Here we go IN VITRO: Week 1

Okay, here's the plan: Every week for the next six (to eight-ish) weeks, I will do one post recapping everything we've done and experienced in the in vitro process.  Why?  Well first of all, I want to catalog this journey and freeze it in time as an important moment--for us as individuals, for our marriage, and for our family.

Two, because I know we're not the only couple who will ever walk down this road.  The most powerful moment in this journey for us came from the testimony of a couple we had never met, but who were willing to come alongside us and share their story. I know what a gift it was for us, and if this account of our own journey can have a similar impact on someone else, then God has worked his magic yet again. 

Most importantly, I'm writing it down because we absolutely believe this journey is one we are walking hand in hand with our Savior.  Part of stepping out in faith is being willing to open up our lives--the good, bad and the ugly--in an effort to point it all back to Him, and to celebrate the awesome plan He has for our family.  We hope you'll join us in this new, exciting journey.

That being said, I'm planning on being pretty open about the process.  I get that not everyone is interested in hearing the intimate details of my girl parts and the process of making an embryo.  And because I want to be sensitive to that, on the posts that detail the IVF process, I'll add a "read more" button so you can choose whether or not you want to read all the details.

And, coincidentally, this is the first entry to boast one of those bad boys.  So, read on if you dare.....

(PS:  If you're wondering why there are three different versions of the "read more" link on this post..then ditto.  I have no idea, but I promise they all link to the same thing. So click away)

Today was our very first "official IVF" appointment at OHSU.

After waiting for over a week for my period to start (of course it was late this month!) I finally got a visit from Aunt Flo on Tuesday.  After a year of praying for my period NOT to start, I have never been so happy to see the telltale signs that a menses was on its way.  Funny how that works....

On Wednesday, I called and scheduled our last two screening appointments (to make sure I am a good candidate for IVF), and today, I went up and had blood drawn to check my FSH and estrodial levels.  Basically, both of these are hormones that are used as indicators of overall ovary function and fertility.  Checking my levels at the beginning of my cycle allows my doctors to get a glimpse into the hormonal changes going on inside me as well as any abnormalities that exist in the levels of each that I produce. This will be important as they work to develop my "protocol" (just a fancy word for describing the process, and specific drugs, that the doctors will be prescribing). 

The last screening test that I have will take place on Tuesday.  I will be having a saline infusion, baseline ultrasound, and trial transfer performed.  Each of these are minor procedures done by transvaginal ultrasound, and each are designed to make sure that my girl parts are up to the IVF challenge.  If I'm being honest, I'd say that I'm feeling a little nervous about it.  Even though, comparitively, this will be a very tame procedure considering what still lies ahead.

Then again, if I'm being REALLY honest (and I am) I'd say that I don't care what it takes, because my heart longs to meet this baby that we have been waiting and praying for....and there's nothing I wouldn't do to get to that precious, precious day. 

So for now, we wait....and we keep putting one foot in front of the other.

In Vitro Week 1 = DONE