I know it’s been a bit since I’ve posted so I thought I’d give an update. As I said before, my OHSS came back after I found out I was pregnant. I had been pretty uncomfortable and I felt that it was getting worse on Sunday. I called my OB and my RE’s offices on Monday to find out a if there’s anything I should be doing differently, anything I should be looking out for and when I should be concerned about my symptoms. I had been having some moderate discomfort and shortness of breath. I wasn’t able to eat or drink much because it felt like there was no room for it to go. My belly was huge and I had gained 10+ lbs. in a fairly short amount of time. After much back and forth between the physicians, it was decided that I should be admitted to the hospital overnight for observation and to have some tests run. (I thought this was unnecessary. I gave myself the better safe than sorry and at least I would get some answers pep talk.) I had a chest X-ray, labs and an ultrasound to measure the free fluid. **Of course this happens when W is in Finland again for work! He always misses the exciting stuff. Thank God my mom was here to drive me around, keep me company and take care of me!
The OB on call came to talk to me the following morning and confirmed that I did have moderate OHSS with free fluid. Chest X-ray and labs looked good. She recommended bed rest as much as possible and to drown myself in Gatorade and that eventually it would self resolve and I would start peeing off the fluid. I had been having these awful cramps specifically in the middle of my upper quadrants and the US confirmed that I had some perihepatic ascites. Hopefully that was the culprit! Here’s a timeline of belly pictures..
This was during the beginning of my IVF cycle on meds…
This was the day of my egg retrieval, swollen from all of the follicles that had grown!
This was a couple of days after my retrieval when the OHSS started to kick in the first time!
This was the day I decided to call the office and see how big I was supposed to let this belly get because that’s a whole lot of fluid!!
This was taken during my night in the hospital. Ouch!
After coming home from the hospital on Tuesday, my mom stocked my fridge with Gatorade (Thanks, Mom!!!) and left me to rest. I have had two wonderful bed rest buddies. This is one of them. She’s my old gal, Gigi!
I had a follow up appointment with the nurse practitioner at my OB’s office on Thursday. She just happens to be my lovely cousin without whom I’d be a mess right now. She answers my crazy questions and calms my nerves! My belly had improved, and labs looked good! She ordered one more beta and it was right on track! First U/S and official OB appointment still set for April 2nd.
Okay, now to the fun stuff…..
Official Due Date: November 20, 2014
How far along: 5 weeks + 1 day
Total weight gain: SO funny! About 10lbs. of fluid, which I hope my body rids itself of before I really start gaining!
Maternity clothes: Thanks to the fluid, lots of non-maternity leggings and long shirts.
Sleep: Was cramping a lot last week in the middle of the night and waking up between 3-5am daily. Cramps are better, sleep is better between potty breaks but I’m still waking up early!
Best moment of this week: Seeing my beta hcG doing what it should!!
Miss anything: Exercising, lifting things, and most of all, hot bubble baths.
Food cravings: No crazy craving or aversions yet. My appetite is returning as my belly goes down.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not consistently. I feel sick some mornings if I don’t eat something quickly enough.
Have you started to show yet: Just my 10lbs. of fluid!
Happy or moody most of the time: I feel happy! I’ve only had a few emotional moments and it was mostly around being scared about the hospital and not having my husband there.
Looking forward to: W coming home next week and our first US to see how many there are and a little heartbeat(s)!!!!
oliverschmoliver 
Congrats!! I’m glad they were proactive & figured everything out for you quickly! Good luck!!
ps- I must have missed this tip… Why no hot bubble baths?
Thanks! I couldn’t at first with the IVF stuff because of the egg retrieval (risk of infection since there was technically a hole in my vaginal wall) and then it was recommended not to do anything that would increase your body temp. Warm baths with water less than 100*F is usually okay every so often normally but I like mine scalding hot! Ha…. I’m still on a lot of restrictions until my first official OB appointment so I’ll ask her again when I’m under her care..
Ok thanks!!
They never mentioned that to me when I went through my 2 IVFs… It’s so frustrating not knowing EVERYTHING! lol
But ya gotta just keep the faith! 😊
Every clinic has different lists of what and what not to do. It’s all confusing. I think mostly mine was for infection. I’m just waiting for the go ahead from my OB. My RE was out of state and still has me on lifting restrictions, etc until my OB clears me. I think they are just overly cautious since I’m not close to the clinic..
Girl I had OHSS after egg retrieval too. Luckily I wasn’t admitted. I drank lots of Gatorade and ate lots of sodium filled chicken noodle soup. I posted pictures in “our story”
OHSS does not sound like fun! I’m glad your mom was there to offer support and that the little bean is staying strong. Love your chi!!!!! Are you worried at all how the dogs will react to the baby?
No fun at all. I’m glad she was there too! I think the dogs will be great! They are both little breeds and they’ve been around my nephew and have been socialized often since they were puppies. I think one will try to lay by a baby and one will sniff and go chill in her bed. They are both very calm and loving dogs. Not your typical, hyper, nervous little dog 🙂
I’m so glad you are starting to feel better! I’m sure you will keep feeling better each and every day. I’ve lost 10lbs since Monday (that’s 5 days!!) literally just by peeing ALL THE TIME. Now I no longer look 3-4 months pregnant and all my skinny jeans fit again. Which is good…and a little sad to see the belly go (I can’t wait for the ‘real’ baby belly!) Good luck!
Me too and I hope so! It’s good to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel! I was hoping it would go down before it started going up more! ha
Congrats to you! Hope the OHSS subsides quickly. Good luck and stay comfy!
I just found your blog! Congrats on your pregnancy. Although OHSS isn’t fun so bummed you had to experience that discomfort.
Hope your start to feel better soon and the bloating goes away! Can’t wait to hear about the first U/S!!!!
Wow! What a ride you have been on. Glad you are ok and your numbers look great.
Yeah. Thankfully it’s getting better! Just replacing the fluid belly with the “I feel fat and bloated” belly. I shall not complain though because I asked for it (and paid for it) and it’s going to be worth it. I hope.
So happy and excited for you!