One step closer to having our "Little Miracle"

Hello Everyone! I feel like its been forever since I've posted here again..Just catching everyone up on where we are as of now:

      Once again I started on a Saturday, making Sunday-- Cycle Day #1. On Monday morning first thing I spoke with our Dr.'s office informing them of my start date so they could call in this "tiny little Advent Calendar" that I've been avoiding for Oh So LONG! Weird huh?! Afters years & years of taking these tiny little pills avoiding pregnancy; to now only spend over a year of our lives praying for those "2 Pink Lines" to appear every month! Just goes to show you how unpredictable life really is for us. When trying to conceive this is the complete & total last thing I thought I'd have to face again, but this will help control my ovulation better in preparation for the days to come.  So here it is-- I actually began taking them this morning & will continue to take 1 pill each day until July 16th. 

A couple of days before I stop taking BC (birth control) I will go in for what they call a "Trial Transfer" basically to let me know what to have in mind to go on for that day. Also, we will meet with the nurse for an Injection Teaching to get specifics on dosages, times, etc of each medicine that I have already received about a month ago. If you are new here & havent been keeping up-- Here's what I've come up with in storing my medications at home & out of site for most visitors. Trying not to scare everyone away. HeHe :) I also purchased the MacBeth chill pack for my injection spots to help with the pain some of them may cause. Of course, I had to get something cute & not dull or original. Lol 

On July 20th I will go in for a Baseline Ultrasound just so they can be sure I have a thin lining & also to check for NO cysts!!! ((Prayers please)) That following Saturday is the day we have in mind to start the injections. ((Once again prayers for the both of us going through this timing period))

In the meantime, I've purchased some bracelets from Fertile Gems (look her up on Etsy & I will also post the link below)) for some positive vibes & to help keep me going each time I look at these I pray for a miracle. The one with the most beads on it is the IVF Support bracelet. Its a reminder that we are strong & courageous enough for this journey & that we are one step closer to our little miracle! The small one with blue & pink is called I'm dreaming of a baby. This bracelet is a reminder to us to hold on to hope & to always BELIEVE in our dreams! Wishing us Baby Dust today, tomorrow, & until all of our dreams come true :)

As we have so much going on not only in our small community/family-- there is so much as well in the world we live in today. I have a daily reminder that God's here for each & everyone one of us --in his perfect timing -- he knows the plans we will face day in & day out. He will never, ever let any of us face something we cannot handle. In these tragic events I've also come across a neat little phrase to me that has stuck with me. SNAP: Stop Now And Pray!! && thats exactly what we should be doing now not only for ourselves but the people around us as well because we are not alone in our battles!

Fertile Gems Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FertileGems?ref=l2-shopheader-name

IVF Wording for "Dummies"

I've had a lot of people tell me that they don't have a clue as to what half of this means that I talk about or have completely misunderstood my blog post. I'm definitely not calling you guys "Dummies" lol but we all know the books I'm referring to for sure. I thought I'd make a post to help you guys out/ to better understand all of this possibly. There will be a ton of information here ,but if you get lost or want to know the meaning of something I'm referring to in a later or former blog post this will be easy to refer back too :) By the way, cross your fingers we begin our process next week!! Pray,Pray,Pray

What is In Vitro or IVF?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) gets its name from the fact that fertilization occurs outside of the woman's body, in a lab dish instead of a woman's fallopian tubes. Typically, a woman will use ovulation stimulating drugs to produce an excess number of eggs. These eggs are surgically removed from the woman and fertilized in dish with sperm. If fertilization takes place, the physician transfers the embryo(s) into the women's uterus.

Physician Glossary:

Andrologist: A physician who specializes in male infertility, semen analysis and hormone production.

Embryologist: A Clinical Embryologist is a specialist in embryo development. In a modern laboratory, embryologists are responsible for sperm washing, IVF, ICSI, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, cord blood banking, and research into new techniques such as egg freezing.

Geneticist: A specialist in the areas of biology that deal with genetic make-up and heredity. Geneticists in the field of human reproductive medicine focus on eggs and sperm, as well as the embryos and offspring resulting from fertilization.

Ob/gyn or O&G: (Obstetrics and gynaecology) A physician who specializes in general women's medical care, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system, and care of pregnant women.

Primary Care Physician: A licensed general practitioner of medicine who provides health care for commonly encountered medical problems and refers patients to medical specialists where necessary.

Reproductive Endocrinologist: A Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) is a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of subfertility. REs order investigations and run treatment protocols, up to and including retrieval and transfer in an IVF cycle. REs are also responsible for management of the first trimester of pregnancy.

Urologist: A physician who specializes in the branch of medicine (urology) concerned with the anatomy, physiology, disorders, and care of the male and female urinary tract, as well as the male genital tract.

Common Conditions:

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disorder of the female reproductive system in which endometrial tissue (the normal lining of the uterus) is found outside the uterine cavity. An estimated three to five million American women of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis.

Luteal Phase Defect

Abnormalities in endometrial development -- luteal phase defect (LPD) - are associated with infertility and early miscarriage. Luteal phase defect occurs when the endometrium is inadequately prepared, either because the secretion of progesterone by the ovary is below normal or because the endometrium isn't responding to the normal stimulation by progesterone.

Male Factor

30% of infertility is due a male problem such as structural abnormalities, sperm production disorders, ejaculatory disturbances and immunologic disorders.

Multiple Miscarriage

Miscarriage can leave you with deep- rooted feelings of loss and sorrow. These feelings must be confronted and dealt with, not suppressed, as is often urged by friends and family. It is important to take action and see an infertility specialist if you have experienced 2 or more miscarriages.

Ovulatory Disorders

Approximately 30% of female infertility problems are the result of ovulation disorders. There are many factors that can affect ovulation. In this section we will discuss mainly pituitary causes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a very common hormone disorder in women, a leading cause of infertility, and one of the most underdiagnosed diseases in the United States. PCOS is characterized by a myriad of seemingly unrelated symptoms and may include irregular or absent periods, lack of ovulation, weight gain, acne, excessive facial hair and infertility. Even more serious, women with PCOS may be at higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and endometrial cancer, especially if PCOS is left untreated.

Poor Responder

The term poor responder has been used to define women who require large doses of stimulation medications and who make less than an optimal number of eggs. There is no uniform definition of poor responders, but many clinics have used a cutoff of less than four mature oocytes at the time of hCG or a peak estradiol of less than 500.

Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure is defined as the cessation of menstrual periods before the age of 40. It occurs in 1 in 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 29 and 1 in 100 women between the ages of 30 and 39. The average age of onset is 27 years. Premature ovarian failure can be both shocking and devastating as there are relatively few treatment options.

Secondary Infertility

Although many Americans are affected by the painful experience of secondary infertility, it generally remains an unacknowledged and invisible condition. Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant, or to carry a pregnancy to term, following the birth of one or more biological children.

Unexplained Infertility

Approximately one in five couples will experience unexplained infertility despite completing a full infertility work-up. The emotional response to hearing, "There is no apparent reason for your infertility" can be difficult, maddening and frustrating. Fortunately, there are many options available for the couple diagnosed with unexplained infertility.

Uterine Factors

Abnormalities of the uterus can have a significant impact on the ability of a woman to conceive and to carry a pregnancy successfully. Some women have an abnormally developed uterus from birth (congenital) while others may develop a uterine problem due to infection or surgery (acquired).

Common Abbreviations:  

2WW  2 Week Wait  ACA  Anti-cardiolipin Antibody  ACTH  Adrenal Carticotropic Hormone  AF  Aunt Flo, After Flo, Period, or Menstrual Cycle  AH  Assisted Hatching  AI  Artificial/Assisted Insemination  ANA  Anti-nuclear Antibodies  APA  Anti-phospholipid Antibodies  APTT  Activated Partial Thrombo Time  ART  Assisted Reproductive Technology  ASA  Anti-sperm Antibody  ASRM  American Society of Reproductive Medicine  BA  Baby Aspirin  BBT  Basal Body Temperature  BCP  Birth Control Pills  BD  Baby Dance (sex)  Beta  HCG pregnancy test  BFN  Big Fat Negative  BFP  Big Fat Positive  B/W, b/w  Bloodwork  CAH  Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia  CASA  Computer-assisted Semen Analysis  CB  Cycle Buddy  CBAVD  Congenital Bilateral Absence of Vas Deferens  CCCT, CCT  Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (Clomid Challenge Test)  CD  Cycle Day  CF  Cystic Fibrosis  CM  Cervical Mucus  CMV  Cytomegalovirus  CNM  Certified Nurse Midwife  COH  Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation  CP  Cervical Position  CPFM  ClearPlan Fertility Monitor (Brand Name)  CVS  Chorionic Villae Sampling  D&C  Dilation & Curettage  D&E  Dilation & Evacuation  DE  Donor Eggs  DES  Diethylstillbestrol  DH  Dear Husband  DHEAS  Dihydroepiandrosterone  DI  Donor Husband  DIPI  Direct Intra-peritoneal Insemination  DOR  Diminished Ovarian Reserve  DPO  Days Post-Ovulation  DPR  Days Post-Retrieval  DPT  Days Post-Transfer  DP3DT  Days Post 3-Day Transfer  DP5DT  Days Post 5-Day Transfer  DW  Dear Wife  Dx  Diagnosis  E2  Estradiol  EB, EMB  Endometrial Biopsy  ENDO  Endometriosis  EPT  Early Pregnancy Test  ER  Egg Retrieval  ET  Egg Transfer  ETA  Embryo Toxicity Assay  ETF  Embryo Toxicity Factor  FAQ  Frequently Asked Questions  FBG  Fasting Blood Glucose  FI  Fasting Insulin  FF  Fertility Friend  FHR  Fetal Heart Rate  FP  Follicular Phase  FM  Fertility Mucus or Fertility Monitor  FRED  Fertility Response Early Detection (Brand Name)  Frostie  Frozen Embryo  FSH  Follicle-Stimulating Hormone  FTTA  Fertile Thoughts to All  GD  Gestational Diabetes  GI  Gastrointestinal  GIFT  Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer  GnRH  Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone  GP  General Practitioner  GTT  Glucose Tolerance Test  hCG, HCG  Human Chorionic Gonadotropin  hMG, HMG  Human Menopausal Gonadotropin  HCP  Health Care Practitioner  HEPA  Hampster Egg Penetration Assay  HPT  Home Pregnancy Test  HRT  Hormone Replacement Therapy  HSC  Hysteroscopy  HSG  Hysterosalpingogram  HX  History  IBT  Immunobead Binding Test  ICI  Intra-cervical Insemination  ICSI  Intra-cytoplamic Sperm Injection  IF  Infertility  IGTT  Insulin and Glucose Tolerance Test  INCIID  International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination  IM  Intramuscular injections  IOR  Immature Oocyte Retrieval  IR  Insulin Resistant  ITI  Intra-tubal Insemination  IUGR  Intra-uterine Growth Retardation  IUI  Intra-uterine Insemination  IVC  Intra-vaginal Culture  IVF/ET  In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer  IVF  In Vitro Fertilization  IVIg  Intravenous Immunoglobulin  LAD  Leukocyte Antibody Detection Assay  LAP  Laparoscopy  LH  Luteinizing Hormone  LIT  Leukocyte Immunization Therapy  LMP  Last Menstrual Period (start date)  LOL  Laughing Out Loud  LP  Luteal-Phase  LPD  Luteal-Phase Defect  LSP  Low Sperm Count  LUF, LUFS  Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome  MAI  Miscarriage after Infertility  MC, m/c, misc.  Miscarriage  MENTS  Subject Matter May Be Difficult to Read  MESA  Microsurgical Epidiymal Sperm Aspiration  MF  Male Factor  MMR  Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine  MRI  Magnetic Resonance Imaging  NK  Natural Killer Cells  NORIF  Non-stimulated Oocyte Retrieval In (office) Fertilization  NP  Nurse Practitioner  NSA  Non-Surgical Sperm Aspiration  O, OV  Ovulation  OB  Obstetrician  OB/GYN  Obstetrician/Gynecologist  OC  Oral Contraceptives  OD  Ovum Donor, Ovulatory Dysfunction  OHSS  Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome  OPK  Ovulation Predictor Kit  OPT  Ovulation Predictor Test  OTC  Over the Counter  P4. Prog  Progesterone  PA  Physician's Assistant  PAI-1  Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1  PAF, PANFERT  Pregnancy After Infertility  PCO  Polycistic Ovaries  PCOD  Polycistic Ovarian Disease  PCOS  Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome  PCP  Primary Care Physician  PCT  Post Coital Test  PESA  Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration  PG  Pregnant  PGD  Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis  PI  Primary Infertility  PID  Pelvic Inflamatory Disease  PIO  Progesterone In Oil  PLI  Paternal Leukocyte Immunization  PMS  Pre-menstrual Syndrome  PMN  Perinatal Mortality  POAS  Pee On A Stick  POC  Products of Conception  POF  Premature Ovarian Failure  PROM  Premature Rupture of Membranes  PTSD  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  PZD  Partial Zona Dissection  RE  Reproductive Endocrinologist  R-hFSH  Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone  RI  Reproductive Immunologist  RIP  Reproductive Immunophynotype  ROS  Reactive Oxygen Species  RPL  Recurrent Pregnancy Loss  RSM  Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion  RX  Prescription  SA  Semen Analysis  SART  Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology  s/b, S/B  Stillbirth  SCORIF  Stimulated Cycle Oocyte Retrieval  SHG, SonoHSG  Sonohysterogram  SI  Secondary Infertility  SLE  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus  SPA  Sperm Penetration Assay  SPALS  Subsequent Pregnancy After a Loss Support  S/S  Signs/Symptoms  STD  Sexually Transmitted Disease  SubQ  Subcutaneous Injection  SUZI  Sub-zonal Insertion  T1  Type 1 Diabetic - Juvenile Diabetes  T2  Type 2 Diabetic - Insulin Resistant, Adult Onset  T4  Thyroxine  TEBG  Testosterone-Estradiol Binding Globulin  TDI  Therapeutic Donor Insemination  TESA  Testicular Sperm Aspiration  TDI  Therapeutic Sperm Extraction  TET  Tubal Embryo Transfer  TL  Tubal Ligation  TORCH  Toxoplasmosis, Other, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus & Herpes Test  TR  Tubal Reversal  TRH  Thyroid Releasing Hormone  TSH  Thyroid Stimulating Hormone  TTC  Trying To Conceive  TTCAR  Trying to Conceive After Reversal  TX  Treatment  TZD  Thiazolidinediones UR  Urologist  US  Ultrasound  UTI  Urinary Tract Infection  V  Vasectomy  VR  Vasectomy Reversal  WBC  White Blood Count  WHR  Waist to Hip Ratio  WNL  Within Normal Limits  ZIFT  Zygote Intra-fallopian Transfer