Lilypie

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

We have blastocysts!!!!

For the first time ever, we have blastocysts! For those unfamiliar (my family and friends constantly remind me that they don't have a PhD in infertility-lol), a blastocyst forms when an embryo reaches the 5-6 day development stage. It has ~ 100 cells (give or take) and is distributed in two areas: an outer embryo lining (which will later form the placenta), and an inner mass (which will later become the fetus). During a natural cycle (for you lucky gals), the embryo develops into the blastocyst stage as it is leaving the fallopian tubes and entering the uterus. An embryo needs to have entered into the blastocyst stage once it arrives in the uterus in order for proper implantation to occur.

CCRM called with our Day 5 report and we have 4 blasts that were frozen (vitrified) and biopsed today! We are so happy! Our greatest fear throughout this whole cycle was not having any embryos to thrive beyond Day 3. We never could get anything to make it to blast at our old clinic, and we had a total of 25 embies to work with there during IVF #1 and #2. So at CCRM, we now have 40% of the fertilized embies that have made it to blast! Woohoo!

The embryologist said that they are watching all of the others as well and would let us know a final blastocyst count tomorrow. Not to sound greedy, but we would love to have more make it. It would just give us a greater chance of having more normals to choose from at transfer time. But make no mistake, we are thrilled to have any blasts! Please pray for some of them to be normal! Also, please send lots of positive vibes to our embies in Denver! After tomorrow, the blastocysts' biopsied cells will be headed to the genetic testing lab in New Jersey to see which ones are genetically normal. Then begins the long 4-6 week wait for the results to come back!

The biopsed cells are actually taken from the future placental cells (ie, outer lining of the embryo), not from the inner mass (potential fetus) as occurs in other types of genetic testing. And, all 23 chromosomes are then able to be tested, unlike only 9 chromosomes with other types of genetic testing. Wow. As I've written all of this, I realize it sounds very scientific, so probably boring to lots of people. Therefore, I think this is a good stopping point. :-)

26 comments:

Suzanne said...

That is great news! I am so excited for you!!!

Jessica White said...

I'm so happy for you! I hope you get at least a few more blastos.

Christi said...

Hooray!! Yeah for blastocysts! sending all my vibes to your embabies and mine. Hey, they're roomies! :)

Jill said...

That is such great news, Jill!!

Megan and David said...

Wonderful, sweetie! I am thrilled for you!
Here's hoping for a speedy 4-6 weeks!

Josée Martens said...

Congratulations! I've never had blasts either. That is really fantastic! I hope you get some positive info soon.

DAVs said...

Congrats! Yet another example of the awesomeness that is the CCRM lab :)

Emily said...

woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is so exciting!

have a "blast" in cabo :)

Karen At Home Blog said...

Jill! I am just so excited for you! I swear I learn a little more about IF everytime I read your blog. This is going to work for you, I am so excited! Thank you for letting us be involved in your journey. You are in our thoughts more than you know. Take care and hope everything else goes as smooth as it has been so far!

Karen

theworms said...

That is great news!!! Praying you get a few more blasts.

Just Me. said...

I've never had blastocysts before but thanks for sharing such info. I love reading up and finding out more, especially if it's infertility-related. I feel that knowledge is power when it comes to dealing with infertility.

I'm just praying lots for you and sending an urgent FEDEX to God to tell him that this cycle has to work for you.

(((((hugs)))))

A said...

FOUR!?! That's awesome!!! Congratulations! That's at least 2 FET's, or 4 FETs if you're feeling ballsy with a single embie transfer. And as pp said, yes, CCRM rocks yet again!
Now we wait. (it sucks, you stand warned) Did they give you a ballpark date for the news? Mine took 5 weeks.

sarah23 said...

It wasn't boring at all to me!!

Congrats on the blasties!! :)

Lorrie said...

That's such good news, Jill! Saying a prayer for your little guys!

Kate said...

YAY!!!!!! That is so incredible. Positive vibes for the others to make it to blasts.

Jen said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!! So happy for you and your lil blasts. Praying for a few more. :)

Joy said...

Extremely happy for you. I will be praying for you embies. Best wishes.

Ariella said...

Sending your embies lots of dust and growing thoughts. I hope you get a few more blasts!

Penny said...

awesome!!! I hope those biopsy results come back good. Like, maybe there will be a single bad player and you can blame him for past failed cycles, but then your other 3 will be superheroes!

Lulu said...

Hi - This is my first comment and I just have to congratulate you on your wonderful news! This bodes so well for you. Congratulations and great good luck for the egg transfer!

M. said...

Not boring at all-- this is fantastic news! Totally praying for more blastocysts :)

Lost in Space said...

Woo Hoo!!! What great news, Jill. I hope you get a few more blasts and that the next 4-6 weeks fly by. Lots of positive thoughts being sent to your embies for a healthy report.

Chelle said...

This is wonderful! Sounds like CCRM knows what they are doing. Your in good hands!

CJ said...

Soon when do the blastocysts get put back in you? 4 to 6 weeks?

Beth & Brian said...

YAAAYYYY! That is such great news!!

Kristen said...

What beautiful, wonderful news!!! Hooray!!!!!!