ERA or not to ERA?

July 20

Yesterday our Fertility Clinic asked us if we would like to go through a mock transfer/ERA (endometrial receptivity assay) test before our Frozen Egg Transfer “FET”. I hate how through this process it constantly feels like there’s another decision to make. In this case, it is a test that could/could not make a difference in the results of our FET, a test that will cost us another $1000+, and extend our time before finally getting to transfer our embryo.

If we went through with the ERA, we would likely extend the time to our FET by around another month. It involves simulating a FET using estrogen patches and progesterone injections so they can see how your uterus will truly react to these medications during your transfer. I should probably also mention that the actual procedure for an ERA isn’t pleasant. They go through your cervix and into your uterus to biopsy your uterus. All while you’re awake! Some of what I’ve read says it isn’t awful. Some of what I’ve read says they screamed through it and it was horrible! It’s hard to know how my experience would be, but no matter what it won’t be pleasant.

IVF is hard enough without all the tiny decisions about things that could or could not improve our odds. From what we found, most of the research just doesn’t seem to prove that going through the ERA increases the odds of a live birth. Most (definitely not all) Fertility Specialists seem to only recommend this test when you’ve had a couple of failed transfers or failed implantations. If the research showed that it would increase our odds of a live birth, even though it’s ANOTHER $1000 and even though it’s likely going to be pretty dang painful, I would have done it. I would have spent 2 weeks with hormone patches, injecting myself with progesterone, experiencing mood swings, etc… just to get a biopsy of my uterus. Obviously, that whole process feels easier when the end result is an embryo transfer.

We responded to the clinic that we would like to skip the ERA for this transfer round and go straight to our FET. So now we wait, again.

July 24

We’re getting closer! The last step before officially scheduling our transfer and transfer-related appointments has arrived. On Monday this week, I had a saline ultrasound. This was a new experience for me and I was honestly a little nervous going in. During a saline ultrasound, they place a catheter into your uterus and then put saline in your uterus before doing a transvaginal ultrasound.

The start of the procedure feels similar to a regular pap smear or similar to the IUI procedures that I went through with the catheter placement, but that’s when it starts to change. As they start to pump the saline into your uterus it starts to get pretty uncomfortable! It mostly felt like really, really, really intense cramping. This cramping was very similar to my bad endo cramping, but while I’m laying on my back with my legs in stirrups. I’m used to being able to curl into a ball with my heating pad for those. The good news is it was over fairly quickly, and our results were good. No issues, nothing that looks like it could cause an issue with our transfer. So…. on we go.

Now, we finally have a transfer week. Our transfer will be the week of August 28. I just have to hold it together for 4 more weeks! Ha! Easier said than done I’m afraid, but we will manage. Again, the amount of waiting is definitely one of the worst parts of IVF for us.

July 27

Well, my blog went live. It’s weird to have all of these personal details out there in the world, but I’m excited about it. I’ve been passionate about being vocal about women's health issues and endometriosis for a long time, but this takes that to a whole new level for me. I’m out of my comfort zone and it feels good.

I’ve gotten a lot of really great feedback from putting myself out there and I truly appreciate that from each of you. It means a lot to know there are people in my corner and that you understand why I’m doing this. I’m doing this for me (it’s a great outlet), and for others in my shoes. I found so much comfort in reading stories similar to mine that I wanted to try to do that for others as well.