The embryo transfer process was probably the most difficult stage of our journey for me. I think it takes the most out of you emotionally.
Our journey was successful on the second transfer. Transfer number 1 was at the end of April 2024. We did all of the things that everyone does- listen to the doctors, did the superstitions (McDonalds Fries and pineapples), but it just didn’t take and we had negative pregnancy tests. Although it did not work, looking back, I learned some tricks for the second transfer. When I was doing the progesterone injections, I was extremely sore and very uncomfortable to walk and sit after. I was nervous about what the following weeks post transfer would be like if the embryo took. I learned that instead of using ice packs post injection, like I had been doing, heat was a much better option. Once learning that, I wasn’t sore anymore. Although having that one positive learning note, the sting of the transfer failing still was harsh. I definitely had some doubt and even a bit of guilt as if I did something wrong and that was the reason that the embryo did not take. Facebook support groups for other people that transferred around the same time as me helped get through it, and learning of the statistics of chance of success helped get me through that time mentally. Intended mom was also very optimistic, which helped get into the best mindset for transfer number 2.
Transfer number 2 had really good vibes for me. My partner was not able to get off of work for the second transfer, so I went alone, but intended mom made me feel right at home- I stayed with her for both days. We relaxed, walked around her neighborhood, did a puzzle, and ate some good food. Transfer day (August 2024) felt different to me that time around. When we saw the embryo being put into my uterus, we were able to see it sitting there, and it felt like there was just this moment that it would work out. The progesterone injections went smoothly, as I had minimal discomfort. The Lupron injections prior to transfer actually bother me more that time around.
For the second transfer, I decided to use the daily pregnancy test strips- as I avoided testing until the blood test for transfer number 1. I’m glad I did use them, because on day 4 post transfer, we got our first faint line on the pregnancy test. We did not tell intended mom until after the blood test, but I tested on those strips everyday leading up to the blood confirmation and watched the line get darker and darker. When the blood test came back positive, I sent her a picture of the strips, and everything became very real that day. We eventually made it through the ultrasounds for yolk sac confirmation, and continued getting blood tested, and before we knew it, we had a well developing embryo, and we were in it for the long haul!
