IVF 5: Embryo update

Of the 15 eggs retrieved yesterday, 11 were mature, and 7 fertilized.

This ties for lowest amount to fertilize in cycle 2. In that cycle we started out with 7 fertilized eggs after retrieving 12, and only 1 survived to biopsy (which turned out to be non-transferrable after PGD testing). Like I said in an earlier post, I know this is a cycle in a bubble and previous results have no impact at all on what happens now. We're working on staying positive - it is what it is.

Recovery is going well. I'm allowed pain killers every 4-6 hours and was careful about taking them every 5 hours to control the pain throughout the day yesterday. I drank a LOT to the point that I barely ate because there was no room. I was reminded how much it hurts to pee after a retrieval but thankfully that's getting better too the more I drink. I was up at 2:00 AM to pee and stayed up for about 3.5 hours just unable to fall back asleep. I took my pain killer and wasted time online. I stayed away from fertility stuff - I focused on window shopping and browsing Amazon.

I fell asleep again around 6 and slept until 8. I could take my next dose at 8:30 but figured I'll hold off until I need it. So now I have Tylenol and the prescription pain meds on standby for later as needed. So far so good. I remember from previous cycles that I tend to feel better in the morning, over do it, and then crash in the afternoon so I'm trying to rest. I couldn't resist doing the dishes and a load of laundry but other than that I'm hanging out in bed with my heat pad and endless fluids: water, seltzer, ginger ale, gatorade, and the splurge on a cup of coffee this morning.


I called IviGen to update my payment info so that when they get a shipment to biopsy later this week they will be able to process it without delay. I have to also contact my nurse to schedule the FET from the last embryo from our previous cycle and get the financial counselor to start the process with insurance.

I need to remember not to take any of the embryos for granted. As much as I'm being pulled to a disappointed mindset, I have to remember to take it one day at a time and continue to hope for the best. Right now we have 7 embryos growing. To hope they all make it to biopsy day may be unrealistic and we understand that. Even so, we are hoping for the best possible outcome, whatever that may be.