Uncomfortable in my own skin...

I'm pregnant with ONE baby. I'm happy...but it's taking it's toll. I am incredibly nauseous everyday ALL DAY long. I've been this way for two weeks. My taste buds have changed and food I loved before tastes awful. I don't know what to eat now. I've been forcing myself to eat, but it is really hard. I spend 90% of my time laying in bed. It gets really bad when I stand for a few minutes and the gagging begins. Luckily, I work from home and am able to work from the bed. I have no idea what I would do if I had a real job I had to get to.

I've tried everything to help with the nausea: ginger ale, chamomile, acupuncture tacks, eating more often. I was practically crying at acupuncture on Wednesday. I need relief. My husband is being great. Humoring me with all my whims. I still get dizzy when I stand up. I also can't rest my arms on my stomach. Weird as that sounds, it just feels uncomfortable. I have to have all body parts not touching each other. I'm also waking up habitually at 4:30AM to use the bathroom. It's like clockwork and its really sucky. It has not been a fun pregnancy.

I'm about to be 8 weeks along and it's going to be a big week! We have our 2nd ultrasound followed with our graduation from Shady Grove. I made an appointment with a Midwife, referred to me by my acupuncturist, turns out we go straight to her after our ultrasound. I'm nervous. I hope I like her. I didn't interview anyone else. I came to the decision that I want a water/home birth. I've actually always wanted a water birth even before the "Business of being Born". I think that is what is going to be best for me. I am a rather shy, anxious girl and think I would be more comfortable in the safety of my home.

Current Weight:128lbs. Lost two pounds since I got pregnant.

2nd Beta = 1901

So far so good. I've told a few people, and I want
to tell more. I suppose, I'm a little fearful of it
being bad luck. I don't need any more bad luck, but I am so excited I want to tell everyone. I've attached our chart from our beta values. Seems pretty high. http://www.babymed.com/Tools/Pregnancy/hCG/

I'm glad that things are going so well. The next Beta will be Wednesday and the Sonogram some time next week. I am really looking forward to that to see if there is one baby in there or TWO.

I'm now reading: Feed the Belly. So far, I think it is a cute little book. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. I just read the chapter about all the nutrients I need. It's enough to make me go crazy. I am taking a very expensive ($64/month) prescription prenatal vitamin. It's called Gesticare DHA. My nurse said it was very important and way better than the Flintstones vitamins I was taking before transfer. Anything for a healthy baby or babies.

So far, my symptoms are the same, a tad dizzy sometimes, a little nausea, and some crampy feelings. It's funny, I'm glad I get dizzy, because I know I'm still pregnant. Beats peeing on a stick to see if it's still in there.

I'm having occasional thoughts about the other two women who shared my donor. Did their cycle work? If so, will they have 1 or 2 babies each? I doubt the nurse would tell me if they were successful or not. It's going to be strange knowing that my child may have quite a few (genetic) brothers or sisters out there. The other thought that has crossed both my mind and my husbands is that we overpaid for our successful cycle - since it only took one try. But we are pregnant, so we are happy.

1st Beta is 515...shots continue!!!

I'm managing the shots much better with a new moist heating pad, so the news that I have to continue my shots was great to hear. I'm officially pregnant!! The next test is Monday, I'm super excited. I've already been to the library and picked up three or four pregnancy books. I'm half way through: "Our bodies, Ourselves - Pregnancy & Birth". I pretty much got up to the birth part and decided to read that part later when I am much further along.

I am wondering what the next steps are. I know that I stay with the fertility people for two months, but when do I find who I see after that and when do I see them? I'm not sure if I want an OB or a midwife - Can I have both? I like some modern technology, but I want to have as natural a childbirth as I can have. I'm also pretty sure I want a doula, at a birthing center or even a home birth. Lots of information is swirling around in my head. I even bought an app on the iPhone to track the pregnancy. Our baby is the size of a sesame seed. :) My husband gets a kick out of that. He had a dream that I gave birth to a hamburger, so he says we are on our way to our baby hamburger. I'm not sure how to figure out how far along I am. According to one way (the 40 week method) it says I'm 5 weeks and one day and my due date is March 5, 2010. It's based off my last period, but is that accurate with IVF? I find it strange that they count the first couple weeks when I am not pregnant & not ovulating (my donor was though). I would have guessed I was a little more than two weeks along since that's how long it has been since transfer. I'm currently: 15 days past my 3-day transfer.

I'm thinking about continuing with the acupuncture throughout the pregnancy. It's nice going and relaxing if nothing else is happening. I'm also thinking about starting a weekly yoga program for pregnant women. I feel like it might be too soon, but a new session is starting in a couple of weeks. I definately need to get into some exercise program, I've done nothing for a few weeks now. I want to be as healthy as I can be. I really can't believe all this is happening to us and on our first try!