8 Weeks and Counting!

Today was our first "official" OB ultrasound and started the 8th week of our pregnancy!  The twins looked perfect and had beautiful little heartbeats of 165 and 169.  Twin A even moved a touch for us...though he/she decided to stop when we tried to watch!  Other than a bleed last week from a mild subchorionic hemorrhage (which is no longer even visible on the ultrasound), I have done wonderfully!  I certainly have lots of pregnancy "symptoms," but nothing that I can't handle with lots of gratitude for the opportunity. 

As you can see by the photos and video, Adam is one seriously proud Daddy!  He brings his camera to every appointment and anxiously awaits "permission" to take a photo or two. 

We are very happy that all is well and will likely announce our news to the world (aka Facebook) around week 12.  But, for our faithful blog followers, these are for you!

6 Amazing Days Later...

Our babies!

Today was our second ultrasound and was somewhat "informal."  One of my collegues offered to do it for us, since we were anxious to verfiy that the babies did indeed have beating hearts.  He and his wife/nurse were in the room with Adam and I.  Since we all know each other, it was nice to share a moment like this with people who really cared about us and knew what we had endured the past 2 years to get to this moment!  Once he placed the probe, both sacs and babies were easily seen...with their tiny hearts just beating away!  It was really amazing to see them "wiggle" (more like a vibration) and to see them so close to each other!  Both are measuring perfectly and seem quite healthy!  On a side note, we did see a tiny sac of Embryo/Blast #3...but clearly it didn't make it (which we suspected based on our third blood test results). 

We are thrilled and so happy!  The blood flow to my uterus was wonderful (which was a change from our previous studies) and each baby had a healthy developing umbilical cord with good blood flow. 

Our next ultrasound is July 23.  I can't wait, as that will be 8 weeks!  We feel very blessed for every moment that we get with this pregnancy and can't wait to see who these two little "beans" become!

Houston...We Have Twins!!!

Today was our first pregnancy ultrasound, and things could not have gone any better!  We are officially 5 weeks and 4 days pregnant!  Our ultrasound today was mainly to count the number of gestational sacs and to look for any "problems" that could be occurring with the pregnancy.  At this stage of the process, we didn't expect to see anything but gestational sacs...no babies or heartbeats.  But...we were super fortunate today because we saw two fetal poles (soon-to-be babies) and both had a little "flicker" of a heartbeat!  They measure 2 days ahead, which is a good sign as well!

For those who know little about ultrasounds (and since most people never seen an ultrasound this early), the little"x's" mark the ends of the fetal poles.  The big black spot is the gestational sac.  If you can't make heads of tales of it...don't worry...more will come!  I couldn't help but smile when I saw a little "twinkle" in our doc's eye...and when one of our nurses was cheering behind him while he did the ultrasound!  I can't wait for our main nurse to hear the news, if she hasn't already!

Obviously, this is super early and lots of things can change on a dime.  But for now, we are blissfully happy and just hope and pray these little ones stay in place for another 31 weeks or so!!!

What a Difference a Year Makes...Happy 4th of July!!!

This morning, while thinking about tomorrow's upcoming national holiday, I couldn't help but reflect on this past year.  Last July 4, we invited Mom, Dad, and 2 other couples to our home for a BBQ and fireworks (courtesy of our neighbors mostly).  Adam and I had completed our first IVF cycle at that point, but had not yet had our official beta-HCG test (blood). I knew I wasn't pregnant, and I was crushed.  Furthermore, I was miserable.  My hips were blood red and sore to the point where I couldn't even lean back in the lawn chair...I sat on the edge and tried not to let my sides touch anything.  It was a tough holiday to endure...even with great company.

Tomorrow, just one year later, our entire life has changed!  This year, my hips are bruised and a tad sore, but for the best reason ever!  After 4 cycles, we are pregnant. And next year, we may be enjoying the holiday with 1-3 little ones!  Amazing!

While I'm not very proud of our President and government, I am proud to live in this country.  I'm proud to be the beneficiary of technology and laws that exist (or fail to exist) that allow couples like Adam and I to be parents.  I'm proud that my husband served this country and I'm proud to say that my family was one of the first families to ever settle in Georgia.  Overall, I'm proud to be an American.  Happy July 4 everyone!

3 Little Blasts...and More Great News!

Our babies...can't wait to see how many "stuck!"

For you Rosewater...

Today was our second beta HCG (pregnancy blood test).  We increased from 284 to 630 in 48 hours!  Our nurse's first words when she called me today were, "Well...you are just an over achiever, aren't you?  You definitely are blowing the socks off of this!"  Since I've never done anything but fail in this ART world, I can't tell you how great it felt to FINALLY get great news from our main nurse!  It was great to go into the office today and get hugs and "congratulations" comments as well...not to mention a very nice email from our doc!

As for the future, I keep being asked about ultrasounds, due dates, and other information.  Our due date is March 3...assuming a 40 week singleton.  Based on our numbers so far, there's probably more than one baby growing.  So...taking that into consideration and my hypertension, I feel like our realistic due date will be sometime in late January/early February.  With multiples...you just never know!  As for ultrasounds, that should be determined on Friday.  I'm thinking July 23...but hoping I can beg my way into one on July 16.  It feels like so far away right now!

Obviously, we are on Cloud 9 right now!  I sincerely wanted to give this 100% effort, but never dreamed we would actually ever be successful.  Thankfully, we have a great doctor with wonderful staff who never painted "rosey" pictures...but also told us that it wasn't yet time to quit.  I'm just trying to enjoy every second of this happiness (even when I threw up today) and can't wait until Friday to see our next set of numbers!

I have had many emails and messages...from as far away as Germany and Australia these past few days!  It has been wonderful.  Thank you all!

Finally...a BFP!!!

First of all, if you have a problem with seeing photos of home pregnancy tests...then now would be a good time to quit reading!  Only a woman who has faced infertility can understand the NEED to test this many times...and I'm that woman!  Secondly, I have updated the blog for you who actually read it...not the Facebook masses who click on a link when I kindly provide it.  In return, I am asking that you please NOT place anything on Facebook in reference to this post...or any future posts.  If you want to message me, please do so in the comments here or at my email which is lucyddr@yahoo.com. 

Now that those are out of the way...  WE ARE PREGNANT!!!  After 2 years, 4 IVF/FET cycles and 3 embryo transfers, 2.25 gallons of sharps injected, over 50 blood draws, 40 ultrasounds, 4 procedures under anesthetic, thousands of dollars, hours of tears, bruises and lumps, and a few other "details," something finally worked!  And the photos above tell the story...

We began this frozen embryo transfer process with an endometrial biopsy (under local anesthetic only) on May 16...today our blood test confirmed a pregnancy!  So...it's been a LONG process!  I really didn't expect it to work, as frozen embryos often don't implant as well as fresh ones.  We also took a gamble with the 10 that were frozen (previously thought to be 9...but they managed to "save" one more at the last minute) and thawed them all 2 days before we did the transfer to allow them to grow 2 extra days in culture.  In laymens terms...it weeds out the weaklings.  Out of the 10 we began with, 7 survived wonderfully!  On June 16, we placed 3 beautiful blasts (5 day embryos).  4 blasts were re-frozen...and can be used at a later date if needed.  The transfer went very nicely and I came home to 4 days of very strict bedrest...this time, only being allowed to lay on my sides (no back, stomach, etc).  It passed fairly quickly...thankfully! 

On Tuesday, June 19, we had an implantation "sign."  Because it's TMI...just trust me...it made me hopeful!

On Thursday, June 21, I had terrible heartburn that wouldn't let up with Tums.  I wanted a Prilosec like an addict wants crack!  But...I didn't care to take it if I was pregnant.  Once I got home, I told Adam and we decided to home test.  If it was negative, I would end my torture and take the Prilosec (figuring that if there was no pregnancy hormone, it wasn't likely to cause harm).  Well...we did the test together (no privacy in our home)...and it was very faintly positive! I couldn't help but cry...I was shocked, happy, and scared!

Over the next few days, the lines got more visible and digital tests were positive.  Of note is that the cheapo Dollar Store tests were minimally positive...even yesterday.  Lesson: Don't depend on Dollar Tree for your home pregnancy test needs!  On Saturday, we told only our parents...obviously they were happy!

Today was our official  beta-HCG blood test. I told one of our two nurses in Nashville that I was pregnant just before the blood was drawn...just hoping it was enough.  She teared up and hugged me...clearly she was excited!  I'm a touch sad that our other nurse was off, but hoping she'll hear the news when she gets back!  As for the test, any number over 50 would have been "good."  I was just hoping for over 100...as I felt that was a better, safe, and solid number.  Well...it was 284!!!  We probably have more than one baby growing inside me, but won't know for a couple more weeks.

We have told our family members and very close friends...and we feel so blessed and thankful for this opportunity!  We pray that the pregnancy progresses well and will be thankful for every day of it that we get...regardless of the ultimate outcome.  We go back on Wednesday and are looking for the number to double.  So, we'll hope for the best and be thankful regardless!

For those who have prayed, thank you!  I believe all of our prayers have been answered and I am VERY grateful!  Here we go...

And BTW...BFP means BIG FAT POSITIVE!!!

Our Perfect Memorial Day

Yesterday, Adam and I finally had a whole day together without any obligations to work, call, or family.  Since this was our first real "day off without obligations" since Labor Day (for real), we decided to enjoy ourselves and celebrate my 35th birthday...just 12 days late! 

I woke up early and went to the hospital to release my only patient.  I then brought breakfast home for us.  We enjoyed breakfast and hopped in the car to head to Nashville.  Our first stop was the Nashville Zoo.  Since we had never been there and Adam wanted to try out his new camera, we figured it would be fun.  We saw every visible animal (which wasn't very many actually) in about 2 hours.  We took several photos and enjoyed our time together.  We, then, headed to Opry Mills and shopped a bit.  Because we had more time than we expected, we decided to see a movie.  Having seen MIB III on Friday night and having limited options, we opted for The Dictator.  It was funny, stupid, and massively politically incorrect.  But...it made us both laugh...which was so nice! 

After finishing the movie, we went to Melting Pot for my late birthday dinner.  The Melting Pot has been a favorite chain restaurant for Adam and I for years.  We enjoy the leisurely pace of dinner there...and who doesn't like melted chocolate???  We had a great dinner and finished it up by doing a good deed...which will forever be between us and the waitress.  I think we both left dinner feeling fulfilled...in many ways!

Overall, it was VERY nice to have a day together...especially one that didn't focus on our infertility.  It just reminds me that our marriage is amazing and I am very very thankful!