Transfer Eve

The Deets…

The day we have been waiting and preparing for is finally upon us. Tomorrow is transfer day for our first frozen embryo transfer (FET)! I continue taking the estrogen and PIO shots like I have been. I have a progesterone capsule that I will insert 2 hours before the transfer. We will transfer the embaby & get to see his/her first picture 🤗 Then the torturous wait. The only positive it’s that it’s not two weeks like usual. We will go in there 20th for a blood draw pregnancy test & will find out sometime later that day. The 20th will be 11dp5dt (11 days past 5 day transfer), since our embabies were frozen s as 5 day embryos. The clinic’s standard practice is assisted hatching for FETs. This is where they help “break the shell”, if you will, of the embryo to help it hatch. Sometimes the shell can thaw and still be harder than normal, which is why it’s standard practice. We didn’t do that for our fresh transfer.

My Rambles & Processing…

This whole cycle feels unreal. It’s so different from a fresh cycle. But it is kinda nice to not have to do the Stims & egg retrieval again! The cost is insane too. With the clinic’s package and needs, it’s just over $3600. We planned, so our HSA and Flex will cover it. They will be wiped after, but still! My new insurance, from Austin’s work, didn’t pay much for my ART screen, which is almost $600 out of pocket I think. The cost doesn’t stress me at all. Until I think about what if it fails, because the next transfer will be out of pocket.

I feel really positive about our transfer though. The above is the only time I’ve really been like “wait, what if it fails?!” That and it’s recommended to plan for both results on test day, so as I’m planning, I’m like “oh yea!” I almost feel anxious about how positive I’m feeling just in case it fails because I won’t be prepared mentally for it. Such a weird mental place to be in. I basically talk about it as if it’s already successful and distract myself when the chance of failure creeps in. Soo strange!

Starting estrogen was the first time I’ve been on hormones since I was 10 weeks pregnant with our baby girl. Before that, I had been on a variation of meds for over 3 years. Soo I think I’m more sensitive to the side effects this go round. I can feel myself being more emotional—having a shorter fuse, crying at the drop off a hat, lack of emotional regulation, etc. This is good! Because I can usually catch it and keep myself out of trouble. Lol! We started the PIO shots on Saturday. The day after each shot, so far, I have been sore. I don’t remember feeling it this much on the following day after each shot last time. But I was also recovering from the egg retrieval, so who knows! I am definitely reminded of each shot the following day. I’ve noticed that since starting the meds, I’m exhausted. More than before, which is saying a lot 🤣 I’ve also noticed that when I’m hungry, it is INTENSE hunger. Like I go from feeling full, fat, and happy to being so hungry that I’m nauseous in a snap. It’s so weird. I haven’t been able to differentiate between before meds and on meds regarding how often I’m hungry though. My milk supply has been wonderful! I’ve been sucking at pumping often, but my total ounces each day has increased even with only pumping 2-3 times some days. I am giving all the credit to Liquid Gold Goods. Hands down. Had it not been for their treats, I can’t speak for my supply, but it has given me the peace of mind during this process regarding my milk production.

Transfer day looks a lot different this time. Last time I was recovering from the retrieval, so I hadn’t been to work since then. I had been resting without a clingy toddler with bedtime separation anxiety issues. 🤣 This time, I’m working until the transfer. I’ve been working all week. My job is hella stressful every day. Throughout my work week, I experience many strong emotions, and this week has not been any different. I could take off for several days, but I’m trying to save up my days for maternity leave. So the whole getting plenty of sleep and not stressing about anything during and after transfer is not ideal. But we forge ahead!

Baby A #2, we will meet you tomorrow ❤️