first steps ( 1

[Meenah]

Well,
I am 44 and my youngest will be gone next year, and my stepson the following year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll wait for grandkids (but not for another 10 years please!! I'l enjoy all of your pregnancies.
Luanne

[SueC]

That's funny what Kelly said about the pact--me and two of my friends have a "school girl pact" to get pregnant at the end of next summer. I'm not sure whether or not I'll actually go for it, but it is kind of nice to take that kind of a leap with a couple of other people. If anyone else wants to be "on board" we'll maybe start trying June or July of next year (we're trying to avoid being pg in the summer--our youngest was born in August so last summer was dreadful).
Actually, I'm not even sure why I don't like being pregnant--so far both of my pregnancies have been great and I've had easy labors. I just don't really enjoy having that "alien" feeling of the baby moving around in my stomach--kind of creeps me out! It is worth it though to get that adorable baby after all of that!

You know, Luanne, I partly have eased my sense of urgency for having another child by convincing myself that someday I will be able to enjoy grandchildren. In that sense, the babies in my life are not finished. I used to think that age wouldn't matter so much to me in my decision to have or not have another, but it does. I'm only three years younger than you, with a husband JUST out of residency, and with three year old girls. But I did have 10 plus really great years in my profession before kids.

Janet

[DCJenn]

Well-

I'm still going to try- I told my beloved husband about going to get checked out once he gets to Fort Hood. He was less than thrilled but agreed to go.

It's kind of strange, there are at least two couples in our year that have either adopted or are going through infertility analysis. (not including us) The one couple adopted a beautiful baby boy right before we started internship year and they just adopted a 8 month old last month. So, it is possible!

I have told Rick that there are so many older children who need a loving home that if we are unable to have one of our own, I'd like to go that route. I know that lots of these kids have problems but if I can't handle emotional disabilities- I don't know who can!!

Obviously that can't happen until we get to where ever we're going to be sent because being approved can take up to a year.

Of course, having my husband home during the critical moments would also help!

Jenn

[Meenah]

Good luck to everyone!!!
I heard a great saying once, we have two very important things to give our children "STRONG ROOTS AND WINGS".
I realize I am at the wings part and it is very scary. Of course there are many other things we give our children, but I really like this one.
Luanne

Jenn -
My doctor gave me a ton of information at my last appointment. I expressed my fears of not being able to get pregnant again and she quoted me these statistics: 30% of couples get pregnant during the first month of trying, 50% within 6 months of trying, and the rest within a year of trying (couples without medical issues). And this, like you said, is trying during the key moments! Our husbands' career choices certainly do make it hard to hit those key moments, don't they?
I'm sure he was thrilled about doing a sperm test! Men have it rough, they really do. They are supposed to live up to this image that they are constantly and completely virile! He'll survive the test!
I'll be thinking about you guys - more than likely, it's a case of "my husband is a physician-itis"!

[DCJenn]

Claudia-



I'm not too concerned, but I am going to be 36 in November and you know, working with people with developmental disabilities has made me a wee bit more paranoid than most. I know how bad services to people with disabilities are!!!



There's no reason for alarm and like I said there are thousands of kids who need good stable homes- so- we'll take it one step at a time.



But I still think it's funny that he has to leave three 'samples'. My best friend's husband never went back to check his vasectomy because he was too embarressed! Meanwhile, one annual gyn exam and we're totally exposed!



Jenn

Jenn, here is a book that might help. My dh and I tried for almost a year to get pregnant. I was taking my basal temp every morning without fail, targeting the right days (ahem, dh, come here right NOW sort of thing). But it wasn't until I read this book, that I realized I was usually a few days too late in my targeting. Busy schedules and all...



Well... the next month I was pregnant! The window for conception is so small. I give this book full credit for getting pregnant when I did. OK, so my dh and I get some credit too...



The book is:



"Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, MPH



Hope this helps... and I hope it's not making the rest of you run away yelling "Woah, Janet, WAY too much information!"





Janet

[DCJenn]

Janet-



Got it and I too highly recommend it for everyone. It addresses everything about the entire process from first periods to menopause and exactly what to expect. With pictures. Even if you've never had a problem conceiving or are done with the whole process I would recommend this book.



(maybe we should move this to the book reviews section!!)



Jenn

Jenn,



I have meant to chime in on this issue...and so many others...this is such a crazy week with back-to-school stuff and the newsletter...



Thomas and I went through something similar right after we were married. He discovered a lump and went to have it checked...it was a varicocele and we went through the same melodrama about the dreaded "samples" At the end of the day, the doc told us that it might not be possible to reverse the damage...but I was pregnant with Andrew before he even had the corrective surgery.



It really is a process that leaves you exposed....I have thought of you often since you said that you were trying...and I do look forward to your announcement!!!



Kris