Embryo transfer

We pushed back our transfer day twice. We were originally going to do it in July, and ran out of money, we then changed it to September but decided to do October because they were doing a transfer in St. George that month. The transfer went very smoothly, and up until this point I was just trying to exercise and stay healthy. Our transfer date was Friday, October 28. We were both so excited and nervous. The morning of you get ready in comfy clothes; I suggest leggings, a robe and no smelly stuff. I used every trick in the book to "help the baby implant" -wearing socks so your feet stay warm -keeping your belly warm before transfer, but not afterwards -eating pineapple core and walnuts With our fertility clinic they also require 3 princess days which means the only activities you can do are make a sandwich and take a shower. I tried to drink lots of fluids and tried to keep my mind occupied because this wait is difficult. After the day of transfer you wait 10 days for a pregnancy test. This also is a hard wait, because you take every little feeling as a "sign" Some people spot after the transfer and some cramp. I had cramping and Joanna had a little spotting. Most of this is all normal, everyone's body is so different. Joanna and I were both very lucky we both got pregnant and they implanted one in each of us. The day of transfer you are considered 2.5 weeks pregnant. The day of the pregnancy test you are 4 weeks and then they do another quantitative HCG level to make sure your numbers are rising. I bled/spotted from 4.1weeks until close to 7 weeks. We were in such shock because at 5.5 weeks we found out that our embryo I was carrying had slit and they both had heart-rates that sounded great and strong. At 7 weeks we had our first ultrasound with our IVF clinic and baby A no longer had a heart beat. I was very sad, nervous and feel very grateful that I carried that little one for such a short time. We are now 8 weeks along. I have my first OB appointment Tuesday night and will be watched very closely by my OB, HR OB and CF clinic. Currently I am continuously nauseated but notice that if I drink a gallon of water a day, it goes down significantly. I also do not sleep well at night, because I am already uncomfortable. I know there is more to come, I am so happy with how far we have come and I just pray constantly for our 2 babies and Joanna that everything will work out.

How to have a successful egg retrieval

Leading up to my egg retrieval I had did a lot research about egg retrievals and also talked with all my patients that had gone through the same. 4 years ago we had our first egg retrieval that I felt was for the most part successful but I knew this year I would be older, and we would be doing PGD which could limit the number of usable embryos. I decided I would combine all information and come up with my own combination to have a successful egg retrieval. 
Preparing for egg retrieval
For 5 months (The acupuncturist suggested to do 3 months, but our egg retrieval date changed a few times) prior to my egg retrieval I did acupuncture once a week with a licensed therapist that specialized in woman's oriental medicine. I had never done this before but found it very relaxing and I noticed a change in my menstrual cycle after the first month. I felt great!! At about 3 months prior to the egg retrieval I started taking royal jelly pills, wheat grass pills and drank alkaline water (you do not have to buy the expensive bottled kind, you can make your own). About 30 days before I went on the fertility diet. This diet does not really focus on what to take out of your diet but what to add. They suggest adding 5 things to your diet every day. 1. drink a gallon of water 2. drink a fertility smoothie (just a mix of fruits and veggies with an added fertility super food ex. royal jelly) 3. drink a green drink (I used Amazing Grass Green Superfood Original) 4. A large salad 5. Spinach A lot of these steps you can totally add together so it doesn't seem like too much. Once I started taking medications from the IVF doctor I did not take anything extra and I discontinued all acupuncture treatments.
Our egg retrieval 
Our retrieval was June 28th. We ended up retrieving 35 eggs, which is almost double than the last time. Last time we retrieved 21, ended up fertilizing all of them, but at the end of the 5 days we had 5 left. This time we started with 35, 23 were mature enough to fertilize and 17 fertilized normally. At the end of the 5 days 10 were frozen and after PGD 4 had mutations. We ended up with 6 frozen. Now last time we had 5 frozen but out of those 5 frozen we have one live baby, we also did not do PGD so who knows if any of them had any genetic issues. We were very happy with all of this and were so grateful for everyones help.  
Side effects after egg retrieval 
With my first egg retrieval I didn't really have any bad side effects. I remember feeling bloated but we had also done a fresh embryo transfer and became pregnant shortly after. This time I was very bloated and very swollen and had pain as well. This lasted for about 9 days, at 7 days post I was starting to worry that I wasn't feeling better at all. I didn't really do much these 9 days, stayed down most of the time, drank Gatorade and took pain medication. 
I hope this helps any of you going through this process. It is not the easiest of funnest thing, but remember what you are doing it for and try and stay positive