Proof of Preggo

On Thanksgiving I took another test and then another test on the Sunday after Thanksgiving both said positive. What I didn't know was whether or not it was a healthy pregnancy moving in the right direction. I would have to wait for the Beta test on 11/30 to confirm that.

When I went to get my blood work done, the phlebotomist asked if I cheated and took a HPT. "Of course," was my reply. "And," she said. " Positive," I replied.

She told me it would take 2 hours to confirm the blood work and that any number over 30 would indicate a positive test. I also had to make an appointment for Wed and Fri as well. They want to monitor my blood to make sure that my HCG levels are doubling every other day like they are supposed to. On one hand it is a pain in the ass to keep getting my blood drawn and on the other hand it is nice to be monitored so I can have reassurance that my pregnancy is moving in the right direction.

I went back to work wondering if my numbers were going to come back okay. A few hours later I got the call that my number was 972 and my progesterone was a 32. The nurse both numbers were good. So I am off to a positive start. Now I can't wait to find out if I have twins or not.

I am hoping to have an ultra sound next week.

Symptoms:

fatigue ( minor)
frequent urination
increased hunger
sore boobs
cramping
bloating
gas- mainly burping
Cravings for peppers
Early on dizziness but now I only get this if I go too long without eating or drinking water

THE HPT

This time after the IUI I felt some different symptoms. For starters, I had sharp pains and cramping much more than last time. My boobs don't just hurt, they are killing me. Like it hurts to put on a bra. A few days this week I was so incredibly tired I went to be at like 7:30 and 8:30 and slept through the night. I also have increased hunger, smell sensitivity (slight), major dizziness (almost passed out a few times) and very slightly nauseous.

Last time I took HPT way too early. This time I waited a little longer. The first test I took in the bathroom at work. I used a first response test. This was 8 days past IUI #2. I figured by this time the trigger shot should be out of my system because last time, I took the HPT I tested out the trigger and by day 7 after the IUI the shot was already gone.

HPT FS # 1 11/18/15 8 days after IUI #2- Came up negative, but there was a tiny piece of pink on the second line. It didn't go all the way down. I counted this a negative, but I had hope since it was so early. Plus it was in the middle of the afternoon, which is not the most concentrated urine.

HPT FS #2- 11/19/2015 9 days after IUI#2-  I took it first thing in the morning and it showed up with a very faint pink line. It was positive.

HPT # 3- 11/20/2015 10 days  cheap Rite Aid brand- I took this at work again in the middle of the afternoon and it came up negative.

HPT #4- 11/21/15 11 days after IUI #2- Cheap rite aide brand- I got a very faint blue plus sign first thing in the morning. 



I will keep testing in the mornings because it seems like that is the best time. My beta is scheduled for 11/30, so I am a ways away. I expect that the tests should continue to get darker in the next few days. I guess we will find out.

2nd IUI

The month of November is our second try with IUI, 100 mg of Clomid and a HCG trigger shot.
This time the process seemed to go much smoother with 1 minor hiccup, which I will explain later.

Anyway, I took my Clomid on days 5-9. Symptoms of bloating, burning and overall discomfort were much less prominent than last time. I could however feel that my left side was the one developing again. It was slightly more tender and bloated than the other side. This cycle was more on track because we started the Clomid on the actual days 5-9. Unlike last time where we started later in the month. I think that did effect my cycle.  At first the nurse called me and said the doctor was recommending 50 mg of Clomid. I questioned that because I knew it was supposed to be 100 mg. they called back saying the doctor apologize for misreading my chart.

I did the usual ordering of my sample from Xytex. They were friendly and helpful. I placed my order, paid extra for quicker shipping, and also paid for the higher sperm count. I was told that the sampel would be deliver by 11/5 before noon. I also ordered a trigger shot through my insurance company so I didn't have to put out another 100.00 up front like last time. Even though I got reinbursed the last time, I figured the less to put out the better. I have good insurance and they have covered all my meds so far.

I thought all was going well until I checked my e-mail over the weekend. I was all scheduled to go in for my ultrasound and blood work on Monday when I got an e-mail Saturday afternoon that said that my shipment was delivered but the doctors office was closed. "WHAT?" I thought to myself. This is not good. I had no idea if the sample would be safe in the dry ice container until Monday when the doctor's office opened. Of course at this point, XYTEX and the doctor's offices were both closed so all I could do is e-mail XYTEX and bitch them out for screwing up my order.

When I went in for the Ultrasound on 11/9 I realized that there were actually two things that were being delivered. 1 by FEDEX and 1 by UPS. The UPS was the one that was delayed which was the HCG shot. It was not the sample. "What a relief!"

Anyway, so 11/9 I got blood work and then the doctor gave me an ultrasound that revealed two mature follicles. Since I only need 1 good one to get preggo, two only increased my chances. He said it looked good and based on my blood work, he would recommend that the insemination be done the next day. So we went through the routine again on 11/10/15. IU #2.

the doctor said the sample was excellent. 45 mil count with 80% motility. He said my hormones and blood work looks good nothing to indicate an issue. He explained that there really is a probability and each time you try it is only a 14% chance of success. Those number are low. He also said the chance of twins was 10%. I guess that is kinda high given that there is only a 14% chance of success. He also said that at my age of 37, only about 60% of my eggs are viable on any given cycle. Some cycles may be better than others and there is really no way to determine that.  So basically this whole process that costs me 1500.00 per try is a giant crap shoot. I left feeling somewhat discouraged, but knowing that I would try at least 2 more times if I was not successful this time around.

Childhood pics of the donor

Moving Forward IUI #1

Moving Forward

I woke up really early this morning for a 7:30 am appointment with the RE. I thought I would be in and out, but it didn't go exactly as I had planned.

When I got there, the room was filled with a half dozen women who were all in various stages of this process I assume. I waited and waited as the entire room cleared out. About 45 minutes later, the phlebotomist called my name. It was a quick blood draw, but I hadn't had much to drink yet since it was early, so it took her a bit to squeeze blood from my veins. Finally she had gotten enough. She told me she didn't have a room available for the ultra sound yet so I would have to wait a little longer. I sat back down in the waiting room. I didn't mind since I was in the middle of a good fan fiction book. That seemed to pass the time by quickly. Before I knew it the nurse called me back to get my ultrasound. I got undressed and waiting patiently for the ultrasound tech to come in. When she got there I felt immediately at ease as she cracked a couple of jokes to lighten the mood. As she inserted the instrument I winced and then shifted my gaze to the ultrasound screen. I had a little difficulty determining what I was actually looking at. The ultrasound tech graciously explained that I had 3 follicles and a nice lining, which was all positive. I was actually shocked as I had my doubts that the medicine even worked. Guess I was wrong about that one.

After the ultrasound, I met with the RE. He said things looked good and he was going to give me an HCG shot which I would pay 100.00 for. Lucky me. He also said that if my blood confirmed that I was already ovulating then we would do the insemination today, but as it turns out, I was not ovulating. They gave me the HCG shot and I scheduled my first insemination for tomorrow 10/13/15 at 10:45 am. I am actually I little upset that I have to schedule it on the 13th since that is not a lucky number, but who knows, maybe my luck is changing.

After I had the shot I started to get many symptoms of pregnancy. I had sore boobs, some cramping, I felt a little tired, but nothing crazy. It all seemed like a good sign. Then I read that the HCG shot gives you pregnancy symptoms and progesterone can also mimic pregnancy symptoms. On 10/13 we had the insemination. Doc said the sample looked good, but did not give me specifics. I was so nervous I didn't even ask. The whole procedure was pretty quick. Less than 5 minutes. The first clamp he put in did not open my cervix, so he had to put in another size and that hurt a bit. Other than that it was relatively painless. After the procedure, Chris and I went to lunch nearby. While we were there, we decided to take the day off of work and play hooky. I wanted to go home and have sex. Chris wasn't into having day sex, so we ran errands instead. Wow, so romantic! Lol.

We went camping that weekend and I took two different pregnancy tests but nothing showed up. That following week I started spotting, which is not like me. I thought maybe it was implantation bleeding. Nope! AF came in full force a day later. I never even made it to my beta test. No baby in the month of October. Maybe my birthday month will bring better luck.

An adult pic of our donor 

The Next Step

The Next Step

My first appointment for an ultrasound and blood work was scheduled on 10/5/15. I was prepared for him to tell me that we were going to move forward with an insemination that week, but something unexpected happened. The results of the ultrasound revealed that I was showing no signs of ovulation. Although the doctor appeared a little puzzled, he stated that it was possible that he missed my cycle but that blood work would confirm whether or not I had ovulated. A few hours later I got my blood tests back and low and behold I had not ovulated yet. My RE gave me a prescription for 100 mg of clomid and told me to take that for 5 days and come back on Monday 10/12 ( Columbus Day) to see if the clomid worked and to decide our next step.

At this point I wasn't really discouraged because I figured there would be a snag or two along the way. I was very fortunate that my boss and co-workers were very understanding about the process and were offering support. When I told my boss that I would be going through fertility treatment, she seemed understanding, but didn't ask many questions. I know she is religious, so maybe it was uncomfortable.  Hopefully I won't have to take more time off work for this if I am successful the first time. I guess we shall see.

Dr. Imlressions

Dr. M Impressions- blood work results 

RE says that all my blood work came back normal. Nothing to suggest that I have PCOS.

He said my Hemoglobin was slightly elevated indicating that I may be ore- diabetic.

He said I need to change my diet and I may be able to avoid gestational diabetes. 

RE also said that I no longer have the titters for MMR and stated that I may want to

consider getting the vaccination for it. If I did, I'd have to wait three month before treatment. 

I have no intention of getting this vaccine; however, I am going to seriously change my diet.

So my next month goal will be to lose 10 lbs and change my eating habits.

The RE said that would help but he says he thinks I should have no issues. 

I guess that remains to be seen. 

The preparation

The preparation


July 14th we went to have our consultation with Dr. Manara our RE. He suspected by some of the things I was telling him that I may have PCOS. He did an ultra sound to see if I had multiple follicles; however, he didn't find what he thought he was going to find. When he did the internal ultrasound, he said he saw two follicles on my ovary and it looked as though I was going to ovulate in a few days. He said that I need two of the three criteria to be diagnosed with PCOS. Right now I have irregular periods, so he is now looking ts my hormone levels. He ordered a bunch of blood tests, which I am having done on Monday July 20th. I have to fast for the blood work. When they get my results, they will advise me as to which course of treatment they will be using. The billing person Debbie, a really nice lady, went over all my benefits with me. She stated that I would probably get at least 1 cycle covered under the insurance and all my blood work and diagnostic tests would be covered. I hope that is true.

So now I have to wait for my August period. I will be on vacation in Ocean City,NJ around the time that I would need go do an insemination. I think I will need to wait to inseminate in September as to not interfere with my vacation. I guess we have to wait and see. Most likely cycle #1 will be in September.

The History and the Beginning Baby #2

July 8, 2015

After much deliberation, we decided to have baby #2. The original plan was that DP would carry one and then I would carry one. Then we had our beautiful sweet DD, and as I watched her birth I literally became traumatized at what I saw. DP had a fairly uneventful pregnancy but a difficult birth. She lost a lot of blood and it scared the hell out of me. At that moment I doubted that I would ever want to give birth.

Shortly after DD was born we began to notice that something wasn't right. We ignored our instincts. When DD turned 9 months it was apparent that she was not meeting her milestones. Something was definitely wrong. We discussed our concerns with our pediatrician, but he didn't seem overly concerned. By the time DD was 18 months she began to engage in repetitive behaviors, wasn't talking, had poor eye contact, and didn't respond to her name. In my heart I knew what it was. My DD was Autistic. From that moment we began to embark on a journey to solve an impossible puzzle. We did early intervention, waiting for months on a waiting list to be seen by a doctor that could properly diagnose her, and then enrolled her in a special school where she could get Applied Behavior Analysis and learn to speak.

Today my DD is 4 years old. She is still Autistic, but she can talk to get her basic needs met. She responds to her name, and we are getting to know her a little better everyday. Now that we have our DD in a place where she is making steady progress, we decided that it is time to plan for baby #2. It has been 4 years since my DD was born, The memory of her difficult birth faded in my mind. I want to give her the joy of a sibling relationship one that I have experienced in my life. There is nothing like the relationship you have with your brother or sister. My DD will inevitably have social challenges as she grows up. I can only hope that having a close relationship with her brother or sister will help her with that challenge. I also yearn to know the biological connections that mothers feel toward their offspring. I am curious to know if it is different than the bond I have with my DD as an adoptive mom.

July 14th is marked in my calendar as the day that my life might possibly change. I have so many worries about this journey. Will I even be able to get pregnant?  I am 36 and quickly approaching 37. Who knows what I am getting myself into. I feel like the odds are against me, but I am still going to try. Maybe I will get lucky and this time next year, I'll be smiling as I watch my DD run in the playground, laughing, and talking up a storm as I am holding baby #2 in my arms.

To be continued................