First IVF in August,

[suzhan]

My daughter (yes, a girl!) arrived last Monday, June 25th. The last 10 days have been a whirlwind of activity and emotion, so I'm sorry I haven't been back to update you all.

I had another bleeding episode from my placenta previa on June 25th (totally out of the blue again even though I was in the hospital on complete bed rest!) That was at 7 p.m. that night and by 8 p.m. the doctors and nurses decided this was it and it was not safe for me or the baby to continue any further. In retrospect, I wish I would have asked for a bit more time to evaluate everything, but it all went so fast. Anyway, by 9 p.m. I was in the operating room getting the spinal (no biggie at all for that) and our daughter came into the world at 9:23 pm. via c-section (required for placenta previa). She was 5 pounds, 8 ounces and 17 inches, pretty good size for 33 weeks, 2 days.

She was breathing, thank goodness, and DH got to cut the cord. We got to see her for just seconds and then they whisked her away to the NICU. DH got to go with her and he took some video of her and brought it back to me in recovery. My recovery time was quick - about 1 hour until they started letting me have some ice chips and in another hour I was moved to my new post partum room. I was starving (since I'd missed dinner) but they wouldn't let me eat for a while, just jello and liquids.

They also wouldn't let me out of bed to go to the NICU but finally my nurse took me in a wheelchair at 4 a.m. because she realized I wasn't going to sleep otherwise. To be honest, seeing her in the NICU was heartbreaking for me and the first 2-3 days I was in tears most of the time wishing she didn't have to go through this. She had oxygen assistance via nasal canula, multiple IVs for antibiotics, nutrition, etc. She had to have a blood transfusion because they were taking so much blood for testing she couldn't make it up fast enough. She was having "spells" of slow breathing and heart rate, etc etc... It was incredibly hard, especially when it was time for me to go home and she had to stay. The pain of those days is still very real for me.

Fast forward to now (I'll spare you the details of the first week)....

She's now breathing room air and is out of the incubator because she can maintain her own body temperature. All of her IVs have now been discontinued and she is getting all of her food (my pumped breastmilk) through a tube that goes from her nose into her stomach. We had our first attempt at breastfeeding yesterday and she did latch on a few times and seemed to suck for a bit in short spurts. They felt this was a good first attempt and reassured me that it will take a while for her to master this since she still so young. Today we do a bottle feeding and then another breast feeding attempt. Pumping is going really well, it was super easy to get my milk supply in and actually have more milk than I know what to do with! My freezer is full! She will learn both bottle and breast feeding and hopefully will naturally go between the two.

We expect her to be in the hospital a few more weeks, but she has surprised the doctors how quickly she moved to this phase. I spend most of my day at the NICU, so it's tough to stay in touch here much, but I will try to check in.

Good luck to all the ladies cycling - I pray this is the successful one for you! I'm rooting you on!

[golfrswife]

Suzhan - That is just amazing! I am so glad that she is doing better. That had to be so hard seeing your precious little girl hooked up to so many different things. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am exicted for you to be able to take her home! Incredibile!

As for me - out of the 12 retrieved we got 5 embies. I am so excited. I find out tomorrow if they are going to transfer tomorrow or Sunday. I will keep you all posted!
Emily

[myhb]

Suzhan - Congratulations!!!

I am so happy for you. Elise is such a pretty name and I have no doubt that she'll be as beautiful as her name. I am glad to hear that she is progressing very well and is breathing on her own. I hope she gets to go home with you very soon. How are you and your DH doing?

Emily - Congrats on the 5 embies. I am sending plenty of sticky baby dust to you. I wish you the best of luck.

Have a great evening.

-myhb

[bobo]

hey guys suzhan it's awesome that you can see a healthy baby girl congrats!!!! golferwife good luck on your 5 embies. well today is my day i will be leaving in about 45 min for my pre. test. this past couple i have pretty much done nothing just keep in it low. i feel fine just some minor cramps and a sore butt. i am really worried about having another chemical pre. as soon as i get my results i will advice you guys. take care and good luck to all of you

[hopeful-in-LV]

Suzhan,
CONGRATS on the arrival of you daughter! She has made it so far and has been such a strong fighter. I know she is going to be just fine. Elise is a beautiful name. Take care of yourself and your precious little one.

Lola,
Oh my goodness, Monday is the day! I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to hear how it goes. I wish you all the best for a nice and easy delivery.

bobo,
how did your pre test go?

Emily,
good luck with your transfer! sticky baby dust!!

myhb,
I'm happy to hear you are starting a new cycle soon. I will be hoping and praying for your little miracle to come your way. I'm feeling OK, thanks for asking. My legs and pelvis area are increasingly more and more achy. yesterday I had a crazy cramp that went from my butt to my calves. I could barely walk. other than that I'm feeling surprisingly well even in this 116 weather. I stay indoors as much as possible, but with moving I've been in and out alot. Happily, we are done with moving! I just need to unpack and organize now. We are still working on names, we have one name we like so far.

[deepa100]

Hi Suzhan,
Congratulations on the arrival of Elsie! Glad to hear that the baby is doing well and you are coping well. I am sure you are starting to feel a bit more relieved. I wish you all the best as you take on the role of a new mother.
Deepa

[fingerscrossed]

Hello ladies, its my first time with IVF and start stims in August. Go to IVF Hammersmith on the 19th July for the low down...feel excited that my time has finally arrived...it sure is a long process!! Great to read there are other people starting in August like me..we can try and get through this together. Have had two operations to remove endometrosis, March 2006 and April 2007. Just had final injection of Zoladex. So with both feet firmly on the ground...we are ready.
How does everybody else feel!!!!!
Regards
Michelle

[bobo]

hey ladies how have you guys been? well as for me got my BFN on friday!! we do not know what will happen. this is devastating for us. wish you all the luck in the world ladies. lola hope that everything comes out perfect today! take care guys i will keep you posted what are we going to do. thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

[golfrswife]

Hi All- I just wanted to let you know that we did our transfer on Saturday. They did a 4 day transfer and suggested that we do 3 embies. So, I have been doing nothing now for the past 3 days and can't wait til the 20th!
I'll keep ya posted!

[wannababy1229]

Wow! I have to stop staying away from these boards. So much has happened.

Suzhan-Congrats on your baby girl. I was so surprised to see that you had her. Your little fighter will be just fine!

Bobo-I'm sorry about your BFN. Take some time to regroup before your next attempt.

Golfrswfe- My fingers are crossed for you. Take it easy and think positive thoughts

Lola--I cant wait to hear from you. I hope all is well. Where are you? I wanna hear all about your birthing experience....

myhb--I often wondered how you were doing. I'm glad you are doing better. Good luck this time around. Please keep us posted...

I wonder how Sam is doing....

I started my 1st of my weekly visits yesterday. The doc said that my baby is low and my cervix is thin I guess that means that labor should be starting soon. I dont think that I will make it to August. I've been having BH's a lot and experiencing pains that come and go. Her room is ready and looking quite adorable (if I may say so myself). We have washed almost everything and my bag is packed. I cant believe that it is almost over and soon I will be holding my daughter in my arms in a few short weeks.

I hope everyone is doing well. Take care!

[snowsseven]

I am also new and my first time - IVF/ICSI will be end of August. It is overwhelming, yet exciting with everything that has to take place.

Good luck to all of you!

[Lola]

First let me say : Suzhan, congratulations!!!! Good luck with everything, I am sure everything will be all right! I bet you cannot wait to be home with your little one.

I won't do any personals today, since I am really busy, but happy to say that my twins arrived on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007, at 8:30 and 8:31 PM.
Nicholas was born first, 5 pounds, 5 ounces and 17.5 inches. Sophia was born second 5 pounds, 14 ounces and 18 inches. I started having contractions in the afternoon at my doc. check up (I did not feel them at all, so I was in disbelief) and was sent to the hospital right away. They did a C-section that evening. I will give you some more details later, I had some complications with the surgery and also lost a lot of blood, they almost had to do a transfusion.
We got home on Friday the 6th and the babies are doing really well. I am breastfeeding them both and they are so good with everything. I have my mother in law helping me and my husband is off for the next two weeks. It is the most amazing experience in my life. I don't get much sleep, but everything I have gone through is totally worth it. I did not know you can feel so much love for those babies instantly. They are the best thing that ever happened to me.

I will write more later, Love and good luck to you all! Lola

[golfrswife]

Lola - CONGRATULATIONS! How exciting! You all give me soooo much hope! I am so happy for you!

Suzhan - How's the new mommy and baby?!?!?

[hopeful-in-LV]

Lola, Congratulations! It must be so wonderful to have those little ones in your arms now. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I love the name Sophia. Sophie was one of the names I had in mind if I had a girl. How scary that you lost a lot of blood. I'm glad you are better and hope you are recovering nicely at home. Take care of yourself, try to get some rest when the little ones are napping.

[samandaw1]

Hello all. Sorry it has been so long. I usually get an emal saying a posting happened but I have received any of those so I assumed there has been no action...boy was I wrong!

Suzhan---YEAH. That is a big baby for a 33 weeker. I am so excited she is doing so well. I am sure that was scary and heartbreaking but I imagine with each day that passes those moments are getting further away. She is going to be so ready to come home to your arms. I am happy for you all.

Lola- That is so exciting about your twins arrival. I can not imagine having twins (although wanted them). YOu will have your hands filled in such an exicting way. Pregnancy is over!!!!

Myhb- I am so happy you are back. I think of you often and I just have to believe it is your time. Everyone gets their time and this is yours. I have a friend who miscarried a lot. They could not figure out why. She went through two unsucessful IVF's and the third one took. Of course she thought she was going to miscarry like before. Needless to say, she just gave birth to two of the cutest twin girls I have ever did see.


Golferswife- I am waiting on pins and needles, keep us posted. I will send all my wishes your way! It already sounds promising and different than the last times. I can only assume that means a positive.

Bobo- I am sorry to hear your sad news. It always breaks my heart to heara BFN. I am just assuming there is a plan for you and you will be a mother when it is right.

Mia-keep up the good attitude. Two boys,...the thought just exhausts me

As for me and baby Sydney....She turned three months today. I do not want to brag but she has been sleeping through the night since 8 weeks (there is hope to you new moms). She is laughing and almost sitting. she is just great and the love of my life.

Believe it or not....we are already having to talk about our next step. For insurance purposes, we have to go for baby number two shortly. We are going to try some other paths before IVF but I still think we will have to go that route again. I can't imagine doing it all over again but I look at Sydney and all of you who have been doing it multiple times and that inspires me. I will once again look to you for support.

Take care

Sam