IVF got this [part III]: The results followed by yet, another decision
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| Squeezing in some intense workouts to keep busy and before being ordered to lay low for the next step... |
If you’re just now starting to read this blog,
refer to the beginning of our journey: It all started with infertility or start with Part I of the IVF got this series. Again, this is a
sensitive topic for most and some do not feel comfortable sharing. Therefore, I
hope some of the information brings a little comfort and peace to those facing
uncertainty or fears or simply provide a little understanding to those that
would like to learn more about the IVF process. This is a journey we choose to rely
on faith and take one day at a time for we know we have no control over our
future. Every person, every story is a testimony. We are all living miracles.
Links are provided for additional information on resources and as always, talk
to your doctor about any of your concerns or recommendations you hear about.
THE RESULTS
The day after the egg retrieval, they called with the results of the number of eggs they were able to extract: 24 eggs! The doctor was hoping for 20! The numbers began reducing as developments were monitored in the lab the following 5 days. Twelve eggs ended up being fertilized with the sperm. Transfers can take place immediately after the retrieval, also called fresh embryo transfers or they can transfer after the embryos turn into blastocysts, day 5 embryos then freeze the embryo until ready for transfer. Statistically, about half of the fertilized eggs become embryos. It’s hard to imagine the suspense while waiting on the numbers. With preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) they can identify the embryos with genetic abnormalities and therefore, increase the chance of successful pregnancy by transferring the higher quality embryos. This process takes up to and additional 2 weeks. If we didn’t do PGS then statistically about half of the developed embryos are likely to succeed, but you don’t really know until after the transfers and implantation. Therefore, you have a much greater chance of an unsuccessful implantation or a later miscarriage. That’s why 2 embryos are normally transferred. In fact, there is a protocol for the number of embryos to transfer based on multiple factors such as age, whether or not PGS is performed, etc. With PGS, only 1 is transferred due to the screening that identifies the highest quality embryos. However, there is still a risk of multiples with 1 transfer, if the embryo divides or splits like any other natural division early in the embryonic development process.
I was most anxious about the number of embryos we would have thinking we could walk away with none. We had to wait 2 more weeks to find out how many of our fertilized eggs became embryos. We kept busy those 2 weeks and I was beginning to start my business which was great timing. This made the wait more bearable and less stressful.
The day after the egg retrieval, they called with the results of the number of eggs they were able to extract: 24 eggs! The doctor was hoping for 20! The numbers began reducing as developments were monitored in the lab the following 5 days. Twelve eggs ended up being fertilized with the sperm. Transfers can take place immediately after the retrieval, also called fresh embryo transfers or they can transfer after the embryos turn into blastocysts, day 5 embryos then freeze the embryo until ready for transfer. Statistically, about half of the fertilized eggs become embryos. It’s hard to imagine the suspense while waiting on the numbers. With preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) they can identify the embryos with genetic abnormalities and therefore, increase the chance of successful pregnancy by transferring the higher quality embryos. This process takes up to and additional 2 weeks. If we didn’t do PGS then statistically about half of the developed embryos are likely to succeed, but you don’t really know until after the transfers and implantation. Therefore, you have a much greater chance of an unsuccessful implantation or a later miscarriage. That’s why 2 embryos are normally transferred. In fact, there is a protocol for the number of embryos to transfer based on multiple factors such as age, whether or not PGS is performed, etc. With PGS, only 1 is transferred due to the screening that identifies the highest quality embryos. However, there is still a risk of multiples with 1 transfer, if the embryo divides or splits like any other natural division early in the embryonic development process.
I was most anxious about the number of embryos we would have thinking we could walk away with none. We had to wait 2 more weeks to find out how many of our fertilized eggs became embryos. We kept busy those 2 weeks and I was beginning to start my business which was great timing. This made the wait more bearable and less stressful.
EMBRYO REVEAL
After 2 weeks of waiting for that phone call, we found out that of the 12 fertilized eggs, 7 developed into embryos! And after PGS, 5 were eligible for transfer with a high chance of achieving pregnancy! Then they asked the question, “do you want to know the sex?” My immediate response without hesitating because I thought they were going to blurt it, “NO!” Then I came back and asked, “wait, are they all the same?” And no, we have a mix of boys and girls! Fortunately, they were all nearly the same quality in numbers and we just said we wanted to be surprised and didn’t want any more decisions. Well, we still had one more...when do we do the transfer?
Once again, we were faced with a decision...
After 2 weeks of waiting for that phone call, we found out that of the 12 fertilized eggs, 7 developed into embryos! And after PGS, 5 were eligible for transfer with a high chance of achieving pregnancy! Then they asked the question, “do you want to know the sex?” My immediate response without hesitating because I thought they were going to blurt it, “NO!” Then I came back and asked, “wait, are they all the same?” And no, we have a mix of boys and girls! Fortunately, they were all nearly the same quality in numbers and we just said we wanted to be surprised and didn’t want any more decisions. Well, we still had one more...when do we do the transfer?
Once again, we were faced with a decision...
IVF TIP
A little helpful tip for anyone considering IVF. Talk to your doctor about a fresh versus a frozen transfer. Our doctor recommended frozen because of my medical history (I have PCOS and endometriosis which was removed a couple years prior). The more I talk to women who go through this, I hear more of frozen transfers, and statistically, frozen transfers are more successful mainly because doing a frozen transfer allows your body to heal from the surgery before attempting an implantation. This is simply from self-education and awareness, so always talk to your doctor for full understanding of your circumstance and the process of IVF because every doctor treats differently. Keep in mind every couple is different and each woman’s body responds differently to various treatments. Therefore, frequent monitoring is performed throughout the process. Due to the complexity of each case, it is why we shouldn’t compare our circumstances among others going through IVF. If you’re concerned about anything your doctor is recommending, it never hurts to get a second opinion. This is costly and anyone going through this shouldn’t feel bad about asking a lot of questions.
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