The Transfer

There was a uniquely sacred aura in the gentle stillness of the transfer room as the embryo incubator was wheeled in. I felt it. Parker felt it. From that moment on the dimly lit room stood practically silent, dictated by the sensitivity of the tiny embryo. Hand motions filled the absence of words spoken. The nurse beckoned Parker toward the incubator to view the embryo through the microscope. Parker later relayed his sentiments of the experience since I was unable to view it myself, having already been prepped for the procedure.

"The nurses wheeled in an incubator which housed the microscopic embryo. As I looked through the lens of the microscope and saw the tiny little embryo labeled “Smith” my heart stirred. The embryo itself didn't look like much more than a complex cell; but what an awe-inspiring feeling it was to consider that this cell had the potential to become our baby. All I could do was pray and hope that this would be the miracle we had longed for. The whole experience was a blessed and miraculous one that I will never forget."

Then, with our hands clasped tightly in devotion and our hearts knit deeply in love, the transfer began. The doctor and the nurses worked with meticulous care and in extraordinary, silent syncopation. Aided by the use of an embryo catheter, the doctor started with a standard mock transfer as a guide. Then, in a hushed voice he whispered, “I will now transfer the embryo. As you will see on the ultrasound monitor, it will be placed next to the dot made during the mock transfer.”

With my eyes fixated on the ultrasound monitor, I watched in amazement as light entered my body.

Soon the transfer was complete, and the doctor and nurses exited the room leaving just Parker and me behind, hand-in-hand. I laid there in stillness, my heart overflowing with gratitude, while somewhere, nestled deep within my belly, was our little embryo fighting to be.