Embryo Transfer!

On July 31, we were scheduled for embryo transfer. We were very excited to finally reach this milestone and to see "S" and her family again after 5 months of getting everything ready. They drove to our home a few days before transfer so we could spend some time together which is always awesome.

On day 5, the embryo would develop into blastocyst. Transfer usually takes place on day 5 because this is when the embryo travels from fallopian tubes to the uterus. With adequate uterus lining, the embryo is likely to be implanted. We had planned to transfer two embryos, one from each of us but we wouldn't know if it was going to happen until the day of transfer.

Early in the morning on transfer day, our RE called and told us that we each had a good quality embryo to be transferred, one was already a blastocyst and the other could catch up in a few hours. It was great news to start the day. We had a relaxing morning at home before heading to the clinic around noon. As usual, "S" got her protocol for transfer and she was required to have a full bladder!!

Nothing felt like getting ready for transfer. We were excited and anxious at the same time. All the hard works eventually came down to this moment. "S" got her lucky charms and socks. We learned that actually there are rituals for transfer day - lucky socks being one of them and we got her lucky charms. We needed every piece of luck we could get.

After checking in at the clinic, "S" went in first to get herself ready. A few moments later, DH and I were called to go in. We put on surgical gown, hair net and shoe covers, then entered the transfer room that was dimmed with calming music in the background. "S" was all ready and laying on the transfer table. The embryologist first verified our identify to make sure the embryos transferred were ours. Then the doctor came in to perform the procedure and explained it to us along the way. Upon the order of the doctor, the embryos were loaded to the transfer catheter and started their incredible journey. The catheter containing the embryos and a small amount of fluid was passed through cervix into uterus, where the embryos were placed. Through the use of ultrasound, we were actually able to see the two embryos leave the tube as they were transferred. They looked like little orbs of light; like shooting stars as they were deposited into "S" uterus. The clinic had everything blown up on the TV screen as the embryos were being loaded. It was pretty amazing to witness the procedure. Considering all the months of preps leading to the moment, the entire procedure took only about 10 minutes!! It was quick and painless without sedation. 

We were excited to see the embryos for the first time, so small like the tip of a pen even on the big monitor. 

After transfer was complete, we gave each other a hug and took some "family" portraits. "S" was then moved to a recovery area and her husband came to join her. We were given photos of the embryos and ultrasound. One embryo was a decent blastocyst already hatching and the other one was a little behind assisted with hatching. We were joking how each fit our personality. One is always in a hurry and the other just takes his time.   

On day 5, both embryos were already loved by many and had their photos taken as cells. It was a surreal feeling that we just made babies and part of our being was created. It is truly a miracle to see both of them develop over time - hundred of thousand times bigger.

After transfer, "S" was required to rest. We headed back home and celebrated this special moment with BBQ in our patio, with two additional little ones in "S" belly.

Next day the clinic informed us that none of our remaining embryos was viable to be frozen. It was hard to believe that they were growing for a few days and suddenly just stopped. There was no explanation and we didn't know why we lost them. Was it the quality of egg or sperm or combination of both? Was it the lab condition? It was a huge blow and hard to swallow. It made us worried even more if the two transferred would stick. We were extremely sad, disappointed, and confused, knowing we only got one shot.

"S" told us to stay positive and said "we are pregnant until we are proven otherwise." In fact, all we needed was two if we were lucky. The two best ones were now in "S". It was out of our control and we could only cross everything and hope the two embryos stuck (or even just one!). With the embryos being transfer, the waiting game begun. We had to wait until pregnancy blood test scheduled on August 11. As much as we were really anxious to know the outcome, we told "S" that we didn't want to know if she did the pregnancy test at home and preferred to wait for the blood test to confirm. Peeing on a stick test usually would show pregnancy on day 5 after transfer. Given there might be a possibility of false positive, we wanted to wait for a confirmatory blood test. The waiting period was tough. It is funny how time seems to slow down when you are eagerly waiting for something.

15 weeks!

You guys now measure roughly 4 inches, crown to rump and weights in at approximately 2.5 ounces (about the size of an APPLE). You are busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory tract. Your legs are growing larger than your arms now and you can move all those tiny joints and limbs. Although your eyelids are still shut, you can sense light already. 

"S" said that she could feel your movement more often now. Please don't party too much, ok? In a few days, you will be coming home with "S" and her family for the Halloween weekend. We can't wait to see you guys and have you home in a few days.  

Daddy and Papa have been thinking what kind of costume you will like. Something like these maybe? 

 

15-week fetal development video

Fresh embryo cycle and egg retrieval

After S's uterus lining was adequate and the egg donor was on board, we were ready for the real deal and the clinic started preparing everyone for the transfer cycle. The clinic synced the cycles of the egg donor and "S". It was a very stressful period for everyone.

"S" had a busy protocol to follow with pills, injections, blood work and ultrasound appointments. The donor had her first ultrasound and blood work on July 10 and started her cycle medications on the 12th. If all went well, the egg retrieval would be estimated around July 22. The donor was monitored every other day during her cycle. Since she was not a proven donor (her first donation), no one knew how well she would respond to the meds. We would get an email update on every monitoring for "S" and the donor and just hope every check was a good one. 

Things were moving along for a few days until we got a call from RE that the expected number of eggs might not be ideal, probably about 8 eggs. Given that we were splitting the number of eggs for two dads, it significantly reduced our chances. With 8, we each could only have 4. It could be possible that not all would be viable and fertilized and not all fertilized would make it to day 5 for transfer. The RE suggested that we gave the donor a few more days so July 22 for retrieval was not gonna happen. At the same time, "S" was on a holding pattern. If everything went well, we would be given about one week advance notice for embryo transfer. 

Nothing was certain until eggs were retrieved and fertilized. All kinds of "what-if" ran through our heads at this point. We were preparing ourselves for the worst and hoping for the best which has been our motto for surrogacy. If the donor didn't respond well to the meds and could not produce an ideal number of eggs, we would have to cancel the cycle and start all over again or choose a new donor. If we had to start over again, how much would it cost and how much delay would it be? In a hindsight, it is probably better and less stressful to have frozen embryos first and then do the transfer as soon as the surrogate was ready. 

On July 21, we got another update on the donor and we could possibly get more eggs. We decided to move forward for the retrieval scheduled on July 26 and 5 days later for embryo transfer on July 31. After all, 13 eggs were retrieved with 12 being mature so we each got 6 fertilized. A day later, the clinic informed us that I had 4 embryos ongoing and DH had 5 ongoing. Those 9 just kept going until day 5 for transfer. We were relieved to have a workable number with potential of getting some frozen embryos and were very excited to see "S" and her family again for the transfer. It was a huge step forward and finally it was happening.

We may never know the identity of our egg donor and get an opportunity to personally thank her. In her profile, she gave a message to the egg recipient - "I wish you the best." Thank you, ED. We also wish her the best! Maybe our paths will cross one day. 

Thank you...S.

Exactly a year ago, "S" responded to our ad when we were searching for a surrogate. Her email came and gave us hope. And who would have thought that a year later she is carrying two most precious gifts one could ever dream of?

We are deeply grateful for all she has done for us so far and for all the support her family has given her. There is not a day goes by that we don't think of her and appreciate her kindness and generosity. Our thanks will never be enough.

"Surrogacy is a.....

Spectacular journey
Unreal to most
Resulting in and
Reminding us
Of the
Greatest gift
A person
Can ever give or receive
Yielding in amazing beauty." 

"S" - somewhere over the rainbow, we found each other and this song is for you. Enjoy!

14 weeks - start of 2nd trimester

It is 14 weeks today and the beginning of the 2nd trimester. It is another milestone. Two months ago, babies were simply a cluster of cells. Now they have functioning organs, nerves and muscles. It is a miracle to see how they have developed. One change during the second trimester is that the morning sickness and fatigue should be fading. We really hope that is the case so that "S" could feel more energetic and like her old self again. She texted us the other day and said she could feel babies' movement. She also got a fetal doppler and she could hear babies' heartbeats.                                                                                         Babies will be busy growing so will be belly of "S." We haven't noticed any baby bump on her but probably will very soon.