Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

The time has finally come to share my news. I am happy to announce I am 12w1d pregnant. I had my ultrascreen this morning and everything looks great. This has been a long 2 year journey with many disappointments along the way. I don’t post much at all about my cycles, but as you all know, my first IVF resulted in a BFP that ended in a miscarriage which was just devastating to us. While my beta started off low the first time, I was in beta hell for almost 4 weeks while I waited for it to drop so I could cycle again. As soon as my beta went below 5, I was able to start back on BCPs. My 2nd cycle was so different from my first in terms of results. My first IVF, resulted in 6 eggs, 5 fertilized with ICSI and 3 made it to a 3 day transfer. Nothing was left over to freeze, which meant my 2nd cycle was another fresh cycle. This cycle, my protocol changed (but not significantly), and I added acupuncture treatments 2x per week while stimming. This cycle resulted in 18 eggs, 16 were ICSI’d and 14 fertilized. They still did a 3 day transfer, and the day of the transfer, we put back 3 grade 2 8-celled embryos and there were still 10 left in culture they were watching. Out of those 10, 6 made it to freeze. We were thrilled with those results. I honestly believe the acupuncture played a huge role in my success this cycle. Since I never test early, I was convinced this cycle would be a BFN because I had not one symptom, not even from the Progesterone. Last cycle, I had every pregnancy symptom under the sun.

On June 2nd, I had my first beta and I couldn’t believe I was pregnant! My number was great. They had me come in 2 days later for another beta and they wanted to see at least a 60% rise. So of course, since I have to do everything the hard way, I fell just short of the 60% rise (53% to be exact). They had me come in 2 days after that again for another beta just to make sure it was going up. That beta number more than doubled. At that time, we were told it was possible 2 of the 3 embies implanted, but one may not have been strong enough, but I was definitely pregnant and should be happy with my beta results. We went the following week for our first sono and were told we should see the gestational sac and yolk sac (I was 5w2d); we saw one gestational sac, but no yolk sac. So again, they had me come back 2 days later to check for the yolk sac. Imagine our surprise when we saw 2 sacs and yolk sacs! We were prepared for multiples, but since we only saw one sac 2 days earlier, we never expected to see 2 when we went back. My 6 week sono a week later confirmed 2 heartbeats. We were thrilled. Unfortunately, when we went back for my 7 week sono, Baby B no longer had a heartbeat and was only measuring 6w1d. We were of course disappointed but at the same time just thrilled beyond words we still had a healthy baby in Baby A. Baby A’s heartbeat sounded so beautiful and measured perfectly. While we were over the moon about twins, and were sad about it, we really couldn’t be any happier right now with what we are blessed with.

I want to thank each and every one of you ladies for helping me to get through all of this (even though I didn’t post much about myself). Every one of you is a true inspiration to me. One of my first posts on this board was a question about how do you know or decide how far you are willing to go to get pregnant. I was told, you just do it. Truer words had never been spoken. This time last year as we prepared to start our first IUI cycle, I told my husband if IUI didn’t work we needed to have a serious talk because there was no way I was emotionally able to handle the IVF process. After my last failed IUI, there was no hesitation moving to IVF. I was anxious and excited to start. After my m/c, I was very anxious to start a new cycle as soon as possible. It made me remember that post and the responses… there really was no decision to be made….I just had to do it, no question.

This is by far the most amazing group of women I have ever “met”

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

OMG OMG OMG!!! It's an epidemic!!! I'm so happy and thrilled for you Congratulations!!! And know that your story gives me SO much hope - I'm so happy I decided to do the acupuncture, at yours and others prodding

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Congrats!!

I'm sorry about the loss of one of the babies but am so glad that your other baby is doing fine!!!

Have a happy & Healthy pregnancy!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Congrats. I am sorry for your lose but very happy that you have a healthy Baby on the way

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OMG!!! THAT IS WONDERFUL!!! It's so exciting seeing everyone get their BFP's! I hope it's catching!

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OMG I'm SO SO SO sO happy for you!!! H&H pregnancy to you!!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

This is just wonderful news and I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

aww..Michelle you are my inspiration.

I am so happy for you guys.

I wish you all the best for the rest of your pregnancy and a happy life with your new addition.

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'm still soooooo nervous, but I know that comes with the territory!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Wonderful news!!!!!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

What wonderful news! So happy for you.

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

You know how I feel but again CONGRATS!!! So happy for you!

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Congrats!!! What an amazing blessing!!!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Once again, I will say congratulations!! I'm so glad your ultrascreen went well.

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Congratulations and have a happy and healthy 9 months!
Thanks for sharing your story with us, it gives me alot of hope.

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

MAZEL TOV!!! You know how incredibly thrilled I am for you. You have overcome some incredible obstacles and are a very strong woman. This is incredible news!!!

Message edited 7/29/2008 12:12:49 PM.

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I suspected when you reminded Jen about RMA's policy about PIO for 8 weeks after the BFP!!



What OB are you going to now?



I'm so so happy for you !!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Congratulations, that is such wonderful news!!!! All the best to you!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

That is AMAZING news!!!!! Congrats!!! Happy and Healthy 9 months!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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WOOO-HOOOOO!!!!!!!! I am beyond thrilled for you!!!!!!!!!

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

Yeah!

I'm so glad everything went well today.

Congrats congrats congrats!!!!!! I had no idea

Re: Okay, here goes...My turn to share (long)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A very healthy and happy 9 months!!