We have an appointment set up for April 15th to discuss with our RE's the possibility of transferring our one remaining embryo. I'll do my best (with a toddler this time) to document the journey, the ups, the downs and the process of hopefully bringing our second little one into the world. I admit, the thought is terrifying and exciting all at once.
When we went through IVF the first time around, we were left with two embryos in the blastocyst stage, day 5. We transferred Jonah, and had the other embryo 'frozen' for use at a later time. Well, the timing is coming up for us to transfer that totsicle.
What is in a FET (frozen embryo transfer)?
This procedure takes embryos that have been frozen for a period of time and replaces them in your uterus after they have been thawed. FET is a relatively non-invasive procedure, which is why many couples choose to have it performed. It can be successfully performed on women who are experiencing either natural or controlled menstrual cycles.
Since I do not have regular cycles, I will opt for a medicated cycle. This means less monitoring, but more medications.
What medications will I need to take this time around?
- Birth Control Pills - helps doctors begin to control the menstrual cycle
- Lupron - Typically, Lupron is used for pituitary suppression. For most women, this will require approximately two weeks of daily Lupron injections.
- Estrogen - During a normal menstrual cycle, estrogen is produced by the developing follicle. This estrogen acts on the uterus to thicken and mature the uterine lining. Estrogen is given in a FET cycle for the same reason.
- Progesterone - Once the uterine lining has been thickened sufficiently, progesterone is added. Once the progesterone is added, the Lupron may be stopped. Progesterone matures the uterine lining and makes it receptive to an embryo to implant. Once the progesterone is begun, there is a certain “window of implantation” during which the embryo must be transferred.
FETs are a hell of a lot less invasive than a full IVF cycle. Less meds, less craziness, same hope though. I hope to go into this cycle with a broader sense of maturity. I know more now, I'm a mother now, I know what the needles feel like, I know what the hormones do to my body, I just plain know more now. And I hope this knowledge will help me in this process. I say to myself that I want to be a bit more detached this time around. I don't want to analyze every technical aspect of it this time around. However, I also know I am a type A individual and I manage my anxiety by collecting data, frantically researching other's stories and any similar studies.
At least this time around I have Jonah to keep me busy. I worry about how the hormones will impact our nursing, how the morning sickness (if I get pregnant) will impact my ability to be a good mom, I worry, I worry, I worry. But these are all similar worries that most first time moms have when they think about a second one.
We shall see. I'll update more after the consultation. Wish us luck. :-) (I've already got my spreadsheet of questions, and comparison data from the 2008 cycle. You didn't think I'd go in empty handed did you?????)
