Heartbeat @ 7 weeks!

Our baby's heart is strong and beating twice as fast as my heart!  It took Janice, u/s tech, a minute to find the baby because the uterus was hiding underneath my bladder.  Janice said the baby must be a girl because she was giving her a hard time and being stubborn.  We laughed!  After oohing and awwing at the flickering heartbeat on the screen, Janice was able to capture the baby's heartbeat for a quick second.  It was the most amazing sound I ever heard, I teared up, and felt so much joy!  The baby is 5mm and doing well!

 

The baby's heartbeat is located between the 2 white dashes.  Along the white line is the heartbeat doppler.

We met with Dr. M for our last consult and it was bitter sweet.  Dr. M asked how I was feeling and if our parents knew the news.  I told him that I felt great, just fatigued, and how our parents are thrilled.  Dr. M enjoyed hearing our parent's response and shared his thoughts of how having a baby doesn't just affect the couple, but everyone around us including family and friends.  Dr. M had a pleased look on his face, was happy for us, and sensed that he receives much pleasure in helping couples grow their family.

I asked Dr. M my final questions.  The most pressing concern was about tapering off my PIO (progesterone in oil) and estrogen patches.  I had fears of miscarriage once I stopped taking progesterone and estrogen, but Dr. M reassured me by saying my chances of m/c dropped from 15% to 5% by hearing the heartbeat.  My ovaries have been working hard to help the baby, then the placenta takes over between 6-9 weeks to maintain the hormones.  Dr. M is conservative in how long he keeps patients on PIO and estrogen and said I have an ample supply in my system until the placenta can cover it.

Towards the end of our conversation, I presented Dr. M with his gift and he liked it.  He said he would share it with the girls, but told him he didn't have to since the girls have their own and I pulled one out of the bag to show him.  I told him he had the better candy though.  I was happy Dr. M knew what the tag meant, unlike J, and he explained it in his own words.  It was time to say our good-byes and I cried.  Dr. M said I would be in good hands with my ob/gyn and said to send him a picture to add to his baby board.  While he walked us to meet with Deb, NP, I asked if I could give him a hug.  Dr. M smiled slightly and opened his arms.  I gave him a big hug and Dr. M shook J's hand.  I was happy to get my hug!

Deb was waiting for us and presented us with an April calendar for tapering off my meds.  According to the calendar, April 19 is the last day of PIO, estrogen patches, and taking metformin.  YAHOO!!!!!!  I told Deb the 19th is a day after my birthday and she said it was her birthday gift to me.  We hugged and said our good-bye's.  I gave D her present and she called the phlebotomists over to pick up their little gift.  Unfortunately, Michelle (embryologist), was at lunch and we didn't get to see her.

Dr. M released me as a patient and we walked out with a happy ending to our new beginning!  We thank God for providing our baby after TTC for 5 years.  I realize we could've been in a very different place if IVF didn't take and if I got a BFN (big fat negative).  I'm truly humbled and my heart goes out to my IF forum friends and bloggers who got a bfn this cycle.  I admire your strength and courage for not giving up on your heart's desire and pressing on in faith and hope.

What a roller-coaster ride IF has been and the ride has come to an end.  We've longed to start the next chapter of our story and will enjoy this pregnancy.  Thank you for being with us on this ride.