Next Up: NT Scan

Ooh, it's nice to have a moment where my eyes don't feel like weights. I'm feeling rather awake today & think I've turned a corner (as I thought a few days ago before taking a 3-hour nap at 11 o'clock in the morning). Went for an ultrasound yesterday & both babies have almost caught up to each other -- 11 weeks & 11w2d with strong heartbeats, praise Jesus!

I go in for a nuchal translucency (NT) scan on Friday. It's incredible all the early milestones we have to 'pass' with IVF:

- Day 3 for FSH/AMH blood test

- Day 1 of cycle

- Begin Estrace or some other pill

- Pre-ultrasound before stimming

- Pay for stim drugs

- Ultrasounds every other day or so

- May have to adjust stims

- Exact timing of HCG shot or else

- Clearance for egg retrieval

- Hope for eggs at egg retrieval

- Wait to hear if they fertilized with fertilization report

- Go back for embryo transfer

- Wait 2 extra-long weeks for results

- Go back weekly for ultrasounds when you get the BFP

- Continue with labs to see if PIO needs adjusting + if HCG is doubling

- Sacs & fetal poles to see

- Heart rates, crown-to-rump sizing by gestation

- Clear the 6 week hurdle (didn't know about that until week 7 & thank God)

- Find an OB

- Hope you find a good OB

- NT scan... where I am now, going on Friday

- Wait for NT scan results, 1-2 weeks

- Wait to get the hell out of the first trimester

- Coast through the second & third trimester

- Healthy babies!

Now I know I floated through the last 2 bullets; still studying up on gestational diabetes & preeclampsia & other terrific milestones to clear. Just move from worry about becoming pregnant to worry about the pregnancy... girl, just wait til the babies come! I am a bit anxious about Friday's scan, though, but I'm visualizing it going well, just having faith in that. Praying daily (& through every moment of anxiety) & trusting God has kept me truly sane & just a bit happy.

I'll be released from my RE after the scan! I have been so blessed to work with this office & these people, have been a bit spoiled with the close monitoring & weekly ultrasounds. My first appointment with my new OB is next Tuesday. Hope she's good. Was looking for OBs out of a certain Chicago practice & I found her online. Of her specialties she has experience with twin gestation & advanced maternal age... that's me!

Got my sense of taste back! I'm only dealing with gross aftertastes but popping an Altoid has worked wonders. I've been eating more & drinking milk, not to mention that I've gone through 2 cartons of Oreo ice cream in 2 days. Aside from that I'm only craving fruits & healthier fare, still can't stand the sight of nuts & sweets like cake or candy. Been sneezing a lot more, heartburn comes and goes. Still keeping up my nightly ritual of PIO shots.

I'm off work for a bit & have the nerve to want to catch up on sleep. I had a list of all these things I'd like to accomplish, but my body's telling me to rest. I just watched the movie 'Margaret' yesterday with Anna Paquin -- she can act her Kiwi *ss off! I'd be surprised if she isn't nominated for an Oscar.

Gonna walk my beasts around the block & then watch 'Fast Five' for the third time -- fantastic chase scenes + seeing The Rock's thick-sweaty-pretty-smiling-sexy *ss will make for a nice triple encore.

**Update**
I've been experiencing hot flashes off & on for the better part of an hour! This isn't the first time; I dismissed the other times because of how hot it's been. I feel the heat & sweat for a few minutes, then it passes. Went online & read that it may be due to hormone fluctuations. Interesting!

(I'm praying for you, MN.)