TTC Lingo

So, I have this fertility app on my phone and it is called "What to Expect", you know like the books?

It has actually been really handy in helping me keep track of things on a calendar so that I can share information with my doctor and such! Apart of this app comes a link for reading and posting on discussion boards. You choose one based on where you are in your journey. Of course most of what I read is on the Trying to Conceive board. The first few times I read posts from other ladies that are trying to have a baby, I literally had NO clue what they were saying. It was as if they were talking in another language and I was so confused! I thought I would share some of the lingo that I have learned and give you a feel for a normal post (:
TTC - Trying to concieve
BD- Baby Dance
OPK- Ovulation test
POAS- Pee on a stick
DH-Dear husband
AF-Aunt Flo
BCP-Birth control pills
BFP-Big fat positive (on a pregnancy test)
BFN-Big fat negative
BPM-Beats per minue (baby's heartbeat)
CD-Cycle day
EDD-Estimated due date
HPT-Home pregnancy test
LP-Luteal Phase
NTNP-Not trying, not preventing
PNV-Prenatal vitamin
BBT-Basal Body Temperature
O'd-Ovulated

And really these are just a few of what I have seen!! Could you imagine opening a post and trying to decode what in the world these women are talking about?!? Now this would be a normal post that I might find on one of these boards...ready?

"Help! DH and I have been TTC for 4 months. I am on CD 16 and had a -OPK! I am worried that my LP is too short!! Could it be that I have only been off BCP for 4 months? Should I start testing my BBT on a normal basis and then go from there? Ughh!! My AF usually arrives on between CD 26-28. That would put my LP at only 10 or 11 days if I O'd on CD 16. Let me know your thoughts!"

I really just made that up I promise (: Seriously though? I googled "Trying to Conceive" lingo to be able to start reading what these ladies have to say. Now I get it...how bout' you??

Doc Appointment

So today I went and visited the fertilty specialist! It was a really good visit and I loved the office and all of the people I met. The office is down in Sandy Springs which is only about 20 mins or so from our house. Of course there was major traffic and 75 and 285 so I was freaking out that we would be late..hah! We were 15 minutes early as we were instructed to be so right on time (: My doctor's name is Dorothy Mitchell-Leef and she is a pregnancy loss specialist. My OBGYN is wonderful too, but not very proactive when it comes to miscarriage. She said that at 2 miscarriages she considers it "significant" and reason to figure out what is giong on. Most doctor's wait until the third to do further testing...which is why I wanted to see a specialist. I don't want there to be a third. She was amazing! SO knowledgable and made us both feel very comfortable with the testing that was to come.

Basically, I have to go through a series of testing to try and figure out if this is something "minor" that can be fixed with simple medication. So here is the breakdown of what is to come:

1. The first thing on the list is LOTS of bloodwork. I did get some testing done today, but not much could be done because I hadn't been fasting (they didn't expect to check my blood today). I blood taken to figure out how many eggs I have this month as I am about to ovulate.
2. I have to have three more sets of bloodwork done. The next being Thrombophillia to check to see if my blood is clotting even the tiniest bit. This could be causing pregnancy loss as the blood is not flowing as it should.
3. Next is an insulin test to make sure I am not resisting any insulin. Apparently this too is a common problem.
4. The last set is to be done on day 3 of my cycle and checks my progesterone levels and a few other things.
5. After that, I have to have an HSG procedure done where dye is injected into my fallopian tubes and uterus. This will make sure my tubes and the shape of my uterus is ok. Apparently its a tad bit painful ):

After the testing, I will go back in a little less than a month to talk about the findings and what to do next. She said she feels like my tubes are fine because I have gotten pregnant twice. She told me that I am almost "maxed out" on Clomid and that I could only try one more month of that. She was glad I was on the Prometrium (for low Progesterone) and to keep taking that. She complimented us for being proactive and talked about how young we are (we sure don't feel like it..) and that most of her patients were older. I was by far the youngest in the waiting room. We LoVeD her!  I feel like I am in the right hands and she is the lady for the job (: So the next step is to see how the testing plays out and go from there! She said if I got pregnant this month to call immediately because if I do have a clotting problem I would need to be put on meds to save the pregnancy. I am trying not to freak out about that...

When we were checking out there was a lady that just found out she was pregnant via IVF. She was getting her insurance straightened out and talking to the receptionist. I couldn't help but smile and pray for her..that the Lord would protect this pregnancy for her if it was His will. You could tell she was excited but scared. It is an uneasy feeling to be pregnant but worried that it could end too soon. I felt for her as I know the IVF process is pretty taxing and the feeling of being SO happy about something but SO scared of what could come. So silly to think like that and sinful at the same time.

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

Matthew 6:25-27

Well, that is it for now! Check back soon and have a great weekend (:

It Works! Global

So I know many of you see me post about selling wraps, before and after photos, and even specials that the company offers. So where did all of this come from?!? Well, a friend on facebook had been posting these results that she kept getting from using the wraps, followed with pictures and what not. I decided to look into it and stumbled upon the It Works! Global facebook page and eventually their website. I saw that the products were featured in the Emmy's and Grammy's gift bags, the company was debt free and had been for several years, and the products were pretty afordable! I got in touch with my facebook friend and talked to her about the products. I decided to become a loyal customer of hers and try them out! After one wrap and losing almost 2 inches around my tummy, I was sold! I researched everything I could possibly research, watched YouTube videos, read reviews. I felt like I really did my homework! That is when I decided to become a distributor of the products and that was in April. I have really enjoyed selling the products, but it has been difficult as there really aren't many people around me that do! I would love someone to partner up with and do a bridal show or expo!! It just sounds like fun (: Another amazing thing about the company? The growth potential. It is insane! I have enjoyed my little side job and the money that it is bringing in each month (:

Since I talk about the products so often, I decided to blog about them and show you my favorites!

This is the "Ultimate Body Applicator". It is a wrap that you can literally put just about anywhere! There is a certain wrap for the chin/neck and even a facial! They come in a four pack or you can order them individually. What is even more amazing?!? It is ALL natural! The cloth is infused with botanicals that tighten and tone the skin...awesome!!

Seriously one of my FAVS! Greens gives you your daily serving of fruits and veggies. Greens blends 38 herbs and nutrient-rich "superfoods" to provide vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes in their naturally-occurring, bio-active, bio-available form. It is orange flavored and tastes good in Crystal Light or any kind of juice!

Can't say enough about the defining gel. Got cellulite? Stretch marks? LOVE it. It smells good and helps to tighten and tone the skin, like the applicator! This can be used all on its own or in between wraps.



All natural supplement that speeds up that metabolism with NO jitters! I have not used this yet, but know many that have that is the one thing they rave about. It is B-12, Acai extract, other fruit extracts, and Capsimax.

Want to have your cake and eat it too? Yep, that is what this is for! Proven to absorb some of the fat and carbs that we take in. Fantastic!

Stetch mark cream! Lightens up those stretch marks and balances the tone of your skin!!

Ok, so I know that was a lot but seriously...I could keep going. I told myself if I was going to sell these products, I was going to use them. I have been very impressed!! Well, if I haven't bored you too much or gotten on your nerves from posting on facebook (; , let me know if you want to try something!!!

Here is my website with ALL of the products!

Fertility Specialist

So I got a call today and I have an appointment for next Thursday with a fertility specialist! I am kind of excited about it, but of course a little nervous too. I am not sure what this appointment will entail other than medical history and talking about what has happened lately and the path we have been on with my OBGYN. I honestly thought it would take a couple of months to get an appointment but boy was I wrong!! I filled out all of the paperwork online two days ago and received a phone call from a very nice receptionist today. I feel like we are taking all of the appropriate steps that we can take, which makes me breathe easier (:  I will be about to ovulate when I go so I am hoping to get some blood work done to check my progesterone levels. I take Prometrium starting at day 14 of my cycle every month (except for the past 3 because I am cheap and didn't want to spend the money..). That is beside the point though (; I will start taking that next Wednesday, the day before my appointment. I think it is all coming at the perfect timing! Maybe I will just get pregnant this month and THEN I will have a specialist to see me through the pregnancy...that would be even better (: Yes, I am very optimistic in this whole process, otherwise it can be very easy to get down on yourself and sulk. I don't want to sulk. Last day of Clomid!!! YAY! Glad those five days always go by pretty quickly (:

Click here to visit the website of the fertility specialists I will be visiting next week. If you click on "staff" on the left handside, the doctor I will be seeing is the first one on the page. Have a great weekend!!

Oh Wednesday...

I am in the works with getting an appointment with a Fertility Specialist! It is a group out of Sandy Springs that a friend had success with and recommended. I am filling out paperwork and will be in touch with someone to make an appointment in the next couple of days. Obviously in the back of my mind I am hoping I will not even have to go, but it will be there none the less if that is what we need to do (: Today marks day 3 of Clomid and the lovely hotflashes and headaches that follow...uggh! Only two more days of pills though. I can hang.

Well I did visit the Thrive store in Kennesaw and bought a few goodies! Protein bars, Popchips, Nature's Own Double Fiber Wheat bread, and a couple other things.

These are really yummy and a great replacement for normal potato chips! They are popped, not baked or fried! They satisfy that crunch you get with potato chips, without the calories of course!

This bread is one of the only approved for Thrive and luckily really good! Gives you the right amount of protein and fiber.

This is commonly referred to as "cardboard" or "dry wall". Great. BUT it is full of fiber, keeps you really full and is great with peanut butter!

So today I am staying inside and beating the heat. I am trying to get some housework done but I am not too motivated...hopefully it will kick in soon (: 

Nothing is Sweeter Than Summertime..



It is certainly true that nothing is sweeter than summertime, especially when you are a teacher! My summers make me dream of staying at home, cooking, keeping the house clean and just doing things that I have absolutely no time for when I am in the trenches of the school year. I have certainly been blessed and feel that I have blessed others in my job but summertime sure does make me dream...



Today I am a going back to eating the Thrive way after a brief hiatus of eating whatever I want, whenever I want (: That is the bad part of summer for me. Routine is a very good thing for me when it comes to eating and working out. I have been pretty good with the working out part...just not the eating. You can get more info on Thrive here. Thrive has made more sense to me than anything else when it comes to eating right and losing weight. It is not a diet, but a life change and very practical! If you are wanting to lose weight, eat healthy and possibly make a change, I encourage you to check out Thrive Weightloss. They have centers in Dawsonville and now Kennesaw! I am probably headed to the center in Kennesaw today to pick up a few yummy food  items (: I will post some pictures of my purchases tomorrow maybe.

I am also planning to call a few fertility specialists today or tomorrow! I am actually pretty excited. Nick and I planned a couple of months ago that if I wasn't pregnant by the end of the summer (late August), I would make an appointment. Well, I am going to go ahead and get an appointment on the books and pray that I won't even have to go (; Gotta be hopeful right??

Well, I am headed off to the Thrive center in Kennesaw and the grocery store! Time to pack my fridge with some yummy "good for you" food! Stayed tuned for some pictures!

So what is next?

Tomorrow I begin my 5th round of Clomid. Some of you may not know what Clomid is so here is a little explaination from infertility.com:

Clomid is the most well-known fertility drug, probably because it is the most commonly used. And with good reason. About 25% of female factor infertility involves a problem with ovulation, and clomiphene citrate, as a fertility drug, is easy to use (taken as a pill, not an injection), with not too many side effects, is pretty inexpensive compared to other fertility drugs, and is effective in stimulating ovulation 80% of the time.

So basically, I take a couple pills everyday for 5 days out of my cycle. Usually around the last day of taking the medicine, side effects kick in and last for the remainder of my cycle. It took some getting used to for sure but now it doesn't bother me as much. As I mentioned in my last post, I have one more cycle of Clomid after this month. Every month is a hopeful month of becoming pregnant, but what happens if I do not get pregnant in the next two months? What is next?

We need to find a specialist. I really like my doctor but I am not sure that he is as troubled or worried about all of this as Nick and I are. We are ready to take the next step in trying to have a child, whatever that may be. I guess this week will be filled me calling up the doc and making an appointment to discuss options, and also looking for a fertility specialist! I was reading a blog a few days back where a woman put her journey out there as well for the world to read. She was also taking Clomid with no success and her and her husband visited a specialist. They decided to go the IUI route (Click here for an explanation of IUI) Well, all of her meds came in and she was ready to start the process and guess what??? She found out she was pregnant that month. I really enjoyed reading her story and it is part of my motivation to do this.

This morning in church we sang this song and the lyrics are everything I want to be and do. Thought I would share this small source of joy today (:

                   
                    Jesus, I Come

1. Out of my shameful failure and loss,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of earth’s sorrows, into Thy balm,
   Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
   Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.
2. Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into Thy blessed will to abide,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
   Out of despair, into raptures above,
   Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.
3. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into the joy and light of Thy home,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of the depths of ruin untold,
   Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
   Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.

Take a "walk" with me..

I have been wanting to blog for quite sometime, and actually did have a blog in secret that I would occasionally update, but now I am ready (: I am ready for you to read about my very simple life but very real struggles with something that has taken over my life here over the past couple of years. Hi, my name is Kristen and I suffer with "unexplainable infertility". That is what they call it atleast which I REALLY cannot stand quite frankly. What do you mean "unexplainable?" Isn't it your JOB to explain to me my issues and help me fix them, Mr. doctor? I have come to terms with the title, but not the day to day struggles. Here is a little background for those that are new to my story so far.

In December of 2009, Nick and I were shocked to find out that I was pregnant with our first child! We were thrilled and told everyone right away. This pregnancy ended abruptly at almost 10 weeks pregnant. I won't go through all of the details but basically at my first visit the ultrasound tech was not able to see "all that she was supposed to be seeing". So I went back a week later and it was "better" but still "troublesome" for my doctor. I then was told to take it easy and went back later that week as I just wasn't feeling right. My doctor basically told me that I would probably miscarry soon but it was possible that I wouldn't, but not probable. So I went home that day, layed on the couch and watched tv, and later that night had my first miscarriage. Awful to say the least. Painful in more ways that I had ever imagined it to be. You hear quite frequently of those that miscarry but I never knew the pain that was hidden away deep down inside.

Well, my doctor assured me that this was quite normal and not to worry so after a few months of really struggling, we went on and decided that we were going to "try" to have a baby. I was pregnant again by October 2010 with another kind of shocking pregnancy but to end in miscarriage around 5 weeks pregnant. Again, this was very painful and I was ready for some real answers from my doctor at this point. I wanted to know why I was miscarrying and what I could do to stop it. So the next step was for a few tests from my doctor. I was told that I had low progesterone and needed to be supplemented with Prometrium every cycle from now on and when I do become pregnant again, I will need to take Prometrium throughout my first and maybe second trimester.

Ok, low progesterone, no big deal right? My doctor also suggested that we begin Clomid (a drug to enable ovulation). So starting around January of 2011 I began Clomid and am currently about to start my 5th round. If you have never been on Clomid it can be a bit tricky. You have hotflashes as if you were a menopausal woman, headaches, and even possible weightgain. Great. Also, you have to stop after six rounds and take a break because it can be dangerous for your ovaries. Did I mention I was on my 5th round? Scary.

So here is the deal. I am a very private person when it comes to "displaying how I feel", but I have decided that maybe all of that hidden stress is causing me some anxiety that I don't need. Nick and I are trying to figure out what is next in this 2 year journey of trying to have a child and could really appreciate all the prayers we can get (:  I know that God has a plan for us and all things work together in His timing and it is really the only thing that keeps me from breaking down in tears more than I already do. He is Sovereign and I must be patient. and hopeful. and trusting. and I am.

I have decided that I will document this journey and give a very real explanation of what it means to really "try" and have a child. I think it will be eye-opening for some maybe? Don't feel sorry for us though...we want what God wants for our lives, whatever that means. Did I mention I am VERY stubborn and will not stop fighting (;

Stay tuned...