Stress Reduction

During this entire baby making process I have done what I can to reduce stress in my life. Not an easy task between my job and the business my husband is building! This time around however I am /was determined to succeed. I am doing acupuncture at least twice a week. I am meditating and saying the rosary (or part of it anyway) at least once a day. I am leaving work early if there is nothing going on in the office. I have even convinced (I hope) DH that his first thought before saying anything should be "How can I make CJ's life easier?"

Then, I go to work. Today we had a meeting to review my new video. The result of the session was more positive than negative - the process to get there was Brutal - with - a - capital - B. And I couldn't help but laugh at myself , when, in the middle of this very intense discussion I suddenly thought...if this was the week after ET there is NO WAY I would be here!

The meeting and its aftermath cemented my decision to take the week after ET off from work and go visit my family up north. I had been thinking about it anyway. Two of my four pregnancies (the two that lasted longest) came right around the time that I was visiting with family. The thought has crossed my mind that the relaxation and happiness I feel around them might help with the process. I think it falls under the "can't hurt, might help" area of infertility treatment. Plus DH will be very busy with the beginning of a month / last month of the quarter and avoiding that stress as much as possible could also be a good thing.

The only thing left to decide is : when? Based on my last two IVF cycles I should stim for 12 days, making ER on Saturday 8/30. With co-culture, I automatically qualify for a Day 3 Transfer, making ET on 9/2. The undecided variable - bed rest. The docs at my clinic do not require bedrest, they merely suggest that you take it easy for a couple of days. Does a 4 hour drive up north qualify as "taking it easy?" Not sure yet - but hoping I decide that it is! I can't imagine a place where I would be more relaxed...just thinking about it has put a smile on my face.