hCG Test #3
This morning was my third blood test to determine the level of the hCG hormone in my blood. My result was 205 on Tuesday, 313 on Thursday, and we wanted it to have increased by 60% two more times as of today.
We were out of town over the weekend and VERY distracted. We left Thursday after Eric's work day to travel to Kenosha. As we were approaching the exit for 2nd Ave (approximately 20 minutes from home), I realized I had packed oral estrogen instead of estrogen patches and Karen had told me to continue all meds as I had been doing them. We debated what to do for 60 seconds and then I decided I'd never forgive myself if this transfer failed and I hadn't done everything I could to help it succeed. So we turned around (tearfully) so I could get the patches. Then we were off again.
During the last half hour of the drive, Elsie was very uncomfortable. She cried and was not soothed by any of my attempts at comforting her. Once we checked in, she continued to be inconsolable for close to 2 hours. We finally got her to sleep at 11:45 and she slept until 3:00. Then she was upset again. It felt like a super short night when 6:45 am rolled around. Upon changing her diaper, we could SEE that she was very constipated and clearly in pain. So I took her to urgent care before meeting Gavin and my parents at Allison's house. Long story short, several suppositories, prunes, and applesauce helped to keep things moving throughout the weekend.
Saturday was the shower, so we were busy with preparing, hosting, and recovering from that. Saturday evening Elsie started to run a low-grade fever, so we gave Tylenol before bed. She was up a few times in the night and was fussy and difficult to put back down. The drive home Sunday was rough at times and she didn't nap much. The same fussiness and fever continued Sunday night. I guess we'll see how she is today.
So I left for my appointment feeling a little low on sleep and anxious for the results of this blood test! Unfortunately, Jessica (phlebotomist) told me that her machine had been out of order since Friday! So they had not been able to process any blood drawn Friday, Saturday, or thus far Monday morning. She felt absolutely awful for the patients and kept apologizing that she couldn't promise I'd hear anything "by 11:30." I told her that we had been out of town, so I hadn't been able to schedule the ideal Saturday appointment and this had far less impact on me than others. But of course I still wanted to know the results like yesterday!
So Jessica drew my blood with her super skills and sent me on my way with the promise that the technician was coming to fix the machine today and they would call ASAP. Knowing how long it had been out of commission and guessing how many patients they had seen in that time, I wasn't optimistic that I would get a phone call today.
I was feeling even more sure that I wouldn't hear today by 3:00, but then at 3:57 my phone rang and it was Sheila from Mid-Iowa Fertility! She apologized for it being so late and then said she had good news. In order to meet the 60% benchmark, the hCG level needed to be 801. And today it was 868! Since I officially met 60% growth I was able to schedule my ultrasound for next week.
So we will get to see Chocolate Chip (this baby's nickname) next Thursday! This is when we will confirm my estimated due date of March 20, 2022 and hopefully get to hear the heartbeat. My appointment is at 11:10, so Eric will likely get to sneak away over his lunch hour and come along. It will be Kelly's last day with us, so she will stay with Gavin and Elsie. It's been so nice to have her during this process - both emotionally and for childcare support during appointments.
I changed my estrogen patches this morning and have enough patches for two more changes. When the patches are gone, I will switch to oral estrogen. For the remainder of the first trimester (until September 5), I will continue the progesterone in oil, estrogen, and baby Aspirin. After that, I will just continue the prenatal vitamin and vitamin D.
Now I need to figure out where to take my weekly bump photos!