Once again, we are back at the odd counting system. They count two weeks back from the transfer date to get us the date of conception. This is about the time we would have begun the shot regimen. There is really no plausible way I could have been pregnant... but they do this because this is the time when, in natural circumstances, I would have been ovulating. So we'll run with it.
February 24, 2013 - The Date of Conception
Conception is defined as the formation of a viable zygote by the union of the sperm and ovum. February 24 is the date of conception officially listed in my records. This would be about the time we started some of the shots.
By all calculations, you should be making your big debut in the world around November 30, 2013.
March 2, 2013 - Week 1
We have begun the process and are almost to the retrieval date. 6 more days. For right now, I cringe as I endure the shots. LM holds my hand and kisses me after each one. He's such a kind and thoughtful little sweetheart.
The other night, he sat quietly and watched as Officer Dad administered the shot. Afterward, his little eyes grew large and he proclaimed, "Uh-oh. Daddy shot mommy!" Through the eyes of babes. :)
March 8, 2013 - The Retrieval
Everything was textbook. We took LM to daycare, and reported at the scheduled time to a tiny hole of a room in a different unit. I got ready, went through the usual nurse instructions, and the IV team came in to place the IV line for anesthesia. The tech was clearly new, and very nervous. His first attempt failed, and resulted in a beautiful bruise on my arm - as he blew through the vein. Thankfully, the second attempt was a success.
Of course, the requisite warning was there would be pinchy, crampy pain; and I'd be on a weight restriction until the blood tests. The weight restriction took an entirely different meaning this time, as we now have a 28-pound toddler at home. Thankfully, he knows how to climb on his own, and is good at helping mommy out. I did feel a bit of the rumored pinchy, crampy pain afterward; but the pain was gone pretty quickly.
Anesthesia always knocks me on my caboose - so, after I was discharged, I returned home, ate, and slept for a while. When I woke up, it was almost time to get LM from daycare... and I felt MUCH better.
March 9, 2013 - Week 2
Transfer day is coming up quickly now. It's tomorrow! This process seems to take too long sometimes. It is still surreal that we are in the process of trying to bring another beautiful child into this world.
March 10, 2013 - The Transfer
It was a cold, snowy morning when we made our way to the hospital for the transfer. Luckily, we have amazing neighbors who came over to watch LM, as we were first up on the schedule that morning. The neighbor showed up with her oldest son, and we were on our way.
It had been a rather disheartening morning, as I had discovered my lucky charms were nowhere to be found. (I have yet to remember where I stashed them!) While getting prepared for the procedure, I had also discovered the ever-present footprint birth stone charm I wear (it's engraved with LM's name and birth date) had fallen off my necklace chain in transit. PANIC! We tried to retrace our steps. Officer Dad even went to look in the car - and nothing. I was heartbroken at the thought of having lost this beautiful charm. So, Officer Dad contacted our caretaker and asked if she could look around the homestead and see if anything turned up. (It wasn't until after the transfer that we heard they had found the charm and placed it on my dresser for safe keeping. Whew!)
We were taken down to the OR, where Dr. C and his team were waiting. He informed us at this time that 3 embryos would be transferred. Yikes! Apparently the "grading system" for embryo quality had changed since the last time... since it is their goal to give you the best possible odds of achieving pregnancy success, they get as close to a 100% chance as possible... so, three it was!
Afterward, we were taken back to our room, where I had to remain flat on my back for an hour. Once the hour was up, I was free to go. We went home, where I faced a day of bed rest. Ugh! So boring! But, it gives the best possible chance of success. The outcome is more than worth the boredom!
March 16, 2013 - Week 3
We are 6 days away from the first blood test at this point. Thinking this time would pass more quickly was a misconception. At least LM keeps me distracted in the evenings, when I have more free time to think about it. 6 days to wait. Oi!
We are excited to see the outcome this time. Excited that there is a possibility we will get to welcome another member to our family. The fresh transfer worked last time, here's to it working again!
March 22, 2013 - Blood Test #1
After waiting anxiously, we found the HCG level was 143 iu/L. Woohoo! That means a nice, strong positive! I feel a lot more confident this time than when we tried the frozen transfer in November. In my soul, I feel like this one worked.
Finally, an explanation as to why coffee tastes so stinkin' bitter!
March 23, 2013 - Week 4
My current disposition: sunshine and happiness (how could anyone NOT be happy?!)
Still on a high note from yesterday's positive result. Tomorrow is the second blood test - the confirmation, if you will. They look for this number to at least double by then.
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