Hi everyone!
Today was our IVF consult with Dr. Webster. I just wanted to share the jist of what we learned. At least to me it’s pretty interesting stuff!
I’ve been in suspense all this time to get my number – my chance of success – 50% chance of having a live birth!! That is different from just a pregnancy rate. This is a 50% chance of delivering a baby in 9 months!! A 50% chance is pretty much the highest possibility from what I was told. If there are 2 viable embryos to transfer and there is a pregnancy, there is a 35% chance of a twin birth.
Speaking of embryos….lots to learn and consider here. First, I was happy to find out that under Louisiana state law, the destruction of viable embryos is illegal. All viable embryos must have a chance of life as they are deemed to be a “juridical person” with rights. (It does not have protective rights if it fails to develop past 36 hours after retrieval; therefore, not being viable.) If we were to have any viable ones left over to freeze, then we could either use them later to get pregnant again or donate them to another infertile couple for adoption. No option to destroy in LA. Now ponder this one—embryo has human rights, cannot destroy. Once the embryo is transferred into mom and becomes a fetus, no more right to life/can be aborted. Then when born, is a human again! Pretty silly, huh? I digress.
So about the frozen embryos—the clinic will only house them for 6 months. Obviously if I do get pregnant I won’t be able to use them in 6 months. We will have them shipped to a storage bank (likely in Austin, TX). Shipping cost $500 and the storage fee per year is $300. Then once we want them back for later use, they can ship it back to us in Baton Rouge (or wherever we are at the time). Now when the embryos are in TX, TX does not have the same laws as LA so the embryos could be destroyed once they’re “living” over there. Ugh… We received 21 pages of consent forms today. Part of which is designating now what would happen to the embryos if either one of us or both were to die while they’re frozen or if we should divorce. Decisions to make include if I die, what Matt could do with the embryos (could his new wife use them??) or vice versa. Or putting them up for adoption if we both die. Or you could set a will and will the embryos to my parents; they could get a surrogate and have the babies, etc… Such pleasant thoughts…
We found out today the eggs will be fertilized by a process known as ICSI (pronounced ICK-SEE) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This is when they inject 1 lone sperm into each egg I produce. This is supposed to increase the chance of fertilization. I did find out he thinks I will make the average of 8-12 eggs for retrieval. Each day they will call me with a report of how many fertilized and of those fertilized how many are growing well and becoming viable enough to transfer. It’s amazing to think only 3 days after egg retrieval fertilization has already occurred and the cells are growing, forming, and dividing rapidly. Sometimes as quickly as on day 3, they are transferred back in and sometimes it’s on day 5 or 6. It all depends on development. Only 3 DAYS old–how incredibly fast life grows! Really puts into perspective abortions done at WEEKS old!
So I went through my 21 pages of consent forms. It’s a lot. It’s really too much to have to consider. I hate hearing all of the risks. The good news, the short version, is that birth defects aren’t substantially higher than natural pregnancies. C-section and premature delivery are higher risks as well, especially with multiples. As for risks for me there aren’t many. The only one to watch out for is OHSS or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. If left untreated or not properly treated, could lead to death. This is the only thing during the whole process that could cause death, and it’s very rare. During stimming and after retrieval, I will have to weigh myself each morning. If I gain 3-4 pounds in 1 day, then it’s a sign of OHSS. There is no option to travel either, as you have to be near your doctor for this risk. Like I said though, it’s very rare, just something to watch for.
I have already gotten my meds in. Here’s everything I will have to use. I made fun little pyramids out of all the boxes because I was pretty overwhelmed at everything I’d have to use/learn how to use.
IVF Meds
Thanks for reading; keep the prayers coming,
af
expecting to expect 