2nd FET- First Check up & A1c

I am happy to report that we are 13 days away from transfer and everything is going as planned! I had my first ultrasound today where they measured my uterine lining. They typically want this to be at least 7mm but 8mm is ideal. They took three measurements of mine which showed 7.6, 8.6, and 8.3mm. Then they take the average of those which equals about 8.16mm. This is higher than last time which was around 7.9mm at this first check. I am very happy with that! A nice and thick lining for a baby to bury themselves. Haha 

Then they drew my estrogen blood level. This resulted at 331. This is also higher than last time which was 295. I could tell it was higher due to my headaches coming back and I have had some calf cramps despite trying to stay hydrated! Justin used his silly kinesiotaping skills on my calf last night and it did take away the cramp! Who knows if it was a placebo effect though haha

I have been emotional too so I am ready for this hormone roller coaster to end whether it's with a baby or not! Haha

I also was excited to speak with the embryologist today at my appt. We confirmed that we would be placing 2 embryos and I saw what looked like pictures of my embryo babies in my chart! I said hey! Let me see those! Haha She showed them to me quickly and there was such a variety between them all! I wish I could have taken a picture. The fair ones looked pretty ugly so I am praying we don't have to use those! Then I saw 2 that were almost fully hatched out of their shell! I am hoping these are my overachiever, lucky, extra sticky embryos they will put in me!  We will see. Normally we don't get to see pictures until transfer day. 

On another note, I had an appt with my endocrinologist last week that left me a little frustrated. She doesn't know much about infertility and so I feel like I am teaching her about the effects of all my hormones on my blood sugar. Every time I go in, she never makes any changes and I teach her more about IVF and so I almost feel worthless going in. I also have noticed that EVERY single time I get my a1c done, my dexcom continuous glucose meter a1c estimate reads 1% lower than my lab test. I had high hopes for this a1c since dexcom said it was around 5.9% but the Endo lab showed 6.8%. Last time was 6.9% so at least it's slightly lower.

 

I decided to post on my online diabetes groups to see if others have the same a1c issue. Turns out, a lot of them do depending on the meter they use! I came across two interesting articles that explain this further.

https://www.google.com/amp/onedrop.today/blog/2016/05/31/bg-meter-accuracy-10-meters-put-to-the-test/amp/?client=safari

https://medium.com/@chrishannemann/a-craftsman-blames-his-tools-blood-glucose-meter-accuracy-long-term-diabetes-control-9caac073dae9#.timlobrq7

I haven't decided what to do about this variance yet. As of now, I'm trying to dose insulin based off my meter readings hoping they will be higher since our insurance only covers one brand of meters. 

I did talk with my doctor regarding the steroids and she said to take double the insulin for meals on the steroid days and don't worry about increasing my basal yet. I hope it works! I am excited about trying them this time as I have read a lot about natural killer cells in your body that can attack embryos if there is too many of them. The steroids create an immunosuppression to prevent that. 

We have enjoyed the holidays with both families. My mom and her husband Greg came to visit for a night for Christmas. We are blessed with all of our gifts. Justin got an apple watch for his birthday and I am excited to start learning brush lettering. I need lots of practice! 

My next check up is New Years Eve. Hopeful for continued progression of my baby holder (uterus haha) and symptoms of meds to subside. Thanks for following!