Has anyone who has gone through infertility and then gotten pregnant had the flu shot? I am a nervous wreck. I’ve never had the flu shot or the flu before. On one hand I don’t want to get the shot – because if I ever had a miscarriage or preterm labor due to it I literally don’t know what I would do. I would need to be sedated in a hospital for the rest of my life – and I’m not joking. On the other hand, if I don’t get the shot and get the flu, since being pregnant lowers your immune system, and then I have horrible complications from the flu and wind up losing the babies or worse – dying…clearly that wouldn’t sit well with me either.  I’ve read so much about it and I just don’t know who to believe.  I’d love personal experiences to be shared.  (Not to be a pain, but please limit comments that address this particular problem, I know there is a lot of debate about vaccines and at this time I’m not looking to stir up that debate-thank you).

If you didn’t read my last post – no this is NOT my blood – this was already in the ER room before I arrived  – it was not cleaned before they put me there.

Sunday, June 20^th, I woke up and of course had to POAS.  I was a little groggy, but as I rested the stick down on the counter I swore I saw a 2^nd line right away.  I decided not to stare at it or pick it up until a full 5 minutes was up because I was afraid I’d ruin it.  So I finished up in the bathroom and then looked it – THERE WAS A FAINT 2^nd LINE!!!!  My hands started to shake a little – I couldn’t believe it.  Here’s what it looks like:

(photo to come)

So I ran into the bedroom with the stick, woke up DH and, holding the stick up, said “Happy Father’s Day!”  I could hardly get the words out.  I started crying, I was so happy.  We kissed and I had tears streaming down, I was literally shaking, my nose started running – it must have been a sight.

I was so happy I didn’t know what to do with myself.  Maybe an hour later we decided to take a walk and get bagels for breakfast.  I was glowing.  I knew that it was a faint line and that I needed a blood test – and after that several more blood tests to be more confident, but for then, I was so happy.  We got to the bagel shop and got on line.  I started to have a bad cramp on my left side.  I told DH I had to sit down and that he should order…”oh those little babies snuggling in more” I thought.  We ate breakfast and walked home slowly.  I decided I should lie down.

I really don’t know how fast or slow it all came to pass, but the pain started to spread through my pelvis and down to my left knee.  It was excruciating yet, but I thought that it was weird for it to run down my whole left side.  I’m not the kind of person to call doctors right away; I usually wait to see if things will pass.  Now that I was “pregnant” I was more worried about the situation – we were not going to lose these babies (I will say “babies” until proven otherwise since we put 2 in).  I was also afraid to take anything, so I only took 1 Tylenol, which did nothing.  Finally I called my IVF Doctor, and of course, being Sunday, got the answering service.  So we waited to hear back.  After 20 minutes the pain got so bad I was crying and moaning and on the verge of screaming.  I called the answering service again and told them this was an emergency.  I told them I was going to go to the emergency room at the hospital my doctor was affiliated with.

I was freaking out.  I was in the most incredible pain.  I’ve also never been to the emergency room, so I was scared about what was going to happen.  DH went downstairs to get the car, and I took my time making my way down the stairs.  I ran into one of my neighbors, who I think I scared, and she was so kind in helping me and making sure I was ok.  I got into the car, reclined the seat all the way back so I was lying down and DH drove me to the hospital…

 I took a HPT yesterday, not looking for a BFP, just making sure all the HCG trigger was out of me, so that if I take a HPT in the next few days I’ll be sure the results are me and not the meds.

 I can’t thank you all enough for your comments – the advice and hopefulness is definitely seeing me through, xo

 The lab did call.  They were able to freeze 2 of the 3 remaining embryos.  I’m so happy that 2 of them made it.  I am very sad that one didn’t.  I decided to name my lost angel Lou.  My husband isn’t into naming them, but I am.  I named the 1^st lost embie Angie.  I like feeling like I gave them a name, but then I feel bad that I didn’t name other ones that may have been (from natural trying or iui) that I don’t know about – it fills me with guilt. 

 I am staying positive for the 2 embryos inside of me…hopefully they’re at least blasts right now…right?  My 2 frozen embies have given me even more hope for this time…I mean, they were all fertilized the same day and they made to freeze today.

 One week, one day till Beta!

Here’s a pic (not so great, from camera phone) of our 2 embies that hopefully are snuggling in right now!

Here’s a pic of the roses DH surprised me with when I got in the car after the transfer.