Test results

I had mentioned that I had some blood work done at my initial OB appointment on the 1st.  Well I got the results back and everything was good except for my TSH levels weren't were they should be.  We are keeping an eye on them and will be retesting to see if they have resolved.  J and I were a bit nervous about waiting til my 2nd trimester since thyroid levels can affect the baby and can cause problems.  That's what we get for reading Mr. WebMD.  My doctor was sweet enough to let us come in sooner to get them rechecked and is willing to let us recheck as many times as we need.

I've never had any issues with my levels coming back abnormal so it definitely through me off guard.  We checked these levels when we first started the process, through the fertility clinic and nothing was wrong.  Then I had them checked again in April when I was doing my life insurance policy stuff.  It just is weird and I am hoping it resolves.

The doctor said it is very normal for your thyroid to get out of whack once you get pregnant but it generally resolves and levels out.  If it does not we will be going to an endocrinologist at that point.  Please send prayers that it levels out and doesn't harm the baby at all. :)

AFP

It is normal for most OB offices to do a routine test called an Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) which checks for certain markers in the baby.  I had mine a few weeks ago and was able to get the results within the following week.

Alpha-fetoprotein Screening (AFP) -- A simple blood test that poses no risk to the fetus, AFP screening measures the levels of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood. Abnormal levels can indicate a brain or spinal cord defect, the presence of twins, a miscalculated due date, or an increased risk of Down syndrome. Since AFP levels can be elevated for a number of reasons, a positive test is usually repeated or followed up by other tests before a diagnosis is made. Very few women with elevated AFP levels are found later to have babies with birth defects

The test was actually really simple and non-invasive, it is a simple blood draw and that is it.  With this test they ask you quite a few questions to best determine what the blood says for results.  Since this is not my baby we just used the age and other information with the Intended Parents and a few questions about me.  They ask how old the egg donor was and that would be the age that my Intended Mother was when they retrieved her eggs.  They ask if there is any history of family genetic anomalies to get a history and go from there.

Results came back all negative for everything!!  This was great news and as for the blood work it proves that the baby is healthy and without any genetic anomalies.  We have our big ultrasound in a few weeks and the parents will decide from there if they want any further testing.

I do have to add that being a phlebotomist I have gotten a few calls from main lab saying such and such patient came back with a positive.  With this particular test if it comes back positive it does NOT mean that your unborn child does indeed have whatever came back positive.  It gives you a number such as 1 in 204 chance of having this, that is not a yes your baby has this anomaly.  If this had come back positive I am certain that my Intended Parents would have requested for me to have an amniocentesis which is a little more invasive and in my eye's can be risky (that is my opinion though).  That is a bit more accurate then the simple blood draw.

Official Beta

Tuesday I have my levels checked per the fertility doctors orders this go around.  I was surprised at how much higher they were then what I thought they'd be.  We figured if it doubled like it should that they would about 80-90 on Tuesday and then double like normal.  They have this myth that if you are carrying twins that it will triple.  I have always felt like I would carry twins but when the "unofficial" beta came back and it only doubled I started to think there was just one pea in my pod!

Tuesday my level was a 143 and so I got a little shock by that.  Was NOT expecting that number.  Not getting my hopes though.  Then Thursday I had my second official beta check and it was at 426.  It had basically tripled.

Either this pea is really strong or there are two peas in my pod!!  We are having an ultrasound on September 7th or 8th and will know more then!

Prepping for the evaluations

Shortly after Mrs. California and I decided to work together we started planning for the medical and psych eval.  I made appointments here so that I could help save them some money.

I work for a company that one of the perks is they cover my blood work and process my labs whatever they might be for free.  Since there is a lot of things that need to be cleared to make sure I'm in tip-top shape I started early to make sure we could be one step closer to the big transfer day!

I have my pap and some extra tests done and everything came back clear on those.  I just recently had my blood work done for literally everything under the sun.  Those probably won't be back until it gets closer to flying to LA for the medical screening with their fertility doctor.

The psych eval has come and gone as well, I honestly thought it would or should be more to it then it was.  Mrs. California had set up an appointment with the lady who did my eval and the day after I got the email from her I was talking to her on the phone.  She basically asked about myself and my family.  If there was any abuse of any kind and make sure that I would be okay giving the babies back.  She said I sounded great and then I just needed to fill out the 300+ questionnaire and she'd get it sent to Mr&Mrs California's fertility doctor!

I have done everything that I can on my side of things and now we are four days out to flying to meet my sweet IP's!!  I am just a little bit excited about this!  I honestly feel like we have been friends and in each other's life for much longer then three weeks!