What is a blastocyst? What is a Frozen Embryo Transfer?

Not our baby, but that is a picture of a day 6 blastocyst! We have got 2 of those, frozen and ready for use :)

A frozen embryo transfer (FET) is much like an IUI. The dr will put the embryos in a catheter and insert them directly into my uterus :). I lay on the table for about 30 min afterwards and then go home and do best rest for 2 FULL days!

Here is a pic of the FET I found online.

Medication protocol

So for our medication for this FET, I will need to be on estrogen patches (Vivelle) starting now until I think 12 weeks pregnant. I started them last night. I place one little patch on my tummy and change it every other day.

I started with one patch, then will move to 2 patches, then 3, then eventually 4 patches every other day! 6 days before April 19 I will start on Progesterone shots! Eick! Travis will do these in my bottom. Once in the morning and once in the evening until about 12 weeks pregnant as well.

I will be one medicated woman :)

Introduction

I thought I'd start a new blog. Yes, I have a ttc one and an adoption one. I wanted something different for our new adventure that God brought us upon.... something new.

Back in November 2011 I was approached by a friend of mine that I met online about her and her husband donating Travis & I her two remaining frozen embryos. We were amazed and in awe of this generous gift! Travis & I prayed about it and we said YES!

We set up an appointment immediately with Dr Katz at REACH in Charlotte, NC (after discussing with my nurse at Lyndhurst and talking with Travis about where we should go). We met with Dr Katz on Dec 6, 2011. We had a great first visit with him! he told us all about what we needed to do and we met w/ the finance person about what insurance would cover (nothing since we maxed it out). Our next step was to meet w/ a counselor, an attorney and get lab work done. We met with an attorney in town on Jan 3 (or Jan 4, idr which) and he said it was doable! We got to work immediately with him! We had an appointment with our therapist in Charlotte at the beginning of Jan and then we were cleared with her! Everything was set to go :). The other couple had to go have counseling done as well and some lab work too. After all that was done, we waited... and waited some more.

That brings us to where we are now. :). I met with Dr Katz again March 6 (day 1 of my cycle). We met w/ Marcey (my nurse coordinator) and went over the meds, more contracts were signed and then again we met with the finance person. The lab drew some blood work, which all came back great, and then we were on our way! I was to start birth control pills that evening.

I stopped birth control pills on Wed, March 28 and no period came. I had had some spotting since the Saturday before so I called my nurse, Marcey and asked her about it. She sent me to Lyndhurst to see Kathy yesterday. I got the call last night that everything looked great so I started my Vivelle patches last night :)

Estimated transfer date is April 19th :) The embryos (2 of them-6 day old) are snug and waiting for us at the lab in Charlotte :).

We are so excited and so blessed to be on this journey! It will be great and wonderful, but most of all, it will produce our baby(s)!!!