Saturday, July 4, 2009

0 to 100

So, this is my 100th post. Which may a cause for celebration, but I have some better 100s today.

100% of my embryos made it to day 5. When the doctor came in to talk about how many to put back he was so excited for the good quality that I actually felt a little zip of hope run through my veins. I asked him if he could surgically remove it, but he seemed to think it was a good thing.

We put back the 3 best ones. The whole time we were deliberating on the number to transfer, I was thinking of Sky and Wombded, the opposite ends of the transfer spectrum. Both made really well-considered choices about the number to transfer for their own circumstances, and I am just hoping that it works out as well for me. It's always scary to think about having a pile of babies, but it's also a matter of being realistic about the chances of even getting pregnant. The doctor and I talked a lot about success rates, twins, and SR. With three embryos, my chances of triplets are about 1.5% and my chances of just one are only about 30%.

Still, the fact is, embryo quality has a lot to do with success. Many clinics use an embryo-rating system of an overall number grade followed by two letters. The number describes the outer shell, cavitation and expansion. The letters describe the inner cell mass (the baby) and the outer cells (the placenta). Which makes it easy to see why a "A" baby cells and "D" placenta cells would be bad.

Of course, my clinic has their own special system which involves an overall number rating (1-6) and a 1-100 score that includes inner and outer cells, some kind of enzyme released into the culture medium and a lot of visual assessments by the embryologist. Anything under 70 doesn't really have a chance. We looked at the low-res images of the embryos and they showed me the blob of inner cells and the rings of outer cells. These weren't nice clear pictures like the ones from IVF websites - they were sort of like security-video images.

Anyway, we put back an 87, a 95 and - believe it or not, from these old-lady ovaries - a 100. Now, how am I supposed to keep from thinking this has a chance?

Hope - 0 to 100, just like that.

11 comments:

Sky said...

Lorraine, I don't know how you could not be hopeful. Women in their early 30's often times have difficulty reaching blast stage and there you are, an old(er) girl like me making blasts. Sheesh! You've definitely got some good stuff in there! :)

I think you made an awesome decision to return 3 to the oven. And, yes, there is what's reasonable when you're 40, 30 and 20. There is also what's reasonable when you're 28 with no egg issues and only blocked tubes vs. when you're 38 with DOR.

You'll do fine and it would be pretty cool if you did wind up with twins! :)

Shelby said...

YAAAAY! That sounds great! Wow, 100. You know, that elderly ovary title seems to be a real misnomer. :)

Wombded said...

So, you've definitely got a few good eggs! I'm so excited for you that I can hardly stand it.

Mad Hatter said...

That's wonderful news that you have 3 embryos with such high grades! Your hope gives me hope - thank you and sending you positive energy!

Rebel With.A.Cause said...

Wow!!! I will be here silently rooting you on!!! I love that you had 5 to choose from... not so Elderly!!!

Hugs,
Rebel

Evergreen said...

Congratulations! That is some really really good news!

Best When Used By said...

Fantastic! What amazing embryo ratings. You have every reason to be hopeful and keep that zip in your veins for the next 2 weeks. I'm so glad to hear the day went well and I owe you an apology for mentioning my irrational shoe-lace-tripping fears just before your transfer. I'm glad it didn't get to you. Have a restful day.

Lisa DG said...

Sounds hopeful to me too. I'll cross my fingers that this is a smooth and easy couple weeks and that the next nine months bring you joy and peace.

Paula Keller said...

I loved the part about surgically removing your hope so much that I read it aloud to my husband, who in turn said that he was glad that someone else felt like we do - meaning afraid to hope! Sigh...

But this is really, extremely good! I'm excited that you've done so well. I hope at least one of those guys sticks around for the long haul.

Lost in Space said...

You really couldn't ask for anything better! So happy for it all going so well and can definitely understand letting the hope back in!

DAVs said...

I'm always so behind! By now you're probably POAS and getting positives! that is so great about the high quality blasts...really really great!