We have been keeping it private for awhile now. So, surprise! We are expecting our first baby due in early 2022! Now that the news is out, I am happy to share some of our TTC (trying to conceive) journey and also on how we found out that we are pregnant story.
Our TTC Journey begins
The hubs and I got married on 28th December 2019 and we have been trying for a baby ever since. We did not plan to wait because we are both in our thirties and we thought that we are more than ready to settle down and expand our little family. For the first year of our marriage, we are only able to stay together for the 6 months during the total lockdown period while the other half was spend being long distance with each other. Obviously being long distance does not work out for us, so at the end of 2020, I’ve tendered my resignation and move to live with my husband in Labuan.
I will be honest that our TTC journey is not easy. I guess it’s never meant to be easy. Prior to settling down and getting married, I have spend majority of my life living with eczema and relying on Steroid medications for many years. It was back in 2015 that I have decided to cut down most of my steroid medications as my dermatologist is very concern that I may have fertility issue in future. After following a very arduous session of steroid withdrawal, I have managed to control my eczema to a point where I no longer need to take steroid every single time it flares up. Although, I have been living with the same doubt ever since either I am able to get pregnant naturally or not.
How we found out
Back in the month of May, both the hubs and I decided to take a break from TTC planning as I will be getting my Covid19 vaccination by the end of month. We both agreed to continue trying again once I have completed my vaccination. My period came as usual, on time on the 19th of May and I did not think much about trying as well. I went to my 1st dose vaccination by the early June, around 3rd of June and I was supposed to be in fertile week from 04th June onwards.
Fast forward to the day that I was supposed to get my period, which is around 19th June and 20th June, I went ahead and peed on a stick – just because. After a minute of did not seeing anything, I threw away the stick and get myself ready to go for my 2nd dose of vaccine by 25th June. I was actually very excited to complete my Covid19 vaccination! After two days of missing my period, I feel extremely weird because my boobs soreness usually will always go away especially when it is very close to period day but the soreness has not go away for days! So, I decided to pee on a stick again and a very faint line appeared! I even remember asking the husband to check it for me as I’m shocked and afraid that my eyes is deceiving me. You know – evaporation lines and all. However, he indeed confirmed that there is a very pink faint line.
As a first-timer, we decided to hold our excitement and the husband decided to go and buy another different brand of pregnancy test kit the next day. I again peed on a stick (and many times more!) and it is confirmed positive!
Fully vaccinated at 5 weeks pregnant
Although it was such a happy news for the hubs and I, I was actually quite anxious as I do not know if I will be allow to take my 2nd dose vaccine at my early stage of pregnancy. Based on my LMP (Last Menstrual Cycle), I was around 5 weeks and 2 days pregnant on the date of my 2nd dose vaccine appointment. At that time, there is not enough study and news about pregnant women getting their vaccine at early pregnancy stage. Since Covid hit really badly during that time, both the hubs and I decided to go and seek advise from the doctor at the vaccination centre. Thanks God I meet a very nice lady doctor and she explained very well to me about the pros and the cons of taking the vaccine. From there, I’ve decided to get it and become fully vaccinated at 5 weeks pregnant.
Pregnancy complications and concern
Few days after getting my complete dose of Covid19 vaccine, we went for an ultrasound to check if everything is OK. It was still very early, around 5 weeks plus and normally the clinic will asked you to wait at least until you are 7 or 8 weeks pregnant. However, I was anxious as there are many cases of ectopic pregnancy that I have heard for the last couple of month and decided to went ahead with the appointment. During the first ultrasound, we are only able to see a little tiny sac and also the doctor found out that I have unusual growth during the scan. It was first diagnosed as Ovarian Cyst and it was very large around 7cm x 8 cm. The doctor was very concern about it and asked us to immediately go to our local Klinik Kesihatan so that they can quickly refer us to the O&G Specialist.
At 13 weeks, the O&G specialist rules out Ovarian Cyst and confirmed that I have a cervical fibroids instead. Due to the size and location of the fibroids, I won’t be able to have a normal delivery and have to opt for LSCS around 38 weeks. Also due to the first LSCS, I also won’t be able to have normal delivery for any of my future pregnancy and have to opt for elective caesarean. As for the fibroids, the doctor will only schedule for removal after I give birth early next year. For now, I will need to take care of myself and the baby and have to attend twice and more monthly appointments with nurse and doctor.
Phiew, that was a long one to read and thank you for reading it until the end. Although I am currently in my second trimester, it’s still feel very surreal to me that I am currently pregnant. Both the hubs and I believe that this baby is a miracle and gift from God, especially after knowing about my medical conditions and such.
To my fellow sisters that currently in their TTC phase, I am sending you a lots of baby dust and prayers. Don’t give up and keep on trying. *sending virtual hugs and prayers*
