Cautiously Ecstatic

1st beta @ 10DP5DT- 582
2nd beta @ 12DP5DT- 1343

Doubling time of 40 hours.. Yeah! I'm definitely pregnant.

When the nurse called with the second beta she had a lot to go over with me. I found out that I"ll be having weekly HCG beta tests and progesterone draws until we see the heartbeat. After the heartbeat is seen we'll then just continue with the progesterone monitoring. We're still waiting for my first progesterone reading. It had to be sent out and the results should be back today. I decided to have my first u/s with Dr. Z (still need to find an OB/GYN). We set up the first u/s for March 11th. I'll be 7 weeks and 2 days at that point and a heartbeat should be seen.

When I had my last beta they also tested my TSH and found that it was elevated so they have now started me on Synthroid. I'll also be having another IVIg (infusion therapy) this week and will start Prednisone to help with my immune issues. So now my pregnancy protocol includes IVIg monthly for the 1st trimester, PIO until 10 weeks, progesterone suppositories until 12 weeks, Metformin until 12 weeks, Prednisone that starts out at a high dose and tapers down as the pregnancy continues, Synthroid, Folgard, Baby Aspirin until delivery and Lovenox injections, Calcium, and my prenatal through delivery and 2 weeks post delivery.

I was told no sex, no orgasms, no baths of any type, no lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds and no exercise (other than very casual walking) until after we see the heart beat. (seems very strict!)

I have to say that I'm really pleased w/ Dr. Z and his practice. They are very thorough and have looking into every aspect of my health to maximize our chances. I don't have one complaint. His staff is awesome and I don't think they could be more organized. They told me I need to find an OB/GYN so that they can mail them a folder of information they have put together that includes everything he or she will need to know about me.

At this point I feel relieved, excited and blessed. I also still have quite a bit of fear. I know there is a lot that can still go wrong. I think I'll start to feel better when I see the heartbeat. The nurse said my betas are great and that after we see a heartbeat(s) my chances of miscarriage will go down significantly. She also told me that at this point she thinks I should feel pretty good about having a viable pregnancy.

I have to say that I've thought a lot about my fellow cyclesistas and IF blogger friends in the last two days. I'm extremely excited to have quite a few ladies that will be pregnancy buddies. Hopeful Mother and I started blogging at the same time and I've followed her story from the beginning and am trilled that she's knocked up :-) But, I also think a lot about those that are still on this journey. I really had expected to be cycling again. I though you'd see my name on the April/May cyclesistas list for another IVF. And when I felt that way I felt so lonely and left behind b/c so many infertiles seem to have been lucky this month. Now I'm in that lucky category and I'm so sad for those of you hurting. I just want each of you to know that I'm sorry your experiencing such sorrow. I really hope you persist, and that your dream becomes a reality soon too.