drugs, Drugs, DRUGS... and FET

What is a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) and how does it differ from In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

First off, the drug therapy is actually reduced, which you wouldn’t think judging by the picture below of the recent fertility drug shipment I received.

In FET, embryos (frozen) from a previous IVF cycle are implanted into the uterus in hopes of creating a pregnancy. We currently have 3 embryos frozen from our 2012 IVF cycle that are 7-days old at the blastocyst stage. Shady Grove Fertility (the practice we are using) has a 95% success rate of thawing embryos and we have a 50% success rate of a successful implantation.

To prepare for implantation, Progesterone Oil and Del Estrogen are taken through intramuscular injections to thicken uterine lining for implantation.  Because I am not growing multiple embryos this time around (like in IVF) I do not have to take the two other hormone injections. I also do not have as much monitoring for lining and embryo growth.

To date:

-          We both have given blood work for genetic testing.

-          We have had an initial round of blood work to check for hormone levels, STDs (standard), vitamin D levels, etc.

-          I have begun birth control to regulate my cycle.

-          I have had an HSG xray to ensure that nothing in my female anatomy is blocked, preventing pregnancy.

-          I have had a mock embryo transplant so that my doctor’s could learn the contours of my anatomy again for implantation.
- I have had another round of bloodwork and vaginal ultrasound pre-med to check my baselines again.

And then this started on Monday evening:

Wes began giving me the first round of drugs in the FET process, Del Estrogen. Currently I am taking this needle in the upper butt area every 3 days. Thanks to helpful tips from a few of my friends, I found that icing the spot prior to injection makes an IM (intramuscular) shot a whole lot easier. I also had minimal bruising I think because of this.

The first day after the injection I felt like crap! I pretty much spent the entire day with back pain, stomach pressure/ tightness, and spotting. All things that can be normal with this drug. The second day, other than being tired and a bit dizzy I felt much better. I did have a brief period of nausea that morning, but I think I have to be more careful about taking my prenatal vitamin after eating, coupled with these hormones. I've been trying to maintain activity and have continued to teach BodyPump (I will do this until next week) and walking/running. My activity will be restricted in early pregnancy and when the Progesterone Oil begins on 7/22, so I'm trying to take advantage of the benefits of movement now.

Tonight holds another round of drugs for me, so we'll see what tomorrow brings. PS: I think Wes is having a bit too much fun with this!