Our Transferversary

One year ago today we walked into our fertility clinic for our 3rd embryo transfer.

After two failed transfers, we had become somewhat numb to the process but also tried to stay hopeful that the 3rd time would finally be the charm for us to bring home our rainbow baby. After our first transfer failed, we were in utter shock. We assumed that IVF automatically equaled having a baby, so when it didn’t we were left speechless, wondering what to do next. Especially after what we thought was a failed first transfer, actually ended in an ectopic pregnancy and emergency surgery 3 weeks later.

This transfer wasn’t any different than the first two. As we walked into the clinic, I had my jug of water in hand that I needed to finish over a 15 minute time span before the transfer to be sure my cervix and uterus were in the “optimal position”. We checked in and they handed us our identification card, which looks like a hotel key, but has both of our names on it to be sure that the embryo is in fact ours. They called me back to draw my blood to be sure that my progesterone and estrogen levels looked good.

After a little while, our embryologist, Glenn, came out to take us back to prepare for the transfer. In our first two attempts, he always found a way to make us feel at ease, and confirmed with us that we did not want to know gender. This time wasn’t any different. He handed us a picture of our hatching embryo, stating that it looked perfect just as he did the two times before. After asking if we had any questions he left so I could change until they called us back.

The sonographer then came to get us and took us back to the procedure room. She was the same one we had for the first two transfers and for so many monitoring ultrasounds through our three FET cycles. Once I was in the room, she checked to be sure my bladder wasn’t too full like it was for the first two transfers, and once again she said I was an overachiever and told me to go pee and empty two full cups. I maybe emptied 1 and a half, in fear I’d empty too much. Once back in the room she said all looked good!

The doctor came in and the doors to the embryo storage room opened up. Glenn was behind the doors and confirmed our names once again. We then watched on a big tv screen as he suctioned the embryo into a catheter from under a microscope. He then came into the procedure room and the transfer happened! We were able to watch the entire process on the screen, watching the tiny embryo leave the catheter as it was pushed through another catheter into my uterus. I was officially PUPO…(pregnant until proven otherwise).

We tried to keep our minds busy during the two week wait, just as we did the two times before. I took the day of and after the transfer off from work to just relax. I only had two days left of work before heading into Thanksgiving break. Over break, I rested a lot. We sent Tango to daycare a couple times, celebrated Thanksgiving with our families, and even went to our favorite place, Estes Park, for an impromptu hiking day with our best girl, Tango. We FaceTimed with family, and put up our Christmas tree and outdoor lights.

My first beta was scheduled for Monday November 28. Of course I had already bought pregnancy tests, even though they say to wait until your beta blood draw to be sure. Sunday night while Josh was making dinner, I couldn’t help myself. I went upstairs and took the test. I sat there staring at it as the two darkest lines appeared! I couldn’t believe it! I was so nervous I had peed all over the floor while taking the test. I yelled for Josh to come upstairs, not telling him why and just left the test on the counter. A few minutes later, he walked in with a raw package of salmon in his hands and saw the test. He looked at me with the biggest hopeful eyes and we just hugged while I cried and laughed about the mess I made. We couldn’t believe it but we were so grateful.

The fact that our now chunky, nearly 4 month old was once just a tiny spec the size of a poppy seed in a petrie dish is unreal. It is an absolute miracle and gift from God that we were able to get pregnant and have our sweet baby boy. I still find myself thinking sometimes “wow I can’t believe he’s here!” SO many things have to be exactly right and happen at precisely the exact time for human life to be created. We are in awe of God’s creation and our beautiful Dawson, and we will be forever grateful to our doctors and His perfect timing 🤍

Happy Transfer-versary sweet boy. We are so blessed that God chose us to be your parents, Dawson. We love you to the end of the galaxy and back 💫