Part 32: We've Got Embryos!!!

One of the embryologists called the day after the retrieval to give us a fertilization update (or "Fert Report" as she called it).  Retrieval day is considered Day 0, so as of Day 1, we had the following:

• Of the 22 eggs that were retrieved, 18 were mature and able to undergo ICSI
• Of the 18 that were injected, 11 successfully fertilized

She said that they seemed to be doing well so far, and that someone would call the following day to let us know if we'd be doing a Day 3 or Day 5 transfer. 

I don't work on Mondays, so I was able to take it easy all day.  I felt fine for the most part, although the crampy, bloated feeling was a little worse and my ovaries still felt swollen.  It also kind of hurt to engage my abdominal muscles - like to stand from a sitting position or roll from side to side in bed.  Needless to say, I was more than willing to be a couch potato for most of the day :)

I was still taking my antibiotic.  I also began a whole different drug regimen for post-retrieval uterine/pregnancy support which included the following:

• Endometrin vaginal suppositories (100 mg each) 3 times a day
• Estrace pills (2 mg) 2 times a day
• Progesterone in oil (PIO) injections (50 mg/ml) once a day
• Baby aspirin (81 mg) once a day

I'd heard that PIO shots could be, well, a bitch - for lack of a better word.  According to my post-retrieval instructions, and everything the nurses had said to me, it was important to do everything possible to minimize discomfort while maximizing absorption into the bloodstream.  So that night, while Paul got out the necessary supplies and drew up the dose, I prepared by icing my butt.  One of the nurses had recommended that I lean on the kitchen counter while shifting my weight to the leg opposite the injection site.  I assumed the position and braced for the worst...  I didn't feel a thing.  I actually asked Paul if he was sure he'd done it.  Either icing had worked REALLY well or I had a higher-than-usual pain tolerance, but it was no where near as bad as I'd heard it could be.  Immediately after, I massaged the injection site (as instructed) with a hot washcloth for a few minutes to help distribute the medication.  Then, I sat on a heating pad for about 10-15 minutes to help with absorption.  Talk about a production!

Tuesday I decided to work from home.  I was still feeling bloated enough that the thought of putting on work pants wasn't appealing.  The lab called sometime that morning and said that the embryos were all growing and we would be doing a Day 5 transfer that Friday.  Good news!  That night B came over to do my injection since Paul was on shift.  She'd never done one before, so I showed her the pharmacy video and told her to stab away.  We did the opposite side that night, and again, I didn't feel a thing.

I decided I would go in for a half day on Wednesday since I had some meetings that I needed to attend.  The bloating was still an issue and sitting in my car for the commute was not the most fun.  By the end of the day, I was feeling pretty crummy.  I don't know if it was the bloating or if I just overdid it in general, but I emailed my boss that night to let her know I'd be working from home again on Thursday and then taking a sick day Friday for the transfer. 

Thursday came and went.  I felt pretty good - just getting to wear sweatpants all day definitely helped!  I got a call during the day letting me know what time we were to arrive at the clinic on Friday, as well as an email with pre- and post-transfer instructions (eat a light breakfast, bring a water bottle, wearing loose, comfy clothing, etc).  I was starting to feel a little nervous - but it was an excited nervous.  Barring any last minute problems, in less than 24 hours I'd be pregnant-until-proven-otherwise!