Monday, July 30, 2012

Excuses.... (aka Our "Positive" Experience with IVF)

I know I've been away from the blog for ages... and I apologize. I've kept up with the projects and with my challenges for turning South Carolina into our home. Unfortunately, I haven't taken the extra time necessary to actually POST anything new. I'm sorry.

I figure the best way to apologize is to explain WHY I've been M.I.A.

Back in November 2011, I started the process of undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). My husband and I had been trying for almost two years to give Emma a sibling and this was our last resort. It was not a decision that we came to lightly. To anyone who would attempt to take this opportunity to make a negative or unkind comment, feel free to post whatever you would like, but know that I will delete them immediately. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

I consider myself incredibly fortunate. First and foremost, because our medical insurance actually provides coverage for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The amount of money that we were required to pay out of pocket was minimal. I actually cried while speaking to a customer service representative from the insurance company when I learned how comprehensive our coverage was. Secondly, because we were able to become pregnant on our first IVF cycle. I have friends who have spent thousands of dollars and considerable time and pain to undergo several cycles of IVF. Having gone through it, I honestly do not know how they had the strength to do it more than once. I would have been heartbroken.

We learned that the cycle was successful, and that I was pregnant, on December 23rd. Needless to say, it was a very Merry Christmas in our house. That being said, we were still very cautious and only told those people who were aware of the fact that we were undergoing IVF that we were pregnant until we were safely past 15 weeks.


It has been a relatively easy pregnancy thus far, with the exception of a pretty nasty case of hyperemesis gravidarum that lasted from Week 6 until Week 32.

I only have 3 1/2 weeks left and we are very excited to meet our new little man soon.

I promise that I will be posting more regularly.