I had to attend a function and decided to put on a pair of heels to complete my outfit. Now, these were not Twin Towers type towering heels but rather low to medium height heels. At least that is what I think.
The event lasted for three hours with most of the time sitting instead of walking or standing. Nonetheless I arrived home feeling a dull ache on the right side of my womb.
No good. Obviously. It hurt when i sat, lay and walked. So I stuck a heat pad to my jammies and slept with it the entire night hoping for the best.
I woke this morning and felt much better. Lesson learnt. Flats it is today.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Starting FET round one
Today marks the day of my return to something weirdly familiar and comforting - daily injections. Now, let me explain my feelings lest you think I a closet druggie.
Being on daily jabs isn't fun for sure - think self administered ouches and twenty-cent coin sized bruises - but it somehow provides me a level of comfort in knowing that we are doing something in moving closer to having our babies. It is at least a step forward in the right direction, yeah?
I will be on 30 units of Suprefect to shut my active hormonal system down and have also also been instructed to keep up with the multivitamins and add Lacto Forte to the cocktail. Lacto Forte, being a probiotic, is supposed to help balance the good bacteria in the nether regions.
I am emotionally 'almost there' in terms of being prepared for this cycle. I know that this is something we need to get done but am feeling very held back about being emotionally vested in the hope that This Is It. I know that this is not at all the right mindset to be in and promise myself to work on it.
And so, FET babies, here we come!!! We are coming to save you from the frost really soon!!
Being on daily jabs isn't fun for sure - think self administered ouches and twenty-cent coin sized bruises - but it somehow provides me a level of comfort in knowing that we are doing something in moving closer to having our babies. It is at least a step forward in the right direction, yeah?
I will be on 30 units of Suprefect to shut my active hormonal system down and have also also been instructed to keep up with the multivitamins and add Lacto Forte to the cocktail. Lacto Forte, being a probiotic, is supposed to help balance the good bacteria in the nether regions.
I am emotionally 'almost there' in terms of being prepared for this cycle. I know that this is something we need to get done but am feeling very held back about being emotionally vested in the hope that This Is It. I know that this is not at all the right mindset to be in and promise myself to work on it.
And so, FET babies, here we come!!! We are coming to save you from the frost really soon!!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
D&C and Hysteroscopy
It is Wednesday the 7th of September and I underwent a D & C and Hysteroscopy. Isn't it amazing how suddenly such words make it's way to become part of our everyday language?
The procedure, in normal lingo, means Mr Doctor will be:
1) Taking a scrapping of the uterine lining for culture
2) Inserting a video-like instrument to have a visual tour inside to see if there is anything interesting of note inside Kind of like visiting the Night Safari.
The objective of this exercise is to rule out anything that may be wrong with my uterine cavity and lining, since our embryos were deemed perfect in Fresh Two and Fresh Three from the lab perspective. I love how logical analysis comes into play and how much comfort I am drawing from it.
The procedure is done under sedation and lasts about 20 minutes or so, though I spent a good 6 hours in the hospital from check-in to discharge.
According to Mr Doctor, there was no infection in the womb as he had initially suspected from first reconnaissance. The pathology report, however, did show fragments of polyps and an uneven lining which he thinks may be getting in the way of implantation. It also seems like I gave been nurturing a polyp farm since one was previously removed last Jan (2010) .
Mr Doctor is hopeful that a new uterine lining will generate from the procedure and resolve the implantation issue. He has suggested that we try again within the next 4 to 5 months.
So onward and upward we go!!!
I have quite a lot to say about my experience at this hospital in Singapore but will save it for another post. Meanwhile, here is a peek at the obligatory post-operation meal: Cheese sandwich with Milo! Join me for afternoon munchies anyone?
The procedure, in normal lingo, means Mr Doctor will be:
1) Taking a scrapping of the uterine lining for culture
2) Inserting a video-like instrument to have a visual tour inside to see if there is anything interesting of note inside Kind of like visiting the Night Safari.
The objective of this exercise is to rule out anything that may be wrong with my uterine cavity and lining, since our embryos were deemed perfect in Fresh Two and Fresh Three from the lab perspective. I love how logical analysis comes into play and how much comfort I am drawing from it.
The procedure is done under sedation and lasts about 20 minutes or so, though I spent a good 6 hours in the hospital from check-in to discharge.
According to Mr Doctor, there was no infection in the womb as he had initially suspected from first reconnaissance. The pathology report, however, did show fragments of polyps and an uneven lining which he thinks may be getting in the way of implantation. It also seems like I gave been nurturing a polyp farm since one was previously removed last Jan (2010) .
Mr Doctor is hopeful that a new uterine lining will generate from the procedure and resolve the implantation issue. He has suggested that we try again within the next 4 to 5 months.
So onward and upward we go!!!
I have quite a lot to say about my experience at this hospital in Singapore but will save it for another post. Meanwhile, here is a peek at the obligatory post-operation meal: Cheese sandwich with Milo! Join me for afternoon munchies anyone?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Flying in for the procedure
I had to re-arrange our lives to fly back to Singapore for the procedure.
For all our fertility procedures actually.
I remember when we first started on this IVF journey and had discussed our options with some friends who have gone down this route before - opinions are very divided as to whether we should pursue this option locally (out of Singapore on home ground) or overseas where we are living.
One couple was advised to start treatment overseas as their doctor felt that it was too traumatising for the couple to fly in and out of the country for each step of the treatment, given that both parties hold full time jobs. This doctor assured the couple that the overseas centers are alright to proceed with the treatment given the sheer numbers they see as well as the obvious advantage of cost and convenience, despite being in a developing country.
Another couple shared that their doctor had advised them to pursue treatment in Singapore due to the medical advancement and level of medical care here. High costs are an obvious deterrent but I guess it comes with a peace of mind knowing that the level of service provided is much better. There is an added complication of having to make travel arrangements for both parties to be in Singapore for all or parts of the procedure - not to mention how much more complex this can turn out to be if one party held a full time job.
We, or rather, I had felt very strongly for giving Singapore a shot going by my previous experience with the overseas center for IUI as well as hearing a friend's experience there. This instinct proved to be a sound one given all the complications we have since uncovered through Fresh 1,2 and 3, though it doesn't mean that travel and work arrangements have been really tough in addition to ensuring full care for our firstborn.
So here I am en route to Singapore for my fertility operation, leaving my darling firstborn in the care of her nanny and a good mate who will be helping her with her schoolwork. Leaving my husband behind and heading for an operation without his hand holding mine.
A high price to pay but we know that it will amount to something meaningful one day. Meantime, here's adding to some happiness factor with my childhood friends, the Smurfs! How can I not smile when I see them?
For all our fertility procedures actually.
I remember when we first started on this IVF journey and had discussed our options with some friends who have gone down this route before - opinions are very divided as to whether we should pursue this option locally (out of Singapore on home ground) or overseas where we are living.
One couple was advised to start treatment overseas as their doctor felt that it was too traumatising for the couple to fly in and out of the country for each step of the treatment, given that both parties hold full time jobs. This doctor assured the couple that the overseas centers are alright to proceed with the treatment given the sheer numbers they see as well as the obvious advantage of cost and convenience, despite being in a developing country.
Another couple shared that their doctor had advised them to pursue treatment in Singapore due to the medical advancement and level of medical care here. High costs are an obvious deterrent but I guess it comes with a peace of mind knowing that the level of service provided is much better. There is an added complication of having to make travel arrangements for both parties to be in Singapore for all or parts of the procedure - not to mention how much more complex this can turn out to be if one party held a full time job.
We, or rather, I had felt very strongly for giving Singapore a shot going by my previous experience with the overseas center for IUI as well as hearing a friend's experience there. This instinct proved to be a sound one given all the complications we have since uncovered through Fresh 1,2 and 3, though it doesn't mean that travel and work arrangements have been really tough in addition to ensuring full care for our firstborn.
So here I am en route to Singapore for my fertility operation, leaving my darling firstborn in the care of her nanny and a good mate who will be helping her with her schoolwork. Leaving my husband behind and heading for an operation without his hand holding mine.
A high price to pay but we know that it will amount to something meaningful one day. Meantime, here's adding to some happiness factor with my childhood friends, the Smurfs! How can I not smile when I see them?
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