It has been a week since our second egg retrieval. I’m anxiously awaiting to start our next cycle. Healing from this past retrieval looked a little different. I have been extremely bloated with more minor discomfort than last time. The first time I returned back to work the following day. I’m grateful the retrieval was on a weekend this time as I’ve been completely exhausted. I was able to work from home until Thursday when I felt better prepared to be back in office.

I’ve started to spiral a little thinking the numbers will not work in our favor. I predict even after this final retrieval we will only have 10-11 eggs to fertilize which is less than anticipated. I have seen numerous success stories with those with less but I’m only in competition with myself.

I’m starting to rationalize if we do not get any healthy embryos to just try again at the start of the year when insurance regenerates. It is a scary thought though because that will be essentially nine more months of lost eggs. I’m getting nervous because our clinic will not start a cycle without insurance pre authorization. I initially requested the clinic to start on the authorization a month ago on March 13th, 2024 when I paid for this past cycle. Theoretically I am thinking the pre authorization they have from January 2024 should still work as it is a year long authorization. When I followed up with the financial counselors this past Monday they said they didn’t have any information regarding this upcoming cycle. Mind you it’s about a week later now and I should start this final cycle by the end of this week or the beginning of next. Of course I will follow up Monday with the previous authorization and inquire when I should hopefully have the financial estimate.

This should be the most expensive round yet as it includes fertilization via ICSI and hopefully PGT-A. I hate getting information last minute as it doesn’t allow me to plan. I have a rough estimate it should be around just under $8000 but around $6000 insurance should reimburse for. Just have to figure out where to get $8000 out of pocket for it initially. I know we are very grateful and privileged to have reduced out of pocket expenses on this journey.

I went ahead and ordered an auto injector in the event that we need to do intramuscular injections leading up to a transfer. I know I am thinking far into the future at this point as we have no known embryos but I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I’ll try my best to work on not comparing my situation to others and to just let this journey be what it is going to be.

-A