round 2

here we are again. starting over. it's bittersweet.

this time, we're doing what is called a Frozen Embryo Transfer:

• Frozen embryos is a term used to refer to those embryos that are not transferred during in vitro fertilization cycles and are subsequently cryopreserved. A frozen embryo transfer can be used to produce a viable pregnancy by first thawing the frozen embryo, and transferring it into an appropriately prepared uterus. Other names for this process such as embryo freezing or embryo cryopreservation have been commonly used. The treatment to establish a pregnancy using frozen embryos has been called a thaw cycle or a frozen embryo transfer cycle or simply an FET cycle.
  Pretesting for a frozen embryo transfer
  
  In order to maximize the chances for success using frozen embryos, a woman should have a normal uterine cavity. There are three tests that can be used to assess the uterine cavity:
  

  • Hysterosonogram – In which saline is injected into the uterus and the cavity is viewed with ultrasound
  • HSG in which x-ray dye is injected into the uterus and the cavity is viewed with x-rays.
  • Hysteroscopy – In which a fiberoptic telescope is introduced into the uterus and the cavity is viewed directly.

  If abnormalities of the uterine cavity are discovered, they should be corrected surgically before proceeding with a frozen embryo transfer. 

just before we started with the new cycle, i had to get a hysteroscopy cause the doctor found something in my uterus from the last ultrasound. thank God it turned out just to be some extra tissue from the lining that didn't discharge from the miscarriage. so they put me under once again and took it out.

we started with the prep medication the other day - Delestrogen. a pretty painful, on my end, type of prep med. 

• Delestrogen (estradiol valerate)
  Delestrogen is an injectable form of estrogen that is occasionally used for fertility treatments. It is oil based and must be injected intramuscularly. The injection is usually not given every day.

intramuscularly. as in, in the muscle. as in, in my butt. hello sore butt every 3 days. sacrifices right!? anything for the babies, anything. and with that, i also have to take progesterone supplements (Endometrin) to prep for the transfer. the progesterone, also an unpleasant ordeal. they're done vaginally - gross huh!? at least i don't have to do the much more painful progesterone in oil shots this time around. here's some info for y'all:

• Endometrin is a vaginal insert containing progesterone 100mg. Progesterone is a female hormone important for ovulation and menstruation. Progesterone causes changes in the lining of your uterus, making it easier for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus at the beginning of pregnancy. Endometrin helps your body maintain the pregnancy. It is used in fertility treatment as part of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) for women unable to get pregnant due to a lack of natural progesterone in the body.
  
  
• Progesterone is a hormone that helps to prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg. Supplemental progesterone is sometimes prescribed to ensure that the uterine lining is adequately prepared. Previous warnings concerning progesterone use in pregnancy apply to synthetic progesterone preparations. Progesterone that is prescribed during pregnancy is a natural preparation.  

• Progesterone injection is administered as an intramuscular injection. Progesterone is used in the luteal phase of the cycle when the body's own natural progesterone may be insufficient. Once a fertilized egg is implanted, progesterone helps maintain the pregnancy by thickening the endometrium and increasing its blood supply.

so, this thursday, october 4th, will be the Frozen Embryo Transfer. i won't say much more till later about it cause i don't want to jinx anything. but whoever is reading this out there, please pray for us that all goes well. and if you see me around rubbing my rear end, you now know why! ;)