For quite awhile I have debated on whether or not I should write about what Josh and I have been through in the last few months (well, maybe the last year...). It's of a personal nature, but at the same time I know how much it meant to me to be able to read about other experiences and be able to know what to expect. Today, after talking with Josh as we walked today, I decided to write it all down. Not only because other's might be interested and perhaps I can help someone in the future, but also because I don't want to forget.
Let's back up. After breastfeeding Grace for a year, I still was under my "pre-conception weight" by about 20 lbs. That's a lot of weight considering I don't weight that much in the first place. I tried gaining weight and slowly did, but only 10 lbs of it. So, in May, when I still hadn't gotten my period, I went to the doctor. She suggested going on birth control for a couple months to get my period back. I was devastated. I didn't want to not have a baby...I was there because we wanted a baby. But, I listened and after a couple months, I got my period back. Off the birth control....expecting to get a period....and nothing. Again. In July, I went back to the doctor. She told me I was young, to not worry, it would happen. She also understood the desire to have kids before I got too old, so she referred me to a Reproductive Encronologist. In my head, that seemed like a big step. So, in August, I went to a new doctor; a gynecologist. At the same time, I made a new appointment at the RE's office....but that couldn't happen until late September (they book out so far in advance). When I went to the gynecologist office.....she told me to gain 5 more pounds and I'd get my period and then get pregnant.
Still no period end of September and so I went to see Dr. Leonard (RE) at the UofMN Reproductive Center. She was great. She went through my history, Josh's history, all that good stuff. At the end of the appt.....she diagnosed me with Hypothalamic dysfunction...which meant my brain wasn't telling my body what hormones to make...and thus not releasing any eggs. She said that gaining more and more weight might help, but it certainly might not. Since I was only a few pounds away from the weight at which Grace was conceived....it probably wouldn't happen. We had two options: IUI or IVF.
1. IUI - Cost $2-$3k each cycle - 16% change of success - 30% chance of twins.
2. IVF - Cost $10-$12k each cycle - 55% chance of success - 30% chance of twins.
After my initial appt in September, I was too stunned to go forward. I left the office hopeless. I made another appt for October so that I could get insurance started, get both of our initial testing done (had to happen either way) and so that Josh could come with me to make the decision. After the original testing, I was told my thyroid was off and had to come back 90 days later to make sure the medication I was taking was appropriate. I later talked the doctor down to 30 days.....thank god....I didn't want to wait another 3 months before going forward at all. My dreams of a close in age family was already gone...I didn't want to wait any longer than I had to.
When we met with Dr. Leonard in October, after talking through all the risks, costs, and other factors we received after testing, Josh and I decided to start an IVF cycle. We hoped that we could still squeeze one in 2013. However, when I first called....the IVF coordinator said that her mandatory trainings were booked...... I really believe God called so many shots on this one. She opened another private session for just us....and got us in as the last cycle of 2013. I'm thankful for His grace and blessing. He showed us we were destined for a baby in so many ways.
At the end of November I started Lupron shots each morning. It suppresses everything so that I started at an even note and so that the doctors could control how my body worked and responded. After that I took two shots in the morning (Menopur & Lupron) and a shot at night (Follistim). I had the minimal medication to make sure I didn't overstimulate and in 10 days I was ready for retrieval. I am so blessed in that I responded exactly as they thought I would - no extra medication needed - just perfect. On December 11th I had my egg retrieval. They retrieved 12 eggs, 8 were mature and 4 fertilized. I had a day three transfer on a Saturday. Looking back, Josh and I are so blessed. Not only did I have minimal side effects (bloating and some headaches) - but it went so smoothly.
The 2 week wait was the worst part. Emotionally, I was a wreck. I couldn't do anything but wait and it drove me crazy. Finally, on 7dp3dt (7 days past 3 day transfer) - Josh convinced me to take a home test. The last shot I gave myself (HCG) is the same hormone that your body secrets when you are pregnant. Taking a test too early can give you a false positive...since the drug can stay in your body up to 14 days. However, it's usually 10 days - which we were in the "likely safe" bucket. Josh watched it turn.....to say PREGNANT. Neither of us will forget that day. Each day after, we kept taking a test until finally, the day after Xmas - I had my blood test. My HCG level was 280. They want it over 100. Four days later I came back for another test and they want it to double every 48 hours. This meant they wanted it to be over 1100. Mine came back at 1880.
In a week and a half we have our first ultrasound. Since they transferred two embryos (one 12 cell and one 8 cell both rated "average") - we could be having twins. My gut keeps telling me we are....but what do I know:)
Either way, through this process I've realized how grateful I am to have such loving friends and family. For those we have shared this with (those who already read this blog....but perhaps someday I'll share this blog to a wider audience...Josh thinks I should).....have been so understanding, supportive, and loving.
