Lucky 13 September 16, 2004
I survived my egg retrieval this morning. They retrieved 13 eggs. The procedure itself wasn’t bad thanks to the awesome drugs that were running through my veins, but I’m pretty sore now. Why don’t they just let you take that IV home with you? I could sure use another hit right about now. The instructions that I received afterwards say to take Tylenol for pain. Tylenol sucks. It really doesn’t cut it, but I’m tough, so it’s ok.
We got to my RE’s office a little before 8:00 this morning. They do their retrievals onsite in their own special little retrieval suite. We sat around for a while and then I was finally called back. I got to change into a lovely getup consisting of a gown, booties, and fashionable hat. I chatted with my IVF coordinator a bit, asked a few questions, and made sure that they knew that we wanted my husband’s sperm refrozen after they used it for ICSI. We only have 2 vials from the MESA procedure performed during my hubby’s surgery, and I’m not about to make my husband go through all of that again.
Then the anesthesiologist came in and started my IV. He had a little mishap with my vein, and I proceeded to bleed all over myself, the sheets, and the floor. Once all of that was cleaned up, I was led into the retrieval room. I got to lay down and put my legs up in some lovely leg stirrups. Then I got hit with the drugs. They burned a bit going in, and then I was out. The next thing I knew, I was back in the recovery room.
Of course I immediately asked how many eggs they had gotten. My IVF coordinator said 5 but that they weren’t finished going through them. She came back and said that they had retrieved 13. Much better. I laid there for a little bit and then got up, got dressed, and peed. I was then wheeled out of there and was on my way home.
I was feeling really good afterwards, so we decided to stop at Best Buy on the way home to get my present, The Sims 2. I’ve wanted this game ever since it was announced, and it just so happens that today was the release date. It should come in handy during the dreaded two week wait. My husband ran in and bought the game and then we proceeded home.
I was still feeling pretty good when we got home and then the drugs wore off. Oh, my. My husband set me up in bed with some nourishment, beverages, and the trusty laptop. He then left for work, and I took a nap.
We should find out sometime tomorrow afternoon how many of my eggs were mature and how many of those fertilized. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about that. I’m really worried about the fertilization rate, since we’re using frozen epididymal sperm. I just don’t know if it will fertilize as well as regular old fresh sperm. I guess we’ll see.
I still haven’t decided if I’m going with my husband tonight. I can either stay here tonight or I can endure a multi hour car ride so that I’m not alone. I don’t know.
Thanks to everyone who left comments or sent me emails with sweet and generous well wishes. You girls rock.
- Posted in : IVF Part 1: IVF #1
- Author : amanda
Comments»
Sounds like a good retrieval. I was very sore afterwards, and for a few days as my ovaries were very swollen. The hardest part was the wait to get word on how many fertilized. I hope it speeds by for you.
As for the trip, play it by ear, seeing how you feel. It would be hard to travel. Maybe it would be best to stay home and play your game. But, if you’re not up to being alone, then go with.
That’s probably not that much help. Anyway, take care and get some sleep.
Congratulations on 13 eggs! That’s a great number, very lucky. :) Sounds like you’re doing well, I felt awful after retrieval because of OHSS. Good luck waiting for the fertilization report, I hope you get great news soon.
Congrats on surviving the retrival! I can’t wait to hear about the fertilization! Here’s hopeing for great numbers!!!
Yay for IV drugs! Boo for bleeding! Yay for 13 eggies! Yay for the Sims 2! Yay to taking it easy if you need to or for making the trip if you’re up to it! Yay for being such a kick ass IVF’er!
Here’s to lots more ‘yays’ in the coming days! Thinking of you girlie and sending much love and many good wishes for that fertilization report….
Dee :-)
Congrats on getting 13 eggs! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the fertilization report is all good news. . .Take it easy and take care of yourself.
And keep us posted!!!
If (when) you get PG this cycle, 13 will be your new lucky number. That is really fantastic! I hurt really bad after the retrieval, too. I forgot about that when I said the worst is over. In a way this part is pretty stressful, though, because now everything is out of your hands i.e. the ICSI. I don’t know about you, but I am a control freak and found the days between retrieval and t-fer to be tough for that reason.
Take care of yourself and let us know how the fertilization went!
-Amy
13 is fantastic!! Hope you are resting up and feeling better.
Nina
That’s wonderful!!! A baker’s dozen!!!
Well done!!!
Everything crossed for great fertilization and division : )
Yes, retrieval can leave you so sore. Rest, recover, and I hope so much that things continue to go well.
Menita
(lifesjestbook)
13 can actually be a lucky number!!
Best of luck to you and your
pretty little eggies.