Beta Day

Today was beta day.  Because of my work schedule, I need the 7 am blood work time to make it to work on time.  Today, for whatever reason, they were late opening up the office.  I got there a few minutes late, but they didn't open the door until almost 7:15!  Fortunately, my Dr. saw me and ushered me back to the blood lady.  I teach in the school district his kids go to school in, so he knows I need to get to work to bring my class in!  I told him it would be good news, and it was so sweet to see his eyes light up when he asked if I had gotten a positive urine test and I said yes.    

I told them not to call me until after 3 pm, as I wouldn't be able to answer the phone with students in the room and I didn't want them to leave a message.  The nurse never leaves the numbers in messages; I always have to ask.  Beta came in at 130!  She said it was a nice, strong number and to come back on Wednesday for a repeat.

As I was typing that last sentence, the doctor, himself, called to talk to me about the results.  He said it was solid and as long as it was doubling appropriately on Wednesday, he'd just bring me in for a pregnancy scan in three weeks.  I love this doctor and feel so lucky to have been referred to him.  He has helped us out so much, and really seems to care.  Our interactions are often brief, but he remembers everything.  He has also taken the time twice, to see me and answer my questions and not charged me for the appointment.

Here's hoping for 260+ on Wednesday!!

8dp5dt

I'm a POAS-aholic.  Really, I am.  But, for the moment at least, it appears that I am pregnant.

Here is a progression of the darkest of the cheapies I've done each day (because you know I've dipped at least two cheapies per day).  6dp5dt on top to 8dp5dt on bottom.

And because I wasn't happy that all of today's cheapies were lighter than the dark one from yesterday, I whipped out my FRER.

The only other expensive test I have left is an expired digital, which I might pull out tomorrow.  Beta is on Monday.

Maybe?

I wasn't sure if I was going to test today, as I haven't been feeling confident in this cycle.  I found out yesterday that my estrogen was pretty low (77), which I didn't take as a good sign.  I've also been really really stressed this week, with the start of the school year and being forced to change grade levels.  I ended up the collateral damage for a teacher who couldn't get along with her team members, and we got switched.

I tested anyway, and I don't even want to say it, but there is the faintest of faint lines, right there on the test.  So, of course, being me and having 30 tests, I dipped another one, hoping for a darker line, but only got a matching faint as can be line.  

So, I'm cautiously optimistic.  I will, of course, test tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that!  I have one FRER and one expired (by 3 months) digital.  I'm saving those for the weekend I think.

It doesn't really show up in pictures, but here it is.  If it was still summer break for me, I totally would have pulled out my light box and dslr to get a better image, but the phone will have to do for today.  Can you see it at all??

4dp5dt

I can't believe I am so close to knowing if we've crossed the first hurdle in knowing if this cycle will be successful.  So close!  With my daughter, I got my first positive test at 6dp5dt.  I tested today to see if the trigger is gone and I got the BFN I was hoping for (who'd ever think I'd hope for a BFN at this point!).  So, if it is positive on Thursday, assuming I test, I will know that it is not the trigger.

No exciting dreams last night.  I wonder if I scared them away ;).

Holy Sex Dreams, Batman!!

Ever since the transfer (Friday), I've had nightly sex dreams.  Three consecutive nights of sex dreams.  They've been different each night, but goodness gracious!  What's super frustrating is that in these dreams, I've gotten close to the big O, but not quite there!  What's the fun in that?  The first night, I woke up out of breath and in tremendous pain.  I went to the bathroom, but it didn't seem to help.  Maybe I should have woken up hubby to finish the job :).

I don't know that I've ever had dreams like this.  I didn't have anything like this when I was pregnant with my daughter.  I'm a little worried that it isn't good for the twins and their implantation. <----- notice the positive thinking! 

I assume it's the patched on and injected hormones creating them.  Let's see what tonight brings! 

IVF Urban Legends and Myths

I posted a question to the IVF facebook group that I am lucky to be a part of asking what urban legends people have heard or tried to make their cycle more successful.  I've loved reading all of the responses.  Do you have anything to add?

Pre-cycle:

• Supplements: Calcuim, CoQ10, D3, Maca, and Royal Jelly, and other "increase fertility" supplements
• Cut out majority of fat from died except for monounsaturated - olive oil, avocado, etc.
• Acupuncture
• Naturopath or hypnotherapist 
• "Just forget about it.  The stress messes you all up."

During cycle:

• Continue pre-cycle interventions
• Wear socks to all appointments, ER, and transfer
• Eat 1/5th of a pineapple for 5 days starting day of transfer
• Eat Brazil nuts (3 a day?) from day before transfer and for 5-6 days post transfer
• DTD the day before transfer

Do you have anything to add to this list?  It's all in fun, but I figure that if it doesn't hurt, why not?

Boring

This is the boring time of an IVF cycle.  There is so much waiting when TTC, especially with IVF.  Now, everything is done and I just wait, wait, wait.  On Wednesday I have a blood test for estrogen and progesterone levels.  Then back the following Monday for beta HCG levels.

I have around 25 hpts, I think.  I got a huge lot with one of our iui cycles last year, and most of them are still there.  I want to test out the trigger so that I know that a subsequent positive is really a positive.

I guess if there is one good thing about the timing in all of this, I'm going to be really busy this week with starting a new school year.  I did end up getting bumped from my grade level spot.  Apparently, one of the other teachers new to the school last year didn't get along with anyone, and the principal is switching the two of us.  I'll be teaching 5th grade next year.  I've only ever taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, so this is going to be a big change.  I did student teach n 5th, 12 years ago, so at least I have that, haha!  I am so lucky to be at an amazing school with wonderful colleagues who have offered to do so much to help me, while they should be getting ready for their own classes.

I was really hoping for a less stressful start of the year.  Staying put would have helped that.  I was super upset when I found out about the move, but glad that it fell between my egg retrieval and transfer.  I feel like I did a good job of getting over it.  There is another teacher in my grade level who had just moved from 5th down to 3rd just to try something new, and said that she would go back if I was really against it, but I don't want to be that person that throws a tantrum to get her way.  I think if she knew what I was going through right now, she wouldn't have let the principal move me, but again, I don't want to be that person.

One big upside is that one of my best friends is an upper grade teacher at my school, and now we will have the same recess and lunch schedule.  She told me that I should have told the principal all that I am going through with IVF, thinking that she would have picked someone else to move if she knew.  My friend, who is one of two friends in real life who know, is worried about me and the stress of a new grade level.  I think I'll be fine.  I am determined not to stress about this and just to let it be what it is.  We'll see how well that works!