Wednesday, November 26, 2008
OB Appointment
Steph had her OB appointment this afternoon. Dr. Richman couldn't find the babies' heartbeats on the Doppler so they took Steph back for an ultrasound. Both babies look great! Baby A had a heart rate of 152 and Baby B had a heart rate of 145. Steph called me during the ultrasound so I could listen to everything. It was awesome, I got to hear both heartbeats. Steph had to finish her OB appointment after her ultrasound so she'll call me with the rest of the info later. Our family is off to visit friends for Thanksgiving so I'll update the rest later. I'll also post the ultrasound pictures as soon as I receive them.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Reflecting back on my Egg Retrieval
Reflecting back on my Egg Retrieval
Darin and I arrived at our clinic at 8:30 a.m on June 30th, my retrieval was scheduled for 9 a.m. My mom accompanied us because Darin needed to head to work after my procedure. The nurse set me up with a paper gown and hat and prepped me for surgery. Just before surgery I had to go to the bathroom to empty my bladder. I said goodbye to my mom and Darin and was wheeled into the operating room. The operating room was small and just had one door and a window that attached to the IVF lab. I was transferred over to the operating table to get started. There were two nurses, the Embryologist, the anesthesiologist and Dr. Ryan (my reproductive embryologist – the one taking my eggs from my body) in the operating room. The nurse had a very difficult time finding a vein for my IV. This always happens to me, I have invisible veins. Most nurses try several needles on me and then end up using a butterfly needle (the ones made for babies) because they can’t find a big vein. A few minutes after the nurse got the IV in my anesthesiologist gave me some sedation drugs and I was out. I only remember how bad the sedation drug stung going all the way up my arm and into my chest.
When I woke up in the recovery area I was very groggy but anxious to hear how many eggs my doctor was able to retrieve. Darin came in and told me the great news…we got 17 eggs!!! My doctor was very optimistic about the maturity of my eggs and thought that most of them would fertilize. The nurse came in to offer me crackers and Gatorade. I was starving because I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything after 8:00 p.m the night before so drank an entire bottle of Gatorade and stuffed the crackers in my mouth as quickly as possible. I still felt very bloated and huge, doctor Ryan said it would take a few days for all the swelling to go down and for my ovaries to return to their normal sizes. It was such a relief to have my part done and to know that my eggs were out and being fertilized with Darin’s sperm! After my retrieval I went home with my mom and Darin went to work. I had to stay with my mom until Darin could come pick me up. When I wasn’t sleeping I was chugging Gatorade and peeing…peeing a lot. I had to flush my system out.
Darin picked me up that night after work and we reflected on my retrieval and the whole experience that day. He told me all about his experience too. He had to give a fresh sample at the same time my eggs were being retrieved. From Darin's description of the room I'd say that the movies have this aspect of IVF correct, the room was fully equipped with movies and magazines. Darin also let me know that PFC (our IVF clinic) really needs to change the layout of their facility because the special man room is placed right next to the waiting room. Apparently my mom was in the waiting room talking very loudly. Poor Darin had to perform under some serious pressure. Thankfully he was able to block my mom out and focus.
Just before we left that day Dr. Ryan said that the clinic would call everyday before our transfer to give us our fertilization report so we anxiously waited for our phone call.
It's amazing to think that Hannah, Olivia and our twins were all created that day...June 30, 2004.
Darin and I arrived at our clinic at 8:30 a.m on June 30th, my retrieval was scheduled for 9 a.m. My mom accompanied us because Darin needed to head to work after my procedure. The nurse set me up with a paper gown and hat and prepped me for surgery. Just before surgery I had to go to the bathroom to empty my bladder. I said goodbye to my mom and Darin and was wheeled into the operating room. The operating room was small and just had one door and a window that attached to the IVF lab. I was transferred over to the operating table to get started. There were two nurses, the Embryologist, the anesthesiologist and Dr. Ryan (my reproductive embryologist – the one taking my eggs from my body) in the operating room. The nurse had a very difficult time finding a vein for my IV. This always happens to me, I have invisible veins. Most nurses try several needles on me and then end up using a butterfly needle (the ones made for babies) because they can’t find a big vein. A few minutes after the nurse got the IV in my anesthesiologist gave me some sedation drugs and I was out. I only remember how bad the sedation drug stung going all the way up my arm and into my chest.
When I woke up in the recovery area I was very groggy but anxious to hear how many eggs my doctor was able to retrieve. Darin came in and told me the great news…we got 17 eggs!!! My doctor was very optimistic about the maturity of my eggs and thought that most of them would fertilize. The nurse came in to offer me crackers and Gatorade. I was starving because I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything after 8:00 p.m the night before so drank an entire bottle of Gatorade and stuffed the crackers in my mouth as quickly as possible. I still felt very bloated and huge, doctor Ryan said it would take a few days for all the swelling to go down and for my ovaries to return to their normal sizes. It was such a relief to have my part done and to know that my eggs were out and being fertilized with Darin’s sperm! After my retrieval I went home with my mom and Darin went to work. I had to stay with my mom until Darin could come pick me up. When I wasn’t sleeping I was chugging Gatorade and peeing…peeing a lot. I had to flush my system out.
Darin picked me up that night after work and we reflected on my retrieval and the whole experience that day. He told me all about his experience too. He had to give a fresh sample at the same time my eggs were being retrieved. From Darin's description of the room I'd say that the movies have this aspect of IVF correct, the room was fully equipped with movies and magazines. Darin also let me know that PFC (our IVF clinic) really needs to change the layout of their facility because the special man room is placed right next to the waiting room. Apparently my mom was in the waiting room talking very loudly. Poor Darin had to perform under some serious pressure. Thankfully he was able to block my mom out and focus.
Just before we left that day Dr. Ryan said that the clinic would call everyday before our transfer to give us our fertilization report so we anxiously waited for our phone call.
It's amazing to think that Hannah, Olivia and our twins were all created that day...June 30, 2004.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
12 Weeks...YAY!!!
Today I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders...we are finally 12 weeks pregnant. This is such a happy milestone!!! I read my "pregnancy weekly" email and book today and here are the details of what is happening with our twins this week. They now have REFLEXES. Our babies' fingers will soon begin to open and close, their toes will curl, their eye muscles will clench, and their mouth will make sucking movements. Their kidneys will begin excreting urine into their bladder. When I read all these things about our babies I just feel in awe, creating life is such an amazing process...it truly is a miracle. I also read that our babies are about the size of a lime now and they weigh half an ounce.
On a side note...The babies in my ticker are so cute now, they are all bunched up in the fetal position and seem to have some hair. I also want to point out that my ticker is now out of the 200's...Yay!!! We are getting closer!
On a side note...The babies in my ticker are so cute now, they are all bunched up in the fetal position and seem to have some hair. I also want to point out that my ticker is now out of the 200's...Yay!!! We are getting closer!
Reflecting Back on Stimming for my Egg Retrieval
I started this blog mainly for my children. At the end of this journey I'm going to print out each post and make a book for my kids. It's extremely important to me that each one know exactly how they came into the world and made our family. So I'm going to take a few posts to reflect back on my stimming process, my egg retrieval, and on each embryo transfer. If it were't for any of those things none of my kids would be here today. So I'll start my "Reflection" posts now!!!
Reflecting Back on Stimming for my Egg Retrieval
When I think back to June 2004, I get a little teary eyed…At that time I had no idea what my future mommy status would be. I still can’t believe that Darin and I are going to have 4 children. I started my stimulation drugs on June 19th to start my egg production. It was both a very exciting and frightening day. Darin was a little scared to give me my first dose of Follistim and Repronex (that’s right two different shots) but I was down right panicked. Needles are not my friend so I was sobbing and at one point Darin was chasing me around the house with the first needle. It’s really funny to think about now but at the time it wasn’t funny at all. We had been through this process once before and had failed so this was our second attempt, which made the whole process worse because we both knew exactly what to expect. I felt like a wimp after that first shot was over because it really didn’t hurt at all but I knew it wouldn’t I was really scared of failure again. We had to repeat the shots daily and go in for frequent ultrasounds to measure my follicles (each egg sits inside its own follicle). These are hormone injections so they come with some nasty side effects, I was a weepy mess…even commercials made me sob. At about day 5 of the injections I started to feel bloated, my ovaries were getting really big and uncomfortable. On day 7 I had another ultrasound and found that my follicles were measuring perfect so it was time to slow them down to give my eggs some time to mature. So I started Antigon that night, now I was taking three injections a night. I stayed on Antigon for a few days and on day 10 all my stim drugs stopped. It was time to take my final injection-the biggest, fattest, scariest injection of them all…my HCG trigger. The HCG trigger injection releases the eggs from the wall of the follicle so my doctor could go in and retrieve the eggs. Our retrieval was set for June 30, 2004 at 9:00a.m.
When I think back to June 2004, I get a little teary eyed…At that time I had no idea what my future mommy status would be. I still can’t believe that Darin and I are going to have 4 children. I started my stimulation drugs on June 19th to start my egg production. It was both a very exciting and frightening day. Darin was a little scared to give me my first dose of Follistim and Repronex (that’s right two different shots) but I was down right panicked. Needles are not my friend so I was sobbing and at one point Darin was chasing me around the house with the first needle. It’s really funny to think about now but at the time it wasn’t funny at all. We had been through this process once before and had failed so this was our second attempt, which made the whole process worse because we both knew exactly what to expect. I felt like a wimp after that first shot was over because it really didn’t hurt at all but I knew it wouldn’t I was really scared of failure again. We had to repeat the shots daily and go in for frequent ultrasounds to measure my follicles (each egg sits inside its own follicle). These are hormone injections so they come with some nasty side effects, I was a weepy mess…even commercials made me sob. At about day 5 of the injections I started to feel bloated, my ovaries were getting really big and uncomfortable. On day 7 I had another ultrasound and found that my follicles were measuring perfect so it was time to slow them down to give my eggs some time to mature. So I started Antigon that night, now I was taking three injections a night. I stayed on Antigon for a few days and on day 10 all my stim drugs stopped. It was time to take my final injection-the biggest, fattest, scariest injection of them all…my HCG trigger. The HCG trigger injection releases the eggs from the wall of the follicle so my doctor could go in and retrieve the eggs. Our retrieval was set for June 30, 2004 at 9:00a.m.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Our Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound
We had our Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound Test today. This test helps Dr. Richman (Steph's OB) assess our babies' risk of having Down syndrome. The ultrasound tech measured the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of both our babies neck. Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid at the back of their neck during the first trimester, causing this clear space to be larger than average.
The NT scan must be done when you're between 11 and 14 weeks pregnant. Our Ju-Ju Bees are 11 weeks 4 days today and both measured FAR BELOW the abnormal range. They both looked very healthy and BIG!!!
This is Baby A! Baby A was flipping like crazy today, doing a happy dance. I think she/he was happy to see mommy! She/he actually waved at me! This is a face on shot, you can she the skeletal structure really well. Baby A measured 12 weeks even today and had a heart rate of 160 BPM.
Baby B was very calm compared to Baby A. He/she woke up from a nap for a few seconds to say hi but not much movement out of Baby B. Baby B measured 11 weeks 6 days and had a heart rate of 156 BPM.
Steph is doing great and showing a little!!! Cyn you'll be happy to hear that she was craving a cheese burger today!
The NT scan must be done when you're between 11 and 14 weeks pregnant. Our Ju-Ju Bees are 11 weeks 4 days today and both measured FAR BELOW the abnormal range. They both looked very healthy and BIG!!!
This is Baby A! Baby A was flipping like crazy today, doing a happy dance. I think she/he was happy to see mommy! She/he actually waved at me! This is a face on shot, you can she the skeletal structure really well. Baby A measured 12 weeks even today and had a heart rate of 160 BPM.
Baby B was very calm compared to Baby A. He/she woke up from a nap for a few seconds to say hi but not much movement out of Baby B. Baby B measured 11 weeks 6 days and had a heart rate of 156 BPM.
Steph is doing great and showing a little!!! Cyn you'll be happy to hear that she was craving a cheese burger today!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
11 Weeks
According to Babycenter.com our babies are over 1.5 inches long and about the size of a fig!!! Steph says her tummy is protruding now, I can't wait to see her on Monday. I can just envision two little figs in there. Babycenter also said that their hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under their gums, and some of their bones are beginning to harden. They are also already busy kicking and stretching, and their tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. We have our next ultrasound on Monday and both the girls are going with me. Hannah can't wait to see "her babies"! I'll have to remember that description on Monday during our ultrasound because Hannah could definitely relate to that one, she loves any kind of ballet. I can just hear Hannah now talking to her friends saying...my babies are doing ballet in Stephanie's tummy.
Here's a photo of me, Steph and Darin (my DH), we were all deliriously happy after our 9 week ultrasound!
Here's a photo of me, Steph and Darin (my DH), we were all deliriously happy after our 9 week ultrasound!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Our Family with our Family Pumpkins
Here we are last night just before Trick or Treating! We are with all of our pumpkins including our two baby pumpkins!
Hannah and Olivia all decked out ready for trick or treating! Hannah is a Flamingo and Olivia is a Skunk!
Our family of Pumpkins! I'm the mean one!
And one last photo of my little stinker!
Hannah and Olivia all decked out ready for trick or treating! Hannah is a Flamingo and Olivia is a Skunk!
Our family of Pumpkins! I'm the mean one!
And one last photo of my little stinker!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
