I’ve been pretty quiet since a lot of what I’m about to blog about, is very private and we wanted family to find out from us, not a blog.  Now that family knows, I’m free to blog away about what we’ve been up to these past few weeks.

The last time I posted, I was anxiously awaiting results of our IUIs.  I started to take HPT’s around cd26 and got positive results right away.  I tested for five days straight – all positives!

I went for my first beta on cd29, and it came back at 107.  I was elated.  I needed that number to start thinking it could be for real.  Two days later, the beta came back at 178.  It didn’t double, but was still above a 60% increase, so they had me come back three days later for a third beta, which came back at 411.  I was pregnant!

The next wait, was for the first ultrasound, two weeks later.  These waiting games are awful.  The anxiety that comes with them, not knowing if all is okay – is scary.  I had some dark spotting for one day that subsided and was considered normal.

We had our first ultrasound on Thursday, 5/21.  The doctor saw two gestational sacs.  He could only see a baby in one of them.  And that baby had a flickering, beating heart.  We were elated!  But we still left that day with unanswered questions.  What was going to happen to that other sac?  We’d gone through the vanishing twin experience with Nolan, so we were familiar with this unfamiliarity.  If that makes any sense.

Two weeks later, ultrasound #2, Thursday, 6/4.  Two sacs, two babies, two strong beating hearts that we not only saw, but HEARD.  Chris and I held hands as I lay there on the table absorbing the news.  We smiled at each other with tears in our eyes.  Was this really happening?  Were we really going to become a family of 5?

Today I am 8 weeks, 4 days pregnant.  We’ve told family, and online friends who share an interest in our infertility journey.  We’ve told immediate employers, in light of all the medical appointments.  Otherwise we have chosen to wait to make our announcement to the rest of the world until at least one more ultrasound.  We go back this Thursday for that and then maybe two weeks later for another before being released from our RE.

I am starting to research options for a peri-natologist.  I am high risk, for many reasons.  First and foremost, because I am carrying twins.  Secondly, I had pre-eclampsia with Nolan, so my risk for that goes up with twins.  Moreover, I have to keep in mind I am going to be 34 years old when I deliver, close to AMA.  And I have transverse myelitis, something to keep in mind during the pregnancy (but I do not anticipate any issues).  So I need some strong medical guidance this time.

We’re still absorbing the news.  Letting it sink in.  It’s a lot for us to swallow.  Our biggest reason for avoiding multiples was the delivery aspect.  We’ll make things work afterwards, I’m not too worried about it.  We’ll find a new place to live, and purchase a mini van or something similar to transport our new sized family around town.  Lots to think about, lots to consider.

For now we’re happy.  And we’re going to enjoy it.