Journey for Baby Stewart: They are IN!

When we arrived at Dr. R's office this morning our coordinator passed by and told us the embryos look good and he's having a hard time choosing which ones to transfer! A good problem to have, huh? Dr. R consulted with us on our embryos, which are graded from 1-3 (1 being the best); grades 1 and 2 get women pregnant, with grade 3 there is a significant drop in pregnancy. I had one grade 3, which isn't usable, but all of the others were grades 1 or 2! He also consulted with us on how many to transfer. The national guidelines say for a person my age, they can only transfer up to two at a time. After he asked if we were willing to have twins, we asked a couple questions about how difficult is it to carry twins, and if I would carry them to full term. He said it's a more difficult pregnancy all around, everything is doubled. I will get bigger faster, being uncomfortable longer, if nauseated it'll be worse. He said women don't carry twins to full term; usually they are born 4-6 weeks earlier and considered pre-mature, but he said a 34 week old twin is a healthy baby. Once our questions were answered, we decided on two, which means I have a 60% chance of having twins!

Of the other six embryos left, two had reached blastocyst and were grade 2, (I had to google the definition of it, but in layman's terms means the "development of a blastocyst is a big step for a tiny new organism, and it makes it possible for more growth and change to come") and those are the ones he chose to transfer. There are four embryos he's going to freeze and one he's going to culture out to see if it makes it; if so, it will be frozen as well. I can't believe I have so many to freeze!!!

The procedure was done in the ambulatory center downstairs, where the retrieval was done, but instead of using the sterile surgical room, I was in a ER-type room. They had a TV with calming scenes and music and Lee was able to be with me the whole time. I accepted their offer of a Valium to relax, which helped. The procedure was done on a full bladder, but they didn't make me keep it too full so it wasn't very uncomfortable. I was worried it would be painful since I'm still sore from the retrieval, but it was a piece of cake. They laid me back on the table, and the procedure was kind of like a pap-smear (women know what I'm talking about; I'll spare the details for the guys). The embryologist put the two embryos in a catheter and brought them to Dr. R; she said my name aloud to verify those are my embryos and he inserted the catheter into my uterus while being guided by an ultrasound. It was a very special moment for us. I cried a little and Lee was right there to hold my hand; it was pretty magical! After he was done, Dr. R. held my hands and said a prayer for me, which I was so grateful for. The procedure took no more than 5 minutes, then I was asked to lay still (no coughing, laughing or talking above a whisper) for 30 minutes.

Once the time was up, I got my lab slips for my upcoming pregnancy tests, went to lunch (we were starving!), and I've been at home resting ever since. I'm supposed to relax and only do light activities for the next three days and nothing too taxing on my body thereafter. I thought I had to wait two weeks for my first pregnancy test, but the first one will actually be a week from today! He won't call me until the results are in from my second test on Friday. If my blood work shows I am pregnant, he'll do two more tests a few days after, and schedule my first ultrasound if my blood tests show my HCG continuing to rise!

I really appreciate everyone's kind words, prayers and support up to this point. They have gotten me through some pretty emotional times! This whole process still feels surreal, but I do feel like there is something inside me that I have to protect and take care of now. Please keep the prayers and positive energy going! Implant little embryos, IMPLANT!!

Love,
Chelle

Before transfer selfie!