Playing Catch-Up: IVF Egg Retrieval 1

More catch-up! At the end of May I began my first egg retrieval cycle for IVF. Being a woman with DOR (diminished ovarian reserve), my doctor went aggressive and did the Microdose Lupron protocol. I responded exceptionally well to this (although, as you'll read below, things did take a while to really take off). That said, when my doctor spoke with me today (one day post retrieval) she said I responded beautifully and had a "perfect cycle". She determines this based on my blood work and hormone levels throughout the cycle. If you're in my "boat" I would highly suggest asking your doctor about the protocol. Everyone responds differently, but it does appear that for women with low AMH or DOR this Microdose Lupron protocol seems to have good outcomes.

Here's the posts you may have missed from this cycle! I'll do my best to update this more frequently moving forward.

Originally posted via Facebook on May 30, 2021.

It was a good day!

My infertility appointment went well. My baseline sonogram shows 8 follicles (our goal is 4 due to my diagnosis). This eased my mind and was a much needed win. Now we keep our fingers crossed that all 8 mature for my retrieval to really help our chances of having several quality embryos (translation- embryos that will survive and thrive in the lab to then transfer and implant, thus resulting in a successful full-term pregnancy).

After our appointment Bradford and I met up with my in-laws Mark & Julie for a much needed fun day (& delicious pie ) in downtown Grapevine.

Then it was off to Michael’s bc I’m in the mood to craft.

We took this pic at home, but I wanted to document a good tear-free day (we haven’t had too many of those lately).

Hope you all are having a nice Sunday! I know I sound like a broken record, but we are SO THANKFUL for all of your prayers & messages. I know we may not respond to them all, but please know we read every single one of them and are so appreciative. One day I’m going to print all of them and put them in my Baby Ziggy box I’ve started that documents our journey. I hope our future baby is half as sentimental as I am.

Originally posted via Facebook on June 8, 2021.

Tomorrow is egg retrieval day! I’ve done my part and now all that’s left to do is pray (and try really hard to not to be a total anxious wreck ).

It’s been an absolute rollercoaster of a 10-days.

•Saturday (May 29)- cleared for IVF and started meds (3x the amount I was taking for IUI).

•Wednesday (June 2)- My doctor said I wasn’t responding well to the meds and told me to prepare to transfer from IVF back to IUI. I was devastated.

•Friday (June 4)- My body did it’s thing and proved to my doctor that it was in fact ready for IVF. IVF back on.

•Monday (June 7)- Doctor said 5 follicles are super mature (in size) and ready to go! I can feel them and it’s quite uncomfortable. Plus all my meds cause me to retain water like crazy (totally normal, but it doesn’t feel good ha).

•Tomorrow (June 9)- EGG RETRIEVAL DAY!!!! I’ll go in tomorrow morning and be put under so the doctor can extract my eggs from my ovaries. She’ll take every egg available (in your ovaries per cycle- NOT your ovarian reserve). We will know tomorrow how many I truly have. Could be more or less than 5. Some women have “empty follicle syndrome”, meaning the sac the eggs are stored in grows but nothing ever grows inside. Some women also have follicles hidden behind others.

•Thursday (June 10)- We will know how many fertilized and from there we anxiously wait to see how many embryos survive! They need to live to day 5-6 before they are biopsied and sent for genetic testing (this is NOT the same type of genetic testing that can be done during pregnancy to determine medical conditions or birth defects). At this point, it’s simply to determine which embryos are genetically normal and have the absolute best chance at implantation (pregnancy) and producing a live birth. It can also answer questions for us and help provide closure if having a biological child isn’t in the cards for us. I understand not everyone may agree with this decision of ours, and that’s okay. That’s why it’s our decision and not yours. I thank you in advance for keeping any negative comments and thoughts to yourself, as we already have way more than desired on our plate right now, and your opinion won’t be one of them. (Did I mention I’m hormonal and feisty, too? )

From there, our genetically normal embryos will be frozen until transfer day (TBD).

I know so so so many of you are praying for us and I cannot thank you enough.

Specific prayer requests:

- My nerves. Help me to be calm today and tomorrow and feel peace and comfort.

- Our follicles. Please pray that all 5 (or more) of what we think are mature eggs are actually mature eggs that are retrieved successfully. Please also pray that they all fertilize.

- My medical team. My doctor for guiding a freaking needle up me (yes, like that) into my ovaries to safely get these eggs. My anesthesiologist (bc #duh). My nurses- who will have to put up with my anxious self until I’m under.

- Our embryologist. Like WHAT. A. JOB. I want to kiss the person who will be responsible for creating baby z in that cute little Petri dish and making sure everything is perfect for them to have their absolute best chance at life.

- Our genetics team. Pray specifically that results are conclusive and in our favor.

- And Bradford. Who has been the absolute biggest support to me (even though he’s going through this, too). He might be more nervous than me since he’ll be the one anxiously awaiting news with how I am AND how many eggs we get while I’ll just be having the best nap of my life in la la land.

Whew! I know that’s asking for a lot and also QUITE the update, but I decided back in February when I went public with this that I wanted to speak openly to normalize this more and maybe, hopefully , help someone else who may be in my shoes feel less alone. So, please pray for alllll the silent but strong, beautiful, hurting women who are going through this super un-fun journey around you. I guarantee they are there right under your nose and they just are choosing to keep this to themselves. They need your prayers and love, too.

In conclusion, thanks for reading my novel. Thank you for your prayers! Sorry for taking 10 mins of your FB scroll. Carry on.

Unrelated, but I've received lots of questions about this tee. You can grab it from my boutique here.

Originally posted via Facebook on June 9, 2021.

I’m home and my egg retrieval went great.

No empty follicles- plus a bonus follicle we weren’t expecting. They got SIX eggs. I’m thrilled and broke down in happy tears when I woke up and heard the news.

I feel pretty good. I’m groggy and sore but otherwise fine. I feel very hopeful and thankful. Science is just amazing.

Next step: please pray they all fertilize.