Beta #3

is 1000. Doubling time is 2.83 days so a little slower than last time but still well within the 2-3 day range (this is what I keep telling myself). Next week on Friday will be 6w0d and we go in for the first ultrasound. Just thinking about it makes me want to barf (hopefully a good thing). Every time that wand goes in I know I will just cringe in fear. I hope this is it, but my heart won't let me hope too much.

Beta #2

We wanted at least a 350, but we got a 376! This puts our doubling time at 2.41 days, so right on track. My estrogen is 457 and my progesterone is 259, for those who want to know that as well. We go back in on Friday for beta #3 and hopefully an ultrasound the week after that. I'm hoping and praying that this is my sticky baby(ies).

Beta #1

159! That's three and half times more than it was at this point last time, so my husband and I are feeling infinitely better about the pregnancy this time around. Anxiously awaiting an update on Monday.

IVF #2

I can't believe that I essentially let the whole cycle pass without blogging! I have just been so scared this time that things won't work out the way we want them to work out.

I started off with the nurse wanting me to go through two backs of birth control pills and THEN starting a protocol. I told her no way, and we started the protocol on the second pack of pills (because the protocol STARTS with birth control pills). Everything was fine, but the IVF nurse messed up my calendar and when we got it fixed it had the wrong birthdate and there were many anxious calls back and forth. Then when I went in for my suppression check the office told me to go home. I started stims 12/26 and went in on Day 4 of stims - and THEN my office thought it was time for my suppression check. Luckily, nothing was wrecked and we proceded along.

Unfortunately in early January we had to go visit my inlaws about 7 hours away. Since our retreival was ultimately the 7th you can see how this was an issue. We had to coordinate with another clinic and make sure the clinics were cooperating and leave our trip two days early to make the appointment. We only got 6 eggs, and we were shocked because last time we got 8 and were expecting more with the new protocol. Of the 6, all were mature and all fertilized but 4 did really well and 2 were behind the curve.

We ended up transferring the two best blasts we had on day 5. Unfortunately, nothing made it to freeze. We were really bummed about that because IVF is such a hard process and there was no hope to do an FET instead.

Now we wait. Beta is tomorrow, 1/21. I started testing on Monday because I'm dumb and I have no self-control. Every digital I've taken (Monday and every morning since) has said, yes, I'm pregnant. But until I get the second beta number that proves this is not only going, but going well, I can't let myself get too excited about it.

Because we have two in there, we're calling them the "vanilla beans" or "two scoops" or even "Milly and Vanilla-y." I hope those little beans stick this time around, for real and for always.