20. We were devastated but anxious
for our next step. We knew there
was a plan for us.
21. “For I know the plans I have for
you, says the Lord, plans for
welfare and not for evil, to give
you a future and a hope”
Jeremiah 29:11
22. I underwent surgery to diagnose
and treat endometriosis before
trying IVF again.
23. IVF cycle #2: With the surgery and
the change in medications we had
our hopes high again that this was
going to work this time!
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29. This time our numbers seemed
better. We got 21 eggs total, 17 of
which were mature and able to be
used. 10 fertilized, but only 3 made
it to day 5 for the transfer.
32. We began looking at our other
options and ways we could have a
family. This was a very emotional
decision (one of the hardest
decisions we made) but we
thought we would use an egg
donor.
33. After making this decision, I
realized I couldn’t do this yet
without getting a second opinion.
We went to a new doctor who was
very encouraging, despite our
previous IVF results.
34. We decided we would try one last
cycle of IVF where we would also
do chromosome testing on the
embryos to gain more information
on why they weren’t good quality
embryos.
35. At this point, though we were
supposed to be excited for it, I felt
less hopeful and more scared than
the previous IVF cycles.
36. “And let us not grow weary of
doing good, for in due season we
will reap, if we do not give up”
Galatians 6:9
37. IVF Cycle #3: Our last chance at
having “our own” children.
38.
39.
40.
41. This cycle, we were worried about
quality more than quantity of eggs.
We got 14 eggs total, 11 of which
were mature and able to be used.
9 fertilized, and 6 made it to day 5.
42. Chromosome testing of our 6
“healthy” embryos was done on
day 5. Of the 6, 4 were
chromosomally normal and very
good quality!
43. Acupuncture helped to increase
the blood flow to my uterus and
for relaxation before and after the
transfer of the embryos
44.
45.
46. It was time for the transfer. We
decided to put 2 of the 4 embryos
in and though we could know what
the genders were, we kept it in an
envelope until we knew we were
pregnant.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53. I was on strict bedrest for two days
eating a TON of pineapple (4 whole
pineapples in 5 days). Pineapples,
especially the core, have
bromelain in them which is
supposed to help the embryos
implant successfully.
55. On July 22 I had a blood draw to
determine if I was pregnant or not.
I waited for the call all day. This
was the most anxious I had been
throughout this whole process.
56. My doctors office called and I
couldn’t answer. I didn’t want to
cry yet. I instead let it go to
voicemail as I prepared myself for
the news….
57. After about 20 minutes, I finally
listened to the voicemail. As I
listened I began to cry in hysterics.
I called Cameron to tell him the
news but he couldn’t understand
what I was saying. He
automatically thought it was bad
news because of my hysterics…
58. Through the tears, I said “It’s
positive!” That was the best feeling
I have ever had. I was finally
pregnant!! It was such a surreal
moment! I had dreamed of it many
times but for it to actually be
happening felt like a dream.
59. But it wasn’t over yet…we were
only 3 weeks and 5 days pregnant
and at this point anything could
happen…
60. Two days later we had another
blood draw determining that my
levels were doubling as they
should be. We scheduled an
ultrasound for August 11. This was
the longest 2.5 weeks!
65. We watched in awe at the
ultrasound screen. We had prayed
so hard for this and God finally
answered our prayers. However,
He went above and beyond what
we ever expected…..
