I had my first u/s on Thursday. There is only one baby in there, much to IM's relief. Lol. It was too early for us to see a heartbeat but we could see the pregnancy sac and the yolk sac. The nurse said it appeared to be a healthy PG. All the measurements were accurate for our due date. I finally got a due date! Baby N, as I will refer to him/her, will be due on April 19,2010. This is also my DD's birthday. We thought that was pretty cool.
IM was at the appointment with me. It was fun watching her expression as the nurse explained to us what we were seeing. She was able to get a picture for IF. When I talked to him he said he keeps looking at the picture in fascination. They are both so happy. I can't even explain the feeling of warmth I feel when I see their faces or hear them talk about the baby. It's a good feeling my friends.
I go back on Tuesday for another u/s and more blood work. I was originally scheduled for a third u/s Friday 8/28 but we are going to see if we can reschedule for the following Friday so IF can be there too. They were not kidding when they said they monitor these pregnancies more closely. Oh well, it will be fun to watch Baby N's progress. :-)
Friday, August 21, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The results are in!
And it is fantastic news.....I am pregnant!!! The Beta was 598miU at 14dpt. The nurse said the numbers sound good for a healthy singleton. Perfect! Of course there is still the possibility that both embryos took and we could have a little extra surprise at the ultrasound. I should have an ultrasound performed sometime within the next couple of weeks.
I was hoping to be able to tell IPs the good news myself but the nurse had already called them before I had a chance to speak with them. I had planned on having a little fun with them. :-) I was going to tell them I had good news and bad news. The good news was that I am pregnant and the bad news being that they were stuck with me for the next nine months. Haha! I told them what I had planned and laughed about it. They were just so happy. Their excitement made my day. I feel blessed to be able to give this gift to such an amazing couple. This is going to be one lucky kid.
I was hoping to be able to tell IPs the good news myself but the nurse had already called them before I had a chance to speak with them. I had planned on having a little fun with them. :-) I was going to tell them I had good news and bad news. The good news was that I am pregnant and the bad news being that they were stuck with me for the next nine months. Haha! I told them what I had planned and laughed about it. They were just so happy. Their excitement made my day. I feel blessed to be able to give this gift to such an amazing couple. This is going to be one lucky kid.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Symptoms
I had some blood work done on Thursday and they said everything looked good, BUT they want me to increase the PIO injections from 1cc a day to 2cc a day. From what I have been reading most clinics want the progesterone level to be at least 20ng/ml. Mine was 15.8ng/ml. I wasn't too happy about doing two shots a day. DH was not too keen on the idea either. He is the one that gives me the injections. He does a good job at it but he does not like doing it. We opted to try doing one 2cc injection. It really is not as bad as I thought it would be. It burns a little more but nothing I can't live with. Hopefully everything will check out when we go back to the RE on the 13th.
4 days until the moment of truth! I am feeling better and better about the results every day. I have had a lot of the same symptoms I've had with some of my previous pregnancies. The cramping and the fatigue started on day three post-transfer. I started having bouts of nausea around day seven post-transfer. Today my appetite has been insane. I woke up starving, ate breakfast and less than 2hrs later was starving again. I have one other symptom but it is not very lady like so I will refrain from typing it. I'm sure some of you know what I am talking about.
I did ask IPs if they wanted me to do a home pregnancy test(HPT). They thought about it for a little bit and decided it would be better to wait until the beta. I can't blame them. I know they are nervous. If the results were negative, regardless of PG or not, then it would probably crush us all. I've read stories where women get a positive beta and take a HPT just to see the lines and it came back negative. I can see how that would be discouraging. I'm trying to be patient. It's not easy!
4 days until the moment of truth! I am feeling better and better about the results every day. I have had a lot of the same symptoms I've had with some of my previous pregnancies. The cramping and the fatigue started on day three post-transfer. I started having bouts of nausea around day seven post-transfer. Today my appetite has been insane. I woke up starving, ate breakfast and less than 2hrs later was starving again. I have one other symptom but it is not very lady like so I will refrain from typing it. I'm sure some of you know what I am talking about.
I did ask IPs if they wanted me to do a home pregnancy test(HPT). They thought about it for a little bit and decided it would be better to wait until the beta. I can't blame them. I know they are nervous. If the results were negative, regardless of PG or not, then it would probably crush us all. I've read stories where women get a positive beta and take a HPT just to see the lines and it came back negative. I can see how that would be discouraging. I'm trying to be patient. It's not easy!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
FET-Frozen Embryo Transfer
On Thursday July 30th we transferred two perfect embryos. I don't know the grade, quality or even how many days old they were. I guess they felt I am on a need to know basis? Hearing the doctor say they were perfect was good enough for me. :-) Originally they thawed out two embryos and one was not looking so great. IPs made the decision to thaw out two more. Both of those thawed out perfectly. That left IPs with a big decision to make, 2 or 3. IF wanted to do three but IM really only wanted two. I can't blame her. They already have a set of twins. The more embryos they implant the greater the risk of having multiples again. Although I would not mind carrying twins, I want what is best for my IPs. We would all be thrilled with one healthy baby. They were able to refreeze the third embryo so that does give them an option for the future.
The procedure itself was not bad at all. The worst part was the full bladder. They make you fill your bladder to the point of near explosion (kidding, but it was uncomfortably full). The reason for that is to help position the uterus. It also helps create a clearer picture for the ultrasound. They went through the cervix with a catheter containing the embryos. The ultrasound helped them to see where the tip of the catheter was in the uterus. Once they reached the ideal location they released the embryos from the catheter into the uterus. There was a monitor for us to see the whole process. IM got to be in the room with me. I was so glad to have her there to go through it with me. We were both pretty amazed by the whole process.
After the procedure they had me lay tilted head down for about an hour. IPs and DH took turns coming back to check on me. I was trying to keep up conversation but the Valium they had me take before the procedure finally started to kick in. Any other time you give me a medication that says may cause drowsiness I will be out within 20min. The excitement from the procedure must have won over. After that it was all over. I slept the entire ride home.
I had to do three days of strict bed rest following the IVF. It was okay. I started to get restless by the end of day one. I am not used to staying still for very long. With four kids who has time to stay still?! DH did a great job taking over for me. He was glad to go back to work on Monday though. LOL. IPs and their little ones came to visit on Saturday. They were sweet enough to bring take out from my favorite Mexican restaurant. They also brought me a box of Godiva chocolates and some books for the kids. I knew I picked the right couple. hahaha! No, really, it was very sweet of them to do that for us. I was just happy to get to visit with them for awhile. It was cute watching the kids play together.
I am not going to say these are symptoms but for the past couple of days I have been very tired, even more than before. I have also had some cramping and a couple of dizzy spells. I am dying to know if the transfer took. IPs are excited and nervous about the results as well. I say a prayer every night that we will be blessed with a positive result next week. The Beta HCG test is scheduled for 8/13. Not soon enough! ;-) I hope to have some good news to share soon!!!
The procedure itself was not bad at all. The worst part was the full bladder. They make you fill your bladder to the point of near explosion (kidding, but it was uncomfortably full). The reason for that is to help position the uterus. It also helps create a clearer picture for the ultrasound. They went through the cervix with a catheter containing the embryos. The ultrasound helped them to see where the tip of the catheter was in the uterus. Once they reached the ideal location they released the embryos from the catheter into the uterus. There was a monitor for us to see the whole process. IM got to be in the room with me. I was so glad to have her there to go through it with me. We were both pretty amazed by the whole process.
After the procedure they had me lay tilted head down for about an hour. IPs and DH took turns coming back to check on me. I was trying to keep up conversation but the Valium they had me take before the procedure finally started to kick in. Any other time you give me a medication that says may cause drowsiness I will be out within 20min. The excitement from the procedure must have won over. After that it was all over. I slept the entire ride home.
I had to do three days of strict bed rest following the IVF. It was okay. I started to get restless by the end of day one. I am not used to staying still for very long. With four kids who has time to stay still?! DH did a great job taking over for me. He was glad to go back to work on Monday though. LOL. IPs and their little ones came to visit on Saturday. They were sweet enough to bring take out from my favorite Mexican restaurant. They also brought me a box of Godiva chocolates and some books for the kids. I knew I picked the right couple. hahaha! No, really, it was very sweet of them to do that for us. I was just happy to get to visit with them for awhile. It was cute watching the kids play together.
I am not going to say these are symptoms but for the past couple of days I have been very tired, even more than before. I have also had some cramping and a couple of dizzy spells. I am dying to know if the transfer took. IPs are excited and nervous about the results as well. I say a prayer every night that we will be blessed with a positive result next week. The Beta HCG test is scheduled for 8/13. Not soon enough! ;-) I hope to have some good news to share soon!!!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Almost there!
I made a couple of trips to the RE this week. More bloodwork and ultrasounds. Uterine lining is up to 12mm so we are looking good. :-)
Last night was my first PIO (progesterone in oil) injection. I had DH do it. There was this whole manuevering issue when I tried to do it. DH is not a big fan of needles so I was worried if he could handle it or not. I wound up being more nervous than him. It wasn't the needle that worried me, it was his inexperience. I started laughing everytime he came near me. Nervous laughter. I finally laid face down on the bed and told him to go for it. He did it so quick I did not have a chance to change my mind. I didn't even know the needle was in until he told me. I never felt a thing. He did good! I am a little sore now though but that's because of the meds. Tonight should be a little less dramatic since I know we can both do this now.
Now for the big news. We have a transfer date! We are doing the transfer on Thursday 7/30. That's only 4 days away! While I am not nervous for the procedure I am nervous for my IPs. I just really want this to work out for them. I asked them how they were feeling and they admitted to being nervous too. They only have 5 embryos left so we don't have a lot of chances to make this work. We will be doing a lot of praying through this whole process.
After the procedure I will have to be on strict bedrest for three days. I still don't know how I am going to manage that. If it were just me it wouldn't be a problem. Trying to figure out what to do with four young children has been a bit of a challenge. I am surrounded by amazing people who are more than willing to help. I am so greatful for each and every one of my angels. Now if I could shake the feeling of guilt for asking them to take on all four of my monkeys. That goes back to that part of me that does not like to ask for help. I know I don't have a choice this time. This is too important.
Well friends, the next time I post I will hopefully be with child. God willing!
Last night was my first PIO (progesterone in oil) injection. I had DH do it. There was this whole manuevering issue when I tried to do it. DH is not a big fan of needles so I was worried if he could handle it or not. I wound up being more nervous than him. It wasn't the needle that worried me, it was his inexperience. I started laughing everytime he came near me. Nervous laughter. I finally laid face down on the bed and told him to go for it. He did it so quick I did not have a chance to change my mind. I didn't even know the needle was in until he told me. I never felt a thing. He did good! I am a little sore now though but that's because of the meds. Tonight should be a little less dramatic since I know we can both do this now.
Now for the big news. We have a transfer date! We are doing the transfer on Thursday 7/30. That's only 4 days away! While I am not nervous for the procedure I am nervous for my IPs. I just really want this to work out for them. I asked them how they were feeling and they admitted to being nervous too. They only have 5 embryos left so we don't have a lot of chances to make this work. We will be doing a lot of praying through this whole process.
After the procedure I will have to be on strict bedrest for three days. I still don't know how I am going to manage that. If it were just me it wouldn't be a problem. Trying to figure out what to do with four young children has been a bit of a challenge. I am surrounded by amazing people who are more than willing to help. I am so greatful for each and every one of my angels. Now if I could shake the feeling of guilt for asking them to take on all four of my monkeys. That goes back to that part of me that does not like to ask for help. I know I don't have a choice this time. This is too important.
Well friends, the next time I post I will hopefully be with child. God willing!
Friday, July 17, 2009
7/15 Appt
I had another appointment with the RE on Wednesday. They did an ultrasound to check the uterine lining and some blood work to check my estrogen and progesterone levels. Wednesday was day 5 of the estrogen patches and pills. Originally the script was for Estradiol 3xday. The nurse had me start out on 2xday and the plan was to increase the day of the scan. The purpose of the Estradiol is to thicken and mature the uterine lining. There are many different opinions on how thick the lining should be for FET. For the most part I read that they like it to be at least 7mm thick. When they did the scan on Wednesday the tech said my lining was 9.5mm and transfer ready. I was instructed to stay on my current dose of Estradiol. I go back on Monday for another ultrasound and blood draw.
I am glad to know I am responding well to the meds but I still don’t know what this means regarding the transfer date. I sent a message to the nurse to ask her about it and I have yet to hear back. She did try to call me last night but I missed her call. I hope to hear back from her today. If not I will see her Monday. I would just like to have a date to work around. I will have to have help with the kids and I would really like to be able to give people notice. The IPs would like to be there too so they will have to do some planning as well. We are all getting a little antsy.
Lately I have been feeling really tired. We have had a busy summer so far so I thought my schedule was finally catching up to me. I talked to IM yesterday and asked her if she had any side effects from the medications. She said all she remembers was being really tired. Good to know it’s not just me. I have read what some other women were saying about their side effects. If all I am experiencing is a little sleepiness then I am doing good. :-)
I am glad to know I am responding well to the meds but I still don’t know what this means regarding the transfer date. I sent a message to the nurse to ask her about it and I have yet to hear back. She did try to call me last night but I missed her call. I hope to hear back from her today. If not I will see her Monday. I would just like to have a date to work around. I will have to have help with the kids and I would really like to be able to give people notice. The IPs would like to be there too so they will have to do some planning as well. We are all getting a little antsy.
Lately I have been feeling really tired. We have had a busy summer so far so I thought my schedule was finally catching up to me. I talked to IM yesterday and asked her if she had any side effects from the medications. She said all she remembers was being really tired. Good to know it’s not just me. I have read what some other women were saying about their side effects. If all I am experiencing is a little sleepiness then I am doing good. :-)
Friday, July 3, 2009
Bag O' Meds
I had another appt with the RE on Wednesday. They did a quick ultrasound to check my ovaries for follicles and also to check the lining of my uterus. I am assuming this is to have something to compare the next scan to. They will need to check the lining again in another week or so to make sure it is thickening. I was given a shot of Lupron at the appointment to suppress my ovulation. I'm sure they will be checking for spontaneous ovulation as well. Then came the Bag O' Meds, as I like to call it. :-) First I will start out with the estrogen patches and pills. The pill is taken three times a day and the patches are changed out every 3d. I'll start those as soon as I start my cycle. I take the last of the birth control pills tonight so I should be starting soon. Once I have been on those a week I will go back for that second ultrasound. From there I will be instructed when to start the progesterone injections. The rest looks like it will be for the day of the transfer. It's a lot to keep up with but they gave me a calendar to help me keep track.
I wish I had a transfer date set already. Originally we projected it to be around the 14th. I was supposed to have this appointment last week but since I was going on vacation we put it off. That set us a week back. According to the nurse at the RE they generally do the transfers 18-20d from the start of a cycle. So we could be looking at some time within the next three weeks. As soon as I start I will have a better idea.
Everything else seems to be falling into place. I have filed my health insurance and my life insurance applications. The contract is signed and filed with the court. I should be hearing back from the lawyer at the beginning of the week with our court date. We're getting there!
I wish I had a transfer date set already. Originally we projected it to be around the 14th. I was supposed to have this appointment last week but since I was going on vacation we put it off. That set us a week back. According to the nurse at the RE they generally do the transfers 18-20d from the start of a cycle. So we could be looking at some time within the next three weeks. As soon as I start I will have a better idea.
Everything else seems to be falling into place. I have filed my health insurance and my life insurance applications. The contract is signed and filed with the court. I should be hearing back from the lawyer at the beginning of the week with our court date. We're getting there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)