Corny title but I can't help it! Great day! Saw the heartbeats!!
I was worried yesterday because I was having spasms/twitching mostly in my lower abdomen so was glad that I had to go in for an ultrasound today. The tech checked my tubes to make sure that the third embryo wasn't growing somewhere in my tubes. I had no idea that the embryos would travel like that, thought that with IVF/egg transfers the possibility of ectopic pregnancies was totally eliminated. But the nurse said that it's likely that my interior's moving things around to make room for the babies. Good, because I didn't know what to think!
But I saw both sacs again & they look fantastic! Just gorgeous. One is measuring 5w6d & the other at 6w0d. But it was the fluttering of their hearts that made me emotional. The tech had to point it out to me because the activity was small on the screen & was happening so quickly. I can't remember which had what heartbeat rate but one measured at 115 bpm & the other at 117 bpm. Right within the normal range, thank God! I was smiling sooooooooo hard. I'll be able to hear them in a couple of weeks. Beta was 47,000 (it was 21,293 on Monday) so I'm right on track, praise Him! I go back to the RE on Monday.
These twice-weekly visits are helpful to my peace of mind. All these co-pays are going to put me over the top for 2012 deductions! And I go back for acupuncture on Saturday, counting those receipts too!
Told my mother & could tell how happy & relieved she was to hear how they're doing. It made me very happy to tell her. It makes me feel awesome that, through God, I'm giving her something to be joyful about.
I hardly have any appetite but still have to eat. Great news is that now that I am not craving sugar I am actually eating better. (Is this what it's like not being a slave to sweets?!) Have added lentils for protein (thanks for the tip, Beans!). Still tired & took a nap this afternoon but have just come down from a burst of energy. House looks a shameful mess so I took a little time to clean up. Am continuing with the PIO shots.
Very proud that I'm drinking lots of water given the fact I never drank enough. And this is ice tea season! Sharp, tingling sensation that alternates breasts a few times a day. Abdomen feels heavier today, & I've been bloated for weeks.
I don't know why I haven't told my friends that I have twins on board. I've only told my mother. I'm already a pretty secretive person & it was plenty to tell 3 of my friends about my BFP. I told the third friend yesterday -- she gave me a ride home from ET weeks ago (I needed a ride & had no choice but to ask her) & I haven't spoken to her since that day. She was worried so left me a message, & when I called her back I told her. I've been debating whether I'll tell my other 2 friends, but for now I'm comfortable waiting until the second trimester, God willing.
I did tell them that I used a Caucasian donor, though... I'm Black, by the way, & I thought that by tossing in that detail while I was TTC was worth mentioning! They didn't bat an eye & I didn't expect them to. The bank I used had, like, one Black donor & he wanted to remain anonymous so that was definitely not an option. I chose a donor with dark characteristics. Plan was that my offspring would look in the mirror & see more of me & not live life til 18 wondering where their blue-green-hazel eyes came from, for example. The sperm bank also was having a sale specifically on IVF sperm, actually... if anyone told me that I would be in the middle of this kind of conversation I would've said more than, "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?"
Rambling now, I'm beat! I didn't sleep at all last night & I attribute that to the long nap I took earlier that day + the anxiety over the spasms & twitches. I'd go to bed but don't want to risk missing my nightly PIO shot time like I almost did a couple nights ago.
Turned off the damn AC (I cannot stand artificial coldness or coldness of any kind but I have pets, can't let them suffer & bake)! It's about 80 with low humidity & a nice lakefront breeze. Windows & front door are open, it's a beautiful night. In Chicago :-)
I'm glad to hear there are 2 good heartbeats and nothing happening in the wrong places.
ReplyDeleteI was suprised that embryos can travel that much too. The other thing I learned was that an ectopic isn't necessarily in the tubes. A cervical pregnancy (which is quite rare, yep, I can't get pregnant with odds at 84% in my favour but can have a cervical pregnancy when the odds of this are 2% of all ectopics which are 2% of all pregnancies) is also considered an ectopic.
I don't like artificial cold either.
Great news about the babies - so happy for you. Like you, I thought ectopics are rare in IVFs.
ReplyDeleteI dont like artificial cold too. Its been hot here, but last week had to keep the AC on to keep my Lupron at the right temp - sigh!
OK, all you artificial-cold-averse people, y'all are bonkers! I might not have grown up with AC (don't think I had it till college) but now could not do without it. Middle Tennessee is not the place to be without AC. In fact, when mine starts acting up, I am ready to do violence.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you were able to see the hearts and that everything is going well. :-)
LOL ain't nothing like sweating your *ss off & slipping into a heat coma in the comfort of your own home! Thanks, everyone!
DeleteAwesome--how exciting to see 2 heartbeats. And I'm so encouraged that your 2nd IVF worked, with EPP. I'm really hoping to follow in your footsteps :-). And you're welcome about the lentil/daal/protein tip. I'm a vegetarian so know all about getting my protein. Protein powders in fruit shakes are also great, as well as black bean soup or chili.
ReplyDeleteAh, how I miss Chicago summers. I grew up there and went to school there. It's FREEZING in SF right now!
What a small world! And I was in SF last summer & as beautiful as it was it was chilly, I hoped for a small heatwave at least until I left! And yes, please stay encouraged because I definitely am for you, EPP will be just your ticket :-)
DeleteI'm so excited for you! There is nothing more reassuring than ultrasound days. I lived for them when I was pregnant.
ReplyDeleteReassuring is just the word, I can't wait for Monday... thank you, Lorelei!
DeleteI am so excited for you!~ I praise God along with you, and many prayers for a joyous, healthy pregnancy! Glad you are getting plenty of healthy proteins, so important especially now:)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Lea! Amen Amen! Thanks so much, God is so so good :-)
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