Tuesday 26 February 2013

Endo biopsy: redux

I had my usual preparatory endometrial biopsy today.  For those unaware, there's some science out there that nicking the uterine lining in the cycle before an IVF (or FET, in my case) causes it to grow back thicker and stickier for implantation.  This was my third endo biopsy since starting infertility treatment.  I'm hoping it will be the first one to actually get tested out with an embryo.  Up to now we've never made it that far; either the cycle or the transfer has been cancelled.  I've been jabbed in the ute a lot for no reason, it appears.

As you may recall, it was at my last endo biopsy that I discovered my super vaginal strength.  Can I just say that, out of all the Google search terms that lead people to my blog, "super vagina" is far and away number one?  I have no idea what those people are looking for, but I'm sure they're disappointed.

This time around my vagina behaved itself.  I think it was mostly due to the fact that my RE went a lot easier inserting the catheter this time.  Which in my head means that my vagina is less of a Clark Kent/Superman type thing and more of a Bruce Banner/Incredible Hulk type thing.  Poke my cervix too hard and VAGINA MAD!  VAGINA SMASH! 

While there I took the opportunity to ask my RE about what has been my biggest preoccupying worry to date: the thawing of our blastocyst.  Amber had an interesting post a while back talking about the 90% survival rate for embryos frozen through the process of vitrification, or flash freezing.  Apparently, the old "slow freeze" method can result in ice crystals forming inside the embryo which can break off and cause damage.  Interestingly, studies have also shown that blastocysts frozen by vitrification have higher implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.

Unfortunately I wasn't really clear on whether our lab uses vitrification or some other method.  So today I asked my RE what the chances were that our blastocyst wouldn't survive the thaw.  She very confidently told me that we had a less than 10% chance of that happening.  She said that she could count on one hand the number of times it had happened to her patients, and that if I was to ask the embryologist at the lab he would wave his hand at me and tell me not to worry about it.  I didn't bother to get into specifics of how the lab freezes everything (since I figured that was more a question for the embryologist), but suffice it to say that I left there feeling better about the whole thing.  I'm going to pack that worry away now and not let it come out again until the morning of my transfer.

So right now I'm just waiting for CD1 so I can start my Estrace and get this show on the road.  I'm not sure why, but I've been feeling a lot more positive lately.  I've been feeling like this just might work.  Nobody move, nobody change ANYTHING!  I'd like this feeling to last.

15 comments:

  1. It's kind of terrifying to feel hope, isn't it?

    Love the image of the hulk vag. We all need one of those...

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  2. I loved when you wrote that post of your super vaginal strength!! hahaha I am soooo glad you are feeling positive about your upcoming cycle. Send me some of whatever you're taking because I've been feeling a little down lately... I am sending you lots of good vibes :)

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  3. 3 endo biopsies. You have a super uterus to go through that. That is unpleasant to say the least. I don't know if it was the key for me or not, but I had my first biopsy before this IVF so perhaps the rumors of extra stickiness are true. A million babies can't be wrong. I'm so glad you are feeling hopeful. I am sending all sorts of positive energy your way and am so hoping the little bean sticks.
    Now, I am just going to sit back and giggle over hulk vagina for the rest of the evening.

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  4. yay! Positivity is so important. Hold onto yours! xo

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  5. Of all the things you could have on your list of accomplishments, super vaginal strength may be the most brag worthy!

    So glad you're feeling optimistic, my friend! Hang on to it!

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  6. Oh, how I laughed at how "super vagina" is your #1 google search! No where near as uncomfortable as three EMBs, I've received three authorisations from my insurance for an IUI which I have yet to use!

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  7. "VAGINA SMASH!" HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!! I love that! Hope it becomes the new #1 search... :-)

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  8. Ooooh, have you already purchased your Estrace?? Because I have so much leftover that I could give you for free! Also, "VAGINA MAD! VAGINA SMASH!" -- funniest line ever. I'm impressed with your ability to handle the biopsy; that friggin' hurt for me, especially because it felt like the doctor was shaking the catheter around in there like a polaroid picture. My ute was all, "Gurl, you SERIOUS?!" Glad you're officially on the road to a BFP! :)

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    Replies
    1. I have not! Although I'd feel weird taking yours, since I have pretty much full drug coverage so it seems like yours should go to someone that is paying OOP. Is it super expensive?

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    2. Crap, sorry, I always forget to check back on comments I've left! Anyway, I don't have insurance or anything but I only paid $64 for the Estrace, so I guess it isn't too expensive... I just feel bad because no one else seems to need it and there are like 17 tablets... wouldn't want them to go to waste. :) Let me know!

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  9. Oh my goodness how I laughed out loud at this post! You are one hilarious chick with a super vagina!!! I am so glad to know you are feeling more positive. Isn't it so nice to be able to take a nice deep breath and know our frozen embies have such a high chance of surviving the whole freeze/thaw process? I know that I feel 10x's better! Now if only AF would visit the both of us....

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  10. I'm super late commenting on this post, but I just wanted to say how excited I am that you're just a couple of steps behind me on this trip! And I think after three biopsies, you can add ute of steel to your list of super powers!

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