Day 23 (5DPT) - Anything that goes up must come down

Yay!! Finally recovered from the flu today though I felt a lot better yesterday. The days immediately following ET was a nightmare. I can stand a cold just not a sore throat. So it's true that anything that goes up must come down sooner or later. Just when you think you can't bear it anymore, it starts becoming better!! =)

I spent the few days after ET resting in bed because of the flu and not because I wanted to be particularly careful. Today is 5DPT (days past transfer) and I have another 3 days to go before the much awaited blood test at 9DPT. I have no symptoms so far except for breast tenderness which I was experiencing even before egg retrieval so no biggie there. The daily homework is just vaginal application of Crinone twice a day and that's it. The instruction was to apply once in the morning when I get up and once at night (no set time indicated). I try to apply at the same time both in the morning and at night so the time gap between each application is 12 hours. My logical reasoning is that this ensures a constant supply of progesterone in the blood stream everyday. The same reasoning was applied to the follicle stimulating injections which I took at approximately the same time everyday - constant flow of hormones in the body. The doctor's assistant instructed to "try" to take the injections at the same time everyday however if it's not at the same time then it's okay too and I have read somewhere that the stims do not have to be at the same time everyday as well. However, I don't want my body to feel like it's on a roller coaster ride everyday - a huge dip and then a big surge in hormones. It's just my personal approach to taking medications - whether it is for IVF or for a UTI. I also try to lie down for 15-20 mins after Crinone application and then move around to optimize absorption of the hormone.

The last few days, while I was resting I couldn't help compare the equipment at IVF Canada and Mackay Memorial Hospital. At IVF Canada, when I underwent IUI, my feet were mounted on metal stirrups hanging from an upright pole like a pendulum. When the speculum was inserted, it was the most uncomfortable experience!! I think the speculum was not the right size? I could feel the entire thing going inside, it was next to painful!! I still flinch when I think of it! At Mackay Memorial Hospital, the embryo transfer  included inserting a speculum however I felt the least discomfort! It was very smooth almost like glided in. There are no stirrups but actual "legrests" (think of armrests? these are legrests!) on the sides, support for the entire leg, very comfortable! I would chose to come back to Mackay Memorial Hospital to do IVF again or if this cycle is negative, they have excellent facilities and most importantly, a great IVF team here. IVF Canada - BUH BYE FOREVER!! Note: I am not promoting Mackay Memorial Hospital. I am just writing an honest, unbiased experience at both IVF clinics. The operation bed has the same leg rests set up at Mackay Memorial Hospital.


~~~~Let the next 3 days roll~~~~~

Day 18 - Embryo Transfer

The 5-day embryo transfer was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. We arrived on time and was asked to wait in the waiting room. After about 20 minutes my name was called and Dr. Lee with an embryologist appeared and let us know the below grades of the embryos. We also signed paperwork to freeze the remaining 6 embryos. For information on embryo grading, please refer to the following link: http://www.advancedfertility.com/blastocystimages.htm

1 x 4AA
1 x 4BB
2 x 4CC
1 x 3BB
2 x EB (Early blastocyst)

Dr. Lee will be transferring one grade 4AA blastocyst to me. I was then led to the ET room. My husband was asked to stay behind. The ET process was painless, fast and smooth. I did feel some mild cramps during the process but that was it. I wasn't required to have a full bladder either. Dr. Lee doesn't provide a photo of the embryo as well as they think the embryos are sensitive to light and doesn't want to take the risk. When Dr. Lee was ready, the embryologist brought the embryo from the sliding door that I believe led to the lab and they timed the transfer. It was 15 seconds. I believe the maximum time allowed was 90 seconds. As I was coming down with a cold and sore throat, I asked if that would affect the implantation. I was told it will not affect however to not take any medications and drink lots of water and let the body heal on its own. After the transfer my husband was called to my side. I laid there for around 30 minutes before leaving. The instructions from Dr. Lee was to walk and take the stairs slowly, no jumping or stressful exercise. I can resume normal activities however no sauna and swimming to reduce risk of infection. Just to relax and take it slow and easy.

We then went to pay for the bill which was NT$39,714, approximately US$1,323 or CA$1,461. This includes the cost of everything that day (registration fee, Lab fees, ET fee, fee for freezing the 6 extra embryos for 1 year, supplies of Crinone for the next 9 days, blood test on day 27).

We then took a cab home where I rested for the rest of the day. I will return to the hospital for the BHCG blood test next Friday (Sep 19). I am trying to stay neutral but this is all getting very exciting. We are at the end of this first IVF treatment. Implantation is a big mystery. Wondering if I will have one sticky bean there. I try to brush away all negative thoughts. Hubby said I should think positive however I don't want to be positive and to be dealt a hard blow later. Good Lord, I pray for the best!

Day 14, 15 & 16 - Checking the status with the IVF lab at Mackay Memorial Hospital

We were given instructions to call the IVF lab on day 14. When we called, we were informed that 9 out of 9 eggs were fertilized and looks good at the moment. It is very likely that the transfer will be done on the 5th day after egg retrieval (ER) i.e. day 18. If there was any change, we will be informed via phone. However, the next day (day 15) we received a call from the lab to go to the hospital on day 16 to do a 3-day transfer. I became pretty worried that the embryos weren't developing as expected. We showed up at the IVF lab at 9:30 a.m on day 16. As it was a holiday, the lab was closed. We were given instructions to wait outside. We waited for about 5 minutes before an embryologist appeared and informed us that 4 out of the 9 eggs were doing well and the doctor had advised to let them culture for additional 2 days. I asked the embryologist if there is a risk that the embryos will stop developing if we let it grow for another 2 days. She said that is a possibility however given my age and the number of eggs, she doesn't think there should be any issue. I asked her the number of cells of the embryos and she mentioned 7's, 8 & 9. I was relieved to be sent back home as I prefer a single embryo transfer (SET) to a double embryo transfer (DET). I spent the rest of the day catching up on sleep as I wasn't really able to sleep the night before.