Transfer
We were worried that of the six embryos we wouldn’t have many making it to blast stage… we were both really sweating it this morning, wondering if we were going to get a phone call saying that nothing made it. The phone call never came, so we drove in.
Happily about halfway through the drive my valium started kicking in and I could feel my anxiety creep down several notches. When we got there the nurse got me situated in my bed, but she hadn’t heard any news from the lab so she had no idea.
People started trickling in… the ultrasound tech (whom I LOVE), one of the nurses, the doctor. They all looked excited. They all said, “I’m so excited to see you here today!!”
Someone said, “I spoke to the lab, and they sound very happy!” But no numbers yet. I got wheeled into the OR, warm towels wrapped around me (oohhhh I love the warm towels), and one of the embryologists from the lab came out with sheets of paper. She checked my bracelet, verified my name and date of birth, then pulled out the report card. 25 retrieved, 8 ICSI’d, 6 fertilized, 6 cultured to day 5…. 1 transferred on day 5, and 5 to be cultured to day 6 for possible freezing. Did you catch that? I did. “So there’s still six??” Yes. There are still SIX embryos – now blastocysts. She said some are a little behind, but that that’s pretty normal (especially since my eggs weren’t all ICSI’d right away), but that tomorrow they’ll see what meets freeze criteria.
And the one they’re transferring, they said, is “beautiful.” Ultrasound tech was beaming, everyone was just so thrilled for us that we were there today, on day 5, transferring a perfect looking blastocyst.
The ultrasound tech took a quick scan, measuring things that I couldn’t even see (seriously – she was drawing a little map of things that I couldn’t even tell were there!). There was a resident there observing, and asked if this was our first time. Ha, no. He asked if we’d ever gotten pregnant. I explained we had, but had a third trimester loss. So while I talked with the ultrasound tech Den answered some questions about Devin. (The Resident was very nice and didn’t give us some stupid speech, yay.)
And then the embryologist brought in the catheter with our little blastocyst in it. The catheter was carefully placed – I could see on the screen the little shiny tip showing exactly where it was. And poof, there it went. But instead of just a little blip on the screen like our previous transfers, this one streaked a little bit through my uterus. “A little shooting star,” the ultrasound tech said. “Sometimes they do that, sometimes they don’t.”
After being wheeled to recovery and updating twitter, Den and I thought, you know, that’s the random thing we’ve been waiting for to spark a name in our heads. It’s our little Shooting Star.
I layed in bed for 20 minutes, as is their procedure, and in that time people kept poking their head around the corner to congratulate us. They kept saying how fantastic this embryo looked. And the tech and nurse told us that the entire clinic – the lab, the nurses, the doctors – were all so absolutely thrilled with the news of my egg maturity and fertilization. You could tell, they were just beaming.
We were warned that their criteria for freezing embryos is very strict, so not to be surprized if very few or none actually get frozen – but the lab still thinks several of them are good contenders. I asked if they could call me tomorrow with the news… waiting for the mailed out sheet just sucks. So hopefully tomorrow we will have some more good news.
But, as they said, the most important thing was this, transferring one perfect, beautiful little blastocyst.
I go in on March 5 for my beta.
My fingers and toes are crossed for you guys. I’m sending good thoughts to your sweet shooting star!!
March 5 … oh man, what a date :(
But who knows, maybe it simply is meant to be.
Darn girl, I’m on edge with all the waiting so I don’t want to know how you guys feel. Argh!
But (and I almost don’t dare to say this lest I jinx it) I have a very good feeling about this cycle. I didn’t have that feeling last time .. but this time is different. I hope. Gah. I didn’t jinx it, you hear! :D
Natalie I am bouncing off the walls for you and Den. Thinking and hoping positive and amazing things for your little shooting star!
all of my fingers and toes are crossed for your shooting star.
I’ve been updating all afternoon! yay! What an auspicious beginning!
And now the wait. Sigh. Let’s carry some of this happiness along with, ok?
Natalie, I hope all the positive thoughts heading your way help this shooting star become yours forever. a perfect 5-day blast at your age has to have wonderful odds for success. best of luck and congratulations on a great IVF cycle.
I’m in tears for you. Such fantastic news this cycle.
Went looking real quick and found this:
http://creativedanceexpressionsinc.com/shooting%20star.gif
I’ve been on my toes, checking your blog every day for the past few weeks, just following your progress. I’m holding my breath with hope.
I cried reading this. I have such a good feeling for your little shooting star! <3 <3
I’m so happy for you and Den right now. Congrats on a great transfer!
Make a wish upon a Shooting Star…
omg, shooting star.
I feel like crying.
It sounds like everything went so perfectly! I’ll be thinking of you and hoping for great things on March 5.
Little Shooting Star…what a perfect name. I was in tears reading this. Thank you for sharing with us.
Congrats to you! What a wonderful transfer day!
What fabulous news! May your little Shooting Star find cushy accommodations and settle in for a long-long haul.
And it is so nice that the clinic staff was so openly happy for you.
Shooting star – that is so perfect!
I cried reading this post, I’m so happy for you and I wish you all the luck in the world. You truly deserve it!
Congrats Natalie. It’s been a while since I’ve posted but I’ve been following your blog to see where you are at. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Wishing you much luck and fingers crossed!
If this isn’t it I will be floored, it just seems too perfect
I am thinking of you guys and your shooting star.
YAY! So exciting! Shoot right into that lining and snuggle in, little star!
I have tears – literal tears. Joy, hope – all rolled into one. I am just over the moon for you both.
Congrats Natalie! This definitely sounds like the beginning of the end of all of your troubles. I bet you get a baby from your blast and that you get one or two siblings for him/her from the frosties! I’m so happy for you!!!!!
What wonderful news! *wipes tears*
I’m so excited for you! I’m hoping so hard that you catch that shooting star. You’re all in my thoughts.
yayyyy…heres to little shooting star!! i cannot wait till march 5th
WOW! Your beta is going to be here before you know it! I can NOT WAIT!!!!!!! Your little shooting star is so adorable!!!!
I know you are not religious/spiritual, but I am and am thanking God for your little shooting star tonight. I’m praying that that sweet emby sticks around for the long haul!
So great to hear the good news! I hope March 5th speeds here with great results! Now I have “Don’t you know that you are my Shooting Star” stuck in my head!
This is awesome!! I’m so happy for you and Den!!
Okay after reading the other comments before adding mine, Caba now has “Shooting Star” stuck in my head too… “Don’t you know that you are a shooting star? And all the world will love you just as long, as long as you are…”
CONGRATS NATALIE!!! I am so happy for you, Den and your shooting star, with Devin forever in your hearts. A perfect blast, sounds pretty encouraging to me! :) That is so cool how excited everyone at your transfer was for you today! I will be thinking of you and sending lots of implantation vibes, followed quickly by sticky vibes, your way! :)
YAY! i’m so happy for you! I’ve been following all along and waiting for you to get tot this day!
I can’t wait to hear your good news. I just know that this is going to be the one! : )
Sending all the sticky dust I can muster!
Sending prayers for you, Den and the shooting star.
I have chills running up and down my spine. My fingers are crossed that you hear good news on the 5th. Best of luck to you. :)
Oh, such FABO news! One beautiful embryo…snuggling in for a wonderful 9 month ride! GOOD LUCK WITH THE 2WW!!!
I normally only lurk around here, but this is such wonderful news I just had to comment. :) I hope everything goes well and I’ll be sending positive vibes your way!
I am so incredibly happy for you.. and living vicariously. Best WISHES!
I have chills. Wonderful news! I love hearing the excitement in your voice. I’ll be holding my breath along with everyone else….
what an absolutely perfect embryo transfer and what a lovely, positive ET story! Hoping that shooting star stays for the long haul and holy grail of live birth… awesome picture too.
Good luck mate!!
Wishing you lots of luck and sending you lots of positive vibes…
Yay! That is awesome. Keeping you in my thoughts.
LFCA