Born at Home
8lbs and 21inches
More details to come. Everyone is in Love!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Highlight of the Trip
"Dr. Hilgers, this is little Claire."
"So you are a NaproBaby. Nice to meet you!"
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| The Family with Dr. Hilgers |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Annual Meeting: American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals
The American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals was founded in 1981 to foster, advance, and promote the Creighton Model FertilityCare System through service, education, leadership, and research. The Academy was known as the American Academy of Natural Family Planning until 2001.
Any fellow bloggers planning on making the trip in a couple weeks to Utah? I'll be there and would love to meet you.
Meeting Brochure!
Nicole
Any fellow bloggers planning on making the trip in a couple weeks to Utah? I'll be there and would love to meet you.
Meeting Brochure!
Nicole
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Progesterone is going up!!!
Just a fast update. PPVI called yesterday, my progesterone went up and it seems my body is processing everything. I can stop inserts and lower my shot. I feel so much better! I think she said it was 53! I am 21 weeks along. Again, a big thanks to my midwife! She has been the connection and saving grace to get my blood draws done and shipped to Omaha!
My placenta is at the front of my belly.. so little kicks are more difficult to feel at this point. However, no mistaking the little ones I am feeling off to the side now :)
Had to believe we are 1/2 way there!!! I said to George yesterday, "Are there things we are suppose to get for a second baby, or do we have everything already?" LOL
Nicole
My placenta is at the front of my belly.. so little kicks are more difficult to feel at this point. However, no mistaking the little ones I am feeling off to the side now :)
Had to believe we are 1/2 way there!!! I said to George yesterday, "Are there things we are suppose to get for a second baby, or do we have everything already?" LOL
Nicole
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Progesterone... is it really that complicated?
I have been MIA for two reasons: 1 - having a toddler and being pregnant is a new level of sacrifice on its own. WOW, this little one gives me a run for my money all day! 2 - I was dog sick the first trimester, really sick. I even went and stayed with my Mom & Dad for a couple weeks so they could help me take care of Claire. With how sick I was, I was beginning to worry I wasn't taking good care of her during the day. That brings us to today, worn out and just tired. But I feel the need to write and share my progesterone journey with you. Its been different this pregnancy... and given some of the comments from the FTW medical community, no one was gonna help me until I found my midwife!
Shortly after conceiving baby #2, I was called by PPVI to talk about my T3 and have the nurse point out I was 16 days PO. Of course, as an infertile who needs a blood test to confirm HCG and progesterone, I wasn't even really excited about day 16 bc I knew I needed to schedule blood work. The nurse called me in an order and we confirmed I was pregnant, but progesterone was low again. PPVI sent out the progesterone injections and we started injections at 4 weeks, just like we did with Claire. However, this time we made a mistake and were only doing 100MG x2 a week. I had blood work again two weeks later and things looked fine. Now mind you, I can not find a lab in this 6th largest city of Fort Worth, that will send my blood to Omaha to be reviewed by PPVI. EVERYONE and I am serious when I say EVERYONE refused to fill this request. So for three months I have had Lab. Corp run my blood work. Which my levels were coming back fine. I had an early ultrasound done at 6 weeks. AGAIN, no ONE in this town would fill Dr. Hilgers request for an early OB u/s. I ended up having a midwife write the order so we could get it done. Baby looks fine, heart beat is good and I am actually further along...bc it took longer to get this all ironed out and actually have the u/s done. So I continue along with being sick, dropping weight and managing the progesterone injections. Lab results are coming back fine. Remember, I am NOT able to have Omaha look at my blood, everyone in the big corporate city is refusing to draw my blood and give it to me... or mail it themselves to Omaha. Even when I offer to pay a premium. (This was not a problem in Amarillo, nor was my ultrasound request)
The ONLY thing that is different this pregnancy, I am cramping. Mild cramping and then cramping that wakes me in the middle of the night. I am uncomfortable but figure it has something to do with my second pregnancy and the body doing this all over again. But the cramping continues to get noticeable... and wakes me up more at night. Like I am going to start my period cramping...which I have not felt since surgery in 2008.
I did consult a provider here in FTW during this time about my care and history of low progesterone. However, they were not interested in monitoring me. I asked why they were not concerned and she said, "Well, you have no history of miscarriage so we won't treat you for low progesterone until you have a miscarriage and we know its a problem." --- um, not comfortable with your office. I shared with her the current injection level I was on and the fact I felt this cramping. Still no concern.
Along the journey of the first trimester, I connect with a great midwife who takes my very seriously. She even agrees that she will draw my blood and we'll send it to Omaha to better manage my injection dose and watch my levels more accurately. At the end of April I have my first draw that I am able to freely send to Omaha.... within 48 hours I am getting a call from PPVI asking if I am having symptoms of bleeding, cramping etc. My levels are so low, might I miscarry? They don't say that, but the line of questions had me concerned. The nurse calls me back that afternoon to say, I need to double my injection and get in for another u/s. Mind you, I am 18 weeks now. My progesterone is low zone 1. I am cramping, but no bleeding. We double the injection that night and within 24 hours no more cramping and none since!!!!!!! SEE SOMETHING WAS WRONG!!!! The cramping was an indication. The national lab was way off on my numbers according to the standards PPVI compares levels to.
We have an 18 week u/s done and baby to perfectly fine. Injections are now 200mg x2 a week and cramping has never returned. I wonder, not that I would miscarry.... since some people argue that point with me, and not having a history of a miscarriage.... would I carry my babies to full term without the progesterone monitoring and support? Either way, I AM SO THANKFUL for my midwife who sees the importance of my care with Dr. Hilgers because of his history with me and my prior pregnancy AND for Dr. Hilgers and his staff. EVERY BABY COUNTS!!! We do not need to miscarry to see a problem.
We are at 20 weeks now and I am still in zone 1, but high zone 1. Which is better than at 17.5 weeks when we freaked out. So now I have added progesterone suppositories. Something different for this pregnancy. I didn't need them with Claire. I just had my blood taken today, and we will ship it tomorrow to see if the last two weeks have improved.
Who knew making babies was this hard :)
Anyways, thats the drama of the progesterone update. I'll keep you informed as we move along. As a side note, I am also on T3 again. I was taking it two months before we conceived.
Love reading everyones blog updates and new babies. Sorry I am not able to comment. I do most my reading on the iPhone these days.
Off to get some rest, morning comes early with a 2 yo :)
Nicole
A little picture to update you on Claire. Looks like she survived the first trimester :)
Shortly after conceiving baby #2, I was called by PPVI to talk about my T3 and have the nurse point out I was 16 days PO. Of course, as an infertile who needs a blood test to confirm HCG and progesterone, I wasn't even really excited about day 16 bc I knew I needed to schedule blood work. The nurse called me in an order and we confirmed I was pregnant, but progesterone was low again. PPVI sent out the progesterone injections and we started injections at 4 weeks, just like we did with Claire. However, this time we made a mistake and were only doing 100MG x2 a week. I had blood work again two weeks later and things looked fine. Now mind you, I can not find a lab in this 6th largest city of Fort Worth, that will send my blood to Omaha to be reviewed by PPVI. EVERYONE and I am serious when I say EVERYONE refused to fill this request. So for three months I have had Lab. Corp run my blood work. Which my levels were coming back fine. I had an early ultrasound done at 6 weeks. AGAIN, no ONE in this town would fill Dr. Hilgers request for an early OB u/s. I ended up having a midwife write the order so we could get it done. Baby looks fine, heart beat is good and I am actually further along...bc it took longer to get this all ironed out and actually have the u/s done. So I continue along with being sick, dropping weight and managing the progesterone injections. Lab results are coming back fine. Remember, I am NOT able to have Omaha look at my blood, everyone in the big corporate city is refusing to draw my blood and give it to me... or mail it themselves to Omaha. Even when I offer to pay a premium. (This was not a problem in Amarillo, nor was my ultrasound request)
The ONLY thing that is different this pregnancy, I am cramping. Mild cramping and then cramping that wakes me in the middle of the night. I am uncomfortable but figure it has something to do with my second pregnancy and the body doing this all over again. But the cramping continues to get noticeable... and wakes me up more at night. Like I am going to start my period cramping...which I have not felt since surgery in 2008.
I did consult a provider here in FTW during this time about my care and history of low progesterone. However, they were not interested in monitoring me. I asked why they were not concerned and she said, "Well, you have no history of miscarriage so we won't treat you for low progesterone until you have a miscarriage and we know its a problem." --- um, not comfortable with your office. I shared with her the current injection level I was on and the fact I felt this cramping. Still no concern.
Along the journey of the first trimester, I connect with a great midwife who takes my very seriously. She even agrees that she will draw my blood and we'll send it to Omaha to better manage my injection dose and watch my levels more accurately. At the end of April I have my first draw that I am able to freely send to Omaha.... within 48 hours I am getting a call from PPVI asking if I am having symptoms of bleeding, cramping etc. My levels are so low, might I miscarry? They don't say that, but the line of questions had me concerned. The nurse calls me back that afternoon to say, I need to double my injection and get in for another u/s. Mind you, I am 18 weeks now. My progesterone is low zone 1. I am cramping, but no bleeding. We double the injection that night and within 24 hours no more cramping and none since!!!!!!! SEE SOMETHING WAS WRONG!!!! The cramping was an indication. The national lab was way off on my numbers according to the standards PPVI compares levels to.
We have an 18 week u/s done and baby to perfectly fine. Injections are now 200mg x2 a week and cramping has never returned. I wonder, not that I would miscarry.... since some people argue that point with me, and not having a history of a miscarriage.... would I carry my babies to full term without the progesterone monitoring and support? Either way, I AM SO THANKFUL for my midwife who sees the importance of my care with Dr. Hilgers because of his history with me and my prior pregnancy AND for Dr. Hilgers and his staff. EVERY BABY COUNTS!!! We do not need to miscarry to see a problem.
We are at 20 weeks now and I am still in zone 1, but high zone 1. Which is better than at 17.5 weeks when we freaked out. So now I have added progesterone suppositories. Something different for this pregnancy. I didn't need them with Claire. I just had my blood taken today, and we will ship it tomorrow to see if the last two weeks have improved.
Who knew making babies was this hard :)
Anyways, thats the drama of the progesterone update. I'll keep you informed as we move along. As a side note, I am also on T3 again. I was taking it two months before we conceived.
Love reading everyones blog updates and new babies. Sorry I am not able to comment. I do most my reading on the iPhone these days.
Off to get some rest, morning comes early with a 2 yo :)
Nicole
A little picture to update you on Claire. Looks like she survived the first trimester :)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
New Team Member!
More details when I get over being so sick. I forgot how bad it was. Lets pray it's like last time, 14 weeks. --- Nicole
Monday, January 30, 2012
When there is a better option
Couples can struggle for years with infertility...and be no more closer to a baby than they are to answers as to why. Infertility can be a symptom that the body is sick. Let's heal the body and possibly discover that a natural pregnancy can occur. Here is a great article about NaproTechnology. The Waiting Womb
Several of my couples have been labeled "infertile" and put on a fast track for IVF. Before they know it, their insurance company is denying claims because they are "infertile". With NaproTechnology, you are considered sick and not billed under infertility. In my personal experience, so many of my clients express feeling better after NaproTechnology treatment...with the possibility of pregnancy down the road.
Ladies, you owe it to yourself to monitor and maintain your own gynecological health from the teen years on. Take the opportunity and empower yourself with this knowledge!
Nicole
Several of my couples have been labeled "infertile" and put on a fast track for IVF. Before they know it, their insurance company is denying claims because they are "infertile". With NaproTechnology, you are considered sick and not billed under infertility. In my personal experience, so many of my clients express feeling better after NaproTechnology treatment...with the possibility of pregnancy down the road.
Ladies, you owe it to yourself to monitor and maintain your own gynecological health from the teen years on. Take the opportunity and empower yourself with this knowledge!
Nicole
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Omaha, Not Just a City
Last summer George, Claire and I were waiting for our flight from Houston to Amarillo. While we sat in the terminal George said, "Hey, you want to go where gate #73 is headed?" For a moment I thought of some places I wanted to visit... like Italy or Chicago... as I looked up I saw Omaha. I smiled and said, "Sure lets go!" and tears came to my eyes. George was surprised I got all sentimental... and asked if I was OK. Sure I was fine, but for a brief moment I was back in May of 2008.
To most people, Omaha is a city in the middle of the United States... but to women who are suffering, it is a city that holds a doctor who provides a lot of answers. They may not be all the answers we want, but they are answers that move us towards soluntions. From our 12 hour car ride, the hotel, downtown brewery, botanical gardens... Creighton hospital, Pope Paul VI Institute, the staff, the restaurants... all of it was an experience that built a memory I will always cherish. It brought us closer together as husband and wife and placed us in an environment where I had complete trust and confidence that someone was going to take very good care of not only me, but us.
As I connect more to the online community of women on Facebook, I find so many are suffering not only with infertility, but with gynecological issues that are simply not being addressed by their OB. How is it that we live in 2012 and the best answer an OB can give us is "We are really not sure how to fix your problem, but if you take this birth control pill we canfix mask your symptoms"- this so burns me!
I may not be an OB, but I am a strong woman who has been down the road of suffering. To help other women from suffering any longer, I am going to use this blog as a platform for discussing solutions, current information and my continued fertility story. While I love posting about the happenings of our cute little family and the renovation of our 1920's home... that will now take place on our family blog, HavrillaVilla.
So ladies, lets stand-up and demand more! Direct your questions to the comment sections and I promise to post weekly on fertility matters!
Nicole
NaproTechnology & Creighton FertilityCare Model
To most people, Omaha is a city in the middle of the United States... but to women who are suffering, it is a city that holds a doctor who provides a lot of answers. They may not be all the answers we want, but they are answers that move us towards soluntions. From our 12 hour car ride, the hotel, downtown brewery, botanical gardens... Creighton hospital, Pope Paul VI Institute, the staff, the restaurants... all of it was an experience that built a memory I will always cherish. It brought us closer together as husband and wife and placed us in an environment where I had complete trust and confidence that someone was going to take very good care of not only me, but us.
As I connect more to the online community of women on Facebook, I find so many are suffering not only with infertility, but with gynecological issues that are simply not being addressed by their OB. How is it that we live in 2012 and the best answer an OB can give us is "We are really not sure how to fix your problem, but if you take this birth control pill we can
I may not be an OB, but I am a strong woman who has been down the road of suffering. To help other women from suffering any longer, I am going to use this blog as a platform for discussing solutions, current information and my continued fertility story. While I love posting about the happenings of our cute little family and the renovation of our 1920's home... that will now take place on our family blog, HavrillaVilla.
So ladies, lets stand-up and demand more! Direct your questions to the comment sections and I promise to post weekly on fertility matters!
Nicole
NaproTechnology & Creighton FertilityCare Model
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