IVF cycle 5

Long story short - we did it again. 

Last year over Christmas Tim and I talked about trying ivf one more time. We talked about timing and whatnot. We planned for October but wound up pushing to November because of a conflict next summer for Leiland. 

Here we are and it was transfer day today. 

So to rewind a bit. Two cycles ago in September it was the weirdest cycle ever. I had no clots, no cramps, no need for Motrin, and no heating pad. I only bled for 3ish days then some light spotting. Bizarre. Then on 9/25 I have a hysterscopy procedure with my Alabama OB. All went well and all the dr could really say was my “tubes were tubing”. So that happened early in my cycle and so then come October I had nothing. Not even spotting. Again beyond weird. 

Now at this point I’ve noticed my normal mid cycle aches and pains have eased up some. Not gone but definitely less. 

So moving forward. Dr. Q was all good to move forward. My period was due to start on my birthday but after the previous two cycles who really knows when things will happen. If I start on my birthday that puts ovulation/ transfer right at Thanksgiving week. So we had a tentative transfer date two days prior to Thanksgiving. 

Well per usual my period did its own thing and began on November 1st. Now I was already slotted to begin my Lupron injections starting November 1st and so that’s what we did. I was also instructed to go to Labcorp as soon as I could once I started. And of course I started on a Saturday and not a one lab was open until Monday. So again we have a wrench in the plans. I go Monday for the labs and it’s no biggie. 

So because my period was early that means we are slotted for a transfer the week prior to Thanksgiving - the 18-21st. 

So Tim and I made the plans to have me fly out with Ellie for the week. We flew in on Sunday and go home next Sunday. Transfer was today - Tuesday. There were a handful of hiccups but we got there and transferred two 5 day blasts. It was a little uncomfortable but bearable. I had a little bleeding and have been cramping ever since. After we left the transfer Ellie and I went to dinner at black angus and then watched a movie at the hotel room. 

Praying for a healthy little bean to finish off our family. 

This is go #5. 

Of 4 cycles we have transferred 8 embryos that resulted in two healthy boys. 

I’m very nervous but also know it’s in Gods hands. If it’s his plan then I know it will all work out. 

Post transfer - IVF #4, FET #2

So yesterday everything went great. We arrived a little too early but it worked out because I got to pee before the procedure. I am always WAY too full. So I went to the bathroom and was able to refill my bladder before going it. And I still had to go terribly bad when finished. It also gave Tim and I some time to hang out and relax. I haven't been able to spend that many hours one on one with Tim is a VERY long time. We dropped Leiland off at 8:45 and when we picked him up he passed on right away in the car, and slept till 5pm. So I had the better part of the day with just the two of us.

Shortly after arriving the embryologist came in to tell us the 2 blasts they thawed survived the thaw but we both still compacted. She said they could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours to expand, but it wasn't a bad thing necessarily. So we had 2 - 1 Grade 1 and one Grade 2 to put in. We walked into the procedure room and checked to be sure my bladder was full enough. It was full enough to flatten my uterus. So we were good. The embryologist came in again to give a little more info. While in I asked her opinion on if it was better to do a 5dt with frozen over 3dt. Last time we thawed 4 3 day embryos and 2 didn't advance, the other two were not great quality. She explained that if they freeze on day 5 they tend to thaw better, and survive better. Because some froze on day 3 may not make it to day 5 if they were going to freeze them or transfer them, so the 5 days were stronger if they made it. This worried Tim. He took it as that means they are more likely to survive in me and more likely to produce twins. And that might be the case. I will welcome it with open arms if thats the case. We shall see.

Once home yesterday I did pretty good resting, and Tim was really helpful with Leiland. Today Tim is out of town. Its only 9:30 and I feel like I have already done too much. But I have a child - alive and breathing - I have to tend to him. I have a friend coming over for a few hours to help, so that should be good.

As far as how I feel, just cramping a light - medium amount. Nothing crazy, but praying for some sticky embryos.

Off to rest and relax a little more.

U/S from transfer

IVF Round 4 - coming soon

Im currently on CD 17 and next cycle is due June 18th. And they we begin our IVF #4 (2nd FET). I am SO excited but so nervous all at once. The last FET in October ended in a miscarriage over Thanksgiving. It was a super crazy time with Leiland breaking his arm (the day we found out I lost the baby), and we had just moved to Maryland. Now we are back in California (Thank you - close to my dr) and I am ready. I am more than ready.

It took me a REALLY long time to feel ready to have another baby. I can honestly say when we did the last FET I was more ready to be pregnant than to have another baby, but now I am SO ready for both. I constantly dream about what it will be like to be pregnant again. Give birth again. To hold and smell another new little one. And to nurse - oh how I can't wait to nurse another little guy. I miss that with Leiland. But I am ready. I can't wait to make Leiland a big brother. He loves kids, and babies. He will be great at it.

If all goes as planned - we will be due around March 17th. I think its good because it isn't too close to Leilands birthday. We originally were going to do the end of July for the transfer, but then I would be due RIGHT before Leilands birthday, and I just wanted a little spacing. It will be a couple months before he turns 3 and I think that is good. I would love if he could get potty trained before another baby comes along, but right now he just isn't ready.

SO March. CRAZY. I will be 29, so will Tim. I am starting to feel older. I wonder how a couple years older will affect being pregnant. I felt great with Leiland, but lets be honest, I still haven't lost any weight in a long time. I want to be more active this time around, and with Leiland I find it easier to do.

So yeah thats the start. Praying for a sticky bean and a healthy one. We want this so bad right now.

TTC #2 - First cycle

So its official, we are ttc #2. We have never NOT tic but we are starting IVF as soon as my period starts. This will be our first cycle with frozen embryos, our 3rd IVF, and hopefully baby #2.

Today we met with the RE (Dr. Q) to see what the game plan is. As soon as my period starts I just have to call and we will be in progress. If all goes as planned we will be transferring 2 embryos around October 8-12th. My medications were ordered today and the schedule is so much easier than with a fresh cycle. I was very anxious about the frozen embryo transfer (FET) because its so foreign to me, but really its SO much easier.

So on CD 3 I start Delestrogen .3ml shots and take them every 3 days (CD 3, 6, 9) then on CD 11 I get bloodwork and an ultrasound to check. Delestrogen again cd 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39. I would also start daily injections of progesterone 1ml on CD 12 and Medrol dose pack (steroid to prevent rejection of embryos) CD 13-18.

Its crazy that we are here, it came so quick. We planned to start at the end of November/ early December however with the upcoming move - things were moved up.

Im honestly scared. I am terrified of another miscarriage, another instance of Ruth, and possibly twins. BUT I am so excited to get pregnant again and to give Leiland a little brother or sister. One more month and I can know if we should expect a new family member next June.