Visit with the Littles

We made a quick visit to the city this past weekend to visit K&S and the twins.  The boys are getting so big  - can't believe they are 18 months - and they are busy, busy, busy.  

Ryan and Mason are growing out of their baby fat now that they are very mobile and Mason is shooting up and stands a good several inches taller than Ryan.  They only have a couple of words but are able to understand some simple directions and you can tell they are on the verge of developing more language soon.  Both boys are also familiar with a little baby sign as well.  It was fun to watch them play and interact - such a couple of cuties.  Mom and dad said that Ryan has develop a little stranger anxiety but he surprisingly did very well with us, no tears. :)  Both boys didn't have any reservations about letting me hold them and they loved playing with our girls and "sharing" their toys too.

Like everyone else they are ready to get out of this deep freeze.  They recently expanded their yard and everyone is looking forward to enjoying more playtime outdoors and letting these two active toddlers run around in the sunshine.

Mason

Ryan

Fresh Start

Well today marks a fresh start.  I made a final trip to the clinic for some blood work to monitor the hCG in my system and it has gone down to 1.5.  More importantly though, my period has started indicating my body is returning to normal and resetting for another try.

There will likely be a change in our game plan as my IPs are strongly considering changing clinics.  Our care throughout the embryo transfer process was just fine but IM feels that the current RE's "one size fits all" protocol may not be the right approach in regards to her care.  In a situation where there is compromised fertility you want a doctor who is going to proceed with caution but still use the most aggressive protocol possible and she didn't feel that in the past he had.  She's very hopeful that a different doctor may be the key to obtaining more eggs and potentially stronger, healthier embryos.

IM didn't waste any time and scheduled a consult with the new clinic the day following our decreased beta news.  We've requested that our records, including all my previous pregnancy records, be forwarded on to the new RE for his review.  We'll hopefully be scheduling appointments with him soon so we can continue to move forward.

I'll keep everyone posted as we work towards another cycle.   Staying positive!!

Heavyhearted

Unfortunately the news following our third beta was not good.  The number has dropped to 13.  This means that at some point since our last blood draw the embryo development arrested and subsequently the hCG hormone in my system began to decline - the pregnancy became non-viable.  I had been mentally preparing myself for this seeing as our numbers were low and slow but nonetheless, this is absolutely disappointing news.

I will stop meds for now and we will hopefully have a new plan in place soon for another try.

Please keep my IPs in your thoughts.  Despite remaining positive, I know this news is difficult for them.

Rising Slowly

Our beta is going up - 12dp3dt to 14dp3dt it rose from ...

61 

to

102

The clinic wants to see it double every 2-3 days (72 hours or less) so we are within the range with a time of 64.72 hours or 2.7 days.  It's slow and it's low but still rising which is what's important.  The lil bean is just taking it's time getting comfortable I guess.

We will have a repeat on Monday.  Stick baby!

First Beta

As I shared this morning we had our first of three blood draws today.  The clinic is happy with a number of 25 or higher as confirmation of a positive pregnancy - our number today at 12dp3dt/15dpo is 61.

I'll be honest, I was anticipating a higher number seeing as we had the faintest positive nearly a week ago already.  However, it's not so much about the number as it is the doubling time so, we wait for the repeat labs which will be either Thursday or Friday and keep fingers crossed we see a nice increase.

Grow bean grow!!

Line'em Up

Beta was this morning and we are anticipating a positive as proof by the many HPTs I've taken over the course of the last few days.  The very first test gave us just a hint of a line (6.5dp3dt/9.5dpo - Wednesday PM) and as you can see they've become darker and darker as the hCG levels rise.

An early positive.

Looking pretty.

Clear as day.

Just before beta. :)

The digital HPT was taken on Sunday (10dp3dt/13dpo) and the 1-2 is the "weeks estimator" gauging that the current hCG level indicates that ovulation occurred 1-2 weeks ago. For all intents and purposes the case still remains true in our IVF situation, as our "ovulation date" would have been 3 days prior to the transfer. I however can't help but look at it as the test telling us there may be 1 or 2 babies??? LOL That question will remain unanswered until the ultrasound, which assuming all continues to go well is a couple weeks away yet.

Keep us in your thoughts as we begin the roller-coaster of the first trimester. We are cautiously excited and praying the lil bean(s) stick around. We still have a long way to go and staying positive that we have a healthy pregnancy.  Coming soon, beta numbers!

To be continued ....