Gestational Diabetes and Checkups

My last appointment was on Christmas Eve.

I spoke with the doctor about my blood results and she said that my numbers are borderline.  Not too high and not high enough to *worry* about but high enough to take precautions.

Dr. Oh and I also spoke about delivery of the baby.  Since my body is quite small overall (in structure), the possibility of needing a c-section has risen significantly.  I have a small pelvis and a small torso and we will continue to check things as we go on but most likely I will need a c-section. The second reason is the baby's size.  She (still 90% certain it is a girl) is normal and healthy and perfect, but she is long and she has a big head and there are still 9 weeks to go.  She will get bigger and perhaps be delivered earlier.  Maybe a week or so early--we will see as it gets closer.
Right now she kicks a ton and normally it has been at night or in the morning but this week it has started to become a lot more often during the day.

Nothing is set yet, but just looking at things closely as the due date approaches.

28 weeks 3 days

Wearing dresses makes my belly poke out more lately.

Enjoy the 28 week photo!

Regular Check-up Plus Glucose Test

This visit was a pretty straight forward visit.  No sonogram this time (next time) and Dr. Oh simply listened to the baby's heartbeat in her office.  Good heartbeat.  Tiffany was able to go with me and met Dr. Oh.  She took a video of Dr. Oh listening to the heartbeat.

Glucose Tolerance Test #2

Yesterday, I went back to the hospital to conduct a second, longer, glucose test.  I got a call from the doctor today with my results.

There are 4 blood tests:
1: the first to get a baseline:  95 or higher is abnormal
drink the glucose mixture
2: 1 hour after drinking the orange goo:  180 or higher is abnormal
3: 2 hours after the orange goo:  155 or higher is abnormal
4: 3 hours after drinking the goo:  140 or higher is abnormal

It's A Witch!

Yesterday's doctor appointment concluded with a 90% chance our baby is a girl.  Yay!

The Quad blood test revealed that the baby is at low risk for Downs and other abnormal things.  It weighs 450g (1 pound) and is right on target at 22 weeks.  

On my way there I got a phone call from the hospital asking if I could be there earlier than my 3:20pm appointment to do the 40 minute sonogram.  Luckily for me, my ticket was quite early and it was possible.

Pregnancy from the Korean Perspective

Living in a different country and being pregnant is interesting.  Old ladies and old men want to touch my belly and ask if it is a boy in addition to pressing various Korean food on me that is healthy for the baby.

I found a few websites that has a bit of this information that I think is fun to read and you may as well (here).

Super Fun Times...Not

Learned about another fun side effect of being pregnant: acid indigestion and pregnant allergies Yay! Fun! Not so much...

I have been feeling perfect up until the last 2 weeks.  Having a week long allergy attack and not taking any medicine is not my idea of a good time.  Not taking a day off, not taking meds.  Still needing to function and work and teach.  Super exciting.

Witch or Wizard??

Happy Halloween!

My next appointment is set for October 31, 2014 at 3:20p. 

What will it be?  Witch or Wizard?  

Baby Things

We have been looking at and reading about so many baby things lately. From swaddling to newborn diapers.

Since our apartment is quite tiny we are wondering just what we need and what we can get away with not having. For example, not buying a changing table. We found fold-able ones but do we really need one? My sister in law mentioned that if I end up having a c-section using the bed or something of equal height may not help the healing process. 

What To Do and How To Do It: Newborn Care

I found this link and decided the easiest way for us to remember this good information is to put it on this blog.
Additionally, it may be of use to other new parents seeking similar information.

UNICEF: Baby Friendly Hospital

Samsung Medical Center where I am a patient has been designated at a UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital.

In South Korea, there are 11 such hospitals.  I cannot find a list of them, but according to UNICEF there are 11 in Korea so far.  For comparison purposes, the United States has 25, Sweden has 64, Canada has 1 and the United Kingdom has 29, and Ireland has 0.  This data is from December 2000 so I am sure the numbers are up a bit by now.

What does this mean?

The criteria for a hospital's Baby Friendly accreditation include:

Registering Your New Baby

When a baby is born in Korea to expat parents that baby needs to be registered.

Since we are American, this is what we need to do since we are both American.  If one of us was Korean or if one of us was another nationality it would be slightly different so if that applies to you, research what specifically you need to do.

Since we are both American this is about that specific process.

Samsung Medical Center: Gangnam

Samsung Medical Center is the hospital Joseph and I chose for baby happenings.

Dr. Lee at Rachel IVF helped us make this choice and we could not be happier.

We are very impressed with the quality and care I am receiving and recommend this hospital to any expectant mom to be especially if you are an expat.

For more information about their obstetrics please go here.
**If the link doesn't work the first time you click it, refresh it.

Boy? Girl?

Joseph and I have no qualms about finding out if it is a boy or girl. We don't want that kind of secret before the baby is born. We want ample time to prepare and get things settled.
We wonder what our family and friends think. Will it be a boy or girl and how do you figure?
Looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks!♡

Maternity Clothes!

I have begun showing finally and with that means new clothes.

Maternity clothes.

If you are not Korean, these type of clothes--who am I kidding, any type of clothes---are very difficult to find in Korea.

Baby's First Book

Yesterday, October 1, 2014, Joseph and I received the baby's first book in the mail!

Quad Blood Test

This past Friday I had another doctor's appointment. 

This one was a Quad blood test and they also did a sonogram to try and see if it is a boy or girl.  No luck on that so far.  The baby was sleeping and wasn't inclined to wake up.  Boo!

The quad blood test tests for 4 different types of substances in my blood: AFP, hCG, Estriol, and Inhibin-A.  This test is designed to test the risk of possible problems such as Downs Syndrome, spina bifida, and/or Trisomy 18 or other types of chromosome abnormalities.   

Happy vs. Cautious

I am part of a fertility group on Facebook where we discuss our thoughts and things going on with us as well as documenting our progress and regressions into said progress.  We were discussing one week about personal questions or statements each of us has gotten about our journey and how we responded to them.  I didn't have such a question at the time but now I do.

Statement:  You must be so happy you are pregnant.

CraViNgs

I have just begun craving coca cola.

Before becoming pregnant it was something I very rarely drank.

Now when I see people drinking it I want to jump over the table and pry it from their lips.

First's

As I've said before we are beginning to get excited about this baby business.

We have already had a couple of "first's."  Billie Jo gave us our first pair of baby boots (like Ugg but way cuter and adorable) and Tiffany and Brian gave us our first stuffed animal:  a turtle!  From their trip to Borneo and I broke down and ordered a soft baby blanket from Etsy (no photo yet as it hasn't arrived).

The R's Are Having A Baby

This week I was a little nervous.  I decided I should tell the university I work for that I'm pregnant.

There was no need to be nervous, however.  I told my director, my direct boss the HR and Academic Director.  They were all lovely about it and so kind and caring.

NT Exam

This past Friday I went again to Seoul to visit my doctor.

I needed to get a sonogram that specifically focused on NT (nuchal translucency) for early indicators of Down's Syndrome.

How To Prevent Swollen Legs and Ankles

You can help relieve the increased pressure on your veins by lying on your side. Since the vena cava is on the right side of your body, resting on your left side works best.

Here are some other tips:

Glucose Test Part 2

I completed the second, longer and more involved glucose test and it was fine.

Everything was normal and all of my numbers were normal.

I don't have gestational diabetes so far. The doctor will want to conduct another test around week 24 or so and we will go from there.

Swollen Ankles, Desks and Clothes!

My new position at the university I work at began this week.  It is an administration position and is wonderful.  What isn't so wonderful are my swollen legs and ankles from sitting 6 hours at a time.  I have never sat for so long at a teaching position.  I'm used to, and enjoy, walking and standing for 8 hours a day in the classroom.  I do not like sitting for so long--especially with these pregnancy side effects.  I looked it up and found some exercises to do while sitting at my desk but I will also make a point to get up and walk (to the bathroom, ha!) at least once an hour.

Glucose Test: Gestational Diabetes

When I had my first appointment this past Friday, Dr. Oh scheduled a glucose screening test for me.

I had to drink a disgusting 2oz. mixture of glucose--I don't eat candy or sweet things anymore so this was overly sweet to me.  It was gross.

Anyway, an hour after drinking that I had my blood taken and got the results yesterday.  My glucose level was 147 which warranted the doctors' secretary calling to schedule a longer glucose test.  I will go in tomorrow for that at 10am.

Samsung Medical Hospital: Gangnam, Seoul

Joseph and I have chosen our hospital for general baby things and it is located in Seoul.  Gangnam, to be precise.

I had my first appointment yesterday with Dr. Oh (woman) and she is amazing.  Dr. Lee spoke with her concerning our patient history, etc. with her prior to me going so everything was great when I met with Dr. Oh.

Vanishing Twin

If you have been reading this blog for a bit you know that this first began as 1 then twins and now it is back to one baby.  The second one is classified as a "vanishing twin."  

In looking at the untrasounds and discussing things with Dr. Lee at Rachel IVF, there was only the gestational sac.  No baby was ever inside of it so there shouldn't be anything to concern ourselves with about extra cells or something combing with the current baby.  *fingers crossed*

Pregger Symptoms

I have been quite lucky so far so if, during your pregnancy, you suffered through months of Pregger Puke, read no further because I am sorry.

I have been very lucky in that I have not had ANY morning/day/noon or night sickness at all.  I have thrown up only once (today) from being in the back of a taxi that kept breaking every 100 feet all of the 4 miles home on a full stomach.  Other than that, no puke, for which I am grateful.

I do feel queasy and nauseous especially if I am walking around outside and something smells awful.  If Joseph has too much garlic or eggs, I can't stand it.  So we aren't eating garlic for awhile. The eggs only gross me out if I see him put them in his smoothie (raw) or see him eating any on a plate.

Good Bye Rachel

This week, Thursday, July 31st was our last day as patients at Rachel IVF.  Joseph was on vacation this week and was able to come with me to this last appointment.  Together, we heard and saw the baby's heartbeat and were able to see it moving inside the sac.  It still doesn't seem real yet, but it will soon enough.

And Then There Was One

Went to my weekly doctor visit today and had my weekly sonogram to check on things.
The doctor said the first baby is doing great. The heart rate is normal and perfect and size is perfect. All things going well.
The second baby is no longer in its sac. The sac was empty and smaller than last week. The doctor said it is normal. She explained that over a 2 week-ish period the sac will continue to shrink and then disappear all together.
She prescribed my usual weekly medicine of baby aspirin and endometrium suppositories. Hopefully this is the last week I will need to do those.
We talked briefly about which hospital would be best, etc. for the baby's care and eventual birth and Dr. Lee gave me 5 top Seoul hospitals for Joseph and I to review and discuss.
We are neither happy nor sad about the second bean. It is what it is and that is okay.
Dr. Lee and I also discussed my dietary needs and when I can begin exercising again. Thus far the only exercise I am allowed is walking. Come week 10 I can begin swimming. Yay! An hour a day of laps in the pool. I cannot wait. I have missed swimming!
In the second and third trimester I can add Pilates and light prenatal yoga.

Heartbeat #1

This past Friday I went again to Seoul to go to the doctor.  I will go every week until whenever.

This past appointment the doctor and I listened to the first baby heartbeat.  It was the weirdest and coolest, most amazing moment ever.  I could actually SEE the heart beating in the sonogram.
The heartbeat is 134 bpm and the doctor said it was normal.  The other baby is still too small to hear or see anything other than the black blob.

Baby 1 is 5.74mm long and the sac it is in is 23.50mm.
Baby 2 is not growing as well as the first.  It went from 6.66mm last week to only 9.61mm this week.  The doctor said it is still too early to tell what's going on so we will give it more time.

I go again this coming week on Thursday.

Exciting!!

Glad Tidings?

I have intentionally not posted anything the last couple of weeks.

The 2ww was really hard this time.  Harder than the first time because it felt more was at stake this time.  To me anyway.  Joseph was just not thinking about it which was sometimes a bit frustrating.

I went back to Rachel EARLY on Friday, June 27, 2014 and had a blood test.  They called that morning about 11am to tell me the results: 176.28 is the first beta result.  This is a good sign.  In reality though, this number means nothing until the 2nd beta test.

Blog Reader Questions: IVF: How Much and Price Differerences

There was a question posted on this blog about semen analysis and why there were more than one and about the price difference, etc.
The question was asked on the January 5, 2014 blog post.
Joseph has had a total of 3 such analysis.

The 2 Week Wait: 2WW

The 2ww is traditionally a time of nervousness for many women (sometimes men as well to be fair) about whether or not all of this effort and time a couple has put into this has worked.  This is the time where all we can do is wait.  Nothing we can do helps the outcome (according to research) however that does not stop women from doing many different things to try and influence it anyway.

From acupuncture to eating pineapple to bed rest or little to no activity.  These are just a few of the things some women try out during this time to help things along.

Cost of Rachel IVF: Seoul

How much has this second round of IVF cost us thus far?

Each patient and couple are different and each have different needs.  Ours are at the lowest end of the IVF spectrum so please take that into consideration when looking at the numbers below.

Also, all prices are in Korean Won (to convert into USD: 13,000W = $13.00USD approximately.

2 Frozen Embryos

While eating lunch today, Joseph and I got a phone call from Rachel IVF.  They told us that we have 2 embryos that meet the criteria to be frozen and used at a later date.

Remember, we began with ten eggs and then that became 6 embryos and on day 3, two were transferred back into me.

Embryo Transfer Day!

Maybe I should not be so excited, but I really cannot help it.  Our first cycle of IVF felt like a trial run.  Now that we have Joseph sorted and me sorted things just feel better.  We are more confident in what's happening and the overall feel of the whole thing just feel better.  Feels more positive.

Update Rachel IVF

An update on www.rachelivf.com.  They will no longer be open on Saturday's.

This may only be for June, but Dr. Lee made sure to tell me that their Saturday hours were closing with the exception of surgeries.  I will ask her and update again.

If you need to make a first time appointment, their hours are from approximately 8am (if you are already a patient this is possible) until about 6pm (or 7pm if you are already a patient).

Egg Transfer and hOrMoNeS

Lots and lots of hormones.  So many that I had to make a chart for each one to remember when I am supposed to take it and how many times a day for each one.  I also have a little check box for each day for each hormone so I can check it off when I take it.  It is a lot.

I will go this Monday, June 16, 2014 at 3pm to get the little embryos turkey basted back in.  Hopefully a little parasite attaches itself and stays this time.

Post-Op Egg Removal Surgery #2

Alive and more than well.

The surgery went brilliantly.  Dr. Lee is a goddess of medicine. 

The surgery went super well.  Joseph and I arrived at Rachel about 9:40am or so and I was taken back and asked to change and then led to a bed.  The nurse put an IV saline drip in my arm and then pricked the same arm to check for an allergic reaction. 

Egg Removal Surgery #2

I am so excited! 

My egg removal surgery is scheduled for this Friday at 10:30am (June 13, 2014).

:-D

Injections: Menopur, Follitropin and Cetrotide

Since the post-op follow up, I have been to the doctor twice more to receive injections to take home.

I am being given menopur, follitropin and cetrotide. 

The estrogen was used for 14 days prior to these injections to get my body ready to make more eggs.  The monopur and follotropin is used to make them grow big and healthy and the cetrotide is used to I don't ovulate before the doctor wants me to.

I have been doing 5 days of the follitropin an menopur thus far and tomorrow, Saturday June 7th, I will begin the cetrotide. 

I return to the doctors office on Tuesday for another exam and medication.  It is this day we will find out our surgery date.  It should be either next Thursday, Friday or Saturday. 

Maternity Leave in Korea

So there is conflicting information about maternity leave in South Korea.  Surprised? 

Yes, the woman gets 90 days but there is debate on whether the reality is it is partially paid or not.

Some of the information I have found say that working mothers are entitled to 90 days of maternity leave, of which 60 are fully paid. The other 30 days are paid at a percentage of the mother's monthly income. 45 days' leave can be taken before the birth, and the other 45 days after.

Paternity Leave in Korea

In Korea, daddies get leave as well as mommies when the baby comes.

In Korea, taking a day off simply doesn't happen.  Although I have to say that maternity and paternity leave in Korea is better than America. 

Daddies get 5 paid days of leave. This sometimes includes Saturday and Sunday (because these are work days as well) and it just depends on your boss and how much you really want to fight it or not.  Some laces only give 3 because they do not know (or they ignore) that the law has changed.  It is our responsibility to check and review the laws.  Most companies will count on foreigners being ignorant of such laws so do your research. 

Post-Op Follow Up

Today, Friday, was the follow up for the uterine polyps removal surgery.

The doctor checked my insides and deemed everything perfect and then we discussed the next step.

The surgery went well and I even saw photos of it and what it looked like inside my uterus before, during, and after the surgery.  It was pretty awesome.  But then again, I like that kind of thing.

My uterus is so empty and flat, versus how it was before the surgery: wavy and bumpy with polyps, that I could even see the tiny black hole leading to one of my fallopian tubes.  It was pretty fascinating.

Surgery # Uterine Polyp Removal

Joseph and I are back from Seoul. 

The surgery went really well.  I had no reason to feel trepidation or anxiousness beforehand.  I shall try not to feel that way again...

The night before at midnight I had to take some medication and then again at 6am the same medication.  My surgery time was 11:30am and we were asked to arrive 30 minutes before hand and so we showed up at 10:50am.  I was taken back and asked to change.  Joseph was not allowed to come back so he waited outside the door to the surgical suite.

Rachel IVF Costs

We have been patients at Rachel IVF Hospital for about a month now.

When this next cycle of IVF is complete I will update the costs but for now, this is what we have spent thus far at Rachel.

Surgery update

I will be having surgery on Friday, May 9th for a hysteroscopic polypetomy.  Go here for a video of this procedure and go here for further information about what it is.

I have polyps in my uterus and the surgery will remove them.  Why not have a D&C?  My aunt asked this excellent question and so I asked my doctor.  Our doctor said that the hysteroscopic polypetomy is more sensitive and better at detecting and removing all types of uterine legions, polyps, etc. than a D&C.

Lapraoscopy

Yesterday (Friday), I went to the doctor again for a hysteroscopy.  It was relatively painless but there was some cramping. 

I almost missed my 6:45am train and my appointment was at 8:30am in Seoul.  I took 3 tylenol an hour before and when I was in the surgical suite, the nurses asked me to change and gave me a hair cap to wear.  I was escorted to a bed to lie down in and given a shot of pain killer in my bum.  It burned after she gave it to me.  I have a small lump where the shot was but over night it has disappeared. 

Back and Forth

Tuesday was a busy day.

I had class from 10-12 then I had the catch the train at 12:30. I got into Seoul at 1:30 and was at the doctor by 2.  Out again by 2:05 and on the 3pm train back to Daejeon. All for a blood test.
An 81,000w blood test.

Back to Daejeon and my class from 5 to 7 then my next class from 8:30 to 9:30.  Whew!

Finally, I was able to go home and relax with J.

This week will end with another trip up to Seoul on Friday at 6:45am for my endoscopy exam. Fun times.

Here and Back Again

We have been going back and forth to Seoul for Joseph and One Top Andrology.  Now we are going back and forth for me to Rachel IVF private hospital. 

Joseph and I went together the first time and actually since then, I've had to go by myself so far because my appointments have been during the week.  Kate went with me this past time and afterwards we bummed around Seoul me showing her the sights and sounds of the subways, Gangnam, the Express Bus Terminal--which is where the Dean and Deluca is.  Yummy.

Anywho, Rachel IVF hospital is quite large.  They are in the Mapo City Lotte Hotel in Seoul, about a 4,000w taxi ride from Seoul Station but you can also hop a bus there for 1,000w.  There are 2 towers associated with this hotel and Rachel is in the left tower on floors 2 and 3.  The surgical area is on the 2nd floor, so avoid that unless you have need of it that day.  Go to the 3rd floor and check in.  There are 5 doctors and each have their own secretary and team of people to assist them then there are the other areas of the hospital for injections, blood withdrawal, etc.

Rachel IVF

Seoul.  Rachel IVF Hospital. 

Frustration.

Lost in translation.

Google Translate.

Arg!

Joseph and I have been trying to communicate with Rachel IVF for almost a month now.  We have emailed twice (per their website it is what is asked of you to do the first time) and we have also telephoned.  All to no avail.  We thought they may have been closed for a couple of weeks due to Lunar New Year. 

Sunshine and Roses

In the past month or so J and I have been back and forth to Seoul to an amazing doctor.

First he intrigued us, then he scared us and today, he gave us good news:  it is possible for us to have a baby.  Yes!

We are able to have a baby via IVF.  That's good news!  We were concerned the information would tell us we were unable to have a biological child and now we know we are able to!

We are all set to begin another round of IVF this time in Seoul at Rachel Fertility Hospital.  We have not made an appointment yet, but our doctor gave us a letter concerning our situation to give to them and we will see what we see.

So...what's going on and what's all the drama?

Snags

Do you like a snag on your favorite sweater or scarf?  I don't.  In fact, I cannot think of anyone who does. 

Medical snags are even worse.  

We have hit a snag in our baby making.  

IVF: How Much?

It is much cheaper to conduct testing and have babies, surgeries, and other healthcare needs and wants in Korea.  

People come from all over the world just to use Korea's plastic surgeons.  IVF is no exception. 

Below you will find a list of how much this cost for one round of IVF and the fertility testing before hand. 

Private Hospital:  Maria Fertility Hospital of Daejeon