Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Pregnant with #2!

I am happy to announce that I am pregnant with our second child!! The due date is January 18th.

We had been trying for a while, and it had taken lots of planning. I got off of methotrexate and switched onto plaquenil six months before we planned on starting to try. (Methotrexate causes miscarriages and birth defects). I had a flare, but it was tamed with a few dose packs of steroids. During this time, I saw my rheumotologist often. Pain was always there, but ignorable.

I knew I was pregnant days before my "special lady time". I was at my sister's visiting her during her chemotherapy treatment. One morning, I woke up and felt no pain at all. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel normal. Even my husband noticed that my hands felt more pliable. With the last pregnancy the same phenomenon had happened - so I knew what was up. I immediately quit taking plaquenil, and the pain stayed at bay.

Even now, I feel pretty good (some nausea, a few stiff joints) and I'm comfortable with the timing of the pregnancy. I'll get my spring semester off, and relatives will be lined up to help with child care. Last time, I was completely unable to care for myself or others about 6 weeks after the baby was born, and I'm expecting a repeat. This time around, I know how to handle it and I know that it will get better.

My lab is mature enough for this. I just got two more grants, and everyone is off and running on their projects. Results are coming in, and they're generally good.

It's time for baby!

11 comments:

Yael said...

B'shaah tova! So happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! It sounds like you're going into everything with eyes open and a smile on your face- what a great way to be!

PUI prof said...

HOORAY! CONGRATS!!

GMP said...

This is such wonderful news!!!
Congratulations and the best of luck!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

ScientistMother said...

OMG that is awesome!!! Congratulations!!!

Arlenna said...

That is so awesome!! Congratulations!!

I am intrigued by the lack of pain thing: I have some chronic joint and neuropathic-type pain, and it also magically vanished during pregnancy. I wonder why?

EcoGeoFemme said...

Congratulations! That all sounds great!

studyzone said...

Many congratulations to you and your family!! Enjoy this time!

ScienceGirl said...

Congrats on the exciting and happy news!

Jenny F. Scientist said...

B'shaah tovah! I hope you continue to feel well and that this one is as cute as #1 (though I don't see how it could be otherwise).