The 3 Hour Test...

I received an update Friday, a day after I took my initial 1 hr glucose from the lab providing my results.  The range is basically anything below 140, means not gestational diabetic (GD) anything above 190 means automatically GD.  I fell right at 160.  👎🥴 

I did some research and was hopeful that because I was still below 190, there is still a good possibility that I would be able to pass the 3 hr test.  I've only had to take it once before...and I remember it being pretty yucky.  Not just the whole being poked in each arm twice within hours, but having an empty stomach, then filling it with syrup🤢🤮.  At this point, rather than get too worked up about something I really can't change...I decided to just wait until I heard back from the doctor's office.  

4 days later, (Tuesday) the doctor's office called and my nurse let me know that I had failed the 1 hr test and would be required to come back in for the 3 hr test.  She let me know that I needed to come back in this week, no appointment necessary, but I would need to fast for 12 hours before (water was allowed) and be to the office by 8:30am.  

She said they would take my blood when I arrived, to get my fasting level.  Then they would give me 100ml 10oz glucose drink this time and draw my blood every 1 hour for 3 hours.  She let me know that if I failed two hours out of the three, I would be considered GD and would also begin to see a high risk specialist, in addition to Dr. F. 

She also let me know that my iron levels were at a 9.9 and she recommended that I begin taking iron supplements.

So now armed with this information I decided to find ways to increase my dietary fiber and my protein (since I don't eat meat).  

I found some food recipe for some smoothies, which I began making in the morning before work.  I put some almond milk, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, apples, banana, lime, spinach, protein powder, and flax seed.  I figured it had to be a little healthier than a handful of cereal😜.

I also started eating some Greek yogurt, with a handful of granola for lunch and some crackers and cheese and pistachios for snacks.  Probably too little too late...but I figure it can't hurt, right?!

Well...Friday arrived and I followed the protocol to a T.  Fasted, arrived, gave blood...4 times and stayed as optimistic as I could😃👍

The phlebotomist let me know I would get my results from the lab most likely on Monday, and let me know that if I failed two of the three or all three, I would have to go on "The Diet".  🤷🏼‍♀️🫤. 

The diet?  I'm not sure what that is...but for someone who lives primarily off of carbs, doesn't sound good!  I have known a few diabetics in my life, but not close enough to really understand what they have to do...and I think it's different when your diet just impacts you versus two little people's health that are also relying on your choices.

So, although I'm exhausted and feeling pretty crummy at the moment, I'm staying optimistic and positive that my body will do what it needs to do...and if I fail, because I check every box that makes me high risk (over 35, overweight, and carrying twins), then I will cross that bridge when I come to it🥴.

***Update Saturday afternoon I received the results from the lab.  I failed both the first and second hour tests. My blood sugar level didn't drop until before the third hour.  Soooo...I'm going to be considered GD, required to see a specialist, and will be be put on "The Diet".  I'm not sure what it will consist of but I'm choosing to stay positive.  I can do hard things, I already am going without foods I enjoy, so I'll just add a few more things to the list 🤷🏼‍♀️🥴.  It's only 3 more months.  I can do this...whatever it is.  So for now I'll wait until I get scheduled for an appointment where they can give me the exact details of what my new diet should consist of, instead of just speculating and expecting the worst. 🫤🥰

23rd Week...time for Glucose Testing

Welp, I survived my glucose test this morning!  Let's hope it comes back in the normal range 🤞🤞🥴.

Fruit Punch flavored...yumm🤮

Since I've been pregnant 6 times prior...I'm no stranger to these annoying, yet understandably necessary glucose tests.  With my others however, I remember them sending it home with you the appointment prior to save and drink from home on the morning of the test (since you have to be fasting) then come in and get your blood drawn.  Not anymore.  I guess the honor system is no longer honorable 😜🤷🏼‍♀️.

Anyway, when I arrived at my appointment the nurse gave me two options of glucose flavors.  Fruit punch or orange?  Knowing what I'm about to consume will taste nothing close to good...I go for the fruit punch.  She then shares that I need to drink the entire contents within 3 minutes and then once complete, I need to set a timer for 60 minutes on my phone to let me know when it was time to walk to the lab for my 1 hr glucose check.

Okay so once the drink goes down (surprisingly not as horrible as I anticipated) it's time to be called back for the ultrasound portion.

As you can guess these babies are moving around a ton in there, hyped up on that glucose syrup 😜! The ultrasound tech started with Baby A (girl)...she was active and kicking around the entire time.  She is in a head down position currently with her feet up top...and apparently from what we saw, kicking her brother (Baby B) in the head!  Poor babies, it looks so squishy in there!

Her heart rate was in the 140s which is lower than it has been in all previous ultrasounds, but the doctor assured us that it's still within the normal range and even though she only has a two vessel cord, her weight was measuring a little above average...at 1lb 4 oz.  

Here are some of her beauty shots below 👇:

Since she's head down and closest to my cervix, it's a lot harder to get a clear 3D photo...he also said she's so active, it makes it really hard for a clear picture!

Next was Baby B's (Boy) turn.  He is currently sitting in a breech position, feet down, head up.  Which now makes a lot of the movements and bumps I feel...make a lot more sense! 🤣

Baby B's heart rate was also in the 140s, he was very active in returning those kicks and jabs to his sister.  He is slightly bigger, weighing in at 1lb 6oz, which is also a little ahead of the average😊

Here are some of his handsome shots below 👇:

This last one you can see Baby A's feet in it!  It's amazing to see just how close they are and how they interact with each other.  Literally when one kicks you see the other move!  They are slowly running out of room, which makes me feel for these little guys!  I'm sure their growth will slow soon...but for now we are so happy that they are healthy and seemingly very happy so far!

As for me... Heartburn has surpasses headaches for the #1 source of pain spot. 😜 I've really had to start altering my diet to avoid onions, tomatoes, and any type of sour or spicy foods.  I've also made it so my larger meals are eaten earlier in the day.  It seems to help for the most part, but man..it can be brutal!

Other than food aversions to avoid heartburn, I really have been feeling a lot better overall!  I'm not too uncomfortable yet, but definitely bigger than a single pregnancy would be at this time.  

The doctor gave me an A+ rating for my pregnancy so far.  I've gained a total of 10lbs this pregnancy (3lbs this month) and my blood pressure is looking good at 128/82.  (Still high for me, but they seem to very happy with it!)

The doctor warned me that twins will give me an increased chance of not passing my glucose test...so to mentally prepare just in case. 🤞🤞 I'm really hoping I won't have to go through this again.  Wish me luck! 🍀

Officially Over Half-Way!

This week marks 21!  I can't believe how fast, yet slow this pregnancy is going!  This week the twins are the size of bananas...measuring about 10.5-11" in length and 12-13oz each!  Its only been 2 short weeks since our last scan and these little ones have nearly doubled in length!  

Overall this last week has been great!  I'm still worried about heartburn, so I've been avoiding onions 😭 (I really like onions!) and eating later, which also seems to contribute to heartburn.  I've also learned from experience that pizza and marinara sauce also tend to contribute to the burn... So I'm willing to give up the marinara, but I'm going to have to get creative about the pizza sauce, because I LOVE 🍕 pizza!! 

I'm in the "sweet" spot of pregnancy now, so they say!  Morning sickness is actually limited to mornings (unless I forget to snack), headaches have been on the downtrend, my size isn't too limiting or uncomfortable yet, and I'm trying to keep my heartburn in check. 😊😜

I also am enjoying this stage because not only can I feel the babies moving, but others can feel them also, which is always exciting to be a part of!  It also helps me to feel relieved that they are happy and thriving in there... enjoying the limited space that is continuing to diminish by the day... seriously 🥴🤷🏼‍♀️.

Two more weeks until my glucose test and 23 week ultrasounds are taken so here's to hoping the next few weeks are smooth and uneventful👏🏼🤩🥰!

19 Week Anatomy Scan (Twins)

So yesterday marked 19 weeks 1 day for these little babies growing inside.  This week the average singleton baby weighs approximately 8oz (.5 lb) and measures about 6".  They are comparing their sizes to Mangoes this week🥭🤷🏼‍♀️.  Not sure if that's accurate...I better check out the size of Mangoes again🤣.

Twins, I've been told, don't grow quite as fast as singleton babies, due to room and sharing resources...but these babies are measuring right on...well maybe a little ahead of track! 🤣. 

We had our 19 week anatomy scan for both of the babies yesterday, (I was told it would be approximately an hour per baby, so to come prepared with snacks 🤤).  Although I didn't need snacks, I did need some water so I'm glad my sister was there to help a sister in need!

We started the scan with Baby A.  Who is currently breech, bum down and facing my back.  She was (is) very active, and in very close quarters with her brother (Baby B).  It made the ultrasound very challenging to understand what was what🤣.  At one time we had two circles up on the screen, that the tech froze to do some measuring, but only on one of the circles.  So I had to ask, what he was measuring and then of course, what the other circle was that he was leaving out?!  He said oh, the circle on the right is Baby A's abdomen, I'm measuring the circumference.   The circle on the left is Baby Bs head and we aren't going to focus on him right now 🤣🤣🤷🏼‍♀️.  It made me giggle.  This is definitely a first for me.  Although I've been through SEVERAL pregnancies and ultrasounds...never before have there been two! Haha it was such a cool experience!

Baby A's weighing in at approximately 9oz, heart rate was cruising in the 160s, she loves to have her hands by her face, and seemed to be drinking or sucking a lot!  She's very active and has an adorable little profile, just like her bigger sisters did (still do)!  

After an in-depth scan and multiple measurements of Baby girl A, we moved on to Baby B.   Who wasn't patiently waiting, he made several impromptu appearances in his sister's pictures and scans.  He was also sitting breech, in a similar position to his sister.  4 weeks ago they were both laying transverse or horizontally one on top of the other...this week however they are now side by side, bum down. 🤷🏼‍♀️😁

Baby B, weighed in at approximately 10oz, had a heart rate in the 140s, was non stop moving, and appeared to be sucking his thumb🥰.  The ultrasound tech commented on how active they both were, so I'm getting that they are used to more chill babies 🤣😜.  (Sorry Shavonne...hope this isn't an indicator of how they will be outside of the womb😜🤞🥰.)

After the anatomy and profile scans our tech provided us some 3d and 4d scans of each baby.  Since they were moving so much, it wasn't super easy for him.  The picture of Baby A is a little wonky and you have to put on your squinty eyes to make out some of her features...but Baby B had a pretty clear picture of his little nose and eyes.  When my sister pulled up a picture of his late paternal grandfather, you could see the resemblance!  I'll post the scans 👇 below.

Baby A ☝🏼

Baby B☝🏼

After our scans we were told the doctor wanted to speak with us and go over the scans, which was kind of odd, because we heard he was in delivery and we would be seeing the NP instead 🤔.

After a lengthy wait in the exam room, Dr. F. finally arrived.  He told us that the anatomy scans on both babies looked great, but there was one item that was noted for Baby A.  She has a "two vessel umbilical cord". He went on to explain that typically when there are only 2 vessels vs 3, there are common anatomical issues that are also present, typically impacting the heart or kidneys.  He assured us however that those organs currently, look great and show no indication of not being normal or functioning incorrectly!  If you're interested in learning a little more about a 2 vessel umbilical cord here's a link that I found helpful.

2 Vessel Cord Explained

So what's next?  We continue to monitor babies for growth every 4 weeks by ultrasound.  Nothing special needs to be done or changed.  I do however have my glucose appointment scheduled in 4 weeks🥲.  Which is so much sooner than I ever did it for any of my single pregnancies.  The doctor mentioned that twins require twice the amount of extra insulin to be produced so there is a good chance I might come up short and be gestational diabetic.  I'm sure my age and size don't help either 🥴😭.  But here's to hoping my body can overcome the extra need for insulin and I can keep my diet as is!🤞❤️. So far this pregnancy I've gained a total of 5 pounds (3 being in this last month).  So, I'm grateful for a body that's been so accommodating to it's new occupants and nourishing them so well!  Let's hope everything continues to stay on track 🤞🏼!

How I feel:  I'm still recovering from that cold/flu over the holidays.  Don't feel bad, just a lingering runny nose and cough, boo.  Headaches have not been a huge issue this week, thank goodness!  Unfortunately I started to develop heart burn after eating some salsa at 2pm on New Year's day and after still dealing with it's effects at 9pm that night decided I'm never eating spicy food again😭.  That was brutal.  So after mentioning it to the doctor yesterday, I was given the green light to take Pepcid maximum strength.  (Took one last night and it totally worked!)  So happy...lets hope the headaches and the heartburn stay away! 🙏🏼😁

Babies are super active and I can feel them throughout the day and night constantly.  It's hard to make out which ones which since they are so close together 😜🤩. Since they are still small, they don't pack too big of a punch yet (🙏🏼) so they don't keep me up at night or make it hard to relax or breathe just yet.

Well that's the update I have for this week! ❤️

15 weeks Down, 25 to Go!

This week has been my best week so far, when it comes to morning/all day sickness!  Sunday was the first day I really didn't feel nauseated for a good portion of the day and after dinner was even able to make and decorate sugar cookies with the kids, which was a huge win! 🥰🤩

Monday & Tuesday were much like Sunday, with the exception that I went to work 🤷🏼‍♀️😜.  I still had some usual sicky time, but the thing that has been the greatest is the food aversions seem to be dwindling, so when the nausea creeped in, not being super picky about a snack was super helpful in getting me back to feeling good!

Today, was my 15 week appointment, so we were able to take a peek at the babies with an ultrasound 🥰

It's so crazy how much they've grown and so cool to see them interacting so closely with one another!  Gone are the days of individual ultrasounds, for each baby 😂.  Both babies seem to continually photobomb each other during their scans (which was so entertaining to watch!). Here's baby A's head....and boom Baby B's booty shows up right next to it😂.  True story! Haha I'll photo dump the ultrasound pics below..which will include a very clear picture of both baby A's and B's anatomy😃👇🏼

Baby A (girl) is still anterior (which means closest to my cervix and down lower) she's laying transverse, (horizontal) and Baby B (boy) is laying right on top of her, head to toe ying yang style also transverse.  

Baby A's heart beat was cruising at about 169 beats per minute today, while Baby B was around 142.  They are measuring exactly the same right now, which is great news!  It means both are getting nurished equally and on track!  

In the scans we were able to see both babies bumping and pushing eachother constantly and it was fun to see the sibling rivalry starting so early.  My sister and her husband will definitely have their hands full🥰💞!  

I gained 1lb over the last 4 weeks which puts me at 2lbs overall for this pregnancy so far.  I'm sure now that the sickness is ending AND babies are expected to double in size over the next few weeks...that my next appointment might see some changes on the scale. Hopefully not too much! 😜🤞🏼🥰 I actually paid attention to my blood pressure reading today, which they said was great at 117/76.  I still think that's high for me...but I'm glad it's good for where I'm at!🥳. The doctor gave me all "A+'s"...which he seemed pretty excited about...so I'm gonna take it! 🤩 

My next appointment will be in 4 more weeks...where I'll have the in depth scans for both babies anatomy, which they warned me will take a few hours!  So something to look forward to 👍🏼😃

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Photo dump below⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Graduation Day🥰

So today marks 9 weeks 5 days and is officially the last ultrasound or appointment I will have at the fertility clinic!  So bittersweet 🥲!  

Other than the typical morning and afternoon morning sickness...I'm feeling pretty good!  My sister in law sent me the sweetest package to help with it too!  She sent me "Preggie Pops", peppermint life savers, and vitamin B6 all things that helped her survive pregnancy while working🥰. I haven't opened them yet, but I'm so excited to try them...anything to help would be amazing 🤩!

Okay so these babies threw me for a loop...again!  The nurse practitioner takes a look at "Baby A" and the heart rate is cruising at 182 beats per minute!  He/she is moving their little limbs, clearly very active!  I'm also excited at this point because "Baby A" must be the same as last week..finally I can tell them apart 🤞🏼😊!

On to "Baby B", who is also moving and wiggling all around!  (So cute to watch!) As she hovers over to record their heart rate, I'm shocked to hear that it's 172 beats per minute?!  So wait...is this Baby A from two weeks ago?  Or did Baby B kick it up a few notches?? I'm at a loss?! 😜

Overall results both babies are the same size now (Baby B was measuring right on time and Baby A was measuring a little ahead two weeks ago) and have heartbeats within 10 beats of eachother 🤷🏼‍♀️😀.

So it throws my theory of being able to tell them apart at this stage... completely out the window 🤣😜 but the important part is the nurse practitioner said she reviews thousands and thousands of ultrasounds and early IVF pregnancies and these are among the strongest and healthiest fetuses she's seen! ❤️. Picture perfect in there ❤️❤️

Such a relief to hear, I know we still have a long way to go...but I'm excited that everything is cruising along just as it should be for now!🥰

Ultrasound Pics and comparisons:

9 weeks 5 days

Cute little wave from one of the babies!👋🏼

This week compared with 2 weeks ago!

Baby heartbeats💓💓💓

First OB Appointment, 2 Ultrasounds

 Today was an extremely long, but exciting day!  It's been a few weeks since my last ultrasound so let me fill you in on how things have been progressing!

I'm currently 7 weeks 5 days pregnant with twins today. A boy and a girl (we just don't know which is which). The last ultrasound (shown again below) showed us two beating hearts within two little seed sized embryos!  They were separated quite a bit in my uterus, so I'm excited today to how much they've grown and hopefully see two strong heartbeats 🤞🏼🥰.

(Previous Ultrasound Twins at 5 weeks 5 days)

Today I have not one, but two appointments.  I have my last appointment with the fertility clinic and then my first appointment with my OB!  After doing research and polling friends and reading reviews...I ultimately decided to go back to the same OB that delivered my last three children.  The visits are about 40 miles and two hours apart, so let's hope things run smoothly!

First appointment and ultrasound picture:

Twins at 7 weeks 5 days

The first thing I noticed was how much they've grown in the short two weeks since we've peeked at them last and how much closer together they are now!  The nurse practitioner at the fertility clinic is so thorough and was able to explain everything she was looking at and had all good news to share! She said as they grow gravity will pull them closer together.  

"Baby A" (not sure if this is the same Baby A as last week) was measuring a little bigger than Baby B.  Baby A's heartbeat was recorded at 172 beats per minute and everything looked amazing she said.  Baby B's heartbeat was recorded at 152 beats per minute and was looking absolutely wonderful ❤️!  

She got several pictures of their little umbilical chords and their little yolk sacs, which she said is rare to see so well🤷🏼‍♀️😃?!  She was thrilled at how well they are progressing and asked if we would be willing to come back for one more ultrasound before graduating to an OB in two weeks? Of course I wasn't going to turn down another opportunity to see their growth and progress, so we have another ultrasound planned in two weeks🤞🏼🥰!

Next was my OB appointment...which was actually kinda funny at first.  I guess it's not everyday you have a patient come in at 7 weeks 5 days and know that they are not only pregnant, but pregnant with fraternal twins.  The staff had to ask me, how I was so sure😂...I should have come up with some witty comment.  If I channeled my husband, I would have.  Instead I re-explained that I was a gestational carrier and had gotten pregnant, via IVF and have been being monitored by the fertility clinic.

Still skeptical they called me back to do an ultrasound to confirm.  I was relieved to find that they were going to do an on the tummy ultrasound! (Whew!) My vag was not looking forward to another wand today 🤣!

Two hours and some change apart and this ultrasound confirmed exactly what the first one did.  One twin had a heart rate of 172 bpm and the other had a 152 bpm heart rate!  The measurements were the same, showing one twin slightly bigger also!  They were also able to let us hear both heartbeats...which was pretty amazing!

So the annoying thing is I'm learning that "Baby A" is whoever the ultrasound tech sees first!  (Both places) So I was excited to finally be able to start telling them apart myself!  Baby A from now on will be the bigger one with the faster heart rate (I'm thinking the girl 😜) and Baby B will be the smaller one, with the chill heartbeat...I'm thinking the boy🤭)

After the ultrasound tech confirmed it was a twin pregnancy we met with my OB.  Who was actually way cooler and more "chatty" than I ever remember him being when I was here 14 years ago!

He put my mind at ease with his ability to deliver twins but also handle my high risk pregnancy.  He let me know the main difference between this pregnancy and my prior pregnancies would be the level of ultrasounds and monitoring, especially towards the 28th week.  He said the largest concern is making sure that both babies are growing and thriving.  Competition for those resources is steep towards the end and one twin can end up taking more than the other.  Made sense and it was good to know that they will be watching them (ultrasounds two times a week) towards the end! 😲

He shared that the twins look very healthy and based on we what he saw and the fact that both embryos were tested for genetic abnormalities prior to being implanted, that my chances of having a miscarriage was very minimal and to start planning for a healthy pregnancy!🥰

He will see me in 4 weeks😀

Snacks, Nausea, and Headaches...Oh My!

My days continue to be filled with bouts of nausea and then mini cravings.  I say mini, because other than Grimaldi's pizza, once I start eating what I thought I wanted, it's no longer really what I wanted 😜 🤷🏼‍♀️.  I've also started getting really really tired...like want to take a nap at work, tired! 💤

So I try to drink and sip my freezing cold water when the eyelids become heavy...it helps a little or pull an item out of my "snackpack"... typically a rice krispie treat🤭.

The official "snackpack"

So far I've gotten three headaches and both have been on the weekend or on a day I worked from home, which I've put together, might be related to my morning routine being changed!

Typically, I wake around 4AM (naturally without an alarm) and begin my routine of taking my morning estrogen and thyroid pills, showering, etc and I am usually out the door by 6:45.  At that time I usually have some type of snack on the way into work, cereal, bagel, or an egg sandwich... depending on my mood.  On the weekends however, even though I still wake up early...I try to lay in bed longer...don't get up, and definitely am not eating a snack by 7am.  So it wasn't hard to put together, after two weekends in a row with a Saturday headache and being extra nauseous, that it's probably related to my morning routine!  Aren't I quick one?! Ha.  (So that will change this weekend!)

So when I say I had three headaches...I really had one that lasted two days and almost had me rushing to the ER.  Yes, I was in so much pain, I was actually willing to be taken to the emergency room for some relief!  I'm no stranger to headaches and migraines.  I've had them all my life and after my car accident in 2014 they were pretty severe for about 18 months.  

The biggest issue is while being pregnant I can only take Tylenol.  Tylenol doesn't do much for me and if the headache sets in too long, there's literally nothing I can do but ice my neck and head and pray I fall asleep to alleviate some of the pain. In this particular case (two weekends ago) the headache began on a Friday, late morning.  I was working from home so my routine was changed.  The work was the same, looking and reviewing spreadsheets and volumes of material on Excel (which would give most people a headache anyway😜).  By early afternoon it was pretty bad, I was super nauseous and didn't eat anything.  I kept drinking water and throwing up.  After a short nap, my headache pain dropped a bit and all I felt like was some type of bread and maybe butter.  So random!  (Date night idea, that I was taking a mental note to share with Phil 🤣.)

As luck would have it, Phil texts me a few minutes later and says we were invited by some friends to try a new restaurant in Surprise...which get this.... serves bread and different appetizers and dip!  It was so up my alley, no question we were going!  Btw the restaurant was great and so was the company, but headache was still there when we were done...womp womp.

Fast forward to Saturday morning... headache has not gone away.  I tossed and turned all night and everytime I got up to use the restroom, my headache was very proud to let me know it was still around.  To make a longer story shorter, the pain became so bad that I couldn't move my head without getting stabbing pains in one location on the top of my head.  At this point, I've said hundreds of mini prayers, asking for the pain to be relieved.  I didn't know what to do, then suddenly Phil thought to take my blood pressure.  I didn't know why, but he did and it was 155/114!  Clearly I'm in pain...but my typical BP is around 100-105 over 69-72.  So this is an extremely high jump!  We call the fertility clinic and they let us know that this is really high and they recommend going to the ER.  

As Phil is gathering our items, I stop him and ask for a blessing.  He and Boston give me a blessing that I will be healed and I ask him to get me a bag of ice and just allow me to rest for like 30 minutes longer.  (I know I've already done this...and it hasn't helped thus far, but I wanted to try)

Miraculously, I began to feel the pain subside over the next 30 minutes...the pain wasn't completely gone but it had reduced drastically!  Phil checked my blood pressure again and it had dropped to 134/108.  So he suggested that we go eat something, since I hadn't really been able to eat all day.  

We went to Garcia's (another favorite of mine) where I had some rice and beans and continued to feel better and better. When I got home we took my blood pressure again and it was 127/92!  Still high, but much better!🥳. 

By the next morning it was completely gone.  I'm so relieved I didn't have to go to the ER, but it definitely is making me acutely aware of how important it is that I keep my blood sugar from dropping too low and staying on a routine!  So thankful it went away🙏🏼❤️🥰.

Ultrasound Day!

Today is my 5 week, 5 day ultrasound appointment.  This is the first day since the transfer that we will be taking a glimpse to see the progress of the two embryos that were transferred on September 13th.  

Up to this point, we know we transfered two embryos and 5 days later I began testing positive on home pregnancy tests.  10 days later my HCG was recorded for 6 days and confirmed not only that I was pregnant, but that my levels were increasing very nicely and the nursing staff let me know these levels were a very positive sign of a healthy pregnancy.❤️

5 weeks, 5 days
(What to Expect When You're Expecting App)

The size of the embryo this week is the size of an orange seed...so we are still talking about something really small and still really early as far as pregnancy stages.  I mean...with all of my previous pregnancies I would barely be realizing that I was pregnant...let alone getting an ultrasound done!  Science and medicine and the progress that has been made is truly miraculous!  

So naturally I have this hope that both have implanted and today we will see two babies growing...but reality says there's a good chance that only one has taken hold.  There's also only about a 50% chance that we will be able to see a beating heart this early on an ultrasound.

My mind is racing with all the possibilities 🤣.  Is it one? If so, which one implanted?  Was it the girl or the boy?  If it's two, was it the two that were transferred or was it one that split?  So instead of being two fraternal twins, could it be two identical twins instead? Hahaha...we won't even go into the possibility of there being more than 2, because that's too much to wrap my head around🤯!

Okay so the time has come...we all arrive separately, but pretty much at the same time, a few minutes before my appointment.  My sister brought me some healthy juices tied with an optimistic pink and blue ribbon🩷💙!

A few minutes before the ultrasound

My name is called and my entourage and I all stand up and follow her to the back.  She shows me to my little ultrasound room and tells me to undress from the waist down. (I'm very familiar with this drill...just never have had an audience before.) So I turn to the group and say stay out here, I'll call ya when I'm ready.

I came prepared, wearing a dress so it helped me to A. Get undressed quickly (only my underwear had to go) and B. Remain decent on the back end, since I would have an audience behind me in this tiny little space!  The dress kinda pooled around me on the table, which was nice because the thin little napkin that was supposed to cover me, didn't like to stay closed in the back 🥴.

I let the group know that I was decent and they are welcomed to make their way in and find a space where they can see the screen and avoid seeing my personal bits.🫣

My husband is right behind me closest to the table I'm sitting on and my sister and her husband are to my right right next to a sink and chair.  It's a tiny space so very cozy.

The NP comes in and her eyes suddenly open wide, clearly shocked to see so many people, looks at me and asks me to share who I brought today.  (I think at this point, she must have forgotten that I'm a GC) So I start by saying these are the intended parents, my sister and her husband and then she remembers and immediately starts saying that's right, you're doing this special thing for your sister!  Well in the chaos, I fail to introduce my husband so then he says, Hi I'm Phil.  I suddenly turn around and say yes, my husband, is here also!  (Sorry babe)😜.  I think I kinda assumed she knew who my husband was, but I guess he doesn't come usually either🤷🏼‍♀️😜.  So now introductions are done...she understands why there's a need for an audience...and is ready to begin the ultrasound.  

I scoot down to the very end of the table...and she inserts the ultrasound "wand".  Almost immediately we see a little black hole with a flickering circle inside and she says we have one...with a strong little heartbeat!  Wow this early, that's a great sign!  Then she says lets look to see if we have...suddenly we see another black hole with a round circle and she says we have another!  We don't immediately see flickering like the other, but she doesn't zoom in right away. Instead moves back to the other, now named "Baby A" and begins taking measurements.  She let us know that she was able to see a yoke sac in both and even though it was quick, she was able to see the blood supply to the womb on both also, which means they are both developing and on track!  As she was taking measurements of Baby A..she said it looks strong and everything looks great!  

Baby A

Before moving to Baby B she lets us know that it's very common not to see a heart beat at this age, so if we don't see one with Baby B, she's not going to be worried at all.  As she starts to move around to look for Baby B, we see another smaller fluid filled round area and ask if that's another?!

She explains that it's not another baby, but a small bleed from implantation, which is very common with IVF.  She said, it's small, so she's not worried about it at all.  (Okay that's reassuring)

On our quest to look for Baby B, which seems a lot harder to find, she explains that Baby A is placed anterior, which is on top and that's why it's so easy to see.  Baby B, which she now has on the screen, is posterior, lying behind a lot of my arteries, so that's why it's a little harder to find right now.  As she zooms in, we all see a little flicker!  So both have heart beats and she begins taking measurements of Baby B and is just as happy as she was with Baby A.  She gives us all a very happy congratulations and tells us this pregnancy looks great, both look great and she will schedule another ultrasound in 2 weeks to take more measurements when babies have had a little more time to develop and grow ❤️❤️🥳!

Baby B

Baby A and Baby B

All four of us, super excited that both are doing well 🩷💙

Treatin' Tuesday...

Well it was too cute and completely unexpected not to share or document my unexpected surprise today.

Today's Tuesday...still one whole day away from finding out if there's one or two babies growing inside.  It started out like any other day, at 4AM.  

For whatever reason I can't seem to sleep in past 4:30AM🤷🏼‍♀️. (Probably has to do with the level of narcolepsy that overcomes me every night after my 9PM shot🤪) Oh well...so it started off like every other morning with the exception that my sister Sarah and I started texting back and forth about something silly and hilarious...in actuality it might not have been hilarious, but sisters just seem to make it that way sometimes🤣.(Since she lives across the country, she's the only one awake at this unearthly hour and I love it 💗😂)

I get to work around 7AM "snackpack" in hand.  (Fun Fact: I have a backpack that I bring to work, that used to contain some pens and my laptop...but now contains all sorts of goodies that sound good to me in the morning! (mostly cereal and granola bars and my coworkers have now affectionately started calling it a more appropriate name...a "snackpack"). I pulled out a bowl of 'Frosted Mini Wheats' and start munching while checking my emails.  It totally hit the spot, if you were wondering 🤣.

About an hour later, I start to feel nauseous out of nowhere...so I decide to go to our little vending machine and grab a gingerale.  (It sounded good for some reason!) Sipping that was great and by 11AM I was starting to feel hungry again.  I wasn't sure where I was going to go yet, but a sandwich or something with bread sounded really nice!

A few minutes later a coworker stops by and drops a huge Kneaders bag off on my desk and says, "To Summer, from Dad" with a huge smile.  

You know when you're so stunned and not expecting anything that your brain for a second can't process what is going on?  (Maybe that's just me?! 😂). Well that's what was going on...for a second I think they're joking for some odd reason then I look down at the large order receipt taped to the bag with what's inside and it has my dad's name on it!  Inside is filled with an order of Kneaders French Toast (syrup, whipped cream, and strawberries included), a pumpkin, chocolate chip cookie, a fruit tart, and a loaf of their Asiago Cheese bread with plenty of butter on the side!)

My surprise Kneaders delivery 

It all sounded so good and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time!  I called my dad to thank him and my mom, thinking for sure my momma asked him to do it...and then he shared that he did it all on his own!  (Stunned and shocked face going on...my mouth was completely open and I was holding back tears) He said that he knows what I'm doing isn't easy and he knows I must have ups and downs and he just wanted to send me something to brighten my day.  He also said he spoke to Sarah this morning and she shared that I was craving rolls the other day (true story!) So he found a place that serves bread in the morning, that delivered!❤️🥰 

I'm not used to my dad being overly thoughtful or doing sweet things like this so it came as a complete shock, made me feel super loved, and totally brightened my day!

Asiago Cheese loaf with some butter for the dinner win! 😋

Truly made my heart full and I appreciated every little thing!  I'm so lucky to have the family and friend support system that I do!  I couldn't do any of this without you guys ❤️🥰!

So excited to see what tomorrow brings...will it be one baby or two?!

Until tomorrow...

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!!🤞🏼❤️