IVF tips

I started this post a while back, and I'm finally getting around to sharing it. I started this blog to share our IVF experience and inspire others so I thought I'd share some of the things I learned through 2 rounds of IVF. 

• Let your husband give you your shots. It'll bring out a compassionate side of him that you haven't seen before.
• Stim shots don't hurt at all.
• If you're prescribed menopur injections. Ice your stomach before the shot. The menopur burns a little when the medicine goes in, so it helps to relieve the burning.
• Don't plan to do anything the day after you start your stim shots. I had the worst throbbing headache the whole next day from the extreme hormonal change.
• Stims can cause headaches on and off. Any time I felt a headache coming on, I would down a ton of water and my headache would go away. 
• Speaking of water, keep yourself super hydrated throughout your cycle.
• Google will become your best friend. You will Google every single side effect you get. 
• Your stomach will get bloated. Make fun of it! The point of doing IVF is to get pregnant after all, so who cares if you gain a little in the belly!
• There is absolutely nothing scary or painful about the IVF process.
• Invest in a heating bad. It's great for the cramps you may get and it also helps to sit on it after taking a Progesterone injection because it thins the medicine. 
• If it doesn't work the 1st time, DON'T give up!
• Open up to your close family and friends about your IVF/fertility journey. It helps to have a good support system during it all.  

If you're going through IVF and you have any questions, feel free to send me an email at goodwillista@gmail.com. I'd love to help! 

29 weeks

How far along?  29 weeks + 3 days 

Baby is the size of a: Winter squash - about 2.5 lbs and 15 inches long!

Total weight gain: About 15/16 lbs

Sleep: Better than last week!

Movement? She's super active! Last Friday evening Larry and I went to Performance Evolution to watch his buddies spar. The music was loud and at one point I totally felt her moving and kicking to the beat! Then a slower song came on and she was moving around slowly. I SWEAR she's going to be a dancer like her mama. :) 

Miss anything? Not feeling like I have to pee constantly and being able to bend over. 

Symptoms: Aches and pains here and there. Lately my knees have been hurting. I'm guessing they aren't used to all this extra weight! Peeing excessively. 

Cravings: Still none, but man have I had a crazy sweet tooth lately! I feel like I need some sort of cookie, cake, cupcake, etc every day! Oh and apparently expecting daddies can have cravings too. Larry has been craving steak for 2 weeks now, and he finally got his fix last night when we went eat at The Harlequin.

Nursery: Nothing new this week. 

Best Moment This Week: Saturday we attended a child birth class at the hospital! It was actually really interesting and both of us enjoyed it, and we learned a lot. Larry said he mainly learned how to support me during labor, which is amazing because I'm sure I will require a lot of support! Also, I got lots of massages from him when we had to go through the labor stations. 

Thoughts: Now that I am showing and this baby bump is beyond noticeable, more people talk to me about it, and I have to say that I kinda love the attention! I love getting to talk about our baby girl every chance I get. Last night at Walgreen's the cashier looked at my bump and said "awwww!"

Looking forward to: Not this Saturday, but the next (on Halloween!) we have our 3D ultrasound!! It feels like it's been forever since we've had an ultrasound, so I'm suuuuuper excited to see how our girl has progressed. And I can't wait to see her little features and guess who she'll look like!

Also, last week I had an appointment with my OBGYN. He said my weight gain is still perfect, but I could afford to eat a few snikers bars. Hahah. Maybe THAT'S why I've been having such a sweet tooth! It was doctor's orders. ;) From now on, I have appointments every 2 weeks instead of once a month. I can't believe we're getting so close to meeting Grace!

28 weeks

How far along? Today- 28 weeks +2 days 

Baby is the size of a: Papaya- about 2.2 lbs and 15 inches long! 

Total weight gain: 14-15 lbs? I'll find out tomorrow at my doc's appointment. I'm definitely feeling all the extra weight lately!

Sleep: Going downhill. :( Been waking up 2 or 3 times a night to pee and it's been getting really hard to get comfortable. I'm thinking about getting a pregnancy wedge pillow soon to help.

Movement? Yes indeed. She's not being as shy anymore! For a while, every time someone would put their hand on my belly to feel her move, she'd immediately stop.  Now, she's kicking and moving around for (almost) everyone. She was still being stubborn for her nanny this weekend though! 

Miss anything? Being able to get comfortable on the couch. 

Symptoms: In the past 2 weeks my appetite has spiked for sure! I'm hungry more often and even after I eat a big meal, I feel hungry an hour or so later. I'm also starting to feel HUGE. Doing stuff around the house is getting tiring. I guess my 2nd trimester super powers and energy are gone. 

Nursery: Last week I came home to a crib!! My sister in law picked it up for my mom (it's from her and Kevin) and she and Larry had it put together and surprised me when I got home. It's all starting to feel really real now. We also got a bookshelf and a rocker from Larry's parents. So now that we have all the big pieces, it's time to get to decorating and organizing!

Best Moment This Week: Sunday was my 1st baby shower here in Lake Charles! I loved getting together with family and friends to talk all things baby and celebrate the coming of our little Grace. :)

Thoughts: Well hello 3rd trimester! I can not believe I'm 2/3 of the way done! Part of me is starting to freak out a little that she'll be here so soon but the other part of me is definitely anxious! I started making a 3rd trimester to do list to make sure I get everything in order. 

Looking forward to: Well Larry and I have our child birthing class at the hospital on Saturday. I'm excited, but also a little nervous for what to expect!