16 week update

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

So grateful to be through the first trimester.  With my first pregnancy I had like 2 weeks of daily nausea then occasional (rare) random dry heaving.  This girl, however, does not like me.  From 4 weeks 4 days until 15 1/2 weeks I had daily nausea. Initially like 8 hours day then down to 3-4 hours a day with Bonjesta (prescription unisom & B6). It was rough!  I've probably vomited 6 times total but the nausea was frequent and relentless. I feel like I was living in a pepto commercial (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea). I think I can finally say I've made it to the other side!

I did my (apparently) usual 1st trimester bleeding around 6 1/2 weeks. Fortunately my subchorionic hemorrhage was small and I only had one episode of bleeding.  Otherwise this pregnancy has been uneventful. Life however has not. 2020 has continue to act all 2020 and my mom had a heart attack on July 4th back in Ohio. I was there the next day and able to be with her in the hospital. Then back a month later to help her through a quintuple bypass. Seeing my mom intubated and sedated then struggling to breathe or move was tough. Fortunately she's got 6 amazing daughters who helped nurse her back to health. We are so blessed she has made it through like a champ and is well on her way to recovery.  

I've finally come to terms with the bump (willing to admit it's baby and not just extra mom). I haven't gained any weight yet and for that I want to thank the nausea and my hate for all food. Don't worry, baby girl is growing just fine!  Pretty sure I caught her sucking her thumb on ultrasound yesterday!  So cute!!


 


Kids thoughts on surrogacy: 
Brennan (6 yo) - just wants to hold the baby when she comes
Blake (3 yo) - wants to babysit - She also asked if we could name the baby Beesia. No idea where she came up with that but she likes to pretend to be a dog and wants us to call her that too. Little creative silly minds.

Looking forward to our anatomy ultrasound in 4 weeks. And so excited the outpatient visitor policy has changed and the intended mom can come with me!!!!

edited to add:  spoke too soon. wrote this post then 5 hours later had to pull over while driving home from work to puke for 15 minutes on the side of 385. yuck.




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Monday, July 27, 2020

March 3rd we got the protocol for transfer number 3 in April. 

March 18th we got an email from the RE that all cycles were being suspended due to COVID 19. We were so sad but also realized it was for the best.

We decided to take advantage of the break and started a monthly Lupron injection in case my endometriosis history was a factor in our first two transfers failing.

Daily Lupron was no big deal. Monthly Lupron, OMG! The menopause symptoms were crazy. Hot flashes and night sweats like you wouldn’t believe.

Then May 20th we got some good news. Cycles were back on! We were scheduled for a June 23rd transfer.

Prenatal vitamins, DHA, vitamin D, baby aspirin, steroids, antibiotics, Estradiol Valerate injections, Estrace suppositories, Crinone suppositories, lovenox injections, an endometrial “scratch” and..... WE ARE FINALLY PREGNANT!!!  

Surro baby due March 11th - the IP's (Intended Parents) are so excited!! I'm so grateful to be on this journey with them.
It's still super early but we've had a few very reassuring ultrasounds. Now please help us pray this little bean keeps growing!!
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Transfer #2 outcome

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Exactly 4 years ago today I was celebrating my rising Beta HCG and anticipating an ultrasound to see my little ones heart beating for the first time. Today while snuggling my little girl and feeling that same heart beat against my hand my mind started drifting off. I started wondering if I will ever get to see a little baby growing inside of me again. Despite a beautiful lining, great hormone levels and what we all thought was perfect cycle timing another perfect little girl embryo decided not to stick. My HCG was negative and we are all devastated. We have a call with the IPs reproductive endocrinologist (RE) on Monday to figure out next steps. We planned from the beginning to give it 3 tries so we will give it another go in the coming months. Please pray for strength and peace for everyone involved. This has been a roller coaster of emotions and at times has been really hard to remain hopeful.

My sister sent me her daily devotional the morning of our confirmed negative. While it’s a lot easier to pray for God to grant my heart’s desires I intimately know that He is running the show. Praying for trust and faith in His plan.

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Transfer Day

Monday, February 17, 2020

Transfer is done! Everything went very smoothly. We implanted 1 genetically tested, expanding baby girl. Now we wait and pray that she sticks. Going to take it easy the next few days and try to keep my mind off of testing. Bloodwork scheduled for February 27th. Stick baby, stick!! 



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Lining check, bloodwork, med changes

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Had our lining check and bloodwork yesterday.  My lining with our failed transfer was around 7mm. This time it was up to 10mm. A nice fluffy bed for the embryo to implant. My estrogen level was also a little low last time around. This cycle it was much higher. I feel really reassured by my body's response to the new protocol and even more hopeful that this one will stick.

I've moved on from Lupron and start Crinone suppositories tomorrow. I'll keep doing estrogen injections every 3 days through first trimester if this little one sticks. I will also be starting one last antibiotic and a medrol dose pack. With my vitamins and supplements we will be up to 7 pills and 3 suppositories per day plus an injection every 3rd day. Glad I'm pretty organized and can keep it all straight.

We head out of town Sunday night for a Monday morning transfer. Prayers are much appreciated!!


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Transfer #2 Date

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Our second transfer is scheduled for February 17th!!

We started injections January 20th. My girls have been wanting to help so I let them push the syringe plunger. They get so excited! My husband has been awesome at giving my IM injections. I really thought I would be courageous enough to do them myself but I ended up just standing in front of the mirror, syringe in my hand, doing nothing. Glad to have such awesome help!

Please help us pray that this is the transfer that sticks. The roller coaster is hard enough on me, I can’t even imagine being in the shoes of the intended parents.


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Cycle #2 Under Way

Thursday, January 23, 2020


Things are finally rolling again! We started a new med cycle this week. We kicked it off with 9 pills and an injection. This protocol is going to be very different then our last cycle but much more similar to the one that got me pregnant with my keeper. 

We won’t have a transfer date until early February but it should be somewhere between February 19 - 26. I want this so badly for the intended parents I’m just praying this is the one! 

Brennan (6 yo today) has always been the best little helper. So she decided she wanted to help with my meds. I told her she could do the injection and as soon as she saw the needle (seriously so tiny) she ran into the other room. She did decide to watch and I let her push the plunger. She was so excited! 

Here are my meds for this part of the protocol then we start 2 different forms of estrogen in February to build up my uterine lining. Most people would be worried about the injections. I’m worried about 3 courses of antibiotics in the next 30 days! When this works it will be worth every pill, shot, blood draw, ultrasound and procedure. 


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First transfer outcome

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

11/23/19 - started meds for the transfer cycle
12/10/19 - lining check and bloodwork - lining was good but estrogen wasn’t as high as they would like so we added an estrogen patch
12/18/19 - transfer went off without a hitch! Everything went smoothly, embryo was expanding nicely, couldn’t have been better! Intended Mom (IM) was in the room with me and we were very pleased with how great everything went
12/26/19 - 8 days past 5 day (embryo age) transfer - negative pregnancy test at home - I let intended parents (IPs) know - still holding out hope for a miracle
12/27/19 - negative beta HCG

Each transfer has about a 60% chance of working. Unfortunately this time we were in the 40%. I was pretty bummed for the IP’s. This is such a huge emotional and financial investment for them and I just wanted everything to continue going as smoothly as it had started. They seemed to take the news well. Her RE is out of the country until the end of this week and they needed some time to review everything from our failed cycle so the nurse suggested a month of birth control pills and a February transfer. At first I was really frustrated at the thought of losing a month but realized it’s probably for the best. Now we wait and see what February will bring!
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