The Embryo Transfer

It has taken me a couple of days to get my head around posting an update.

When I posted last Saturday, I had just found out that 12 out of 14 of my eggs had fertilised overnight.  

The embryologist called me on Monday to say they were still doing well so she wanted to let them go to day 5 and transfer them on Wednesday. 

There isn't a standard timeframe for embryo transfers, it literally is a numbers game and depends on the quality of the embryos.  If you have up to 3 embryos they usually will arrange transfer for day 2 or 3 as embryos do better once they are back in their nature environment.  The only benefit of taking the embryos to day 5 is that it will give the embryologist a better look at choosing the strongest embryo to put back, but they only aim for day 5 if you have enough embryos to start with (as some will not survive that far). 

So on Wednesday we went back to Oxford for transfer.  I had to have a full bladder for the procedure as this allows the ultrasound to show the uterus better (apparently a full bladder makes the scan image travel through like a window).  I was a little worried about peeing on them when they did the procedure - apparently this has happened before! Thankfully I didn't though. 

Luckily we didn't have to wait too long to go in. The room is sterile so we weren't allowed to wear shoes, so Rick got to wear some wicked blue shoe covers and looked like something off CSI hehehe.    

Before we started the embryologist came in to talk to me about the embryos.  We had two really strong ones suitable for transfer, but she only recommended transferring one as whilst the chance of pregnancy would increase by 5-10% the risk of twins was too high and lowers the chances of getting to a healthy birth, which is what we are aiming for. We agreed with this so our other strong embryo would go in the freezer for us to use later if we need to - I call this my snow baby. (The other embryos were watched for another 24hrs but were not high enough quality to freeze as they wouldn't survive the thaw process).  

She gave us a 50-55% chance of success, which is really good as the generic average chance we were told at open evening based on our age alone was 42%. 

I had to lay on a standard ultrasound bed that was fitted with stirrups for my legs to go in.  There was three ladies involved in the procedure, one holding the ultrasound probe over my uterus so another could direct a fine catheter through my cervix into the right place using the image on the screen.  The third was getting the embryo ready in a tube that was then put through the catheter.  We were able to see a little white flash on the screen when the embryo went through the tube, once they removed the catheter we could see a little white blob which was the embryo (and liquid they transferred it with) in my uterus.  They flushed the tube to ensure the embryo was not still in it, which was clear.  

It was really amazing and completely overwhelming.  

Afterwards the lady who had completed the transfer sat with me and explained some do's and don'ts - basically only light exercise, no baths, no hot water bottles, eat as if you were already pregnant to avoid the risk of food poisoning etc.  She also gave me an official test date for a couple of weeks time and a test kit.

The test kit is really funny it has a little pipette that you have to drop the pee onto the test with. It is like being back in science class! 

After she left I got dressed and had a little hug with hubby. We were both a bit dazed as all the treatment went so quickly it didn't feel real that we had already got to transfer stage. The thought that I "could" be pregnant was a bit overwhelming. 

So three days later, I have been chilling and enjoying a few days off before going back to work next week.  I am really glad I decided to take the whole week off as, although not physically required, it gave me the headspace to deal with everything without being stressed out at work. 

So now we wait!....... Please send me baby dust! 

I would just like to say I am so grateful for all the support I have revived during my treatment (and last three years). I honestly couldn't have done it without everyone cheering me on.  I know you will all be there no matter which outcome. 

I have made so many TTC friends during this journey so far, some have had their dreams come true already and some are still trying to make it happen.  TTC sisters can understand each other like no one else can and we all deserve it so much.  I really hope it happens for us all xxxxx. 

IVF - Egg Collection & Fertilisation

As you will know, I had my first egg collection yesterday!

It was certainly an experience, but not for the reasons I expected.

I had my collection booked for 11am so had to be at the unit for 10am.  We arrived at about 9.40am and were called in just before 10am. 

I was shown to a little recovery room with a bed (the ones they can move you around in), given a hospital gown to change into and told the doctor would come in shortly to do my consent. 

I changed into the gown and waited literally a minute for the doctor, he sat on the bed with me to check my details and then said to me to sign the form, which basically advised of the very, very rare risk of piercing my bladder or bowel.

Once he had gone the theatre nurse came to take me through to the theatre - I was really surprised as I had anticipated having to wait until 11am and by this point we had only been in the room about 10 mins.

Once in theatre I had to lay on an identical bed to the one from my room and put my legs into padded stirrups which then covered my feet. Almost like wearing padded boots, I am not sure what these were for? Maybe to stop me kicking the doctor once sedated?.

The  anaesthesiologist put a cannula in my hand and I asked him if I would be asleep, he joked and said not to worry he is very liberal with the drugs.  The cannula didn't really hurt, just felt like a blood test. 

Once ready, the nurse knocked on the hatch into the theatre and introduced me to the embryologist who would be dealing with my eggs. They did another data check of my details (they take security very seriously, which is reassuring). 

The anaesthesiologist then put an oxygen mask on me and said he would start with a painkiller that would make me feel lightheaded, while he did that they dimmed the lights. Literally not even 30 seconds later I could feel the drug working, I remember saying wow that works quickly and then nothing.......

....... until I woke up in recovery!

When I came around I asked the guy how long I had been out and he said about 10 mins, I felt like it was only seconds but like I had a really good sleep! 

He checked all my stats and blood pressure etc. He then gave me some tablets to take and a drink (I assume painkillers). He asked me if I wanted a cup of tea, which I did and then wheeled me back to my recovery room. I couldn't believe how quickly I was fully awake after being so deeply sedated. 

I honestly didn't think it would all happen so quickly, it seemed too easy. 

They gave me tea and biscuits, which tasted like the best biscuits ever after not being able to eat all morning. 

Then the nurse came to talk me through the next couple of days and what I should do (rest) and when to take the delightful pessaries. 

She couldn't take the cannula out of my hand until I had been able to walk to the loo and pee. I was able to get dressed and managed that straight away. I didn't really have "pain" as such, just felt really bruised inside. 

Not long after the embryologist came in to tell us we had 14 eggs, which I was delighted with as they had thought 10-11 at my last scan.  Obviously some will not be mature enough to use, she told us usually about 80% are good enough and then they will perform ICSI on them all and watch them overnight to see how many fertilise and would call me the next day.

Not long after this I was allowed to go home.  I felt really good until about 10 mins into the taxi drive to the train station, by which point I was dry heaving and felt really sick.  I was sick twice at the station, once on the train and once in a bush next to the bus stop!  So an eventful and highly embarrassing journey home!  Neither of us drive and I honestly thought I could cope with pain for the train ride, but I didn't count on being so sick.  If we have to do this again I will make sure someone can take us, I honestly didn't think it would be an issue.

When I got home I was sick until about 4pm, I phoned the hospital to check whether this was normal and had to chuck the phone at Rick halfway through the call so I could run to be sick.  As I didn't have any pain or bleeding it was nothing to worry about, simply my reaction to the sedation. 

I managed to eat half a piece of toast and then nap for about an hour. I felt better then so Rick made me some crackers, which I kept down and later some beans on toast. I felt absolutely fine once the sickness stopped. 

Rick was so amazing, he looked after me all day and got me some beautiful flowers and said he was proud of me. It can't have been easy to watch, I love him so much xxx

I woke up at 7am this morning because I was excited for the call, even though they said it would be before 12pm. 

They just called and............12 out of 14 fertilised!

So emotional right now!  They said that all 14 were suitable for use and 12 fertilising is great!

They are going to call me first thing Monday to tell me whether I will go in for transfer the same day or Wednesday. They will make the decision on how many to put back on the day depending on the quality - either 1 or 2.

Xxxxxx 

IVF Days 7-14

Just a quick update, sorry for not posting sooner - hopefully most of you will have seen my updates on Facebook and Instagram. 

The first scan last Wednesday was ok and showed lots of little follicles, unfortunately the second scan on Friday didn't show much change so they had to increase my Gonal F to 150 from 112.5. 

My scans on Monday and yesterday were much improved, so much so that I am going for egg collection tomorrow - eek!

I took my trigger shot last night and didn't have to do any jabs today, which was nice!

Very bloated and uncomfortable, plus a little apprehensive for the collection tomorrow.  They think I may get 10-11 eggs if I am lucky. 

I will post a longer update after collection.

Fingers crossed xxxx 

P.S here is a sneaky pic I took from my last scan as they left the image on the screen when I was getting changed hehe, the back circles are follicles :) xx

IVF The First Few Days

As you know I started IVF (ICSI) short protocol on Friday. I have so far had four injections from my Gonal F pen and two from my Cetrotide "real" syringes. 

It hasn't gone too badly so far and I can now inject quite easily without stressing about it beforehand. 

For the Gonal F injections I wasn't icing my tummy beforehand and they were fine, but I had heard the Cetrotide was horrible to inject so I made sure to ice before doing it.  

It was absolutely fine, I had worried for nothing but I have kept up with the icing for all injections now because it simply makes it easier.

I have put together a photo tutorial for injecting Cetrotide for anyone who is going to do short protocol.  Or for those just a little curious :-)  hopefully the photos will display in the correct order!

The side effects haven't been as bad as I expected so far.  It is hard to tell which are as a result of the drugs and which are because of this hot weather.  I have felt hot and bothered, had headaches for the last two days, bloating on my tummy, hit and miss appetite and just generally felt down and emotional.

I am drinking lots and lots of water as this is recommended to avoid hyper stimulation. 

I have my first scan tomorrow so will update you all then.  Hopefully they will find lots of lovely follicles growing! 

Love to all xx 

IVF - The First Injection....

So it has been a little while since my last post, mainly due to having to wait for the start of a new cycle to begin my first round of short protocol IVF (ICSI).  But also because I wanted to keep my mind on other things while I waited. 

Well my new cycle started yesterday, I called both Oxford and Swindon to "book in" and was given the green light to start. 

Tonight was my first injection of Gonal F, which is a stimulant designed to encourage my body to produce lots of nice big follicles containing eggs.  The injection is in the form of a pen injector, so you only have to put a needle on the end of the pre-filled pen and turn the dial to set the dose. You then inject this into your tummy fat, which luckily I have plenty of, before pressing the button down until the dose has gone in and the dial reads zero. You then count to ten before removing the needle.  

It didn't go too badly, a couple of false starts before I got the nerve to inject - feels totally weird to stab yourself with a needle - but I took a deep breath and went for it. The needle didn't hurt and it was ok until I got to about 4 on my count, then it stung like a bee sting.  It still was ok, better than I expected. 

My tummy feels a bit tingly, but I don't know if that is all in my head because I know I have injected.  

I need to do the same injection every evening until told I am ready for egg collection. 

From Monday I will also add morning injections of Cetrotide, which is a drug to stop my body trying to ovulate and release the eggs before we are ready for them. 

I have to go for my first set of blood tests and scans on Wednesday to see how my  follicles are developing and then further scans every other day until I am ready for collection. 

As things are actually happening now I will try to update as I go.

Thank you for all the support everyone has given so far xxxx