I thought I would let you all know what has transpired to accomplish this embryo adoption. On the non-medical side, we had to get in touch with an adoption lawyer and the one recommended was the same one that did Ellie's adoption. That worked out great. We were able to use that Homestudy for this adoption as well. So nice not to have to jump through those hoops again. Paperwork, social worker visits, etc. So he drew up the papers and we signed them and the donor family (wonderful people) spoke with a separate lawyer and signed them. Once that was done, we were able to obtain more paperwork from the fertility center here and the one in CA where the embryos were. Once those were notarized and whatnot, then we had to figure out who to call to arrange to have the embryos shipped. You can't just call FedEx, you need a special tank to ship them in that is filled with...I am trying to remember...I think it was liquid nitrogen, but for some reason I am not sure about that. Anyways, Fed Ex did deliver them safe and sound and then delivered the storage tank back to where it came from. You just rent that. It seemed to take forever to get through all the paperwork and procedures to allow the release to get them shipped. But they made it safe and sound.
The next big thing was deciding if I wanted to go natural or synthetic to have the transfer done. What that means is I could go without the medications they use for the synthetic route to time out your ovulation to an exact schedule and just wait for when my body was ready. Sounds like a no-brainer that you would just let your body do its thing, BUT the fertility center will only do transfers during a two-week period every other month. If your body doesn't line up with that, you are having to wait another two months and hope you line up. With my cycle being a tad irregular and for peace of mind, we decided to go the synthetic route. We feel fine about our decision and didn't feel either one was right or wrong, just a preference. Plus we could decide when we wanted to be pregnant. Since we are hoping for twins, I wanted my due date to be beginning of next summer because I want my moms to be here to help. They work in the school district, so that is why we are doing it now. We couldn't wait any longer, because at first I wanted to do it as soon as possible. Anyhow..
Next came blood tests on Toby and I. It took me by surprise that the donor parents and Toby had to have bloodwork done as well as myself. The donor parents because maybe there was something in their blood that didn't show up when the embryos were created, but now it does. And Toby, because he is my husband and would have contact with me in a marital way. So, made sense, I guess.
After that came the Prep Cycle. This is where I go on some of the medications that they would be using to see how my body responded to them. This included several vaginal ultrasounds. It is quite cool to see your uterus and ovaries and what they are doing. The medications also included a few weeks of giving myself a daily shot in the stomach. I have always liked shots growing up, don't know why it fascinates me, but as I have gotten older it has gotten harder. Probably since I passed out and started having convulsions one time after I gave blood. Anyhow, I actually had fun giving myself the shots. It didn't hurt much and I guess that it was just fascinating playing nurse. So after that it has just been waiting for my cycle to start in August and once that happened then I was sent a calendar on what medications to take each day and as of Sunday, Toby has had to play nurse. He has to give me a Progesterone shot every evening around 9pm for the next 47 days or so. This one, I have to admit, I was a bit afraid of because when the needles were delivered to my door and I opened them, I got a little panicked. The needle was thick and about 2 inches long and it has to go in my upper left and right quadrant of my rear and hip area. I found out from the nurse, however, that the thick needle was just for drawing up and the other needle which was much thinner but still as long would be the injection needle. But I have to say that Toby has done a great job! He tricked me the first night and did it while I was in the middle of talking to him as I lay on the bed. It hardly hurt. The second night was harder for him, it is that hesitation right before he puts it in when we both get nervous. I suspect by the end of the 47 days, it will be old hat. I'm hoping. So, along with the medications, I have been going in for labwork and ultrasounds about twice a week since the beginning of September. I go in again tomorrow morning and it should let the doctor know if I am ready for the next day's transfer!!
So, I hope that fills you all in on the process! Quite a lot, but on the medical side, less than those who have to go through the whole invitro process of having their eggs and sperm harvested and all that.
And as far as how many embryos will go in, that will be up the embryologist and his recommendations to us. They look at the quality of the embryos and that really plays a factor in how many they implant. Someone could have five implanted because of their poor state, while another will only have two max because they are so good. The donor parents, I feel weird calling them that but I am not sure how to refer to them without using their names, had two implanted and had twins, so these are more than likely high quality embryos.
So, transfer day should happen Friday and then about 11 days after that we go in for the pregnancy tests. Then still I have 6 or so ultrasounds, I think in the first 8 weeks, then after that we should know for sure how many took and I am off to a normal doctor for the remaining of the pregnancy!
Did I leave out anything? Anyhow, maybe more info than you wanted to know, but I find it fascinating. Oh, by the way, I just left to have Toby give me my shot and now I am back to finish this up! It went well.
I will let you all know how everything goes. I have to have bedrest for 48 hours after the transfer which, by the way, should only take 10-15 hours, just kidding, only 10-15 minutes for my part. I am not sure how long it takes the embryologist to dethaw our little ones, but it is a slow and careful process. So, I will update this when I get a chance. Sitting in the bed with a laptop is bedrest, right? Thanks for your prayers and thoughts and I'll chat with you all soon!
