The Waiting is the Hardest Part

So it's now day 7 after a 3 day transfer. (7dp3dt) The waiting is the hardest part. We go for our official beta (blood test) on Monday, February 27 at 11:30 a.m. Because neither of us want to hear bad news in the RE's office, we plan to take a test at home this coming weekend...either Saturday or Sunday morning. (I have one left over from our May 2011 frozen cycle.)

As for any symptoms, I just don't know what to think. My first pregnancy was after a fresh cycle. I felt LOTS of things going on in my abdomen, which can probably be attributed to my ovaries shrinking back to normal size. My bbs did get pretty sore as well, so, whether it was naivety, wishful thinking, or actual "symptoms," I just don't know.

For my second pregnancy, since it was a frozen cycle, I didn't have all of the disturbance in my ovaries and uterus, like with the fresh cycle. Honestly, other than my bbs getting sore, I really don't remember if I "felt" anything.

Here's what I've "felt" so far: for 6 days after retrieval I felt so bloated, swollen, and sore. I'm pretty sure it was because I was on the verge of OHSS. I took Dostinex for 8 days to help prevent it from occurring, and I think it worked. Since Wednesday, I've had an achy, heavy feeling in my abdomen (kind of like cramps), and on Thursday I had a really, really sharp pain in the lower, right side of my abdomen.

I want to say that I've been going to the bathroom more than usual, but I am also trying to drink more water, so that could be easily explained.

I've had terrible night sweats the past couple of nights. This is not entirely unusual for me, so when it happens, I make sure to put my hair in a ponytail the next night. It has not helped at all! I've had really vivid dreams, as well, multiple ones each night.

My bbs are a little sore, but not too bad. (Caution! TMI about to be revealed!) Earlier today I decided to take a look at them in the mirror. I was shocked to see that my nipples were much larger than usual and also seemed a little pinker/darker.

I've also been really tired. I felt like I woke up tired on Friday.

And today, I've caught myself being really snappy and in a bad mood. All of those great PMS symptoms!

I'm using Endometrin (progesterone) 3 times a day, which could be causing most of these problems, too. So, it's one of 3 things: I'm pregnant (please God!!!!); it's all progesterone-related; it's all in my head. 

Like I said, the waiting is the hardest part!!!

By the way, I did hear back from the embryologist. She said that 4 of the 12 embryos arrested in culture. 8 of them made it to the blastocyst stage, but because they have such strict criteria that blasts must meet to be frozen, only 2 qualified. She didn't explain the criteria, but I guess it is better to have 2 that they think could really become children than 4 or 6 more that could just lead us to heartache and/or another miscarriage.

I went to church last night and was very fortunate to have two women pray with me at the cross, and the pastor also prayed for me after the service. I started crying when he was praying. It just means so much to have a called servant pray for you--at least that's how I feel.

I'd like to add one more:

Dear God, I pray that you hear the prayers of the wonderful people who are talking to you on mine and Hubby's behalf. Hear our prayers, Lord, and bless our family with one (or two) healthy babies in 9 months. Please make our family complete with a child(ren) born from the love Hubby and I share for each other. Please, Dear Father, let the pitter patter of precious feet fill our home.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Mrs. W