Other than a sore, knotted backside (due to hefty progesterone shots), I haven't experienced any significant changes since the FET. I've had a few tinges of pain in my abdomen each day...but nothing major. Every day, I wake up hoping for nausea and a sore chest, but no such luck. When I was pregnant with Liliana, I didn't experience morning sickness until 5 weeks. With the rest of my pregnancies, nausea came very early.
Once again, the two-week wait seems endless. My beta hCG test is scheduled for Monday, July 30th. We're praying for a double pregnancy!
Have a great weekend! ~Ramona
Showing posts with label progesterone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label progesterone. Show all posts
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Answered Prayer
Today I am thrilled to share praise and answered prayer. Although the embryo transfer took place an hour & a half late, everything else went as smoothly as possible. We had four embryos--two for today and two to freeze for a later date. Yeah, baby! That's exactly what we prayed for and double what we produced during the last IVF. Praise God!
Now I am in resting mode. I am trying to lie down and relax for the next few days. Although it's not mandatory, there's peace of mind in knowing that I did everything I could to facilitate implantation. Hopefully as I write, two teeny little embryos are finding a warm, cozy place to settle in for the next nine months. My first pregnancy test will occur on Friday, April 11th (right before Mothers' Day). Wouldn't a positive pregnancy test be the most poetic Mothers' Day gift? I sure think so! And that's my prayer.
In the meantime, I continue to undergo nightly progesterone injections to support pregnancy. I also take my prenatal vitamins, Folgard supplements to correct my enzyme deficiency and low-dose aspirin to thin my blood. Hopefully this regimen will help create the perfect environment for a healthy pregnancy.
In my next post, I will answer the question posed in the comment section. I will also include a picture of our embryos as a visual aid (yes, we already have a photo of our would-be children). Advanced reproductive technology is such a complex science--it's mind blowing!
Thanks again for your support and encouragement through this process. I appreciate you. Praying for implantation and healthy growth, Ramona
Now I am in resting mode. I am trying to lie down and relax for the next few days. Although it's not mandatory, there's peace of mind in knowing that I did everything I could to facilitate implantation. Hopefully as I write, two teeny little embryos are finding a warm, cozy place to settle in for the next nine months. My first pregnancy test will occur on Friday, April 11th (right before Mothers' Day). Wouldn't a positive pregnancy test be the most poetic Mothers' Day gift? I sure think so! And that's my prayer.
In the meantime, I continue to undergo nightly progesterone injections to support pregnancy. I also take my prenatal vitamins, Folgard supplements to correct my enzyme deficiency and low-dose aspirin to thin my blood. Hopefully this regimen will help create the perfect environment for a healthy pregnancy.
In my next post, I will answer the question posed in the comment section. I will also include a picture of our embryos as a visual aid (yes, we already have a photo of our would-be children). Advanced reproductive technology is such a complex science--it's mind blowing!
Thanks again for your support and encouragement through this process. I appreciate you. Praying for implantation and healthy growth, Ramona
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Hello, McFly!?
I totally had a McFly moment last week and forgot to include the results of my bloodwork and ultrasound. Unbelievable!
My hormone levels (beta HCG, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and estradiol) were exactly where we want them to be going into IVF. Dr. Pineda's nurses seemed excited to tell me about the results--so that's definitely a good sign. As for my ultrasound results, the sonogram showed 21 antral follicles on the right and 22 on the left. Knowing that antral follicles are an indication of the potential number of eggs that may be produced, this is incredible news!
During my previous IVF, 26 stimulated follicles yielded 11 eggs. Ultimately, only 2 viable embryos were available for transfer. For that reason, I am very interested in increasing the numbers so that more embryos may be produced. According to Dr. Silber's nurse, we may be able to enhance the process with some changes in the medication regimen and timing; however, we'll need to be careful not to overstimulate the ovaries (which can be very dangerous). It's a balancing act, but Sherman Silber is world renowned for a reason.
Tomorrow is our meeting with the great doctor. We hope to leave his office feeling more confident about investing $16K on this process (for the 2nd time). Fortunately, we know this is our only option for conceiving a child and it's ultimately in God's hands. Thank goodness for that!
Here's to many months of good news! Blessings, Ramona
My hormone levels (beta HCG, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and estradiol) were exactly where we want them to be going into IVF. Dr. Pineda's nurses seemed excited to tell me about the results--so that's definitely a good sign. As for my ultrasound results, the sonogram showed 21 antral follicles on the right and 22 on the left. Knowing that antral follicles are an indication of the potential number of eggs that may be produced, this is incredible news!
During my previous IVF, 26 stimulated follicles yielded 11 eggs. Ultimately, only 2 viable embryos were available for transfer. For that reason, I am very interested in increasing the numbers so that more embryos may be produced. According to Dr. Silber's nurse, we may be able to enhance the process with some changes in the medication regimen and timing; however, we'll need to be careful not to overstimulate the ovaries (which can be very dangerous). It's a balancing act, but Sherman Silber is world renowned for a reason.
Tomorrow is our meeting with the great doctor. We hope to leave his office feeling more confident about investing $16K on this process (for the 2nd time). Fortunately, we know this is our only option for conceiving a child and it's ultimately in God's hands. Thank goodness for that!
Here's to many months of good news! Blessings, Ramona
Monday, January 15, 2007
Unrest
Our first ultrasound took place this morning. The pregnancy looks to be almost 6 weeks in development. Since I was supposed to be a bit further along, the embryo may have initially taken a couple extra days to implant. If that's the case, I'm just not as far along as anticipated. However, there's also a possibility that the development stopped a couple days ago. Dr. Pineda says to relax and assume all is well until proven otherwise. He wants me to have another ultrasound in one week.
On one hand, I am relieved that everything looks normal (for a 5 week, 6 day pregnancy, that is). We were able to see that there is one embryo sac in the uterus. Thankfully it is not an ectopic pregnancy. On the other hand, I have to admit that I am somewhat uneasy that the baby's development isn't where we thought it should be. I can't help but remember that this is similar to how we learned about my two miscarriages. In the past, either a blood test or an ultrasound showed that the baby stopped growing prematurely...and that was the end. Right now, it's too soon to tell. All I can do is pray and wait.
I'm still experiencing regular symptoms of pregnancy, so hopefully that indicates everything is right on track. Nausea, heartburn, aching body parts, insomnia, and food aversions are a integral part of my daily life. My hips muscles have taken a beating with the progesterone injections. They're both bruised and knotted up, and the bandages have begun to rip my skin. Thankfully, the nurse gave me some gauze and silk tape to replace the bandaids. That will help a great deal. And although much of this journey is unpleasant, it will all be worth it!
Please boldly pray that the baby is healthy and that s/he will continue to develop normally. Also pray that I would keep my eyes on the Lord during this long week of waiting. My heart is not at peace right now, and your prayers will help tremendously.
May God bless you and yours! Ramona
On one hand, I am relieved that everything looks normal (for a 5 week, 6 day pregnancy, that is). We were able to see that there is one embryo sac in the uterus. Thankfully it is not an ectopic pregnancy. On the other hand, I have to admit that I am somewhat uneasy that the baby's development isn't where we thought it should be. I can't help but remember that this is similar to how we learned about my two miscarriages. In the past, either a blood test or an ultrasound showed that the baby stopped growing prematurely...and that was the end. Right now, it's too soon to tell. All I can do is pray and wait.
I'm still experiencing regular symptoms of pregnancy, so hopefully that indicates everything is right on track. Nausea, heartburn, aching body parts, insomnia, and food aversions are a integral part of my daily life. My hips muscles have taken a beating with the progesterone injections. They're both bruised and knotted up, and the bandages have begun to rip my skin. Thankfully, the nurse gave me some gauze and silk tape to replace the bandaids. That will help a great deal. And although much of this journey is unpleasant, it will all be worth it!
Please boldly pray that the baby is healthy and that s/he will continue to develop normally. Also pray that I would keep my eyes on the Lord during this long week of waiting. My heart is not at peace right now, and your prayers will help tremendously.
May God bless you and yours! Ramona
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Anxiously Waiting
We found out about our pregnancy only 10 days ago, and it feels like months. Despite my best efforts to stay productive, the days seem to drag on. This morning I had blood drawn, but this particular test did not yield helpful information. I was hoping to get an HCG count (which would indicate whether or not the pregnancy is on track), but we only received the progesterone reading. The level was normal, but that is to be expected in the midst of nightly progesterone injections.
I am anxiously awaiting the ultrasound on Monday morning (which seems like next year). For some reason, I'm really needing concrete information to confirm that all is well. There have been periods of time where I haven't felt dramatic symptoms...and that's been scary. It is during those times that my fears creep in. For that reason, I would rather experience every symptom to its fullest degree than nothing at all. Sounds crazy, but it's true.
On the bright side, this process is truly keeping me close to the Lord. With few assurances from doctors and blood tests, I am constantly compelled to seek God's wisdom and rest in His promises.
Please pray that I would have a peace about this pregnancy. More importantly, please pray for the healthy development of this baby throughout the pregnancy.
Bless you! Ramona
I am anxiously awaiting the ultrasound on Monday morning (which seems like next year). For some reason, I'm really needing concrete information to confirm that all is well. There have been periods of time where I haven't felt dramatic symptoms...and that's been scary. It is during those times that my fears creep in. For that reason, I would rather experience every symptom to its fullest degree than nothing at all. Sounds crazy, but it's true.
On the bright side, this process is truly keeping me close to the Lord. With few assurances from doctors and blood tests, I am constantly compelled to seek God's wisdom and rest in His promises.
Please pray that I would have a peace about this pregnancy. More importantly, please pray for the healthy development of this baby throughout the pregnancy.
Bless you! Ramona
Monday, December 18, 2006
It's All Worth It!
What a blessing it has been to have Dad and Mom Wicht here this week. I am so grateful! Liliana has soaked up every moment with them: pretending to cook jambalaya and ettoufe', playing with little people for hours and reading books in very dramatic fashion. Although she relishes the attention of the family, she definitely knows that something is awry. She has given Mommy the cold shoulder and tested limits more than ever. Toddlers are very perceptive.
The pain has intensified since yesterday morning. Whew! I didn't realize that I'd be totally out of commission for a few days. In addition to the post-op discomfort, I have a new side effect: sore and bruised hips from Progesterone injections. Because the Progesterone is in oil and injected IM, the shots make their presence known. But as I keep repeating, it's all worth it!
Wednesday morning at 7:30am is the embryo transfer. As usual, I am required to be there at 6:00am (most of you know that I am not exactly a morning person, so this is no treat). At least I'll be too tired to be anything but calm. We don't know the specifics, but we do know that fertilization occurred. The Dream Team will give us all of the details (i.e., how many embryos were fertilized and how many remain viable) Wednesday morning. Please keep praying for many viable embryos.
I know I've said it many times, but I have to thank you for taking a moment out of your busy holiday schedule to read this post and to pray for us. You are part of the reason this journey has been so rewarding and pleasant.
God bless you! Ramona
The pain has intensified since yesterday morning. Whew! I didn't realize that I'd be totally out of commission for a few days. In addition to the post-op discomfort, I have a new side effect: sore and bruised hips from Progesterone injections. Because the Progesterone is in oil and injected IM, the shots make their presence known. But as I keep repeating, it's all worth it!
Wednesday morning at 7:30am is the embryo transfer. As usual, I am required to be there at 6:00am (most of you know that I am not exactly a morning person, so this is no treat). At least I'll be too tired to be anything but calm. We don't know the specifics, but we do know that fertilization occurred. The Dream Team will give us all of the details (i.e., how many embryos were fertilized and how many remain viable) Wednesday morning. Please keep praying for many viable embryos.
I know I've said it many times, but I have to thank you for taking a moment out of your busy holiday schedule to read this post and to pray for us. You are part of the reason this journey has been so rewarding and pleasant.
God bless you! Ramona
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