I’m having a day where I’m feeling less nervous about everything, so I wanted to take the opportunity to share my news with everyone. I’m pregnant and into my second trimester! Those of you who were reading last year may remember that my husband and I took a lot of time off from trying to conceive after an early miscarriage. My goal was to figure out what was going on with my health and ensure that everything was optimal before trying to get pregnant again. This is the journey that led me to learn more about my thyroid issues and also to my discovery of the MTHFR gene mutations. And so here we are.
A little blurry, sorry…tested on the first day I was late, hence the barely visible line.
I hope this will also explain why, after a feverish pace of writing since starting this blog almost a year ago, I’ve had to slow way down and haven’t been publishing new articles very often over the last few months. First trimester was difficult, as I am learning they are for most pregnant women, and I’ve had my share of ups and downs already this pregnancy. But so far every doctor’s appointment has been positive and we can only hope that they continue to go well.
We saw our little one bouncing around at the ultrasound last week, appearing comfortable and healthy. There is still the anatomy scan on the horizon and I have to say that I won’t be able to fully exhale a sigh of relief until then. Many women find out that they are pregnant and don’t even think twice that it may not end with a baby. I am extremely positive about how far I’ve come and the strength of this child, but I also spend most of my time speaking with people who have chronic illnesses and perhaps not always the happiest of stories. So I know better. And to be perfectly transparent, I am a constant worrier and have a tendency to keep myself aware of the worst possibilities. Somehow I feel like it gives me comfort and preparation for being able to handle whatever comes my way. I’m like this with all things in life. So staying stress-free is a challenge for me but something I feel like I’ve overcome a bit in the last several weeks. It took me awhile to muster up the courage to even share this news but as I mentioned, I’m feeling really confident today and wanted to take a chance and share some joy and cheer with everyone.
A main reason that I want to do this is for the sake of hope. A little less than a year ago I was sitting across from a self-assured doctor at a fertility clinic who was sure that I would never get pregnant on my own. She pushed some lab results across her desk and told me that if I was much older she would tell me to go straight to donor eggs and IVF. My husband and I refused any interventions. I continued on my quest to heal my body naturally and, with the help of some very wise and talented practitioners I did get better. It’s branded in our psyche now that we have to disconnect from our bodies and go for the quick solutions when we can’t get them to do what we want. Many people don’t have the time or patience to take a time out and embark on the journey to wellness. And thus the naysaying doctors get rich. As I’ve said before on this website, I am not against assisted reproductive technology at all. But not everyone needs it. And I firmly believe that the best outcomes occur for those who use it as a last resort and not as a first line of offense.
We conceived naturally after a few months of trying and I believe we would have had faster success had we both not contracted the flu just before the holidays. Nine months of intense study and healing work took place before we started trying again. I worked with acupuncturists, reproductive endocrinologists, specialty researchers and natural health practitioners to get here. It was probably just as costly as IVF if you include the hours of time that went into learning and coordinating all of our own care. I made a rough estimate at tax time that we’d spent around $5,000 that insurance didn’t pay for last year. It was worth every penny.
The point here is that, whether you are trying to get pregnant or trying to heal yourself from unexplained chronic illness, I firmly believe that the answers are out there. It will require a very open mind and probably some leaps of faith – maybe a bit of luck even – but you can get there. I hope that whatever your goals are you continue to push for them on your own terms and have wild success in getting better. Be sure to celebrate little victories along the way and please don’t ever give up.
I will continue to post throughout the rest of my pregnancy, especially with regards to matters that are relevant to those of us dealing with MTHFR and pregnancy. I am desperately hoping to have a completely natural childbirth and will post on my preparations for that as well for those who are interested. We never know how things will go but I find many common threads among those of us trying to achieve cleaner lifestyles for our families and I look forward to covering more in the arena of home and health.
Maria Elena
Congratulations!!
I’m so happy for you.
Andrea Post author
Thanks so much, Maria!
Wendi
Congratulations! I came across your blog after being diagnosed with MTHFR back in April after two miscarriages, but just now saw your post about being pregnant. Such great news! Gives me hope, as we are still trying to conceive. The older I get (I’ll be 37 in Sept.), the more I worry about a healthy pregnancy & baby, but hearing others’ stories definitely helps. I am already on baby aspirin, a prescription prenatal vitamin, & Folbic so hopefully this regimen does this trick if I get pregnant again. And I’m also hoping I won’t be put on Lovenox, as this is my only diagnosed condition. (Not sure I could handle daily injections since I am terrified of needles!) Anyway, that’s my story & I look forward to hearing more of yours!
Andrea Post author
Good luck, Wendi – wishing you a successful pregnancy soon!!
Brook
Congratulations! What a beautiful thing. I am so glad to hear your journey towards health is bearing fruit!
I got the results of my recurrent early loss bloodwork back at the very end of May and found out I am homozygous C77t. I began taking the proper vitamins and aspirin the first of June. Per the RE’s advice we avoided pregnancy during my June cycle, which started at the beginning of the month. But the rhythm method doesn’t work 😉 and I got pregnant that month, and for the first time in 3 years, this baby is sticking around. We saw a tiny human at yesterday’s 10 week U/S and it was incredible! It is so hard to believe how quickly it happened.
Andrea Post author
Aww, that’s so exciting, Brook – congrats!! Hope all continues to go well for you =)
Brook
Thank you… We are hoping for our first full-term baby early next year. I know there are still plenty of potential complications but I think it was a great sign that I got pregnant immediately after starting the routine, and stayed pregnant to 10 weeks…
Alicja
Wonderful news! Andrea, are you on Lovenox? Can you tell us something about your current supplements and so on?
Andrea Post author
Thanks, Alicja. No, my MFM did not advise Lovenox for me. I had a thrombotic risk profile done last year and MTHFR was my only clotting factor so he only recommended baby aspirin. Otherwise I currently take the Seeking Health Optimal Prenatals plus some additional methylfolate, methylcobalamin injections, magnesium, calcium, Nordic Naturals fish oil, iron and vitamin D. Please remember that all supplements are very particular to an individual, so my needs may be very different from everyone else’s. I’m also taking Nature-throid for my thyroid, which has been an ongoing issue for me since birth.
Alicja
Hello Andrea,
How is your pregnancy going? How are you and how is your baby? Did you have (during your pregnancy) any special test checking, if baby aspirin is enough for you?
Andrea Post author
All is going well, Alicja, thank you =) I had some thrombotic risk testing and my doctor determined that baby aspirin was all I need. So hopefully that is correct!
Angela Schneider
Hi Andrea, just found your blog and feeling thankful. I was diagnosed with MTHFR after 2 miscarriages. I am unsure which type but know that my naturopath said it was a milder condition because only one genetic marker is impacted. We’re prepping for trying to get pregnant so your site is a godsend. To your list of supplements above, may I ask why you are taking additional methyl folate and getting injections? Also, I saw another post where you discuss different brands…my naturopath has me on Thorne. You said you did not care for them because of the Vit K and creatine…can you please clarify why? Am trying to figure out if I should switch to your brand. Thank you and congrats…you give hope!
Andrea Post author
Hi Angela – So glad you’ve found this site helpful! I just got into a habit of taking more folate and B12 (injections always worked better for me) – there is no formula here, you’d have to discuss with your health practitioner what you should be taking for your needs. Regarding this post and your questions on Thorne: I said “I wasn’t happy with the vitamin K1 (I still haven’t figured out whether K1 would be contraindicated for those of us with MTHFR and, hence, a higher risk of clotting) and chromium picolinate.” I prefer Vitamin K2, which is in the Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal and I have seen some controversial things about chromium picolinate so I skip it but I can’t speak to it’s safety. To me it is just an unnecessary form. Good luck!
Diana
I love this! What a wonderful news. I found out after nearly two years of trying that I have MTHFR (homozygous A1298c) and your blog was the first one I opened after learning I had MTHFR. It has been a source of encouragement to me to read that this has happened for you and hopefully will happen for me too. Awesome news.
Andrea Post author
I hope so too, Diana! I think confronting MTHFR is so important and I’m so happy to hear that my writing has helped you in some way. Please keep me posted and wishing you lots of luck and happiness on your journey…
Gay Dixon
Congratulations Andrea and husband! Wonderful news.
Just wanted to encourage you with a short version of my pregnancy experience 30+ years ago. At the time of course I didn’t know about MTHFR genes and what mutated ones can do to your body so endured 3 miscarriages and doctors telling us that we would never have a baby so we should adopt. Well, we did adopt 2 precious little ones but I still, deep down wanted to experience a full term pregnancy. I had lots of medical problems including the total removal of my Thyroid gland in 1979. It was not long after that operation that I discovered I was pregnant for the fourth time. My doctor was less than encouraging and said that I would most likely lose this one too! Well, God had other ideas! Long story short our beautiful daughter, Paula was born in July, 1980! She has been the most awesome blessing to me.
So, I guess what I want to say is – don’t give up. This little one will be such a blessing and well worth the wait. Praying God’s blessings upon you, your husband and this precious little one.
Gay
Andrea Post author
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Gay – it is indeed very encouraging. I don’t know why some doctors can’t just keep their negativity to themselves! Thank you so much also for your prayers and warm wishes – they mean so much to us. All the best…
Kate
Congratulations!!! I read your blog and find it very informative. My husband and I just suffered our 13th miscarriage in April, I also have MTHFR and 3 other blood clotting disorders. I am on the same journey healing naturally and read this post with much hope! Prayers for you and the Bean 🙂
Andrea Post author
Oh Kate, I’m so sorry to hear of your losses. I wish you success on your journey and that you have a healthy full-term pregnancy very soon. It is so frustrating when we can’t get our bodies to do what we want and, frankly, heartbreaking to go through so much. It sounds like you are working on things and my thoughts are with you for every happiness and a baby. Good luck and thank you so much for your prayers!
Anne
Oh Andrea!
Congratulations!!!!
I’ve been following your cogent posts for almost as long as you’ve been reporting on your journey, so I feel I kind of know you. I’m sure you’re utterly ecstatic, and I feel such happiness for you!
Crossing my fingers that all continues to go swimmingly. Due to all your explorations, hard work, and patience, my sense is that more than luck is on your side. So is your vibrant good health, which will ensure a lovely little one. Enjoy your quiet time now while you have it!
Andrea Post author
Aww, Anne, thank you so much. That really means a lot to me and I truly appreciate your warm wishes. Everyone keeps saying that about not being in a rush and enjoying sleep while we can, haha
Pat Zeller
Wonderful news! I will keep you and your little one in my thoughts and prayers. You have done so much to help us all and your efforts are so appreciated. MTHFR is a tough nut to crack. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
Andrea Post author
Thank you so much for that, Pat. I’m really happy to hear that my writing has been informative and have enjoyed sharing the information =)
Michelle
Congratulations on your wonderful news!
Andrea Post author
Thank you, Michelle!
Carol Barker
Congrats Andrea! I am very happy for you both. I keep meaning to introduce myself but so busy on my journey with MTHFR and healing. I love your blog. You have given me inspiration, hope, great information and I love you recipes! Thank you. Carol
Andrea Post author
Thank you so much, Carol – I hope you are healing well!
Mary
I just found your website today. Congrats!! My husband and I are TTC and I just got tested for MTHFR. We’ve been TTC for 2.5 years and I’m learning a lot about MTHFR, thyroid issues, etc. I like your blog a lot. 🙂
Andrea Post author
Thanks so much, Mary! Wishing you lots of luck on your journey. It’s been about two years now since we first began trying, so I understand the frustrations of a long journey.
Kate
Such fab news Andrea! Congratulations, you must be so excited (nervous yes, but soooo excited!!). xx
Andrea Post author
Thanks so much, Kate! Yes, we are overjoyed – very exciting times =)
michelle
Great news! Congrats! Thanks for sharing and for giving us hope. Wishing you all the best 🙂
Andrea
Thanks so much, Michelle!