Turning the page

I don't expect to close the chapter on this pregnancy until we start preparing for IVF #2, but I definitely turned a corner today with an unexpected morning.

I had to be at the clinic at 8, so that meant I would go alone and my husband would deal with the morning craziness.  I was more than fine with that because I tend to be independent and prefer to do these sorts of things alone (more on that soon!), although he was supposed to come pick me up and drive me home.

I did all the normal check-in stuff, had a minor freak out when I saw that the activity restrictions included no "strenuous exercise" for 7 days, and was led into the procedure room to get ready.  I spoke with the fellow who assists my RE and she assured me that I could exercise as long as I felt okay.  Phew. We also talked about sedation, medication and we agreed that I would only get Toradol, which is like super-Motrin and then get the heavier stuff if I felt too much pain.  This turned out to be a great decision, because when she did the ultrasound to see what was going on in my uterus, there was nothing there!  Apparently, I passed the gestational sac on my own (I take back every bad word I said about the four doses of Misoprostol because apparently it did work!) and I didn't have to have the D&C!  [Insert cheering here]

I have to say that this is the best case scenario that I could have imagined for today.  I am so happy to have avoided the procedure.  I left with no tears.  I enjoyed the time with the nurses (aside from the three sticks required to get the IV in...I was just a bit dehydrated!).  I did not have any pangs of sadness when I saw my empty uterus on the screen.  It's just great.  Of course, that's still just the surface, but today is a good day.

My RE did stop by to chat and we are in sync for next steps.  The plan is to move forward with IVF #2 and to do a freeze-all cycle with PGD.  We both have a feeling that I might be one of those people whose bodies are not receptive to embryos after being stimulated.  I'm okay with that too because when I do get pregnant, I want to live as normally as possible, and maintaining my workout schedule (not possible with a fresh cycle) is very important to me.  I did ask to leave the door open for a fresh transfer in case we end up with a chromosomally normal embryo that has questionable quality that might not make through a freeze/thaw cycle.

They took some extra blood to test HCG levels and I will go back for a follow up in three weeks.  Things are looking up.  I'm glad it's Friday.  I think I need to find something fun for us to do!

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Update: Just got the HCG results.  It's down to 196.  Looks like I'm well on my way back to normal.