IVF Hunger Games

This whole IVF thing sometimes reminds me of the Hunger Games. You start with a certain number of follicles. At each ‘stage’ you lose some and it is hard to predict how many you will have left at the end. Last week, I posted the following numbers after our first retrieval:

– 17 Follicles
– 12 retrieved
– 10 matured
– 7 fertilized (we did ICSI on all of them)
– out of the 7, 6 looked really good

Here is how things ended up.
– All 7 made it to 5 day blastocyst
– Four were strong enough for a biopsy and freezing

I currently have four precious little frozen blastocysts just waiting to implant themselves in my tummy. The next step for them is PGS (they have to wait a few months for that though). My RE thinks that most of the abnormal ones are probably gone (this is a benefit of waiting 5 days to freeze). He predicts that 3 will be normal. So far, he has been right on the mark with everything and I have a lot of faith in him.

Once AF starts, I will call my RE and we will figure out the earliest time we can start retrieval #2. Hopefully, my body will be ready sooner rather than later. Genesis genetics is closed for a few weeks starting on December 20th which could impact me. After genetic testing on my two cycles, we will then FINALLY be able to do a transfer!

I am elated with our results so far. I have mentioned many times that our infertility is unexplained. Sometimes couples who are unexplained become explained after the retrieval process. Age is not considered a big factor for me (I am 31) so that is not really considered. I am so happy that I now know I am able to produce eggs which are able to mature, fertilize and make it to a 5 day blastocyst! I know it is possible that all of them are genetically abnormal (which could be the cause of our infertility) but I am trying to stay positive.

For now, I am going to enjoy the break from injections, doctors appointments, side effects, worrying, etc. I am also going to keep up my fertility diet, but I am going to cut myself a little slack. I look forward to enjoying a cocktail (or two) which will be my first one since well before we started this cycle. I am also going to eat some Italian food full of delicious carbs and I am not going to feel one bit bad about it. – Jennie