Well, I guess I better post an update, though the message is not going to be what we wanted. We've known since Sunday, October 18th that we weren't pregnant this time. I haven't felt like posting the news because then it makes it more real.
This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions! I've definitely been sad, but I've also been angry too. Why is this so easy for some and not for us? Is there something the doctors did wrong? Have they missed the important piece to our puzzle? Was there something that could have been tested ahead of time so we didn't have to go through all of this time, effort, pain, emotions and money for nothing? All in all, we just want them to tell us they have learned something that will help us be more successful the next time. I'm now just anxious to move to the next step. It is so hard waiting! We both feel like we're waiting for a new chapter of our lives to start, but we just don't know when. It is very difficult being patient.
So, everyone asks...what next? Well, we wait until the doctors put together a report of the process and recommendations for the future. Then we wait some more to meet for a post IVF consultation to make a plan. I went to see a new OBGYN and he suggested that I get a mammogram now that I know I'm not pregnant, so I have that scheduled. I'm also going to have a polyp and septum removed from my uterus. These were 2 things they found in ultrasounds and though they don't think that is why I haven't gotten pregnant, they could potentially cause a miscarriage. So, since I have to wait at least 2 cycles to start IVF again...I might as well! Hopefully I can have that done and be recovered in time to start everything over in Dec/Jan time period, if that is what they recommend. So, we'll see. That's it for now. Thanks to everyone for their love and support!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
And then there were 3!
We went in at 8 a.m. this morning and Dr. Peterson said there were actually 3 eggs that fertilized and could be used! He said the fertilization rate is about 60% so were right on. I guess they weren't sure about the development of one of the eggs, so they didn't mention it yesterday. One fertilized early, one as expected and one late. There was one egg that allowed 2 sperm to penetrate and that one had to be thrown out.
They are multiplying a little slower than they would like to see. One had divided to 8 cells, one to 4 cells and the other to 2 cells. Because of their slower division rate, they thought it would be best to transfer them on Day 3 vs. Day 5. He said that our chances of getting pregnant transferring all 3 would be between 25% and 40% and if I was his daughter, he would encourage me to transfer all 3 to increase our chances. There would only be about a 3% chance of triplets. He then left us alone with pictures of our 3 embryos to decide how many we wanted to have transferred.
Clay and I talked about it quite a bit and we decided on transferring all 3! We went from planning on 1 to now 3! I'm such a planner that it is hard for me to adapt easily to this ever-changing world. But we're going with their recommendations and even though we were surprised and a little scared, it felt like the right decision.
We had some more time to talk to the doctor before the actual procedure. He said that they tested the follicular fluid for HCG levels and it was around 20 and they want it to be around 100. He thought that was probably the reason there weren't more mature eggs. HCG is what causes the eggs to mature within the follicles. We just don't know why... whether my body didn't react as expected or if there was something that went awry with the medication. They are going to be researching this with the company that provided the HCG I took last Tuesday. I feel a little better after having a chance to talk with the doctor and really felt that they were looking out for our best interest and wanted the same results we do.
The procedure was quite amazing! There was a TV on the wall with a video of the petri dish of embryos. We first saw our names flash and then the catheter suck up the little embryos. They were then brought right to us and inserted into the guiding catheter that was already in, just 1 cm from the top of the uterus. They said I needed to relax, relax, relax over the next 4-5 days and try not to get my blood pressure up at all. I was curious if there was anything that I could do to dislodge them and the nurse said that they were like sand in a sponge...very difficult to shake free.
Clay's been great! He's been grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. Boy, I could get used to this! We're just chilling out watching movies and TV today. Quite a coincidence, but we watched a show on National Geographic about kangaroo joeys. I didn't realize this, but they develop partially inside the mother's body for only a few weeks and then they climb up about 12 inches outside of the body (quite a journey for such a little one with no legs yet) to the pouch where they continue their development for months. If those joeys can be that strong, so can ours!
So, now is the tough part...waiting! Keep all of your thoughts, prayers, wishes and good vibes coming our way! Thanks for all your support thus far! We love you all!
They are multiplying a little slower than they would like to see. One had divided to 8 cells, one to 4 cells and the other to 2 cells. Because of their slower division rate, they thought it would be best to transfer them on Day 3 vs. Day 5. He said that our chances of getting pregnant transferring all 3 would be between 25% and 40% and if I was his daughter, he would encourage me to transfer all 3 to increase our chances. There would only be about a 3% chance of triplets. He then left us alone with pictures of our 3 embryos to decide how many we wanted to have transferred.
Clay and I talked about it quite a bit and we decided on transferring all 3! We went from planning on 1 to now 3! I'm such a planner that it is hard for me to adapt easily to this ever-changing world. But we're going with their recommendations and even though we were surprised and a little scared, it felt like the right decision.
We had some more time to talk to the doctor before the actual procedure. He said that they tested the follicular fluid for HCG levels and it was around 20 and they want it to be around 100. He thought that was probably the reason there weren't more mature eggs. HCG is what causes the eggs to mature within the follicles. We just don't know why... whether my body didn't react as expected or if there was something that went awry with the medication. They are going to be researching this with the company that provided the HCG I took last Tuesday. I feel a little better after having a chance to talk with the doctor and really felt that they were looking out for our best interest and wanted the same results we do.
The procedure was quite amazing! There was a TV on the wall with a video of the petri dish of embryos. We first saw our names flash and then the catheter suck up the little embryos. They were then brought right to us and inserted into the guiding catheter that was already in, just 1 cm from the top of the uterus. They said I needed to relax, relax, relax over the next 4-5 days and try not to get my blood pressure up at all. I was curious if there was anything that I could do to dislodge them and the nurse said that they were like sand in a sponge...very difficult to shake free.
Clay's been great! He's been grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. Boy, I could get used to this! We're just chilling out watching movies and TV today. Quite a coincidence, but we watched a show on National Geographic about kangaroo joeys. I didn't realize this, but they develop partially inside the mother's body for only a few weeks and then they climb up about 12 inches outside of the body (quite a journey for such a little one with no legs yet) to the pouch where they continue their development for months. If those joeys can be that strong, so can ours!
So, now is the tough part...waiting! Keep all of your thoughts, prayers, wishes and good vibes coming our way! Thanks for all your support thus far! We love you all!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A slight change of plans
Well, things haven't gone exactly as we were expecting. We went in on Thursday for the retrieval of the eggs. There were about 12 follicles that were seen in the ultrasounds, but there wasn't a mature egg in each one. We did get 5 mature eggs though. Dr. Peterson said that yes, we were expecting more eggs, but at least we have some eggs to work with. He said that not every body reacts the same to these hormones and sometimes it is actually going through the process of extracting the eggs that helps us learn more about why I haven't been able to get pregnant. I was pretty out of it when he was talking to us, so I'm looking forward to learning more when we meet with him again.
With the lower number of eggs and the likelihood that about 1/2 would fertilize, he prepared us for no longer being candidates for their Single Embryo Study. He thought that we will probably do the implantation on Day 3 vs. Day 5 and implant 2 embryos (as long as we get 2).
Sure enough, we heard from the Embryologist this morning and he said that 2 eggs fertilized and Dr. Peterson wants us to come in tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. Then he will talk to us about the quality of the embryos and how many he recommends we implant. They should have pictures of them!
We feel blessed that we have these two and hope that they continue to divide and grow over the next day. We are anxious to get them out of the petri dish and into the safe comfort of my uterus. My sister Abbie reminded me that nurturing is what I'm good at. My body will know what to do and will be a great home for them!
I started taking the progesterone shot the night of the extraction. The needle is long and thick and the medication is in sesame seed oil so it takes longer to plunge. I got the worst cramp the first night and could barely walk. The nurse recommended massaging the area and walking around afterwards and that helped last night. My hips are going to be so sore!
Other than that, I'm feeling much better today. The egg extraction was quite a painful process...thank goodness for the drugs! I was so relaxed and sleepy that I really didn't really care what was going on. I do remember the doctor poking hard at the ovaries and saying they were "bouncy". I guess I was wincing because Clay asked if it hurt me. The doctor compared my pain to grabbing his testicles with a vice grip! Yes, painful! Here's a picture of me after the procedure while I'm drinking juice and eating crackers to avoid nausea. Not so cute with a hospital gown, no make-up and a little groggy! But we're documenting everything, right?
I've been taking it easy over the past two days. I have a few more days of bedrest coming up. I'm looking forward to watching movies and reading! I'll report back tomorrow after we talk with the doctor.
With the lower number of eggs and the likelihood that about 1/2 would fertilize, he prepared us for no longer being candidates for their Single Embryo Study. He thought that we will probably do the implantation on Day 3 vs. Day 5 and implant 2 embryos (as long as we get 2).
Sure enough, we heard from the Embryologist this morning and he said that 2 eggs fertilized and Dr. Peterson wants us to come in tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. Then he will talk to us about the quality of the embryos and how many he recommends we implant. They should have pictures of them!
We feel blessed that we have these two and hope that they continue to divide and grow over the next day. We are anxious to get them out of the petri dish and into the safe comfort of my uterus. My sister Abbie reminded me that nurturing is what I'm good at. My body will know what to do and will be a great home for them!
I started taking the progesterone shot the night of the extraction. The needle is long and thick and the medication is in sesame seed oil so it takes longer to plunge. I got the worst cramp the first night and could barely walk. The nurse recommended massaging the area and walking around afterwards and that helped last night. My hips are going to be so sore!
Other than that, I'm feeling much better today. The egg extraction was quite a painful process...thank goodness for the drugs! I was so relaxed and sleepy that I really didn't really care what was going on. I do remember the doctor poking hard at the ovaries and saying they were "bouncy". I guess I was wincing because Clay asked if it hurt me. The doctor compared my pain to grabbing his testicles with a vice grip! Yes, painful! Here's a picture of me after the procedure while I'm drinking juice and eating crackers to avoid nausea. Not so cute with a hospital gown, no make-up and a little groggy! But we're documenting everything, right?
I've been taking it easy over the past two days. I have a few more days of bedrest coming up. I'm looking forward to watching movies and reading! I'll report back tomorrow after we talk with the doctor.
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