we're pregnant!

Ryan and I found out we were pregnant on Friday, January 25, 2013!

This news came to a surprise for us actually because we have been trying to conceive for quite some time now, even seeking infertility treatment last year from April to September as I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in which I was showing signs of irregular periods and weight gain that I struggled immensely to lose. When I was referred by my OB/GYN to an infertility doctor, I was shocked. I was only 27 years old. It didn't make it any less stressful for me as well to be told that us conceiving would be a lot more difficult than the "average" couple.

The infertility doctor put me back on birth control pills to regulate my periods; it helped a lot because I was back on track with my periods and I was able to lose 10-15 pounds. I was on the Pill for about 5 months and then I started the actual infertility treatment in September; it consisted of daily pills and shots, daily trips to the doctor's office for blood tests and ultrasounds. The last treatment I received was intrauterine insemination (NOT the same as in vitro fertilization). The treatment I received had a 90% chance of working; it seemed pretty high to us and our doctor seemed optimistic about the pills and shots I received (which were of the highest dose I was allowed). Odds seemed good.

I got a pregnancy blood test done 12 days later to determine if the treatment had worked. It didn't. I was called at work a few hours later from someone at the hospital to let me know. I was devastated. I held my tears until I walked into the restroom stall and balled my eyes out. I was heartbroken in that moment. The past two weeks left me physically, mentally, and now emotionally drained. I told Ryan an hour later about it, but kept it to myself after that. Talking about it made me sad and only less than a handful knew what Ryan and I were going through.

I was supposed to see the doctor a week later to discuss treatment again; I was almost at the hospital and stopped at the side of the street to cancel it. I couldn't go through it again because it hurt too much. I told Ryan I wanted to wait until after the holidays to try again. Thankfully, he understood and so we went about with our daily lives and put our minds into buying our first home.

We opened Escrow on November 12, 2012 and closed on December 26th , 2012. During this time, I ended up missing my period in December, I didn't think much of it and just thought it was late. January came and I began having breast tenderness; I thought for sure I was gonna get my period soon. A week later I still didn't get it, but still thought my period was late. I went to Hawaii with my family for a week (Jan 12-19), still no period but I was still experiencing a lot of breast tenderness, especially in the morning. I was continuing to think that my period was taking a long time to come! I came back from Hawaii and that week I was experiencing a lot of nausea, light headedness, dizziness, and fatigue. I bought two pregnancy tests on Thursday night (Jan 24th) at the Dollar Tree store (LOL, I'm cheap I know, but pregnancy tests are expensive!) and told myself that if the test was negative it was time to see my infertility doctor because I was starting to have irregular periods again. Subconsciously, I think I was trying to avoid her and Ryan was already asking me when we would start treatment again. I didn't even tell him that I had missed my period for the last two months!

When I woke up for work the next day, I took a pregnancy test. To my surprise, it read positive! I had to keep referring to the box. I didn't want to seem too happy about it because I wasn't ready for another let down. Ryan was still home and I told him about it, he too had the same reaction. We were nervous, but also kept in mind not to be too excited. I told him I would take another test at work. About three hours later, I took another test and it was positive again! This time, I started really freaking out and getting nervous. I asked if I could leave work early to go to Kaiser. Ryan left work early too and met up with me at the hospital.

I was called in right away and I was required to give urine for another pregnancy test. While she was waiting for the results (the longest three minutes of my life), she took my vital signs and my blood pressure. I was so nervous ( I was even sweating!) that my blood pressure was so high! The nurse asked me why I was so nervous, so I went on to tell her about my infertility issues and how we have been trying to have a baby. She told me I shouldn't be nervous because according to the last time I had my period (which was November 10, 2012) I was 11 weeks pregnant! I called Ryan in and had the nurse tell him the news; his first response "wow, that's a long time!" LOL

After the hospital, we went to his parents house and my mom's house to tell them the news. We called our close friends and family. The weekend consisted of us telling the people we love the most about our wonderful surprise!

I cannot begin to describe how happy and blessed I feel about all of this. God was truly waiting for the perfect time to bless us with a baby and to tell us! There is not a day that goes by that I thank God for all that has happened to Ryan and I the last few months. Life changed for us the day we found out and I cannot wait to go on this journey with him!


love,
baby p