17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain: 10lbs, I'm guessing I'll find out for sure at my Dr appointment on Monday

Maternity clothes: I've been wearing my maternity shorts from Destination Maternity all week plus a few maternity tops, I can fit most of my non-maternity tops but I'm enjoying the way my maternity tops fit my growing bump
Stretch marks: None yet, still using my belly balm by the honest company every night before I go to bed

Sleep: Sleeping great this week, getting a little tired of having to get up to use the bathroom but having no problem falling right back to sleep.  My hips have been feeling a little sore from sleeping on my sides all night long

Best moment of the week: My mom came into town for a short visit on her way to Maine for the summer and we got another sneak peek at our little boys

Miss anything: Not having to think about what I'm eating, there seem to be lots of things you aren't supposed to eat while pregnant so trying to remember all those things while I'm out and about can be tiring

Movement: I'm feeling a little something each day I think.  I have been feeling a little tickle in the same part of my stomach through out the week which I believe are my boys!

Symptoms: A tight belly by the end of the day, I continue to feel like my stomach is being stretched and my muscles are sore.  Also sore hips after sleeping all night on my side.

Food cravings: Salads with strawberries, blueberries and chicken apple sausage (all natural, no nitrates).  

Anything making you quesy or sick: I was only quesy once this week and I think it was just from not eating soon enough

Have you started showing: Yes

Gender: Two Boys!!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In, but its starting to look awfully shallow and funny

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been happy all week especially getting to spend time with my mom!

Looking forward to: Planning the nursery and getting this rocking moose I ordered for the nursery

15 & 16 Weeks

It's time to play catch up.  I wasn't able to post last week because I was down in FL at my parents attending a friends wedding and this week I was slow posting because I was busy getting back to work and getting my house back in working order.   So now it's time for weeks 15 and 16!

15 WEEKS

How far along: 15 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain: 6lbs (possibly more, but I didn't way myself this week)

Maternity clothes: My mom and I went shopping this week and I purchased a few pairs of maternity shorts and a few more tops.  I have been wearing the shorts since I purchased them.  

Stretch marks: None yet, I found this belly balm by the honest company this week and have been enjoying it so far.  I put it on every night before going to bed. 

Sleep: Sleep has been good this week, still waking up 1-2 times a night to use the bathroom

Best moment of the week: Getting to come home and visit my family and celebrating my friends wedding!

Miss anything: My normal energy level.  I have been exhausted this week taking naps in the afternoon after my mom and I have been out running errands

Movement: No, not yet.  I hoping for feel something in the next couple of weeks

Symptoms: I'm still taking medicine for morning sickness but I've only been sick once this week so thats an improvement! Also a tight stretching belly

Food cravings: When I was home it was a must that I went to eat at TooJays and got to enjoy a piece of coconut mounds cake (the most delicious cake, I've been enjoying this cake since high school!)

Anything making you quesy or sick: Not this week =)

Have you started showing: I think so

Gender predictions: Still thinking 1 boy and 1 girl.  We find out next week!!!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm a happy girl

Looking forward to: Finding out what our babies are!

A few pictures from the wedding and my week home

16 WEEKS

How far along: 16 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain: 8-9lbs I think, I weighed myself on my home scale. 

Maternity clothes: Wearing my maternity shorts all week and my gap pure body tanks all week. 

Stretch marks: No,  Still using my  belly balm at night before going to bed.  

Sleep: Sleep has been great this week.  I have been having crazy dreams this week and am still waking up 1-2 times a night but have no problem falling back to sleep. 

Best moment of the week: Finding out we are having 2 BOYS!!!

Miss anything: I'm not really missing anything this week due to the pregnancy but I am missing cool weather this week.  We are having a heat wave this week and temperatures have been up around 100 feeling like 110, that is way too hot for me!

Movement: I'm not sure but I think I have felt a few flutters this week but nothing consistent that I could say was for sure my boys. 

Symptoms: I'm still taking medicine for morning sickness I'm down to only 9 more days of my medicine so I hope my morning sickness eases soon.  I've been feeling exhausted most of this week and my belly still feels like it is stretching (which I feel might just be a feeling I should get used to)

Food cravings: I have been loving Kraft mac n cheese in the spirals, not the normal elbow shape.  I haven't eaten this in years, but enjoyed it for lunch a few times this week.

Anything making you quesy or sick: Not this week =)

Have you started showing: I'll say yes

Gender predictions: Baby Boys x2!!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been mostly happy this week, but had a few moments of just feeling teary, which I blame on all the hormones. 

Looking forward to: Picking names for a little guys, planning their nursery and starting a registry!

14 Weeks

How far along: 14 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain: 6lbs at my Dr appointment this week

Maternity clothes: I have bought a few pieces: tops, leggings (I tried them on and they are sooo comfy),  and jeans.  I've worn a few of the tops but I can still fit in my regular clothes so far

Stretch marks: None yet, I put lotion on my belly after showering. I'm thinking I might need to get a lotion or cream made for stretch marks.  If anyone has suggestions that would be great =)

Sleep: Sleep has been ok this week.  I got a cold which makes breathing tough and interrupts my sleep. 

Best moment of the week: Hearing my babies heartbeats 145bpm and 155bpm  And making an appointment to find out the gender of our babies in a week and a half!!!

Miss anything: Energy, probably because of my cold but I have been exhausted this week.

Movement: No, not yet.  I hoping for feel something in the next couple of weeks

Symptoms: I'm still taking medicine for morning sickness and occasionally still getting sick.  At night my belly has been feeling tight/sore, I'm guessing because my stomach muscles are being stretched.  And I've been getting headaches almost everyday, boo

Food cravings: I am loving orange juice every morning and eating oranges during the day

Anything making you quesy or sick: Just my morning sickness. No foods

Have you started showing: I have a little bump (which gets bigger at night)

Gender predictions: Still thinking 1 boy and 1 girl.  You never know but we'll find out in  week and a half!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm a happy girl

Looking forward to: Heading home next week to spend time with my family. 

13 Weeks

This post is a little late since I will techinically be 14 weeks tomorrow.  I want to start doing weekly pregnancy updates, if I can stay on top of it, so I can remember what it was like being pregnant with these two little babes. 

So on to the update:

How far along: 13 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain: 4-5lbs but I'm not totally sure

Maternity clothes: No, not yet. But I have purchased a few maternity tops for the summer and a pair of shorts. I can still button most of my pants but they become uncomfortable. I have purchased a belly band for Target which I enjoy using when the button of my pants feel too tight

Stretch marks: No, not yet

Sleep: Pretty good. I think it could be a problem when I can no longer sleep on my stomach. Right now I'm waking up 1-2 times a night to use the bathroom but usually don't have a problem falling back to sleep 

Best moment of the week: Getting to see my babies. It is pretty amazing how much they have grown since 9 weeks. I loved watching them stretch and move

Miss anything: A normal appetite. I love food so I would like to enjoy eating again

Movement: None. I'm really looking forward to feeling them

Symptoms: Morning sickness- all day long! I'm taking Diclegis for it which seems to help. I tired to stop taking it a few days ago with terrible results so I'll keep taking it for now!

Food cravings: I'm not really craving any foods right now. I have been enjoying fruit, yogurt, and toast. But I wouldnt consider them cravings just foods I know I can keep down

Anything making you quesy or sick: The thought of food at times but nothing specific

Have you started showing: Yes I guess. Everyone I've told this week said it was pretty obvious I was pregnant and I've had one stranger ask when my baby is due. So I guess I am.

Gender predictions: Right now I'm guessing I have a girl and a boy in there but who knows (can't wait it find out!)

Labor signs: NO!

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and excited! I'm just looking forward to so many things

Looking forward to:  My bump growing and getting bigger, eventually finding out what these sweet babies are (maybe in a couple of weeks!) and hopefully my morning sickness going away

Not the best pictures but you can see their profiles =)

Last weeks Bump Picture

First OB Ultrasound

On Friday April 3 I got to have my first OB ultrasound!  It was very early I was only 5 weeks and a couple of days, but my nurse had told me that they just wanted me to come in to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be.  I was excited that my husband was able to come with me, he just happened to be off from work!  

The doctor came in to do the ultrasound and the first thing he says after starting was "I see you went for the advanced package.  I see two in there!"  He saw two sacs!

There isn't too much to see at this time.  But my doctor said it was exactly what he would expect to see at this point. My husband and I are SO EXCITED! Two Babies, this is an amazing blessing!  I can't wait for what is to come.  These two babies would explain my high hcg levels!  I was feeling good up until last Thursday, then I started feeling sick to my stomach and it has only gotten worse.  I am taking this as a good sign and am reminding myself to be thankful for this feeling because it means my babies are growing well.  I am trying to eat small meals/snacks through out the day, but nothing seems to help.  Thankfully I haven't actually been sick yet, but my stomach is continually churning and the thought of food is blah gross.  I have been trying to eat bland food: eggs, toast, grits, pretzels.  Sweets have no appeal and don't sound appetizing at all.  I am trying to stay hydrated and drink lots of water.  Any tricks on how to beat this feeling would be greatly appreciated!

I go back on Friday for another ultrasound which I'm excited for!  I'll update again after the next ultrasound.

XOXO

Brooke

No More Waiting

The two week wait is over and it actually went by pretty quickly.  I was pretty busy driving down to Florida for my sisters wedding, which was beautiful! 

Me, My sister and Cousin

  I have to say I was not very optimistic about this month.  I did not feel anything that would make me think maybe the IUI had worked.  So on Wednesday morning I woke up at 4:45 and decided I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep unless I tested.  My boobs had started to get sore on Tuesday night (which has been the only indicator I have had with my last two pregnancies) so I was a little curious at what the results might be.  And they were....POSITIVE!!!

I couldn't believe it!  The line came up immediately and was extremely dark!  I woke my poor husband up at 4:45 saying "I'm Pregnant! It worked!"  He was excited but being tired from work won out in the moment and we celebrated more later when he was actually awake. =)  

I called my nurse Wednesday morning to let her know the results and before I had even heard from her got in my car and started driving to the office to get my blood drawn.  Thankfully she called me back before I got there, otherwise I would have looked a little crazy.  My nurse called me with the news around 11:00 that I was indeed pregnant and my hcg level was nice and high.  They like to see anything above 80 and my level was 741!  I was thrilled and excited but still nervous knowing I had to wait until Friday (today) to do a repeat draw to make sure my levels were doubling normally.  

I got up extra early today so I could get to the office nice and early, thinking that this would ensure I would get a call before lunch with my results.  That did not happen.  Waiting is awful and stressful, but I tried to keep myself busy.  I finally got the call around 2:00 that my numbers have doubled and are now 1469!  My doctor is pleased with the numbers and I'm excited!  Things are going well so far and I have a very early ultrasound scheduled for next Friday at 9:30.  I will either be 5 weeks and 2 days or 5 weeks and 4 days depending on when you count from the date of my last period or date of IUI.  

I hope this next week goes by quickly and things continue to go well with this pregnancy!  I am excited and feel like God has answered our prayers!!  

I hope you all have a great weekend!  I will update after my ultrasound next week!

XOXO

Brooke  

Finding Support

When going through infertility it can feel isolating. You can feel like no one understands what you are going through at times. And even those who try, may not completely understand the feelings of jealousy, the anxiety over money, the disappointment month after month, and the feeling you get when someone tells you to "just relax". 

So last month when I saw a flier stating my doctors office was starting an Infertility Support Group I was intrigued and interested.  I got up the nerve to call the office and tell them I planned on coming: and I'm so glad I did!  This group meets once a month and even though we have only had two meetings I feel such a bond with these wonderful women!  

The group is set up to be whatever we need it to be: a place to vent, learn,  console and commiserate with each other.  I look forward to our monthly meetings and leave feeling rejuvenated.  It is just such a nice feeling knowing someone understands you and gets how you are feeling!

If you are going through infertility and have the option of meeting with other women going through it I would highly recommend it!  

XOXO
Brooke

IUI #4

Our fourth and final IUI is complete! 

I called the office this morning at 8:00am to give authorization for them to start the thawing process of my husbands frozen sample.  Thankfully I decided to leave right after I got off the phone because traffic was terrible this morning, it took me almost an hour to get there when it normally only takes 30 minutes.  

When I called this morning to tell them the thaw the frozen sample the nurse told me they had split the sample into two vials and I could choose to thaw one or both.  I chose to thaw both because I want all the swimmers I can get!  I hope I made the right decision, if this doesn't work we will have to pay for Chris to freeze another sample.  

Follicle and Swimmer Count for IUI #4

Follicles: 2 Mature Follicles

Swimmers: 32 Million motile swimmers (pretty good I think for a frozen sample)

Giving the Swimmers a head start!
Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!

Instructions now are to start using the progesterone suppositories on Wednesday and to test on Wednesday March 25.  So the two week wait begins again!  I am actually headed home on Wednesday for my sisters wedding!  So that will be a nice distraction =)

Have a great Monday everyone!  I will update sometime during the two week wait to let you know how its going.

XOXO 

Brooke

Cycle Day 11

There was no sleeping in for me today.  I had to make my way to the doctors office between 8-9 this morning for another ultrasound.  I did pretty good making it there by 8:30.  I had my blood drawn and another ultrasound.

Follicle Count for Today:

Right: 13mm (other smaller ones not measured)

Left: 20mm 14mm

I know it seems silly but I was a little disappointed that I seem to only have 2 decent follicles.  I'm trying to stay positive, you only need ONE right?!?

The on call nurse called around 11:00 to tell me to the plan:

CD11(today): Trigger with Ovidrel at 9:00pm

CD12: Nothing to do

CD13: 8:00am Call Office to give my permission to thaw my husband's sample, IUI 9:00am

My IUI is scheduled for Monday morning.  This time we will be using Christopher's  frozen swimmers, since he can't be with me.  It will be interesting to see what the count is from the frozen sample.

I'll update on Monday after the IUI.  Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

XOXO

Brooke

Cycle Day 9

This morning I was off to the doctors office for my cycle day 9 ultrasound to check for follicle growth.   

Follicle count CD 9:
Right ovary: 13mm 12mm 11mm
Left ovary: 16mm 13mm 10mm

The hope is for the 16 and two 13's to become mature and to produce a few nice eggs!  Now it's onto more injections and another ultrasound. 

CD9: Gonal-F 37.5iu 6-9pm
CD10: Gonal-F 37.5iu 6-9pm
CD11: Ultrasound 8-9am

I'm hoping for nice follicle growth between now and Saturday morning at my appointment!  I hope you all have a great Friday! And I'll update again on Saturday. What do you all have planned for the weekend, anything fun?

XOXO
Brooke

4th and Final try

Yesterday morning was very busy for me. 

My new cycle started on Wednesday and when I called my nurse I was expecting her to tell me to come in on Friday for my baseline ultrasound but instead she told me to come in on Thursday between 8:00-9:00am. This would be fine on any other day but yesterday. On Thursdays at 7:30 I have a standing physical therapy appointment and I also had to drop my dog off at the vet to have her teeth cleaned and pulled.  So I was up by 6:25 out the door by 7:00 dropped Barklee at the vet by 7:15 made it to PT just a few minutes late and then I was off to my doctor appointment by 8:00 making it there by 8:40.   I feel like I got a lot accomplished before 9:00am. 

Another appointment with my old friend!

At my appointment I was given the all clear to start my 4th  (and final) IUI cycle. During the ultrasound they check my uterine lining to make sure it is thinning properly, which it is, and they check my ovaries for cysts, 0 cysts for me.  

After the ultrasound I met with my nurse to get my protocol for this cycle. 

CD2: Baseline Ultrasound

CD3: letrozole 2.5mg 6-9am

CD4: letrozole 2.5mg 6-9am

CD5: letrozole 2.5mg  6-9am. Gonal-F 37.5iu 6-9pm

CD6: letrozole 2.5mg  6-9am. Gonal-F 37.5iu 6-9pm

CD7: letrozole 2.5mg  6-9am. Gonal-F 37.5iu 6-9pm

CD8: Gonal-F 37.5iu 6-9pm

CD9: Ultrasound, possible blood work 

I will update again soon!

XOXO

Brooke

The wait is over, the results are in...

And they are a big fat NEGATIVE. 

This cycle was not successful. 

Meaning it's time to start again. I will call my nurse tomorrow to let her know we want to do one more IUI cycle. I think this next cycle will be our last IUI, if it is not successful we will have to discuss IVF. 

Hope you all are having a great Sunday! I had a good day spending time with  my fur babies at the dog park!

XOXO 

Brooke

One Week Down

We have made it. One week down, one week to go!  

I was pretty busy at work this week which helped make Monday-Thursday pass by quickly. This weekend moved a little more slowly since I was left alone most of the time since my husband is working the noon-midnight shift.  

But I found ways to keep myself busy:

Making yummy food
Chicken, Broccoli, and Pepper Stir-fry and Chocolate Chip Scones!

And I made a sign/picture for my husband for valentines day with all our special dates :)

Only one more week till I test.  I have no feeling either way right now if this month will be successful or not.  

 continue to pray that I will get to see 2 pink lines next Monday!

Hope you all have a great Sunday Night.  Now I'm going to enjoy watching the SNL 40th Anniversary special.

XOXO

Brooke 

Two week count down

My two week wait officially started yesterday since I'm not supposed to test until Sunday February 22, sooooo long!  I have been trying to keep myself busy this past weekend spending time with my husband and fur babies.

The two week wait can be torture: trying to not obsess and keeping yourself busy so you aren't wondering what every twinge or ache means. So how do you keep yourself busy? What can you do to keep your mind from wondering what may or may not be going on inside your body?  This two week wait I decided to comprise a list of things I'd like to do to try and stay busy.

1. Crafts: I have quite a few craft projects I would like to try and complete. So why not filling my time during this agonizing wait by doing things I enjoy. Whether it's making a new wreath or playing with the cricut my husband got me for Christmas I'm sure it will help pass the time.

2. Walking: I try to go on a walk every day, that doesn't always happen, but I try.  I love getting outside enjoying the fresh air and decompressing. ( My dogs love it too and get very excited when its their turn for a walk. With four dogs we have a rotation because I only take one at a time.)

3. Baking: I enjoy cooking and baking. So passing the time making yummy treats doesn't seem like a bad way to go. Plus I'm sure my husband will be thrilled to have homemade cookies around the house.

4. Yoga: I have just start to try and do some simple "fertility" yoga (anything to get a baby, right?).  I found a These poses Pinterest and have been trying to do them.

5. Organizing my Closet: This is something just for fun and I will probably save it for this weekend since it will takes lots of time and my husband will be gone all day working the 12-12 shift, so he won't be around to entertain me. 

6. Work: I'm not sure this should really be on the list since I have to go to work, but it does keep me busy at least Monday- Thursday (I keep my Friday's open to do makeup therapy sessions and normal don't have any so I get a three day weekend most weeks)

7. Taking my fur babies to the dog park: Something we all can enjoy as long as the weather is nice. 

8. Cleaning: I'm a strange person and actually enjoy cleaning my house, at least when I have the time. Vacuuming, dusting and straighting up makes me very happy when the house looks good. 

Those are all the ideas I have so far. If you have any I would love to hear them. And if there is anyone who is also going through the two week wait as well, I hope it goes by quickly for you! 

I will keep you updated on the next two weeks.  Hope you all are having a wonderful Monday!


XOXO
Brooke

IUI #3

This morning we went in for our third IUI.  It went well as far as I can tell and like I always do on IUI day I feel optimistic.  Chris actually got to stay with me this time instead of having to leave right after his part for work, so that was a wonderful change.  Sometimes it feels so strange to think we could be making a baby while I'm laying on a table at the doctors office and he's off at work.  This time we were at least together and able to talk, hold hands and just enjoy the fews minutes I had to lay on the table before leaving.  

FOLLICLE AND SWIMMER COUNT

Follicle: 2-3 mature follicles

Swimmers: 38 million motile (Best numbers so far!)

Foot Five while waiting for the timer to go off!

My instructions now are to begin progesterone suppositories on Sunday and to take a pregnancy test 2 weeks from then, on Sunday February 22.  Oh how I hate the two week wait.   I'm going to comprise a list of activities to help pass the time during those weeks.  If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated! 

As for now I'm going to try and enjoy the rest of my day, thinking about trying not to think about the IUI.  I will be back soon with a list of ways I will plan to try and survive these next few weeks without going crazy!

Hope you all are having a great Friday!

XOXO

Brooke

Cycle Day 11: Ultrasound and Blood work

I went in this morning for another ultrasound and blood work to see how my follicles were growing.  I think I had one, maybe two decent sized follicles with lots of smaller follicles.


FOLLICLE COUNT
Right Ovary: 17mm, 15mm, 13mm, 12mm
Left Ovary: 13mm, 13mm, 12mm


My nurse called with my instructions:

CD 11: Trigger with HCG injection at 5:00pm
CD 12: 9:00am: husband stops at the lab to provide his swimmers
             10:00am: IUI #3 with be done! 


We are headed into the office tomorrow for our third IUI!  We are excited and ready for tomorrow.


Will keep you all updated on how tomorrow goes!


XOXO
Brooke

Cycle Day 9: Ultrasound

I went for my ultrasound this morning at 8:00.  No better way to start the day then with a transvaginal ultrasound!  I was a little surprised with the results of my ultrasound, I didn't have any mature follicles =(   This is the fourth cycle I have done with the combination of letrozole/gonal-f and the first cycle I haven't had to have a blood draw on cycle day 9.  

FOLLICLE COUNT
Right Ovary: 14mm, 13mm, 12mm, 11mm
Left Ovary: 11mm, 11mm, 11mm, 10mm  
(lots and lots of little follicles)

My nurse called me this afternoon with a new game plan for the next few days:

CD 9: Gonal-F 12.5iu
CD 10: Gonal-F 12.5iu
CD 11: ultrasound and blood work

I will keep you updated on how the ultrasound on Thursday goes.


XOXO
Brooke

Starting again

My doctors appointment last week went very well.  I was able to get tons of information and have my questions answered.

1. Should I be concerned that I have had 2 miscarriages? (Because I am)
My doctor told me that at my age he expects 10% of pregnancies to end in miscarriage.  He was explaining to me that an early miscarriage is normally our bodies way of protecting us from something that wasn't right;  either the egg or sperm wasn't normal or there was a problem with the cells dividing properly.  So he told me he wasn't too concerned and that my next pregnancy had a 70-80% chance of being normal and carrying to term.    

2. Are there tests we can run for repeat pregnancy loss (RPL)?
Yes, we could run a repeat pregnancy loss panel.  This would include taking blood from me and my husband, checking for chromosomal abnormalities in both of us, and also checking for immune and clotting problems in me.  

3. Do we continue with iui? If so, how many?
Yes.  When I first met my RE he told me that with IUI your best chances for getting pregnant are in the first 3 IUIs.  My early miscarriage was IUI number 2, does this mean we only do one more IUI or do we start over counting to three?   My doctor told me he would support doing 1 or 2 more IUIs since the process had actually worked for us, but the choice was up to me.  

4. Do you think the miscarriages could be due to poor egg and/or sperm quality?
Possibly was the answer I heard. My doctor had stated that early miscarriages are your body protecting yourself from something that wasn't right; either caused by poor egg or sperm quality or the cells not dividing properly.  

5. If the miscarriages were due to poor egg/sperm quality, would IVF be a better choice since the development of the embryos can be watched?

My RE stated that he would support a decision to move on to IVF if that what we chose.  With IVF they would be able to see which embryos were developing properly and if we had great concern we could test the chromosomal make up of the embryos before transferring them to make sure they are normal and healthy.  


What have we decided and where are we going from here?  After talking to my doctor and my husband we have decided to try 2 more cycles of IUI before moving on to IVF.  I was given the go ahead last week to start a new IUI cycle since my hcg level was back to 1 which is considered not pregnant.  

I am now cycle day (CD) 8 and have been following the same protocol as last cycle:

CD 8: Hopefully last night of injections

CD2: ultrasound and blood work: I was given the all clear to start a new cycle
CD3: Letrozole 2.5mg (6-9am)
CD4: Letrozole 2.5mg (6-9am)
CD5: Letrozole 2.5mg (6-9am)      Gonal-F 50iu  (6-9pm)
CD6: Letrozole 2.5mg (6-9am)      Gonal-F 50iu   (6-9pm)
CD7: Letrozole 2.5mg (6-9am)      Gonal-F 37.5iu  (6-9pm)
CD8: Gonal-F 37.5iu (6-9pm)
CD9: ultrasound and possible blood work


Tomorrow morning I will be going in for another ultrasound to check for follicles.  If any of the follicles are close to being mature I will have blood work done.  In the afternoon my nurse will call and tell me what the next step will be.

I will keep you all updated

XOXO
Brooke

Getting ready for my doctor appointment

Tomorrow I'm headed back to the doctor to just meet, kind of regroup and find out where do we go from here. I have so many questions that I feel like I need to write them down and organize my thoughts so I don't forget during my appointment. 

When my husband and I first met with our RE (reproductive endocrinologist) he diagnosied us with unexplained infertility. He explained to us that on our own we only have about a 4% chance of conceiving each month, that blew my mind those are not good odds. He also explained that just adding medicine to help with ovulation wouldn't up our chances, but combining medication and iui would up our chances to about 20% each month, that would at least increase our chances to that of a fertile couple. And if we were to get pregnant using iui the first 3 cycles would be our best bet after that the percentage of pregnancies decreases significantly. 

This past cycle was our 2nd iui. Now I'm wondering if we count it as a success since I did get pregnant or as a failure since the pregnancy ended in miscarriage.  

I have compiled a list of questions I hope to remember during my appointment:

1. Should I be concerned that I have had 2 miscarriages? (Because I am)

2. Are there tests we can run for repeat pregnancy loss (RPL)?

3. Where do we go from here?

4. Do we continue with iui? If so, how many?

5. Do you think the miscarriages could be dur to poor egg and/or sperm quality?

6. If the miscarriages were due to poor egg/sperm quality, would IVF be a better choice since the development of the embryos can be watched?

Those are my questions so far. I'll keep you updated on what I learn at my appointment. Have a great night. 

XOXO
Brooke

Still Dropping

I went this morning for another blood draw to check my hcg levels again. And as awful as it is I was glad to hear that my levels are dropping on their own, now down to 18.  This means I don't have to worry that this was an ectopic pregnancy or about having to have a d&c. 

I will be headed into the doctors office on Tuesday to talk with my doctor about where we go from here. 

For now I'm going to enjoy my frozen yogurt, Pitch Perfect, and snuggling with my husband on the couch (since he'll be working all weekend).

Will keep you updated, hope you all have a great weekend!

XOXO

Brooke

Excitement followed by disappointment

On Sunday morning I took a home pregnancy test as instructed by my doctors office and was shocked to see a SECOND line appear!! I quickly found the stash of clearblue digital tests I had been saving for this moment and used one. The word PREGNANT appeared on the screen!  I was in total shock. I hadn't thought this cycle had work, but thankfully I was wrong. I couldn't wait for my husband to get home from work ( he's currently working the night shift) to tell him! He was so excited!

I went to the doctor on Monday to have my blood draw to check my hcg levels and my first beta was 110. Which was a good number since my nurse said they like to see at least 80, so my number was above that :)

Today I went for my second blood draw to confirm that my hcg levels were rising appropriately. Unfortunately the news I received was not what I wanted to hear: my levels had dropped from 110 to 73.  My nurse said I have to go Friday for another blood draw to see what the levels are doing. 

I am at a loss for words. I tried to remain cautiously optimistic but I couldn't help getting excited. I have been able to get pregnant twice now, once last March whcih ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks, and now almost a year later, which seems to be a chemical pregnancy or very early miscarriage.  I am trying to remain positive that one day I will get to be a mom but it is hard when I feel like my body is failing me. 

Will keep you updated on my numbers Friday and where we go from here.

XOXO
Brooke 

Time to wait

I have finished my medicine for this month. No more pills, no more shots!

On New Years Eve I spent my morning back in the doctors office having another ultrasound.  This time they were looking for follicles to see when we would be scheduling my iui. I was looking forward to this ultrasound with high hopes for multiple follicles since they had bumped up my dose of Gonal-F. The results were okay, but not exactly what I was hoping for:

Right Ovary: 19mm follicle 13mm follicle 

Left Ovary: 19mm follicle 12mm follicle

So I had two really good sized follicles (meaning I had to have my blood drawn) which was good but the other two were too small and won't be mature enough to ovulate. I was really hoping for 3-4 mature follicles just to up our chances. (Last cycle they told me we had between 2-3 follicles, so we are starting this cycle off with possibly 1 less follicle already.)  

After the ultrasound I had my blood drawn to check for my lh level. The nurse called me in the afternoon letting me know I would be triggering that night at midnight and coming January 2 for the iui. What better way to ring in the New Year than with a shot in the belly! 

We had friends in town with us for New Years Eve which was great fun we spent the evening playing cards against humanity and laughing our butts off! And after counting down to midnight and kissing my hubby I enjoyed a nice shot of ovideral :)

On Friday my husband and I made our way to the doctors office by 9:30. My hubby completed his part by 9:50 and was off because he had to go to the base to study.  So I relaxed in the waiting room  for about an hour while everything was prepared for the iui. 

I was taken back by 11:00 and on my way home by 11:30.  I am always so surprised how simple the iui process is, no pain or discomfort and over in minutes.  So this month we have 2 good looking follicles and 29 million swimmers to hopefully make some magic happen.  I have now enter the Two Week Wait. This might be the most difficult time of the cycle. There are no doctor appointments, no medicine to take, just time to sit around and wonder, wish, hope, and pray! 

I hope everyone is having a great start to 2015! I hope and pray these weeks go by quickly and there are positive results at the end! 

XOXO

Brooke