Hi everyone!
Apologies for being a bit quiet. I actually have a few drafts in the platform. I just forgot to hit the publish button. So, let’s bring you up to speed.
Today was my mock embryo transfer! I woke up this morning calm and collected. I went about my normal business, got the little people situated, and made it to the clinic with ten minutes to spare. I’d taken my extra strength Tylenol as a precaution, drank my 32 ounces of water (oh my did I have to go!), and walked up to the door. It wasn’t until I walked in the actual doors that I go nervous.
The procedure itself wasn’t bad at all. It was more of my own anticipation that drove my nervousness. When I arrived at the front desk, I was asked to give a urine sample for a pregnancy test. I also confirmed some information for the front desk and received a copy of the IVF contract that S. and I will need to sign and return before Monday.
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| Waiting for the name to be called |
After I’d given my sample, I was asked to have a seat and wait to be called. While I was waiting, a lovely couple came from the back beaming surrounded by one of the doctors and nurses. The woman was teary eyed. All were smiling and speaking loud enough to be heard. The doctor called it a “bittersweet moment”, but wished them “many more congratulations”. Then, the woman asked if they could return with the baby after it was born so everyone could see him or her (though there is a child-free office policy). Everyone beamed ‘absolutely’ and the woman glanced at me, smiled through her teary eyes, and they walked out the door after saying their goodbyes and thank yous again. I realized the couple had just “graduated” from the clinic with their healthy pregnancy and I couldn’t help but smile and beam as well. The front desk looked over at me and I at them and we all just beamed. It was an awesome moment and I was glad I got to experience it.
Shortly after that, I was called into the back and met the nurse who asked that I undress from waist down and sit on the table. The room was quiet and dark and I have to admit my anxiety increased a bit. After a quick wait, there was a knock on the door and in walked the doctor who would be doing my mock transfer and her assistant. They introduced themselves and took me step by step through the process.
I’ve told you all that my uterus is tilted and I’ve read horror stories about transfers. This one was no issue. The doctor noted that, in addition to its tilt, it also sits at a pretty unique angle. (This would be where my husband says I’m special lol). It wasn’t a problem. She just made a note in the system so that she or whomever would be doing my actual transfer will know the best angle to insert the catheter.
I felt a slight uncomfortable scratchy sensation from where she cleaned my cervix and then a slight cramp from the insertion of the catheter. It wasn’t unmanageable and wasn’t prolonged. There were screens that allowed me to see what the doctor was seeing and I saw fluid released into the uterus and the clarity of it was amazing. Before pulling out, she also checked my ovaries for follicles. I currently have 10 on my right side and 9 on my left. She said the numbers looked great and would hopefully duplicate themselves come retrieval time.
Then it was over. It wasn’t even a full fifteen minutes. Yay! I was allowed to dress and use one of the supplied pads for the fluid and possible staining of the cervical swab soap, and then went to the wait room to be called for my injection class.
When I returned to the waiting room, there were quite a few people. I don’t know why we don’t like to look at each other in infertility clinics. We are all in this together. When my name and the names of two other ladies were called to begin our class, I introduced myself to the other ladies. We may never see each other again, but just so we know we aren’t alone is helpful I think.
I was right. After that icebreaker while awaiting our nurse, we all discovered we were there for our first IVF cycle. All of us had tried IUIs, all were unsuccessful. Our nurse instructor came in and we spent the next hour going over ALL the meds. The class was great, informative, and interactive. There are videos available online to assist if I get confused about what I’m supposed to do. [And] ALL of my meds, including the trigger, are subcutaneous so no evil intramuscular butt shot…YAYYYY!!!!!
Next week, I am supposed to go in and start Pre-IVF bloodwork. Unless otherwise directed, I will start the Stimulation Phase on 30 Sep 2016. Then, it’s a very daily check in and shots and movement until retrieval, transfer, and beta! I really pray this works!!
Pray for us, guys!
-K