My first ultrasound!

         Thursday, I had my first ultrasound at the fertility clinic. My husband couldn't come with me as he didn't have any time to take off! But luckily, a really good friend of mine could drive me up! It really helped, as I was super worried. I had been having cramping and pain on one side. I was worried that I had an ectopic pregnancy or that we were going to go up there and they wouldn't see anything. I prayed to God to take away all my anxiousness and give me peace. But my worry prevailed. Thankfully, my friend and I could catch up on what we missed in the past year when she moved away. It took my mind off of the worry. She also has dealt with infertility, so we have a stronger bond then some of my friends. I feel so lucky to have a friend like her! :)
     After 1 1/2 hours, we finally made it to the fertility clinic. They got me right in. They surprised me that they were going to do more blood work! They did that, then I had my ultrasound. She looked at my ovaries and my right one has two huge cysts on it. She felt bad for me. She also told me I am not allowed to lift anything heavy for fear of ovarian torsion.
   Then she look at my uterus. She found one little yoke sack! This is what we saw:

The black spot is the yoke. She could faintly see a fetal pole, which I could not see. She said she saw a tiny flicker of a heart beat. It wasn't easy to see, I barely saw a flicker. She told me that everything looked great. The clinic had me as 5 days and 1 day, but the yoke sack looked larger then that. She printed out a picture of the ultrasound and told me I was due June 26th! What a perfect time, it's great for a teacher! Plus, I wouldn't be really pregnant during the hot summer!
    After she left, I almost cried. I was so much in aww that I am a mother! That I am making a baby and so far he/she is healthy! I can't believe it's happening! Thank God! I am so thankful to God for a good appointment. I am in aww of how a baby is made.
    My next ultrasound is Saturday, November 3rd. Thankfully my husband will be able to go with me and see the heartbeat. After you see a heartbeat, your risk of miscarriage decreases drastically. I think I will feel much better once I see the heartbeat.
    I am starting to allow myself to think of the future of the Baby Reeves. I am thinking about nurseries, pregnancy, and what is to come. After we went to the appointment, my friend and I bought a white maternity T-shirt. This is my plan:

I can't wait to start taking pictures and seeing the progression. Unfortunately, I am kinda chunky. My first few pictures was showcase my chunk, but hopefully I will really have that perfect pregnant belly!
     I hope to make my shirt soon and start taking pictures and telling everyone how it's going. But first I need to find a number stencil.
    Oh, and I called about my bloodwork and my beta numbers were over 8,000! Amazing. Apparently after they get so high, the fertility clinic doesn't call and tell you the numbers. More great news!

Pregnancy Stats:


How far along? 5 weeks and 3 days?
How big is baby? The size of a Appleseed
How I'm feeling? Good, overall
Weight?I actually lost two pounds since I found out. Probably since I wasn't hungry.
How I'm changing? N/A
What I miss? Nothing
Symptoms? I'm so tired! I fall asleep at 8:30 everynight! But then wake up at 4:30-5 every morning! My boobs are so sore. Other then that, I am sometimes get hit with nasea, But it's sooo worth it!
Cravings? None, I know that so far, Milk makes me sick to my stomach. I haven't been drinking much as I get so disgusted by it!
Highlights this week?  Seeing my baby for the first time. Actually knowing after 20 months, I am finally pregnant. I am in aww of God's timing and that I am a mother.

We have some great news!

    
        I'm sure a lot of you want to know the story behind our announcement! First of all I feel like a lot of people think I'm crazy for announcing so early, but the truth is I couldn't keep it in. Especially with people asking how things were going because of this blog. I definitely couldn't keep it in for 3 months! Also, my husband's and my thoughts were that if we announced now people who had been praying for a baby, knows that our prayer was answered! If we do lose the baby, my husband says at least I will have support. So, I maybe crazy, but I am a very happy crazy person right now.
    So... how did we find out. Last weekend, when I was in the ER they gave me a beta test. This test measures the amount of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (better known as hCG). In pregnancy, the amount doubles about every 2-3 days. Well, my number was 32. The ER said they wouldn't confirm until 50. We, being anxious, searched google. On google, a prominent pregnancy association claimed that anything over 25 was pregnant. We were cautiously excited.
    We think it was on Sunday morning, that I took a pregnancy test(it got a little fuzzy). It was a faint positive. But still a positive! We were over the moon. I took it at 4:30 in the morning, since I've been waking up so freaking early. I went back to bed giddy and my husband asked what was wrong. I replied, "I'm pregnant." His reply... "Cool." I was like, "really, cool?" He responded, "It's 4:30 in the morning!" He is not a morning person.
    Monday, I cried on and off day. I prayed to God. I thanked him! I was ecstatic! Even though it was early, I knew I was I pregnant.  I thanked God a bunch of times on Monday and have everyday since. I am so thankful that God would chose me to be a mommy! He has blessed me with a gift! Even though, she/he is the size of an apple seed, I believe the baby is an actually baby. I believe one way or another, that I will see this little baby. I am so happy.
    On Tuesday, I had my official beta test. My numbers were 112!!! It more than tripled! We were again cautiously excited. We told our close friends and family. We thought that the ones that had supported us and prayed for us deserved to know!
   On Thursday, I had my third beta test and it was 284.1!!! The nurse told me that they were beautiful numbers. She told me congratulations and told me that I needed to schedule an ultrasound next week. So, next Thursday I will have my first ultrasound. I will only be 5.5-6 weeks along, so I don't think I'll actually be able to see anything. But they can at least give me a due date and a little more peace. 
    The fertility clinic is 2 hours away, so every time I go I have to take a whole day off. I've already taken 4.5 days off due to fertility and my 1 bed-rest day. So, the said I could have someone in town do the ultrasounds, but I need to be established with the doctor. So, I called the OB office and guess what? The doctor I would like to have isn't taking new patients. The doctor I got, can't get me in until the middle of November after I am 9 weeks! The fertility clinic drops me at 8 weeks! I couldn't believe that it would take so long! So.... I will have to continue to go to the fertility clinic for my ultrasounds, I am hoping I can get them in the late afternoon for the next one. That way I only have to take a 1/2 day. BUT it all is worth it, because I am PREGNANT!!
   So, what symptoms have I had? Due to the progesterone gel, I think my pregnancy symptoms got enhanced. But about Sunday- Tuesday, I was majorly uncomfortable. I was nauseous. I even was having a bit of insomnia. I wasn't hungry. I had sore breasts, which has only gotten worst. Currently, I am really tired, falling asleep at 8:30, have periods where I am hungry and periods where I can't stand the thought of eating food, heartburn(which I only get once in a blue moon and I've had it twice since Monday)and sometimes nausea just hits me for a minute or two. I am so thankful for these symptoms, because it means I am pregnant and that everything was worth it. I know people who would die for these symptoms, just to know they are pregnant. So, I am thankful!
     God is good! He answered my prayers and the prayers of all our friends and family that took the time out of their busy schedule to pray for us! I am so thankful!
      Psalm 28:7 "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
      Psalm 118:21 "I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation."

A Trip to the ER

  Last night, I found myself in the ER. I was not happy about it, as my husband's grandfather was sent to the ER and was there for over 12 hours. I did not want to wait that long!
   About 5:30 last night, I felt a stab of pain in my pelvic area. It sent me to my knees! My husband and I were getting ready to leave to spend some time with our good friends and I really wanted to go. We went over possiblities of what it could be. It could be a kidney stones, as I have had one before as a teenager. My husband gave me some cranberry juice and water and told me to drink up. I tried to stand as I drank. I ended up sitting in the chair. It hurt so bad. I was in tears. My husband was like maybe its something else. I was in constant pain for 30 minutes, until we decided to go to the ER. We thought it might pass, but it never did. My husband called our friends to let them know we were coming. (:() Then we got into the car, which was wasn't easy for me. It hurt to sit normally and had to sit awkwardly.
     We finally made it to the ER and my husband let me out at the door. Mind you, I've been crying and my face was probably red and teary. The nurses immediately took me to get looked at. I have a temperature of 100. I told the nurse I could sit on the chair easily. They got me checked in. The nurse said she would see if they could get me a bed so I didn't have to sit.
    They found me one in a hallway! I laid on a gurney in a hallway. A person came and got bloodwork. Another nurse came and got my information with another gurney not far from us with another patient. I felt a little violated that I didn't get a private area to talk about what was going on. I told her that I had been taking Clomid, but she didn't seem concerned about it. I was concerned about it, as it can cause ovarian cysts. She left and there was a trauma. Every one of the nurses and doctors got busy and we just sat there, which I do understand. Those people need urgent care, but I felt like we were forgotten.
    Finally the PA came and said my bloodwork didn't show any signs of infection. But my pregnancy test was too early to say if I was pregnant or not pregnant. The numbers were low. So, they couldn't give me any pain medication, except Tylenol(which I had already taken). Then a male nurse brought me two cups of water and told me to drink up for an ultrasound. Two minutes later the other nurse brought me a pee cup and wanted a sample. I was like, which one should I do? She was like try and if not, wait until after the ultrasound. Good thing my husband gave me water to drink earlier, so I could fill it up. I waited to give it to the nurse, but another trauma happened. And we sat there. At least, I was feeling less pain. I wasn't in constant pain and it only hurt when I sat in certain positions or moved in a certain way.
      I waited a half an hour and had to pee sooo bad. I could not hold it anymore. I went. Then the male nurse walked by and I asked him for another cup of water. I drank one, and he came to take me to my ultrasound. The ultrasound technician checked everything. She showed me that I had a 2cm cyst on my left ovary, but it wasn't a concern. BUT on my right I had a 6cm cyst! Holy cow! That is huge. She said it was bigger then my uterus. I asked her if that could cause me pain, she was like "yup." Mystery explained. I had a couple smaller cysts on my right ovary as well. She then took me back to the ER.
    I wasn't there for two minutes and they came and took me again to the ultrasound. I told the male nurse, it was like Deja vu! I guess the radiologist wanted to see if my ovary was twisted and to check the bloodflow. We checked the bloodflow and it was good. We got taken back to our gurney in the hallway, except it was bare. I guess they thought we checked out? We sat there for results. Our Children's Ministry Pastor had seen my post that I went to the ER and came to check on us. He stayed with us and talked as we waited for results.
     The PA came and explained the results to us. I had a ruptured cyst and the fluid was floating inside me. This is what caused the pain and would still be tender. She said there wasn't anything they could now for me, except to tell me to take Tylenol. She said to follow up with my fertility clinic and that I was to take a mandatory 2 day bed rest. No going to school on Monday. I have an IEP meeting scheduled and it's due like the 19th, so I was a little worried. Well, could I just do one day, I asked. She said she really wanted me to do two days, especially if I am pregnant.  She said she would share all the information with my fertility clinic. I was freaking out about the IEP(that's just how I am). The pastor asked me, "What is really important?" He is right, my health and potential health of my baby. He prayed with us and left. I am grateful that someone(who barely knows us) would come and pray with us during this ordeal. We got our discharge papers and left about 9:30. So, 3 1/2 hours isn't that bad in our ER.
    Today, I am tired. I couldn't sleep with so many thoughts going through my head and I was uncomfortable in certain spots. I am okay, especially with Tylenol in my system. I am a little freaked out about my meeting tomorrow. But, it can be rescheduled. I have to remember what is more important!
      
   

Finally Some Good News

      I haven't said much lately, I've been so busy with paperwork from school. The Clomid had made me sicker than a dog. I was nauseous for about 2 weeks straight! Then after that my low back was in constant pain. It hasn't been the best two weeks. I am also taking a progesterone supplement to help prevent miscarriage. The progesterone makes me feel pregnant with all the "normal" pregnancy signs. But I know it's for show. I took a test today, although I am only 9 or 10 days past ovulation. It was negative, but I am still hoping it's too early. Tuesday, I go for my first beta test. I will know whether it worked or not. No news is good news.
      About a week and half ago, I got my results back from the genetic testing. Everything was clear, except I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis. What a scary thing! Apparently 1 out of 29 Caucasian Americans are a carrier of cystic fibrosis. If both you and your partner have the carrier of CF, then you have a 25% of having a child with CF, 50% of passing on the gene of CF, and 25% of passing on nothing. Those odds scared me! My husband had to go and get a blood test to see if he was a carrier. If he was, we might have some big decisions ahead of us. If not, I would be relieved! I worried, I didn't trust God. I worried some more.
   Finally today, we got a message that my husband's blood work was on online to check. We checked it out and it was free and clear! He was negative for CF carrier! Wahoo! Praise Jesus! I thanked God over and over today. I am so relieved that I don't have to make decisions I don't want to! I don't have to worry that I have 25% chance of having a child with CF. Don't get me wrong, if we do have a child with some sort of disease or disability, we will love them very much. But like every parent, I want a healthy child.
 

IUI # 1

          Today was a good day! This morning I started my day with my prayer journal. I told God that I was nervous and excited for today. I thanked him for my doctors and nurses that have brought me this far. I thanked him for the technology to do an IUI. I prayed that if this is his will, we would have a little miracle. If it wasn't to comfort my husband and I. I told him today was his day.
          We traveled 2 hours to our fertility clinic. We had to leave at 7am(ugh!). It was a beautiful drive full of colorful tree lined highway. We got there around 9 and had to turn in Travis' contribution. They told us we had another 45 minutes. They pointed us to a diner down the road. We went and had a small breakfast at the diner. I am still feeling nauseous. I ordered a plain bagel with cream cheese. They game me a bagel with a ton of butter and cream cheese. Who puts cream cheese on a bagel that has butter already? I could eat one side, but it made me nauseous.
    We returned and enjoyed some couple time on the couch in the waiting room. They finally called us back about 10am. The nurse went over the number of sperm in my husband's contribution. It was 24 million! Wow! That just seems so crazy! The nurse said they like anything over 20 million. My husband kept saying he was "a winner!" I told him we just needed one winner. With those numbers, you'd think we wouldn't have any problems getting pregnant.
   The nurse went over everything before she did it. It amazes me the technology we have to do ultrasounds and IUIs. She told me I had a cooperative cervix. Which of course, my husband laughed about and kept badgering me about it. They had me lay down for 15 minutes. We had an intimate moment, just holding hands. My husband is a very funny man and kept making me laugh. We kept saying he was a winner! I am so lucky to have him!
   We drove another 2 hours home. We talked about baby names, which we haven't done in a very long time. I can feel hope seep back into our lives. It was a bonding experience.
    Now, it's being a patient and waiting to see if God blesses us with a little miracle. Maybe two since we did have 2 mature good looking follicles, but that is not very likely to happen.
   I am very thankful for all the prayers from our supportive family and friends. I am very lucky to have so many loving people in my life. I appreciate the kind words and the hugs! I love hugs! I have one request of all my friends, please do not ask me if it worked or if I am pregnant. It will hurt to say so much to say it didn't work or I was not. I will shout it from the rooftops when I am ready if in fact I am pregnant. I appreciate it.

The Good, The Bad, The ugly(Really LONG)

      Today was a horrible day with an okay ending. Today I went to my appointments today. I first got lost on my way to the hospital to get my blood drawn. It was at a hospital that I was unfamiliar with. The GPS took me to a human resource building, instead of the hospital. I ended up at the "medical center." I got in and got my blood drawn and was on my way!
     I drank water all the way to the ultrasound! I had to pee so bad and ended up peeing before I got there and rehydrating again. The ultrasound technician was very sweet. She explained that I had 2 huge 2 1/2 follicles on each ovary. Unfortunately she told me that they were cysts and had me worry that they would have to be drained first before I could move on. I was so worried about this!
    Then my HCG shot drama. Last Saturday when I when to pick up my HCG shot, I was told it couldn't be filled because it didn't have specific directions on it, so the fertility clinic had to give more specific directions. I was told to call the fertility clinic and have them call the pharmacy. I called them on Monday and expected to pick it up on this past Sunday. When I went yesterday to pick them up, the pharmacist said the insurance wouldn't cover it because the order was put in wrong. He said he'd work on it and call me back. Then I got a call from him and he said I had to call some company to ship it to me. I called them today and asked them if we could make an exception as I'd need it soon. They referred me to the insurance company. The insurance company said it wasn't covered at all. At this point, I am in tears. I have been given the run around and I am emotionally exhausted!
     I decide to go talk to the pharmacist and see if I could get any information. She told me that the only way I could get it covered was to go to the doctor's and have them inject it in the office. I then asked how much it was without insurance, she said they would have to order it and she maybe able to get it tomorrow and it would be 70$. Okay, I could deal with that at this point. I went to school.
     Cue 2pm. The fertility calls my cell during school. I really wanted to pick up, but I waited until the end of the school day to call them back. The first thing they said was that the follicles looked great, my levels in my blood work was great and I should trigger with the HCG shot tonight. The huge cysts were follicles after all! The IUI would be tomorrow. I almost cried. I explained everything to her, she put me on hold. She came back and said that I should monitor myself with OPKs and call her when positive to either do an IUI or TI(naturally). I got off the phone and cried. This wasn't how it was suppose to be. What if I didn't ovulate on my own? What if they turned into cysts?
     The pharmacy called and said that the HCG shot was on hold as the supply is low in the US. The soonest I would be able to get it was in 7 days. I called my husband and cried on the phone with him explaining my frustrations. He said he would call the hospital pharmacy to see if they had the medicine on hand. He did and they did have it. Sooo... I drove to Wal-mart and picked up the script. I ran over to the hospital with the script. First that pharmacy said the insurance wouldn't cover it. They tried my secondary insurance, and again it wouldn't cover it. The medicine was 197 dollars. The pharmacist felt really bad and gave me a new price of 157. I can't believe medicine costs this much! I paid for it and went on my way.
     Meanwhile I had been trying to get a hold of the nurse to make an appointment for the IUI. I left a message and was suppose to get a hold of my in 30 minutes. It was almost an hour before I heard back from her. I was so anxious and upset. She explained that it was all a go then! IUI tomorrow!
    Next hurdle, the shot. I was a little nervous. The first thing my husband wanted to do was to give me the shot. He was actually jumping up and down excited to give me the trigger. I was a little nervous. We followed each step of the directions. I was a little nervous when my husband put the WHOLE needle in my stomach. I started crying and was scared that he punctured something!
     Today was awful. I have never been so frustrated and upset. The Clomid probably heightened my emotions. I cried a lot. BUT tomorrow starts a new journey that hopefully ends in a miracle(or two)!
     On a side note, I hate CLOMID! I have been soooo sick! I have been so tired and nauseous for the past 4 days! I have felt so sick! The nausea would just hit me out of the blue. Friday, I fell asleep at 8 pm! I spent most of Saturday sleeping.  Yesterday I was exhausted!

    Sorry it's sooo long! I will try to keep it short tomorrow! I will update it tomorrow!