The boys are almost six months old now. I think, for the first time since they were born, that I feel like I can take a long enough break to tell you our story.
Allen and I got married late, according to some people’s norms. I think God’s timing is perfect! We talked about having children so when I went to see my gynecologist for my annual check-up, I mentioned the situation to him. He said, because of my age, let’s go ahead and do some testing on you and your husband so we don’t waste any time. Test after test later, we were told that we would most likely have to have help to get pregnant. Dr. Bardwell did a couple of procedures in his office with no result of pregnancy. That was in the summer of 2006.
In October of 2006, Allen and I met with a fertility specialist. Dr. Hasty looked at our test results and was encouraging, so we went forward with a cycle of invitro fertilization in December. We were not successful. I was heartbroken. They did transfer an embryo but it didn’t “take.” We talked to a counselor who said that “emotional miscarriage” is very real, so I took lots of time to grieve. Almost nine months to be exact! Allen kept asking me “what are we going to do” and I wouldn’t discuss it until September of 2007. I finally decided I wanted to try again, if Allen was still OK with it. You see, invitro is expensive and we didn’t have insurance coverage for it, so not only was it an emotional decision, but a financial one as well.
We had better results this time! On Monday, December 8, 2008, the doctor transferred two embryos. On Thursday, December 18, we went for our first blood test. I didn’t cheat and take an at-home pregnancy test, but was CRAZY to know! When we got to the appointment for the blood test, the nurse said “Dr. Hasty will call you this afternoon with the results.” WHAT – WE HAD TO WAIT?! So I asked “would you please have them call Allen?” I was going back to work and just didn’t want to get bad news. At 3:00 that afternoon, my cell phone rang and the caller I.D. showed “Dr. Hasty.” I said a bad word then answered the phone. Dr. Hasty said “Michelle, I am so happy that I get to call you with this news…and I am now seeing that I was supposed to call Allen!” I said “oh who cares since the news is good!” She called Allen anyway and then Allen and I talked on the phone. I was afraid to MOVE…didn’t want to do ANYTHING to risk losing the babies. Yes, babies. When Dr. Hasty called, she told us based on the levels that it was very likely that both embryos were still there. THEN we found out we didn’t just have to have one blood test…but 3! Something about it being not a natural pregnancy, they want to make sure the numbers keep going up. So we went back Saturday and then again on Tuesday. The numbers kept climbing so yes, I was officially pregnant!
Allen and I got married late, according to some people’s norms. I think God’s timing is perfect! We talked about having children so when I went to see my gynecologist for my annual check-up, I mentioned the situation to him. He said, because of my age, let’s go ahead and do some testing on you and your husband so we don’t waste any time. Test after test later, we were told that we would most likely have to have help to get pregnant. Dr. Bardwell did a couple of procedures in his office with no result of pregnancy. That was in the summer of 2006.
In October of 2006, Allen and I met with a fertility specialist. Dr. Hasty looked at our test results and was encouraging, so we went forward with a cycle of invitro fertilization in December. We were not successful. I was heartbroken. They did transfer an embryo but it didn’t “take.” We talked to a counselor who said that “emotional miscarriage” is very real, so I took lots of time to grieve. Almost nine months to be exact! Allen kept asking me “what are we going to do” and I wouldn’t discuss it until September of 2007. I finally decided I wanted to try again, if Allen was still OK with it. You see, invitro is expensive and we didn’t have insurance coverage for it, so not only was it an emotional decision, but a financial one as well.
We had better results this time! On Monday, December 8, 2008, the doctor transferred two embryos. On Thursday, December 18, we went for our first blood test. I didn’t cheat and take an at-home pregnancy test, but was CRAZY to know! When we got to the appointment for the blood test, the nurse said “Dr. Hasty will call you this afternoon with the results.” WHAT – WE HAD TO WAIT?! So I asked “would you please have them call Allen?” I was going back to work and just didn’t want to get bad news. At 3:00 that afternoon, my cell phone rang and the caller I.D. showed “Dr. Hasty.” I said a bad word then answered the phone. Dr. Hasty said “Michelle, I am so happy that I get to call you with this news…and I am now seeing that I was supposed to call Allen!” I said “oh who cares since the news is good!” She called Allen anyway and then Allen and I talked on the phone. I was afraid to MOVE…didn’t want to do ANYTHING to risk losing the babies. Yes, babies. When Dr. Hasty called, she told us based on the levels that it was very likely that both embryos were still there. THEN we found out we didn’t just have to have one blood test…but 3! Something about it being not a natural pregnancy, they want to make sure the numbers keep going up. So we went back Saturday and then again on Tuesday. The numbers kept climbing so yes, I was officially pregnant!
I'm soooo glad you are doing this! For us and for you!!! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteLove you!