Anatomy Scan + Registry

Where has the time gone?  In some ways it’s totally crawling slowly by and we can’t wait to meet this baby!  On the other hand it’s going super fast and we so aren’t prepared for this!   We’ve been dreaming of this for years and suddenly it’s like we can’t get anything done.

I’m currently 22+ weeks.   I can’t believe I’m here!  We had an anatomy scan 2 weeks ago and baby looked good.  In the 50th percentile for most measurements and weighed about 12 oz.  We got to watch on the ultrasound screen for about 45 minutes.  Unfortunately they weren’t able to get a good spine measurement so we have to get another anatomy scan in 2 more weeks.  Not that I mind, seeing the baby is amazing.

We did find out the sex and we’re having a boy!  Cue all the feels.   We are very excited but have no clue on a name.  We had a girl name already picked out but so far nothing has grabbed our attention boy wise.  We’ve got 5 names we think are ok but nothing great.   I’m hoping one of them grows on us or we hear a name that we love.

We started our registry last week and that was an eye opener.  I had a notebook with what we needed, what brands we wanted and such but once in the store we were shell shocked.  We ended up picking out a crib and some diapers and that was about it.  I came back home and did some hard core researching.

We then went to another store several days later and I felt better with our choices.   We still need to pick a stroller and carseat.   I’ve changed my mind several times on those.   I also need to compare checklists and make sure we’re registered for everything.   I’ve hardly bought anything myself because I still can’t believe this is happening.  So far I have a sling for me, a carrier for my husband, a few things of wipes and diapers, and 1 outfit.  That’s it.  We need a lot more stuff!

Anything you love or hate in the way of baby stuff?  Especially stroller and carseat wise?  We also need to get moving on the baby’s room.   I’ve got two tubs in there and I’m slowly moving stuff out but it’s taking forever.  My goal is to have it painted by the end of May and then to have it finished by the end of June.  That’ll give us a 2 month buffer and will be after both of my showers.

I’m very excited about my showers.   My work one will be in May and my family/friends one will be in June.   It’s getting so close!  I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready!

NT Scan

It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve written.   Things have been busy and it’s becoming hard keeping this secret of being pregnant.   I’m currently over 13 weeks and we had our NT scan on Wednesday.  The woman that did it was awesome.

She spent about 25 minutes with us and we got to see the baby for a long time.   The baby didn’t want to cooperate so we got to see it for a long time.  It was kicking a little and when the tech tried to get it to roll over it lifted its fist up and was almost shaking it at her!  Too cute!

We got to count the fingers and toes and they are all there.   She said that the NT scan looked perfect and that they would send my bloodwork out to get the full results.  We got a bunch of photos including an adorable one of the foot!   The woman also gave us a gender guess but said there was no way she could be sure, it was just a guess.

We also told my parents last weekend.  My mother’s reaction was priceless.  We gave them a grandparents Valentine’s Day card.  They read the outside and didn’t say anything but once they got to the insane my mom went nuts.  She had her hands over her mouth, her feet started going, she screamed, and immediately started crying.  It was great!  Too bad we didn’t get it on film.   My dad got a little teary eyed too.  It was great.

We also told my brother.  He seemed very excited for us and was excited to be an uncle.   I can’t wait to start telling other people as well.  I know I’m far enough along but I’m still just nervous.   I had planned on telling people at work this week but I think I’ll be waiting until next week when I’m almost 15 weeks.  It’s crazy how fast the time is going!

First OB Appointment

Well, nothing is easy.  Our first OB appointment was scheduled for Monday.  I woke up Monday morning to 3 inches of snow and a 2 hour delay at work.  Upon looking, every district between here and the 60 miles away where my appointment was had a 2 hour delay as well.   We made the decision to cancel which really upset me but turned out to be for the best as all schools closed for the weather.

When I called to reschedule they told me the next available appointment was…FEBRUARY 27!  WHAT?   I was really upset.   The woman asked if it had to be that office and I said it could be the other office if the appointment was sooner.  Turns out he was available on Thursday at the further office (about 70 miles away instead of 60) but I went with it.

We got to the office right on time.  It’s brand new and was super nice.  There was no wait to check in and they came for me right away.  I filled out paperwork, got my weight and my blood pressure.  They asked for a urine sample but I told them I already went since I didn’t know.

I was led back into a room and the doctor came in. He’s around 70 and totally hilarious.  He put my husband and I at ease immediately.  He jokes, told stories, and answered questions.  Then we had the exam.

He did a breast exam and a pelvic exam.  He also did a swab for some test.  He said that he could feel my uterus which it was a little early for but it was ok.   They weren’t doing an ultrasound since I’ve already had 3 which made me sad.  I think he knew it because he hooked me up to the doppler instead and we were able to hear the baby’s heartbeat which was reassuring.   He said I looked good, my uterus was fine, and he’d see me in 2 weeks for my NT scan and 4 weeks for another check up.

He spent about an hour with us.  He was funny, pleasant, and we were happy we chose him.  Unfortunately on the way out the door they told us he’s leaving in May.  We were so sad!   I thought this would have been the perfect person to delivery my baby because I’m a spaz and he’s so calm.  So we’ll have to switch to someone else in the practice later on in my pregnancy.

After that we went down to get bloodwork.  I also had to give my urine sample.  I got my results from the bloodwork already and everything looked good so that makes me feel better.   So now I just need to wait for 2 weeks to have the NT scan and I’ll be feeling somewhat better.   I can’t believe that this might really be happening!

We’ve done nothing to prepare because I’m to scared too.  I’ve gained 4 pounds in 11 weeks and 1 inch on my waist.  So pants are beginning to get tight.  I guess I’m going to have to buy some maternity clothes sooner then later.  We will be telling my family next week and I can’t wait!   It’ll be like a huge weight has been lifted that I can tell them. Then we’ll tell friends shortly after that.

10 Week Ultrasound and Infusion

I am 10 weeks exactly today.   The lack of symptoms has been a little worrisome but I’ve been trucking along.  I’m exhausted and go to bed around 9 every night and I sleep through the night except to get up and go to the bathroom once or twice.  I’ve had several awful headaches at night as well but I have had little to no morning sickness.  Occasionally I get nauseous when I’m super hungry but that’s about it.

So today I went in for my ultrasound.  I had flown on a plane last week and was nervous about this week.  Sitting in the room made me start getting nervous.  When the doctor came in he came in with my nurse and a student.   My husband and I looked at each other.  The last time a student came in for an ultrasound it was when I found out about my loss and I think the girl was as devastated as we were.

This time we didn’t need to worry.  As soon as he got the probe in we saw the baby…and it was dancing!    I mean, the babies feet were really going in there!   I started laughing and my husband was smiling.  It was so cute.   Then he focused in on the head and baby was sucking its thumb!   This kid is going to be like me because I’m always on the go and was a huge thumb sucker (just check out my overbite).

We listened to the heartbeat again and it was at 163 beats per minute and was measuring right at 10 weeks.  SO things looked good!   This was my last official appointment with my RE’s office which made me sad.  However, I still have to go back for at least one more, if not two, infusions.

My infusion today was fine.  My arm is a little sore and red but otherwise it went fine.   The nurses were so nice and they all came in to tell us how cute our baby was 🙂  SO all and all it was a great appointment.

Next appointment is on Monday at the OB office!   We’ll be meeting our new OB/gyn since we need someone attached to the hospital in that area.   I like my current OB/gyn but do not like our hospital in town so we won’t be delivering here.

8 Week Ultrasound

Things seem to have been going well.  I haven’t had much morning sickness which I worry about but my hips…oh my hips.   They’ve been super sore and painful.  I’ve also had night headaches and joint pain.   I often worry if these are bad signs.  I hope not.

Our 8 week ultrasound was on Wednesday.  I was really nervous.   We’ve never made it to 8 weeks before and I was so scared there was going to be no heartbeat.

We got to our appointment early but we were the only ones in there.  Apparently they were all waiting for us.  We went in the room and our doctor and one of the nurses came in.  I told them I was scared and they said I’d be ok.   The doctor put in the ultrasound probe and we saw the baby but neither of us saw a heartbeat.

The doctor flipped a switch and….we heard the most beautiful sound in the world!   Our baby had a heartbeat and it was strong and fast.  I looked and my husband and told him that’s what it was.  He didn’t know but when I told him he got tears in his eyes and just hugged me.  He is not an emotional guy but this really got to him.

We listened in and then looked at the baby.  The baby has a big head and tiny little arms and legs.  They kind of looked like flippers.  The doctor measured the baby and it measured 3 days ahead which we were good with.  The heartbeat was 176 beats per minute.  They told us everything looked great and the baby was measuring right where it should.

I was so happy.  My husband was ecstatic too.   I can tell this was what he needed as he now keeps referencing the baby.   I think he was too afraid to before.  I understand as I didn’t even want to think about it prior to this appointment.  I felt great Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday but then I woke up yesterday and started worrying again.

Yes, we’ve made it further than we have before.  Yes everything looks good but I know that doesn’t always mean it’ll end up good.   I’m hoping that the baby will continue to grow and thrive.   Our next appointment is at 10 weeks and then we have our first OB appointment at 11 weeks.  We still haven’t told anyone.  After our 11 week appointment (if we make it that far) I’ll feel ok telling my parents.  I think we’ll wait until 12 weeks for everyone else.

6 Week ultrasound

Yesterday was my ultrasound appointment.   We were supposed to go in at 1 but due to snow I called to see if we could come earlier and they said 10 was fine.   So we rushed around getting ready and then headed to the office around 10.   Initially my nurse had said we would do the IV infusion first then the ultrasound but when I got there they put me in the ultrasound room.  I’m glad they did.

My doctor and nurse came in and asked how I was feeling.  My doctor commented on my Wonder Woman socks and asked if my plane was waiting for me outside.  He cracks me up.  Then it was the moment of truth.   I had a little bit of a panic when he put in the ultrasound camera.  I didn’t know what I was looking for but after a few seconds my husband yelled, “There’s the heartbeat!”  He was right.

It’s funny that he saw it before anyone else.   The doctor told him that was the heartbeat.  He then showed us the sac and said it was perfectly round and in a good spot.  He measured the fetal pole and said it looked good.  I really couldn’t believe it.  There’s a baby in there!

He told me to sit up then talked to me about nausea.   I told him I have a little bit in the morning either before I eat or sometimes afterwards.   He recommended I take some B6 to help with it.  He also told me based on my height and body weight I need to gain a minimum of 27 pounds.  He then gave my husband a handshake and told me he was getting a hug.  I was so happy.  I hugged him hard and thanked him.  I’m sure I said it before but he had both of his children via IVF so he totally gets it.

I went back to get my IV infusion and my nurse came back.  She said I’m measuring 6 weeks and gave me a due date.  I’m not sharing that yet as I’m sure it will change at my next appointment.  She also handed me the petri dish our baby was made in and a CD with all of the photos from the separate egg and sperm, the ICSI process, a photo on day 1, 2, 3, and 5, as well as a photo before and after freezing.  How cool is that?

I know this is only the first hurdle.  With my first pregnancy the same thing happened but then the next day I started having some bleeding and miscarried within a week.   So far so good today.   I go back on January 12 and if we still see the baby growing I’ll feel much better as I’ll be 8 weeks then and I’ll just be more comfortable with everything.

I’m still on PIO shots but they are going to switch me to suppositories because my poor butt is hard and bruised all over.  I can switch back and forth if I need too.  We’ll see.   I’m not much for either one but I need to be on them until 12 weeks.

So, here we go again.  I’m really hoping this one sticks as my husband and I are no spring chickens.

It’s a Christmas Miracle!

I can’t believe it but I’m pregnant!   I never, ever test before my beta but I just had this feeling so I took a test.   Imagine my shock when it was positive.  The next day I took a digital and it said yes!   I was in complete shock and was really worried for my beta.

On Thursday I had my first beta.  My nurse was off from work with an emergency but she wrote me at 8:25 to call her.  At 8:35 she couldn’t contain herself and e-mailed me with my number-221!  It was positive.  She then wrote an hour later and told me she called in to their weekly meeting, screamed my name and number, and they all did a group hug for me.  I love my clinic.

I went back on Saturday for a second beta and it went up to 541.   My husband and I are in disbelief.  I’m also scared to death and keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.   I have to call my nurse tomorrow to schedule our first ultrasound but it’s looking like it will be January 2nd.

I’m cautiously excited but I need to see the ultrasound before I really start jumping for joy.  Of course, I know that the first ultrasound doesn’t mean everything as I had a miscarriage right after seeing the heartbeat of our first pregnancy.  But for now it’s a Christmas miracle.

We’ve come so far and have done so much to have this baby.  My husband is already being cute and monitoring me.  He bought lunch meat today and then got mad at himself because he told me I couldn’t eat it and he forgot.   He’s been saying a lot of little things that make me think he’s done some research on his on.

So, please keep me in your thoughts that this is our rainbow baby.  That this is the baby we’ve been hoping and praying for for years.  That this is our take home baby.

We transferred!

Here it is Wednesday and I’m happy to report we were able to transfer on Monday.   I was so worried that our little embryo wouldn’t thaw properly but it turns out I didn’t need to worry.   Originally I was going to take off the entire day off from work but since it’s my easy day at school I went in for the morning.

At noon I came home and picked up my husband.   We drove the hour ride up to the clinic and arrived 15 minutes early.  I expected to have to wait but one of the nurses came a few minutes later to get me.   She had my husband and I change into our “gear” and then the embryologist came in to talk to us.

I know I’ve talked about him before but our embryologist is the best.  He’s been doing this since IVF was just starting.  In fact, he told us when he started the success rate was only 8%.   Can you imagine paying all of this money for an 8% chance??  Anyhow, he came in and told us that the embryo thawed well, bounced back, and was currently an expanding blast.  He did say he was going to do assisted hatching to make sure it could get out.  Then he left and they got us into the room.

I was reminded that this was a blast and that it was a good one.  They told me with had a 50% chance with this one which was what we had with the last one.  I know they were all pulling for us.    So we did everything we needed to do, they got the catheter in me and the embryologist brought in our blast.  A few seconds later I was PUPO!

I was rolled back out into the recovery area and the embryologist came back out.  He was all excited to do a show and tell with us.  It turns out he explained the freezing process in depth and then showed us the actual tube the embryo was frozen in.  It’s CRAZY how small the hole in the tube is that they have to get the embryo in.  He says it’s stressful because they have 90 seconds to get it into the freezing medium then get it into the hole and get it frozen.  The hole is smaller then the eye of a needle and he said that the embryo is about 1/10 of that size.

He then gave us the tube that our embryo was frozen in as well as the tubing that it hangs from in the freezing chamber.   It’s pretty cool having that as a souvenir!   It has my code number on it as well as 2 colors.  The colors are for the stage and the grading of the embryo so it was one color for a blast and one color for “good” quality.

So now we wait.  My beta is December 15 so we are either going to have a miracle at Christmas or a really bad Christmas.  I’m nervous but I’m trying not to think about it.  I’m just taking my estrogen and my husband is giving me my progesterone in olive oil.  I’m trying to be positive but I don’t want to get my hopes up.  I do feel good about this cycle.  I feel like my body is more relaxed and things are going well but I don’t want to jinx anything.  Especially since we’ve done so many transfers before.

So just 8 days until we learn the fate of our first frozen transfer.  It’s funny that we’ve done 3 years of infertility treatments but this is our first time doing a frozen transfer.   I hope this is the end of our journey.  If it’s not then we have one more shot but when it’s the end of that cycle it’s the end of our journey and not in a good way.

FET monitoring

Could this time of year get any busier?   Thanksgiving week was a blur.  I went to my brother’s house and helped cook Thanksgiving dinner.  Then we came back to our place and I worked all weekend.   On Monday I had an IV infusion and my first monitoring appointment.

I had my ultrasound first.  The RE came in with my nurse and he checked me out.  He said everything looked good and my lining was at 12mm.  I then went back to get my bloodwork and infusion.  This was the tricky part.

In order to do both without sticking me twice they have to run the flexible needle and get a syringe on it for my blood draw.  Then they take that off and switch it to the IV drip.   It gets messy.  There was blood everywhere.   I just laughed because there is really no other way to do it and it stinks.

I did my infusion and it went fine.  Then my nurse came in to talk to me.   She told me she’d call and let me know how things were.  I was really hoping the Lupron preventing me from ovulating.  My nurse told me we would reduce the estrogen to twice a day on Wednesday, stop Lupron, and start progesterone.  1 cc of progesterone for 2 days then up it to 2cc after that.  If all worked out transfer will be Monday the 5th.

I got a call on Tuesday that my estrogen was at 250 and my progesterone was under 1 so we were good to go!   Wednesday and Thursday were a breeze.  I had a bit of a headache from the changing hormones but the PIO shots went fine.  Last night is where it went bad.  I’ve never had 2cc of PIO before.

My husband got the needle in and started  pushing in the oil.  It burned like crazy!   I cringed but he finished it.   It felt sore but I didn’t think much of it.  I got up this morning to a huge bruise.  It’s like 3 inches wide.  Today we did the shot on the other side and it was fine.  It bled a lot but it didn’t burn this time. I hope there isn’t another bruise.

So now we wait.   In 2 days we’ll go in for the transfer.  I hope my poor embryo thaws ok.  We have 2 frozen and I’m scared they won’t thaw.  They are going to transfer the good blast.  That means the fair expanding blast will be left.   This is it for us, our last 2 tries (if they make it).  Transfer is at 2:30 so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Are You Kidding Me?

I’m pretty sure the title of this post says it all.  If I ever have a normal cycle where everything is perfect I’ll be amazed.   If you remember, last cycle I ovulated way early and had the shortest cycle ever so I couldn’t do my frozen transfer.   This time I got AF on Wednesday and started taking my Estrogen.  I’ve already been taking Lupron for a week or so.

I wasn’t feeling so hot on Wednesday, I had a stuffy nose and was coughing.  Well I wake up Thursday morning with sciatica pain.  Now I never had sciatica pain until my second IVF cycle.  When they woke me up I was in horrible pain and it was from how they had me positioned apparently.  Well the pain is back.   I managed through it on Thursday and it was ok, just a little sore.

Friday I woke up and it was awful.  I couldn’t get out of bed on my own.  I could barely walk.  But, I was deteremined to go to work. This was cycle day 3.  I made it through hald the day before I cried uncle and went to urgent care.  They said my sciatica was inflamed and swollen.  They could feel it in addition to having me do some crazy exercises I couldn’t do.  I told them I couldn’t have anything Motrin or ibuprofin based so they gave me a muscle relaxer and a steroid.

I immediately called my RE to see if I could take anything.  I still couldn’t walk.  I got home and my husband had to help me to the couch.  It was so painful.   The RE said while he wasn’t thrilled about me taking either one that both were safe enough.  As long as I only took them for 5 days I would have 14 days without anything until the transfer and that should be good enough.

Saturday was rough as well.  I spent all day on the couch and never left the house.  I was still in a lot of pain.   On Sunday I ventured to the market but was quickly exhausted and sore.  I came home and rested.  I felt sore but not in pain so I felt like I was improving.

Today I was just sore again.  However I went back to work which was a mistake.  I was so tired and in pain when I left school.  Not as much pain as Friday but I could really feel it in my hip and thigh today.  I then had to come home and make dinner and cupcakes for school.  I’m pretty sure I overdid it. I’m on the couch now, just took my medications, and am waiting for the pain to stop.  Tomorrow is day 5 and the last day I can take my pills but I’m not sure I’m going to feel ok about that.  I’m in a lot of pain but I’m going to have to try and push through it.  I’ve got 1 day to chill and feel better.

My first monitoring appointment is next Monday.  I also have my infusion that day. Please keep your fingers crossed that my lining looks good, that I haven’t ovulated, and that all of my numbers line up.  I’m so ready to do this FET before the end of this year.   I’m really hoping this is our tiny miracle.  We’ve got 2 frozen but this will be my 10th medicated cycle and I’m ready to be done with them.