Not Viable

 We did not get the news that we were praying for.

On Monday we went in for our ultrasound hoping that our baby's heartbeat had gotten stronger.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to find a heartbeat at all.

Not only was there no heartbeat, but they also said that our pregnancy had regressed.

I think the worst part for me was the devastation that I saw on Chris's face.

He stayed so positive throughout this whole ordeal. In fact he was initially excited when we first saw the ultrasound because he could see the gestational sack and thought the baby was fine. When she told us she couldn't find the heartbeat he looked shocked and then shattered.

After the ultrasound we went upstairs and talked with our fertility doctor. She expressed her condolences and made another appointment for me for next week.

After the ultrasound I stopped the estrogen and progesterone. Now it will be just a wait game. I haven't started bleeding yet and have no idea when it will start.

I took today off work, but am planning to go back tomorrow.

I don't think I can handle sitting around waiting for the miscarriage. Last time it took weeks before it started and lasted about a week.

Although I couldn't seem to stop crying yesterday, today I have been feeling completely numb. 

I want to thank all my amazing friends and family who have been so supportive. I honestly don't know what I would do without you all.

Higher

Wednesday morning, in the middle of working, I finally got the call to let me know the results of my blood work.

At first they simply said they wanted me to continue taking my meds.

When I inquired about my HCG levels the nurse told me that they had raised again. With further inquiry I found out they rose to 2139.

When I asked whether those numbers were o.k., she responded that they were rising well, but that we would know more after my ultrasound.

So here I remain in limbo.

I have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow to let him know what is happening. (The Regional Fertility Clinic advised me to make the appointment.)

Again I am trying to remain positive and will just have to wait to see what happens next Thursday.

So again, I am asking for your thoughts and prayers.

No News

This morning I woke up early to get to the Lab Services before they opened. The clinic opens at 6:30 and I arrived around ten after six. Imagine my surprise when there was actually 11 people in front of me waiting!

Luckily I did get finished in enough time to get to work on time.

I kept my phone with me all afternoon (something I never do), but unfortunately I didn't hear anything from the Regional Fertility Clinic.

When they gave me the results last Friday, the nurse on the phone did mention that I would have the blood work taken today and then get the results tomorrow. I was, of course, hoping that I would find out this afternoon.

I'm now hoping that I will find out first thing tomorrow morning before I go to work. I have to work to until around 8;30 p.m. tomorrow so I hope it is good news. I can't imagine how I'll get through the day if it is bad!

Still rising

On Friday morning I went again to have my blood work taken.

My wait was much longer than it was on Tuesday. Of course, the longer I waited the more my nerves started kicking in.

The woman who took my blood commented on the fact that I had been there the other day and asked if I had to return again.

I filled her in on what was happening and she kindly told me that it was a good sign that they were rising.

After the blood work I went home and tried to keep myself occupied while waiting to see if I was going to hear the results.

By 3:00 I felt like a cat on a hot tin roof!

When I finally got the phone call it was mixed news yet again...

My levels rose. This time to 717  YAY!!!

It is great news that they are going up, unfortunately they are still slightly lower than they would like. BOO!!!

So yet again I need to go for blood work. They've asked me to go again on Tuesday.

The nurse did tell me to make an appointment with my family doctor and to let him know that I am pregnant. She also booked an ultrasound appointment for me on March 30.

I'm thinking (hoping) that it is positive that they got me to make an appointment with my doctor. The nurse also mentioned that they are really picky about the HSG levels at the clinic.

So here I am in lingo once again with my fingers crossed and asking for still more prayers.

IVF and Ectopic Pregnancy

My cousin Candace, like me, didn't understand how it was even possible to have an ectopic pregnancy when you have IVF.

I thought if they are putting the fertilized eggs directly into my uterus how could they end up in my fallopian tubes since they are not even traveling through them?

So I did a google search and here is what I found out:

"Fertility specialists believe that ectopic pregnancy may occur if, when the embryos are transferred to the womb, they are placed too high in the womb cavity. The embryos then have a greater chance of "wandering" and implanting themselves in places where they are not supposed to be, such as the fallopian tubes. Embryos could also make their way into the fallopian tubes if they are injected into the womb with too much force."            -Women's Health

The rates for an ectopic pregnancy are slightly higher with IVF, but to put it into perspective it is only a 2 - 5% risk. In a natural pregnancy it is a 1 -2 % risk.

While researching I also found out that ectopic pregnancies can take place when the embryo implants in the cervix, an ovary or even in the abdomen. The reason why we typically hear about them implanting in the fallopian tubes is that it is more common, and also because it can be very dangerous and even life-threatening for the mother.

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are:

Light vaginal bleeding
Nausea and vomiting with pain
Lower abdominal pain
Sharp abdominal cramps
Pain on one side of your body
Dizziness or weakness
Pain in your shoulder, neck, or rectum

If you are pregnant and experience any of these symptoms you should immediately seek medical help.

*p.s. I'm trying to remain positive. I'm still praying and hoping that this pregnancy will be successful!

Still Hope

This morning I went to have my blood work taken.

I waited until 8:00 as I was hoping to miss all the people who were having to fast. My strategy worked as I didn't have to wait long.

I asked the lady who took my blood how long it would take for the results to come in and she told me that it depended on the test being taken. She went on to say that it would probably be tomorrow.

When I got home I called the Regional Fertility Clinic to let them know that I went in to have my blood work taken. I also pleaded that if there was any way to get the results of my blood work today that they please call me as soon as possible.

Around 12:00 I got the phone call from the Regional Fertility Clinic. When I saw their number I hesitated for a second because I didn't know whether I wanted to know or not.

Thankfully the news was good... kind of.

My HSG levels have risen!

They are now at 268. (Typically at 4 1/2 weeks they are between 270-1100.)

As they are still a little low, they are sending me for blood work again Friday. Depending on the results we will hopefully know more. The nurse mentioned that they may also send me for an early ultrasound to make sure that it isn't an ectopic pregnancy.

"Ectopic pregnancy, also known as eccyesis or tubal pregnancy, is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Signs and symptoms classically include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding." - Wikipedia

I am hoping and praying that they are just slow to raise and that this is still a viable pregnancy.

So yet again I am asking for your prayers... they worked last time!