In just a few minutes, my embryo transfer was complete. I chilled out for a bit and was told to go home and relax. Funny, I know. I headed to acupuncture instead. As I was laying on the table with needles pinned all over my body, I kept thinking happy thoughts. Come on embryo, stick!

From the very moment it was transferred, I felt a strange and immediate connection to this tiny little embryo. I started to talk to it, rubbing my stomach, telling it what a great place it was in, what a great family we would be. And, with everything in my life, I felt I needed a song. What better daily musical mantra was there for us than “Stuck on You” by Lionel Richie?

My husband and I played it every day during the two-week wait and sang to the embryo.

Just like every other phase in the IVF process, there were monitoring appointments, pills, and shots. One early morning I headed in to have blood-work done to check my estrogen and progesterone. This became a standard operating procedure for me. Hours later I got a call that my progesterone levels were lower than desired and I had to add in progesterone suppositories. Ugh, I thought. Not a desirable twice a day activity, but I made it this far, why get picky about what I would do now?

As the days went on I did a lot of praying… and worrying. The night before the official beta test to check to see if I was pregnant, we visited with very special friends of ours. The wife was the first IVF warrior friend I had. Years before I started my journey I watched and marveled at her strength and success and was so lucky to have her by my side every step of the way. They spent the evening trying to take our mind of the following day’s activity. My husband confided in her husband that the next day would either be the best day in our house, or the worst. I was happy he had a “guy” to relate to on is matter, for I know this journey wasn’t easy for him either.

We went for dinner and I just couldn’t eat. I ordered a burger, a staple comfort food for me, but I just couldn’t get it down. Nerves I thought.

We came home and went to sleep. I wanted the next morning to come and go as quickly as possible. I woke up at 6am that Sunday and headed for my blood test. I told my phlebotomist friend, that this was the most important blood test she would ever take. I came home certain I failed like I had everything else baby. My mom tried to be positive on the phone with me but I told her it was out of my control now and in G-d’s hands. What would be, would be.

Marc and I huddled on the couch together watching TV to distract ourselves. It wasn’t working but we gave it our best effort. As we faded in and out of paying attention to whatever DVR show we had put on, my phone rang. It was THE CALL.

Shaking, I answered. A nurse on the other line said “Hi, how are you?” I answered “OK, how are you?” She answered with words I will never forget. “I am great because I get to tell you that you are pregnant!” I don’t quite remember what I answered back but she told me I had a strong beta number of 109 and to come in two days later for a repeat test to see the number double. I hung up the phone and Marc and I started to cry and laugh at the very same time. Looking back, I think we laughed way more than we cried. We were both hugging and in shock. I think the journey used up all the tears we had and all we could do was laugh. IT WORKED!

I immediately Face-Timed the 4 most important people in my life. My parents, who were overcome with tears and joy, my sister, standing in a towel was thrilled and my best friend, Alan, who hung up the phone with his mom in a hurry knowing this call could very well require him heading to NJ from DC for support should the news not be good. Their support through the entire process was nothing short of miraculous and I was so happy to share the good news with them for a change.

I, Pamela, was finally PREGNANT!!!!