[GRITS]

Hey Susan,
Probiotics can be found at any health food store in the refrigerator section. They are natural good bacteria that help the bodies digestive and immune function. Whenever we take antibiotics it kills all the good bacteria that we need too fight off bad bacteria and offsets our balance. That is why yeast infections are common after taking them. A YI is an overgrowth of candida yeast in the body due to a reduction in the good bacterias used to balance it. Reports have also come out that if woman who are PG take it, their babies will have a healthier immune function and a reduced chance of allergies and eczema. It is not sommething you will notice everyday in how you feel, but it can help keep you from getting sick and definitely from getting yeast inf. if that is something you struggle with. It is good to get one with a variety of bacterias since they each serve different functions.

[hopeful2bmom]

Thanks Grits! I will check it out. I don't get YIs but I will look into it anyway! I think my friend mentioned it can help to restore natural floura to my GI tract as well, something I definitely need.

[Koshveily]

Originally Posted by sunny72

Um, has anyone been experiencing hair loss. I'm wondering if it's relating to the pregnancy hormones having left the building. After I had DD for a while my hair started falling out in clumps. I didn't think it was noticable until I went to my hairdresser and she said something. I asked my DH if he'd noticed at the time, and he said he had around the front and then he pointed out the areas. Thanks! I think it's common when people stop BFeeding, but I wasn't expecting it this time around. Then again, it could be stress. I've had a fair amount of it, as have all of you.

OMG - I had noticed an awful lot of hair coming out when I wash it... and my brush is particularly full when I'm through brushing... I hadn't thought of it as being related though... but this is happening to you?! Woah... yeah, I'm going to be asking about that, too... sheesh!

And I will certainly look into Probiotics... sounds like the remedy I've been needing... hmm... I also have to pick up the prescription the IVF clinic sent me for prenatals... yeah, I've heard a few "huh?"s whenever i say that... it's supposedly good stuff and you can't just pick it up... so I figure, why not? 80)

[jencat215]

A good source of probiotics also comes from yogurt. They even make some that have additional cultures to regulate you, such as Dannon Activa-I am eating those now. Also, from microbiologists that I work with, eating any type of cultured dairy- such as cottage cheese and sour cream (as well as yogurt), is necessary when taking antibiotics because, as Grits says, some completely knock out all of the bacteria in your body, even the good ones that help keep other bad bacteria from growing.

I have had issues with lots of hair coming out on my brush and it is probably from the fertility meds.

Hope you had a relaxing time at the Cape Susan. Glad we left before the pea soup set in! It was actually humid in Colorado today- well, not really humid like you guys think of, but at least we didn't get any static electricity shocks in the past few days!!! It has been cool, but will go back up in the 90's tomorrow. Oh, and my sunburn itches like crazy and it is still bumpy. I even have some rash under my boobs and on my upper stomach. I am going to look silly scratching myself all over in meetings tomorrow!!! At least I go to my allergist (allergy shots) on Tuesday so I will show it to them, if it still is around.

Had dinner at a friends house tonight and got a serious tummy ache. I think it was the lamb chops they served. I felt so bad leaving early, but we just used the 'have to get up early for work' excuse. Ugh. Now I feel like I am soooooooo full and feel kinda sick. Not how I want to start the first day back at work after my vacation...

Oh, well. Hope you all have a nice night. I may just spend mine in the bathroom...

[designdiva32]

Yay...finally a picture. Wow, you ladies all look great in the photo. Sunny, you look like a tall slim Kiwi girl like I am. (I'm 5' 9...we like to grow'em tall do wn there...lol) Grits is right too...there is always a Bob. My guess is he just couldn't resist the gorgeous gals having their pictures taken. Too funny!

Sunny, I have the exact same worries as you do about baby-dancing. My bean seemed to stop growing the exact day of the ultrasound. I keep thinking maybe the technician was too rough or something. And while I know thats ridiculous its still hard to stop thinking about. However, I also know its just us reacting to a very sad experience and its natural to blame ourselves.

I hope you are all doing well otherwise. I am actually finally starting my first cycle since miscarriage. AF showed up today. Although shes very very light I almost missed her! I know for sure I didn't ovulate this cycle as I have the worst pain and pms whenever I do, so I suppose thats why its so light. Do you think though the D&C would make it lighter too? I'm sure it doesn't matter....however I would hate to go in for my day 3 ultrasound only to find out its not really day three. What do you girls think? Does it need to be heavy to be a real period?

[sunny72]

Alana, I'm only 5'7", but I photograph tall?? I'm on day two of a very light AF too. Mostly staining. I was told that the first AF could be a doozey after D&C, so I've been bracing myself for the worst. I had a couple of weeks of bad PMS stuff, cramps, bloating and am surprised that this was all it was about? I usually have heavy periods that last 8 or 9 days, so this is almost worrying?

I have my followup with RE this Friday. I'll have to remember to write a list of questions because when I get to these appointments I go blank.

[designdiva32]

lol...maybe you do photograph tall! (Very tall, slim and gorgeous more like it). It also sounds like we are going through the exact same thing. It must be AF as I too have the cramps etc, but it just so light. I wonder if its because the D&C cleaned everything out so we don't really have any lining to shed. Do you think you even ovulated this cycle? I know I can't have so now I even wonder if this is AF or just some random bleeding. Is any bleeding considered AF or only the heavy kind? Ugh...maybe you can take my questions to you RE too! I'm the same way...I never ask anything I meant too once I get there, then I leave with all these problems I have to phone them up about...which just makes them even madder.

On a completely different note...living so far away from your sibling also, do you ever find yourself having to do all the work to stay in touch etc with no reciprocation? Honestly, because we don't have kids my sisters don't have to send any presents over for them etc as we do. However when its one of their birthdays we always send flowers or a card at least. Yet one of my sisters never does anything...and shes the one with the kids! It makes me so mad. I know shes busy with the three of them but still...is that any excuse? I sometimes think she does that because I left NZ and she disapproves or something. Anyway, I just felt like ranting to a fellow ex-pat Kiwi who knows how small-minded they can be back there.

[sunny72]

Alana, I have an older brother and sister. They are 7 and 11 years old than me, so I was always the annoying baby of the family. Sometimes I felt like I had four parents (they told on me alot). My sister and I scratched and punched as a form of communication up until the last 10 years of our lives. Neither of my siblings have children, so my daughter is the only grandchild. I don't think my mother will truly forgive me for that fact that I reproduced in another country. My sister is very generous, we call each other frequently, like every fortnight. After years of scrapping, we're really good friends. We probably get on really well because we don't live anywhere near each other he, he. My brother is a very busy guy, he lives in Hong Kong and calls every month or so (but always in the middle of the night??? so he ends up leaving a lot of messages). I guess I have nothing to complain about as far as them putting effort in. With my parents however, I always feel like they invest in their golden boy the most. But that's another story........

Maybe your sister has abandonment issues. You know, you left them, you are galavanting around the world, and maybe she thinks you don't need the support or attention? A phone call on your birthday wouldn't hurt though would it? Just sounds like she's wrapped up in her own little world.

About your ovulation question. I think I did ovulate or my body tried to at least, because of some cramps and the tell tale CM. I don't know about you, but I'm cramping like my body wants to have a normal bleed period, but it's not really happening. Did you actually take the Provera? I know you mentioned it before.

[jencat215]

The real reason Heidi looks so tall is cause she is standing next to me...at 5'3 1/4". Although, at the RE visit where they measured me for height/weight for the metho shot, they said I was only 5' 2.5". That was totally wrong. Maybe that is why the shot didn't work? They jacked me 1 1/4"? Jerks!!! Anyway, most people appear very tall when standing next to me!!!

Get this- today I got an email from DH's cousin's wife anouncing that she is preggers with twins!!! She currently has a 1 year old, got pg in the back of the cousin's car 2 halloweens ago (and they were just boyfriend and girlfriend, about to break up cause she is nuts) and bam! pregnant. Now twins with NO medical interference. I would be happy for her/them, but a. she is so young and stupid b. they can't afford this c. all she cared about after giving birth was to get her figure back so she could have a formal wedding (they had a quickie ceremony before the baby was born). THat was so dumb because they spent $10K on the formal wedding when they could have used that money to live on, or to raise their child!!! Oh yeah, and she is due in January, the month I would have been due... figures.

Needed to rant. Got that email this AM and was pissy all day at work. I am going out for a burger and fries tonight...will start back at the gym tomorrow

[sunny72]

Okay, I just went to the bathroom after sending my "I'm not bleeding right" post and I'd just bleed through my panty liner than had otherwise been sufficient. I guess AF took offense to what I was saying!!

Jen, sorry about your nutty pregnant relative. I've come to realize that most morons are able to reproduce very easily. Maybe she sacrificed some brains cells and common sense for being super fertile. It's not fair, but I know I don't need to remind you. Just remember that when you have your precious child, he/she will be well loved, well cared for, and very much wanted and not a woopsy-daisy.

And Jen, you are about the same height as my sister, so I felt right at home standing next to you.

[jencat215]

Well it is good to know that not all kiwi's are tall and beautiful.... not that your sister isn't beautiful, but just not tall!

See, you can never say bad things about AF.... she will come and get you! I hope this is a good sign- that things are getting to be normal again!

I would be scared to stand next to Diva...5'9"!!! I was in the same lab in grad school as this girl who was 6'1"! It was crazy. I used to go out with her and another girl in the lab who was 5'9". The 'middle' girl used to complain that she felt short until I gave her a good kick in the shins... It is hard on my neck straining to talk up to someone so tall. That is why I make DH get down to my level if he wants a kiss. Too much work stretching on my tippy toes. Although he isn't getting any kisses cause I am 'mad' at him -the pregnant family is on HIS side...even though that is totally irrational and he had nothing to do with it, it just makes me feel better to be a bit pissy. Argh! Maybe I am just crazy...

[GRITS]

Susan, I do not get them either, but I take them to help keep my systems in balance (immune and digestive). They cannot hurt you.

Sunny, I have always had more hair loss after kids than before. When I asked my dr. and my hair stylist they both said losing more than 200 a day is not normal. Who is going to count! I am amazed still have hair on my head some days. It is definitely related.

Shelly , I get a rx for prenatals too. Prima Care. All the others give me headaches, but these. And these have omegas in them too. Very good stuff!

Jencat, I hope you are feeling better soon. I have been craving Lambchops. But I do not know now....... I hope your rash improves. Were you taking any meds while you were out in the sun?
And about the cousin, I understand, but remember God has a plan for all of us, even the stupid B's of the world! LOL
Alana, I am so excited for you that AF showed up. I am ready for us all to start our new cycles! I do not know about what it should be like. Maybe you could call your OBG?
I also know what you mean about keeping in touch. I moved away from my hometown last year, and I too feel like I am expected to o all of the keeping in touch. I think it is because I moved and they stayed I am expected.......?

[designdiva32]

Grits...I think thats the problem. I'm the one who moved so I'm the bad guy that should do all the work. Its not my fault none of them had the courage to do anything different with their lives is it?! Oops....thats me *****ing again! lol. Grits, I honestly do hope this is AF...only shes off to a slow start so whether its day 1 or day zero I just don't know yet. Very confusing! Where are you in your cycle do you know? Any RE visits in the future?

Heidi...too funny! Mention AF and the old witch will turn on the works every time! In fact, I'm going to talk about her all day as I crazily enough want that to happen. Its good you are close to your sister/brother also, I wish I had that. But I left the opposite way than you, I was the oldest so I sometimes think they grew up without me maybe. Oh well, can't change that now I guess. By the way, are you going to be speaking to your RE about your new cycle? I can't wait to find out when you will be doing the FET. Let us know as soon as you do okay hun?

Jen...I have actually had a friend who was 6'2, we both were quite intimidating when we went out. Although at her height even I had to look up (and felt short....please don't kick me! lol) Also, like Heidi, my entire family except for my immediate ones (sisters, dad) are shorties. My cousin is only 5' 4 and thats my male one! I think I have the recessive tall gene or something. Although, you'd think with my height I'd have married an amazon or something, but my DH is only my height too. I did date quite a few really tall guys but never seemed to like it for some weird reason. Now I think its all part of a bigger plan....us tall girls like the shorter guys and vice versa for the shorter girls liking tall guys (which I have noticed is very common) as I truly believe its so our kids heights kinda average out. That way they aren't too short or too tall. If my 6'1 friend had married a 6'5 guy, I would actually feel very sorry for any daughter they had. As it is, I think hes a bit shorter than her...and they have a gorgeous little baby daughter...who will hopefully not reach 6 foot. Anyway, thats just my crazy theory. As for the new family pregnancy....UGH...I feel your pain. In fact, I'm constantly waiting for my cousin to announce his wifes new pregnancy anytime now that there daughter is 8 months. (shes not pregnant yet but it will happen!) This might sound horrible, but I honestly know she doesn't want to go back to work so will get herself knocked up to avoid it. I'm really not looking forward to that phone call! Are we just horrible *****es...or does it truly seem like annoying people can reproduce better than anyone?!

[jencat215]

I get Rx prenatals- PrimaCare, same as Grits, due to the omega fatty acids. I tried many samples from my OB/Gyn and these were the only ones that didn't make me sick!

Thanks Grits- I am feeling a bit better. I am still itchy, though. All I was taking was the PrimaCare, folic acid and zyrtec. I did take antibiotics, but the last one ended almost a week earlier (antibiotics for the HSG).

I know that I shouldn't feel spiteful about the new pregnancy, but **** it!!! Well, that felt better now that it is out.

As for the 'short gene', my dad is 6'1", mom is 5'8". What the hell happened to me??? Maybe the milkman was short??? Genetics are very strange. Both of my parents have brown eyes, mine are green. Both are O+, I am O-. Of course, genetically this is all possible, a 25% chance for the blood type (obivously they carry the recessive Rh- gene on one allele...we have 2 alleles for each gene...sorry for the genetics lesson). The main allele for eye color is brown or blue. Green comes from another gene, but both my parents must be heterozygous, blue being the recessive trait. Oh, I have light hair color (was blonde as a kid, then light brown as an adult...both of them have dark brown hair). Yes, I do have some features of my parents and although sometimes I would like to deny it, they are both my real parents...

Oh, I don't keep in touch with any of my siblings. Well, maybe that is because I am an only child. But actually, I did have 2 step-sisters and a step-brother, but I was 16 when my dad married their mother. Then, about 10 years later they divorced. I didn't get along with them when I was living with them, but once I was in college (I was the oldest) I became closer to my step-sisters (1.5 and 3 years apart..step-brother 8 years younger). Unfortunately, I did not keep in touch with them. The older one tragically died in a car crash about 2 years ago. She wasn't wearing her seatbelt, but her 2 year old son was strapped correctly into his car seat and walked away with a tiny cut). I contacted my ex-step-mother at the time, and we both cried about it and said we'd keep in touch. I sent 2 cards and never heard from her again. Oh, well...

[Koshveily]

Originally Posted by jencat215

Get this- today I got an email from DH's cousin's wife anouncing that she is preggers with twins!!! She currently has a 1 year old, got pg in the back of the cousin's car 2 halloweens ago (and they were just boyfriend and girlfriend, about to break up cause she is nuts) and bam! pregnant. Now twins with NO medical interference. I would be happy for her/them, but a. she is so young and stupid b. they can't afford this c. all she cared about after giving birth was to get her figure back so she could have a formal wedding (they had a quickie ceremony before the baby was born). THat was so dumb because they spent $10K on the formal wedding when they could have used that money to live on, or to raise their child!!! Oh yeah, and she is due in January, the month I would have been due... figures.

Please go see Idiocracy... it will restore your... no... that's not right... it will reinforce your belief that the stupider one is, the easier it is for them to reproduce. Seriously.

Now I know that you said you werent Christian... but have you approached this whole fertility fight from the old Testament (I know you said Jewish, that's why I ask.)? If so, you might want to check out the story of Jacob and Rachel and her sister Leah in Genesis. It says that God saw that Leah was unloved and He therefore opened her womb. It doesn't say that Rachel's womb was closed, it merely says that Leah's was opened. Perhaps it's the women who don't have love and support in their lives that need this the most. My mom told me once (she was self-admittedly one of those "undeserving" types of women who procreated too easily) that had it not been for my sister and I, loving her unconditionally, she would still be the loser she was back then... and a part of me truly believes that God saw how "unloved" my mom was and opened her womb. I'm not saying it's "fair"... but fair is not always equal... maybe God believes I "have it all" with a dedicated and loving husband, a career, the love and support of my family, and doesn't see it as a priority just yet...

but also keep in mind, in the end of Rachel and Jacob's story... Rachel has two sons, Joseph and Benjamin... so, I'll keep fighting my IF issues, and hold out for my BFP.