The Transfer!

We are finally back from our transfer trip. Low and behold, our flight into NYC on Tuesday was delayed. We were supposed to arrive around 3:20 pm, but instead, we didn't end up departing Vermont until 5 pm. We landed at 6 pm, and by the time we found the luggage claim at LaGuardia, took a shuttle to our rental car, went through all the paperwork, it was after 7 pm and pitch black. We had over an hour drive to our hotel. We decided to skip the city. We WILL go there, I can promise you that!

The next morning we actually slept in! It was so nice. We were up by 9am, showering and getting ready to leave! We stopped at Starbucks so I could grab an iced trenta unsweetened green tea... My bladder needed to be full for the procedure, and I can always suck down an ice cold green tea in record time, so I knew it would do the trick!

We arrived at the clinic around 10:30 am. After this point, everything happened so fast! Andy and I sat down in the waiting room and within a minute, a nurse was bringing me back to get my blood drawn. Then she brought us to the transfer room and asked me to get undressed from the waist down. A few minutes later, the Embryologist had come in to verify my identity and make sure we were transferring the correct embryo.

At 10:47 am the Doctor came in. The big TV screen came on and showed the embryo under the microscope. Here it is below!

The nurse proceeded to do a transabdominal ultrasound so we could watch as the embryo was transferred into me. A moment later, the embryologist came in with the embryo in the catheter. The Doctor put the catheter inside me and slowly released the embryo into my uterus. This whole process took several minutes as he was extremely careful to not cause any damage during the process. Andy and I watched the entire process on the ultrasound screen. It was incredible. At 10:49 am on February 18th, 2015, the embryo was successfully transferred to me. It was absolutely amazing to think that one moment, I'm not pregnant, but at this moment, I very well could be pregnant!

I proceeded to lay on my back for 10 minutes, and then, just as quickly as I arrived and began the process, it ended. I got dressed and walked out the door. That was it. I was in the clinic for approximately 30 minutes. It was absolutely incredible. Andy and I drove back to the hotel and began my 36 hours of bedrest.

Don't get me wrong, I was a little excited about being on bed rest for reasons mentioned in my previous post. But after 4 hours of laying on my back and barely moving, I was over it. I looked forward to sitting up to eat a meal, or getting up to go pee, or standing to have Andy administer my PIO shot, because other than those three things, I was bound to my bed.

The days dragged. But, eventually, it came time to leave. This morning at 8am we packed all of our belongings in the car and took off. We were at JFK airport by 9:30, spent an hour and a half in the security line, quick grabbed some burgers from Cheeburger Cheeburger and found our way to our gate. At 11:05 am we were boarding our plane and we were safely home at 12:30 this afternoon. We picked up the kids and came home! After 3 days of basically doing nothing in bed, and then a very full morning of walking and standing, sitting down on my couch was much needed.

I'm going to continue to take it easy this weekend, I don't want to overdo it. The doctor recommends not taking an at home pregnancy test, but I don't know if I'll be able to hold out for too long! Otherwise, my first blood "Beta" test is on Thursday the 26th... 8 days past transfer. I am hoping for great numbers, and hopefully a positive pregnancy test before then. I'm SO impatient! I'll keep you posted. XOXOX

Butt muscle injections are sexy...

 

 

Sorry, I had to! That's what I'm feeling right now. Tonight I had my first Progesterone in Oil shot (PIO). It's scary because it's such a large needle, and it's intramuscular (which is why the needle is so large.) It went well though, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Apparently my husband is an excellent fertility nurse! ;-) The injection itself didn't hurt that bad... It's the aftermath that does! WOW! Talk about a sore butt and back and shoulders. Here's the PIO and 22 guage needle in all her glory....

And here's my face right before my very first PIO injection! Andy is truly enjoying himself.

Annnnd, just to give you the full picture, here's my morning pills. I take about the same amount every evening as well.

So there you have it! I can't believe we're down to 6 days until the transfer! I received my itinerary today, Andy and I will hopefully be spending Tuesday afternoon in NYC before we head on over to CT. Hopefully the weather cooperates for this trip. Although 3 days on bedrest doesn't sound like the best time ever, the peace and quiet, uninterrupted TV time, as much sleep as I want, and a bed with only Andy and I (and not two little toddlers trying to sneak in...) sounds pretty much perfect right now. I'm currently researching restaurants in NYC so Andy and I can have a little belated Valentines day dinner on the night before the transfer, since we're not planning much for Saturday. I'll be in touch soon! XOXO

Lining Check

I had my lining check yesterday morning. The goal for the week prior to transfer is to have a lining of 7mm. My ultrasound was quick and I also had blood work completed. Unfortunately, my hospital was not quick to get the information to my Reproductive Endocrinologist, so I didn't hear yesterday.

Photo credit goes out to my son Connor. Lauren was also there.

I finally heard back from my RE's office this morning. Unfortunately, my lining was at a 6mm. BUT, considering I still have 8 days and the fact that my period ended on the 2nd, means that my lining went from basically nothing to 6mm in 7 days. My RE is confident that my lining will be where it needs to be on the 18th. They are, however, adding extra estrogen to my protocol to help speed things up a little bit. I hope everything works out! I'll be in touch in a couple days after my first Progesterone shot! SCARY! Talk soon! XOXO

I think I'll go to Boston...

I will start this post off with this: As I've mentioned previously, I'm contracted to not give away any identifying information, which includes names or photos, so please bare with me as I attempt to describe this wonderful weekend with cryptic letters and photos with no faces. =)

As I stated in previous posts, B&P graciously offered to have us stay in their home with them for a weekend. Their daughter's (little "A") age is right in between my two children, which couldn't be more perfect for a fun-filled two day play date! Although we have known B&P for over 2 1/2 months now, we talk on the phone about once a week, Skype every other week and e-mail every other day... This weekend was so needed. We REALLY got to know them.

B&P are some of the most giving people I have met. So deserving of another child. Andy and I truly enjoyed every moment of our weekend with them and we hope this is a friendship that will last far beyond this surrogacy journey. Their daughter A is a sweet, smart little girl, and just as giving as her daddies.

This weekend was a whirlwind, filled with long conversations, lots of laughs, a lot of food, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Museum of Science and much, much more. Although I didn't think it was possible, I am even more excited to be transfering this little (very wanted) embryo in just 16 DAYS!

So I leave you with just one photo (I can't believe I didn't get more??) which perfectly describes the new friendship of three little people and the interesting bond that will tie them together; and, of course, the gorgeous landscape where they bonded! I'll be in touch soon! XOXO

Lauren, B&P's daughter "A", and Connor, checking out the view!

Follow Up Appointment

HALLELUJAH!

My period finally came. Wednesday night I became desperate and researched online "How to get your period faster?" Juvenile, I know, but like I said, I was desperate. It had many options: Ginger Tea for example, which I didn't have. The one option I did have? Heat. I warmed up my hot rice pad and sat down on the couch with it on my lower belly and watched a couple hours of TV.

When I took it off to go to bed, I could feel myself lightly cramping. The next day at work I was cramping all morning and by the afternoon: Success. I immediately e-mailed my IVF Coordinator at my RE Clinic. She responded right away stating I needed to be rechecked and once she had those results, we would then discuss the transfer date. Ugh, my heart sunk. I didn't want to have to delay the transfer.

This morning, my husband forgot to wake me up we had a snow storm and the raods were terrible. I realized I wouldn't be able to get the kids to school in time, SO, I brought them with me.

The plus side to bringing two toddlers to a doctors appointment is you get seen RIGHT AWAY! Ain't nobody got time for rowdy kids in their office!

After the ultrasound and blood work, I brought the kids to school and went to work. By 11:30am, I heard! My IVF Coordinator said everything looked great! Good news! EVEN BETTER  NEWS- She told me I could continue with my FET Protocol (Frozen Embryo Transfer) and the transfer date will remain the same!!!

So as of today, I have decreased my dosage of Lupron from 10 units down to 5 units. And, I can add Estrace (2 pills twice a day) and low dose Aspirin (one pill once a day). Things are moving forward! I have a lining check on February 9th. But that's all for now... I have to go pack for our weekend in Boston! XOXO

First Monitoring Appointment

I had my first monitoring appointment this morning. Since my RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) is in Connecticut, and the fact that there's a lot of monitoring that needs to happen in between our initial meeting and the transfer, he will partner up with a local clinic close to my home that I can see in between. I'm lucky that the closest one to me is right at the hospital where I'll deliver, and only 5 minutes from my work! 

The appointment was a disaster, I won't get into detail, it was all the ultrasound technician, but I've decided to put it behind me... 

As it turns out, the results weren't much better. My ovaries are in fact suppressed, but because I still haven't had my period, my bloodwork was off. I can't begin any new medication until I get old Aunt Flow. They wanted me to have it this past Saturday, and here we are, Monday night and nothing. Depending on how long it takes, this could potentially delay my transfer date. 

So, right now, nothing has changed. I am still injecting 10 units of Lupron every evening. I have a lining check at my monitoring clinic on February 9th, I'm not sure if that will change or not. As of today, there's only 22 days until transfer day! Fingers and toes crossed that everything works out and that remains the same! 

Also, I'm super excited to spend the weekend with my family in Boston at B&P's house! They have welcomed us into their home and I can't wait for this fun little getaway! Pictures to follow! XOXO

Officially a pin cushion...

As of this evening, I am officially a pin cushion on my meds. I am still on birth control, and added in prenatal vitamins today. This evening, I adminstered my first Lupron injection. It wasn't that bad, it felt like a mosquito bite.

 

I'm feeling well and healthy though. I've been keeping in touch with B&P by email every few days, and we speak on the phone about once a week or so.

 

We are actually going to be staying with them for a weekend at the end of January! I'm so grateful that they have opened up their home and invited us to stay. I'm also excited to bring the kids (my two and their precious little girl) to the Boston Aquarium and the Childrens Museum! What a fun weekend! I'll be sure to post updates. XOXO

So much medicine...

A FedEx package full of all the meds I'll need for this process arrived today. Oh my gosh, there's so much! I received my cycle schedule a few days ago, and I'll begin next Wednesday the 14th. Here's what it looks like:

I'll go in order, detailing what it all is, for those who are interested in how to "scientifically" make a baby ;-)  

Birth Control: I am on birth control pill until January 20th so that my RE can monitor my cycle, which needs to be on a specific schedule for the upcoming transfer. Also - for obvious reasons, I cannot get pregnant with my own baby for this process (however, my two months of celibacy begins on Monday.................... Andy is already depressed.)

Prenatal Vitamins: Pretty self explanatory! But, they are vital to providing proper nutrients to myself and the baby.

Lupron injections: This will be a subcutaneous injection in my lower belly. Lupron surpresses my ovaries so I stop ovulating and I'll be on it from 1/14 - 2/11.

Estrace pills: This will thicken the uterin lining - in order for the embryo transfer to stick, my lining needs to be EXTRA thick, and that's what this pill will do. I will begin taking 2 pills two times a day on January 26th until transfer.

Low dose Aspirin: This increases blood flow to the uterus, again, to help thicken my lining. I will take one pill a day from the 26th - transfer.

Progesterone in Oil injections: These are tough - It's super THICK as it's in oil. "PIO" is an intramuscular injection, which will be administered to my lower back. Both Andy and I have been trained, so he or I will administer these shots, once a day, beginning 2/12.

Prometrium Capsules: More progesterone!

Prednisone Pills: Prednisone will help to supress my immunity. I begin taking this 5 days prior to transfer. The purpose is to be sure that my body won't reject the embryo when it's transfered into me.

Doxycycline Pills: An antibiotic which will help fight any infections that may occur. This is to be sure that I am SUPER HEALTHY when we conduct the transfer! This pill is also taken every day, 5 days prior to transfer.

Phew! My bathroom looks like a pharmacy! It's incredible, so much goes into this. I can't wait to begin, and I'll keep you posted! XOXO

Sunday Funday

Andy, the kids and I enjoyed some warmish weather today. That, mixed with the fact that we had awesome packing snow, well, we took advantage and had some fun. With that, I present to you, Champ the Lake Monster. All of you Vermonters know who I'm talking about ;-) What a fun day. I hope you enjoyed your Sunday! Talk soon! XOXO