I've had on my mind that we should probably start trying for baby number two sooner than later since we have no idea if it will take us a while because of my PCOS.
After our Disneyland trip in October of 2017 I went off of birth control. Miraculously, my period came on it's own a month later (a little late, but it came) which made me super excited. Maybe we wouldn't need fertility help this time around since my body seemed to be doing what it needed to. But the next month it came even later, and the month after that a little later. I could see my body slipping back into its old ways and I was afraid it would end up stopping again.
Nathan and I talked about it and I went into the doctor to see what she thought. We decided to put me on Metformin and start a first round of Clomid. On the 11th day of my cycle, February 23, I went in for an ultrasound to see if I had any follicles showing I would ovulate. The nurse was super excited for me when she saw two of them in my right ovary. (TWO?! That sounds a little scary! The thought of having twins is super exciting and nerve racking to me.) She told me it looked like I was estimated to ovulate on day 14, which was the day after Nathan was suppose to leave for a work trip.... What timing! She informed me that would increase our chance of having a girl if we conceived before ovulating. Here's to hoping!
I did ovulate and for the first time felt myself ovulate. I've never noticed the cramping on one side before like that, but sadly Nathan was on a work trip. I was still hopeful though. It could still happen!
Waiting to get a positive pregnancy test, or the start of your period, is the longest time ever. I was over analyzing everything. "Did I feel implantation cramping?" "Was that a sign of early pregnancy?" "I sure do have to pee a lot! Maybe I'm pregnant? Or maybe I'm just drinking a lot more?" "I am getting fertility help so that definitely increases my chances of getting pregnant! Right?"
I was making myself go crazy!
I took a test on the 29th day of my cycle. It was negative, but I reminded myself that Stockton's was negative on day 29 too! I was so hopeful!
Two days later it was confirmed that I was definitely not pregnant, and goodness did it come with a vengeance!
I was pretty bummed because I had so much hope. I felt like it was our first month of really being able to try and knowing for sure that I had ovulated. I was also bummed that Nathan had a work trip right when he needed to be home. But it just wasn't our month, and that's ok. I picked up the order of Clomid and was ready to start round two.
Showing posts with label PCOS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PCOS. Show all posts
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Test Results
Written the middle of July 2015:
On the 21st day of my cycle I went in to the doctor's office and gave a blood sample to check my ovulation levels. I was actually feeling pretty excited this time since I had gotten a positive result from a home ovulation kit showing that I ovulated. A week later I got the results back from my blood work. "Hi, Nicole. I have your test results for you. It looks like your ovulation levels were still lower than we want (10 instead of 12) so we are switching you to Femara. I'll call in the prescription for you. Still take a pregnancy test to see if you are pregnant before you start your medication."
I was crushed! I thought for sure my levels would have been high enough. But then again, we were getting closer considering I was at a 2-6 level when we first started this process. I also had the doctor call in a medicine called Provera that helps me actually have a period since I don't have one on my own. I didn't want to pick up the medicine until after I took a pregnancy test though.
On Friday, July 3, I woke up sick! I was so nauseous. I kept thinking, I hope this means I'm pregnant! I took a pregnancy test and was super hopeful! After what felt like forever....
I told myself it was ok and that we would try this next round of medicine. It would all work out. So I went and picked up my two prescriptions. I was going to start the Provera right away to get the process rolling again. But after talking with Nathan we decided to give myself a little break. Plus it was Girls Camp in a couple of days and I didn't want to have to stress about taking medicine and being moody at camp while I was camp director.
When I got back from girls camp I decided I should probably take another pregnancy test just to be safe before starting the medicine. I woke up early the next morning (Saturday, July 11) and took a test. I knew full well it would say "Not Pregnant" like always. After all I had taken a test a week ago saying I wasn't. I put the stick down and it started the hour glass saying it was working. I check on it not even a minute later to make sure it's still working and......
The test said Pregnant on it!!! I was freaking out! Does it put the word Pregnant first and then decided if it needs to put not before it? Am I really pregnant? What if it's wrong? About 30 seconds later it pop ups with "2-3 weeks". Oh my goodness I wasn't prepared for it. I honestly thought it would say not pregnant and I would start my medicine that day. I started crying and ran into Nathan who woke up wondering if I was pregnant or sick or hurt. I showed him the test and he hugged me while I cried tears of joy and pure surprise. And some tears of nervousness as well.
Once we got over the shock of the positive test I knelt down in prayer. I was so thankful to my Heavenly Father that I had not started the Provera during the week of Girls Camp. I was grateful for a positive test! (I know a lot can still happen, but I got a positive test! I can get pregnant! I AM Pregnant!!!) I already love this little Baby Ballard so much! (It's only the size of about a sesame seed. That's crazy to think about.) I hope and pray that my body will be able to grow a beautiful, healthy, and strong body for the sweet spirit we are blessed with.
It still doesn't feel real. I have been hoping and praying for a positive pregnancy test since October 2014 when we first started trying. After being told my ovulation levels still weren't quite high enough I thought for sure I wouldn't be pregnant this time. Plus I had gotten a "Not Pregnant" test result just the week before. I have my doctor appointment all set up and I'm crazy excited. I'm going to take another pregnancy test to be sure, but I'm so happy!
On the 21st day of my cycle I went in to the doctor's office and gave a blood sample to check my ovulation levels. I was actually feeling pretty excited this time since I had gotten a positive result from a home ovulation kit showing that I ovulated. A week later I got the results back from my blood work. "Hi, Nicole. I have your test results for you. It looks like your ovulation levels were still lower than we want (10 instead of 12) so we are switching you to Femara. I'll call in the prescription for you. Still take a pregnancy test to see if you are pregnant before you start your medication."
I was crushed! I thought for sure my levels would have been high enough. But then again, we were getting closer considering I was at a 2-6 level when we first started this process. I also had the doctor call in a medicine called Provera that helps me actually have a period since I don't have one on my own. I didn't want to pick up the medicine until after I took a pregnancy test though.
On Friday, July 3, I woke up sick! I was so nauseous. I kept thinking, I hope this means I'm pregnant! I took a pregnancy test and was super hopeful! After what felt like forever....
Result: Not Pregnant...
I told myself it was ok and that we would try this next round of medicine. It would all work out. So I went and picked up my two prescriptions. I was going to start the Provera right away to get the process rolling again. But after talking with Nathan we decided to give myself a little break. Plus it was Girls Camp in a couple of days and I didn't want to have to stress about taking medicine and being moody at camp while I was camp director.
When I got back from girls camp I decided I should probably take another pregnancy test just to be safe before starting the medicine. I woke up early the next morning (Saturday, July 11) and took a test. I knew full well it would say "Not Pregnant" like always. After all I had taken a test a week ago saying I wasn't. I put the stick down and it started the hour glass saying it was working. I check on it not even a minute later to make sure it's still working and......
PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!
The test said Pregnant on it!!! I was freaking out! Does it put the word Pregnant first and then decided if it needs to put not before it? Am I really pregnant? What if it's wrong? About 30 seconds later it pop ups with "2-3 weeks". Oh my goodness I wasn't prepared for it. I honestly thought it would say not pregnant and I would start my medicine that day. I started crying and ran into Nathan who woke up wondering if I was pregnant or sick or hurt. I showed him the test and he hugged me while I cried tears of joy and pure surprise. And some tears of nervousness as well.
Once we got over the shock of the positive test I knelt down in prayer. I was so thankful to my Heavenly Father that I had not started the Provera during the week of Girls Camp. I was grateful for a positive test! (I know a lot can still happen, but I got a positive test! I can get pregnant! I AM Pregnant!!!) I already love this little Baby Ballard so much! (It's only the size of about a sesame seed. That's crazy to think about.) I hope and pray that my body will be able to grow a beautiful, healthy, and strong body for the sweet spirit we are blessed with.
It still doesn't feel real. I have been hoping and praying for a positive pregnancy test since October 2014 when we first started trying. After being told my ovulation levels still weren't quite high enough I thought for sure I wouldn't be pregnant this time. Plus I had gotten a "Not Pregnant" test result just the week before. I have my doctor appointment all set up and I'm crazy excited. I'm going to take another pregnancy test to be sure, but I'm so happy!
I'M PREGNANT!!!
Round Two Update
Written the end of June 2015:
One thing I forgot to mention about this second time of doing Clomid is that I have also been going to see a foot zoner.
My Opa Blietschau did reflexology from his home and some of my fondest memories with him are when he would massage my feet and tell me to drink more water. When I first found out I had PCOS the first two thoughts that I remember and made me emotional were:
Since I couldn't have my Opa do reflexology I honestly didn't give it any other thought. Then I was talking with my sister-in-law, Meg, and she had mentioned maybe trying foot zoning (It's a lot like reflexology) to see if it would help. I decided to look more into it and see if I could find anyone in Idaho Falls that I would want to go to.
I sent out emails to a bunch of foot zoners in the Idaho Falls area and they were all very nice and helpful. However, one thing I was nervous about was going to some random person's house that I didn't know anything about... Well turns out I did end up knowing one of the foot zoners I emailed. Kellie was a 5th grade teacher at a school I was an aid for during my college years at Utah State. What a small world! I felt so much better going to her with already knowing her.
When I went to Kellie's house for my first session I was still a little nervous. But when she opened her door with a huge smile and treated me like her best friend I felt instantly better. I felt safe and comfortable in her home. I enjoyed talking about her journey to get pregnant with her two cute twin boys, my Opa, my journey so far trying to conceive, the Gospel, pretty much everything.
After the foot zoning she told me to tell her as soon as I got a positive ovulation test so we could schedule for me to come back in. I was super hopeful that I would actually ovulate this time around, but wasn't sure.
I started taking ovulation tests at home around the time I should start ovulating... Nothing.... Then we had a camping trip planned with Nathan's family for the weekend so I stopped taking the tests because who want's to pee on a stick while camping?
When we got home from our trip I decided to take another ovulation test. I was praying for a smiley face with sunbeams around it to show that my levels were high, but instead I got just a smiley face, which meant I was at my peak!!!!!!
Oh my goodness you would think it was a positive on a pregnancy test, I was so happy! My body was actually working! I got a hold of Kellie and saw her the next day for another foot zone! Kellie was so excited for me and gave me great encouragement and advice. She told me even if I don't get pregnant this time around, at least we are getting my body in the right direction.
One thing I forgot to mention about this second time of doing Clomid is that I have also been going to see a foot zoner.
My Opa Blietschau did reflexology from his home and some of my fondest memories with him are when he would massage my feet and tell me to drink more water. When I first found out I had PCOS the first two thoughts that I remember and made me emotional were:
- I'm not allowed to fast... How will I get pregnant if I can't do a fast asking for help. (After that first silly thought I realized I could still fast and ask my Heavenly Father for help, and that he would understand why I had to eat every meal.)
- I really wish my Opa were here to help me get my body on track with reflexology.
Since I couldn't have my Opa do reflexology I honestly didn't give it any other thought. Then I was talking with my sister-in-law, Meg, and she had mentioned maybe trying foot zoning (It's a lot like reflexology) to see if it would help. I decided to look more into it and see if I could find anyone in Idaho Falls that I would want to go to.
I sent out emails to a bunch of foot zoners in the Idaho Falls area and they were all very nice and helpful. However, one thing I was nervous about was going to some random person's house that I didn't know anything about... Well turns out I did end up knowing one of the foot zoners I emailed. Kellie was a 5th grade teacher at a school I was an aid for during my college years at Utah State. What a small world! I felt so much better going to her with already knowing her.
When I went to Kellie's house for my first session I was still a little nervous. But when she opened her door with a huge smile and treated me like her best friend I felt instantly better. I felt safe and comfortable in her home. I enjoyed talking about her journey to get pregnant with her two cute twin boys, my Opa, my journey so far trying to conceive, the Gospel, pretty much everything.
After the foot zoning she told me to tell her as soon as I got a positive ovulation test so we could schedule for me to come back in. I was super hopeful that I would actually ovulate this time around, but wasn't sure.
I started taking ovulation tests at home around the time I should start ovulating... Nothing.... Then we had a camping trip planned with Nathan's family for the weekend so I stopped taking the tests because who want's to pee on a stick while camping?
When we got home from our trip I decided to take another ovulation test. I was praying for a smiley face with sunbeams around it to show that my levels were high, but instead I got just a smiley face, which meant I was at my peak!!!!!!
Oh my goodness you would think it was a positive on a pregnancy test, I was so happy! My body was actually working! I got a hold of Kellie and saw her the next day for another foot zone! Kellie was so excited for me and gave me great encouragement and advice. She told me even if I don't get pregnant this time around, at least we are getting my body in the right direction.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Round Two
Written the beginning of June 2015:
Well I was put on Clomid to help me with my fertility. Waited the 21 days and went in to get my blood work done to see if it helped me ovulate.... Nope... So we upped my dosage.
I just finished round two of the Clomid and now it's the waiting game again. This time around I was sick and nauseous the second to last day of the pill. It made me nervous that I wasn't reacting well with the medicine. However, I was fine later in the day so who knows?
Later I'll go in and get my blood drawn again. I just want my body to ovulate. If I get pregnant, AWESOME! But really at this point I just want to know my body is working so that I can get pregnant.
Another thing I learned I should avoid is soy. That's fine, I can give up soy sauce, I don't usually buy things with soy... Wrong! Soy is everywhere! Who knew? I was taking soy protein... oops... and it's in cooking spray... and worst of all.... chocolate. My one saving grace with this crazy diet has been little happy bites of dark chocolate. I have found some 70% dark chocolate chips and bars that are soy free, but they are a little pricey.
On a brighter note, Nathan let me get a way nice blender. I am in love with it! It makes amazingly smooth green smoothies, hummus, spinach dip, crepes made from oats, and more. But best of all... ICE CREAM! I just blend up frozen fruit with some cream and it is heavenly. I guess it has more of a frozen yogurt consistency. Either way it makes my heart happy! I am quite pleased with our purchase. I've used it at least once a day since we bought it. :)
Until next time with more fun updates!
Well I was put on Clomid to help me with my fertility. Waited the 21 days and went in to get my blood work done to see if it helped me ovulate.... Nope... So we upped my dosage.
I just finished round two of the Clomid and now it's the waiting game again. This time around I was sick and nauseous the second to last day of the pill. It made me nervous that I wasn't reacting well with the medicine. However, I was fine later in the day so who knows?
Later I'll go in and get my blood drawn again. I just want my body to ovulate. If I get pregnant, AWESOME! But really at this point I just want to know my body is working so that I can get pregnant.
Another thing I learned I should avoid is soy. That's fine, I can give up soy sauce, I don't usually buy things with soy... Wrong! Soy is everywhere! Who knew? I was taking soy protein... oops... and it's in cooking spray... and worst of all.... chocolate. My one saving grace with this crazy diet has been little happy bites of dark chocolate. I have found some 70% dark chocolate chips and bars that are soy free, but they are a little pricey.
On a brighter note, Nathan let me get a way nice blender. I am in love with it! It makes amazingly smooth green smoothies, hummus, spinach dip, crepes made from oats, and more. But best of all... ICE CREAM! I just blend up frozen fruit with some cream and it is heavenly. I guess it has more of a frozen yogurt consistency. Either way it makes my heart happy! I am quite pleased with our purchase. I've used it at least once a day since we bought it. :)
Until next time with more fun updates!
PCOS Update
Written the beginning of April 2015:
It has been quite the two months since I found out I have PCOS. I have literally not had ice cream the entire time!! Ok that might be a tiny bit exaggerated because I had the teeny, tiniest lick of Nathan's Dole Whip while we were in Disneyland. But we were in Disneyland, and I don't even feel bad about it. Plus, I was being so good on that trip. Any way here's a few updated on how life has been...
Diet: I'm sure no one want's to know this, but since I've been on this low sugar, low carb, always check the glycemic index diet I have lost about 10 lbs.... That's crazy! I don't really have 10 lbs to lose... I can definitely say that I feel better with this diet though. There are days I miss having a sweet treat every now and again, but honestly I've loved not having all that sugar in my life.
Some things that have helped melive with this diet are:
More tests and results: After being diagnosed, starting my diet, and taking Metformin, the next step was to see if my body could ovulate on its own with the changes I've made. The day before I got my results from my blood work I was super nauseous... It was no fun. But I didn't have time to get a sub so I went to work... Everyone asked if I was ok and I just mentioned I was a little blah. Instantly they'd ask if I was pregnant! It made me laugh... But then they got me thinking... Maybe I could be?! Maybe my body does kind of work! I tried to not get my hopes up too much. Well the next day I got the call from the doctor and my body does not ovulate... That's a bummer. I still took a pregnancy test to make sure and it came back negative.
I'm glad I know that my body needs more help and that we are continuing in the right direction to hopefully get pregnant, but at the same time it's still a little disappointing to find out that my body really doesn't work right on it's own.
Nathan has been so awesome through the whole thing. He's been supportive of my diet. Keeps telling me excitedly every night that are going to have a baby. He makes me smile and helps me not worry about what's wrong with my body. I love him! When I told him I was getting put on fertility medicine he responded with, "Here come the triplets!" ha ha Oh my...
Well that's all the updates for now.
It has been quite the two months since I found out I have PCOS. I have literally not had ice cream the entire time!! Ok that might be a tiny bit exaggerated because I had the teeny, tiniest lick of Nathan's Dole Whip while we were in Disneyland. But we were in Disneyland, and I don't even feel bad about it. Plus, I was being so good on that trip. Any way here's a few updated on how life has been...
Diet: I'm sure no one want's to know this, but since I've been on this low sugar, low carb, always check the glycemic index diet I have lost about 10 lbs.... That's crazy! I don't really have 10 lbs to lose... I can definitely say that I feel better with this diet though. There are days I miss having a sweet treat every now and again, but honestly I've loved not having all that sugar in my life.
Some things that have helped me
- Finding out I can have some sourdough breads, or super intense whole wheat lower carb breads (and when I do have bread I try to stick to one slice, once a week)
- Quinoa instead of rice (again only once a week if I have it)
- Yogurt and smoothies are my ice cream
- Low glycemic chocolate protein bars (I LOVE the Balance Chocolate Mint Cookie one! Quest Bars are good too.)
- Best of all.... DARK CHOCOLATE!!!! 70% Dark Chocolate has a glycemic index of 23 (55 or less is considered low glycemic). Best news of my life! I treat myself to a square every now and then when I've been super good.
More tests and results: After being diagnosed, starting my diet, and taking Metformin, the next step was to see if my body could ovulate on its own with the changes I've made. The day before I got my results from my blood work I was super nauseous... It was no fun. But I didn't have time to get a sub so I went to work... Everyone asked if I was ok and I just mentioned I was a little blah. Instantly they'd ask if I was pregnant! It made me laugh... But then they got me thinking... Maybe I could be?! Maybe my body does kind of work! I tried to not get my hopes up too much. Well the next day I got the call from the doctor and my body does not ovulate... That's a bummer. I still took a pregnancy test to make sure and it came back negative.
I'm glad I know that my body needs more help and that we are continuing in the right direction to hopefully get pregnant, but at the same time it's still a little disappointing to find out that my body really doesn't work right on it's own.
Nathan has been so awesome through the whole thing. He's been supportive of my diet. Keeps telling me excitedly every night that are going to have a baby. He makes me smile and helps me not worry about what's wrong with my body. I love him! When I told him I was getting put on fertility medicine he responded with, "Here come the triplets!" ha ha Oh my...
Well that's all the updates for now.
I Have What?!
Written at the end of February 2015:
Nathan and I decided it was time to start a family and we were super excited about it! But I wondered how it would work out...
I was put on birth control in High School because my body stopped having a period. For real it just up and disappeared. Which was nice, but stressful at the same time. What was wrong with my body? I went to the doctor and they just put me on the pill and we called it good. However, in the back of my head I've always wondered if I would be able to get pregnant later in life.
Flash forward to present time. I go off the pill in October and... nothing... I'm not pregnant, but I'm not being visited by that wonderful monthly friend either. After three months I went in to my awesome doctor. We did some blood work, which came back normal. That's great and all, but doesn't help me any. Next, I do a not so fun ultrasound, and it comes back abnormal. I've never heard that word over my results from the doctor. I get called back in and we go over the ultrasound.
"You have PCOS.", the doctor tells me. What in the world is that?! "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. You have a ring of cysts all around the inner lining of your ovary. You have quite of few. When it looks like this we call it a string of pearls." That doesn't sound good.
Long story short, apparently sugar messes with my body. I've been put on a very low sugar, low carb diet. No more potatoes, breads, rice, sweets, and treats. I check with the Glycemic Index to see if what I eat is considered a low glycemic food, and I need lots of protein. Thankfully I can still eat fruit and dairy, but I do have to be careful of what I eat. Meal planning has gotten a lot more intense at our house. I'm also taking fancy medicine (Metformin) to help with my blood sugar, even though I'm not diabetic. It's weird.
When I first found out I had PCOS I honestly felt broken. Why doesn't my body work correctly? I'm healthy, and fit, and active! Why can't I easily get pregnant? The more I've researched it, and the more I've talked to friends and family, I've discovered I'm not alone. I'm surprised how many people I know that have PCOS, and they have cute little babies too. Being able to talk to, get food ideas, and motivation from them has been incredibly helpful.
I never thought I'd go so long without ice cream, a little sweet treat, or delicious Jimmy John's bread, but wanting to have a baby is super motivating. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things go.
Nathan and I decided it was time to start a family and we were super excited about it! But I wondered how it would work out...
I was put on birth control in High School because my body stopped having a period. For real it just up and disappeared. Which was nice, but stressful at the same time. What was wrong with my body? I went to the doctor and they just put me on the pill and we called it good. However, in the back of my head I've always wondered if I would be able to get pregnant later in life.
Flash forward to present time. I go off the pill in October and... nothing... I'm not pregnant, but I'm not being visited by that wonderful monthly friend either. After three months I went in to my awesome doctor. We did some blood work, which came back normal. That's great and all, but doesn't help me any. Next, I do a not so fun ultrasound, and it comes back abnormal. I've never heard that word over my results from the doctor. I get called back in and we go over the ultrasound.
"You have PCOS.", the doctor tells me. What in the world is that?! "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. You have a ring of cysts all around the inner lining of your ovary. You have quite of few. When it looks like this we call it a string of pearls." That doesn't sound good.
 |
| This is an example of what mine looks like. All those black spots shouldn't be there.... |
Long story short, apparently sugar messes with my body. I've been put on a very low sugar, low carb diet. No more potatoes, breads, rice, sweets, and treats. I check with the Glycemic Index to see if what I eat is considered a low glycemic food, and I need lots of protein. Thankfully I can still eat fruit and dairy, but I do have to be careful of what I eat. Meal planning has gotten a lot more intense at our house. I'm also taking fancy medicine (Metformin) to help with my blood sugar, even though I'm not diabetic. It's weird.
When I first found out I had PCOS I honestly felt broken. Why doesn't my body work correctly? I'm healthy, and fit, and active! Why can't I easily get pregnant? The more I've researched it, and the more I've talked to friends and family, I've discovered I'm not alone. I'm surprised how many people I know that have PCOS, and they have cute little babies too. Being able to talk to, get food ideas, and motivation from them has been incredibly helpful.
I never thought I'd go so long without ice cream, a little sweet treat, or delicious Jimmy John's bread, but wanting to have a baby is super motivating. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how things go.
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