"You did awesome, now the hard part is over, I'm going to let you rest so your uterus won't be in too much pain - although we are giving you a sedative I will would like you to rest a bit before we start okay?" He asks as he washes his hands. "Okay and then you - you can do what we came here for and really transfer the embryos into me?" I ask as the tears start pooling down my face. "Absolutely Meredith, you are one step closer to becoming a Mom, and you Derek a Dad," he smiles typing information into my chart. "I'm so happy, I'm so excited, and nervous and worried, but so overjoyed," I tell him as he nods and Derek hands me a tissue.
"I'll give you both time to breathe and relax and then I'll be back in twenty minutes with Dr. Moss to get this show on the road. We may be in earlier to start setting up, but we don't want to to start until twenty minutes has passed to give your uterus a little rest," Dr. Lin explains as I sit up quickly feeling dizzy and nauseous, "You okay Mer, you look green?" Der rubs my arm and I nod as Dr. Lin immediately hands me a throw up bucket, "Thank you," I respond as my belly contracts and I start heaving into the bucket. Derek grabs my hair and feels my forehead to cool me down.
"How long has this been going on for?" Dr. Lin asks, Derek looks up as my head is stopped over the bucket heaving, "Since she's been on the injections," Derek tells him as he records it and he nods. "A few months ago you tried Clomid three times and didn't get pregnant, but we never took a long term pregnancy test so you know what I'm going to run a pregnancy test right now to see if maybe you are pregnant from the Clomid. It's a strong drug and with the added hormones it would make sense that it would be getting you sick, it can as we told you link to multiple babies, but also this could just be side effects from the injections, but I would like to see just to make sure, so let's do some blood work. I'll call Dr. Moss in to see what she thinks too," he smiles as I stop heaving and look over at Derek after wiping my mouth on a wet paper towel.
"Really? You think I could be pregnant?" I beam and he nods, "Your symptoms match up for possible side effects and pregnancy, but for some reason, I'm just thinking pregnancy for your case. So I would like to check it out and rule it out. And if not we go along with the plan and we do the embryo transfer today, if you are pregnant we can count babies," Dr. Lin says and Derek kisses my lips and squeezes my knee. "Oh my, wow we could be pregnant and not know it!" Derek smiles and I laugh, "Honey how crazy! Is this why I can't get ahold of my emotions?" I laugh and kiss Derek as the tears start falling down my face. Derek wipes my face and kisses them away, "I want to know now," I mumble resting a hand over my belly as Derek rests his hand over mine. "I paged Dr. Moss so she should be here any minute," Dr. Lin tells us and I squeeze Derek's hand leaning over to hug him as I cry harder.
"There is a knock at the door and Dr. Moss peaks her head in, "Hello everyone, I'm here," she smiles stepping in and shutting the door. "I brought a blood kit and we can do an ultrasound too see too!" She says washing her hands. "Do you think with my symptoms I can be pregnant?" I ask her, and she nods. "Oh yes I would say you would be in your first trimester, cramping and spotting are common and normal, sore breasts and tenderness is also common, of course the emotions, and nausea and vomiting are very common," she says as she cleans off my arm with an alcohol swab and inserts the small needle. "Wow I can't believe it!" I run my one hand through my hair as the tears fall down my face and Derek pats my knee, "We will see Baby," he kisses me.
"We will see how high your hormone levels are and keep getting and that will indicate how many babies you are carrying, since of course Clomid typically does result in multiples and we have you on additional hormone injections we expect multiples." We nod as she takes my blood filling up three vials and sets it down on the desk as Dr. Lin hands her a bandaid and stands up. "I'll run these to the lab," he says taking the vials. "Okay, thank you, so if you want you can lay on back and we can do the ultrasound. We can try for the abdominal ultrasound first and see if we see anything okay?" She says as I lay down carefully so I don't get too dizzy.
"I can't believe it," I look over at Derek taking his hand as she runs the transducer over my flat belly. "I know Babe, you may be pregnant and we didn't even know it," he smirks. She stops moving the transducer and clicks on the screen moving it in closer, "Right here, see? Congratulations Mom and Dad!" She smiles as tears fall from my cheek and Derek stands up taking me in his arms kissing my forehead and lips. I wipe his eyes as he kisses my hair, "I love you so much and our baby, Oh my we are going to be parents! Finally Der! We did it! We did it Derek!" I beam in awe and shock staring at him in amazement. "We did it Mer! Hard work pays off Sweetheart," he smiles as I stare at the screen as Dr. Moss points out our baby. "Our baby is healthy?" Derek immediately asks as he sits down kissing me squeezing my hand and wiping his eyes.
"Yes, they are perfectly healthy you can see their tail right here, and you can see that they are not in their own sac, so you see right here there is their sibling, right now you are up to twins Mom and Dad!" She announces pointing to the screen and Derek and I beam looking at each other as more tears fill our eyes. "Let me look around because I do believe with the high hormone level we had you on that you are having higher multiples, and once Dr. Lin comes back with your hormone level we will see just how many about you will be having," she tells us. "Okay," we respond both just staring into each other's eyes lost for words as she moves the transducer around my belly. "And here is Baby C, they are in their own sac so I'm going to check for more and hopefully Dr. Lin gets back here soon," she tells us as Derek kisses my forehead and I cover my mouth overcome with emotions. "They are healthy?" I ask clearing my voice, "From what I see so far, yes they are little peanuts, but yes."
"Now I'm going to look to the side a bit lower because sometimes we have babies hiding and I think that's where they may be," she smiles and I nod. "Okay, how many do you think?" Derek asks, "I say quadruplets or quintuplets because we had you on a rather high dosage for Clomid and hormone injections," she explains. "Wow, mother's intuition," I smile, "Well you said four or five," Derek says nodding. "Lets see, from right here I see two more babies. They are sharing a sac so you are having two sets of identical twins and one singleton, this doesn't occur two often, but with the help of modern medicine it can happen," she tells us as Dr. Lin walks in the room.
"Her numbers look like she's having quintuplets or sextuplets definitely not twins," he laughs and I rest my hand over my flat belly. "I can't believe it, we are parents and we didn't even have to do the embryo transfer," I laugh as the tears fall from my eyes. "They all look healthy and I would say you are about six weeks pregnant, I advise you not to say anything to anyone just yet. I want to see you back again at twelve weeks, we will give you your vitamins and everything you need for the babies, but the key right now is fluids and rest. Do not overdo it, take it easy if the cramping and spotting and nausea get to a point where it's uncontrollable or the bleeding is more frequent call us and meet us at the ER okay?" Dr. Moss advises us.
"Okay," I say taking the multivitamins from her and the directions. "We also will find out more if you have Hypermesis Gravidarum which is severe morning sickness we see a few cases mainly in multiples so you will be on high watch. We also will have appointments scheduled more frequently because it is a high risk pregnancy," Dr. Lin explains. "What do you think about bed rest? Or will we discuss that as it comes?" I ask, "We will discuss that when we need to, not yet, you just have to focus on getting an extra five hundred calories per baby, one thousand five hundred calories. Lean proteins, veggies, fruits, vitamins and minerals all mixed in your diet," Dr. Moss smiles. "Wow that many calories?" I repeat and they nod, "You can do it we suggest protein shakes and fatty foods, but no meals from fast food places, we don't want you eating like a bird either, unless of course you have Hypermesis Gravidarum, then we will get you set up at home to supply you ourselves on an IV," Dr. Lin says.
"Meredith is small, is she able to carry the babies? I know they won't reach term, but I don't want anything happening to Meredith and I don't want to sacrifice the babies lives either," Derek explains rubbing my back. "She will be able to do it, she's not going to put weight on overnight, so she will be able to do it, the babies we know will be born prematurely and as it gets closer to delivery we will discuss options like do you want to see each baby as they are carted off or do you want them whisked away and then you can see them later after once they are taking care of? We know that sounds horrible now, but it's for the babies heath, so we want them out as quick as possible and hooked up as quickly as possible. Also, do you want to be under anesthesia or would you like to be alert during the delivery, so we always tell parents to keep many options in mind when discussing birth plans," Dr. Moss tells us.
"Oh okay that makes sense so we have a lot to talk about and to go over, thank you, so can you print us copies of the ultrasound pictures?" I ask quietly taking it all in as Dr. Moss smiles. "It's a lot to take in, but as we go through this together it gets easier you will be asking us so many questions don't you worry. Go home and rest, tell your family you had the procedure and just relax," she puts my knee. "Thank you, I will. It is just wow I mean it's a lot to take in. I'm so happy to finally be a Mommy, but I wasn't expecting to be one walking out today and it's just an incredible feeling. I'm on cloud nine, but I have so many questions. I think if I sleep on it and relax, maybe take a walk with the twins I'll feel better too," I explain and they nod.
"Yes, call us tomorrow to update us on how you feel, any cramping, tenderness, anything of that nature and then if you have a million questions fire away," Dr. Moss smiles printing the pictures and handing them to us as I cry. "Mer," Derek kisses me and I wipe my eye, "It's just I've seen a million of these of Derek's sisters kids and family having babies and now getting it to be of us and our five little miracles, our five little Shepherd's it's just incredible," I cry into Derek's chest. "The Shepherd Squad," Derek kisses my hair and I nod interlocking our hands together placing them on my belly, "The Shepherd Squad," I murmur through thick tears holding the pictures to my chest. "Oh they just are lovely, they are better then I think our wedding pictures," I whisper and Derek laughs.
"It's your babies first pictures," Dr. Lin smiles, "They are beautiful and I just love them so much already," I place my hand on my belly. "You both have worked long and hard to have them. I would continue with the acupuncturist and herbs focus on relaxation and nausea. I have a feeling since you have been nauseous with all these hormone treatments and everything that we have done this far that this pregnancy is going to be tough with the nausea, so I really want to keep you in check with other options besides medications okay?" Dr. Moss says. "Start weaving more out of your diet too that can get you sick stick to mint and high in protein and also carbs, potatoes and rice," Dr. Lin suggests as we take it all in.
"Okay, do you think it would help if we see the nutritionist again? She was great maybe she can suggest some new ideas. Can I still figure skate I love to skate in the morning or at night when we find time together," I tell them. "That would be a good idea to get a few more ideas and tips from the nutritionist. As of now I want you to take it easy on exercising, when you get into your second trimester then you can go ice skating, but for now I'm going to say no. We don't want you to fall or get cramps or start to bleed after exerting yourself, so once you get a little further along we will allow you to do more," Dr. Moss tells me and I nod.
"Alright, but I can walk the dog and push the stroller with the twins in it right? I mean I have to do everyday activities," I tell them. "Yes of course that all is okay, just don't go running with them or lifting them upstairs into bed, let Derek or someone else do the lifting of laundry baskets, you can fold the laundry," Dr. Moss smiles, "Okay, I get it," I nod. "My wife here is just stubborn as hell so I'm glad you are telling her all this so that when I stop her I have you all in her ear as well," Derek says as I swat his chest. "It's okay to be stubborn trust me we just don't want you to end up harming the babies and more importantly yourself! You have very important cargo now," Dr. Moss laughs patting my shoulder handing me a paper.
"This has everything we just went over and it goes a little more in depth, of the do's and don'ts of the first trimester including foods to avoid, sleep positions, shower settings, household chemicals, beauty products and hair treatments, also of course sexual intercourse we list there too. With some women their emotions make them desire their partner even more, other times pregnancy turns them off, but we do list lubricant and items to avoid. Most Dad's however ask us if they will ever penetrate far enough up to touch the baby; and the answer is no. So to simply save you both from asking that question we have most of them listed, however since you are a high risk pregnancy we may have to stop you at a certain point earlier in your pregnancy and put you on bed rest. But again up until we cut you off most women say the intercourse is more satisfying. A healthy sex life is very safe for the babies and mom so don't worry, we will start to think about stopping you around the second to third trimester mainly because after sex you may experience contractions which can lead to the real deal," she explains.
"Derek and I look at each other and nod as I squeeze his hand, "Alright, I'm glad it's all written down," I laugh looking it over. "That would be an awful lot to remember, but we know from all the hormone changes Meredith's hormones have been all over including her libido," Derek says rubbing my thigh, "Yes, expect them to go even higher now, your hormone levels are expected to double and then triple as we see each other next time, so you will feel mood changes, you may feel your appetite is different, or your emotions are running all over the place, and of course your libido will be all over, and we expect that from you, you are having five babies your hormones are increasing higher and higher everyday you will be sore and cramping, so be prepared for the nausea as well also people experience tension headaches," Dr. Lin advises.
"And temperature changes, you may go to sleep hot and wake up freezing, so just be prepared for it all. Also, listed in the packet are papers for creams for nipple tenderness and pumps for breast feeding. It's something you won't think of until you are in pain but those are highly recommended by women who swear by them, the pumps, creams and creams for stretch marks too. Also socks to prevent blood clots, blankets, snacks for severe morning sickness, and much more," Dr. Moss lists off as I flip through. "Wow okay I'll start looking through this all tonight while we lay in bed we will get on the interment too," I smile interlocking our hands. "Yes it's important you both start early because you just don't know how much time you will have, but you certainly have plenty of time because this puts your due date at about February 25," Dr. Lin tells us as I nod wiping the tears that fall from my eyes. "Now it's real we have a date that's all set in my head and heart has that date envisioned in my soul," I smile. "They will definitely come a few months early maybe Christmas babies," Derek kisses my cheek and I laugh, "They are our little miracles so maybe."
"Alright so you can get dressed and schedule the next appointment at twelve weeks out at the front desk," Dr. Lin says standing up. I open my arms and he smiles giving me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Congratulations Mommy, you did it!" I nod and pulls Derek into a man hug, "And Daddy, you both are going to make great parents, we are so happy for you," he says as Dr. Moss hugs me, "We truly are ecstatic for you both," she smiles letting go and hugging Derek. "Congratulations Mom and Dad, but keep the news to yourselves until you are in your second trimester, even if you start showing let's keep it under wraps," Dr. Moss suggests and I nod. "We definitely will follow your orders," Derek says for both of us as they take my file and wave walking out.
I slide off the table and Derek brings me in for a hug. "Can you believe it Mer?" Derek asks and I shake my head, "It's crazy, here we thought we had to do the next step and wow I am already pregnancy," I smile as I let and start to get dressed. "Our prayers must have worked," I tell him and he laughs, "Oh yes, yes they really must have worked. Thank you God and Saint Anne," I miss him zipping my jeans. "Ready Sweetheart? How are you feeling physically?" He asks taking my hand guiding me out of the hall to the receptionist desk.
"Sore and tired mentally and physically, I'm going to relax on the couch for a while…but can you lay with me?" I ask looking to at him and he smirks. "Yes of course what's gotten into you Babe? Why wouldn't I?" He asks stroking my cheek. "I don't know I just want to lay on your chest so the babies know that Daddy is close to them too," I whisper and he stops walking as a tear falls down my face. He brings me in for a tight hug as I rest my head on his chest and he rubs my back, I link my hands around his neck standing on my toes to reach him. "Let's get you home Sweetie," he kisses my forehead and I nod.
"We make the appointment for twelve weeks and head home. Sarah and Logan are on the floor playing with toys all over the den as Lexie and George are down on the ground with Pickles and the twins. Callie and Cristina are in the kitchen preparing dinner with Mark opening a bottle of wine. Owen is talking to Mark about building a shed for all the outdoor toys we have for Sarah and Logan.
"We talk a little about how my appointment went and I keep all my handouts and pictures neatly hidden away in my purse as I lay on the couch with Derek underneath me. I keep wanting to lay a hand on my belly, but quickly remove it every time. We rest on the couch as I watch Sarah and Logan play with trucks and tea cups, and Pickles play with his stuffed pig. I drift asleep to the sound of Derek's heartbeat under me with our hands interlocking and our feet tangles under the soft camel hair blanket.
"Babe dinner is ready, they made soup do you think your stomach can handle vegetable soup with a little chicken in it and crackers?" Derek asks as I stir above him blinking my eyes and rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Hmm yeah, I think I should be okay, the broth will be okay," I say taking his hand and getting up as I steady myself from his arm. Sarah and Logan are already in their high chairs and I kiss their heads as they bang on their trays, "Someone hungry?" I ask them handing them each some cut up chicken from the soup and carrots and peas. "Mer I got you a water," Derek says sitting down as I sit next to the twins and watch them eat. "I opened a bottle of wine, you don't want any?" Mark asks and I shake my head. "I'm feeling a little off from the procedure," I tell him and he nods, "That's fair hopefully by tomorrow you are feeling better," and I nod in agreement. Alex leads us in saying Grace and we all start passing around the bowl of soup.
Once dinner has ended we clean up and Derek and I take the twins up stairs to get them ready for bedtime. We read to them "Goodnight Moon" and "Are You My Mommy?" as we rock them around soon falling asleep in our arms to our voices. "That was easy tonight," Derek smiles and leans over to kiss me as I shut the door and bolt down the hallway for our bathroom. "What's wrong Mer?" Derek asks following me as I sink down on my knees and throw up the dinner heaving into the toilet bowl, "It's okay, we can go to sleep," he kisses my hair holding the pieces that have fallen up. I lean back into Derek's strong arms and nod as he rubs his arms up and down mine, "You're okay Sweetheart," he kisses me, "I hate throwing up," I murmur holding onto my belly as a tear falls down my eye and Derek quickly wipes it away. "Oh come here, do you think you are done?" He asks and I nod standing up burying my head in his chest. "It's all for the babies," he whispers placing our hands together over my belly.
"Come on let's get you in bed, brush your teeth and I'll get the bed ready for you," he kisses me and I nod. I brush my teeth and wipe my makeup off and grab my pajamas from my drawer. I stand in the mirror and run my hand over my belly, "Do I have a belly yet?" I ask and he laughs running his hand over my belly, "I don't feel one just yet, but you will have a cute one soon!" He kisses me as I climb into bed. I pull back his side and pat his side, "Did you bring up the paperwork and pictures?" Derek asks and I smile. "Of course I did, our babies first pictures," I smile. "It's in my purse next to the dresser," I point to him and he nods grabbing it.
"Our five little miracle babies, they are beautiful Mer," Derek runs his hand over the pictures and kisses my lips climbing over me and taking his laptop next to me. "What do you want to look up first?" He asks and I move closer to him laying on his chest. "I know they had the website with mom's of multiples and then I know your going to laugh but seriously my nipples are so sensitive and all I want to do is have sex but I need that nipple cream," I laugh and Derek kisses me, "Hey you need it then let's look it up, anything you need let's get it, it doesn't bother me," he kisses my hair and I look up to him. "The quicker we get done this the quicker we can make love," Derek smiles, "Yeah but Der please my nipples are so sensitive I can't even put a bra on without pain," I cringe and he rubs my arm. "Alright looks like here they have three of them listed, we can get all three and you can test them out? They sell them at Target, Babies R' Us, and Buy Buy Baby," he says and I circle it on the list. "Okay tomorrow the shopping begins," I smile and he nods.
"Alright so Mother of Multiples? That's the website right?" Derek asks and I nod, "Yes apparently they have good tips and coupons and stories and just things to know," I tell him and he nods typing it into the browser. "Alright here it is, it looks like they have a crap ton on twins and triplets, but I'm not seeing so much on quintuplets," he says and I laugh. "Maybe blogs will help I remember seeing that written down, bloggers can help and Facebook groups for multiples are awesome too," I tell him flipping through the packet and landing on the bloggers. "Here we go, type this one in it says she has quintuplets and a little girl so maybe since we have Sarah and Logan too that would help us you know?" I tell him and he nods. "Yes with jealousy and sharing attention and holding the babies and everything of that sort," Derek says and I nod as tears start falling down my face.
"What's wrong? Are you in pain are you cramping what happened?" Derek asks rubbing my back as I shake my head. "What if we are ruining the twins lives and what if they hate us for giving them so many siblings?" I ask and Derek shakes his head, "Oh Mer, every time I got another sister I kept saying to my dad brother and he would correct me and say sister and then I got over it as I was able to hold her and love her. They won't be upset Mer and they are still so young they aren't even two yet they will just except them," he says and I nod. "You think so?" I question him wiping my eyes and he nods, "Yes trust me they won't even be bothered we just have to make sure to give them attention so they feel equally loved," he says and I nod. "Okay we can do that."
"How about strollers? Now we will have seven babies that are in need of a stroller," I say and Derek smiles, "Boy we have a challenge upon us," he laughs and kisses me. "They have a quintuplet stroller and there are also triplet and twin strollers that we can get. We can do the quintuplet stroller and the twin stroller and maybe get the triplet stroller just in case for doctors appointments and such…right?" I ask as we look at them and Derek scrolls down reading over the safety facts. "I want to go to the store and ask about all the safety technicalities though I don't want to buy it yet without asking about everything," Derek says. "But one of each is our best bet we are going to need a bigger car too Mer, like a twelve passenger van," he smiles and I nod, "I know it's all for our little babies."
"I'm tired Der, but I want to make love to you, I really really want you tonight can we look up more tomorrow night?" I ask straddling Derek as he holds my thighs and runs his hands in my hair, "Rain check sounds good," he smiles kissing my neck as he pulls me underneath him so that I am laying back on the pillows. "I like you under me," Derek kisses my lips as he unbuttons my shirt and I take Derek's shirt up over his head, "I know you do," I smile leaning up to kiss his lips and chin. I move under him to spread my legs and Derek starts to untie my pants as I shove them off and down my hips.
"Der I want you," I kiss him moving my pants down my leg and he pulls his boxers down. "I know Baby," he rubs the inside of my thighs and rests my legs on his shoulders. "Baby, I want you," I murmur holding on to his neck as he kisses my clit and sucks on it. He runs figure eights with his tongue tracing patterns over my clit as I shutter and spasm around him. "Der, don't stop…" I moan holding his head in place as I roll my hips and he enters his fingers into me, "Are you still sore?" He asks me as I cry out in pleasure. "No, God Derek, keep going," I cry as he moves his fingers around.
"Ready for my cock?" Derek asks and I nod as he kisses my eyelids, "Yes…please Der make love to me!" I cry and he rotates his finger as I clench around him letting go of his finger as he pumps the tip of his cock in. "Oh right there Mer," Derek groans holding my hips steady as I thrash around grabbing onto his hair. Derek leans down and sucks on my nipple as I jump from the pressure. "Derek, they are so tender," I cry holding my breast up as he sucks on my nipple and moves over to the next one. "I just can't get enough of your nipples Mer," he moans sliding his cock in deeper angling his cock as I scream out biting down on his shoulder and scratching his back. "I love you so much Derek," I whisper into his ear as he kisses my lips as he slides fully in penetrating me further, "Oh God Derek!" I scream into his mouth as he holds me still.
"Wow that was amazing," I smile as Derek collapses on top of me and kisses me. "God that was outstanding, pregnancy sex is incredible," Derek rolls off me and rests his hand on my belly. "I just want to lay my hand on my belly all the time, but we can't just not yet," I tell him and he shakes his head as I roll on my side to lay on his chest. "When I have a belly then I can," I smile and he kisses my head. "God you are going to look gorgeous and I can't get enough of you already," Derek says. "Really?" I ask looking up to him. "What do you mean really, you are absolutely amazing, and sexy as hell, I can't get enough of my wife," he kisses my chest buttoning my shirt up as I put my pants back on and snuggle back up to him as he puts his boxers on.
"Goodnight Sweetheart, I love you so much and our babies," Derek smiles resting his hand on my belly. "Goodnight our five miracle babies, Mommy and Daddy love you very much," Derek says as I shift around on his chest. "Goodnight Derek I love you so much," I say kissing his lips. I find Derek's hand and rest it over his, "Goodnight Shepherd Squad Mommy and Daddy love you so much, you truly are our miracles," I smile pulling the blankets up and closing my eyes as I drift off into sleep.
I am so sorry for taking so long to get a chapter up, but for some reason on my end the chapters wouldn't update and it took me awhile to figure it all out! Anyway I hope you love this chapter and review it please:)
