9 years, 1 operation, countless IUI's & 1 IVF later......

We Are Pregnant!!!

We found out Friday but wanted to make sure our levels were progressing as needed. We went to the clinic today for blood work and our levels were better than I could imagine. I feel like this is a dream! I can't tell you how many times I have started crying today. I feel so blessed! We still have long journey ahead of us and for sure not in the clear just yet, but I have a lot of peace and faith in the Lord that he is going to protect us through the next chapter in our lives. Even though I had to share with those that have been following my blog, we are still going to keep things hush hush for several more weeks :) Please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers our way.

 

 



Progesterone Check

Yesterday I went in for blood work to check my progesterone levels. Progesterone has nothing to do with getting pregnant but has to be at a certain level to maintain a pregnancy. Think of progesterone like sticky glue. My levels came back at 12.6 (which nurse said was low). I have already been taking progesterone shots daily in my bum (let me tell you, this is the most painful shot yet). Reading online levels vary so much and also increase throughout the pregnancy. So to increase my progesterone levels, the doctor has increased the dosage on the nightly progesterone shot and prescribed a vaginal suppository. The good news is since they are monitoring us so close, we are able to correct it.

 



 

 

Transfer Update

Meet our two embryos that were transferred on Monday!

Our embryo transfer was yesterday. I was so nervous. It was such a big day! We were escorted to the recovery room to prepare pretty much right when we arrived at the facility and shortly was taken to the surgery room. This procedure is very simple and pretty painless. I was thankful that Chris was able to go back with me. The total procedure took about 20min from start to finish and then they had me lay flat on my back in the recovery room for an hour afterwards.

They put me on strict bed rest for 48 hours. Which has not been too bad. I have watched a lot of trash TV, read magazines (thanks to a dear friend), and have enjoyed the company of my sweet husband who is taken good care of me.

Please keep us in your prayers that these 2 little embryos are strong and snuggling in for the next 9 months ;)



Retrieval Update 3

We once again received the awaited call from the embryologist around 9:30am this morning. She said all 8 embryos are developing perfectly. At this point they like to see a 2 cell embryo. We have (1) that is a 6 cell, (5) that are are a 4 cell, and (2) that are a 3 cell. Words cannot express how blessed I feel at this moment. It is hard to hold back the excitement!

I will continue to have hope and faith through this journey (you have heard me say that a few times, I know). I may not know why we have not been able to have children, but I have faith in God and know one day my dreams will come true. Miracles happen every day because of him and I pray I am next in line :)



The Verdict is IN!

I received a call from the embryologist around 9:30am this morning to let us know 9 of the 11 eggs fertilized. Eight of the embryos are developing normally, one is not (but it still has a chance), and the other two did not fertilize and have been discarded. I am very happy with these numbers! The RE that we see is very conservative on the hyperstimulation process and like I mentioned before wanted to retrieve 8-12 eggs due to other risk that could be involved. I know all it takes is one but I wanted that insurance if this does not work that we can try again. The IVF success rate of Fertility Institute is around 55%. With my age and since the doctor does not show any reason why we have note been able to conceive, the odds seem to be in our favor but we clearly understand there are no guarantees.

Today I am still very sore and I have not done a lot. My husband is will be home in a few hours so I probably should pick up the house and try to make myself half way presentable :)



Retrieval Day

We were scheduled to be at the Fertility Institute @ 6:30am this morning. Everything went so quick but flawlessly. The doctor was able to retrieve 11 eggs. They said the quality was perfect. It is crazy to think our take home baby (or babies) could be in the process of being created now. I am extremely sore and looking forward to my next round of pain medicine at the moment ;). I was discharged from the hospital this morning at 9:15am and I have been home resting since. Tomorrow morning we will get a call from the embryologist to let us know how many eggs fertilized. Statistics show typically 60% - 70% will fertilize. I could not asked to have a better doctor and team. I am overwhelmed with the compassion that these individuals have for what they do.  Tonight we start taking a progesterone oil shot to ensure my lining is extra sticky to help the embryo attach. I want to thank your for all your prayers, text and sweet messages.    



Trigger Shot



EEEEEEK! Retrieval date has been officially scheduled for August 15th. We had our final ultrasound this morning, and we had 12 follicles. The doctor had hoped for 8-12 follicles, and I was pleased that my body responded well to the medicine. We took the Ovidrel Shot this evening at 8pm. This shot will help the follicles mature and trigger the release of the mature eggs and is taken take 36 hours prior to retrieval.We will report back to the Fertility Institute on Wednesday @ 6:30am.

   

IVF Blog - Cycle Day 6

I will first say I am extremely thankful for this opportunity to be going through this process. BUT......Today has been rough. I have had a headache from the medicine from the moment I woke up, I am very aware of my ovaries, and I started crying at the nail salon while watching a clip of the the Olympics. I just had to laugh at myself!  The good news is, the medicine must be doing its job! We are scheduled for an ultrasound and blood work tomorrow morning. I am anxious to see our progress. We have continued to have hope and faith after several failures and will continue to be optimistic. I want to thank my husband, family, and friends for being there for support.

Love you all ;)



IVF Blog - Cycle Day 4

We went to the Fertility Institute first thing this morning to check my estrogen levels. We were in and out within 10 minutes. Like requested I put an ice pack in my purse and took the Follistim to work with me anticipating the call with the results. Around 10:00am, I got the call that my estrogen level did drop back to a normal level and to go ahead and take our first injection of Follistim.

 Above is a picture of the medicine. Included is a prefilled cartridge and comes with a pen that allows you to dial the specific dose. I am scheduled to take 150 units every morning for the next four days. The medicine will help create multiple follicles. Out of the 3 shots, by far this is the easiest!

 

 Lupron

Menopur

This evening I started the Menopur in addition to the Lupron that I have taken since July 22nd. All 3 shots are subcutaneous. I had heard stories that the Menopur burns, but luckily our first injection was a success. I am taking 150 units of Menopur  which is a mixture of hormones that too stimulate the development of multiple eggs. We go back to the Fertility Institute Thursday morning for blood work (my poor arm has had it already) and ultrasound to see how the follicles are coming along.

Retrieval date is right around the corner!!!!

Suppression Check Update

I received a call from the fertility institute that the results from my blood work were back. My estrogen levels were slightly elevated.Which indicates what they seen on the ultrasound was likely a cyst. The tech suggested I continue on with medication as planned and go back in for blood work on Monday morning. We are scheduled Monday, August 6th, to start our "cocktail shots". She has instructed me to take the shots with me to our office visit and we will be instructed then if everything is a go or if the process will be delayed. I was expecting a bump in the road, just not this early.For now, I am not going to worry until there is something to worry about.

Suppression Check

We went in for a follow up visit today. Since we had not heard the results back on Christopher's visit from a few days ago, we made sure to get the details on him as well. His sperm count was 97.3 million and motility was 51%. He is such an over achiever.... Ha! Due to the number and quality of his sperm and my age, the tech said it was not likely they would need to do ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection). Our visit today was to check suppression and to make sure everything was right on track and like always, blood work. In the ultrasound, the tech found what she thinks may be a cyst on my right ovary. She said that is was small and could be a spot from our last cycle, but for now was not anything to worry about. She said she will call us with the details on on my blood work tomorrow. If my estrogen is high, it it likely it is a cyst and we will go in for another ultrasound on Monday and may be instructed to stop the Lupron for a week.

Thank You all for your prayers and encouragement during this process. We love you all!