During an IVF treatment, your RE’s office becomes your second home.  Multiple mornings a week began there for me.  Blood work, ultrasound, rinse and repeat, until it was time to graduate.  This is a huge milestone in an IVF pregnancy, but a scary one indeed.

I remember sitting on the exam room table and Dr. C. told me it was time.  She hugged me, reaffirmed my success, said she would miss me and sent me on my way.  I could not have made it to this point without the support of my Dr, the nurses, the phlebotomist, the receptionists, everyone.  Before I left I gave them a card full of my thank yous and praises and 2 dozen baby sized cupcakes… pun intended.  They all deserved a thank you for helping me down my yellow brick road.

I called to schedule my first appointment with my OB/GYN and was so excited to be “sent back to her pregnant” like she promised.  The appointment was set for 3 weeks later.   3? That meant no blood work, no ultrasound for 3 weeks! How would I survive? I guess that is what they meant by finally being “normal.”

It was a cold December morning when Marc and I headed to see Dr. D.  Even though she had been my dr. for over 20 years, Marc had never met her.  When she came into the room she was beaming with excitement to see me.  She gave me a huge hug and held my hands and uttered the magic words I needed to hear “the hardest part is over.”  I teared up a bit and took a deep breath.  I finally felt like a normal pregnant person.

She did an ultrasound and though it was grainy, for the first time we saw the reflection of a baby on the screen.  Our little girl! We were officially 12 weeks along and knew it was time to start sharing the news.  This was becoming so real and wonderful.  Acceptance continued to set in.

My doctor said I would be back a month later and eventually get to every 3 weeks, than 2, than 1.  She ran some basic blood work, hugged me again and sent me on my way.  Was this how every other new mommy felt? I quickly found my footing in the normal, yet still very special category.