Choices

In April after our last IVF was negative, we had a follow-up meeting with our doctor. I was a bit of a blubbering mess not only from the plummeting hormones, but because of the fact that I never thought we'd have to do IVF in the first place, much less have 2 failed cycles. I was looking for some kind of reason from the doctor, but there was nothing he could say to make me feel better.

During our follow-up consultation, we discussed our options for this frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. At first, Dr. B suggested we just thaw out all ten of our 3 day embryos and pick the best. I think he saw our jaws dropped to the floor because he quickly suggested we do a "serial" thaw instead. In a serial thaw, the embryos are thawed one at a time until they have the number of viable embryos that you want to transfer. He also recommended that we transfer 5 embryos this time.

As our transfer date approaches, I'm starting to wonder if this is our best choice. It's not because of the number of embryos as you would think. We weren't successful with 4 last time, so I'm ok with 5. I do have the occassional glimpse in my mind of an ultrasound screen with 5 heartbeats...but that would be very, very unlikely.
My hesitation is about the fact that we have 2 frozen embryos that made it to blastocyst stage. The clinic does not freeze 4 celled embryos, so they let them continue to culture and see if they make it to blastocysts. On our first cycle, two of them actually made it. Blastocysts are 120 cells and are much more likely to implant.

So here's the thing, we only have 2 and only 70% of embryos survive the thaw process. So do we take that risk and use the 2 blasts? The whole round and months of shots could be for nothing if the blasts don't make it through the thaw. Do we wait until the next round and try it then? Is there a way to do a few at the 3 day transfer, then come back and do more at 5 days? These are the types of questions I roll over and over in my mind all day. How do we know what's the right thing? Do we just follow our doctor's recommendation blindly? Ugggh, it's so hard for someone like me that likes to have all the answers....but I don't.

An exciting day!

Well, we received the call around 7:30 this morning that we would be doing a 3 day transfer today. They gave us no information about the embryos, but we could at least assume that 5 of them had not made it to 8 cells. To be honest, I was hoping for a 3 day transfer anyway. This gives us the possibility to freeze...and all my work arrangements were already set.

So, I went to my acupunture appt at 9:15...but they were running late. I'm stressing. Luckily everyone was flexible and it all worked out. I had needles in crazy places today....both ears, top of my head, my feet (those itched) and my legs.

Then, we headed right over to the lab and they set us up right away. We are part of the harp study so the harp was set up and ready to go. I had to fill out a survey about my "state of calmness" etc., then they took my blood pressure. The harpist came in an began to play, hubby rubbed my temples....then the dr came in and told us he recommended a 3 embryo transfer. We had an 8cell, a 7 cell and a 6 cell put back in. We both agreed we were much more comfortable with 3 going back then 4 so I was glad that the dr thought so too. The transfer was a little uncomfortable but ok. In other good news, 8 of the other embryos made it to 5 cell stage, so those are going to be frozen! yay!

Then, after another survey, blood pressure and a few more minutes of the harp, I was back at the acupunturist. This time I was pretty tired. I guess from the stressful part finally being over. I had needles in my ears and hands and legs, so falling asleep was a bit difficult, My arm kept dropping off my belly and I was afraid I was going to jam a needle in.

All in all, it was a pretty good experience.......but I'm still hoping I don't have to go through all this again! Couldn't I have met my husband a few years earlier? It would have been so much easier!