I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH MY FEMALE SYSTEM and have not been able to get pregnant. I finally know exactly what is wrong with my body, I have severe and aggressive Endometriosis.
I HAD 2 SURGERIES this year that took care of most of my endometriosis but it was growing back way to fast. The Dr's advised that I hurry and start Invitro before the endometriosis returns.
I OVULATE JUST FINE BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE EGG TO THE WOMB. Cysts would form over endometrian tissues on my Ovaries and would block the eggs from escaping. My tubes had a lot of scarring from the endometriosis and were heavily blocked. So even if my eggs could escape, they couldn't get down the slide to the fun uterus.
THIS CAUSED ME TO BE INFERTILE. Reality of my infertility situation set in when I read a document from my doctor that labeled me "unable to conceive". It was a little weird for me to take in because ever since I was was very young, I was sure I would have my own BRADY BUNCH.
WE WERE DIRECTED TO ONE OF THE BEST INVITRO DOCTORS ON THE ISLAND: DR. BENTON CHUN. He is very funny which is always a plus in my book. He was able to perform both surgeries with my gynecologist Dr. Angela Pratt so he really knows my situation.
In July, the INVITRO PROCESS STARTED. I took birth control to regulate my cycle and to keep cysts from forming (that didnt help much since they showed up anyway.) At one point I was taking 8 MEDICATIONS A DAY, all separate from each other and ALL with food!
THEN THE SHOTS BEGAN. I had to give myself shots in the thigh and abdomen every morning and night. These shots were making my ovaries produce multiple eggs at one time and also kept the eggs from releasing. The nurse said it was like having 2 bunches of grapes in your abdomen. I was so bloated!
NEXT, I WAS PUT UNDER AND MY EGGS WERE RETRIEVED. This took place on Sunday, August 17th. They put a long bendable needle through my female system and poked through all of the follicles on my ovaries to retrieve as many eggs as possible.
10 EGGS WERE RETRIEVED AND 8 WERE FERTILIZED. We then went back to the Dr. 3 days later on Wed. to put the healthy embryo's in. We were told that they had a 70% chance to survive.
When we arrived at the Dr.'s office he said that 2 EMBRYO'S WERE THE STRONGEST and that the other 6 need to mature a little more.
WE HAVE WANTED BOY AND GIRL TWINS so bad. I asked the Dr. if he knew the sex of the embryo's and he said they were a BOY AND A GIRL! Chris and I looked at each other like we were 2 underaged kids who just WON the lottery. This is the picture he gave us of our embryo's.
WE WERE ABLE TO WATCH THE EMBRYO IMPLANTING THROUGH ULTRASOUND. I was awake and on Valium and Chris was sitting next to me. The embryo's were implanted through a catheter and then the dr. left the room and Chris and I were alone. I had to lay down for 20 minutes and not move. The office radio then played Cher's hit "If I Could Turn Back Time" and Chris and I started laughing. As we left the room the song "Eye of the Tiger" played and Chris said it was the embryo's theme song to hang on and fight to survive in their new home (my uterus)!
I HAD TO SPEND THE NEXT 24 HOURS ON BED REST and 2 days of house rest and take it easy for the next couple of weeks.
11 DAYS AFTER THE IMPLANTING WE FOUND OUT WE WERE PREGNANT! We had a picture taken of the embryo's on the 11th day and this is what they look like now.
IN 4 WEEKS WE WILL FIND OUT HOW MANY BABIES ARE GROWING IN MY WOMB.
I'll update again later. I hope this gives you a better idea of the Invitro process.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
INVITRO
Posted by Chris & Jackie Kontoes at 12:42 AM
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24 comments:
jackie and Chris...I am crying with joy right this second.....I am praying for you both! I am amazed at the process that you have had to go through. hang in there girl...I love you guys and you'll be in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted. I am so EXCITED for you both!
thanks for all the information(seriously)..I had no idea!
HOOOOOOORAY!!!! Your kids are SOOO cute!! :}
ok, so ironic, cause i was just thinking today randomly about how you mentioned that you were getting invitro done this month and if it happened....than i get to see this lovely post with the coolest picture of your little mini-yous. awesome! hope they stick and you get a little boy and girl.
and seriously, if you need anything, call me!
You two are our favorites. We pray for you every day and are thrilled for your success so far! I'll always remember picking up the "med-cine" in the big cooler...Thank you for such a great description of what you're going through. It is such a private thing, but you've helped me see it through your eyes. We are SOOO excited for your both!
That is sooooo exciting. I am so happy for you! A boy and a girl too, how fun:)
Jennie told me the big news yesterday at church and I got goose bumps! We are absolutely THRILLED for you guys, and having gone through the whole process ourselves know just a little bit how you are feeling right now. Take care of yourself and I can't wait to hear more good news!
PS your embryos are darling!!! =-)
I am super excited for you, Chris, and your future family. YIppeee! You are a brave shot taker! OUch!
Go Jackie and Chris! Go Embryoes! We're so excited for you and can't wait for all these kids to show up so they can play with their new cousins! OK...that is one of the funniest PhotoShop images I've ever seen!!!
Love,
James + Mayra (and Squirmer)
jackie...CONGRATULATIONS. i knew this day would soon come. i am so excited for you guys.
ok i totally love the jackie and chris embyos!! hee hee hee, can't wait to see what the verdict is...YEAH BABIES!!
rach
how exciting. i am so happy for you and your little kontoes growing inside you!!! xoxoxo
you have no idea how thrilled we are for you both! i am tearing up just thinking about it!
I loved the update! Your kids are so cute. It is crazy how much they look like you and chris! I can't wait to meet them in real life!
Oh my gosh! I just laughed so hard at the pic of the Jackie and Chris embryos! That's hilarious! I am so happy for you guys!!! I will keep you in my prayers! Let's cross our fingers for twins!!!
I love you and I'm so excited for your both!! Your womb is in my prayers :)
I will be praying for you. You are such a champ for going through this all and sharing it with friends and family. We want to know how things go - you are so blessed. Heavenly Father is watching over you - good luck and keep up the humor.
We are so excited for you! Steele cannot believe it. You guys are going to be so awesome as parents and your kids are adorable. We can't wait for the next update. Congrats!
It was nice seeing you at Taylor's house yesterday.we are so excited for you guys...
Congrats! I'm so excited for you! I hope you have twins. It really is amazing the things they can do these days. And you got to watch it! That's amazing!
Woo Woo! Jackie and Chris, you are so adorable and your tiny little ones, too! What a great mommy and daddy you guys will make, I can't wait to see you at it. We will be praying our little hearts out for you!
i have been wondering about this but didnt want to ask just in case the results werent what you were hoping- i am SO GLAD THEY ARE SO HAPPY!! and for some reason i am crying like a baby- i am just so happy for you both- CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Jackie (and Chris)!!!! This is Molly and Shana. We are both in Utah right now and read your blog...and are both crying. We are so excited for you both (and think you're hilarious)! You two will make the greatest parents, we are so happy for you!
Congratulations on such an exciting process! Thanks for the explanation ... I had no idea it was so extensive.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Love the kids! You are hilarious.
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