22dp5dt

Today is 22dp5dt, on 18dp5dt I had my 3rd beta test drawn and today I received the results. Beta #3  is 1852! That is great! This means that my #'s more than double....Woohoo! When the nurse from the OB office called with my # I asked for an u/s, she checked with my OB and he said yes :) so this friday I am going for my first u/s. DH is going to go with me :) Praying for a heard beat (or 2)!

I am still only wanting to eat spaghetti w/ meat sauce. Not much else sounds good. Well, except for cereal and vanilla pudding. Also, I have been thirsty and drinking a lot of water. My tiredness has continued as well.

Why Faith and Pineapples?

Why is this blog titled 'Faith and Pineapples'? It is because 'Faith, pineapples, maca root, royal jelly, B12, DIM-Plus, DHEA, CO-Q10, Metformin, raspberry leaf tes, Green powder, IVF, acupuncture, and a reproductive endocrinologist' is WAY too long! And at the time that I started this blog, Faith and Pineapples were the two things that I was using at the moment. I had stopped most of the supplements, except for the royal jelly, per Dr. Brown, and IVF had been completed. I have continued the acupuncture and green powder (it tastes like chocolate milk AND it is super healthy). I also started DH on  these supplements to help with his count/motility. Plus, the acupuncturist started me on a tea that was to help with fertility, but I was not on that very long. I started it late and Dr. Brown didn't like to me be on natural supplements (except for royal jelly). After the retrieval I  read that the core of a pineapple was very good to eat before transfer. After the transfer, I kept drinking  pineapple juice. I didn't know if it would work, but I didn't think any of the above would hurt.  And so far it has all been proven to be positive!

16&17dp5dt

16dp5dt

Beta blood draw #2 is today. I guess that I don't need to be nervous, and I wasn't until about 30 minutes ago (it's 1030am now). Since I didn't' get an actual number on Monday, I will not know if it doubles today. I hope that it is over 1,000 but over 2,000 would be perfect! If it is near or below 600, it will not be a good thing. That will mean that the number did not double or it is going down. 

okay, I got the call. When I got the call for the 1st beta the nurse was extremely excited and asked me if I was sitting down. She waiting until I told her that I was sitting down to tell me that not only was I pregnant, that I was very pregnant. I asked her what my number was and she said that it was off her scale. Her scale in the office only went up to 300 and my number was way higher than that. She asked  how many I put in, I told her 2. She said well, they both might have taken!!! Her excitement was infectious. 

Well, the call for my second beta results was completely different! When I answered the phone, the same nurse was very calm and stoic. I was planning for bad results. She said that my # was 767. I was expecting a super high number like 1000. If my first had been 500, than doubling would have been 1000. And she said that my first # was super high....I had no idea what to expect. So, I said, "oh, thats not great".   She said it was great, since my first # was 440.  I clearly remember not getting a number on Monday for myy first beta and I told her that. She said with a very short tone, "well, it was 440 and now it is 767. " I asked her if she had the right person because I was told that I did not have a # for my first beta. She almost yelled at me and said, "of course it's it right chart. It's right here in front of me in black and white." I was shocked at this response to say the least and started to tear up. I am very emotional these days, and especially now hearing results. She just went on about how I need to stay cool, hydrated, and be healthy. She mentioned having an ultrasound in a couple of weeks and I replied with something, I don't even remember but she could tell that I was crying. She asked if they were tears of joy. I told her "sort of" but I was very confused about not having a beta # for monday and now it's 440 and with my new # being 767 it means that my beta didn't double.  She never explained  why I  now have a beta or what he second # should do. Thank goodness for the internet so I can do my own research (Sarcasm) But I was not going to ask her again, I didn't feel like being yelled at again. She put me on hold to transfer me to scheduling for an u/s in  2 weeks. 

17dp5dt

I have been so sad since then. I have tried to be positive and happy, but for some reason it has been hard. 

I did sent an email to the nurse asking if I could have a third beta done. I am worried that since I only had 2 and the #'s didn't double. Of course, she said "no, no it's not required." So I left a message for my OBGYN's nurse to see if my OB will order a third beta and maybe an u/s. If so, I just won't go back to the RE's office. This is not the first problem that I have had with them. Previously I did tell the MD, and he is very nice and helpful, but he is busy and has crazy staff so I don't feel like dealing with them in this critical time. 

I am so very happy.  I spoke with my OB's nurse and told her my dilemma, she  said that she would talk to my OB and call me back. Well, my OB actually called me back! Unfortunately, I was at my acupuncture appointment so he left a voicemail for me. It was the nicest vm ever! I even had DH listen to it  on our way home, he was also glad that I called the OB.  Well, the OB said that he would order a third beta for me!!! YAY! So I made an apt for tomorrow morning. I know that I probably will not get my results tomorrow, but that is fine. I am very glad that it is being tested.  Thank God for kind people who enjoy their jobs. 

Okay, symptoms: about the same. I'm tired all of the time, only wanting to eat spaghetti, yogurt and cereal. But spaghetti is not sounding so good anymore. My chest is sore and I am having cramps on and off. The cramps are worse in the evening. Also, I am emotional..more than usual. I did forget to mention that 

14dp5dt - Beta Results

I am happy to say that I actually don’t have a #. The nurse called and said that the testing they do at the office only goes up to 300 and my # is way over that! She said it means that I am “very pregnant,” her words!!! She says that both embies might have stuck!! I go back Wednesday to a real lab to get a real #

Now I don't feel like I'm crazy for only wanting to eat cereal or spaghetti for the last 2+ weeks!!!

14dp5dt = Beta Day!!

Today is BETA DAY!!

I would like to get this post written before getting my beta results back. I know that once I get the results I will be in a completely different mindset and I want to remember the things that I am about to post for future IVF’s and to help others.

Three of the last four nights I have woken up in horrible pain. Thursday and Friday ( 10&11dp5dt) I woke up at 1030 with horrible cramps. I was very worried, even considered waking my husband to take me to the ER. But, instead I took some Tylenol and went back to bed. About 10min later I fell asleep. Saturday night I had a work event and didn't get to bed until around 10pm and I didn't wake up with cramping and was not in pain when I went to sleep. But last night, Sunday 13dp5dt, I woke up at 10pm in horrible pain again. This time I woke up DH on accident. But did the same thing, Tylenol and back to sleep shortly after. Very strange. I did email the RN to see what she thought; she said that I could be implantation pain or my ovaries, since they are still swollen. I know that she only wanted to give positive new to me, which is not necessarily helpful.  I do think that it is too late for implantation pain and the cramping was right in the center so I don’t think it was my ovaries. 

I will post again later with my results......

10dp5dt

Yesterday was tough. I had a very short fuse in the morning and it took a lot to hold my tongue and at one point I was not able to do it any more. One of my employees finally got to me and I could not hold back and was a little more stern with her than really needed, but sometimes I am  to passive so I don't feel too bad. 

I did express my angst with my acupuncturist, which made me cry....well that or the crazy hormones that I am taking. She did a treatment to help me relax and I was 100% better after! I had not felt so good and calm in a long time. I really didn't think that I was going to make it through the day at work prior to the treatment. If I had any question as to acupuncture working or not prior, I was a believer after! Hopefully she works the same "magic" on my baby-making parts!

Typically, I make a large quantity of food on Sunday and my husband and I have it for lunches for the week. By mid-week I am usually tired of whatever I made. But, for the last 2 weeks all I have wanted is (gluten-free) Spaghetti and meat sauce...very strange. Especially, since I'm not a huge fan of meat. I hope, hope, hope this is a good sign and not just me being crazy! :)

8dp5dt

 No nausea this morning. Darn. But, today I have had a sour stomach for the last couple of hours. I feel like the acid it eating a whole in my stomach :( Luckily a  co-worker had Tums. I had this same feeling on Saturday, but I thought that was from not eating breakfast. Today I ate my usual workday breakfast (fruit flavored greek yogurt....pineapple to be more specific.) My guess is that this is either another side effect of the progesterone  or my obsessing/worrying is causing acid which is eating a whole in my stomach. 

I keep saying that I am not going to look at postings from others. I will not go to  thebump.com or google 8dp5dt or whatever day I am on, and I will trust in God for the next 5 days. But, I am unable to stay away from the internet. 

Also, I go back and forth about wanting to POAS. If I do, it will happen no sooner then Thursday (the day after tomorrow) that will be 10dp5dt. Than again, right now I don't know....maybe not knowing is better than knowing its negative is better. 

My cramping seems to be almost completely gone today. Not sure how I feel about that. So many have said that they have no symptoms, maybe it is good?? Someone at the office today microwaved popcorn and I thought it was a horrible smell. Most people might agree that it smells horrible, but I LOVE popcorn. If I could only eat 2 things it would be popcorn and soft serve. At first I thought someone just had stinky food, no big deal. But when I realized it was popcorn I think it might be a positive sign?? sigh!

 I have decided that Pinterest will be a helpful distraction to symptom searching on the internet. I think it will help about 1/2 of the time. 

7dp5dt

As I stood up from the bed this morning I felt nauseous and was happy. I know that this can just be another side effect of the progesterone, but it can also be morning sickness. I hope that the feeling is increased tomorrow! If it gets bad enough that I actually get sick I may call the RE's nurse to see if it could be a progesterone OD. Not that I actually think that is what it would be, but maybe I will get to come in for an early beta.

Another symptom that I didn't mention was thirst. I continuously have a drink next to me, which is completely abnormal and NOT a side effect of the progesterone, so far as I can tell :) Yay! 

4-6dp5dt

4dp5dt was another day of symptom searching without anything conclusive. I'm pretty sure, though, that all of my symptoms are from the progesterone (crinone 8%).

Today is 5dp5dt and a Saturday. DH thinks that it would be fun to go shopping for a family vehicle such as a mini van or, per my mom, the X5 SUV from BMW. But I can think of many other ways I would like too spend our money! Hopefully we have to buy diapers for two :)

Well, we did shop for a Honda Odyssey. Pretty nice....for a mini van. The sales guy asked if we had a big family :) We said that we are hoping for one! After lunch at  Sweet Tomatoes we went to Pottery Barn  Kids and looked at baby furniture. Yes, it was WAY too early. And ALL of the women in the baby area looked like they were going to pop  any minute. But, I didn't burst into tears and it was fun looking. THEN we went to Babys R Us because DH wanted to look at strollers....seriously. It was sweet. All and all it was fun and gave me a positive feeling. Some might think this could 'jinx' our chances, but I have put my faith into God and it is out of my hands. So I am unable to jinx our chances. Having faith has really helped me.

Okay, 3rd day of typing, maybe I will post today which is 6dp5dt. Last night I read: You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it. Matthew 21:22 Of course, I prayed during my last IVF, but I did not have the faith that I do this time. Also, many from my church are also praying for us. I know they have faith. Knowing and believing brings me peace.

This morning I found some brown spotting. Of all of my symptoms (Headache, cramps, back ache, potty break every hour), this is the only one that I do not think is a side effect of the progesterone and makes me very happy.

3dp5dt

Here goes my first blog post. I have created other blogs in the past,  but this is sentence is as far as I have ever gotten in writing on it. The reason I have gone all the way with this one? It is an attempt to keep my sanity.  What do I mean by that? Well, I am in what is called my two week wait (2ww). For those who know what the 2ww is understand the potential loss of sanity. For those who do not, this is a time of waiting, over-analyzing, worrying, happieness, sadness, excitement and dispair all wthin a 10-minute period sometimes. 

Currently I am 3dp5dt in my second IVF cycle. My husband and I are both 32, he is normal (per the MD) I have PCOS and I am insulin resistant. We did 3 or 4 IUI's 2 years ago and did our first round of IVF last July. The RE retrieved 6 eggs, 3 fertilized. 2 embryos were good & the third was not maturing well. We decided to transfer all three. My first beta was 12, the second was 8. A chemical pregnancy. After saving enough money (neither insurance pays a dime for fertility treatment) we are trying again. 

So, as I previously stated, I am 3dp5dt. I am analyzing every little twitch. I have had cramps since the evening of 1dp5dt. Yesterday I started having reflux (more than normal). Today, my lower back started hurting. All of my symptoms could be early signs of pregnancy or side effects of the progesterone. Very frustrating.  I didn't realize that back ache was a side effect of progesterone, I thought that it was a symptom of pregnancy. Darn.