IVF #5 Transfer Part 2

So if you have been keeping up, you know we have added acupuncture to this cycle. The day of transfer we went well. The drugs were kicking in as soon as we got there so I was happy. While Mike got to take a potty stop, I launched two pennies into the fountain that seems to be a coin collection at this point. Hey, it can't hurt right? We still needed lunch for later since we had acupuncture right after transfer. Tada! Subway is on the ground floor and it smelled YUMMY. So we quick grabbed a foot long we could both eat and walked it to the truck for safe keeping for the drive half way home. We have been dealing with a progesterone issue the last few cycles so we asked to speak to the IVF nurse. Michelle came out and I explained the first sized hard lumps from the injections and no amount of massaging or heat has helped. She went off to discuss with the doctor while I was escorted back to get undressed and Mike to get dressed. Ha!

So once we are dressed, the Embryologist Alex comes in and discusses how the snow babies are looking since they have been thawing all morning long. Then they give us pictures! This shows once the thawing process begins, then the expansion comes as they are completely thawed. The change they made with this round is they did assisted hatching, which has not been done before. Assisted hatching – Another micromanipulation technique, assisted hatching helps the embryo successfully implant in the uterus by microscopically removing a section of the embryo’s outer “shell” before transfer.

 Michelle joined us again and said NO MORE INJECTIONS!!! Although, she presented me with a purple gift bag of goodies. My new progesterone. Cream suppository every morning till positive preggo test. Oh boy. So Mike added it to our locker of goodies.
So then with my blanket wrapped around me, since otherwise my butt would be hanging out... I waddle (yes waddle, because I am so loopy walking is assisted) into the procedure room. Here we sit and wait for our RE. Alex then goes to let Dr. M know we are all set and once he enters everything happens fairly quick. I will spare you the fun details (yes that was sarcasm) but while gazing up into the swirling blue and purples on the ceiling, I try to find a happy place. The procedure doesn't hurt at all, its just uncomfortable because I have had to keep 16oz of water inside with no release for an hour. That is not an easy task. With Mike holding my hand he keeps me grounded as everything moves around us. with the cleaning and catheter insertion using the external ultrasound for perfect placement. Then comes the first view of our snow babies. I am told to watch the tv screen and they show us the petry dish with my last name and birth date on it. I confirm it is ours and they zoom in. REALLY CLOSE. Then we get to watch as thy suck up the two snow babies into a tube that is then brought into our room. Again using the external ultrasound they watch as the tube with snow babies is inserted and snow babies are pushed out of the end. It looks like little flashes as they exit the tube on the ultrasound screen. Its kinda neat that Mike and I get to watch the entire procedure and they talk us through it and what to watch for when stuff is happening on the screen.Once complete, I get sat up and a pat on the shoulder and told to stand slowly (with help of course.) Then Alex checks the restroom and wraps me in the blanket and off I waddle down the hall on Mike's arm to release my poor little bladder. WOOT! Then it is off to change back in to comfy clothes and then to be wheeled to the truck in a wheel chair. I laid the seat down for awhile and put my feet up on the dashboard and relaxed. After about 20 minutes I couldn't stand it any more. Subway was calling me from the backseat and I ate half of it. Acupuncture... was... interesting... I slept pretty good through most of it, at least that is what I hear. Ha! Then it was home to our comfy new couch! And there I have been for 72 hours. The first 24 are the easiest. Don't move much, lay flat, only sit up to eat and drink. Potty trips are allowed but no more than that. By the end of day one I am sore. My back is horrible from being flat and not moving. (Dr. M says bedrest for the remainder of the day, the day of the transfer, and then I can begin normal activities within reason.) However, our plan this time was a 72 hour rest even though we knew it was going to be HORRID on me since I am a mover and shaker. Haha!
Begin 48 hours, I can move more no lifting no bending no stretching no stairs. Wednesday same thing but a little more activity. Big outing of the day... taking my daddy with me to IGA for milk for Mikey and pineapple for me. Then it was back to the couch. During these few days of rest especially Monday, the cramping began. Sharp pains every so often but mostly dull roar.  Now this could either be progesterone side effects or it could be implantation. This is the first time for the cramping, bloating, and soreness to start in this early. It usually doesn't start till 8 days later. Who knows but fingers crossed it is implantation. So onward with the cream and the estrogen patches!

I am calling Dr. T to schedule another acupuncture session for Monday. Hopefully that will keep me relaxed. I have been doing my homework from her, so I am hoping that it will boost the relaxation as well.

No stress now! Blood test on the 14th!

Here is a reminder of our IVF team:

North Coast Natural Health and Acupuncture
Reproductive Gynecology Inc.

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RGI

So cramping got worse the 11th, and the bleeding continued to get worse, called doc, he said not to worry about it continue as planned. So today is the 14th. Bleeding got worse last night and today is just like one of my regular flow days. Lovely. I am guessing at this point we are a negative but on doctors orders, I will not be peeing on a stick. Off for blood test this am as scheduled.

Results: BFN. So much for round #4. Will do consult on Monday and see what he suggests for our next step. May be looking a little harder into egg donor or surrogacy. May take the summer off to spend camping and enjoying the summer.

Update from consult: No clue as to why they aren't sticking. Use the 2 snowbabies for one more cycle using a different type of progesterone and monitor it closer for absorbtion. Then do a fresh cycle and do embryo genetics test to rule out abnormal embryos. Proceed with donor egg if abnormal.