Preparing for FET

I got back from my short visit home on Friday. Unfortunately, my connecting flight got canceled, so I had to kiss my checked suitcase goodbye as I tried to find another flight. Luckily, I found one that would get me home around the same time, but it meant that my Early Bird Check-In status was gone. Luckily, I found a window seat (next to a couple) on my first flight, and since I was riding in the same plane to my 2nd destination, I was able to switch seats after we landed, and I got a first row seat with extra leg room. As I suspected, my bag was lost, but I got it back the next morning after my lining check.

Speaking of my lining check (yesterday, Saturday, 7.9.16), I was super nervous in the days leading up to it. I made the mistake of perusing message boards online (which can be good or bad), and came across a post where a woman's FET was canceled because she had ovulated. I immediately started panicking because I had no idea that your FET cycle could be canceled due to something like that. Of course, I was worried because I had some ovulation-like discharge, so I brought out my trusty ovulation predictor kits (OPK)...which I thought I was done with forever! I went to my lining check appointment yesterday morning, and the sonographer said my uterine lining looked great (8.6mm vs. 3.4mm at baseline), so I just had to wait for the nurse's phone call with my blood work results. She called later in the afternoon and told me everything looked great, that I had not ovulated, and that I would start nightly Progesterone in Oil injections (1 cc) in the evening. Everything seems to be a go for my FET scheduled for Thursday, 7.14.16.

I am trying to get as many sessions in at the gym as I can, because I won't be working out for awhile after the transfer. I'm also still planning on doing acupuncture sessions before and after the FET. I've even stocked up on walnuts and Brazil nuts, and plan to get a pineapple for the week after. Eating those things may be an old wive's tale, but I'm willing to do anything to up the chances of a pregnancy!

Bloating, Weight Gain, and Ultrasounds

Progression of abdominal swelling:
Left - Stims: Day 6; Center - Stims: Day 10; Right - Morning of ER

I read that ovaries are normally the size of walnuts, but with IVF can swell up to the size of plums or even small grapefruits! So prior to starting stims, I was preparing myself for the swelling and possible weight gain. (I've read varying accounts on weight gain--some women gained nothing, some gained only 5 lb., others gained closer to 15+ lb.) Today, (the morning of my ER, which I will write about in the next post), I weighed myself and I was up 1.8 lb. I will say that I had a lot less swelling than I was expecting, and my discomfort was pretty manageable (with only a few days of bad headaches at the beginning and a little bit of abdominal "heaviness" towards days 8-10 of stims). I thought I'd post a comparison of my abdomen: Day 6 vs. Day 10 vs. Day 12/ER. I actually looked and felt more bloated on some of the days in the middle of stimming compared to the morning of my ER.

Top: Uterine lining; Bottom: Follicles in my ovary

I also wanted to share some photos from my ultrasound on Day 10 (5.29.16). This entire process has been so interesting and I've learned a lot about my body and what it's capable of doing. 

I've also really surprised myself at how strong I am when I need to be. This first cycle (up to ER) was scary and difficult at times, but it was nothing I couldn't handle and make it through. I've endured endless blood draws and needle pricks, had a ton of invasive ultrasounds; I've gotten over any kind of embarrassment with doctors; I've learned to give myself subcutaneous injections! I've also spent time getting myself healthy--both mentally and physically. I'm surprised that eliminating alcohol and caffeine was as easy as it has been (though I have definitely craved a glass of Malbec here and there!). 

If you are reading this and you are interested in IVF, but are scared of the needles, doctors, and protocol involved--be brave! If I can do this, so can you. In the end, those needle pricks, blood draws, and doctors appointments will (hopefully) be totally worth it. I'm keeping my eye on the prize!