Our IVF Journey – Update

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!

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,