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Yes, the title is correct.

The news we have to share has left us pretty speechless.

**And fair warning, there are some personal details that some may not feel comfortable reading.**

On January 12th, at my regularly scheduled OB appointment for our 16 1/2 week checkup we got the devastating news that the baby no longer had a heartbeat. My OB tried for a while with the doppler then sent us for ultrasound where they confirmed no movement and no heartbeat. The baby was measuring about 13 weeks which meant that it had already been a couple weeks since the baby passed.

I last listened to his heartbeat with my home doppler on December 28th, so it must have happened shortly after then.

This news came as a shock to all of us because we had recently had the nuchal translucency ultrasound done showing results in normal range as well as the Harmony test that showed low risk for everything and also revealed to us that the baby was a boy.

I waited almost 2 weeks for the miscarriage to happen naturally, but since it had been nearly 4 weeks since the baby passed I chose to go ahead and use the cytotec to induce the miscarriage at home.

I took 4 pills vaginally at 3:20pm on Saturday, January 23rd. I spent the next few hours napping and getting as much rest as possible. About an hour in I started having very light cramping. It stayed like that until about 7:30 and things started getting more intense. I was still in bed breathing through the contractions as they got closer together and longer in duration and at 8pm I had a huge gush of blood that immediately filled an overnight pad. I changed pads and the contractions seemed to slow for about 30 minutes. About 8:30 I started having super intense back-to-back contractions. At 9:09 I felt an urgency to get out of bed and with the next contraction, as I walked into the bathroom, I delivered the baby and placenta whole at 9:10pm.

I'm thankful the blood loss was manageable and I was able to avoid a D&C. I will have a follow-up ultrasound early this week to confirm if my uterus is clear of all fetal tissue.

At this point in time we're unsure if D&I will be moving forward to try again. This is so tough for all of us and at this point we all just need some time to heal. Prayers are appreciated as we navigate the emotions through this process.

Graduation

We have great news to share!!

(Finally, now that Blogger is working again)

As you can see, the baby is growing and looking more like a human. :)

I've officially graduated from the IVF clinic and to my OB.

My first OB appointment is December 16th and we'll also have the NT ultrasound that day.

This baby is already not being shy and letting everyone know he or she is there. It might also have to do with the fact that this is my fourth pregnancy. Haha!

(I try not to wear too tight-fitting clothes during early pregnancy in that "Is she pregnant or not?" stage. People look and wonder silently but aren't brave enough to ask yet. lol)

Even though the baby measured a week behind our first ultrasound, he or she has been growing consistently and has stayed measuring a week behind. Maybe just a small baby?

At 7 weeks 1 day, the baby measured 6 weeks 1 day with a heart rate of 118.

At 8 weeks 5 days, the baby measured 7 weeks 5 days with a heart rate of  171.

At 10 weeks 1 day, the baby measured 9 weeks 1 day with a heart rate of 175.

We're all looking forward to seeing baby again next week! Stay tuned for an update :)

10 weeks

Ultrasound Results

Ahh...finally...

Sorry for the delay. If I haven't been at work or busy running the boys around I've been sleeping.

This pregnancy has me incredibly tired.

That being said we saw one baby with a healthy heartbeat of 118. Baby was measuring a bit behind but we're hopeful we'll see progress at my next ultrasound on November 30th.

I have a tilted uterus so that makes it a bit difficult for the ultrasound tech.

We could see baby's heart just beating away but baby is so tiny it was hard for the tech to stay in the same spot long enough to get a reading. I didn't move, didn't even breathe so there wasn't a chance of me moving and her not being able to measure the heartbeat and we finally had success!

D & I are super excited and relieved it is just one baby. Here's to a healthy pregnancy!

Beta Progression

Thank you all for the continued prayers for this pregnancy. It means so much to have the absolute best support from all of our family, friends, and followers.

As you can see by the tests below, everything is moving along very nicely so far.

Normal hcg level doubling times are 48-72 hours and I am very happy to say that mine is averaging around 42 hours! Since the hcg levels are going up at a good rate we now have yet another "2 week wait"....the wait until ultrasound.

The first ultrasound scheduled for November 9th will be checking for a gestational sac, yolk sac, and hopefully since I'll be 7 weeks 1 day we'll be able to see a fluttering little heartbeat in the tiny little baby. They'll also be confirming if one or both embryos implanted.

You may be asking what all of that means on my photo below. In the surrogacy world we use this to show # days past 5 day transfer where 5 is the age of the embryo transferred. You can also translate this to 10+5=15 days past ovulation, 13+5=18 days past ovulation, etc.

We are very anxious for ultrasound and so very happy with how this transfer is going so far.

Let me also just say that I am so very thankful that D & I decided to move forward with me for a 4th transfer. It's rough from all aspects after multiple failed transfers, but with a little prayer, hope, and trust we are finally where we're meant to be.

Beta Results

Blood was drawn yesterday morning for our first official Beta which tests the quantitative level of Hcg present in the body.

This is my test 10 days after transfer

The number is..............109!!!!!

We're PREGNANT!!!

Officially 4 weeks 2 days today

The clinic is having me repeat the bloodwork on Thursday (with results Friday) and again on Monday (with results Tuesday) to make sure the level is rising appropriately indicating a healthy pregnancy. We're feeling great about this result and can't wait to hear next week's results! :-)

Of course I will still be occasionally taking home tests to see that line get darker over the next week.

Please continue to pray for this pregnancy's viability and God-willing we'll see a fluttery little heartbeat in 2-3 weeks and deliver D&I's healthy little baby in about 36 weeks!

Transfer

Ah, finally a transfer update.

First, do not, I repeat DO NOT wear anything sparkly or metallic through airport security. LOL

You will be felt up and down in public in places no stranger should touch.

I especially love traveling Northeast during the fall season. Such beautiful colors! Fall is my favorite! I wish I could have gotten better photos of it all.

 

I arrived at the clinic shortly before 10am. The clinic does this very wonderful thing of having each person wait in a different area so as to not impose on people's privacy. I didn't wait long in the initial area before being taken back to the "transfer area".

The doctor came in and explained the embryo quality of the 2 embryos we were transferring.

This embryo is 5 days old. A (great) quality, 120+ cells.

This embryo is 6 days old. A/B (good) quality, 120+ cells.

And here they are in my uterus after embryo transfer. See the white specs in the middle?

There is a theory that eating fresh pineapple with core will increase the chances of implantation. The enzyme bromelain that is in the core supposedly helps the embryos stick. So starting day of transfer and for the following 4 days I've been eating pineapple and will continue to do so. :)
It couldn't hurt and it's delicious!

This is a picture of the sunset over St. Louis as I was on my way home. 

So, our fingers are crossed and prayers going up that this transfer is successful! We appreciate all the amazing support. I was elated to tears morning of transfer with so many people reaching out in support, wishing us good luck, and praying for us. It is truly amazing the positive support that we've received and continue to receive. I know many people are following for home pregnancy test results but D & I will obviously get the first call :)  The official blood test is Monday, October 19th and I'll receive the results on Tuesday, October 20th. Thanks for continuing to follow our journey!

10 days until Transfer!

This cycle has just flown by for me. I guess that's partly due to us just being busy with the move and stuff but here we are 10 days away from transfer #4.

I had blood drawn this morning to check my hormone levels and a vaginal ultrasound to check my uterine lining thickness. The tech said it was "about a 10mm" which is great!

My agency should be facilitating travel arrangements after the bloodwork results are received in the morning. I'll be leaving next Thursday, have the embryo transfer on Friday, then fly home on Saturday and wait to test. I say I would like to wait a bit longer to test this time (in hopes of avoiding negatives) but it's an addiction and I'm sure I'll be dreading the 4-5 days that I'll make myself wait lol.

I am super hopeful this transfer will be successful and a sweet little baby will be entering this world next summer in the arms of his or her amazing parents and big brother. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate all of you!