just want to get toned. Tan and firm fat is the goal lol.
Working out with a trainer is tortuous. But it's worth it when I can't walk around without saying ouch or using the handicap rail to go pee. It's really fun to work out with my friends. They make it bearable and fun.
I see it as a chance to get back into shape before pregnancy (when it happens) so that I can lose the weight quicker and easier after pregnancy
Is this good enough KP? lol
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Pregnancy Perk
This is not a woe is me post about my weight, but geez. I let myself go when I found out I was pregnant (ok I lie I started right after the wedding - don't judge!). More like when I was morning sick all I did was lay on the couch or lay on the bed. Key note is I never sat up or walked around I laid down everywhere. Let's just say I took advantage of pregnancy by being lazy. Why can't working out be as much fun as being lazy? Maybe when I found out I was pregnant I was excited that I got to be fat for a true reason. Now there is no baby and I am still fat. Time to get my butt in gear I suppose. Bathing suit season is around the corner. I was totally looking forward to being fat this summer...for a reason. Now I am just fat lol.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
We're Surrounded
It's been a while since I updated the blog. All is well at the Gorka household. We have gotten trough this tough experience fairly unscathed thanks to great family and friends! This year is full of weekend trips and relaxing get aways. Most recently was my first, Brad's second, trip to Bamberg-land. The dogs loved it and we loved it too! Great food and great people!
Side Note: The funny thing is now that we are officially trying I have noticed we have become surrounded by babies. It's not a bad thing, but the other day I received a baby coupon book from Kroger...I mean geeeeez. Rub it in my face that I don't have a baby. Kidding. I do enjoy spending time with our friends and family. I can't wait until we have our own baby Gorka. In the mean time I will continue to baby our furry babies. Pickles and Sal (the biggest babies in our home) will have a rude awakening when the real baby Gorka rears his/her blonde head (ok I know blonde is not a possiblity, but I can dream).
Side Note: The funny thing is now that we are officially trying I have noticed we have become surrounded by babies. It's not a bad thing, but the other day I received a baby coupon book from Kroger...I mean geeeeez. Rub it in my face that I don't have a baby. Kidding. I do enjoy spending time with our friends and family. I can't wait until we have our own baby Gorka. In the mean time I will continue to baby our furry babies. Pickles and Sal (the biggest babies in our home) will have a rude awakening when the real baby Gorka rears his/her blonde head (ok I know blonde is not a possiblity, but I can dream).
Monday, January 30, 2012
Blood Work - ick
It's been a while since my last update. As some of you may know the last step to a miscarriage is blood work. The doctor, actually the phlebotomist, will draw blood and test it every 1-2 weeks until your hcg levels are down to zero. My first draw was January 6 (the same week of the miscarriage) and my levels were down to 2003 (at that point I was technically 12 weeks). To put that in perspective here is a chart:
As you can all note. I should have been at 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml by that point. Technically, the baby stopped growing around 8 weeks. So with my levels at 2003 I was well on my way to zero. The next round of blood work was on the 13th. It was weird since that was when we were supposed to be there for our nuchal fold test. I was down to 67 at that point. My last round of blood work was this past Friday. I should be at zero. Once I am down to zero there is nothing that would keep me from getting pregnant again...
I have found the bright side of things. This past month has been VERY stressful due to work. I have been slammed. Stress makes me lose weight (a def perk to stress). I have been working late and stressing to the point I can wear my dress pants buttoned all day at work. Bright Side. If I were pregnant this amount of stress would not have been good for me. Not to mention my co-workers. I recently got back from a road trip to Nashvegas (Nashville) for Erin's last 20's birthday. Good times. Bright Side. I would not have been able to do the things we did together pregnant (LD, #Town, Shot Gun, etc). Wild times.
I am thinking we will try again. No time frame or deadlines.
Guideline to hCG levels during pregnancy:
hCG levels in weeks from LMP (gestational age)* :- 3 weeks LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
- 4 weeks LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml
- 5 weeks LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
- 6 weeks LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
- 7 - 8 weeks LMP: 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml
- 9 - 12 weeks LMP: 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml
- 13 - 16 weeks LMP: 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml
- 17 - 24 weeks LMP: 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml
- 25 - 40 weeks LMP: 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml
- Non-pregnant females: <5.0 mIU/ml
- Postmenopausal females: <9.5 mIU/ml
As you can all note. I should have been at 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml by that point. Technically, the baby stopped growing around 8 weeks. So with my levels at 2003 I was well on my way to zero. The next round of blood work was on the 13th. It was weird since that was when we were supposed to be there for our nuchal fold test. I was down to 67 at that point. My last round of blood work was this past Friday. I should be at zero. Once I am down to zero there is nothing that would keep me from getting pregnant again...
I have found the bright side of things. This past month has been VERY stressful due to work. I have been slammed. Stress makes me lose weight (a def perk to stress). I have been working late and stressing to the point I can wear my dress pants buttoned all day at work. Bright Side. If I were pregnant this amount of stress would not have been good for me. Not to mention my co-workers. I recently got back from a road trip to Nashvegas (Nashville) for Erin's last 20's birthday. Good times. Bright Side. I would not have been able to do the things we did together pregnant (LD, #Town, Shot Gun, etc). Wild times.
I am thinking we will try again. No time frame or deadlines.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Moving Forward
I think I am OK. I am not pissed anymore...well, not pissed as much. No telling when we will try again, but we do owe Amy a baby so...I think the ability to vent last Friday in a blog helped me. It also helped that Brad read it and he began understanding where I was coming from. It also helped to get all the encouraging emails/messages from friends and family that have been there. Sometimes you get tunnel vision in your "woe is me" stage. People have been there and experienced worse at times too. It is time for me to get over myself.
On another note. We spent the weekend with good friends and relaxing. Good times had by all. I think you realize you are over the rough patch when you are able to talk about the future in a positive light again.
PS: Everyone needs to stop check out the Crafty Draught in Cumming GA. Brad's cousin Andre has done an exceptional job offering a an awesome selection of craft beers to Cumming. Awesome selection. www.craftydraught.com or like them on FB!
On another note. We spent the weekend with good friends and relaxing. Good times had by all. I think you realize you are over the rough patch when you are able to talk about the future in a positive light again.
PS: Everyone needs to stop check out the Crafty Draught in Cumming GA. Brad's cousin Andre has done an exceptional job offering a an awesome selection of craft beers to Cumming. Awesome selection. www.craftydraught.com or like them on FB!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Coping
It's been over a week since my miscarriage...I don't know how I am supposed to feel. I don't feel sad anymore. I don't normally dwell on things and I always try and be more optimistic about things, but it's been tough not to worry and wonder. I think I have a right to worry something is wrong with me and to worry that I will never be able to carry a baby to full term. It makes me feel guilty since Brad wants a baby so badly and I wasn't able to give him one. Brad doesn't seem concerned, but it's no comfort to me when he doesn't let me finish a thought. Yes I am being negative more than usual, but you have to let me vent right? He doesn't seem to want to hear the negative thoughts. I think I am allowed to be negative for a week or two. It has only been a week by the way. I may not show emotions, but I can still talk about things. Talking helps. This does read like Brad is a bad guy. He's not. I just don't think he knows how to handle me. I never cry or show ranges of emotion (other than happiness and anger). I honestly think he just is overwhelmed with my newfound concerns. All these years he has wanted a baby and I have pushed it off. Now I think we are "ready" and I can't even do that.
All the books and blogs say it's normal to feel this way, but nothing tells you how to understand miscarriages or even getting over it. I guess time heals. But right now it feels shitty. Now, understand, I am not bawling my eyes out. I am just angry. Why did this shit happen to me? It's hard not knowing EXACTLY what happened. I know others have had it worse. I was lucky I wasn't further along or had to have a stillbirth, but now I am going to over analyze everything if (big if) we try again. It's hard to get past it and then to even try again with the potential of it happening again is even harder. The statistics increase for those who have miscarried to 25% for another miscarriage. The statistics are scary. How can you not thing or assume the worst for next time? Yeah, yeah, yeah. We have friends and family that have been through it and now have children. Any rational mind would not assume the worst, but as of today my mind is still in an irrational state. So irrational that I expect Brad to read my mind and know what I am thinking. I am probably not a fun person to live with...especially the last few days. I am just down right grumpy and ill.
The only time I start thinking about the miscarriage and the future "what ifs" it's at night. At work I am distracted and when we are out and about I am distracted. It's when I am sitting at home in the evening that I over think things. So, my solution is wine. Don't worry. I will not become an alcoholic. I will get back to my normal self. I just wanted to vent about how shitty this all is. Next week should be better.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Our Loss: An Emotional Experience
On Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 10:15 am Brad and I were told the baby no longer had a heart beat. We lost the baby. You don’t realize how emotionally attached you are to something that was so small you hardly knew it was there. But you are. We were devastated. My Doctor was not there that AM since we were seen on an emergency basis at the OB. The ultra sound tech was who broke the news to us and since it was bad news we saw Dr. Morris. He was polite and made all the necessary “I am sorry sounds”, but it didn’t help. It’s still bad news and no amount of “I am sorry” fixes the bad news. The first thing he and the ultra sound technician stated was that it wasn’t my fault. Why would I think it was? We’ll get there soon enough. He also stated the statistics that we all read in pregnancy books and other genetic possibilities. But since it was our first miscarriage there is not much concern of our ability to conceive and carry a child to term. Regardless, I have read 2 different pregnancy books and read the statistics of the 1-in-5 chance of miscarriage within the first trimester. It doesn’t prepare you. It’s still shitty. We scheduled a follow up with Dr. Middleton for Friday at 8:15 am and we headed home. Brad was the bearer of the bad news. I felt sorry for him, but I couldn’t bear to text, let alone talk, to family about it. Like I said, “I am sorry” just doesn’t make you feel better. I know it’s not being said in any way other than sincerity, but it’s still shitty news you have to deal with. I just cope on my own and with Brad. Brad is the only one other than my mom, my dad and my sister that have seen me cry (The Robot). I kind of like it that way. Everyone wanted to come by or do something for us, but Brad knew I wasn’t up for visitors. I didn’t want to re-hash the bad news so soon. Everyone was great and gave us our space.
Wednesday night was the worst. As I lay in bed the thoughts kept coming and going. Why am I the 1-in-5 women that had the miscarriage? Is something wrong with me and the doctors are down playing it? What did I do? Why did they say I didn’t do anything so quickly? Maybe it’s me. Was I doing too much? I mean. I was pregnant, not crippled. Should I have sat around and done nothing during the first trimester? Of course I tried to stop thinking like that, but of then I started thinking about the future. What if/when we try again and this happens again? Am I a strong enough person to go through this all again? I don’t know if I am. It’s a scary thought. So as I lay in bed Wednesday night, obviously not sleeping and worrying myself to death, I though “hey, I get to think irrationally for a little. It’s shitty news so I get to think like a crazy person”. It didn’t make me feel better, but it let me get the last of the super emotional bits out. Brad had to be the stronger one, which sucked for him. He was experiencing a loss too, not just me. I hope more people ask how he’s doing than just me. The baby wasn’t just made of my genetics. He played a roll too. He also had to field my questions of what If and why. No one has the true answer for why, not without thousands of dollars in testing will we ever know why. But, Brad did shake the irrational thinking by reminding me this may have happened for a reason. Our primary goal is to have a healthy baby and maybe this time around (and any future time around) there were problems that would negate our primary goal. That helped a little.
Thursday was better. We were numb emotionally, but that’s better than feeling sad all the time. Brad was nice and ran to the store to get me lady supplies. I had none in the house since I ran out right before we found out we were pregnant. Today was going to be rough. I decided to try and let nature run its course than have a D&C at the doctor’s office. Brad and took it easy and hung out around the house. Later that evening my parents stopped by the house to drop off some dinner. We ate with them and talked. It was nice to take our minds off of the situation for a little. I was able to tell my mom a little about what happened and what may or may not have caused it. My uncle from Florida called and I spoke with him for a bit. Later on my aunts stopped by with more food (we have tons of food). After everyone left Brad and I hung out for a bit and then headed to be early. It’s mentally exhausting coping with everything. I woke up at midnight to pretty bad cramping. Let’s face the facts. My body was doing its thing. I won’t get into the dirty details, but let me just say it was pretty scarring. I don’t want to experience that again. I was up all night dealing with this and Brad was too.
Friday at 8:15 am we had a follow up appointment with Dr. Middleton. We were not as emotional as Wednesday, but we still had questions. We discussed the potential causes and what our next steps were. She did not seem concerned with was comforting. However, if it does happen again there will be more testing. I just hope there isn’t another miscarriage. It’s a tough thing to cope with. It’s not like losing a loved one; it’s like losing a part of you. You feel empty. Not in a depressed sort of way, but physically empty (especially after what happened Thursday night/Fri early morning). I described everything that happened over the previous night/morning to Dr. Middleton. Brad had the option prior to this to leave or stay and he stayed. He was a trooper. I am telling you I told her every detail. She says it sounds like my body did what it was supposed to do and that I may not need a D&C. She did another ultra sound and confirmed the fetus was in fact gone. That’s when the felling of emptiness hit. The last time we were there was a fetus and now there is nothing. It’s a weird feeling. Not sure if I felt sad or if it just supplied closure. Regardless it is a hard feeling to describe. She advised I would have to come back next week for another blood test. Technically I still would have a positive pregnancy test. Once I get down to zero and I have one normal cycle we can start trying again.
Friday night the Bambergs took us to dinner. I was looking forward to getting out of the house and talking about other things. We tried out a new Thai place by the Mall of GA and then hung out at the house by the fire. It was a nice change of pace and a step towards normalcy. I am not looking forward to work. I don’t want to rehash the details at work. I do however look forward to getting back into the normal swing of things and put this all behind me. No point in reliving the shitty news. I look forward to tonight. Amy (and maybe Erin and Tiffany) and I will be hanging out. Wine night!
You have to always try and look at any bad experience in a positive way. It’s hard, but you have to. We get to try again for healthy baby. There could be worse things like not being able to try at all. In the mean time Wine Nights are an option again and so is sushi! No more nausea for now and no more whining for Brad to suffer through again. All in all Brad and I are ready to move forward and not look back. There is no point in looking back; you may miss what’s to come ahead. Don’t feel sorry for us; just be happy we have another chance.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year!
We rang in the New Year surrounded by family. We spent New Years Eve with my family. It was a fun and rowdy time. The men decided to see who could withstand the hottest hot sauce (Satan's Blood) in the house. Brad tried it and he drank 5 beers in 30 minutes. After midnight Brad played some poker and then we headed home. Got in bed at 4am. Yeah I made it that long!
New Years Day was at the Gorkas'. Linda made a great lunch. We had chops, black eyed peas, cabbage and potato au gratin. Everything was VERY good. We also got to spend time with Brooklyn. Got her all wound up and made it difficult for Erin to get her down for a nap. Mission accomplished.
We headed home and then tackled the Christmas lights. Got the lights put up and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
They say how you ring in the New Year is how you spend it. 2012 we are focusing on our family and creating new traditions with Baby Gorka. Can't wait to me him/her (him according to Brad). It's funny to think that we will have a baby in July. Funny and scary. I mean come on. Who would have thought we would be responsible for another human being? Not us.
PS. This has not been mentioned yet, but according Amy Mabe this is her baby.
New Years Day was at the Gorkas'. Linda made a great lunch. We had chops, black eyed peas, cabbage and potato au gratin. Everything was VERY good. We also got to spend time with Brooklyn. Got her all wound up and made it difficult for Erin to get her down for a nap. Mission accomplished.
We headed home and then tackled the Christmas lights. Got the lights put up and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
They say how you ring in the New Year is how you spend it. 2012 we are focusing on our family and creating new traditions with Baby Gorka. Can't wait to me him/her (him according to Brad). It's funny to think that we will have a baby in July. Funny and scary. I mean come on. Who would have thought we would be responsible for another human being? Not us.
PS. This has not been mentioned yet, but according Amy Mabe this is her baby.
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