It's Like Riding a Bike
We are set to transfer our final embryo on Friday, July 2. So tonight (Sunday, June 27) we begin injections of progesterone in oil. Since we have done this routine before, we are prepared with the necessary supplies as well as some comfort items. Eric watched the training video for a quick refresher on drawing up the solution and injecting it into my back side. When I was at Mid-Iowa for my ultrasound this week, the nurse drew circles to identify the ideal areas for the shots.
The first night went very well. We are a well-oiled machine. While I was icing the area to numb the skin, Eric drew up the medication. The syringes come with a needle attached, but it is the needle used for injection. The medication comes with the needle used for drawing up each dose. So he has to switch the needles, put 1 mL of progesterone in the syringe, and then put the original needle back on. When the area was numb, Eric cleaned it with an alcohol wipe and counted down to the poke. I lie on my stomach and relax my back and legs as much as possible. I try to exhale when the needle is going in so that I don't tense up. It takes a few seconds to administer the full dose, but I don't have any discomfort once the needle has broken the skin. After the needle has been removed, I massage the area and apply a heat pack for several minutes. This helps to prevent soreness the next day(s). I hardly felt the first shot at all and I am just a little sore today. We will alternate sides each night to reduce bruising and pain throughout the coming weeks.
There are many additional medications to take this week. The progesterone in oil is the only injectable medication - the others are taken orally or vaginally.
I will also continue estrogen patches until the pregnancy test. On Thursday and Friday I will take one Dexamethasone (corticosteroid) pill. I will also take two Augmentin (antibiotic) pills on Thursday and Friday. Friday morning (transfer day) I will insert a progesterone pill vaginally. At 10:30 I will take one Diazepam (an anxiety/sedation med) and drink 16-20 ounces of water. This will ensure that I have a full bladder at 11:30 - this tilts the uterus and allows the doctor to better see the catheter. All of these medications are in addition to the estrogen patches, prenatal vitamin, vitamin d, and baby aspirin. All of those medications will continue until the pregnancy test 12-14 days after transfer.
