Oh We Pregnant, Pregnant….
It’s been a week since I officially found out and wow this has been a world wind of emotions, excitement, discomfort, and reading.
First let me just say, I’ve stopped trying to figure out how far along I am or when the due date might be. It’s absolutely so confusing because they go by the first date of you last period. Since the initial beta blood work which HCG was 160, I’ve had 2 other beta blood work which HCG was 470 and 3943. Next up is the first OB ultrasound
Early pregnancy symptoms are real. I have experienced exhaustion, cravings for pizza, and way too much nausea for one person. Nausea often first thing in the morning and late at night. I have also had extremely tender breasts, which became a major problem because I am a stomach sleeper 🤦🏾♀️. I broke down to purchase a pregnancy pillow to hopefully make side sleeping easier. I 100% recommend this pillow and while it is the best purchase ever, I now have to figure out how to side sleep without my arm going numb.
I initially tried to not let myself get excited and allow those around me to hold all the excitement. But someone told me, just because you don’t allow yourself to get excited doesn’t mean it will hurt any less if something happens. And that is so true, so moving forward I am going to enjoy every moment of it. I’ve waited a lifetime for this and we are just getting started!
Cautiously Optimistic
Well it looks like IUI #2 worked. Even though the science doesn’t back it up, I guess there is something to those old wives tales 🤔.
The few persons I told are ecstatic but I am definitely holding back excitement. I will allow them to be excited for the both of us. Now don’t get me wrong, I have prayed, fasted, and dreamed about this for a long time. So of course I find myself grateful and happy. But there is this gut feeling that wants to get through the follow up blood test later this week and honestly the first trimester.
Its been a long road coming, so I think more than anything I will allow myself to be in the moment, celebrate a little, and enjoy each day. One step closer to Gods promise and a dream fulfilled!
IUI #2
Numbers definitely looking better this time around. Vial sample had 38mil motility. As of Saturday, follicle sizes were 23.4, 19.7, and 16.2. Of course there’s a risk of multiples but I’m willing to take that chance! The lining was still low but i started estrogen after day 10 monitoing. We are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at this one. In addition to being medicated, I’ve been taking the shot of pomegranate juice leading up to IUI and will now start the pineapple core and brazil nuts. For the record can I just say YUCK but whatever it takes 😂🤣😂
#StickyThoughts #BabyDust
Not Pregnant
Here’s the thing, everything about the first IUI cycle was a mess! Follicle size much smaller than they wanted, lining numbers much lower than they wanted, and donor sperm less motile than expected. So I had very little hope that I was pregnant. Basically I have called it a very expensive trial run!!
But I have come to terms with that and shifted my focus earlier this week, to put all my positive energy towards this cycle and IUI #2. I’m throwing everything into this one… Picked a new donor that I’m confident in, doing all the old wives tales (pomegranate juice (😝yuck), pineapple core, Brazil nuts, vitamin E and omega c3). My treatment team is finally on the same page, so we are doing a medicated cycle with Clomid, Progesterone, and Ovidrel (or trigger shot).
Although my period started 2 days earlier, which threw me into a frenzy and the process off a little… I feel much more confident going into this cycle and have activated the prayer warriors 🙏🏾. I speak pregnancy into life this time around
TWW….
This TWW or Two Week Wait period is hard. I have tried to keep my mind occupied on other things in an effort to not think about it. And unfortunately, this timeframe came during the week that I was off from work. I realize that I did not plan this very well. So I have found it incredibly hard, especially when you are conflicted with so many emotions and acting as if you’re pregnant. I find that everything I do I am consumed with the thoughts of being pregnant, often searching thousands of thing on Google related to this timeframe and/or being pregnant. Questions like: what position should I sleep in, what foods are good or which ones can I not eat, limiting heavy lifting, wondering if I can have caffeine, what should my exercise look like, and is this cramping normal.
I have fought off the urge to take a pregnancy test and didn’t initially buy any for this reason. In my mind I have told myself, as long as I don’t know the results, I can act as if I am pregnant and be excited about the possibility alone. But the minute I test and see the negative result, that will become my reality. And I don’t know if my emotions, my mind, my heart, or my feelings can handle it…
To add to my complications of the TWW, I will have to entertain choosing another donor due to motility results from the 2 vials I previously purchased. The motility for the 2 vials didn’t even add up to the guarantee rates of one vial and the fertility doctor believes it is a donor issue. So although I want to act as if this IUI worked, I have to also be realistic that if it didn’t work, I need to complete the process necessary to genetically review and purchase a new sperm donor for a July cycle. There is way too much to this process that I never even considered I would be addressing!
Post IUI Fries
Late post: but if you know, you know!!! According to an old wives tale, you are supposed to eat french fries after an IUI to help make the baby stick. Don’t know if it works but it was a great excuse to eat some Chick-Fil-A 🙂
STICK BABY STICK!!!
Insemination Day
Ovulation
I went in for Day 10 monitoring today. In anticipation of hearing the date for my IUI but instead was told that I have a 13.5 sized egg on the left and it hasn’t gotten to its mature state. Back to daily testing and coming in for another monitoring appointment on Tuesday.
Ovulation is the part of your menstrual cycle when the egg is released from your ovary and typically happens between day 11-14. Once the egg is mature, your body releases a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), triggering the egg’s release. Not everyone experiences symptoms with ovulation or pays that close attention like me. Although the most accurate method to determine ovulation is with an ultrasound and hormonal blood tests in a doctors office, I have also taken this process into my own hands. So in all the spare time I have, I’ve researched and learned some other methods to track it. These days, the ovulation tracking consumes my morning routine each day.
Basal body temperature (BBT) charting– this involves taking your temperature with a basal thermometer throughout your entire cycle to have a record of its changes from baseline. This should be done each morning. Ovulation is said to be confirmed after your temperature has stayed elevated from your baseline for 3 days.
Ovulation predictor kits (OPK)– these kits are usually over the counter and detect the presence of LH in your urine. You are able to gauge ovulation when the result line is as dark or darker than the control line. Or if you’re like me, you need the visuals of the circle, flashing smiley face, or solid smiley face.
We Really Doing This
- After months of thinking about it and trying to figure out if this was what I really wanted to do
- Finally deciding to make the brave choice to call Shady Grove
- Going through months of fertility testing to identify options available
- Agonizing over donor choices, genetics, fertility treatments and more
- Starting new routines to help prepare my body
- Fighting with insurance companies and applying for discount programs
- And going back and forth with my treatment team about medicated vs unmedicated…
… It is finally here. The period cycle that could change it all! Day one started yesterday June 11 and I scheduled my day 10 ovulation check up for June 20. Donor sperm has officially been shipped and on its way to the clinic. The results from this check up will decide the insemination day for that week. I’m trying to manage and balance my emotions where I find a hint of excitement with the possibility disappointment. Praying I have a unicorn experience and get pregnant on the first try (because lets face it, this isn’t cheap).
IUI loading…
Sure I’ll Try It
The past few weeks, has been filled with me trying several techniques that fellow SMC’s suggested. I was hesitant to get caught up in all the superstitions and techniques but the closer I get to my next cycle the more I find myself doing things to increase my success.
First is acupuncture– Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body which reside on channels or meridians; these are pathways in both the exterior and interior of the body. These points, when needled, can regulate the way in which the body functions. According to several studies and medical research, acupuncture can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system.
Second is castor oil pack– Castor oil promotes healing in the body by increasing lymphatic circulation, enhancing immune function, reducing inflammation, stimulating liver function, and enhancing your body’s natural detoxification process. For this process, you soak a flannel cloth in castor oil, apply it to your skin in the abdomen area, and place a heating pad on top. The goal is lay flat and invite calmness for at least 1 hour. Some say to meditate during this time or picture yourself getting pregnant. The process should be repeated daily or in regular cycle like 3 days week/for 3 weeks.
I have considered Lady Mantle and Red Clover but haven’t taken the plunge yet. Red clover is one of the most popular fertility remedies. High in vitamins, calcium, and magnesium, red clover helps to nourish the uterus and relax the nervous system, enabling conception. And lady Mantle is a herb that assists in building up the uterine lining and regulating menstruation.