Thursday, July 2, 2009
Mama Butterfly
I went outside this evening to check on my caterpillars, and the mama butterfly decided to stop by for a visit! After a few minutes of watching her, I realized I should grab my camera. So I ran inside hoping she wasn't done visiting and was able to get some pictures. Now I must warn you that I am by no means a professional, and I did figure out how to take that annoying date stamp off!
I also read online that she lays one egg at a time. Here is a picture of some of her eggs. They are the yellow dots you see on the leaf.
Definitely a case of raging PMS
I got the call back from my doctor's office, and the pregnancy test came back negative. I think Aunt Flow has also finally decided to pay me a visit. We will see if she decides to stay for the next couple days.
I have definitely been more emotional, but maybe my hormones are still trying to adjust after the end of the pregnancy.
I'm not really happy or sad after knowing the truth - just relieved to know! It looks like it was just a case of raging PMS. Shwooo, glad that's over for now!
-- Post From My iPhone
I have definitely been more emotional, but maybe my hormones are still trying to adjust after the end of the pregnancy.
I'm not really happy or sad after knowing the truth - just relieved to know! It looks like it was just a case of raging PMS. Shwooo, glad that's over for now!
-- Post From My iPhone
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A fun discovery in the midst of waiting
I went to the doctor today to have some blood drawn so they could determine if I'm pregnant or not. Aunt Flow has decided to delay her arrival further. The urine test at the doctor's office came back negative, and we will get the results from the blood test tomorrow morning.
I have been nervous about what the results could mean. If I am pregnant, is everything okay with the pregnancy? Why isn't a urine pregnancy test coming back positive? If I'm not pregnant, where the heck is my period? Am I broken? I can't get pregnant again without my cycles working properly!
The wait has been excruciating, and I have been trying to keep myself busy to make the time go by quicker and to ease the anxiety. In the midst of the anxiety, I discovered something fun this evening that has helped to provide some distraction.
Last week I went out to check our little memorial garden we planted in honor of Sierra and Garrett, and I noticed these strange little bugs on the passion vine. They were orange-ish in color and had black hairy spines all over their bodies. They looked very menacing, and I was instantly alarmed. It took me a moment to realize that they were probably caterpillars!
I was a little concerned that they might be a type of pest, so I went out again tonight to see how my vine was fairing and some of the caterpillars had doubled in size, I counted about 20 of them, and they were actively eating MY leaves! I decided to put modern technology to the test and Googled "caterpillars of North Texas". I was easily able to determine that these are Gulf Fritillary caterpillars and live only on the passion vine plant. Apparently, no other bugs can really eat these leaves except this caterpillar and other similar caterpillars, and the plant should be able to easily withstand the pruning session.
At Garrett's memorial, we released butterflies in his and Sierra's honor and planted this passion vine in the hopes of attracting butterflies. The lady at the nursery suggested this plant when we asked what might attract butterflies. I expected some lazy, flighty butterflies to float on by for a drink of nectar, sitting here or there, and flying off again. It completely goes against my expectations that these butterflies would start off as caterpillars on my plant! Even though this isn't what I expected, this is certainly more fun and has more significance! Our little passion vine is helping to grow a family of baby butterflies!
Here is a picture of what the butterflies will look like. We should have cocoons shortly! How exciting! Maybe there isn't enough excitement in my life (or maybe there's too much), but watching these little guys is such a fun way to pass the time!
I have been nervous about what the results could mean. If I am pregnant, is everything okay with the pregnancy? Why isn't a urine pregnancy test coming back positive? If I'm not pregnant, where the heck is my period? Am I broken? I can't get pregnant again without my cycles working properly!
The wait has been excruciating, and I have been trying to keep myself busy to make the time go by quicker and to ease the anxiety. In the midst of the anxiety, I discovered something fun this evening that has helped to provide some distraction.
Last week I went out to check our little memorial garden we planted in honor of Sierra and Garrett, and I noticed these strange little bugs on the passion vine. They were orange-ish in color and had black hairy spines all over their bodies. They looked very menacing, and I was instantly alarmed. It took me a moment to realize that they were probably caterpillars!I was a little concerned that they might be a type of pest, so I went out again tonight to see how my vine was fairing and some of the caterpillars had doubled in size, I counted about 20 of them, and they were actively eating MY leaves! I decided to put modern technology to the test and Googled "caterpillars of North Texas". I was easily able to determine that these are Gulf Fritillary caterpillars and live only on the passion vine plant. Apparently, no other bugs can really eat these leaves except this caterpillar and other similar caterpillars, and the plant should be able to easily withstand the pruning session.
At Garrett's memorial, we released butterflies in his and Sierra's honor and planted this passion vine in the hopes of attracting butterflies. The lady at the nursery suggested this plant when we asked what might attract butterflies. I expected some lazy, flighty butterflies to float on by for a drink of nectar, sitting here or there, and flying off again. It completely goes against my expectations that these butterflies would start off as caterpillars on my plant! Even though this isn't what I expected, this is certainly more fun and has more significance! Our little passion vine is helping to grow a family of baby butterflies!Here is a picture of what the butterflies will look like. We should have cocoons shortly! How exciting! Maybe there isn't enough excitement in my life (or maybe there's too much), but watching these little guys is such a fun way to pass the time!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Follow-up
I feel the need this evening to follow up my last posts with some thoughts.
I read here that, "Approximately 44% of the population is heterozygous and another approximate 12% are homozygous for the MTHFR mutation." That seems like an awfully large percentage to me, and I doubt that many women have had the problems I've had. Maybe there are other factors in this MTHFR mutation that cause pregnancy loss that we just don't understand yet.
I also read on the March of Dimes site that, "There are no good estimates on the number of affected individuals in this country." I also read here that they won't even offer to test you for thrombophilias unless you've had a past blood clot (which I did not), or, "...a history of pregnancy complications, including two or more miscarriages, stillbirth or placental abruption due to undetermined causes," (which I obviously had). It's so sad though that I had to loose even one of our babies before tests would even be ordered to make this diagnosis. I know research is being done, and I hope someday soon there can be an easy way to screen all women for these potential complications.
Also, with the more that I read I am feeling more confident that it is the thrombophilia that caused the deaths of our babies. March of Dimes says that, "The thrombophilias also may contribute to pregnancy complications including fetal loss and placental abruption," (which I had one of each). I also learned that, "Pulmonary embolus is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States," and, "studies suggest that up to 80 percent of pregnant women who develop a pulmonary embolus or other VTE (venous thromboembolism) have an underlying thrombophilia." I would do anything for my children if it means saving their lives and nothing can make up for their deaths in my opinion, but maybe their deaths weren't completely in vain. Maybe with the awareness of my diagnosis due to their demise, they may have helped prevent my death caused by a VTE or pulmonary embolism. This is a rather morbid thought, but I know that even though we have been profoundly affected by the deaths of our babies, I know that my death would have a harsher impact on more people.
I would also like to say that maybe I was hasty in being so critical of my perinatologist on her not suggesting the Folgard (super duper folic acid and B complex vitamins) initially. Maybe I should take responsibility and view it more as a partnership and be glad that I found someone who is willing to take my concerns seriously rather than just dictating treatment especially with something that appears to be a new field of study. I have always considered myself an educated consumer, but paradoxically I have always struggled with being assertive in my concerns. I am always so concerned about offending someone, but I am learning to look out for my own best interest and the interests of my family. And I feel I made a big step in that direction today by educating myself and expressing my concerns to my doctor.
I read here that, "Approximately 44% of the population is heterozygous and another approximate 12% are homozygous for the MTHFR mutation." That seems like an awfully large percentage to me, and I doubt that many women have had the problems I've had. Maybe there are other factors in this MTHFR mutation that cause pregnancy loss that we just don't understand yet.
I also read on the March of Dimes site that, "There are no good estimates on the number of affected individuals in this country." I also read here that they won't even offer to test you for thrombophilias unless you've had a past blood clot (which I did not), or, "...a history of pregnancy complications, including two or more miscarriages, stillbirth or placental abruption due to undetermined causes," (which I obviously had). It's so sad though that I had to loose even one of our babies before tests would even be ordered to make this diagnosis. I know research is being done, and I hope someday soon there can be an easy way to screen all women for these potential complications.
Also, with the more that I read I am feeling more confident that it is the thrombophilia that caused the deaths of our babies. March of Dimes says that, "The thrombophilias also may contribute to pregnancy complications including fetal loss and placental abruption," (which I had one of each). I also learned that, "Pulmonary embolus is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States," and, "studies suggest that up to 80 percent of pregnant women who develop a pulmonary embolus or other VTE (venous thromboembolism) have an underlying thrombophilia." I would do anything for my children if it means saving their lives and nothing can make up for their deaths in my opinion, but maybe their deaths weren't completely in vain. Maybe with the awareness of my diagnosis due to their demise, they may have helped prevent my death caused by a VTE or pulmonary embolism. This is a rather morbid thought, but I know that even though we have been profoundly affected by the deaths of our babies, I know that my death would have a harsher impact on more people.
I would also like to say that maybe I was hasty in being so critical of my perinatologist on her not suggesting the Folgard (super duper folic acid and B complex vitamins) initially. Maybe I should take responsibility and view it more as a partnership and be glad that I found someone who is willing to take my concerns seriously rather than just dictating treatment especially with something that appears to be a new field of study. I have always considered myself an educated consumer, but paradoxically I have always struggled with being assertive in my concerns. I am always so concerned about offending someone, but I am learning to look out for my own best interest and the interests of my family. And I feel I made a big step in that direction today by educating myself and expressing my concerns to my doctor.
Waiting for Wednesday
I called my doctor today regarding the delayed arrival of Aunt Flow. I will be going in Wednesday morning for a blood test to see if I'm pregnant. The urine test this morning came back negative again. I don't know how long it will take to get the results back, but you can be sure I will ask!
I also called my perinatologist regarding checking my homocysteine levels and a possible increase in my folic acid intake from the normal prenatal amounts. She said that it is her experience that even with normal homocysteine levels, you can still have problems, so she didn't think it was necessary to check my levels since we are already going to do the blood thinners.
She did think it was a good idea to increase my folic acid intake and called in a prescription for the super duper supplement. This is what I wanted anyway, so I didn't push the homocysteine issue. But my confidence has been lowered since I feel she should have thought of this initially. I'm not a medical professional; I can't be relied upon to think and research everything! Needless to say, I'm a little disappointed.
I also mentioned to her that we flew the day before I started bleeding and maybe that started everything in motion. She may be trying to alleviate some of my guilt, but said it probably didn't. But I'm still not going to take any chances next time!
-- Post From My iPhone
I also called my perinatologist regarding checking my homocysteine levels and a possible increase in my folic acid intake from the normal prenatal amounts. She said that it is her experience that even with normal homocysteine levels, you can still have problems, so she didn't think it was necessary to check my levels since we are already going to do the blood thinners.
She did think it was a good idea to increase my folic acid intake and called in a prescription for the super duper supplement. This is what I wanted anyway, so I didn't push the homocysteine issue. But my confidence has been lowered since I feel she should have thought of this initially. I'm not a medical professional; I can't be relied upon to think and research everything! Needless to say, I'm a little disappointed.
I also mentioned to her that we flew the day before I started bleeding and maybe that started everything in motion. She may be trying to alleviate some of my guilt, but said it probably didn't. But I'm still not going to take any chances next time!
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday, June 28, 2009
MTHFR and flying
I ran across an interesting discussion board post this weekend that gave me chills (not the good kind). It was a lady discussing a similar clotting condition to mine but hers is more severe.
Bear with me while I provide some background on this particular clotting disorder.
I had a DNS analysis performed on the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) gene a while back. When they perform the analysis, they are concerned with two different DNS sequence mutations - C677T and A1298C. It was determined that I am heterozygous for the A1298C mutation.
You receive chromosomes from both your mother and father when you are conceived, and both copies make up your genes. I received the mutation from either my mother or father, but only one faulty copy making me heterozygous as opposed to homozygous (two alike copies). You are not at increased risk for vascular diseases when you only have one of this particular copy, and I do not have the C677T mutation. Some individuals can be homozygous for both mutations, increasing their risk of vascular disease substantially.
From the research I've done online, this mutation can affect the amount of homocysteine in your body. It is the increase in homocysteine that can lead to an elevated risk for clots and vascular disease. But more applicable to pregnancy it can also interfere with B complex vitamin absorption and cause clots. Clots during pregnancy can interfere with how well the placenta works. As you may know the placenta is the baby's lifeline, and any interference can jepordize the baby's life unexpectedly and quickly.
Folic acid and the other B complex vitamins are important supplements to have before and during pregnancy to decrease risk of neural tube defects and other birth defects. Often times, women with elevated levels of homocysteine are prescribed blood thinners and special vitamins with huge amounts of the B complex vitamins to decrease homocysteine levels and increase the amount of the vitamins available in their bodies. This is to help reduce the risk of clots and birth defects.
I'm not sure why they don't screen for this with every woman who wants to be or is pregnant. It would seem like a simple way to reduce the risk of complications and fetal deaths. But I don't know enough about it to speculate on how common place or rare it may be, and it maybe a new field of study.
Another issue with clotting disorders (or thrombophilia) is that certain things can increase your risk for blood clots - birth control pills, sedentary activities, and flying in an airplane being the foremost on my mind.
The woman in the discussion board posted how she miscarried soon after flying. After I read this, my mind went back to how we had just come back from our trip to New Orleans in which we flew. We had arrived back home on Saturday, and Garrett was born the following Tuesday. I don't think this is coincidence considering I also started bleeding that Sunday following.
During my consult appointment with my perinatologist, I don't think I mentioned that we had just flew prior to the incident. I'm also thinking that my perinatologist did not check my homocysteine levels since this particular mutation is not supposed to affect that. But I am going to ask my doctor to check mine to make sure everything is kosher.
I also mentioned all this to my husband, and we were both in agreement that I will not be traveling next time I'm pregnant - no flying or road trips, period.
Bear with me while I provide some background on this particular clotting disorder.
I had a DNS analysis performed on the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) gene a while back. When they perform the analysis, they are concerned with two different DNS sequence mutations - C677T and A1298C. It was determined that I am heterozygous for the A1298C mutation.
You receive chromosomes from both your mother and father when you are conceived, and both copies make up your genes. I received the mutation from either my mother or father, but only one faulty copy making me heterozygous as opposed to homozygous (two alike copies). You are not at increased risk for vascular diseases when you only have one of this particular copy, and I do not have the C677T mutation. Some individuals can be homozygous for both mutations, increasing their risk of vascular disease substantially.
From the research I've done online, this mutation can affect the amount of homocysteine in your body. It is the increase in homocysteine that can lead to an elevated risk for clots and vascular disease. But more applicable to pregnancy it can also interfere with B complex vitamin absorption and cause clots. Clots during pregnancy can interfere with how well the placenta works. As you may know the placenta is the baby's lifeline, and any interference can jepordize the baby's life unexpectedly and quickly.
Folic acid and the other B complex vitamins are important supplements to have before and during pregnancy to decrease risk of neural tube defects and other birth defects. Often times, women with elevated levels of homocysteine are prescribed blood thinners and special vitamins with huge amounts of the B complex vitamins to decrease homocysteine levels and increase the amount of the vitamins available in their bodies. This is to help reduce the risk of clots and birth defects.
I'm not sure why they don't screen for this with every woman who wants to be or is pregnant. It would seem like a simple way to reduce the risk of complications and fetal deaths. But I don't know enough about it to speculate on how common place or rare it may be, and it maybe a new field of study.
Another issue with clotting disorders (or thrombophilia) is that certain things can increase your risk for blood clots - birth control pills, sedentary activities, and flying in an airplane being the foremost on my mind.
The woman in the discussion board posted how she miscarried soon after flying. After I read this, my mind went back to how we had just come back from our trip to New Orleans in which we flew. We had arrived back home on Saturday, and Garrett was born the following Tuesday. I don't think this is coincidence considering I also started bleeding that Sunday following.
During my consult appointment with my perinatologist, I don't think I mentioned that we had just flew prior to the incident. I'm also thinking that my perinatologist did not check my homocysteine levels since this particular mutation is not supposed to affect that. But I am going to ask my doctor to check mine to make sure everything is kosher.
I also mentioned all this to my husband, and we were both in agreement that I will not be traveling next time I'm pregnant - no flying or road trips, period.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Results?
I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas to arrive; well at this point hoping that it doesn't arrive if we're talking about Aunt Flow.
I woke up this morning at about 4:40am, and I swear I honestly DID have to pee (which I take as another good sign that I could be pregnant). So I went to pee into a cup and got my handy dandy dip stick out. I busied myself with some mundane task after checking the time and waited for the results.
After about 5 minutes I didn't see any indication of a positive test, and the same after 10 minutes. But after about 20 minutes (which I remind you is after the 10 minute recommended viewing period), I did see an obviously faint line. My husband would probably look at me crazy for saying there is obviously a line since to see it at all you have to kinda squint your eyes, get it at the correct angle, and don't look at it directly; but it was there!
I realize I could be imagining lines here, and it did appear after the valid timeframe, so I feel my test is still inconclusive. I did check the expiration date on the tests, and they say 7-2010, so that shouldn't be a problem, but they are older tests...
I did use up my last super duper sensitive test, but if my period is already late I should also be able to get a positive result with any OTC test, but I guess that really all depends on how much hCG I'm making. So I'm going to try to get some more sleep and wait at least until the sun comes up so people don't look at me crazy and go pick up some more tests for tomorrow. Here's hoping, and I'll keep you posted!
-- Post From My iPhone
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