Cramps suck. They suck when they signal the arrival of an Aunt that you didn’t really want to see this month. They suck when they turn your pre-menstrual blues into actual pain. But I think they suck the most when they occur in the midst of the Two Week Wait – that neverending space of time between an embryo transfer and the first day that you can take a blood test, your beta, to see whether or not something’s a’growin’.
While cramps during the TWW can cause a little panic and anxiety in addition to the normal discomfort, they are totally …read more

3 days post-transfer. Feeling fab.
I always think that I’m going to enjoy the mandatory “don’t do anything” for the 24-hours immediately after transfer. But after the first few magazines, boredom can easily set in. Here’s how I whiled away my “don’t do anything” time this time around:
1.) Read about half of this great book I picked up at a used book sale this spring.
2.) Had a “discussion” over whether or not lying on my side or stomach was allowed, or if bedrest really meant “flat on my back.” (update: on the side = ok. on the stomach = notsomuch, at …read more

Picture the scene:
Tiny, tiny waiting room.  Hubby and I are there, still sweating from the bumper to bumper traffic and dash from the parking garage to make it here on time. Slightly frazzled, but excited.
Next to us, another couple, not nearly as excited. From her body language and a nurse’s comment (”I wish we weren’t seeing you today…”) which nearly loosened the tears she had been holding at bay, I had to guess she was here for a D&E or other process to end a pregnancy that never quite got where it needed to be.
Seeing her so sad quieted my …read more

Well, we did it. We bit the bullet and bought WWE’s Great American Bash on pay per view tonight. (ok, well, we sort of did. We talked M’s parents into going halfsies with us). Why? Because it’s darn fun and my husband Michael is currently the resident blogger at b5’s Jab and Grapple.
If you’re into wrestling, go check out my predictions for winners on tonight’s PPV. Hint: I’m almost always going to go with the hotties.
Oh yeah, in fertility news, less than 48 hours until the FET…
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So, I may not pick all the winners tonight, but I will be picking …read more

Thank you so much for your well wishes! Please keep wishing a little longer – transfer is delayed just a few more days.
Sorry for the lapse in posting. I’ve been feeling a little woozy (and sleepy and bloated and crampy) since my doctor decided to ramp up my estrogen intake. My lining measured a measly 6 mm on Monday – not quite what it needs to be for an optimum FET (frozen embryo transfer). A thickness of 8 mm or more is preferred by most Reproductive Endocrinologists.

I won’t lie. I was disappointed, angry (at my body), sad. My nurse tried …read more

Despite comments from fertiles that assume otherwise, trying to conceive (and being unsuccessful so far) really isn’t that much fun.
But I’m a glass-half-full kind of girl. Let’s talk about some of the peaks on this roller coaster ride.
I’ve already mentioned the glow that my skin takes on in the estrogen-filled days leading up to a FET (frozen embryo transfer).  I found another body bonus this evening.
Girl, my titties are looking fine. I mean, FINE.  With a capital F.
And I plan to dress them up and take them out on the town to-night. And sip club sodas.
For those of you following …read more

You know I love Pilates, but now that I am getting ready for another FET (frozen embryo transfer) I still don’t have answers as to how much and when I can reintroduce Pilates back into my routine post-transfer.
I’ve finally decided (after a few false starts) that I am down with Yoga. But I’m still not sure which is the best for me – the uber-competitive evening Ashtanga class with the hot instructor? Hatha, taught by the hippy and full-hipped lady in the morning? Which yoga would suit me and my fertility? I know I still have a lot to learn …read more

By the time you read this post, I will be enjoying a mandatory 24 hours of bed rest. But I didn’t want to miss out on another B5 Media Science and Health theme day! So, here are some quick links to previous discussions here at www.fertilitynotes.com where Nutrition played a central role:

Why Would I Listen to Harvard Anyway? What’s all the hype around the Harvard fertility diet? Is any of this news? Is it worth believing?

Seeds for the Seed Because every dish is better with pumpkin seeds.

Fertile Foods? I can’t go into Wegmans without a plan. I need a plan. …read more

I’m suffering from some serious writer’s block this evening. No news story seems interesting; no health care fact intrigues me. What, dear readers, can I share with you?
Perhaps I should just tell you what’s on my mind.
It’s this week. My FET (frozen embryo transfer) is scheduled for this week. And it’s really all I can think about. In a good way.
I have a fairly uncomfortable medical procedure to undergo tomorrow morning to prepare for the transfer. Then my meds will change, just in time for me to cart them all along (needles and all) on a two-day business trip. …read more