Egg Retrieval and Fertilization Report

So I've given some of the update on Facebook but I'll run you through all the fun deets.

Yesterday was egg retrieval. We dropped Canyon off at a good friend's house and arrived at the clinic at about 9:30am  The nurse anesthetist came out and got me at about fifteen minutes later. He started the IV and we waited for Dr. Gurtcheff. Once she arrived they put me under heavy sedation, and apparently I was in the middle of a sentence and then just conked. I'm not sure how long the procedure was but I remember waking up thinking they hadn't done it yet. It was the strangest feeling not being able to completely wake up.

Eventually they helped me up and walked me to the recovery room, where I promptly fell asleep in the comfiest recliner I've ever been in. I woke up again when Zach came in. My sweet man couldn't stop laughing. Apparently it was entertaining to watch me try to wake up. (Excuse the following language but remember I'm a pre nursing student) I do remember turning to Zach and telling him they stuck a huge needle up my vagina and asked him if they stuck a needle up his vagina. Apparently I wasn't all there.

After a few minutes the nurse came in with post-op instructions and then Dr. Gurtcheff came in with the final egg count. 35. I know, early menopause here I come. Craziness. She reminded me that rarely are they all mature and we'd have more information the next day. We then discussed my pain. The number of eggs indicated that my ovaries had been hyper stimulated. They sent me with charts to watch my fluid intake and out put as well as a list of symptoms that would show up if my OHSS gets severe. Fortunately, I had been preparing for this and had already started drinking tons of electrolytes and protein shakes. The doc put me on bed rest for the next few days and asked that I continue to drink high volumes of Gatorade and two protein shakes a day. If the OHSS stays mild enough we can go through with the transfer on Sunday.

The rest of yesterday was painful but I made it. Today is a little better and I'm happy to report the OHSS is still mild. Tomorrow will be the true test. If we can make it through tomorrow and Friday with no severe symptoms, we'll be in the clear.

At about one o'clock, the lab called with the fertilization report. They said that 30 of the 35 eggs retrieved were mature enough to fertilize. 26 of those actually fertilized. I can't even tell you how happy I am they are doing so well! The next report will be on Friday. We are planning a 5 day transfer and will know for sure on Friday if they are doing well enough to go through with that.

Although this has all been much more difficult and painful than I expected, I'm so so so grateful for all of it. I'm grateful for my doctor, the nurses and even the ornery nurse anesthetist. I'm grateful to be laying in bed with my feet elevated, trying to take care of my body and prepare it for the little ones we'll be transferring in in 4 days. I can't wait to have them where they were meant to be.