This was the day we had been waiting for. All of the injections and medications led up to this big day. Transfer day.
If you haven't guessed by now, transfer day is a very big day in the IVF community. It's where the embryo(s) is finally ready to be transferred to the woman's uterus. At our clinic, we can have up to two embryo's transferred (we only chose one).
I woke up pretty excited. I was so ready. Ready to be pregnant. I have been waiting for this day for years, and it's finally here.
My mom and sister E came over from Grand Rapids for support. I was really grateful they came. It was an exciting day, and I wanted them to be a part of it. K was also excited. I could tell he was relieved that we made it to this day.
Before going to the appointment, I had to drink a ton of water so my uterus was in the proper position for transfer. I have never had to pee so bad in my life.
We all hopped into K's Chevy Malibu and we were off. I remember looking back at our house saying to myself, "next time I am home, I'll be pregnant", which really excited me, and didn't help my full bladder.
The drive seemed long, and it seemed K hit every bump on the road on purpose, even though I know he didn't.
We arrived a little early, so we thought we would drive around a close neighborhood and look at the beautiful houses. This neighborhood is known for being "bougie", as the kids would say, and had immaculate lawns and updated curb appeal. This helped distract me from the time and full bladder because soon enough it was time to head to the clinic.
We arrived and I wanted to take some pictures in front of the building with our cute IVF shirts and letter board that read "Transfer Day June 5 2020". After a few pictures, we headed back to the car to drive to the doors, and I spotted a penny, heads up. This I knew was a sign from God that everything was going to work out. I showed my mom, E and K and we were all in awe about the perfect timing. K picked up the penny and placed it in his pocket.
It was time for me to go up. K gave me a kiss, as he was not allowed in due to Covid-19, and I heard encouragement from the back seats. I took a deep breath, and headed on in, placing my paw-print mask over my face. I entered the office, they took my temperature, and soon I was in curtain number 3 with my gown and hairnet on.
A nurse named Sarah (go figure) took my blood and went over the discharge instructions with me. She gave me a muscle relaxer and some Motrin. I asked her when it was time for me to pee (because oh my goodness, I don't think I have been this uncomfortable ever), and she said after the transfer.
Soon it was my turn, and the nurse led me to a different OR that I hadn't been in previously. It was darker, but had the big circular operating lights above the table. The nurse helped my up into the stirrups as the embryologist entered the room. She handed me the picture of our embryo, and tears appeared in my eyes. She told me that our embryo couldn't have been more healthy, literally, as the grading was a 5AA. After researching embryo-grading like an FBI agent, I knew this was excellent. The nurses let me Facetime K to tell him the news. Once I told him, it was hard for him to hold back his tears. First the penny, now this? Today couldn't get any better.
The doctor came in, saying how beautiful and perfect our embryo was. They first showed me the embryo in the petri-dish and oh my goodness how tiny it was! The picture they gave me must have been zoomed in at least x10!. I watched as they suctioned the embryo up with a glass syringe, and the embryologist came in and gave it to the doctor. He then directed my eyes to the ultrasound screen, and I watched in awe. I could see a worm-like line entering my uterus going towards my uterine lining. Within seconds, it pulled away, leaving the tiniest white dot on the ultrasound screen. There was our embryo, now inside of me. The only thing that would make this perfect is if K were here with me.
I soon was back in curtain number 3, staring in awe at the two photos they gave me of our embryo. I laid there for a while, as they said I needed to lay down for 30-45 minutes after transfer. Soon the nurse pulled back the curtain, and said, "You can use the bathroom now if you'd like", and I said, "What? Oh yeah!". I had totally forgotten how bad I needed to go pee between the excitement and joy I was feeling now that I was pregnant.
It was the LONGEST pee I have ever done. But so worth it.
I was soon walking out of the office with a smile on my face. K greeted me outside with a smoothie from Beyond Juice and a kiss. We sat in the car as I told them about the process, and showed them the pictures. Their excitement filled the car as we drove home.
Next step? The two week wait.
baby dust,
s.
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