I wanted to pop on here and provide a little update for anyone who is following along.

21 eggs retrieved.
15 mature.
13 fertilized.

I am taking it easy while recovering from my egg retrieval. The retrieval went pretty well, aside from the horrible nausea upon waking up from the anesthesia and some aches and pains. The lab called this morning and told me that of the 21 eggs that were retrieved, 15 were mature, and 13 of the mature eggs fertilized normally.

We are very, very cautiously optimistic. Let me explain.

For a normal woman going through IVF, these appear to be great numbers. HOWEVER, retrieving eggs and getting them to fertilize doesn’t appear to be our issue (judging from IVF#1). Our issue is getting these little embryos to survive to their day 5 transfer and beyond. So crunch time really sets in for us after fertilization (a.k.a. in the next few days).

We were also slightly disappointed because our last IVF looked like this on day 1 post-retrieval:

23 eggs retrieved.
15 mature.
15 fertilized.

I was preparing myself for the fact that we would not be able to live up to a 100% fertilization rate like with IVF #1. However, when you actually hear the embryologist telling you that you have less embryos to work with this time around than your last IVF (which failed) you tend to get nervous. Last time, we lost all of our embies except the two that we transferred (which didn’t take). So naturally all kinds of questions and thoughts are swirling around in my head. For the most part, it is just too early to tell if this cycle is any different from the last one. But, I am scared.

Prayers and good thoughts welcomed for our (hopefully) lucky 13.

thelessthandomesticgoddess

12 Comments

  1. shutterbugwife

    June 10, 2013

    Fingers crossed for you hun!!!

  2. aneonprincess

    June 10, 2013

    Try to relax in the next few days. Good things will happen, I can feel it. Will you do acupuncture with the transfer?

  3. Sunny

    June 10, 2013

    Fingers crossed!! Thinking of you!

  4. Kimberly Michelle

    June 10, 2013

    sending lots of positive thoughts and love your way!

  5. Katie and Monroe Campbell

    June 11, 2013

    praying. we are just a few days behind you on our first cycle! Yikes I am nervous!!

  6. Jodi

    June 11, 2013

    Oh Carly I SO SO hope that these little suckers make it! I just can't even imagine being in your shoes. You've been through so much w/ all of this. I'll be praying. I really really hope this works for you. Stay strong!!!!

  7. Amy

    June 11, 2013

    Sending good thoughts and prayers!!

  8. Kendall

    June 11, 2013

    Absolutely thinking of you ad sending positive vibes!!! Please keep us all posted! Xo

  9. Amanda @ The Fix-Its

    June 11, 2013

    I'm feeling so hopeful for you! 13 was our lucky number 😉

  10. thelessthandomesticgoddess

    June 11, 2013

    Thank you, friends!! I can feel the love. I hope those little embryos feel it too. 🙂

    @aneonprincess: No acupuncture this time. For some reason, I found that it really stressed me out with IVF #1. Counterproductive, right? Haha. I did one session before and one following transfer, and we still failed. So, I am just taking it easy this time around.

    @Amanda: Seriously?! Gooooo Lucky 13! 🙂

  11. thelessthandomesticgoddess

    June 11, 2013

    @Katie: Best of luck and fingers crossed!! I'll be thinking of you!

  12. Cyn Franklin

    June 15, 2013

    Carly, I found your blog a few years ago, I've been reading off and on…because I miss the L.A. area (I grew up in the Pasadena/Arcadia area, now live in Washington) Also, because I can relate to what you are going through. It took us a few years to get pregnant, we finally had a little girl last year. I'm sending happy thoughts your way, I'm so hopeful this will work for you, try to rest and relax.

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