Let's get this party started

Isn't it ironic how when you're trying to get pregnant naturally, you hate getting your period?...but when you're in the process of doing IVF or FET you can't wait to get your period?  Getting your period when TTC naturally = failure.  Getting your period when about to start IVF or FET = Go Time!

We decided on an early May (5/5 to be exact) transfer which should give us a mid-late January baby.  New year - New baby?!  We hope so!  Aunt Flow arrived on 4/14 so Dr. A wanted to see me a couple days after for an ultrasound, bloodwork and mini-consult.  Funny how life just went back to normal while we were on our "break" the last couple months.  No shots, no emails to Dr. A, no crazy checking of the calendar.  But we're ready to really move forward now and very excited about it!  Besides, I missed seeing Dr. A and her staff!  (Though in a way, the day we no longer have to see them will be a happy day, since it will mean our happy little family will be complete - I can't even imagine that day, but we're getting closer!)

After waiting for my April period to show up, my ultrasound and consult with Dr. A was a couple weeks ago.  Not the most pleasant ultrasound since it's the first one I've had to do while on my period...

ew.

Dr. A wanted to check my lining and ovaries.  There were 2 large-ish follicles on my left ovary so she wanted to do some blood work to make sure they weren't secreting hormones.  We checked my estrogen levels in the hopes that they were under 50pg/ml and progesterone under 1ng/ml.  Fortunately they were 44.6pg/ml and .8ng/ml, respectively!  No worrisome cysts.  The follicles are "just chillin'".

Since I had a uterine polyp back in September, I also asked her if we could check for any more polyps.  She said "sure" (so accommodating!) and was able to quickly do a water ultrasound (using a catheter to fill the uterine cavity with sterile saline water to expand it which would allow better viewing of polyps or fibroids).  No polyps!

Everything looked great.

I started the FET (frozen embryo transfer) prep meds/vitamins that night:

• 4mg twice a day of estrogen (aka estradiol/Estrace) - for helping to build up my endometrial lining
• 81 mg baby aspirin - there is increasing data to suggest that taking a single baby aspirin each day can improve pregnancy outcomes with IVF - helping immune system and blood supply to organs
• continue my regular prenatal vitamins
• 4mg folic acid - the folic acid is especially necessary for women with the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation which has been shown to have a connection to autism.  Someone carrying this gene mutation would want to increase their folic acid intake during pregnancy in order to get more folate to their child (who could also carry the gene mutation) during key neurodevelopment periods.  I found something about this here.  I don't have this gene mutation, but it's still a good supplement to take.

You know what I couldn't help but think as I finished up my period and started the meds and supplements...this could be the last period I see for about a year!!  I mean...let's hope!?  What a weird thought - but totally plausible.

See you next year, period!!!

I kept up with this meds/vitamins routine through yesterday, when I went in for my lining check and blood test.  I didn't notice any major side effects from the Estrace - no headaches or "foggy" feeling Dr. A warned could happen.  Really, I've been feeling great!  At my appointment yesterday, my lining looked "beautiful" as usual!  I've never had any lining issues (I frequently hear about women with thinner linings and needing to work to build it up before an IUI or transfer, so I feel fortunate here.)

My pre-transfer lining/blood-check specs:
Endometrium (uterine lining): 10.4mm trilaminar
Estrogen (Estradiol) Level: 572.6 pg/mL
Progesterone: .5 ng/mL

Dr. A wanted to see my lining thickness anywhere above 9mm, estrogen at least 200 and progesterone under 1.  Basically she wants my body to have estrogen levels comparable to what I'd have when I ovulate naturally.  So we're looking really good!!  Perfect, in fact!  We are a GO for transfer next Monday, OMG!!

Last night I added Crinone 8% to my meds/supplements routine.  This is a progesterone supplement.  Progesterone is naturally produced by the body after ovulation (so timing it for right now is exactly when I'd be post-ovulation in a natural cycle.)  If we get pregnant I believe I'll be continuing this for most of the first trimester after which the placenta takes over in maintaining the pregnancy.

So we're all set up and ready to go!  I can't believe how far we've come (but also, how far we still must go) but everything is lining up very well for us.  We continue to feel so fortunate and lucky and like we must have so many happy thoughts being sent our way.  Thanks to you all for sending the happy thoughts!