Egg Retrieval Day!

Today was the day! We arrived at the center at 7:45 this morning. Our egg retrieval was scheduled for 9:00, but we were told to be there an hour early. The nurse took us both back to a recovery room where I signed a few more consents and changed into my lovely hospital gown attire, complete with orange and white striped socks. The nurse started my IV and took me back to the operating room. Kirby went back to the waiting room to wait, and I assume play about 1000 games of Bejeweled on his phone. When I got to the OR the nurse had me lay back as they pumped the meds into me. They had music (Mumford & Sons) playing in the background, which helped to relax me. After the medicine kicked in and I dozed off they began the retrieval. The only thing I remember is feeling sharp, shooting pains in my uterus every couple of minutes. One of the nurses was holding my hand and I would squeeze it when the pain came. After the procedure they walked me to the recovery room to wake up. I briefly remember hearing the nurse tell me that they had retrieved 5 eggs. They wrote it on my hand so that I wouldn't forget,

The nurse brought Kirby back to wait with me.

I had almost no pain when I finally woke up. I think this is because I didn't have very many follicles. Here is Kirby keeping me company. Notice his nervousness...his foot is going a mile a minute. :)

Finally, I changed back into my clothes and the nurse walked me out to my car. The doctor is going to call us tomorrow around lunchtime to tell us how many, if any, eggs fertilized. If everything goes as planned we will have our embryo transfer on Sunday evening!

Trigger shot

Kirby had to give me the HCG trigger shot tonight. We were both so nervous!

I think the preparation for the shot was more nerve-racking than the acual shot itself! Everything went fine though, and hopefully this is a success!

We're Almost There!

Kirby and I went to our U/S today. The dr. said that I have about 6 follicles that we are still watching. This is a significantly low number, as expected, but the doctors still seem confidant. We have our LAST U/S on Sunday morning. We will be given an exact time to do the HCG injection, which has to be done exactly 35 hours before the egg retrieval. Then the egg retrieval is going to be on Tuesday. I'm getting soo nervous. I'm trying to give it all to God and have complete faith, but at the same time not set myself up for disappointment. I'm just overall very excited that we're finally to this point.

Lifestyle change

I am going to try to help this process along as much as I can. I haven't been doing a very good job of making healthy choices when it comes to my lifestyle. I'm making a change...
*Exercise-I haven't been walking like I'd like to, or like I use to. It's so hot outside, it's hard to find the right time. I'm going to start walking again, even if I have to walk around Wal-Mart to beat the heat.
*Water- I need to lay off the caffiene and pick up some water. I usually have at least one soda a day. While that's not terrible, I'd like to limit sodas to maybe once or twice a week.
*Diet-When it comes to my food choices...let's just say I'm an emotional eater. Some things I've read include:
*Pineapple-The compound Bromelin, found in pineapple is believed by many to increase the chances of success. Bromelin can dissolve the proteins which may inhibit implantation. Take an average sized pineapple and divide it into 5 portions. Eat a portion a day beginning with embryo transfer day.
*Spinach-Folic acid is one of the most important nutrients to consume while going through the IVF procedure, as well as once you become pregnant. Spinach is a sound source of folic acid, which will ensure healthy implantation as well as help prevent certain birth defects. Folic acid also contributes to the early development of an embryo. Eat a spinach salad or add spinach to pasta sauce. Other leafy greens, as well as orange juice, are additional sources of folic acid.

Moving right along

Today was a big day for us. We had our baseline ultrasound and then a hysteroscopy. The baseline showed that I have 9 follicles that they could see. 5 on one side and 4 on the other. I'm hoping that the medicine continues working and they grow! Speaking of growing follicles, here is a fuuny conversation between Erica and I.

The hysteroscopy went great as well! The doctor said there are no cysts or fibroids or anything. Everything is perfect! Praising the Lord!
So we are moving right along with IVF. I will start taking 81 mg of baby Aspirin on Thursday. I will also start my Menopur and Follistim injections. Our next ultrasound is next Wednesday. :)

IVF Meds. Whoa.

We received our package in the mail yesterday!

Wow.

We basically have a pharmacy on our kitchen table.

On a related note, I started my Sub-Q Lupron injections today. It was the first injection I've ever had to give myself. It wasn't bad at all. I was soo nervous I wouldn't be able to do it. When I finished, Kirby looked up from the couch where he was sitting and said, "Hey! You're finished!? I wanted to watch!" Glad he's so supportive. :)

Feeling Optimistic

Kirby and I had our appointment today to basically (HA!) go over everything we need to know about the IVF process. We also had to sign a couple consent forms and have more bloodwork done. I got my medication schedule...yikes!

I have been on birth control since last week. I will stay on that until the 15th. I'm also taking 800 mcg of Folic Acid and 75 mg of DHEA. Next Wednesday I will start my Sub-Q (in my tummy) Lupron injections. I'll do that all the way up until the egg retrieval. I will start Follistim and Menopur (which are also sub-q injections) on the 19th and continue those until the egg retrieval as well. After the retrieval, I will begin Progesterone, Estrogen, Prednisolone, Ganirelix, and Doxycycline. We haven't been able to pin point the exact date yet, but the estimated date of the egg retrieval will be somewhere between July 31 and August 1. Because my egg count is lower than it should be, my doctor said she doesn't expect to retrieve a huge amount. (Typically they are happy with 15 or more. In my case they would be happy with about 8.) I will know that day how many eggs were retrieved. The eggs are then going to be ferilized with the help of ICSI. On hopefully day 5, we will go back in for the transfer!