FET Update #2 – - - PUPO!

The day has arrived! Transfer day. From the egg retrieval to now feels as if a decade has passed. All Monday my stomach and nerves would not settle down. I felt excited. I felt nervous. There’s a giddiness that comes with the knowledge that the following day you will technically be pregnant.

Tuesday morning, J² woke me up and tried to focus on getting dressed and not freaking out. The magnitude of what was going to happen fired every nerve I have. Now, some may be worried about the procedure itself, but this weighed little on my mind. All my understanding is it’s similar to an IUI so I knew at most for me there would be mild discomfort. No, all the anxiety came from the fact I was about to have one of my embabies put back in and the hopefulness of wanting her to stick.

So I chose a simple black dress, my new leggings, and, of course, my lucky socks.

Stylin'

Nice combination, right? A quick aside: can I tell you about those leggings? They are from a brand called LuluRoe. I had heard the name pop up now and again, but didn’t pay too much attention. Leggings have never really been my friend. For some reason companies don’t like to make leggings in a petite size. So whenever I would buy a pair they always go passed my feet. It’s ridiculous. Well, a couple of weeks ago J² and I attended a fundraiser event and a couple of ladies were selling this LuluRoe stuff. So I caved and bought a pair. Surprisingly, the leggings actually fit. They are very soft and have a wide waist band. Which is a plus in my book. So these leggings made a good choose to wear for transfer day. We’ll see how well they hold up. Now back to transfer day. . . . .

I was told by the nurse to drink water on the way down so my bladder would be filling up by the time I arrived. The main clinic with the OR is about 45-60 minutes away. Your bladder needs to be full (not bursting) so the doctor can see the uterus and where to implant the embryo. Off we went; with a minor detour because of a freeway accident that had the road completely halted.

After checking in, we were taken to a consultation room to go over the finer details. The nurse had us sign a consent form and discussed the post-transfer instructions. This includes upping my Progesterone to twice a day and continuing my other medication (i.e. Metformin, prenatals, and blood thinner). My clinic recommends resting the remainder of the day and abstaining from activities that will make the uterus contract for a few days.

Next, the doctor came in to explain the procedure. He wasn’t our regular doctor, but that happens if you fall out of your doctor’s batch. He offered Valium, but said it didn’t look like I needed it. And I didn’t. He realistically gave us a 40% chance of this succeeding. I’m not sure if he is low-balling it or it’s just the sobering fact how hard this is. I am 36 so I get the distinction of being of advance maternal age. Evidently, my uterus needs a walker.

We are then taken to the pre-op area and I change into one of those stylish gown. J² gets to don a paper gown and mask. He looks good.

As we were waiting, I looked at the clock and mentioned how the digital face didn’t match the analog. The analog was reading 11:13 and the digital was at 11:14. Yeah. So it took after the clock turned 11:14 to realize the digital wasn’t the time - - it was the date. Duh. I blame my nerves and not me being an airhead. Ha ha!

The nurse came and escorted us into the OR. I got up onto the table and the nurse helped put my legs in stirrups. She did an abdominal ultrasound to check my bladder. Nice and full and I’m starting to feel it. At this time, the embryologist comes in and takes us through her part. She gives a picture our possible future daughter. She tells us they thawed the best looking one. Finally, the doctor comes in and we’re ready to go.

First, the doctor inserts the speculum (awkward and uncomfortable as usual) and cleans the vaginal area. The progesterone gel and mucus need to be flushed. Sorry, TMI. Secondly, a catheter is threaded through the cervix and positioned where the embryo will be placed. On a T.V. to our left we could see the petri dish with our embryo. At this point the embryologist confirms the name on said dish and then uses a needle to pick it up. The fourth step involves the embryologist bringing the needle containing the embryo into the OR and inserting it into the catheter that the doctor is holding in place. And lastly, the embryologist checks the catheter to much sure the embryo passed through. After the all clear is given, the speculum is removed. And that’s it. I’m officially PUPO. Pregnant Until Proven Otherwise.

Baby's first picture

In the red circle is the baby. The rest is the placenta.

I got dressed and we left. I mentioned to J² that I feel like I should feel different when leaving than when we first came in. Maybe a big flashing sign above my head that says, “baby on board.” I literally have a growing embryo inside of me. And, yet, it seems so surreal. I’m pregnant, but maybe not. I have no control of the outcome, but I’m worry that any sneeze, or cough, or even sleeping wrong will make the embryo fall out. The two week wait begins. Then I go in for blood work.

I’m trying to be positive, but also pragmatic. Be hopeful (yuck), but not get carried away.