On Your Mark... Get Set....

Hi friends!
I can finally say that we have made the decision to move forward with IVF. I had my consultation appointment today with my amazing doctor at Dallas Fertility Associates. If pregnancy is not successful this month on our own, we will begin the detailed process as soon as my cycle begins in February. This will put us having the actual IVF procedure in late March.
As you already know, it has taken us a few years to come to this decision. It was not an easy decision to make, but I have never felt more confident that we are making the right choice. We are both really excited, and of course, a bit nervous. Please pray for us as we move forward with this process. Pray that we have strength, peace, and courage to conquer each day and each trial we may be presented with. I plan on posting each week as we navigate through the process. Please feel free to cheer us along by posting comments.

For educational purposes I have included a general overview of the IVF process as my doctor described it to me today.

Currently- I will begin taking a pre-natal vitamin, along with another doctor recommended vitamin.

Mid-February- If natural pregnancy is not successful, I will immediately begin taking a birth control pill. (weird right?) The birth control is used to quiet the system and ovaries. It will allow my body to take a break from growing eggs and producing hormones. This prepares my ovaries for the hormones I will be injecting later to stimulate my ovaries to grow numerous eggs for retrieval.

Early March- Begin using injectable hormones. The hormones will grow numerous eggs that will be retrieved via a small surgical procedure. (not major surgery, no recovery required)

Mid March- The eggs will be retrieved and fertilized. The fertilization/growth process usually takes 3-5 days.

Late March-The two healthiest eggs will be used for implantation. The eggs will be placed inside my uterus and Lord willing one or both of the eggs will implant and begin to grow. (Our anniversary is March 27th, how cool would it be to conceive on our anniversary!)

Early April-Two weeks after implantation, we will take a blood pregnancy test.

Of course, I will detail this out for you all as it happens, and of course this is all subject to change a bit depending on my own body's response to the hormones. I have taken these same hormones in the past with IUI and did very well, so fingers crossed we won't have any hiccups this time either.
One of the main side effects of the hormones is ovarian hyper-stimulation. This occurs when the ovaries stimulate too much and swell which requires emergency surgery. This is a rare side effect, so we'll pray we keep this one at bay.

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers and support.... keep it coming!!!