Much to our surprise, we are pursuing another egg retrieval in 2022!
Our most recent round last month brought one genetically normal embryo so we are setting out to try and do that again before a transfer.
Why are we doing a fourth egg retrival?
We want to take advantage of any healthy eggs that I currently have before we essentially close-up shop. My biggest enemy in all of this is time — I’m 36 going on 37. According to current research, three genetically normal embryos are generally required for ONE live birth, so we want to put all our eggs in one basket so to speak.
I’m without a doubt tired of all things fertility. Very tired. But we have clarity & confidence and all I can do is ask God to give me the strength I need to endure – just as He always has!
Here’s where I’m currently at:
- I’ve gathered all my best friends 💊 and organized them.
- I’ve already done my baseline appointment.
- I have a new ovarian cyst, as usual, so we are doing another week of birth control to see if my estrogen will come down.
- My estrogen is 668 and needs to be more like 60.
- I’ll soon learn whether I need another surgery before starting ovarian stimulation.
- I’ll be going back to my previous medication protocol for stimulation, as I had better results [egg count] with that one.
Am I doing an ERA?
An ERA is a biopsy that is taken from the lining of your uterus to test the receptivity of the uterus for an embryo. This helps the doctors determine the medication doses so YOUR body needs. I asked my doctor to do an ERA before any transfer we do. I’m probably being overly conscious, but for me, with having few embryos and our likely last transfer, I want to make sure everything is primed for MY body.
Why do genetic testing?
When we first started IVF 6 years ago genetic testing wasn’t really recommended for us because I was so young. Now I’m older and have diminished ovarian reserve and my time frame for transfers is shortening. Now I don’t want to pay to store abnormal embryos or pay for meds to transfer a potentially genetically abnormal embryo that won’t result in a pregnancy. My successful transfer with Roux 6 years ago came from an untested embryo.
As much as I was hoping we could move on from this part of our journey for 2022 – we need to stick with this a little bit longer. We’ve done back to back to back IVF for the entire year of 2021, not something I’d wish on anyone – but, in all things God works for our good & I see that so clearly!
I wanted to share an IVF update with you girls here, as you’ve always been such a squad of support for me!
If you’re feeling weary, rest. Carve out time to sit and pray, read, and slow down. Find refuge in the simple act of pausing & creating space for stillness. You have my support & I’m sending all my love to you!
If you’re new here, you can read more about IVF round one and two. If you’re interested in more IVF content, click here!
