Babies a Brewin'

I have been doing so well. Up to this point it hasn't been too difficult to have patience and positive thoughts... up to this point! I got the call from Joy with 3 minutes to go in 4th period (at 10:46). Joy asked how I was and I told her that depended on what she had to tell me. She giggled a little- almost like she was trying to build up the suspense. I asked, "Do we have embryos?". She dragged it out some more, "As you know they retrieved 12 eggs. Of the 12, 8 were mature enough to inseminate. Of the 8 fertilized, 6 have made it to the 2 cell stage" (they call it 2 polar body and 2 nuclei stage). I immediately began asking questions. This is basically what I learned:

1. For an average cycle, they hope to retrieve 10 - 12 eggs.
2. Of the eggs, they hope that 75 - 80% are mature. (I was one short of this mark.)
3. Of my mature eggs, 75% made it to the first stage. Joy told me this was good. She reminded me that we only need 1.
4. One of the embryos did not make it because it had two strands of DNA. This is common among IVF procedures.
5. The other embryo just degenerated. This is also "normal".
6. It is very likely that more embryos will "fall off". Joy could not give me a definite number, but estimates about half.
7. At this point, it looks like a transfer on day 5 is more likely than day 3 as long as most of the embryos continue to develop at the same rate.
8. Theoretically, if 3 embryos make it to day 5, and all 3 are of excellent grade, a single cell transfer will be recommended.
9. EXTREME case scenario would be if 3 embryos make it to day 5, and all are not of excellent grade, but pretty average, they could recommend to transfer all 3.
10. We could be somewhere in between.
11. Joy feels very confident that we will have at least one embryo to transfer. Freezing is not as common as we thought- as there are not always embryos to freeze. I guess we'll just have to WAIT and see.
11. I will receive another call tomorrow around the same time with a more definite transfer date.

So, how do I feel emotionally?
1. I feel relieved that at this very moment, James and I have 6 little babies growing.
2. I feel nervous. The next few days are so critical. I want to think positive, but can't help but worry.
3. I feel consumed. This is going to be the longest wait of my life (James' too!). I know I'll get through it- but at this moment, I am not sure how.
4. I feel happy, sad, hopeful, doubtful, scared, and optimistic all at once. This process is crazy!

So, how do I feel physically?
1. I am not too, too crampy today. My insides are a little sore and I must proceed gingerly. Bending and stretching makes me cringe a little. I am happy that I didn't have to take any other pain medications last night or this morning. I am taking it very easy though!
2. The worst pain is my butt! I did very well with the PIO injection last night... but let me tell you, I am feeling it today. I feel like someone took a very big fist, and punched me in my butt with all their might! We'll switch sides for the injection tonight- but I can't imagine my right side will be fully recovered by Wednesday. All par for the course.

James is feeling super excited. He had a great reaction to our numbers and that helped me to feel more optimistic! He continues to be wonderful through all of this. I am so lucky!

We'll that's all for now. I'd love it if you'd continue to keep James and I, and our "little ones" in your prayers! We will keep you posted! Until next time...