Eighth month ..... the arrival of our bundle of joy

Eighth month :” The D day “ …. Arrival of the bundle of Joy : An experience of miracle :

As august began anxiety also started , nights were fully sleepless…. Either due to heart burn or I would just be thinking how would the experience of delivery be ? Who all will be around me ???? Who will give me the babies ???? Even the mere thought will leave me choked with emotion and tears in my eyes .

As always my cousin Vaidehi, my good friend who Jerine took over as my elder sister , kept giving me the courage and kept me cheerful. We were also gearing up for the arrival of babies started washing baby clothes that we bought . My in laws also bought clothes for the babies and my mother was busy washing them . She was also becoming anxious on how the delivery would go . We had spoken to my Chithi’s that we will require their help post delivery which they eagerly looked forward to .

All was smooth and I did meet diabetologist Dr Bhaskar couple of times in the first week of August to maintain my sugar levels and each time Dr Manu would tell me just less than a month more , stay calm and 1st week of September she would plan my delivery.

The “ D” day : Emergency C section:

12th August 2017 ,  we never thought this day would be the most memorable day in our life . It was a Saturday, Hari ‘s usual routine is to go to play shuttle , he leaves at 6.30 am . The previous night was as usual sleepless owing to heart burn , so I woke up by 6 am . Hari ‘s first comment on seeing me was “ you look fresh “ I smiled and went ahead to brush and have my thyroid medication. I wanted to have milk so I decided I will use the restroom and then have milk and rest for a while. But God had other plans!!!!!

I felt an odd feeling while I was passing urine , I didn’t expect anything so I got up to flush when I noticed pool of blood in the closet , I was shocked. I moved away and realised I was bleeding and my bathroom tiles were soon full of blood . I didn’t know how to react I walked out to my mother woke her up and said Iam having bleeding she was shocked she got up with a jerk and proceeded to brush . Hari came out from the rest room and was shocked.

I called up Mohanapriya, she picked up the call in one ring and told me to check BP and proceed to hospital immediately. She told me she will inform Dr and others in the hospital. I was completely shaken but totally blank , I just told amma to take a set of dress , and Hari to take my reports. They both were shell shocked . I don’t know from where I got the courage I just got up and walked out of the house in my nighty with a water bottle and took the lift and waited near the car ! I could feel myself bleeding. Hari and amma came quickly and we left from our house . Hospital is about 28 km…. today that number looks scary ….

Hari had to be composed and he very efficiently drove the distance trying to talk to me and keep me calm .But I seriously couldn’t speak nor could think of anything else , my mother asked me if I had a pain but I didn’t have a pain . My little ones kept moving inside I could feel them moving and clinging on to me I just hoped placenta would support them till we reached hospital. I was too blank to pray or cry .

Within 25 minutes we reached the hospital, I didn’t wait for Hari to park I just got down from car with my water bottle walked inside the hospital all by myself!!! I seriously don’t know how I got the guts to do it !!!!! My mother followed me with my report file   , Hari was parking the car .

As I walked I was bleeding profusely, hospital reception was full of blood a male nurse from ICU immediately noticed me and asked my name and asked me to proceed to labor Ward in the ground floor . I threw my water bottle on one side and climbed up the bed and lied down ….. I felt tears gushing out of my eyes at this point I prayed sincerely to God and my spiritual gurus to give my babies strength to face this difficult situation.

Chief nurses rushed in tried cleaning my bleeding and immediately took my old reports. One nurse was instructing the other , and suddenly that small room was filled with 4 nurses , one helping assistant to clean , and a lab technician to withdraw my blood sample . All this was happening around 6.45 am . Senior nurse first checked the foetal heart rate for both the babies. They could identify two distinct heart beats and they were normal. I could see how swiftly the team of nurses were acting on me and constantly following the instructions given by Dr Manu over phone . My BP and sugars were monitored , IV lines were administered and I was given injections.

The nurses were very worried and I could feel their anxiety, they immediately informed Dr that bleeding was beyond control and told me Dr will be in within 5 minutes and I might mostly have to undergo C Section immediately. I felt the whole world collapsing in front of me , I started crying and told the nurses to do something as it is too early and my babies will have to struggle in NICU . They decided to wait till Dr comes and convince me and started getting ready for the surgery . My bleeding and clotting time was tested , HB and sugars were tested and BP was continuously monitored.

Dr Manu entered the room she smiled at me told me bleeding was too heavy to be stopped she looked she my previous scan and told me the babies will definitely be close to 2 kg and with proper care at NICU they will do well and 33 weeks of gestation is a good period for twin pregnancy and it would be a grave mistake if we wait at this point. As I heard Dr Manu speak to me in such a calm and composed manner I became instantly calm , Infact I became totally blank , it was Gods way of keeping me calm even before anaesthesia.

Dr Manu met Hari and my parents and explained the situation and said C Section is the best option and her team will be in , in 5 minutes and every thing will be taken care off . When you physically bear the pain you are better off , I think the most anxious 20 minutes for Hari and my parents were these moments. They were choked with anxiety and emotion. They had no choice but to trust and wait as always Hari had complete confidence in Dr Manu .

I couldn’t meet anyone I was quickly prepared for surgery, catheter was fixed , I was shifted and wheeled into the theatre . It was quiet I continued to be blank with only tears flowing down . Dr Manu and her entire team were very very supportive, I was quickly given spinal anaesthesia . I felt a sharp tickle down my legs and then I was made to lye down . I could hear all their conversations but I don’t remember anything I chose to close my eyes one nurse was holding my hands and continuously giving me courage.

Within minutes I heard Dr Manu saying it’s a girl , I did hear the crying sound of babies , within seconds Dr Meenakshi the Pediatrician, Chief nurse brought the babies close to me and asked me to identify the gender by seeing the genitals and they brought them closer to me to kiss them ….. we were blessed with a boy at 7. 54 am and a girl at 7.55 am . I don’t remember how they looked then but pediatrician and Dr Manu told me babies are fine , they cried well , and the boy was close to 1. 8 kg and girl was around 1.9 kg . Dr told me they will be shifted to NICU at Isabel Hospital immediately and all well we can expect them back in 48 hours .

I seriously didn’t know how to react ! The moment that we longed for so many years had come but I couldn’t experience the true happiness! I read a blog that post delivery you can’t count how many times you become emotional or cry ! It is absolutely true ! Motherhood makes you strong physically and very weak emotionally. Dr Manu told me that she was so happy that this bleeding issue happened in 33rd week and babies were safe , we couldn’t have asked for anything better ! She asked me to be happy and August 12 th 2017 is the birthday of your babies!!!!!!

At this point I think Hari will have more emotional moments to share , he told me he , and my parents were waiting in the hall when Hari first heard the cry of both the babies, he told amma but she was too shocked to respond! Dr called him and showed the babies and asked him to identify the gender , he requested the Dr and my parents also saw the babies. Hari told me how emotional all the three were and how much they missed seeing me and the babies together. Hari immediately accompanied the babies in the ambulance to NICU when his sister and brother in law joined him to provide him the necessary support. They were also overjoyed to see the babies.

I was shifted to ICU to be monitored for heavy bleeding , constantly I was on injections and was dozing off . Every time a nurse came to meet me I would ask them how my babies are ! They would smile and ask me to rest so that I can take care of babies soon . I wanted to meet my IVF team the nurses told me to wait till 10 am . I think I met Sangeetha first she gave me lot of courage and confidence and assured me that babies will be fine and Mohanapriya will be in by afternoon. My parents, my mother in law and sister in law did meet me at ICU and reassured that the babies are fine .

Finally Mohanapriya came in and told me she specifically met Dr Meenakshi, Pediatrician and she said the babies are doing fine and will be back by the next day afternoon itself. I was relieved, Hari also came in by then and told me babies are really cute and responding well .

I was shifted to room by late night and was monitored continuously. My amma stayed with me , this night was really filled with emptiness!!!! Till the previous day I could feel the little ones inside, now they weren’t there , neither were they besides me , truly my heart really goes out to the parents of so many premature babies . It is a pain to see our babies in NICU . In my case Hari had to handle it all by himself, I couldn’t support him in any way ….

The next day by noon our babies were back …. I held them for the first time after a long wait and it was indeed a cherishing moment of course filled with emotions.

Many of my good friends had warned me about post partum depression I was confident I wouldn’t be party to it before my delivery! But owing to the emergency and health having a major set back I automatically felt lonely, helpless , exhausted…… was always choked with emotions and with terrible head ache . Mohanapriya understood my situation well , and told me to be patient and that things will settle down soon .
At the hospital our support system was my mother in law and sister in law who took care of our food and also taking care of the babies. Post discharge first few days my mother and my mother in law helped me out followed by other family members and today Iam much better and of course Hari is my biggest strength and slowly we are getting used to parent hood and the joy of the same !!!!!

It is hard to believe that my IVF journey has come to an end , I ve earned a lot of love and affection throughout this treatment. For Guna Fertility we were just another couple undergoing the treatment. But the way they handled us especially at the hour of emergency a , Dr Karthik, Dr Manu , Dr Rekha and their entire team of nurses …. There was so much love and empathy in them …. It is now my second home I definitely cannot thank them enough  for this rebirth as a mother of twins …. For Hari and me this place will always remain special and We feel a long term bonding with every staff member of this hospital.

I also feel overwhelmed by the love and care I am receiving from my family and friends, my immediate family became extremely emotional when they knew I had a pre term delivery and had to be in ICU …. Though they weren’t present physically they were the moral system of support to my parents especially my mother. My cousins, my good friends were all expressing their love and care in all possible manner .

We are thankful to our family , on either side for their support. What touched us most is the love our children are getting as soon as they have arrived from our dearest friends , immediate relatives, and cousins , thank you all for helping us realise our dream …. Our children are blessed

One last word ….. Hari and me decided to go through this journey, it was with absolute faith in God  that we  entered into this treatment. I strongly believe that prayers and faith in God will guide you push you into safe hands and give you what you desire. Right through my pregnancy I heard good meaningful spiritual discourses, Carnatic Music , and chanted few slokas I knew . It gave me patience and endurance and I feel if we want to experience miracle only way is to trust God , and leave everything to Him …..He beautifully designs your life and gives you only the Best !

Iam signing off this will be the last post in this blog …. Let me concentrate on my parenting and get back sometime later ….. I sincerely hope this blog will be helpful to you ….. and for anyone who are trying for a baby like us , trust your self , trust God and most importantly find a good Dr and hospital definitely good things will follow …… do keep our family in your prayers…..

Padmini , Hari and our bundle of joy …..

Our IVF Journey Part 1- upto egg retrival and formation of embryos

Journey into Parenthood Part 5 :

Steps followed @ Guna Fertility Centre: My IVF journey:

●      I got my periods on 2nd November 2016.  I called up Ms. Mohanapriya, our IVF coordinator and she asked me to come the next day. She told me I will have a trial transfer, a scan and an injection following the scan. 

●      It is better if we take our husbands for this first day of IVF. The remaining days we can go on our own. If you are working, you can take a short break for the injection and get back to work.

●      With a lot of prayers and anxiety we reached the hospital in the morning.

●      As soon as Dr. Manu saw me she asked me if I was ready. I said I was nervous. She told me it is a simple task and we just have to take each step with less rigidity. If the trial transfer is done on the second day, it will be less painful. 

●      After signing the consent papers, I laid down. She explained to me to be calm and relaxed as the more rigid I get the more painful it is going to be. 

●      In trial transfer basically a thin catheter is passed through your vaginal canal to assess the cervical length. This information is mandatory for the transfer of the embryo. It is a few seconds of discomfort and nothing compared to the HSG tube test.

●      Once the length is noted, the doctor does your internal trans vaginal scan. We have to get used to this scanning as it will be done very often right through the treatment. 

●      I was fortunate to have Dr. Manu who does this scan very well. Initially I was quite nervous but soon got over it.

●      Dr. Manu showed me the scan on the monitor where she showed the picture of the uterus and ovaries. She showed me a black dot and asked me to observe the same- This is what will change in the upcoming days as the follicles are stimulated. 

●      Dr. Manu advised the dosage of injections to the nurse and wished me good luck.

●      First day blood samples are also withdrawn to check FSH, LH and estrogen levels. In the beginning they will show normal values and as our injections proceed the values will increase.

●      For the next fourteen days, injections are to be taken at the hospital only and it is best to stick to a specific convenient time.

●      For me either Ms. Chandralekha or Ms. Keerthana would administer the injections; these injections are given around your navel area and they are not at all painful.

●      The important instructions to be followed during the injection period are that we must drink at least 3 litres of water, no out-side food and no sexual intercourse. 

●      Apart from this we can carry out our normal routine.

●      For the next couple of days only the injections are administered.

●      The fourth or the fifth day the next scan is taken. In this scan Dr. Manu showed me the black dots that had multiplied – this means good stimulations were happening. The black dots are the follicles; they are black because of their water content. It was an experience to see the follicles on the screen.

●      The seventh day is like the mid period where a blood test and a scan are taken. Now the doctor starts counting the follicles on either side of the ovary.

●      Dr. Manu told me stimulations were happening according to their expectations and the blood values were also raising steadily. At this stage if stimulations are less they are likely to alter the dosage.

●      This is a combination of three injections; the cost of these injections is very high as they are human hormones, and not many companies produce these drugs. 

●      There are no pronounced side effects to these injections. But, due to the stimulation, you will feel a bloating sensation in the lower abdomen. Yoga or other strenuous exercises are not recommended during this time.

●      I did not gain weight during the injection period. This could be because of very cautious eating and drinking a lot of water.

●      On day 12 a final scan is done to ascertain the number of follicles and their measurements. I think the follicles need to reach 18 mm in size to be considered to be fully developed.

●      The doctor uses the monitor to decide your egg retrieval time. This is done in consultation with the embryologist. Based on his availability a time is fixed. 

●      At this stage I was informed by Dr. Manu that they will be retrieving about 10 follicles. This is one of the hospital’s highlights - they are very transparent at every stage. All our reports are given to us as print outs at every stage. 

●      The reason I am specifically mentioning this here is because many centres I've heard aren't transparent, neither reports are given nor the follicles are shown. 

●      If you are not shown or informed it is better you speak to your doctor. 

●      All our payments were with credit card and we were given bills immediately. This further establishes the transparency of this hospital. Some IVF centres insist on cash especially for egg pick up or embryo transfer. Please get acquainted before you start the process.

●      Based on the egg retrieval time, a trigger injection needs to be given; this injection will ensure the eggs mature completely and do not rupture.... this is usually given 33 hours before the pick-up time. 

●      My egg pick up was scheduled at 11.00 am on 16th November 2016, so I had my trigger at 11.45 PM on 14 th November. 

●      Please stick to your time as it is important. In my case, the nurses Keerthana and Chandraleka were ready and exactly at 11.45 pm injection was given. This injection is also intramuscular but not very painful. They also explained the instructions I needed to follow till I report for egg pick up.

●      The day after the trigger injection is a break day and we need not go to the hospital. One has to just relax at home eating normal food with lots of water. Based on the timing, eating after a specific time is not allowed. A little bloating may be experienced. 

●      November 16 th was our egg retrieval day. We left home in a cab and reached the hospital. In normal ICSI the male partner gives his sample ahead of time so he will be free to take care when the female partner will be undergoing the process under anaesthetic conditions. Then both can actually manage just in case parents aren't available to help. 

●      In our case my husband Hari went in for surgical sperm retrieval. This was suggested by Dr. Karthik, and as the locations and quality of sperms were already ascertained, it was a simple micro non-invasive technique with local anaesthesia and this ensured better quality of sperms.

●      His procedure started sharp at 10.30 am and was over at 10.50 am. He was shifted to the room. My parents were there with us to take care since we both had to undergo the procedure simultaneously.

●      Following this I was taken in, and our anesthetist, Dr. Senthil assured me that Hari 's part went on well and he was doing fine. I sincerely appreciate this kind of a personal touch and care that each doctor took in this hospital. Dr. Senthil then administered general anesthesia for me.

●      It is definitely an experience to see the greatness of technology. I was initially conscious and was informed by Dr. Manu that all will be well .I realized how many people were involved in this process-- so many dedicated and skillful hands handling us .

●      I soon slept off and when I regained consciousness I was already shifted to the room. I felt sleepy for few hours. After a couple of hours I was started on a liquid diet, and since there was no nausea went on to soft solids and then after the drips I was discharged.

●      Hari's recovery was much faster as it was only a local anesthesia. He took care of settling the bills and discharge formalities. 

●      Ms. Chandralekha, our nurse came to meet me and said my procedure went on for about 40 minutes and as decided before, 10 follicles were extracted. From the follicles, eggs will be removed and fused with the sperms. 

●      She told us by the next day we will know how many have fertilized. She said she would call and inform. She gave me the prescription for a few pain killers and asked me to continue the perinatal multivitamin tablets. For Hari no medicines were required. 

●      I was asked to come on the 5th day of the next cycle to check if my ovaries have shrunk and if everything was normal with the uterus after this egg pick up.

●      In this hospital the IVF ICSI protocol takes a break here. A complete break of one cycle is given for hormones to get back to normal and the frozen embryo transfer is done only in the second cycle after egg pick up. 

●      This is done to avoid estrogen interference which might interfere with implantation. This was explained in the beginning itself by Dr. Manu.

●      This is also very beneficial for us as we get to unwind, workout and get ourselves ready for the embryo transfer. 

●      After the instructions we were discharged by about 7 PM. It was a very pleasant experience. We left the hospital with satisfaction and of course with some anxiety about the results of the nature of embryos.

●      That night I could take normal dinner and I didn't have any pain.

●      The next day Hari took off from work just to relax. I was back to my normal routine. My mother was there for a day to help me after which I could manage on my own.

●      In the evening I spoke to Ms. Chandralekha. The embryologist's assistant had told her six eggs had cleaved indicating six eggs had fertilised. But it was still too early; only by Monday will they be able to update the correct status.

●      Monday was a busy hospital day and it was very difficult to get through to anyone. My tension was building up and finally by about 2 PM, I could speak to Ms. Mohanapriya. She immediately apologised for the delay and told me they had frozen 8 blastocyst grade embryos and that it wa­­s a good number.

●      I was extremely relieved and happy, even a little emotional. I immediately updated Hari who was at the office and he too was very relieved and happy. 

●      Just to understand in lay man terms (there are several good web references on this) once the sperm and egg fuse it is placed in an incubator which maintains body temperature. Then it starts cleaving and cell division takes place. A good quality egg and sperm will facilitate this process. 

●      Day 5 after retrieval is called a blastocyst stage and at this stage the embryo is frozen, from then on no change takes place. They are frozen in a liquid nitrogen environment and can be stored for ages.

●      Some centres freeze on day 3. Their school of thought is that the human body environment is better for day 4 and day 5.

●      The only risk of waiting till day 5 is that some embryos that are not of good quality may be lost and might become useless for transfer.

●      But across the world Day 5 blastocyst is recommended as it is a clear indication of a better quality embryo since it has withstood 5 days.

●      Before the transfer, the embryos will be thawed (brought to normal temperature) and studied under a powerful embryoscope. It is at this point that the embryologist will take pictures of the embryos and tell us their specific quality and grade. 

●      So after hearing that 8 blastocyst embryos were frozen we thanked God for helping us cross one part of IVF with this team of very efficient medical personnel. 

●      The next one and half months were to unwind and I followed a very strict routine of diet and exercise which included gymming and yoga. I did loose about 3.5 kgs and I felt really good -- this can be attributed to an inner feeling of relief that one part was over.

●      When we first consulted Dr. Karthik, he told us the problem was solvable once good sperms are identified through the ICSI technique since they will fertilise the egg well. But for the success of an IVF treatment, just egg and sperm quality are not the only contributing factors; the overall health of the woman and how she takes care of her protein and vitamin requirements matters. He told us this very beautifully ‘Our aim is not to create successful embryos but to make you hold the baby in your hands’  This was my motivation mantra to be very strict about my eating habits and physical work out .

●      So it is important that we take care of our health right through the treatment period. In-fact, we always have to be careful. But we have learnt from experience that when nothing positive happens we generally distract ourselves by over-eating. That is why many who experience depression put on weight.

Most Cherished breakthrough in our Treatment

Journey into Parenthood Part 3 :

As we wound up the festivals we realised we had completed our 6 weeks waiting period and we fixed up an appointment with Dr. Karthik. This was on 20th October 2016. 

●      Given our previous experiences, we didn't have great expectations from this report. 

●      Thankfully, when we received the reports, it wasn't in a format which we could understand so we waited to meet the doctor.

●      Dr. Karthik checked Hari's reports and within a couple of minutes said that they could identify sperm without much difficulty, and confidently asked us to proceed with ICSI IVF. The doctor asked me to meet Dr. Manu and work on my schedule.

●      This was probably one of our best moments in life.  Although we knew the real treatment was just going to begin, we were relieved and excited.  We were truly overwhelmed.

●      Choosing the ICSI IVF procedure is the final step to sort out infertility issues. We arrived at this method of treatment only after trying out all other possible methods. We felt that this would be a big breakthrough for us.

●      On the same day, we also met with Dr. Manu and she confirmed that Hari's reports were encouraging. She did the AMH blood test for me on that day. This test gives us an idea of the ovarian reserve which is very important for IVF. 

●      I had undergone this blood test previously, but Dr. Manu explained to me that it would not vary much, but would be better to have the test done just before the IVF cycle.

●      Dr. Manu explained the process clearly and in detail to us and we signed the consent forms for the same. To be frank, we were more excited than scared. 

Our preliminary consultations @ Metro Male Clinic

Journey into Parenthood Part 2 :

●      From August 2016, we began consultations with Dr. Karthik and Dr. Manu Lakshmi. Dr. Karthik explained our problem in a practical manner. We liked his approach - he knew where we stood and he told us to do a few crucial tests including sperm mapping, and we proceeded based on these reports. 

Sperm Mapping is, in Dr. Karthik's words, a GPS tool to track healthy sperm through a micro, non-invasive technique. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and takes about 45 minutes. A positive result allows you to proceed with IVF ICSI, especially if you have any major or minor sperm related issues.

                                                      

Why did we choose this centre?

 I had read Dr. Karthik's blogs and found it interesting. After we met him, we understood that our problem had become more complicated because of our wrong approach. Dr. Karthik explained our problem in a very simple manner and suggested sperm mapping (which he is trained in) to get a clearer idea on how to proceed. There was a lot of positivity, not only in his sincere approach, but also in the whole clinic.

Dr. Karthik told us clearly that we would start the tests together and the reason for their centre’s success is a combined integral approach where every step in the treatment is taken after analysing both reports.

●      We decided to give it a try.  Hari and I went through the suggested tests. Dr. Karthik also suggested some very important lifestyle modifications and some supplements and asked us to return in 6 weeks for the test results.

●      I met Dr. Manu Lakshmi Karthik to understand my reports. This is the first hospital I found where everyone, right from the nurses to the doctor is extremely patient with the patients.

●      Our old reports were thoroughly analysed and explained. Dr. Manu instantly understood our worry and told us that she hoped that our test results were encouraging. This would allow her to proceed with the IVF procedure. 

●      She asked us to remain calm and concentrate on the lifestyle modifications and take the folic acid and thyroid medications prescribed daily. 

●      We had made up our minds that this was the place where we could hope to get positive results, and hence, we would continue the treatment at this clinic. At this point we strongly felt that it was God’s wish, and if this didn’t work out, we would take a break and concentrate on other matters.  

Dr Manu Lakshmi Karthik

●      I would like to add that Dr. Manu saw all of our previous reports and did not repeat any test. The doctors reassured us that it was only this issue which stopped us from proceeding.  This is so unlike other fertility centres where a junior doctor would see us, and prescribe unnecessary tests and medications. This made it clear that at the centre the doctors and their team were emphatic, confident, professional and didn’t believe in play with human emotions.

Dr. Karthik Gunashekhar

 

The following links are the websites of Metro Male Clinic and Guna Fertility Center, the first also features Dr. Karthik’s blogs:

http://www.metromaleclinic.com/ 

http://www.gunafertilitycenter.com/

Once we were back home (this was mid-August 2016), we concentrated on some important exercises and inclusions in our diet. In particular, I focused on my weight, as anxiety and depression had led to weight gain. 

I wouldn't say I lost too much weight but I became more positive. Moreover, since this was the festive season of the year, we were busy with our golu (Navarathri festival) and having a lot of guests at home.

Why this blog ??????

Journey of Parenthood Part 1 :

I think every woman has a lot to share about motherhood and my journey into motherhood is no different. As I am embarking on this journey I sincerely pray that my parenting experience be the best possible.

The journey of motherhood is special irrespective of your age, whether it is your first pregnancy or "Nth” experience. 

For some, the pregnancy is planned, for others unplanned; however, in most cases it brings with it a lot of joy, a bundle of emotions and new found responsibility.

Now, for a few (may be more in numbers!!) this process is not smooth. We belong to this category.  I include my husband as in this journey it is the two of us who grow closer fighting against all odds. Yes, just to hear the good news was a big, big struggle for us.

It was a struggle for six years during which we were subjected to numerous tests, injections, medicines and some very unpleasant doctor appointments. Elaborating these points is futile, and unnecessary, however, for any of you who want to learn about this, I am open to sharing my experience.    The purpose of this blog is to remind ourselves to remain positive during difficult and delayed pregnancies.

We tried several treatments to sort out one particular issue but this issue persisted even after visiting several centres. These visits turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we understood how some of these centres worked and that they would definitely not suit us.

Eventually, right things happened at the right moment - we met Dr. Karthik Gunashekar, Director, Metro Male Clinic and Dr. Manu Lakshmi Karthik, Guna Fertility Centre, T Nagar. Both these specialized centres are located in the same campus. Dr. Karthik suggested a systematic approach and when the tests suggested by them came positive they asked us to take the next step and try IVF ICSI treatment. This is a very big decision for a couple, and it was a big breakthrough for us.

Based on our experience, I would like to share my views and thoughts on our treatment. I am definitely not writing this blog as an advice, since this treatment involves not only your physical self but cause a lot of emotions to run through you and so it is a personal choice to choose a mode and place of treatment. 

Couple  of things that I would like to share :

You can share this blog with any of your friends who are in the same phase as us, that is, who are desperate to have a baby. Please note that this is a delicate matter, and however well-intentioned you are, they may not take it in the right spirit. Beyond a certain point, any couple longing for a child will take efforts towards that. They may not be vocal about it because it does take time to understand everything, and gain confidence in the treatment.

Personally, I believe that most people from urban educated families begin this treatment not for social expectations, as advertised, but an emotional need. I feel that it is a personal choice to get married or have a child. For some, everything happens quickly, whereas, for others, it gets delayed. One method to overcome this situation is to have firm faith in God.  At the same time, we should remain informed about the procedures we undergo. Make an effort to identify a doctor with whom you are comfortable. Please don't get carried away by any advertisements, personal experience is the best guideline.

Seventh month ......

Seventh month:

As the seventh month began on 1st July , I was still wondering why Iam not having a big bump or rather a visible bump . More than me my relatives were anxious and eager to see me with a bump and glowing face . Till seventh month more or less didn’t have to take any additional  medication. But in the first week of July developed cold and severe cough . Dr Manu advised me to take Sinarest and cold was reducing . In the meanwhile took to lot of home remedies like inhaling steam , drinking hot jeera water , gargling and drinking milk with turmeric powder . Owing to the cold I felt tired and little weak . Face also started to look tired .

As I was getting better we realised our neighbour developed Swine flu so to protect ourselves all three of us my mother , Hari and myself took vaccinations for the same .

In the 2nd week of seventh month I took my fasting and GCT test , along with haemoglobin and thyroid tests . The thyroid and haemoglobin came normal but as I feared the sugar values were slightly high . My fasting was about 105 and GCT was 159 , this was considered as a border line case for gestational diabetes I actually took the report little light , fixed up my appointment after a week with the hospital .
But later called up Mohanapriya and conveyed my values she suggested I meet the diabetologist to regulate my diet . So I immediately preponed by Dr appointment to the following day .

Seventh month check up :

The moment I entered the hospital I was anxious on how my check up would be . The nurses checked my weight unfortunately the increase was only 0.9 g I was worried, other parameters were normal . Dr Manu made me feel very comfortable told me not to worry about weight gain or bump size , she told me what matters most is the growth parameters of the babies. She checked the heart beat of the babies, they were normal .Dr  asked me to go for a full growth scan . She also saw my sugar reports and told me not to panic and meet Dr Bhaskar who would either suggest insulin or modify my diet pattern .

With all anxiety I went in for full growth scan , after the scan Dr Ravichandrika maam told me all is fine and both the babies are doing good . Dr Manu also told me growth of both the babies are on target , placenta position is better , water levels and cervix length is also normal. Babies had crossed 1kg weight . So Dr Manu asked me to maintain my diet schedule and also take enough rest and meet her on August 18 th . If all well she said we can plan the delivery in 1st week of September.

I met Dr Bhaskar who was very helpful and in about 10 days time he monitored my sugar levels , constantly kept in touch through Wats app and ensured my sugar levels were under control. I was on insulin but my numbers were good and not worry some. Slowly we crossed the month of July , completed 7 months and stepped into the most crucial 8 th month ……