After trying for about 4 1/2 years and being told we have a 2% chance of getting pregnant on our own, we beat the odds!!!!
THE STORY
Most of you know our struggles to get pregnant. After trying for a couple of years, we finally went to a fertility clinic and tried a few tx's there. After those failed, I ended up getting pregnant on my own, only to miscarry at 5 weeks. The whole experience was so heartbreaking and debilitating that I finally gave up trying about a year and a half ago and decided to just live my life and whatever happens...happens. I had a FABULOUS year last year. It is amazing what can happen when you just put your trust in the Lord and let go. I ran my first marathon, went on countless boating trips, got to know new people, did a couple of things that I've always wanted to do, traveled a little, GOT A PROMOTION (woo hoo), and many other happy things that I can't think of at this very moment. All in all, I've just been really happy and content.
Around my 34th birthday...about a week prior to be exact, I started thinking hard about trying to get pregnant again (not that we ever really stopped trying). I wasn't sure I would ever want to step foot in a fertility clinic again, but I finally made up my mind that I would do whatever it took. I decided to try everything that was available to me, so that one day I could look back with no regrets that I didn't try every avenue. I was referred to a fairly new fertility clinic in Pleasant Grove and a highly recommended fertility doctor (Dr. Foulk). I scheduled a consultation and they couldn't get me in till mid August because they were so booked out. When we finally did get to meet Dr. Foulk, we had a great consult and we both left there feeling like he would be the one to help us. He was very aggressive in his plan and we were already scheduled to do IUI in approximately 3 weeks (which would have been Labor Day weekend). I felt very happy and satisfied that we were on our way.
Needless to say, my monthly friend was late and I ended up taking a pregnancy test that I just happened to have left over from forever ago. I can't even describe the feeling when I watched those 2 lines pop up with no doubts that I was pregnant. I shared the news with Austin and we were both so excited and relieved. WHAT A BLESSING! I told my family the next day when we were all together for Sunday dinner. I love my family so much, I couldn't ask for anything more. They are so supportive and loving and I couldn't have gotten through it all without them. I am so excited to have their support and advice in the coming months.
Later that week (5 weeks along) I called a high risk pregnancy doctor who scheduled some blood work right away. The first test results showed that my progesterone levels were low, so they started me on a supplement right away. The second results showed that my HCG levels were doubling and everything was looking normal!!!! They scheduled me for an early ultrasound at 7 weeks and it felt like an eternity waiting for that time to go by. When we finally got to go in...once again, the feeling was indescribable. I didn't realize we would get to hear the heartbeat, but when she turned the sound on and we heard that little heart beating so fast, I began to cry for the miracle of it all. What a wonderful sound and feeling.
I'm now 7 weeks and feeling great. There are days, like today, that I don't physically feel very good, but I can't help but smile through it and feel excited regardless. I sleep A LOT and have even had some crazy cravings already. The 5th week, it was all about fresh foods...fresh fruits, fresh vegetables...the fresher the better. Then, it changed to salt and vinegar. I don't think I've eaten a pickle since I was a kid, but I downed about 5 of them and ate almost an entire bag of salt and vinegar potato chips. Now, I can't even look at those things. My craving this week has been hamburgers. Every day I have to eat a hamburger. What a strange thing this is, I LOVE IT!
Well, that's my story up until now. I will probably be updating often as I want to document all the things and feelings that come up. I love you all, thanks for being there for me!
