Celebrating Life: Birthday, IVF, and Community Love

The past two weeks, as we officially began our IVF journey, have been filled with an overwhelming amount of love and support from our incredible community. This post is a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has checked in, dropped off care packages, sent gifts, and shared thoughtful messages of encouragement. Your kindness has meant more than words can express – many times, it has brought me to tears.

For those who don’t know, I turned 35 on Saturday! Fun fact: I absolutely love birthdays, not just mine but everyone’s. Ian always teases me, saying we should celebrate every day, and while I agree with that, there’s something special about birthdays. It’s a time to reflect on life, celebrate the journey, and look forward to the future with gratitude and wisdom. Plus, who doesn’t love cake, candles, and making a wish?

There’s a running joke in our house that I get a “birthday month.” Ian’s birthday is February 28, and mine is March 15, so he says that once March 1 rolls around, it’s officially my birthday – and honestly, he’s not wrong! 🙂 But this year, things felt different. When people asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, my answer was simple: nothing. Well, except for a massage! Being halfway through our egg retrieval prep made it hard to plan, as I wasn’t sure how I’d be feeling physically or emotionally.

The good news? I’ve been feeling pretty good! Sure, there’s some bloating and discomfort, but emotionally, I’m in a good place. The physical changes are noticeable – did you know that during stimulation for egg retrieval, your ovaries grow from the size of grapes to the size of softballs? Wild! But thankfully, the emotional aspect has been easier to manage. Still, when you’re on a fertility journey, it can become all-consuming. It affects everything: your plans, finances, spirituality, marriage, energy levels – everything. While I try not to let it pause life, I have to admit it’s made me more cautious about making commitments, and this year’s birthday was no exception.

But you know what? My birthday turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever had.

Birthday Celebrations

The week leading up to my birthday was filled with surprises from friends and neighbors. We were showered with cupcakes, donuts, sweet cards, and the most thoughtful fertility care package. It was such a warm and loving way to start the weekend.

On Friday, we kicked off the celebrations by picking up some fruit and our favorite Bowman’s donuts to share with my IVF clinic. At my appointment, we got great news – I was responding well to the medication and was given the green light to start my third shot (to prevent ovulation). Afterward, Ian and I went to lunch with his parents at Olive Garden for soup, salad, and breadsticks. We ended the day with a cozy evening with our friends Casey, Jenny, and their daughter Andi. They spoiled me with dinner, flowers, and yet another sweet care package to support me on this journey.

Saturday morning started slow and peaceful. As I was doing some chores, Ian surprised me with a HUGE poster board covered in sticky notes – all messages from our friends and family with birthday wishes and words of encouragement. It brought the biggest smile to my face and tears to my eyes. I needed that extra bit of love, and Ian, with the help of our loved ones, delivered in the most thoughtful way.

Later, we tried a new to us breakfast spot, in Bountiful, Penny Ann’s Cafe. They have locations across the Utah Valley, and if you haven’t been, you must try it. Their strawberry and whipped cream waffle was so good I didn’t even need syrup! After running a few errands and taking a nap, we went for a long-awaited couples massage – just what I needed to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. We ended the day cuddling up and watching a movie with popcorn, my favorite! It was simply the best.

Sunday morning, we headed down to Pleasant Grove for an ultrasound and bloodwork to check my progress as we prepare for the egg retrieval.

IVF Update

We are officially down to one more day of shots before my egg retrieval! 22 shots down…5 to go! I’m responding well to the medication, and everything is on track. My retrieval is scheduled for Thursday, March 20.

Today, my estradiol levels are at 2933.12 pg/mL. For context, they were at just 27.46 on Day 1, which means they’ve skyrocketed by 107% in 9 days. According to Dr. Lucky Sekhon’s blog post, Unlocking the Mystery of Estradiol Levels: A Guide to Their Role in TTC and IVF Success, I am actually above the normal ranges. My care team is happy with my progress and not currently concerned about ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)?
OHSS is a potential complication of fertility treatments, particularly those that involve stimulating the ovaries. It occurs when the ovaries are overly stimulated by the hormones used to encourage the production of multiple eggs, causing them to swell and leak fluid into the abdomen.

As of today, my follicle count is 20, though my nurse practitioner says it’s likely higher. We won’t know the final count until after the procedure, but we’re feeling optimistic.

Ian and I are taking this journey one step at a time, and this upcoming egg retrieval feels like a big step. As I sit here writing this, I can’t help but feel deeply grateful. While I wish our path to parenthood didn’t have to involve all of these steps, I’m incredibly thankful that we have this option. IVF is not something everyone can access or afford, and I’m grateful every day that we have the means to pursue this path. I’m thankful for our insurance, for the patience it has taken to get all the approvals, and for the incredible doctors, nurses, and staff making this all possible.

As I close this post, I want to say another huge THANK YOU to my amazing community. You know who you are – your love and support have made this journey so much easier and brighter. Sharing this experience with the world has been both scary and healing, but it has connected me with people who lift me up in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I’m so grateful for each of you.

To everyone going through their own fertility journey: remember to celebrate the little victories, lean on your support system, and trust in the process. We’ve got this.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! How do you like to celebrate your birthday? Do you have any fun traditions or special ways to make the day memorable? If you’ve been on your own IVF or fertility journey, what have you found helpful in staying positive and grounded through the ups and downs?

Let’s keep the conversation going!

• How has your community supported you during challenging times? What gestures or acts of kindness meant the most to you?
• For those of you who’ve faced any fertility struggles, what advice would you offer to someone just starting out?
• What are your favorite ways to practice self-care when life gets overwhelming?
• And for my fellow birthday lovers: do you go all out and celebrate a birthday month, or keep it simple and low-key?

I’ll be back next week with a big update on how many eggs were retrieved and how many embryos we have. As always, thank you for being on this journey with me – your love and support mean the world to me.

With Love,

Britt