Got the test results back yesterday - I'm pregnant!!
Monday's HCG: 22.3 mlU/ml
Wednesday's HCG: 98.4 mlU/ml
Next test is scheduled for 5/30. If all remains well, we'll have the ultrasound between 6/6-6/8 where we'll get to hear the heartbeat and count up all the little babies. Think 2 everyone.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
2 perfectly frozen embryos!
At Sunday's embryos transfer, my doctor warned that the remaining two embryos would probably not grow enough to be able to be frozen. I am happy to report that my little embryos proved him wrong!
The embryologist called yesterday to let us know the two remaining embryos reached blastocyst stage - the stage required for cryopreservation - a whole day early.
She was really sweet, when she was saying good-bye she said "So your little embryos will be here when you decide to get pregnant again"!
The embryologist called yesterday to let us know the two remaining embryos reached blastocyst stage - the stage required for cryopreservation - a whole day early.
She was really sweet, when she was saying good-bye she said "So your little embryos will be here when you decide to get pregnant again"!
Monday, May 11, 2009
and 2 makes 3...
Wow, so the doctor implanted three perfect embryos yesterday. As mentioned in my earlier post, my assumption was that we'd go with two of the three perfect embryos. We were surprised when we went in for the consult with the doctor and discussed the idea of implanting 3. Based on the factors below we decided to implant 3.
- my age. My 35th birthday is in October and the age the doctor would recommend implanting 2 or 3 embryos.
- overall clinic statistics
- concern over cryopreservation especially since there might only be one viable to freeze
- my doctor's recommendation
- how does one, including the doctor, recommend leaving one out? I just didn't seem realistic to me.
So now, almost 24 hours later I am happy, excited, and thrilled about the 3 little embryos growing strong in my uterus now.
Our next visit will be in two weeks for a blood test - starting believing in a POSITIVE result.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mork & Mindy are coming home to mama!
We just got the call from the embryologist and we go in today for the embryo transfer! The 5 embryo's are doing great but 3 are "outstanding" so they will decide which to transfer when we get there. I wanted to puke when I got off the call but Ed reminded me that would be too much stress on my belly - smart guy, right?!
We'll be posting pictures today of our two sweeties later. For now, we're settling on lovingly referring to them as Mork & Mindy but other top names included:
- Batman & Robin
- Roxy 2 & Roxy 3
- Captain Kirk & Spock (we saw the new flick yesterday)
Happy Mother's Day!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Fertilization Report, 5/8/09
The embryologist, Mario, called this morning with some great news. Of all 7 follicles retrieved, all 7 were mature enough to fertilize. Of the 7 eggs, 5 actually fertilized and are looking good as of this morning. Mario said this was great news and everything looks really good.
Our hopes have always been to have 2 great ones to transfer but to have a few extra to cryopreserve in case this first round didn't result in a pregnancy. Last week when the doctors realized I my body was not producing as may follicles as they expected we felt like our odds decreased however our hopes have now been restored.
We will not have another fertilization report until early Sunday morning when an embryologist will call to let us know if we'll be transferring on Sunday or waiting until Tuesday. Until then, please keep our little embryos in your thoughts and prayers that they continue to grow steady and strong.
All our love,
Cel & Ed
Our hopes have always been to have 2 great ones to transfer but to have a few extra to cryopreserve in case this first round didn't result in a pregnancy. Last week when the doctors realized I my body was not producing as may follicles as they expected we felt like our odds decreased however our hopes have now been restored.
We will not have another fertilization report until early Sunday morning when an embryologist will call to let us know if we'll be transferring on Sunday or waiting until Tuesday. Until then, please keep our little embryos in your thoughts and prayers that they continue to grow steady and strong.
All our love,
Cel & Ed
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Egg Retrieval, 5/07/09
I'm at home tonight recovering from this morning's egg retrieval. We were told on Sunday that there were probably 5, maybe 6 follicles to retrieve. We were so excited when they told us they found 7! We are so hopeful that all little ones are mature enough to be fertilized. We'll get our first call tomorrow to let us know how many fertilized and what grade they are all classified as.
This recovery has been challenging. Because my left ovary is tucked behind my uterus, they had to apply pressure on my belly to be able to locate the follicles in the ovary. I can only describe the pain as if my tummy has been used as a punching bag. I'm struggling to walk a little bit but drinking plenty of fluids and the heating pad plus Tylenol have become my best friends.
The embryo transfer is scheduled for 11am on Sunday, Mother's day, which is very exciting. Today during the procedure and when I was out cold, my doctor experimented with a type of catheter,that will be the expressway for my little embies, because I have a curvy uterus. The good news is that I will not have to arrive on a full bladder but the bad news is that if the catheter doesn't work as well as they hope then I'll have to down 30 oz. of water for the traditional catheter.
Ok, on to the TMI portion of this entry. I started progesterone vag suppositories today which will get my uterus ready for implantation. I will insert one in the morning and at noon daily. On the transfer day, I will add an additional vag combination suppository of progesterone and estrogen. Tonight I will also start on steroids and antibiotics.
That's it for now. Good night & please keep us in your thoughts.
This recovery has been challenging. Because my left ovary is tucked behind my uterus, they had to apply pressure on my belly to be able to locate the follicles in the ovary. I can only describe the pain as if my tummy has been used as a punching bag. I'm struggling to walk a little bit but drinking plenty of fluids and the heating pad plus Tylenol have become my best friends.
The embryo transfer is scheduled for 11am on Sunday, Mother's day, which is very exciting. Today during the procedure and when I was out cold, my doctor experimented with a type of catheter,that will be the expressway for my little embies, because I have a curvy uterus. The good news is that I will not have to arrive on a full bladder but the bad news is that if the catheter doesn't work as well as they hope then I'll have to down 30 oz. of water for the traditional catheter.
Ok, on to the TMI portion of this entry. I started progesterone vag suppositories today which will get my uterus ready for implantation. I will insert one in the morning and at noon daily. On the transfer day, I will add an additional vag combination suppository of progesterone and estrogen. Tonight I will also start on steroids and antibiotics.
That's it for now. Good night & please keep us in your thoughts.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Egg Retrieval scheduled for 5/7/2009
We got the go-ahead this morning for a Thursday egg retrieval. Woo hoo! We are so excited to be moving on to yet another phase. The doctor we met with today was really positive about the size of the 3 of 5 follicles that he was able to see on the ultrasound.
Tonight @ 6:30PST is my last shot of Lupron that suppresses ovulation. Then two hours later (8:30 PST) I will receive two shots of the "trigger" Ovidrel which is one last push at maturing the follicles and eggs. I cannot believe that tonight we are done with shots (for now anyways). It's been a roller coaster of a ride, some nights not believing I have to take shots, some nights not wanting any shots, and some nights - like tonight - very excited for shots. Ed has been the most amazing "shot-giver" & I couldn't have done any of this without him.
As much as I am anxious and nervous, I am also resolved to the outcome. I know that while I would have loved to produce more eggs my body did the best it could do.
Until Thursday...
Cumulative estradiol and follicle counts:
Baseline E2 4/23/09: 31 pg/ml
E2 level #1 4/29/09: 281 pg/ml
E2 level #2 5/01/09: 528 pg/ml
E2 level #3 5/03/09: 1278 pg/ml
E2 level #4 5/05/09: 2078 pg/ml
Follicles:
5/01/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; 1 @ 14mm, 1 @ 11mm
Right: 3 Follicles; 1 @ 9mm, 1 @ 10.5mm, 1 @ 13mm
5/03/09:
Left: 3 Follicles; 2 @ 15.5mm, 1 @ 12.5mm
Right: 3 Follicles; 1 @ 16.5mm, 1 @ 13.5mm, 1 @ 11mm
5/05/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; 1 @ 21mm, 1 @ 18mm
Right: 3 Follicles; 1 @ 21mm, 2 @ 15mm
Tonight @ 6:30PST is my last shot of Lupron that suppresses ovulation. Then two hours later (8:30 PST) I will receive two shots of the "trigger" Ovidrel which is one last push at maturing the follicles and eggs. I cannot believe that tonight we are done with shots (for now anyways). It's been a roller coaster of a ride, some nights not believing I have to take shots, some nights not wanting any shots, and some nights - like tonight - very excited for shots. Ed has been the most amazing "shot-giver" & I couldn't have done any of this without him.
As much as I am anxious and nervous, I am also resolved to the outcome. I know that while I would have loved to produce more eggs my body did the best it could do.
Until Thursday...
Cumulative estradiol and follicle counts:
Baseline E2 4/23/09: 31 pg/ml
E2 level #1 4/29/09: 281 pg/ml
E2 level #2 5/01/09: 528 pg/ml
E2 level #3 5/03/09: 1278 pg/ml
E2 level #4 5/05/09: 2078 pg/ml
Follicles:
5/01/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; 1 @ 14mm, 1 @ 11mm
Right: 3 Follicles; 1 @ 9mm, 1 @ 10.5mm, 1 @ 13mm
5/03/09:
Left: 3 Follicles; 2 @ 15.5mm, 1 @ 12.5mm
Right: 3 Follicles; 1 @ 16.5mm, 1 @ 13.5mm, 1 @ 11mm
5/05/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; 1 @ 21mm, 1 @ 18mm
Right: 3 Follicles; 1 @ 21mm, 2 @ 15mm
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Blood work & Ultrasound: Estradiol levels & Follicle count, 5/03/09
Today we went back in for a recheck of the good ole' follies. The doc found another one on the right side which is great news. He wants them to cook a little bit longer so it does look like the egg retrieval will be delayed to Thursday of next week.
Here are my cumulative results:
Estradiol (E2):
4/23/09 baseline Estradiol (E2) – 31 pg/ml (picograms/milliliter)
4/29/09 first Estradiol (E2) – 281 pg/ml
5/01/09 second Estradiol (E2) - 528 pg/ml
5/03/09 second Estradiol (E2) - 1278 pg/ml
Follicles:
5/01/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; One is 14mm, one is 11mm
Right: 3 Follicles; One is 9mm, one is 10.5mm, one is 13mm
5/03/09:
Left: 3 Follicles; Two at 15.5mm, one is 12.5mm
Right: 3 Follicles; One is 16.5mm, one is 13.5mm, one is 11mm
Our next appointment is on Tuesday where they'll recheck both blood work and follicle count. We'll post again then.
Here are my cumulative results:
Estradiol (E2):
4/23/09 baseline Estradiol (E2) – 31 pg/ml (picograms/milliliter)
4/29/09 first Estradiol (E2) – 281 pg/ml
5/01/09 second Estradiol (E2) - 528 pg/ml
5/03/09 second Estradiol (E2) - 1278 pg/ml
Follicles:
5/01/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; One is 14mm, one is 11mm
Right: 3 Follicles; One is 9mm, one is 10.5mm, one is 13mm
5/03/09:
Left: 3 Follicles; Two at 15.5mm, one is 12.5mm
Right: 3 Follicles; One is 16.5mm, one is 13.5mm, one is 11mm
Our next appointment is on Tuesday where they'll recheck both blood work and follicle count. We'll post again then.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Blood work & Ultrasound: Estradiol levels & Follicle count, 5/01/09
A bit of a setback today. My Estradiol levels are too low and I don't have as many follicles as they expected me to have at this point. Starting tonight the gonal-f dosage will increase from 300u to 375u & we will go back on Sunday for another blood test and ultrasound.
Here are my cumulative results:
Estradiol (E2):
4/23/09 baseline Estradiol (E2) – 31 pg/ml (picograms/milliliter)
4/29/09 first Estradiol (E2) – 281 pg/ml
5/01/09 second Estradiol (E2) - 528 pg/ml
Follicles:
5/01/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; One is 14mm, one is 11mm
Right: 3 Follicles; One is 9mm, one is 10.5mm, one is 13mm
Bleek, egg retrieval will probably be postponed a day to allow the new follicles to grow a bit longer.
We'll post again on Sunday, please send us your good thoughts.
Here are my cumulative results:
Estradiol (E2):
4/23/09 baseline Estradiol (E2) – 31 pg/ml (picograms/milliliter)
4/29/09 first Estradiol (E2) – 281 pg/ml
5/01/09 second Estradiol (E2) - 528 pg/ml
Follicles:
5/01/09:
Left: 2 Follicles; One is 14mm, one is 11mm
Right: 3 Follicles; One is 9mm, one is 10.5mm, one is 13mm
Bleek, egg retrieval will probably be postponed a day to allow the new follicles to grow a bit longer.
We'll post again on Sunday, please send us your good thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
