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APPROXIMATE DUE DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2008

3/5/08 : RECEIVED A POSITIVE BLOOD TEST FROM MY DOCTOR ON MONDAY. WENT IN FOR A HIGH FEVER TURNS OUT I HAVE A VIRUS AND SINUS INFECTION. ALL OKAY WITH THAT AS LONG AS THE POSITIVE PREGNANCY CONTINUES FORWARD!!!!

3/8/08 Numbers are looking good. HCG level is high for being so early and progesterone was low at 13.3 two days ago but now at 31 (with taking the progesterone pill). Who knows but maybe all I needed was progesterone with the last 2 which ended in miscarriage. But all is looking good so far!!

3/10/08 Feeling real good. Don't have to get another blood test until Thursday. Not looking forward to bloodwork since my vains can't take it anymore. They tried both arms and then had to use a "butterfly needle" on my hand. Oh my poor arms don't want to give blood anymore. But I have a smile on my face because I am pregnant!!

3/12/08 One day away from my 3rd HCG test to check levels. Feeling good. A bit tired and visiting the bathroom often - but that's okay.

3/16/08 Feeling anxious about my ultrasound tomorrow. Hoping since my HCG number is quite high for being week 5 - that they will see something indicating a healthy baby!! Will update tomorrow.

3/26/08 Saw my baby fetus today and the heartbeat too!! Doctor said I am 7 weeks and all looks good. This was the greatest news and the best ultrasound I have ever experienced!! Go back again in 2 weeks.

We are working with a fertility Doctor to assist with pregnancy and making this one successful! This has become a part time job but looking forward to the outcome. Had 2 miscarriages in 2007 so my doctor felt I needed to run tests and have monitoring. Both times I was able to get pregnant easily (same month we tried) which was great but then not able to hold the pregnancy. The first loss was at just over 6 weeks the second loss was at about 8 weeks.

I started taking Clomid and Follistim in January 2008 - I feel that this will work soon. We could have tried the Clomid alone 1st but took the more aggressive option. My FSH is high (depleated egg supply) so wanted to support it as much as possible. They also found I needed to boost up my folic acid so I am taking that plus my prenatal vitamins. Don't have to worry about to much folic acid since it is water soluble. Better to have to much than not enough. Well, time will tell - but I am very hopeful that I will be pregnant soon and that this one will be a definate keeper!!!

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2/4/08 Went for bloodwork today to check progesterone levels. Received a call in the afternoon with results - 45.6. The nurse said that was good they look for the number to be above 10. I am not too sure what this means as far as being pregnant or not but it is good info I am told. Going to wait until this upcoming weekend to test. I am still having signs - many bathroom visits and can't keep my eyes open after 9PM. What a long week this has been waiting and waiting.

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2/5/08 Feeling tired. Took a nap mid day. Did more research on the web today and sounds like my 45.6 progesterone level usually is a number I should see weeks down the road. Maybe the clomid or follistim meds made the number higher??? Well, just trying to find things to keep my mind busy.

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2/6/08 Up numberous times last night visiting the bathroom. Fell asleep early again. Read on the internet that high levels of progesterone makes you tired. Just keep wondering if I am or not. Time keeps on clickin' and waiting till this weekend to test (if I can hold out that long). Wondering if my progesterone level is so high could I also have a high HCG and then it would show up earlier on the test. Time to keep busy so my mind doesn't keep runnninnnnng.

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2/7/08 Couldn't wait any longer. Took the test this morning and was happy to see a faint line!! It is early to test so I feel a faint line is great. I will test again in a couple days to see if it is darker. The Doctor said I should wait until the day I miss my period to test but that seemed so far away. I purchased a 2 pack at Walgreens for about $10.00 so for $5.00 it was all worth it. Now I can look forward to my next test this weekend and hopefully it will be a definate positive!!!!

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2/11/08 NEGATIVE TEST! Well the faint lines must have been because of the medicine I was taking because not only was my test negative this morning but then a couple hours later I got my period. I had all the signs too - just doesn't make sense. So, off to the Doctor again on Wednesday to start the series of tests and medicine for this next cycle. So hope this next month is the month and that this one makes it to the full 9 months with a little tiny joy at the end. I will keep updating....

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2/12/08 Feeling a bit better today. Trying to focus on other things and not get to worked up. Going to the Doctor in the morning for my ultrasound, bloodwork and starting the Clomid again. Will be making the half hour trip to the Doc quite alot again. Hopefully this will not become to stressful, I know I need to just relax.

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2/21/08 Well, it has been days since I have checked the website. Sort of took a break from focusing so much on TTC. Went to the doctor over a week ago on Monday and they did the day #3 ultrasound. Found out that I needed to take a break from meds this month because of over stimulation of the ovaries. However the doc said to still try naturally without medicine and see what happens this month. Dr said my progesterone should be better this month because of the medication last month - maybe a bit more chances. So, it definately has been less stressful and less painful (being off the Clomid). We are entering that window of opportunity to try again. I did just start taking the Robitussin to help with CM - heard it works - and anything is worth a shot. (just the plain type of Robitussin that thins mucus for congestion). Hope things work out this time.

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2/22/08 Just havin' fun and relaxing as much as I can. Have to say it comes into my mind pretty often though. Will take the weekend to just enjoy and kick back. Not going to get myself to worked up - if it happens it happens and if not then we will have fun trying.

2/28/08 Sorry but I am a bit sad - If I didn't have the 1st miscarriage last year then I would have a baby next month. So needless to say I am not relaxed. This whole waiting game is very difficult. I find the hardest thing is to plan out my schedule for work and fun. Will I be traveling back up to the Doctors office again in a couple weeks, will I be doing this for several months, what will my plans be this year. I feel myself spinning in a circle. I somehow need to snap out of this because I know it isn't healthy - not to get pregnant or for myself.

2/29/08 Feeling a bit better today (maybe even more than a bit). Tried to do something positive last night. So, I worked out for 45 minutes and ate a healthy dinner. Went out with my husband and friends. Wasn't in a super great mood but it was much better than staying home and laying around. I think I am going to try and workout more and eat healthy (stop grabbing the "fun" food).

Interesting info: (found on the web)

What kind of Robitussin is used to improve cervical mucus?

One should buy the plain kind with no letters after it. The only active ingredient is guaifenesin, and it contains 100 mg per teaspoon. It is very important to avoid the versions that contain decongestants as those may dry up cervical mucus. Also, there is some conflicting information about whether dextromethorphan, the DM in some cough medicine names, may be linked to birth defects such as neural tube defects and cleft palate.

What is the recommended dose of guaifenesin?

The recommended dose for improving cervical mucus, based on a 1982 article in Fertility and Sterility, is two teaspoons (200 mg) taken orally three times per day. If mucus still appears thick and doesn't have good spinnbarkeit (ability to stretch), one can take as much as four teaspoons (400 mg) four times per day (the maximum dose on this over the counter medication). Each dose should be taken with a full glass of water, and attention should be given to drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day -- one needs water to produce mucus.

What cycle days should one take guaifenesin?

Just as the dose can vary a bit, so can the days. The article linked above had patients starting the guaifenesin on cycle day 5 - five days after the start of menses. This seems rather early as mucus is not an issue until about five days before ovulation - based on the fact that sperm can only live five days at best, and most pregnancies are the result of intercourse in the five days leading up to ovulation. Because of this information, it is now more common for doctors to suggest starting guaifenesin about five days before expected ovulation and continuing through ovulation day (six days total, for those with regular cycles). For those with irregular cycles, one should start taking guaifenesin about five days before the earliest day ovulation might be expected. For those taking Clomid (clomiphene citrate, Serophene) in a 5-day protocol, one can probably wait until the day after the last Clomid pill before starting the expectorant.

Wishing you lots of luck for those TTC!

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