The day finally arrived – when a precious, miraculous little embryo got transferred into my body. Years in the making, and countless hopes, dreams and fears made.
It had been a long road (sometimes lonely) accepting my absolute infertility, and getting to where we were. Hoping to finally get pregnant through the use of IVF and an egg donor. You can read more about the DEIVF journey here.
Luck 🍍
Personally, it was important to feel good going into FET Day (Frozen embryo transfer). So I had my nice Aquazzura heels to wear, as I loved that their motif is the pineapple, which is also a symbol for infertility.
I tried to find a dress at Seed, as I liked that idea that I would be having a ‘seed’ of life implanted. But to no avail… way too short for their styles 😂
Thankfully I found a gorgeous dress by Aje at David Jones. I liked that the style name of the dress is the ‘Breeze’. As I could only hope that it would be a ‘breeze’ the next day. I like to embrace my quirks haha!
The date was also special as February 25th was my Nana & Pop’s 65th wedding anniversary had they still been with us, so I felt like I had a little more luck with me hopefully!
Instructions for the day
I had my instructions from the Fertility Associates team, to first empty my bladder in the morning, and then drink a litre of water an hour before the procedure.
Hydration can contribute to a clear ultrasound image, and help position the uterus in a way that makes it easier for the doctor to visualise it during the procedure.
We received a message saying that one frozen 4AA embryo had successfully thawed and was ready for transfer, along with a photo of it (below). This little embryo, with a silver lining, seemed brimming with promise and potential, became the absolute focus of this momentous day in our lives.
Fertility Associates
When it was time, we left for the FA office, and checked in. We were guided to our private waiting room, while we waited for our turn for the embryo transfer.
After popping the hospital gown on, and the socks our egg donor gave us for luck. We waited around 10 mins, and then one of the lovely nurses got us. Only to find out as we were almost in the procedure room, that she had the wrong couple! OOPS! Maybe almost getting someone else’s embryo inserted… jk that wouldn’t have happened!
Anyway, we went back into our room, and waited another 10 minutes, and then she got us again, this time it was our turn. We got into the procedure room, Jono sitting to my left, and me being guided onto a bed and into the leg stirrups. Given how unnatural it feels, the nurse was great at covering my modesty and making me feel comfortable.
She proceeded to do the ultrasound on my stomach to check my bladder and uterus.
Unfortunately after getting all ready for the transfer, my bladder wasn’t full enough for the transfer. So off we went back into our private waiting room, so that I could drink more water!
300mls and 15 minutes later…
Off we trotted back into the procedure room. Back onto the bed, legs in stirrups, ultrasound underway, and yet my bladder still wasn’t full enough!!
Back into our waiting room, I drunk another 500ml, and I’m standing up, jiggling about, trying to get gravity to do its thing, while trying not to throw it back up!
I felt really tight in my stomach, and I couldn’t stop burping for a while… It was not my finest moment!
Gosh the things you do to try and have a bambino lol!
Anyway, after another 15-20 minutes, we went back into the procedure room. Fourth time is the charm hopefully! Our doctor had even changed from scrubs to business attire, and looked great for the occasion! (He had appointments afterwards).
Back onto the bed, legs into the stirrups.. I was a pro by this stage!
Thankfully, the ultrasound showed my bladder was full, and my uterus was all good to go. YAY!!
They confirmed my details, and then we watched on the screen to my right (as Jono videoed), as the doctor put the catheter into position, and we saw the embryo exit the catheter and float into my uterus.
So wonderfully unreal!
Then it was back into our waiting room, where we just sat in the moment of surreality, excitement and nervousness. À la Phoebe from the Friends episode, The One with the Embryos, I sat in the chair upside down to let ‘gravity do its thing’. And we took a few snaps and took a video talking to the embryo lol!
The team were all so lovely and kind, and made us feel really cared about, even when my bladder wasn’t cooperating!
Now all there is to do, is hope and pray that the embryo likes its surroundings, and sticks on in there! 🤞🏻
Lore & Tempo is where motherhood meets adventure. I’m Ren – storyteller, explorer, and single mum in Wellington, New Zealand. I’ve been lucky enough to wander through 45 countries. 15 of them with my +1, Kaydes, either strapped to my front, on my hip, or running ahead on her own adventures. I created this space to share single parent life, travel tips, and the joy of exploring the world.
