Thanksgiving 2009

Dear Little One--

Your daddy and I spent Thanksgiving in Tahoe. It was your first road trip! We have so much to be Thankful for this year. Your daddy and I love you so much already and can't believe how lucky we are.

I have been feeling really good and I haven't had ANY preganancy symptoms at all, other than exhaustion and waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. I know I'm lucky and I'm very thankful that you are making pregnancy so easy on me. However, at times, I do get scared. I just hope that you are alright in there!

We had a very relaxing time in Tahoe. We took walks, slept a lot, watched movies, read, and worked on a puzzle. It was cold and snowy several days, so it was perfect for staying in by the fire and drinking hot chocolate!

Grow Strong, Little One!

Beta #2

Beta #2 = 403!!!

Dr. W said that we doubled close enough and she wasn't at all worried. Typically, a healthy pregnancy should have a doubling beta every 48-72 hours. All my other bloodwork looked great, so I go to go off all my meds. Wow! Now, I'm only on baby aspirin and pre-natal vitamins.

Next up, 6 week ultrasound in 2 more weeks.

Overjoyed!

I'm knocked up! I'm with child! I'm FINALLY pregnant!!!!!

Brian and I got up early and were at the lab by 7am for my Beta draw. It sure was a quiet ride to the lab. We were both so nervous. We so desperately wanted to hear the great news that we were finally pregnant!

I took the day off work so that we could be together to process whatever news we received when Dr. W called. We waited and waited and waited for what seemed like an eternity, but it was just after 11am when the phone rang. Brian was out with Belle on a walk, so I debated if I should answer the phone or let her leave a message. I decided to answer the phone. Dr. W said Hello and asked me how I was feeling. I said that I felt fine, but that I was really nervous. She asked if I was feeling pregnant and I responded that I wasn't at all. She replied, "are you sure, because you should be!". I was unsure as to where she was going with this and I dumbfoundedly asked her, "I'm really pregnant, you're not kidding?". She replied, "I don't kid about things like this, you are pregnant!".

My beta level was great! Beta was 205 9dp5dt. I cried tears of shock and joy. Dr. W congratulated me and told me to tell Brian the good news and gave me instructions about my meds. After we got off the phone, I ran to our empty room and grabbed the onies that Brian and I bought in Murphy's during our 1st IUI cycle many months ago. When he got home, I was crying. I showed him the onies and asked if he'd like to use it in about 8 more months! We both cried and hugged and cried some more!

We are both so excited and nervous and scared. I took a pregnancy test just to see the words "pregnant" pop up. I still couldn't believe it. I have another blood draw on Thursday to make sure my levels are doubling and then we have our 1st ultrasound on 12/2. We can't wait to see our little one!

Waiting....

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Because there are questions without answers,
flames that never die,
And heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord,
How could I ask for more

- Cindy Morgan Lyrics

A dear friend of mine reminded me that in the Bible, it's documented that every single woman that prayed for a child received one. Every single one of them. It may not have been in their time, but it was in God's time, and I really do believe that if God gives you the desire to be a mother, He will indeed fulfill that desire, someway, somehow.

I will hold onto that belief while we count down the days to our first Beta (pregnancy test). Tick....Tock....this just might be the longest 9 days ever.

Egg Transfer

We had our 5 day transfer yesterday! We transfer ed 2 beautiful grade AB blastocysts back in.

Here's the picture that they gave us of our blasts. Sorry, I can't figure out how to crop it down. We are hoping they are getting snuggled in for a long 9 month stay.

This is what happens in a 5dt:

0dpt... Embryo is now a blastocyst
1dpt....Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
2dpt.. Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
3dpt.. Implantation begins,as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
4dpt.. Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining 5dpt.. Morula is completely implanted in the lining and has placenta cells & fetal cells
6dpt...Placenta cells begin to secret HCG in the blood
7dpt...More HCG is produced as fetus develops
8dpt...More HCG is produced as fetus develops
9dpt...HCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on HPT

I'm on bed rest for the next couple of days. Our hard work is behind us. Now, we just wait. Our next appointment is for a beta draw (pregnancy test). I think the waiting will be the hardest part. I keep trying to remember that I am pregnant until proven otherwise.

Dr. W called today to let us know that 4 more embies made it to the blastocyst stage, so we have a total of 6 blasts to freeze.....our very own totsicles for later use. We'll keep you posted as we know more....keep those prayers and good vibes coming....our embies have a lot growing to do!

It's On!

All 13 embies are still growing strong and in the REs words this morning, "they all look terrific!". It was music to our ears. Dr. S made me laugh when he said that our embies were making the team work hard tomorrow because it was going to be a lengthy discussion and difficult decision to narrow down to 2 embies to transfer. Of course, my response was that it's a great problem to have. Dr. S wittingly jested back that he didn't see it as a problem, but a fantastic opportunity!



So, we're on for the Embryo Transfer on Sunday at 11am! We are thrilled to have this fantastic opportunity!

The Kenny 13

Dr. W called to let us know that all 13 embryos made it to Day 2 and they are still growing strong! All are a Grade 1 or Grade 2 which means they have received the highest grades possible for embryos! Tomorrow we will go ahead and schedule our transfer. We're keeping our fingers crossed that the transfer will be on Sunday. Transferring on Sunday will get us to a Day 5 Blastocyst transfer. So, now we are just cheering the Kenny 13 on. Say it with me... "Go embies, go!".

I found these pictures that I thought were cool that show the embies development. If you feel like you are going back to your high school Biology class, now you know what we have felt like for months leading up to this IVF cycle! We keep calling this our "little experiment". I'm amazed by this process and will continue to be in awe of our little miracles everyday!

Day 1: Fertilization

Male and female genetic material (DNA) is in the 2 pronuclei (circles) in the center. This is what we see at the "fertilization check" the morning after the egg retrieval. Evidence of fertilization is shown by the presence of the 2 pronuclei. Without fertilization, the egg would look the same, but without any pronuclei.

Day 2: 2 cell embryo

Day 3: 8 cell embryoDay 4: Morula Stage
This is a compacting morula. There are many cells and the cell borders are becoming fuzzy as the embryo "compacts". With compaction it looks as though the cells are "melting together"
A morula contains about 10 - 30 cells. The morula stage is the final stage prior to formation of a fluid filled cavity called the blastocoel cavity.

Day 5: Blastocyst

A blastocyst is an embryo which has developed to the point of having 2 different cell components and a fluid cavity. Blastocyst transfers can give higher pregnancy success rates with very low risk of triplets.The cells which will become the fetus are in the area marked as "ICM" (inner cell mass)The blastocoel cavity in the center is marked as "C"The trophectoderm cells that will form the placenta surround the cavity - one is marked with a "T"

Fertilization Report

Dr. W called bright and early this morning to go over our Fertilization Report. Here's the break down:

• 20 eggs retrieved
• 15 were mature
• 13 fertilized with ICSI!!!

So, right now we have a baker's dozen of little embryos! We are beyond thrilled!!! Now, we wait and see how the 13 divide and develop. The following is an approximate timetable of events for IVF:
Day 0
Egg retrieval Sperm collection and ICSI
Day 1
Check eggs for fertilization (the presence of two pronuclei or PN's)
Day 2
Embryos at the 4-cell or more stage of development
Day 3
Embryos at the 8-cell or more stage of development
Day 4
Embryos at the compacted morula (16-32 cell) stage
Day 5
Embryos at the blastocyst stage of development

Our goal is to make it to the 5 day transfer stage. We'll be getting updates along the way and Dr. W will call us on Friday to schedule the transfer. The only reason we would have a 3-day Transfer is if the embies development is slowing down or starting to fragment. Sometimes, there are clear leaders pulling ahead of the pack by then, sometimes not. Studies show a slightly higher success rate with a 5-day transfer, so we're pulling for a 5-day! Critical points in development are (1) fertilization, (2) 4 to 8 cell stage and (3) morula to blastocyst stage.

So, now we trust the embryologists to take care of our little embies and wait....we are so excited and thrilled...but we know there are many more hurdles to jump over before crossing our finish line to claim victory over infertility. We are humbled and grateful to have made it this far and we pray with all of our hearts that the outcome will be a positive one....literally!

Egg Retrieval Day

We made it to Egg Retrieval!

Brian and I got to the clinic at 6:15 this morning. We were the first on the schedule, so we had the place to ourselves. My nurse was the same one that took care of me in August, so she teased me that she was going to call me Jenni Kenny if I misbehaved! We went thru all the paperwork, I got changed into a very fashionable gown, and then they went to work trying to get the IV in. Remembering from last time what a chore it was, the nurse decided not even to try and have the anesthesiologist do it.

So, in comes the anesthesiologist and he tries to get my veins to cooperate to no avail. He tried everything....laying me flat, hanging my hands down, thumping away, hot compresses, etc all while sticking me several times. He finally had success on my left, but the vein wasn't flowing good. So, back to the right. Finally, we had success and into the cold OR I go.

The procedure was quick and easy, only lasting about 45 minutes. The next thing I knew, I was back in recovery listening to Dr. G tell us I did great and they retrieved 20 eggs!!! Yep, 20 eggs! He also said that he wanted to infuse me with a bag of Hetastarch which is a medication used to reduce the likelihood of OHSS (Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) which is bad, bad, bad. So, we got to hang out for another hour or so, chat with the nurses, and drink gatorade.

Now, I'm just resting at home. I feel really good...just super bloated and a little anxious for tomorrow. Tomorrow, we'll get the call letting us know how the eggs fertilized. So, we're keeping our fingers crossed for a good fertilization report. I have a brand new batch of meds that I start tonight (Medrol, Estrace, Progestrone, and an antibiotic)....no shots! Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we enter into another phase of cooking up our very own McMiracle!

Triggering Tonight!

Yahoo! We just got the call saying everything looks great and we're triggering tonight for a Tuesday Egg Retrieval (ER)!

So, tonight Brian will give me the trigger shot at exactly 7pm. The trigger will start the final maturation process of the eggs. Brian starts a dose of antibiotics tonight and I start tomorrow night. The ER will be on Tuesday morning at 7am!

So, what's next??? We're moving out of the action part of the cycle. I won't know what to do with no morning monitoring appointments, no shots, no blood draws. After the retrieval, we'll know how many eggs we have. Then, the embryologist will work on fertilizing the eggs with Brian's sperm in a procedure called ICSI (pronounced Ick-see). ICSI is an acronym for intracytoplasmic sperm injection - which is a long, fancy way of saying "inject sperm into the middle of the egg".

ICSI is a very effective method to get fertilization of eggs in the IVF lab after they have been retrieved. IVF with ICSI involves the use of specialized micromanipulation tools and equipment and inverted microscopes that enable embryologists to select and then pick up individual sperms in a tiny specially designed hollow ICSI needle. Then the needle is carefully advanced through the outer shell of the egg and egg membrane and the sperm is then injected into the inner part (cytoplasm) of the egg. This will usually result in normal fertilization in approximately 70-85% of eggs injected with viable sperm. Wow, talk about high tech, huh?!? At first, we had some concerns originally that ICSI went a bit against natural selection, but the embryologist says it’s actually better. If they just put the eggs and sperm in a dish, the egg could be fertilized by the sperm that is CLOSEST to the egg but not necessarily the strongest. In natural conditions, the closest sperm probably would be the strongest because it would have traveled the furthest, etc. With ICSI, they’re mimicking this process to some extent by choosing the strongest, most normally shaped

After that, we will get a call on Wednesday to let us know how many of the embryos fertilized. Then, we will get daily phone updates letting us know how our embies are doing. Please keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming! We still have a long way to go, but we are making positive progress.