Embryo Transfer Archives - Page 3 of 3

Day 5 IVF Results

November 27, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

Embryo transfer on Tuesday went off without a hitch – apart from the fact that I think I unsettled the embryologist. No necessarily a good thing when they are the custodian of your embryos. The embryologist came in as usual and informed me that they had chosen a mature blastocyst that was just starting to hatch. I saw a lovely picture of it. I asked the embryologist if there were any more blastocysts suitable for transfer. I think I may have taken her by surprise.

She asked me if I understood the risks of having two blastocysts transferred and that the one they had chosen was top quality. I told her I understood the risks but I did not mind if I had a multiple birth. I told her that I was 40 and I didn’t care. I told her that every time I came to clinic I had promising blastocysts but by the next day there were never any left apart from the one that got transferred. I said I that given this, I thought it would be better in me! I wasn’t having a go at the clinic for saying this – it was more the fact that it has been so disappointing not to have any more embryos left.

She said that there were a couple of early blastocysts but that they would have to go back and reassess which one would be suitable for transfer. I mentioned that I had filled out the relevent paperwork that outlined that we preferred to have the option if having one or two transferred. I wasn’t sure of the protocol but had wondered when they were going to check with me if I wanted one or two transferred. The end result was that the clinic ended up transferring two. The whole experience was a little more relaxing than normal – for a start there was soft music playing in the background and for some reason I felt more relaxed than I had in ages. Maybe it was the acupuncture I had? Maybe it was the fact that I am no longer working for same manager who I used to work for (talk about stress me out).

After the transfer the embryologist reappeared with the paperwork in hand to ensure I had given consent for two. After looking at the paperwork she realised that we had already nominated this on the form so from her end everything was OK. I had suspected that I had unsettled her but that fact that she reappeared with paperwork confirmed it. Believe it or not, after my discussion with her I had to wait for 2 days to find out how many embryos survived to day 5. I had been expecting that we would get the same results as usual – no embryos left for freezing but I was pleasantly surprised. We actually had three surviving blastocysts so now have them on ice! How exciting! Could it be that extra care was given to my little embies after my discussion. Probably not – but it still makes me wonder. Doesn’t matter – I have spares. This is the best news – no more drugs for a little while. So it is now the third day since my transfer and I am in the dreaded two week wait. Back to breast groping again.

Fertilization Results Day 4

November 23, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

Well the moment of truth has arrived. As the clinic has not been accessible over the weekend, I learnt today that we have 8 remaining embryos. Essentially, the development of one embryo was arrested (I think this means it stopped developing) and the other two were growing a bit slowly and were behind. As I well know, a lot can happen between day 4 and day 5. Last time we had 13 day 3 embryos and only ended up with 1 by Day 5.

The funny thing is that I have this spreadsheet thing going on where I record all my IVF results – from egg collection – to how many is left at day 3 and day 5. Based on our track record, I actually predicted that we would end up with 8 embryos by Day 3. My next prediction is that we will only end up with 1 by the time we get down to it. I’d prefer not to have to make this prediction and I could be wrong. It could be worse – we might end up with none or we might end up with more. Having more would be a pleasant surprise.

This time, we had been thinking of having two embryos transferred. However, I have not been feeling well the last few days. I’ve still got a sore tummy and I have been waking up to go to the toilet to urinate about 3 times a night. This is not normal for me. Given this, I called the clinic and let them know. I didn’t want to risk transfer if I was unwell. The end result was that I had to visit the clinic again today and have an ultrasound and blood test. Everything came up normal even though I don’t really feel my normal self. The ultrasound revealed that potentially I may have a spot on my gall bladder and this would be worth checking out, however, it shouldn’t impact the transfer and I am still good to go for tomorrow. So my dilemma now is whether to transfer one embryo or two? Might have to sit on that one until I see how I feel tomorrow.

Embryo Transfer Entourage

October 5, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

On Saturday I had my last frozen embryo transferred into my uterus. Nothing unusual about that apart from the fact that were several people present during the transfer that normally would not be there.

Besides the usual suspects of having the Doctor, Nurse and Embryologist in the room, I also brought three other very important people in my life along – my husband, my mother-in-law and my mother who had flown in from Perth to help me celebrate my recent 40th birthday.

Picture this. Three scientists plus my two mothers and my husband all watching as I put my legs in stirrups and spread em! Who would have thought this was possible. After 7 rounds of IVF and several doctors, nurses and embryologists later, you become de-sensitized to normal thoughts of modesty. Seriously though, it wasn’t so bad.

My family had back row seats and were solidly behind me when all this action was taking place. They had the privilege of watching the big screen – only trouble was that there was no Gold Class seats. Lets just say that the tiny little room was somewhat cramped.

In any case, all went on without a hitch. My mother was treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity for watching her potential grandmother hood on the ultrasound. My mother-in-law got to see science in action. My husband on the other hand was over it.

Maybe having the support around might act as a good luck charm. Who knows – maybe I am suspicious but my mother is a devout Christian so I figured getting her and God into the act might help my cause. Am I clutching at straws? Probably!

Next steps – live in the two week waiting zone.

Vitamin D: Tips for IVF Success

September 14, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

An interesting study has indicated that women have higher chances of achieving pregnancy if they have high levels of vitamin D in their serum and follicular fluid (FF) after IVF-embryo transfer.

The results of this study was published recently in the online edition of the journal, Fertility and Sterility. The study was conducted on 84 infertile women who were undergoing IVF to assess the link between IVF outcomes with vitamin D concentration.

Whilst vitamin D levels in the Follicular Fluid were inversely associated with body mass index, after adjustments, scientists observed significantly higher rates of clinical pregnancy and implantation when Vitamin D levels were higher.

This suggests that vitamin D supplements may enhance the outcome for infertile patients undergoing IVF as well as improving overall health.

Although vitamin D is known to play a key role in fetal bone growth, its exact role during fertilization and implantation is not really known. There is a need for scientists to now determine the appropriate doses of vitamin D that may help women during the preconception period and during pregnancy.

If you aren’t taking supplements, it might be a good idea since it is found naturally in many foods that are not often eaten. These foods include cod liver oil, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, herring; Vitamin D fortified milk and cereal, eggs.

Vitamin D is also added to milk and is manufactured in the skin as a result of direct exposure to sunlight.

Triggering Ovulation

July 29, 2009 By Carol Leave a Comment

Tonight heralds the night where I will inject the final needle that will trigger ovulation. I got the call from my nurse and was instructed to use Ovidrel at 9.30pm (EST) tonight. Of course, this means I will be checking in at “Hotel M” (my affectionate term for the world famous IVF clinic) at 10.30am Friday for my egg collection at 11am.

Hubby will also need to produce some sperm when we check in at the “Hotel.” It’s funny but I never really thought about how he produced his sample but I now have it on good advice that the cubicle where he is to “produce” is well equipped with visual stimuli including videos and magazines. I assume the content is soft porn. Who knows – it remains unspoken as I am sure my husband will not want to divulge this information.

In any case, after an intense couple of days of multiple needles, I find myself strangely looking forward to this last jab. On a personal note, I am feeling fine and not overly bloated which is good. I recall that our objective was to have less eggs of better quality (not 22 of poor quality like last time).

I find myself wondering how many eggs they will retrieve, will they fertilise and will they survive to a day 5 blastocyst. But most importantly I wonder if all these conditions are met – will the little embryo finally implant. This is place where IVF has failed in my last 6 attempts. At yes, time to keep playing the waiting game.