This is my FET #2 cycle at 42 and half years old with donor eggs! I decided to document this one a little more in detail, including numbers from the test results. The transfer appointment was on October 25, 2023 despite the date this was posted.
This post is the 3rd one in this series so far: I first shared my Baseline Appointment and then the Endometrium Appointment. You can read more about my journey here.
Leading up to this day, I’ve been taking (2) 2mg tablets of Estradiol and 1 ml of Progesterone oil Injections every night at 8:30pm. Well… about that time, if you know what I mean. I’m a recovering fainter, so I first started the tradition of calling my mom every time for my injections with FET #1. She’s a great distraction! Plus, it’s a sweet bonding time, and I’m glad to include her in the experience. This second time was no different. I’m also surprised I’m not bruising as much as I expected.
I’ve been making a big effort to relax and get enough sleep the few weeks leading up to this transfer. Including several appointments of acupuncture. It’s really good for fertility and it really relaxes me. Besides the Estadiol totally puts me out. Like I was passed out thirty minutes after taking it the first time. I like taking baths, but my husband removed our only bathtub from the guest bathroom because we’re remodeling. We have a stock tank that my husband fills up with hot water from the shower lines we have plumbed in the garage. It’s really nice and relaxing to sit on the back porch under the stars and watch a video or listen to a podcast. Recently we had a friend move and gave us his blow-up hot tub. That’s what we soaked in the night before the transfer. We were on the back porch, in the hot tub while it was raining, listening to jazz music. It sounds really romantic until you must know we only got the water to 95. Let’s just say the heater is weak at best. Despite the temperature, it was still really nice and relaxing.
The first time around, I made the transfer into this HUGE thing! I told myself that many times, too which put more stress on it. I have to say in general, I was so much more relaxed this time around. One, since I’ve already done it before, it put me more at ease. Two, this is our last embryo with donor eggs and thought many times, “I didn’t care. We have to try, but if it doesn’t work, we’re done.” It’s true. It’s the walls I put up to protect myself. There were so many reasons why this time wasn’t a huge thing, and I knew if it didn’t work, I would ok. The first transfer was in July where I had done a lot of the mental work, so this time I didn’t feel I needed to the do this time.
I took the day of the transfer off. I started off the morning walking the pups and went straight to the acupuncture appointment. My anxiety was pretty high that day, so it really helped with that. Then off we went to the clinic. I already needed to use the restroom, but I was supposed to come with a full bladder. I finished my cup of water I had in the car. At the clinic, the embryologist spoke to us about the embryo and stressed this was the last one and there wasn’t any more after this. Yes! Yes, I’m well aware, but thanks for the reminder! The embryo was ready, but I wasn’t.
Everything happened much like it did the first time. In the room, I confirmed my name and before I undressed we looked at my bladder to see if it was too full. Of course it was too full. Peeing for only 3 seconds is not easy! Back in the room, I had a full bladder, I was cold and hungry. It was a terrible combo. I knew there’s blankets on the OR side and asked for one. Once the doctor got me ready, she confirmed through the old-school speaker phone to bring the embryo into the room. Name confirmed again for our embryo. The doctor transfer our last embryo into my uterus and left the mouse sitting where the embryo was located on the screen. This time I needed to lay there a few minutes before emptying my bladder.
On the way home, we made a few errands. Pulling out of Tractor Supply, my husband hit a curb. The entire city heard me gasp! I was so worried this was going to effect the embryo somehow! It also surprised me, yes, but I was more worried.
It was finally time for lunch. This time I didn’t want to go out to eat. This time I wanted a good home-cooked hardy meal. I roasted squash from our garden and had broth that I just made to create a delicious soup with fried eggs from our chickens. We watched funny movies the rest of the afternoon, and I took a two-hour nap. It was perfect.
Let the two-week wait begin! Blood work to test my HGC level is scheduled for Friday at 1:15 pm.
Note 1: About that McDonald’s fries IVF tradition: I didn’t partake either time. First, they are terrible for you and I can’t support that place. I never eat there in the first place, why would I start now?! Second, I don’t believe I need it! I believe this is one.
Note 2: Does the picture look a little off to you, too? Yes, that’s the picture my husband took the day of the transfer (middle) but the left and right side is created with the help of AI. The photo isn’t the right size for the post in the first place.
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