The Long and Winding Road

9 Weeks

This week the baby is as big as a cherry (almost one inch long and still weighing fractions of an ounce).  This week he or she has developed ear lobes, clear fingers and toes, and a tiny little nose.  And the baby's elbows can bend!  The head still accounts for

Ultrasound #2

This afternoon we had our second ultrasound.  The purpose was to make sure this little chocolate chip is growing appropriately and measuring on track.  The nurse was very pleased with what we saw and she printed a few photos for us. We were able to clearly identify the head, body,

8 Weeks

It seems like it's too soon, but we're already at the 8 week mark!  The baby is as big as a raspberry (0.6 inches long and 0.04 ounces).  However, my uterus has already grown from the size of a fist to the size of a grapefruit.  I'm not

7 Weeks

This week went extra quickly for two reasons.  First of all, I kept thinking I was 5 weeks and would be 6 weeks as of Sunday.  However, I was already 6 weeks and counting.  Second, my due date moved up two days at our ultrasound yesterday, which means I will

Ultrasound #1

Today we had our first ultrasound appointment.  We were looking forward to seeing the baby (although it's hard to see much at this stage) and hopefully hearing a heartbeat, but we were also a bit anxious for the appointment.  My initial blood draw brought good news, but the follow-up blood

6 Weeks

I think I am 6 weeks today.  This is assuming a due date of March 20, which will be confirmed at our ultrasound on Thursday. This week Chocolate Chip is the size of a sweet pea (0.25 inches long).  The embryo still has a small tail, but also has

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

5 Weeks

I thought we would have a definitive answer by now as to whether or not I am (and will remain) pregnant.  But the second hCG test proved inconclusive (the number increased, but not as much as they would like).  I will have a third blood test tomorrow morning to hopefully

hCG Test #2

This morning it was Karen who called with the results of my second blood draw.  It was nice to speak with her since she has been my go-to nurse since we went through the IVF class and egg retrieval process. My hCG level on Tuesday was 205 IU/mL.  Today's

hCG Test #1

This morning I went to the lab for my first blood test.  The phlebotomist asked if I had taken a home pregnancy test, so I had to fess up.  But she congratulated me on the positive test result.  I told her I was still a bit anxious about the result

I Cheated... and it was worth it!

Since I've been feeling more "sensations" than I did after my transfer with Elsie, I have been itching to take a home pregnancy test. The main thing holding me back was the fact that it could show a negative result and that would be emotionally difficult to deal with.  And

4 Weeks

If our transfer was successful, I would be 4 weeks pregnant today.  The baby would be the size of a poppyseed. After Elsie's transfer, I waited for my blood test to determine whether or not I was pregnant and we had completed a successful trasnfer.  Many people take a home

Twinges

The 12-day wait between transfer and blood test can feel like 12 years.  Luckily I have two small humans to help me pass the time. Even though I'm busy with the kids, I have noticed some physical sensations that I think are worth noting.  On Monday and Tuesday (the third

Swimming?

After the transfer yesterday, the nurse went over a set of instructions for me to follow for the next 12 days.  Among them are some expected restrictions: no high-impact exercise, limit caffeine intake, do not take ibuprofen, etc.  One she called out specifically was to shower rather than bath for

Transfer Day

Today is the day - today is transfer day!  Our transfer was scheduled for 11:30 am and we were told to arrive around 11:20 am. When I woke up this morning, I took my regular meds (prenatal vitamin, vitamin d, baby aspirin) as well as one Dexamethasone and

It's Like Riding a Bike

We are set to transfer our final embryo on Friday, July 2.  So tonight (Sunday, June 27) we begin injections of progesterone in oil.  Since we have done this routine before, we are prepared with the necessary supplies as well as some comfort items.  Eric watched the training video for

All Systems Go!

I had an ultrasound and blood drawn this morning (Thursday) to see if I am on track for embryo transfer next Friday, July 2.  The ultrasound showed that the uterine lining is thick and measuring 7-8 mm on each side.  The nurse said that she didn't see anything that would

Spotting... again

Late this morning (Tuesday), I noticed that I had some brown spots in my underwear and saw that I had red blood when I wiped.  Since the uterine lining needs to be thick when we transfer our little embryo, I called Mid-Iowa to let them know and see what steps

Good Omens

We are still in the beginning stages of the transfer process, but there have been many coincidental incidents.  Each of these has given me reassurance that we have made a good decision. When we met with Dr. Young, he commented that we were in his office exactly two years from

Sonohysterogram

This morning I had a sonohysterogram - the first appointment in the embryo transfer process.  The nurse used a catheter and water to practice placing an embryo in my uterus.  This helps them to know exactly where to drop the embryo for the most optimal transfer conditions.  It is a

The Last Hurrah

When we went through the egg retrieval process in the spring of 2019, we were pleased to have two viable embryos at the conclusion.  On the day of egg retrieval, ten eggs were harvested.  Only six of those were fertilized successfully, and only three of the fertilized eggs developed into

40 Weeks

Today was my due date!  It's hard to believe that Elsie is already 10 days old and we've been home from the hospital for a full week.  We are getting into a routine of eating, changing, sleeping, and repeating.  Gavin seems to be doing fine so far.  He is pretty

First Well-Baby Check

Today I took Elsie to the pediatrician for her first well-baby check.  We saw Dr. Kiley Ottervanger, who is Gavin's pediatrician as well.  The purpose of today's visit was to check her weight and for any signs of jaundice.  She got a great report!  Her birth weight was 6 lbs

39 Weeks

Today I would be 39 weeks pregnant, so we decided to take a weekly bump photo with Elsie on the outside this time!  She was almost ready to eat, but she was a good sport and posed for the photo. According to The Bump, a baby at 39 weeks is

Coming Home

Today we got to bring Elsie home!  The OB midwife discharged me from the hospital and a pediatrician discharged Elsie.  The pediatrician was very pleased with how her umbilical cord looks, the number of wet and dirty diapers she is having, and her weight.  She weighs 6 pounds 11 ounces