10/24/2010 6:24 PM
|
hey ladybug,
my cramps are getting more intense, they are making me nervous, but I am hanging in there. One week, and it will be here before I know it. All me IUI's (4) and my last 3 ivfs I always bleed or spot 5 days before my blood test, it meant it didn't work, well my one week mark is tuesday, and If I make it through tuesday with no blood I think things could be looking up!! I have an acupuncture apt scheduled for tues too to ease my mind a little and help me not dwell on it. UGH!!
HOnestly I think if this one doesn't work we need to look into adoption as well, my DH doesn't want to yet he wants to keep going until we have exhausted all options, well I am becoming exhausted and it has consumed 3 years of my life. Plus I think people at work is starting to get annoyed, some know I am going through all this, and I am just not into my work as I should be, and it is so hard to concentrate when I go in late and have to take time off for all the procedures. I don't even want to go into work tomorrow, even though it will help keep my mind of everything :oP. Well CSI is on need to watch. check in with you tomorrow/ When do you go for your blood test?
NIte my sisters!!! stay strong and BELIEVE!!!!
|
|
|
|
10/23/2010 11:37 PM
|
NWells - I'm surviving. I'm EXTREMELY nautious (sp?) and my breasts are super sore and I am tired, but I am not complaining if it means I am pregnant... but I'm assuming these symptoms are all from the Prometrium. I recently started cramping and spotting which I believe are symptoms from the Prometrium as well... I think I have about every side effect from that darn medicine possible, but thats ok, I can deal. I'm doing what I've got to do. If I am not pregnant I think my DH and I are ready to move towards adoption. I want to take control of my life again as it has been consumed by this process for the last 2 years.
And just because you don't "feel" pregnant doesn't mean anything this early in the game. My second IVF cycle I had NO symptoms and thought for sure I wasn't pregnant. I took an HPT and low and behold it was a BFP. I was shocked and started crying. It was the middle of the night (I got up to go to the bathroom) and I had to wake up my DH to tell him the good news. I'm praying for you that you get a BFP. Hang in there. Before you know it, next Sunday will be here.
Keep the faith all. I will say a prayer for all in hopes of everyone getting a BFP (including me:o)
|
|
|
|
10/23/2010 8:03 PM
|
well it is Sat evening, I am sitting in front of a raging fire, it is warm and beautiful!!!! So I am on Day 5 of my 2ww I go in next sunday for my test, UGH!!!!! SUCKKKKSSSS!!!!! We put three back 1 9 cell (1) a 7 cell (1) and I think a 6 (2) they said those were our best embryos and the 9 cell had jumped from a 4 to a 9 right before I went in so I am praying that is our lucky one!!!!! I don't feel different, it feels like every other time I have done this, keep looking for some kind of different sign but all I have are the cramping, the sore chest, and emotions which are the same as always. I did nothing for two days, laid around finished a book and started another (Sookie stackhouse series) on book 7 freaking love them and I am ADICTED to the true blood series!!! then I went back to work on Thursday and we had to take our students to this outdoor team building place where they walk through the woods and did some activities, well being their counselor I had to go, I tried to sit down as much as I could but I did have to walk around quite a bit, I REALLY hope that didn't mess anything up.
Plus once again our eggs didn't make it to freezing stage, we did have one that made it to compact stage??? what ever that means, the lady said it was blastula but not enough to survive a freeze. That totally took the wind out of my sails!!!! I am trying to remain positive and BELIEVE this is it!!!!!
rf1122- So sorry, I know how you feel, we are not sure what we are going to do if this doesn't work for us either, believe and you never know miracles do happen!!!!
ladybug how are things going for you? I think those of you who were in the 2ww are done or finishing up, but if you are still in the 2ww hang in there!! I am with you
|
|
|
|
10/21/2010 9:15 PM
|
rf1122: I am so sorry that your cycle didn't end in a positive result. Remember that we are all here for you if you need support or to talk, and we all feel your pain. Don't give up hope!! I know that I can say little to make you feel any better or give you comfort, but I hope that you know you are in my thoughts and prayers!
|
|
|
|
10/21/2010 10:01 AM
|
We are very sad, our TWW is over and we had an HCG level of 3 on Monday and then 0 on Wednesday. This was our last attempt. The embryo was extremely healthy and I can't help but want to blame the issues we had during the embryo transfer as a contributing factor to the negative test. We've never had an embryo transfer that wasn't successful. I know there are no answers out there, which makes this so frustrating. My emotions change from minute to minute from day to day. I think we may move on to adoption. I don't think I can go through the financial, physical, and emotional drain this has caused again. It is just too much.
With a sad heart, I wish you all the best of luck with your futures.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2010 8:15 PM
|
|
J-squared - i'm so sorry for the loss of your son and and praying you get a positive result on tuesday - life can seem so unfair - I feel so much for all the women posting on this site, and I feel grateful to you for sharing your experiences - we are not going through this journey alone - I'm also teary and sad - we find out our result 3 days after you - It feels like every month for the last 3 years, except the hope is 50 times more, but I know the dissapointment will be 50 times more if it doesn't work - IVF is our only hope after losing both tubes. Please let us know how it goes on Tuesday - we'll all be thinking of you and sending you baby dust.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2010 11:03 AM
|
Im reading these posts with tears streaming down my face. I can relate to so many of them; its overwhelming. Today is day # 8 of my two week wait and I couldn't tell you if I'm emotional because of everything we've gone through already, emotional because all of the fertility meds that are probably still lingering in my system, emotional because we are nervous about the news next Tuesday, emotional because I wish my son was still alive, emotional because I miss my brother (who also passed away last year), or emotional because I'm pregnant (fingers crossed) LOL.
I cry then I laugh at the thought of me sitting here crying alone. Silly, really... but I can understand you guys are going through. I am just so thankful I found this forum. It helps me to have your virtual support.
I had to go to a baby shower on what would have been my due date in July and it was GUT WRENCHING to see all the cute little outfits and I swear I felt like I was drowning from all the "happiness" in the room! These people were family members and not one thought to say "Gosh, I'm so sorry. How are you holding up?" -- I dont know, do the tears rolling down my face as I try to wipe them away with this stork napkin while standing in the back corner of the room give you a clue? Needless to say, I left early. It's normal to have those feelings when you try so hard to have a family and you encounter nothing but loss and disappointment for years... and it seems to come so easy to others around you.
I have seen young irresponsible women with many children from different fathers and treat pregnancy like such a burden. I have seen parents at the grocery store dragging their kids behind or walking five feet ahead of their three year old who is wearing dirty clothes and has a dirty face and I ask myself - WHY DO THESE PEOPLE GET TO HAVE KIDS?! My nursery is done. My son had the best that I could give him. He has a heck of a wardrobe, shoes, diapers, toys, the crib with the best ratings, etc etc etc. Why did my baby have to be born so soon and leave so early? Why is it so hard for me and my partner to be parents? It just flat out SUCKS.
My heart goes out to all of you. Really. If this IUI doesn't work, I just dont know how much emotional stability and strength will be left in me to give it another shot. I suppose I should just think positive and wait until Tuesday before I start to think too far ahead. In the meantime, does anyone have any extra crinone progesterone gel 8% that they are willing to part ways with at a discounted rate?
|
|
|
|
10/19/2010 11:34 AM
|
HI!!!
I am at yale awaiting my transfer. I had 13 embies that were growing really well yesterday which is always the case they are fine to start. My RE decided a day three would be best not sure what my embies look like today but I hope there are some really good ones that they are putting back. So I will keep you all posted, I am nervous and excited. I hate the two week wait but I know it will go by fast. so to those ladies in the 2ww I am now there with you!!! we can chat about how we are keeping out minds offf what is going on inside of us!!! later all!!!
|
|
|
|
10/18/2010 11:52 AM
|
good morning ladies,
I am at work and all I want to do is just talk on our forum, I don't want to do anything else-
I am writing this through tearful eyes, reading those post, the one that hit me the most was btobe, you have no idea how i understand!!! we have been going through this for over 3 years in that time my brother has had two and my sister has two. When my brother told me about his first it was right after my sisters bridal shower, everyone was at my house. My sister told me the day of her surprise 30th b-day, again at my house and all the same people where there, they both told me in private but I still had to go and face everyone trying not to cry, instead I drank heavily. When my brother told me about his second I had just found out our second cycle didn't work, I cried for over three hours. By the time my sister told me about her second I was so numb to it. Now I don't know if I would be able to make it through this whole process with out them, being around my nieces and nephews gives me the strength to keep going!!!! AS someone said everything happens for a reason and maybe I needed them to get me through all of this. With that said, I don't attend baby showers and if my husbands brother and wife got pregnant and were having a celebration I wouldn't go and I would hope they would understand why and not expect me to go!! I mentioned before that if my husbands brother and wife got pregnant they would totally do the whole celebration thing.... however they are having difficulty too.
It is the hardest thing to watch everyone around us, and as much as it hurts it makes us that much stronger!!! Stronger to get through the process, stronger as couples, stronger as parents, stronger as a family. I have started collecting things that have Believe written on them, because that is the biggest thing we need to do!!!! BELIEVE!!!!!
SOme of you may remember I was talking of getting a tatoo of the indian fertility god the Kokopelli which is a fertility deity, I haven't gotten the tatoo yet and if this cycle doesn't work I am going the next weekend to get it, but I have been reading about it and have started decorating with it, hey if it gives me hope and brings some type of aura into my home then so be it!!! I bought earrings and wear them all the time!!
With all that said, my retrieval went well, I am still sore though. I had 17 mature eggs, and as of yesterday 10 fertilized I am still waiting to hear when my transfer will be. I just pray they grow, that has been one of our issues!!! So as soon as I find out I will let you all know!!!
|
|
|
|
10/18/2010 9:45 AM
|
hi everyone...haven't posted in awhile but I have been reading upon everyone. I just wanted to offer some support to everyone who is waiting and struggling. Thinking of everyone..know that we are all here for each other. I work with a 24 yr old girl who has a 4 yr old and lives at home. She is very immature and jumps from guy to guy. She announced she was 4 wks pg this past week. Was searching baby names and insisting "it better be a girl" since she has a boy. I was about sick after hearing this over and over for my 12 hr shift. 48 hrs later she claimed she "lost it" and acted like it was nothing to have a m/c. She is a chronic liar and noone knows the truth. But the whole thing was sickening.
I realized yesterday I would be 20wks if our IVF would've worked. I was overwhelmed by sadness. Just when I think I'm okay, it just hits. The financial burden has led to me starting a second job this past week and my DH is interviewing for a 2nd job this week. I have continued to put on weight and am feeling anxious about doing the FET as we planned for in March 2011. We have 3 frozen and it will be our last shot. Hard to deal with the unfairness of it all.
When I start feeling sorry for myself, I think of the patient I had this week who went to her OB for a routine appt at 38wks and there were no fetal heart tones. The baby girl had died. The patient had to come to the OB floor and deliver her baby and deal with the loss. I won't forget how devastated she looked when we discharged her, wheeled her out and she was without a baby in her arms. I know there is a plan even when things don't make sense. Take care everyone...thoughts and prayers to all!!
|
|
|
|
10/17/2010 10:43 PM
|
btobe - i really know what you mean - I've been ttc of 3 years and after IUI had an ectopic last may, and lost both tubes - I recently found out my cousin who has 2 girls and a 20 month old boy is 12 weeks pregnant - she had talked to me previously several times about how she wasn't really sure if she wanted another baby.... I cried for 3 days - couldn't stop - it's not that i'm not happy for her and her family - it's just really tough sometimes and people don't really understand what it's like - i just had my ET this morning - first cycle of IVF - total rollercoaster as there wern't many eggs, but we made it this far- 2 fertilized and they both were put in this morning - not sure whether to feel hopeful or not! a vent is good sometimes - so hard!
|
|
|
|
10/17/2010 10:25 PM
|
|
rf1122 hello - i'm also on the 2 week wait - in fact i had my embryo transfer this morning - I didn't have the embryo's stay in the catheter, but it took them over 10 minutes to get the catheter in place as I have a 'retriverted uterus' then when they brought the embryos through they struggled again to make sure it was in the right place - it's really hard but i guess we have to have faith that they are doing their absolute best to get it right...... doesn't make it easier though! i've been ttc for 3 years, and had an ectopic earlier in the year after IUI, which resulted in the loss of both my fallopian tubes - this is out first IVF attempt - i'm kind of worried as i have period type pains now - has anyone else had period pains on the day of their transfer? good luck
|
|
|
|
10/16/2010 5:11 PM
|
|
Correction regarding my co-worker, my thoughts were confirmed a couple weeks ago...
|
|
|
|
10/16/2010 5:09 PM
|
btobe - I feel the same. It is hard to take in the news of someone being pregnant. Of course, I am happy for them but it is hard to hear because I want it so much for me and my DH. I don't enjoy seeing pregnant women right now, I think mostly because it reminds me that I am not (well who knows maybe I am but I just don't know it yet :o) My thoughts were confirmed today on a co-worker, she is pregnant and just got married at the end of May. I've been trying to have a baby for about 4 years now and no baby yet... WTF... If this IUI doesn't work my DH and I have decided to adopt.
And thanks for listening to me...
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. Catch ya later!! Love my sisters here on this forum.
|
|
|
|
10/15/2010 10:32 PM
|
Hi Ladies. It has been a long time since I posted, however tonight I just need to vent. What a roller coaster week it has been for me... we have been on a "break" since August, and have no real plans for our next IVF until after Christmas. I just need the holidays to be as stress free as possible, and we are still trying to recover emotionally and financially. Anyways, I found out on Wednesday that after being married for less than 3 months, my sister in law is expecting. My husband comes from a large family, so we have had 2 new babies join our family in the past 3 months, but this is the first pregnancy since I had my miscarriage in May. I always feel a little depressed when people close to me get pregnant, but Wow...I wasn't prepared for how hard her announcement hit me. Then to make matters worse, we had to go over to my in-laws house last night to celebrate. At first I told my husband that I wasn't going to go, but in the end I went just to support him. It went okay, and of course I am thrilled to have a new niece or nephew, and am happy for them, but I just feel so empty lately. My husband doesn't understand why I feel anti-social a lot of the time. It is just so hard to be around our family and friends with their adorable babies. I am going to my dr. in November to discuss our failed FET in August, and our plans for after the holidays.
It just seems so unfair!! Why does it have to be so hard for all of us? I truly wouldn't wish fertility issues on my worst enemy! Sorry to be so pessimistic, but thanks for listening. Sometimes I feel like this is the only place that I CAN talk about it. When I talk to my sister & mom, it makes them sad, and my friends just don't understand. So thanks for being so supportive!!
NWells: good luck tomorrow. I will say an extra prayer for you tonight that your retrieval goes extremely well.
I hope that all of you in your 2ww get the BFP you deserve!!
Baby dust and hope to all!
|
|
|
|
10/15/2010 8:02 PM
|
I'm on my 2ww as well. I'm finding it difficult to gather positive thoughts for this IUI cycle, knowing that our issues are male factor. But miracles can happen... I can take a pregnancy test on the 26th as well.
Nwells - I wish you the best with your retrieval tomorrow. Hoping for lots of healthy eggs. Keep us posted.
|
|
|
|
10/15/2010 5:44 PM
|
Nwells......Just wanted to wish you the very, very best of luck for a great retrieval tomorrow. I hope they gets lots of beautiful, mature, healthy eggs and that you get great fertilization. Know you've been waiting a long time and sure it'll all pay off in the end. Let us know how things go! Good luck!!
Luci......Good to hear from you. Yes, it has been a while. Glad you are back. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and I love the honesty of your post. This IVF thing is so hard. It's difficult to keep one's spirits up over and over again...especially after a loss, a later loss is even harder.
I completely understand everything you said and each emotion. Like yourself, our savings have been drained severely from 6 IVF cycles, maternity costs, funeral costs, etc. It just stinks. I, too, feel like the last 3 years of my life have been put on hold. Everything revolves around "what if I get pregnant, what if I carry to term, what if this, what if that". It is exhausting. I am currently trying to lose a bunch of weight gained through multiple cycles and pregnancy. God willing, we'll find the way to somehow scrape the money together for another cycle early next year. That said, I already worry about "what if it doesn't work", "should I spend the money at another clinic where I can have multiple cycles but we only have 2 more vials of sperm," "should I spend the money on adoption", etc, etc. It just keeps going on through my brain. My DH is a bit weary (he took our loss hard too) and I still have to get him on board to try again. All that said, I have somehow not lost faith. There are moments when I falter a bit, but I still believe. Hang in there and feel free to vent anytime. You are not alone and through friendships made here, we'll support one another until we all get our dream babies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, for everyone who has ever lost a child, today is an International Day of Remembrance. (Go to www.october15th.com for the website.) Across the world, people are lighting candles tonight at 7 PM (7PM in each time zone) so that there will be a continuous wave of light across the world. These candles are in remembrance of every child lost to miscarriage, SIDS, premature birth, still birth, etc. If you have time, please light a candle tonight and pray for both the children that have been lost and the parents grieving these precious babies. It does us good to remember and to talk about those that we have lost. They may no longer be in this world, but they will always be in our hearts. Hopefully, they are watching over each of us and guiding a new little soul into our lives.
Take care, girls. XO WBM
|
|
|
|
10/15/2010 9:36 AM
|
good Morning
Luci1313- sometimes a break is good, we haven't done an IVF cycle since Jan, in that time (which flew by) I tried to exercise, and eat better- HA!!! I love to eat so that didn't help, one day this summer I just got up and started to run, and I ran pretty much everyday for over a month, I started the Lupron treatment in August and after that about a week later, I hurt my ankle and I couldn't run anymore, not sure if it is just a coincidence or the lupron weakened my ligaments and joints so running put to much pressure on them. I started to run again two weeks ago, It just makes me feel so good!!! Now with ovaries the size of oranges I will not be doing much exercise :o( I never lost any weight which is so depressing in over 6 mo I couldn't drop any weight and when I started to run I actually gained weight from the muscle!!! But it helped me focus and took my mind off a lot and I am going into this cycle with a different mind set- OH and I go to acupuncture 1 time a week, it helps so much
What supplement are you doing? Fertile aid? I did those in April for a month they made me feel good, I only did them for one month though.
As for me ladies I go in tomorrow for retrieval- yesterday I had over 20 eggs pretty much 10 per ovary that one large follicle whew he was 30X22 they said yesterday that it may still be a good egg so we will see tomorrow when I go in. I took my ovadril last night at 9:15 and I have to be at Yale by 7:45 tomorrow so here we go lets hope for my little embies to grow grow grow, grow past blastula stage!!!!
|
|
|
|
10/15/2010 12:27 AM
|
I haven't written in awhile. I have been reading all the updates. I guess tonight I just felt like it was time to post .
My husband and I are starting to run out of money. We decided to hold off until spring. After the miscarriage and the next cycle not working my doctor decided to put 4 embryos back next time. The reason is that it would be a frozen cycle , he believes in 3 day transfers instead of 5. We ended up freezing 15 we have 7 left but they are 2- 4 celled, 3- 5 celled and 2-6 celled. I am not that confident. My doctor wanted to start this month, but I couldn't. My dad's birthday is the 25 th and the 1 yr anniversary of his death is the 27 th. I just am so not in the right emotional space to even try .
My husband and I decided to try more natural things for awhile. I just got off of a 5 day colon/ juice cleanse. We are both going to be taking some supplements and excercising. I got a book about it. I have done some research on the supplements and even if I don't get pregnant, it is not going to hurt. I just want to feel like I am doing something instead of feeling helpless. I have a tiny bit of control issues. It was my decision to take the break. Everytime we have taken on it has been a few months here and there but it was always because we were grieving first the loss at 17wks, then my dad less than ayear later and then this last loss. I just need to try to feel like me again. We have been trying to have a family for 5 yrs almost 6, 3 of this with treatment. I am just getting to the point where I am completely losing faith, with my doctor , with all of this. I just feel like it is never going to happen, that I will never be a mom. In the last 2 yrs nothing but bad has happened. I need, we need something good to happen. My husband has been amazing through all of this , I am so very lucky to have him. I just have a lot of guilt. I am the one with PCOS. I am the reason that we are runnig low on our saving, why we don't take vacations. My husband want to buy his grandparents house,they are putting it on the market this spring. It is doubtful that we can swing it. It breaks my heart. It just feels like everything in our life is contingent on when I get pregnant , if I carry to term, and how much it is going to cost. Eveything in our life revolves around having a baby. My husband understands why I feel guilty but he doesn't blame me. He says that it is not like I am doing something to cause all of this, that we are in this together. I know that he want a family as badly as I do. Wow, I guess I am feeling quite morose tonight.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I have accupunture and I hate needles, so it is fun for both the practioner and me. I just finished my cleanse, so maybe I will be up to chocolate tomorrow, that will at leat make me smile.
Baby Dust to all and good luck.
|
|
|
|
10/13/2010 1:51 PM
|
|
well I go back tomorrow AM- same protocol tonight, so they are pushing me one more day- granted my ovaries feel like they are about to burst
|
|
|
|
10/13/2010 10:15 AM
|
hey ladies
I don't have much time to write but I wanted to update everyone, due the that one large follicle they are not sure what they are going to do. I won't know till they call me later regarding my blood work, but the said that they may cancel the cycle :o( that would suck, or they may go through with he retrieval and freeze the embies OR they will see if they can push me one more day to get my lining really nice and I would go back tomorrow and then in for retrieval on Sat- UGH the waiting sucks!!! I wish I knew what was going to happen now, I am hoping for option # 3 it has been a long process and coming off the Lupron I just want to get a cycle complete and hopefully it is successful!
|
|
|
|
10/13/2010 8:25 AM
|
|
rf1122- I am new to this forum but not to infertility. Happily I am 14 weeks pregnant after IVF but not without its ups and downs. I read your message and felt the need to respond because it seems you are quite anxious. I was told by my doctor that an embryo being stuck in the cathetar is a really positive sign. It shows that the embryo is sticky and really wants to implant! I hope this gives you a little peace of mind. Best of luck to you and I wish you well.
|
|
|
|
10/12/2010 11:37 PM
|
|
rf1122 - We are in our 2ww right now. We find our on the 26th.. It's just awful!
|
|
|
|
10/12/2010 9:29 PM
|
Is there anyone else out there in their 2ww right now? I hate this time. I hate that I'm on so many hormones that are supposed to be pregnancy hormones so you end up having what I call "phantom" pregnancy symptoms. It makes your mind go crazy.
I also can't stop thinking about the embryo being "retained" in the catheter 3 times. It just makes me nervous to think about whether or not it actually went in.
What do people do to get through this stage?
|
|
|
|
10/12/2010 8:09 AM
|
|
actually you IUI's are today- hope all went well, rest up and sticky baby dust to you both!
|
|
|
|
10/12/2010 8:08 AM
|
happy Tuesday!!!!
LAdybug and J-squared good luck tomorrow-
As for me, I guess keeping me on 10 units of Lupron didn't matter, I went in yesterday with probably the fastest stim results I have ever had. I have been crampy and I could feel my ovaries growing and my right one has been really sore well I have 4 god follicles on my rt and one is 24X 18 already!!!!! they are not sure if that one is even going to be good by the time I go in for retrieval and on my left I have 8 all over 12. I usually stim for 10 +days but it is looking like I may be going in for retrieval this week, my guess is Friday, I go back tomorrow. Whew didn't expect to move this fast. So that is where I am. I will keep everyone posted
|
|
|
|
10/11/2010 11:37 PM
|
|
J-squared & Ladybug.....just wanted to wish you both the best of luck with your IUI's tomorrow. Hope you both get your BFP this go around!! XO WBM
|
|
|
|
10/11/2010 11:51 AM
|
Ladybug - Looks like you and I have an IUI date tomorrow! I have one juicy 23mm follicle just waiting to be fertilized. I did my ovidrel shot this morning and my IUI is scheduled for 9am tomorrow. ALL WE NEED IS ONE!!!!
PS - my ovidrel shot was in the thigh today (weird) because last time they gave it to me in the rump and the time before that in the belly. Guess it can kind of go anywhere?! Our FL weather today was 65 this morning - GREAT!
FenSox - One and done with me - I'm just hoping for the best. I'd be happy with one baby in my lifetime. I'm excited to have such a nice looking follicle so far! Now if the boys can do their part, everything will be good! Thanks for the support!!
|
|
|
|
10/10/2010 5:52 PM
|
Ladybug and J-Squared - It has been a long time since I have posted but I keep up with what is going on with everyone. I am here to tell you that all you need is 1 egg. I am 28 weeks pregnant from my first cycle of IVF and I have finally come to terms with the numbers and have really determined that the baby girl in my belly is a miracle and a gift from God. I hope this helps inspire you in some way...
At my retrieval they were able to get 11 eggs out of me. 10 they attempted to fertilize. 3 made it past day 2 and on day 3 for the transfer only 2 were ready to go. With all of that said, our fertility issues were on my hubby's side. They did 2 testicular biopsies - one the day of the retrieval and one prior where we froze the specimen obtained. In all of that we only got 1 live sperm (the rest were non-motile). So we went from 11 eggs - to 1 live sperm - to a baby girl coming soon.
Keep the faith and remember you truly only need one egg!
Good Luck!
|
|
|
|
10/9/2010 10:24 PM
|
Well, today's appt didn't go as well as I had hoped for... 1 follicle, that's it... ONE that is big enough, the follistim did not recruit any others (there were a few others but not big enough that they will ovulate I guess). I am disappointed but still going to go through with the IUI which is scheduled for Tuesday. Heck I recruited more follicles just being on clomid. So Jsquared, you and I are on the same schedule it looks like. I took my final dose of 275 follistim (actually I took an extra 25 for good measure - I figured it couldn't hurt :o) tonight. Tomorrow evening at 9:30 I trigger.
Jsquared - all we need is 1 egg right! The receptionist at my dr's office gave me a pep talk before I left today. She held my hands and told me to think positive, this is going to work. I LOVE the ladies and dr's that are helping me, they are wonderful and very encouraging, yet also down to earth and honest with me.
Has anyone ever used Ovidrel? My dr did not tell me where it gets injected. I'm assuming it is in the rump like the Novadrel but if someone could confirm for me that would be great.
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We are having beautiful weather this weekend here, in the 70's and clear skies. Take care!!
|
|
|
|
10/8/2010 3:51 PM
|
|
Hi everyone. What an emotional roller coaster this week has been for us... Monday we went to our RE and our ultrasound showed over 60 follicles. There was a fear of hyperstimulation, so they reduced us from 4 to 2 vials of Bravelle. Wendesday, went back to our RE and there were some small follicles and one large one. Hormone levels had dropped, so they brought us back up to 4 vials. Today, went to the RE and only one follicle was big enough so they decided to stop the IVF cycle and we are no longer going to be able to participate in the vitrification study. BUMMER. However, since there was ONE good egg, I asked if it was too late to plan for an IUI and the doc said no. Im now taking 4 vials of menopur today, tomorrow, and Sunday. Monday morning, another ultrasound. If follicle is good and hormone levels are good, possible IUI on Tuesday. Keeping my hopes up is really difficult. I've spent the entire day crying. I know some of you know - most of you know - what that's like. :-/ SO - if all goes as planned, and we have an IUI on Tuesday, the dreadful 2WW begins..... I'll keep you posted.
|
|
|
|
10/8/2010 8:32 AM
|
Hi all,
Newest update: out of our 17 embryos, they were able to biopsy 14 of them. Out of the 14, 1 came back "balanced or normal", so we had our embryo transfer yesterday. Everything went fairly well except for the fact that the embryo was "retained" in the catheter 3 times, on the 4th time it was finally clear. It makes me a little nervous, but the doctor assures me it sometimes happens, although she's never had it happen that many times. So now our PG test will be 10/18 - ten days to wait. The torture continues.
-Rebecca
|
|
|
|
10/6/2010 11:04 AM
|
hello all
there are a lot of new sisters here, HI!!! It will take me a little while to get all your names, I haven't been checking in as much because I have been on Lupron treatment. Now I am back!!!
SO I get a call from my RE on Monday, she tells me that the team reviewed my chart and before they move forward I have to go in for a sonohystogram(the water in the uterus procedure) I HATE IT!!! So my RE opened up a spot for me yesterday to fit me in and she did it, I wasn't going to let anyone else any way and she knew that!!!! SO everything looks AWESOME, she said I am ready to go, I was supposed to go in tomorrow for base line, but she checked my ovaries and tk blood work yesterday and I will get a call today to find out if I start tonight!!! So YES ladybug we are together!!! I will hopefully be starting 150 of gonaloff(how ever it is spelled) tonight!!!. My RE leaves the weekend of the 24th and she said, seeing we have been through so much together she really wants to make sure she does my retrieval and transfer, I usually cycle about 10days but she is leaving me on 10cc of Lupron so I am not sure if I am going to stim as fast. We shall soon see. My RE is really excited about this cycle, she is almost giddy, she keeps saying this is it- she is making me nervous but at the same time excited too!!!!
Agahope that is awesome!!! it is amazing how miracles happen!!!
Praying4miracle and lucky not sure if I said congrats yet I am so happy for you both, you have been blessed with your miracles!!!
I Also read some of you in your early stages of pregnancy talking about feeling sick all the time- my thought to that is BRING IT ON!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
|
|
|
|
10/5/2010 8:54 AM
|
Wannabeamommy - I'm really sorry for your loss of your twin boys. How heartbreaking. I spent the entire night holding my little Jason before the funeral home came to take him the next morning. He was perfect, as Im sure your boys were. My perinatologist did run two miscarriage panels on me (tons of vials of blood) and everything came back perfect. They just ruled it incompetent cervix and ordered a cerclage next time around. Thanks, though, for the advice.
Golferchic - Thanks. Im sorry you didn't make your first round of IVF to retrieval. I dont know the difference between an antagonist cycle and a traditional cycle. Sorry. I'm new to this as well. We are actually participating in a study with our doctor and he is doing a free IVF cycle (we paid for meds roughly 4K) and he is vitrifying all of our oocytes prior to fertilization into three groups. We have our retrieval (depending on how things go with the meds) scheduled for next week. They will remain frozen for 1-3 months. In November, the first set of oocytes will be thawed and fertilized. At that point, embryo transfer will take place (no more than 2 embryos) and the dreadful two-week wait begins. It's a much longer process for me than most, but I feel fortunate that I didnt have to pay for the IVF or the vitrification process. If the embryos do not implant in the first round in November, we try again in December with the second group and finally in January with the third group. I have three chances to make a baby so keep your fingers crossed, ladies!
|
|
|
|
10/5/2010 8:44 AM
|
|
WHOA - Went for my first ultrasound yesterday (Monday) since starting Bravelle injections on Friday and the doctor said "WHOA". I had (are you sitting down?) 63 follicles. That's right - 63! What the heck?! I had 36 on my left ovary and 27 on my right ovary. My bloodwork came back and they said my hormone levels were low, which is what they were hoping for, so they reduced me to 2 vials of Bravelle for today and tomorrow and I have another ultrasound tomorrow (Wednesday). Has anyone else responded like this to Bravelle? I was initially taking 4 vials.
|
|
|
|
10/4/2010 8:02 PM
|
|
NWells - Looks like we will be cycling together. I went in for my baseline this morning. I'm doing an IUI with injectables (I think that's what they called it). I start 275 of follistim tonight and continue this for 5 days and then back to the drs on Saturday for US and BW. Good luck!
|
|
|
|
10/4/2010 12:18 PM
|
|
Just an update. Had our egg retrieval on Saturday which resulted in 25 eggs retrieved. This is the most we have ever got. Sunday we got our fertilization report - 17 fertilized! We couldn't believe it. The most we've ever had fertilize was 7. We are waiting to see how many grow big enough to be biopsied for the PGD testing. I've asked to be called with that information. If we have an embryo transfer it will be on Thursday. Feel good that we are working with a good base. Even though they may not be able to biopsy all of them, it is still a better base to start with. We have a 1 in 10 chance of getting a balanced embryo. So we are hoping that at least 10 of the 17 are able to be biopsied.
|
|
|
|
10/4/2010 12:12 PM
|
Hey girls,
Just checking in as we've been in Northern CA the past 10 days on vacation. Hope everyone in cycle is doing well!
Jsquared....welcome to the forum. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I had a late loss as well. We lost our twin boys at nearly 23 weeks earlier this year. I was just wondering if your OB/peri did any immune testing after your loss? If not, I would highly recommend it. (It's just a series of blood tests.) Initially, I thought we lost our boys due to a weakened cervix, but found out through testing that it was due to a blood clotting disorder which is easily treatable with medicine. I hope your IVF cycle goes well and you are successful.
Will catch up with you all as the week goes on!
|
|
|
|
10/4/2010 9:43 AM
|
Hello,
Just wanted to updated everyone, Lupron shots are going good, minus the fact that my stomach looks like a war zone!!! I have a bruise the size of RI, that part really sucks!!! I try to avoid the veins but sometimes you just nick one!!! I have my baseline appt on Thursday, if all looks well I may start my stims. It has been so long I feel like I am going through all this again for the 1st time!!! So yeah, here I go again. Good feeling about this one, lets hope I stay that way. And Not having Myrtle (for those who are new I call my monthly Myrtle, the moody B!!!) has been awesome, lets hope she stays away for even longer!!!!
|
|
|
|
10/2/2010 10:59 PM
|
It has been a while since i"ve been on. I want to say welcome to all of the new ladies. I wish u all lots of sticky baby dust. And hello to all of the other ladies that has gotten me through this IVF journey. The last time I logged on, I was 13 weeks and had just heard my babies heartbeat. Well as of today, I'm 21w3d. I've had my detail US and found out we are having a boy and girl. We have chosen names already: Charles Jr and Emyia Nicole. my pregnancy is going very well so far. I'll have my next US at the beginning of Nov.
|
|
|
|
10/2/2010 6:32 PM
|
|
Good luck with everything Jsquared!! Sorry for your 21 week loss. We didn't make our first round of IVF to retrieval. Ours was cancelled after only 4 eggs matured. Our RE wants at least 6. Our first round of IVF was in August with a traditional cycle. Our RE recommeded that in November we do an antagonist cycle. Does anyone have experience with trying both of these types of cycles? We are really hoping for more mature eggs this time. I did have the same experience of the drugs burning mostly with the repronex. I don't love that one, haha.
|
|
|
|
10/1/2010 4:22 PM
|
Hello everyone,
This is my first time posting on the forum and my first time with IVF. I have been a nervous wreck over it, but reading some of the posts has helped. I started stimulating today. Egg retrieval is scheduled for sometime between 10/11 and 10/13. This is our fifth attempt. My partner and I have each tried twice (IUI) with the following outcomes: My first time, not pregnant. Second time, pregnant, but lost the baby (boy) at 21 weeks. My partner's first time was a chemical pregnancy. Second time, not pregnant. We have two vials of donor sperm left with our RE and six more at the California Cryobank. We decided to try IVF and are excited but nervous. It's hard trying to get pregnant after a 21 week loss. Everything we are going through now is completely foreign. I had a saline sonogram (which was slightly uncomfortable), a mock transfer (which I didnt even feel), and our baseline ultrasound came out great (today). As I previously stated, I started stimulating today, and that burned going in, but didn't hurt. Can anyone give me some insight as to what to expect on egg-retrieval day? I'm SUPER nervous about that. PLUS - if I do get a BFP, my perinatologist has recommended a cerclage at 10-12 weeks, due to my high risk status for having had a second trimester loss. I would be ok with that, except I really didn't want an epidural. Guess it's out of my hands now! Who knew trying to make a baby would be so complicated and stressful! It's all worth it though. Seriously, we can't wait to be mommies. ♥
|
|
|
|
10/1/2010 8:19 AM
|
Hi Ladies,
I've never posted but always read all of your other posts. Tomorrow morning will be my egg retrieval. I had a failed cycle on May. I have a balanced translocation and the numbers just dwindled each day. My retrieval last time was 24 follicles, then only 11 were mature, then only 6 fertilized, and then only 2 lasted long enough to have the PGD performed. One came back unbalanced and therefore was no good and the other came back inconclusive and stopped growing. They had called us the evening before and gave us a time for our transfer and then called us about an hour before we were going to leave for the hospital to tell us they were not recommending a transfer. We were devastated. This was the last of our donor, which we do have two other children by, and we thought was our last try.
We are self pay patients so we really dug deep and decided to give it one more chance, a new donor, a different stimulation protocol this time, and truly, our last attempt. We've exhausted all of our financial and emotional resources.
My numbers look good for tomorrow. Last ultrasound showed 20 follicles with more growing. They were waiting for my lead two follicles to be at lest 36 mm. My estradiol is high (3544) so they are a little concerned about hyper stimulation problems, but hoping every thing will be good. In addition to the new protocol (antagonist cycle with BCP instead of Lupron, and using Menopur and Follistim with Ganirelix) they are going to do invitro maturation media to try and help with the quality of the eggs and the maturity.
This is our last go at it. I know I have been truly blessed with my other two children. Lets hope the new protocol, new donor and renewed spirit will bring us another blessing.
Thanks for listening,
Rebecca
|
|
|
|
9/27/2010 4:50 PM
|
Hereshoping - I asked my nurse about the tricks and she told me not to ice myself or warm the progesterone. Something about the freezing the area can affect the spread of the medicine. My husband said the were harder to give but he just needed to push a little harder. For me the stimulation meds hurt more because they burned when going in. I too developed an allergy to the sesame seed oil and was switched to the olive oil. I noticed that there were more bruising and lumps but thats because my body never got a break and a chance to heal. I was on the progesterone for the the almost the whole first trimester about week 10 they took me off. By the way I do think that all RE's do the progesterone after the transfer. I wanted to stop earlier after I was pregnant and they told me no so I think they use the same amount of time for everyone.
agahope - Congratulations, that is so amazing!!!! I bet you were disappointed when your RE wanted to wait another month to do a FET. But aren't you glad that they did! You got a miracle and didn't have to spend any more $$$! So amazing I wish you and your family the best of luck. I started to get nauseous at about week 6 or 7 and it didn't stop until about week 13. I found that if I kept food in my tummy that helped a lot! It's when I got to hungry that I felt sick. Also someone suggested sucking on peppermint candy helped. It's crazy but it worked. So I started to carry sugar free peppermint lifesavers with me. I hope you feel better soon, just remember it won't last forever.
Good Luck to everyone cycling I hope you all get your BFP's soon!
|
|
|
|
9/25/2010 7:51 PM
|
|
Thanks so much for the advice ladies. I've watched some videos online, I figure we'll get it done one way or the other.
|
|
|
|
9/25/2010 10:09 AM
|
Thank you ladies!!! I went to my Obgyn this past Tuesday and they did a pos test and an ultrasound. I am definitely pregnant!! In the ultrasound, the nurse showed me the little heartbeat just pounding away....really amazing! I have been SO sick all week...I am nauseous all day and all night. The only relief I get is when I am sleeping. I sure hope this being sick does not last for much longer, cause I'm not able to get anything done...it wipes me out. My DH and I are excited, but also cautious, till we are through this first trimester.
Miracles do happen!!
|
|
|
|
9/23/2010 10:20 PM
|
With regard to the PIO, I followed pretty much the same routine as Wannabe but I put the PIO in a bowl with warm water for a few minutes before injecting. After the injection I would put the heating pad on the injection site for a few minutes afterwards.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
9/23/2010 11:29 AM
|
hereshoping......To answer your question, yes, intramuscular progesterone injections are a part of nearly every IVF cycle. Some people also use progesterone suppositories, but I think the injections are more effective personally. My DH gives me the injections. He was a bit put off at first too, but now he does a better job than my sister and she's an RN!
A couple of tips that help make them not painful for me:
-- Rub the area with a piece of ice for about 30 seconds prior to injecting. You'll be amazed how little you'll feel it once you are a bit numb.
-- Stand leaning on a counter, chair, or the bed and put all of your weight on the leg opposite from the side you are injecting on.
-- After injecting, gently rub the area for a few seconds.
-- Be sure to alternate sides/hips each day.
Good luck with your upcoming cycle!!
|
|
|
|
9/23/2010 1:19 AM
|
hereshoping: I didn't find them so bad. The "draw" needle looks scary, but it's a thinner needle that gets inserted. I did them myself entirely for the first IVF and most of the second (husband was working out of town). I stuck the syringe between my boobs to warm it prior to injection, which made it a lot easier. I also was allergic - or developed an allergy to - the sesame oil. The second time, the solution was in ethyl oleate. Occasionally I injected it into my side thigh rather than my butt. Overall, though, I found them mostly painlesss.
@agahope: Congrats! That's awesome! I'd hoped something similar would happen to me (apparently you remain more fertile in the cycle after), but no go. I hope your preg continues to go well!!
@NWells: sticky egg, healthy baby dust!
@Girl@heart: WB. I wasn't around a year ago, and I'm sorry for your losses. I'm glad you finally got a diagnosis.
@gtl: welcome. Sorry the retrieval didn't go well. However, there are several protocols. sometimes bodies respond differently to each one. How did your RE determine the egg quality was poor?
@cassam: good luck with your IVF!
|
|
|
|
9/22/2010 8:10 PM
|
Agahope - Wow! That is awesome and so exciting, congratulations!!!! Enjoy every minute!
Hey girls, quick question....we met with the doc today to discuss IVF and have decided to proceed next month. I have to admit that I am intimidated by the intermuscular progesterone injections. I know it will be hard on my husband to help because he is terrified, though he promises he will do it. My question is...is it standard protocol to do the intermuscular progesterone with IVF and is it nearly as bad as I'm thinking? I know I can handle all the other injections because I've done them before and I'm ready to move forward, I'm just curious about this since I haven't done it before.
|
|
|
|
|
|