November 6th Graduation Appointment

We have graduated from the fertility clinic!

Today was a bittersweet day.  We are so grateful to ART for everything that they have done for us, but we are ready to move on with this pregnancy.  Weekly ultrasounds have been great, but I'm ready to be treated like this is a normal pregnancy (whatever that is!).

I'm far enough along now to have tummy ultrasounds instead of vaginal ultrasounds!  You do not know how happy I am about that.  If you've never experienced the joy accompanied by one, three, or maybe 30+ vaginal ultrasounds, you're not missing anything.

Our precious baby is measuring 11 weeks + 1 day with a heartrate of 171 bpm.  The Sneak was moving around once we started the ultrasound and was sleeping by the end.  We were able to see the fingers and toes, and the baby's precious little nose.  It's amazing how something so small could look like a baby when he/she's only the size of a lime.

If you're standing in front of me looking at my tummy, the baby's head is on my right and the feet are on my left.  The baby is laying on his/her back looking up at my tummy.  So far, this is how the baby's always been positioned, but I'm sure he/she will start moving around more soon.

Tammy (our nurse) was able to see the placenta, which is in the process of taking over right now.  She also measured my cervix, which is much more pleasant when the ultrasound wand is on my tummy!  Tammy said that everything looked great today.  We were even able to hear the precious baby's heartbeat again.

We are continuing the PIO injections and Estrace through Friday evening!  I'll be 12 weeks on Saturday, so my body should be completely capable of taking care of the baby without additional hormones.

We are scheduled to see Dr. McKenzie at Brookwood next Tuesday.  From there, we should only see the doctor every four weeks.  I am so thankful to have seen my little baby grow so much, from a tiny embryo to 4.5 centimeters.  God is good!

October 23rd Appointment

Let me begin by saying that today was one of our
best appointments yet.

Our nurse could not believe that we are 9 weeks pregnant with only one more appointment until graduation.  Once the ultrasound started, we immediately saw how much the baby's grown over the last week.  The head and limbs are much easier to see on the screen now.

After about two minutes had passed, we saw The Sneak move!  Brandon jumped and pointed at the screen asking if we just saw the baby move.  I was so excited that I had to hold my breath so the screen wouldn't jump.  Tammy let us watch Baby Sneakers move around for a minute, and we were shocked with amazement.  At that point, I could feel the tears rolling down my face.  It was the most amazing feeling.  Tammy then told us that our risk of miscarriage dropped to 5% because of the baby's movement.  PTL!

After we had watched the baby moving around, Tammy said that they had just received permission to start using the doppler feature on the ultrasound.  They typically don't use it, but I'm so glad they started.  She was  excited to let us hear our precious baby's heartbeat for the first time.  The Sneak's heart was beating strong at 178bpm.

Sweet Tammy sent us home with four beautiful pictures of our precious baby.
The Sneak has grown so much!

(Please excuse the image quality of the ultrasound pictures today.  I'm working today, and could not operate the scan feature on our copier/fax machine at the store.)

Our appointment today could not have been any better.  God is so good, and Brandon and I are amazed at His blessings.

October 9th Appointment

Today's appointment was awesome!  We got not one, not two, but SIX ultrasound photos of our precious "Sneak!"

As of today, "The Sneak" is measuring 7w1d!  That is a LOT of growth from last week where we were measuring about 6 days behind.

We met with Dr. Allemand today and he definitely wants to continue monitoring me and the baby throughout the end of the month.  He wants to continue my medications until I'm about 12 weeks due to this pregnancy resulting from a frozen transfer.

I've read blogs (and FB, etc.) where women complain about being pregnant, and I never want to do that here.  But I would be lying if I didn't tell you that the progesterone injections are really bothering me!  Dr. Allemand said that we could consider switching to Crinone suppositories, but I told him I was willing to wait it out another week.  My hiney is super tender and bruised from all of the injections, but I know that they are helping "The Sneak" so much.  I'm sure this is normal considering I've had 38 (and counting) injections in my rear end.

Other than the PIO injections, everything is easy.  I get hungry around the same time each day, and eat TUMS between meals to help with my acid reflux issues.  The fatigue is the only thing I cannot help, but I just try to sit down and take breaks at work as much as possible.  Eating seems to help that too.

Brandon and I are so excited to see how big "The Sneak" has grown over the past week.  We could have stared at the ultrasound all day.
Each time we see the baby, I mean, wow.  I cannot even explain what I feel.  God has blessed us.  He has answered our prayers.

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Next Appointments Scheduled:
October 16 Ultrasound #4
October 23 Ultrasound #5
October 31 Ultrasound #6 and Consult with Dr. Allemand

Updates from Today's Visit

Beta hCG
33,035
26dp6dt - 32dpo
6 weeks 3 days
.....
Progesterone
62.8
.....
Estrogen
273

I was super excited to hear my beta level today!  For the rest of my time at ART, they will track the baby's progress from my measurements and the heartbeat.  There will be no more obsessing over betas for me.

In other news, I am officially off  pelvic rest, and have been given the 'ok' for light exercise.  Also, our nurse thinks we will be released somewhere in the next two to three weeks (8-10 weeks pregnant).  We have chosen to use the doctors at OB-GYN South, which are located at Brookwood as well. We met Dr. McKenzie when he spoke with Joy at church earlier this year.  Joy introduced him to us, and explained our story- this was before we pursued IVF.  He has delivered many babies that we know!  Also, I have a special friend who is also pregnant right now and is using him.  Maybe we can double up and go to our appointments together!!

I am still in shock that we saw the heartbeat.  God has blessed us beyond measure.  It will be hard once we are released from ART, not getting an ultrasound each week...but we will be excited to have a normal, healthy, and boring pregnancy.

Heartbeat

Our appointment went extremely well this morning.  We got to see our precious little "Sneak's" heartbeat!  I'm measuring 5w4d which they said is perfectly fine.  It was absolutely amazing to see the heart beating on the screen.  

We are scheduled for another ultrasound and consult with Dr. Allemand next Tuesday, October 9.  They also went ahead and scheduled the third ultrasound on Tuesday, October 16.

At our consult with the nurse, they gave us some fun pamphlets to read.  For the first time ever, I wasn't jealous of all the baby bumps when we were leaving the doctor's office.  I was excited, because it won't be long until I have mine.

Beta #3 and Doctor's Appointment

Where should I start?

Yesterday was a long day.  Before I left work, I had noticed some dark brown spotting.  When I got home after praise band rehearsal, it was much more than spotting.  I had bright red blood.  On top of that, my back had started hurting while I was at church.  I was at home by myself because Brandon had traveled for work in Mississippi.  I immediately called Sheri (my SIL) and told her what was going on.  She suggested that I call ART's after hours number.  Once I explained everything, the nurse on call asked me to come in this morning.  Brandon drove home late last night so he could go to the appointment with me.

Once we arrived, they took us back for an ultrasound.  We were not expecting to see much since we're only 5w3(4?)d along (and our original appointment wasn't scheduled for two more days).  They were looking to see if anything was causing me to bleed.  Brandon and I immediately saw the sac that is holding the baby and felt relief.  They said that everything looked great.  We're still unsure of what caused the blood, but we feel much more at peace now than we did before.

Our baby is in there! 

Last night I prayed to God asking for peace, and the health of my sweet baby growing inside of me.  As we were driving to the doctor's office this morning, I was reminded of one of the quotes from the "Unglued" bible study we're completing.

I must focus on the good God is working out in me through this situation and leave the outcome with Him.

God has this.  There will be many more scares and bumps in the road, but I know that God is covering my sweet baby.  I had fully anticipated bad news this morning, but was reminded of the power of prayer.  God is always good, but we are especially thankful that our pregnancy continues to progress.
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Here are our lab results from today:
Beta #3:  6537
(doubling time of 30 hours)
Estrogen:  159
Progesterone:  77

Our next appointment is now scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, unless we need to return sooner.

Transfer Day

Today I will see you for the first time.  You will be transferred to my womb, where I pray that you take hold for the next nine months.  Unlike many children, you will never hear the phrase "before you were even thought of."  See, you've been thought of for at least 2 years, 1 month, 1 week, and 6 days.  That's how long it's taken us (Mommy and Daddy) to get to this day.  We even talked about you before we were married.  We always knew that we wanted you.

You have been a very sought after child.  So many people have prayed for you since you were nothing but a follicle growing in my body.  People all over the world have prayed for you and you're only a tiny little embryo.  When you draw all over my walls, pee in the floor, get gum in your hair, and drive me crazy, please remind Mommy of this little note.  Remind me that I prayed for you.  Remind me that I implored God for a child.  You're still going to drive Daddy and me nuts, but we will always love you.

You are our gift from God.

Sleep tight in my womb, little one.  Nestle yourself in me and grow.

IVF for Beginners

Many of you reading actually know me (and Brandon) in real life.  Before undergoing fertility treatments, we both had limited knowledge about ART.  When my SIL, Sheri, went through IF procedures, I found myself searching google constantly to have some type of understanding of what she was going through.  This post is intended to help my friends and family understand IVF.
*How can I ask you to pray for me if you don't know what to pray for?!?*

At this point in our journey, it's obvious that Brandon and I cannot conceive on our own.  A brief rundown of our IF diagnosis:

• Male Factor Infertility- poor morphology, low motility, and low count due to Testicular Cancer and Chemotherapy.  We do not have enough swimmers to even get pregnant via IUI at this point
  
• Uterine Septum- mostly corrected, but my uterus will always have the characteristics of a septate uterus.  It has a tiny curvature at the top that makes it unique.
• Annovulation- I do not ovulate without stimulation drugs (ex: Femara, Clomid, Follistim, Gonal F, Menopur, etc.)  I believe that I've only had 5 or so cycles where I ovulated without stimming drugs in the past 2 years.

We believe that God has led us to this place in our journey.  We have taken many factors into consideration and feel that this is our best option at the current time to have a child (children).  The likelihood of us ever conceiving on our own is miniscule.  We know that nothing is impossible with God.  We know that pursuing IVF is part of His plan.  We will listen to Him each step of the way.

We are pursuing IVF with ICSI to have a child.  

IVF refers to the process, and there are many steps along the way.


IVF with ICSI

In Vitro Fertilization is commonly referred to as IVF. IVF is the process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. When the IVF procedure is successful, the process is combined with a procedure known as embryo transfer, which involves physically placing the embryo in the uterus. American Pregnancy Association

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves the direct injection of sperm into eggs obtained from IVF.  American Pregnancy Association

Here is a brief explanation of how the process of IVF works (in our scenario):

• A new cycle begins
• A baseline u/s and bw appointment is scheduled to check hormones and the uterus and tubes.
• Suppression is started.  In my case, we are beginning with BCP.
• After so many days of BCP, injectable medication is added as well.  
• In my case, I am prescribed Lupron injections for 12 days in addition to taking my BCP.  
• A suppression check is scheduled to ensure that there has been no follicle growth or thickening of the uterine lining.
• Begin stimulation drugs for ovulation induction.  
• In my case, we are taking Follistim and Menopur for at least 10 days.
• Many office visits are scheduled to monitor and observe the follicles (that produce the egg).
• Once the follicles reach the desired measurement, the HCG trigger shot is administered, and the Egg Retrieval is scheduled.  
• On average, 70% of follicles aspirated will provide one egg. 
• There are no guarantees that every follicle will contain an egg, and that every egg will fertilize.
• After the retrieval, the eggs collected are then fertilized with Brandon's sperm
• This is where ICSI is performed.  
• After fertilization takes place, the embryos are closely monitored.  
• The plan is a 5-day transfer.
• When the embryos are five days old, they select the best, which are then transferred via vaginal catheter with ultrasound guidance.
• We are planning on transferring 2 embryos.  
• If we have more good quality embryos remaining, we will freeze them for later use. 
• At this point, I am PUPO!
• I will try and remain as calm and peaceful as possible while we wait.
• Nine days after my ET (14dpo) and (9dp5dt), we will go in for our beta to see if we are pregnant

There is much stress involved in IVF.  I'm praying for peace as we go through this process.  Once we get results, I will update here.  Within my blog, I have created a page outlining our IVF attempt.  If we have great beta numbers, I will want us to tell our families before posting.  If our numbers aren't promising, it will be easier to post here so I don't have as many people to tell.  

For now, I'm praying for God's will in our situation.  Whether IVF gives us a child or not, we will give glory to Him.  God is the ultimate healer and giver of live.  

Please visit my Lingo page for further explanation about any acronyms used in this post. =)  The coming posts will begin to contain more and more as we continue to move forward.

Long Day

I called my nurse today because I'm feeling yucky.  I am pretty sure that I'm not going to ovulate. =( Today is CD11, but my chart overlay is following the same pattern it always does when I'm anovulatory.

LeeAnn(my nurse) told me that I have to wait on taking Provera.  =(  She is going to give Dr. Bates a note about my situation and see what he wants to do.  I'm having cramps each day, hot flashes, and mood swings.  I know that the swings/being emotional may be because I'm still upset over the CP.  Every now and then I just get sad that the pregnancy didn't stick.  I know that I just need to move forward, but I can't help it.  I only got to be pregnant for 2 days. 

Please pray for me and my attitude.  This is all taking a toll on me and it seems like it's going to just be even more stressful with the holidays approaching.