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Plus One: Baby Prevention is Coming!

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In October, Mr. Prevention and I look forward to becoming a family of 3. I mean, 4. Sorry, Lily. Since the day after our honeymoon in June of 2009, we’ve been parents to our beloved and spoiled rotten bulldog, but nearly 5 years later, we couldn’t be happier to be welcoming a 2-legged bundle of joy this fall! I totally spilled the beans last night on Instagram 😉

Without getting into too much personal detail, we tried for over a year to conceive. With PCOS, I assumed we’d be up against some challenges and unfortunately, I was correct. I vividly remember (with my very poor memory) sitting in this local Italian restaurant back in December of 2012 when we were chatting over pizza and a beer, deciding at that point we were ready to start trying for a baby. By spring, I was frustrated and wanted to seek higher powers. But, I rounded up some patience and trudged through another 9 months of failed attempts. Every month began with the same hope and ended with the same level of sadness, frustration, and most difficult, the unknown of will this ever come to be for us?

A year later in December of 2013, we sought the help of fertility specialists, driving 90 miles and 90 minutes from home. We sat in our initial visit bug-eyed, confused, and completely overwhelmed. Big time. I thought I knew some stuff about infertility, but it was clear that this is a vast world of unknown and we had no idea what was lying ahead. The emotional, physical, and financial question marks surfaced from every direction and I left the appointment thinking, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” and of course, “Why couldn’t this just happen ‘naturally’?” So many questions and emotions flooded over me.

After some additional lab work, our treatment plan quickly progressed from follicle-stimulating drugs (Femara) and good timing, to a full blown intrauterine insemination (IUI) with Femara, a trigger injection (Ovidrel), and ultrasounds to closely monitor the process before we returned to the fertility center for the actual procedure. I Googled everything and called the clinic with every last question imaginable. Yes, I was that patient…so overwhelmed, nervous, excited, anxious, worried…all of it.

January 17th was “the day”. Of course the “very simple” IUI procedure wasn’t quite so simple. I’ll spare you the details, but there was a lot of time, effort, and pain involved. I remember lying on the exam table in a most compromising position, FREAKING out, thinking, “What if this can’t happen? What if this isn’t an option for us? Then what? THEN WHAT?!?” After the procedure, I started my commute back to work in quite some pain and feeling emotionally…numb and drained. Relieved that the procedure, in the end, was successful, but knowing that such efforts still only produced a 20% chance of conception. Did you know that? With all of the stars aligned, couples have only a 20% chance of conceiving any given cycle? Scarier yet, up to half of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. No wonder this is called a miracle…it truly is!

For most women, the “two week wait” lasts forever. I managed well, keeping myself busy…hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. I heeded the advice of many and never tested before recommended (about 14 days after ovulation). My IUI was on a Friday and so two weeks later on Saturday, my period still hadn’t arrived. I started using the Wondo pregnancy tests I bought off Amazon and quickly became confused. Was that a second line? Maybe? Maybe I’m crazy. I’ll try again tomorrow. By Sunday morning, the second line was a little bolder, but still not 100% clear. I grabbed Mr. Prevention to head to the drug store for an idiot-proof digital pregnancy test that would read out “pregnant” or “not pregnant”. We returned home and I quickly retreated to the bathroom and very quickly, up popped, “pregnant”. My immediate reaction was a stupid grin, disbelief, a hand flying to my chest to keep my heart from exploding, and then jumping up and down. I shared the news with Mr. P who was by that time, laying across the bed waiting for the news. We couldn’t believe that with 20% odds, we were successful on attempt #1. Stick baby, stick.

The following day, Monday morning, I had my first beta drawn (0h the perks of working in a hospital!). At 314, I was very clearly pregnant (anything above 5 indicates pregnancy) and this number is meant to double every 48 hours. By Wednesday morning, my beta was up to 850. On February 18th, I went in for my first ultrasound where the baby was measuring 6 weeks, 4 days with a strong heartbeat of 124 beats per minute. I heard the heartbeat and BURST into tears. It was a moment I’ll never forget. I became a mom at that moment, as silly as it sounds. Mr. Prevention was with me at the next ultrasound on March 6th where the baby was again measuring right on track for 8 weeks and 6 days. The heartbeat was a rapid 177 beats per minute and the little gummy bear had grown significantly in the 2 weeks since. The baby was waving….yes, waving! It was amazing. By my third ultrasound on March 26th (11 weeks, 5 days), baby was kicking, wiggling, and doing little crunches with a busy heartbeat of 170 bpm.

Other than headaches and insane cravings for Chicago-style popcorn (cheddar + caramel), I feel great. My first trimester was a breeze, all things considered. As I enter into my second trimester, I’m thrilled to share our story and our excitement. We feel beyond blessed and fortunate…and can’t wait for October 10th (or around then) to come! 😀

Be well,

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68 Comments

  1. Nancy
    April 5, 2014 / 8:05 pm

    congratulations and best wishes!!!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:13 pm

      Thanks so much, Nancy!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Lisa B
    April 5, 2014 / 8:07 pm

    Congratulations!! I too am trying to have a child and have gone through the same roller coaster. But after reading this I feel more positive that it may happen for me too. Thank you for sharing your story and hope a happy and health little baby!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:12 pm

      Lisa, thank you so much. Every woman’s story is different – if one more woman told me “just relax and it’ll happen” or “don’t worry about it, just go on with life and it’ll come to be”….I was going to lose it. Hugs and best wishes! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Faye D
    April 5, 2014 / 8:10 pm

    Congratulations!!!! Praying many blessings and much happiness on your growing family!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:11 pm

      Thank you, Faye! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Becca
    April 5, 2014 / 8:40 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! So excited for you and your family! Might I suggest the podcast Totally Mommy? Elizabeth is so fun to listen to and has great co-hosts each week. I was a little suspicious of the mock tails, but so glad to head the good news!!!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:09 pm

      Thank you, Becca! I will definitely check out that podcast – thanks so much!!

  5. Lindsay (life and kitchen)
    April 5, 2014 / 8:42 pm

    Woohoo! So exciting! I hope the rest of your pregnancy is as easy as the beginning was ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:09 pm

      Thanks, Lindsay!

  6. J
    April 5, 2014 / 9:22 pm

    Congratulations!
    Thank you for sharing your story. Conception/fertility can be such a hard journey. I am fortunate to fall pregnant naturally quite easily but have suffered recurrent miscarriages so have needed medical assistance with this. I feel extremely blessed to have a 2 year old son and am currently 8 weeks pregnant (due Nov) and crossing my fingers it sticks. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Enjoy every minute of it! x

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:09 pm

      My biggest fear, even now, is losing this baby. I honestly do not know how women cope – my heart goes out to you. Stick baby, stick! You’ll be in my thoughts ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Eva @ Eva Bakes
    April 5, 2014 / 9:26 pm

    Congrats, Nicole! I am so excited for you guys. Hugs!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:08 pm

      Thank you, Eva!!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Renee's Kitchen Adventures
    April 5, 2014 / 9:34 pm

    Oh wow! Congrats to you guys!!! How amazing! So happy for you!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:07 pm

      Thanks, Renee! ๐Ÿ™‚ xo

  9. Liz
    April 5, 2014 / 10:53 pm

    Congratulations! I’m so glad that it worked out for you and Mr. P. Thanks for sharing your story. Can’t wait to hear more!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:07 pm

      Awww, thanks Liz! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Erin Lerner
    April 5, 2014 / 10:58 pm

    Congrats! Motherhood is the most amazing experience!!! xoxo

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:07 pm

      I can’t wait. Thanks, Erin! ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. Emilie
    April 6, 2014 / 5:29 am

    Congratulations Nicole! All those calls you made to the fertility specialist were only the beginning – pretty soon you’ll be making a million calls to your baby’s pediatrician with a million questions ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope you enjoy your pregnancy! Take everyone’s advice about rest and time for yourself.
    Best wishes!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:07 pm

      Great advice! Sleep is precious ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks, Emilie!!

  12. Megan B.
    April 6, 2014 / 5:29 am

    Congrats!!!! That is so exciting, and thank you for sharing your story with us! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:06 pm

      Thank you, Megan! Happy to share…I’ve always enjoyed reading others’ stories and they’re all so different ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews
    April 6, 2014 / 8:07 am

    I’m so, so happy for you two!!! Congratulations. So sorry that it was a harder journey to get pregnant for you but I am so glad that it is working out. That’s great that you had a good first trimester too. Mine was not that bad- I am 16 weeks now. Can’t wait to hear more about your pregnancy!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:06 pm

      CONGRATS, Amanda!! ๐Ÿ™‚ And thank you so much – means a lot!

  14. Gretchen
    April 6, 2014 / 8:42 am

    Congrats to you and Mr. P. it will be a wild journey, enjoy every moment. I had a due date of October 10 with my first, hard to believe he will be 7 this year on October 18!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:05 pm

      Awww, thank you Gretchen! Time flies, doesn’t it? Eeep! ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Melissa
    April 6, 2014 / 9:20 am

    Ahh! Congratulations!!!! I had a feeling when you mentioned mocktails in your post the other day. How exciting. I’m so happy for you!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:05 pm

      Hehe, some people do read closely ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thanks so much, Melissa!!

  16. Athena R
    April 6, 2014 / 9:30 am

    Congratulations! I’m so excited to learn of your pregnancy, and I’m praying for you and your family. As a fellow PCOS sufferer, I can relate to your infertility struggle. After 8 years of letting nature take its course, we finally welcomed our miracle baby boy into our family last August.

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:04 pm

      Music to my ears! Happy for you, Athena…thank you for sharing that ๐Ÿ™‚ xo

  17. Pam
    April 6, 2014 / 10:11 am

    Congratulations, Nicole, I’m just so happy for you and Mr. Prevention!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:04 pm

      Thanks, Pam…we’re very excited ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Rebecca
    April 6, 2014 / 11:16 am

    Congratulations! Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:04 pm

      Thank you, Rebecca!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. Biz
    April 6, 2014 / 11:28 am

    I have happy tears running down my face as I read this – SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!!

    Remarkably, I got pregnant while I was on the pill – Hannah really wanted to be in this world!

    HUGS!!!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:04 pm

      Awww, thanks Biz!!! It’s so funny how everyone has a story…it all happens for a reason, right? P.S. We have even more reason to meet up ASAP now!

  20. Laura
    April 6, 2014 / 2:09 pm

    Aw, congratulations!!! Happy and healthy nine months to you!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:03 pm

      Thank you, Laura!!

  21. Kim of Mo'Betta
    April 6, 2014 / 4:35 pm

    I am so happy for you both and even more so after reading your struggles. Congrats!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:02 pm

      Thank you, Kim! It was a long road, but I know it could’ve been so much longer…feeling blessed ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life)
    April 6, 2014 / 7:11 pm

    Such wonderful news!! Congratulations! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 6, 2014 / 11:02 pm

      Thank you, Brittany! ๐Ÿ™‚

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    • Mrs. Mabini
      April 8, 2014 / 3:33 pm

      Congratulations!!!! I’m SO happy for you and Mr. Prevention! Wishing you a healthy pregnancy. Embrace and enjoy your pregnancy. It’s amazing!

  24. Regan @ Cabot
    April 7, 2014 / 5:57 am

    Congrats Nicole!! So happy for you ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 7, 2014 / 6:51 am

      Thank you, Regan!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. Kim Jorgensen Gane
    April 7, 2014 / 9:25 am

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So very happy for you and Mr. P! Will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts for continued pregnancy bliss! xo

  26. Coleen @ The Redhead Baker
    April 7, 2014 / 9:47 am

    Congratulations!!

  27. Sunshine
    April 7, 2014 / 10:27 am

    Congrats! So happy for the Prevention RD Family! Happy and Healthy 9 months ( or however long you have left).

  28. Danielle
    April 7, 2014 / 1:30 pm

    Congratulations! Very exciting ๐Ÿ™‚

  29. Lizzie
    April 8, 2014 / 3:30 pm

    Congratulations, Nicole!! I did a “what a minute, what?!” doubletake on your Instagram photo that said “babymoon” the other day! ๐Ÿ™‚ Best wishes. I’ll drink extra coffee for you.

  30. Samantha Angela
    April 9, 2014 / 12:46 pm

    I’m so happy for you guys! I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to have gone through that period of wanting that baby wholeheartedly and not being able to make it happen. I bet it was hard and stressful and disheartening.
    But the fact that you made it happen on your first fertility try is totally miraculous and I’m so happy that you have made it to a safe point in your pregnancy. Congratulations to you and Mr P! I look forward to hearing about how you plan to get ready for this huge change in your life.
    I’m immersed in pregnancy stuff right now, not that I’m pregnant or anything but because I’m taking prenatal yoga teacher training. So I’m learning all about pregnancy and labour and discovering a wealth of knowledge that I’ve never had to consider. It can be totally overwhelming!
    I hope that you can find ways to manage stress during your pregnancy, not get too worried about all the “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts”, and really take advantage of this beautiful time of change in your body and your life ๐Ÿ™‚

  31. Nicole S
    April 9, 2014 / 4:21 pm

    Congratulations on the baby! ๐Ÿ™‚

  32. Sara @ Running Around The Charles
    April 10, 2014 / 3:39 pm

    Congratulations on the awesome news!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. Kristen
    April 10, 2014 / 3:41 pm

    Congratulations!! I have never commented before, but I have been a long time fan of your blog!
    I can totally relate to your roller coaster of emotions with your journey even though my journey was a little bit different. My husband and I were trying for over a year and we had to resort to fertility treatments also, but we had to go straight to IVF. I had my embryo transfer on Tuesday and am now in the dreaded two week wait. I am praying that my miracle will happen this time!
    Congrats again and wishing you a healthy rest of your pregnancy!

  34. Melanie
    April 16, 2014 / 9:47 am

    I missed this post when it was first announced, but noticed some pins on Pinterest that made me thing something was up! Congratulations! So happy for you guys!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 16, 2014 / 10:51 am

      Thank you!

  35. Barb
    April 16, 2014 / 1:42 pm

    Nicole, I can not tell you how happy I am to read this post. congratulations. I remember when I found your blog I sent you a email about how similar our stories sounded and that I have PCOS and have two young girls after much trying. Your responded via email and shared that you were trying. I am happy to see you were successful. Looking forward to sharing in your journey.

    Barb

  36. Mandie
    April 16, 2014 / 9:59 pm

    Congratulations!!!! I too had a long journey to motherhood as a PCOS sufferer. I felt like my body was incapable of doing the one basic thing it was meant for, but after 2 years of trying and medications, those two pink lines will forever be burned into my memory! Our baby girl turns 1 this month ๐Ÿ™‚ Welcome to a whole new world!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      April 17, 2014 / 7:03 am

      Mandie, thank you so much for your sweet comment – means a lot ๐Ÿ™‚ I couldn’t be happier to be a mom this fall ๐Ÿ™‚

  37. Deneene
    May 9, 2014 / 8:04 pm

    Congratulations Nicole!! That is so exciting!! I know from experience how heartbreaking dealing with infertility can be. So happy for you both!

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      May 14, 2014 / 6:51 am

      Thank you, Deneene!

  38. Lauren at Keep It Sweet
    June 9, 2014 / 4:56 pm

    Just catching up here (obviously)! So glad that you were able to successfully conceive after the long year of trying. I’m due 4 days after you, love this!

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  41. Hannah
    September 9, 2015 / 9:06 am

    My husband and I are starting the IUI process next month and we are both very anxious/nervous/excited. I really enjoyed reading about your experience as I completely understand the emotions you felt. I’m hoping we’re as successful as you guys were!!

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