i'm a longtime member of the over 40 board. haven't posted in forever. now i'm here. i'm pregnant!
we hit the 12-week mark last week, with a strong heartbeat and good growth rate, and our nuchal came back with pretty fantastic odds that the baby is not chromosomally challenged. so, as my knuckles pink up, i thought i'd share. i just posted my story over there. it's long - looong - and FWIW, as it's been a strange trip for me.
happy to post it here as well, on request, but for now i will keep it brief:
i am 43 and, if and when we all arrive at my due date in late august, i will be 44. this will be my first child, after five years of trying, four losses, 11 ivf attempts, one chemical, and many, many bouts of feeling sorry for myself and wondering, "why not me?"
it's a natural pregnancy and, while i use the term loosely, kind of an accident!
i am in no way declaring this a fait accompli, but at this point, i have to admit, i'm shaking off my numbness and getting a little happy. it seems like this could be real. i'm planning to tiptoe through gestation, as i've long believed that i am for some reason not supposed to be here. i mean, i will be fully present. just quiet.
i really am trying to take it day by day and truly keep it real, rather than obsessing over every last detail, which is what IF taught me i'm biologically programmed to do.
happy, healthy, happy, healthy. i am thrilled to be among you.
IVF attempt #1 12/07 (450IU follistim + 150IU repronex) cancelled due to low response (2 follicles)
IVF #2 2/08 (50 mg clomid), transferred one 4-cell embryo, bfp, chemical with hcg topping out at 7.
IVF #3 3/08 (50mg clomid + 225IU gonal-f every other day cd 6, 8 and 10), one egg, one embie, went to blast and cryopreserved 4/8/08.
IVF attempt #4 4/08 5mg femara plus injectables, canceled due to runaway follie on cd9.
IVF attempt #5 5/08 (5mg femara + 150IU menopur cds 3-5, 2.5 mg femara only from cd 6), 3 follies (22, 19, 18) but ovulated 6-8 hours before retrieval, IUI, BFN.
IVF attempt #6 6/08 (5mg femara from cd 4 + 225IU menopur cds 4, 6 and 8), 3 follies, got 1 egg but it fertilized abnormally and was discarded.
IVF attempt #7 7/08 (50mg clomid from cd6, 225IU gonal-f cds 6, 8 and 10), boosted with 150IU menopur cd14, retrieval cd17, 2 eggs, both fertilized, one reached compacting stage and the other morula, but neither went to blastocyst.
IVF attempt #8 8/08 (50mg clomid from cd3, 225IU menopur/gonal-f cds 3, 5, 7 and 9), retrieved 1 egg, fertilized, stopped growing on day 4 at compacting stage.
IVF attempt #9 10/08 (5mg femara cds 5-10 + 225IU menopur cds 4, 6 and 8), 1 follie, 1 egg, 1 embie, arrested in lab on day 5.
break
IVF attempt #10 4/08 (5mg femara cds 5-10 + 225IU menopur cds 4, 6 and 8), 2 follies, 1 egg, 1 embie, arrested in lab on day 5 at compacting stage.
From 5/09, I was a Dr. Check patient, doing natural cycles the old-fashioned way, with progesterone support only.
After 1/10, I was just me, not doing anything much except trying to get back to real life and move on . . . .