Part 5 – Worth Every Shot!

So as I have done in every Infertility post so far, I like to catch you up to where I left off in the previous post. In my last post I shared how I was awaiting my period to come so I could begin prep for our embryo transfer.

Well, I am happy to say that my period came on January 12th. It lasted a normal cycle and everything went well.

On day 1 of my period, I began the estradiol pills and have been taking those everyday since!

On January 27th, our fertility center thawed my eggs and mixed them with Josh’s sperm in order to fertilize them! (In a regular pregnancy – this would essentially be the day the women’s egg releases from the ovary and meets with the sperm in the fallopian tube, where it then grows in the fallopian tube for 5 days.)

The following day, we got a call from the embryologist lab giving us an update on how many fertilized!

We were so anxious for this phone call as they would be telling us how many fertilized.

They informed us that 26 eggs fertilized!!!!! This was amazing news!

I sighed a huge sigh of relief when they called.

Today, January 29th, I got a call with another update.

They told me that of the 26 fertilized, 17 are at 3-4 cells, and the other 8 are at 5-7 cell. A normal number they look for on day 2 is between 3-4. So it seems that 17 of our embryos are right on track and that the other 8 were a little ahead.

On Day 3, January 30th, they told us that 23 embryos have moved forward! Day 4 was going to be critical as this is when they should show compaction. So we were very anxious for the next phone call!

On Day 4, January 31st, they told us that 20 embryos were on track! What a blessing! Thank you Jesus!

With Day 5 being the next day, February 1st, that is where I leave off at today!

TODAY (February 1st) is EMBRYO TRANSFER DAY!

We could not be more excited for this moment.

All of the pain, suffering, and hard times, have led us to this exact moment… working towards transfer day.

Honestly this whole process is entirely new to us since it’s our first time going through everything. Although we don’t quite understand the way the cell numbers work or what the scientific parts all mean, we don’t have to understand. SCIENCE IS AMAZING and something we are more grateful for now more than ever. But what we are really thankful for and all that really matters, is that JESUS has protected us through this whole journey and as long as we continue to TRUST Him as we have in every other moment, we find comfort in knowing that everything is going to be okay. All Glory to Him!

Regardless of what happens today, we rejoice! We thank God for bringing us to this exact moment.

I want to take the next few minutes to try and describe how beautiful each of us are. We truly are miraculously created.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalms 139:14.

Do you know how microscopically small a CELL is?!

That’s what our embryos are right now. Little cells, full of hope and a future!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

If you are pregnant, have been pregnant, praying to be pregnant, or just curious about the fertilization process.. please watch this video! WE ARE TRULY ALL MIRACLES.

We are so thankful for the Cleveland Clinic. All of their new and modern technology allows us to know these things and celebrate each little milestone that we wouldn’t have the chance to otherwise!

We are most thankful for an incredible support system and bold prayer warriors! I am also so thankful to my husband Josh.. he has continued to be my rock and my calm place. He can now add a new title to his resume: PIO shot administer… lol.

On Wednesday, January 27th, I started PIO shots. PIO (aka Progesterone In Oil).

These kinds of shots need to be administered in the BUTT! On the right upper glute muscle to be exact.

The reason I need to take these shots is because women who do IVF do not naturally begin producing Progesterone or Estrogen (pregnancy hormones), so we have to take them in pill and oil form.

So Wednesday evening, my husband and I had our first PIO shot date haha.

Honestly, and thankfully, shots don’t bother me that much! I mean they hurt, yes, but they just don’t seem to really bother me. The 2 inch needles are a little intimidating yes, but what hurts the most is the after effects, my butt being bruised which allows me to not comfortably sit on the couch haha.

Anyways, here’s a picture of us on Wednesday evening administering the first PIO shot!

On Thursday we did the same thing! PIO shot time has now become a little pre-dinner activity!

By Day 2 Josh was a pro already! 😉

Day 3 was no different…

Day 4….

Day 5!

Each day these shots get a little bit easier. Although they don’t bother me, they still sting!

As I sit here waiting to leave for our fresh embryo transfer today, I am so excited. Regardless of what happens, I want to relish in these happy moments and believe that our miracle is coming with this transfer!!!!

We know that this will be WORTH EVERY SHOT!