IVF UPDATE: THE WAITING GAME
It’s been a long, but exciting, week. I’ve just realised that I haven’t done an update since before we had our egg retrieval. Wow, time flies in some ways and stalls in others.
I had my egg retrieval on Thursday 26 August 2010. It was day surgery and required me to be put under via twilight sedation, which is awesome because the needle they were using was MASSIVE!
The doctor ended up extracting 14 eggs, HUBBY did his thing and the Clinic did the rest.
After the surgery I went home to sleep it off. Which was much needed because I was in a little bit of pain. Thank goodness for pain medication!
On Friday I called the Embryologist to find out how the process was going. I was amazed to hear that 14 out of 14 of the eggs had fertilised. It took us both by complete shock. By Saturday we still had 14 embryos, and on Sunday the Embryologist took great pleasure in telling us they were all still doing what they were supposed to. On Monday they were still going strong but the Embryologist was indicating that we might only get five to the transfer stage.
My Embryo Transfer was scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday. I scheduled the recommended acupuncture sessions for pre and post Embryo Transfer. I didn’t know what to expect and apart from telling me to take pain medication an hour before the procedure they didn’t really tell me anything more.
HUBBY and I both attended the Embryo Transfer. It was so clinical but it had it’s moments of humour. The whole process took about twenty minutes. The Embryologist confirmed that we had nine embryos get to the stage required for transfer or freezing.
With the transfer completed the only thing left to do is wait for a result and attend my acupuncture appointments.
Image source: Getty Images
The past few days have been an emotional rollercoaster. I’m having problems focusing on anything for more than five minutes at a time. I’m analyzing every twinge or cramp to see if it’s a ‘sign’ that the process has worked. It’s getting really annoying and draining.
I had a blood test on Thursday to check my estrogen levels and the results came back as acceptable. I have another blood test on Monday and then Wednesday to see how my hormone levels are traveling.
Patience has never been my strong suit so this week has been particularly trying, especially when you add control freak to the mix. There’s nothing I can do at this point but wait. HUBBY is being brilliant (as usual) and he’s taking really good care of me so I guess it’s just a matter of sitting back and enjoying the possibility while we still have it.
I’ve been wondering how you have been going! I appreciate so much that you are sharing it all with us. All fingers, toes and other bodily parts crossed here – hope it’s a success!
Fingers and toes crossed thanks for sharing your journey with us.
It’s very exciting. I know the wait is always the worst part and every little thing makes you wonder. I can’t wait to find out what happens with you guys.