Here's the schedule:
10:10 Arrive, check in, and get blood work
10:15 Drink 32 ounces of water in 15 minutes and take valium
10:30 Go get acupuncture (we're paying extra for this)
11:00 Check in with embryologists and get situated in room for procedure
11:30 Transfer the thawed embryo into my uterus and lay flat for 10 minutes. Then I get to pee (thankfully!)
12:00 More acupuncture
1:00 Go home and lay down
The embryo transfer is not a surgery. They simply put a tube into my uterus and slide the embryo into it. They can't attach it to my lining or anything like that unfortunately. I wish they could and did though! That's why I am going to get acupuncture before and after the transfer so that I am as relaxed as possible.
I have to be on bed rest through Wednesday night, but I will spend Thursday in bed as well. I'm allowed to get up to get a snack, eat, pee, and shower, but that's about it. I will be spending 3.5 days in my bed watching Jimmy Fallon Tonight Show episodes because he makes me laugh. I don't want anything that is going to further stress me out, make me upset or anxious or make me cry.
Technically I am released for normal but gentle activities Thursday morning, but I will spend Thursday in bed and then take it easy after that. I don't have to go back to work until Monday. I am not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds until the pregnancy is confirmed on ultrasound at 7 weeks. I'm also not allowed to exercise, take baths or steam showers or have sex.
We won't know if this worked until June 29th when I go in for a blood test. So it's the wonderful two-week wait. I can't take a pee-on-the-stick test because I'm taking hormones and it won't show an accurate reading. By the way, all these shots, pills, and patches continue until about 12 weeks when your body figures out that it's pregnant and starts producing the estrogen and progesterone on its own.
So, any prayers, thoughts, virtual hugs, etc. would be much appreciated on Monday and all that week! We are crossing our fingers, toes, and praying hard that this works the first time! Much love!