Tuesday, November 18, 2008

We Have Blast Off !!!

Drumroll please...

We just got back from our embryo transfer where we were thrilled to learn that we FINALLY made a blastocyst!

Not only that, but we made 3. Granted, none were perfect AA grades, but given our history we are ecstatic.

I arrived with a full bladder and got cozy in our transfer room. The nurse gave me a valium to help my uterus relax, which I was skeptical of, so I only took a half a dose. Then I relaxed under the warm blankets until the sonographer came to check that my bladder was adequately full. We were waiting on pins and needles until the embryologist finally came into the room. He proceeded to give us our report:

Out of our original 11 fertilized embryos, we had 5 left waiting for us today -- 3 blasts and 2 morulas. Here are the details:

Embryo 1: advanced blastocyst, rating: 3BA
Embryo 2: early blastocyst (not rated -- looks very healthy)
Embryo 3: early blastocyst (not rated -- some noticeable fragmentation).
Embryo 4: morula (not rated, blastulating).
Embryo 5: morula (not rated).

CCRM rates the advanced blasts as follows:

The number refers to the development stage of the blast (1 is earliest, 6 is most advanced). 1 = cavity less than half the volume of the embryo. 2 = cavity greater than than half the volume. 3 = Full blast, cavity completely fills the embryo. 4 = Expanded blast, cavity larger than the embryo, thinning shell. 5 = Hatching out of the shell. 6 = Hatched out of the shell. The first letter is the grade of the inner cell mass (cells that become the fetus), ranging from A to C, with A being the highest and C being the lowest quality. A = Many cells, tightly packed. B = Several cells, loosely grouped. C = Very few cells. The second letter is the grade of future placenta. A = Many cells, forming a cohesive layer.B = Few cells, forming a loose epithelium.
C = Very few large cells.

Out of the 5 embryos fertilized on the day after retrieval:
3 are still in the running to make good blasts.
One is quite fragmented, and one is arrested.
We'll get a call about those tomorrow, as well as the other embryos to see if there are any to freeze.

Our embryologist recommended that we transfer the two best but we felt strongly that we wanted to transfer three, and given our history he agreed and confirmed with Dr. Schoolcraft that three was our magic number. He recommended transferring the advanced blast, the good looking early blast and the blastulating morula (rather than the fragmented third blast). He did assisted hatching (using a laser to shave a portion of the shell away, making it easier for the embryo to hatch out) on the morula and early blast, but not the advanced blast (the important cell mass is too close to the outer layer to assist on the advanced blast).

Unfortunately CCRM does not give out pictures of the embryos (like our last clinic did) as they feel taking a picture could hurt them in some way. But, we brought our camera and asked to take a picture of the screen right before the transfer and the embryologist agreed that would be OK as long as the flash is off. The picture is a little grainy, but we're so happy to see our 3 little beans!

Dr. Schoolcraft (the magician behind the curtain) finally made his appearance and we got to meet him face to face for the first time!. He was calm, nice and most of all quick. The embryo transfer was over within 5 minutes, and that makes me officially pregnant with triplets. In reality, we were given a 50% chance of implantation for the advanced blast, 40% for the early blast and 30% for the morula.

After the transfer I was left to rest for an hour in the transfer room. Then I was wheelchaired out of the building and back to the hotel where I'm on strict bed rest until Thursday morning (nearly 48 hours).

We are so relieved, happy and blessed that we finally made blasts at CCRM, and topped off this difficult cycle with a successful transfer.

We can hardly believe it -- we are PUPO WITH TRIPLETS !!!



25 comments:

Linda said...

Yay!!! I'm so happy for you that you finally got your blasts!! I have a feeling this is all gonna work out for you!! You deserve it and so much more!! Now rest up, eat healthy, and think about finally being able to decorate your dream nursery!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Woo-hoo!!! I'm so hopeful for all y'all!! Thank you for sharing the good news.

Nikki said...

Woohoo!!! I am so happy for you! Very strong feeling here as well - this is going to work for you.

Wow - now stay horizontal for 48 hours!

BTW - I tagged you to create and publish your bucket list. If and when you are up to it, will you?

Anonymous said...

My wonderful daughter and son in law
Your dad and I are so happy for the two of you. We have a good feeling about this transfer. Now you need to rest, rest rest.You and Dave have done everything right ,now it is in Gods hands.Phin says hi,he misses you but is getting very spoiled. Talk to you soon. Love always mom and dad

Anonymous said...

OH Lisa....
This is it...I can feel it!!!
Yeah for the Blastulas!!!
And my goodness you have come a long way from the medical phobia....
We are soooo proud of you!!
Take rest...and Dave take good care of her!!! (we know you will!)
Anita

Anonymous said...

Sounds great!! I hope that your 2ww goes FAST!!!!!!!

You are in my thoughts!

Polly Gamwich said...

YAY!!!

Celebration time indeed!!! THREE Blasts ... those are some seriously cool embies!

I'm so happy for you ... and now the wait ... will you test early?

YIPPEE

A said...

AWESOME!!! Nothing like meeting Dr. Sch. for the first time all spread eagle on the table w/ 10 people looking up your who-hah. ROTFL.

I think your embies look marvelous! The best thing about a 5day transfer is that it makes the 2WW that much shorter!

trish said...

Well Done Lisa and Dave. Enjoy your well deserved rest!!! T

Anonymous said...

I am delurking to wish you success! I have triplets as a result of our 3rd IVF and remember thinking the same thing after our transfer. I am wishing you a quick 2ww with great news at the end!

Whitney

Just Another Mother said...

Yay Lisa! I'm so happy for you and Dave. The proud parents of triple blasts! Rest up and take it easy.

bb said...

I am so happy for you that the transfer went great and that you made blasts!! I wish you a speedy 2ww!! We will all be thinking of you!

babydust81 said...

Hi Lisa,

Take care and rest well. After all that you have been through, I believe this will work for you. Rest well during 2WW. Dont over exert yourself. My prayers are with you.

Anonymous said...

WOW this is such great news and what a road to get there, congratulations on getting through these last few weeks alone, everything crossed for the next 2 weeks!Lou & Gav

Emily said...

Hooray!!!! Best news I have heard all damn day!
I am so happy for you.
Enjoy your pregnant until proven otherwise status!

Lost in Space said...

WooHoo!!! I am so excited to read this today!!! I have never had any blastocysts either so you are giving me some hope here. (;

Hmmmm, I love that you had 3 embies on your t-shirt and ended up transferring 3 today. Good signs all around.

I met Dr. S. for the first time all spread eagle too when he did my hysteroscopy. "Nice to meet you too..." LOL.

I'm so happy for you, Lisa!!!

Not Your Aunt B said...

Whoop! Go embies go! What wonderful news.

Annie said...

Oh, happy, happy news!

Congrats to you both!

Annie in Seattle

Anonymous said...

Your story is so inspring. I found your blog through a friend's blog who also went to CCRM. You're so courageous and determined. No one deserves to be a parent more! :)

Anonymous said...

What a great day! I'm so happy for you and Dave, and CCRM has proven itself again. I hope you have some that make it for a freeze, but think how far you have come, it is just awesome. The comment from your mom brought tears to my eyes, I love that she is involved for you. Good luck - sending you sticky thoughts!

DAVs said...

Wow I'm glad CCRM is living up to its reputation for you guys. Good luck--hope the wait zooms by!

Jill said...

Lisa-This is great news! I hope that this will be your miracle cycle! Take care of yourself and try to relax over the next several days! Beta will be here soon.

Anonymous said...

Hey you two....
You sound great on the phone....relaxed, relieved and ready to help them grow.
We are thrilled for you as you know.
Take it easy, Lisa....enjoy the trip home laying out in First Class. Imagine how excited your mom and Phin will be to see you.
We are so looking forward to Christmas with you both.

Love, Mom and Dad

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Lisa and David.
We are very excited for you and looking forward to some cousin(s)
Love
Sadie and Grace

Josée Martens said...

So very happy for you. This is just fantastic. :-) Looks like you have 100s rooting for you! Go triplets of lonetree!