October 2015 and Beyond...8 BFPs!!!

[Sapphire86]

Congrats golden! Thanks for sharing the good news. I can't believe you're halfway through your pregnancy.

 

[maybe_baby_]

Such great news, Golden! How exciting.. a little boy!!

I had my appointment with the fertility specialist today for and initial consult. Drew lots of blood from me and DH to test for genetic defects, and also testing my ovarian reserve to make sure I have a good number of eggs left. They also did an ultrasound to look at my uterus and ovaries. She said she is confident I'm ovulating based on my regular cycles and my BBT shifts. When she did the ultrasound she counted my follicles and said I have more than average, and showed me the egg on my left ovary that I'm getting ready to ovulate (I'm CD11, so just a few days from O). If was kind of cool to see it! DH is going for a semem analysis later this week, but the doctor seemed optimistic that I'm young and healthy and said she hopes that means our journey will be relatively easy. I hope she's right!!

 

[gigglebox]

Sounds like very promising news! How long have y'all been officially ttc?

 

[maybe_baby_]

This is cycle #10 I think.. We started trying last September, but took a couple months off to avoid being due in the middle of winter. I'm really not picky otherwise, but I don't want to be cooped up in the house with a baby in January/February because it's cold and everyone is sick, so we're going to try to continue to avoid that if we can. Also with my luck, I would be in labor during a blizzard

First round of test results came back good. Doctor checked both DH and I for infectious diseases which were negative, of course. All hormone levels look good. They checked my ovarian reserve, and it's in normal range, so I still have a good number of eggs left. They tested my immunity to a number of different diseases, and I have a decreased immunity for rubella (who even knew that was still a thing?!), so I need to get a MMR booster before starting any treatment, but no big deal. DH went for his semen analysis this morning, so hoping we get the results from that back soon, since it seems like so far things with me are in proper working order. Still have to get bloods drawn on CD 3 so they can check my baseline hormones, and then go for a HSG on CD 8ish. The HSG is where they inject dye into your uterus and watch it flow out your tubes to make sure there are no blockages. I've heard it is pretty painful, but I'm staring to accept that my life will be one big science project during this process.

How is everyone else?

 

[gigglebox]

Sounds like good news! And don't worry about the hsg, it's more uncomfortable than anything. I know everyone's experience is different but my own and a couple people i know who had it done agree, not nearly as painful as they anticipated. Hope everything continues to look good with the testing!

I'm ok, but feeling really sick this morning. I think shellfish (crab, shrimp) is officially on my do not eat list. Crab (specifically blue crab from the chesapeake) is my favorite food, but i just can't right now. We had a rehearsal dinner last night (wedding today for BIL) and i ate barely any, mainly had this amazingly delicious garlic bread, but i'm feeling not so good today....oh well.

 

[maybe_baby_]

Received the results back from DH's SA, and looks like we found our problem! His motility and count are fine, but he has 2% morph which is likely why we haven't conceived yet. I have to say, I am really relieved that we aren't 'unexplained' and that there is a logical reason I'm not pregnant yet- because if we understand the issue, the RE can recommend a next course of action. I still need to go for my hsg and CD 3 blood work in early November, we will also have our genetic counseling, and DH will be repeating the SA for insurance purposes around the same time frame. After all that is done, we have a follow-up with the RE to talk about next steps. Of course, I will miss my November cycle, but hoping we will be able to start some kind of treatment in December

Hope you ladies don't mind that I continue to stick around and share our journey.. I'm determined to join the BFP club, even if it's with a little bit of help from science

 

[GoldenRatio]

Maybe, that's not a good news of course but definitely better than unexplained infertility, the problem can be fixed. Did they explain you how his SA can be fixed?

 

[Sapphire86]

Giggle sorry you're feeling crummy. Fx you start to feel better in a few weeks. Are you having another scan done before 20 weeks?

Maybe, I'm so happy you got the answers you were looking for and can start moving forward. A few of us hanging around had our own help conceiving thanks to science (clomid). There's nothing wrong with a little help getting that bfp

 

[maybe_baby_]

Thanks guys

Golden- unfortunately it's not something that can really be fixed. There are vitamins and diet that can increase count and motility, but not much impacts morph. I'll know more when we talk to the RE, but my guess is that they will recommend IUI to give the good ones some help in getting to where they need to go.

 

[gigglebox]

Sapph, i have a scan tomorrow.

Maybe, glad they found a cause and the solution is one of the less pricey ones. Will your insurance cover any of it?

 

[maybe_baby_]

Ahh giggle can't wait to hear how your scan goes!!

I am one of the lucky ones because I have a New Jersey based health plan and NJ mandates that all fertility treatment is covered the same as any other medical condition. So all diagnostics, IUI, IVF (if we should need it), and all prescribed meds are covered by my plan subject to my regular deductible and out of pocket max. No matter the treatment route and the number of attempts, the most I will be out of pocket in a given year is $3000, which is pretty much the cost of one round of IUI! We are so, SO lucky from that perspective!

 

[gigglebox]

That's amazing maybe, so many ladies would kill for that kind of coverage! Nicely done

The scan went well! I'm measuring just fine and baby looks good next appt is in 4 more weeks but sadly no ultrasound. I'm so curious about the sex but will have to wait another 5 weeks after that i'm impatient lol

 

[Sapphire86]

Maybe, that's great news about the insurance coverage!

We're going to hit our $9000 max this year with the twins (which we were prepared for) and again next year with dd heart surgery (which we weren't). At least our premiums are very low thanks to dh's good benefits.

Giggle, I'm happy to hear the good news about the ultrasound. Waiting to find out at the 20 week scan feels like forever!

Golden, how are you doing lately?

I'm measuring 47 cm and my loving husband informed me my belly looks like a torpedo . I have 4 to 6 weeks left. I'll have a scheduled c-section at 38 weeks if the babies aren't here yet. Work is getting hard this week... I walk about 2 miles each day at school but am able to sit down periodically throughout the day. Only 4 more weeks until Thanksgiving break and maternity leave for me - not like I'm counting or anything...

 

[gigglebox]

We need bump pics!

 

[maybe_baby_]

Great news, giggle! My bff is currently pregnant and she paid out of pocket to do a harmony test where they test the baby's DNA and check for any genetic irregularities. One of the upsides was that they found out the sex at 12 weeks! She still hasn't told me though, and it's killing me LOL I think the cost was pretty reasonable too- about $130. Always an option if you're too impatient to wait! haha

Saph you're getting so close!! And I second a bump pic!!

 

[gigglebox]

I was offered that but decided to just do the 15 weeks genetic screening blood test instead. I may try and beg my dr for an ultrasound or maybe get a private scan

 

[Sapphire86]

I did the maternit21 test and found out the babies were girls around 10 or 11 weeks. I didn't do any genetic screening with dd and waited until 20 weeks for gender. Both were great. Waiting was cheaper

Here's my 32 week bump pic. I'm just starting to get puffy and swollen ankles this week but excited for my mfm appointment Thursday to check on growth.

 

[gigglebox]

Lookin' good sapph! You have such thin features.

 

[GoldenRatio]

hey Sapp, im doing great thanks for asking Baby has been kicking so strong, makes me so happy. Its amazing!! im just amazed by the whole pregnancy thing.

Your bump looks so cute! doesnt look like twins at all.

You should see mine hehe i became such a fatty oh well its worth for my bubu but im scared to get GD. Fx i pass my glucose test.

 

[maybe_baby_]

Saph you look adorable!!

Golden- glad to hear everything is going well for you and that you little man is so active!