Eggcellent Mom Chronicles

As a teacher, I’m used to tracking student progress. Each child learns at their own pace, and with patience and support, they reach their goals. I’ve found myself applying this same approach to my IVF journey.

My cycle was a marathon, not a sprint. While most women reach egg retrieval in 10-14 days, mine stretched to 18. I was worried they would cancel it entirely, but thankfully, my medical team understood that every body is different.

On retrieval day, I was thrilled with the initial news: 18 follicles! But the story took an unexpected turn. While my left ovary generously produced 10 eggs, my right ovary was stubbornly resistant. Despite my doctor’s best efforts, only the left side yielded viable eggs.

The numbers game began to sink in. With each stage – maturation, fertilization, embryo development, and genetic testing – the number of viable eggs typically halves. My original plan to freeze half the eggs for a potential future partner was no longer feasible. Facing the financial reality of another cycle and the emotional weight of the unknown, I made the difficult decision to freeze four eggs and fertilize six.

Recovery has been manageable, but the emotional rollercoaster is intense. While I’m incredibly grateful for the 9/10 mature eggs, the loss of potential is heartbreaking. Yet, hope remains my constant companion. As Jews, we are taught the power of hope. And right now, my hope lies in those five precious embryos growing in the lab.

The next few weeks will be filled with anticipation and uncertainty. We’ll wait a week for the embryos to develop into blastocysts, then two weeks to undergo genetic testing. It’s a long road, but with each step, I’m one step closer to my dream of motherhood.