Beta numbers

Another update from the Dr's office:  The numbers are on the low side of normal.  They are supposed to double every 2 days, but thus far it has been 16,  25,  44.  She said they will continue to check it (November 5th) and that it means we are most likely only having 1 baby. 

I'm disappointed a bit about the fact that we are probably not having twins.  But then again that makes it more likely that the baby will be healthy.....so maybe it is a good thing.    I'm just a bit nervous about the low numbers though.  I don't want this to turn into a miscarriage.

WE'RE EXPECTING!

I got a phone call from the doctor's office while at Disneyland yesterday.  They let me know that Jane is pregnant!  She had her 2nd beta blood test.  The numbers are supposed to double and the doctor said that it were 'just short of doubling'  so they will check it again in 2 days to be safe. 

Soooooo,   due date is July 6th!   We'll find out the week of thanksgiving if it is 1 or 2.    Kiera says it is 2:  a boy and a girl.  So, we'll see if she is right. 

I'm soooo excited and relieved.    But it doesn't seem real yet.  

Can YOU see it?

Jane sent me this today and said "this is the first true positive-- for the past few days it has turned positive after 15 minutes or so."  I don't really see it as positive....... but I'm hoping she's right.  She has her first blood test today testing for the pregnancy hormone.  Then she does it again in 2 days to make sure that the level is increasing.  I'm sooooooooooooooo anxious to find out!!  (Update posted later:  her hcg level was 16...I've been searching the internet and I think 16 is an acceptable level at this stage if she was pregnant....) 

For the past 3 days my 3 year old has been praying "an thank you for we to get a baby in our family".  She has been known to have an extra spiritual intuition about this in the past, so I'm hoping that is the case.  We've obviously been praying "please help us to get a baby in our family"  but her statement starts out "thank you for".   Crossing our fingers!                                      

The Transfer

So yesterday was a big day. John and Jane drove in and we got to meet them for the first time and we hung out for about 2 hours before the transfer. They are exactly the way I imagined them and they were ever so nice. It was comforting to see that our kiddos will be in good hands. If I had only 1 complaint about them it is that they are too easy-going and not as type-A as I am. But that can also be a good thing I guess.
They invited us in to watch the transfer. First the doctor came in and informed us that 5 our our 8 embryos are good quality. So that is 2 to use and 3 to freeze for later. After Jane was prepped on the table, an embryologist came in with a thin plastic flexible tube and said "Nelson. 2 Embryos" and then the fertility doctor inserted them with the guidance of ultrasound. We watched the 2 little air-bubbles that the embryos were incased in appear on the ultrasound in her uterus. It took 2 minutes. Amazing.
So, now we wait. 9 more days until we will know for sure via 2 blood tests. I can't wait!!! Jane told me last go-around she took a pregnancy 5 days later and it was positive. So, maybe we'll know (or at least have a good guess) sooner than that. Crossing our fingers and saying our prayers!

An actual photo of 2 of our 5 embryos. Most people only get ultrasound images until they are born, but no-- we have actual photos : ) I think they look like S.

Jane wore her lucky socks and lucky shirt. She wore them to the transfer last time she was a surrogate and it worked... so let's hope.

Intended parents on right. Surrogate parents on left.

Jane Doe and myself in front of the clinc.

S took this picture of me as I was coming out of anesthesia after the egg retrival. Lovely I know.

Me at the clinic right before the egg retrival.

Embryos

We found out 2 days ago that we have 8 little Embryos being babysat for us in a lab.  Crazy.  I'm anxious about them and their well-being but there is obviously nothing I can do to change anything.  I've learned that chances of pregnancy actually have very little to do with the skill of the doctor and everything to do with the skills of the lab workers.  Embryos are sensitive to noise, light, contaminated air (coughing on an embryo could ruin chances for pregnancy).  All I can do is pray at this point.

It is 4:30 AM and I've been up since 2 anticipating todays events.  Transfer day.  I will meet Jane and John Doe for the first time today and an hour after that I'll have my baby transfered to Jane.  Crazy stuff.  

Positive pregnancy test

At this point in my medical treatment it is normal for a pregnancy test to come out positive.  This means that all of the hormones are working correctly and we are ready for launch.  So I took a pregancy test and it was positive.  So I took advantage of the situation and called S to tell him  "um,,,  I took a pregnancy test today....and it was positive".........."are you kidding?"  "no-- I'm serious.  It was postive".  After about 30 seconds of letting him flip out I let him know that I wasn't prego.  It was mean, but it was fun to watch his reaction. 
Tomorrow is the big day.  My eggs will leave me, connect with sperm and then the embryos will hang out in a lab for a few days.  (did you know that embryo's sleep?  I didn't know that until this week). 
Good luck to us!!!  Here we go!!

One dozen Eggs

I was so nervous to have my ultrasound today.  The doctor started the ultrasound and looked at my first ovary. "Uh-oh....there's nothing here.  2 tiny little eggs........."  My heart sank.  Not again!  This super-dose of medication was supposed to work!  "oh wait-- look at this ovary--  oh there's lots!"    So I have a total of 10 great eggs on the right side and 2 tiny ones on the left side.  The doctor informed me my left ovary is damaged and has poor circulation most likely from an infection earlier in life. 

So, most likely with 12 eggs only 8 will fertilize and only 4 will be good quality.  That is good enough!  YEAH!!!!!

ATTAIN

This past week S and I learned of a program called ATTAIN. It is basically an insurance program for people going through IVF (fertility treatment). Basically we pay they $18K and they pay for the price of IVF ($12K) up to 4 times until we get a baby. We found out about the program the day before our deadline to sign up. It was a tough decision, but we decided to go for it. Again, taking another financial leap of faith.

I start taking my 5 injections per day tomorrow. Here we go again....crossing my finger...and eyes...and toes....