Posts Tagged ‘pregnancy’

By Cheri, Guest Writer, It’s So Very Cheri

Help me come up with names for each of the chapters. Click the button and it will take you to the page that has each of the chapters.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Continued from:

The next morning we got up. This was the day I was to go in for the DNC. We talked a little more and called my doctor’s office to talk with the Dr, who I was told, was not available. I explained that I was cancelling the DNC.

The next call I made, was to Paula. I asked her if we could set up an appointment for a second opinion. I knew the chances of getting in might be weeks away, but I figured time was on my side. If we lost the baby I could call back to see what I needed to do and if not I would go at the first available appointment. Paula told me she had already taken the liberty of speaking with one of their doctors and he told her if I would like to come in, THAT DAY, he had a few hours and he would block off time for us. When does that happen?

As soon as I hung up the phone our phone was ringing, it was the first Drs office and the Dr was instantly available to tell me “You were never pregnant. There is no reason for a 2nd opinion. You need this DNC. It is ridiculous to cancel this appointment”.

~~~

My head was spinning. “What? What about the baby, we saw on the sonogram?” Read the rest of this entry »

Dana, Guest Writer, My Three Little Ducks (@my3littleducks)

February 24th 2007 was the day that everything changed. It changed how I parented my 3 week old. It changed how I was a sister, a daughter, a mom and wife.

That was the day I lost my dad to cancer. That was the day I became a member of the awful dead dads club. That was the day that everything went black for a very long time. The only thing that kept my head above water was the sweet little human that needed me and only me. She kept my heart beating.

Months went by and I wish I could remember them. Thankfully I have pictures. Pictures that reminded me that I was a good mom and I did smile, laugh and I did play with my sweet little kids. Who both needed me.

June 17th 2008 was the day that everything started to heal. That was the day I donated my right kidney to my uncle. My dad’s younger brother, the man who most looks and sounds like my dad. My Uncle Johnny’s kidneys where failing and all he needed to have a healthy life without dialysis 3 times a week was a new kidney.

When I found this out six months after I lost my dad I knew I had to do this. My uncle has a 21 year old daughter who my dad adored. The thought of her having to go through the pain of losing her dad was too much to think about. I picked up the phone and asked my uncle if I could give him my kidney, and he cried. And I cried. And then he said “Of course”.

Ten months later, and hundreds of tests, a ton of paperwork and a bazillion phone calls brings us to June 17th. The whole process was amazing. Everything was in slow motion. My sister flew to Denver with me for the two weeks. My mom stayed back to help my husband with my 2 kids and 2 dogs and my sisters 2 kids and 2 dogs.

In Denver I had an amazing support team. My sister, my aunt Kimmy, aunt Dee, Johnny’s wife Linda and the amazing staff at U of Colorado hospital.

Once I got home my amazing friends and family stepped right in helping us where ever we needed it. Everything seemed to be going like it should until my 6 week post operation mark. I was so nauseous and I couldn’t sleep. Something was wrong.

My transplant nurse wanted me to go see my primary care doctor and see if maybe my left kidney wasn’t adjusting to single life very well.

Turns out it was adjusting just fine. I just happened to be ten weeks pregnant! I frantically did the math and realized I would have been 4 week pregnant when I donated. No longer did I feel the pain from the surgery. All I could think about was this little fetus growing inside me and what it had gone through.

Since it was only Friday I had to wait what felt like forever, but only 2 days to see my OB. When I did see her she reassured me everything was going to be fine and then she figured out the due date. February 24th.

“What! That can’t be right!” I yelled.

What kind of crazy universe do I live in that my unexpected little gift was suppose to come on the day that my dad died two years later?

When February 23th 2009 rolled around and we finally got to meet (one day early) our sweet little blue eyed Molly and I locked eyes with her. I knew at that moment she was going to be my daily reminder that life is amazing and everything is for a reason.

By Shannon Henrici, Special Guest, My Baby Clothes Boutique

The baby bump is hotter than ever these days. Over the past few years, there’s been a growing trend among celebrities and everyday women to flaunt their little bump with fashion picks that accentuate their new curves. Fitted tees and bikinis are the norm, while shapeless frocks have been left in the garbage with the dirty diapers. However, a new trend is giving expectant mothers yet another option – loving and hiding the baby bump.

Many celebrities have managed to keep their bumps under wraps, but still look amazing. Isla Fisher, has been hiding her second pregnancy from the press with stylish but flowy dresses and tops. In May, Alicia Keyes announced her pregnancy wearing an amazing fluffy flowery strapless dress. How do they do it?

If you love your baby bump but want to be discreet, here are some of the secrets. Look through your closet to see what stylish pieces can easily transition to maternity wear. Loose-fitting dresses, baby doll tops, or anything with an empire waist are great as a transitional top. The new asymmetrical, bubble tops, and long tunics are made for baby bumps. One favorite of all pregnant moms is leggings, comfort stretch waist bands, topped with a long flowing shirt are very flattering. Maxi dresses are a must and a fashion staple for before and after pregnancy. As your bump grows, you will have to break down and buy those maternity pants. I guarantee you will love the comfort of the bump snuggling fits. Topped with flowy shirts, you will still look as beautiful as before.

While maternity stores now offer a great selection of trendy styles, don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to their selection. You can still find great clothes at your usual shopping destinations, though you may have to pass on those skinny jeans or that tight little black dress.

Below are some faves of those pregnancy fashionistas:

These styles can be found at Nordstroms -

For those on a budget- here are some adorable (affordable) outfits too:

Chadwick’s of Boston and Belks-

This article brought to you by Shannon Henrici. She writes for My Baby Clothes Boutique. They specialize in the most fashionable baby headbands, baby hats and so much more.

By Toni

The second line has barely turned pink, and you have already made up your mind that for the next nine months your gym membership card can collect dust in your wallet. Now, is a time of eating for two, kicking up your feet, and taking it easy, right?

Only if you want to gain so much weight it takes you until your embryo is in preschool before you shed it. The truth is, that as long as you are in good health, and your doctor gives his or her blessing, there is no reason a reasonable workout routine cannot continue all throughout your 40 weeks.

Working out while pregnant has many advantages, including:

• Less weight gain
• Faster return to pre-pregnancy weight
• Less back pain
• Improved self-image

Speaking as someone who gained 76 pounds in my first pregnancy, because I ate whenever (and whatever) I liked, and never worked out once – I am here to tell all you moms-to-be: Get that booty moving!

I learned a hard lesson during that pregnancy, and because of that during my future pregnancies I worked out every day, and took my nutrition much more seriously. Consequently, while pregnant with twins, I only gained forty pounds. Losing that baby weight took me an entire four weeks after the twins birth, and I owe much of that success to the fact that I understood pre-natal exercise was vital to a quick recovery of my pre-baby bod.

Some precautions should be taken, to assure your safety, and that of your bambino’s. First off, make sure you receive your Obstetrician’s approval before beginning any exercise routine. After the first trimester, you can no longer lay on your stomach during exercise, but this is probably a moot point anyway since it is more than likely too uncomfortable to do so. Listen to your body. If something feels uncomfortable, or if you can’t catch your breath- stop it.

Remember- if you can’t breathe, neither can your baby.

According to the American College of Gynecology, some signs to be on the lookout for are:

• Signs of bloody discharge from vagina.
• Any gush of fluid from vagina.
• Sudden swelling of ankles, hands or face.
• Persistent, severe headaches and/or visual disturbance.
• Unexplained spell of fainting or dizziness.
• Swelling, pain and redness of calf in one leg.

If you experience any of these, discontinue exercise and seek medical advice immediately.

Get up off that couch, and get moving! Your baby will enjoy the endorphins, and your body will thank you nine months from now.

What did you do to stay in shape during your pregnancy?

Toni is a full time stay-at- home mom, a wanna-be (but not too shabby) vegetarian cook, a sometimes not-so-bad photographer, and all around sweet heart. You can find her musings over at Hemp and High Heels.

By Toni

In the course of getting to meet people, it is only natural that I get asked basic questions: Are you married? What do you do for a living? Any kids? When I answer that last question, and I say how many children I have had, without a doubt people always want to know more because there are so many. It’s usually at this point, that the conversation turns a little odd.

Since I already know which way it’s going to head, I can brace myself for how to handle it. Since you, dear readers, do not, let me fill you in. See- I was a surrogate.

If you want to be technical, I was what is referred to in the reproductive community as a Gestational Surrogate. Basically, what that means is that I only contributed my womb to the growing of the children, but none of my genetic material. There is also another type of surrogate called a Traditional Surrogate, who uses her own eggs. For the record, all of these procedures are done in doctors offices, with legal contracts in place. That movie “Baby’s Mama”… ugh. Don’t get me started.

Back to my point. People want to know about my children. I tell them about Tommy & my’s two actual kids (our sweet Taeryn and my little monkey, James). Then, I explain to them that my next three are my surrogate children. I gave birth to a set of twin girls in 2005, and the sweetest little boy you have ever known in 2007.

It is at this point in the conversation that people usually have one of several different responses. They either A) say “Oh what an angel you are to have done that for someone! I could have never done that myself”, B) start asking me all sorts of very private, and sometimes down right rude questions, or C) freak out, but try to pretend that they aren’t. They’ll put on an “everything’s cool” face and back away real slow from me.

Here is how I always want to rebuttal: A) I am not an angel. I did not do this to earn my wings. Please don’t put me on a pedestal like that, it makes me uncomfortable. B) Really? Were you not raised to have any better manners than that?, and C) Dude, take a Prozac, and chill. It’s gonna be ok.

I never do, though. Over the years, I have just learned to let people be rude. It never lasts more than a few minutes, and my life can go on. But, if I could share with the world anything about surrogacy at all, it would be the moment that to me most clearly defined in my mind what surrogacy is all about.

I had just delivered the twins via emergency c-section. Their parents hadn’t been able to make it to the delivery in time. Once they finally were able to get to the hospital and meet their daughters they immediately took them from the nursery and brought them straight to my room so I could spend some time with the girls.

I woke up from my foggy, drug-induced haze to see the happiest smiles I have ever seen on two people you could ever imagine. I was allowed to sit with the babies and their parents for a long time that night, and just admire how beautiful and perfect they were. My heart was so full of love.

Still, I had just had surgery, it was late, and I was tired, so I handed the babies back to their parents. Looking over at them and seeing those babies being in the place where they belonged all along; in that moment, my world was at peace. In that moment, my world was so full of love, and pride, and contentment that nothing else mattered. All that I had witnessed in this life, all the pain, the tragedies, the sufferings, the hurt- it melted away in that moment. That was the moment I saw the four of them become a family. My heart swelled and almost exploded out of my chest.

To me, that is what surrogacy is. The making of families. The healing of hearts. It’s a chance to witness a love that is so rare, a gift so precious, that so few people will ever know, it’s like a secret society that I am very privileged to be a part of. I wish more people understood the beauty of it, and didn’t only see the ugly side the media like to hype. For all the negative stories you hear, there are hundreds of stories you don’t.

I know of three miracles, you probably never knew of before just now.

For more information on surrogacy, please visit www.surromomsonline.com.

Would you ever consider surrogacy? Donating your eggs?

 

 Toni is a full time stay-at- home mom, a wanna-be (but not too shabby) vegetarian cook, a sometimes not-so-bad photographer, and all around sweet heart. You can find her musings over at Hemp and High Heels.