Conceiving Kira

Kira was conceived through IVF. We had been trying to have a baby for over four-and-a-half years, and tried many things including surgery (I have endometriosis), charting my temperature, herbal potions, saliva tests, etc. Our first attempt at IVF went well, up until the retrieval. I had follicles, but not a single egg in any of them! We were devastated. We were told this is only the second time in 18 years that this has happened! But why us?! Fortunately, the Doctor had a plan - and it worked! Our next attempt produced our gorgeous daughter, Kira!

Our diary looked like this:

May 25, 2006: 8.30am - egg retrieval; a baker's dozen! 2pm - fertilisation.
May 26: We have 8 embryos!!
May 27: 9am - 1 "bun" inserted, on "slow bake" for 9 months! We got to see our baby at it's "3-day blastocyst (4 cells)" stage - very cool! (That's not her in the photo though!)
June 13: I woke with mad cravings for prawns by the bucket-load!
June 14: Blood test at the clinic confirms we're pregnant - YAY!!!

June 21: Blood test.
June 28: Blood test.
End of June: (around 7wks) I felt the first flutter of movements (confirmed by ultrasound at 11wks).
July 7: First ultrasound (8wks, 3days), confirming "viability". Baby now known affectionately as "Blob"!
July 25: Ultrasound (around 11wks) due to spotting - all ok! Phew!



Mid-August: (around 13wks) People other than family and friends are noticing my belly, and wanting to touch it. And my boobs leak!
Mid-September: (around 18wks) I felt my first strong kick; Neal felt his first one about a week later. A few days after that, we could see my belly move!
September 26: Ultrasound (19wks)
October 6: Our first appointment with midwife, Helen. There's not much left of my belly-button now!

December 28: I finished the mural in "Blob's" room.
January 7, 2007: We had "baby class" - all day!
January 14: We had our "baby shower".

February 1: Our 4th wedding anniversary! And I'm in labour...!!