Getting my body ready to have the embryo transfer was a little frustrating at times. It felt like it
was taking forever. Initially, I was put on birth control to be able to track my cycle. Unfortunately,
when I went for labs and an ultrasound, they found out that I had ovulated through my birth
control, meaning that the entire month was useless and we would have to track things
differently. Once I was at the correct point, we started IVF meds.
At first I was nervous about having daily injections in my stomach, but then I realized it wasn’t
that bad after all. Through the month of medications (both injections and oral) I was monitored
by having labs and ultrasounds done. We got to the point where I had one more check to see if
my body was ready for the transfer, and unfortunately my hormone levels were off and we had
to cancel the cycle. I felt disappointed and frustrated. I felt like my body was letting the IPs
down. Thankfully – I have an amazing set of IPs and a very supportive partner. They were all
encouraging and reminded me that we’re all in this together and we will get there. A couple of
weeks later, I began a different type of IVF medication, also injected. This new medication
required more monitoring appointments, weekly and sometimes twice weekly. The time for the
final check came and I was very nervous that the cycle would have failed again, but thankfully,
we were given the news that my body was ready to schedule the transfer! The following day I
had to have a “trigger shot” and the following day I began intramuscular injections of
progesterone. I was VERY nervous about giving the intramuscular injections to myself when my
partner had to go out of town, but I mustered up the courage and now I am easily able to do it if
necessary. The week leading up to the transfer, the medications were a little more complicated,
but I had a nice chart to keep me organized.
A few days prior to the transfer, I began nervously packing my bag for travel and researching if
you’re able to bring needles and liquid medications on airplanes, etc. I was able to find all of the
answers easily and my flight was quick. My partner met me there, as he was already visiting
family close to where the IPs live. He picked me up from the airport, we had lunch together, and
got checked into the hotel. That night, we were able to have dinner with the intended father and
it was a really nice time.
The morning of the transfer, we ate some breakfast and I made sure to hydrate a ton, as the
clinic told me to have a full bladder for the transfer. We got to the clinic and met up with our
wonderful IPs. We were all cautiously filled with excitement. I wore my lucky socks and shirt
from the agency to be in transfer mode! :) I’ve seen other blog posts saying the IPs were
allowed in, but unfortunately this wasn’t the case. At our clinic, only I was allowed in the room.
This part of things honestly felt mechanical to me. I was taken to a locker room and given a
place to store my things and given a gown and surgical cap to put on. After that, they took me to
the procedure room, assessed my vitals, and did an ultrasound to see if my bladder was full
enough. Unfortunately, the nurse said I needed to drink more, gave me a glass of water and
said she’d be back. Sitting in the room all alone, no one to speak to, and nothing to keep me
occupied made me feel slightly anxious and a little bored. About 10 or 15 min later the nurse
came back and checked me again. This time she said I could still use more water but that we
could “give it a try” if I wanted. I asked if we could try because I honestly felt like I couldn’t fit any
more liquids in me. The doctor came in and prepped me for the transfer and thankfully,
everything lined up the way it should and I didn’t have to drink more water. They used the
ultrasound to guide the catheter for the transfer, this can be uncomfortable, as they’re pressing
down on your very full bladder for a few minutes straight. The transfer itself didn’t feel like
anything. They use a small catheter and it doesn’t feel any different from a typical gynecological
exam. After getting the catheter placed correctly, someone entered the room with the embryo.
They inserted the embryo into the catheter and the transfer was completed. They gave me my
discharge instructions and I was able to go get changed and leave immediately.
When I walked back out to the waiting room, my IPs and partner were all shocked to see me so
quickly. We talked a little, still nervously excited and decided to head out and grab some lunch
together. We enjoyed this time with our IPs very much, as they’ve grown to be our friends/family.
After lunch, I was instructed to be a couch potato for the day, so my partner and I relaxed the
entire day together.
The following day we drove back home after enjoying some Philly cheesesteaks. (When in
Rome, right?) I felt a bit crampy for several days. I also experienced a bit of nausea, breast
tenderness, and fatigue. After researching, I found that the progesterone injections could be
causing these symptoms, but I was hopeful that they were being caused by pregnancy.
I was required to go for labs the following week and when they called me with the results they
told me everything was above average! We were all excited. Another week later I went for labs
again – this time to see if I was pregnant. We anxiously awaited the results for a few hours and
finally, I got the call. I was pregnant!! My partner and I FaceTimed with our IPs and all I could
describe it as, was magical. It was such an amazing moment, realizing that all of this hard work
was paying off, the sacrifices my partner has made to support me through this has been worth it,
and that this amazing couple will be able to add a child to their family. They were overjoyed
during the call and the intended mother said she hadn’t allowed her brain to “go there” yet, so it
felt surreal. She also said she was so excited that she was shaking.
I went for labs again 2 days later to check hormone levels and everything showed to be rising
appropriately, which confirmed that the initial labs were correct and that I am indeed pregnant.
We’ve found out that my due date is December 20th and that I am approximately 5 weeks
pregnant at this point. Next week I go for my first ultrasound post-transfer. We’re all so excited
for this next step in this journey!
