bump #69: the heartbeat

Today was our first ultrasound! I am 6 weeks and 2 days along and the baby measures 6 mm long. This is all so new, and it is so, so tiny, but we are clinging to hope that we will hold this baby in our arms in 8 months.

The highlight of today was seeing the baby's heartbeat. 

As sweet as it was to see the word "pregnant" on the pregnancy test, seeing that little flicker on the screen was a million times more precious. My heart grew three sizes this day!

While I was home visiting family last weekend, my mom and I scoped out yard sales and the swap meet for baby clothes. We know it's way too soon, but for 50 cents a piece we can't be stopped! Plus some of them were really cute! Not pictured are the maltese pajamas and pink tutu onesie from Costco. Those were not in the quarter pile, but we couldn't resist!

Everyone thinks the baby is a girl so we have double the amount of girl clothes. Either way, I have a bunch of friends with babies so these outfits will all get used.

So far my 6 week belly is exclusively bloat from a swollen ovary (a residual side effect of all the fertility drugs that the Dr. says will go away soon.) So no maternity photos yet. But here are a couple pics we took this week:

We just told our family in Ohio the good news and sent a card with this picture.

We saw this hilarious article featuring a husband maternity photo shoot that Andrew just had to mimic this afternoon with a "manternity" session at the pool.

You're welcome :)

bump #68: 2nd beta

Beta #1: 441

Beta #2: 807

Twins would have been amazing, but it looks like a singleton for us this time. Praise God the numbers went up! Now it's another 2 week wait until our first ultrasound on August 1st.

Am I neurotic for taking pregnancy tests every morning to make sure I'm still pregnant?

bump #67: i saw the sign

And the sign was POSITIVE!

8dp5dt     Sunday, July 13, 2014 

Beta test Wednesday, July 16: HCG 441

We are SO excited! And still a little cautious because it's so, so early.

We're keeping quiet for a while (no big announcements on facebook), but y'all are my besties and have been with us through it all, so of course I'm telling you first!

We are praising God for this miracle and not taking one single second for granted. 

THANK YOU for continued prayers for a healthy pregnancy. 

THANK YOU for all of the love, support, and encouragement you have shown us.
THANK GOD for answered prayers.

bump #66: please just one sign

5dp5dt.

Last week I didn't even know what that meant, and now I am frantically searching online discussion boards hoping to find some symptom or sign to relate to at "5 days post a 5 day transfer." So far it's just a bunch of hormonal, whiney women. I suppose I can relate to that.

In the world of IVF, this is my first rodeo and I don't know what to expect. 

It doesn't help that the crinone (progesterone vaginal suppository, ick.) brings a whole host of pregnancy like symptoms with it. Meaning, I can't tell if I have super sore boobs because I'm growing a human or because I overdosed on progesterone cream. Are the minor cramps I'm feeling due to implantation of an embryo, or are they a side effect of the constipation from the prenatal vitamins? Yes, TTC is super glamorous. I would just feel so much *better* if I had a classic sign like implantation spotting (none yet) or morning sickness (not even a little nauseous.) I don't really feel any different, so I don't really feel like it's working.

The beta test isn't until Wednesday, and SDFC never had me come in after the transfer to check my hormone levels, which I thought was odd. It just feels like an even longer 2 week wait, especially with no symptoms. So of course, I'm assuming the worst. This cycle is a flop and we're going to have to do it all over again. Pouty face.

I did stumble across some odd things that women wrote as initial signs that let them know they were pregnant... One lady said she had an aversion to certain smells, specifically car exhaust fumes. I don't know about you, but I don't know anyone who is particularly fond of carbon monoxide smells. Another woman wrote that she had never been so tired in all her life and was experiencing migraines. It turns out, she wasn't pregnant, she was having caffeine withdrawals. Maybe there's nothing much to the signs or symptoms and I need to get over it and be grateful that I feel normal.

Fellow IVFers: What symptoms did you experience? Did you have a 3 day or 5 day transfer? When did you take a HPT? Any advice on how to survive the 2WW?

I am SO grateful for this blog community! I love you girls!!!

bump #65: it only takes one

After extracting 15 follicles yielding 9 eggs that became 7 fertilized embryos, we were left with only 3 blastocysts. We transferred 2, leaving just 1 to freeze for next time.

After all those injections and ultrasounds and stress over what to do if we ended up with a boat load of embryos that's an image! And there is just 1 remaining.

But one is all it takes. So we are grateful for the one.

bump #64: the transfer

This morning was our day 5 transfer of two little blastocysts.

 My amazing mom came all the way down to San Diego to be here for the big day. LOVE HER!!! She was so sweet and nurturing, hovered over my belly talking to the babies. "You can do it. We can't wait to meet you!"

 We were disappointed to learn that the two lower embryos quit growing at the 8 cell stage and we will hear the verdict of the remaining three tomorrow. We are hoping to have 2 to freeze for future use. Prayers please!

 Transfer complete!

And now I'm taking it easy for a few days and hoping for a positive beta on the 16th. My doggies are super excited for a potential new sibling. Maddie thinks it's a girl :)