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Sarah Jean Melito Blog

Our IVF Journey – Update

Infertility

9 Jun

Sometimes when I don’t post for awhile I start to feel guilty. I want to apologize for being MIA, but deep down I know you guys understand why I’ve been a little distant. I love you so much more for that! After waiting quite awhile to begin our fertility treatments, we finally started IVF (In-vitro fertilization) a few weeks ago. I thought we would have some simple tests and then begin our journey. As usual, I was wrong.


After finding out I have a gene for some Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, a newer disorder that involves connective tissue problems and other symptoms, my life has been quite the whirlwind! I had more testing done for that, because now they are concerned with the complications I might have while being pregnant and giving birth. There have been many documented cases of a woman’s uterus rupturing while giving birth. So, I will be monitored by an MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) at a hospital in Boston. That makes me feel a little relieved and calmer about the situation. The doctors sent me to get an MRI to make sure I didn’t have any aneurysms, which are also common with the disorder. Luckily they didn’t find any of those, but they did find a nodule in my thyroid and my breast. All of our other testing was completed and ready to submit to the insurance for IVF. I felt like every time we went to begin, something ended up happening. I’m not going to lie, I was really nervous and even more discouraged. I knew that God was paving our path and working in our waiting. It was hard for me to accept it, though.We have been praying for this baby for a long time. Truthfully, I kept questioning if we were even supposed to have a baby right now. The thoughts trembled in my mind. Am I focusing on the right things? Should we be focusing on our careers, our home, or our hobbies? Should I be doing something else with my life right now? I had like, 1000 feelings about everything that’s been going on. It’s hard to understand God sometimes. And just when I realize that I don’t have all the answers, I know I do have all the prayers!

I started birth control for about a month while this was all going on.  I started birth control to get my hormones going and for my reproductive endocrinologist (RE) to monitor and time my cycle. Then, a few days later, a big package of medications got dropped off at the door step. That was an overwhelming and sad, sad day. I was just dumbfounded looking at all the medication with a blank stare. “Is this really all for me?” I thought to myself. I decided to put it in a shoe organizer so that I could see all the medications and keep track if I was running out of anything.

On day 1 of my period, I went to get a baseline ultrasound and blood work. This is so they can judge where my cycle started off. Day two of my cycle, I started with a Gonal-F injection pen, which was easy for me to administer myself. I’m a freak about needles. Judge me if you want.. I can’t help it! Thankfully, Anthony has been by my side every night and does all the other injections. I didn’t think I could love him any more than I already do, but this infertility process has proved me wrong. He reassures me every day that it will be worth it when we are holding our little babe. The Lord knows the desires of our hearts y’all. One of my best friends even helped me last night, because Ant picked up an overnight shift (did I mention my hubby is officially a fire fighter y’all!!!) But my girl friend had never used a needle before and did it like a champ. I’m lucky to have you as one of my besties, Pitts! 🙂

A day after starting the Gonal-F, I started Menopur and then worked Cetrotide in as well. Gonal-F and Menopur stimulate the ovaries and follicles. I was developing multiple follicles in each ovary. They started off the size of almonds and some got as big as oranges (it’s as uncomfortable as it sounds!) The Cetrotide made it so I didn’t ovulate too early. In the midst of all these injections, I have been going to the Dr.’s every 2-3 days for ultrasounds and blood work. The doctors want to make sure the medication is working properly and check for any symptoms of OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.) They would measure all my follicles and my endometrium lining.

I am happy to report that now everything has been going really well! I was on the stims (stimulation injections) for 9 days. On the 10th day, I did my trigger shot (HCG) which triggers my eggs to “mature and release.” And 36 hours later I was getting my egg retrieval procedure done. I was sedated for about 20 minutes and they went in to get my little eggies. Once I woke up from my procedure, they told my husband and I they were able to retrieve 15 eggs. The next day they called to say that 13 were fertilized with Ant’s sperm! What joy it was to hear that many made it. That same day, I began my progesterone oil shots. I’m still doing them now. Man oh man, I’m tired, bloated and huuuuuuuuungry. It’s like PMSing on steroids or something, lol. But for real! So today is Friday, and we go back Sunday for my embryo transfer! For the past 3 days, up until Sunday, they will see which embryos last and are the strongest. Whichever one is graded the highest is the one that they will insert back to me. At that point, I’m considered PUPO (pregnant until proven otherwise.) Two weeks from Sunday, I will take a pregnancy test to see if the little embaby sticks!

If all goes well, we should expect baby Melito in March 2018! I can’t believe I’m even typing that!!

I keep saying to Anthony how weird it is to imagine our little babies growing in a petri dish in a lab right now. This isn’t how we imagined our baby (or babies) to be formed, but we’re forever thankful for God’s grace that our insurance was able to cover the treatment. Without our insurance, who knows when we would be able to afford it. It seems surreal that if this embryo sticks, I’ll be confirmed pregnant in a few short weeks. I’m filled with pure joy and love just thinking about it. I pray for all my infertility sisters and brothers, that we are all holding our sweet babies some day soon.

Please say a prayer for us, sweet friends. The prayers and love mean more to us than you could imagine. I’ll keep you updated in a few weeks, with hopefully some great news!

xoxo,

 

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Comments

  1. Nikki2629 says

    June 10, 2017 at 2:33 am

    I cant wait to see those 2 lines on that preggers test! I am already planning ideas for you for your baby shower. Lmao you and Ant are freakin awesome humans, I am confident you will be awesome parents also very soon! I love you both so much! Keep fighting and dont give up on your dreams! Xoxoxo

    • TheBelMontRanch says

      June 15, 2017 at 4:40 pm

      oh I just love you so much Nikki! Thank you my friend xoxo

  2. Alyssa | Yellow Birch says

    September 21, 2017 at 8:20 pm

    I just saw your post announcing that your IVF treatment worked — congratulations, sweet friend! That's amazing! I stumbled across your blog recently, and am SO glad to have found you!

    My husband and I lost our baby girl last year at 19 weeks, which was devastating. We're going to be moving to Massachusetts in November and plan to start trying again soon. I was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder, which puts me in a high risk category requiring daily injections once I become pregnant again, so we're looking for a high risk OBGYN doctor located in the Boston area.

    Do you mind sharing who you're seeing and how you like them? If you're not comfortable commenting, feel free to email me at a@yellowbirch.co ❤️

    • TheBelMontRanch says

      November 13, 2017 at 10:58 am

      Alyssa, I apologize not responding to your comment earlier! I recently went through a blog migration and switched platforms and missed your comment. I am so so sorry to hear about your loss! I am going to Dr. Economy and Brigham & Women’s. I have not met her yet as I did miscarry the first pregnancy and I am now 12 weeks, so I will be meeting her in January. But I really like Brigham! Where are you moving in Massachusetts?! That’s awesome. Please feel free to message me on Instagram or email me to continue the conversation! XO, Sarah

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dutch baby pancake 😍 very easy to throw in the dutch baby pancake 😍 very easy to throw in the oven, do some chores and in 25 min breakfast is done! 

ingredients:
1 cup flour 
1 cup milk 
6TBS butter 
6 eggs 
1tsp vanilla 
1TBS honey 
dash of salt 

directions: 
Preheat oven to 425, put butter in cast iron and put in oven until it melts. meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients in a bowl. Add batter to skillet when oven is preheated and let cook 25-30min. Top with powdered sugar, maple syrup and berries 🫐 
Have you ever made a Dutch baby before?!
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#homesteading #homestead #homesteader #wannabehomesteader #selfsufficient #selfsufficiency #urbangardener #surburbanhomestead #chickenlady #homesteadersofinstagram #homemakers #homemakingmomma #gardening #canningandpreserving #fermenting #sourdoughbaking #foodfromscratch
Although I’m a full believer in using the resour Although I’m a full believer in using the resources you have and working with what you got, of course I dream of selling our little >1 acre homestead for a life in the country 💭💭💭 Someday🥰

#homesteading #homestead #homesteader #wannabehomesteader #selfsufficient #selfsufficiency #urbangardener #surburbanhomestead #chickenlady #homesteadersofinstagram #homemakers #homemakingmomma #gardening #canningandpreserving #fermenting #sourdoughbaking
This is such an easy way to make sourdough pasta! This is such an easy way to make sourdough pasta! No fancy pasta attachment required. 

INGREDIENTS: 
-3 cups of flour (I used freshly milled white wheat)
-1 cup starter (discard is fine) 
-4 eggs 

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place everything in mixer and until dough smooths out. Or create a well with flour, add eggs and starter and mix on the counter. 
2. Let dough ferment for at least 30 min. 
3. Divide into 8ish sections, dust counter with lots of flour, then roll as thin as possible. 
4. Use a pizza cutter to cut pieces as desired. Make sure to be using lots of flour so nothing sticks! 
5. Lay on a cooling rack or hang to dry for at least 30 min. 
6. Boil water, add salt and once boiling cooking for 6-7 minutes. 

We enjoyed this pasta in a tomato pesto chicken alfredo, it was so good! 
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#homemaker #sourdough #sourdoughrecipe #sourdoughlove #sourdoughstarter #sourdoughdiscard #sourdoughclub #sourdoughpasta #homesteadmama #homesteading #homesteadlife
Once you’ve had these sourdough cinnamon rolls, Once you’ve had these sourdough cinnamon rolls, you will nottttt go back 🙌🏼 An absolute delight. Recipe coming to my blog & YouTube channel soon 😍 
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#sourdough #sourdoughbaking #sourdoughclub #cinnamonrolls #cinnamonrollsrecipe #homesteadmama #foodie #homemaker #homemade #foodfromscratch #sourdoughlove #sourdoughlover #sourdoughcinnamonrolls
Halfway along-ish and we chose a name for our litt Halfway along-ish and we chose a name for our little guy while in Arizona! 

Jaxson Jeremy 🥰  middle name after my dear cousin who passed last year. 
We can’t wait to meet you bud💙
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