Scan – 2 days post ER

No fertilization report today but Dr. N mentioned 10 or so from the embryologist as of this morning.  It is still better than the 8 we were expecting for day 1 so we’re happy.  We’ll wait till tomorrow for our next embryologist update – the two critical milestones are 3 days post and 5 days post ER as many embryos konk out around day 2 and 4.

We scanned about 15 different way today to see if my lining was ok.  We tried it with a half full bladder, then an hour later with a super full bladder, then 5 minutes later with a semi-full bladder (I cannot begin to tell you how hard it is to pee a bit and hold in the rest for another 5-10 minutes while Dr N presses the ultrasound probe on my belly).   We got different measurements of the lining from different views.  I don’t think my uterus has ever been through such a thorough examination from every conceivable angle.

In the end came decision time (after I ran out again to relieve myself — so I can really concentrate on what Dr. N had to say).  The verdict – my lining is not looking fantastic – borderline in Dr. N’s opinion.  He left the decision to transfer or not to be a joint decision and offered 3 options:

Option 1: we go ahead and transfer the 2 best blastocysts (day 5) on monday (same cycle)

Option 2: we postpone the transfer to another month where my lining is ideal through a frozen embryo transfer (May/June or June/July)

Option3: option 2 but on monday we also transfer 1 average blastocyst (ie. freeze the best ones for another month) and take a punt a so-so embryo

Having discussed this with DH already, we thought option 2 was the best.  Only the ones that are viable for transfer will be frozen so we are unlikely to have non-viables ones for transfer (plus the likelihood of sticking).  Both factors of good embryo and good lining are important.  Even the best looking embryos won’t stick to yucky lining — as we have proven.  Plus I don’t want to go through another BFN with non-ideal circumstances and not give all our embryos a true fighting chance.  What do you think?  What would you do?

In the end, we decided that we’ll go with option 2 but more info cannot be bad info so we are also going back for a day 5 scan on monday.  Things are not likely to change much but if they change drastically for the better, we may go ahead and transfer monday afternoon (5 days transfer).  We’re not counting on it but it’ll be good to know how my lining changes from ER to ET with the progesterone now kicking in.  Another fun day with my bladder.

Being such a good patient, our consultation fees were even waived today.

Medications: 2000 IU pregnyl shot (in the butt) every 3rd day, crinone 2x daily (suppository), Utrogestron 3x daily (oral), baby aspirin

[Update] Fert Report#2: embryologist just called.  10 embryos at the 4 cell stage and 4 are developing but at a slower pace and abnormal.