Uncharted Territory!

So as of today we are officially further along than ever before. We have passed the six week mark and the point where I miscarried the other time. So that feels like a milestone to us. At this point no news is good news and we are just waiting anxiously for the ultrasound that is still a week and a half away.

I do think I'm starting to feel a few symptoms (and that its not just all the hormones I'm still injecting) but because of the pregnancy. I've had sore breasts and dry mouth for over a week and in the past few days I've started feeling what is probably morning sickness. At first I wasn't sure if it was anything, but its been a few days now. There is definitely no running to the bathroom to throw up like in the movies, but just a sort of off and queasy feeling from time to time, especially when its been awhile since I've eaten. Its hard to define, but Cecilia described it pretty closely as feeling like a mild hangover. While of course that is unpleasant, its reassuring to be feeling something during this two week period with no numbers or other confirmation that things are still going well!

Still Growing!

I had my fourth blood test today and my HCG is up to 3415, so nearly four times what it was on Friday! So that is great news. Now we wait over two weeks until the ultrasound on the 7th. Its going to be hard not having any new information for that long!

I had a lot of cramps over the week-end, but according to the internet that is normal at 5 weeks because this is when the placenta is forming and the uterus is starting to stretch. Also my nurse said today that I should drink more water because dehydration can cause cramping (and it has been nearly 100 degrees for well over a week so its likely I'm not drinking enough).

So we are feeling positive, but as always cautious, my HCG levels got all the way up to 13,000 the other time and I still miscarried, so despite the continuing good news, I don't feel in the clear yet!

Small Garden Projects

This picture of the yard is actually from a few weeks ago, but I didn't get around to posting it with all the other updates. We finally got some plants in the little area we created along the path to the fire pit as well as in some planter boxes around the chairs. We choose plants that claimed to be mosquito repellant (marigolds, mint, lemon balm, and lavender), but they don't seem to be helping in that regard. They look nice though!

Tripled again!

My HCG level today was up to 859, so it is nearly three times what it was on Monday so increasing at a very good rate! 

And my progesterone has come up to 22.3 without increasing the dose, so that is good. I did change compounds so maybe I'm absorbing it better dissolved in sesame oil instead of in ethyl oleate. And the oil is much cheaper so its all around good news.

Next HCG test on Monday and ultrasound scheduled for July 7!

Hanging in there

My HCG beta test today was 288 - which is more than double what it was on Friday, which is what they want to see to demonstrate normal growth. So that means so far I'm still pregnant!

The number is still lower than average (which is 400 for 12 days past transfer), and way lower than my own values last time I was briefly pregnant (which was at 700 on day 12), but the nurse said growth rate is a way more important indicator of viability than absolute value. So that is good news and we are trying to stay positive and confident.

My progesterone was even lower today than on Friday, but the nurse seemed less concerned and didn't think I need to increase my injection dosage. And my TSH level (something related to the thyroid) has only come down a little despite six weeks of medication, so I'll continue with that.

Confirmation!

The blood test this morning confirmed that I am pregnant. Yay!

We were a little disappointed that my HCG level was only 95 though, which is low even for an early test nine days after the transfer. I go again on Monday to test again though, and all that matters is that that number continues to increase.

On Monday they will also retest my progesterone, which was a little low today, which is hard to believe as I am taking daily progesterone injections. Dr. Teaff will decide Monday whether to increase my dose. They will also retest my thyroid on Monday as well as give me another interlipid infusion.

Early Positive !

We were feeling impatient and confident yesterday morning so decided to go ahead and try a home pregnancy test, even though it was a little early. And it was positive! I did it again this morning and it was positive again! Yay!

Needless to say we are super excited and hopeful it/they will hang in there this time. I talked to the nurse and she said I could come in for the blood test on Friday instead of waiting until Monday when it was originally scheduled. I'll still go in on Monday because they want to keep checking how the numbers rise, but assuming all continues well, at lease we will have official doctor confirmation before the week-end!

Milada Update

Nothing to report yet regarding me, we are just waiting impatiently until next week end when we can do a home test, but while we wait, here is an update on Milada's activities.

She recently got a new haircut, also fresh for summer. Here she is ready to head out for dinner with a friend, which she does frequently. Below is a picture (I stole from facebook) of her out with two of her closest friends - Bosa and Armina.

She spends a little time each day in the garden. The rose bush she planted last year has bloomed like crazy this year, and she added a whole line of new ones this spring so I can't wait to see this wall of roses once it really takes off. She also planted some other things in the corner she worked on last year and they are starting to come up as well as some that have returned.

And of course she stills goes to English classes a couple days a week at the community college. Every month or so the sections switch up. Last month she had her favorite instructor so far - a young woman with a lot of energy who really focused on conversation and group activities. This month its back to the more normal method where everyone spends a lot of time working individually on computer activities.  But she is learning a lot in every course - on the fridge we have her latest dictation test - on which she got a 100%!

Transfer Day !

Everything seemed to go fine today for the transfer. We arrived at REACH at about 1:30 and got all checked in and I took my valium. 

They put us in a waiting area where we were both prepped for the OR. Dr. Teaff came in and talked to us for a while and I had a list of questions for her about various medications and other things. We waited a bit and then headed in for the transfer.

 Both embryos were still looking good. We talked to the lab tech who checked on them at 7:00, 11:00, and right before the transfer and said each time they had grown. Now they are at about 100 cells and have begun to differentiate between cell types. This picture was taken at 11:00, but by the time of the transfer one had moved into the borderline blast stage, which is good. Everyone was real optimistic and we are being hopefully that this is finally it.

Afterwards they had me lay there and rest for half an hour and then sent us home. While we waited we took our first family photo! Now the real wait begins - 12 days until the blood pregnancy test.

Embryo update

Both embryos are looking strong today, each with 8 cells, which is what they hope to see on day 3. The lab tech who called said no promises (she has seen everything), but probably both will keep growing and be viable on Wednesday for the transfer.