Negative

The pregnancy test came back negative today. I am really disappointed with the results but also feel that we have tried every possible path to success, there isn't everything else we could do. We have decided to take a break from the intervention and get back to basics, I want to take some time getting in shape and getting back to my hobbies like tennis, pottery and travel. We have been trying to get pregnant for 3 years and the last year has been intensely focused on various interventions-acupuncture, IUI and IVF. I have been poked and prodded enough to last me for awhile. I will continue to blog but will take a hiatus. Thanks for everyone's support and concern.

What a day!

Today was the day of the transfer for the single embryo that fertilized. I was at the acupuncturist at 8AM where I was given a series points on my abdomen, that were then attached to the teeniest electrodes I have ever seen. She also put other points on my head, ears, hands, legs and feet. The abdomen electrodes were for stimulating those points and bringing blood to my uterus. I left there to go straight to the hospital with a full bladder. We were brought right in but had to wait for the doctors for 15 minutes and then they started the procedure, where they got me set up and get the embryo from the embryologist. I will spare the gory details but it wasn't a good experience at all. My full bladder was mostly to blame, but a few other discomforts emerged. Luckily I know how to tough these situations out and didn't pass out or call the doctors any bad names.

The transfer was successful and the embryo was called 'very good' by the embryologist, photo below. The doctor was also positive about the quality of the embryo and stated that it had begun compacting, which is a sign of progress that our previous embryos hadn’t showed. I hadn’t heard the term ‘compacting’ before, so since I was assigned to bed-rest all day, it was the perfect time to research it. Essentially it's when the 8 cells break down to transform into a single large cell. If you look at the photo from our first transfer in April, you will see that the 8 cells are still perfectly formed with distinct edges and it has not started compacting. If you are interested in seeing the development of an embryo, this site has a great image timeline to show. http://www.ivf1.com/lab-embryo-culture

They gave us a photo of the transfer and the image below shows the embryo placed, it kinda tough to see, but it's a small,white dot in the middle. After we left the hospital with my delightfully empty bladder, we headed straight back to do another accupunture session. It was a great relief after the stress of the invasive medical procedure and really relaxed me. I came right home and have been glued to either bed or the sofa diligently working on my bed-rest assignment. I look forward to getting back to the world tomorrow, hopefully a changed woman!

The Embryo

The Placement in the Uterus (little white dot in the middle)

And then there was one

Of the five eggs retrieved, only four were mature and only one fertilized. This news was a real blow, since we would hope that all of the drugs would help develop more eggs and that those eggs would fertilize. If the embryo makes it through Thursday, they will transfer it. I have scheduled acupuncture before and after the transfer. Keep your fingers crossed!

Nothing says holiday weekend like IVF treatments

This weekend is traditionally the summer opener for me and kicks off the fun of the season. This year was a little different in that the weekend was book-ended by IVF appointments. We had to stick around on Saturday to do a final check-in where 6 mature eggs were id'd with a couple of smaller follicles seen. We departed directly afterwards for the Lake and enjoyed our time until we came back at 6:00 AM today for a 8:30 AM appointment for the retrieval. Overall it went fine, but it took the nurses 3X in 3 places to get the IV in and the sedation was only somewhat effective during the procedure, so I was alert during the process. 5 eggs were retrieved, which is good but 6 or 7 would have been better.

I didn't get the call about the fertilization success, but I should find out tomorrow. I feel a lot more sore and groggy than the first time having a retrieval, but I took it easy today and hope tomorrow I will feel back to normal. If the doctors decide to do a 3 day transfer, then that will happen on Thursday. Then I have to wait 10 days for a pregnancy test, which would be 6/13. It would be a great birthday present!

Getting poked

So today I had my shot in the morning, a session of acupuncture where she inserted needles at 16 points on my body and then had to give myself my shots tonight. Needless to say I have learned the resilience of my skin to getting poked by sharp objects and I am becoming fairly desensitized.

My accupuncture session this morning was really good, it has been over a year since I have been able to go, so it was a great feeling to be back. I am working with a new practitioner and she told me that overall my body seemed very balanced, in spite of all the activity happening in my body. The points she did today were pretty easy except for my right ankle/calf area that didn't really hurt, but was very sensitive and easily tweaked. She explained at the end of the session it was connected to the spleen that is very close to the uterus and probably feeling some sensitivity due to the fertility activity.

I go back tomorrow for an ultrasound and blood work to determine when my retrieval will be scheduled, probably on Monday. I'll post another update once I learn more. Happy Holiday weekend to everyone!

Timing

I had another ultrasound and bloodwork this morning and everything looks good. I have 5 follicles ranging from 12-16mm, which they are happy about. I have to go back for another ultrasound/bloodwork on Saturday and they think my retrieval will be on Monday, Labor Day. This puts a kink in our weekend plans of going on a family vacation from Friday to Monday, but hopefully we'll be there on Saturday and can stay through part of Monday. 

I spoke with the doctor yesterday and we talked about transferring two embryos. She feels confident that this is right number, since I asked her about transferring three and she immediately said that she would be prefer two. Given my preference for one baby, transferring three can be  risky. 

Progress

The eggs are growing and I am beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. I had an ultrasound this AM and the nurse left me a voicemail with the information to start Ganarelyx tomorrow, which slows down the ovulation process, while continuing to take the other two drugs that help the eggs grow. I have to go back for an ultrasound on Thursday morning, hopefully I will have more information then about how many eggs and when the retrieval will happen. In the mean time I have a pelvic adjustment tomorrow with the Chiropractor and an acupuncture session on Friday morning.