Ever since Justin was born we have wanted to add to our family. But $$$$. I treasured every second with Justin afraid it was my last with a baby. All the old feelings surfaced of wanting a baby. Why couldn't I get pregnant? When I saw someone pregnant, I thought why not me. It's especially hard at anything to do with church. There are always multiple babies or pregnant woman and many with large families. Why not me? It was always my dream to have a huge family. Church made me so sad so often.
A series of events happened in our life. Alex got sick, his hours were cut at work, we moved, and then he found a new job (after tons of resumes and much praying). And...this new job had FERTILITY BENEFITS!!!!!!!!!!! What???? It was like in the midst of these horrible happenings Heavenly Father had answered our prayers - isn't it funny how it works that way sometimes? We just knew another baby was in store for us!
Benefits began in October and I was at the Doctor that month! The below is the protocol that I followed. After reading through it you will understand why the doctor gives you an excel spread sheet of meds. After you take each 1 you highlight it on the list. It's quite a list. At 1 point I was on 11 pills (some the same - just a few times a day) and multiple shots. During this time your emotions go up and down because of all the meds you are injesting or shooting into your body and just plain emotions of hoping this will work. During a lot of this time I hybernated - it was enough to try and feed my family and help Justin get HW done - life was on hold.
Here is the Protocol:
Met with Dr in Oct. Had tests done - lots of yucky ones, measuring of uterous,dye sent up, oil put in to help get pregnant, etc, etc. Started Prenatal vitamins, birth control to regulate period and started zocor to build up a cushy uterous.
Stopped Birth control on 10/29.
Had an ultasound on 11/2 to make sure ovaries clear and no cists. Starting now no lifting, pushing or pulling over 15 lbs.
Started 1 shot follistim on 11/3 added 2nd shot menopur on 11/5 and had ultrasound.
Started 3rd shot 11/7 and had an ultrasound and bloodwork. For the next 6 days continued meds with changes per what the daily bloodwork and ultrasounds showed. Ultrasounds are looking for follicles (this is were your eggs grow, the greater # of follicles the greater # of eggs. They are also looking at the rate of growth of the follicles. Bloodwork is checking for hormone levels - the shots are stimulating multiple follicles and preventing premature ovulation.
On 11/15 took my trigger shot at 930 pm exactly 36 hours prior to egg retrieval also started L-arginine to plump up lining of uterous. Was able to stop all other shots and started antibiotic for retrieval.
On 11/17 went in to surgery suite for my egg retrieval, this is done under sedation and is ultra sound guided. They go through your cervix to retrieve your eggs. After retrieval you must drink plenty of liquids gatorade is great to prevent hyperstimulation and you are on bed rest for the day. I woke up ok this time, but was so sore!! On percaset for pain. They were able to retrieve 10 eggs. They were able to fertilize 9 eggs.
11/18 took 2 shots of progesterone - ouch!!! and started estrogen patch. The embreyologist called today and all 9 eggs developing.
11/19 took 1 shot of progesterone, had to do 1 progesterone cream and added prednesone pill.
On 11/21 Embreyo transfer! They put 3 of our babies in. This doctor does the transfer on day 4 and we had 3 perfect 16 cell embreyos! In bed or chair resting for 4 days.
On 11/22 started lovenox - blood thinner shot to keep blood flowing and plump up uterous, baby asperin also makes a cushy uterous and folix acid pill. - Have to be careful not to fall.
On 12/2 at 9am 1st Pregnancy Blood Test and stopped Zocur. - A high #, could it be twins...
On 12/4 2nd pregnancy Blood test. - # almost doubled???
On 12/21 1st Ultrasound. - A blob and a healthy beating Heartbeat! But only 1 baby... we were a little sad as we were thinking it might be twins. But so happy to have at least 1!
On 12/28 2nd Ultrasound - stop L-arginine. - A beautiful beating heart!!!!
On 12/29 stop estrogen patch.
On 12/30 stop prednesone pill.
On 1/4 3rd Ultrasound. - A beautiful heartbeat and able to see brain developing and baby doing sumersaults.
On 1/11 transfer to regular OB.
On 1/12 stop Progesterone injection.
On 2/9 stop Progesterone cream
On 2/23 stop Lovenox and on 3/9 I will stop aspirin.
On August 10, 2009 or around there are 3rd precious miracle will be born!
This protocol was much more intense then when we did IVF with Justin. Things have changed in 5 years and they know more now...
How lucky and blessed were we that our 1st IVF cycle worked again! We are so truly blessed and so very thankful for a successful IVF cycle. Sitting in the waiting room women will sometimes talk and listen to some talk about this being their 3+ attempt is heartbreaking. I know that Heavenly Father loves these women and has a plan for them just as he does us.
We are so thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves us. We are so thankful that he knows that sometimes our bodies break and don't work perfect. We are so thankful that he helps Doctors and Scientists fix our bodies so that we can have and love his precious babies. We are so thankful that Heavenly Father trusts us to raise his babies and help them to develop into special young children and adults. We pray for all those couples who are going through this process that they may soon know the joy of holding the baby they've been dreaming of in their arms...
