Tag: infertility procedures

  • The Regroup

    The Regroup

    Before we started IVF, we watched an online class the clinic sent out. It went through the whole process, from beginning to end.  I found it surprising when they said they hope to get at least one or two viable embryos after the egg retrieval process. “Surely we would get more than that!” I thought…

  • The Gut Punch

    The Gut Punch

    It’s a work day, and I’ve gone with a coworker to help pick up a print order and grab some lunch. He’s talking with the vendor when I get the call: _________ Nurse: We’ve received the results of the genetic tests on your embryos, and, unfortunately, they’ve all come back abnormal. We’re so sorry.  Me…

  • Embryology

    Embryology

    After the egg retrieval process, the mature eggs are immediately fertilized in a lab through the intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI) process and grown to the blastocyst stage before being genetically tested and frozen. The morning after the procedure, we got our first update from embryology. There were indeed 19 eggs retrieved during my procedure. Of…

  • Weird, So Weird

    Weird, So Weird

    IVF is weird.  You essentially take a process that, for the majority of couples, is free and fun, and you make it the exact opposite: incredibly expensive and full of medications, injections, and uncomfortable procedures.  And while you and your partner are definitely in it together, for most couples, it’s very one-sided. At every step,…

  • What Do You Mean It’s Not Covered?

    What Do You Mean It’s Not Covered?

    I really didn’t want to do IVF, but it seemed like it was our only option now.  I’d been worried about the prospect of IVF being our only choice ever since our first doctor’s appointment at the clinic. It’s expensive and invasive, and I did not want to go down that road.  I was mostly…