Umm, yeah, well...

Lara here. Okay, that last post was dramatic but it was how I was feeling, so I have to let it stand. I wanted to give you all an update though.

We took a home pregnancy test on Monday, July 15th and it was negative. Considering all the other negative things that happened during this cycle, I had little hope for the official blood test on Wednesday. Fast forward to Wednesday, after two days of being upset and trying to come to terms with this IVF being a failure. JL did the blood test and our awesome nurse, Paula, called her in the afternoon. Apparently one (or maybe both) of our little embryos pulled through and implanted!!! JL's hCG (the hormone given off by an implanted embryo) was at 79.9!!! Basically, anything over 5 is a positive pregnancy. I was in utter shock- a seriously surreal moment. Actually, three days later, it is still surreal. I actually spoke with Paula that day and she said "Congratulations!" and I said "On what?", even after she had told me it was positive. I think it's just been two years of negative test after negative test and to hear that it's finally positive, considering that the odds were against us, went right over my head. It just didn't really register. The next morning, JL took another home pregnancy test and it showed up positive! That was just weird. We have tested probably 20 times in the past two years, always squinting at the results, wanting desperately to see that second line, and never seeing it, and then this test was just "Bam!", no ambiguity, it was definitely positive.

At this point, however, we were still reserved. The second blood test will show whether it's a chemical pregnancy, basically meaning a very early miscarriage (if you can even call it that 2 weeks in). The second blood test occurs 48 hours after the first blood test. If the numbers double, than you are still pregnant. Today was the second test. JL left around 6am to get it done so we could get the number ASAP. Another nurse just called and said our number was 273!!! It tripled!!! Holy sh*t!!!!!!!!!

We are still not out of the woods though. The rate of miscarriage doesn't go down until hCG reaches 3000. The number is supposed to double every 72 hours now, so hopefully we'll reach that number in the next few weeks. I think we are both excited but still reserved about it. It's like it's too good to be true. Actually, I probably won't feel comfortable until about 6 months in, so, in the mean time, I keep talking to JL's belly, telling our little embryo(s) to hang in there. It's just crazy how desperately we both want this.

We debated on saying anything to anyone but, since all of you have been along for the ride, via this blog or otherwise, we though it would be crappy if we didn't say anything. We are so happy to have this turn around and want you all to share in that. Keep us (and our little embryo) in your thoughts and let's hope for a healthy little one 9 months from now!

Here's our official digital home pregnancy test from today!!!