One Step at a Time- Our Journey through Unexplained Infertility : November 22, Egg Retrieval update

Good news today, my Egg Retrieval went perfectly, and better than expected!

arriving to the clinic around 8:15am

Promptly after Dennis & I arrived into the clinic, and checked in, at 8:20am we were called into the back area of the clinic where I was kindly greeted by 2 lovely nurses and shown into a comfortable room where I sat before and after the procedure.

I changed into the robe, had my weight and height measured and was connected to an IV, of saline.

One of the nurses provided Dennis & I with information about what to expect from the procedure, as well as information about the medications which I will start taking tomorrow; Estrace & Prometrium. I will share more information about the new medications tomorrow in my update.

Around 8:40am one of the embryologist, Debbie came to meet with Dennis & I to introduce herself and answer any questions that we might have prior to the retrieval. She informed us that she will call us early early tomorrow morning to inform us of how the embryos are doing.

Shortly thereafter Dr Okeane, who has been our regular fertility doctor, came to meet with us to prep Dennis & I for the procedure and check on everything. His smile was comforting, since he has been with us from the beginning of this process.

I was asked to use the toilet before the procedure, at which time Dennis was sent downstairs to provide his sample. He was asked to wait at the semen clinic for the lab to prepare his sample, and then bring it up to the waiting area to greet me when he was done.

Before 9am I was brought into the OR room, which is connected to a lab, where the embryologist works. The nurse helped to get me set up on the bed, and inserted the pain medications into my IV. Dr Okeane warned me that the room would start to spin for a minute but that it would die down soon. It felt like I was very drunk, like 16 year old drunk for about 20 seconds. I closed my eyes, and breathed through it. Thereafter it was all good. I was sedated but could move, think and process everything. The procedure itself was uncomfortable but not painful. There were 2 moments during the retrieval which I felt sharp pain (when they inserted the catheter through the vaginal wall).

There is a large TV on the wall in the OR room where I could view everything that was going on. The nurse, Sarah, pointed out for me where the eggs were on the screen. It was fascinating to see!

As soon as the doctor vacuumed out the eggs, they were passed through a window into the lab, in the adjoining room and received by Debbie, the embryologist. I only overheard the doctor pass on 7 eggs to the embryologist so I was thinking that we would only have 7 to work with.

The egg retrieval went by very quickly, I was surprised when the nurse indicated that we were all done. They provided me with a wheel chair and helped me to stand up to get into the chair. The nurse brought me to the room, and helped me get seated in a relaxing chair with a heat pad, and blanket. I waited there for Dennis to arrive. I was so pleased and happy to find notes of support from Alli & Kylie. Thank you so much for your love and thoughts!

Debbie, the embryologist met me after the procedure to share with me that they were able to retrieve 17 eggs, 16 of which are mature! This is a fantastic number! The clinic hopes to get between 8-12 eggs. We are having ICSI done (which means they will insert the sperm into the egg, rather than letting them meet in a petri dish on their own); they can only do ICSI with mature eggs. Debbie will phone me early tomorrow morning with an update on how the embryos are doing.

Dennis joined me about 10 minutes later, after the embryologist met with me (it's too bad that he wasnt there for the info from the embryologist, I would have liked for us to hear the good news together). He had to wait longer to receive his sample back, from the lab, than the amount of time which my procedure took. Dennis was quite worried about me, and had a concerned look on his face. He was supportive and loving for me; prior to the procedure he told me that it would all be ok, that I can and do everything. That I am so strong, and he is proud of me. It was just what I needed to hear.

Prior to being unplugged the nurse brought me to the toilet, they like to check that women are able to pee prior to being let go. I never have any problem going pee. The nurse took out my IV and I was free to get changed and go.

I felt somewhat light headed, and somewhat tired but otherwise fine! I am relieved, and proud that my eggs are doing so well; but we'll see how they do over the next few days.