OMG I can't stand waiting! I'm by my count 5 days past a 5 day transfer and am going a little crazy. As each day progresses I keep googling the next "Xdp5dt" just to see what other peoples response/results were. I guess it is my way of knowing that I'm not alone with my crazy obsessiveness!
On the plus side I was able to get my beta test day moved up from Monday the 6th to Sunday, Aug 5th. I would have to stop at the RE office in Des Moines on my way out of town for work for the blood draw. And then I would get the results while at work 3 hours away from my hubby. Just the idea of dealing with the news good or bad alone would be hard. So I emailed my RE's nurse and asked if it would be possible to come in a day early and she said yes!
I am driving to Council Bluffs to visit my folks and pick up my son. He
spent 2 weeks with them this summer, I'm sure that he's been spoiled. Although now I have to leave Council Bluffs at the crack of dawn to make it to Des Moines by 8am. But it'll be worth it.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
3dp5dt
We're officially 3 days past a 5 day transfer (3dp5dt). I'm glad to be off bedrest and out in the land of the living. While I was on bedrest I watched the entire second season of Downton Abbey, love that show! I also started reading the Game of Thrones series, I've gotten to page 384 out of 835 (45% seems good in three days).
The day after the transfer I felt a little bit of twinges on the left side, almost crampy. I'm hoping that it means that the embryo was just busy burrowing in. I've learned a new acronym PUPO; pregnant until proven otherwise. I like the thought of that and in a sense it is true, I'll take it.
My other thought at this moment is when and if I want to take a home pregnancy test (hpt). With our last IVF turned IUI #3 cycle I did take an hpt the day before the blood test. At that time I was already thinking that I wasn't because one day I had started cramping and spotting quite a bit. I had hoped it was implantation spotting but it seemed more than that and sure enough the beta number came back really low which ended up being a chemical pregnancy.
So the question continues do I take the test early to help guard my heart against a negative outcome. I will take the blood test on a monday morning and then get the results later that day while at work. I feel that if it was to be negative I'd rather have an inkling before than an absolute break down at work. So maybe thats my answer right there, I might take a test the night before just to have an idea. Also then I would be with my husband since I'll be out of town when I get the results. The idea of even taking the test gives me a touch of anxiety.
The day after the transfer I felt a little bit of twinges on the left side, almost crampy. I'm hoping that it means that the embryo was just busy burrowing in. I've learned a new acronym PUPO; pregnant until proven otherwise. I like the thought of that and in a sense it is true, I'll take it.
My other thought at this moment is when and if I want to take a home pregnancy test (hpt). With our last IVF turned IUI #3 cycle I did take an hpt the day before the blood test. At that time I was already thinking that I wasn't because one day I had started cramping and spotting quite a bit. I had hoped it was implantation spotting but it seemed more than that and sure enough the beta number came back really low which ended up being a chemical pregnancy.
So the question continues do I take the test early to help guard my heart against a negative outcome. I will take the blood test on a monday morning and then get the results later that day while at work. I feel that if it was to be negative I'd rather have an inkling before than an absolute break down at work. So maybe thats my answer right there, I might take a test the night before just to have an idea. Also then I would be with my husband since I'll be out of town when I get the results. The idea of even taking the test gives me a touch of anxiety.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Transfer complete
Yesterday morning we went to the RE's office for the embryo transfer. They prescribed me a valium to take beforehand which is supposed to help relax you and your uterus. I didn't really notice a difference until I went to get out of the car after the drive down to Des Moines. Then I definitely felt light headed and just a little loopy feeling.
The last I had heard from the office was that 6 out of the 8 eggs had fertilized. Well the RE told me when he came in right before the procedure was that out of the 6 embryos, 5 had quit growing at day 3. But the upside was that the one embryo that made it to Blastocyst stage (day 5) looked great. Its a bummer really since we were hoping to put in 2 embryos but looking back I'm glad that they hadn't told me earlier. I would have just worried and fretted the entire time before the transfer.
As it is at that point I'm already lying on the table ready to go. It was important to stay positive, so I took it in stride since ultimately you only need one! After the procedure was complete they had me lie there for 30 minutes and then we were able to go home.
I spent the rest of the day yesterday in bed watching tv and reading my book. I could get up to go to the bathroom but other than that they want you to rest. Boy did I get bored after awhile! This morning I'm sitting in the living room recliner, so its nice to have a change of scenery. Especially since my husband was still sleeping and I didn't want to wake him. I still have to stay on bed rest today, hopefully I won't get as stir crazy but I have my doubts.
In two weeks I go back in for a pregnancy blood test. Until then your activity is supposed to be reduced to just walking. Before this I was doing Kosama in the mornings which I stopped the last week of stimulation before the retrieval. Which was a hard transition for me I felt like something was missing because I had been so used to it. I had decided that I didn't want to inadvertently do anything to risk having something go wrong and then wonder if my exercise class that morning was a little too strenuous, etc. So once we find out the results I'll look at whether I go back to class regularly.
Wish us luck!!
The last I had heard from the office was that 6 out of the 8 eggs had fertilized. Well the RE told me when he came in right before the procedure was that out of the 6 embryos, 5 had quit growing at day 3. But the upside was that the one embryo that made it to Blastocyst stage (day 5) looked great. Its a bummer really since we were hoping to put in 2 embryos but looking back I'm glad that they hadn't told me earlier. I would have just worried and fretted the entire time before the transfer.
As it is at that point I'm already lying on the table ready to go. It was important to stay positive, so I took it in stride since ultimately you only need one! After the procedure was complete they had me lie there for 30 minutes and then we were able to go home.
I spent the rest of the day yesterday in bed watching tv and reading my book. I could get up to go to the bathroom but other than that they want you to rest. Boy did I get bored after awhile! This morning I'm sitting in the living room recliner, so its nice to have a change of scenery. Especially since my husband was still sleeping and I didn't want to wake him. I still have to stay on bed rest today, hopefully I won't get as stir crazy but I have my doubts.
In two weeks I go back in for a pregnancy blood test. Until then your activity is supposed to be reduced to just walking. Before this I was doing Kosama in the mornings which I stopped the last week of stimulation before the retrieval. Which was a hard transition for me I felt like something was missing because I had been so used to it. I had decided that I didn't want to inadvertently do anything to risk having something go wrong and then wonder if my exercise class that morning was a little too strenuous, etc. So once we find out the results I'll look at whether I go back to class regularly.
Wish us luck!!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Informational Video Break
As I was obsessively searching the internet for information I came across this fun video clip that explains the IVF process.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Vagina Tea
Before we started this last cycle I had done some shopping on Bulk Herb Store. They have a tea called "Mamas Red Raspberry Brew". Red Raspberry leaf has been known to help prepare the uterus and possibly help with egg quality. So I bought some for myself, I figured it couldn't hurt anything.
The actually product was pretty delicious even though it needed a little sugar. Well one day as I was making this tea my hubby had asked me what I was making so I explained how it was herbs that was supposed to help a woman's "parts". So he dubbed it "Vagina Tea".
The actually product was pretty delicious even though it needed a little sugar. Well one day as I was making this tea my hubby had asked me what I was making so I explained how it was herbs that was supposed to help a woman's "parts". So he dubbed it "Vagina Tea".
Saturday, July 21, 2012
PIO freak out
So tonight was the first night I needed to give myself the progesterone in oil (PIO) shot. Well my husband is working nights right now and there really isn't anyone else to give them to me.
If you don't know the progesterone in oil is an intramuscular injection, in your butt. It might not be but the needle just seems so much longer than the others. I've been told its because it has to be sure to make it into the muscle.
So I got out an ice pack and slipped it between my shorts and hip. I left it there for probably 5 minutes while I got the injection ready and also stood around thinking oh my gosh I can't do this. The nurse told me to hold it like a dagger and stab it all the way in. So I leaned over the bed with some pillows under me and held the needle over the spot marked by the nurse which was red from the ice. I must have looked ridiculous because I did a couple almost motions before I got up the nerve to do it. But I did. It didn't hurt like I thought but I believe that was in part to the 5 minute icing. The oil part is really thick so it makes pushing the plunger alot harder and slower.
I felt so proud of myself afterwards! Thanking God that I was able to get through it. I can't remember a time where I have ever had to give myself a shot before I started IVF. And now I'm becoming an old pro pincushion at it.
If you don't know the progesterone in oil is an intramuscular injection, in your butt. It might not be but the needle just seems so much longer than the others. I've been told its because it has to be sure to make it into the muscle.
So I got out an ice pack and slipped it between my shorts and hip. I left it there for probably 5 minutes while I got the injection ready and also stood around thinking oh my gosh I can't do this. The nurse told me to hold it like a dagger and stab it all the way in. So I leaned over the bed with some pillows under me and held the needle over the spot marked by the nurse which was red from the ice. I must have looked ridiculous because I did a couple almost motions before I got up the nerve to do it. But I did. It didn't hurt like I thought but I believe that was in part to the 5 minute icing. The oil part is really thick so it makes pushing the plunger alot harder and slower.
I felt so proud of myself afterwards! Thanking God that I was able to get through it. I can't remember a time where I have ever had to give myself a shot before I started IVF. And now I'm becoming an old pro pincushion at it.
Egg Update
I got the call from the RE's nurse today and found out that 6 of the 8 eggs fertilized. So are they now called embryos? I'll have to google that sometime.
So of course I've gone online and read various blogs and posts about IVF and how some of these women have 20 eggs retrieved and I think gosh 8 is low (well now 6). But I'm trying not to freak myself out to much about it. And keep repeating the mantra "we only need 2". The hubby and I had decided pretty early on that we wanted to implant 2 embryos, no more no less. If we get additional ones to freeze that would be a bonus.
The plan is to do a day 5 transfer which brings us to next wednesday. I recently looked it up and it was interesting that they used to only do day 3 transfers and that they would implant alot more eggs because of the risk of failure. And that these days waiting until the blastocyst (day 5) stage is more like when the egg actually moves into the uterus. Per the internet: "A blastocyst is a highly developed embryo that has divided many times to a point where it is nearly ready to implant on the walls of the uterus."
At this point it is totally out of my hands and up to nature and God. So the waiting begins...
So of course I've gone online and read various blogs and posts about IVF and how some of these women have 20 eggs retrieved and I think gosh 8 is low (well now 6). But I'm trying not to freak myself out to much about it. And keep repeating the mantra "we only need 2". The hubby and I had decided pretty early on that we wanted to implant 2 embryos, no more no less. If we get additional ones to freeze that would be a bonus.
The plan is to do a day 5 transfer which brings us to next wednesday. I recently looked it up and it was interesting that they used to only do day 3 transfers and that they would implant alot more eggs because of the risk of failure. And that these days waiting until the blastocyst (day 5) stage is more like when the egg actually moves into the uterus. Per the internet: "A blastocyst is a highly developed embryo that has divided many times to a point where it is nearly ready to implant on the walls of the uterus."
At this point it is totally out of my hands and up to nature and God. So the waiting begins...
Friday, July 20, 2012
8 is great!
The egg retrieval was today and to get to the end result the RE retrieved 8 eggs!
I was told that I could eat a clear breakfast that morning which I hadn't thought about before hand. Its hard to find something clear to eat so I just had water. The nurse took pity on my poor bruised arms and put the IV in the top of my hand. They had said that the drugs used to sedate you also gives you amnesia, they were right! I remember sitting in the recliner before hand and then waking up in the recliner again. That's it nothing in between! The procedure happens in another room so I had to have walk myself into the other room but don't remember a thing. Crazy what drugs can do to ya.
Afterwards my hubby drove us home and we both went to slept. My insides still feel a little sore. I'm taking it easy the rest of today though.
I was told that I could eat a clear breakfast that morning which I hadn't thought about before hand. Its hard to find something clear to eat so I just had water. The nurse took pity on my poor bruised arms and put the IV in the top of my hand. They had said that the drugs used to sedate you also gives you amnesia, they were right! I remember sitting in the recliner before hand and then waking up in the recliner again. That's it nothing in between! The procedure happens in another room so I had to have walk myself into the other room but don't remember a thing. Crazy what drugs can do to ya.
Afterwards my hubby drove us home and we both went to slept. My insides still feel a little sore. I'm taking it easy the rest of today though.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Ready for Launch!
I went in today for a close to final scan/draw. I have been taking Follistim & Dexamethosone (pill) in the mornings and then Repronex in the evenings. I have around 4 eggs on each ovary and there are at least one on each that was a good size but the others were smaller. So they kept pushing back a day to help the others catch up. Today the RE decided that he didn't want to risk waiting any longer for fear of losing the good sized eggs.
So tonight I get to take the trigger shots and also a last dose of Repronex and Follistim. And the retrieval will be on friday morning! I felt so relieved now that it is all scheduled. The first attempt things changed because I wasn't responding properly so that converted to an IUI and then when we could try again we had scheduling conflicts, so it wasn't even a full try.
I guess for awhile there I was freaking out because I had switched insurance at work to the one that covered fertility. Well of course this insurance has a monthly deductible and the other one doesn't, so there was up front cost right there. So my hubby and I decided to try for a year with this insurance and then switch back next year. My dilemma was that its already July and we hadn't even gone through a full IVF cycle yet, so I felt like the year was flying by with little to show for it.
Thankfully we are actually going through with this cycle and everything seems to be going well. I'm a little nervous about the egg retrieval on friday but excited also. I guess I'm not to worried about myself but with what the end results will be; how many eggs retrieved, how many will fertilize, etc..
At this point though I am trying to remain optimistic!
So tonight I get to take the trigger shots and also a last dose of Repronex and Follistim. And the retrieval will be on friday morning! I felt so relieved now that it is all scheduled. The first attempt things changed because I wasn't responding properly so that converted to an IUI and then when we could try again we had scheduling conflicts, so it wasn't even a full try.
I guess for awhile there I was freaking out because I had switched insurance at work to the one that covered fertility. Well of course this insurance has a monthly deductible and the other one doesn't, so there was up front cost right there. So my hubby and I decided to try for a year with this insurance and then switch back next year. My dilemma was that its already July and we hadn't even gone through a full IVF cycle yet, so I felt like the year was flying by with little to show for it.
Thankfully we are actually going through with this cycle and everything seems to be going well. I'm a little nervous about the egg retrieval on friday but excited also. I guess I'm not to worried about myself but with what the end results will be; how many eggs retrieved, how many will fertilize, etc..
At this point though I am trying to remain optimistic!
Bruises & yet more Bruises
As I'm sure some of you are aware that when you are going through an IVF cycle you are at the RE office alot. And that means getting blood drawn each time. So far I have had blood drawn six out of the last seven days! I've given new meaning to being black and blue! After last friday's draw I was left with this lovely mark on my LEFT arm:
Granted this pic is several days after the incident so its starting to fade. The mark above it is from today's blood draw! Cuz of course ya gotta even things out. Plus the nurse was thinking that we should give my RIGHT arm a break because it is looking like this:
So I'm sure that people just wonder when they see both my arms these days but oh well, I guess its a small price to pay.
Granted this pic is several days after the incident so its starting to fade. The mark above it is from today's blood draw! Cuz of course ya gotta even things out. Plus the nurse was thinking that we should give my RIGHT arm a break because it is looking like this:
So I'm sure that people just wonder when they see both my arms these days but oh well, I guess its a small price to pay.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Just Relaxing
Since we had to cancel the last cycle shortly after the baseline appointment, my RE likes to wait until the next full cycle, so July. Looking back it was sort of a blessing. Turns out June was a crazy month for us with our long vacation and then coming back and immediately getting Johnny ready and out to Scout camp. During that time I had to travel some for work. Johnny came back from camp, then it was 4th of July. Then he went back to Scouts for a specialty shooting camp.
It was nice to just relax about the whole infertility issues. I had initially was even thinking that i would get an ovulation kit, etc. And we could try the old fashioned way but I just didn't even want to think about it.
Now that we are starting up on the next cycle, I feel alot more refreshed and positive about the whole thing.
Wish me luck!
It was nice to just relax about the whole infertility issues. I had initially was even thinking that i would get an ovulation kit, etc. And we could try the old fashioned way but I just didn't even want to think about it.
Now that we are starting up on the next cycle, I feel alot more refreshed and positive about the whole thing.
Wish me luck!
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