Monday, April 16, 2012

And then there were two...

So, we didn't get the call on Saturday morning, which meant it was time to gear up physically (by drinking a lot of water because you need a full bladder for the transfer), spiritually, and mentally.  We had no idea what kind of decision, if any, we'd have when we got there.  Did all three continue to develop and divide normally?  Two?  Just one?

Once we got to the office, they put us in a room to change into our scrubs and hospital gown.  I didn't realize the transfer was so sterile, because the IUIs weren't and it's a very similar process.  We joked around a little bit but I feel like there was a lot of silence as we just waited and wondered.  The woman doing a transfer before us didn't have a full enough bladder, so we went ahead of her.  We had to wait a bit in the OR (same room the retrieval took place) before the doctor came in, and I was ready to know what we had.

This cracks me up.

Two thumbs up... a sign?
After what seemed like a pretty long time, the doctor and embryologist came in and showed us a picture of our two remaining embryos.  The third arrested.  We once again asked why we would have only gotten three embryos out of fourteen eggs, but they really don't know.  Our sincere hope is that we don't have to worry about it too much in the future.  As I think I mentioned, we really don't want twins, and we had always planned to put only one embryo back in.  However, we were also planning to do a Day 5 blastocyst transfer and have embryos left to freeze, so you see what happens when you try to make plans.  :)  So, we were presented with our options - put in one or both.  One was a "perfect" 8-cell grade 1 embryo and the other was a 5-cell grade 3 embryo.  The second really would not have had a chance to mature outside of me, and it may or may not inside of me.  But, both the doctor and embryologist were pretty adamant in their recommendation that we transfer both, even knowing that twins isn't really something we wanted to consider.  And, so in the thirty seconds we had to make that decision, we decided to take the plunge and leave it up to God from here.

So, I've got two embryos inside of me (or maybe one or none).  It's weird not to know if they're still growing, dividing, and getting ready to implant.  So, we wait.  I'm working from home for a few days (milking it for what I can), and then I'm heading to NYC on Sunday for a little girls trip, where they've told me they will force me to rest.  I mean, it's not like they are going to fall out!   My beta test is the morning after I return from NYC, so that should help the last few days of the dreaded two week wait go by more quickly.  I'm at peace about it all.  Obviously, I dread another negative pregnancy test, but I know that we've done all we can and now we just need to trust.

*Fingers crossed, prayers continuing, keeping the faith*

6 comments:

meghan said...

Praying for you! What a moment... a journey! God works all things together for good.

ty said...

Thinking about you and saying prayers ... I get the lovely privilege of IVF in a few years :)

Barbara W said...

Hi! I came across your blog somehow and just wanted to say good luck! I might be going down the IVF road in a few months myself (going through a second miscarriage now with mild PCOS/endo). I pray that you get your little bundle of joy soon!

Janna said...

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jessi said...

I've been thinking of you as you go through this journey. Prayers for an rapidly dividing and growing embryo. Have a wonderful time on your girl's trip!!!

meghan said...

Hey again! Thanks for the comment. I was just going to email you but couldn't find your address, so here I am! Girl, you'd be such a great health coach! Email me and I'll tell you more about the school, tuition, program, etc if you want! I was really surprised at how affordable it is and how flexible the schedule is. mscresawn@gmail.com