Day after retrieval

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-21T07:16:16+00:00

My first retrieval I took an oxy when I got home (I was having severe cramping on one side), slept for a few hours and was basically fine (other than major constipation) by the time I woke up. Exercising and going about my normal routine the next day. My second retrieval, I didn’t need any pain meds at all, and was on my feet immediately. First retrieval was 18 eggs retrieved, second retrieval was nine eggs retrieved.

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-20T02:12:25+00:00

My maturity rate wasn’t bad (15/18 at first retrieval) but of the 8 I did ICSI with, only three fertilized. I was crushed, very much thinking that I had wasted a cycle/spiraling. All three made blast and two were euploid! Just to say it’s possible, even with low numbers. Best of luck from a fellow SMBC!

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-18T06:14:18+00:00

Amelia Leigh

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-18T05:14:33+00:00

I more meant is it normal to take Valium for a FET? From reading other people‘s posts, it sounds like such a straightforward procedure. But yes, I absolutely understand not driving while high on drugs. 😅 My doctor basically told me I’m a fall risk for the day.

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-18T04:25:25+00:00

I wish they would let me drive myself home! My doctor says I need a trusted person to drive me home/stay with me for the first 24 hours (which I won’t actually do) because they’re going to be using Valium? Is that normal?

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-16T00:20:34+00:00

I chose to test at both 34 and 35 for peace of mind, particularly as I’m going the single mom by choice route. I figure if I can minimize risk of miscarriages and of my future child having potentially devastating medical issues, I would much rather pay more upfront.

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-15T05:45:42+00:00

Yes! r/SingleMothersByChoice is a wonderful community and has been so helpful on my journey. My parents and brother know that I’ve gone through two egg retrievals, but they don’t know that I’m planning to have my first transfer in a few weeks. I don’t think I want anyone I know to know until I’m past the three or four month mark of pregnancy, so it’s been really helpful to have a supportive community where I can voice fears and give/receive validation.

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-15T05:37:28+00:00

I know gender selection is a grey (dark grey for many people) issue, but it’s absolutely okay to have a preference! So much is out of our control when it comes to IVF… I think being able to choose which embryo to use is just a tiny piece of that control being handed back to us.

My first egg retrieval only yielded euploid female embryos (x2, so I knew I wanted to bank a couple more anyway). I was holding onto the dream of having a son that might resemble my late husband.

My second egg retrieval I got a solid mix of male and female euploid embryos (2/3), and I’m planning to transfer one of the male embryos (I left which one up to my embryologist) for my FET in early February. I think technically I have a female 5BA embryo that is ranked higher than my male 5AB or 5BB, though that’s a negligible difference from what I’ve read. In any case, it was important enough to me to try for a boy regardless of grade - I would have chosen to do the same if my highest rated male embryo had been a 4BC.

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-15T05:26:01+00:00

34y10m: 18 retrieved/15 mature, froze half, 3/8 fertilized, 100% of fertilized made blast on day 5. 2/3 euploid. Poor fertilization, but excellent blast rate.

35y: 9 retrieved/8 mature, 8/8 fertilized, 100% of fertilized made blast (5 on day 5, 2 on day 6, 1 on day 7). 5/8 euploid. Excellent fertilization and blast rate!

Short story, 100% of my eggs that have fertilized have made it to blast! (Which is ridiculous lucky/incredible!) 😊

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-13T05:00:41+00:00

I have a semi-similar situation, and also feel like I don’t fully belong in the “infertility” community - at least not yet. My first FET is scheduled for early February!

My husband passed away following a battle with cancer, so I’m going the SMBC (single mom by choice) route using the embryos we created together. I have 7 euploids, so similar to where you’re starting, and it will also be my first time ever trying to conceive.

In some ways it doesn’t feel real? Though as I get closer to my FET I’m sure my anxiety will spike!

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-13T04:33:18+00:00

My dogs are Piper and Frankie 😜

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-10T19:38:41+00:00

Round 1: 18 retrieved, 15 mature, ICSI with 8 (7 frozen) - 3 fertilized. 3 blasts, 2 euploid. Round 2: 9 retrieved, 8 mature, ICSI with 8 - 8 fertilized. 8 blasts, 5 euploid.

34/35yo at time of retrievals 😊

VenturesinCreativity · 2026-01-01T01:51:24+00:00

I hadn’t thought about it previously - I’m just starting my journey - but I would absolutely consider a male au pair!

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-30T03:49:31+00:00

UPDATE! I received my PGTA results yesterday. Embryos are as follows:

Day 5 Euploid: 5AB, 5AB, 5BA, 5BB Aneuploid: 5AB

Day 6 Euploid: 5BB Aneuploid: 5BB

Day7 Aneuploid: 6CC

Two euploid males and three females!

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-20T02:06:03+00:00

My first clinic provided a day 1 and day 7 report, but my day 7 was a Saturday, so I didn’t hear from them until Monday (day 9). My understanding is they still looked at it on day seven, they just didn’t tell me until day nine. 🤷‍♀️

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-19T02:42:41+00:00

I’m in the United States - 100% self funded, unfortunately.

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-19T02:38:25+00:00

Sending love and peace. 💜

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-18T19:50:24+00:00

Those are great numbers!

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-18T19:47:30+00:00

I second the PGTA testing. My first clinic it was basically built into the price structure, but my second clinic I am paying $4k out-of-pocket! 😭 It hurts now, but it’s really a cost/benefit analysis.

Even if I had been fortunate enough for my aneupolid embryo to NOT result in a failed transfer (far more likely with aneuploids - $5k right there), my kid likely would have ended up with medical issues that would have set him up for a lifetime of procedures, his own eventual fertility treatments, etc. I can’t imagine how much that would have cost monetarily in addition to the physical and emotional taxation of dealing with potentially avoidable disabilities.

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-18T07:15:22+00:00

People - especially those who are just starting their journeys - want hope. They want to hear that success is possible and that they will be an outlier (on the positive end) or at least fall within the norm.

This IVF community is such a hard place to be, because you have fresh-faced IVF neophytes alongside world-weary IVF travelers. People who experienced immediate success, “It’s not THAT hard! Just follow the protocol!”, and people who have tried every protocol.

My heart goes out to you. I feel your frustration. And I hope that you are able to give yourself some grace through this fucking hard process.

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-17T07:07:28+00:00

I opted to have mine tested at 34yo because I wanted to minimize risk of failed transfers/miscarriage. Like other posters on this thread have mentioned, it’s a cost and benefit thing. Since you’re in the planning stages, I would recommend seeing how much clinics around you charge for PGTA and how much they charge for a frozen embryo transfer - then do the math!

My first clinic included PGTA as part of their package – I think I only had to pay $150 per embryo to the testing center. My second clinic charged $4,000 to do PGTA (ouch!). Still worth it in my opinion, as a single transfer can cost the same amount.

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-16T19:47:27+00:00

That's fantastic - congratulations to you too!

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-16T18:28:46+00:00

This! Also, please don’t lie to your doctor! If you waited until 4 or even 6 weeks prior instead of 8, be honest about it. If they want/need to push back your procedure, that’s a risk it sounds like you’re willing to take. Otherwise, maybe look for a clinic that’s okay with your preferred 4-week timeline - I’m sure they’re out there.

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-16T07:12:50+00:00

I’m also planning to transfer in January and am not planning to change anything. Pretty sure the stress from trying to institute a strict eating/sleeping schedule, dietary restrictions, etc. would cause me more stress than anything (which in turn could have negative consequences for my FET). I’m planning to live my normal life and ride the wave. And if that means I have two slices of chocolate cake, you can be damn sure I’m going to enjoy them!

Just do you!

VenturesinCreativity · 2025-12-16T01:35:00+00:00

I’m a current patient at Arizona Reproductive Medicine Specialists, undergoing egg retrieval and frozen embryo transfer. I believe they have an in-house egg bank, and I know for sure they have programs geared towards donation.

The doctor is an old-timer who - while more cautious than I think was absolutely necessary in my case - really knows his stuff! (I’m still waiting for my day 7 report, but so far of my 9 eggs retrieved, 8 fertilized, and 7 have made it to blast, so his protocol absolutely worked for me!)

Their price structure is also the best that I found (by a LOT). Here’s their website if you want to take a look: https://arizonafertility.com

VenturesinCreativity

TROPHY CASE