The Two-Week Wait

For women who are trying to conceive, they know how nerve-wrecking TWW is. I had been through it for close to 2 years when I was trying to conceive naturally. Had shared my journey in my earlier post here.

I was prescribed with support medications and given 10 days of medical leave until my pregnancy test. While the chance of success is dependent on the quality of the embryo, the centre did give me a few advice to increase success rate. Although there is no need for complete bed rest, I need to minimise my activities. I was refrained to do activities that may cause strain to the abdomen. 

Unfortunately, I am a very stubborn person. I started doing house chores when we got back home from the centre. The husband had tried to stop me from doing the chores but failed. In the end, he reached out to my older brother to tell me off but, guess what my brother suggested to him?

Since Horizon Forbidden West was already released that time, he suggested the husband to purchase the game for me to play. 

And it worked like magic - I started playing the game the next day until my pregnancy test! The game made it easier for me to survive the Two-Week Wait and I definitely had adequate rest.

We went back to the centre on the 10th day for pregnancy test. Had to be there early in the morning for blood test before our consultation with Dr. Eeson which would be 2 hours later. To be honest, that 2-hour wait was worse than 2-week wait.

When it was finally our turn, my mind went blank as we entered the room. When we sat down, Dr. Eeson gave us the report. I saw a smiley on it. He asked if I did any pregnancy test at home and I said no. He continued to say something to us but I was not listening anymore as I was staring at the report the whole time. 

I had not come to my senses even after we left the consultation room. It was until we were at the lobby, waiting for our turn to collect the medications, I gave a call to my older brother to share the news and broke into tears. 

Yes, my brother has always been there for me throughout this journey. He knew how difficult and stressful I was, trying to conceive. I had cried in front of him a few times too. He was also the one who spoke to my family, telling them not to bring up pregnancy topic when speaking to me. I just knew it was him even though he did not tell me. Hence, I did tell the husband that the very first person I would want to share the good news will be my older brother.

When we got back home, I took out all the type of pregnancy tests that I had purchased and peed away! I never had the joy to see 2 lines on them so I wanted to feel that great joy.

Remember I mentioned that stimulation was not the most difficult part throughout the treatment? That's because what happened next was the most difficult part - something that I had never expected.

What's next? 

More medications throughout the first trimester and on top of it, I had serious morning sickness. Fortunately, Dr. Eeson wrote a letter for me so I could appeal to work from home. I did try to ask Dr. Eeson if I could stop taking the medications during the third month but he did not approve.

This lasted until we finally graduated from the centre. We are really thankful to Dr. Eeson and the team in Sunfert @ Bangsar South. 

The Transfer

Dr. Eeson did tell us beforehand to enjoy ourselves during our trip back in Sibu. To be honest, I did not really understand what he meant until we were finally back to continue our IVF treatment.

We went back to the centre the following day after we came back from Sibu/Penang and finally set the date for Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) which happened in 7 days.

Of course there were some preparations and medication needed for FET. Also, we had made the decision to transfer just one embryo.

On top of Progynova, I was prescribed with Duphaston and Cyclogest. Progynova and Duphaston were taken 3 times a day, after meal, whereas Cyclogest is a medication to be inserted into the vagina 2 times a day, with a fixed time which I had set at 11am & 11pm. Cyclogest was no fun - it was a huge mess when I did it the first time. From 15 minutes of lying down to 20 minutes, 30 minutes was the best option to reduce the mess.

The husband was very attentive when the nurse was explaining to us on the details of the medication. He even wrote down the instructions right after we came out from the consultation room. 

Similarly to OPU, on the day of transfer, I was not allowed to use any facial products, cosmetics and perfumes. These may affect the embryo. I was only allowed to shower with water only. Another challenge on that day was to hold my bladder until the transfer. It was not easy especially when the treatment room was really cold.

Thankfully, I had this image in front of me for distraction while waiting for Dr Eeson. This is the image of the embryo that would be transferred into my womb. The embryologist had informed me earlier that its survival rate after thawing is 100%. I was so relieved to hear that. 

Oh, I was not under sedation during this transfer. Hence, I was able to witness the whole transfer process by watching the TV in front of me. As this process was recorded in a sonogram machine, one of the nurses offered to use my phone to record the video after the transfer was completed. 

And you think I could finally empty my bladder after the transfer? Nooo.. I had to lie down for another half an hour.

However, this was nothing compared to what we had to go through next - The Two-Week Wait, which I will share in my next and last post.

The Polyps

My first menstrual cycle came on the 4th day after The Collection and hence, I was expecting my second menstrual cycle to come at the end of December. For the first time during my trying-to-conceive journey, I wished for it to come as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, for the whole month of December, everything was quiet. I started to get anxious and worried.

When it was finally here (it was already January), I went ahead to make the appointment to consult Dr. Eeson although it was not at the normal volume. After TVS, he told me that we need to remove polyps that are next to my lining which will affect the embryo's implantation. Hence, I was to admit to Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur the following week for this.

Although I had the room to myself, the husband could not stay back to be with me. Fortunately, the nurses took good care of me and everything went well. Hence, on the following day, I was being discharged from the hospital and was scheduled for my follow-up one week later at the centre. During TVS, it was confirmed that polyps had been removed totally and that we could prepare for Frozen Embryo Transplant (FET).

Why not immediately? 

Well, we could only start when my next menstrual cycle arrived which came three weeks later from the day I was being discharged from the hospital. As we would be heading back to Sibu for Chinese New Year, we had to postpone FET a little bit but Dr. Eeson assured us that it would still happen at the end of February. He had me started with Progynova for the next 15 days until I returned from Sibu for another check-up. 

With this line of medication on top of my daily supplements, I was still able to take it lightly. I did not know the worst will come later which I will share in my next post..