And it was... POSITIVE!!!

Took the blood test on Saturday- never been so nervous for a test I couldn't study for.  I was feeling really calm up until the actual blood test. When the doctors called me an hour later I could hardly wait to get home to call them back with Hans. And then they said it was a yes! Dr. Richards said my levels were high enough that he feels there is a good chance of twins. I did a follow up on Monday and the levels are rising, just as they should be. We definitely are excited, but it doesn't feel real. I don't feel any different yet, although I'm told the nausea usually starts around week 6 or 8. I am at about 4 weeks now- due February 24, 2016! :)

In another 2-3 weeks, we will have an ultrasound to check on things and count heartbeats to see if we will be having 1 or 2- then I think it will feel more real.  After that, we find an OB doctor and I am just a regular expectant mommy.

Transfer Day

Yesterday, Laura, Naiya, and Aria drove me to Logan for the embryo transfer. The girls were having a hard time understanding how they were going to put babies in me. I was talking about being nervous, and being nervous about being nervous. Laura told me about a conversation with a friend who said, "Think about all the babies born in way more critical circumstances(drugs, etc.). If they all survived their conception and made it through pregnancy, than you probably can't hurt yours because you were a little bit nervous."

The doctors were still a little worried about me becoming hyperstimulated- retaining too much water and having my ovaries over swollen. They talked to me about the risks- that I might become much more uncomfortable and may even have to go to the ER to have fluids drained. But, they said that even if that happened it would not affect the embryos. I felt better yesterday than I have since Saturday's procedure, so I told them I was ok with discomfort as long as the embryos were not at risk. I wanted to go ahead.

I had to have a full bladder so that they could get a clear picture with the ultrasound. Other than that discomfort, the procedure was painless. It probably also helped that they had me take a Valium an hour prior. But, I have had no pain since.

I got to watch on the big screen as they put the tiny catheter needle into my endometrium and deposited our embryos- just a bright white dot on the screen. We were also able to freeze 6 more healthy embryos, which means we could do this three more times if needed, at a much lower cost.

Today, I am taking it easy- Doctor's orders. I'm praying for our embryos to be happy and healthy in their new home and that they will continue to grow strong. I know it is in the Lord's hands- whether we have one or two, or whether it is not this time. I feel so very blessed to be able to do this with Hans- my biggest supporter and friend- my partner for eternity.

JUNE 18th will be the first pregnancy test. Soon after that they will do another ultrasound to count heartbeats.

Aria and Naiya said they were praying for me, and Aria said, "I REALLY want you to have babies!" She is four and she is a character. When she was three, we were talking about birthdays and she said, "When I am four I will be HILARIOUS!"

Retrieval Day

On Saturday morning, Hans and I left the house at 6:30 and arrived at the doctors office in Logan just before 9. I got into my hospital gown and got the needle stuck in my arm and then woke up to the nurse and Hans asking me questions and helping me get dressed and back out to the car.

On Sunday Dr. Richards called to say that he was able to fertilize 22 eggs! He explained that if we only had a few good ones by Monday, that we would implant on Day 3, but if we had a good number growing, we would do the transfer on Day 5.

Today he called and said that he felt we should go to Day 5. Apparently, that is also when they reach blastocyst and can be frozen. So, on Thursday we will transfer two of the best embryos and freeze the rest.

The doctors are concerned that I might be hyperstimulated, which is when your ovaries become very swollen and painful. If it continues, they will have to freeze all the eggs and wait until next month for transfer. I am supposed to measure my weight and circumference every day and drink a lot of fluids with electrolytes. I have been very uncomfortable - my lower abdomen hurts and I feel like I am full of gas. I've had spells of nausea and have not felt like eating much of anything, except salt. I didn't sleep well at all last night. I'm wearing my Grandma Adeline's house dress every chance I get because it is about the only thing that doesn't feel tight(poor Hans.) I think it is getting better though, so I am hopeful that we can go ahead on Thursday and get the babies into Mommy(that's Me) :)

Hans Describes Azure Waking up from Anesthesia

As I was sitting in the waiting room I could hear the nurses talking to Azure trying to get her to wake up.  After about 10 minutes of this they finally asked me to come back.  Azure was very out of it and her chin was quivering.  The nurse said that was common.  I could tell Azure just wanted to sleep as she was very drowsy and we all know how much she likes to sleep.  The best way to describe this moment would be compare it to sacrament meeting.

After about 5 minutes of talking to her Azure asked how many eggs were retrieved to which we told her 31.  I could tell by the nurses response that she had already told her that at least once before.  They we told Azure that as soon as she got dressed and got in the car she could sleep.  She was pretty excited about the idea of sleeping in the car and said "I can really sleep in the car?"  After another 20 minutes of encouraging her to keep her eyes open and talk to us I asked her if she knew how many eggs were retrieved and she said "no, how many".  Then again, I told her to fight off the sleep and keep her eyes open so we could get her dressed and in the car.  I told her once she got in the car she could sleep while I drove and she was shocked and asked again if she could sleep in the car.  This happened one more time about 10 minutes later.  It was fun teasing Azure and trying to get her to laugh.  The best part was when we finally got in the car I told Azure that they mixed up my sperm with another patient's sperm to which she said "I'm going to have a black baby".  I was pretty impressed that she was coherent enough to be that witty and that she did not freak out.

My favorite part of the experience was seeing her in a very vulnerable state and realizing how much I love and care for her.  She was happy to see me and I felt we grew closer together through the experience.

Final Ultrasound

Dr. Amesse gave me an "A" for quality of my uterine lining. Thickness was 11 and the doctors say they like it to be at least an 8.  Woohoo!

The egg follicles are growing very well. Dr. Amesse says he is hopeful we may get as many as 16 good eggs, which is great for my age!

Retrieval is Saturday morning!

Something encouraging I found from a quick google search:
"A recent study published online in the journal Human Reproduction found that retrieving around 15 eggs from a woman’s ovaries in a single in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle gave a woman the best chance of a successful pregnancy and birth. The study found there was a strong relationship between live birth rates and the number of eggs retrieved in one cycle."
https://www.fertilityauthority.com/articles/15-magic-number-egg-retrieval