Lucy's Birth Story - Part 1

So as you all know I was scheduled for an induction.  Just to remind you, we were doing this because of all the problems I had with LolaBean's pregnancy and the fact that I still had borderline PAPP-A levels in this pregnancy as well.  So at 38 weeks my Dr decided it was pretty safe to induce labor.  And let me tell you, I was ready as well.  I was getting so uncomfortable.  It was really tough to breath, bending over was impossible, I was just generally at that stage where you are grumpy all the time...  And of course the week after I delivered we had a huge heat wave that is still raging!  So anyway onto the birth story...

We were supposed to be at the hospital at 8 am.  Well being we had a toddler to get ready and drop off and a pregnant nervous grumpy momma we were a little late...like 9am.  Lol!  We registered and got ourselves situated in the room.  The nurse came in and checked me (still 2 cm ) and got my IV going.  We discussed the epidural.  I was advised that the anesthesiologist was going to be very busy that day and that if I wanted an epidural I had better get it sooner rather than later.  I said yes please we can start it whenever the Dr is ready.  As I said previously I am not adverse to pain management.  I've felt what labor is like and I tend to have back labor so I would definitely be wanting the epidural.  Also I still worry about emergency c-sections so I'd rather already be drugged just in case so I don't have to be knocked out.  She said okay no problem.  She advised me my Dr would be in to see me shortly.  

Dr. S came in at around 1030 and we chatted for a bit.  He checked me as well.  Advised me I was having contractions but they were irregular and not very strong.  (I knew that)  He had to rush off to check on another patient but told me next time he would be back to break my water.  He returned at about 11 am.  As he was prepping to break my water I sort of prayed out loud..."God let it be clear!"  He paused and looked at me quizzically?  He said how do you know about that?  I said "Oh Dr S I know way too much information...I really don't want her to have already pooped!"  He assured me everything would be fine she was coming early enough...  He said okay it's probably not going to be a lot of fluid, you are not that big...  Lol!  And pop my waters were broke....And they were NOT clear.  Lucy had already pooped inside.  Dr.S and Amy our great nurse sat there and monitored the waters...It was about 10 minutes of leaking gushing fluid....Amy looked up and said that doesn't look like a little to me....She's in a pool!  I laughed I said no it didn't feel like a little amount of fluid to me...  

And just like last time once my water was broken the contractions started and kicked up in intensity.  My mom got there at about 12 and was on fire.  She walked in the room and said "Okay let's get this show on the road!"  Like I had any control over how fast this labor was going to be.  Actually her and JD were pretty annoying during my labor and regularly I would've been snippy with them, but I was so focused on breathing through and just getting through the pain to the next contraction that I tuned them out and laughed when I could.  

At 1:00 the anesthesiologist came in and administered my epidural.  At this time they were also hanging the bag of pitocin.  We had a little bit of trouble with my epidural....But I'll have to get into that in part 2 as this is getting long and I have to get the girls ready for the their photo shoot this morning. 

More to come tomorrow!

Much Love!
ks

Starting FET Prep & Whoops!!!

Ugh!  (smacking forehead)  I thought for sure I wrote down my protocol for our last DE IVF cycle.  But I have scoured the history for 2 days now and I can not find it anywhere.  Stupid!  Stupid!  Stupid!  Why oh why did I not write it down.  I'm usually pretty OCD about all of this stuff.  

So here's the complication...

No one can remember when I took the prednisone.  Actually no one can remember me taking the prednisone at all!  Except me of course.  I know I took it because I felt like super man on it.  I know we talked about it with all the Dr's because of my Hashimoto, but no one can remember who prescribed it or when during the cycle I took it.  

I think I took it at the same time as the antibiotics.  But I'm not 100% sure!  For some reason I have a feeling I took it after the transfer too, but that doesn't seem right.  Does it???  AyAyAyAy!

Anyway...To avoid this happening again.  I am posting my protocol right now!

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FET #1 (an only from DE IVF #3)

Estrace 2mg 3x daily (orally) for the first 2 weeks

Estrace 2mg 3x daily (vaginally) to continue throughout

Prednisone to start Oct 9, 5mg once daily for 14 days

Dexamethasone to start Oct 16, once a day for 7 days

PIO to start on Oct 17...1 cc...(I'll have to double check on that)  

Thaw and hopeful Transfer Oct 23.

Start POAS craziness Oct 30...

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If there are any tweaks or adjustments to my protocol, be sure I will post!  

So as you can see there is no lupron!  I'm a little nervous about this.  My body seemed to wake up a bit since I had Lola.  However, the last 3 months I seem to be sliding back into peri-menopause.  So I am currently on my first month of HRT.  I'm feeling okay...I guess...  I've been getting bad headaches and my back is really bugging me the last 2 days.  Kind of like my period is coming.  But I thought the HRT was supposed to regulate me a little better?  I thought I could expect it on Sept 25, so my first u/s and b/w are already booked for Sept 26.  

So I guess it seems this cycle is going to be like every other cycle JD and I have ever done.  A guessing game right up until the end!  Will she get her period...dum..dum..dum...will her lining grown...dum..dum..dum..will she ovulate through the estrace...dum..dum..dum..will frostie thaw and thrive...DUM...DUM...DUM...

Stay Tuned...!

Much Love!

ks

Starting FET #2

As I said in my previous post.  I've made a few phone calls about the upcoming FET.  I did conclude all my necessary testing, there was just one thing, well 2 things left undone.  #1.  I needed to get back onto HRT to regulate my cycles.  Upon review my cycles have been slowly speeding up.  I think I'm averaging around every 17 days now.  With some spotting in between.  So that is just awesome!  And #2...  I intended to get an endometrial biopsy done the month prior to the transfer.  There is some research out there that believes that having fresh healing in the uterus helps encourage the embryo to attach to the fresh scar tissue...(I don't know but I thought it wouldn't hurt.)

Any way...You would think me being an old veteran at cycling there wouldn't be too much back and forth between myself and the RE's.  That unfortunately is not the case.  And Why is that?  Well that is because I'm not dealing directly with the RE's, I'm dealing with the Nurses.  I have 2 Nurses.  One at SG who I will call Nurse Vet, and one here locally who will hereby be known as Nurse DumbAss.  

2 Months ago I had a fantastic appointment with my local RE.  She gave me all the prescriptions that I would need to get through my HSG and the start of my FET.  Well me being me...Lost the ones for the start of the FET.  So I lost the prescription for my HRT, dexamethasone, and prednisone.  And I knew that Local RE wanted to do the biopsy the month prior, so I figured I would just wait and call on my Day 1 advise them of my Day 1, book my biopsy and get my prescriptions called in.  Easy Peazy Japanezy!!!  Uhhhh NO!

I had to talk to Nurse DumbAss 3x that first day to get her to understand that no I was not coming in for an FSH E2 check or an u/s.  All I needed was a biopsy scheduled, and no not at the fancy downtown Toronto clinic, here locally in your little IUI room, you can freakin do it DumbAss we aren't sending it off for testing.  3 freaking phone calls and we hadn't eve talked about the meds.  Then the next day she gets back to me on the meds...and booking the biopsy...

Here's the conversation...

Nurse DumbAss   

"Oh you're right we can do it here locally, you have never used Cre.Ate right?  You went to SG!"  

Me       

Yes that's correct Nurse DA...You finally have the right file in front of you.  

Nurse DumbAss

Oh Okay well I'll call RE and see when she's available...

Me 

Uh Okay..?  And the HRT...?

Nurse DumbAss

Oh yah!  I guess I should ask her about that too!

Me

Poking my Eyes out!!!

Keep in mind this is Day 2!  So as I'm rolling into Day 3...And I'm still taking care of my mom, Lola is still sick, I'm still sick, I'm pretty much every one's bitch....  She calls again...

Nurse DumbAss

Well it looks like RE won't book the biopsy until she's heard from SG that you are a go ahead for an FET in October.

Me

They haven't contacted you?  You haven't forwarded all my infectious disease testing?  Um okay I guess I'll call Nurse Vet and have her call you and pop you an email.

Nurse DumbAss

And we won't be writing you any prescriptions for the FET.  All of your prescriptions have to come from SG.

(At this point I lose it!)

Me

So wait...You aren't going to call in my prescription for HRT?

Nurse DumbAss

No...any medications pertaining to your FET have to come from your USA RE...

Me

Hold on a tick...HRT has nothing to do with FET prep.  I'm in ovarian failure and have been since 29, I need to be on HRT for my own health.  If not I get a period every 14-17 days!  And the second issue is that USA RE can write as many prescriptions as he wants for me, and none of them are getting filled here in Canada!  USA Dr's can not legally prescribe medications to be dispensed here in Canada...Why?  Because they are not legally recognized as Dr's by our government!  

Nurse DumbAss

Oh you're in ovarian failure?!  But. but. but...    

(Really?!?!?  I wish I was kidding!)

By Day 4 the lovely receptionist called me back and let me know I could pick up my prescription anytime after 3 o'clock.  And that I had to start it right away.  Shocker!  Since I wasted 3 days talking to the dumbest nurse imaginable!  

So things are rolling.  Not as I would have liked them too, but they are moving forward none the less.  I will be skipping the biopsy at this point.  I'm just sending my prayers up for lightening to strike twice.  And for things to start moving a little bit more smoothly!

More to come I'm sure!

Much Love!

ks

Fellow Blogger...AngelWingsBaby!

I don't know why but I can rarely get into your blog.  It is only showing me your title.  I saw your post from today on my IPhone but I hate typing on that thing so i planned to send you a message but I can't get into it?!? 

Regarding doing an FET (embryo transfer) with only estrace.  That is the only way I have done all of my transfers.  Since I have ovarian failure, I do not produce any follies (just cysts) and I need the estrace to attempt to build a lining.  My Dr's do suppress me though just in case my body decides to try to ovulate.  Then I take estrace (vaginally) up to 4 mg three times daily until I have a good lining, then start the progesterone 5 days prior to transfer.   And whammo!  Pregnant until proven otherwise!  :)

I sincerely hope that your clinic is able to pull up their socks and get your transfer finished off with some great success.   I hope you see this post and I hope it helps you feel more at ease.  Wishing you all the very best!

Much Love!

ks

12 Weeks 5 Days

We are just ticking away here.  I am a little uncomfortable, but I know it's just my body stretching to accommodate the Bebe.  I have had no more spotting to date!  Yahhh!  We are starting to wean off the meds finally.  I was on them longer than most due to the SCH.  We are now down to .5 cc's of PIO and only 2mg 2x daily.  On Sunday we are going to taper back to .5 cc's every other day and drop down to 1mg 2x daily and then hopefully stop everything by week 14. 

Am I getting closer to believing?
Well yes I am.  I've chosen to be positive until I have something to be negative about. 

Am I showing?
Well yes I am...Dang nam it...already!  It's more so because I have been benched from the gym.  And with a thyroid disaster that I am, any time away from the gym means hello weight gain and hello trucker belly.  I'm hiding it though under big sweaters until I feel more comfortable telling people.

Is there weight gain?
See Above!  I wasn't at my ideal weight going into this cycle.  Due to too many years of infertility and comfort food, but I was losing weight at a steady pace.  I am now up 10 lbs.  Which is alright...But I am going to try to make a consciences effort to control the weight gain.  And I am really hoping that I will be allowed to get back on the treadmill soon.  Even if it is just to walk.  I really wanted to try to stay fit throughout this pregnancy, but y'know it is what it is.  I can lose it all again later.

How is sleep?
Not great.  Boo!  I can't get comfortable for the life of me.  I have the body pillow and all, but I still seem to wake up at least 3x per night.  Oh well!

Anyway this is my update for now.  I'll pop another message soon with all of our Christmas plans!  I'm working right up until Christmas, so lots of free computer time!

Much Love!
ks

Last Day of Lupron!

Hooray!  Yippee!  I hope I never have to take this stuff again for at least 1-2 years!  OMG!  I have been in agony.  My PMS back ache was times 100!  I have pretty much been in the fetal position for 4-5 days.  And the headaches....YOWZA!!!  I finally made it to the gym last night.  It hurt but I did it.  I haven't been on my bike though in over a week.  The weather has been terribly unco-operative and I am just now shaking the cough that I've had from being sick.  I'm really hoping for a little sunshine this weekend.  JD and I are still trying to do the bike race next weekend.  And if we don't want to embarrass ourselves we need to get in a couple of rides.

I haven't heard from the clinic yet about the donor.  I've heard from a couple of friends who also went to this clinic that they are very good about updating you every time your donor has an appointment.  I'm sure I'll here in the next week or so.  I expect she's going to start stimming about a week into the rest of us starting estrace.  Us ladies using DE usually need a little bit more time than the average female to build a lining.  Ohhhhh  how I pray that this donor is a rock star producer!  And I pray that JD's little guys are feeling healthy.  I'll post more when I know more.  I'm off to nurse my killing head and finish some paper work that's been calling my name for a week!

Much Love!

Lupron Day 4

Oh Lupron you are kicking my ASS!  I feel terrible!  I'm surprised actually.  I usually never have a reaction to Lupron, but mind you I've always done the Lupron Depot shot.  The daily injections though WOW!  They are hurting me.  I've had a headache for 3 days.  A bad stomach ache for 2.  And I'm feeling really pms'y today.  I guess that is good because they wanted everyone else to have their cycle day 1's today.  They aren't really concerned about mine. {shrug}  I will probably have one though soon.  I'm already 8 days late, and I stopped my HRT today so....  We'll see!  I have my fingers crossed though.  I would like to have an AF before I start the estrace.  Because if I know my body, no doubt if I don't have one I will drop my lining. 

I told JD I would do a prediction post of what I think is going to happen in the next month....

We'll come back from Washington having spent close to $1200 on the trip.  (money we really don't have)  And 4 things will happen.

1. My couch will fall apart finally.  The arm has been leaning to the right now for 6 months, and it looks like it could go any minute.
2. The dishwasher will finally quit.
3. The bearing that has been screaming at us from the dryer will finally seize, the washing machine already doesn't spin.
4. We'll find out we are a bfn.

Why will all this happen?  Because it is the ks & JD show!  And we are a gong show of bad luck with horrible timing!  LOL!  Please note I am laughing as I post my prediction list.  It's not really funny, but to us it is funny, because this is how our entire marriage has gone.   We went to Germany for 2 weeks when things at work were not great, we spent way too much money but had a fantastic trip.  We were home 2 days and our tv blew!  Warranty expired 2 weeks prior!  Love IT!  I went to Vegas when I was unemployed and we were newlyweds.  No money...  Came back and our fridge had quit!  Awesome!

So if past experience has taught me anything...  I better start shopping out at least one new appliance before our trip.  C'est la vie!

Much Love!

ks

Blog Roll Reading....

If you are anything like me every now and again you pop over to Stirrup Queen's Blog roll and have a read through whichever section applies to your situation.  Well let me be the first to warn any of you still trying!  Most of the blogs in the Donor section are either, pregnant or parenting now.  There are very few of us who are still trying.  Which is good, but, it also makes me sad.  I've followed so many others journey's from the day of transfer to parenting now, it's incredible.  It's just hard sometimes when you feel like your the only one who is never going to find success!

I know I should be happy that we are finally getting the go ahead to move forward, but y'know JD and I there always has to be hiccups!  And I hit it today!  I can't get my prescription filled here in Canada written by an American Dr.  Of course I can't!!!  (sarcastic)  I've written an e-mail to my clinic here locally trying to get my RE here to rewrite the script for me, but I don't know if she is willing to do this or not.  I can't really blame her as my 2 Re's kind of disagree on how to treat me.  But man, please just take pity on JD and I please!!!???  We really don't want to have to spend x amount more money to have the meds shipped from the States, and if we have to go this route we will also be delayed in doing the mock cycle.  Peas and Carrots!!!   Why can nothing, absolutely nothing go smoothly for us!

Okay enough of that.  It'll either work out or it won't and we'll just keep waiting...

I went to the gym again last night for my usual Wednesday ass kicker night.  I bailed half way through.  I couldn't do it.  I'm not 100% yet.  Not even close.  I like to think I am.  But I'm not.  Anytime I bend I get an awful stitch in my sides.  When I sleep I tend to roll onto my belly and Oh My that smarts!  So I think I still need to take it easy.  I ended up leaving before Spin Class last night, so tonight I'm going to try Spin again.  I'm not going to do any other workouts, other than maybe swimming.  I honestly think it should be better by now.  But JD likes to remind me..."Hon...they did cut through your abdomen, it's going to take awhile for the muscles to regroup."  God love him!  He picks me up when I'm down and reminds me not to be so hard on myself!  We'll see if he lets me go tonight!

Much Love!

ks