IVF Update | Embryo on Board

Yesterday’s fresh embryo transfer went as well as we could have ever hoped.

The day started on a positive note with a call from our primary doctor informing us that we had a nice embryo for transfer. Since we hadn’t received an update the day before, that news helped put me more at ease. Once we got to the clinic, I settled into the transfer room and showed off my lucky Hatch & Attach socks from TTC Greeting Cards. The transfer nurse was talkative, so that was a welcome distraction, too.

After awhile, Dr. Weckstein, the IVF and medical director for the clinic, came into the room. He had a huge smile and a sunny personality. I could tell he was trying to bring as much light and encouragement as possible into the transfer, which we so appreciated.

The doctor remarked that we had a great looking embryo, adding that our little embaby had actually grown substantially in the few hours since our conversation with Dr. Willman that morning. He showed us a photo of our embryo, which I had been so eager to see, and I — as is common these days — burst into happy tears at the sight. It was truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. My baby. Our baby.

I asked Greg today what he thought when he saw the photo of our embryo and he said that, while it didn't look anything like a baby, he still had the feeling of “this is our child.”

“Words can’t describe,” he said. “I was in awe… Just taking it all in. I was thinking we have come so far, and this is our child.”

The doctor looked at my uterus on the ultrasound and said it looked great, too, noting that my uterine lining was nice and thick. While he got me prepared for the transfer, Dr. Weckstein explained that an embryologist, Fleur, would be coming in to verify my identity and then she would go back into the lab to retrieve our embryo at the last possible moment. We were able to watch on a screen in the transfer room as she did just that, showing us the Petri dish etched with our last name and then zooming in on our embaby. Before we knew it, Fleur was drawing up the embryo into a catheter and a few seconds later she came into the room with the special delivery.

From there, the doctor slipped the catheter right in, through my cervix, and placed the embryo right where it needs to be inside my uterus. Greg and I watched it all happen on the ultrasound screen. We could see the catheter. A quick flash of light when the doctor released the embryo into my womb. I was holding my breath, swallowing back tears and trying to remain still; I was so afraid that the emotions I felt bubbling up inside me would spill out and disrupt the delicate procedure.

The transfer was mere seconds, but the whole experience was so wonderful and incredibly emotional. And surreal. Part of me couldn’t believe it was happening. Today, I’m still not sure it has sunk in.

For now, we wait. And pray that this precious embryo sticks, and gets all snugly and cozy. The doctor was optimistic about our chances but of course nothing is guaranteed. Our beta test is scheduled for March 10, and undoubtedly the next eight days are going to be long ones… My focus is going to be to try to rest, relax and not give too much of my mental or emotional energy to worry. And while I’m not totally sold on some of the crazy TWW (two-week wait) tips and tricks (old wive’s tales?) that are out there, I did drink Pom juice, eat pineapple core and snack on Brazil nuts today. I also had avocado toast for breakfast, huzzah! But that’s pretty normal for me. I figure anything that makes me feel better and makes me feel like I am doing everything I can to help this baby hatch, attach and grow is A-OK. Because I am only 1dp5dt (one day past five-day transfer) and I can already feel the anxiety creeping in.

Philippians 4:6-7 will be my prayer in the wait: