This is a blog that is really difficult to write, but we wanted to update. We ended up having our second blood draw today, instead of tomorrow (because I am a nut, and I wanted an update sooner). Unfortunately, we got news that wasn't good.
My second number was 39, down from 42.5.
For those of you who have never been through the process of watching your hcg levels in pregnancy, my levels should be doubling every 48-72 hours. So the numbers should have been doubled, or close to that. Any shift downward is usually a sign that a miscarriage is likely.
They are having me stay on all meds and redrawing it on Monday. We are praying that a miracle will happen, but preparing for the worst.
This is obviously heartbreaking news for our family. I am feeling pretty devastated and confused. And honestly, angry. I wish I knew why we keep going through this. I'm just so tired. And it feels like we not just have another mountain to climb. But through all the confusion, I know one thing, our God is always good, and His plan is perfect. So we truck on.
Coincidently, Mckenna has requested this song on repeat over the last couple days...and it's perfectly fitting for today:
Prayer Requests:
- God works a miracle and the numbers were a fluke...and are back up on Monday and the pregnancy will continue.
But, for also:
- Peace throughout the next couple days as we wait for another draw.
- Thank God for getting us to this point and for blessing us with getting pregnant as well as with frozen embryos for the future.
- Thank God for Mckenna.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
IVF Update: We're Pregnant!!!!
WE'RE PREGNANT!!!
Ahh it feels so wonderful to type those words. So good that I'll type them again: we're pregnant! God is so good!
The clinic called this morning, and for the first time in 1.5 years I got to hear the words, "I have good news...YOU'RE PREGNANT!!"
We had our beta (initial blood draw to test HCG in my level) and it came back at 42.5. Our doctor is happy with that number, although it is on the lower side of normal, so we will go back for another blood test on Friday to make sure things are still growing properly.
We had a little indication that the test would result in good news because I have been cheating and took some pregnancy tests. We had been getting some faint positives, and then last night decided to take a digital so there was no guessing. Here's the video from that test:
We are so, so thankful that this first step is GREAT news! We are very, very excited, but at the same time we are guarding our hearts a bit since we have lost a couple pregnancies very early in the last 1.5 years. We are trusting that God will continue to work this pregnancy together for our good and most importantly, according to His perfect plan.
We cannot thank you for all your prayers!! From your lips to God's ears...there's a baby (or two) in there.
Prayer Request:
- Praise God for his goodness up to this point and giving us a baby or babies in there as of now!
- A happy, healthy, LOOOONG pregnancy!
- Friday's blood work looks AWESOME and the numbers are doubling normally!
- We find the perfect balance between excitement and reservation as we move through the early stages of pregnancy.
Welp, I'm off to do a happy dance...annnnnd then go back to managing my expectations :)
Ahh it feels so wonderful to type those words. So good that I'll type them again: we're pregnant! God is so good!
The clinic called this morning, and for the first time in 1.5 years I got to hear the words, "I have good news...YOU'RE PREGNANT!!"
We had our beta (initial blood draw to test HCG in my level) and it came back at 42.5. Our doctor is happy with that number, although it is on the lower side of normal, so we will go back for another blood test on Friday to make sure things are still growing properly.
We had a little indication that the test would result in good news because I have been cheating and took some pregnancy tests. We had been getting some faint positives, and then last night decided to take a digital so there was no guessing. Here's the video from that test:
We are so, so thankful that this first step is GREAT news! We are very, very excited, but at the same time we are guarding our hearts a bit since we have lost a couple pregnancies very early in the last 1.5 years. We are trusting that God will continue to work this pregnancy together for our good and most importantly, according to His perfect plan.
We cannot thank you for all your prayers!! From your lips to God's ears...there's a baby (or two) in there.
Prayer Request:
- Praise God for his goodness up to this point and giving us a baby or babies in there as of now!
- A happy, healthy, LOOOONG pregnancy!
- Friday's blood work looks AWESOME and the numbers are doubling normally!
- We find the perfect balance between excitement and reservation as we move through the early stages of pregnancy.
Welp, I'm off to do a happy dance...annnnnd then go back to managing my expectations :)
Monday, October 6, 2014
IVF Update: The Non-Update Update
We kind of went dark there. Sorry! I've been trying to relax as much as possible, but Ronnie's been swamped with work, so it's been a balancing act. Anyhoo, it has left very little time for updating. Also, there hasn't been anything to update. We are stuck in the horrible "two week wait," as it's referred to.
Our blood draw (they call it a "beta test") is tomorrow to see if our little beans stuck or not. They draw my blood in the morning and call a few (LONG) hours later with a number. That number in and of itself if kind of worthless...to be honest. As long as it's above a certain value (all clinics are different with the value they like), our clinic just says "see you at 6.5 weeks for an ultrasound." If it's on the low side, they'll have you do another draw or two to make sure it's double at the proper pace. The value just tells you that something implanted. So we won't know how many until a first ultrasound. For us, having a few early losses, having a positive beta will be thrilling, but we will reserve some excitement until we see a heartbeat (or two) at 6.5 weeks..because we know all too well that there are a lot of hurdles after this first beta.
Anyways...soooo in less than 24 hours we should know what it's looking like in there....and I CANNOT WAIT!
Prayer Requests
- The next 24 hours are filled with peace...and fly by.
- Our little beans implanted and our beta comes back POSITIVE!
- Peace for any outcome!
Our blood draw (they call it a "beta test") is tomorrow to see if our little beans stuck or not. They draw my blood in the morning and call a few (LONG) hours later with a number. That number in and of itself if kind of worthless...to be honest. As long as it's above a certain value (all clinics are different with the value they like), our clinic just says "see you at 6.5 weeks for an ultrasound." If it's on the low side, they'll have you do another draw or two to make sure it's double at the proper pace. The value just tells you that something implanted. So we won't know how many until a first ultrasound. For us, having a few early losses, having a positive beta will be thrilling, but we will reserve some excitement until we see a heartbeat (or two) at 6.5 weeks..because we know all too well that there are a lot of hurdles after this first beta.
Anyways...soooo in less than 24 hours we should know what it's looking like in there....and I CANNOT WAIT!
Prayer Requests
- The next 24 hours are filled with peace...and fly by.
- Our little beans implanted and our beta comes back POSITIVE!
- Peace for any outcome!