Transfer

My transfer was a couple days ago, on Thursday, March 29th. I've pretty much just been lounging around and taking it easy since then. I was nervous going in that our embryos would be bad again like our first IVF, but boy was I wrong! We transferred two, 8 cell embryos, which is the best for a day 3 transfer.  One was perfect with no fragmentation and the other one was almost perfect, with very little fragmentation. We were so happy, and I couldn't stop smiling the whole time were were there! We also had 17 embryos to freeze, which doesn't happen often!

This is also the first time I have had an ultrasound guided transfer. My last doctor did things old school and skipped steps that can be pretty important. Any who, so I laid on the table, with a full bladder, while my nurse held the ultrasound thingy on my stomach. The doctor used a catheter to put the embryos in and we could see it all on the ultrasound machine! It was a little uncomfortable, but really neat. After that, I continued to lay down for about 15 minutes and then we headed home.               

Now, we just sit and wait for two weeks until my blood test. These two weeks are worse than all of the shots put together! I have to just have faith that this worked and hope for the best! I'm on progesterone shots, which can mimic pregnancy symptoms in some women, so even if I think I am pregnant, I really won't know until my blood test! But I have a good feeling this time! Fingers crossed!                                            

Retrieval Day

Yesterday was our embryo retrieval day! We arrived at the doctor at 8:30 for prep, I put on my gown, the anesthesiologist put an IV in my hand and soon after I was on the table in the retrieval room. They strapped my knees to the table, and next thing I remember was the oxygen mask, and I was out. I woke up in the recovery room, to the doctor talking to us. He told us we got 37 eggs! We had guessed a much lower number, so we were very excited! 

Today we got a call from the embryologist, and 30 of those 37 eggs were mature, and 26 fertilized! That means we had 26 embryos as of this morning. Now we just sit and wait until the transfer on Thursday. When we go in, we will find out how many of those 26 continued to divide and how many didn't make it. The embryologist will give them all grades, and we'll most likely transfer the best two, depending on their grades. The remaining embryos will be frozen for future use! 

Today I have just been resting and trying to stay hydrated. I've been pretty bloated and sore, from the removal of all those eggs. I'm starting to feel a little better, and hopefully that will continue. 

I can't wait to update on Thursday after our retrieval!!!

Trigger Shot

Last night I did my trigger shot. It's 10 units of the HCG hormone, which makes me ovulate exactly 36 hours after taking it. It's crazy how it works! We had a little freak out moment last night when it was time to take it. I had to take it at 9:00pm sharp, and at 8:45, I realized I didn't learn this shot at our injection teach class. We finally figured it out though, and got it done on time. That needle wasn't small though, and it's still pretty sore today. The antibiotics that I'm on are also making me pretty sick to my stomach. And I'm bloated, sore and just blah from all my shots! That's ok though, because my retrieval is tomorrow at 9am and I am so excited! I am praying we get lots of eggs and that they make good embryos to transfer on Thursday! I'm taking it easy and resting today. I can't believe it's finally here again! I have a good feeling this time too!

Shots, shots and more shots.

I've been bad about keeping up with my blog, so here is a little update. 
March 7th I started my shots. I started by doing one of Lupron every morning. Lupron pretty much shuts down the pituitary gland and prevents me from ovulating until the doctor wants me to. On March 14th, I added in the Gonal F shot, which is a stimulation shot. It causes all of the follicles in my ovaries to grow nice and big, so I can produce nice eggs to retrieve. On March 16th, I added another stimulation shot, Menopur. This is the first time I have ever done this shot, and boy does it burn! So, I'm taking four shots a day...Lupron and Gonal F at 7am every morning and Gonal F and Menopur at 7pm every evening.

My main side effects include headaches, tiredness (especially mid day) and mood swings (which are a given). Other than the side effects, the shots are going pretty good. I'm starting to get bruises on my stomach though, so I will probably have to start icing before doing the shots soon. Oh well, small price to pay for the outcome! Oh, and I'm starting to feel my ovaries...it's really weird. The stimulation shots make the follicles grow, so the ovaries start to get achy and full feeling. It's hard to explain, but by the end of the week, I'll REALLY be feeling them. It's funny how fertility meds make you look pregnant, before you even are! If only I could wear my sweat pants to work!

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for blood work and ultrasound to see how I'm progressing. Let's hope everything is looking good!
I’m estimating the retrieval to be around March 27th. I can't wait!!!

Here is a picture of my shot party...looks fun, right!? :)