Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all!  I hope everyone has a blessed holiday season. Things are great with us. The boys are almost 12 weeks old!  Daddy is in the middle of a 2 week vacation from work, Big Sister just turned 4!, Mimi and Pop Pop are coming for a 2 week visit in January, and all 3 kids are getting baptized into the Catholic church on Jan 14.  

I'm surviving this infancy! That's what I am most thankful for.  After P was such a challenging refluxy/colicy baby I was sooo fearful about how I'd manage 2.  Luckily (touch wood, touch wood, touch wood) that seems to have bypassed us this time. These babies can actually self soothe!  I call them magic babies!! P never could get herself to sleep at this age, not until she was closer to 9/10 months old. I put these babies down drowsy but awake and 90% of the time they're out!!!  T is still sleeping in a rock n play, J has just been transitioned to the pack n play as I noticed a small flat spot on his head.  Both are bathed at about 9 pm, swaddled tightly, fan on, lights dimmed and nursed.  Then I lie them down and they sleep for 3-4 hours.  Then after feeding again they usually give me a 2.5-3 hour stretch, then I change their diapers and feed them again. By then it's 4am and the rest of the night can be dicey.  Often pacifiers come out, or I take a fussy one into my bed and nurse them side lying while I doze.  We usually get up officially about 6am.  Seriously this is so much better than with P.  

Naps are still all over the place, on the couch, in a RnP, wrapped on my chest, on the activity mat, in their stroller.  Although I am starting to notice a longer more significant nap happening around 9am and around 5pm.  

Speaking of strollers I bought myself a major Christmas present: a Thule Urban Glide 2 double jogging stroller. It is amazing!  I cannot rave enough about it. I'm using it everywhere, unless we are going somewhere quickly and I want them to stay in their car seats.  

Okay, have to go get ready for mass. xxxooo

8 weeks old

Time is flying by! Oh my!

8 weeks old and they decided to roll
Over from back to front today!  They both did it minutes apart...this is extraordinarily early, P was 4.5 months old when she finally got it. Slow down babies!

Things are good here...constant changing diapers, nursing, burping, playing, repeat.  I wouldn't  change it for the world!

The babies are sleeping in Rock n Plays by our bed , last night they went 4 hours between feedings!  Longest ever! After that it was back to every 1.5-2 hours like usual :).

Breastfeeding is going great!  Even better than with P.  With P we dealt with reflux so I was always changing my diet, trying bottles, etc. These guys just nurse on demand.  I also pump once every morning and have over 80 oz frozen!  They've had bottles twice when I've been gone and took them well. Can't ask for more than that!

I don't have much more to say, life is good and busy as it should be :-)

Readmitted

J and T were readmitted yesterday with high bilirubin levels.  T had already done 12 hours of phototherapy during our initial stay, but now both boys need it. T's level was "dangerously high" poor thing.  We've been here 24 hours so far, probably 12 more to go. It's heartbreaking only being able to hold them for 20 mins every 3 hours!   I'm rooming in with them thank goodness.

Breast-feeding is going amazingly well. I have over supply if anything. Both boys cluster fed like crazy on day 2 which I think helped bring my milk in early and strong. Also tandem nursing for whatever reason was very simple for us from the beginning.  I am so lucky for that!  I think having both breasts stimulated so often really helped my supply. I've been pumping once a day for comfort and getting 3 oz so I'm also building a good freezer stash!

Birth Story

Right now it’s Oct 8, we were released from the hospital today and have been home for 3 hours. The boys are napping on a boppy pillow on the couch by Daddy while I put P to bed. I am right now sitting in the rocking chair in her room while she tries to drift off.

So…….

I made it to 35 weeks 1 day.  Not bad!!! I had REALLY wanted to make it past where I was when I had P (35+5) but oh well, got damn close!

Here are the last pics I took of my belly. These was at 35 weeks exactly:

On Saturday (10/3) evening I started having bad cramps. They weren’t contractions, just a steady pain. I took some Tylenol, drank fluids, and took a long bath. Nothing really helped. I slept ok, but noticed the pain every time I went to the bathroom.  Little did I know this was the last night is have as a mother of one!

I woke up Sunday (10/4) with the same cramps, my blood pressure was 148/102, and I had 4 contractions in the first 20 mins I was awake.  I got P to school, then texted my doctor. He told me to go to labor and delivery, they would assess me and call him. DH and I loaded up our bags and headed off.  On the way to the hospital I jokingly said, “10/4 is a cool birthday!”.  

At the L&D wars we got put into a triage bed. They were BUSY, so to put it nicely we were mostly ignored.  They ran a 20 minute contraction and heart rate monitor which showed strong contractions every 6-10 minutes.  The hospitalist on call checked my cervix and it was closed. Blood pressures were 140s/90s.  The dr decided to let me go home. I asked her what I should watch for that would necessitate me coming back in. She said contractions every 5 mins or blood pressure over 140/90.  I told he my pressures had been higher than that all week. She then ordered one more check – 142/94.  She kind of sighed, and said, “I guess we should admit you for observation”.  Okay then. IV started and fluids running.

Followed by 2 hours of literally being ignored.  DH left to pick up P and drop her at our friend's house.  I laid there texting people about how I had to pee and didn’t have a call light. 

 
DH came back and my regular perinatologist got there to check me. He found me to be a fingertip dilated and was more impressed with my contractions. He upgraded me to a “real” admission.  They would give me IV fluids overnight and if I was still contracting in the morning then we would reassess, if not I would be discharged.  

A new nurse, Cate, took over my care.  Thank you God above for sending her right when I needed her.  She told me I was being moved to Room 519.  I told her that  was my birthday and we both agreed that would be lucky. We packed up my bags and started out the door.  She stopped us and apologized, the room wasn’t ready. Since I was up anyway I peed.  When I got back into bed I pointed out to Cate how when I was having a contraction suddenly the left side of my belly was sticking far out, and causing severe pain in my left ribs. She said, “That’s odd.  Try lying on your left side to see if that helps”.  I laid on my left side for about 5 mins, then had to go back on my back for her to hook up the monitors.  As I was rolling I felt a huge gush.  I said “Am I peeing or did my water break?”  She said “I think it’s your water…..” And her face went white.  My heart about stopped. I said “is it blood?”  She wouldn’t answer me, she was too busy hooking the monitors back up.  I widened my legs and yelled at DH “Am I bleeding?”  He nodded.  Care starts yelling “I need help in Assesment arm 1!”.  No one comes. She turns my IV fluids up wide open, then yells at the top of her lungs, “I need help NOW!”   Finally several people flood the room.  This whole time I can just feel the blood flowing out. It was so terrifying, yet I was in some sort of shock which made the whole thing seem like it was happening to someone else.

The anesthesiologist takes my hand and starts asking me questions. He promises me a spinal anesthesia and that I won’t feel a thing.  Yet another new dr comes in and says “so we’ve got an abruption”. Even though I did know it was a placental abruption, actually hearing it scared me. I started crying and I don’t think I stopped till the babies were out.  I just kept thinking back to nursing school, my teacher told us, “Abruptio placentae is the thing that can kill both baby and mom”.  

They wheel me down to the OR, frantically trying to find my dr. He had already headed home.  They are then trying to find the head OB, she’s gone too.  Some other dr is standing over me, scalpel in hand, waiting for permission to start. Finally I yell “I give you permission!!!”.  She laughed, said “Good enough” and began.  Thankfully the spinal is working well, even though it took 3 tries as I kept shaking and crying when the poor guy was trying to insert it. 

Just before Baby A was born DH was brought in. He was holding my hand as we heard, “Baby A is a boy!”.  Loud crying by J.  Amazing. 

30 seconds later we hear, “Baby B is a boy!”. No cry, they tell me he is being resuscitated, that it was his placenta that had detached.  60 seconds later he finally cries, and then amidst laughter we hear “And he’s peeing all over us!”.  That’s our T!! 

J began having some trouble keeping his oxygen levels up and was taken to the NICU for assessment.  T followed a few minutes later.  DH went along with them while I was in the OR being put back together.  My dr finally arrived and took over the procedure. As he is chatting with the other OB, she tells him, “You should’ve seen it, we couldn’t even see Baby B, his sac was full of clots, I’ve never seen anything like it”.  I asked a question and then they stopped talking. I should’ve shut up and I would’ve learned more!

Cate took me to PACU and then to postpartum, where I was eventually reunited with my boys.  The next few days were a whirlwind of breastfeeding (going great!), Bili light therapy for T, respiratory therapy And antibiotics for Mommy, and getting to know our new family members. 

Babies are here!!!!

I was in L&D today having contractions monitored when I had a placental abruption, 15 mins later 2 boys by emergency C section. Feeling great and oh so in love!!! They are now 7 hours old, have both lazily breast fed and are asleep on/next to me. Born at 35+1 weighing 5lbs 11 oz and 5lbs 1oz. More

Details later. Love you all xxxx

33.5 weeks

I cannot believe I am this far along!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weight gained: 49 lbs eeeeeekkkkkkk!

Movement: Goes from insane 3 inches poking out of my abdomen, to very little.  I know they are running out of space.  They have to be there is no more room at the inn!!!!!

Genders: Don't know at all anymore, had been guessing 2 girls, now I am thinking (fearing) maybe 2 boys?  No seriously that would be great, it's just I have a couple friends who the boys in the family are the "rambunctious" ones, cannot imagine 2 toddler boys getting into trouble together :)

Stretch Marks: Yes, a million of them. For a long time it was only a darkening of my previous ones, now there are new ones everywhere, and the old ones are now beet red, one even is seeping some sort of fluid.  And my belly button occasionally bleeds.  THERE IS NO MORE ROOM TO STRETCH OUT BABIES!

Best moment of the week: Ummmmm just the everyday movement, I really love feeling a baby move inside of me, and I imagine this is the last time I get to experience that.

Worst moment of the week: I have another cold and it is making me craaaaabbbbbyyyyyyy.  I can't breathe through my nose at all, I am coughing which sends shooting pains down my lady parts and I feel like I have a fever even though I don't.  I slept last night sitting up breathing out of my mouth for about 3 hours, and peed 4 times during that time.  I feel so rested and refreshed today!  Also P has the same cold so she is whiny and not sleeping well also.

Don't want to sound ungrateful at all, but these last few weeks of a twin pregnancy are just so hard.  Of course I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Here are a few pics of week 33.  Some of you probably saw them on my expat blog:

31+4

Yesterday at 31+4 I had a checkup.  I reported the following "concerns" to my dr: increased swelling in feet, ankles and fingers (mild, but new), blood pressures rising (still ok, but went from 120/80s to 130/88 ish), loose stools, two painful lumps in my left armpit, and more frequent and panful Braxton Hicks contractions.

My dr listened to these concerns, and ordered a urine dip for protein (in the USA this is standard, here they only do it when "medically necessary"), a manual blood pressure, a vaginal ultrasound to check cervical length, and a visit to his colleague - an Oncological Gynecologist.

Urine dip was negative, blood pressure was 130/80, cervix measured long and closed - 3.35 cm (he said "I love your cervix"), and the Gyn I saw did a detailed ultrasound of my armpits and breasts and declared them completely healthy, with some folliculitis from shaving.  I am to not shave or use any deodorant/antiperspirant for 1 week (Oh joy since it's 105 degrees and humid today) and have a follow-up scan with her next week.

Next my dr did a growth ultrasound on the babies.  He declared them completely normal, but I am worried.  Baby A's estimated weight is 3.84 lbs and Baby B's estimated weight is 5.39 lbs.  Since they are fraternal my dr isn't concerned.  From my research (google) it seems Baby A is right at the 50% for twins, Baby B is huge!  I hope everything is ok.  I texted my dr after I came home and voiced my concerns again, and he said when he sees me next week he will do a doppler study of the umbilical cords if it will make me feel better.  Why yes it will, thank you.

So weekly appointments now, wow.  I have been reading a lot of twin blogs lately, especially "twins after IVF", and so many of them seem to deliver around 31-32 weeks.  Crazy.  Many also make it to much later, and I am determined to as well!!!  At this point with P I was on bedrest and feeling awful.  So weird how different this pregnancy is.

Hospital bags are packed, baby clothes are all washed, newborn sensitive diapers and wipes are purchased, breast pump supplies, bottles and pacifiers are all sterilized, changing stations are set up, rock n plays and bouncy seats are empty and waiting.  Eeeeekkkkk!

31 weeks

Tomorrow is 31 weeks!  Yay!  32 weeks was what I had my eyes on from the very first moment we learned we were having twins so it is so relieving to be so close.

Side view 30w5d

Front view 30w5d

P kissing the babies

Still feeling good overall, much better than I thought I would feel at this point.  But I am feeling progressively worse every week.  The skin around my belly button and on the sides of my abdomen are stretched to capacity, it is tight, itchy and feel like they are going to tear.  From here on out the babies gain about a half a pound every week.  So every week another pound of babies will be added to my uterus.  How is this even possible?  I feel like a science experiment. 

I am up 38 lbs.  I gained 40 with P, and since I am measuring 40 weeks now (!) I guess that makes sense!  I started this pregnancy 20 lbs lighter than my first pregnancy though, so that is helping my overall weight.  

Blood pressures are slightly higher than the first and second trimester, but not alarming by any means.  This weeks numbers have been 123/85, 130/87, 128/89.  Not great but not horrible.  30 weeks is when I was diagnosed with PIH last time, and by 31 weeks I was on bedrest with pressures of 170/110, then 200/100, so I will take this!

My wedding rings don't fit anymore, but other than that I have not noticed any swelling, except maybe some trace swelling in my ankles if I was outside too much (100+ degree temps with 50% humidity).  Occasional light heartburn, light nausea, but all manageable.  I think back to how miserable I was last time and I thank my lucky stars that I don't feel that way this time.  It must have been the lead up to the pre-eclampsia that made me so miserable.  There is so much not understood about pre-e, but it is thought to have something to do with placental implantation, so it makes sense that the pregnancy would be "different" from the start.  

I have the babies' (not sure where to place that apostrophe....) hospital bag packed.  Mine/DH's is halfway packed.  We took a hospital tour last weekend, I was very impressed with the facilities but it sure is different than America.  They provide maternity pads, mesh underwear, and diapers.  That is it.  No hospital gown besides the one you deliver in, no infant gowns, no receiving blankets, no pacifiers.  So the packing list is insane.  It's a 4 night stay for a C-section, so I am having to pack like 6 sleepers for each baby, 4 blankets, a few pairs of pjs for me, etc.  Way more than I had to last time.  There are several bags that are going to be lugged into the hospital with me, that's for sure!  Also there is no "regular nursery".  Babies will be in our room 24/7.  Which I like in the sense of establishing breast feeding, but if I deliver before my mom gets here DH won't spend every night at the hospital with me, I will want him home with P.  I don't want her sleeping at my friend's house more than a night or two.  So it will be me, recovering from surgery, with a CNA and 2 newborn babies.  That just sounds awful.  I had planned on the last night at the hospital using the nurses a lot to get some rest, letting them keep the babies except when they were ready to feed.  Ugh.  I'm sure it will be fine but it is just nerve racking.

Best thing that has happened recently is I made a new friend!  Her husband works with mine.  She lives right across the street from me and is pregnant with her first, due 2 weeks before me, so we will probably deliver around the same time!  It's so nice to have a support system here, and by support system I mean someone to text bitchy pregnant and newborn things to. 

Love to all. xxx

24 hour urine results (how is that for a sexy title?)

Results were great!  I lost the numbers, but total protein was 100 something mg.  They want it below 300, over 1000 is severe.  I think.  Major language barrier with this nurse, I will ask the dr for details in a week and a half at my next appt.  Two blood tests were done too, both had to do with creatinine, both were good.  One perfect, one just out of range. My blood pressures are remaining great at home too, so hopefully this continues......................

Bump pic

Taken by my husband with my crappy old iPhone (and I just bought a new iPhone like 6 hours later!).  I feel it doesn't adequately show the bump, as I am wearing black, so will have to take another soon.

27+4 update

Dr appt today, babies look great - 1.2kg and 1.4kg (roughly almost 3lbs and over 3lbs!).  This means I have more baby in me than I ever have before as P weighed 5lbs 12oz!  OMG!

Cervix long and closed, great.

No urine infection for once in my life.

Unfortunately the good news ended there, blood pressure starting to creep up - 130/92 last week at the GP, 130/89 today.  My urine last week showed 2+ protein, today had a trace.  So I just started a 24 hour urine collection to get a baseline of what my protein levels look like.  I also was instructed to buy a blood pressure cuff and test it twice a day.  Last pregnancy my bp was first elevated at my 30 week appt, but of course then I hadn't been seen since 26 weeks so who knows what my bp was at 27, 28 weeks.

Luckily my dr seems very on top of things, and said once twins weigh 1.5 kg (which we are so close to!) they usually do very well.

I only gained 1 pound in 2 weeks, clearly from the parasite.  My appetite is back in full force so I am sure more is on the horizon.  Total I am up 34 lbs which is right on target for what is recommended.

I should include a bump picture just to scare you all but lucky you, they are all still on my phone.  Maybe this weekend to celebrate 28 weeks which is such a huge milestone.

Thanks

Seriously guys, thanks for the support.

I am feeling just weird.  Yesterday I felt pretty good all morning, then was horribly nauseated all afternoon/evening.  I took half a unisom for sleep/nausea, and it had the desired effect of knocking me out but my abdominal pain/nausea continued.  I kept dreaming about my stomach hurting, then I would wake up in pain.  This happened about 10 times overnight.  I spent all morning feeling feverish, achy and sick, but didn't have a fever.  Right now with tylenol and zofran in my system I feel about 50% better.  Ugh.  It is so disheartening to google this parasite (and google obsessively I have) and read that symptoms can come and go for 6 weeks.  It's been one week and I am DONE.

I was glad to dig up one scholarly article from a few years ago that stated something along the lines of, "There has never been a case of cryptosporidium crossing the placental barrier".  My biggest fear was some sort of infection causing preterm delivery or stillbirth, and it seems that isn't a real risk with this.  Dehydration/malnutrition are the main risks to a pregnancy, and I am making sure to keep hydrated and am eating.

I made an appt with my GP for tomorrow morning.  My fetal medicine guy wanted me to see a GI specialist but I cancelled the appt.  I am a nurse, I know there is no cure for this, I already have anti-emetics,  I just don't know what they would bring to the table.  I am however wanting some repeat bloodwork to make sure my liver/gallbladder are behaving and that I am as hydrated as I hope I am.

Cryptosporidium parasitic diarrhea? Yes please! Also this post brought to you by TMI

So my "la la la, I can't believe how easy and fast this pregnancy has been going, who knew twins would be easier to carry than 1, I am perfect and clearly these fetuses are too" motto has changed to "I am so over this is it 38 weeks yet?"

Early last week I began having back pain.  Very similar to when I had two bulging disks back in 2010.  The pain is in my lower spine, radiating down my legs at times.  Clearly this is from the added weight to my front.  It is extremely annoying, only certain positions help, and at times walking is difficult.  I am using Biofreeze, tylenol, and have emergency anti-steroidals prescribed by my fetal-med specialist but I have only taken one dose as they are category D.  

So Monday and Tuesday were spent dealing with this new development, but NBD.  It is so hot I am not up for much anyway.  P goes to summer school 3 mornings a week, there has been a bit more iPad youtube video watching than good for her, but oh well.  She also spends hours playing dolls, using her imagination and coloring so I am not going to stress about added screen time.  

Tuesday I started having diarrhea.  Approximately 4 times that day. Immediately I knew something was up.  I began super hydrating myself, and got some Zofran from the pharmacy to deal with the accompanying nausea (love that it's over the counter here).  I had my gestational diabetes test that day, and it made me feel AWFUL.  I almost passed out in the waiting room.  The good news is I passed.

Wednesday I had only a few episodes.  I had an appt with my dr that day, he believed it was viral, or perhaps I was having some gallbladder issues.  My appt went well, cervix long and closed, bp low, babies weighing over 2 lbs.  He told me to keep doing what I was doing and see a GI specialist if my symptoms got worse.

Wednesday night I had pain like you wouldn't believe.  I was half afraid they were contractions, but since my cervix looked so good that day on u/s I decided they weren't.  I had diarrhea 3 times overnight from 9pm - 3am which is insane, who poops overnight besides babies?  At 4 am I decided to go to the ER.  Once there I began going like every 15 mins, and not a normal color or odor either (I will not go into more detail, you're welcome).  They took blood, urine and stool samples, started an IV of saline, gave me zofran IV, and had midwives come down from OB to monitor babies and contractions.  Luckily no contractions were picked up, heart rates were good.  Then the OB resident on call came down and did an u/s (my second in 16 hours lol) and all looked good.  She pointed out that they had their heads together like they were telling secrets.  

After 3 hours the ER doc came in and said I tested positive for cryptosporidium.  Basically it is a water-borne parasite.  Symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks but can last 4-6 weeks, oh fun!  Side effects are dehydration and weight loss.  Super fun for someone pregnant with twins!  No cure, no treatment besides nausea meds and hydration.  

Thursday and Friday were two of the sickest days of my life.  I was going like 20-24 times a day, just liquid, and my 3 hemorrhoids reached gigantic states.  Every bm was, in my own words, "like getting ass raped with a dagger".  

Saturday and Sunday I felt bad about half the time, only went maybe 5 times each day.  Sunday I actually seemed to have some constipation which I do not for the life of me understand.  Now it's Monday morning, and so far I feel pretty good.  Woke up with heartburn and back pain, but no colon pain.  26+2.

23+4 update

3 days until viability babies!!!  But let's wait 12 more weeks until your birthday mmkay?

I had an appointment yesterday, and got a surprise ultrasound.  Maybe with twins they measure growth every appointment?  Maybe it's because it can be hard to differentiate between the heartbeats on the doppler?  Whatever the reason I am not complaining!

Baby A remains slightly smaller, approx 1 lb 11oz.  Baby B is measuring 1 lb 13.5 oz.  According to the chart the US perinatologist gave me to keep track of all the details twins in the 50th percentile this week should weigh 1 lb 4oz, so we are overachievers! So crazy that they are going to be 2 lbs soon!  4 lbs of baby inside is INSANE! P was only 5 lbs 12 oz when she was born, so within the month I will probably have as much baby inside of me as I ever have, plus twice the placentas, fluid, etc.  No wonder I am a tank!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cervix is still long and closed, 3.77cm.  Whew.

Blood pressure was.........  119/81!  ROCK ON!

I am up 28.4 lbs total, which the dr was very happy with.  I gained 6 lbs in the last 3 weeks since my last appt, I still need to google whether 2 lbs/week weight gan in the second trimester is ok.  Ahh well whatever.

My next appt is in 2 weeks, at 25.5 weeks.  I will have my glucose test that week, fingers crossed.

I still feel GREAT. Seriously I have been cleaning the house like mad, haven't napped since the first trimester, no nausea, very little heartburn, just some pelvic achiness in the evenings.

We bought a car recently, so for the first time in 20 months we no longer have to rely on public transportation.  When it's not boiling hot outside we will continue to walk most places, but a car is a lifesaver in this heat!  We bought a 2010 Honda Pilot which is an 8 seater....it's taking some getting used to driving such a big vehicle but it's great having so much room.  We have been taking many weekend road trips to check out the area, and it's great loading up the car with whatever we want!  And obviously this thing will fit 3 car seats plus friends with their kids!

We have bought my mom's plane tickets, she will be coming out when I am (hopefully) 36 + 2.  I am PRAYING that I don't deliver until she gets here, because having her here to take care of P would be a huge weight off my shoulders.  I have a good friend here who assured me she will watch her, but I know P would be more comfortable in her own house with Grandma.  And she is staying 7 weeks!  I am so pumped.  I am gonna need to help so much!

Anatomy Scan

And all is well!  Baby A is 349gm or 12.3 oz.  Baby B is 387gm or 13.6 oz.  For the next month they should gain 3-4 oz a week so a week from now I should have two 1 pounders!  Seems cray cray.

Everything looked normal according to the Dr (here doctors do the ultrasounds, not u/s techs, so I feel as if you don't get as much information.  Also no pictures!!!!  I should have asked).  Brain, heart, kidneys, stomach, bladder, bowel, all measurements, placentas, 3 vessel cords, all accounted for and "normal", according to the print out report I received.

Baby A is hanging out wayyy low.  The ultrasound probe was over the right side of my c-section scar.   She (just a guess) was a bit mellow, had both hands up her face seemingly attempting to suck her thumb.  Awwww.  At one point when he was measuring her femurs she had her legs wide open.  I didn't see a penis, and it appeared to me that she was a girl.  My husband thought the same thing, but we are not experts, and could be totally wrong!  What is so funny is I really would like at least one boy, just to experience something different, but when I didn't see a penis my heart leapt!  So evidently having 3 girls is fine with me!

Baby B is hanging out at the top of my uterus, the probe was mostly over my left upper quadrant.  He or She was MAD about the ultrasound probe.  I have never felt such intense kicks or movement from either of them yet as I did during the ultrasound.  No crotch shot, so I can't make any sex guesses.  Except at the end of the scans I asked the doctor if he could tell the sexes and he said, "I definitely know what they are".  That makes me think they are two boys or at least one, because presence of a penis seems to be what would make a person so definitively sure.

The doctor did tell us he couldn't get all of the angles to measure everything on Baby B's heart.  He said he could see everything he needed to, just couldn't get the right angle for all of the measurements.  He assured me he didn't see a single thing that was abnormal, the baby was just all squished up.  He will rescan me at 28ish weeks to look at the heart again.

I am up 23.5 lbs which I am very happy with, the dr didn't mention it.  The USA perinatologist I saw wanted me to gain 20-25 lbs by 20 weeks so I did it!

My cervix measurement went up! Yay! 3 weeks ago it was 3.76, yesterday it was 4.15 or something around there, I didn't write it down. Also my blood pressure was 122/81!!!!!!  And this was right after I sat down at the desk, huffing and puffing a bit, and very nervous about the upcoming scan. And it was with an automatic cuff which always seem to measure higher.  So YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My next appt is at 23.5 weeks.  From then on they will dip urine for protein every appt, I start checking my blood pressure at home daily, if it starts going up we will start 24 hour urine collections.

Meanwhile nesting continues.  I have our crib set up for babies (in P's room), probably won't use it right away but maybe for naps sometimes.

Yesterday we had delivered our 2 infant car seats (Chicco Keyfit 30), 2 bassinet/sleepers (Graco Little Loungers - similar to Fisher Price RNP but more highly reviewed, also has a vibrating feature) and 2 boppy pillows.  This week I also bought a used swing, a second bouncer, 2 bottles, 4 pacis, 6 sleepers, 1 nursing bra, and 1 baby bath sling.  I borrowed from a friend a large playmat that is gorgeous, a toddler bath seat and a newborn Swedish bath thing for the sink.  I previously bought a 4 pack of Aden and Anais swaddlers, two miracle blanket swaddlers,  nursing cover/scarf, and received a package of swaddle me swaddlers from a friend.  

Basically it is starting to look like an orphanage around here and I still have a bunch to buy.  Major purchases are a breast pump, video monitor, and clothing.  

I will leave you with a picture of P and me on vacation.

20 weeks tomorrow

And I'm just unbelievably massive!!!!!  Anatomy scan in 4 days, fingers crossed for two healthy babies!

19 weeks!

Size of babies: Approximately 6 inches long, about half a pound each.  The size of an heirloom tomato or a mango.

Weight gain: Up 16-18 lbs.

Size of uterus: 6 finger breadths above my belly button, so I think that is measuring 26 weeks?  I am going to ask my Dr to measure me exactly at my appointment in a week and a half.

Sex of the babies: Surprises!!!  Although the closer it gets to my anatomy scan the more curious I am.  I am kind of tempted to get down on my hands and knees and beg my husband at the u/s.  But I will try to be strong.  It's not even that I have a preference, just curious!!!!!

Baby prep: I have bought a double stroller, one used bouncer, a twin breastfeeding pillow,  swaddlers, muslin blankets, and a breastfeeding cover.  I also put together the crib and set it up in my daughter's room.  Still to buy: bassinets or something for them to sleep in the first 6 months (ish), 2 infant car seats, bottles, breast pump (may have a lead on borrowing one), 2 baby carriers (may have a lead on borrowing one), pacifiers, newborn and 0-3 month clothing (have exactly none!), 1 baby swing, one more bouncer, 2 changing pads, 2 nursing bras, baby monitor....and I'm sure a million other things I haven't thought of yet.

Movement: Yes, yes, yes!!! More pronounced every day.  Can't tell it from the outside yet, according to DH.

What I miss: Well of course the selfless line to that one is nothing, and of course everything is worth it.  But I would love a few beers along with some sushi.  I have been craving both intensely!  Also I started getting heartburn this week every evening, luckily Tums seems to help.

Best Moment of the week: Sitting at Disney on Ice with my husband and daughter, and feeling these miracle babies dance to the music!

Worst Moment of the week: The nurse calling me saying the culture from my urine sample from last week showed a UTI, so I am on a 10 day antibiotic course.  Luckily I have very few symptoms, just hate having any sort of issue!

Fetal Medicine Specialist Check up, 17.5 weeks

So I met the Dr who will deliver my babies!  He is awesome.  He specialized in twin/triplet pregnancies, with an emphasis in pre-eclampsia so basically perfect for me!  Plus his office is in my IVF clinic so it's nice to say hello to the drs and nurses who knocked me up!

He was very thorough in my first appt with him.  Did a lengthy u/s, everything looked "perfect"!  He measured their femurs, head circumferences, and abdominal circumferences.  All were above average.  Both babies are measuring over 8 oz each and over a week ahead!  If I hadn't done IVF he said my due date would be moved a week up.

I will for sure have a repeat C, at 20 weeks I will start checking my bp at home once daily, at 24 weeks I will start 24 hour protein checks (I forget how often, maybe every 2 weeks?), at some week I get the gestational diabetes test - I forget when, and I will get cervical length checks weekly starting at 20 weeks.  He checked it for a baseline and it is 3.76cm which he said is great.  Any sign of shortening or raising blood pressure and I could potentially be put on bedrest or hospitalized.  Since that would make my husband's career and childcare a shitshow I am going to pretend there is absolutely no chance that will happen, mmkay?

He did suggest a high protein/low carb diet to ward of pre eclampsia.  Ummmmmmmmmmmmm.
I am going to make a more concerted effort to eat protein but no way can I severely limit carbs.  No way, I am too freaking hungry all of the damn time.

My weight is up 16 lbs which he was happy with, my bp was 124/79 which we ALL were very excited about :).  My uterus is measuring 24 weeks, so 6-7 weeks ahead which is normal.

Today I had my first BH contraction, while walking around outside in 100 degree weather.  Googling tells me that 18 weeks is a very common time for them to start with twin pregnancies.

Everything else is OK.  P won't sleep in her own bed ever since we returned home from the USA.  She got so spoiled sleeping in bed with us or her Grandma for 2 months that she is just having none of it.  For now her and I are sleeping on a comfy raised air mattress in her room, I sometimes sneak out at 1am or so, then she is mad at me in the morning for having left :)  Once our jet lag is completely behind us, in a week or two, we are going to have a battle on our hands.  She knows how to unlock her door so I already can't do that evil plan LOL.  I was thinking maybe try her pack n play as she can't climb out of that....Ugh I don't know.  Any advice anyone? I've tried bribery and taking away toys.

Hope all is well with everyone else..........xx

Shit just got real

This is in my apartment:

15 week 2 days Ultrasound

I think it went fine? Lol. The tech was awful, didn't explain anything we were seeing unless I asked. They are both measuring almost a week ahead, approx weight is 5 oz each.  It was awesome seeing them move and wiggle around!!!

Here are the only two pictures the tech gave us, profile shots. Baby A is facing downward, Baby B is facing upward:

Our pregnancy announcement

Sent out via Facebook, Instagram and email: (will probably delete this in a few days)

Eating for three until October 2015 :-)

15 weeks!

Wowzers!!  I again can't believe that I'm already (well tomorrow I will be!) 15 weeks pregnant with twins!

The babies are now the size of an apple, 4 inches long and approx 2-3oz/each.  I feel them move everyday, several times a day.  Feeling movement has always been my favorite thing about pregnancy, hands down.  There are no words to describe it.  I'm so glad I'm a woman, I feel so sorry for my husband who doesn't get this time to bond with the babies.  And of course my heart breaks for those of us who are desperate to experience it and haven't yet been able to, or want to experience it just one more time....

I had an appt with an OB in Illinois this past week.  He was wonderful!  Using the doppler he immediately found both heartbeats, in totally separate locations and differing rates.  One baby was consistently upper 150s, other was consistently lower 140s.  So maybe one boy and one girl?
My blood pressure was 122/80 ROCK ON!  I'm continuing the baby aspirin to ward off pre eclampsia, and a million supplements as recommended by Dr Luke of "Expecting Twins, Triplets and Quads".  My weight is up 13 lbs.  Wow!  With pipsqueak at this point I was down 3 lbs.  Luckily with twins it is recommended to gain 20-25 lbs by 20 weeks.  I think I may get there!!!  My uterus is measuring 4-5 weeks ahead, so I already look 20 weeks!  This is why I was in maternity pants this time starting at 8 weeks :-).  At the end of the appt he asked what else he could do for me, and I said, "Could you PLEASE order an ultrasound?".  And he agreed!  It's been 6 weeks since my last one which for an IVF patient pregnant with twins feels like 6 years.  So he ordered it "to check growth".  I love him!  My u/s is this Monday and my Mom has taken off work to be there!  I can't wait!

I'm still feeling GREAT!  As long as I eat all day long I don't feel sick.  So far no swelling, no exhaustion, very little indigestion.  I'm thinking I should enjoy this while it lasts......

We go back to Dubai right after Memorial Day BOO!!  I'm not ready for a summer of temps in the 120s.   I am excited to start organizing our 2 bedroom apartment and buying baby things...  We are gonna be very cramped but I've always liked being cozy :-).  I just hope once the babies are 6-12 months, somewhere in there, that then 4 year old Pipsqueak will be ok sharing a room with 2 babies....   Until then they will obviously be bunking in with mom and dad.   Does anyone have a recommendation for a good bassinet? I am thinking one that has rocking or vibration would be good because I assume at 2am when I am trying to get 2 babies back to sleep I will use any trick/device/voodoo spell I can to get some sleep.  I read that all the sleep "rules" go right out the window with twins.  That you do what you have to to survive.  Amen to that!

2nd trimester!

Tomorrow I am 13 weeks, can't freaking believe it.  This is the fastest pregnancy in history, it's gotta be!  If anyone wants the first trimester to fly by just travel around the world and visit family and friends, I've been so busy I haven't had time to obsess!

I feel GREAT!  Morning sickness ended at about 10.5/11 weeks.....SUCH a difference from my first pregnancy!  I have another stupid cold/sinus infection, but otherwise life is good.

I bought a Doppler and can now differentiate between the two heartbeats.  Such a worthwhile investment!  I'm taking baby aspirin, multivitamin, extra folic acid, extra Mag/Calcium/Zinc, and a stool softener daily.  All done with progesterone as of last week.

The perinatologist I saw a couple of weeks ago said its not a matter of if I get preeclampsia again, it's when.  My Bp was 118/88.  88 is way to high of a diastolic for the first trimester. So she suggested the baby aspirin, it's been proven to delay the onset of preeclampsia.  I started it at 10.5 weeks.

I have an appt with an OB here in Illinois in a week and a half, I will be outside of the NT scan window so I guess we are skipping that again.  Hopefully we will get an u/s though, the scheduling nurse said it would be up to "the discussion between me and the dr".  Well I will beg if necessary!

To be honest I can very easily get sucked into negativity : how hard two babies and a 3 year old will be, how hard living away from family will be, etc.  But trying to focus on how amazing our family will be with 3 children.  Maybe in 3 years :-)

Detailed U/S 9+5

Thanks for all of your wonderful comments on my spotting post.  It's pretty much stopped now, except for occasional brown stringy cm.

I had a detailed U/S at a fetal medicine dr here in the states today.  It was awesome!  An abdominal u/s but so detailed, a great machine.  She saw no bleeding.  Baby A is measuring 9+4 with a heartrate of 165, Baby B is measuring 9+6 with a heartrate of 169.  Or I could have those reversed, I know they are 2 days apart in size, which is consistent, they are always 1-2 days off.  The tech showed me Baby A's placenta is posterior, Baby B's placenta is anterior, she said it was great that they are forming in different locations.  They are definitely fraternal.  We were able to see both of them DANCE.  Like go from completely still to full body wiggling.  It's the most amazing sight, totally unreal!

Due to a big mixup with my dr in Dubai, I wasn't able to see the dr today, so I made an appt for next Thursday.  I am concerned about these blood pressures!  I am off the estrogen and still they are running high 120s/high 80s.  It's just too early for this shit.  I'm fine with this level as long as it doesn't creep up trimester 2 or 3!

We are in the states now,  enjoying time with family and the cold weather! It's in the 40s on the East Coast right now!  And raining!  I love it!  Desert you can suck it!

Spotting, spotting, spotting

I am over it.

Started spotting yesterday, just tan colored CM.  This morning had a gush of red with CM.  I went into the OB, she did an abdominal u/s.  Both babies look great, measured 9+2 and 9+4 (I am 9+3 today), both had a heart rate of 179.  She did a vaginal exam, cervix is closed.  She sees no reason for the bleeding.

Just now pinkish spotting started back up.

I am so very sick with morning sickness that I am less worried about the babies.  I'm thinking maybe since this is happening every couple of weeks that maybe it is just growing/stretching pains?  With twins the uterus has to grow much faster, from what I've read many twin moms spot on and off throughout their pregnancy.

I fly home tonight, I just knew I couldn't sit through a 15 hour flight without knowing the babies were alive.  Can't wait to see Pipsqueak.  What I texted my husband just now is, "This 60% of our family can't wait to be reunited with the other 40%!"

9 Week Update

Fruit Size? This is always my absolute favorite thing in pregnancy, comparing the baby (babies?) to food.  This week they are 1-1.25 inches, or the size of a grape, or a green olive.

Due Date: According to the IVF calculators November 7.  According to my OB basing it on my LMP it's November 9.  And of course with twins, and with my history of pre-eclampsia probably more like September or hopefully October.

How far along: 9 weeks today.

Genders: We are not going to find out.  With P I begged my husband to let us find out, he was really against it.  So I have promised him that if we got another chance it would be a surprise...

Total Weight Gain: 2-3 lbs.  With P I was down 2 lbs at 16 weeks, doesn't seem I am on that track this time....

Stretch Marks: My white faded ones from my first pregnancy immediately got darker as soon as I got a bfp.  Hormonal maybe?

Swelling: Not yet!

Movement: Too early!  Although these last couple days I could've sworn I felt tiny, tiny flutters. But both times I felt them I had flatulence right afterwards.  LOL

Maternity Clothes: Haven't worn any yet but I did buy some bottoms!  I can still wear some regular jeans/shorts but waistbands make me feel sick.  I am showing MUCH more quickly this time, which I know happens with a second pregnancy and with twins.  

Sleep: Ugh, I have been having insomnia.  And of course the sinus infection isn't helping.  I am sleeping 5-7 hours straight at night, then trying to take a nap everyday.

Cravings: All the food.  Seriously I am hungry all the time.  I wake up with my stomach growling.  I go to bed and my stomach is growling.  Specifically been craving milk, pasta, oranges, and fried chicken.

Symptoms: Nausea, but not every day, and so far not as bad as my last pregnancy.  I think it may be because I am not constipated this time.  Which I think is because this time I am on rectal suppositories instead of vaginal ones.  You're welcome for this information.  Also a little boob tenderness, urinary frequency and weird dreams.

What I miss: Just sushi.  I have been craving raw salmon intensely.  But of course I am happy to forgo it. 

What I'm loving: Surprising people with our news! Don't worry, we haven't told everyone.  Just family and very close friends.  I know it is still early.  

I've talked to my husband several times since he left.  He and Pipsqueak are having a great time in Florida.  I can't believe I am missing Easter with my family :(   But I am getting better, and I know she is having a blast. 

Sinus infection during pregnancy is FUN

Obvi the title lies.  I have a sinus infection, bilateral ear infections, and possible pneumonia.  It is simply miserable not being able to take Sudafed, Afrin, Ibuprofen, etc.  I was lucky enough not to get much in the way of illness during my last pregnancy (nothing contagious anyway!).  I went to my GP yesterday and he said my right sinus was so swollen and inflamed that it had completely blocked my eustachian tube in that ear.  That explains why my head has felt like a balloon that needs to pop!

I started 36 hours ago on Amoxil three times daily, which I think is just starting to work.  I have the slightest bit of relief which is enough to make me grateful.  I hate taking an antibiotic while pregnant, but my OB agreed that it is the best one, proven to be safe, and the GP said the infection was bad enough that it wouldn't clear up easily without meds.  For the past 3 nights I have also taken Doxylamine 10mg (unisom) to help me sleep.  It is actually an antihistamine, so it helped the nose a little, but more than that it knocked me out enough that I could sleep sitting up with my mouth hanging open.  My OB swears this med is safe too, and I researched it and I guess it is commonly used with Vitamin B6 for morning sickness?  Maybe that explains why my nausea has been less severe the past couple days.

DH and Pipsqueak flew home last night.  I was supposed to as well but my Dr said no way could I fly.  Not only because of the sinus and ear stuff, but he took blood to test for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.  Some highly contagious thing that is going around.  The results won't be back until early next week so I am flying home Tuesday night now.  So that means I am missing Easter with my daughter :-(  I am sure she will have fun with her Daddy, Uncle, cousins, and grandparents.  They've been gone 24 hours and I miss them already!  Although I did take a 3 hour nap today and that was pretty darn wonderful...

8 week U/S...

And everyone is still alive!! Woohoo!

At 8w1d:

Baby A: 18mm (8w1d) HR 186

Baby B: 17mm (8w0d) HR 171

She saw no reason for my spotting, assuming it was cervical irritation or growing uterus issues.  I guess it's normal in twin pregnancies?  I dunno.  I'm winging this!!!! :)

I am weaning off my meds.  Today I am stopping the estradiol pills, and decreasing the cyclogest suppositories from 4 to 3 a day.  In 2 weeks I decrease to twice daily, then at 12 weeks down to one a day.  Supposedly I will be on one a day for the rest of the pregnancy?  Yuck.

BP was 129/94.  She said that was fine but I know that's higher than 2 weeks ago.  Ugh!  

I am to follow up with a perinatologist in 10 days. We will be in the USA then for vacation so I need to find one and make an appt stat!!!

Thanks for all of the well wishes the last couple of weeks.  It's so nice to be blogging again and have everyone's support!!

7+2, 7+3 spotting...

Ugh.

Yesterday (7+2) I noticed the smallest, most scanty bit of tan spotting when I wiped.  I immediately texted my dr, who told me to go back on the PIO every other day this week until my 8 week scan.  I had to go into the clinic to pick up some more PIO.  While there my dr saw me, ushered me into an exam room and did a quick abdominal u/s.  She said she saw both heartbeats. I could see one clearly, and hear it I think (it was awfully muffled), but the other embryo was much harder to see, "below the other one" according to the dr.  But the dr said it also had a good heartbeat.  So that all made me feel a little better. I rested all day yesterday and the spotting immediately stopped.

This morning I woke up to cramps, it's hard to tell if they are any worse than they have been, I've had them on and off since  transfer.  I didn't have any spotting the first couple hours I was awake, but then it started back up again.  At first tan, then pink, then brown, now it seems to have subsided again.  I texted my dr, she said to do the PIO daily.

Google and my twin forum girls all tell me this can be absolutely normal, can be a loss of one twin, or can be the beginnings of a total loss of pregnancy.  5 more days till the next transvag u/s.  Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

7 weeks

I think I am 7 weeks today, as egg retrieval was 5 weeks ago today.  My clinic is dating me one day behind which is weird, I think I am right.

I am feeling good!  Had one episode of vomiting this week (into the kitchen sink, yuck), and have had lethargy and nausea, but nothing extreme.  Please oh please let me not be as sick as I was with Pipsqueak!

Lots of changes possibly in the works, fingers crossed: moving back to the USA!  Oh please let this work out!  Lots of things need to be figured out, but it's looking good!

I read "Expecting Twins, Triples and Quads" in one day.  So much information, a little overwhelming, but it is a great read.  I am trying to make a concerted effort to up my protein and calcium.

Next ultrasound in 8 days.  I am extremely impatient!

TWO heartbeats!

Today's U/S was everything an U/S should be, for all of us.  No doom and gloom, only good measurements, and a Dr saying, "Everything looks perfect, there are absolutely no signs that anything will go wrong".

I am 6+3, Twin A measures 6+1 with a heart rate of 132, Twin B measures 6+2 with a heart rate of 126.  Sac sizes and yolk sac sizes normal.

I could see the hearts flickering, so freaking insane!  We tried to listen but it wasn't picking up very good.  Could hear it for just a second.  Repeat U/S in 11 days at 8 weeks exactly, when we should be able to hear them more easily.

My bp was perfect, I've only gained 1/2 lb even though I am eating everything in sight.  Pretty much the perfect appt.  Oh I hope those stupid weird beta doubling times are the only blip in this pregnancy!


I am having TWINS. OMG.

First U/S - 5w4d

So I am finally publishing all of these blog posts about my super secret IVF #3.  We told our parents today so I can blog again, hooray!

Today was our first u/s.  I was alone as Pipsqueak was ill so DH had to stay with her.  The dr inserted the wand and asked, "What do you see?"  I said, "TWO?".  Then burst into tears.  She said, "We put back 2, what did you expect?".  And I replied, "Truthfully I expected to see nothing!".  She then chastised me for being so negative.  Unfortunately I have had a bit of time in beta hell, and I have kept my heart guarded.  Here are my betas for all of you to enjoy with me :)

8dp5dt  103

9dp5dt  135 (doubling time of 60 hrs) - beta done the next day due to spotting

12dp5dt 327 (doubling time 56 hrs)

14dp5dt 599 (doubling time 54 hrs)

18dp5dt 2147 (doubling time 52 hours)

So as you can see, numbers were pretty spot on for a singleton.  Doubling times weren't fantastic like I wanted them to be, but they were more than adequate.  The dr kept saying they were "fabulous".  

Today's U/S showed two perfectly sized gestational sacs, each with a perfectly sized yolk sac, and one had the first signs of a fetal pole.  She said this was perfect.  Repeat U/S in 6 days at 6w3d when hopefully we will see some heartbeats!!!!

Here is the U/S, not the best image, but on the screen up on the wall the sacs looked huge!  And the yolk sacs just looked so damn perfect.

7dp5dt

(written 2/26/15)
I haven't been blogging like usual during a cycle, probably because I'm still keeping everything in draft.  We STILL haven't told our families that we cycled.  Any who.......

You all just know I have been peeing on sticks.  I told myself and DH I wasn't going to this cycle but I am an addict.

First extremely faint positive on an IC was at 5dp5dt in the evening, although later I think I can see a v v v v faint line on the evening test from 4dp5dt.  I was SOOOOOOOOOOO excited of course!!!  BUT, our chemical pregnancy last time has really messed with my head, so definitely way more guarded than ever before.  Luckily sticks have gotten darker!  There are NO First Response Early Results to be found in this country, which is the test I have always used in previous cycles, so I have no way of comparing to past cycles, which I think might be a blessing.  I have done approximately 10 ICs (I am calling the Internet Cheapies, but really they are kind of expensive dip strip tests that look and act just like an IC.  Tests are SOOOOO expensive here!), 2 Clearblue regular tests, and one Clearblue Digital yesterday that came up 1-2 weeks since conception which is spot on.

Here are what my symptoms have been (mostly for my own records, but maybe someone else in the 2ww after IVF will find it helpful):

1dp5dt: abdominal twinges, diarrhea
2dp5dt: abdominal twinges, diarrhea (never had this before, not sure if it's from meds?)
3dp5dt: wake up in the very early morning hours with bad cramps, feel just like AF is about to start any second.  If I wasn't in the 2ww I would've been popping ibuprofen.  It lasts about 12-18 hours.
4dp5dt: all symptoms disappear, I feel all hope is lost.  That evening I eat a big mexican meal in anticipation of a coming BFN and need for going back on the paleo diet.
5dp5dt: wake up with what I would call "uterine heaviness".  Not cramps, just a heavy feeling and an awareness of my uterus.  POAS and faint bfp :)
6dp5dt: heavy uterus, breasts start to ache
7dp5dt: heavy uterus, breasts ache, nipples hurt badly when brushed agains, nipples erect?

And that's where we are at.  Beta is scheduled for tomorrow, but their lab is closed on Fridays so the result won't be run util Saturday.

Here are the meds I am on now:

Estradiol 3x day
Cyclogest supp 3x day
Clexane SQ daily
PIO every other day

Ohhhhh I just don't know how to feel.  

Egg Retrieval and transfer updates....

(written 2/20/15)
Haven't been keeping as good of a record this time around, probably because I haven't been live blogging....just didn't want to worry my mom about having all of this done 8,000 miles away.  I am thinking about telling her soon though, so then I will be posting my blogs.

Big shout out to Turia for keeping me sane these last few weeks.  Love you girl, you're a great sounding board for my rambled thoughts, and I always feel like you are one of the people in this world who truly "get me".

So I ended up stimming for 9 days on 225 of Merional (believe it is the equivalent of menopur).  I did no down regulation at all, no birth control pills, no lupron.

Egg retrieval was 2/14....making babies on Valentine's Day.  I love it and continue to hope that it's a good omen.

All along I had 22+ follicles, but only had 8 eggs retrieved.  To say I was disappointed was an understatement.  My dr reminded me that we purposely stimulated me less than my 2 previous long DR cycles (300 bravelle and 75 menopur both times), and were going for quality bot quantity.  She said my first two cycles my estrogen was so high (6-7,000 at trigger) that my egg quality was probably affected. This cycle my estrogen was 2,000 at trigger.

Egg retrieval was the most painful experience of my life.  My 2 hours in recovery was as bad as the height of labor.  This stupid country and it's fear of narcotics is not ok.  I was completely knocked out during the procedure, but recovery was given tylenol IV, because we all know how great tylenol helps severe pain.  Also mentally I was feeling bad, the anesthesiologist popped her head in and questioned me about my trigger shot.  "Did you take all of it?  At the right time?  You're sure you didn't forget?",  "We just don't know why so many of your follicles were empty".  I was devastated.  Googling empty follicles made me think most of my eggs were "over cooked".

Out of 8 eggs, 5 fertilized with IMSI.  Probable 3 day transfer provisionally scheduled.

Day 3 I got the call saying all were doing wonderful and we were pushing to day 5.  I didn't know at the time but I now know our embryos were 9 cell, 8 cell, 8 cell, 8 cell and 7 cell.  No fragmentation.

Day 5 was yesterday 2/19.  I was about to puke I was so nervous while waiting for the embryologist to come in.  My husband was out in the waiting room (due to the extreme modesty rules of Muslim women men aren't allowed back in recovery rooms or transfer rooms) so I was alone, twitching with nervousness.

FINALLY (seriously I twitched for about an hour, they were way behind), she walked in smiling and said, "It's very good news".  My heart literally stopped.  I had psyched myself up to hear, "We only have morulas today" or "There's one blast but it doesn't look good".

Our 5 fertilized eggs on day 5 were:
-5bb
-5aa
-4aa
-4aa
-early blast with fragmentation.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even explain the jubilation I felt.  She didn't even tell me the grades, I just snooped on her clipboard.  She said we would transfer 2.  Then she left.

What?!?!  I have never had more than 2 blasts, and only once have I had a 5aa (Pipsqueak I assume).

Transfer was painless besides the fact that I over filled my bladder by a ton.  The embryologist picked the very best 2 and those were transferred.  I got to see them up on the screen, so amazing!  Never had the chance to see any of our embryos before.

I requested to talk with the embryologist before I left.  The director of the lab sat me down, he was so nice and spoke perfect English so no language barrier.  He said the 5aa was an easy pick, as it was perfect and exactly where it should be.  The next embryo he chose was one of the 4aas.

So now I am 1dp5dt.  I am staying at a hotel for a couple nights as we had some points to use.  I got upgraded to a business suite and am relaxing to the max!

Please stick little ones.  You are SO wanted.  xoxo

Stims day 9

(written 2/11/15)
After 8 stims doses, again at a smaller dose than my last 2 long DR cycles...

I have over 20 follicles ranging from 19-23mm!  Uterine lining is 16mm and triple stripe.  The dr said we can expect 20 eggs!!!!!  I pushed her to give me a chance of success, she said 60-65%.  I will take it!!!

Lots of exclamation points today.

They sent me home with a smaller dose of stims and cetrotide in case they want one more dose, but I don't think that's gonna happen. They also sent me home with 2 separate trigger shots, depending on my E2 level as to probability of OHSS.  

Omg I'm feeling really positive. Hope I'm not setting myself up for failure.

I asked about freezing eggs.  (Freezing embryos is frustratingly illegal here!!).  I asked how many mature eggs we would need to think about freezing half.  She said if we end up with 16-18 or more mature eggs we should probably freeze half.  Any less than that and we will just fertilize all of them.

Ooohhhh please let this work.   We are ready for you little Arabian Bebe!

Day 5 stim monitoring

(written 2/8/15)
After 4 days of stimming with Merional 225 units (compared to 375 total units on my last 2 long cycles) I have "tons of follicles" measuring 11-13mm.  Uterus is triple stripe and 13mm.  Estradiol is 348.  Clearly the short protocol is going to stim me faster even though the dose is decreased.  My last 2 cycles at this point my estradiol was 200 and my biggest follie was 9mm.

Feeling really positive about this cycle.....good vibes to the universe please....

CD2 monitoring appt

(written 2/3/15)
So here we goooooooo!

Hubby's last hormonal panel was all normal, so no meds are gonna get his numbers up high enough for IUI.  So IVF/IMSI here we come!

CD2 monitoring appt today went well!  U/s showed lots of "baby follicles" as my dr put it, and labs were all normal. 

FSH 7.5

LH 5.9

Estradiol 21

Progesterone 0.7

Tomorrow I meet with the IVF nurse to go over my meds and protocol, and to be taught about injections. Seeing as this is my 3rd IVF and I'm an RN I think I have it covered but oh well.  They offer daily injections in their clinic but will allow me to inject myself at home. Thank god as its a bit of a cab ride to and from the clinic and it would get old and expensive quickly!!

She looked over my old records and said they will not stimulate me as hard as my previous clinic did.  I was on Bravelle 300 and Menopur 75,  she said they use a different but similar med and we will probably start with 225 instead.  Sounds good as I think I was overstimulated both times prior with estradiol a over 6,000!

I'm not nearly as nervous as I was last time, and I think it helps that I'm keeping this secret from almost everyone in my life.  Thus why I'm blogging but not publishing until later.  I want a record but like not having to immediately report everything to my mom, mother in law, All my friends etc.

Zen, positive feelings, good diet, moderate exercise and warm compresses to the abdomen are my mantras.... 😬