Three days post egg retrieval... IVF #2

Well, it really started to hit me yesterday. My stomach was in so much pain. It hurt to walk, just like I remembered last time. It isn't that I feel cramps at all, but my stomach feels bloated! It feels like gas pains, but is likely just water. Although I'm already down five pounds since egg retrieval! I was also SUPER constipated so I had the hubs go and get me some Milk of Magnesia and wow, do I feel better today! That stuff really works. Pain meds and anesthesia really does a number on your system.

The day after ER I was feeling so good that I kind of talked my dr into doing the transfer on Tuesday! However, he is having me text him a report of how I'm doing each morning. I am honestly a little scared to do the transfer now after reading some horror stories about OHSS on google. Ugh! I'm not sure what to do, and I'm praying for some clarity!

I did get a report on my eggs 1 day post ER... Seven out of seven eggs fertilized and we have 28 unfertilized eggs in the freezer! Wow! I guess I did harvest a good batch!

I won't get another update until Monday or Tuesday, likely. I guess they just let them do their thing since we are planning on a five day transfer. No news is good news for us!

I'm a little nervous about all seven fertilizing, but it is definitely better than last time where ZERO fertilized! Prior to doing this, I was told that when ICSI is preformed, about 50%-70% will fertilize. I'm a little shocked with 100%. I'm praying for just one or two to make it. We want just enough.

I will hopefully have more updates soon!

No IVF Is Alike... IVF #2

Sorry I've been MIA. My computer crashed a few days ago and I had to drop it off at the Mac store. The same part keeps going bad on it, but it's under warranty so I keep getting if fixed. Very frustrating.  I'm typing this on my IPad ;)

I have so much to catch up on, but I'm going to keep this post quick... I had my egg retrieval TODAY!  I got pushed back a day bc my follicles needed an extra day of growth. I have good new and bad news...

The good news... They retrieved 36 eggs from me today! I honestly don't remember being so uncomfortable as the last few days prior to ER. My stomach was so full and bloated, my kidneys even ached when I had to pee, which was quite often. I would have to grip the bathroom counter to help with the pain.

More good news, ER did not hurt as much! I feel quite well and I have two little blessings that wanted to cuddle with mommy in bed :) I'm feeling very thankful and blessed!

The bad news... I over stimulated :( they don't want your estrogen over 4000 and mine was about 4,300. I'm so bummed!  It isn't safe for me to get pregnant so we  are planning to freeze what we get and do a FET  after I recover. Boo! I'm bummed but trying to look at the bright side. I don't want to get sick and end in the hospital when I have two littles to care for.

Our plan now, praying for some really good news in he morning since we ICSI'd SEVEN eggs this time immediately. Freezing any other mature eggs right away too! I can't wait to get the call in the morning. PRAYING!

Thank you for checking in Amanda! I'm alive!

We're almost there... IVF#2

A few days ago my tummy started getting that full, don't touch me feeling.  I totally DID NOT remember how uncomfortable growing eggs is... and I do grow A LOT of eggs!  A few days ago I reread my last IVF experience and I had forgotten so much!  I explain how I am feeling so well here for IVF #1.

IVF#1 I had 29, and it looks as if I will be right back up there.  My stomach is bloated (not cute), and I can't handle any pressure, which mostly comes from my twins who want to jump, sit, and wiggle on me. My tummy is off limits!

I went in for a check yesterday and my follicles were measuring 13-15mm, we want them at 18mm before we trigger with HCG.  It is looking like ER is going to be Wednesday, which means I will be triggering tomorrow night! Eeeeek!  Fingers crossed we reach 18 tomorrow... it feels like we are here today!  I can't handle much more growth! LOL!

Thanksgiving was great.  We spent the day at my parents.  Very relaxing and so nice to be able to spend time with my family.  I hope you all had a beautiful holiday!

Here we GROW again... IVF #2

I started my Stims three days ago (three shots/day!) and I went in for my CD3 blood work today.  Everything is looking good... except my poor tummy that is covered in bruises.

Here is my current schedule...

I'm down to 5 units of Lupron in the morning.  Lupron  is super easy, no pain.  The Menpur (pictured above) is a bit of a pain because I have to mix the liquid with the powder, which makes it thicker and harder to inject.  I push a little in at a time, other wise it burns.  I also rub it for a bit after or it feels like it balls up under my skin.  The Gonel-F is a pen and is super simple and I take that one in the evening. I go back for blood work and ultrasound Wednesday to check my follicles... I can't believe we are already here!  Next week is ER and it will be here before I know it!

The menapur

The needles are not big, but are big enough to bruise my tummy!

Along with all my IVF meds here is what I am doing naturally to improve our success...

1. Taking Pregnitude 2x a day
2. Prenatals
3. CoQ10 - Chris and I are BOTH taking this
4. Daily exercise
5. Clean diet
6. Baby aspirin (per my Dr.)
7. No alcohol - Neither Chris or myself
8. Shakeology everyday - major superfood supplement shake we LOVE
9. Trusting the Lord.  I feel peace.  I have invited the Lord to be part of this and want His perfect will for our family.
10. Fermented Fish oil, Kombucha - boosting my immune system so I stay healthy during this process (we do not believe in Flu Vaccines)

More updates to come!  And thank you for checking out my blog all of you! :D

IVF #2 is Officially Underway!

I started my period on CD41.  I was so frustrated it took so long, but I was just getting back on track with my natural supplements so everything was a bit out of whack.

CD3 I went in for my baseline... blood work, ultrasound, and consult.  C also came to get his bloodworm and drop off a sample for the SA.  We brought the boys with us as well and made it a family trip ;-)  They didn't come back with my for the U/S and had a total meltdown instead.

We aren't telling any of our family about moving forward with IVF, just like last time.  It is going to be a bit more challenging with appointments and a set a twins, but we will make it work.

Why aren't we telling anyone?  We don't want opinions.  Its no one else's business.  We prayed about moving forward with IVF for a long time, just like we did last time.  IVF is such a personal choice and one that people can have very strong views about.  We love our family.  My mom is my best friend and would totally support us as well, but it is still fun to keep somethings private... and hopefully be able to share a miracle surprise!

When I need reassurance, I seek the Lord.  When I struggle, he give me strength.  When I pray, he guides my steps and answers me. I truly feel calm about this IVF, as I did last time.  I trust the Lord and know that what ever happens, it is in his plan for us.  That is so comforting.

The Results

Chris's SA : 40 mil, great motility, but only 2% morphology!  

We didn't wait the full 48 hours (36 hours) of abstinence and he had a little trouble completing the task, so to speak.  As for the morphology, it is no wonder we aren't getting pregnant!  His sperm cannot penetrate my eggs so we are moving forward with ICSI again :)

Sara's: All my numbers were exactly were they were supposed to be!  I can't remember the exact numbers, but my FSH and Estrogen meant I am still fertile (here's hoping!)  The first u/s I did over 5 years ago to check my ovaries, I had about 40-50 tiny cyst on each one!  This time, only 8-10!  How amazing!  Natural medicine and clean eating does really work!  

So Now What?

I started my BCP's.  After being drug and hormone free for four years now, let me just say, my body did NOT like this.  I started the pills (2/day for three days) on CD3.  I had a head ache (and I have one right now!) and was extremely exhausted for a week!  I was taking naps when my boys napped, like 2-3 hours a day!  My body is hating me :(

I go in Tuesday for my hysteroscopy (no fun!) to check my uterus for any changes, especially since I had given birth to twins, had a c-section, and two surgeries to remove my uterine septum.  He is also doing my trial transfer. 

We are on full steam ahead!  Its all happening so fast! Last time, things couldn't move fast enough, now, its going to be here before we know it!  

I start Lupron on the 12th and Stims on the 22, and a tentative Egg Retrieval on the 5th. Eeek!  I just received my GIANT box of meds today.  It is so crazy!  

I'm ready.

Lets do this!

Still waiting...

So frustrating.  You are finally ready to go ahead with it and I'm still waiting to start my period.  CD35 and no sign....

In the mean time, I am doing the 21 day FIX!  I am getting my body ready to get pregnant (God willing).  I gained 10 lbs last year while healing my body from anemia (thank you PCOS) and adrenal fatigue.  I've been working out with the P90x3 consistently since May and I really LOVE it.  But the FIX is really helping me with my portions.   I'm day 8 on the fix and I can already tell a difference in my waist!  Be sure to follow me on my FACEBOOK PAGE where I am posting meals and other health info :)

Here we go again...

Looks like we are moving on for baby #3! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!  It is shocking really and hasn't totally set in!  I mean... I can't believe we are going to do this all over again!  But, I'm also very excited!

Really, we were both hoping and praying for a magical little miracle to happen. But it didn't.

Our appointment was Sept. 26.  I was anxious.  I wasn't sure how it was going to go.  Chris wasn't 100% he wanted to go through it again.  We had concerns.

I walked into the RE's office and my eyes started tearing up!  The nurse looked one look at me and remember me immediately! Its been FOUR YEARS since I walked out of there, also with tears in my eyes (happy tears of course!).  We made it full circle.

Dr. R is amazing, honestly.  He gave me a big hug and was excited to see how Rocco and Maximus were doing.  We all chatted for a bit casually.  Then came the questions.

We were concerned about embryo's in particular.  Lets recap... Last time, I made 29 eggs and I was on the lowest dose of medicine apparently.  I DO NOT want 29 embryos.  I honestly have a tough time making more than we need.  He suggested to ICSI 8 of them and we would likely get 2 blasts.  That seems like a lot to me still.  I suggested 6, and he agreed that would suffice.  We would then freeze any extra eggs, incase it doesn't work, so I would at least not have to go through the entire IVF process again with egg retrieval.

Has anyone done this?  I literally had a nightmare last night that we had all of our ICSI'd eggs become perfect blasts.  I do not think I could live with myself.  I could not have all of these babies.  I could not live knowing that I had kids growing up somewhere with another family near by (if we adopted them out), and I do not think I could destroy them!  What to do?!  I guess I'm still really torn on the number.

We have a little time to figure it out, pray, pray, pray, and TRUST God will guide us into the best outcome!

Right now I'm in the waiting phase... currently in the middle of my cycle.  I have to wait to start my period and then start the BCP's. We have a little time to figure it out again.

Thoughts welcome!

I thought I would share this picture I took of my twins today.  They are truly best buddies... and are asking for a little brother or sister! We are praying!!!