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