On OPKs and Ovulation

Hello everyone!

Today I want to share with you my OPK (ovulation predictor kit) results from my cycle day 14 up to 18 (which is today).

Okay so before I continue, let me give you a brief explanation on what an OPK is. Basically it detects a surge of Luteinizing Hormone (or most commonly referred to as LH) that is present in your urine. So what does that mean if you have a surge? Well, an increase in LH actually triggers ovulation which is when the egg is released for the the sperm to fertilize it. This does not mean though that  when you get the a positive result, you are ovulating right at that instant. Ovulation occurs after 24-48 hours following a positive result therefore it is recommended to baby dance on the following days. This is the reason why it is recommended to do an OPK for atleast 5 consecutive days starting on your cycle day 10 so you could monitor the surge.

Now, this is not 100% guarantee. Based on what I've read here in the magical world of internet, some women would experience a surge in LH but still end up not ovulating. Hopefully that is not my case.

Anyhoo, after my last ultrasound check up (read all about it here), I decided to get me some OPKs. I've used it before but didn't really find it helpful since I didn't get preggers so I decided to stop it. These stuff are expensive, well atleast for me. But since I have been spending so much money on my ultrasounds, then why not get a better chance in getting pregnant by detecting when I ovulate. Luckily that day, Watsons was having a buy 1 get 1 free on their brand so I picked up these...

I was on my cycle day 14 then and I did my test around 5:45 in the afternoon. It is recommended to do the test around the same time for the next 5 days for a more accurate result. Try to prevent from drinking too much liquid as well 2 hours before you take the test as it can dilute the hormone in your urine. Below are the my OPKs for the past 5 days, I noticed that the color faded a little bit but it is still visible.

OPKs are different from pregnancy tests in terms of reading the result. If you would look at it like a PT, you would think that all these are positive results right? Wrong. OPKs are supposed to show two lines (showing only one line would mean the test is invalid) and the difference between a positive and a negative test is how dark the Test band (on the right) is compared to the Control band (on the left). 

This is one thing that I hate about these OPKs. It is so difficult to figure out if it is a positive or negative. Sometimes when you want something really bad, like a positive OPK for example, you will trick your mind into thinking that the Test band is indeed darker than the Control band therefore convincing yourself that it is a positive result. Raise your hand if you agree. LOL!

Looking at my OPKs above, the only day that I got a dark test band was on the 25th. It doesn't look as dark as it used to be when I first tested but you can compare it with the rest of the sticks and it's the only one that has a test band that is still really visible. So I then convinced myself that it was a positive but unfortunately though, we didn't BD that night because of a petty fight (nice timing right?) but we made sure we made up for it the next day and today! Hopefully my hubby's soldiers will be motile enough and fertilize my egg as I ovulate *crossing fingers*.

Now all I have to do is be patient (which I am totally not) as I enter my two week wait (2WW). Hopefully I can fight the urge to do a pregnancy test earlier than when I'm supposed to which I highly doubt.. lol! 

So there you have it ladies. I hope I enlightened you a little bit on how to use and read OPKs. If you have any comments on my OPK results please leave them down below. I would love to know your thoughts on this. Please keep us in your prayers that we may be able to finally complete our family.

Baby dust to all those trying as well!

Till my next update!

Ciao!

Overwhelmed

Hello ladies! Hope you all had a wonderful day!

I'm just here to say my BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has been very supportive and inspiring me through this journey. Ever since I started this blog my friends and relatives, whom mostly I haven't talk to in years, has been contacting me via Facebook and sharing me their TTC experience and giving me tips on how to be successful in our baby-making journey. Today alone, I received five messages from different people and I'm just so amazed how my situation can bring people together. It's like having my own little support group.

I am so appreciative to all those who have shown their care and concern and willingly shared to me their personal stories. Once again, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I just couldn't end my day without expressing my gratitude. I am overwhelmed.

PS.

We are planning to change gynae if this cycle becomes unsuccessful *crossing fingers that it's not*. For those here in Singapore, please let me know if you have any good recommendations preferably here in the East area.

Ciao ladies!

Sweet dreams and baby dust to all!

TTC Cycle 2

Here we go again.

So I'm back with another TTC cycle post which means our  attempt last month was a failure (booo!). I had really high hopes for last month since it was our first month to try after the surgery but that didn't go well as expected. Anyway, I don't want to be a Debbie Downer here and go on and on with my frustrations so let me just fill you in with the details from my last 2 visits with my gynae.

I was scheduled to see her on the 8th of April for a check-up and so I went. I was directed to their Fetal Care Centre for an ultrasound scan. The day I went was the day before my expected AF to come. I did a pregnancy test 2 days before that {so much for being patient} and I got a negative result but I was still hopeful that I can be pregnant. She first did a typical scan on my abdomen and I thought that was it but then seconds after she took out THE thing again... the one that they insert down there. Even after going through that kind of scan for several times already, I still can't help but cringe. Definitely not the most comfortable feeling on earth.

So anyway,  after looking on the screen for a few minutes, the sonographer suddenly asked me if my period is coming soon and so I told her I am expecting it the next day. After that she asked me to wait outside. She must have seen something in there that made her ask that question so then I ditched the idea that I can be pregnant.

I waited half an hour again to see my gynae this time. She reviewed the scan result and said it was all good. I was somehow scared that the cyst may have come back but fortunately, everything's looking  fine. She then uttered "so why is it not happening?" and as much as I want to tell her "you tell me you're the doctor here!" I just kept silent and shrugged. So she gave me a rundown of the next steps that we will be doing to make it a success:

• First, she asked me to call for an appointment for a TOO (Time Of Ovulation) as soon as my AF comes. I have to be scanned on my cycle day 12 {which is today} to see the progress of my egg cells whether it's maturing or not. From there she will tell us when is right day to do our serious baby-making business. Lol!
• There might be a possibility that maybe I am not ovulating so she said if that is the case, she will prescribe me a medicine to help me ovulate. We will try this for 2-3 months and if still unsuccessful then we proceed to the next step...
• ...and that is IUI or Intrauterine Insemination Treatment which basically takes out the fun in baby-making.. haha! This is a process where in my hubby's sperm will be taken and then they will insert it into my uterus on the day of ovulation. Watch this for a better understanding :)

I am hoping that we don't need to do the IUI because first, it will be expensive {around $700+} and second, I want to get pregnant as naturally as possible with less "medical" or "science" intervention. But for the sake of having our own bundle of joy, we are willing to do everything.

Total bill for this visit:
Consulation Fee..........$80.25
Gynae Scan.................$90.95
Total..........................$171.20

********************************************************************************


So today I went back to hospital for my TOO. I honestly don't know what to expect and what procedure I will be undergoing but yeah, you guessed it right, I went through that uncomfortable scanning again. I laid down on that bed for like a minute or two while my gynae checked on my ovaries. She saw a follicle growing on my left ovary but she said it's not big enough and asked me to go back again on Thursday {but I can't make it so we rescheduled it on Wednesday instead} so she can see the progress of the follicle.

That was about it. And oh by the way, she told us to do the deed tomorrow and then after that, no more sex {poor hubby.. lol!} for the meantime. I'm really hopeful, like how I have been hopeful for the past year, that it will work this time. Cross your fingers and toes for us. Hehe :)

The bill for this visit was $90.95. We were only charged for the gynae scan (hallelujah!). We were in and out her office in like a snap so if she would have charged us with $80 again, I will be having second thoughts to come back.. lol!

So that's it ladies! Wish us luck this month. I'm really hoping and praying to get a positive result after this.

Baby dust to all!

*UPDATE ON TODAY'S VISIT 24/04/13*

Had another scan and my gynae said it is still not big enough. She said that it's best to do the deed again tomorrow, Saturday and Monday. That was it! Another $90.95 down the drain. It seems like I paid for someone to tell me when to have sex.. Lol!

Anyhoo, I'm just having breakfast now and then I'm off to work! Good luck to me!

Ciao!

TTC Cycle 1

Hello there ladies!

Before I begin, let me inform you that this post (and probably the succeeding TTC Cycle posts as well) will be a little TMI :) I just want to share/write down all information as I can in case we do get successful this cycle, I (and whoever on TTC reading/following this blog) can always go back and see the facts which led to the success {crossing fingers}!

----

So it's been a month since I went under the knife or should I say a laparoscope, and I'm happy to inform all of you that I'm back to my normal routine. Actually, a week and a half after my surgery I already felt fine and back to my normal self. I can do things that I normally do without pain whatsoever and I really thank God  and my hubby for watching over me.

Anyhoo, we are on our first attempt to TTC (which means Trying To Conceive for those who are unfamiliar with the jargon) post-op so we are both excited. I was actually a little bit worried about any side effects of my surgery. I was thinking that it might affect my period and cause unusual pain. I was impatiently waiting for my period to come and when it finally did, I was ecstatic, despite my usual dysmenorrhea.

I had my "aunt flow" or AF as they would call it from March 12 up to the 16th which was within my usual 5-day cycle. I am technically on cycle day 12 today and if my ovulation calendar app I have on my phone is correct, I should be ovulating any time today. Now I know I wouldn't get pregnant if we didn't do THE deed (hehe) and so far we've done it twice {cycle day 8 and 10}. We definitely have to "baby dance" or BD later on tonight to make sure we have it covered. We try to do it every other instead of every day to make sure my DH has enough "reserves" (lol!)

Okay I know it's starting to sound like it's becoming a "job" for us but to be honest, with my shifting work schedule, we really have to plan it and then enjoy it while it's happening. There's nothing wrong with that IMHO. It's a matter of making it exciting and something to look forward to rather than a task that you both need to do. Of course it doesn't mean that we don't have those out-of-the-blue "booty call" but it doesn't hurt to have it planned when I am most fertile. It all comes down to having an open communication with your partner, do whatever works for you and don't get caught up within the "rules".

So that's it for this post. I will update you of the progress soon!

Thank you all for reading and baby dust to all TTC!

My First Surgery Experience

Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing well.

It's been 3 days since I "checked out" from the hospital and I want to share with you my experience. I'd have to warn you though that this could be lengthy and graphic so beware ;)

So like I mentioned in my previous post, I was instructed to take a laxative the night before to "release" everything in preparation for the surgery. I was supposed to mix the 45ml of laxative to 800ml of water so I started drinking it at around 7 in the evening. Hours had passed and nothing was coming out. I was tossing and turning in bed the whole night anxious about the surgery and what the effect would be if I didn't pass motion but morning came and still... nothing.

22  Feb, 7:15AM

As instructed, I went straight to the Day Surgery Centre of NUH. First order of business of course is finalizing who/how the bill be settled. After that, my husband and I were lead into this "prepping room". 

There were huge comfy chairs divided with curtains. After a few SOP, the nurse gave me instructions to change into my very glamorous hospital gown and wrapped my armswag on me. She then said that my surgery would be around 10AM and asked me to wait for the nurse to fetch me with the wheelchair.

As we were waiting, I tried to distract myself and not think of what's about to happen. I kept joking with my husband and kept fiddling with my phone but as the time gets nearer and nearer, my heart kept beating faster and faster. The room, which was initially full of patients, was slowly becoming empty. Nurses with wheel chair and/or operating bed were coming in and out and picking them up one by one. I know my turn will be coming soon. Tears fell involuntarily. I WAS SCARED. Luckily my husband was with me to comfort me and make me laugh. 

 9:45AM

And then, there he was. I saw a guy nurse pushing a wheelchair heading towards where we were seated. I knew that one was for me. After confirming that he was taking the correct patient, he assisted me onto the wheel chair and asked my husband to follow him as he pushed me on our way to the next building. 

That wheelchair ride was unforgettable.

I couldn't look straight ahead. I couldn't dare look at those cold, shiny, silver hospital beds or see people in pain. My head was bowed down and my hands  were clinched together all throughout. I was praying. I was asking Him for strength and courage to overcome this. 

We then slowed down as we reach the visitor's lounge and the nurse explained to my husband where he could wait for me. He gave him a code so my husband can monitor on the LCD screen where my location is and took his phone number so they could call him once I'm ready to come out.

Just few steps away from the visitor's lounge was the Operating Theatre. I was lead to the reception area and was asked to wait. A nurse came and strapped something on my right foot which I believe is something like a tracking device. This would help my husband in tracking my location within the hospital. Two Filipino doctors approached me and asked if I was already informed by my doctor about the study that they are currently conducting. I said yes but it was not thoroughly explained to me and I haven't agreed to do it yet so she then proceeded on explaining.

In a standard ovarian cystectomy, they would either use diathermy (burning) or suturing (stitching) to stop the bleeding after removing the cyst however, according to them, these damages the ovarian follicles and hence damages the ovarian reserve (or the eggs in short). What they wanted to do now is to use Surgiflo on me and be part of the study proving that it is effective and a much safer way to stop bleeding in a surgery like mine. Surgiflo, in a sense, is like a clear plaster or band aid that they will apply topically on the ovarian tissue to stop the bleeding and it will melt away after about a week or so. 

Although I know that there will be risks involved, I decided to go ahead and agree to be part of it for the sake of my eggs (lol!). The doctors assured me that in case Surgiflo fails, they will do suturing instead. I felt like I was in good hands so I gave them my consent. 

Shortly after, the anesthesiologist came and asked me SOP questions. He explained to me what will happen inside and that I might experience sore throat after from the breathing tube that they will putting inside my mouth. He then told me to wait for the nurse to pick me up and bring me to the operating room then he left. Tears started flowing again and this time, my husband was not by my side to comfort me. At that point, I just wanted to be be under the anesthesia already so I could sleep and be worry-free.

After a few minutes, a nurse came and led me to the operating room. THIS IS THE MOMENT OF TRUTH. I wanted to back out but I know it's too late so I sucked it up and just followed instructions. They asked me to lie down and when I did, they did not waste a fraction of a second. In an instant, there were four medical staffs around me. On my left was the anesthesiologist inserting the IV on my hand and on my right, one is taking my BP and another was hooking me up to the machine to monitor my vital signs. Another staff strapping something on my legs for blood circulation and then strapped me on the bed after that. I looked all around the big white room and there were no less than 10 people inside.

As I stare at the big white lights above me (which I thought I would only see in the movies), I felt the anesthesia taking its effect slowly. They put a mask on me and asked me to try to open my eyes as long as I can. I felt my body becoming heavier and heavier. It seems like I was slowly sinking in the operating bed. In less than a minute, I was knocked out.

Next thing I know, somebody was tapping me very hard on my right shoulder saying "Melanie, we're done! We're done!" Then I felt very cold and started shivering so they put two blankets on me. As they pushed me out through the door, I saw a hazy vision of my husband which gave me a sense of comfort in a way. After I was settled in my ward, first thing I remember is my husband kissing me on my forehead. I was thankful that it was over and that I was safe.

It was a 3-hour long wait according to my husband and when we reach the ward, visiting hours {12nn-2pm} was almost over so he had to leave me once again and wait somewhere outside until he's allowed to come back at 5pm. I thought I could take advantage of that time and continue sleeping but with the nurses regularly taking my blood pressure and body temperature, I couldn't get a decent hour of sleep without being interrupted. In one of the nurse's rounds, she came in and saw her draining something from the side of my bed then she uttered "you pee a lot". I was like "huh?" she repeated it again and I was shocked to learn that I have a catheter on. It was only then that I realized that have a tube inserted down there and it was not the most comfortable feeling.

Finally my husband came back to see me at exactly 5 o'clock and at this point I was really, really hungry. I have been asking all the nurses who came in and checked up on me when can I eat and drink and they said they are still waiting for doctor's orders. By 7pm, a tray of food was finally delivered to my room and I was smiling from ear to ear. Not the best dinner I've had but it was satisfying enough for my growling stomach.

23 Feb, 8AM

My OB, Dr. Anupriya, came down and checked up on me. She looked at my wounds and told me that the surgery went well. They were able to take out the cyst successfully and she said there were actually 2 cysts joined together and it was full of hair when they opened it up {I know! Eeeew!}.

Upper left: the cyst they removed

Lower right: the foam-like substance is the Surgiflo

I was relieved to know that Surgiflo worked out fine and that I can go home that same day. She put me on hospital leave until the 2nd of March and I am scheduled to see her for a follow-up check up on the 4th of March.

As of this writing, I can still feel a bit of pain on my abdomen area as they made four incisions (1 on my belly button, 2 at side and 1 below the belly button). I experienced a bit of bleeding until yesterday so I had to wear a pad. The doctor said that is normal as long as I don't secrete a lot of blood to the point that I have to change my pad every hour. I stopped taking the pain reliever as I don't want to be too dependent on it and I try to move around to keep a healthy blood circulation.

I am ecstatic that this whole ordeal is over and I am ready to face the next chapter of our lives and I'm hoping it's going to be positive all the way :) 

To all those who prayed for me and wished me well either on facebook, instagram, or via text message, THANK YOU!

To those who visited me, THANK YOU so much for taking your time to see me. It meant a lot to me.

And to those of you reading this entry, THANK YOU for your patience ;)


Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.
- Jeremiah 17:14

PS.

The hospital bill amounted to a whopping $4,504.64. This will be settled by my employer, whether fully or partially, that I will have to find out on a later date.

Counting Down...

Hi there beautiful ladies!

It's been a month since my last post and as promised, I will update you before my BIG day.

Yes, I am finally undergoing surgery in less than 15 hours (give or take). I got a call today from the hospital and gave me further instructions about my fasting tonight and told me that I have to be at the hospital by 7:15 in the morning tomorrow. I don't know exactly what time will the surgery start but I'm assuming it's somewhere between 8 to 9am. 

I'm lying down on my bed as I am typing this while munching on a cookie. In about an hour, I'm supposed to take this laxative (Fleet Phospho-Soda) for bowel cleansing and I'm not looking forward to that. I'm pretty sure that the toilet bowl will be my BFF tonight. After 12 midnight, I am no longer allowed to eat anything, not even water, until tomorrow morning so I'm a bit concerned about that. 

But nothing concerns me more than the actual surgery tomorrow. I am terrified. It's my first time to do something like this and the feeling of uncertainty is what worries me the most. This could be considered as a minor surgery but this is something MAJOR for me. It's driving me crazy thinking of things that could go wrong during the procedure. Yes, I AM PARANOID. 

On the other hand though, I have been looking forward to this day that finally I will have that alien-looking thing inside of me removed. I wonder if I could ask the doctor for a copy of the video? Do you think that's possible? Well I guess I'll find out tomorrow. 

So that's it for now guys. I would have to get back to you a few days after my surgery and maybe post some photos. 

Again, I am asking for your prayers for a safe surgery and quick recovery. Thank you so much for joining me in this journey.

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!" - Dolly Parton

 

It's a Date!

Hello there ladies and gorgeous mommas!

I'm here to update you guys what's up with me :) Today, we paid another visit to NUH to see my doctor, Dr. Anu, and set the date of my surgery. I was scheduled to see her at 1:30PM and we came in on time but we only got to see her around 4-ish. That was a gruesome 2 and a half hour wait! When the nurse finally called my name, it was like hearing the angels in heaven singing! Lol!

Anyhoo, we first agreed on the date of my surgery which will be on the 22nd of February. She then discussed how my laparoscopic surgery will be done. She also informed me of some possible risks and complications during (like excessive bleeding) and after (ie. scar tissue formation) the surgery. After going through several medical terminologies, she then asked me to sign the consent form and was asked to wait outside  for further instructions from the nurse.

Luckily the wait time was shorter this time, probably because it's time to collect payment. The cashier called my name and asked me to pay for the following: 

Consultation Fee........................................$80.25

Full Blood Count.......................................$23.54

Medication (Fleet).......................................$3.07

Total.........................................................$106.86

I honestly do not know what the blood test is for. My doctor did not mention anything about that but since we just want to get it done and over with, I just paid and waited for my name to be called again for the blood test.

After the nurse drew one tube of my blood, we were asked to wait again and this time, to discuss the big moolah involved for the surgery. Another nurse called us in and went inside the room labeled "Financial Counselling". Here she showed us the options categorized per ward services and facilities. I opted for the cheapest one which is a whopping $3,722. Yes, that's three thousand seven hundred and twenty two dollars! I was in a way relieved because I was expecting around $4K - $5K like what the nurse told me the last time I inquired. Funny thing about my insurance is, according to our HR, there is a possibility that not the entire bill will be covered since there is a limit per category (room, doctor's fee, medication, etc.) so just to play it safe, I chose the cheapest one. 

So, it's a date. February 22nd. 

I'm not gonna lie, I am frightened and scared but at the same time excited to go through with the surgery. I am hoping and praying that after this so-called ordeal, we could finally have our own little bundle of joy. I know, I know. I shouldn't be thinking this way. Having this mindset would break me again if in case it still doesn't happen. But I am tired of hoping and I believe that if you focus your mind that IT IS GONNA HAPPEN then IT WILL HAPPEN.

I ask for your prayers for a safe surgery and quick recovery. I shall update you again before my big day!

Thank you ladies for reading and baby dust to all who are also trying!

Ciao bellas!