We're Pregnant! (IVF FET + ERA Update)
It’s happening, it’s really really happening! I still can’t believe I’m sitting here typing these words to you at nearly 14-weeks pregnant. Because it’s been a year, to say the least.
We started our journey in January 2020 prepping for surgery to remove the septum in my uterus followed by two rounds of Clomid/IUI and two cycles of IVF (round 1, round 2) with the second being successful.
That’s where I left off with you all.
From there I needed to keep quiet for a while as we navigated the next steps towards building our family. But here we are — and I’m SO EXCITED to finally share what’s been happening.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and support. It’s meant the world to me connecting with you and sharing our story. And while I know how painful pregnancy announcements can be when you’re struggling yourself, I hope my journey gives you hope and strength.
ERA and Frozen Embryo Transfer
October 2020 | ERA
I touched on this in my last update. Because my uterine lining is naturally thin my doctor suggested we do an endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) to ensure that even if my lining was on the thinner side, we knew the exact window for transferring our little embryo.
For background, the gold standard for uterine thickness pre-transfer is > 8mm with 7mm being acceptable. My lining was barely getting to 6.5mm.
Essentially, the ERA is a mock FET cycle (drugs and all), but instead of transferring an embryo, the doctor performs a biopsy of the uterine tissue — sending the sample in for genetic testing to determine which day the lining is most receptive for implantation to occur. We also sent a separate sample to check for inflammation and any infections.
And while this meant delaying our transfer for several more months, I knew that if I didn’t move forward with the ERA, I’d regret the decision if the transfer wasn’t successful.
When the results came back, it showed that I needed an extra 27 hours for my lining to “ripen” which meant starting progesterone injections a day earlier and shifting transfer timing to 11 am vs. 8 am.
In addition to the ERA, this mock cycle also gave us the opportunity to test out an advanced estrogen protocol. Rather than the standard pills and patches, I took Estrace pills 2x/day and an intramuscular shot of 0.4mL Delestrogen 2x/week. I was also on estrogen for three weeks rather than the standard two before starting progesterone. This got my lining up to a solid 7mm, which she was happy about.
Prepping for Transfer
Armed with a plan, we were on to transfer prep!
My fertility clinic batches transfers, so I was on birth control between the ERA and when they needed my menstrual cycle to start. It should have been super straightforward since we were essentially repeating the ERA protocol with a few minor adjustments. But if this journey has taught me anything it’s to expect the unexpected.
When I went in for my initial scan to check my lining and ensure my ovaries were nice and quiet — we discovered I had a 12 mm follicle in my right ovary. Let me tell you, the last thing you want happening during an FET cycle is to ovulate. I left the clinic incredibly defeated, waiting for labs to come back that would tell me if we could move forward or not.
Turns out my progesterone levels were high, but as my doctor built in an extra week of estrogen therapy for my lining issue we had a few days of wiggle room to see if the levels would drop. And they did! It seems that even though I was on birth control my body decided to ovulate and that little 12mm was an inactive straggler.
In terms of diet and exercise, I didn’t change much during the ERA, but went extra on the self-care and nutrition for the actual transfer prep. I did a lot of research on how to promote lining growth and added L-arginine supplements to my regimen in addition to eating more animal protein and healthy saturated fats like coconut oil, grass-fed bison, chicken thighs, and butter/ghee. I also took it easier on the workouts — moving daily (walks + weights) but without any high-intensity intervals.
Self-care became even more of a priority for me. I listened to my acupuncturist and made sure to take time each day to either put my legs up the wall for 20-minutes at the end of the day (which I did on my infrared biomat) or take a warm bath to promote circulation to my pelvic region. I also upped my acupuncture appointments to 2x/week leading up to transfer.
I was doing ALL THE THINGS — and they worked! At my pre-transfer scan, my lining was a solid 8mm. I couldn’t believe it. My body was as ready as ever.
Embryo Transfer day!
Also, inauguration day. Which seemed so fitting — the start of a new era with all the good vibes flowing.
I meditated and prayed, put on my comfiest clothing, had a delicious cacao elixir, packed up an easy breakfast + a giant bottle of water (you have to have a full bladder for the procedure), and went to acupuncture for a session before heading to the clinic. Research shows that acupuncture day of transfer increases success rates, plus it’s so zen and I needed the calming energy.
Luckily our clinic changed their policy regarding Covid-19 restrictions and Ravi was able to be in the room with me. The procedure itself is actually quite simple and quick, yet so magical. Seeing our little embryo shoot into my womb while holding its picture was surreal. We did it!
*They also gave us the lid of the petri dish that our little embryo was cultured in. Science is amazing.
The Two Week Wait (2WW)
After the transfer, I was on suggested bed/couch rest for 3 days to ensure our little embryo stuck and to reduce any unnecessary stress. I’d prepped food the day before and had goodies waiting in the freezer too. A few friends dropped off dinners as well which was so appreciated. Chinese Medicine suggests warming, nourishing food so I stayed away from raw for the most part and made sure my blood sugar was balanced with lots of protein and fat to avoid any cortisol spikes.
I also napped a lot and let myself veg out, no guilt allowed. I have to say though, it took me a few days to even process what happened — our little embryo was home!
On day four, I went to acupuncture again so she could work on points to promote implantation and reduce stress because let me tell you the 2WW is nothing but anxiety and wonder.
It was a constant battle in my mind whether or not to test at home or wait for our HCG blood draw 10 DPT (days post transfer). If you know me, I can’t wait and ended up testing 6 DPT.
POSITIVE! I couldn’t believe it. I actually took 4 tests that day before showing Ravi. I was pregnant. Our little embryo stuck and was growing. I think I took two more tests before our actual blood draw just to be sure.
Our doctor said on the day of transfer that if we tested positive we had to tell her, so I sent her an email (she was ecstatic) and asked her to write the sex of the baby on a card for us to pick up at my lab draw the next day. We didn’t want to know which embryo was transferred until the positive test. I was more indifferent about knowing so soon, but Ravi was really curious.
So as soon as I got home with the card I let him open it. A GIRL! We’re having a little girl 💗
We waited to call our parents until the official results came in from our doctor that afternoon. When she called it was the first time I let myself get really emotional — I was officially pregnant with an HCG level of 179.
From there, I had two more blood draws to make sure my levels were doubling. 701 after three days and 2214 two days after that.
6 + 9 Week Ultrasounds
If the two-week wait is torturous, honestly the wait between ultrasounds is just as bad. A stomach-churning wave of anxiety travels with you for every approaching milestone. I trusted I was pregnant and was of course ecstatic to see our little one, but you can’t help but worry at the same time.
We got in quickly for our 6-week ultrasound (technically 6 weeks 5 days) and there she was! Our beautiful healthy baby with a strong heartbeat and yolk sac just hanging out. It was amazing to see the growth from our microscopic 5-day blastocyst.
The 9-week ultrasound was our last appointment at my fertility clinic — a bittersweet moment as I absolutely adore my doctor. With a perfect scan and more than a few tears, I left with instructions to stay on my meds for another week and that was that. I was officially released to my OB for continued care.
Transfer to my OB/GYN
At 10 weeks, I walked into my OBs office like any other pregnant lady. Crazy!
It was essentially a meet-and-greet appointment since I was new to the practice. (I actually never found an OB/GYN when we moved to FL as we went straight to my fertility clinic.) Everything looked good and she ordered the standard prenatal labwork with a follow-up in 4 weeks.
12 Week Ultrasound
There’s something momentous about being 12-weeks pregnant. Like you can breathe a bit more, relax into the moment, and let go of some, though not all, of the worries.
When the tech started scanning my belly she said our little babe was moving around tons and I actually saw her little arm sweep across the monitor. She measured right on track, her heartbeat was good, everything was good!
Our next scheduled ultrasound is the anatomy scan at 20-weeks, which when I’ve had an ultrasound every 2-3 weeks up until this point seems like an eternity. But again, I’m a normal pregnant lady now 🤗
A Few more thoughts
My word for 2021 is EASE and I have to say that so far this pregnancy has been pretty easy. I’ll do a whole post on my first trimester, but I was one of the lucky ones with only mild-moderate nausea from weeks 5-9. And right now I actually feel pretty normal — at times being like oh right, I’m pregnant! I’ll take this honeymoon phase because I know the time is fleeting.
2020 was a year of extreme growth for me — fertility treatments, coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, navigating the hurdles of running a business, and going back to grad school. I’m definitely looking forward to the next six months and simply being.
What we strived so long and hard for is here. And while I truly cannot wait for our little girl to arrive, I know this time is precious and something I’ll never get back. So I’m finding moments each day to practice what I preach — nourishing my body with the most delicious food, slowing down, adding in small daily rituals, moving in ways that feel good, and honoring + listening to my ever-changing body.
