Three days after our last frozen embryo transfer decided not to stick, Aunt Flo showed up and I booked on for transfer number 9.
We wanted to try this cycle semi naturally.
No uterus preparing medication. No hormones leading up to transfer. Leaving my ovaries to ovulate on their own. Only taking precautionary meds in the lead up to transfer:
Doxycycline (Antibiotics) to prevent infection of the uterus- (which I have had twice before).
Prednisolone to ward off any killer cells – I take these until 10 weeks gestation period.
Stop doxycycline on transfer eve.
Then on transfer day I start taking;
1x Aspirin per day
40 mgm Clexane per day
Clexane last round was not a fun experience – must remember to steer clear of operation scaring was not a fun experience
Crinone 8% once per day – Until 12 weeks gestation.
Have had baseline bloods to check for ovulation every two days since cycle day 5.
Finally on cycle day 21 it happened, Bloods say I was ovulating.
Received a call from one of the nurses at the clinic on 3/6/21 with instructions date and time of our embryo transfer.
This embryo has not been genetically tested like the other two.
Hadn’t yet got around to picking up my IVF scripts as my periods sprung up on me a couple of days early. But I did plan to collect them this weekend any way. The chemist that compounds our IVF medication is just around the corner from the fertility clinic, which is a super massive bonus!
Yesterday I called the nurse’s at the clinic to let them know my periods came, and today at 1pm I was scheduled for my 1st Zoladex implant to be administered by my fertility specialist who also just happens to be a GP.
Googled where about they will approximately put the implant, and then I slathered on a heap of Emla cream 5% near my lower navel and covered it up with plastic and tape before heading to my appointment.
Far out, I’m glad I decided to go in looking like an woose covered in cream and plastic.
That was one big ass needle , Mind over matter tho – wasn’t too bad!
Rather that, than months of jabbing myself to be honest.
Booked in for my next implant on the 13th March 2020.
There I will get more information on when I will start agonist medication.
1BB – With assisted hatching: can see in the the middle left hand side
Woke up early and eager.
Took my baby making med’s.
Had a shower and shave.
Done a wee at 10:30 and then started drinking 500 mls of water to fill up the bladder nicely so the embryologist has a good view on screen.
Traffic was unusually busy and slow……time seemed to be happening in slow motion. Rolled into the clinic just in the nick of time, as we walked through the doors a nurse called out my name.
Mr R and I jogged down the hall to the change room…..stripped off and wrapped one of those modesty blankets around my waist.
Busted through the side door into the transfer room, eagerly awaiting to hear how our embryo thawed.
Hi everyone….the staff at the clinic have become like family, familiarity takes away the awkwardness. Although with that said i do hope to never have to see them all after this one.
Embryo thawed well, said the embryologist…
And embryo is developing as it should a few hours after thawing.
She then told us that the shell of the embryo was very thick, so they performed assisted hatching to help it along.
As usual the procedure takes about 10 mins all up.
We could see a bright glow in my uterus where the embryo landed nicely along with a glob of embryo glue to help it stick.
Embryologist cleared the catheter and we were good to go.
No more doxycycline as of today instead start taking a low dose aspirin for the next 12 weeks.
With all of this COVID19 pandemic, I was lucky to even be able to go ahead with any kind of IVF treatment.
Lucky I completed a full cycle of stimulation and had the egg retrieval last month and not this month. Our clinic has canceled all other procedures for the time being. Was really banking on getting this little embryo in my uterus before the Australian Government completely locks us down. My heart goes out to those who are currently in a position who aren’t able to be so fortunate.
Today was our lucky day.
At 10:45am I was scheduled for legs up in the air.
Arrived at the fertility clinic right on time, with a partial full bladder as instructed. Only to be told the Doctor was running late. Ok thats cool I thought….15 mins goes by ……Bladder filling up even more now…..20 mins goes past……oh my gosh I really need to pee. 24 mins late now.
The receptionist comes out and says ‘ you can let a little out if you need to, there is still one more person before you and the doctor hasn’t arrived yet’. And just as she finished saying that….. BAM The doctor flys through the door. Oh thank goodness I thought…..’Its okay’ I reply, “I’ll hold on to my bladder”.
Tell ya what, talk about kegel exercises – this was next level!
Pushing it to the limit – 40 minutes past the scheduled transfer. Busting to wee SO BAD. Finally got called in.
Running down the hallway alongside the nurse that is completely aware I may piss every where at any second. Ripped off my pants so fast that it could have been a party trick. Got into the treatment room and was ready for an embryo transfer.
They raised me to the ceiling ……tilted me back, lined up the ultrasound wand on my pelvis and bang ….the computer screen turns off!
Not enough time to panic before the screen comes back on. In goes the speculum (DRY) then the catheter and now here comes our embryo! With glue this time.
Ultrasound screen freezes. Not to worry, embryologist leapt to the rescue. Hit few buttons and we were back viewing a glowing dot on the screen. Embryo is where it should be. Dr counted 15 seconds on the clock before removing the catheter, then we were done.
This being my sixth round with this amazing fertility team the vibe was a lot more relaxed, bum out don’t care, assisting the nurse where I can, because I know the procedure so well. The staff have become family. It’s quite touching how much they all really want this as much as I do.
Heres thinking of you baby 2BB.
To promote and stabilise this pregnancy our treatment plan is to take : Aspirin 100mg ; to thin my blood aiming to help with implantation process. Prednisolone 15mg ; to Suppress my immune system, reducing immune cells called “Natural Killer Cells” which can help promote pregnancy.
Also took 17 days of Doxycline 100mg leading up to this frozen embryo transfer, to aid in warding off any possible infections.
The Pipeless Lovers Journey through I.V.F 