These are my little sisters and me: Becky, Katie and Jessie. We grew up playing House, Dress-Up, Barbies, riding our bikes, and having dance contests (I was always the judge, and coincidentally, I always won). For as long as I can remember we wanted to grow up and have babies. Well, we grew up and
Tag: ivf cycle
Almost exactly a year ago, my husband and I were at just about our lowest of lows of our infertility story. We had recently learned about my husband’s abysmal sperm count and were continuing testing for him. The term “IVF” was being thrown around, and I was devastated. I remember going to the urologist with
What’s more stressful than going through an IVF cycle? Going through said IVF cycle while buying a house! We had been looking…and looking…at houses for some time but, as it happened, the same month we did our IVF cycle happened to be the month we found, and closed on, our new house. In fact,
A baby? Yes, I suppose a baby would be the ultimate positive spin and happy ending for enduring an IVF cycle. But, my favorite IVF moment (and, yes, there is such a thing)? Embryo transfer day. I was a mess of emotions on the morning of transfer day. Fearful they’d cancel our cycle at the
Day Eight: Monday Today’s ultrasound went well today (minimal discomfort!) and they told us we will trigger tomorrow! I still can’t believe it all seems to be happening so quickly… Day Nine: Tuesday We triggered tonight! Actually, at the last minute, they changed my trigger meds because they are still worried about ovarian hyperstimulation. All
It is said that when a baby sleeps, you should sleep. Of course, I think this is brilliant; what tired momma doesn’t want a little snooze once her baby has finally closed their eyes? I must say, though, getting me to relax is no small feat; I think getting my niece to doze off at
At the start of our IVF cycle, I was instructed to refrain from lifting anything heavy and to avoid stairs as much as possible. Try this at home? Sure, no problem. Do this at work? That’s another story entirely. My job requires that I do some heavy lifting. When you make multiple one-hundred-pound batches of
A daily glimpse into the first weeks of our IVF cycle: Day 1: Monday Well, today is the big day! This morning, I went in for my baseline blood work and ultrasound, and tonight I had my first injection of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone, the hormone that will help me develop more than one
I think anyone who goes through an IVF cycle deserves an honorary medical degree. Am I right? I’ve become a pro at administering (and receiving) shots—in my thigh, in my belly, in my rear. I can use terms like “protocol,” “10 cc syringe” and “sharps container” and actually know what I’m talking about. With the
As we prepare for our first IVF cycle, I’ll take all the help I can get. I’ve been eating better, regularly taking my prenatal vitamins, getting plenty of sleep, and snuggling extra babies. Snuggling extra babies? How will that help? I have this theory that, the more time I spend around little kids and babies,
