Whoa.

I saw this news story the other week and meant to discuss it. Basically, a couple had a successful in vitro cycle and had left over embryos. Like us, they wanted to give each of their embryos a chance at life, so they went through a FET (frozen embryo transfer) cycle. They found out they were pregnant . . . with another couple's embryo. I cannot even imagine. The doctor told them that if they chose to continue the pregnancy, they would have to give the baby to the other couple. They chose to continue, knowing that she would not be able to have another pregnancy. Therefore, they are going to use a surrogate for their remaining embryos. UNBELIEVABLE. Here's a CNN interview with the couple . . .



I seriously don't know how this would happen. We confirmed our identity so many times the day of the transfer, and I guess this unnamed clinic didn't have a good enough system in place? It's just craziness! I saw another article that says this sort of thing happens all the time, but it gets swept under the rug through settlements and such. In spite of knowing that Duke is one of the best in country and the best in the southeast (according to US News and World Reports), I can't help but have a slight "What if?" thought . . .

We've joked around about this very thing, but I really cannot fathom what it feels like to go through fertility treatment and all the emotions that go along with that, pregnancy and all the emotions and physical discomforts/changes, delivery and the recovery and to have nothing at the end. And not because of a medical reason or a death but because of someone else's mistake. Oh, I would be so angry, sad, totally devastated. And oh so rich at the end of it all.

Anyway, the most upsetting thing is some of the public comments on the issue via Youtube and other news sources. Some people are so ignorant when it comes to fertility treatment. It's not like you go through months of shots and hormone roller coasters-and thousands of dollars-out of selfishness. And everyone who does IVF/FET is not a wanna be octomom, either. AND we are not "playing God" either. AND no matter WHAT we did--herbs, acupuncture, antibiotics--we were NOT going to get pregnant without the science of IVF. AND Noah was not a premie, underweight, or fraught with defects. Just sayin'.

Update

This update is specifically for Virginia B. Probin, who has reprimanded me for not updating here. :)

I had an appointment last week, and everything with Baby Boy was fine. We've had some crazy family issues lately, and I was concerned my stress might have translated to him. BUT his heartbeat was strong, and it is such a glorious sound to hear. I was so proud that my guess on how he was sitting was 100% correct. I can feel very distinctly hand movements vs. feet movements! I'm officially a pro!

The one major downer was the discovery that I have already gained 15 lbs. and was measuring ahead of 24 weeks. I am seriously confused as I work out 5-6 days a week, running at least 3 miles 2x week and weight training the other days. I guess my body is going to do what it's going to do, so I need to relax, be healthy, and chill about the scale. It's so hard!!!

As far as the nursery goes, we have done nothing since washing, folding, and sorting the baby clothes. I was reminded this morning that I am nearing the third trimester, so I guess we need to get moving! It's so different when you have a 2 1/2 year old who has an ever-expanding social calendar: among speech therapy, pre-school, soccer, and church, I feel so busy with Noah and making sure he is adequately stimulated and thriving.

I don't think I've mentioned this here yet, but I am once again able to share pregnancy with my sister! She is due March 6, about 2 months after we are! I love seeing our boys together now and am so glad our next children will also get to grow up together!

So . . . that's all on this end! :)

23 weeks, almost 24!

So It Begins . . .

We have begun the process of preparing for baby. Can I say that I don't want to see another piece of baby clothing? We have SO MUCH! I didn't even realize how much it was. Here is HALF of what we have. . .

Now that I look at the pictures again, it doesn't seem like that much. Trust me, though--it was overwhelming. (Is it bad that I thought about how much money I could make by selling all these at KidExchange when we're done with babies?) Anyway, everything is washed, folded, and sorted. Now, we just need to work on getting the room ready!