6 weeks 6 days--the heartbeat (u/s #2)

How amazing is it to be able to hear a heartbeat that beats inside of you but is not yours? I have to say it is undescribeable! The most beautiful and peaceful sound ever and that just filled my eyes with tears. Don't get me wrong, it was due to the excitement! It is overwhelming to know that you have created something so miraculous and so delicate and that belongs to you! My little peanut! I am so in love with you already!

We went in to the 2nd u/s today. Here we were to hear the FHB and we most definitely did! Now I am an official graduate from Dr. Saleh's office (once again). I am going to miss him and his staff dearly! He is one of the creaters of miracle that I will forever be thankful and grateful to. He is most compassionate and most caring individual I've ever met! It was a very emotional goodbye! He recalled how long I've been with him. Get this, since June 2006! We talked about how difficult it has been to get pregnant for me and what an emotional rollercoaster I've had to ride on! He was so happy yet sad to see me go, but said to make sure we go back after the baby is born so he can meet him and put his picture up on the wall. He said hopefully this one will be as beautiful as the first! He gave us a big hug and said goodbye! What an amazing doctor! I am speechless!

My graduating instructions are to stop PIO shots (YAYAYAYAYAY!), wean off of dexamethasone and continue with my vaginal suppositories until 10 weeks 0 days as well as my vitamins, folic acid, baby asa, and Lovenox. I am now to move on to my OB! I am so excited! Did I say excited? I meant ecstatic!

6 weeks 4 days

I've been experiencing a swollen lymph node in my left groin. Not only is is swollen, but it hurts! I've read that it could be a cause of the PIO shots and a possible allergic reaction I have to it. I do have red patches on my buttocks, they are swollen, full of knots and some of them are very painful! I'm hoping that's all it is because it has raised some concern!

Today was a pretty easy day. I didn't feel an upset stomach, but after breakfast I felt somewhat dizzy and very tired! I had to go and take a nap, even though I had just woken up. I think I slept about 2 hours! I've been feeling bloated, but no hearthburn anymore. I am so excited because thursday we get to go to our 2nd U/S and are praying that we see the FHB!

Praying that tomorrow is my last PIO shot because I can't even sleep at night!

6 weeks 3 days

Woke up feeling kind of upset to my stomach. After eating a bowl of cheerios, my stomach seems likes it's going in circles. We are on our way to have lunch with my brother, Andy, for his birthday! He turns 26 years old today.

5 weeks 6 days!

I can't believe I'll be almost 6 weeks! My little peanut has changed my life so much already and I love him so much!

I had a pretty long day today! I woke up, had breakfast and then was so exhausted! Natalia wanted me to pretend play with her with all of her stuffed animals, but my eyes were closing on their own! She kept saying: "mommy, you have to play with me!!!! mommy you have to talk!" It was so cute, but I just couldn't do it. Finally, my mom watched her for a bit while I took a nap.

I woke up, got ready, and took off on errands with my dad and mom. OMG! It was soooooo hot!!! This weather is just awful! I think they said it was either 100 or 101!!! Imagine that! We drove around, ran errands, had lunch and then a sno cone. On the way back I needed a nap so bad, but couldn't because I had to hold Natalia's head as she leaned on me and fell asleep. We got home and I set my alarm to take a 30 minute nap! Well, that didn't happen! I then got up, and drove to Natalia's swimming class. Immediately after, I drove back home so I could do my PIO shot! I am so in need of a really great nap!

I feel so exhausted this time around! Also, I've been kind of brown spotting all day today along with a foul smell. I'm hoping this is all due to the E2V suppositories!

Baby Dust to my sweet little peanut! Keep growing sweet thing and I can't wait to see your little heartbeat next thursday!

5 weeks 5 days--U/S #1

How amazing is it when you can actually see that little peanut growing inside of you! At our first u/s we were lucky enough to experience this! We saw the gestational sac and the yolk sac as our ONE little bean has decided to implant in my uterus! We are so excited!

7 PIO shots left!!!!

5 weeks 4 days

I can't believe tomorrow is my sonogram! I am so excited to see how many beanies I have growing happily and healthily inside of me! My symptoms so far have been pretty much the same as before. Frequent urination, hunger, heartburn, bloating......

Today was my daughter's first day of swimming. It was so hot! I can not stand the heat. I feel exhausted and out of breath as soon as I step out into the heat and when I walk, even if it's to the car to get in, I am already out of breath!

I have this awful headache right now! Not sure why. I ate dinner earlier, like at 5 ish and then had some cereal around 9 ish. It can't be a hunger headache and it most definitely can't be a caffeine headache. I gave up caffeine since I started TTC when I got that awful yeast infection and urinary tract infection. As much as I used to drink it, I do not miss it that much. I'll have a caffeine free soda here and there but nothing else.

I guess my headache could be due to lack of sleep! I didn't take a nap today as I usually due. As I started dozing off, my daughter, which was playing on the bed quietly with her toys, suddenly fell off the bed! Well that made my sleep go away as I immediately jumped up to see if she was okay!

8 more PIO shots left! I can't wait!!!!! Keep growing healthily little baby (or babies)! Love you already and although it seems like a lifetime away until I meet you, I can't wait!

5 weeks 2 days

Not much to report today! With this heat I've been staying in as much as possible. Natalia has been keeping me busy with her energetic little self. Today she surprised me, though, because she came and layed on the cough with me and fell asleep!!!! Then I got up to go pee and find something to eat. When I came back to check on her, she had fallen off the couch! My poor baby!

I've noticed myself a lot more emotional and a lot more short tempered and impatient! I hope it doesn't get worse, but I doubt that! LOL!

We are supposed to go to my cousin's house for a fireworks show, but I think I'm staying in. The shot my Dad gave me yesterday has been killing me today. I'm at the point at which I am having a really difficult time walking. Since I don't want anyone to know I'm pregnant yet and I don't want to hear any questions as to what's wrong with me, so I'm just staying here!

Roy took Natalia and I out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings. OMG! It was so good! I think my favorite part was the Wild Lemonade! What's best? Free refills! Had a very nice and filling dinner. Now I'm ready for a PIO knots massage and then off to bed.

3 more days unil U/S #1
10 more days until LAST PIO shot!!!!

5 weeks 0 days

Today was a pretty relaxing day! I stayed up late last night watching a Chiller movie until 1:00 am so I slept pretty late this morning.

We ate some breakfast at that time and I found myself eating a smaller amount than I would have usually eaten. I began feeling the "fullness" and pressure under my ribcage area. This has been going on pretty much all day, especially when I'm sitting down! I remember feeling this pressure with my last pregnancy but it was later in the pregnancy when I had Natalia's foot kicking me up in my ribcage. I think it's strange I'm feeling the same thing so early on!

Tried taking a nap later but it was probably a 10-15 minute nap! Hey, something is better than nothing! Had to take my little princess to register for her swimming classes which start next week.

So far, no plans for the weekend. With this dry weather and NO rain, I'm not sure what's going to happen for 4th of July!

12 more days of PIO shot!!!!

4 weeks 6 days--Intra Lipids #2

So today was my second session for my intra lipids infusion! This is supposed to lower my killer cells and therefore prevent them from attacking the baby.

Heather gave me a 3 month prescription for my folic acid and multivitamins and a new calendar for the upcoming month, through the end of July. Here is my calendar:

Aspirin - 1 qd
prenatal vits- 1 qd
folic acid - 3 qd
iron - 1 qd
Lovenox Inj- 1 qd
E2V/Prog Suppositories - 1 vag q pm
dexamethasone - 1 qd (LAST DOSE 7/13)
PIO Injection - 100 mg q pm (LAST DOSE 7/13) OMG, I'm so excited about this one!

On 7/14, I continue all except last 2!

These are my upcoming appointments:
Sonogram #1 - 7/6
Sonogram #2 - 7/14
Intra Lipids Infusion #3 - 7/14

Feeling fatigue, some heartburn and lots of hunger! Although, when I sit to eat, I can only eat a little bit! Been super thirsty, so I've been visiting the "loo" a lot more!

I am so excited, but it's still somewhat surreal to me! I guess when I see the sonogram it will become more real!

Sweet dreams, baby and keep growing like a week!

Beta #3: 14dp5dt

Third beta came back. hCG level is at 262!!!! YAY!

Doubling time is 31.54 hours!!! I have my Intra Lipids Scheduled for tomorrow and then my 1st Sonogram next wednesday to see the sac!

I am feeling so fatigued and soooooo hungry! Natalia has been acting up soooo bad! Could it be because of my pregnancy?

Beta #2: 12dp5dt

I went in this morning at 9:15 for my second beta. The wait continued!

At about 2:00 I got an e-mail from Heather that said:

"I just received the results from today -- 91! That is a great increase! When do you want to come in for the infusion? I will also send you a new calendar. You need to continue everything except the E2V injection on Tuesday and Friday. You may schedule your first ultrasound for next week! Congrats!"

I was over the moon until I got the call from Dr. Saleh saying:

"I have some good news...the hCG was 91! I'd like to recheck it one more time just to be on the safe side! You can do that on Wednesday. Congratulations!"

What does this mean...just to be on the safe side???

Then Heather e-mailed me again and said:

"He wants you to have another beta on Wednesday just to be safe to make sure that it is increasing appropriately. The lipids need to be infused this week within 7 days of your beta."

Of course they are increasing appropriately, aren't they? She just said earlier that it was a great increase!!! I feel very pregnant and very hungry and my bladder gets full so often; I'm so tired and I get exhausted when I walk!

Now I'm worried. Please let everything be all right! Google here I come!
_________________________________________________________________
According to countdowntopregnancy.com, my numbers are doubling every 34.51 hours. It says that normal doubling time if hCH levels are under 1200 mIU/mL every 31 - 72 hours. My hCH level at 1-2 weeks from conception should be 40 - 300 mIU/mL. It seems in the normal range! Well, let's see what else I can find!

11dp5dt--One more day for Beta #2

One more day and I go in for beta #2! I hope so much to see my numbers doubling since I started off so slow. I have been feeling very pregnant! My bb's are sore, I still feel some pressure in my lower abdomen and today I started feeling more tired and sooooooo hungry!

I woke up this morning to eat cereal, took my dexamethasone and went back to sleep. Then I woke up again and ate, but I was feeling hungry immediately after. Then DH wanted to go shopping at outlets. WOW! I was so tired I had to find a chair and sit down! I even felt my legs hurting/aching like when I'm about to get the flu! Then he asked me if I wanted to go shoping for me and I can't believe I said this, but I told him NO!

As we were driving home, he asked me if I was pregnant. I told him "yes". He asked me because I knew or because they told me and I told him because they told me. He was ecstatic! I hadn't told him, or anyone for that matter, because I know everyone wants this as much as I do and I wanted to make sure.

Then I came and took a pregnancy test and guess what? It was negative! I went straight to bed and took about a 2 hour nap! I was so upset, but trying to stay optimistic.

The restroom visits have been crazy. I feel like the restroom has become my new best friend. I go so much to empty my bladder. As soon as I drink water, which by the way I have been so thirsty, my bladder fills up and I have to go! I get up about 2-3 times a night to go as well!

I am so excited. Can't wait for tomorrow's results!

10dp5dt--Results are In

So I got the call this morning from my nurse. My beta results came in and my hCG level is at 21. YAY, I am preggo!!!!! She said with FET cycles it usually starts of slow. We need to see doubling numbers on monday's beta! The torture of the wait continues!!!

9DP5DT--BETA

Here I am at 6:00 in the evening and still no word from my beta! I made it a point to go in early to Labcorp so that I could get my results back early! Well, the idiots from RE's office didn't make my order STAT!!!!

At almost 1:00 in the afternoon I sent them an e-mail to find out when my results would be coming in. They should have been there at around that time since they have a 4 hour turnaround time and I went in at 8:30 am. So I get an e-mail back from Amanda wanting to know what Labcorp I went to so that they could call them and change the order to STAT! WTH! That should have been done way before!!!!!! I made it a point to ask the nurse aide why this wasn't done previously, but I got no response!!! Then I get an e-mail from Heather saying that Dr. Saleh would call me by 4:00 pm.

Well, at almost 5:00 pm I e-mail them again because know the office closes at 5:00pm. Where are my results????? These people are killing me softly!!!! I keep thinking I'm not pregnant and that I am pregnant and on and on and on and on. Just end this already!

5:30 comes around and I get a voice message from Heather. Still no results!!!!!!!!!! WTH! I am so upset I just want to cry! I don't know if from not having results or thinking that I could possibly not be pregnant!!! Anyway, she said that Labcorp is supposed to be calling her with the results and as soon as she received them she would call me. That it might be later tonight!

I don't know what to think! I feel bloated! I had some cramping last night! My belly button still hurts! My lower back hurts! My bb's are sore but not as much! I'm gonna go crazy!!! This wait is going to kill me!

Waiting for results! Praying for positive outcome after so much trouble!

8DP5DT

Today, according to embryo development, fetal development continues and hCG continues to be secreted.

I feel pregnant, then I don't! I still feel that bloated feeling in my lower abdomen, but then I wonder if it's because I've been eating so much since we've been staying with my parents. Tomorrow it will be three weeks and I know I must have already gained like 10 pounds from all of this good eating!

Last night, I was sitting on the couch and tried to get up really fast and I got this awful cramp on my lower abdomen, but it was higher than the uterus. It almost knocked me down and then later I felt it again!

This moring, or rather afternoon, I went down to the floor to unbutton my 2 & 1/2 year olds shorts and when I came back up I felt as if I ran out of breath!

I think I am stressing too much over this! I want this so much but I don't have a good feeling! It feels nothing like the last time! I'm sad.....
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9:30 pm...drove to the gas station to get my dad a lotto ticket and I was feeling kind of lightheadedness. About 10:30 I and I sat down, I got this awful pain in my belly button and the hunger kicked in. I'm hungry and I just ate a lot earlier....3 tamales, 1 flour tortilla with beans and cheese, cup of coffee and 5 cookies! The pain didn't last more than 5-10 minutes and then it dissipated some until I would sit back down and put pressure on my stomach some! I guess I'm really obsessing now...I can't stand this wait! I have to keep thinking to myself: PREGNANT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE or as we, infertile women know it as, PUPO!

6DP5DT

Felt a little of nausea this morning after I ate breakfast. Nothing much else except a bit hungry right now. I ate some ice cream earlier followed by a sandwich (I know, I'm eating backwards! LOL), but then I only ate half of the sandwich.

Still feeling bloated and yesterday my short were a bit tight! Also, I have noticed an increase in visits to the restroom. I feel like I have to pee more often. I hope this is not just in my head....I want so much for my two embies to stick! I want them both. Am I being greedy? How beautiful would it be for my little family to grow in such a beautiful way!

At this point these little guys should have already implanted and cells that will eventually become the placenta and fetus have begun to develop. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hould already start to enter the bloodstream.

3 more day of waiting, waiting, waiting. It doesn't help that I am staying at my parents' and they do absolutely NOTHING during the day! Talk about being bored! All I do is eat and sleep....from the boredom...from being pregnant??? I hope from the latter!

5DP5DT

OK, so I hope this is another good sign...

This morning my mom was making breakfast and started frying onion in a pan of oil. My stomach starting turning and I started feeling really nauseated! I had to leave the kitchen and I closed the door to the bedroom. I found this rather strange because I LOOOOVVVVEEEE the way onion smells when I fry it in a pan, but NOT this time! Otherwise, I'm still feeling bloated and with some lower back pain. BBL if I can.

4DP5DT

Today I woke up and when I went to the restroom after BM I wiped and had some pink spotting! Hopefully that is implantation bleeding!!!! Nothing else different other than waking up in middle of night to pee, but probably because I've been drinking lots of water. I wake up in the middle of the night and my throat is soooo dry. I've been keeping a bottle of water next to my bed! Also, my back has been hurting some, but I don't know if it's from the bed I sleep on. After my epidural, I have a hard time when I sleep on my stomach...I know, I know! Solution: don't sleep on my stomach! I just love to sleep on my stomach! Last night, though, I found myself sleeping most of the night on my sides, using a pillow for support!

The PIO shots are really kicking my butt! OMG! I don't know what else to do to relieve the pain. I think earlier this week I got them in a vein or something because I'm even bruised from them! I hate to complain because I know this is for something that I want more than anything, but I think I still have that right! BBL for more...

2dp5dt

Today is 2 days past my 5 day transfer. I am feeling sooooo bloated I have felt continous twinges all day! For some strange reason I was not hungry, so I made a sandwich and split it with Natalia. Had some lime chips with Louisiana hot sauce and then some watermelon with chili powder. I'm about to take a nap. Feeling somewhat exhausted! BBL!

Well, after my long nap and getting woken up to my daughter on the bed, giving me a massage (I love her) I got up and hung out with her. Still feeling lots of pinching on my right side, a lot! Hoping this is good. Well off to bed. Postive thougths and sticky vibes my babies!

One last thing. Got this schedule from a blog and found it rather interesting:

5-Day Transfer (Days Past Transfer DPT Embryo Development)
1DP5DT: The blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell
2DP5DT: The blastocyst continues to hatch out of its shell and being to
attach itself to the uterus.
3DP5DT: The blastocyst attaches deeper into the uterine lining, beginning
implantation
4DP5DT: Implantation continues
5DP5DT: Implantation is complete, cells that will eventually become the
placenta and fetus have begun to develop.
6DP5DT: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) starts to enter the blood
stream
7DP5DT: Fetal development continues and hCG continues to be secreted.
8DP5DT: Fetal development continues and hCG continues to be secreted.
9DP5DT: Levels of hCG are now high enough to detect a pregnancy.

Transfer Day!

Today was my transfer day! It was kind of stressful becuase I had a full morning. My daughter, Natalia, had gymnastics class at 10:00 am and at 11:00 I ran some errands and packed some things to bring to my mom's house, which is where we are staying right now. After rushing home, Roy got there to pick me up at about 12:30 and then we went to McDonalds to pick something up to eat. Natalia went with my parents and we went on to Dr. Saleh's office because my appointment was at 1:00 pm.

We get there and have the discussion about how many embryos to thaw. Stephanie and Doug said their were in tubes of 2s and 3s, but that it didn't necessarily mean that the ones they thawed would survive. We decided on thawing one of the 2s and she said they looked great. They are quality 2 and she said those are the ones most women get pregnant with.

Well, we waited and waited...1:15, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00. My bladder was so full that I had to go empty it. I was told to only go half way! Half way! I wasn't sure exactly what that was, but I tried. Finally, at almost 2:20, RE shows up. Not sure what was going on and we didn't even ask. We just wanted him to do a good job!

So he completed the transfer and we even got a picture of the embryos in the liquid that was transferred. It's a little bright light! It's pretty cool!

After resting for about 30 minutes, we drove home to pick up some things and then Roy took me to my mom's house. That was the longest, bumpiest trip ever! I guess I've never paid attention to how bumpy the roads actually are!

I rested all evening and was pampered by my mom. I felt a couple of twinges here and there and I"m hoping that my little snowlakes were finding a cozy place to settle down! I am so excited! All I know is that I am PREGNANT until proven otherwise!

TTC #2

I am back again for TTC baby #2! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I love being a mommy but I don't want Natalia to be an only child. I want her to be able to have someone to share with and lean on for support.

Here is my schedule:

5/13 FET Cycle begins, begin Lupron 10U & Dexamethasone
5/17 Last BCP
5/18 Lupron reduced to 5U, continue Dex
5/23 E2 & US Appt
5/24 E2V IM 0.2 ml (4mg)
5/27 E2V IM 0.2 ml (4mg)
5/31 STAT E2 blood test; increase E2V IM to 0.3 ml (6mg)
6/3 STAT E2 & Intra Lipids 20%; E2V
6/6 E2 & US
6/13- 6/17 Probable Embryo Transfer

Not too happy with the E2V because it gave me a yeast infection from HELL! I've never experienced something so awful! Even after Monistat 1, the cream and then a dose of Diflucan and mycostatin cream, I still feel so uncomfortable! Heather, my nurse says that if it doesn't clear up by FET then it will need to be postponed!

Friday I am scheduled for my Intra Lipids Infusion. I have to look back at my posts to see what I was doing then when I got pregnant. I know Dr. Saleh told me that he didn't recommend accupuncture, only for egg quality, not uterine thickness. At my u/s on May 23, he said everything is looking great. Staying positive!