Hello readers! It’s been a bit since I’ve written on here – largely in part to preparing for a move into our new home last month! We are finally starting to feel settled, and are incredibly grateful to be in a wonderful new community with families who share many of our same passions and joys.
Reese is a happy and energetic 17-month old. She has such an incredible personality wrapped into that little body! She wakes up and sings to herself, waves and talks to us when we walk in, loves her nanny and friends, and will go up and down a staircase dozens of times without boredom. I often find myself looking at her in silence, reflecting upon the journey it took for us to finally meet her, our little girl who was always meant to be ours. It’s a surreal feeling watching her grow; I yearn to slow down time, yet I love every new stage we enter in to. I am honestly so blessed and humbled to be her mom. And I hope to be able to give her a brother or sister who she can grow up to have an incredible bond with. Which brings me to my next update…
I’ve been diligently and intently preparing for our next round of IVF for the past three months now, and as of last week – we have a date set for our final Frozen Embryo Transfer! On July 29th, we are scheduled to go in and give it one last shot. We only have one embryo remaining – an embryo which was conceived (through science, of course) on the same day as little Reese, and was genetically tested to be healthy. After a significant amount of thought and prayer, Dave and I have decided that this will be our final session of IVF. In the event this embryo does not take, we will not be pursuing another egg retrieval. All Dave and I ever wanted, aside from a healthy and prospering marriage, was to have the title of “mom and dad”. Thanks to Reese, and of course, God, we have had that privilege. So, in essence, quite a bit of pressure has been lifted from this final embryo transfer.
But that does not negate the fact that I want to do everything I can in my power – physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually – to set us up for a successful outcome. I stopped breastfeeding in February after 14 months, and at that time, chose to see a Naturopathic Doctor to discuss the state of my body and how I could best prepare for our final transfer. I then went through a medical detox, which involved two weeks of supplements, a rigid diet regimen, and daily mental health exercises. I want to emphasize quickly that this detox is not like most – it is not intended to yield weight loss, nor was that my goal. It is more of a system/hormonal reset. My body responded extremely well to this program and I am continuing supplementation, particularly to support my adrenals and thyroid, up until (and perhaps through) my transfer in July.
In addition, I’ve been incorporating more meditation and intentional prayer into my days. I am most definitely not perfect, and my mind certainly wanders which can be frustrating. But I continue to practice and have personally enjoyed using the Mindful IVF and Abide apps. For me, listening to a short message on my drive in to work in the morning really balances my mind and frames my outlook for the day. I also plan to begin acupuncture again once we hit the month of our transfer. It was so great for my mental health and clarity in the past.
Fertility Clinic – Steps taken thus far
I met with my fertility doctor, Dr. Jensen, the last week in April for a Sonohysterogram. This procedure involves injecting saline into the uterine cavity under ultrasound guidance to visualize the uterus and ensure there are no cysts or polyps which would hinder an embryo from adhering and attaching to the lining. Fortunately, Dr. Jensen told me I have a “beautiful uterus”! Never have I ever received a greater compliment. 😉
The next day, Dave and I had a video conference call to discuss the timeline for our transfer, and what to expect leading up to that day. Dr. Jensen reviewed the quality of our remaining embryo with us, and discussed that she has no concerns the embryo will thaw appropriately and without fail (there is always a risk that an embryo will not survive the thaw process). She also told us that she estimates our chances of success with this embryo to be roughly 75%. When we told her we would like to aim to do our transfer late July, she stated this would be no issue and we have plenty of time to start my medications slowly and prepare my body. We will be doing everything the exact same that we did for my lead up and transfer of Reese, since as you all know, it was successful!
I have since been prescribed and have begun taking birth control, baby Aspirin, and a high dose Folic Acid three times per day. The birth control is to be taken every day up until the first week in July, in order to allow the doctors to completely control my reproductive system and reduce the activity of my ovaries. It does feel and sound bizarre to be taking birth control as our goal is to have a baby, not prevent one, but we are familiar with this practice by now. 😊 So as of now, I will be maintaining the above medications, supplements and daily practices until the first week in July. At that time, I’ll begin the oral medications and eventually, injections, to thicken my uterine lining as much as possible. As Dave says, we want to make a “Five Star baby hotel” for the embryo to enter in to. 😊 It’s odd, but I’m kind of excited to begin the injections again?! I just know that means we are closer to having the opportunity to become pregnant again.
So that’s all for now, friends. As I have done in the past, I plan to bring you all with us through our journey. I will be transparent and communicative, and am open for questions along the way. There is no doubt that I am nervous, but I also have complete faith and confidence in God’s plan for us. He is and has always been faithful.
XO,
Em
North of Hope 