Pregnancy

In October 2009, I had delayed periods. I knew it was NOT pregnancy and fixed an appointment with Dr. U. She asked me to take a couple of hormone tests - FSH, LH & TSH. I met her with the results again in November 2009. She studied them and said, everything was within the prescribed range, but to conceive, FSH had to be a little stronger and LH had to be a little weaker. According to her it was a very very mild PCO symptom – but nothing of any major concern. She put me on Dronis 20 and asked me to repeat the test after 3 months and see her.

I went to her again in February 2010 (LMP - 19th February 2010) and she said the hormone levels were perfect and advised Follicular study to rule out any kind of uncertainties and make sure the follicle sizes are expected. I went every alternate day for follicular scan and was put on Gestin & IRS1 parallelly. Dr. U was happy with the follicular size and gave HMG 75 & HCG 5000 shots for better results. The scan was all over by 1st week of March and I was asked to come back after 3 weeks. I took an appointment on 22nd March and went to the clinic with mom. As soon as she saw me, she enquired my LMP and asked to give my urine sample right away. I had least of least hopes, gave the sample and waited outside. Till then, I had not even thought of being pregnant, but the moment she said “Let us do a quick test, better!” tension started building up exponentially. She called me in after 5 mins - and Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She gave me the good news :) Anyhow, she suggested Beta - HCG blood test to be doubly sure. I gave my blood sample and was hoping and fervently praying that everything should be OK. Blood Test results came out on 25th and it was positive too. There are no words to describe our happiness and how we felt. So, this is how the much awaited 280-days program started in my life.

We decided not to disclose this to anyone until June. So only MIL, dad, mom & bro knew about my pregnancy. I went for the 1st scan - to check the baby's heartbeat on April 9th. My friends had earlier narrated me incidents of ectopic pregnancy and no heartbeat, so I was too scared to take up this scan. In fact, every moment during my entire pregnancy period, I had a tinge of tension behind me because I wanted everything to happen smoothly and the baby to be hale and healthy  After a long wait, I was called in and there, I saw much to my relief, the small red dot blinking and it made me realize that this little one is growing inside me.

My morning sickness was mostly during the mornings - as soon as I get up, even before brushing. Every morning I threw up a yellowish liquid (which mom & MIL said was pitham) which would leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Though I liked eating fried items (chips, cutlet, fried veggies, etc) my baby didn’t like them and whenever I ate those, I would puke. Once I had carrot vada at my mom’s place and threw up the entire content in a matter of 2 hrs. So I completely avoided all my favorite dishes. Sputtering smell which used to induce hunger earlier started triggering nausea. So MIL used to close the kitchen door and I had to close the bedroom door when sputtering is done. Thankfully all these lasted only for 5 months and then my taste buds started working normally. However sambar rice was an aversion from the first day till last day. One of my friends told me that soda is bad for pregnant women, so sidelined my dearest Lemon Soda with salt.

During the May month check-up, I could hear the heartbeat through the Doppler. Every month, I eagerly waited for the check-up just to listen to this whooshing sound coming out of the Doppler. Finally, we disclosed it to all our relatives in the first week on June. It is a tradition to go to mom's house in the 5th month, so I went there in the middle of June for about a month. Suprafer, Supracal, MA-DHA, Folwise (until July) had all became a regular part of my routine by then. It was a pleasure to be pampered by each and everyone and it really made me feel very special & happy :) My cravings included mangoes (both raw & ripe), ice-cream, dosa, bread & puli upma

All my friends started enquiring me about the baby movements. I told them I never felt any. Few said they were able to feel the first movement in 17 weeks itself and asked me to sit in a calm room, concentrate, and keep my hand on the tummy and feel. I did it, but nothing happened. Others said it was too early for first pregnancy. I felt so guilty that I was not able to realize the subtle communication of my little one. I was waiting for my regular check-up on 9th July evening when I felt a click in my tummy. Woooohoooooo!!! That very moment I knew that it was the first movement of my baby. It was a different but joyful experience. At times it felt like a butterfly flutter, while at other times it was like a single kick. The movements were too random. There was no set time or count. Whenever I felt the movement, I would call S to come and feel it. But when he comes, it would not kick. He would wait for 15 mins and go off to continue with his work, when I would feel the movement again!! The baby started playing hide and seek with daddy so early :) Then they became regular. S was able to feel it. Slowly, the kicks turned into proper movements like a ball moving inside a pillow. Everyday me and S would spend half an hour atleast after dinner, talking to the baby and feeling its jig jig movements. But till delivery, there was no set pattern in which I would feel the movements. At times, the baby would be hyperactive during the day, other times it would be in the night. Few times it would be fast asleep for a very long time, making me feel uncomfortable, afraid and upset all at the same time. When I decide to go to the doctor, I would feel the squirming again :) May be that was doctor fear!!

On July 25th, I had the 2nd scan and needless to say I had the same feeling as that of my first scan. It was assured that there were no anomalies in any of the visible parts and I was relieved to see the results.