Fertilization Report

Houseguests are going fine, except that I am constitutionally incapable of not lifting a finger.

New Year’s party was surprisingly painless emotionally though pretty painful physically. Rather than gathering everyone into the living room and doing a grand announcement as I expected, the announcement was made with people gathered tightly into the foyer. I was so far on the fringe of the crowd that I couldn’t hear what Mr. Other Host said, nor see either of their faces. When the message passed down the line, Telephone-style, the person next to me said, “The Other Hosts are having a baby!” I said dryly, “Yeah, I know.” And then I seemed to be in the in-crowd, gifted with advance intel, rather than a wretch whose feelings must be protected.

After getting home late (awake for 22 hours not counting being unconscious under anesthesia and a couple of 15-minute naps), I got an early call from the head embryologist. I’ve never spoken to her before, but I’ve always heard very good things about her expertise and kind manner. She said:

• 9 eggs retrieved
• 6 mature (I’m assuming it’s the same 6 large follicles that I saw in the ultrasound)
• 6 received ICSI
• 5 fertilized
• 1 has vacuoles
• 4 look “quite nice”
• 2-day transfer on Friday

2009 is starting off well already! Hope the same is true for all of you.