Trigger Day!

Apparently my body works like clockwork, as far as stimulating follicles goes. Too bad it hasn't worked that way to get me pregnant!

I saw my regular RE yesterday. (My clinic has two REs. I am "assigned" to one that is my primary doctor, but the other one will also see me. She did my appointments this past Thursday and Saturday. I LOVE her!) I do like him, but he is a man and is not so good with the "warm fuzzies" like the female RE. I guess I could have asked to switch primary physicians, but just didn't feel like it was the right thing to do since I would most likely still be seen by the other doctor. Oh well. At least both of them are involved in my care.

My tummy really feels like a bowl full of jelly. (How can Santa stand it?) The proof was on the ultrasound screen yesterday. My right ovary has about 9-10 follies growing nicely, one whopper at 20mm! And somehow the left has exploded since Saturday. I think he counted 11 or 12! All of them are 14mm and higher, so I am really close.

My Ovidrel trigger shot is tonight, but I don't know what time yet. This means that my egg retrieval will be Thursday morning. If you're a newbie to IVF, the trigger shot is the final one that you take to make your eggs complete the maturation process. It's the last step before one would naturally be released from your ovary, only it's controlled through medication. I also did my last Lupron shot this morning. (Lupron keeps you from ovulating--this is absolutely essential so that the RE can collect the eggs from your follicles.)

No more needles!!!! (After tonight.) The previous times that I have been pregnant I used the Endometrin progesterone suppository and will do the same this cycle. The one IVF cycle that I didn't conceive, we did the progesterone in oil shot. I am thrilled to stay away from needles for a while. Although, I have to say, this time has not been nearly as hard for me. I used to have to talk myself up to stick myself with the needles, but I've just done it this time without any hesitation. And, I didn't hit the "wall," either, where I was at the point of hating giving myself shots. This cycle has been so much less stressful for me--I guess that's what happens with practice.

I'd like to cover injections in another post, as well as support and support groups. Both are big topics that need attention.

Say a prayer for me tonight that all goes well with the Ovidrel and my eggs do their thing!

Mrs. W