“Hey Kim! How have you been? What’s happening?” as the person asking touches their stomach for me to understand what they are asking about. This scenario has been a common occurrence in the last few months and I have to admit, some may find it annoying, but I think it’s cute!
It’s been going… I am still on hold, so I don’t really have anything to report. I have to say that that elevator music is starting to feel repetitive and I cannot wait to get on with the baby project, but I also did not want to fall pregnant while I was moving into my new house. Since the house was supposed to be ready at Christmas, then January 15th, then February 15th and finally March 15th, I wasn’t too disappointed when my lining was too thin to attempt an embryo transfer… I continued to go to the doctor’s office for ultrasounds (up to 6 times a cycle), where we recorded how my lining naturally progressed (no added hormones) and we discussed different alternatives and procedures. Dr Mahutte actually read about new studies and procedures and we decided on something new (more on that below).
I will admit that it was sometimes tough to see the world around me continue, friends have babies, seasons change and yet, no progress at my end. However, I had to remember that I was building this house for a family and that there was no point getting pregnant and not be able to contribute in the renos or lift boxes by fear of losing that precious cargo. I had a goal. The delays created some bumps in the road-to-baby, but I was still cruising along.
So what’s happening NOW??
Well, I have yet to move in… mid-March and my contractors say another 2-3 weeks of renovations… I KNOW!!! SIGH… I am so ready for this house to be done and so hoping that it will align with my next cycle! Ha!
I actually came quite close to trying a transfer last cycle… As previously said, it was decided that we might as well continue monitoring my lining, but that I would not risk an embryo transfer prior to being in the house. However, it became more and more obvious that I would NOT be moving in on March 15th and my lining was progressing quite nicely, so I came up with a plan to use an “underdog” embryo (the weakest of the four I have left) and just take a chance. If life is telling me NOW with a nice plump lining, then I wasn’t going to miss out on that opportunity. Dr Mahutte smiled and agreed with the plan! It would be a strive and survive attempt! The world says go, let’s see how the underdog does! In the end, after showing up for ultrasounds on four consecutive days, my lining stopped growing at 5.9mm. To quote Ariana Grande, “Thank you, next!”
So what is next? What is this new procedure?!
Dr Mahutte read up on some new studies with positive findings using “Plasma Rich Platelets (PRP) Injections” to help with the growth of the lining. What are they and what does the procedure involve? Up until now, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets, was done to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. The same way PRP stimulates tissue growth in injured athletes, it can stimulate oocyte production in a woman’s ovaries. Similarly, PRP as a “fertility treatment” can help infertile women who have scarring from miscarriages or thin uterine linings. That’s me!!
So last cycle, when my lining stopped growing, we decided that I would be a guinea pig and drew some blood. Dr Mahutte will be testing with it to see if they can draw plasma rich platelets. If it is successful, next cycle, we will draw blood, put it through the centrifuge to get the platelet rich plasma and then inject it into my lining. With that, my lining will hopefully grow to 8mm and I will have a successful embryo transfer.
How exciting it that?
So that is what is happening… as I touch my belly to make sure you understand what I am talking about! 😉
TO BE CONTINUED
In Kim’s Head 
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