Kate & Nate: Parents In Waiting: Memories

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Memories

Today I dug out my hand-written journal from our first IVF. I kept really detailed entries, and I am so glad I did. It was really helpful to read over our last protocol and all the excitement and planning leading up to Calgary and what happened during that cycle.

One thing I am on the fence about is whether to do acupuncture again or not. I didn't find it helped much the last IVF or FET, other than I found it relaxing, so I'm not sure it's worth the time and money to do again. Hmmm. I'm leaning towards not doing it. Maybe I will look into booking a couple of Reiki treatments while I am in Calgary instead.

As for getting healthier, I am proud to report that I am almost 13 lbs lighter than I was after our first cycle, and I should be at least 20 lbs lighter around retrieval/transfer time. I lost 2.6 pounds last week (as of today, 3.4!) and am feeling really good. My period should arrive any day now, and I am hoping it is soon so I can phone it in. We should be offered treatment next week if it arrives! Fingers crossed! I am so ready to get this show on the road.

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Our Story

My name is Katie (Kate), and I'm 29 years old. My husband Nathan (Nate) is 33, and we've been married for 7 years (together for 12).

We tried unsuccessfully for 6 years to have a baby. We have had 1 natural conception that resulted in an early miscarriage in 2004, over 6 failed IUIs, a successful IVF that ended in the missed miscarriage of twins at 7 weeks in 2009, and an unsuccessful FET.

I suffer from PCOS which contributes to our fertility problems. I also have scarring on my one fully functioning right ovary. There is a small piece remaining of my left ovary, which was removed during a laparotomy to remove a large ovarian cyst in 2004. Thankfully nothing seems to be wrong with Nate.

Finally, in March 2011, we were successful in conceiving a beautiful baby boy and are due in November 2011. This blog is a record of our IVF journey, pregnancy, and eventually life with our little miracle.

Definitions

The world of infertility uses a lot of acronyms. So for any friends or family who will be following along on our blog, here is a list of the most frequently used:

RFP: Regional Fertility Program, the fertility clinic in Calgary

b/w and u/s: Blood work and ultrasound

PCO or PCOS: Poly-cysytic-ovary or Poly-cystic-ovarian-syndrome

IVF: In-vitro fertilization (involves egg retrieval, and fertilization occurs in a petri dish. The fertilized embryos are then transferred back into the uterus 3-5 days later)

IUI: Intra-unterine insemination (no egg retrieval; a catheter filled with sperm is inserted into the uterus via the cervix to help maximize the chances of fertilization)

FET: Frozen embryo transfer (Often after a "fresh" IVF cycle, the remaining viable embryos are frozen. During a frozen cycle, these embryos are thawed and placed inside of the uterus)

DPR or DPT: Days post retrieval or days post transfer. Most women know when to take a pregnancy test based on days post ovulation (DPO), but when doing an IVF, this period of time is measured by the retrieval of the eggs and the transfer of the fertilized embryos.

HPT: Home pregnancy test