What is IVF?

A few people that are aware of our struggle have asked me lately what exactly is IVF?  I know most of you already know, but for the few that don't (and for my own sake) I figured I would write a detailed post about it, because to be honest, the blogs I find myself going back to all the time, are the ones that give detailed accounts of what to expect.  I am that person that needs to know exactly what is going to happen.  That's why this whole process has been so difficult for me, you can do everything in your power to be prepared, and still nothing will go as planned.

So, hopefully this helps/informs at least one person out there!
My clinic broke it down into 4 steps, this is assuming the Lupron has suppressed your ovaries.  Luckily my husband requested the picture chart at our last meeting haha so that is where I am getting all of my information from.

1. Ovulation Induction-Taking medications to produce several eggs in one cycle
• These medicines will also control when you ovulate so that the rest of the steps for in vitro fertilization can be planned.  Throughout your cycle you will have several ultrasounds and blood tests to determine how well the ovulation medications are working.  Individuals react differently to these medications-some people may need an adjustment   As the follicles mature, they produce estradiol, a form of estrogen.  Your healthcare team will check the amount of estradiol in your blood several times to make sure your estradiol level is rising adequately in response to the medications (and to try to prevent OHSS as much as possible)
2. Egg Retrieval-Doctor surgically removes the eggs.
• When the follicles have matured, you will be instructed to give yourself an injection of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin.)  About 34-36 hours later, your doctor will remove the eggs from your ovaries.  A vaginal ultrasound is used to locate the follicles and guide the needle for egg collection.  A needle is then inserted through the vagina, into the ovaries and follicles to aspirate the eggs (YIKES!)  I will be knocked out for this.
3. Fertilization and Embryo Culture-Embryologist mixes eggs and sperm
• In the IVF lab, the embryologist prepares the eggs and sperm and mixes them together.  We will be doing ICSI with half of our eggs, which means rather than just being mixed together, one sperm will be directly injected into one egg.  If fertilization occurs, the embryologist will incubate the fertilized eggs and monitor them for about 2 to 5 days to make sure they develop properly.
4. Embryo Transfer-The embryos are transferred to the uterus
• Your doctor will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred into your uterine cavity and may suggest freezing any unused embryos to preserve them for future pregnancy attemps.

And here in lies the debate.  Dr. P already told me to be prepared for a 3-day transfer.  It is what she often recommends.  She believes your uterus is the best incubator for the embryos.  Obviously a pitri dish is not a natural environment for the embryos.  Some embryos may do poorly in a dish but thrive in the uterus. The lab requires you have a certain number of embryos doing well in order to do a 5 day transfer.  This brings me to my dilemma.  Because I need to know everything about everything I have been searching blogs and googling like crazy.  From what I have read, a 5-day transfer is best if you can make it that far, because at that point they are considered blastocysts and the embryologists have a much better idea of the quality.  The transfer of only one embryo at that time also seems to be preferred if it is of good quality and you are not dealing with other factors such as age, history of failed IVFs/FETs, etc...   If I am to assume we are doing a 3-day transfer, we won't exactly know how "great" they are which I'm guessing is why Dr. P recommends transferring 2.  The problem is, I don't know if I am comfortable transferring two.  The risk is so much greater for complications to both mother and babies that I don't know how I feel about it.  Then again, if we only do 1 and it doesn't work, will I be left wondering what if...I guess I am going to have to wait and see, might just have to be a game time decision. 

I haven't checked my temp. all cycle long, but I may have to tomorrow morning before I go in for b/w, because I don't want to be unprepared for the phone call tomorrow afternoon if I haven't ovulated yet.  Fingers crossed :)

I've also been fighting some nasty sharp pains on the right side of my head right above my ear, that last about 5 seconds, and have shown up every few hours over the past 2 days.  Not sure what it is, but if it persists, I will probably end up calling the doctor.  I'm thinking it could be stress related??