Sunday, February 27, 2011

7dp3dt and 8dp3dt

Yesterday was my 30th birthday. I was definitely dreading turning 30 but I must admit it was definitely the best birthday I have ever had. Want to know why? Because I woke up to one of these...

This is not my own test, just the closest I could find to it online.

Yes, that's right! I'M PREGNANT! 
I wanted to wait until this morning to post on here so I could have time to take another test and let it sink in. I was hoping that todays test would be dark enough for a better picture, but it was still pretty faint this morning though so I just snatched an image off google. Faint lines are really common for this early, the important part is just that 2 lines are showing no matter how faint.

 Yesterday, we told our families. They all knew we did IVF so there wasn't much point in waiting to tell them. Everyone was super stoked for us. 

Now, we are definitely not in the clear yet. Just because I am pregnant right now doesn't mean that we will definitely bring home a baby. We have had our fair share of miscarriages and I had a really rough pregnancy with London, so we still have a LONG way to go. I am going to stay positive though, because today, I AM PREGNANT!

 My beta is scheduled for Thursday, March 3. So for the next 4 days I will continue obsessing and peeing on sticks. (I'm a crazy woman, I know!) According to my schedule my RE will do a  6 week u/s to determine how many babies we have growing in there. I'm guessing they will give me a date for that appointment after my beta. 

I can't believe I'm actually pregnant! It definitely hasn't sunk in yet for us yet, and I'm sure it won't until I actually start showing. 

If you know me IRL, I'm not mentioning this on my personal Facebook page for a few weeks. So please don't comment on my wall about me being pregnant.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

5dp3dt

This mornings daily pregnancy test was negative, just as I suspected. That trigger is definitely gone, so hopefully in the next 5 days I will get two little lines.

Nothing new to report. I'm still just trying to stay hydrated and take it as easy as possible. Easier said than done with a 2 year old.

I have company coming in today for the weekend. My 30th birthday is on Saturday :-/ and London's 2nd birthday is on Monday so some friends are coming up to help us celebrate. It should be a really good time, and a great distraction from the 2 week wait.

I'm not sure how much time I will have to update while they are here, but I'll do my best if anything exciting happens.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

4dp3dt and Frozen Embryo Update

Well, 4dp3dt is just as boring as 2dp3dt. Nothing new to update. No crazy twinges to over analyze, but thankfully no more cramps. Technically today marks the end of week one in the two week wait. So only one more week before I am officially pregnant (or not).

Today started test-o-mania!!!! Here is how it's going to work. Todays test was negative so I know that my trigger is out of my system now!!!!  I didn't want to get a BFP in a few days and doubt whether it's the HCG trigger or an actual pregnancy causing those two little lines. From now on I will be testing each morning. I currently have an arsenal of 5 First Response Pregnancy Tests under my sink. Those should keep my busy until 9dp3dt, and hopefully I won't have to reload, but who am I kidding my beta isn't until 12dp3dt. Realistically, I'm not expecting to see anything before Saturday (7dp3dt) at the earliest though, but that is NOT going to stop me from testing before then :) I'm telling you, they need a 12 step program for woman like myself who are addicted to pregnancy tests.

Oh, I forgot to mention! 5 of our embryos made it to freeze! The Embryologist said they looked beautiful and all of them were AA quality! They froze two of them on day 5 and then three of them on day 6. I'm really excited about having so many awesome tot-sicles in the freezer. Hopefully this cycle will work and I won't need any of them for a while. If it doesn't though, at least I won't have to go through a complete fresh cycle just to try again. A frozen embryo transfer is so much easier from what I have heard and read.

Monday, February 21, 2011

2dp3dt

*Cricket* *Cricket*

Yes people, it actually can be that boring.

Everyone keeps asking "how are you feeling?" and I give the same answer every time, "fine." It's not that I don't appreciate everyones concern, because I really do. It's just that I have nothing new to update.  It's basically just a whole lot of my butt keeping the couch warm the past few days.

Hummm, what can I update about today?

Oh I forgot to mention that my Dr decided to put me on Lovenox (a blood thinner) this cycle. I didn't find this out until the day of my transfer. My Dr wasn't there anymore for me to ask questions by the time they told me, but I'm assuming it's because of our recurrent miscarriages. So, I take one shot every day until I get a negative pregnancy test or my OB tells me to stop several weeks into my pregnancy.

I had some pretty fierce cramps after ET, but about 24 hours later they were gone. This morning I woke up extremely sore. It felt like I had done a crazy ab workout, which I can ASSURE you I did not. I'm not sure if it's just a new pain in the healing process after my retrieval or what, but it really hurts.

With that said, I'm going to take a tylenol and head to bed.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Embryo Transfer Update

Things went really really really well today at my transfer. It all started this morning when I got a phone call this morning from my Re's office. All 12 of our embryos were still thriving and my Dr was considering pushing us back to a 5 day transfer. We talked it over and  then talked to embryologist who told us it was ultimately our decision. We opted to go ahead with the 3 day transfer. It fit our time line better. This way Mike would be home for the long weekend to take care of London so I can just take it easy and relax for a few extra days. We also  already had someone to take care of London, and let me just tell you child care is not exactly the easiest thing to come by with only a few days notice. It was just easier to stick with our original plan. After all London is the product of a 3 day transfer, so it obviously works. :) We will freeze the rest on day 5.

We transferred 2 A+ (highest possible quality) embryos, one 12 cell and one 8 cell. My bladder wasn't full enough so they sent me out of the room TWICE to drink more water. I thought I was going to die. We had tons of time to kill. Thank goodness for smart phones. I was able to beat my husband in a few games of Words with Friends before he got mad and accused me of cheating. HAHAHAHA!!

Without further adieu, Meet The Twins!


It's so weird to think that those little cell clusters could be living breathing babies in just over 8 months from now. CRAZY!! Official beta is scheduled for 3/3/11, but you better believe that I will be peeing on everything even resembling a pregnancy test starting in about 5 days. My 30th birthday is on Feb 26th which would put me at 7dp3dt and the same cycle day I got my BFP with London. Fingers crossed it happens like that again. I would definitely be willing to accept a positive pregnancy test as my birthday present. 

I'm headed to bed now. I've had ALOT of cramping since the transfer but laying down flat really seems to help. 

LET THE 2 WEEK WAIT BEGIN!!!!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Transfer is tomorrow!!

I just got the call and we still have 12 embryos! Woohoo!!! I accidentally missed the call, but she she left a message saying that all 12 were looking really good. :)

They scheduled my ET for tomorrow at 11:30 am. I am supposed to have a full bladder for the transfer so I am definitely not looking forward to that. The pain of laying on the bed for 30 mins with a bladder that is about to burst is not appealing in any way. The only other option is using the bed pan they provide and lets just say, no thank you! The Valium they gave me should definitely help take the edge off.

I'm planning to put 2 embryos back tomorrow and freezing the rest. I'm still not sure though if they freeze on day 3 or day 5. I've only heard of a few RE's that freeze on day 3, but there is always a chance. I would prefer to freeze on day 5 or 6 though. I've read a few articles online about the benefits of freezing later. I guess we shall see tomorrow what my Dr does.

I'm feeling ALOT better today. Last night I decided not to take any pain meds because I thought I was feeling better. Well about 4 hours later I decided to take a half dose because the pain got pretty bad. Today, I'm not even on Tylenol and feel great. Still a little tender, but no real pain.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Fertilization Report

12 of my 15 eggs fertilized correctly!!! :) I had less eggs this time but more of them fertilized. Last time I only had 11 embryos. Yay for 12!! Woohoo!!

I've been asleep for pretty much the last 24 hours straight. My Dr did end up giving me some pain killers, which has been glorious. I take a pain pill and then 20 minutes later I am in a coma. It is pretty fantastic.

I'm headed back to bed now. Transfer is on Saturday!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Egg Retrieval Update!

I'm home. Everything went well. I'm headed to bed but wanted to update first.

They got 15 eggs which is great, but I was really hoping for more. 28 follicles and only 15 eggs. Meh, oh well. 15 is still awesome so I can't complain.

I'll update with my fert report tomorrow because I'm planning to spend the day sleeping.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Trigger TONIGHT!

 And egg retrieval is on Wednesday morning :) :) :)

At this mornings ultrasound I had around 28 follicles. My Dr told me everything looked beautiful and that
I "have the ovaries of an egg donor." At first I thought she was trying to seduce me with sweet talk like that. But then I realized there was no need, she already had my pants off hahahaha.  I'm pretty sure I started to blush.

 A few of my follicles were too small and a few were too big to be "useful" but most were close in size. When we did IVF the first time we got 19 eggs and 17 were mature. I'm hoping for similar numbers this time. **FINGERS CROSSED**

Tonight at exactly 10:30 pm I have to give myself the trigger shot. I have NEVER given myself a intramuscular injection. I've done tons of sub-q injections that go in my belly, but never one that actually goes into the muscle. Last time, Mike gave it to me. This time at the magic hour, he will be at work. I am so not looking forward to this. Anyone have any advice for me? I'm going to ice it first so it won't hurt. I'm not really as worried about the pain as much as I am about screwing it up. See this is when I need to have a nurse friend (here in town). I also have to stay up till 10:30pm to do it. Don't they know that is past my bed time these days? :)

ER, here I come!!!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

IVF update: Stim day 6

I'm home from the Dr and I have DETAILS!!!

Things went really well today. I actually had my Dr do my ultrasound this morning and she was more than willing to give me all the details that I wanted. I didn't even have to get rude with anyone.

As of right now I have 20+ follicles. All ranging in size from 12mm to 15mm (with the exception of a few crazy 24mm runaways)  WOOHOO!!! I am so excited, not only to finally have some specifics, but also because my ovaries are stimming like rock stars. Hummm, does that even make sense to compare my ovaries to rock stars? Probably not, but you get my point. I will be 30 at the end of the month, and just figured my ovaries wouldn't produce as many follicles this time. They are definitely proving me wrong though.

My meds have been reduced again to about 37.5iu of Follistim (yes, I have to divide one 75iu vial in half. Fun fun!) My next appointment is Monday at 8:45am and as of right now it looks like ER will be on Wednesday 2/16.

Remember how I wasn't feeling any pain in my last post? Well apparently my ovaries read that post too because they are now REALLY tender. I can barely even sit down today. My jeans have been retired until after ER because I can't take the pressure on my waistline.  I'm living in yoga pants these days, which if I am being totally honest is not that big of change from my every day life. I love me some yoga pants!

Hopefully only 4 more days until Egg Retrieval!!! WOOHOOO!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

My Blog Design and IVF update!

I'm sure by now all of you have noticed my new Blog Design! My super, amazingly, ridiculously cute header was made by my very awesome friend Ashley from over at Ashbee Designs. I know what all of you are thinking "Aly, don't you own a blog design business, yet you are having some one ELSE design your blog?" The answer is yes and no. 


Allow me to explain.   Ashley has been one of my very best friends since middle school. She was in many ways my partner in crime through out high school, and she now a brilliant photographer and graphic designer. Through the years she has been my go to gal for pretty much everything. She's made my Christmas cards, shower invitations, and even London's birth announcements. A few weeks ago, after opening Bridge Work Blogs, I asked her for some professional help making custom characters for a blog header. I was amazed at how good she was at it. Yep, I hate her. :) She completely taught herself how to create custom characters on one random Wednesday night.  I had been working on it for WEEKS and couldn't figure it out. Anyway, one thing lead to another and she decided to open her very own design business. 


We are now working as a team to provide custom blog designs. I am still designing, but now my customers have the option of using her designs in my blog packages. It's really the best of both worlds. 


Come on people, she made custom sperm collection cups for my blog header. How awesome is that? I also have a belt of pregnancy tests and shots. Really, could she be any cooler? :)




The Giveaway!
The best part for all of you is that in celebration of her Grand Opening, she is giving away a Complete Ashbee Designs Blog Makeover.  It's VERY easy to enter, so I suggest ALL of you go right now and enter. This package is a $75 value. 


Now onto the IVF update! 
Things went well this morning. I don't know any specifics though. I'm really starting to hate how stupid my Dr's office thinks that I am. First it was a mystery level that required me to suppress for an extra day and now they won't tell me what my ovaries are doing. This morning after the ultrasound, I asked a very simple question. "So how many follicles do we have do far" The response: "It's not how many that we are worried about right now, it's more about the size." So I asked "OK how big are they?" The response: "You have a good number and they look good" WTF?!?! Seriously, it's not the launch code for a nuclear missile, it's my freaking ovaries!!! It's really NOT a secret!

They reduced my medicine down to 75iu of Follistim, 15 low dose HCG, and 10 units Lupron. For them to reduce my medication that much something much be going on. Oh and my ovaries are officially tender tonight, so that is exciting...kinda. 

My next appointment is Saturday morning at 9:45. I'm not leaving without specifics from that appointment. I don't care how many questions I have to ask to get something more than just "They look good." I want answers!!


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Quick IVF Update

The shots are going as well as can be expected. I officially have some really nice black and blue bruises on my stomach from the Follistim. Other than that nothing big is going on. I'm shocked that I haven't emotionally crashed yet. On day 3 of my first round of IVF, I CRASHED. I seriously cried all day long. It was horrible. I'm not sure if it's because I have London to distract me this time or what, but I'm actually doing OK. Although I'm sure Mike would disagree. I've snapped him quite a few times. Sorry babe!

I'm starting to worry that these shots aren't doing anything. Last time I could already feel my expanding ovaries. It wasn't anything big, but I could definitely tell that something was growing inside there. I'm not even bloated yet.  I know, I know, it's only day 3 of stims. There is still plenty of time. My first monitoring appointment is tomorrow morning so I guess I'll have a better idea of what's going on then. I promise to post the results when I get home.

P.S. I really have to stop comparing this cycle to last.

Monday, February 7, 2011

IVF #2: And so it begins.

Today marks the official start of stims for IVF #2! I guess my mystery "levels" were Ok this morning. So today at exactly 5 pm, I officially started my IVF cycle.

Can I just tell you, I totally forgot how much those shots burn. Yikes! Thankfully this cycle I only have to give myself  3, instead of 6, shots a day. Just to give you all a run down (and to keep a record for myself)  I am on 225 iu of Follistim, 10 units of Lupron, and 15 units of low dose HCG.  The Follistim left a nice little bruise on my stomach already. I'm well on my way to becoming a pin cushion.

It's finally here! I'm so excited  nervous anxious.... ready. Yes, I am definitely READY!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

More Suppression. Ugh!

So this morning was my baseline blood work and ultrasound. I supposed to start stims today. Heck I even wrote a whole post about it. Before I hit the publish button, I decided to wait on that little phone call from the Dr telling me how much medicine to take. Well I'm glad I did. Apparently "My levels are not where the Dr wants them to be so she is going to suppress me for one more day" WHAT?!?! When I asked for specifics like, "What level are you talking about?" and "Why do you think that is?" I got a big, "Don't worry about it, everything should be fine in the morning" Sure! UGH!!!!!!!!

So today is not going to be the super exciting day I had hoped for.  Sure it's Super Bowl Sunday, but I was hoping to celebrate the kick off by stabbing myself with 3 shots in the belly. NO SUCH LUCK! I know, I know, it's only one day. But for those of you who have never met me in real life, I am not a patient person.

Oh and another fun fact, I came down with the flu a few days ago. I'm finally better (just in time to start stims for more suppression) but now the hubs has it. I'll bet you anything that London gets it just in time for egg retrieval. That is just the way my luck works these days.

Anyway, I'll stop complaining. Tomorrow I have the pleasure of heading back to the Dr at 7:45AM. FUN FUN!

P.S. How freaking cute is my new blog design? More on that tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Lupron and London's first day of school.

Well, sorta.

A few days ago I started Lupron. Oh so terrible, horrible, no good Lupron.

I took my first shot at 4pm on January 27th. Exactly 57 minutes later I wanted to crack my head open with a screw driver just to relieve the pain. I remember having headaches last time I took Lupron, but wow-o-wow this is ridiculous. Thankfully the pain has gotten better with each passing day, but it's still not completely gone.

Yesterday was my last day of stupid Birth Control pills. The final result was that I gained 5 lbs over the last 8 weeks. SUCK!! Oh well, I'll just add it on to my pregnancy weight (HOPEFULLY).

Since I'm in the boring suppression part of IVF, I will post about something beside just infertility.

LONDON  STARTED SCHOOL TODAY!

Yes, I know my little man is not even two yet (t-minus 27 days), but we decided Mommy really needs some quite time London really needs some socialization. So we enrolled him in a local church's preschool program. He only goes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm. But in just those few hours this morning I managed to get so much stuff done. I even managed to go to the bathroom by myself. I know, I know... GASP!! I wiped by myself without someone watching and asking questions. It was GLORIOUS!!!!

 London was so excited to go to "school". I'll admit that I had been really talking it up for the last few days. This morning he actually cried at the door with his backpack on when I told him it was too early to leave for school. He was dying to see his "friends" that he had yet to actually meet.

Once it was time to drop him off he was a real trooper. He didn't want to walk away from me but when his teacher distracted him with a shinny car, I ran. A friend of mine dropped her kids off about 5 minutes later and peaked in his room on her way out. She quickly reported that he was doing JUST fine and not crying at all. When I picked him up at noon his teachers said he did fabulously. I'm so proud of that little man. I have a feeling that Thursday is going to be a bit harder since he now knows what is going on this time when Mommy tries to run.

Here are a few pictures from this morning.