My name is Stephanie E.
So the NOT so great information you will learn about me is that my husband and I had been trying to have a baby since November 2007....
Our first pregnancy ended at 11 weeks 4 days, when we were told by the OBGYN that we had a blighted ovum (also known as an “anembryonic pregnancy”). A Blighted Ovum happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop. I had a D&C in July of 2008.
Our second pregnancy, my Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) put me on Clomid in March of 09 (after not having my period since July...we jump started it...and got my system going), and my first month of Clomid, I got a BFP!! But after my first trimester screening results came in...we found that the PAPP-A level was only a .7 and the Genetic Counselor gave us the option of a CVS or an Amnio. At 15 weeks I had the amnio and the test came back that there was chromosomal abnormalities. Our baby had a skeletal dysplasia, her limbs were measuring smaller than they should; along with a missing kidney; a hole in her heart; only one vessel inside of her umbilical cord instead of three; and a bowed femur. The Maternal Fetal Medicine Doctor was amazing and very compassionate. Unfortunately our baby did not survive. I had a D&E in July of 09 at 18 weeks 4 days pregnant.
After being crushed twice and feeling like my life was over....Dave and I decided to let things happen on their own for the next six months. We decided to live our lives again. We had put everything on hold since 2007. We booked vacations, we spent money we had been saving, and I started Law School! We had an appointment set up for January 21st, 2010 with the RE to decide what our next steps would be...
In December of 2009, I had my period. Every month it was a battle when Aunt Flow came. It was not fair! I mean, I am 20 something years old! I am happy, married, healthy...WHY wasn't it working for us!? We decided that this was the month where we were going to be taking a break. We had a cruise at the beginning of January, and well, I was going to be able to drink and go crazy with excursions if I was not pregnant! So that was the plan...WE THOUGHT....
On our cruise at the beginning of January, I never got my period. It just didn't show up! And I had been beyond regular since after the D&E in July. Half way through our trip...we bought a test at the Walgreen's in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We went into Senor Frogs to eat lunch and I ordered a very LARGE Margarita....(they are my favorite)..well...Dave said that before I drank it that I had better go take a test. And that is exactly what I did. I took the test...and didn't even get my pants buttoned, or washed my hands, or ANYTHING....I just came right out of the bathroom and showed Dave the test...IT WAS POSITIVE. We BOTH cried.
This pregnancy happened ON it's own. Everything, all test, EVERYTHING has come back "more than normal". And although we are still skeptics that this is for real and still cautious...AND STILL PRAY EVERY SINGLE DAY...we are ECSTATICALLY PREGNANT!!!! Our first trimester levels came back and we did not need another amnio! And with the growing baby bump...and the pushed up due date to September 14th, 2010...it looks like ALL of our dreams are finally going to come true!
Update: Arabella Marie was born on September 18th, 2010. She was 7lbs 10oz, and 19 3/4 long!
