Holy eggs!

Retrieval went fantastically and they were able to get 15 eggs!!  Holy crap!  We won't know until tomorrow how many of those were mature and how many were ultimately able to be fertilized, but what a way to start!

Especially when I found this article:  http://news.health.com/2011/05/11/number-of-eggs-retrieved-helps-predict-ivf-success-study/  which says that 15 eggs shows the best chance of a successful pregnancy.  Bring it on, I say!

Next steps:  get our fertilization report tomorrow.  Transfer 2 embryos on Tuesday.  Freeze any remaining embryos -- hopefully for a sibling since this WILL be our successful cycle, I've decided.  So we'll add to that list of next steps:  become preggo with a very healthy child (or two!).

I do hope that we end of having just enough embryos to have the family for which we've prayed so long.  We've never obviously had to entertain the thought of "extra" embryos before.  Most likely, we won't this time either, but the idea does need to be considered.  Our options are to donate them to another family in need (usually anonymously), donate specifically to someone, or "simply" destroy them.

The latter will never be an option for us.  And despite popular anti-IVF press, it doesn't appear to the be a true option for most people going through IVF.  People who have tried this hard to have a family have an utmost appreciation for human life and the miracle that each of those embryos is.  Potentially having a child out there raised by someone else is an odd thought though.  So I'm guessing if this process decides we're having 7 children, we'll just have to go that route!

I'm still pretty uncomfortable from having my 15 eggies removed.  I'm going back to work tomorrow, but luckily it appears to be a pretty laid-back day.  I'm gross and bloated and supposed to eat a lot of salty food to help with my fluid retention.  My risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) should be mitigated by using Lupon triggers vs hcg triggers.  (That's a whole science lesson on its own, but basically the hcg takes longer to dissipate in the system and can make you sick for longer).  My guess is I'll be feeling pretty fabulouso by Saturday or Sunday.

I'll report back tomorrow when we know the fertilization report.  In the meantime, have a great Thursday!