Rest Assured

After much prayer and talking with the nurse at great lengths several times yesterday, I am good. Dr. Keenan is not at all concerned that my BETA did not double for three reasons. One, the first BETA was so high. Two, while they like to see the number double in 48 hours, it can actually take 48-72 hours to see this happen. Three, it did increase 65%. As for the estrogen, he is not concerned with this either since I am taking Estrace, 2mg, 2x daily. Yea!

On to other news: We will be 5 weeks this Saturday with our first u/s scheduled for Monday, June 21! Since my cycle was controlled with the Lupron, using the date of my last menstrual cycle would not have given us an accurate due date. The nurse used the last day of Lupron to calculate our DD giving us a due date of February 12, 2011. Oh my...this is all starting to seem more real :)

Since Todd and I are both teachers we have the summers off. Last summer we started Summer Date Days. One day a week we go on a date. We do something different each week. Today is our first Summer Date Day of 2010. We are going to pick up Quiznos in Nashville and eat in Centennial Park followed by a movie and some shopping. I love date days!

BETA #2 and Estrogen Levels

We got the results for our second BETA today: 693. If you don't remember, our first BETA on Monday was 420. The nurse said that even though they like to see it double, the doctor was OK with it and for us to schedule our ultrasound at 6 weeks. For my reassurance, I am asking to have another BETA on Friday. I also have no idea when we are 6 weeks. How do we determine how far along we are? My menstrual cycle was controlled by Lupron so I didn't ovulate when I should have so going by that date would not be accurate. I was going by three days before the date of the transfer as the day I ovulated since the embryos were transferred at 3 days. That would give me an ovulation date of 5/22 (transfer was 5/25). Does this make any sense?

Another concern of mine is my estrogen level. Though never formally diagnosed with an estrogen deficiency, I have been told my night sweats are caused by the drop of estrogen before my cycle. Before we started the medications and such for our first transfer in March, the night sweats were pretty much under control with birth control. However, since not being on the birth control consistently the night sweats have started back up again. About a week before my cycle starts I wake up 1-2x a night soaking wet and freezing. Sheets, pillow and pajamas. This cycle the night sweats started at the same time, about a week before my cycle was to start, however, they stopped Friday night (implantation?) only to come back Saturday night (and continuing).  Even though I take Estrace 2x daily, I can't help but think my estrogen level is low due to the night sweats. While I am not sure the exact role estrogen plays in pregnancy, I am sure it is important or I wouldn't be taking the Estrace, right? I am asking the doctor about this, too.

UGH. Seriously. Satan is constantly finding ways to attack us. Please pray that he DOES NOT win.

I will update when I know more....

Now What?

So now that we are pregnant, what do we do now? Another BETA is scheduled for today. That number will decide on when we are to schedule our first ultrasound. I am praying that it is soon because I want to know how many babies are in there! Of course, as soon as I found out the BETA from our first test I went online and it looked it up. I got so many different answers that I have no idea what to think. I did ask our nurse and she said it was perfect which is good enough for me (for now - I can't help be curious - we did transfer 3 excellent grade embryos after all!). The progesterone shots will continue 2x daily for at least the next month along with the Estrace 2x daily. Other than that, we are just to enjoy being pregnant! And, after an emotional 4 years, 3 ART, numerous protocols and too many shots/pills/dr. visits to count, we are ready to do just that :) GOD is good!

My New Favorite Number

My new favorite number is 420.
Why you ask?
Hint: We got the results of our BETA today :)

*Will post more later!!