It's Ziploc Time...

So today marks that I'm officially 5 weeks pregnant! Up until this morning I've only had a few bouts of nausea and a growing list of food aversions...but full on morning sickness has not been an issue.  Until today...womp womp.

It's crazy how suddenly being sick and the feeling of morning sickness can immediately bring back all the memories from years ago, like it was yesterday!

I'm not sure if it was because I forgot to take my prenatal vitamins last night and instead took them this morning on an empty stomach?  Probably.  

But holy moly once I was completely ready it took me lying under a fan and a whole lot of self talk to be able to leave the house about thirty minutes later, Ziploc in hand of course 🤣.

I learned this trick when I was working and preggers with Brooklyn that the throwing up wasn't going to stop if I stayed home, but throwing up in a confined space and continuing to smell it wasn't a good option either.  So I tested a big ziploc on my way out the door and it's been my go to ever since!

Luckily I was able to get to work without using it...but now I have a backup in each car, just in case🤣🤢.  I started to feel a little better around 11am and the rest of the day I felt pretty good🥳😁.  So here's to hoping it was just badly timed vitamin consumption 🤞🏼❤️!

High HGC = Happy Pregnancy

Hopefully today will be my final HCG check🤞🏼!  I've had a total of three so far.  Saturday, was my 10dpt beta check at 146.8, Monday was 12dpt check at 408.4, and today needs to be at least 817.  As long as these number keep doubling, it means the pregnancy is doing well and embryo(s) are embedding nicely into my uterus ❤️🤞🏼

I arrived for my appointment s few minutes early, but ended up waiting for about 20 minutes before they called me back.  It was a different phlebotomist than the most recent two...it was the gal that gave me huge bruises last month😣.  Bumma!  I was not optimistic that having either of my arms stabbed for the second time in a few days was not gonna leave a mark😜😂.  She did not disappoint😐.

My lovely blood donating souvenirs😂

Today was no different than either of the last two, other than this time, I didn't contact their office first.  Around 4pm, I got a phone call, the nurse on the line said she had good news, my HCG level jumped to 982.7 and that my numbers are looking great!  She said since these numbers have been continuing to more than double, they are going to discontinue HCG checks 🥳😅

Next step in the process will be an ultrasound, which she scheduled, for next Wednesday, which will be my 5 week, 5 day mark!  (Only a week away from finding out how many little ones I'm hosting!)

She asked if I had any questions and I told her that my primary questions were related to what the next steps were.  Will there be more ultrasounds?  Does my medication protocol change at all?  When will I need to look for an OB?

She relayed that my medication protocol will stay the same: levothyroxine, estrogen, and PIO shots until 12 weeks of gestation.  Basically my entire first trimester.

There would be one more ultrasound, after next weeks ultrasound. Typically taken at 7 weeks, 5 days and once that's completed, I basically graduate to a regular OB.  She said most women have their own OBs by 8 weeks!  (Holy smokes time flies!  That's in 3 weeks😮😁!) I thanked her for the updates and immediately shared the results with my husband and my sister and brother in law.

We are relieved and excited that the pregnancy is going well so far❤️🙏🏼🥰 and looking forward to finding out how many little ones are in there😜🥰🥳!  

On a personal note, I'm feeling pretty good in general!  Not super nauseated... mostly still just food aversions.  My "NO" foods have increased to include:  fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, potato chips, buttered popcorn, and sometimes chocolate 🤷🏼‍♀️🥲.  So, not horrible.  My love of pizza, sandwiches, and Mexican food have all remained in tact and the same so far ❤️🥰.  

The biggest win is I've not had any more headaches since the first few days! 🥳. So praying that continues!🙏🏼🤞🏼

Well I'm 4 weeks, 5 days and this week the embryo(s) are the size of a poppy seed.  In a few days it/they will be the size of a sesame seed!  How's that for growth😁🥳

Size of growth between 4weeks and 5weeks

Second Date Update...

So it's been a whole two days since my beta HCG count, which was taken on day 10dpt.  I surpassed my expectation of having a level in the 80s with a 146.8 result!  The clinic said those were great first numbers and scheduled me for a second blood draw today.  

Today is 12dpt and for it to be considered a healthy pregnancy, we are looking for the HCG levels from Saturday, to at least double.  So I'm hoping for a solid 300🤞🏼.

My appointment was at 10:45...it was the same phlebotomist from Saturday, who remembered me and my veins😂.  She greets me and immediately says okay which one are we going with today?  I decide we better do the right one, since my left was stabbed on Saturday.  She says okay, it will be quick since your veins are awesome.  (I'm so glad I can be accommodating😜). She did her thing, a quick 2 minutes and I was done. 

I didn't have a solid breakfast this morning, so I decided grabbing some In-N-Out was in order for lunch.  I ordered my usual grilled cheese with no tomato, add raw chopped onion, and sub ketchup and mustard instead of the spread...with some light well fries.  (Fries have to be crunchy or its over🤪!)

Everything comes out great, my grilled cheese completely hits the spot and I take one bite of a fry and it's a no.  I didn't feel nauseous, it was just...nope.  😂 Hated wasting food, but I was by myself and there was no way they were going to be consumed.  😐 Can't really explain it but I remember having an aversion to french fries when I was pregnant with my first child, Brooklyn also.  

So not sure if this is going to be a permanent thing... because with Brooklyn, it was the entire 9 months.  I remember the smell of McDonald's french fries would make me ill.  😭🤢  I can do without the nausea...so if this is all I get, it's going to be a breeze! 🤞🏼😁🙏🏼

No call by 4pm, so I message the clinic...like I had to on Saturday.  (Ugh.)  I ask if my levels have been received yet...33 minutes later the clinic calls me. The woman on the phone lets me know that my levels came back at 408.4!  She said that is really good and she would like to schedule me for a third HCG test on Wednesday at 9AM.  

I end the call and then notice that while I was on the phone, I also received a message from the clinic telling me about my HCG levels and scheduling me for an 11:15 draw.  

Yay for a great HCG result...Boo for being scheduled for two appointments 😂

In either case here's where we are:

10dpt HCG-146.8

12dpt HCG-408.4

14dpt HCG... TBD 9/27 AM (Hoping at least 850🤞🏼🙏🏼)

I'm considered 4 weeks 3 days pregnant today, even though it's only been 12 days technically.  We still don't know if both babies stuck or if it's only one. HCG isn't telling that way unfortunately.  (From what I read, at around 5w5d they will schedule an ultrasound, which should tell us how many tenants I have growing, but nothing has been scheduled yet...perhaps after this next blood draw on Wednesday?🤞🏼)

The baby or babies seem to be getting comfortable and liking the "womb" so far😁🥳! (The last 6 tenants had to be evicted by induction...so I'm hopeful that the little one or ones in there now, end up feeling the same!) I'm still on levothyroxine once a day, two tabs of estrogen, three times daily, and my evening PIO shots.  

My tooshie has become pretty numb on both sides, which kind of makes it easier for me.  I can't really feel the shot or the oil as it's injected.  I don't think it makes it easier on Phil unfortunately, who still feels bad before and after every shot.🥲 The shots will continue until I'm about 12 weeks gestation, from what I understand.  So...we have about 8 weeks to go! 🥲😜🥳

For "Beta"...or Worse

Although, I've been testing positive daily this week with HPTs (Home Pregnancy Tests)...and it's been exciting to watch the line become darker and darker, I really have no idea what my Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) level is or has been🤷🏼‍♀️?! 

Monday-Friday's results

As someone who's experienced several non-IVF pregnancies this focus on HCG levels is completely new to me!  Typically it only takes one of these tests and an appointment with an OB.  I never knew what my HCG levels were with any of my previous pregnancies, or if that was something that was even tracked 🤷🏼‍♀️.  

So with IVF, it's the number they use to determine  the health of the pregnancy.  I've been reading a lot and from what I've found HCG levels vary from individual to individual and from pregnancy to pregnancy.  Some "singleton" babies have high HCG levels in the beginning and some twins have low HCG levels...so unfortunately there's no way of using that to determine whether both embryos have implanted or not.  The main thing is the higher the number, the better and that the numbers continue to atleast double every 48 hours.

Okay so now that you have all this HCG background...today marks the 10th day after transfer and is the day my HCG beta test has been scheduled for.  It's already starting off better than last time, because this time I already know the transfer was a success thanks to the HPTs...I'm just hoping my beta number is above 85 (which was a number another IVF patient said was her first Beta result with her twins). 😜 Hey, you have to start somewhere, right?!🤞🏼😘

My appointment was at 9:45am (I was shocked to find that the clinic was open on Saturday...but I guess fertility never really takes a break).  After a 25 minute wait, I was brought back for my blood draw.

It was painless this time (woo hoo) and super quick.  The phlebotomist told me she couldn't guarantee a time, but I would receive the results today by phone call.  She also warned me that they go in alphabetical order...and since I'm "W" I'll probably be near the end😂🥲.

On our way home, we had this beautiful view from a parking lot...is it a sign?😘❤️

Gilbert Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple 

Phil and I filled our day with furniture shopping and getting inspiration for our new home, with our kids and grandkids ❤️. 

Every trip is an adventure with a 2yr old 

My lovely new cart, that was used to push her new "Tiger Baby."  It's multifunctional! 😍

Okay, okay sorry back to the beta results...well it's now 4:45 and no call!  I assume they've all gone home for the day, but decide to message the clinic anyway to ask about my results...fully expecting not to receive a response until Monday. 😕 Jerks!  (At least for me, I took a test and am confident that I'm pregnant...but how many others didn't get a call?  Many might have followed directions and not even tested or maybe are waiting to see if their numbers have doubled to confirm they have a healthy pregnancy because they have struggled with failed pregnancies before!  I can't even imagine being super stressed and waiting for these results?!😭)

Sheesh...so of course I wanted to know my number...so I could compare to the one other twin momma that I know in my new "IVF friend" group, but Phil and I also had a wager on the results of course 🤣.  If my results are 84 or over, Phil owes me a 10 minute massage and if it's 62 or lower, I owe him a 10 minute back scratch.🤷🏼‍♀️🤞🏼 Clearly I don't want to be a loser!

Well a few minutes later, my phone buzzes and I see that I have a new message from the fertility clinic!

After an apology about not receiving a phone call she says...

(Text from the clinic showing my Beta HCG levels)

So the results are in...as of this morning, they were at 146.8 and the next goal is to have them double by next scheduled draw on Monday😃🤞🏼❤️

So here's to hoping the numbers keep increasing!!🤞🏼❤️ 

I Smell Hotdogs 🤢

Today is day 8, post transfer.  It's officially been over one week since the transfer of two embryos occured! 

My pregnancy results on the at home tests are becoming darker as the HCG continues to increase.  I've been using the 'First Response 6 days Sooner' which can detect HCG in quantities as little as 6.  Regular pregnancy tests aren't meant to be used for a few more weeks...when HCG levels have had a chance to really grow and their detection level is about 25.  I'm not quite sure how high my levels are yet or if I'm carrying twins, but hopefully this next week we will find out through a few blood tests that my levels are on track and doubling every 72 hours as they should be.

Gradually getting darker
(due to increasing HCG levels)

I had absolutely no headaches or feelings of nausea on Monday or Tuesday and most of yesterday...in the evening I began to get a headache, which made me kind of nauseous.  Nothing too terrible, just stopped me from eating or having any sweet snacks.  (Probably for the best 😜)

This morning I woke up with a mild headache and once I started blow drying my hair...the nausea hit me.  I started getting clammy and talking myself into not throwing up🤪.  

After cooling off under a fan, I was able to pull it together and grab an egg & cheese breakfast sandwich from Starbucks.  My favorite drink (strawberry acai refresher) has caffeine in it...which I'm trying to do my best to avoid...so water for me.  It hit the spot and other than my nagging headache I was off to work.

Shortly after I arrived, the smell of hot dogs started wafting in.  Which is weird because A. It's morning (who eats hot dogs for breakfast?) B. We don't have microwaves or food stored anywhere near my desk location?!

So my only deduction is someone had hotdogs or something similar for breakfast and now my go-go-gadget super sniffer is working in full force.🤢🥲

I texted my husband and I'm not sure what type of response I was looking for...but it definitely wasn't this! 😂🤣🤢😭(those who know him, won't be shocked)

🤢🤢🤢

So hoping the headache goes away soon and I'm praying no more hotdogs will be consumed for the next few months.😜😂

Am I Seeing Double??

So I tested Sunday night...3dp5t...and I saw a very faint line and so did a few of my kids, but it honestly could only be seen if you squinted really looked for it.  You can't see it on camera...so we will call it inconclusive 😛.

Sunday evening 4dp5t

Monday morning, 12 hours later I tested, and there's actually a line (albeit a very light one)!

Monday morning 5dp5t

So by comparison...Sunday evening inconclusive and too light to call and Monday morning just 12 hours later a line that can be seen with the camera!  It is still super early...in a regular cycle, I technically wouldn't have even missed a period yet!

There's a line on 5dpt! (May need to squint)😘

So today is Tuesday, which is 6dp5t.  I woke up and took another test and it's getting darker! (Picture below) I've read that depending on the amount of HCG is what makes it lighter or darker and that HCG doubles every 48 hours...so depending on when that doubling happens, tomorrow should be twice as dark as yesterday!  

So far no more headaches, feeling absolutely normal, other than knowing I have one... possible two babies growing inside me😃, which two, at the same time, is definitely a first!  Super excited to see what comes next.  Clearly very, very early.  We are talking less than a week since one or both have implanted!  

Still will share some facts for now.  I'm 3 weeks 4 days along currently and the due date is May 31st.  My babies have all been very large, so I've always been induced.  Excited to see what this pregnancy brings ❤️!

My 5dpt compared with my 6dpt...it's getting darker!

Post Transfer and Trip

After the transfer on Wednesday, I relaxed and finished some work from home (sitting at a desk) and prepared for our quick trip to Southern Utah.  

Thursday morning I woke up feeling a little achy and sore...primarily my pubic bone from having the ultrasound sound jammed into it for about 5 -10 minutes straight during the transfer.  Nothing much different than my last transfer in June.👍🏼

We ate breakfast and began on our 6.5 hour drive.  About an hour and a half in to the trip, I began getting a headache.  (I'm no stranger to migraines... unfortunately) Since I could be pregnant or becoming so very soon, the difference with this headache was I couldn't take anything for it.   Yuck!

My headaches typically turn from bad to worse if I don't intervene with some type of medication, (typically Excedrin) fast.  So I kept drinking water and tried to doze off and on (as comfortable as you can get in the passenger seat of a car)...without much help.  In true fashion it continued to get worse.  By the time we reached our destination...I felt so nauseous (headaches make me feel this way often) it took all I had to go to the pre-wedding festivities, we had traveled for! 😣

Luckily, I was able to lay down in the hotel bed for a few minutes before hopping back in the car and listening to several calming songs from M83 while enjoying the beautiful Utah scenery.  Although food sounded absolutely disgusting, it was one of those Cafe Rio style dinners (which I normally enjoy) so I made myself a small bowl of salad, skipping the rice and beans...and it actually hit the spot!  So glad.  It took the edge off and I was able to enjoy my time with our family and friends❤️

Friday morning was the wedding and although I don't remember having the headache in my sleep...I definitely woke up with one.  Womp, womp.  I was so bummed because last time I had the transfer, I didn't have any headaches until a week or so later.  

St. George Pizza Factory breadsticks 

My son and I... All dressed up❤️

We had some breakfast (an egg sandwich and hot cocoa) and I will say...while eating the egg sandwich, I started to notice some smells around and maybe from the sandwich ... I won't go into detail ..but started thinking that my "supersonic sniffer" was back in action.  IYKYK?!

The wedding was beautiful, it was in the Cedar City Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple, which was the perfect place for me to completely relax and enjoy the peaceful environment.  My headache seemed to subside while inside, (yay) so Phil and I ventured out and grabbed a bite at St. George Pizza Factory"...which should not be confused with the Arizona and California Pizza Factories!  Haha much different and we didn't enjoy the experience, but hey we got out and I ate some more salad 🤣👍🏼. Of course we had to balance our meh meal with something we knew would be great, so it was Subzero Ice Cream for the win!  Rocky Road of course is the way to go😘😊

After salad, breadsticks, and ice cream we hit the hotel and napped hard for about two whole hours before the reception which was being held in Pine Valley (another drive).  The reception was beautiful, the couple is adorable, and our friends are the best!

Saturday morning I wake up without a headache!  Woo hoo!  It's also a travel day home, so it was definitely a win for me 😃

I never get car sick and about halfway through the drive I began to get really nauseous and a headache started coming back ..but almost off and on.  I never get headaches off and on like that, so it made me think I might need a neck adjustment (dad needs to come for a visit 😘)?!

Anyway we arrived home, the headache didn't really get worse and let me tell you...this in and of itself is a huge miracle!  As long as I can remember, I've suffered from migraines...but they have particularly gotten worse after a car accident I was in, back in 2014.  My headaches all turn to migraines and they can last for days if I don't immediately take medication.  I can't remember the last time a headache ever went away, without taking medication?!  (Even if I go to sleep...I will wake up with it if I don't take medicine!) So miracles for the win!

Sunday, I just felt blah.  Don't know how else to explain it.  Wasn't really hungry, didn't have a headache (YAY) but just didn't feel good.  Almost like I was a little car sick still.  Weird.  It's too soon to be having symptoms, if I was pregnant... right?

My sister shared the embryo pictures (shared below) that were implanted with me and the differences between the last ones and these ones were huge!  It appears that both of these embryos were hatching already!  So with this knowledge...they could have implanted right away.  Typically, after transfer, they say it takes 24-72 hours for the embryo(s) to attach to the uterine wall.  There's a sheath that they need to shed before they can attach...which can take a bit to lose.  The embryos that were implanted in me were both considered 5 day embryos, which means they were grown for 5-8 days in a specialized, state of the art laboratory, then frozen, 6 or 7 years ago, before being thawed and transferred to me on Wednesday.  Isn't that amazing??  It's truly a miracle that any of this can even happen!! 🙏🏼💖

Embryos transferred 6/19/23

Embryos transferred 9/13/23

See how you can see them coming out of their shell or sheath?? So amazing!

So I'm off to buy some pregnancy tests...wish me luck🍀🤞🏼! It's still very early at 4 days post transfer, 5 day embryo aka "4dp5t" but let's see what happens 😊. 🙏🏼❤️

Today's the Day!

It's finally arrived, the second (and hopefully final) transfer day!  This time I didn't have acupuncture scheduled before hand, so I decided not to overfill my bladder, like last time.  I arrived 30 minutes early (as requested) and was pulled back for my blood draw and then put into a different room to change into my transfer gown, hat, and booties.

This time, being a little more experienced, I wore a dress.  So I would only have to remove my underwear prior to transfer, which was a lot quicker and I felt way more decent under my gown😛👍🏼

I actually had the gown backwards on accident...

Matching booties 😛

After slamming water for the next 20 minutes, it was finally time to go back.  Since I was not overly full this time, the walk was so much better...well everything really was!

This time it was our actual doctor performing the transfer, his bedside manner is just so much better.  He was talking the entire time, but not awkward, just the right amount.  He was able to find the location for the transfer so much quicker than the last doctor!  

Also no more Austin Powers yelling when they were ready!🤣 It was just a calm, "we are ready."  A woman came from behind the door carrying a thin tube and called out who the embryos belonged to (my sisters name) and then who they were being transfered in to (my name) then handed them to the doctor, who then put the tube into the catheter type tube he already had inserted and within a few seconds we could see the little white bubble in my uterus.  He said we will confirm both embryos are inside that bubble in a minute.

He gave the tube back to the woman who brought it, she went back through the door and within a few seconds she responded, "clear".  Which meant yes, no embryos were left in the tube, and both were in fact contained in that little air bubble on screen!

So crazy how amazing this whole process is.  You can take a frozen embryo, dethaw it, and place it in another human...and it has the possibility of growing into a human!

So after the quick procedure, I went back to a recovery room and experienced some acupuncture to help relieve stress and increase circulation.  

It takes approximately 24-72 hours for these little guys to implant🤞🏼...hoping this time it works!  I'm supposed to relax and take it easy for the rest of the day, so that's the plan.  I'm working from home the rest of the day and have a road trip planned to Southern Utah for a wedding tomorrow.  That should be relaxing, right? 😊 

Ultrasound, showing the little bubble with the embryos inside❤️