#2 IVF - 35 Weeks 1 Day - Detailed Scan + Placenta Placement & Consultation (20th May 2021)

 Hey ladies,

So today I am having another appointment to see my specialist Dr. Dr Ryan from previous visit has mentioned that they wanted to get my placenta placement check to ensure that I can proceed with Normal Delivery. So I arrived to the scan department at 10am while my appointment with my Diabetic Dr is scheduled at 11.15am.

So I register and have sat down  for about 45mins before my number was called. The sonographer was very vocal and it's nice to hear someone explaining to you what they are doing. So she asked me..

Sono: Hi Dear, any idea why did the Dr ordered this detailed scan + placenta placement check?

Me: Ohh.. on 27th April I was admitted due to lower back pain and they did a scan. Also the Dr mentioned that my placenta is  low lying nearing to the cervix opening..

Sono: *Scanning my Belly* Really? But it seems that your placenta placement is good dear.. It's posterior mid to upper side.  No way it's blocking your cervix. Don't worry about it alright? Not sure why these Doctors orders such scans when it's all normal. Some are not sure when using the doppler or scan devices.. 

Me: Really? Awesome!! So happy to hear that!! *much relieved*

Sono: Do you remember the weight?

Me: Umm... Dr Ryan estimated it was 2.3kg on 6th May 2021?

Sono: *checking* Alamak... No laa.. Doctors all anyhow estimate. Currently it's at 2.4kg. How can it be 2.3kg 2 weeks ago... *shaking her head*

Me: Hehehehe.. it's alright, as long the lil one is well. But can I know if the weight is as per on schedule with the gestational week?

Sono: Yes dear, it perfect. not low or over weight. Gradually gaining weight as week goes by. Will you be going for induce at 38 weeks?

Me: Yes I will..

Sono: No worries.. *scanning* Alright, so now let check on the baby shall we? So here is the face, the nose, the upper lips, can you see the eyes? Currently your baby hand is covering partial of the face..

Me: Oh myy.. *Looking at the screen* So cute!!! *feeling emotional*

Sono: Alright... And this is the right cheek, the arms and fingers... *scanning another side* And this is the legs and feet.. crossing the legs.. *smiling*

Me: Awww!! *smiling*

Sono: And let's hear the heartbeat. *adjusting the volume and scanning over the heart*

What a beautiful sound!

Sono: Is daddy around?

Me: Ohh he's away at work. He couldn't tag along. But I will update him on lil one status!

Sono: Ok, hold on... *printing some images* Here you go, you can keep these and let daddy see..

Me: THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! *looking at the photos*

Sono: You're welcome! And we are done! Here are the documents. You can proceed to the Diabetic Clinic to see the Dr ya! Have a great day!

Me: Thank you! And you too!

So the scan took about 15mins - 20mins as she needed to key in details and printing pictures plus with the placenta placement outcome. I was happy and went straight up to the clinic.

Upon arrival, again I did what I need to. The normal routine and roughly 20mins later I was called in. It was Dr Ann W. :)

So I sat down and she mentioned to me that the scan looks good and the placenta placement is great and non concerning as it eventually did move upward away from the cervix! She also checked my Hypocount log and was happy with the readings and wanted me to do it once a week 7 times a day (Pre/post breakfast, lunch, dinner and 1 before bed). I was happy with that!

So I told Dr Ann that I wish to get my HL extended as my lower back is still pain and I had issued moving about at work. Initially she wasn't keen to give me the HL but as my new EDD  is in 3 weeks time and my lower limb are starting to swell and I am feeling extremely exhausted and increasingly fatigue, she decided to issued 11 day HL for me to rest and mentioned to me that I am eligible to take my Maternity Leave 1 month before delivery. So to those who wish to apply for your Maternity Leave you can go to this website to do a calculation

PLAN YOUR MATERNITY (Click Here)

MATERNITY LEAVE CALCULATOR (Click Here) Please take note if your EDD is 2021, use your mobile phone to calculate

Also, I was advice to start registering for the baby bonus as well. I took note on the details and thank Dr Ann with her assistant. Had a quick scan and Dr Ann is happy with the baby's cephalic placement. She also reminded me to stop taking my Aspirin dose coming next Friday at 36 Weeks and continue taking in the other supplements. I nodded and smiled. She also helped me to write an corrected EDD which I can pass to my Manager to inform her my needs to get an early Maternity Leave start. So for my case, it will be taking 11 days earlier from 31st May till 11th June 2021 which is my admission date.

Dr Ann also mentioned that she wanted me to come back again in 2 weeks time to get another consultation done before the POP day! So she scheduled on the 4th June 2021 for my next visit.

I thanked them again and was told to have a seat outside to for the HL & EDD Documents.

Ladies, please ensure that your name label are pasted onto each documents as sometime, they tend to forget it.. LOL! My EDD form doesn't have my name details. But the front desk staffs were nice enough to help me print a copy!

So for today's consultation + detailed scans + routine checks $115.

I no longer make my payments at the kiosk, instead have the payments done online using the 

HEALTH BUDDY APP

HEALTH HUB APP

It's easy and I can use my mastercard/visa/e-nets to make my payment at home after 1-2 working days.

So today, I decided to rest at my mom's place as currently at home, there isn't anyone and Mountain Bear will only be back at 5pm.. It's still early and I decided to grab some meal as I was pretty hungry!

Updated my manager on my request for an early Maternity Leave by 11 days as I am already well in my 3rd trimester with so much issues. Being a nurse is pretty tough & being pregnant? More challenges! But I am blessed to have a great work environment! Great Doctor & Workmates! 

So that's all for this blog post. See you on the next one! Will update on the details for pre admission and the charges as well! Take care!

 

#2 IVF - 33 Weeks 1 Day - Diabetic Consultation with EDD Changed (6th May 2021)

 Hi Ladies,

So today I have another appointment with my OB and mountain bear is around to accompany me. My appointment is scheduled at 10.50am but we actually arrived at 8.30am. Yes, that early.. LOL!! Mountain Bear is an early bird and we thought that we can still get to be seen earlier. But that's not the case.. LOL!

So for today's visit, the Dr wanted to check on my hypocount log and everything seems to look good! So we waited until 10.45am and finally we saw the doctors arriving. I was called in at 11.20am with Mountain Bear.

As a basic routine, upon arriving to the clinic, we need to get our Height & Weight checked, Urine dipstick test & our Blood pressure checked. Everything looks good on my record. 

So back to my consultation, I was attended by Dr Ryan L. The team lead doctor who attended to me when I was admitted on the 27th April 2021. Dr Ann W. is on her way up. So Dr Ryan was pleased to see my hypocount records and mentioned to me that I need to continue checking my sugar level till at least the next visit. Also, he mentioned that due to my DM, I will need to be admitted at 38 weeks for induce. Reason for this is because, they do not want the baby to grow too big which is very common for ladies that has gestational diabetes & could cause complications if we wanted to do Normal Vaginal Delivery. The baby may be too big and can't pass through the birth canal. I was honestly worried to hear that.. I am pro natural birth and not keen on C-sect. So Dr Ryan has re-corrected my EDD to 11th June 2021 (Friday)

Me and mountain bear looked at each other surprised. It was 2 weeks earlier than expected. We were excited and nervous at the same time. So I asked Dr Ryan if I could start getting an HL or ML before delivery? He mentioned that I can start taking these leaves 4 weeks or 1 month before the delivery date. I was keen to have that as I am currently struggling to move about with my lower back pain and left leg numbness with pins & needles. 

He also mentioned that I need to stop taking my Aspirin Tablet at 36 weeks or 2 weeks before induce labor. And  I can still continue with my other supplements & metformin. So since I am still on HL till 13th May, no MC were given.

Before we leave, Dr Ryan wanted to do a quick scan to check lil one's status. So I was helped up to the couch, lay down and exposed my melon tummy. Warm gel was applied and Dr Ryan started scanning while mountain bear watch along. So he wanted to do an estimation on the baby's weight. He mentioned that it was at 2.3kg.. 

What??? It was 1.9kg on the previous scan on 28th April and it's 8 days after.. lil one gained 400gm? That's alot! But I was happy knowing that lil one is healthy! Heartbeat is strong, placenta placement was alil sketchy that Dr Ryan wanted me to go for another detailed scans in 2 weeks time to make sure it's no longer low lying. Amnio fluid is great, the blood supply to the wombs were great as well! Lil one is already in the cephalic position which is amazing! Once that's done, I got up and sat myself beside mountain bear. So Dr Ryan mentioned that the next visit, we will get a clearer answer on the outcome if Normal Delivery is possible. I really hope so too! I wanted that...

So after 15-20mins of consultation, we are done & I was told to wait outside for the documents to be prepared. We got up and sat outside, Mountain Bear was checking his calendar and was surprised on the new EDD date.. It's getting nearer and earlier. Oh goodness!! LOL!! So the clerk came out and pass us the scan form which was scheduled on the 20th May 2021 along with another consultation with Dr Ann W. She couldn't attend to me today as there were some emergency cases that she needs to attend to. Well,  Dr Ryan is great too! Very attentive and vocal which I like! And male Dr tend to me more gentler. 

We decided to go home after that. It was a quick day! Plus it's still fasting month and Mountain Bear needs his rest. He has been busy with his work schedule and with the Covid19 situation, I prefer not to hang around at any malls or shops unnecessarily. 

So yeah, not much of an update but I still wanna dock it in for memories.. :) So for today's consultation cost $86.00.

Bye!!

#2 IVF - 31 Weeks 6 days - Admitted To Hospital (27th April 2021)

 Hey ladies,

It has been a very challenging week for me. By the time that I publish this post will be more than 4 weeks as I was feeling extremely overwhelming and hormonal. 

So we started our Ramadhan Fasting on the 13th April 2021 and it was an exciting month for me as this will be my 1st ever fasting period with lil one in me. I get the chance to fast on this holy month and at the same time, experience pregnancy as well. Everything goes well and I was able to fast with no issue or complications. I made sure that I keep myself well hydrated at sahur and it went well for the rest of the days.

But something felt different on 26th April 2021, I started feeling extremely tired. My urine were more concentrated and I started having cramps on my left leg, left  hip, groin and lower back. Feeling aching the whole body. So I decide to tell Mountain Bear about it, and he was concern. So the next day, I was suppose to go to work but I informed them that I wasn't feeling too good and proceed to the  hospital to have it checked.

So because my gestational period is more than 22 weeks, I need to proceed to the Delivery Suite Dept to get myself  checked and monitored. Mountain  Bear couldn't tag along as he was caught up with his standby duty and will catch up with me after he finish his job. So I decided to go to the hospital around  1pm taking the grabcar.

Upon reaching, I proceed to the Delivery Suite, handing in my NRIC & my Pink Booklet to the nurse  on duty. She asked me what was my symptoms and the reason for the visit. So I told her that I am having....

- Bodyache

- Lower Backache

- Left leg & Hip Cramping - Pins and needles

- Sudden fatigue & diarrhoea

- Lower abdomen cramping

So she checked me in and bring me to a room, Bed 6 if I could recall and hook up the TOCO machine to monitor my contraction & fetal heartbeat. I lay down and had my BP & temperature checked. It was 37.5 initially but then dropped to 37.4. They were pretty concern if I am having a fever. I do feel alil feverish.

So far, lil one has been active during the whole process.. Couldn't stay still that the TOCO microphone manage to pick up the movements that lil one is making.  LOL! Still, it was a good sign to know that the lil one is still active despite you (mom) is not feeling well.

So roughly 10mins later, the doctor came and asked a few questions and did a quick cervix check using the speculum to check. So far, OS is closed and no opening seen. And they did some cervix swab to check for Fetal Fibronectin Test. Since I am at 32 Weeks, they are concern if this visit I made could end up with preterm labor. I was concern myself as well.. So the doctor asked I was fasting and I told him that I was. So checked my hypocount, it was at 5.1mmol/L. He decided that I should be hook up with 2 pint of Hartmann and to have a quick blood check (FBC, LIVER & RENAL PANEL) also a urine sample. I told the nurse I had the urge and proceed to provide them with the sample.

THERE, they found something worrying in my urine results. My Ketone levels were 3+++. I was admitted to be monitored. I was pretty shocked. I never thought about KETONES in my urine is possible as I was well hydrated, although I am a diabetic. guess I wasn't.

What Causes Ketones In Urine During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, ketones can develop in urine if you:

• Did not eat properly on the previous day
• Missed your bedtime snack
• Are on a low-carbohydrate diet
• Are fasting during pregnancy
• Have extreme morning sickness and diarrhea that leaves you dehydrated
• Have any illness or infection
• Did strenuous exercise on the previous day
• Have gestational diabetes

So I texted Mountain Bear that I was advice to be admitted. He was shocked. He was already on the way to the hospital and I told him that an admission process is needed to be done. He went over to get it settled. I got a bed about 1 hour later. So the doctor explained to Mountain Bear on the condition that I was having and decided that having me to stay overnight here at the hospital will help them to monitor my ketones level with the help of the IV infusion. I honestly felt much better after the 2nd pint was hook up.

So 1 hour later, I was push up to the ward at level 3,  bed 11 and it was 6.30pm. Mountain Bear is fasting and I told him to grab something to break his fast. He bought Mr Bean Pancake, Soymilk and some Polar Puffs. The ward nurse mentioned that she already ordered a meal for me (which I gave to Mountain Bear as he was fasting) and needed to have my hypocount checked.

She was surprise to know that my sugar level was at 3.7mmol/L as of 7pm. I was told to quickly grab something to eat. It was too low and even mountain bear was shocked.  Post meal at 10pm, my reading was at 5.1mmol/L. I told mountain bear to leave at 8pm as he needs his rest and also he has to work the next day.  He was hesitant to go but I assure him that I will keep messaging him and updating him my progress here. After a long hug and feeling hard to let him go, he left and I continue resting. It felt hard to be apart from him. I got so emotional that I did cried for awhile and start messaging me soon after. LOL! Must be the pregnancy hormone. 

So at 11pm, the lights were off and I was not able to sleep due to the aches and pain on my lower back and left leg.. I was cared by a great night duty staff nurse. They offered me some Panadol but I decline as I was still able to bear the pain. Just that I was feeling tired and uneasy. She even hook the TOCO machine to monitor lil one heart and contractions. It lasted for 45mins. 

The next day approaches and I was awake at 5am, Mountain Bear was awake to have his sahur as he showed me a photo of the meal he is having for the morning.. I was feeling emotional as I wasn't able to be there with him to cook for his pre dawn meal. But he is very independent and I wasn't worried much. He has been an amazing partner and dad to be. May Allah bless him greatly. amin!

At 7am, the team doctors were there. Dr Ryan L. was the team Dr & I saw Dr Ann W. in the team as well. I told him that I was feeling much better and they were still keen to keep me till 5pm before I could be discharge. My morning Hypocount is 4.1mmol/L They schedule another fetal scan for me at 1.30pm and another urine sample to check my ketones level. So I manage to provide them with my urine and my ketone level has went down to 1+. They were please with it and decide to have the IV off after 4 pints were given & I was able to take them orally. I updated Mountain Bear on the results and also, told him that I might be able to be discharged today after 5pm. 

So 1.15pm came, and I was escort down to the Antenatal Clinic to get a detailed scan done. The scan shows that my placenta is not blocking the cervix, lil one is in the cephalic position & weighs 1.8kg which they say, its according to the growth chart. I was happy to hear that! Updated Mountain Bear again on that! We were ecstatic to know lil one is well and growing good. So I was push back to the ward and had my lunch. 

Roughly 2 hours later, I was visited by the physiotherapist who helped me with my current issue. Which is my hip and leg cramps and aches. I was taught some simple exercise to strengthen my muscles also was recommended to try the OPPO MATERNITY BACK SUPPORT 2062 & MEDIVEN THROMBEXIN 18mmHg ANTI EMBOLISM COMPRESSION SOCKS. Both of these items are really a wonder! I tried it on and it made HUGE difference in my pain, movement and comfort. I was  happy to have this added into my daily usage! So after the session ends, I manage to get a quick rest before mountain bear arrives at 3.45pm! I was shocked and I asked him, why so soon? He mentioned he finished his job earlier and decide to come visit. It was a happy scene to see your other half with you!

So at 5.30pm, I was discharged and I  was given the necessary medication and documents for follow ups. My next visit for detailed scan was scheduled on the 6th May & 20th May 2021. I will update you ladies on the outcome alright?

Take care & please do take care on your health. Don't be like me.. LOL! Thinking I am a super woman!

Till then!