Getting ready for Embryo Transfer! 4-1-09

Hey there! Well... looks like we will get to do the transfer after all! Our IVF nurse called today and said that our embryos are looking great and we have 4-5 that are 'Gold Stars' =), grades 1-2 and they are perfect! We have ~5-6 others that are not doing as good and may not make it to freezing stage. Our prayer all along has been for 4-5 to make it and be able to transfer at some point or another (been praying specifically for 4 and pleading for no more than 5). In a woman's natural cycles (in trying to conceive), it is estimated that as many as 50% of the embryos do not implant and are flushed out (so fertilization occurs but the embryo does not continue to grow and implant resulting in a viable pregnancy). So the fact that the other embryos are not growing quite as well and thriving is tough but it is normal and expected - we pray with all our hearts for these 4-5 that have great potential to make it!
They have us down for Friday, a Day 5 Transfer, and will call tomorrow to let us know exactly when to come in, etc.
As of now, I am still looking great as far as the hyperstimulation (no major signs - thank You Lord!!!), but the risk is still there given the amount of follicles and estradiol levels. Our doctor, at this point, does recommend transferring just one embryo (the hyperstimulation can stil take affect ~ 48hrs - 9 days post retrieval; and the hcG hormome can maximize that effect; so if you were to get pregnant with more than 1 (twins or triplets)during this time, you are multiplying that effect big time) - So she feels it is more wise in this instance to try a single embryo transfer. (Usually it takes about 10 days for the hyperstimulation, if you encounter the excess fluid and issues that come with that, for it to calm back down - so we were thinking we might have to freeze all embryos that make it to freezing stage and come back for a freeze-thaw transfer (in the event of a frozen transfer, how many we transfer and how all of that goes could be a different story).

We trust her judgement. It's a bit tough b/c only doing one decreases your 'chances' of getting pregnant, period, and everyone under 35 pretty much always does 2... but you know, our God is so purposeful and faithful - He sees the whole picture- we want His plan and whatever, out of His loving-kindness and grace, He chooses... we are just grateful at the opportunity to even do a fresh transfer. We have to go through all the preparation to do a transfer, regardless, and my body is doing well (lining great, doing progesterone inj., etc) ...

So we, once again, petition your prayers for these embryos, for the transfer, for my body, for the doctors - and of course, we hope that this is the time the Lord has to bring us a child. The big picture is that we do not just want a 'baby' to oohh and awww over (even though that has to be amazing), but our passion is to raise up sons and/or daughters of the King, that would be a light to this world, and stout-hearted warriors for our God in the coming generation. We know it will be by Christ's power, His Word, and your help and prayers ;) that this will be accomplished.

Thank you so much for your faithful support and intercession! Love you all!

"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds." Psalm 73:28

You know... God's ultimate purpose is not to bring us a baby -- It is for Him to be glorified -- and to draw me into Christ's likeness and help me to see Him for Who He truly is -- that we may truly know Him... and make Him known. He will do whatever means necessary to bring us to this revelation of who He really is... the Nature of God. As John Piper always says, "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."
May we be reminded of this Truth today. The lack of a child is not the lack of His provision. He has provided everything we need for right now, without children. He MUST be the fulfillment of our longing souls, or else we shall never be satisfied...even when children come.