Guess I Didn’t Need Infertility Insurance After All…
After a year (on and off) of trying and two cycles of charting, I am finally pregnant!
I personally think that taking 50 mg of vitamin B6 to lengthen my luteal phase is what pushed things over the edge for us, but I can’t say for certain. Either way, I am 4 weeks and 5 days pregnant (you get two weeks “extra credit” for the time between your last period and ovulation). My due date is April 10.
While we’re ecstatic and relieved that things occurred naturally, I didn’t realize that my fears about being unable to conceive were about to be replaced by a bigger fear: fear of miscarriage.
Approximately 25% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, which is most common in the first trimester (especially the first part of the first trimester). Knowing this, we haven’t told anyone except my stepson about the pregnancy, and I’m regretting doing even that.
I’m feeling a little bit better these past few days though because I asked my regular doctor to give me a blood workup to check my progesterone levels (low progesterone is often a cause of short luteal phases, and can result in miscarriage if you don’t get progesterone supplements early in pregnancy). Luckily, all my levels are good so far. We go in for my first prenatal appointment next Thursday, and hopefully we will be able to see the heartbeat on an early ultrasound. If so, I’ll feel more comfortable telling our families at that point (plus, I can’t expect a 10-year-old to keep a secret very long!).
I also need to wrestle with the decision of whether to continue taking my antidepressant during pregnancy, and am already working hard on kicking my caffeine habit.
My symptoms so far include extreme fatigue (which could also be related to sudden lack of caffeine), tender and larger breasts, increased sense of smell, more frequent urination and backache. I haven’t had any food aversions or nausea, but those symptoms become more common in week 6.
For those of you who have been pregnant before, how did you keep yourself from becoming anxious about miscarrying (or were you able to)? And, random question, if I am 4 weeks and 5 days pregnant, am I already considered 5 weeks (because I’m in the fifth week), or am I considered 5 weeks at the end of the fifth week?
Here is my chart from the successful cycle. You’ll notice there is a temperature drop today, which is freaking me out a little - I might have to stop temping at some point, just to avoid the anxiety 
10 responses so far
OMG, congratulations! To be honest, your earlier post freaked me out a bit, I don’t like to hear about anyone having fertility problems, especially since I think you’re pretty young. My husband and I were casually trying for a bit. During that time I was going through a lot of work related stress. Then we stopped for a bit. Now I started taking my temperature so our trying can be a bit more targeted.
Wow, congratulations! Incredibly exciting news. Afraid I have no advice - never been there. Just enjoy the process as much as you can!?
Congratulations!! I am so excited for you guys!
Try yoga to relax and help with the backache. It will come in handy as you get bigger. Have a long discussion with your doctor about the depression meds. Sometimes the stress of withdrawal can be worse than just being on them for the length of the pregnancy. Cutting caffeine is probably creating enough stress on your body.
Yes, try to back off from the monitoring. The more your test, the more you stress. Oh, and congrats!
CONGRATULATIONS! That is awesome news. I can’t offer any advice, because I am sure I will have the same fears. Just take care of yourself and that’s all you can do.
Yippee!!
Congratulations on the baby! I have no advice on how to curb your anxiety, but I am an avid reader of Dooce. There she has chronicled battling depression and worrying about the health of her baby. May I suggest seeing an OB/GYN or a fertility doctor? That way you may find an option of an anti-depressant that works well during pregnancy. Good luck. I’ll definitely be coming back to this blog.
Wow! Congrats! While I’ve never been pregnant, I can offer a little bit because I’ve been around some pregnancies. A lot of women say that light exercise (Like yoga or just stretching) helps with some of the pain, especially if you keep it up through the entire pregnancy. Congrats on kicking the bad habits, too. You’re going to be a great mom!
congratulations
im also due in april im 7 weeks and 4 days 2 day
but my pregnancy came as a bit of a shock as we were not trying for a child.
ive suffered 3 misscarrages before and it starts to take its toll on you im only 20 but what puts my mind at rest and has for the last 2 weeks is dont think about it dont count every day of your pregnancy it goes a lot quicker that way. and dont worry about not feeling sick the only symptoms ive got is the obvious missed period, backache, and sore breasts, ive not once felt tired or sick food or any smells dont bother me.
but good luck
:D
Oh congrats! I’m so glad to hear that you’re pregnant. Happy thoughts for a beautiful and healthy baby. =D
hey, hope things are going okay for you. i just wanted to wish you luck and let you know that from the minute you know you are pregnant, you will never not worry again! that just comes with the package.
“what to expect” is a great book but you have to take it with a grain of salt–it’s hard not to be worried if you are reading it. i also charted (four months) with my first child, and did not feel nauseous until into the sixth week. it stopped miraculously at 11.5 weeks. with my second child, i charted and got pregnant the first month. again, didn’t feel nausea until about six weeks, although it last through 16 weeks.
wishing you the best!