I woke up in the wee hours of the morning to make sure that I inserted the endometrin vaginal suppository at exactly 4:30am because the instructions specifically say to do so 5 hours before go time. It was simple enough with an applicator, like putting in a tampon. I tried to go back to sleep, but I was wide awake by then and started to get anxious and excited.
After laying down for 4 more hours, John made us breakfast, I took my daily morning dose of drugs, and we got ready. I was told to be completely fragrance-free because embryos are sensitive to the chemicals in scented products, so I had already taken a shower the night before. I put on all my lucky charms from friends and family. And since John was not allowed to be in the procedure room, (Thanks Covid-19) I wore John’s favorite shirt. Of course, he was wearing it the night before, so he did laundry and cleaned house!
We drove the short 15 minutes to the in virto fertilization institute and said our goodbyes at the patient drop off area. I would have never thought in a million years that I would get pregnant without my husband there!
I got my temperature checked at the entrance, went upstairs, checked in precisely 30 minutes before my appointment, and took my Dr’s “cocktail” of pre-procedure drugs. I also drank my whole bottle of water because I had to have a full bladder so the doctor can clearly see in the uterus.
A nurse brought me down to the procedure room and I laughed because I just loved the old framed poster on the wall.
She did a quick transabdominal ultrasound (hooray not another transvaginal ultrasound for the umpteenth time!) to check if my bladder was full and she freaked out that it wasn’t. Uh oh. She gave me a small water bottle and said, “Tank this.” I chugged it and she said, “Yeah girl!”, but it wasn’t enough, so she gave me another one. She asked me if the drugs were kicking in and I told her I didn’t feel any different yet and she looked worried about that too. I started getting nervous.
Someone from the lab came in to ask me to spell my first and last name and date of birth. I think this was to make sure the embryo was in fact mine. Then my doctor came in, stuck a speculum up my vagina, clamped it open, and the nurse pushed down hard with the ultrasound transducer on my belly for the doctor to check if my bladder was full enough. She said I didn’t look like my bladder was full because I’m skinny. (Thanks IVF diet!) My doctor used a catheter to plan the route to transfer the embryo. I told her that when I did the IUIs, she told me to remember the 3:00 position. She said she was glad I mentioned that because she was planning to do 6:00.
The embryologist came in with the embryo and said, “The embryo looks very pretty!” Thanks, they get it from me. 😂
My doctor guided the embryo into my uter-verse and that was that!
I laid there for a while. I’m not sure how long because the drugs were making me drowsy. Then I went to the bathroom to empty my bladder and John picked me up. He took me straight to my acupuncturist where I don’t remember anything she said and I slept during the whole session.
Then I ate glorious French fries because it’s an IVF embryo transfer tradition! Seriously, look it up.
I also ate pineapple because it has bromelain – an enzyme (especially in the core) that may help the embryo implant into the uterus. I changed into my Grandma’s shirt for more good vibes and completely knocked out after getting knocked up.
Thank you John for making sure I had everything I needed and wanted, took all the drugs at the right time, supporting me from as close as you could be during the embryo transfer, and surprising me with my favorite flower, a protea, from Maui. You’re the best sperm donor ever! 😛 Love you!
We’re celebrating that we’ve made it to the end of IVF. We’re technically pregnant! 🥳 3 weeks today to be exact. Crazy right?! Now all that’s left is the Two Week Wait to give our embaby a chance to attach to my uterine lining, implant, and start developing into a fetus. We’re hopeful that they are here to stay!🤞🏽
We truly appreciate all the calls, FaceTimes, texts, messages, and comments. We’re the luckiest people to have so much love and support. Thank you, thank you and please keep the positivity, sticky vibes, and baby dust coming! ✨