My phone just reminded me that my FET starts in 7 days! So that means about 27 days until transfer. And THAT means that this time next month I’ll likely be in the thick of my TWW. I’ll be pregnant this time next month! The fun part of IVF is this kind of pseudo certainty. No one who conceives naturally can have a pregnancy down to the actual date with this much certainty. Granted I’ll only be pregnant until prove otherwise but damn it, I’ll be pregnant! The IVF highs are pretty high, huh?

I have not yet updated you all on how our follow up appointment went so I’ll do that now. The appointment was on the 4th. And I think I may have gotten a few details wrong.

They collected 12 eggs and 7 were mature and all 7 fertilized. I initially thought that we had 12 and all 12 were mature and only 7 fertilized meaning that our fertilization rate was around 60% when actually we had 100% fertilization. That is amazing!!! The RE was happy about it too. But now the problem is that we only had 60% mature eggs and I’m not too stoked about that. Last time on the first protocol we have 14 eggs and 13 were mature. So the RE suggested that if we were to do this again that he would push my ovaries a little harder and then use a Lupron trigger instead of the HCG trigger. I believe the Lupron trigger helps prevent OHSS while pushing the last few follicles to catch up (I type under correction, however).

Sorry, I’m still giddy about the 100% fertilization. Well done N’s soldiers!!

He then spoke to us about the genetic testing. I’ll just say that we had 2 girls and a boy. 2 of them had an extra chromosome 16, just like our last embryo that we didn’t transfer from the previous cycle. N has a balanced translocation of chromosomes 16 and 18, so that stands to reason. A quick google search told me that “Full trisomy 16 is incompatible with life” and “most of the time it results in miscarriage during the first trimester“.

100% fertilization, though! Dayum!

My next concern was how do we get our little survivor to stick. We talked about embryo glue and a scratch test and my RE isn’t down with either. He said he’s not convinced it’ll work and doesn’t want me spending the money unnecessarily. Why can’t all these doctors go to a conference and decide on one cookie cutter way to do things. Why do some doctors swear by things that other doctors poo-poo? And not about protocols, but these add-ons. Yes, embryo glue works. No, scratch tests don’t. Anything!! That being said, I’m fine with his recommendation. A scratch test would put me back a month anyway. I’ll just have to do some home remedies. Last time I did accupuncture and the pineapple core. I haven’t decided if I want to try accupuncture again. The dr I usually go to is a bit out of the way and expensive. Maybe I should see if I can find someone closer this time. Although I loved him. I don’t know. I am going to try positive visualization this time. I have the Zita West meditation cd and I’ve heard of a Bree Taylor someone who’s on YouTube I think. I’m also eating cleaner. I’m doing the 21 day fertility diet. And I’m taking all the supplements and vitamins. Yoga? As I’m laying on my couch with no plans of moving soon, I’m going to say no. But let’s see if the fertility diet gives me some energy next week.

Then we talked about our little 2BB champion. We all know that I’m not ecstatic about it being 2BB but what I garnered from what he said is that a blastocyst is a blastocyst. The grade doesn’t matter. It helps a little bit, but only a little. I still worry that it won’t work. What I will definitely do next time is not get the grades. Repeat… I.will.NOT.ask.for.the.grades.of.future.embryos!!! Our embryo has as much chance of survival as a 6AA!!!

We talked for a while back and forth about how to fix this and how to fix that and I was getting a bit exasperated but my take away from the meeting was that we’re not through yet. We’re not through with this cycle yet and we’re certainly not through with the journey yet. Our RE, sweet man that he is, said that his translocation patients are always the hardest cases but the majority of them get pregnant in the end. He also said that they’re always the nicest couples but that’s neither here nor there. *blush*

And there you have it. 7 days to get this party started, give or take a day. Let’s get this going!! I have 3 days of long weekend to fill and 4 days of work next week. That’s nothing. I have a baby shower on Sunday which will melt into Monday because we’re planning on brunch the next day. And Monday I have an appointment at the orthodontist to get measurements for my braces. Eeeek! Tuesday I start a new season of volley ball. So at least next week is going to be relatively full.

In the words of everyone’s favourite sponge… I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready.