The second beta results are in!

I went from 126 on Thursday to 271 Saturday! The numbers just more than doubled. Dr. H said my numbers looked really good so there was no need for any repeat draws. I got to schedule my first ultrasound today, too.

We'll get to learn if we have one or two and hopefully hear the heartbeat on April 14th. These next two weeks can't come fast enough! While I know we have a long way to go before we're out of the woods, I'll feel so much calmer if I can just hear the heartbeat!

After I received the news this morning I just wanted to cry. A part of me wished the second number was a little higher but really it's a great number. I think I just have this overwhelming sense of everything sinking in. We tried for so long and went through so much pain, emotionally; I just find it difficult to grasp the concept of complete happiness when, at times, I expect the other shoe to drop.

Everyone says motherhood only makes you worry more. I'm just over 4 weeks pregnant and I'm already worried sick! This poor kid is doomed to have one of those over-protective parents, huh?

Blood draw, take two

I had my second beta draw this morning. Unfortunately, since it's Saturday, I had to travel to the main lab clear across town since it was one of two open today. I signed in and when I was called back, the plebotomist immediately asked me if she saw me yesterday or the day before. I told her that I had been in on Thursday. She laughed and said she drew my blood on Thursday. It's a sign...I had Lisa again!

While she was taking the draw we were chatting about Thursday's results. She asked if we had good news and I told her we did so she must be good luck. Sweet Lisa did a little good luck "doubling" dance with my vial before she put it in the specimen container to be sent for the results.

If this little bambino hangs in there for 40 weeks we just have to promise to request Lisa if he or she ever needs his/her blood taken. Not a problem, Lisa....we'd be happy to have you take our child's blood, if needed!

The first beta is in!

I needed to be at least 25 or above. My number was 126 at 13 days past IUI.

That's a very strong number! I go Saturday for draw number 2 and should have those results on Monday!

A moment of panic

Tuesday night, while I was lying in bed, awake, I had a moment of panic, albeit brief. You see, I'd never allowed myself to think ahead to pregnancy. I never wanted to be wistful about something that may not happen for a long time. Tuesday, it started sinking in that I really was pregnant...those test sticks weren't wrong! I don't really feel any different but I seem more aware about everything.

In my brief moment of panic I just thought to myself, "I have no idea what to do next!" Sure I've had lots of friends and family members who have been pregnant so I'm not completely clueless but it's those little questions that I need to know about. I need to know what to expect, if what I'm feeling is normal, am I being a crazy pregnant lady, etc.

I've decided I can make it through the next week or so flying by the seat of my pants and looking a few things up on the Internet. Once we have our beta results back and things will seem to be okay then it's off to the bookstore for me...I have lots of reading I need to do!

In other news, I had my first beta draw today. I'd called Dr. H's office, as instructed on Monday by Receptionist B, to confirm that everything was set for Friday. This time I got the very nice receptionist and she told me I didn't need to wait. She asked if I could go in today so that I'd have the results tomorrow and could go for the second draw on Saturday, if necessary. Of course I agreed so I headed into town for a quick blood draw.

I had a very nice phlebotomist named Lisa. She'd asked if this was our first baby and I said yes. She asked if we had been trying long and when I told her 19 months her response was "Oh sweetie, I really hope this is positive with high numbers. You don't need to wait any longer!" I couldn't agree more, Lisa!