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.