From My Boudoir

I am so sorry I did not post yesterday. I don't know why I feel such a sense of obligation to you but I do. The collective you have helped me so much over the years that I feel like an ass-chump when I promise something and fail to deliver on my promise.

That said, I have a note from my doctor.

CVS kicked my ass yesterday. Or rather, it kicked my abdomen so hard that Steve had to physically pick me up when I wanted to change position in bed. The good Dr. Mayo prefers the transabdominal approach and who was I to argue? Actually, it was pretty cool. He came in and we talked and then he checked out the fetii and then we talked some more and then I gave him the ok to do CVS. At which point he sat there staring at the ultrasound screen for, like, ten minutes in total silence. Then he said, "OK. Here's the plan. I am going in over here" pointing to one side of my abdomen "bring the needle over here" pointing to the other side of my abdomen "pick up the sample from B first and then move the needle back to here" two-thirds over again "and get A before withdrawing."

Daaaaaamn.

But, oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooouuuuuch! If the notion was not patently absurd I would say I feel like I did three hundred sit-ups yesterday.

I have a REDBOOK post going up soon which provides greater detail but the short version is:

1. 13a looks great

2. 13b looks pretty good with two small caveats

a. the NT is on the high side of normal but still in the normal range (smallest measurement 1.6mm; largest 2.1mm)

b. it has a two-vessel cord rather than a three-vessel cord which the experts tell me is another soft marker for chromosomal issues

So we did CVS. Steve was in the pool with Patrick at the time but I am pretty sure he would not have been as lovingly solicitous of my pants as the nurses were, tucking towels around my entire body to prevent staining. I am also pretty sure he would not have gently rubbed my elbow and my feet as competently as the nurses did either. And Patrick swam the width of the pool all by himself without floaties for the very first time that we've seen, so really it was all for the best.      

I feel very VERY hopeful. I think everything is ok. I think that they are both fine. I think I am having twins. 

FISH results today. Real results next week some time.

Thank you for checking on me.

PS In answer to a question I keep getting, this is my eighth pregnancy since we have had Patrick. As far as he is concerned I am just one of those people who throw-up a lot. At five you don't have a whole lot of perspective as to how many times a healthy adult should go to the doctor. When he asked why I was in the hospital yesterday I told him I had an appointment and that I am fine. He seemed content with that answer. I don't personally see any problem with letting your young child share the excitement of a pregnancy provided you ARE excited and sincerely expect a baby to show up, whether or not things go unexpectedly wrong down the line. Me, though, I am never THAT excited about a first trimester and I have never felt like I could honestly tell Patrick that we might have another child in X months. Now I do feel like we will have at least one and I will admit that it is KILLING me not to tell him. I think he will be thrilled by the prospect. 

PPS If I really am having twins I seem to be failing already. I have lost a pound and while I dutifully take my Folplex and my Lovenox every day I only just realized that I never switched to prenatals. Imagine! The pregnant woman's talisman and here I am scarfing my One-a-Days.

PPS Oh, since you asked, this is how he got both samples with one insertion: he left the needle in, detached the sample filled syringe, squirted out the tissue into petrie dish A (I thought the stuff would be cell-like and invisible but you can actually see the villi) and then he attached a new syringe for B. I suppose there might be a tiny bit of cross-contamination if some tissue from A remains in the needle but I guess the lab sorts it all out.   

Comments

[Rachel]

Glad to hear things went so well. I'm a huge fan of Mayo nurses. Glad they took such good care of you. Feel better!!

[Nors]

I am a long time reader of your blog and now your Redbook post. I am glad you got through yesterday and that NBBHY. I just wanted to offer some reassurance regarding the SUA (2 vessel cord) my 2 year old presented with SUA and it turned out to be a non issue, big guy was born at 39 weeks at almost 9 pounds. Brooklyn girl's boy also had SUA and as far as I know it was also a non issue. Good luck with everything, fingers crossed here.

[Laurie]

YAY!!! Phew what a wonderful relief and can't wait to hear all about Patrick's reaction to his new sibs on the way. Confirmation is coming. woo hoo.

Laurie

[Katherine]

Thank you. Good to hear.

[Slim]

Hmmm. I find this all moderately reassuring and will be refreshing like a madwomen or FISH or whatever.
Thirteeen! (I am pretending that I have HBO and watch Rome, just to seem cooler than I actually am.)

[Kim]

YAY! Whoo hoo! (Sorry, that's all I got. I am just so happy for you!)

[Sophie]

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Relieved doesn't even begin to cover it. Thank you for sharing the optimistic news with us out in bloglandia, and good luck with everything else. We are rooting for you soooooooo hard -- although certainly not as much as you are.
Good luck, good luck, good luck.

[Lisa]

Yay! So happy for you. Hope you recover nicely from all those sit-ups and can bask in the good news and the idea of a multi-sib family.

[Marsha]

Oh, wow! Excellent (although I'm sorry that you have been knocked sideways by it all).

And thank you, thank you, thank you for updating. Now I can get back to work without pretending that I'm busy when all I'm really doing is hitting F5 repeatedly in between coffee breaks.

[Andrea]

A longtime lurker and rare commenter says dayum, my refresh finger hurts. Thank you for thinking of us, lurkers and all. Your spirits sound good. Mayo sounds great. I am happy to hear about 13b's within-normal nuchal fold. Don't know much about 2-vessel cords but I have heard of people having them and their babes were fine.

On the note of telling your 5-year-old about an upcoming sibling... our (bio, pre-IF) son was 5 when we decided to throw in the towel on tx and adopt from China. So we told him, pretty early on in the process. By the time we finally went to get our daughter 21 months later, I think he had stopped believing us. Because 21 months to a 5-year-old is very, very long. I kind of wish we'd waited until 3 or 4 months in advance. So I (kinda) know where you are coming from on that issue.

I have two online blogs I am following with women who have very long-awaited pregnancies (both recurrent m/c'ers). You're Julia and she's Jules. Neither of you know who I am (in fact she's never seen me comment). My life is so weird. But I think of you both often and hope so much to see happily-ever-afters.

[Candy]

Ah Julia, I'm so happy to hear there is good news to share. I, too, have been refreshing like a Hooters girl in a bar room full of thirsty longshoremen.

I am not infertile, and a lot of what you are going through is way outside my realm of experience, but the want of a child is something we can all relate to. Best of luck with the babies.

[throwingutah]

I'm glad to hear from you!
I've also had my beloved Firefox tabbed browser up all night with this site on one tab and REDBOOK on the other (it must be exhausted).
I do have one question: if they're taking samples from both A and B with the same needle, how do they sort out which cells are whose? Is the monster needle just a travel route for the actual sample needle?

[Amy]

So happy to be hearing this, Julia. So, so glad! Keeping everything crossed. -Amy (Owen's mom)

[JuliaKB]

Good to see you back and in good spirits. Keeping everything crossed for good news from the both rounds of the results.

Impressive swimmer that boy is. Very impressive. :)

[dara23]

Sounds like the news is good. A 2 vessel cord...doesn't worry me too much, as I have heard of healthy outcomes with that situation. Rest up, start eating, take your vitamins!!!

Thanks for letting us know....300 sit-ups, ouchouchouch!

[Beth]

Sounds so great. I am addicted to checking in on you sorta like you said you're addicted to ultrasounds. :) Now is your excuse to eat very heartily to carry hopefully 2 babies.

[Lisa V]

My 13 year old had a two vessel cord, I don't think we knew until after delivery. She is fine. Okay, she is obsessed with making power points about her fictional life as a rock star/supermodel/architect, and she has bunions, but big picture, fine. Oh and she is scared of kittens. Doesn't like the way they grab at her feet. And she sings the theme song to Seventh Heaven in voice mimicing Celine Dion's. She quotes the Fresh Prince.She got straight A's this year, and I didn't even have to sleep with any of the teachers. Really none of it, is nothing that couldn't be taken care of with a good therapist and a bottle of really good gin for mom.

Very happy for you Julia.

[littlea]

PHEW. Relief. So happy for you and the promising results so far and hope like anything to hear great FISH results. I'm also curious about the testing both with teh same needle thing - and the answer will probably be on the more detailed REDBOOK post.

You are so good to keep us so up to date. I completely understand the hesitancy of telling Patrick and hope you and Steve finally get to have that awesome moment of telling him about his siblings-to-be. Since those comments, I've thought often of adult-Patrick finding out about all that you went thru while still being this super mom to him...what an emotional talk that will be. Or not, I guess, since he's a boy.

[daysgoby]

WHOO-HOO! Hurrah for two!

I'm sorry you're hurting today - are you supposed to be better soon?

[liz s]

I wouldn't tell him either. When I had my 1st M/C my kids were 4 and 7. It devistated them. I had waited until 13 weeks thinking I was safe to tell and then lost it 2 weeks later. I didn't tell them for the next 2 M/Cs. Then when I finally got pg with the baby I waited until I was 15 weeks to tell. It was hard to hide since they were 9 and 12 at that time but I am glad I waited.

Hoping all is good. And yes, a soft marker, but 2 vessel cord can be nothing.

[Erika]

That. Is cool.
Well, except for the very slightly possible problems w/ 13b, and the sore stomach. But the cool doctor? Yay! And the swimming? Also yay!

Keeping fingers & toes crossed for happy results from the tests. I'd braid my hair, too, if it were long enough and didn't instantly fall out of anything fancy I ever try to do with it...

[laura]

I'm so relieved for you, Julia. Still praying hard, though, that the good news keeps coming. :)

[littlea]

Okay, wow, in 5 minutes of not working while sitting at my desk looking busy, you have reposted and added the "2 with one needle answer" (thank you) and I have read the REDBOOK post and now understand that while good FISH results are certainly a good thing, they are not the main thing...I thought maybe FISH could be done on whatever you choose (kind of like PGD). So fingers crossed for today's and next week's reports. The doctors words of hope to you and your response made me completely tear up.

[Denise]

Thanks for the update! Holding my thumbs for you. Needles in the abdomen...

[Sami]

First I'm glad that things with the 2 inhabitants are so far going well. The CVS I'm waiting patiently for those results and hope they are good. Glad to hear that 13b's nuchal is not as awful as feared and also that you will have FISH results shortly.

As for telling Patrick - tell him when you're ready. I know that sounds so simple, but it's the truth. I didn't tell my mom or my husband's parents about this pregnancy #12 until we were farther along (no we do not have 11 children... we actually have 6 dogs and 0 children at this time). I would have waited longer if I could have. i caved to D's wishes as well he finally got a vote.

I really hope this happens for the 3 of you... and that you become a group of 5. Hang in there and hope the abdomen feels better shortly.

[Cat, Galloping]

I'm so glad you are feeling hopeful. I will be on tenterhooks with you for the next 7-10 days.

[BrooklynGirl]

Glad to hear from you...and with such a hopeful post!

My son had a two vessel cord and though I did not blog extensively about it, I did spend quite a bit of time fretting over it. He never developed other markers for chromosomal issues in utero, and after he was born, he was watched for hydronephrosis (fluid on his left kidney) that spontaneously resolved itself--as it often does--by his first birthday. Let me know if you want to compare notes.

[Becca]

Thank you for the PPS I was really wondering about that. My BS in pyschology might be good for eye contact, it's not so good in the sciences. I can't wait until you tell Patrick the big news too.

[Anna]

My goodness! Glad all went well with the IVF (and Patrick's swimming). Keeping everything crossed during the wait for excellent results. Please, God, let it be excellent results...

[Jennifer]

One of the great things about Minnesota-Mayo! Phooey on the TC peri's-yea Rochester! (Although I tend to agree about downtown Rochester on the weekend-just a little creepy).

I'm so happy that you were able to walk out of one of these things feeling lighter than when you walked in. I'll be obsessively checking for the FISH results too. Finally, kudos to Patrick on his swim! Since my 2 year old won't detach from me for anything in the water, and independent swimmer is a true fantasy!

[Shelly]

Keeping my fingers crossed and still praying for success and two healthy babies. My second Son had a SUA and, not to scare you, but has struggled with major birth defects and health issues, BUT he is a very smart 8yr old and is starting to have a more of a typical normal life.
Congrats to Patrick for swimming without the floaties....I am hoping this summer my boys will be doing the same thing soon.

[Cris]

I am really pulling for you. I'm glad things went well. All my sympathy on the abdomen poking - jeez, I thought my amnio was bad, but this sounds a thousand times worse.

We had a soft marker on unbalanced baby boy - shortened humeral lengths for dates. Usually for Downs, which he doesn't have. And you know what? Although not okay in the sense that others have said above, it is still okay. He is still okay. I have actually reached the spot that I am okay. I just put him down for a nap (he is worn out from a haircut and from almost, so close, crawling today) and am just overwhelmed with love for him. In spite of, besides it, because of, that damn translocation.

[victoria]

I'm sorry you feel such an obligation to us, and sorry it hurt so much and still hurts, but I am so glad you posted and that everything is ok so far.

[Chi_Zit]

Delurking to say: So relived and excited for you. Also, read your post on camping whily "twin-ing" and I have to say, you've got balls. Like, giant, monolithic balls. And I applaud your ball aptitude. We just found out we are pregnant (nothing confirmed viable yet, but one can hope, right?) and my husband actually suggested we go quail hunting for our summer vacation. QUAIL HUNTING. I mean, that's the first thing I come to when perusing the mind for ideal vacation ideas while gestating. And, I'm no Rhodes Scholar, but I'm almost certain one hunts quail later in the season, n'est pas? Anyquail. Hope to hear good news from your FISH.

[LEB]

I'm glad it went well - I think it's good news too & I'm very happy for you. I had a TA CVS as well & felt very sore for a couple of days but it soon felt better.

As a recurrent miscarrier I didn't tell my daughter about my most recent pregnancy until I was past 24 weeks (she was 5 as well).

[cursingmama]

Wow!
That's all I have at this point (which for me is a big deal).

Continued good vibrations are headed your way.

[Joan]

I had a two vessel cord baby who was half a twin and he was fine (after they scared the heck out of us). I lost 4 between my oldest and youngest but I also never told my oldest until we knew it was a good pregnancy. He was about your son's age when we finally had a good pregnancy. Hang in there - you have lots of people praying for you.

[Liz]

There are tears in my eyes from what the peri said. Wishing and praying that you are ridiculously busy around the holidays.

[Jessica]

My doctors seem to prefer the trans abdominal method for amnio. You have my sympathies. It hurts like a mofo and that's just one shot, no fishing around for babies.
Hope you feel better soon!

[Melisssa]

It is a very rare thing when the silly old Internet can move me to tears, but this news is one such occasion. I am so pleased to read that the results look good and continue to wish you well.

[PiquantMolly]

Such, such good news. The internet's collective sigh of relief can, I'm sure, be heard reverberating across Minnesota.

[wealhtheow]

I am very very hopeful for you as well! And congrats to Patrick on his swimming accomplishment.

[Jenn]

Thank you for the update! WHEW! I am so glad you are OK and things are looking up with 13a and 13b!

[parodie]

NBHHY indeed. I'm glad to have some justification for the hope I am holding out for you and the 13s. Oh Julia! So much hope.

[terri c]

Wow. Whew. Holding everything crossed for good results from FISH and karyotyping. Sure hope you feel better quickly. And Patrick is awesome.

[Alison S]

I am so, so pleased to hear this. I conceived when you conceived with number 12, and lost it the same week that you did, and I conceived when you conceived with the 13s, and lost it at 7 weeks, so I have been closely following your pregnancy with an (unstalkerish) vested interest, and really, really hoping it goes well for you. (I already have two older children and am now 42, so I'm through with all this rollercoaster now, myself). You write so movingly yet with such humour, and your posts are deeply moving and involving. Thank you for letting us know what happened. FWIW, I think you are quite right not to tell Patrick. I will be thinking of you during the wait - very best of luck.

[Beth]

So very glad to hear that you had such good care at Mayo! Also, yea! for the 13s, may all continue to be well. I hope you're feeling better very soon.

[Chi_Zit]

*Relived should be RELIEVED. I'm RELIEVED. Not relived. I save all my reliving for the days of debauchery from my formative years. (Still very happy for you and hoping that little 13a and 13b will soon have better names, such as Clark and Bitey, or maybe Lou and Gall? Many smooches to you and your brood, once again.)

[Adrienne]

I am so happy that things are so promising... And I humbly offer Lefty and Righty as excellent middle names, or, if nothing else, snarky nicknames for their teenage years. I'm rooting for you :).

[Lisa B]

Yoiks, holy casmallfrits and good golly miss molly. I think this is the most positive I've ever seen you! :) I'll be drinking wine and vin santo and eating popcorn and hot chocolate mix in your honor all day tomorrow! Well, OK, wine and vin santo, anyway.