5 fertilized

Well, 2 'degraded'- whatever that means. And 2 didn't fertilize properly (I guess I got my hopes up that ICSI would take care of that). It's maybe a little disappointing that we didn't get more, but all in all we're pleased. It's 5 more embryos than we've ever had to freeze before (ok, we've never had any to freeze because we've only ever gotten 2 embryos at the most to even transfer in my own 2 retrieval/transfer attempts.)

And I realize that not all will probably survive a thaw. And not all would grow appropriately after thawed. But (and I really hated this when I was told it back when I was doing IVF), it only takes one. It only takes one embryo to implant and become our 2nd child.

And, it's now time to put all of these thoughts about this cycle with my sister away. At least for probably close to a year. I'd like to breastfeed for at least 6 months and although I haven't asked specifically I'm guessing I won't be able to take the drugs required to prep my lining for an FET while I'm still breastfeeding.

We went for a growth-monitoring ultrasound yesterday afternoon and all looks good. Weight estimate is 4lb13oz (based on size of circumference of head, circumference of abdomen and length of femur bones). I'll now go back in 2 weeks to start weekly non-stress tests (at which, apparently, they'll be doing ultrasounds too). That will continue weekly - I guess until I go to the hospital to deliver. I'll also have an OB appointment in 2 weeks at which, apparently, they'll start doing internal exams to determine whether I'm dilated at all.

Oh, and baby girl is now head down!! She's facing my backbone with her legs up in front of her chest (the femur bone length was still only 18-20th percentile (better than 11th percentile last month!) so I guess she likes to touch her toes.

In fact, we saw her trying to put her toes in her mouth! Here's a pic (it's a little hard to make out on the 3d ultrasound pic, but those are apparently toes heading into her mouth):