Chasing Joy

1st Day Back to Work After Maternity Leave. Was it Joyful?

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1st day back to work after maternity leaveIt took me a long long time to get pregnant with Baby Joy Chaser.  After finally becoming a mom a couple of family members asked me so is it (meaning motherhood) like you imagined.  At the time I said it did not feel real.  I suspected it wouldn’t feel real until maternity leave ended and I was back to work and into what would be my normal routine. Well that time has come.  I went back to work a few weeks ago.

Being back to work has gone pretty well.  We have our routine down.  I’ve almost been on time for work too.  The baby has adjusted well. His teachers now comment on how he does not cry a lot any more.  That’s not the report I got on my 1st day back to work after maternity leave. He was definitely Mr. Cranky Pants that entire week.

I vloged the entire day on my 1st day back to work after maternity leave.  When I was thinking about becoming a single mother by choice I wondered what my days would be like.  I captured my day to satisfy the curiosity of any future single mothers by choice. I don’t know that I’d call it Joyful but it went well. Check out the video below to see how that first day went.

For the moms reading this, what was your 1st day back to work after maternity leave like?  Let us know in the comments.

P.S. Don’t forget to register for the Chasing Joy Brunch & Learn with Boiron Homeopathy.

Baby Making Update: Lining Check Before FET

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Baby Making Update: Lining Check Before FET

Pre-Transfer lining check

I know those of you following my baby making and single mother by choice journey are like let’s get this show on the road.  How do you guys think I feel, LOL?  It has been a long wait since my last failed embryo transfer back in April. Finally the cycle is here.  Vacation is over.  Zika Test results are in. ERA test has been completed. Now it’s time to get on with it.

There’s one last thing to do. The lining check. If you’re new here and haven’t seen any of my previous posts or videos about doing the frozen embryo transfer then you need to know what the lining check is. Before you can have an embryo transfer the fertility clinic will want to make sure that your uterus has the proper lining to support getting pregnant. They do this via internal ultrasound.This is the lining check and the final hurdle before having to transfer.

In this week’s video I take you guys along with me for the lining check. Slight spoiler alert here, I got thrown a little bit of a curve ball at the clinic. Check out the video below and let me know what you guys think in the comments.

If you have going through IVF, head frozen embryo transfers, or use a fertility clinic for any other procedures I’d love to know your thoughts on the curveball that I received on the day of my lining check. If you’ve been through something similar what was your reaction? Did it bother you at all like it bothered me? Or did it not really matter as long as you could keep moving with fertility treatments?

Please let me know in the comments below.

PS can you guys believe it’s September already? Where has the summer gone?

Updates! Updates! Updates!

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This week I planned to give you guys three blog post.

  1. My thoughts on the book the The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck by Sarah Knight.
  2. An update on how I’m doing with my July Healthy Eating / Weight Loss challenge
  3. My weekly baby making update on trying to conceive

But that is not what happened because… life. Fear not, I am not going to leave you wondering how I am doing with the challenge.  We are going to go over that right now before diving into this week’s baby making update.

Healthy Eating Weight Loss Challenge Update

Weight Loss UpdateHonestly week two was hard. I was able to really stick to the plan the first week but started to really rave sweets in week two.  I also have struggled with not wanting the food I prepped on Sunday later in the week.  I ended up tossing several dishes that went uneaten.  I did do really good with my workouts and have not missed any days.  I also did better with getting in my water. I was able to finish my entire gallon of water 3 or 4 times compared to only 1 time the first week.

Despite giving into snacking and not sticking to the plan as diligently as week 1 I still lost weight.  In week 2 I lost 4 inches mostly from my waist and 2.6 lbs.  So it was a good week after all!

Baby Making Updates

Baby Making Update

Now, here is our usually baby making update. Time is moving and I am slowly progressing towards another frozen embryo transfer. Finally the 8 weeks since my Cuba trip have passed. That means I can finally have my Zika blood work done.  Cuba was a level two Zika risk so my fertility clinic said I had to be tested before I could proceed with any more fertility tests.  So here is what happened…. watch the video.

I know I am not the only one who has struggled with snacking and sticking to their meal plans.  How do you guys do it?  Tell me your tips!

For those trying to conceive who have also traveled, did you have to have Zika blood work done?

Baby Making Update: That Time Progesterone Made Me Miserable

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That Time Progesterone Made Me Miserable

Progesterone Made Me MiserableHappy Friday Joy Chasers!!!

Not a whole lot is happening in terms of Baby Making / Trying to conceive.  So I thought I’d fill you guys in on one thing that will be different when I do my next Frozen Embryo Transfer.  I am switching things up because after the last failed FET cycle the progesterone made me miserable. In fact, I was so miserable it didn’t even occur to me to document it on a video blog. So let me tell you what happened now.

Check out the video below to find out how Progesterone made me miserable.

Have you ever had a side effect from taking a medication?

Baby Making Break & TTC Next Steps

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Baby Making Update Baby Making BreakBaby Making Break & Next Steps

Ugh…  Each week that I give you guys another baby making update I find myself both annoyed and in disbelief.  I can’t believe I am still not pregnant.  Last week I shared how hard the last failed attempt was on me.  I was thinking of giving up on becoming a mom. Sigh….

I told you guys I was going to be headed to Cuba.  Well the scheduling of the Cuba trip was perfect for me to take a Baby Making Break.  But before I left I did talk to my doctor about Zika risks and my next trying to conceive steps.

In the video below I talk about my plan for not catching Zika while in Cuba and my next steps after my Baby Making Break.

Frozen Embryo Transfer

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Frozen Embryo TransferFrozen Embryo Transfer day!!!

Leading up to this frozen embryo transfer I was filled with so much anxiety.  I went into IVF thinking it would work.  Even though logically I knew it was not a sure thing, my heart believed it would work.  I was crestfallen (Despite the meaning, crestfallen is my favorite word.) when my fresh embryo transfer failed.  That rude awakening stuck with me.

I had to battle with thoughts like what if this one does not work either, what if none of it works, what if I never become a mom, etc for weeks.  The funny thing is once transfer day arrived all of that anxiety was gone. I woke up feeling good. I was grateful everything fell into place for me to go to acupuncture before the transfer.  It felt like a sign that the acupuncturist (not my normal lady) asked if we could pray together.  The only thing that didn’t go my way was sitting in traffic.  I was in traffic so long I decided to start the video in the car.

The video below includes my frozen embryo transfer.  It was basically the same as my fresh embryo transfer procedure.  My cousin came with me again.  You have to watch to the end to see a picture of my beautiful embryo.

Is it time for my Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

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Frozen Embryo TransferCan I move on to my FET, my frozen embryo transfer?  I have come to terms with the failed fresh transfer. After talking to my doctor about the failed cycle all I want to know is can I get started with the FET?

After dreaded two week wait, the most nerve racking time is the time leading up to your next cycle.  There are so many things that can pop up that prevent you from having the necessary fertility treatment to try again. In the past I have been delayed trying to lose weight.  Most often I have been delayed because of developing a cyst on my ovary.  This happened to me last year when I thought I was going to start IVF.  Then I was further delayed because of the lab’s maintenance schedule.  So, before I could  start taking the estrogen and progesterone needed for my FET I needed to find out if I could even get started. Was it indeed time for my frozen embryo transfer.

The first hurdle I had to cross was going in for the day 3 tests.  This consist of blood work and an ultrasound between the 2nd and 4th days after your period starts.  In the case of my FET they were checking to make sure that I did not have ovarian cysts.  If there were cysts then I will have to wait for them to resolve.  In addition to looking for cysts they also check  the uterine lining. The doctor wants to make sure is appropriately thin for that stage of the cycle.  Even if the cycle day 3 tests are good I’d still have to come back in a couple of weeks to make sure the uterine lining  thickened properly.  Only then would I be given the ok to have the FET.

Now that you have some backgroud, check out today’s video of me going for my day 3 tests and finding out if I could move forward with my FET.

I’d love to hear about anyone’s experience with a FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer).  Don’t be shy leave a comment or email me at ArlettRHartie@Chasing-Joy-com.

Baby Making Update: Consult After Failed Fresh Embryo Transfer

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Consult After Failed Fresh Embryo TransferAs you guys know my fresh embryo transfer after IVF did not work.  Saying I am disappointed is an understatement.  But, like I said in last week’s baby making update I am not giving up.  I was lucky enough to have gotten more than one embryo from the egg retrieval.  But, I figured it was best to talk to the doctor before transferring another one. Watch this week’s video to hear what the doctor had to say about my failed cycle and my next steps.  I also share what I plan to do different during the next cycle.

Thanks for your support and during this longer than expected journey to motherhood.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on my Dr’s consult and my plan for the next embryo transfer.  So don’t be shy.  Share your opinion in the comments below.

A New Product to Help with Getting Pregnant Naturally, The Stork OTC

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GETTING PREGNANT NATURALLY, THE STORK OTC

This is a sponsored post for The Stork OTC. However all opinions expressed herein are my own.

Happy Monday!!!  Normally I only talk about baby making or my efforts at getting pregnant on Fridays.  But, I found out about an awesome product to help with getting pregnant naturally and couldn’t wait to share it with you guys.  It is called the Stork OTC.

As you guys know I have been trying to get pregnant for two years now.  While Chasing Joy is not a fertility blog, Chasing Joy is about going after the joyful life you want.  For me that includes motherhood and I am not alone.  That is why it is important for me to share my journey.  Similarly, It is also important for me to share information on getting pregnant that is not specific to my journey but may help you with your own efforts at getting pregnant.

Since my effort at getting pregnant is a solo project I started right away with going to a fertility specialist and having an IUI.  This is likely not where you will start if you are getting pregnant with a male partner aka husband, boyfriend, or BAE.   You will start trying to get pregnant naturally aka the fun way.  The Stork OTC is a fertility product that you can use to help you.  Think of this as a step you can take before you head into a fertility specialist.

Here is how it works. BAE will wear something similar to a condom while you guys have sexy time. It will capture his swimmers.  When he takes it off the The Stork OTC will then allow you to place those swimmers inside of you way up near your cervix. The placement is similar to that of a diaphragm. Getting those swimmers close to the cervix is what increases your chance at getting pregnant.  Future Single Mother’s By Choice like myself or same sex female couples don’t feel left out.  You can use The Stork OTC with donor sperm as well.

To see exactly how The Stork OTC works click here >>> Show Me How The Stork OTC Works.

If i had known about The Stork OTC I may have tried it before I did an IUI.  Oh well I am on the IVF train now.  However, despite the fact that I had medical intervention from the very beginning I still did a lot to boost my natural fertility. Despite my first transfer not working I attribute ending up with a total of 5 embryos from the IVF to those efforts. So if you are working on getting pregnant here are a few things to try in addition to The Stork OTC.

  • Take a prenatal vitamin.  This will give you additional nutrient support but most importantly it will give you the folic acid that your baby will need in those first few weeks.  Lack of folic acid in those first few weeks when you may not even realize you are pregnant can cause neural tube defects.  So pretty much all women of childbearing age should take a prenatal just in case.  The down side is the pills are kind of big.  But you can find smaller ones.  The bonus (outside the benefits to baby) is you may see an improvement in your hair and nails.
  • Take Vitamin D.  Vitamin D comes from the sun.  Our milk is fortified with it but the main source is sunlight. Depending on your skin tone and the climate you live in you may likely have a vitamin deficiency. I am a black girl living in Philly (Northeastern United States) where we don’t get a lot of sun during the fall and winter. Not surprisingly I was Vitamin D deficient.  You can get vitamin d over the counter and it even comes in gummy form.
  • Get your thyroid checked.  I was surprised to find out I had a thyroid issue.  It is technically not a thyroid problem as my levels are considered normal for a grown woman. However for pregnancy a thyroid number between 1 and 2.5 is considered optimal.  Mine was a bit over this so I started taking Synthroid.  One bonus from this is that I now find it a little easier to lose weight.  It’s still hard AF though,  Yall see me posting my workouts on Instagram, LOL.
  • Get your blood sugar levels checked.  If your body is not metabolising sugars properly that will have a negative impact on getting pregnant.  I found out my blood sugar levels were a little too high and was given a medication to help. I also met with a nutritionist.
  • Speaking of losing weight, get to a healthy weight range.  Being either overweight or underweight can impact your ability to ovulate.  There are also studies showing women who are not in a healthy weight range have a harder time getting pregnant even if they are ovulating.
  • Take Vitamins E and C.  A while back I told you guys about the book It Starts With The Egg.  The book talks about how toxins may play a role in diminished fertility.  After reading it I started taking Vitamin E and C as they are both antioxidants which help protect our cells from toxins. Remember our eggs are cells and cell division is how we go from sperm and egg to little bundles of joy..
  • Look into CoQ10 and DHEA.  I also took these supplements to aid in my fertility.  I think these two are responsible for performing a Benjamin Button on my ovaries.  At one point the fertility tests showed I had the ovaries of a 40 year old woman when I was only 36.  Both of these help with egg quality.  I don’t know of any negative of using CoQ10.  Unfortunately you have to be a bit more careful with DHEA.  It is a form of male hormone.  If your male hormones are already on the higher side it can actually be harmful to take it. So look into it and discuss with your doctor. Have them give you a blood test to check your hormone levels first.  Other supplements mentioned in the book included myo-inositol and  royal jelly. These seemed a little controversial so I stayed away from them.
  • Lastly make lifestyle changes.  I lost weight by exercising and  eating  healthier (sometimes I fall off though). I also made changes to my skin, hair, and makeup routines to avoid unnecessary chemicals.  Now I only wear foundation on special occasions. I switched my nail polish to ones with fewer chemicals.  In addition I also switched my hand soap, body wash, lotion,  and dishwashing liquid to natural products.  I also stopped relaxing my hair.  That’s why I am rocking these lovely braids.Getting Pregnant

So there are lots of things to do to help naturally improve your fertility before moving to fertility drugs and procedures.  I’m glad we can now add The Stork OTC to the list of things that can help you with getting pregnant.

Click here to find out where to buy The Stork OTC >>> Buy The Stork OTC.

Keep in mind that as we get older fertility goes down. The general rule of thumb is if you have been trying on your own with no luck you should reach out to a Reproductive Endocrinologist after a year if you are under 35 and after 6 months if you are over 35.

I want us all to have the Joyful lives we deserve. If your joyful life includes becoming a mom I hope you found this helpful.

Would you try The Stork to help you with getting pregnant?  Have you done any of the other things I mentioned to help with getting pregnant? Did they work?

This is a sponsored post for The Stork OTC. However all opinions expressed herein are my own.

Pregnant or Nah? Testing After IVF

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Testing After IVFAm I pregnant or Nah?  I know that is what everyone wants to know. Of course I filmed my testing after IVF.  I started testing early at 5 days post 5 day transfer.

Actually, that is a lie.  I was doing home pregnancy test before they even put the embryo in.  The last injection that I gave myself during the IVF was the Trigger Shot. That shot contains the hormone HCG. HCG the hormone that the baby makes when you are pregnant.  That is what home pregnancy tests are looking for in you urine and BETA pregnancy blood tests are looking for in your bloodwork.  Why during IVF is HCG used to trigger the eggs to finish developing before egg retrieval I don’t know.

I did home pregnancy test to “test out the trigger”. That means I did tests to see when the HCG from the trigger would stop showing up in my urine. That way I would know if I got a positive test later on it would be true positive i.e. HCG from a baby and not the trigger.  So I did home tests to test out the trigger but it wasn’t until 5 days post the transfer did I start testing for real to see if it worked  and if I were pregnant.

Ok I won’t ramble on or make you wait any longer.  Check out the video below to see if I am pregnant or nah.  Here I am testing after IVF.

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