How we got here...

In July '97 David and I decided that we wanted to start a family... little did we know that it would take 9 years for us to realize our dream. For the first couple of years we stopped birth control and tried periodically to conceive. Of course after that period of time we realized that something was wrong as most people get pregnant within 6 months. We began to discuss this issue with my GYN and started what would be a series of test, medication, surgeries, etc.

After some initial testing, it was suggested that we go to a specialist. Using both research and referrals (thanks Mimi); we ended up at Advanced Fertility in the care of Dr. W. Gentry. We underwent 6 IUIs (intra-uterine insemination) during the next 4 years. Finally, Dr. Gentry sat us down and said that we should try IVF.

Our initial discussion about IVF was in January of '05. Of course IVF is expensive, so we looked into our insurance policies and found David's would cover up to $10k, which is fabulous considering most insurance companies say no way. The only problem was that I was not covered on David's insurance and couldn't be added until the end of the year. Once again we had to wait...

At the end of January we notified Dr. Gentry that we were ready to start the in-vitro process. What I didn’t realize then was the months of hormone shots I would have to endure.

On February 20 I started injecting Lupron which is a medication that takes over the bodies regular functions (as far as a women’s cycle goes). I injected Lupron into my stomach with an insulin needle. This was actually not as bad as it sounds. I continued Lupron from Feb. 20 until March 28… yes, that’s an injection in my stomach for over a month, but wait, it gets worse.

On March 20, I started injecting Bravelle and Menopur, as well as the Lupron into my stomach. Along with the injections, I was also taking Doxycycline, Dexamethasone, and prenatal vitamins. Let’s just say I was a walking hormone!!

March 28 was my last day for injections into my stomach, but unfortunately, that was the easy part. On March 29 I injected Novarel with a two inch needle into my bum. David tried to help a long time ago, but we both agreed that it was better for me to just do it myself.

March 30 was the first of the two major procedures with IVF. David and I went to Beltway Surgery center and underwent the egg retrieval. This is officially the day the babies were conceived. It was also the day I began taking Progesterone in oil. This medication was miserable!! Progesterone is used to make the Uterus the best possible condition for the eggs to implant. To help the Progesterone absorb into the body, it is placed in sesame oil. The bad part is that it takes a really big needle for the oil to pass through… also; it has to be injected intramuscularly. OUCH!!! I had to stick a two inch needle that was incredibly large in diameter in my butt every night. I had to do this until after our first ultra sound on May 3. This took everything I had.

On April 4 we went back to the Beltway Surgery Center and underwent the embryo transfer. We decided that we would transfer two fertilized eggs and hope for at least one to take…

For the next couple of weeks, along with the Progesterone, I took Doxycycline, Prednisone, Dexamethasone, and wore Estraderm patches.

On April 14 we took our first blood test… positive. On April 16 we took an additional blood test… again, positive. Even with the positive tests I wasn’t 100% convinced. However, on May 2 the ultra sound totally blew me away. Seeing two tiny hearts beating stole my heart and made everything endured the last 9 years worth it in every way!