I just wanted to write this post to remind everyone to count their blessings. When you struggle with infertility, sometimes it is easy to dwell on what you don't have. I can remember doing this at times, before my little boy was around. You should really be thankful for what you do have. This may not be what you want to hear, but there are people out there that have it a lot worse than you.
I am a high school teacher and last Friday we lost a senior cheerleader in a car wreck. No alcohol, drugs, she just simply ran off the road on her way to school. When things like this happen I tend to re-evaluate my life. The problems I thought I had do not seem so big anymore. This post is not meant to be a "downer", but to remind you of the blessings in your life. Be grateful for what you have and hopefully soon you will have your miracle baby to add to your list of blessings.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Subchorionic Hemorrage-Will I Miscarry?
A subchorionic hemorrhage is a bleed that occurs when there is a small tear in the placenta. The hemorrhage can cause light bleeding and can be mistaken for an impending miscarriage. Some people have no symptoms at all.
You have tried so hard to become pregnant and then you find out that you have a subchorionic hemorrhage. What does this mean for you and your baby? The answer is not straight forward. Most people go on to have a completely normal pregnancy, but there are some factors to consider:
1. How far along are you in the pregnancy?
2. How large is the hemorrhage?
3. Is there active bleeding?
The larger the hemorrhage, the more dangerous it is. If the hemorrhage is a lot larger than the baby, then there is a small chance that it could cause you to miscarry. Most are very small and heal up without causing any problems. If you are far along in your pregnancy and still have evidence of a hemorrhage, then there is a chance that it could cause placental abruption. You will have to be monitored closely by your doctor and could be put on bed rest.
I am sharing this with you because I did a great deal of research on subchorionic hemetomas when I found out that I had one. The encouraging news is that mine was very large and did not go away until about 20 weeks of pregnancy, and I still had a healthy baby boy. This was very scary to go through, especially considering I had already been through three miscarriages. I hope no one has to go through the fear of a subchorionic hemorrhage, but if you do please know that many people have them and go on to have healthy babies.
You have tried so hard to become pregnant and then you find out that you have a subchorionic hemorrhage. What does this mean for you and your baby? The answer is not straight forward. Most people go on to have a completely normal pregnancy, but there are some factors to consider:
1. How far along are you in the pregnancy?
2. How large is the hemorrhage?
3. Is there active bleeding?
The larger the hemorrhage, the more dangerous it is. If the hemorrhage is a lot larger than the baby, then there is a small chance that it could cause you to miscarry. Most are very small and heal up without causing any problems. If you are far along in your pregnancy and still have evidence of a hemorrhage, then there is a chance that it could cause placental abruption. You will have to be monitored closely by your doctor and could be put on bed rest.
I am sharing this with you because I did a great deal of research on subchorionic hemetomas when I found out that I had one. The encouraging news is that mine was very large and did not go away until about 20 weeks of pregnancy, and I still had a healthy baby boy. This was very scary to go through, especially considering I had already been through three miscarriages. I hope no one has to go through the fear of a subchorionic hemorrhage, but if you do please know that many people have them and go on to have healthy babies.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Can't Believe This Sad Story...
I just read this horrible story and I couldn't help but share it with all of you. It is a story of a couple in Australia that aborted twin boys after IVF... I got this off of an infertility forum, so you may have already read it.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345057/Couple-sons-abort-twin-boys-IVF--try-baby-girl-daughter-died.html
I just don't understand people like this. Why would you go through the whole IVF process just to abort two healthy babies? If they really didn't want them, couldn't they have at least put them up for adoption??? This story is just really disturbing to me. There are so many of us out there that would have been willing to adopt them!
On the topic of adoption, is it just me or does it seem like there are so many children out there that need a home, but the adoption process is so difficult and expensive to go through? At one point my husband and I thought we would have to turn to adoption but did not know how we could afford it. We had already spent thousands of dollars on IVF and had no savings.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345057/Couple-sons-abort-twin-boys-IVF--try-baby-girl-daughter-died.html
I just don't understand people like this. Why would you go through the whole IVF process just to abort two healthy babies? If they really didn't want them, couldn't they have at least put them up for adoption??? This story is just really disturbing to me. There are so many of us out there that would have been willing to adopt them!
On the topic of adoption, is it just me or does it seem like there are so many children out there that need a home, but the adoption process is so difficult and expensive to go through? At one point my husband and I thought we would have to turn to adoption but did not know how we could afford it. We had already spent thousands of dollars on IVF and had no savings.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Don't Give Up!
Just wanted to encourage everyone out there to continue trying. I know there were times that we could have given up. It would have been really easy after the second miscarriage. The third miscarriage almost made me give up any hope that I had left! For some reason, I knew that if we kept trying, we would eventually have a baby. So that is what we did; we just kept trying. Now our little boy is nine months old and we couldn't be happier. As hard as the infertility journey was for us, it seems like a distant memory. Two years ago, if I would have read a post like this, I would have thought "there situation must have been different, it may never happen for us". If it happened for us after four years, 6 cycles, and three miscarriages, then it can happen for you too!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The IVF Process-From a Patient's Perspective!
What is the IVF process like? I remember back before I started the IVF process, I thought we would go to the hospital, have the transfer and that would be it. Boy was I wrong! Not only do you go through two procedures but your whole life is turned upside down for at least a month. Don't get me wrong, every doctor's visit, shot, and dollar spent was worth it in the end; I just didn't realize what I was getting into. For those of you who are new to IVF, I am going to take you through the whole process, from my perspective.
Before beginning the IVF process you will have been tested to find out what is causing your infertility. Once your doctor recommends IVF, he or she will likely put you on birth control pills. The birth control pills are used to make sure your cycle is regulated and to prevent you from becoming pregnant naturally while using fertility drugs. I thought this was the craziest thing I had ever heard; get on birth control when you are trying to get pregnant! When your period comes you will go in on day 2 or 3 of your cycle for baseline blood test. They will test your hormone levels to make sure they are right for proceeding with the IVF cycle.
Once you are given the go ahead on your cycle, you will begin the roller coaster ride. You will start going in to the doctor two to three times a week. When you go in you will have blood work done and an ultrasound. The ultrasound is done to keep an eye on your follicles (potential eggs). How many do you have, how big they are, etc. The blood work will include estrogen and progesterone levels. If your estrogen levels are too high there is a chance of hyper stimulation. You will also be giving yourself shots daily. This sounds pretty intimidating, but it is really not that bad. The shots are sub q, so they just go under the skin, not into the muscle.
Approximately two weeks after your period started they will begin to watch your follicles and levels closely, and will decide on a retrieval date. The retrieval is where you will have surgery to have your eggs removed. They will collect semen from your partner at this time. The retrieval is a fairly easy process to go through. You will be a little sore for the next couple of days, but nothing major. If you are having major pain and/or bloating after the retrieval, then you may have OHSS. If this is the case call your doctor immediately.
Either three or five days later you will have an embryo transfer. You are not put to sleep during this procedure, and it is quick and easy. The embryos will be transferred and then you will have to lie still for about 20 minutes. This is the absolute worst part of the transfer considering you are asked to have a full bladder before the procedure. Depending on your doctor you may be told that you are on bed rest for a day up to three days. My doctor recommends three days of bed rest. I have been through 6 cycles and the part I dread the most each time is bed rest. It sounds relaxing, but it is very hard to lie down for three straight days!
Now you are in the dreaded two week window. You will be on some form of progesterone to help support a possible pregnancy, but most of the shots are done at this point. The doctor visits are limited at this point as well. About two weeks after your procedure you will go in for your beta test. This is where they test the level of HCG in your body. If you are not pregnant the HCG level should be zero. If you are pregnant you will continue to be monitored. In another two weeks, you will have your first ultrasound. This is the exciting part of the process!
The IVF process is hard to go through, but when you have that baby in your arms it will all be worth it. I hope this article will help you to be more prepared for the IVF process. There is a great program called the IVF success Program that will explain every medical detail in depth. It also gives you ways to increase your chances and lower the cost of IVF. Good luck with the IVF process, I hope you have your baby soon!
Before beginning the IVF process you will have been tested to find out what is causing your infertility. Once your doctor recommends IVF, he or she will likely put you on birth control pills. The birth control pills are used to make sure your cycle is regulated and to prevent you from becoming pregnant naturally while using fertility drugs. I thought this was the craziest thing I had ever heard; get on birth control when you are trying to get pregnant! When your period comes you will go in on day 2 or 3 of your cycle for baseline blood test. They will test your hormone levels to make sure they are right for proceeding with the IVF cycle.
Once you are given the go ahead on your cycle, you will begin the roller coaster ride. You will start going in to the doctor two to three times a week. When you go in you will have blood work done and an ultrasound. The ultrasound is done to keep an eye on your follicles (potential eggs). How many do you have, how big they are, etc. The blood work will include estrogen and progesterone levels. If your estrogen levels are too high there is a chance of hyper stimulation. You will also be giving yourself shots daily. This sounds pretty intimidating, but it is really not that bad. The shots are sub q, so they just go under the skin, not into the muscle.
Approximately two weeks after your period started they will begin to watch your follicles and levels closely, and will decide on a retrieval date. The retrieval is where you will have surgery to have your eggs removed. They will collect semen from your partner at this time. The retrieval is a fairly easy process to go through. You will be a little sore for the next couple of days, but nothing major. If you are having major pain and/or bloating after the retrieval, then you may have OHSS. If this is the case call your doctor immediately.
Either three or five days later you will have an embryo transfer. You are not put to sleep during this procedure, and it is quick and easy. The embryos will be transferred and then you will have to lie still for about 20 minutes. This is the absolute worst part of the transfer considering you are asked to have a full bladder before the procedure. Depending on your doctor you may be told that you are on bed rest for a day up to three days. My doctor recommends three days of bed rest. I have been through 6 cycles and the part I dread the most each time is bed rest. It sounds relaxing, but it is very hard to lie down for three straight days!
Now you are in the dreaded two week window. You will be on some form of progesterone to help support a possible pregnancy, but most of the shots are done at this point. The doctor visits are limited at this point as well. About two weeks after your procedure you will go in for your beta test. This is where they test the level of HCG in your body. If you are not pregnant the HCG level should be zero. If you are pregnant you will continue to be monitored. In another two weeks, you will have your first ultrasound. This is the exciting part of the process!
The IVF process is hard to go through, but when you have that baby in your arms it will all be worth it. I hope this article will help you to be more prepared for the IVF process. There is a great program called the IVF success Program that will explain every medical detail in depth. It also gives you ways to increase your chances and lower the cost of IVF. Good luck with the IVF process, I hope you have your baby soon!
Monday, January 3, 2011
IVF Day One - Get Started on the Right Foot
Hope you enjoy this article!
IVF Day One - Get Started on the Right Foot
The decision to do an IVF cycle is never easy to make, especially when you consider the financial cost and average margin for success. Here’s a little secret that will increase your chances of conceiving: before IVF day one comes around, start priming your mind and body to produce healthy eggs and receive the embryos. The medication and procedures involved in the cycle can be physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging, and studies show that stress can affect fertility and IVF outcomes. By educating yourself and preparing for what lies ahead, you’ll be able to lessen the impact of stress, boost your body’s fertility, and go through your cycle calm with a sense of calm that will increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Eat well
A well-nourished body is a healthy body. Eliminate junk food, trans-fats, and refined sugar from your diet and replace them with organic vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. It’s important that you eat organic food as much as possible in order to avoid contaminating your body with pesticides, which can be passed on to babies and affect their development. Two months before the cycle starts, take a daily pre-natal vitamin to make up for any missed nutrients.
Guided imagery and visualization
When the IVF cycle starts, it is possible that you can become your own worst enemy. What do I mean by this? There will be times when you can drive yourself crazy with all sorts of many negative thoughts and what ifs. It’s perfectly normal to worry about the outcome of the cycle, but giving into negative thinking will cause unnecessary emotional strain – not to mention that it may serve as a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Guided imagery and visualization can help keep you optimistic, relaxed, and sane. This approach involves using your imagination and mental imagery to picture a desired outcome – the swelling of your follicles, the fertilization of several eggs, and the implantation of at least one embryo into your uterus. Studies show that using imagery releases neurotransmitters that tranquilize the body, lowering blood pressure and anxiety levels. Imagery has such a potent effect over the body that researchers noted that IVF patients who used visualization during the embryo transfer felt better prepared and more optimistic about the outcome.
Doing guided imagery is so simple –just imagine what it would feel like to hold your son or daughter in your arms. If you don’t know where to start, you can purchase DVDs with a guide who can direct your thoughts in a more streamlined manner. Whatever approach you choose, be your own best friend by spending at least 15 minutes a day engaging in guided imagery to keep your thoughts and emotions in check.
Acupuncture
Among all the alternative treatments for infertility, acupuncture is perhaps the most highly recommended. This technique involves inserting needles into certain points in your body to improve the flow of qi, or life energy. According to acupuncturists, infertility is caused by blockages in the meridians or pathways to the reproductive organs. Stimulating certain points will get rid of the blocks and restore fertility. Acupuncture has been found to minimize the side effects of the fertility drug Lupron, prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and improve the blood flow to the uterus. It has also been found to increase pregnancy rates; studies show that women who receive acupuncture treatments on the day of the embryo transfer are more likely to get pregnant. Try not to be intimidated by the treatment’s use of needles; fans of acupuncture say that it’s just as relaxing as a full body massage.
This article is based on the book “The Full Embrace™ IVF Success Program by Diana Farrell, M.A. Diana’s books on enhancing IVF success have been sold all over the world, and she has helped many couples overcome their infertility with IVF and realize their dream of parenthood. Find out more by visiting her website:
| IVFSuccessProgram |
Sunday, January 2, 2011
They Just Don't Get It!
Friends, family, strangers on the street, they all want to comment on your infertilty. But they just don't get it!! If you have been going through infertility for a while, then you know exactly what I am talking about.
"As soon as you quit trying it will just happen", this is one of the most common ones you will hear. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen that way for some people, but most of us are past the point where we are willing to "stop trying" in order to try to get pregnant! What I think is really funny is these people don't even know the cause of your infertility when they make these wise comments. For all they know, I could be missing tubes and it could be impssible to get pregnant naturally! I think these people all mean well; they just don't know what the right thing is to say. You just have to start letting these comments go in one ear and out the other. It is really helpful to be involved in fertiltiy forums and blogs. We understand eachother a lot better than outsiders can understand us. Good luck on your fertility journey!
"As soon as you quit trying it will just happen", this is one of the most common ones you will hear. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen that way for some people, but most of us are past the point where we are willing to "stop trying" in order to try to get pregnant! What I think is really funny is these people don't even know the cause of your infertility when they make these wise comments. For all they know, I could be missing tubes and it could be impssible to get pregnant naturally! I think these people all mean well; they just don't know what the right thing is to say. You just have to start letting these comments go in one ear and out the other. It is really helpful to be involved in fertiltiy forums and blogs. We understand eachother a lot better than outsiders can understand us. Good luck on your fertility journey!
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