Um, Are You Sitting Down??

Yes, I know it's been a long time since I've updated my blog...but, I think it's for a good reason. I will just get right to it, and then update on what's been going on since our 7th IVF cycle began back in mid January. First things first.....I'M PREGNANT!!!! I am still in a state of shock. After 3 long years, Mark and I are finally expecting our first little m&m. I'm due November 5th.

Now, here comes the interesting story of how all this came to be, and why I didn't update my blog right away....

So, way back at the end of February, we had a big snow storm. I was supposed to go up to SIRM on a Friday for my beta. I didn't want to drive up in the snow, so I decided to POAS on Thursday morning. I got up a little after 5am, and used a dollar tree test. After 60 seconds, there was no second line. I sat on the bathroom floor and started to cry. Then, I got up to get a tissue, and noticed a very very faint second line. I woke up Mark, and made him look. He saw it too. I then ran out to CVS and bought 4 more tests. The second line came up right away, and the digital said pregnant. This was actually happening!

I drove over to Quest labs on Thursday morning, and had my hcg/beta levels drawn. I was on cloud nine all weekend long. I drove up to SIRM on the following Monday morning for my second beta and while I was there, I found out my first beta was 89. I got a call from Dr. Peters on Monday afternoon, telling me that my second beta was 32. I was told that the pregnancy wasn't viable (it was a chemical pregnancy), but that I should have a third beta done to make sure my levels were dropping. And, I was told to continue my medications until further notice. Mark and I were devastated. We didn't know what our next move would be, should we bother continuing with treatments, or start looking into adoption. It was probably one of the worst moments I had in a long long time.

Well, imagine my surprise when I went back to Quest for my 3rd beta, and got a call from SIRM the next day asking me to come in for a 4th beta. Apparently, my 3rd beta had jumped up to 1681. SIRM was convinced that Quest made a mistake, and wanted me to come to their office immediately for a 4th beta. I called Mark immediately. We were trying not to be optimistic, convincing ourselves that Quest really screwed up. I left work and drove up for my blood test. Well, Dr. Peters called that afternoon to tell me that my beta was now at 2228. He told me that I was pregnant, didn't need any more betas, and we scheduled my first ultrasound. Holy Hell. He also told us that my second beta was a mistake on their part...the tech had put my progesterone level where my beta level should have been. So, I could finally believe it...I was pregnant!

I have since had 2 ultrasounds, and we have one beautiful little baby growing. We couldn't be happier. We feel truly blessed that this is finally happening for us. Thanks to everyone's good thoughts and support through our entire infertility journey. It means more to us than you will ever know.

No Frosties

Oh well. Got the news from my nurse coordinator, and the 2 morulas did not make it to freeze. I'm trying not to read too much into it. Hopefully, the 3 embies that we transferred yesterday will do the trick.

If not, another fresh cycle awaits me in the spring.

Back From Transfer!

Just got back from our transfer. It went very well. I only drank 10 ounces of water this time, and it appeared to be enough. Finally met Dr. Peters in person, after talking to him many many times on the phone.

So, here's the dirt. We wound up transferring 3 blasts. They grade on a 1-4 basis, with 1 being the best. We transferred a Grade 1, 2 and 3 blast. We decided to go with the graded 3 blast as they weren't going to be able to freeze it, so why not add it to the mix. We also have 2 compacted morulas. Assuming they keep dividing, they will be frozen tomorrow. And, we had 2 just crap out. Dr. Peters told us that if I get pregnant, we have a 30-35% chance of twins, and a 10% chance of triplets. Whoah!

I wore my lucky underwear and my new lucky socks. Hopefully, both did the trick. I go back in a couple of weeks for my beta.

Keep crossing those fingers, toes, and sending us all those sticky vibes!!

Transfer Set for 1:30!

Just got the call. We will leave here around 11:30 and head up for our transfer. I'll find out how many blasts we have, how many we are transferring, and what their gradings are when I get up there.

Here we go! I'll check in later this afternoon with an update.

Wow, Just Wow!

I got the call from Dr. Peters pretty late this morning. I had a dream the night before that we only had 3 embryos as of today...so I opted to stay home until I got the news from the office. Well, they didn't call until almost noon, but Dr. P told me that we had 7 embies growing. I was floored. We only had 6 as of Saturday. I swear, this cycle is all sorts of good. I don't think we have ever had so many embryos on day 3.

Dr. P. also told me their current grading, but I was so shocked about the 7 embryos, that I didn't really pay attention. Anyway, looks like we are doing a 5dt on Wednesday. I'll get the call Wednesday morning, and then Mark and I will drive up together for the transfer. So relieved!!

Fertilization Report

Dr. Peters called today to give us our fertilization report. Out of 9 eggs retrieved, we now have 6 embryos growing. I'm happy with this number as the last few ivfs we have had, we only had 5 or less to work with.

I won't hear again until Monday. If we have at least 4 embryos still going strong, we will do a 5 day transfer on Wednesday. I really really really want to make it to a 5 day transfer!

Please send lots of embie growth dust my way!!

9 EGGS!!!

I just got back from my retrieval, and they got 9 eggs! This is the third best retrieval I have had, and the first one where I didn't cry when I got the results.

I did wake up during the procedure, which I wasn't thrilled with, but I didn't feel anything. The anesthesiologist asked if I wanted to stay awake, or have a little more drug to go back to sleep, and I opted for the more drugs. No surprise there.

Anyway, I'm a little crampy, but otherwise, I feel ok. We will get a call from the Dr. tomorrow to find out how many eggs were mature and how many fertilized. Then, I'll get a call on Monday morning to find out if we are doing a 3 day or 5 day transfer. It seems like SIRM really likes to do 5 days, so as long as I have a few good looking embies on Monday, we should be set for a Wednesday transfer. They only require bedrest for one day, but I think I'll still stay home on Thursday for good measure.

Please send good embryo fertilization and growing vibes my way. I really hope that this is finally it for Mark and I!