Just building a heart....and a brain....

Hi all!  I apologize again for the lack of keeping people up to date.  I have literally been in bed by 8-830 most nights....out like a light.  Between pregnancy fatigue and fighting a cold....I am done by the end of the day:) The one night I woke up and Dennis wasn't in bed...I stumbled down stairs and said "What are you still doing up???"  He looked at me like I was crazy(which is a common look):) and said..."It's a quarter to nine"....huh...thought I had slept 5 hours already!:)

Anyways, all is well...over 9 weeks now.  I assume everything continues to be just fine as I continue to feel yucky morning and night.  That's okay....at least I know things are happening.

We had an ultrasound a couple weeks ago.  Everything looked great. Our little one has doubled in size, has brain ventricles developing, little appendage buds and a heart beat! Very cool.  No wonder I am tired....I am manufacturing a lot of things!:)  I attached a picture below. 

We are pretty excited things are going well.  Next ultrasound is an external one, takes 45 minutes and lots of measurements are taken. It's around 12 weeks.  After that one I feel a little more safe and excited! 


Again..thanks to all for your love and support! Happy weekend...and snow...apparently...

No mini van needed!:)

Sorry for the delay in updates...been busy evenings...sleeping as soon as I can...fighting a cold...blah! NOT complaining....but a cold tired on top of feeling tired....well anyway..I will survive:)

So..last week we went for our first ultrasound. I believe at that point we were 5 weeks 5 days ish.  With it being so early this is an internal ultrasound. It's too early to see a heart beat.  The purpose is to see how the embryo is implanting and looking....AND to see how many.

There was only one....which was what I was sort of hoping for.  Two would have been fun and loved...but a bit busy with Callen too!:)  Anyway, one was there. So...Dennis' comment was...phew...no minivan!:)     All the measurements were on track which was good.   Basically it looks  like a blob with a little bubble in it...called the yoke sac.  We didn't get a picture this time but should with the next.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yolk_sac

The ultrasound tech was telling us some neat genetic/embryology information she had learned at a course.  She has said as we know that there are cells designated for certain things ie arm,leg, etc.  There are also cells that are sort of jack of all trades that can be used wherever is needed to develop whatever is needed.  Kind of cool really!

Anyway, over all feeling okayish.  Having nausea if I am hungry and  then if I eat too much...I think. Not sure the trend or if there is one.   Part of the process and just embracing it as I can....maybe complaining a bit to certain people....just a bit...but not a lot.  I know there are many who want to feel like this....so please don't get me wrong when I whine a bit! I am very fortunate and thankful!  

okay...just icing, then shot...then bed time for this crazy party girl! Night all...thanks again for the support...

Shot shot shot shot.....

Part of the regimen is injections of Progesterone and estrogen.   The estrogen is twice a week and started a week or so before transfer to get my hormones aligned appropriately.   It 0.2ml.

Progesterone I started a few days before the transfer. It is 2 ml and daily....so my butt is bit of a pin cushion.  Progesterone is sometimes called the  pregnancy hormone as it's levels are important before and during pregnancy.  In a nut shell the two hormones help the uterus prepare for and maintain the fertilized egg. 
http://www.resolve.org/about-infertility/understanding-my-body/progesterone-and-pregnancy-a-vital-connection.html
With previous IUI's and my first own egg IVF I used suppositories.  They work just as well but really are quite messy and "oozy".  I had a choice this go around to do them.  I chose to stick with the IM injections.  It worked last time and is a lot cleaner.  Yes, my buttocks feels  like a pin cushion and probably is a nice blue haze but it's all worth it. 

Below is my set up, calendar to keep track on which "cheek" is up that day, syringes, draw up needle, injecting needles and drugs.  The second picture are my Tuesday/ Friday shots!  Fun fun!

For anyone contemplating IVF of some sort don't let this scare you please.   I too was nervous and didn't think I could do it.  But, we are all stronger than we think...I have learned that.  You can do it! There are challenging times, even when it's going well....but that's normal. It's okay to be scared, to be emotional, to think...seriously...why I am I dealing with this.  BUT...bottom line...it's worth it.  Each story is different but we all are warriors....and can conquer anything...  Night !

Beta battle F.E.T.

I know many of you have been waiting to get an update. I waited a bit till we made sure certain people were told.      I went for blood work on Thursday morning. They do what is called a "beta" test or a test of my HcG levels....fancy term for blood test.  I still wasn't sure that morning either way if I was pregnant or not.  I was feeling tired, but again maybe because of travelling. The only odd symptoms I have been feeling have been hot and cold flashes, chills at night and a bit of cramping.  Apparently those are symptoms for some.

SO.... our result on Thursday was 258. Much lower than we had for Callen but anything over 80 is good.   I have to stop comparing but it's hard not to. So...yay!!    I am excited but of course cautiously.....it's still very early.  Saturday was our follow up beta and our number was 479!! So, it's going up...which is great!  Dennis asked if lower numbers means one.....who knows...possibly.

Next step is an early ultrasound a week tomorrow.  We will find out then if one or two.  Eeek! 

Back to work tomorrow...see how this goes. I have been enjoying my afternoon naps since being home....wonder if I can fit that into my schedule??Ha!! 

Thanks for everyone's support. Please remember though this is very early. I am keeping my followers on here up to date but many do not know yet, including some family. So please don't post anything on facebook or spread the word so much until we are in the safer zone. I know many will be asking...I am often just telling people so far so good!! That I think lets people know....

Oh...many might wonder what FET stands for...Frozen Embryo Transfer....so we will see...which works better....Fresh or frozen!!:)


Anyway, off for my daily progesterone shot....fun fun!  Night all!!

Nervously waiting....

Heading home today....back to reality.  Super excited to see Callen...missed him so much. We skyped a lot but some days were harder than others.  Usually those were the long days, when I was already tired....maybe some of it had to with hormones? I am not sure.

Starting to get nervous about the result of this time around.  With Callen we had success...but nothing is guaranteed.  I have re read some of my old posts....which may have not been a great idea.  I am not feeling like I did then....so now I am worried.  I know each time is different....so trying to stay positive!  Fingers crossed! 

Exploring......

We were back and forth about staying after the transfer.   Technically, we could have come home last Wednesday.  We talked about it and figured, we are here might as well enjoy it a bit.  It's been weird being  away from Callen for this long but it's been nice being a couple again, not just mom and dad.:)  Also, being here is more relaxing then at home....even if I wasn't at work.  We have enjoyed lazy mornings despite some very busy days.

We visited some of our favourites and a few new places.  The highlights after our transfer were:  Yosemite National park tour, fly fishing on the river that flows from the valley of Yosemite, visiting Monterey again, the gorgeous scenery of highway 1, visiting Stearns wharf in Santa Barbara and lastly today spending time in Santa Monica.  

 

Sticky Uterus!!

Sorry for the delay in writing....not great wifi connection and the post I had almost done I accidently deleted. Argggh!!

Anyway, we are alive and well...I am just way behind on posts, journaling, etc  We have had some busy, longer days and I am tired by the end!

This post is about transfer day....and the title Sticky uterus is compliments of one of my closest friends Monica.  First round through and now this one we had a bunch of mantras....this being one of them..  Hopefully my uterus is sticky and the embryos do their  thing and burrow in. YES...we put two in!!  We will see what happens.  We put two with Callen...but got just him...so only God knows.

Transfer day was much shorter and smoother than last time from my point of view.  We were in and out quicker.  We arrived, paid...OUCH...and within in a few minutes we were brought back to our room. We met with a nurse to go over post transfer instructions, paper work, etc.  Next is the embryologist...this is kind of cool. He told us how they chose the two, what we have left and answered our questions. Our little frozen embryos were thawed that morning. We have five left....all but one are similar quality.  Like last time...we got a picture...aren't they cute?:)

Next, I took my diazepam and started sipping my water.  The medication to help me and my lining relax.  It is supposed to help in my body accepting the embryo.  The water is to fill my bladder to "comfortably full".  The transfer is ultrasound guided. Having my bladder full enough helps make the passage easier to see and to get to where we want.    The water drinking went much better than last time. I joke that this is the worst part of the transfer. I suck at finding that "comfortable" full.  Last time I drank too much, too soon and ended up peeing and refilling way too many times.  This time I was much better.  On first check...not full enough...so more sipping and waiting.  Finally, I was ready to go.  Was I nervous...yes....for many reasons.  The procedure not so much...maybe a bit, but more the whole thing starting, the unknown.  It worked last time....success rates even with a frozen embryo are pretty high...but you never know.

So...the process itself is actually fairly quick. You assume the position....ladies you know what this means...yup legs in stirrups.  On an aside...theirs are nice and padded...with oven mitts!:)    Dr Hubert comes in with his nurse and we get all set up.  He is such a lovely man who is genuine, personable....truly seems to love his job.  He has a London connection through his wife I believe..so always asking about how things are.  Anyway, speculum in (not my favourite...but he's pretty gentle) and he does a "practice" run with the catheter/tube.  The nurse has the abdomen ultrasound so you can see on the screen the tube.  Next the real thing. He gets the tube through a little "drive through" window from the embryologist...and in they go.  On the screen we could see a little flash.    After that I got dressed, peed....yay! and Off we went...Oh....I almost forgot.  Protocol...had to get wheel-chaired out to the parking lot.

Okay....so lots of crossed fingers and good vibes this way please!  Sticky uterus!