Retrieval: The Day our Babies were Conceived!

I am not sure how accurate this account is going to be, because pretty much everything after 8:15 is a little hazy.  But here's the scoop on yesterday.

Retrieval day started VERY early for me.  In fact, it actually started around 10:00pm the previous day (Tuesday).  Craig brought home a nice little cold/respiratory infection from school over the weekend. ( I still blame one of his 5th graders, whom he caught wiping a booger on his desk! ) But needless to say, he passed that infection on to me on Monday.  So Tuesday night I was ordered not to eat or drink anything, nor take any medicine after 9 or 10pm, as they did not want anything to interfere with the anesthesia or surgery.  So when 10pm rolled around, I couldn't breath, I was coughing a bit, had a headache, and was so darn THIRSTY, because all the medicines had completely dehydrated me.  Craig tried to distract me with chit chat and stories, but I was too nervous about the following day to pay attention.  So I ended up heading downstairs (where the air is less dry), watching late night re-runs until 3am.  After getting a good 2hrs and 15 minutes sleep, our alarm went off to get up and get ready for our big day!

At 7:30 they began prepping me for surgery.  Looking back, I've realized that I have been a pretty healthy individual.  This was my first time to wear a hospital gown (other than routine exams), my first time to have an IV, my first time on a hospital gurney, first operating room, the list goes on!  The nurse told me that my IV would feel like a "bee sting," and I had to admit to her that I had never had a bee sting either.   Prior to surgery, I spent about half an hour with the IV drip.  They ended up pumping about 4 lbs worth of fluid into my body to prevent it from hyper stimulating (OHSS).  (I think I explained that in a previous post).

Here's the shots Craig captured of me in my fabulous outfit! Nerves were definitely in full force, as it is apparent in this photo that I am faking my enthusiasm.

My surgical team ended up consisting of 2 nurses, 2 anesthesiologists, 3 doctors, and the embryologist.  I don't think I was prepared for that big of a party!  But they were all so great.  After I settled onto the operation table, I remember one anesthesiologist starting my oxygen, the other telling me she was starting whatever was supposed to put me out, and my doctor telling me they were going to move my legs.  That's it.  Next thing I know, I am in another room, with one of my nurses telling me everything went great!

Dr. B and the embryologist came in to tell me that they had retrieved over 30 eggs!  He explained how many he felt that we should ICSI (fertilize) in order to get close to the number of embryos we were comfortable with.  Oddly enough, it was exactly the number that Craig and I had discussed as being what we felt was right.  He did state that if they felt like the eggs looked to be a little lower quality, they might take the liberty to ICSI a few more.  We felt good about the plan.  We were so thankful that Dr. B was on our side, and he actually gave us his honest opinion.  Both Craig and I were a little worried that we were going to have to make a guesstimated decision on our own. (sigh of relief!)

Photos after surgery, and after the good news that retrieval was a success!

So now I am settled on the couch, feeling much less sore than I did after surgery yesterday.  I am feasting  on salty/ high sodium foods, lots of protein, and more gatorade to drink than a high school football team. All this is suppose to help prevent OHSS.  My sweet husband has downloaded movies, tv series, and hooked me up with a bunch of good books to keep me company.  And I have my snuggle buddy (Lucy) nestled at my elbow!  We're feeling good, feeling positive, and very VERY thankful for all the prayers that surround us!