My support person (my boyfriend) and I traveled up to Rochester, NY, to stay with our intended parents (IPs) the night before our embryo transfer in Buffalo. Staying with them really helped us relax and feel comfortable, which made the anticipation for the next morning a little easier to handle.
The IPs were so kind and supportive, they even drove us to the clinic. We were all in the same room for the embryo transfer, which made the experience feel very connected. The doctor performing the procedure was incredibly informative and took the time to answer all our questions, which helped calm any nerves we had. The hardest part? Holding in my pee! The clinic asks that you come with a full bladder, and I had carefully filled mine on the car ride over. Lying down for the transfer with a full bladder was uncomfortable! But despite that, we were all feeling hopeful that the embryo would successfully implant. Once we were in the procedure room, they did some blood work, showed the IPs a picture of the embryo, and explained exactly how the procedure would go and how long it would take. From start to finish, it was about 20 minutes. Once it was over, I may have run to the restroom never have I gone so fast in my life! After the procedure, we celebrated with McDonald’s French fries, “good luck” because in the IVF community, the salt is said to help the embryo stick. Then we headed back to the IPs’ house, on the drive home later that day, we followed the clinic’s instructions, stopping every couple of hours during the eight-hour drive to walk around for about 15 minutes. The short walks are also a nice way to stretch our legs and enjoy some scenic views.
For the next 10 or so days, I drank pomegranate juice because the doctor suggested blueberries, and I don’t like blueberries or pomegranate juice, but I took one for the team. I drank about a cup every morning, as recommended, since it’s said to help support the embryo sticking, whether it does or not, I did it faithfully! The moment of truth came on Beta Day, and the results were amazing: the embryo stuck! We couldn’t have been more thrilled to receive such positive news after all the preparation, nerves, and excitement leading up to the transfer. I felt like I did everything right. I drank so much water from day 1 of medications, which is truly so important. I took my medication at the same time every single day. I drank the gosh darn pomegranate juice even though I hated it! I was so dedicated to getting that embryo to stick. And it worked! I was so excited that I was pregnant and in 9 months the IP’S would hold their baby!
