Last fall, I had the chance to share my journey with you all. For those who don’t know me, I’m a breast cancer previvor and a passionate advocate for women’s health. I’ve also dabbled in modeling and pageants. Under the guidance of Dr. Emily Jones, I decided to go through IVF treatment and genetic testing to lower the chances of passing on any hereditary conditions to my future child.
I’m capturing my path to motherhood through blogs and videos, hoping to shed light on the often confusing world of infertility treatments. I want to remind women that they are not alone in this journey. As I like to say, I hope to “pay it forward” to others facing similar challenges. Here’s what I’ve shared so far:
- Blog #1: Why I Chose IVF
- Blog #2: First Steps in IVF – What to Expect
- Blog #3: Administering My Own IVF Injections
Now, let’s talk about my egg retrieval experience.
(Note: My egg retrieval took place before the COVID-19 pandemic.) Even though an IVF cycle is relatively short, it can feel endless at times. The process itself isn’t overly complicated, but the emotional rollercoaster combined with hormonal fluctuations and the stress of infertility or genetic concerns can make it quite overwhelming.
The day of my egg retrieval was a huge relief. I was finally done with the hard part! I had prepared my follicles, and now it was time for the medical team to take over.
My surgery was scheduled for noon, which meant the most challenging part of my morning was skipping breakfast and choosing the right pajamas for the day. Since my partner Mike was away, I asked my best friend Sarah’s mom, who I fondly call Tia, to be my driver and emotional support for the day. Tia picked me up from my brother’s place and took me to the surgery center. The facility was absolutely beautiful, and I felt immediately relaxed thanks to the friendly reception staff. I really appreciated that many of the team members had been through fertility treatments themselves; it made me feel understood and supported.
After completing some paperwork, I was escorted to my recovery room, where I donned the infamous open-back surgical gown. The staff was incredibly attentive, and I even got three heated blankets because I’m always cold! The doctor walked me through each step of the procedure, assuring me it would only take about 20 minutes, and I’d know how many eggs were retrieved right after.
Then came my favorite part—the anesthesiologist. I can only imagine how satisfying it is to be the person who administers the “happy juice” before a procedure! He prepared my IV and explained what he would use, promising to return with the good stuff soon.
Before things got underway, I managed to call Mike, who was in Germany, for a quick “I love you.” As we wrapped up, the anesthesiologist wheeled me into the surgical room.
I felt pretty calm since I trusted my medical team and knew the procedure was straightforward. The room resembled an upscale gynecologist’s office, and honestly, that’s about all I remember! I joked about my silly French Bulldog socks and then I was out!
When I woke up in recovery, I was a bit groggy, but they quickly brought Tia in, and the doctor informed me that they had retrieved THIRTY TWO eggs! No wonder I had been feeling bloated—my ovaries were likely the size of grapefruits! After about 15-20 minutes of waking up, I felt ready to go home.
The nurse advised against heavy meals post-procedure, but naturally, I made Tia drive straight to the nearest pizza place. It’s a tradition of mine! Thankfully, I survived and made it home without a hitch.
The following days were a bit of a mixed bag. I started experiencing what my doctor thought was mild Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). This can happen during IVF, especially with a large number of follicles. It can lead to symptoms like bloating and headaches, which I definitely felt. Dr. Jones had me postpone my trip back to Germany by a week and come in daily for monitoring.
Fortunately, my case was mild, and after a few days of observation, I was back to normal and ready to head off to see Mike. Now came the tough part—the waiting game.
After the retrieval, the eggs were evaluated for maturity and fertilized, often using a method called intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or “ICSI.” Not every egg fertilizes, which is why numbers can vary. After fertilization, the eggs sit undisturbed for five days to develop, and on Day 5, the embryologist checks their progress. If they reach the Blastocyst stage, they’re sent for genetic testing. Sometimes, embryos need an extra day or two to develop, which can feel like an eternity!
And just when you think the wait is over, there’s another TWO WEEK wait for genetic test results. It can feel like cruel and unusual punishment! My advice? Find a new hobby, binge-watch a series, or take up knitting to keep your mind busy.
To find out how many embryos made it to testing, you’ll have to wait for my next blog! Stay tuned and continue following my IVF journey on our blog and social media!
Summary: In my latest blog, I shared my egg retrieval experience during my IVF journey, detailing the emotional ups and downs, the supportive medical staff, and the process of egg retrieval itself. I also discussed the subsequent monitoring for Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome and the anticipation of waiting for fertilization and genetic testing results.