The Retrieval

Parker and I arrived at the surgery center at 9:00 a.m. sharp, on the morning of the retrieval. As pumped as I was going in, I was equally a ball of nerves. Parker shared my sentiments. However, my nerves quickly escaped me once I found out my nurse had the exact same birthday as me (day, month, and year) and quickly transitioned into happy, chit-chat mode before changing into my flattering surgery attire. Sometimes a little distraction is the perfect cure.

Before we knew it, it was go time. Parker and I parted ways with a kiss as they ushered me off to the surgery room. The anesthesiologist inserted my IV then promptly asked me how I felt. “The room is spinning. Oh, and my throat feels . . . cold.” I replied, as I drifted into a deep, unconscious slumber.

At 10:00 a.m. on the dot, exactly 36 hours after the trigger shot was administered, my eggs were retrieved, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in a recovery room with Parker by my side. To our pleasant surprise, there were 14 eggs retrieved: 6 mature, 7 intermediate (with the potential to mature), and 1 immature. (The post-anesthesia video below still cracks me up. I think I just wanted to go back to sleep.)

When all was said and done, Parker took me home and waited on me hand-and-foot as I drifted in and out of sleep for the remainder of the day. I am a really lucky girl to have that boy by my side.
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The fascinating process, from retrieval to transfer, is typically 3 to 5 days. During that period the embryologist gave us the following updates:

Day 1: The 7 intermediate eggs matured (6 healthy and 1 discarded), for a total of 13 mature eggs. All 13 eggs were fertilized. The embryos will continue to mature until Day 5, at which time half of the 13 embryos are expected to reach blastocyst, with 1 being transferred and the remaining being frozen.

Day 2: All 13 embryos are progressing beautifully. Transfer scheduled for Day 5 unless notified otherwise by Day 3.

Day 3: 11 of the 12 embryos are progressing wonderfully and rated as good on a scale of good, fair, and poor. The 12th embryo, which had ceased progressing, was discarded. Transfer scheduled for Monday, March 11th at 1:00 p.m.

Day 4: All 11 embryos continuing to progress beautifully.