Pregnancy Update #1 - sneaky beta and symptoms; wedding progress

Sooo, I kind of cheated last week and snuck in for a third beta. The wait for the ultrasound seemed to stretch out forever, and I was feeling some anxiety and doubts, despite the strong first two betas.

I got the idea from friends on the private FB page for folks going through my clinic's program. They said that they found the wait excruciating, also, and went in for another "reassurance" beta. I still had the order from my clinic, which doesn't have a limitation to number of times or any specific dates, and went down to a nearby Quest lab. Results came back "very" reassuring at 17,368 (5 weeks 2 days)!

That reassurance carried me a few more days; now, the anxiety is creeping back in, despite having increasing symptoms. I guess this must be emotional repercussions (PTSD?) from my years of many failed attempts, or even the last cycle, which ended in a chemical. I don't think I'll fully believe I'm pregnant until I see Popo and Budge (or Pudge :) on the ultrasound.

Speaking of which, the ultrasound is still scheduled for March 6th, 12 long days away. If a spot opens up, the doctor said I could come in sooner, but that's doubtful because both an ultrasound and Obgyn workup appointment would need to open up on the same day.

For funsies, I will share the symptoms I've been having. Please share what symptoms you had in your pregnancy, if you've been pregnant and are willing to share. Thanks!

Symptoms:

1. Breast soreness: initially off and on, as of the last couple of days, some level of consistent soreness, but not too intense.
2. Insomnia: wake up most every night around 3 or 4am and am awake for some period of time.
3. Napping: Due to the above, often take a nap after doing my daily pregnancy meditation (I'm not a napper).
4. Mood changes: more emotional and reactive; have responded quite harshly to RC several times and had to apologize. Saying things I would never normally say. Also, increased anxiety at times, and my mind is swirling or overly active.
5. Communication: perhaps related to above, I find myself more "chatty" than I've ever been. I just seem to talk more, in streams of chattiness that is unlike me. Unless I'm in an exhausted place, where I zone out in a semi-stupor. :)
6. Brain fog: pretty self-explanatory...I feel unfocused and fumble around trying to get organized or out the door, at times.
7. Food: smoked salmon, salmon in general really, has never sounded more disgusting. Often, the healthy, veggie-heavy dinners RC cooks, sound awful unfortunately. Cooked veggies, in general, sound bad, except for potatoes or french fries. Salads are okay, raw celery. Fruit is great, and hamburgers - or the other day a delicious gyro - are cravings at times. Spicy foods often sound appealing, oddly.
8. Nausea: I had one wierd incident yesterday, when I was out walking Zoey, where I suddenly felt overheated and BLECH. Not like I was about to throw-up but just gross and I guess you could say somewhat nauseated. I felt like I couldn't make all the way back down our street and home, lol. But, overall, no morning sickness or nausea, which has been a concern because so many women feel this. I just reached 6 weeks today, so maybe I have that to look forward to.

Lastly, despite my foggy brain, wedding planning has progressed, and all the major pieces are in place. Venue and food, check; DJ, check; rehearsal dinner venue, check; decorations and centerpieces, check (found more antique-style table clocks, yay!); officiant, check; wedding party confirmed, check (RC had some struggles around this when one son cancelled last minute, but my uncle stepped in :); flowers, check.

We are super excited for our honeymoon, now, as well. Even though my Dad declined to pay for the wedding, or any part of the wedding, up front, he and the rest of my immediate family went in on the lodging for our honeymoon in Victoria, BC - amazing! Lots of gratitude and some warming towards my Dad around that one, which we just found out about yesterday. We will be staying in a 17-suite Bed and Breakfast downtown, across from a lovely park (Beacon Park?) and near all the sights and activities along the Bay. Yay!

FET Update #7 - 2nd Beta Results

Second beta results came back at 1116! We could hardly believe our ears. I was hoping for the 600s or 700s maybe, since they said they wanted them to triple, but this exceeded expectations. Such a relief and so encouraging that this actually might be happening.

I’ve downloaded a couple of apps and am following Budge and Popo’s development. Those are the names we gave our embryos. If we find out only one stuck, we will call him/her “Pudge.” 😊

I’m very happy but in and out of a state of disbelief, as well. Our first ultrasound is scheduled for March 1st, at 7 weeks. Hang in there, guys! ❤️

FET Update #6: Results are in

Beta test yesterday came back at 221! I’m pregnant! Woo hoo!!

Waiting for the results was excruciating, not surprisingly. At three hours, when they said they would be done, I talked to the nurse and she said she had the result but couldn’t give them to me until the doctor reviewed them. Crazy!

About 45 minutes later, she called me back and told me the good news. I was out walking the dog, so as not to go completely insane waiting, so I called RC to tell him the news. He was pretty overwhelmed and even shed a few tears. Very sweet. As for me, I couldn’t wipe the huge grin off my face and felt super relieved, as well as overjoyed. Quite a memorable moment!

The second beta test is on Monday so we’re hoping the numbers rise appropriately. The nurse said 221 is a very strong number, and some folks have mentioned the possibility of twins; others say that they had high numbers with a singleton, and the number doesn’t matter that much. I guess we will have to wait and see.

As I shared before, we would prefer a singleton for the reason it would be an easier pregnancy (and it would be pretty intense caring for twins :-)), but we would be overjoyed with either outcome. I would love them to have a sibling, and there are fun and positive aspects to having two children.

Those of you who have gone through infertility can probably understand my impulse to want to see a second line on an HPT. Sooo, I had some old cheap pregnancy tests and used one today. Definitely a second line! But it was kind of lighter than we expected, so of course that brought up worry. It was my second urine of the day, and I drank coffee and water, so I hope that’s why. Damn HPTs, still managing to cause stress. 🤪

I had some more old blood spotting over the last couple days, as well as cramping. Boobs are getting increasingly sore, and insomnia at around 3am continues. But as of now, I’m pregnant!! First time I’ve been able to say that. ❤️

FET Update #5 - PUPO and signs

The transfer went well! When we arrived, we met with the embryologist who told us that, out of the two they thawed, one looked “perfect,” and the other was struggling a bit to fully expand. She said it was remodeling or rebounding, however, and she was optimistic about its chances once it was transferred to the uterine environment.

She said if we wanted two perfect ones, they would thaw another one, but she said she only recommended that route if we were sure we wanted twins. We decided we’d rather leave it up to God, and, if were meant to have twins, we will. Honestly, once I saw the two embryos, I was in love with both of them and wanted both to have a chance. After we made the decision and signed required paperwork, I had to drink more water and wait a bit for my bladder to fill, then the doctor came in and everything progressed without a hitch.

Traveling back that afternoon by air (using RC's miles, which required us to first travel to L.A. boo!) after the transfer wasn’t ideal, but I tried to take it easy and not rush or lift heavy items, etc.

In the last week, I’ve had some interesting signs that something might be happening in my uterus. I definitely felt light pulling cramps both on the left and the right side in the two days after transfer and, the day afterwards, I experienced two light episodes of spotting. One with darker blood at 5am, and one with pinkish blood at 4pm.  It was very minimal; just on the tissue when I went to the bathroom. Then I had nothing for days until yesterday, when I experienced a squinter streak of old blood on the tissue at 11:30am. I do feel excited about this sign, because the timing, in all three cases, is right on for it to be implantation bleeding.

Additional signs include a bad sinus headache on the left side of my forehead, starting Sunday and going through yesterday.  I also had some interesting brief headache feelings on the top of my head and towards the back, as well as additional pulsing or pang-like cramps here and there.

It may be attributed to the meds, but  I've been quite moody at times, as well, both irritable or easily frustrated and sad. Bursts of emotion, after which you say, "Wow, that came out of nowhere!" Or you realize as you walk, alone and sobbing, down the street (after telling your partner, "Just go ahead! we’re not even talking anyway!" lol), that this is very likely fueled by hormones.

After the spotting, I almost reconsidered doing an HPT, but RC is against it. I think he's probably right because, last time, it was SO stressful for us, and I'd rather stay as calm as possible until the beta. My C & B meditations are totally helping right now, by the way. :) 

The beta test is scheduled for Friday; everything crossed!!