Lucky Number.....

7

The nurse called this morning to confirm that of the nine eggs retrieved on Friday, 7 have grown into beautiful 7-10 cell embryos.

Embryos with higher cell numbers and regular appearing cells (blastomeres) and little or no fragmentation have a higher overall chance of implanting than those with less cells, more irregularity and significant fragmentation.

For those who are visual like me, let me show you the difference (keep in mind these are NOT my cells)

Perfect 8 cell Embryo

Grade 4 (Just like mine!!! Yippee!)

Slightly Fragmented

8 cell embryo

Grade 3

Severely Fragmented

6 Cell Embryo

Grade 1

Implantation has been scheduled for 10am Monday morning. Unlike retrieval, this process is much easier and less taxing on the body. No drugs, no pain….only a full bladder required. The process is simple and quick:

The embryo transfer catheter is loaded with the embryos. My doctor passes it through the cervical opening up to the middle of the uterine cavity. An abdominal ultrasound is used simultaneously to watch the catheter tip advance to the proper location. When the catheter tip reaches the ideal location (middle of the uterus is best), the embryos are then pushed out of the catheter to the lining of the uterine

My “McCutey” doctor is scheduled to do the procedure, Whoot!!!

I trust him 100%, he is gentle by nature. I will not have to remind him that this entire IVF cycle depends on his delicate placement of the embryos at the proper location!!

I will laid up for a few days, relaxing, letting those embryos attach…lots of time on my hands to ponder….and blog! It will be nice to switch gears and maybe post about something other than needles and pain!