Embryo Transfer!

Baby Snead, a five day old frozen blastocyst, was transfered on August 2nd!  

This was after weeks of birth control, lupron shots in the belly, and estradiol to improve uterine lining.  Most recently, I began progesterone shots in the hips and progesterone suppositories which are zero fun and continued estradiol three times a day.  Prior to the transfer we added in a steroid and an antibiotic. It's a full time job keep up with what medications to take and when.  I have developed bruised hips along with hives. Ugh! 

Here's just an idea of when the first round of meds started after being on birth control for several months:

Bloating and bruises

The transfer itself went smoothly and Jeff and I went home to relax the rest of the day.  There wasn't much I wanted to do after taking three valium!  I spent the next three to four days relaxing a lot by reading in the sunshine for 15 minutes at a time so I wouldn't overheat.  I could feel definite cramps and a gurgling sensation which was hard to describe but so strange!  We think these were all signs of implantation. 

Baby Snead at 5 days old

On August 9th after saying goodbye to sweet Tank, we took a home pregnancy test and and guess what?! It was just the news that we needed to start to heal our hearts even though neither of us wanted to allow ourselves to get overly excited. 

Yep, there are two lines there! 

 On August 11th, two days later and 9 days post embryo transfer, we decided to take another test to hopefully see the line darken and it did!!

It felt like an eternity to wait another two days, until August 13th to go in for my blood draw to confirm the results.  After waiting a couple of hours for the phone call while in meetings during my first day back at school, I got a call saying my hcg levels were 736!  Apparently that number is high and really good!  I was cleared to order more progesterone shots and suppositories and told to continue the estradiol and come back in two days for another blood draw.

On August 15th I went in for the blood draw and was told that they would like to see my hcg numbers double.  Again, back to school to wait and wait for the phone call.  Finally, at lunch time I got the call saying my numbers were in the 1700's so they had more than doubled!  Woot woot! We set up an early ultrasound for 6.5 weeks, which is August 29th, and now we have to wait two weeks which feels like FOREVER to go in and look for the gestational sac, fetal pole and fetal heartbeat.  Nervous? A little, just a little. :)

Since then there have been signs- wanting lots of dairy; ice cream, chocolate milk, etc. and some strange cravings like pickled beets?!  Meat hasn't been that appealing either.  I haven't been able to sleep well despite being tired.  I've had crazy dreams every night and I'm in and out of the bathroom.  And whether it is my blood sugar levels or fatigue I've been shaky and feeling strange from about 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.  The chocolate milk seems to help some, but even after eating sometimes it just continues.  I haven't really been nauseous except for a couple times in the middle of the night and I'd be just fine if that part continues!   Although the minute I don't feel a sign of some sort I immediately start to worry.  I'm guessing that part will continue until we meet him or her!  It still seems so surreal!