Come Home, Snowflakes, Come Home

Last Friday I had planned a Big Announcement but I was thwarted by this.  So, here goes…

We are doing our first Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) in July!

We considered keeping it secret so we could surprise everyone if we get pregnant.  However, I really need all of your prayers, positive thoughts, and support.  It really means so much to me and I can’t imagine going through this without all of you.  Yes, you.  If you are reading this then you are part of my FET team.  Welcome! 🙂

What does a FET entail?  Here is our protocol:

In July when I get AF[1. Aunt Flo, aka my period] I start taking estrace pills.  This is estrogen which will prime the lining of my uterus for a baby.  10-12 days later I’ll have an ultrasound to check my lining and if all is good they’ll thaw our 2 day-3 cleavage-stage embryos and let them grow for 2 more days before transfer.  If one or both don’t survive they’ll thaw our day-5 blastocyst the morning of the transfer (blasts don’t need to grow prior to transfer).  Some time around the transfer I’ll begin Progesterone-in-oil (PIO) – those HUGE needles, remember those?  That just helps maintain pregnancy through implantation.  If I get pregnant I’ll keep doing the PIO until 10 to 12 weeks.  At transfer I also take a run of Medrol (a steroid) and Tetracycline.  12 days after transfer I go in for a beta HCG test.

The thaw survival rate is about 70%.  The pregnancy rate is basically just under 50/50.  That’s average across all diagnoses.

I’m excited, scared, anxious, afraid, confused.  I want to give Aellyn a sibling.  I want to bring at least one of my snowflakes home.  I feel like it is too much to ask.  But I ask.  I fear that a negative result will plunge me into depression.  I hope that it won’t.  I’m so beyond blessed to have Aellyn.  I don’t feel our family is complete.  I hope it isn’t.  I hope if it is I can adjust and cope.

Your prayers and/or positive wishes would mean the world to me!