Well, today's D-day #2 (or, would it be more appropriate to say "B-Day #2"?) - another step in the process where we learn if we get to continue this journey. Blood was drawn around 8:15 am.
Despite getting a very solid beta on Sunday, as the evening approached a sense of fear suddenly overcame me that I am now having trouble kicking. While I started to fill my PIO syringe, my eyes started to fill with tears over the "What if's..." thoughts. I have never had a problem with my betas rising at this point - they've aways doubled - so not sure why the nervousness kicked in.
A few other signs that the drugs and hormones are kicking in:
1. A general feelng of being "worn out" - a little different than "tired".
2. Puffy face (thank you Prednisone)
3. Hungry ALL the time (again, thank you Prednisone)
4. A dull headache that comes and goes.
5. Peeing frequently.
To ease my mind, I talked to the nurse and the phlebotomist today and here's some info I thought others might find helpful:
1. We are looking for a good rise in the HCG levels. If they don't exactly double, don't panic...that's normal and sometimes happens.
2. If I start to spot (which I did this morning - only brown), don't panic. This is normal when taking progesterone suppositories. Sometimes wetting the tip with water will help.
3. When on progesterone suppositories, we want P2 levels above 6. If taking PIO, we want your levels above 20.
4. HCG levels are individual to each pregnancy. So, even though my number at 9dp 5dt was at 240 last time, having 157 this time can't be compared. There still may be twins in there...we won't know until the u/s.
5. CCRM now has a new protocol of not doing HCG, P4, E2 checks if your second one comes back "normal." If you ask they will run one the following week. If you are "spotting" (hint, hint - this may be the magic word if you just can't take it) - they may run the levels again.
Before today, I was a little (ok, probably more than a little) miffed about the new HCG policy, but now that I've had some time to let it simmer in my brain, this actually makes more sense because the reality is that if things start to take a turn, there's nothing anyone can do (inclding the nurses, a hospital or me). I know that if I start bleeding red to go on bedrest immediately.
Staying in "happy mode" and just assuming everything is peachy is probably the best thing I can do for me and my LO('s) right now.
If we can make it through today - then, based on my history, the 2.5 ww really begins. My 1st U/S will be sometime around 4/13 - 4/15.
Today I just need to remember to relax and breathe...breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe.
Will update later when I get my magic number...
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