6 weeks, 6 days

6 weeks, 5 days and still pregnant!  We hope...

We had a bit of scary drama on Friday night...

I had a bleed.  We thought - thats it, its all over. Turns out, its not.  Big deep breath out.

It was 9.30 pm.  We called the clinic straight away and were very thankful that it was our fertility doctor who was on call that weekend.  She talked us through a few things, including that a bleed doesn't necessarily mean a miscarriage and suggested we go to the hospital for a scan.

By 4 am we had finally left the hospital with no clear result but with hope that things were still ok.  The scan showed that there was a yolk sac, but no proof of life.  At 5 weeks, 5 days it was too early to know.

The clinic got us in for a scan on Monday and wow!!, they detected a fetal heartbeat!  They were quite clear before the scan that it was very unlikely they would detect one at 6 weeks, but sometimes it happened.  Really what they were looking for was signs of the yolk sac and a healthy uterus.  They found that as well.

The scan showed that no bleeding had occured from the uterus, the lining was good, the sac was good, everything looked as it should.  And of course, a heartbeat!

So they believe the bleeding came from the cervix.  With all the hormones I am taking, the cervix has been weakened.  And before the bleed, I had done some vaccuming and mopping, which could have been the issue.

After having another little issue a few days later when I did some more vaccuming, we know that this is the cause.  So, I've been ordered off housework.  With Dave in full swing of work, he just not have time to take up the slack, so we have to get a cleaner.  Its not financially good for us, but it might only be for a few weeks, until I stop taking hormones and the cervix gains some strength.

Since then, I have been brown spotting every day.  I do wish it would stop.  While its not scary because it is nothing fresh, it still leaves us with mild anxiety as we wait for everything to heal.

The other difficulty is in the depth of my exhaustion.  I've tried to keep up walking believing that would be helping, but I've been ordered of that as well for the next few weeks.  It is just more important that all my energy goes into growing our baby.

So, a scare, and a few resulting frustrations.  But, I can live it with it all knowing that is ensuring the continuation of our pregnancy and the health of our growing baby.

Tomorrow we go for a follow up scan to make sure things are still developing as they should.  We will both sigh a big relief if this one is also good.  Considering my daily nausea as well as tiredness and muscular stretching pains, I think the chances are good!

4 weeks, 6 days

Wrote this nearly two weeks ago now...

I'm now 4 weeks and 6 days and my levels are going up really well.

In the first blood test, the HCG levels were a high 491.  I'm guessing that our little one implanted very soon after the transfer.

I had the second blood test today and was hoping for an HCG level of 1500.  It was 1547!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

In the first test, there was an issue with low progesterone, but I hadn't had my dose that day yet.  They upped my dosage and things were fine this time.

The relief that things are progressing well is huge.  With the history we've had, it doesn't take me long to get concerned again, so I'm glad to be having another follow up test in 3 days.  I hope that as things continue to progress well, I will relax into the pregnancy more.

One of the reasons my concerns had increased in the last couple of days, was because I have no symptoms.  Breasts a little bit sore, but thats it.  I actually feel good!  It worried me that I wasn't feeling anything, no stretchy feeling, no nausea, I wasn't even tired anymore.  It's funny to really want uncomfortable symptoms, just to feel like I'm pregnant!

So, right now, things are good.  It's exciting to think of a little life form growing inside of me.
I will continue to take each step as it comes and try to enjoy the journey!
:)

The results!

Day 16 after fertilisation.  The day has arrived.  Blood test day.  I was down at the blood clinic at 7.45.  Now we wait...

In the meantime...

By day 12 after fertilisation, I was going a little nuts.  I just had to do a home pregnancy test.  It was positive!  A step in the right direction.

By Day 15 after fertilisation, I was going nuts again.  I had to check.  Positive again!  The relief I felt was huge.

I was still feeling good this morning.  Happy to wait the day out.  Then the fertility clinic called.  They were just checking that I had done the test and wanted to know where I went so they could keep an eye out for it.  So good of them.  They are amazing.

Except after I got off the phone, the anxiety was back.  The anticipation.  Worry.  Fortunately, I went back to my relaxed place - mostly.

My physical symptoms are also confirming the positive tests.  Most symptoms I have can be associated with pregnancy or pre-menstrual, but now the body temperature fluctuations have started.  I'm going from hot to cold during the day and at night I am super hot in bed.  The only times I have felt this symptom is when I've been pregnant.  So another good sign!

It doesn't help that we are having temperatures in the high 30's , low 40's at the moment.  Around 100 for those in Farenheit!  I've taken to carrying a water spray that has a fan attached to it.  And at night, I keep a wet flannel next to me.

Time to wait...

A few hours later....

It's Positive!!!!!

Woohoo!