We had our 4th cycle of IVF. This was a frozen embryo transfer. This means
that we had embryos remaining from our fresh cycle of IVF that were able to be
saved for a future cycle. (Last month I had an endometrial biopsy for the
purpose of "roughing up" my uterus in hopes that my little embryos
would be more likely to be caught by the rougher edges of my uterus. That was
the most painful thing I ever experienced. It would be hard to psych myself up
for that again.) The awesome part of a frozen cycle is so few
meds, side effects of the meds, appointments, etc. I have been on estrogen
the entire cycle and began progesterone shortly before the embryo transfer. I
also only had two appointments- one about a week out from the transfer and
the transfer itself.
70% of embryos survive the thaw. As we drive there, I pray and wonder about
my embryos. We wait in the waiting room for them to call us back. We've been
told not to wear any perfume, cologne or strong-smelling deodorant. Research
has shown embryos are sensitive to these strong smells. I remember when I
shower to not use my shampoo just in case. The same nurse I've seen for my egg
retrievals and all of my transfers calls my name. She leads us back to the room
and gives us all of the directions. We change and get ready.
Keeping it real!
The nurse leads us back to the room and we wait to start the procedure. The
doctor comes in and talks to the lab techs through a window in the wall of
the room. They ask me to say my name, birthdate and social security number for
verification. The doctor then shares the good news that both embryos thawed and
are ready. Then we decide: do we want to transfer both? Yes! The doctor shows
us the picture we get to keep of our two babies.
The transfer takes place. They show the air bubble on the ultrasound screen
that shows where they wait. The lab tech takes the petri dish and checks to
make sure the embryos are definitely gone. The doctor signs the petri dish and
hands us our last souvenir.
And now we wait!
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