Candace: Holy Moley, it has been a rough few days. Since I have such a great reaction to the stimulation meds, we have great embie numbers which results in a sick Candace but a happy one nonetheless. Allow me to brag about my awesome ovaries; 14 fertilized, and from that we got 6 blastocysts!
What are blastocysts you ask? Some doctors push for 3 day embryos. That means the embies have been growing in their petri baby-cradle till about 8 cells. A blastocyst which is grown in the petri baby-cradle for 5 days is comprised of 80-100 cells. This is the human cell stage right before the embryo “hatches” and implants to the unterine wall. These are the upper echelon, VIP, super rock star embroys. They are the true meaning of survival of the fittest. The fact is, unless you produce high quality and high quantity embryos, it is a long grueling 5 days for those embies to get to that stage. You will lose a lot of lesser quality embroyos along the way, hence why many shoot for 3 day. Simply put, you can bank on blastocysts being heartier embyros if they make it. Chris and I rolled the dice and it paid off. We have blasts, and some to freeze! {doing the cabbage patch dance}.
Chris: So let’s talk about Egg Transfer day. You get up early, again, but this time, you do not need to have much stress. They are going to put your lovely lady in a bed and tell her to start drinking water. She has to have a fulllll (intentional mispelling) bladder so they can do the transfer better. No limitations for us fellas though. We can drink coffee, go to the bathroom, yodel, if you are so inclined. So, after Candace drinks the water, then they will do the transfer. The nurses wheel her back to the sterile room, the Dr. gets the embies in a preloaded syringe with a long flexible tube on the end, and once they have the ultrasound right where they want it, transfer the little globules of genetic abundance into Candace’s uterus. Yep, no worries of sperm making the fantastic voyage, no searching the fertility seas for a random egg to fertilize. That is all done. Now, this future us gets a free ride right into its, hopefully, home for the next 9 months.
Once the transfer is done, then they wheel Candace back out and we get to chill with the nurses for a hour. Candace still is not allowed to use the bathroom, so guys, now is where the internal debate begins. I just had 3 cups of coffee, I really need to use the bathroom but I don’t want to be “that guy” that puts his wife through just a little more torture (one more turn on the tourniquet) by showing off that I can go to the bathroom. So, you grin and bear it with her. Baby-making, after all, is a team sport. Once the hour is up, Candace can pee, I can pee, I go get the car, and we head home. Candace will spend the next 48 hours on her rump-what’s new, just kidding-and I will make her delicious meals. She won’t be throwing these ones up though like she did during the stimulation process, unless my cooking really is that bad. Now, for some pictures of our monumental occassion …
H- Yeah those are matching shirts! This is what we wore to put our little blasties back where they belong! Chris was very happy it was on a Sunday and very early in the am. He is a good sport, yes we were that dorky couple with matching shirts. Chris kept his hair a little messy so Candace would really look awesome.
Chris: Well folks, here it is. The holiest of holy waters! Yes, why pay $1 for bottled water when you can spend $4 and get one with a fancy square bottle and a foreign sounding name. This was the water that Candace required, no, demanded for her transfer water. I joke on Candace constantly about this water. I captured this breath-taking picture of the sun shining through this emaculate bottle of water. Truly … an inspiration photo.
Here is the awesome couple, matching shirts, bunny suits, ready to make a baby. Do you think Candace should change careers and become a lunch lady?
Baby makin’ time. You can’t see it, but there is a confident, joyful smile under the face mask. Who knew that not only were these things good for preventing the spread of flu, but you could also use them to enhance the romance of an egg transfer. Mr. Rico Suave himself!
I maybe smiling but what I am REALLY thinking is: How on Earth can I smile for a picture right now when I have to F&%$ing pee so F&%$ing bad right now. Think non liquid thoughts Candace —“Kumbaya my lord.. Kumbaya” crap thats not working! Why in the world am I thinking of Niagara Falls right now? OOOOOh I gotta pee. Shit! I have 45 more minutes to go??!
Introducing our 2 hopeful additions to the family, Scrambles and Lacey. Originally, Chris was calling them Philbert and Lacey, but Candace had to put the Kaibash on that. Which one do you think is going to be the trouble-making, rabble-rousing, one responsible for Chris losing all his hair?
And the 48 hour bedrest begins. No showering, no wild parties, I am to be on doctor’s orders “princess mode”. These embroys have to get the royal treatment. Don’t get any ideas there little embies. Once you get old enough (is 3 the right age) it is going to be chores and homework. For know, let’s all take it easy.
Thank you for such a great explanation of the reason for a 3 day VS 5 day transfer. I lurk on some IF boards (though my problems have been slightly different) and never quite understood the reason for the different approach. Your explanation was awesome. I am sure this is a very anxious time for you both. Ive got all my fingers and toes crossed for you guts. Keep us updated as you feel comfortable doing.
XOXO
Lynn
Thank you Lynn! We actually have a blog in the future works on specifically on 3 day vs 5 day. Its always a big question. You should join my FB page, I too “lurk” <- Love. On several IVF, and adoption boards. Thanks again for your support and for following our journey.
I am so proud of you both for sharing your experience with the world. So many people take for granted how simple it can be to get pregnant when so many amazing and loving people struggle.
I love your wit and humor and the fact that throughout everything you are staying determined with a smile on your faces!
THINK POSITIVE II
~Erin
You guys are troopers!!! Love you both! =)