Wednesday 3 August 2011

Embryo On Board

Today we transferred one grade AA blastocyst. I need to go read up on the different categories but according to my doctor this is good. There are two other embryos that may be eligible for freezing, they will let us know in a day or two about that. But I'm hoping we won't need the frozen ones, I am hoping this one is a keeper.

The hubby and I have talked a lot about how many embryos to transfer. Ultimately we decided that if we had one perfect embryo then that's all we would transfer. The reason is because multiple pregnancies are higher risk. Any pregnancy of mine is already going to be high risk because of the placental issue that caused my son to die at 36 weeks. Add that factor (even though they say it was a fluke and not likely to happen again) to a multiple pregnancy and you're talking super high risk. I know first hand that bad things can happen even in perfect uneventful pregnancies, but we want to try and lower our risk of future losses if possible. Mentally we need to have the lowest risk pregnancy possible. So we're happy with our decision to only transfer one today.

I've been a ball of stress for a couple of days now. I think that somehow when you try not to think about something or stress about something it makes you think about that thing and stress about it even more. At least that's how it works for me. So I was just a bit grumpy and not so pleasant to be around on the ride over. We got to the office with my semi-full bladder and waited. Good thing I wasn't bursting for a pee because we waited about a half an hour after our scheduled time before we finally were called in.

I got up on this table and assumed the position. Giddy up! I've missed those stirrups. In the UK most clinics don't have them and you just have to put your feet on the table and open your knees. We had come into the room using one door and there was another door on the other side of the room. It reminded me of when you go to the vet's office (random thought I know). The doctor comes in the door we used and gets everything ready. Then the embryologist comes in from the other door. That's the door to the lab, where my embryos are. She confirms my identity and the fact that we're only transferring one embryo. Then she leaves.

Once we're all ready the nurse goes back in the lab door and says we're ready. Back comes the embryologist with a long skinny metal thing that is holding our embryo. The procedure itself was not painful at all. It hurt even less than my IUI. It is all over quickly. That is until when they check the skinny metal tube they discover that my stubborn little embryo is still hiding in there. So back into the position I go and they have to do it all over again. This time as we're watching the ultrasound we all see the little thing go in. Well we see something that looks like a worm or line and the nurse who can read ultrasounds tells us that's our embryo going in. Tube checked and the embryo was no longer in it. Second time was the charm I guess.

I'm now on bedrest for the next 24 hours and have to take it easy for a couple more days after that. I'm feeling tired and a bit crampy. I think the crampy is from the procedure today and the tired is a combination of jet lag and the stress leaving my body. So I guess we won't be doing as many of the touristy things in Washington DC like I'd hoped. But that's OK with me. We didn't come here for that. Although we will be going to a baseball game on Friday night.

It's weird to think that there is a little embryo floating around inside me. For the first time in almost a year I have to worry about what I eat and drink again. I need to eat healthy and give up wine not because I'm on some kind of diet or health kick, but because I'm trying to grow a baby in here.

I know that what happens from this point on is mostly out of my hands. I suppose this is where the "faith" part of taking a leap of faith is all about. As George Michael says, "Because I gotta have faith, oh I gotta have faith."

33 comments:

  1. There's a little life in your ute! How wonderful and exciting!

    What's next? I have no idea how these procedures go. Is it considered IVF with a donor? Just curious. So wonderful!!!

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  2. ONE. perfect embryo. <3 So glad it was an easy procedure for you! Our clinic has you rest for 45 min before getting acupuncture and then they give you a valium (yay!) before they wheel you into the surgical suite. then i had to rest for 45 min before I could pee and got more acupuncture. they even wheel you out to the car, luxury!
    we transfered one too and I"m on bedrest till friday, tho I canceled my patients for friday and plan on just laying low since my mom will be here to occupy my 5 year old. Beta on the 12th. breathe. breathe. breathe. <3

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  3. Congratulations and good luck. a blastocyst has a better chance now you need to rest for 2 weeks!

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  4. Wonderful news! Can't wait to hear more. That's so amazing that this is even possible!

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  5. Congrats! One perfect little embaby!

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  6. Hooray for making it to transfer! And that's great, having some to freeze! So excited for you, and hoping the next two weeks fly by (though I know they'll drag on as slow as molasses).

    Big, giant, hugs,
    Jo

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  7. So very happy for you!!!!! Yay!!!!

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  8. Keeping fingers crossed that all is going well with that little embryo that is now with you!

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  9. Sending strong positive vibes your way that this little embryo (obviously already with a strong stubborn streak) hangs in there making a nice little home for itself. xxxx

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  10. Good luck! Will be crossing all fingers and toes for you xx

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  11. So excited for you!!! Stick little embie stick!!

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  12. I'm glad your transfer went well :) I wish that there was some kind of chart for the embryo grades that they use because it seems like every RE has a different rating system.

    Everything crossed for your one beautiful blast!

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  13. Such an amazing thing. Thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way!

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  14. Oh my! I'm in awe, it just all sounds so truly amazing. Keeping everything crossed here for you for the next two weeks is it?

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  15. Fingers crossed for you! I hope this one is a keeper too. All good wishes. Be gentle with yourself as you speed towards the 13th...

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  16. Sounds so wonderful and amazing. Wishing and hoping everything goes well for you this time.

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  17. Will be crossing all fingers and toes. And holding my breath.
    xo

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  18. Praying that everything goes perfectly.

    xMiss365

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  19. How exciting. Having done a DE transfer out of town, I recommend resting as much as possible. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you. :)

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  20. Cozy down little baby! Fingers crossed!

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  21. oh, i have faith for you dearest:) lots of love and super happy thoughts.

    <3
    andrea

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  22. Floating? Law, no wonder you are a stress ball. My RE compared the embryo to a grain of sand caught between 2 pieces of bread covered in peanut butter. That is SECURE!

    I hope you are resting comfortably in your room. Order all the fresh pineapple you can stand to eat!

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  23. I am so excited! Lots. Of luck.

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  24. First of all, I am sending so many thoughts and wishes your way and the little embaby's way. I hope the cramps are from him/her trying to implant into your uterus.

    August 13th is so close at hand. The idea of releasing balloons is beautiful and of course the family can do it at their end and share pics with you. I have decided to light three candles for Lola when her first birthday comes. That is what I want to do.

    Just sending you so many thoughts. Be well.

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  25. It is so cool that you could see it! I can't imagine what you must be feeling. :s Cramping could definitely cause cramping, but did they give you a timeline on implantation? Implantation can also cause cramping (and spotting).

    B.T.W. I found you via the blog hop and I am glad I did!

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  26. I can't imagine how stressful you must be! But happy too I'm sure! Good luck with everything. I thought I was already following you, but I'm now for sure!

    http://marleeindebt.blogspot.com/

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  27. Oh I'm praying everything goes well for you and that little baby. Following you from blog hop.

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  28. Prayers for a sticky bean!

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  29. how exciting!!
    thinking of you and that tiny pea

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  30. Hi just calling by whilst blog hopping. Now following. What an amazing journey you are on. I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster it must be. I have been extremely blessed to be able to fall pregnant easily, although I have had to miscarriages, but have no idea what it would be like to loose a baby at 36 weeks. We actually nearly lost our 5th child Jessica who was born at 33 weeks who wasn't breathing when she came out. But she is very healthy and full of life and every time I get frustrated with her I remember back to when she was born and then I just thank God that she is here. I have considered being an egg donor but not sure if I could handle all the needles involved. I admire those women that can do this. I would highly recommend this book that I read during my last 2 pregnancies, Super Natural Child Birth - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0892747560/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=jamarahsamazi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399377&creativeASIN=0892747560. I pray that everything is successful and you have a wonderful pregnancy and birth. Be sure to come by and say hi and join my Making Goals Monday Blog Hop http://acceptingandembracingautism.com/2011/08/07/making-goals-monday-blog-hop/ Sarah

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  31. Here's hoping that the embryo sticks right where it should and that you're holding your precious baby in 9 months with minimal drama! Cheers!

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  32. Congratulations! I really hope to hear some good news soon!

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