Scientific Conception

Hello to whomever is reading! As most of you DON'T know, the hubs and I have been going through the process of IVF (Invitro Fertilization). And when I say the hubs and I, I mostly mean that I have been going through invitro. Not that he hasn't been there every step of the way--but I'm lucky enough to be the one having everything done.

It all started way back when with CRAMPS. Yes, capitalized CRAMPS. Severe cramps that I was told my whole life were "normal". Let me tell you, they were anything but. They were debilitating. After 10 or so years, I finally found a doctor who listened to my complaints and was willing to do something about it. After a laparoscopy (surgical) procedure, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis. During this time, the hubs and I had decided we wanted to have kids and had been trying for about 7 months, however, with the laparoscopy, my doctor did a dye test and found that my fallopian tubes were basically closed off. Therefore, our only shot of having children was through invitro.

At this point, I was pretty shocked. I never imagined that at 27, I wouldn't be able to have kids naturally. I thought that only old people and celebrities went through invitro. I was wrong. Once I found out I was going to have to do IVF, people came out of the woodworks with their IVF stories, or knew someone who had done IVF. However, no one ever seems to talk about it, and a lot of people are curious, so here is how invitro works.

The Process of Invitro:

1. Be diagnosed as infertile (you or your husband)
2. Find a reproductive endocrinologist
3. Decide to do invitro
4. Order a HUUUUUUGGGGEEEE box of fertility drugs
5. Learn to administer shots to yourself (daily)
6. Have MULTIPLE uterine ultrasounds and lots of blood work
7. Have an egg retrieval surgery
8. *Fingers crossed* have some eggs to fertilize
9. Implantation procedure
10. 2 weeks after implantation have a blood pregnancy test

On Friday, 9/9/2011, I had my egg retrieval surgery. I was told before the procedure that I had 14 eggs. After my surgery, they were able to take 20 eggs. Here is something you should know about egg retrieval surgery. I am hilarious under anesthesia. Part of the amazing ensemble you get to wear are these sexy little booties that go over your feet. These booties stick up on the top of your foot like a little shark fin... So naturally coming out of anesthesia, I decided to move my foot by everyone who came near me and make a shark chomp and chewing sound. I also asked my husband 5,000 times how many eggs they got... as well as how many EGGS he had. And I was very disappointed to find out he had NONE. ;)

Today, 9/10/2011, we got a call saying that of our 20 eggs, 14 were mature. Of those 14, 8 fertilized, however, only 5 were still viable and of those 5, 4 of them are multiplying too quickly. We are not quite sure what this means, and they are not sure why 4 of them skipped a stage and began to multiply too quickly, so they will be watching them overnight and hope they make it.

So, that's where we are in this whole process. Hoping that our 5 remaining eggs hang on and keep maturing naturally. We would like to have at least 2-3 embryos to put back in when the implantation procedure occurs (either Monday 9/12 or Wednesday 9/14).

Keep your fingers crossed, say your prayers, and wish us luck!