Friday 30 October 2020

CD36 19DPO - #2 IVF - BETA BLOOD TEST RESULT (21st Oct 2020)

 Morning ladies!!

So today is a beautiful day and an amazing day for me!

I am currently 19dpo (days post ovulations) or 14dp5dt (days post 5 day transfer)

I was told to come to IVF dept to get my blood drawn at 7.30am but I decide to come at 9am as I was super nervous on the outcome.

But before we get to the outcome, let's go back a week before.

So roughly on 6dp5dt (13th October 2020), I started testing my pregnancy test kit for fun as I realized that I had a whole cabinet of different kinds of test kit that I purchase during my trying to conceive naturally period. And when I did the test, I saw a faint line.. I tried 3 other types of brand, and true enough, it's still a visible faint line. I wasn't hoping not feeling excited as I know it's too early & it reminded me of my miscarriage back in November 2019 when the line was constantly faint for few days. Also, I assume that the Trigger Shot was still in my system, had it injected on 1st Oct, now it's 13th October, it should be out of my system by today.. Did a Clearblue Digital, it's negative... Oh well, I couldn't care for now. So threw the test and forgotten about that.


7dp5dt (14th October 2020) Did another test (3 different brand with different sensitivity) I started seeing a line!! Faint but darker than yesterday.. I got distracted. Am I pregnant?? I was using my First Morning Urine (FMU) and I tried again using my evening urine.. The line were darker... I was very cautious with showing this to Mountain Bear.. I didn't want him to get upset if it fails.. So I kept to myself..


10dp5dt (17th October 2020) First Morning Urine, I knew it will still be faint.. And I was ready to get upset if it does and knew that it was a fail cycle. I started having cramps and my boobs were aching.. I had diarrhea and then constipated. Just like my pre menstrual symptoms.. I knew I will be due for my period tomorrow or the following day. So I just pee again and wait 3 minutes for the test to shown. I really hold my breath during those period as I continue showering. 3 minutes has pass.. I fear on looking at the test.. My heart wanted it to be darker, but my brain told me to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the worst.

There were 2 lines ladies, a really solid not a faint kind lines... a really 2 lines! I finally get to see 2 lines on a pregnancy test from my own urine and not from my patients when I did their tests.. It was from my own urine! I cried.. I really cried in the shower.. I was so thankful to God and prayed hard it's a sticky bean! I clean myself up and waited for mountain bear to get home.
He got home, greet him as usual and off he went for a shower. I made for him his favourite drink and had it place on the dining table. Once he's all dress up and sat on the couch comfortably, I showed him the test from 7dpt5dt which was the faint ones.. He told me, "My love, don't torture yourself with these alright? It's still faint dear... We will just wait for the blood test alright?" I clearly understood what he meant. He didn't want me to get upset with it.. I nodded and smile and showed him the test I did this morning 10dp5dt.. And I told him, compare both test, can you see 2 lines? He looked carefully and nodded, without saying anything.. I knew that He didn't want me to get my hopes high up and yet he wanted it to be real. I knew he wanted that.. So I told him, I will do another test the morning of the BETA BLOOD TEST. He nodded smiling.. 
The night before the blood test 13dp5dt, I took another test.. LOL!! I couldn't wait.. LOL!! Mountain Bear patiently waiting outside of my toilet to see if I did another test. I did and I showed him.. That cheeky smile he shown to me.. That amazing hugs I always gotten from him, I knew he knows that it's official.. I am pregnant from the Home Pregnancy Test (HPT) But we still want to know how long are we in this gestational. So the blood test is the final answer.
13dp5dt evening urine test

BLOOD TEST DAY

So Mountain Bear was not able to accompany me to the blood test, and I went on my own. Arrived at 9.16am, I waited till 10.22am for my number to be call. I was attended by my favourite Nurse Beh. I also brought some goodies I made for the frontliners. So I sat down and greet Nurse Beh happily! She remembered me! I took out my Beta Request Lab Form and hand it to her. At the same time, I showed her a pregnancy test I did in the morning which was blazing red positive. She smile and hold my hand, "Let's Pray It A Positive Outcome alright?" And I smiled to her too, nodding!
She told me, "Still, I will need to see the Beta results.. It needs to be above 250iu/L to be confirmed alright? If it's a borderline, we need to repeat another 2 days" I nodded and pray hard it will be a great outcome. So she use the Butterfly needle and with 1 poke, she managed to get my blood! Had it sent as urgent blood, I decide to hang around the hospital. I was told by a member from a forum group that she waited for her blood test and was confirmed pregnant, she needed to collect more medications and forms for the next follow up. So I told her that I will be off for early lunch and return by noon. So my blood was sent out at 10.30am, I went to eat some chicken rice from the stalls and head back to the clinic at 11.45am. I sat down and listen to my music. Saw about 2-3 ladies waiting for their blood test as well. I sat down quietly at the corner and waited for the nurse to call me.
While waiting, the time shows 12.15am.. No one approached me yet and I was keen to know my test results.. Then I recalled, Health Hub App, which I could trace to see my blood test results.. So I went through the app and singpass login, clicked on Personal Health - Lab Test Results and there, I saw today's date. 21st October 2020 - Beta Serum Results.. I took a deep breath and kept chanting to myself.. Please let it be above 250iu/L, at least a 500iu/L I will be happy.. I was trying to delay scrolling to see the results for few minutes then I decide to click open to see the results..
My heart dropped..
The results came back at
1117.7iu/L
I am pregnant.. Alhamdulilah.... I am pregnant!!

I felt super emotional at the corner and hoping no one saw me teared up.
10 minutes later, I received a call from IVF dept and I told the nurse I was outside at the waiting area.
She came out and meet me
"Congratulation Dear, your blood test is positive! We will arrange an appointment for an ultrasound for your 6 weeks 3 days." I hold her hand and thank her so much! She smiled and pass my folder to another staff who will do the arrangement. Then from far I saw Nurse Beh! She saw me and I waved at her! She came to me and I showed her my Beta results, she smiled and hold my hand!! "Congratulation dear!! So happy for you! You must take care alright? We will see you around okies!"
And pat my shoulder and hold my hands like a caring mum. My heart felt amazing....I quickly message Mountain Bear..
I was soo happy!! So I was called by the staff and the arrangements were made. She asked me to collect my medication before heading home. Collected the medications from Pharmacy and I went home by 3pm.

Beta Blood Test - $60
Progesterone Tablet + Folic Acid (1 Month Supply) - $8

Indeed, I felt happy this cycle! I didn't have any bloatness like #1 Cycle IVF. No issue peeing or pooping.. It was worth it after all.. All the pain, the fear that I had during the injections and scans and procedures.. Allah has answered our wish and prayers.. Syukur Alhamdulilah!!
The Injections

The number of Pregnancy Kit I took before a Positive

And I prayed that these will be a smooth 9 months sailing for us & our 1st child...

Will update soonest! Lot of love from us!! 










Friday 23 October 2020

CD22 - EGG TRANSFER DAY - 7th October 2020

Hello My Beautiful ladies! 

On 5th October 2020, I received a call from my IVF Department Team that our lil eggies are growing well and the transfer will be made on the Day 5 or known as the Blastocyst stage! And they wanted me to come to the department at 10.20am. But before that, at 7.45am, I need to do a blood test for Full Blood Count. They just want to make sure that my White Blood Cells are not raise badly. But of course, after the Egg Retrieval day, we are bound to have a raise in WBC as it's an invasive procedure. That's why I was told to take my antibiotics a day before the procedure to reduce the chance of developing any infection or fever.


Alhamdulilah! I updated Mountain Bear on the news and we were estatic! So Mountain Bear took off for the egg transfer date and now, we wait! Hehehe!

TIPS: WARM YOUR WOMBS 2 DAYS BEFORE THE EGG TRANSFER. Embryo loves warm womb when they are being transferred. Also, it helps more blood circulations to the womb region. Stop doing it once the embryo has been transferred. Use thick socks and jacket to warm up. Continue taking in Pregnancy Milk & Warm Water or red date. No cold water until Beta blood test day.

7th October 2020, Wednesday, 7.30am
We reached our IVF Department and I went to queue for my blood work.. As the crowd gets bigger, Mountain Bear decide to wait in the other room. My number was next and I went in to get my blood taken. Nurse Beh is amazing! I just love her! Especially when she did those stim injections on my belly! No pain at all! I am amaze by her skills! LOL! So today, after 2 tries, I manage to get my blood drawn by her on the 3rd. Mind you, my veins are extremely difficult to find and I didn't blame her for the multiple injections. So I thank her and was told the results will be out in 2 hours as she had place my sample as urgent. And I was told to have a breakfast before proceeding to the IVF Level 3 for the Egg Transfer. So we went to grab some quick breakfast and I wanted to drink Mr Bean Hot Soya Milk badly. Drank that and head to Level 3 at around 9.30am.

10am, Wednesday @ IVF LEVEL 3
My Bladder is almost bursting.. LOL!! They needed my bladder to be full to allow the a smooth and uneventful transfer. Roughly 10mins later, I was called by the Nurse to change.. Nurse Adeline assisted Dr Liu in my transfer. Mountain Bear also gown up in PPE and I had to de-gown before proceeding to the Transfer room. So I lay down and Nurse Adeline did a quick scan over my abdomen. Yep, Very full bladder.. LOL!

10.20am, TRANSFER ROOM 7 (PROCEDURE ROOM)
Dr Liu arrived! So I was excited to know how our eggies are doing! So she open up the file and update me on the details.

Dr Liu: Alright dear, we collected 24 eggs, that's a lot of eggs.. 17 fertilized, the rest are unusable due to their sizes. 8 eggs we used IVF method, 9 we use ICSI method. We got 12 Blastocysts growing and 2 of them were the best and well expanded blastocyst, which will be transferred today. So now, we know what we should do. The eggs are growing well and we will transfer the best 1 to your womb and 1 will be freeze today. Sounds good?

Me: Awesome! Thank you Dr Liu!

Dr Liu: Sure, ok, so let me have a look at your womb first. *moving the ultrasound device over my abdomen* Alright, as of today, there is no free fluids in the womb. We are good to go!

So, she started gowning up and they lay the huge sterile green drape over my legs. Dr Liu start inserting the speculum into me and did some cleaning. Felt a lil discomfort but wasn't bad. 
So I was told to see the screen as the Embryologist put up my details and the blastocyst on the monitor.. Subhanallah.. I felt in love with my blastocyst. It looked beautiful! So after verifying my details, the embryologist gently suck the blastocyst into a very thin straw like tube and bring it over to our room. As I see over the ultrasound screen, I could see the tube being inserted into my womb and saw a white dot at the upper region of my womb. My lil blastocyst is here.. In me..
Done! So Dr Liu gently remove the speculum and clean me up. She got up and wish us all the best before proceeding to another case to attend. I lay there for about 10mins before the embryologist came out with a photo of our beautiful Blastocyst and explained to us on the counting. She mentioned that they will continue to monitor the rest of the embryos and update us in the next 2 days on the number of Blastocyst to be frozen. So I got up, clean myself and keep admiring our blastocyst.. I felt at ease seeing it.. It was totally different from my previous cycle, It really looked full and expanded, ready to hatch anytime.. So we got into the car and head home.. I could feel a sharp pinch almost to my left pelvic area. But it was a 1 time sensation. After that, nothing!
So got home, I continue laying down with my thick socks and warm water. So today is considered 0dp5dt (0 days post 5 day transfer) 0 Days means the blastocyst just transferred to my womb, 5 day transfer means the embryo day, in this case a Blastocyst.

eg. 3dp4dt means it's 3 days post 4 days embryo (morula) transferred.

For the next 5 days, I am not suppose to do any pregnancy test as my Ovidrel Trigger Shot is still in my system. only on 6dp5dt, I can start checking using a sensitive test to find out the outcome.

PREGANANCY TEST KIT LIST

Here are a list of Pregnancy test kit that you can try! They are my favourite! LOL! Plus, they are cheaper than retail and I am please with the test when I used them.

So what to do during these Two Weeks Wait?

- Continue taking in your PREGNANCY MILK FORMULA 2 TIMES DAILY
- FOLIC ACID x 1 every morning
- STOP ANY OTHER SUPPLEMENTS NOT SUPPLIED BY THE DR
- Insert CRINONE GEL vaginally 2 times daily and MUST WALK 10 MINS to allow absorption and avoid black or dark brown discharges when peeing or washing
- AVOID HEAVY LIFTING
- AVOID HOT SHOWER/ BATHS - to avoid infection and drastic raise body temperature
- EAT FRUITS & SPINACH SOUPS
- Continue wearing SOCK every night to bed. 
- Pee Frequently, DO NOT STORE YOUR URINE TOO MUCH, this will cause pain when peeing.
- AVOID SODA, CAFFINES DRINKS FOR THE PERIOD
- KEEP WELL HYDRATED WITH WARM WATER
- DRINK RED DATES OR GINGER DRINKS
So that's for now ladies! I will update you on the outcome soon ya! To those who are going through IVF, all the best and do not give up!


CD17 - #2 IVF Fresh Cycle - EGG RETRIEVAL DAY (2nd Oct 2020)

 Hi ladies!


So this cycle, is a little big longer on the stim duration.

I started the injections on 17th September 2020

And the last injections was on 30th September 2020

Roughly about 13 days of injections.


I must say, this cycle with 3 needles to be poked daily, really had me emotionally.

I was ready to give up due to the stressful thoughts of getting 3 injections everyday.

Mountain Bear was really really helpful with me on this.. He was right beside me every single time I had to get injected in the morning.

And every time after scanning my eggs, I prayed that I do not need to inject anymore.. But sadly, I had too!

Here are the timeline on my scans results!

25th September 2020, Friday @ 8.10am - 2nd Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD10

Left Ovary - 10.5mm, 11mm, 10mm, 10mm, 9.5mm, 8mm, 8mm

Right Ovary - 10.5mm, 10mm, 11mm, 9mm, 9mm, 8mm, 8.5mm

Uterus Lining - 8.5mm

Still, it's not big enough. So needed to come again on following Monday.

28th September 2020, Monday @ 8.10am -3rd Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD13

Left Ovary - 15mm, 14mm, 13mm, 13mm, 11mm, 9.5mm, 9.5mm

Right Ovary - 15mm, 15mm, 14mm, 10mm, 10mm, 11mm, 9mm

Uterus Lining - 9.3mm

It's growing but slowly.. Tried my best to boost my egg quality with the proper meals.. LOL!

I was afraid it won't grow as fast as my 1st cycle!

29th September 2020, Tuesday @ 7.45am - 4th Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD14

Left Ovary - 15.5mm, 17mm, 17mm, 17.5mm, 14mm, 14mm, 14mm, 13mm

Right Ovary - 18.5mm, 16mm, 15.5mm, 15mm, 13mm, 12mm, 12mm, 14mm, 11.5mm

Uterus Lining - 9.7mm

They found some fluid in my womb.. I really hope it's not anything serious. I was really nervous and hope that this will be the last one, but no, I need to come back again tomorrow for another scan and blood test. They are worried that I am having OHSS.

30th September 2020, Wednesday @ 7.45am - 5th Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD15

Left Ovary - 18.5mm, 18mm, 17.5mm, 17.5mm, 14mm, 13mm, 14mm, 13mm

Right Ovary - 20.5mm, 18.5mm, 18mm, 17.5mm, 17mm, 15mm, 15mm, 16.5mm, 16mm

Uterus Lining - 10.1mm

Alhamdulilah!!! My eggs are growing amazingly well and big! The Dr was worried on the amount they found in my ovaries. They wanted to ensure that I was not having any OHSS after the Egg retrieval. 

So, confirmed! Egg retrieval will be arranged on FRIDAY, 2nd OCTOBER 2020 at 2pm. My blood test didn't show any raise progesterone level nor any infections going on. So, the same steps as the 1st cycle, I went off to the pharmacy to collect my medications & gotten the yellow bottle for Mountain Bear sample.

Antibiotic - Azithromycin x 4 tabs (To be consume on 30th September 2020, Wednesday - dinner time)

Ovidrel 250mcg - Pre Filled Pen. (to be injected on 1st October, Thursday at 2am)

Everything went alright, I wasn't feeling sick or bloated. I was anxious and excited at the same time for the Egg retrieval.

EGG RETRIEVAL DAY CD17

1pm, Friday, 2nd October 2020 - We arrived to the IVF department level 3. I registered my details and was called to counter 1 while Mountain Bear proceed to submit his sample to the Embryologist Dept, few steps away from the counter which I was at. I had fasted since 2am which is clearly I am almost fasting for 12 hours and maybe more after the procedure ends.

Was attended by anesthetist Rajive who was amazing! SN Stephanie was there too!! She is amazing! So had my Hypocount checked, 5.6mmol/L and a plug successfully set on my left hand.

2pm - Went in to the operating theatre, I started having these panic attack thought.. LOL!! I was so scared of not waking up but then I trusted the team to keep me safe and alive.. LOL!! So I was helped up to the bed with my legs apart, lay down and they started doing their work.. Saw my Dr Liu came in and clarified my details before we start the procedure.. I recalled feeling a warm sensation passing through my veins and POOFFF!! I was gone..

RECOVERY ROOM

Woke up at 2.30pm in the recovery room. That was fast! I recalled as if I woke up mid way in the theatre when I felt Dr Liu poking my ovaries which was, PAINFUL! But maybe I was dreaming.. LOL! So anyway, I was only allow to leave the recovery room at 4.30pm after few episodes of low blood pressure with readings of

90/64

87/61

96/68

But it came back to normal after a full pint was empty into me. I was given a cup of Milo and warm water with a yummy cracker! Managed to eat without any issue nor vomiting. But the ladies in the next cubicles have been vomiting after coming out from the operating room. I was determine to quickly go home and sleep! Lol! 

4.30pm - I left the recovery room and was escort to the changing room by Stephanie. Love her to bits! Then I was escorted by Nurse Sara to a room while she fetch mountain bear for me, asking me to verified if this is the right man she brought in.. LOL! 

There, we found out how many eggs collected.

24 EGGS

Oh my god....... 24 Eggs ladies!! And Nurse Sara was worried for the OHSS to set in.. But she explained to me what I needed to do and hoping that the OHSS won't crawl to me this cycle! So went to collect the rest of the medications before heading off. So collected another sets of

Crinone Gel PV x 30 tube (Progesterone Cream)

Folic Acid x 30 Tabs

Cabergoline Tablet x 4 tabs (To reduce bloatness/OHSS)

I was feeling alright, slight pain over the ovaries but that's expected. So told Mountain Bear, let's go and have a meal at Al Ameen before heading home.. He was concern if I'm able to walk after the procedur, but I assure him that I'm alright. HAHAHA!! So I enjoyed myself with a cup of Halia O or Hot Ginger Drink & a plate of Fried Kway Teow Thai Style while Mountain Bear enjoyed his Al Ameen Special and Ice Limau. After that we head home and I slept! I also had the rubber pack over my abdomen and sleep.. I reminded myself not to make the same mistake I made during my 1st Cycle back in May 2020.

What I did differently for this cycle?

- NO COLD DRINKS - SODAS, ICE LEMON TEA

- NO ICE CREAMS, SWEETS, CHOCOLATE

- STRICTLY WARM OR HOT DRINKS - WARM WATER & RED DATES OR GINGER

- STARTED TAKING IN PREGNANCY FORMULA MILK ONCE/TWICE DAILY

- REDUCE SPICY FOOD

- TOOK BLACKMORE'S CONCEIVE WELL TABLET FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE 2nd CYCLE

- UNSALTED ROASTED ALMONDS 3-5 NUTS DAILY

- AVOID SEAFOODS & FOODS I'M ALLERGIC TO

- WEAR SOCKS & JACKET TO KEEP MY LEGS & BOBY WARM

I was also given 20 days HL to rest & will be doing my BETA BLOOD TEST on 21st October 2020 to know the outcome! But before that, we will need to wait for the embryologist to call us for the transfer!

So that's all for now! I will update you ladies in the next post! Take care!



POST DELIVERY COMPLICATION - 13TH JUNE 2021 (SUNDAY) & 14TH JUNE 2021 (MONDAY)

  Finally I am back in the ward after a 5 minutes from the delivery suites. I was told that I need to pee in the next 3 hours before I can b...