IVF Thoughts

     Originally I had a major mental block about IVF because my best friend from college had 3 horrifying experiences with it and I learned enough from her to make me terrified of ever proceeding with it. Bottom line for me: it is not that bad and I don't feel any differently about my pregnancy than I would if it were "natural." I honestly didn't know how I would feel before we did it, but I am now overjoyed. We actually learned a lot and got to see that our baby was healthy from day one!
     After we tried to conceive for a year, my Dad told me, (through my mom, of course!) that there is nothing wrong with using medical help for issues such as fertility. He assured us that it is in God's plan that medicine has come so far and can help us with issues like this. He was by far the smartest person I think I will ever know in my life. Between his faith in God and his profession in medical research, this, time and prayer, confirmed IVF was an option for Brant and me. My Dad is no longer with us. It's been two years since he passed away. He made an incredible impression on all our lives and this is one of the last ones I hold with me, (and with this baby inside me!)
     Brant and I didn't have anything particularly wrong with either of us, except age not being on our side. So many people kept saying, "oh, you're still young," but in reality, our bodies were meant to have babies in our teenage years and 20s. That's why all the chromosomal problems happen to older parents too, which is another thought to consider, (chromosomes get "sticky" according to our doctor!) I think this whole process was more difficult for us because we had to go through ALL the hoops and procedures just to TRY to conceive. Doctors didn't have a specific issue they could hone in on and "fix," or focus on.
     We started with Chlomid, then another drug called Letrozol. We tried IUI several times. We decided if the last IUI didn't work, (in March,) I would focus my summer "vacation" on IVF. I began Lupron shots June 7. Gonal shots began later in June. Ultrasounds and blood draws were sometimes every other day. July 3, Ovidril shot. July 5, retrieval of 9 eggs (the first time I was ever under anesthesia.) July 7 transfer of 2 embryos. I relaxed at home after the transfer and went to music in the park with friends that evening. I sat in a lawn chair and drank an O'Douls, (beer decoy for the friends, which I am liking when a beer sounds good!)
     One thing that was hard was that I avoided people all summer because I didn't want to have to tell them what was going on and then go back and possibly let them know it didn't work. I really kept to myself, which I think is understandable given the circumstances, but I may not have been a good friend in some incidences. .
     It IS a lot of work and takes a toll on your mind and body, but it will be and already is well worth it. We are lucky to have had a successful first shot. Two embryos were transferred, but only one made it. I had very strong symptoms for a while and because of my high HCG, we think it is because they both lived a short time. We saw the shadow of the embryo that did not survive on the first ultrasound, but I just have to know that it wouldn't have been a healthy baby anyway.

Baby's first pictures. When I showed Mom/Gigi these she said, "Wow, not many people get to see that!" It IS strange, it just IS, but it's the way WE do it and it worked for us!