Sunday, April 29, 2012

Google is the devil

Today is day 51 of our IVF series 2, and day 24 of our embryo transfer. Not much has changed with us since my last post. (Warning....too much information about to be shared regarding my body and if you aren't up for it then look away now. I promise my feelings won't be hurt)

There are only two things that I am certain of these days. One is that I am driving my doctors and sweet nurses crazy, and two is Google is the devil. After each panicked call, including this morning at 8:30, of is this normal and why is this still happening? I am reassured that "as long as you don't start bleeding more blood than you ever have in your life and large clots you are fine."

Let me back up a moment...my apologies once more for being WAY too graphic with this but it is a fertility blog and this is what's currently going on and freaking us out. I started having brown blood here and there about a week and a half ago intermixed with light pinkish red blood. I was told that as long as it didn't get heavier than a period then we were fine.

That's nice to hear of course but I swear I hold my breathe every time I use the restroom. It really is terrifying just waiting to see if it does indeed worsen and become "heavier". Light cramping, some tiredness, heartburn right in the middle of my sternum, but all in all that's about it. I even asked Karen our fertility nurse if it was normal that I wasn't experiencing any other pregnancy symptoms yet.

She very sweetly replied, "Yes, that's fine. Everyone's body is different." I was also switched off the progesterone injections to progesterone creams that you have to (look away squeamish people) insert and apply twice a day. It's better than a needle but that also has caused some changes with my body that I wasn't exactly prepared for.

After googling symptoms which I KNEW was a horrible idea I had convinced myself that 1) I was having an ectopic pregnancy 2) might be on our way to miscarrying. I know....I'm awful but sometimes you just can't help looking around for online reassurance that you aren't alone in what's happening and that everything will be ok.

Francis told me once again this morning that, "I may experience this spotting throughout our entire pregnancy" and that "that area of my body is very sensitive and this may be "irritating" it" hence the bleeding etc. She also told me that there was nothing they could do at this time, that she would be praying for me, and to keep our appointment for this coming Thursday for our first ultrasound.

Bottom line, we will just have to pray, and wait and see.

I know I've said it before but we really do love our doctors and nurses with this fertility group. They are so patient and supportive. Anyone that can put up with me and my ailment neurosis is a saint!

On to a lighter note :)

We decided to chaperone Chris's student's prom last night and let me just tell you, that was SO much fun!

Chris and I being goofy in the prom photo booth. Fake mustaches, a pipe and boa make the perfect additions to our outfits.

My apologies for the blurry pics. My blackberry might be on it's last leg.

Prom arch lit and dazzling!

It really was great to watch the kids enjoying their prom last night. I didn't witness any teenage girl drama other than some wardrobe malfunctions and all in all they were a well behaved group of kids. That just made me sound really old didn't it?

The kids really do adore my husband "Mr. B" or "Mr. Baker" and I get a kick out of watching him interact with them. No we didn't dance since the music was pretty much relegated to anything from The Black Eyed Peas and hard core booty music. 

About to get off the couch and start my marinara for pasta and homemade meatballs. Why am I suddenly craving a chocolate milkshake from McDonald's? 

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone and thanks for all of your sweet messages!!




Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Day 47 IVF Cycle 2...Roller Coaster

Today marks day 47 of our second IVF cycle and day 20 of our 3 embyro's implantation.

What an emotional and physical roller coaster this has been for both of us! When Karen called us a week ago and told us that our chances of our little Baby Baker surviving were slim but not impossible I mentally began to try to prepare myself for that possibility. I wasn't giving up of course, but was trying to have some semblance of self preservation.

She asked us to continue the progesterone injections twice a day in my hip (one first thing in the morning, one in the evening), which I REALLY didn't want to do but we wanted to continue to do everything within our power to help our little Baby Baker.

Chris and I cried and prayed for strength to continue as we did everything our doctors had told us to do. Chris would sing to my belly every night and "tuck them in" as I begged and pleaded with them to stay.

I had started to experience mild cramping accompanied with brown and light red blood for a few days. Nothing too heavy but I called our doctor just to make sure we were still ok. Dr. Steinkamph was very sweet but said "No, bleeding is never normal although it is common. Many women experience it during pregnancy and go on to have healthy babies."

He then asked me to call him morning or night if it progressed into a full flow. Yesterday we woke up and headed into the clinic for another blood test. Francis, one of our favorite nurses, gave me a big hug,  kiss on my cheek and told us she was praying for us.

Chris and I have felt so loved and supported throughout this entire experience and it makes my heart hurt for all of those couples who are going through this alone. I understand the hesitation in going public with your fertility struggles but the prayers, love and out pouring of support even from people you have never met is astounding!

When we got "the call" yesterday at 1:48 from Karen I grabbed Chris's hand, took a deep breathe and hunched my shoulders forward in preparation for the final blow. It didn't come.

I could tell immediately from Karen's tone that this wasn't bad news. She told me that our HCG blood levels "had come up quite nicely", and for us to come into the clinic to pick up our new progesterone creams that I was to take twice daily. Not only was she telling me we still had our little Baby Baker, she was telling me NO MORE INJECTIONS!!

Our first beta HCG was 15, our second was 19.9.....yesterday our HCG was 363!!!! Power of prayer, power of love! We set the appointment for our first ultrasound for next Thursday at 10:00 AM. They will be looking for the little black sac that will be our Baby Baker, of Bakers :)

They want to make sure there is no possibility of an ectopic pregnancy (very rare occurrence when the embryo is in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus and can be quite serious), and begin monitoring the embryo or embryo's.

The other common question we keep getting from friends and family other than "when will you know how many babies?", is "when will you be able to relax and really celebrate?"

That's a good question and one that the answer shifts moment to moment to be quite honest. When you've been waiting for something for over 4 years, and I suppose my whole life really to come true, when it finally does I can't help the fear that comes with the thought of losing it.

Two things have presented themselves to me today. One being a song from one of my favorite albums at the moment. Florence and the Machine's latest album "Ceremonials" is wonderfully uplifting and enchanting and I've been obsessed with it for months.



"Shake it off"

We ghouls collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see now way

And all of the ghouls come out to play
Every demon wants his pound of flesh
But i like to keep somethings to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool and I've been blind
And I could never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see now way

I'm always dragging that horse around
Our love is pushing such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
Cause i like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it off, shake it off, shake it off
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
So shake him off

I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then re-start
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it off, shake it off, shake it off 

It's hard to dance with the devil on your back so shake it off
Given half the chance he will take it all
It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone
It's always darkest before the dawn


The entire song is amazing and I highly recommend the album if you haven't heard it in it's entirety yet.

 The second came to me in a wonderful person I call Ms. Sharon. Ms. Sharon is a catering client of ours and is also a pastor here in Birmingham. 

She grabbed my hands today when I was delivering her clients order and literally shook them till I stared up at her face. She started praying for us and  for Baker Baby and said "you will be at peace and joy and will not let the devil steal it any longer. Fear is the thief of joy...do not let him take what is rightfully yours."

I almost started crying right there because it's exactly what I needed to hear. We will not be fearful of the future, we will be joyful in this moment.   

Thank you everyone for your prayers and positivity and for making me literally Shake it Off. 





Sunday, April 22, 2012

Day 44....The Waiting Game

 This beautiful Sunday afternoon marks day 44 of our IVF cycle number 2. My sincerest apologies for not updating the blog earlier than today but I've been busy with work and processing the information we were given this past Wednesday after my second blood test.

Thank you everyone for your incredible messages of love and support! Wednesday afternoon we heard back from Karen, our IVF nurse, that our blood work had risen, but not enough for them to be confident that the pregnancy would continue to be successful.

Our original HCG beta number was 15 and Wednesday it had only risen to 19.9. Karen started off our phone call by saying "I'm so sorry but I don't have good news for you." I started crying but tried to listen to everything she was telling me.

She told me our chances didn't look good at keeping the pregnancy but that "it was not impossible". I felt so many different things at that moment and tried very hard to stay calm. Chris was at work so I had to tell him the news over the phone which was difficult.

Karen also wanted us to continue with the 2 a day progesterone injections in my hip. This didn't make me very happy either and each time we do it I try to count down and say in my head "Only 6 more, ...only 5 more....only 4 more."

Beautiful arrangement from my sister Nicole

My darling sister sent me the most gorgeous arrangement of sunflowers and roses along with yummy chocolates because in her words "she couldn't be here with us." My wonderful boss and friend Danielle also stopped by with beautiful flowers and sat with me until Chris came home from work. We are both so blessed to have such amazing friends!

Chocolates from Nicole and the twins with the SWEETEST note!

Beautiful flowers from Danielle and her husband Brett

Chris and I are doing well, we have our moments of frustration and wishing that we didn't have to go through this but it will all be worth it in the end. If our little Baby Baker fighter hangs on, then there is no greater reason for all of this, if not.....well, then we know we did everything we possibly could to have a child on our own. 

It's very difficult to imagine our little one in there struggling but we've received several messages from friends and family that low hormone levels can happen with successful pregnancies. We love each other very much and would do anything to help our little Baby Baker. 

We're going back in to the clinic Tuesday morning for another blood test. According to Karen this test should let us know definitively if our pregnancy will continue. If our levels are still low and not progressing they will more than likely take me off the progesterone shots. I'm not sure of all the details and honestly don't want to think about it till we have to. 

Thank you everyone for staying with us and praying so hard for us! Will keep you informed as Tuesday approaches. Have a good rest of the weekend and enjoy this wonderful weather!  

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Yes friends and family...as of yesterday afternoon at 1:45 PM we are PREGNANT!!!!!!!!

To say I was shocked doesn't seem sufficient. I was so prepared for it to go the other way that I still haven't really processed it yet. There is a little catch with this wonderful news though...as there always seems to be with us. Karen told me my "hormone level was a little low" and that we were to increase my progesterone shots to twice a day and come back Wednesday for another blood test.

They want to see my levels rising or doubling for the pregnancy to be considered "clinical". I must say I didn't realize there could be something called "chemical pregnancy" until yesterday but apparently there is.

A "chemical pregnancy" is where you miscarry very early on after a positive pregnancy test due to varying factors. One of them being low hormone levels. I am trying very hard to just enjoy the fact that Chris and I ARE pregnant right now and not worry about tomorrow's outcome.

My at home digital pregnancy test POSITIVE!!!

Yesterday really was a wonderfully surprising day! Chris took the day off work and went with me into the clinic a little after 9:00 to take our blood test. Several other women were there to do the same and we all wished each other luck as we passed each other in the hallways. 

Janice (the most awesome lab tech ever), let me lie down to draw my blood, wished us well and sent us on our way. On our way out Karen gave us a sweet smile and told us she would be calling us later with the results. 

We then decided to try to keep our selves busy and enjoy the rest of the day unlike our first series when we went straight home and just sat in the bed driving ourselves crazy until we got the call from Karen with our news. 

We headed over to the Homewood area of Birmingham  and then into my absolute favorite store At Home. Yes it's a home goods store but man is that place cool! I want everything in it....would live in there.

At Home store in Homewood. One of everything please.

At Home candle aisle. Yep, this is heaven.

We then had worked up an appetite and drove over to Mugshots in Vestavia Hills. Now I go back and forth over who has the best burger in town between Mugshots and Five Guys. When you are potentially having a bad day, you can't go wrong with a big greasy burger and fries. I can feel you all judging my eating habits lately but I'm eating for comfort right now. Not to worry I will balance it all out soon!

Mugshots menu. Look at all the burgers to choose from!

Excuse my language but HELL yes! The Comeback Burger with beer battered fries. I promise not to make a habit out of this.

After a very filling and satisfying lunch Chris and I finally made our way back home. Caught up on Sunday night's episode of Mad Men and waited for "the call". I strategically had my tissue ready and waiting as well as a chilled bottle of wine. 

It turns out we didn't need either! Still shocked but very happy. Well, happy doesn't cover it but also cautious and I really wish I didn't have to feel that way right now. Calling all of our friends and family was the most fun I've had in a while. 

My sweet mother's response when I quietly said "Hi, we're pregnant" was "baby you wouldn't kid me would you?" She was so sweet about it and probably just as shocked as we were. It's been over 4 years of hearing and seeing NO that when you finally see YES you really have to take a moment for it to process. 

Thank you so much everyone for all of your sweet messages, texts and love. I especially love the texts I got this morning from my Dad and my sister reminding me that I am in fact pregnant and to enjoy it.

Nicole- "You ARE Pregnant :)" 

Dad- "Have a wonderfully pregnant day sweetie"

See? No matter what happens with us we will be just fine. Thank you so much for all of the continued prayers!!! We need them now more than ever! I go back to the clinic tomorrow morning and will wait to hear from Karen in the afternoon once again. Much love, off to have lunch with my besties Andrea and Casey.





Sunday, April 15, 2012

Day 37...Resolved

Today marks day 37 (54 injections) of our second IVF cycle. Tomorrow we find out if we are pregnant. I have so many mixed emotions going on right now it's kinda hard to keep up.

Yesterday was a truly wonderful day spent with my husband Chris. It was the first time in 2 weeks I had felt well enough to leave the house and just enjoy our selves. We love to wander around these little junk/antique consignment shops in our area because you never know what buried treasure you may unearth.

Green Hippo planter at antique store

Like this treasure above, a green hippo planter for only 15 bucks! It made us think of our darling niece Mackenzie who has a major passion for hippos. Sadly we left him there and moved on to our next adventure.

At our next stop we found this amazing Panda Alpaca throw...bit too pricey for us but it was so soft that I wanted to cuddle right up with it.

Panda Alpaca rug that was so snuggly

From there we stopped in and got some ice cream then headed to one of Chris's favorite places to wander, 2nd and Charles. It's a gigantic used book store that buys and sells books over by the Galleria in Birmingham. Super cool place and Chris could spend hours in there just looking for old 70's versions of his favorite authors' novels. He also looks for books that his students at his school may be interested in reading. I tend to lose myself in the cooking and entertaining section and dream of touring the Italian country side eating my way through tiny towns and villages.

We then decided to go the Birmingham Botanical Gardens since it was such a gorgeous day and I had been cooped up for weeks not feeling well in our bed. 

Chris checking our the rose garden at the Botanical Gardens

It was a gorgeous windy spring day as we walked through the Chinese mediation gardens and stopped to literally smell the roses. The gardens were filled with families posing their dressed up children near certain flowers for pictures and prom couples awkwardly tromping through fountains smelling of axe men body spray and baby powder. 

Girls in hoop skirts at the gardens

We also came across a group of girls in hoop skirts and full southern belle get up. Not sure if they were part of the prom entourage we saw or some other group but I couldn't resist sneaking a pic. 

After the gardens we headed over to one of our favorite restaurants in Birmingham, The Tavern. The Tavern to Chris and I is comfort and happiness and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go while we were in town. 

Club Sandwich with a mountain of fries

It's simple food done well. I actually used to wait tables there 12 years ago with my best friend Casey and the staff there still comes up to my husband and I and treats us like family. We love it there and feasted on our massive sandwiches and fries. 

It was time to end our magical day of fun with my progesterone hip injection. I lay down on my stomach and face away from the injection site. Chris is so good at calming me and always plays a little video of me with my sister's kids to get me into the right frame of mind (will see if I can post that video here soon).

Me cuddling with splash & Kiki waiting for my injection

Pictures of Cooper and Mackenzie, this helps me get through it

Very swollen hips and belly. Massive bruising all the way around


It went fast, not too much blood this time, (sometimes there's blood that pools and runs out at the injections site..it can be scary) and I could put on my pj pants and find a good movie to cuddle with Chris to and fall asleep. 

We go in to the clinic tomorrow at 9:00 AM for our blood test. It goes very quickly but then we have to wait on "the call" from Karen letting us know if it worked or not. We had to wait till after 2:00 PM the first IVF cycle and I am anticipating the same amount of waiting time this time around. We will try to keep ourselves busy until then and will try to let everyone know one way or the other as soon as we are capable and have a moment to ourselves with the news. 

Thank you everyone for your prayers and constant support! We will continue to need it and you!




Thursday, April 12, 2012

Day 34 of IVF Cycle 2...Waiting and "Is that Normal?"

Sitting at home on my couch constantly re-adjusting myself trying to find some semblance of comfort. The last week as been the most intense physically out of both of our IVF series. We were not at all prepared for the way my body handled/responded to the retrieval procedures and drugs.

I do want to say that I hope none of you reading this think "Oh my goodness why is she complaining? She should be grateful that she is able to do this again." To that I would say you're right, we are SO grateful to have the opportunity to attempt this again but that also this blog serves almost like a journal and I would rather be 100% truthful, even with the unpleasant stuff, than not. The good, the bad, and the uncomfortable.

Lesson's Learned

Our first IVF series was literally at half the drug dosage we have been on throughout this one so I should have known better than to expect the same type of experience, but for some reason, it didn't occur to us. I thought I would bounce right back and be able to go to work and on with my life but NO....no, my body had other plans.

I was so nauseous and so uncomfortable that even when my husband Chris (who had to stay at home from work with me a few days because I was so sick) would come in to check on me & gently sit on the edge of the bed, just that small motion would make me sick.

Today, on day 34 of our IVF cycle series 2 I finally feel a bit better! No more nausea although I will always recommend asking for Zofran vs Phenergen (phenergen does make you sleepy and just out right loopy...or at least it did me). And we are still not sure what caused the face flushing reaction that I had. Could have been a combination of all the drugs I suppose. It happened a total of two times and my face is so dry and flaky from the last "flushing." At least it isn't bright fire engine red anymore.

This is a glamorous picture of me from yesterday...look how SWOLLEN! Everywhere! Oh & please don't judge the messy room. It's been a long week.

I texted the above picture to several friends and family yesterday to give them a better idea of what I was feeling and the over all response was "OMG is that Normal!?" Is that Normal has been the theme of the past week of our lives. 

Chris and I both have called our clinic every other day with the question "Is this normal?". From the nausea, the extreme swelling and bloating, constipation, and weird traveling bruising from the Progesterone shots Chris has been administering to me in my hip nightly. I never want to be THAT patient but it is always better to call and ask...Is this normal?

Karen has been wonderful as always and each time has advised us calmly on how to handle our current crisis. We finally got the nausea figured out, I'm allowed to take regular doses of Milk of Magnesia and stool softeners, tylenol for pain, and the bruising and bloating is "Normal". Not being able to take a deep breathe or stand up fully straight scared us as well but guess what.....it's normal. 

I remember thinking that with IVF once you had the retrieval procedure and embryo transfer that you were finished and the hard part of waiting was all that was left. While part of that is true, the waiting sucks, we still have the nightly progesterone shots that he gives me in my hip. 

Our first series of these went well and weren't too horrible. A lot of people dread these because they are oil based and have to be administered right into the muscle of your hip. This time around...well, they don't feel good.

I took a picture of my swollen and bruised hips but decided against posting it here...a bit graphic I'll be honest. The swelling and bruising has made it very difficult to 1) find clothes that fit & are comfortable 2) sleep 3) be comfortable sitting, I have a pile of pillows under me right now as I type.

Heat does help but you have to be careful on not to apply too much. No heating pads I was told. We wet a small rag and just press it on the injection site right after he gives me my shot for a few minutes. The relief is instantaneous. 

It's almost the weekend and then on Monday morning we go back to the clinic for our blood test, THE blood test to tell us either yes you're going to be parents or no, not this time. We greatly appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and texts!

THANK YOU~

To my sister Nicole for helping me with everything....I mean everything. Getting through my shot yips, my calls and texts of "Is this Normal or am I dying?", my complaining and for making sure that we know no matter what happens WE WILL BE PARENTS ONE DAY.

My best friends Casey and Andrea for always asking, "Is there anything I can do?"

My brother for always finding the humor in the humorless. 

My parents for their unconditional love and support. 

My co-workers Danielle, Brett and Gray for being so understanding, flexible, caring and supportive. 

Thank you so much to our family and friends for being so supportive through out this entire process, We couldn't do it with out you. 



Saturday, April 7, 2012

It was a "Good" Friday. Day 2 of Embryo Implantation

We got the call from Karen ( with whom I can always tell what kind of news it is given her tone), in regards to how many of our 28 embryo's had successfully fertilized and were viable. She said "we have 8 embryo's so far and counting! We are still working and there could be more".

Chris and I were thrilled with this news as it was quite a few more than our first IVF cycle ( our first IVF cycle we had 3 successfully fertilize out of 14...however we did not do ICSI or AH with that cycle).

She then told us to be at the clinic at 9:00 AM Good Friday for our embryo implantation procedure. Good omen? We certainly hope and pray so!

Quick recap of the last few days prior to our Egg Implantation yesterday, Good Friday.....

I do have to say that I have felt pretty awful since the embryo retrieval. Extreme abdomen bloating, cramping, painful gas, my whole lower half of my body was tender to the touch, and bad, REALLY bad nausea. Such a difference from the first IVF series but they did have to literally retrieve twice as many eggs this time.

The Phenergen knock off anti nausea meds they called in for me did help but it also causes some kinda strange side effects. Dizziness (which doesn't really help if you feel nauseous), drowsiness (this one wasn't bad), and face flushing. My face was so red I looked like I had a bad sunburn. But all of that is better than being sick at my stomach in my opinion so I took it when needed. 

Karen and Dr. Steinkamph both advised Chris and I that this was all normal and to let them know if it got any worse. I then proceeded to do the dumbest thing you can do when you really aren't feeling well.....I googled the symptoms. 

When you google symptoms I swear a skull and crossbones should just pop up and say..."you are completely F&^%$# dude". I basically had convinced myself that I was overstimulated.  Overstimulation is what it sounds like, your ovaries have been stimulated to the point of extreme swelling and some other not too pleasant symptoms which can result in procedure cancellation and things as scary as aspiration (needle inserted to remove the excess fluid).....now you see why I got so freaked out right?

Needless to say I didn't sleep very well but Chris and I woke up bright and early ready to head to the clinic to "pick up our 8 or more babies". I didn't even feel well enough to shower that morning so I threw on a baseball cap, Chris's super slouchy PJ pants and slowly made our way.

The Egg Implantation Procedure:

The waiting room was filled with other patients and couples who were waiting to have their procedures. A very sweet couple saw me sipping my Gatorade (they tell you to arrive with a very full bladder for the procedure) and asked "Are you here for your embryo implantation as well?" I smiled and hid under my ball cap thinking I looked like death and said yes, are you? 

She then started talking to me about their experience, this was their second attempt at IVF, they had over 20 eggs retrieved and she had been in so much pain after the retrieval that she had her husband call Dr. Steinkamph to call her in some pain meds. She said it made her feel like a wimp having to do that but I shared with her our experience over the last few days and hopefully made her feel better. 

We then were called back to Dr. Steinkamph's office to discuss our embryo's. He pulled up the pictures on his computer monitor of our embryo's. I didn't take any pictures this time of them because I was so concentrated on what he was saying to us. 

File on our IVF cycle attempt 2


File describing our embryo's "rank" 

As our doctor explained to us and showed us pictures of our little embryo's he began explaining that we had 3 nice 8 cell division embryo's and the rest were still slowly maturing. According to him "the gold standard of embryo's on day 3 is 8 cell division by 2. Ours are 8 by 3 so we are classified as "middle ground", not great, but not horrible. Embryo's are ranked 1 being the highest and best quality to 4 being the worst. 

I started to panic a bit but was assured this was good news. No one ever gets a perfect rank on their embryo's and an 8/3 was considered decent. He then started to discuss that we may have "an egg issue" due to the fact that only 8 out of 28 successfully fertilized even with ICSI (where they inject a sperm into each egg). That didn't make me feel great I have to admit but I am choosing not to dwell on that at this time. 

He then told us that he recommended we implant 3 embryo's this time again. I started to panic once more thinking this was a bad thing and that our embryo's weren't as good as he previously stated. We said he wanted to improve our odds and then had us sign the above forms. 

We then walked back to the "gurney room", put on our cap and gowns once again and entered the procedure room. Karen reassured us that these were great quality embryo's and that because we had previously attempted IVF with no success they recommended transferring 3. 

They put in the catheter, made sure I was Amanda Baker and proceeded with the transfer. It wasn't comfortable (feels like at IUI but a bit more invasive) and you are pretty much naked but they do try to make you as comfortable as possible. It took a few attempts since I have a tilted uterus to line it up just perfectly and then.....they transferred our 3 little guys. 

You see the tiny letter "E"in the middle of the screen? That's pointing to our embryo's 

They wished us luck, gave us a big hug and sent us on our way. Now starts the "2 week wait". We go back to the clinic for a blood test on April 16th and will know either yes......or no. 

Chris has been taking great care of me and I stayed in bed all day yesterday after we got back from the clinic. Movies and chinese take out :) For some reason I was craving Wonton soup and man was it good!


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Post Retrieval Procedure Follow up

( I'm still not feeling well today and would have posted this much sooner but have been sick since the procedure)

Wow, what a very busy few days it's been. We received news from Karen at the clinic to administer our HCG Trigger shot at 10:30 PM on the dot Sunday April 1 (yeah no April fools). I knew it would burn and sting but MAN did that sucker burn.

My stomach after the HCG trigger shot, the redness spread across my whole lower stomach

I don't know if you can tell from the above picture but the burning sensation of the medicine spreading and going in was accompanied by red streaks that stretched across my lower stomach. In total the burning lasted about 15 minutes and then I was fine. Again, not saying this to scare anyone going through IVF but the first time we had an HCG Trigger shot we were not expecting this reaction and called our doctor's emergency line worried that I was having some sort of allergic reaction. 

The next day was the first time in 23 days that we didn't have any injections!! I celebrated by going to see my massage therapist Mrs. Carla McGuire and taking the day off. Mrs Carla concentrated on getting me relaxed and at peace with myself. We also discussed relaxation techniques for my needle phobia and how to handle the Retrieval Procedure the next morning.

The Egg Retrieval Procedure:
We were asked to arrive to the clinic at 8:30 AM (yes they do the procedure in clinic so you don't have to go to a hospital..very nice!). I had a piece of dry toast and my antibiotic to start the day & then put on my most comfortable yoga pants and headed out the door.  

We arrived on time and were whisked back to the lab for Chris to "do his business". They then escorted me back to the "gurney room" and had be change into a lovely cap, gown, and booties. Francis (the most incredible of nurses) gave me a huge hug and started her pre-op questions. 

"What did you have for breakfast?

"When did you take your HCG shot?"

"Are you allergic to any medications?"

All of this while lying on my pink gurney in my really nice outfit having my blood pressure taken. When it came time for the IV Karen came back to administer it. Chris had completed his business and was quite proud of himself and had joined my side. 

Our "Room with a view" notice my stylish booties and pink blanket

Karen took my right arm and started the IV as quickly as possible. I was calm, well....as calm as I will ever be, and it wasn't as bad as I remembered. I had no idea that some blood had come out and onto the blanket until it was time for me to get up, go to the restroom, and then walk to the OR room. Seeing that by accident made me falter a bit but they quickly changed my sheet and had me walk to the back room.

Once in the procedure room Dr Steinkamph gave me my "good drugs" and I drifted in and out of awareness. Chris held my hand the entire time and any time my eyes fluttered open he was there just smiling down at me stroking my hand, telling me everything was ok.

I did feel some pinching and uncomfortable moments during the procedure and it turns out they were spacing out my drugs this time around. He gave me one big hit to start with and then two more as the procedure progressed. 

When I finally came to I was back in our room with a view with Chris smiling down at me. He told me they retrieved 28 eggs!!!! 28!!! That's twice as much as our first IVF procedure.

Francis then came over to check on me and I was feeling pretty loopy but good. 

My Post op snack

They then offered Chris and I some Post Op snacks which I chowed down on. Chris still teases me because the first time we did this procedure back in January they left the snack basket on my gurney and I proceeded to tear through several packages of mini Ritz cheese crackers before they took it away.

Yes I'm drugged in this picture but THANK YOU for helping make this possible!!!


Francis then asked my pain level from 1 to 10 which I said was at about a 3. I was cramping and achy at that point but nothing too bad. Another 10 minutes or so pass of me sleeping when they ask me to get off the gurney and try to empty my bladder. This didn't go to well as I immediately got nauseous mid way and had to have them put me back in bed. 

We eventually got to the restroom, they removed my IV and wheeled me out of the clinic. That night I had horrible cramps and painful gas but nothing too awful. The next morning however I woke up nauseous and stayed nauseous until Chris finally called Dr. Steinkamph and they called me in a prescription of a Phenergen knock off. Five minutes after I took the medicine I felt better.

No more nausea but my face started to get hot and turn beet red. It looked like a wind burn or sun burn all over my face and was hot. I had some trouble sleeping due to the gas and cramping but woke up feeling better over all. My face however is STILL beet red today and we are waiting for the doctor's office to open and let us know. We did chat with my sister and looked up side effects and apparently this is a common one. 

Chris is making me breakfast in bed while we wait to call the doctor and we are SO excited we get to go back to the clinic tomorrow at 9:00 AM for our Embryo Implantation!!! Chris keeps saying "we are going to pick up our 8 babies.." He is so adorable.

We will find our tomorrow how many total fertilized, be advised on the best embryo's to implant and if we can freeze the remainder. We are so EXCITED!!! Thank you all for your constant prayers and support!!

Let you know tomorrow how it all goes!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

IVF Retrieval Procedure Date Set!!

Day 11 of IVF stimulation and day 23 over all.

It's been a busy couple of days dominated by visits to our fertility clinic but we have set the date for our egg retrieval procedure!!! This coming Tuesday, April 3 at 8:30 AM, will be the retrieval procedure.

Our clinic has felt like a second home these last few months


As of this morning we have 20 follicles on each side with 8 or 10 follicles all measuring at 1.6 or higher! I feel like I have an alien inside of me or like a walking gum ball machine but we are both very pleased with how things have gone so far! Everything looks good according to Karen and tonight at 10:30 PM exactly Chris will give me my HCG Trigger shot.

What the heck is a trigger shot? It sounds kinda scary right? I certainly thought so the first time I heard of it and I have to admit that the medicine in this one stings like a bad bee sting as it goes in. Not very pleasant but you only have to take it the one time.

"The hCG trigger shot is a dose of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, which normally is produced by the body after implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine lining. This medication is delivered by injection and is timed to coincide with the final maturation of the ovarian follicles. When the hCG shot is delivered, those follicles release their eggs and a woman may become pregnant. The hCG trigger shot is used in fertility treatments such as timed intercourse and medicated cycles for intra-uterine insemination and in-vitro fertilization."

No pics to offer with this definition but it's a single injection into my stomach (you should see how swollen and bruised it looks now, very attractive), and then we have no injections tomorrow, YAY!  We will go into the clinic Tuesday morning and be prep'd for the procedure which in all should take no more than an hour. They do local anesthesia ( man I HATE IV's) and then retrieve the eggs in clinic. Chris gets to go into the procedure room with me and hold my hand....best part about it all. Well that and the snacks they give you as you recover :)

Karen switched me over to low dose HCG injections Friday afternoon after she got my blood work back and wanted to concentrate on allowing the follicles to continue to grow but not to over produce any more and run the risk of over stimulating me. It's been one injection a night and since it is low dose HCG they have stung but not too badly.

I've also been visiting my Clinical Massage Therapist Carla McGuire conveniently located in the same building our fertility clinic. She has been administering Fertility Massage therapy in conjunction with Acupressure therapy. I really enjoy visiting with her and find her to be very comforting.

Carla McGuire my Clinical massage therapist

I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a way to relax and add some positivity to their days. Mrs. Carla's link is listed below

Carla's Massage room, incidentally I want one of those massage tables. They are amazing!

Sound therapy

Carla has used the above tools during our sessions for Sound therapy. Here's the link if your interested in learning more on what exactly that is. I'll be honest with you, I'm still unsure of how it exactly works but it's a very interesting experience.


Will post tomorrow to let you know how the HCG trigger shot goes this evening. Pumped to watch Game of Thrones and Mad Men tonight! Oh and making homemade Chicken Alfredo. YUM.