Fresh IVF recap! April 2009

I'm going to quickly recap on the 1st IVF cycle so that I can continue to share "the journey!" we're on now.

The fresh cycle went just as excepted with little mishaps. They retrieved 26 eggs & 19 fertilized. They froze 7 at 2pn and watched 12. We lost a few here and there and transferred 2 blastocysts on Sunday, April 26th. We also were able to freeze 3 other blasts leaving us with 10 snowbabies for future cycles.

I had no signs or symptms of pregnancy at all and had my mind totally geared up for the BFN when they called with my beta results! Low and behold I WAS PREGNANT!! I had my beta 10dp5dt & beta was 43. They took it 2 & 4 days later to check for doubling and it was. We were going to be parents.

Allie was graduating from PSU and we were thrilled to be able to go to PS for the weekend and celebrate with her. We got there on Friday, May 15, 2009 and I went to the BR after the 4.5 hr trip to blood! :( I was devastated at the thought but I knew it wast true! I was losing my babies! We never had an u/s to confirm if it was 1 or 2 but I like to think it was 2. I've name one of my angels "Hope!" I know she looks after me and wants me to be a mommy to one of her brothers or sisters. We came home from PSU that evening and I was seen in the office the next for blood & U/S. U/S didn't show any bleeding or gestational sacs but it was too early. 5w5d! My beta has started to drop though.

Austin & I was extremely sad and had many mixed emotions but we were ready to try again. This IF thing isn't a fast process and we aren't getting younger. We waiting 2 months and hopped right back on the saddle!!

Monday, April 13th - B/W after SD3

Was at the Dr. this AM for blood work to see how I am responding! They always call around 1:30 and 2:00 at the latest. I still didn't hear anything by 2:30 so I called them. I was so nervous they forgot me and I knew the results would determine the amt. of Gonal-F I gave this night. When I called they apologized as my labs didn't make the AM run so they didn't have them back yet. They did call later and I got great news....

My E2 on baseline was 60 (normal) today is was 600!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm RESPONDING!!! **YAY** The nurse was so happy but they did cut my dose of Gonal back to 150 just so I don't OHSS. When I asked her in the AM what she would like it to be she said at least 200. Guess I hit that # and then some. So that made my day.

I go back on Wednesday, April 15th for b/w & U/S so we'll get to see all these follies that are growing. GROW FOLLIES GROW!!!!!

I also went to CVS last night and got Austin & I's antibiotics filled so we're all set when they give the green light to trigger!!! I also got my prenatal vitamines filled and was shocked how expensive they are....$65.00! That is a 90 day supply but still I could get Wal*Mart brand for $5 I think. Oh well, at this rate I'll pay anything to be a Mommy!

I'm getting more and more excited each day.

Friday, April 10th-SD 1

Started Gonal-F 225 tonight. It wasn't near as bad as I had thought. I give the Gonal in my stomach and then give the Lupron in my thighs. I was so nervous for some reason but the Lurpon hurts much more than the Gonal and the Lupron doesn't even hurt that bad. I'm hoping & praying that it continues to go as well. More importantly I hope I respond!!!

Tonight Austin & I were meeting Ashley & Lascelles at the Works for a bday dinner. When we got there Austin had 15 other people there for a wonderful birthday celebration!!! He's the bestest husband around! I'll keep him a bit longer! I LOVE YOU BABY!

Mock Transfer

April 9th, 2009 my 30th birthday I went to the Dr. to have the Mock Transfer done. It wasn't too bad but it certainly hurt more than the saline u/s. They said that I have a good uterus (at least something is good!) It only hurt when Dr. Munabi hit the top of my uterus. That is where they don't want to place the embryos so they go in prior to measure it. They said they will leave them around 8 cm. Hope that's a great place for them and I hope they think so too...STICKY DUST!!

I got to work today and Caroline, Loan & Jennifer had my cube decorated with balloons, streamers and about 8 bags of confetti!!!!! It was so sweet of them. They also took me out for lunch on Wed. which was so nice but not necessary.

Austin got me GPS which was also awesome because I didn't want him to spend money on me. It was a very practical gift and will come in handy when I travel for work.

I start Gonal-F 225 on Friday, April 10th.

OH Happy Day!!!

Austin & I are now offically an aunt & uncle. Austin's brother had a beautiful baby boy, Cole Allen Peterson born 4/8/09 7 lb. 13 oz. and 21 in. long. I am so happy for them! He seems so perfect!!!

Baseline U/S & Bloodwork - Monday, April 6th

Today at 7 AM I was at the Dr. office for my baseline u/s & bloodwork. Megan & Dr. Munabi were there. They took 3 tubes today as they checked CBC, clotting factors as well as hormones. They also listened to my heart & lungs. Megan called this afternoon and labs looked great so we're still moving in the right direction...another day closer! My lining was only 5 mm so they aren't even sure if I'll get AF this time and if I do it won't be heavy.

I go on Thursday, April 9th (someone's birthday!) for the mock transfer. They will "practice" a transfer so the day of it can go as quickly & as smoothly as possible.

Signing my Life Away

Austin & I went on Thursday, April 2nd for an appt. with Dr. Munabi. This appt. was to discuss IVF in it's entirety as well as sign ALL the consent forms. There were a lot of forms that's for sure. We had to sign consent to do ICSI if they feel it needs done the day of, we had to sign one for assistive hatching if need be, also all the logistics of embryo freezing. It's amazing what the government dictates when it comes to this stuff!

It went well and each day it hits me a little more that it's really happening!!