4/28/2009 1:44 PM
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mtknap I actually did not have any left over I had to get one from my doctors office bc i was one active pill short. I would donate them to your office for them to give to someone who may be a pill or two short. Or keep it if you plan on trying again and are sure they will keep you on the same kind. I was VERY glad they had spares bc I did not want to buy another whole Rx for one pill.
I am glad we are on a similar cycle too it gives me a chance to have someone going through it with me basically. I am about to go in for my baseline this afternoon. I am so excited I am just ready for this to happen .....
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4/28/2009 1:20 PM
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Snowie1978....yea!!! yea!!! congrats on starting Stimulation! And on stopping those yucky pills. I have tonight and tommorow left of the BCP and also been doing Lupron. I'm glad we are sort of on the same schedule. Question: I will have 2 active pills left in my BCP pack, did you have any active ones left? I can't remember what they had me do last time.
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4/27/2009 7:31 AM
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Last BCP was last night.... Woohoo! I am SO excited we go to doctor on Tues for baseline. I start follistim on Sat. So far it has not been near as bad as i thought. But ive only done the lupron. Thanks for all your help girls!!
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4/22/2009 8:00 PM
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Thanks, will do. We have a three-hour meeting next week. I'll report back.
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4/22/2009 7:38 PM
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GirlAtHeart - Glad the adoption process is moving along for you, sounds like it has put you in a positive place again, which is great. I think I would have been quite shocked, too, if my husband would have answered the way yours did out of the blue. But if it works for you and works for him then go with it! I will say a prayer for you and your husband. Keep us posted on the whole adoption process if you don't mind. I'd be curious to know how it all works for the embryo adoption as far as the process goes, etc. I wish you the best!
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4/22/2009 4:24 PM
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Girlatheart-
I'm so happy for you. You have been through SO much. One type of adoption or another is going to work out for you. That little soul out there will have his/her mommy soon.
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4/22/2009 2:44 PM
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Hi All,
Yes, IVF can put a damper on romance. I felt like a walking pharmacy, plus I didn't feel too attractive with all these bruises and bandaids on me. I always used the small circle bandaids on my hips to show me where the previous progesterone shots had been given.
I would actually be a little relieved if my husband wanted to talk about baby stuff. I think he's too afraid to jinx anything. Once, after our first IVF cycle, I gave my little embryo the nickname "Eggy" and he got upset. I think he didn't want me to get my hopes up. So, now I've found that I have to do most of the research and education myself. In talking with a few of you online, I've discovered that his behavior is normal. He sort of wants to know stuff...then again doesn't, if that makes any sense. He has been on board, though, with the progesterone shots. He is very perfect about them. I actually could do them myself, and have had to, but chose to keep him involved. Otherwise, it would just be him driving me to transfer. I obsess way too much. I'm sure he thinks about it, but not at the level I do.
Men must not have big pull like us women do to become parents. Then again, I already have stepchildren, so maybe he feels his work is done and he will have predecessors. Oh well.
Here's an update on me:
We went to an adoption seminar. They offer domestic, international and embryo adoption.
About two weeks later, we had a face-to-face appointment at the adoption agency to get going. So we sit down and the very nice counselor asks us which program we are interested in. (Well, ahead of time, we learned that international was easier and possibly shorter than domestic, so we thought we'd go with international.) So anyway, I start to open my mouth and my husband says, "We are interested in adopting an infant and will go with embryo adoption first and then, if that doesn't work, we'll try domestic."
I was floored.
We had not really talked about embryo adoption. I just didn't think it would be a possibility and also, didn't think he'd be on board to gamble again. We've spent so much money already.
We got through the meeting great. We can do both programs simultaneously and then put one on hold when the other becomes solid. That way we wouldn't have to start at the beginning. It sort of holds your place in line.
Well, I didn't say a word of surprise in the car, but I truly was. When he just blurted out embryo adoption, I almost fell out of my chair.
So...we have an upcoming embryo adoption meeting to get started. Amazing.
I got through the application process, which is sort of like regular adoption paperwork (I think). We had to describe our home, family, etc. and also write a letter to the embryo donors. I felt good with our information.
I can't believe I went from being so sad and down in the dumps last month, to having hope again. I feel really good and positive and like my old self again.
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4/22/2009 1:29 PM
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I've been on Crinone vaginal cream instead of the progesterone in oil-- which is much better, by the way-- but it causes chunky, disgusting white discharge. My husband is totally revolted by it-- so there's been little "romance" since I started using it. I figure he'll come around when I stop it in a few weeks. I'm enjoying the break.
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4/22/2009 11:06 AM
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Snowie1978, someone on this forum suggested a book called Fully Fertile....12 Weeks to (i forget the rest of the title). I have been reading it and it's sooooo helpful and insightful. It's really been grounding me and putting things in perspective but at the same time I feel like the authors (three women who have been there) really 'get it'.
As far as your hubbie, it's all about perception. He's got to be really excited about everything and this is just his way to deal. Don't take it personally. When he wants to talk about the baby, in your mind, take it at face-value: that he wants to talk about the baby...not that he doesn't want you or doesn't think your sexy anymore, etc. etc. and all the other 1,000 stories we tell ourselves.
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4/22/2009 10:21 AM
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I have one more question for all of you experienced IVFers. My DH doest seem to want to get near me since I have started my cycle. It seems like he no longer sees me as his sexy wife instead I am the oven in which will carry his baby. Last night for example I told him he should come to bed and when he did he wanted to lie there and discuss if I thought we would have a boy or a girl. I told him I didn't want to talk about babies and that seemed to be ALL he wanted to discuss. Did any of you experience this or something similar to this? Why is my DH being so weird? It will be a LONG 9 months if this is what is going to happen if/when we get prego.
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4/21/2009 4:33 PM
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I am trying to not let it consume my life BUT it seems like the minute I am not busy at work or at home thoughts of "what if "and "I hope" pop into my head. And my DH does not want to hear about it every minute of every day so it gets bottled up in my head. So I will try to take your advice but I am not sure how to keep the baby thoughts down to a minimum each day. LOL
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4/21/2009 2:17 PM
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Snowie1978- Uh, yes! Absoulutley I did. The oh! Wow! Wow! Wow! It's actually happening and we're going through this, at this time next month I will be pregnant! All that. Still try not to think about it too, too much because if your anything like me, I started stressing about "are we really ready for this?" and 'how will our relationship change?", "what the pregnancy going to be like?", etc. etc. etc. etc. and on and on and on. If I could tell you anything and I plan to utilize what I learned from last time is, Do Not Think about just this and make sure to have some Fun everyday.
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4/21/2009 12:06 PM
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I was wondering if any of you experienced a feeling of "WOW" once you began your cycle? Since this is my first time maybe I am just being silly but today I sat down and was looking at the calendar to give my work a schedule of when I would be in late etc.. and I realized that after all the tests and all the months of preparing the cycle has now begun and I cant beleive that in approximately a month from now I could be pregnant. This all seems so surreal all of a sudden. Its not like I didnt know this was coming after all this has been many months coming with tests and financing etc but I guess now that I ahve actually begun it seems finally within reach .
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4/18/2009 1:12 PM
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Just to add to what Jhoppi said about acupuncture the day of the transfer, I can say that I experienced much more discomfort on the day of my trial transfer than I did the day of my actual transfer. In fact, the level of discomfort during the actual transfer wasn't bad at all. The trial was pretty painful....only for seconds but it was a pretty significant difference. It did not occur to me that the acupunture treatment I just had might have contributed to that.
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4/18/2009 1:07 PM
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on the frozen cycle....I will let you know on Friday.... I think I saw that national average is about 20% so it was to have worked for some...
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4/18/2009 1:06 PM
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mtknap - I did acupuncture on the day of transfer. He came to my doc's office and did a treatment right before the transfer and another one right after. I have always been skeptical of it but there are definitely some studies with some persuasive results I had done 2 treatments before that day and have to say I found it very relaxing but on the day of the transfer between my nerves and the full bladder (I'm not sure which was worse), there was not much anyone could have done to relax me. I figured with all of the money I was already spending what was another $400 to be able to say I tried everything. My RE wouldn't come right out and recommend it but they do seem to promote it in not so many words.
I couldn't help myself and took another test yesterday (8 days post 3 day transfer)....it was still negative....I didn't tell my husband.....I'm having trouble believing it was still too early since my blood test is Monday which will be 14 days post retrieval and 11 days post transfer. I'm trying not too think about since we basically said this would be our last shot. The odds are so bad at my age (I'll be 43 on 4/25), it seems we just be setting ourselves up for more heartache, not too mention throwing good money after bad since this is all out of pocket for us. Although, in a moment of weakness, my husband said we'd try again the other night but I'm not sure.
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4/18/2009 1:05 PM
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mtknap - I did acupuncture for my last fresh cycle and this frozen cycle. I loved it! It was so relaxing. I started only about 6 weeks before my fresh and 12 weeks before this cycle. My acupuncturist and I would talk about my periods and what I was feeling/experiencing. He also helped me with headaches I was having during my periods ever since the miscarriage after my fresh cycle. About 30% of his patients were being treated for infertility. He talked alot about the different cases and the biggest thing for him was helping them to get to an overall state of calmness.....the ones that were able to relax and embrace an overall healthy lifestyle, he felt strongly had a better chance of achieving success. I think the biggest thing is choosing an acupuncturist that you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. I remember reading someone else saying that they will probably incorporate acupuncture into their lives even after the infertility treatments and I am in total agreement. I used to get massages all the time but now I will choose to get acupuncture instead.
As for the actual retrieval and transfer days.... the day of retrieval, he put needles in places to relax my ovaries and uterus to help in the discomfort of the retrieval. I definitely felt it made a difference from my first fresh cycle where I didn't have acupuncture. The day of the transfer, I saw him twice with both the fresh and the frozen cycles - once before and once after the transfer. The day of my transfer, this past Wednesday, my day went as follows: appointment with the acupuncturist was at 7:30am, 8:30 headed to the hospital as it takes an hour and my required arrival time was at 9:30, transfer was supposed to be at 10:30, lay reclined for two hours, and then my 2nd acupuncture appointment was set for 3pm. There was a delay because other embryos were being worked on and the doctor didn't want to risk anything. So still had my demeriol shot at 10ish to relax me and then a hospital physical therapist came in to give me a massage.... (yes I felt quite pampered that morning!!) Transfer happened at noonish so I didn't leave the hospital until about 2:30 but my husband had contacted the acupuncturist and he was able to accommodate for us to arrive late. My acupuncturist was not concerned in the least with the timing. His morning treatment focused on relaxing the uterus....needles in the feet, belly, and few in the hands/wrist. The afternoon treatment was focused on just relaxing me so to create a good environment for the embryo to attach. He put three needles in each ear, one on the top of my head, and I think one in each wrist.
I would highly recommend it along with achieving an overall healthy, conscience lifestyle.
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4/18/2009 12:53 PM
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Okay, I couldn't wait either so I took a HPT the morning of my blood draw. The line was very, very faint. I got word later that day that I was pregnant but my numbers were really low. It did end in miscarriage at week 5.
To anyone who has done a frozen cycle...did it work?
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4/18/2009 12:35 PM
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NJ hopeful - I agree with the others that it definitely sounds too early to take the test. However, I understand that the waiting is the worst!
We did our FET on Wednesday and take our blood test on Friday. I am weighing the pros and cons of taking a home pregnancy test the morning of. My sister visited yesterday while I was on bed rest and she definitely said I should. My husband on the other hand doesn't agree. He thinks I should ask them to wait to call until after 3:30 so that he will be home so we can get the news together and that it doesn't interrupt my day of work. Problem is I am assuming not knowing will consume the day anyway. The reason I want to know right away is that I don't want to feel like I am having a heart attack every time the phone rings waiting for the results. I was reminded of that feeling (from our last two cycles) when we were waiting for the results of the thawed embryos. My heart was just racing waiting for the doctor....and when he told us we had just one of the four survive, I was just trying to stay positive that we had at least one to transfer back. Very hard to do when I was trying to talk my husband through everything as well. Have others taken a test right before the blood draw? Pros/Cons to waiting the four hours until they get the labs back?
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4/18/2009 11:00 AM
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Has anyone done acupuncture and IVF together? I am wondering what the process is like, specifically on trasfer day and implantaion day. My doctor is an 1.5 hours from my home, but my acupuncturist is only 5 minutes from my house. I have an appointment to see the accupuncturist anyway on Monday, any questions I should ask? Basically I'm thinking about logistics and the who, what, when, and where. Last IVF cycle, I didn't do acupuncture.
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4/18/2009 10:29 AM
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NJhopeful - Hang in there! You might have tested early. All I know is that at my clinic, they said that a home preg test might not pick it up (a positive) so early. That's why they do the blood test, which is highly sensitive. I know you are nervous. I have been there before. Seriously, please take it easy this weekend, and keep us posted. I'll say a prayer for you! And...don't Google anything! Too many yes and no stories!
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4/17/2009 2:46 PM
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oops - I mean 7 days post my 3 day transfer
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4/17/2009 2:44 PM
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Thanks mtknap & lcgl. I don't know if it was 3 days early it was 10 days post retrieval and 1 days post my 3 day transfer of 3 embryos (a 7 cell, 6 cell, & 4 cell). This is my first time with IVF or ever even trying to get pregnant. I'm praying it was just too early.
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4/17/2009 2:16 PM
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Njhopeful- So that would be 3 days early right? I don't think you can consider that UPT reliable. It's so hard to wait, isn't it?
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4/17/2009 11:03 AM
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NJ Hopefull- do not drive yourself crazy. Those two weeks waiting are the longest two weeks ever!!!! I've been there and understand. But you need to focus on something else, you will know soon enough. Do something that your not going to get to do when you have a screaming baby keeping you up all night. Something just for you and you alone. Keep the faith and be positive:o)
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4/17/2009 10:22 AM
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lcgl- Thank you, thank you, thank you for your book referral- Fully Fertile- A 12 Week plan.... I wish I would have had this last time around. Wow, it came last night and I wish I had today off from work so I could finish reading it. It along with all of you have given me a new lease on this whole infertility thing. I'm going to have a baby. One way or another, we will have a baby. We are ready and our hearts are open to whatever heaven has in store for us. p.s. the OCPs make don't make me naseous anymore, I found the trick is to take them on a full stomach, for me that's right after dinner and before dessert:o)
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4/17/2009 10:00 AM
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Has anyone ever taken a home pregnancy test with a negative result but ended up with a positive blood test? I'm hoping I just took it too early but feeling really disheartened. My retrieval was Monday ,4/6 (hcg shot on Saturday night 4/4) and I had a 3 day transfer on Thursday, 4/9. I took a HPT yesterday, 4/16 and it was negative. I was pretty certain the trigger shot would be out of my system after 12 days but is there any chance it was just too early for anything to show on a HPT? My blood test is on Monday. I bought a box with 2 tests but now am afraid to take another one besides which my husband was very upset that I took the 1st one. Anyone have any stories about this?
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4/16/2009 1:30 PM
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mtknap-thanks for the info. I have an appointment on 4/28 so that must be the baseline appointment you were talking about.
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4/16/2009 1:02 PM
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Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I was way sad. The birthcontrol pill makes me so nauseous and just irratible. My 'last' childless friend just announced she is 13 weeks pregnant and I AM so happy for her but at the sametime now I really feel like I've got no one to talk to. She did try for a while and was going to go through IVF and then just got pregnant. I'm glad she told me herslf though, I also feel so bad when people that know our situation 'don't want to tell me'- then I really feel like a Lepor. So thank you all for being so optomistic and for sharing. And I really am an optomistic person, I strongly believe that God has a plan for all of us. I am keeping the faith and praying for all of you.
In the meantime, I went on YouTube and found some women going through the same thing. If you search for IVF Vlog or IVF Diary, you can learn so much from someone else's experience. One girl actually does the shots on video with her husband, so you can see what to expect and the exact procedure. I thought it was so generous of her to put herself out there like that.
Today it's sunny and warm for the first time in weeks. The first signs of Spring are popping up everywhere, I'm taking this as a sign of things to come! New Life!
Snowie1978- I hope I can help answer your question. At least this is how it worked for me: You take your pill, then that overlaps with the Lupron (for me it will overlap for 5 days). Then you will get a 'Lupron' bleed. This is the only bleed you will get. At this point you will call and schedule your Baseline Ultrasound and Bloodwork. After that you will know if you are okay to start stimulation (for me it was Follitism and Menopur). So no, you will not get another period before Egg Retrieval and Transfer. I hope this helps.
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4/15/2009 8:41 PM
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GirlAtHeart - I'm not sure of all this stuff, but I assume that anyone that has frozen embryos that they no longer want/need, and they "donate" them, that this is where the "embryo adoption" comes into play? Again, not sure, but that's what I'm assuming. . . Either way it is all scary and quite interesting all at the same time. If your dr doesn't see any reason why you shouldn't try the embryo adoption, then I say GO FOR IT!
All - - I feel as though God is the only one that knows our future. . . I wish I could just ask him what's in store for me. . . baby? no baby?? Perhaps his plan is no children for me . . but I find that hard to believe, I have such a strong will to have children, that maternal instinct in me is strong. I'll just have to be patient and hope for that baby, I will not give up faith. . .
EVERYONE - HANG IN THERE!!!
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4/15/2009 11:30 AM
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Oh Ladybug, I forgot to mention...we didn't have any embryos to freeze, or I would be doing that right now...
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4/15/2009 11:29 AM
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Hi Ladybug - I was wondering about fibroids. Anyone else, please chime in as well...
Last year, when embarking on the whole IVF journing, I found out I have a fibroid on my left side. It's a broad ligament fibroid, which I believe means it's on the outside and not inside the "important parts." I never knew I had one and never had problems from it. The IVF doctor discovered it on my first vaginal ultrasound. It's about 2 inches roughly, maybe slightly smaller. The doc said it can't really be removed and that it shouldn't affect carrying a baby. All the fibroid does is slightly push my uterus over to the side, but not much.
If we were to pursue embryo adoption, I do wonder if the fibroid could be a problem at all. But I guess they can't do anything about it. I'm really trying hard to weigh in on whether to try embryo adoption. The cost is attractive - $3,500 to $5,000, with repeat tries at $2,000 - but the risks are scary because you aren't guaranteed a child like adoption.
Icgl - Thanks for the info on the SHG. I had an HSG performed, which I think was called a Hysterosalpingogram. It hurt like heck, really bad! But it all came out clear. Do you know how much the SHG roughly costs?
About my lining - I'm older and my periods are getting shorter and lighter. At one point, I was on 8 estrace pills per day to build up my lining. I'm just concerned that it's not thick enough or something. If they build you up on estrace, and then add the progesterone, those two drugs keep the lining favorable, right?
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4/15/2009 7:31 AM
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mtknap- Thanks i also have a friend a couple hours way who starts her stim shots next monday so we have been talking. This is her 4th time trying so she is full of information. I too am under 35 so I have an easy protocol this time. Lupron begins 4/20 - Follistim begins 5/2 and Hcg around 5/11 or so. I was scared of the shots but everyone as been so helpful to make those fade. good luck
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4/14/2009 8:26 PM
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What is this shared risk program? I didn't know there were package deals for IVF cycles. My dr or anyone at the hospital where I had the process done never mentioned anything to me.
GirlAtHeart - When I filled out my paperwork before doing my first IVF cycle, there was a form I had to fill out about what I wanted to do with any extra embryos, I could choose to keep them frozen and start paying a fee after the first year for the service, I could donate the embryos to couples that may need them, dispose of them, or donate them to science. I thought this form was standard, were you not offered this form? Unfortunately, I did not have any embryos to freeze.
All - I believe I have convinced my husband to spend the $$ for another round of IVF. I think he can see how happy it would make me to try again. . . though the risk is still there, but I am thinking POSITIVE. However, I just found out yesterday that I have a fibroid the size of a golf ball inside me. . . and it appears as though there is a polyp inside of it? Not sure what is going on, waiting to hear from my doctor to find out what the next step is and what would be best to do before we try our 2nd round of IVF. Though this wasn't the reason for my m/c in February, I just want to make sure everything perfect before we try again. I want to make sure my uterus is a happy home for my embryos and the baby(ies) they are to become :o)
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4/14/2009 5:38 PM
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I'm sorry the book is called "You are My Wish Come True" and it's available for Adoption or biological children. I own both.
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4/14/2009 5:34 PM
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I just bought the 'fully fertile' book on amazon, thanks for the suggestion.
hey if anyone adopts, there is a book called "I Wished for You- and Adoption story". Yea, I already bought it , along with the full DVD set of "Your Baby Can Read". Do I have any kids, yet? No, but hey I gotta be ready and shopping makes me feel better:o) Is that so wrong? LOL
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4/14/2009 5:28 PM
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GirlAtHeart- there are tests that can be done to check your uterine lining and 'cavity' (i hate that term, feels like were talking about stuffing a turkey, but that's the proper term). It's called a SonoHystoGram, not to be confused with the Hysto-Sono-Gram which checks your fallopian tubes for blockages. (BTW, this one doesn't hurt nearly as bad as the HSG) It would be really exciting to 'be' pregnant and experience a little life inside of you, kicking away. I'm going to make myself cry, I do dream of that feeling. You will make the right choice, whatever that is for the two of you.
lcgl- My Murphy's Law would be that this time it's 'free', last try we spent close to $20,000 and nothing. So it would be such irony this time around. My acupuncturist says my tongue needs to be pink and that will mean 'my body is ready'. When I take her herbs it's definelty pinker, now that i've stopped the herbs, it's white-ish again! I want to 'be ready', but I don't want to take anymore herbs. What should I do? My doctors don't want me to take herbs at all. Yoga sounds helpful to me and I will continue with the acupuncture needle treatments, it is amazingly relaxing, isn't it? Who would have ever thought. I love it as well. Massage worries me though, should I just ask them to stay away from my ankles? I've been told women in early pregnancy should not have near their achilles massaged. Too much information to sort through. Agh.
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4/14/2009 5:22 PM
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Girlatheart- Do all of it if you can. Maybe your adopted embryo will take and then you'll have adoption stuff completed and percolating for when you decide s/he needs a sibling. How cool would that be?
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4/14/2009 5:09 PM
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Icgl - Ha Ha! A pee stick in your memory box! (Okay, so I have lucky underwear and socks. I'm still saving them.)
Mtknap - The quote was amazing. I hope a baby/child finds me. I've been to her house, when she first got her baby boy (I was on an assignment there, working). He is really cute. A funny story: I was at a baby shower for her on a different assignment and looked at the cake. It was all by itself in a corner. Only it didn't look like a cake at all. It was a different shape, sort of like a toy or a baby item. (I don't want to say exactly what it was, so I can't be identified!) Anyway, I was touching it, thinking how cute it was. I thought it was a little prop that someone had built for the occasion. Well, one of my colleagues walked in and said, "Why are you playing with the cake?" I had no idea it was the cake! I got away from it really quickly. I was so embarrassed and we both had a good laugh about it later. Thank goodness no one else saw me.
IN OTHER NEWS **
We just had an adoption agency meeting. There are actually several options:
Domestic Adoption - The most difficult...Only one in four mothers go through with it, so you can be committed to getting a baby, only to have the birth mother change her mind. This scares me. Also the timeline is long - it could take two years.
International - Better, although they only have older children for someone my age. I would be okay with this, but I really wanted a younger child - yes, a baby. Some special circumstances do come up, but we would have to see.
AND -- everyone hold their breath.....
Embryo Adoption!
OMG - It is available. Apparently, something like 500,000 embryos are sitting at the NEDC, waiting for a womb. This option really freaks me out, because it's a 30-50% success rate. The doctor who does this from that center has a 50% success rate. I would have to think on this, but surprisingly, my husband is very gung-ho about it. It's the cheapest option, moneywise, and you can do up to three tries.
The agency will let you enter two programs at once and then when one becomes more solid, they place the other program on hold.
Because it's another risk, it scares me. I know we had problems in the past with my eggs and possibly my husband's sperm. So it would take both us out of the equation.
What does everyone think? Please give me your opinions. Also, is there a way to find out if I have issues with my uterus/lining/immune system/whatever else? It's never come up at my clinic before. I just wonder if some women's bodies just always reject babies. Anyone heard of other "uterus" issues?
Thanks!
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4/14/2009 4:42 PM
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I bought the book "Fully Fertile- A 12 Week plan for ..." and followed a lot of their advice. I stopped all caffeine and alcohol a few weeks before starting stims, and I did Yoga per their recommendations and took a class once a week, and did acupuncture once per month for 3 months, then 3 times during stimulation, then on the day after transfer. My acupuncturist recommended L-arginine based on the appearance of my tongue which I did have to roll my eyes at a little, but it's just an amino acid, so I thought it couldn't hurt. I love acupuncture. I will find some reason to do it for the rest of my life. It's way better than any massage I've ever had. I don't know if any of this stuff was what tipped the scales in my favor, but they are all positive life style changes anyway. At least I felt like I was doing something besides sitting around and aging.
After the transfer I stayed in a chair as much as possible for 3 days. My mom was visiting so she lifted my two year old when necessary. I did shower.
I thoroughly believe in Murphy's law. You have to get it on your side as much as possible. This was our first IVF of a shared risk program we signed up for, so we lost about $18,000 by being successful on the first try. (I'm NOT complaining.) I do feel happy knowing that our financial "loss" will help to finance another person who may need a 3rd round. If you can't do a shared risk program, then think of another way to get old Murphy on your side.
About the home pregnancy test-- this is what my RE told me: if it's positive-- it's positive, but if it's negative-- it's probably negative, but don't stop any meds until you get a quantitative HCG.
I put my urine preg test in our memory box with cards and stuff. Is it disgusting to have a thing I peed on in there?
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4/14/2009 4:26 PM
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GirlAtHeart- I saw a blurb about Sheryl Crow that touched me along with a photo of her beautiful adopted little boy, who really looks very much like her and she said, "It's funny how little souls have a way of finding you, wether they come from your womb or not." Gave me chills.
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4/14/2009 4:15 PM
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Snowie1978, I am so thankful for this site too. Feel free to ask me any questions since this is round two for us. I'm doing a protocol for women under 35 and feel like I at least understand the process now. Lupron isn't so bad. You can do it. If I did, you surely can.
GirlAtHeart, we will consider adoption as well. I've looked at those forms and they are a little scary. I'm scared as to which agency to choose and well as a thousand other things...will our baby leave us one day to find their biological family?....will the biological mother want her child back?....can we afford it?....will our child be treated the same as all the other biological grandchildren (my bro and sis in law have 7. Yes 7. Naturally and sit down for this one, they conceived triplets naturally. yes, naturally. When I found out I balled my eyes out, I just want one, what the heck? p.s. I adore all of them) i'm sure you could add to the list. After watching Slum-Dog Millionaire I want to fly to India and adopt every child. I'll tell you this much it takes a very special person to adopt, and after being through this process, it truly gives you a new appreciation of life and what a miracle it is, that aone is something that most of the population, I think, takes for granted, and you will be an excellent and better mommy for having been through all this stuff.
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4/14/2009 3:52 PM
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mtknap - I did acupuncture, which I understand is supposed to relax the uterus in a good way. I am not doing it right now, but I loved it! I actually did it in combination with massage and I can tell you, it was more relaxing than massage! I didn't take any herbs, though. I was a little nervous about ingesting anything that could potentially be a problem. You read all these crazy things, like pineapple is bad for you, pineapple is GOOD for you...who do you believe?
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4/14/2009 3:31 PM
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mtknap- I am on somewhat the same schedule as you. I started my BCP a couple weeks ago bc thats when my period started. Then I start my Lupron next Monday 4/20. My dr said about may 13 or so should be retrevial. This is my first time doing IVF so I have been very thankful for this site.
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4/14/2009 3:05 PM
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Girl at Heart,
thanks for the info. I did some research and it seems hcg shot can stick around 5 - 7 days. As far as doing a home test, I have been cramping off and on for 2 days and believe that my one B- embryo did not stick. I am still reeling at my lack of response for egg production. They got 3 only one fertilized normally and it was implanted on the 10th. My hcg is scheduled for 21st, but I believe that I will start my menses before. I am trying to be less frustrated regarding all the money I spent for one cycle to produce one egg--something my ovaries did without stimulation! Not only the money...but the time...it is sooo time consuming---I feel I could have written a thesis with all the doctor's visits, us, medication dispensing etc!! And not to forget the emotional toll...I really got no encouragement during the transfer from doctor or staff, he was already discussing a potential new protocol...I'm sure it will be costlier...I could just cry---scratch that...I am crying! Keep us all posted with your progress...your reports benefit us all. Thanks!
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4/14/2009 2:59 PM
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Has anyone else tried acupuncture? With herbs or no herbs?
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4/14/2009 2:58 PM
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lcgl- Congratulations! You give me hope. This time around (2nd IVF after 3 IUIs) I am doing acupuncture. Please tell me about your experience. How often did you go? Did you take the herbs throughout? Tell me everything. I've been going since my miscarriage in October (from first IVF, I was only 5 weeks along and they had implanted 2- perfect 8 cell stage embryos). Also tell me about your yoga and anything else that will help make this result different. Thank you so much.
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4/14/2009 2:50 PM
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Hello Everyone,
This is our second attempt at IVF and am so happy to have 'buddies' this time around. My husband is great. My friends are wonderful, but really NO ONE understands unless they've been there. I started OCPs on Sunday night at 11pm, woke up at 4am really nauseous. Last night took the same pill with pie and a big glass of milk and did much better, although not 100%. I'm keeping saltines and ginger ale by my bed and sip it when the nausea strikes.
Lupron starts on April 25th.
Anyone else on this schedule?
I know from the last time around I will need Menopur, Follistim AQ, HcG and if my calculations are the same as last time, the retrieval should be mid-May.
Good luck to everyone.
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4/14/2009 12:20 PM
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Icgl - CONGRATULATIONS! I feel like you've graduated. Please stay in touch and on this board so we can get inspiration from your success.
NJ hopeful - I am your age and have the exact same story - never tried to conceive, husband had vasectomy, etc. That's great that you transferred three embryos. As far as what to do and what to expect, just take it easy. My clinic said not to lift over 10 lbs. and don't do heavy exercise. Also, don't use a heating pad and don't take a hot bath. Just use common sense. If in doubt - don't do it. You wouldn't want to kick yourself later thinking, "I shouldn't have done that." As far as pregnancy symptoms, they really vary among women, so please stay off the "Google" search because you will make yourself crazy. Some women get nausea, some don't. Some have sore boobs, etc. Everyone is different, so just stay calm, even if you don't have any symptoms!
Roxanne - Hi, I was never brave enough to do a home preg test. I know there is the danger of a false reading. I wish I could recall how long it takes for the trigger shot to clear. My clinic said to not do a home test because of the potential for wrong information. I know it is so tempting, so you'll have to decide. Just make sure you do the research to find out when the HCG clears from the trigger shot. And if you do decide to test, you may want to do several in a row. I think I've read that a lot of women prefer the FRED home preg test??? (You may have to look that one up.)
Ladybug - Way to go in handling the baby situation with your sister-in-law's new baby. It's so sad, because it's hard for us to be around babies, which is the very thing we want. Then, at the same time, we need to show happiness for others' successes. I have to keep reminding myself not to be selfish and to show the other mothers my happiness and support because it's not their fault I don't have a baby...did that make sense?
robyn8340 - I am so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to deal with. It's actually pretty devastating. I just had a miscarriage last month and only now am I feeling like myself again. Just keep the faith and have hope. If you have someone who is in this/knows that you did this, then I would lean on them. Only my sister knew and I leaned on her heavily for support. My husband only helped so much, if you know what I mean. They seem to move on quicker for some reason, maybe because they didn't physically have to do much or bear a loss. Tell your close ones that you are hurting. They can't change things, but they can listen. Really.
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4/14/2009 9:44 AM
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I had my 8 week u/s yesterday, two fetuses, each measures 1.5mm (exactly as it should.) They discharged us from the fertility center to our regular OB-- and gave us 2 little silver spoons. I am so glad that (god-willing) I will never have to set foot in that place again. I hope some of you can get some courage from my success story. Other people's success stories are what helped me the most to continue to believe that it could happen to me. It wasn't easy. In total we did 11 or 12 stimulated IUI's, a diagnostic laparoscopy, 2 HSG's, 4 fresh IVF's and 2 FET's. And we dropped a ridiculous pile of cash, but I wouldn't trade my family for a lake house or a boob job or any number of fancy vacations. I remember you all in my prayers. Good luck.
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