9w5d - Introducing Baby A and Baby B

First, I want to apologize in advance for being the world's worst blogger :/ Some of you have been reaching out via email and comments wondering where I've been. I'm so sorry I haven't kept you in the loop but I've been living in a place called "Nauseousville"...lol! I really can't complain too much because it hasn't been too aweful. However, 2 nights ago the nausea stepped it up a notch to include some puking. I know, not attractive.

I'm now 9 w5days pregnant and some times I still can't believe it. It feels like I'm living someone elses dream. But then I feel sick and realize...nope, it's mine all mine. :) I'm happy. I can honestly say that I'm truly happy. I haven't been able to say that in quite a long time. Is everything perfect? No. But for the first time all the other imperfections don't seem to matter as much. I'm holding perfection in my heart and it feels incredible.

I digress, so at 9w5d I'm feeling exhausted. All the time. Nausea is a constant visitor. One minute I'm dying for a cheese burger, the next I want to hurl at the look and smell of it. Despite this crazy relationship with food, I have managed to gain 3lbs which is great. I'm under strict doctors orders to gain more weight for the twins.

Last Thursday the pregnancy became more real. We were officially released by our wonderful RE. We met our new OB and couldn't ask for a better experience. Dr. G was very patient and down to earth. His speciality is high risk so we are in the right place. The first part of the visit consisted of a thorough and state of the art u/s (3D). It was a nice change from the ancient equipment they used at the RE's office. The u/s lasted about 30 minutes and we got see the babies move around and wiggle - it was wild. At one point it looked like Baby A was waving at us and my fiance got very emotional. Baby B was too busy posing for u/s pics - what a ham. The chicklets are the exact size they should be at 9w and the hb's are at 179 and 176. The tech and the babies made the u/s fun and exciting. BEST SO FAR.

Here's a pic of our twins. Sorry it's so blurry....we don't have a scanner. BTW, I think Baby B has balls.....I'm so inappropriate :/

I'm Officially on the way to becomming America's Next Top Momma! x2- Ultrasound #1 -

Here's the recap to date: Beta #1 - 500 - 10dp5dt, Beta #2 - 3671 - 14dp5dt

The first pregnancy scan (u/s) was initially scheduled for this Thursday, however, last night we had a bit of a scare. I went to pee and had an unpleasant surprise - light pinkish brown spotting. Needless to say, I freaked the Fuck out! Panic and worry shot through me and I was beside myself.

I had the u/s moved up and we went this afternoon for the big news. We sat in the room waiting for the RE for a good 20 minutes. OMG this was worse than the TWW. The 20 minutes felt like 20 hours. I don't think I've ever felt so much anxiety and overall nausea at one time.

The Doc started the U/S and formally introduced us to our 2 beautiful little beans. Yes! We are having TWINS!!!! They are snuggled side by side. Both are perfect in size and are measuring exactly what they should be at 5w6d :) Baby A and Baby B both presented very faint heartbeats as it is still too early but we are scheduled for out next ultrasound in 10 days. Hoping to hear the beautiful sound of our babies' hearts.

The doctor said that many women spot and I should try not to worry. Relief.

BTW, I just realized I know nothing about babies. OMG I'm having TWINS :0

Beta Blaster! The Results are in :) Let the Sunshine!

After taking 3 pregnancy tests (positive) over the course of the last 2 days, I was pretty sure I was pregnant. What I needed to see now was a beta result showing me some indication of viability.

The beta was this morning. It was painless - just a simple blood draw. Around 2:30 today, the doctor called with some unexpected news. He congratulated me and said my hcg level was at 500! Yes, I said 500! Holy Shit! I feel like I just won the Gold Medal in the Beta Olympics.

Of course, with every bit of good news during this crazy process, comes the pause. I'm thrilled but then I catch myself and need to just "chill" out. It's the first of many betas to be had. I still need to get an ultra sound before I start kicking my heals. I will allow myself to feel happiness because I am over the moon about this, however, I will still be cautiously optimistic.

Tuesday's beta#2.

Thanks to everyone for all of your supportive comments.

I Caved and Took a HPT 8dp5dt...............................

BFP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in complete shock! I'm over the moon. However, I feel like I need to keep cool until Friday's beta. I still can't believe that the positive pregnancy test belongs to me. It's incredible. I will post later after I've had a chance to fully absorb the fact that I'm actually.....pregnant.

A Woman's Survival Guide for the TWW

The TWW is the period from transfer to your first beta (pregnancy blood test). For many women, this period can seem like slow torture. This "survival guide" is a list of fun "to-do's" that have helped me along my waiting period. This list isn't for everyone but feel free to borrow some ideas. Good luck!

Two Week Wait (TWW) Survival Guide

1. Indulge in the latest teenage vampire love story phenomena - Read the “Twilight” series by Stephanie Meyer (4 book series – New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn). This should keep you busy for 2 weeks and take your mind from your reality to blood sucking fantasy.
2. Rent and watch all seasons of Sex and the City or Friends. Both will make you laugh out loud.
3. Make a point to get out and enjoy dinner at a restaurant you’ve been dying to try.
4. Have a girl’s spa day. Bliss to the rescue!
5. Dust off those cookbooks and try a few new recipes on yourself or DH.
6. Bake a cake! If it’s chocolate even better ;)
7. Make a playlist for your iPod of inspiring feel good songs. Personalize it for your own experience. Playlist name suggestions: Oh Baby, Come on Baby!,
8. Go shoe shopping. Get lost in some of the best shoe depts. – Bloomies, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor. A pair of great heals goes a long way!
9. Clean out your closet. Dig deep and toss anything you haven’t worn in the last 8 months. You may need to make room for some trendy maternity clothes ;)
10. Express yourself. Keep a journal and document your feelings during this journey for baby. When I read earlier entries in my journal, I often remember an important sentiment or thought that has already been forgotten. My little red journal safe guards these precious thoughts.
11. Meditate at least 20 minutes each day. You can either download an IVF mediation CD series from the internet or just download spa or nature music to your iPod. Whatever music you decide, make sure it doesn’t distract you but helps you focus and connect to your inner you and your embryo/s.
    
    
    
    
    

How long does an embryo take to implant into the uterine wall after an ivf transfer?

Post transfer my thoughts have been running wild. Mostly, I'm just trying to understand what is going on in my body and how these bugaboos are doing in there. Right after transfer, the clinic and RE gave me a short do's and don'ts list and sent me on my way. Why didn't someone give me a 5 minute education on embyro development post transfer. What changes would they be going through over the next week or so?

So, 1dpt (1 day post transfer) I got to thinking.......How long does an embryo take to implant into the uterine wall after an ivf transfer?

In case you're curious, here's the snapshot answer:

How long does an embryo take to implant into the uterine wall after an ivf transfer?

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 placentacells & 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

FWIW......................for those of you who plan on taking hpt's (home pregnancy test) during your tww, I recommend holding out until at least 9dpt when HCG levels can be detected on HPT.

Source(s):http://www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/s...

Transfer Day-It's a Beautiful Day!

We had the retrieval on the 21st and have spent the last five days waiting to see how the embryos were developing.

Today, we transferred 2 beautiful blasts. I feel very blessed and lucky. I'm really quite shocked how easy the procedure was. All in all it took about 10 minutes and it was pretty painless. Almost like getting a pap smear. I was a little dissapointed that my RE was not the doctor performing the transfer but he wasn't on the schedule.

The embryologist stopped in to chat and I was clear on how badly we were counting on the chance to freeze some of the leftover embryos. He was very nice but still very vague on the prospects of having embryos make it to freeze. This part of the process is tough. Apparantly, they have their processes and I have mine! I wanted him to freeze everything that wasn't being transferred immediately; but they don't freeze until Day 6. All I could do was convey how important having frosties is to us.

Gosh I really hope this works...............Beta is June 5th

Cycle Tip: If having frosties is important to you, be aggressive, persistent, and vocal. Voice your concerns regarding frozen embryos. Impress that nothing be destroyed or donated prior to contacting you.