Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Our infertility journey - part 1

We had a long hard road to get to where we are today.  Pregnancy wise anyway.  So, this is the first in a multiple part series.  How many parts, I'm not sure.  Let's just see where this takes us, shall we?
It all started back in December of 2009.  I went in for my annual GYN visit and discussed trying to conceive (or TTC as it will be known from here on out).  I've always had irregular to no cycle, so I knew it would be difficult for us.  I was on birth control at the time and my doctor and I decided to take me off of it to see what my body would.  Fast forward 7 months and a wedding (which was awesome, by the way!) later, and I still had not had a period.  Clearly I was not 7 months preggo.  Something was up.  I went it and she did some blood work.  (Which, by the way I was not prepared mentally for and would have appreciated a heads up!  I hated needles!)  We scheduled a follow up appointment to do follow up blood work after I had been able to fast.  All of it came back and pretty much everything was normal.  The only thing out of wack was a slightly elevated testosterone level.  My mom thought this was particularly hilarious as I'm a super girly girl.  Haha mom.  So, based on that and my other symptoms, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (aka: PCOS).  I was put on Metformin to regulate the insulin resistance I don't have.  This is just a common medicine that most, if not all, PCOS patients are put on.  It was decided that I'd take Provera to kick start  a cycle and then on days 3-7 I'd take Femara to make me ovulate.  On day 21 I'd come in for bloodwork to see if I did actually ovulate.  On day 21, I went in.  That afternoon they called me with the results.  It was low.  Like a level less than 1.  I'm pretty sure my bitchy little ovaries were laughing at me.  Like "really, dummy, you think a few pills will make us get off our lazy butt and do our job after almost 27 years of not doing anything?!".  The best part of this, is they look for a level of near 10.  Oh, by the way, they're testing my progesterone.  So, clearly, round 1 was an epic failure.  Good stuff.
So, the next month we tried a higher dose of Femara.  If I remember correctly, my level went down.  Damn those bitchy ovaries.  I remember B trying to comfort me and saying that maybe the meds were like Weight Watcher points.  That how 1 of something is only 2 points, but if you have 2 of the same thing the point value goes up to like 5 or something.  God love him and his optimism.  It got me through this whole mess. 
Cycle 3 we tried the highest dose of Clomid.  Clomid is supposed to be the wonder drug.  There are countless stories of girls who get knocked up their first time on Clomid.  I, however, was not one of those lucky ladies.  My level did go up, but I was still under one.  At this point my doctor told me I was a hopeless case and I should just give up.  Ok, not really.  But, she did refer me to a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) since there was only so much she, as a gynecologist, could do.  Thank God for that referal. 
I'll leave it at that.  Stay tuned for part 2!

16 Weeks and 4 Days!

So, since I just started this blog, my weekly update is a bit late.  And it will be pictureless this week.  BUT, starting next week, I swear I'll be better.  To give a good picture of what it's like and what's happening with me and this little nugget, I'll do a little survey each week.
Here we go!

How far along? 16 weeks 4 days

Size of baby:  an Avocado

Total weight gain/loss: According to the scale at home, 1-ish pound.  According to the doctor's scale?  Who knows.  I totally turn my back so I don't have to see the number!

Maternity clothes: Exclusively maternity pants.  Man, these things are glorious!!! How am I going to go back to normal pants?  Still in non-maternity shirts.  Most of them are still much too long.

Gender:  We find out next Thursday!  On the hubs's birthday.  My mom is making the trip from TN for the scan.  And B's mom will be there as well.

Movement: I felt the first little something this past Sunday.  It felt like a bubble that wouldn't pop.  So neat!

Sleep: Not great.  I'm not getting up to pee as often, but still not really sleeping well.  I think having both pups in the bed with us doesn't help matters.  They got kicked off last night and that was better.

What I miss:  Wine.  Mmmmmm wine.  And sushi.  Always sushi.

Cravings: None really.  It's mostly when I think something sounds good I have to have it rightthissecond!

Best moment this past week: Feeling the little nugget move for the first time.  Amazing!!!

Symptoms: Major stuffy nose at night.  My humidifier is back.  And I'm hungry.  All. the. time.

What I'm looking forward to: My mom coming next week to see the nugget!  And, finding out the gender of course!!!!

Milestones: The baby can hear my voice and is growing hair

Mood: Pretty good. I'm really excited for next week and getting the nursery started!

Signs of labor? No, thank God!  This little nugget still has plenty of cooking to do!!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Well, hello there!

Welcome to my blog! 

I guess I should tell you a little about me.  Although, I'm sure most of you reading this already know me, so feel free to skip this post!

I'm a twenty something (although I'm quickly approaching 30, so I guess I won't be able to say that much longer) wife and mommy to be.  My husband and I struggled for over 2 years to become parents (no worries, you'll get the full scoop!) and are beyond excited to finally be on our way to that.  We've been married for 2 and a half years and have had the most fun.

I'm a perfectionist, a neat freak, and a bit of a control freak.  I love my doggies like they're my first two kiddos.  I like to use big words, a parenthetical aside (see above. And here), and hate bad grammar.

The hubs is a beer salesman and a self professed beer nerd.  He loves to have a crazy mountain man beard, which also happens to be red.  He's fun and outgoing and a bit messy.  Basically, he's everything I'm not.  And he's amazing.

Hope you stick around!