~~IF Grad Check-In~~ Ticker & Pic warnings

Juicy71 · December 2012

Hi all:

This is our first official grad check-in!! YAY!! I'll go let those on PAIF know and hopefully they can spread the word on their BMBs and then we'll get some babies and bumps all up in here.

QOTW: Since this is a new thing we're doing - please share your IF story with us and what finally got you to your goal of being KTFU!!!

I'm so excited to hear from our grads!!

PennyLane26 · December 2012

I am so happy to see this check-in! I love lurking on old IF pals, now I can do it a bit more openly. First off, though I've moved on to PAIF, IF isn't off my radar. Even at 20 weeks, I still struggle with completely embracing this pregnancy. That said, I can't wait to meet my miracle girl in April!

For those of you who don't remember me, DH and I struggle with MFI. After years of trying, RE said IUI was not an option. I cycled with the Spring Chicks in April. That first IVF ended in a c/p, which was devastating. I took a bit of a break and then cycled as a Beach Bum in August (I ran the check-in - hi again everyone!!). IVF #2 was a success and I am due April 24th with a girl- Grace Charlotte!

I am still rooting for all of you girls. My heart is with you. I am confident that one day each of you will make the move over to PAIF. xo

Rvnsgrl81 · December 2012

Hi Ladies!

I think of you ladies all the time and are pulling for you and lurk to see how everyone is doing. Hugs to those that need them.

For those that don't remember DH and I were unexplained IF. We went through two medicated TI cycles due to missing O and then two medicated IUI's, one with injects included and all were BFFN. DH and I were devastated. We didn't have coverage for IVF, we had been paying 50% OOP for everything so far. We didn't have the money for IVF, but my mom gave us some money to make our dream possible and with a ridiculously expensive loan and a fellow bumpie who turned into a IRL friend almost all my meds were donated to me. I can never thank her enough for what she did for us!

After two delays, one to remove a uterine polyp and a second to have my gallbladder removed, I moved forward with IVF#1. We transferred two embryos and were extremely fortunate to have it be a success! I am now 9 weeks and 2 days KU with twins! DH and I couldn't be more excited. It was a long 2+ year journey, but we are forever grateful for those who helped along the way (you ladies included!!!) to get us to where we are now.

Everything is going great, babies are perfect, I graduated last week from the RE (we even got 3D pics of the babies!) and am trying to be patient with my two week wait for my OB/MFM appt (spoiled with once a week with the RE). I am more than exhausted, but I know that means all is well. I just don't sleep more than 2 hours straight at night, thanks to my bladder for that too.

Miss you all and wishing you the best of luck! Sorry so long!

MrsGlitteryHooks · December 2012

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking on the IF board since I got my BFP, just in disbelief and not read to let go I guess. I'm praying for all of you that good news is on the way for you.

H and I have been married for 5 years and after my brief battle with ovarian cancer 4 months after our wedding, decided on TTC on our 1 year. Our journey lasted 4 years. During that time we had a year of charting which didn't produce anything, 7 failed clomid cycles, 4 failed IUIs, a boat load of tears and grief. Then finally IVF #1 was a BFP and we found out yesterday it's twins. I still worry daily that this joy can be taken away from us at any time, but I am managing to allow myself to rejoice in little bursts.

I'm 7 weeks today and feeling double the nausea and exhaustion, but it's everything thing I've wanted! I hope our story provides some optimism and hope because IF pretty much erodes that from time to time.

Good luck to you ladies!

maggie2324 · December 2012

Hi ladies!

We were diagnosed with MFI in Sept 2011. We spent 3 months with a urologist, but nothing helped, so we moved onto a RE. IVF was recommended, but due to hope and being OOP, we tried a Clomid IUI. Low post wash and a BFN, so we moved onto IVF.

Had a perfect cycle with the Spring Chicks, except neither of our perfect 4AA blasts stuck. BFN. Then, had another perfect cycle with the July Sparklers and we opted to do a 3dt of 3 embryos. One stuck, but betas were low/slow and it ended as a CP.

We had 3 snow babies from IVF #1 and 4 from IVF #2. For our FET with the Turkey Basters, we had them thaw 2 perfect 4AA blasts, they both survived and so we have 5 snow babies remaining. We had really high betas this time, so we were expecting twins. 2 gestational sacs showed on the ultrasound, but one appeared empty. We are still hopeful for twins, but thrilled either way to finally be pregnant. 6w6d today.

fabulouspinkmady · December 2012

As PennyLane said, when you've dealt with IF, what it took to get to this point (being PG) never really leaves your mind. I am beyond thrilled to be pregnant and expecting twins, but I still get anxiety every now and then, and probably will until I'm holding these babies in my arms!

This is all in my siggy, but briefly my DH had chemo and a stem cell transplant to treat his Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2009-10, which left him with zero swimmers. Luckily he banked sperm before he started chemo, but his counts were low because he banked when he was sick. We waited until he was a year in remission before we started to think about kiddos. Once the SA came back with the harsh words "no sperm", we knew trying naturally would be a waste of time, so we saw an RE who told us IVF would be much more effective than IUI because of his banked sperm count. I cycled in April, but did not get any fertilized eggs. I got my BFP when I cycled in August as a Beach Bum using Gonal F and Menopur (and boy, did they make me nuts!)

Best of luck to all you ladies dealing with IF, it's not an easy road. I wish you all success and BFPs!

Juicy71 · December 2012

Yay for our first check-ins!! Thank you ladies for sharing your stories! Hopefully we'll get a lot more today

LuvWIfootball · December 2012

What a great idea. I always check the IF board first, as it still feels like "home".

QOTW: DH and I started TTC in October 2008, 6 months before our April wedding. I was tracking BBT, but my cycles didn't regulate right away due to years on Depo Provera (aka The Devil). In March, 3 wks before our wedding, DH went to MD due to pain in a testicle and we were immediately told it was most likely cancer. He had his right testicle removed 5 days later. Amidst the chaos of cancer, wedding, honeymoon, etc. DH chose not to have an SA or bank sperm. After 4 rounds of chemo, tumors appeared in his abdomen so he needed surgery to remove all lymph nodes/tumors. The surgery severed nerves causing permanent retrograde ejaculation and the chemo cause azoo. We knew IVF would be our only option, but needed to wait a minimum of two years to see if sperm production would resume. Finally, in January 2012, DH had his first SA come back showing sperm, although all were nonmotile due to PH of urine. After meds and several more tests, we were told that a biopsy would be the only option for trying to find viable sperm. We did all other necessary testing, as well as ordered DS as a backup, and started our first IVF in April. 6 days of stims caused one follicle to jump way ahead of the others and we were cancelled. Our second try was a different protocol (long lupron). DH also had his biopsy the day of ER and we were excited to find healthy, mature sperm. We retrieved 12 (I think), had 11 eggs fertilize, transferred 2, and froze 4. We're now expecting triplets, all boys.

I'll be 24wks tomorrow (woo hoo!) and so far everything looks great! I'm on meds for hyperthryroidism and high BP, but both seem to be regulated now due to the meds. My goal is 35 wks, but I'm now taking it month by month. Next goal is 28wks then 32wks.

eandk18 · December 2012

Congratulations ladies, and thank you for sharing your stories, you have no idea how much hope they give me!! Hoping you all have smooth, uneventful pregnancie!

eandk18 · December 2012

eandk18:
Congratulations ladies, and thank you for sharing your stories, you have no idea how much hope they give me!! Hoping you all have smooth, uneventful pregnancie!

should say pregnancies...geez!!

Killer Tomato · December 2012

I totally lurk over here all the time. I am pulling for all you ladies! (Also, my heart goes out to those of you with bfns.)

We were trying for about two years with one CP when we finally gave in and went to the RE. Technically we were unexplained IF, but the RE suspected endo. We did four IUIs with no success before moving on to IVF. The IUIs wore me out, emotionally and physically, so we took two months off before IVF. Then an EPP antagonist cycle with ICSI/AH, two out of seven made it to 5dt, we transferred both and one stuck.

Right now we are almost 15 weeks, which seems completely crazy. I am still hesitant to relax into the pregnancy and enjoy it, but I am doing my best!

I wish all of you the best of luck in your journeys, and hope to see you over on PAIF soon!

mrskitton · December 2012

I love this idea! I am always stalking you ladies on this board rooting for everyone!! DH and I tried for 16 cycles, 2 IUI's before moving on to IVF. We were unexplained IF with my AMH level being a tad lower than what was "normal" for my age. (Can't remember the exact number.) We got 9 mature eggs, 8 fertilized with ICSI, only 3 made it to the end. We decided to put only one back and kept 2 on ice. Right now I am due March 8 and am always stalking this board for more pregnancies!!! FX for all you ladies here!

Gregermis · December 2012

Hi ladies! ::waves:: I think about you all often!

My story:
After trying on our own and charting for a year, we did all the normal IF testing (HSG, b/w, S/A, etc...). I had slightly elevated FSH, and DH had some motility issues with borderline numbers on count.

We did our first IUI with only 1 million total motile sperm, and got KU with our one in a million! Unfortunately, that was a c/p. Three more IUIs were all BFNs.

About a year ago I started posting on IF in addition to 3T and we did a fresh IVF cycle (28 retrieved, 19 fertilized, 6 blasts, one transferred and 5 frozen). That was also a c/p. FET#1 we transferred two, and both stuck. We had good betas, and even made it to an u/s to see that both embies stuck, but I started bleeding and had an early m/c. FET#2, transferred two more... BFN

Last August we transferred our final frozen embie and to our delight it has stuck around for the last 4 months! I'm 17w6d today Smile I was GF for three months before this transfer and also used PIO since crinone was really causing a problem for me. Not sure if either of those made a difference, but I guess you never know.

I started feeling movement on Thanksgiving and have my A/S coming up two days after christmas. Feeling pretty good and just kind of chugging along!

Laurakat81 · December 2012

Basically, we've been TTC for 3 years. We had 2 miscarriages in 2010. Although we didn't know it until over a year later one of those D&Cs lead to an infection (symptomless) that destroyed my tubes. In November 2011 we got pregnant again only to discover it was ectopic and it was during surgery that my doctor discovered how bad my tubes were. The right one was removed. And the left was cleaned up and FX that it would actually work. We attemped a few injectible/Clomid/IUI cycles over the summer that all ended in BFNs. We finally decided to jump ship, switched REs and moved right into IVF. And we got a BFP. We're still technically in limbo as my betas have been wonky but seem to be getting back on track. Before my tubal issues getting pregnant was never our issue so I feel like for me the bigger battle is just starting while we hope to hold onto this baby. First ultrasound is Friday and I'm already getting scared.

Thanks for running the check-in Juicy!

And to the ladies still here, so many ((((Hugs)))) and positive vibes and prayers being sent to each and every one of you. I know that sounds so cliche but I truly mean it. Wishing you all the very best!

candyreesecup · December 2012

Hello, ladies! Love the check-in ideas!!

About us....
I was getting frustrated that I wasn't getting pregnant. We are both healthy and active, so I had no idea why we couldn't conceive and we were almost 35. One day we were discussing about our health history and my DH mentioned that he had undescended testicles and had a corrective surgery late in his life. I didn't know what exactly it was, but my gut told me that I needed to look into this. I did some research and found out that it can very much affect fertility, so I brought it up to my GYN. She took it serious and we did SA right away. Bamm...everything was low, esp. morph, but it still showed 2%.

Then, we started working with RE. We tried 3 IUIs, which all resulted in BFNs. I was a July sparkler and had IVF w/ ICSI following the last IUI. It was very hectic with the timing and financials, but the IF board was my rock. Did 5 days transfer with perfect 2 embies, but I ended up with a blighted ovum so lost one. HOWEVER, my other rock star embie stuck!!! We didn't have any frosties, so this one was our hope. We found out that it's a girl and she just turned 24 weeks and we cannot be any proud of her.

Anxiety never goes away even after I became pregnant. Tear still comes up when I drive pass by my RE clinic and everything I went through to get here. I still think a lot about this board and I am rooting for all of you!!!

eroplane · December 2012

QOTW: Since this is a new thing we're doing - please share your IF story with us and what finally got you to your goal of being KTFU!!!After TTC on our own with no luck, my OB ran some tests and referred us to a RE. More testing revealed that IVF was our only option. We jumped in and 7 of my 12 eggs fertilized and we proceeded to put back two. We were told that there was a small chance for twins but it was so small that we took the chance. Fast forward to 7dp5dt and I got my first + HPT ever. We were elated and soon discovered there were indeed two babies. I developed moderate OHSS and was hospitalized but never drained. I began having contractions at 18 weeks and delivered at 23w3d. Everyone said "irritabe uterus" but now I have a dx of PTL and incompetent cervix. My babies went to NICU and passed several days later. Their loss was especially tough after dealing with IF. When we were cleared to try again we did; two failed FET's but the third took. This pregnancy has been much more difficult due to emotions and hormones, guilt about my twins and the constant worry that accompanies IF and Loss. I think I will relax a bit when I get to 36+ weeks. I hate that I can't enjoy this pregnancy since it may be my last chance. The third FET that ended up resulting with my current pg was completely different than my previous two. I thought that they would work 100% because the first two took with the twins, why wouldnt these. After they failed, I was certain that this one wouldn't work either. I didn't take a single HPT during the entire 2ww. I bawled when my RE's nurse called. I think about you ladies a lot and wish you nothing but the best. Thank you for doing this check in. Hugs.

eroplane · December 2012

eandk18:
eandk18:
Congratulations ladies, and thank you for sharing your stories, you have no idea how much hope they give me!! Hoping you all have smooth, uneventful pregnancie!

should say pregnancies...geez!!

Best of luck to you with your upcoming cycle!!!!

JBDamonM · December 2012

Add me to the list of Grads that are thrilled to see this check in

I think of you IF ladies often and always lurk, but don't comment.

DH and I started trying in August of 2011. I was sure it would take us a while since I had been on the pill for SO long. I immediately started temping and much to my surprise, my cycles were regular pretty much right out of the gate. By February 2012 I was convinced something was wrong. Everything looked perfect on paper - there had to be a reason I was not getting pregnant. My OB agreed to see us and do some baseline testing. I have always liked my OB but I am so incredibly grateful that she was willing to explore even though it hadn't been a year. We got the call in early March that DH's numbers were very low and were sent straight to an RE.

We spent some time with a URO - and DH was DX'ed with a small varicole. We decided to proceed straight to IVF, as our numbers were too low for IUI. We cycled in July and had a perfect cycle.

To this day I am still florred that I am actually pregnant.

I'll be 23 weeks on Thursday and am finally getting a bump. Not sure if it's because of the long road that it took to get me here or not - but I actually love being pregnant. Despite a few complications I have had a very easy pregnancy and feeling this baby move just amazes me!

I am rooting for you all and hope to see you on PAIF soon.

P.S. for those ladies dealing with MFI - Please feel free to page me on PAIF if you ever have any questions. I had a really hard time with this DX and am happy to help in any way I can!

nikkilou10 · December 2012

HI Ladies! I am your biggest cheerleader!!!

I am 11 weeks pregnant with one baby- I did IVF with 6 eggs retrieved, 5 fertilized, and had no frosties. They put in 2 embryos, and We had a vanishing twin we think, because my betas were high, then didn't double. I graduated from RE 2 weeks ago and saw my first OB friday. I had an ultrasound and it is starting to look like a baby now. We announced to family on Thanksgiving, which was a lot of fun. My dad did a magic trick where he pulled a scarf out of the air that said call me grandpa. We haven't announced on FB yet. We plan on doing our professional christmas card pregnancy announcements tomorrow. I have gotten a lot of ideas on Pinterest. The scariness and worry never stops. I miss getting ultrasounds often. Other than that, I haven't been sick, just yeast infections and hemmorhoids, FUN FUN! I miss talking with you guys, and I do lurk often. Thank you for the chance to check in. I truly wish the best for you ladies. Maybe your time will be short on here. I am not brave enough for pics of the bump yet.

mpetri · December 2012

SOOO glad to see this started....I check in on ALL you ladies daily!! My thoughts and prayers are with out and I pray you get yout BFP's!!

Update and back ground on me:

Was trying for 3 years 3 months, tried Naturally for 10 months, had low Progestrone.Orginally thought it was Unexplained IF did 7-8 rounds of Clomid, 4 IUI's, 1 cancelled IVF, 1 IVF that resulted in a C/P,then on our next full round of IVF only ended up with 2 that took, did a 3dt, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant with TWINS!!

Everything out 1st cycle that ended in a C/P looked great...5 day transfer of prim embies...remaining embies made it to freeze

The cycle that ended up with Twins, only 3 that even made it, 2 transfered on a 3 day transfer and none made it to freeze....

So don't give up hope on those cycles where things don't seem "perfect"...sometimes they are just what works!P

Praying for you ladies~!!

nhamilton1008 · December 2012

Hi ladies! I echo the other grads in that I lurk here often to see how you're all doing! I know my stay here was short because I found you all at the end of our 2 year journey, but you're all wonderful and deserve this miracle! I am rooting for all of you!!

DH and I married in October 2010 and I had gone off my BC the weekend of our wedding as we had agreed. We tried for a year on our own with no success at all before moving on to 2 unmonitored medicated cycles, then off to the RE for 5 medicated IUI's (pills and injectables) and finally on to a fresh IVF cycle which resulted in our BFP almost two years after starting to try.

Here is my 13 week bump pic from Friday, 11/30/12. Bloating is gone, just bump now, which is exciting and crazy - I'm sure it won't change too much in the next couple months until I really pop!

EFD32 · December 2012

This is so exciting!! I check in with all of you frequently!

My journey was almost two years. We were diagnosed with MFI and first tried IUI and clomid. After three failed attempts we moved on to other options. We began our IVF journey. I had 13 eggs retrieved 11 of those were fertilized with ICSI. I had a 3day transfer of two beautiful embies both 8 cell and grade 3. I got my first BFP. My husband kept telling me up until the first ultrasound that he had a feeling both took and sure enough we are having Twins!! We are over the moon I am 8 weeks and 1 day pregnant now. I have graduated from my RE and have my first prenatal visit with my OB on Dec 13th. I wish you all the best. I am still all bloat and so ready to have a baby bump. The meds and now the pregnancy have made all my jeans to tight and I live with belly bands and sweat pants now a days It still doesnt seem real to me and I cant wait to see my babies again hopefully at the next appointment.

phishgirl29 · December 2012

Thanks for doing this Juicy!

We were married in '07 with no plans of starting TTC for 2-3 years. Flash forward,(2008) my blood pressure was high at my regular gyno appointment so they wouldn't refill my birth control pill, so we used the pull up method until '10. No slip ups or anything. In 2010, my BFF had a stillbirth daughter (@39 weeks) which was beyond devastating, which led DH and I to start trying. We did for a year (temping, opk, etc) and I was ovulating, but nothing ever happened. We starting seeing an RE, and we did a ton of tests which led to me being PCOS-like (what ever that means), and DH was fine. I haven't had a thyroid since I was in college, so my hashimoto's was never really a factor.

We did 4 IUI's (clomid, fermara, natural) between last December and August, before we went for IVF #1. It worked and we were expecting twins until our 10 week appointment, where they discovered that B's heart had stopped beating at 9w3d. Baby A is doing fantastic and we are still excited to be expecting a miracle in June! No bump pic yet, but will definitely start taking some this weekend!

mnj05 · December 2012

Loving this! Like others have said, I lurk all the time and can't wait for more of you to join us!

Our history is in my sig, but we are dealing mostly with MFI and my anovulatory issues. DH had testicular cancer and it seemed to have done a number on his swimmers. We went straight to IVF with our RE (after several months of trying on our own and clomid rounds with my OB) and got this miracle baby! We don't have any to freeze, so IVF is more than likely in our future again since RE gave us a less than 1% chance of ever conceiving on our own.

I am now almost 27 weeks and the sting of IF never goes away. Anytime I don't feel movement (and my entire pregnancy up until 22 weeks since I didn't have any symptoms) I freak out. I get really scared the day before and day of appointments that the OB won't be able to find anything. I wish I could enjoy it, but it's so hard sometimes.

I am rooting for you all and hope to see good news from everyone soon!

lily_721 · December 2012

I love this check in! The ladies on the IF were so helpful for me. IF is such a lonely road and this board made me feel like I wasn't so alone. It also has helped me to tell IRL people about our IVF journey (I'm usually very private).

We started our RE conversations about six months before our first assisted cycle. We had already had conversations with my OBGYN but we were trying to get full custody of SS1 and SS2 and wasn't ready for the additional stress. We had an unmonitored IUI. It failed. We switched REs and began our IVF cycle with the September Sweethearts. So thankful that it worked.

It is still such an amazement. I saw my baby last week during my u/s. For the first time, it looked like a baby. LO's nose reminds me of my sister's little button nose when she was a baby. My due date is on DH's beloved deceased grandmother's birthday. We feel LO has been extra blessed by our family who have passed.

The IVF process is so emotional and uncomfortable but is so worth this miracle. I am so grateful everyday that we had the option for IVF. I was finally ready for this when my IRL friend had her beautiful baby after 6 IVF treatments. She had everything going against her -- other than cancer, if you can name it, they had it. And it worked. She has been my inspiration daily.

Good luck IFers! I am looking forward to seeing you soon at PAIF.

ShelleyBQ · December 2012

Add me to the list of grads who is grateful for this check-in. I lurk here all the time, and am rooting for everyone to find success.

My story:

After a year of TTC, we met with the RE and did all the testing. I had a lap in February to diagnose/remove stage 2 endo. We did 3 IUIs, all BFN. Our RE wasn't really sure why it wasn't working for us, but we were lucky enough to have some insurance coverage, so we moved on to IVF. I cycled with the Beach Bums in August and had a chemical pregnancy. I cycled again with the Pumpkin Patchers in October, transfered 2 3-day embies that were pretty fragmented (stage 4 of 5) and am now 10w4d with one baby.

The fear of IF still lingers, and I'm terrified to tell anyone outside of immediate family and afraid at every point that something will go wrong. But at the same time, I'm filled with hope.

Keephope2012 · December 2012

So happy to read all of these success stories. This road is so hard it's nice to hear from those who made it to the other side!

BellaLux · December 2012

It's so great seeing all of you ladies (special shout out to the September Sweethearts)!!! Hope you all continue to have a healthy and happy pregnancy!

ball.and.chain · December 2012

Well -- I'm still pregnant. I'll be 7w on Thursday. Although with no morning sickness and pretty minimal pregnancy symptoms in general, I'm having trouble believing there's really something in there. My first ultrasound is Tuesday, so hopefully that will help.

My siggy kind of covers it, but it took me 16 months, 9 IUIs and 1 very successful IVF cycle to get pregnant. I never received an IF diagnosis but because I am in a same-sex marriage and therefore lacking sperm, it was complicated from the start. I'm so relieved to finally have some success and to have 5 frosties waiting in the wings for possible siblings.

jessica_gail2 · December 2012

I'm so glad you all are doing this check-in! I think of you all so often, and like I think a few PPs said, I feel like a piece of my heart will always lie within this board because the lovely IF ladies helped me so much through our journey.

DH and I had been TTC for about two years, and my OB told me after a couple of SA on DH that we would never be parents unless we adopted. I had done a few cycles of clomid with no success, which hasd prompted the analysis on DH, which showed low motility. We were devastated and ended up beginning to pursue adoption but after a couple of meetings with our home study agency, it was clear that we didn't need to use them. Sooo, we decided to try an RE. Went to one and honestly our first meeting was so overwhelming that we were scared. But, we had a call with them a few weeks later and the RE was so reassuring and nice that we decided to go for it. (In the meantime, another SA showed DH had LOW motility, not NO motility, so we were perfect candidates for IVF w/ ICSI.)

So, my first cycle of IVF, we miraculously ended up with a BFP. They had to adjust my stims (we did BC for a few weeks, then lupron, and then bravelle) during my cycle but I had a pretty good response. Had 12 retrieved, ICSI'd 10, and 6 fertilized. They made it to a 5-day transfer, and we transfered 2 with no frosties. I didn't test out my trigger but had a very faint positive, then a negative the next day, then a much stronger positive the next day.

Thursday I'll be half baked, which is amazingly crazy to me. I'm starting to feel our little girl kick a little. It still doesn't feel real. I remember laying in the room after the ET and just crying, and talking to DH about how there's no way it worked. But it did.

I wish all of you the absolute very best. I truly believe we'll see all of you on PAIF. Good luck with all your cycles! I'll be keeping an eye on you gals - best wishes to you all!!

nhamilton1008 · December 2012

Hi Bella!!! waves

racheyt0227 · December 2012

This is great! All history in sig, but did 5 injectable iui cycles (1 c/p) with no luck. Did IVF with ICSI & currently pregnant!

I am due on March 25th with a little boy! The anatomy scan & fetal echo cardiogram were all wonderful.

I did just get diagnosed with gestational diabetes though, so meeting with nutritionist & MFM to discuss next steps!

pinkmickey24 · December 2012

I think the IF Grad Check-In is a great idea. I lurk here all of the time to see how all of you wonderful ladies are doing.

QOTW: DH and I tried for a little over a year when DH had his first SA that had low numbers. We met with the RE and told us that IVF with ICSI was our only real option. The RE ran another SA and did the usual testing on myself; the SA confirmed the need for IVF with ICSI. We completed our first IVF cycle in December 2011 which failed due to poor egg quality (4 retrieved, 3 mature, 1 fertilized and arrested after day 1). In May 2012 we completed IVF #2, egg quality had improved slightly switching to the antagonist protcol, but response was still lousy (4 retrieved, 4 mature, 3 fertilized, 2 made it to 3dt). For both cycles I had lots of follicles, but my E2 barely made it over 1200. This past September we completed IVF #3 with PICSI unstead of ICSI (my RE called it the super glue we needed). Before this cycle began my RE put me on Metformin to help regulate my hormone levels and switched me from Bravelle to Gonal-f. My response was so much better this cycle (11 retrieved, 8 mature, 7 fertilized, 2 perfect AA blast transfered). Also, my E2 was over 4,000 by the time of trigger.

I am 14 weeks 3 days today carrying twins. Both embryos implanted. My next OB appointment is Friday and I can't wait. We will find out the genders at our a/s later this month.

MrsNukem · December 2012

Hi ladies, like the other ladies, I lurk here all the time, silently cheering you all on!

Most of my story is in my siggy. My issues were egg quality due to my age. My FSH was 17.9 at the beginning of this year, who knows what it is now. I did microdose lupron flare with both of my cycles, same dosage on both. The first cycle we transferred 4 embryos. One stuck but my betas never doubled. After countless blood draws in beta hell, the docs were scared of ectopic and wanted to give me MTX. U/S showed a tiny blob that we think was the sac in my ute. Luckily, my period finally started and I avoided the MTX. Second IVF we got one less mature egg than IVF#1. On the day of transfer (3dt) there were only 2 embies left. We transferred both and here I am pregnant with twins! Only thing different I did was acupuncture and lots more supplements for IVF#2.

Here is my bump at 16 weeks:

Maybe Joleisa · December 2012

I'd say it was nice catching up with you ladies, but I'll admit I'm a PAIF lurker! Continued healthy pregnancies to you all...we all hope to join you soon.

Jezebell26 · December 2012

Late to the party but am so excited to see this check in! I lurk here everyday and delete a lot of comments. My heart breaks with you for every failed cycle, cancelled cycle, BFN and loss. I cant wait to see you all on the other side!

Here's our story, some of it is in my siggy. We got married in Oct 09 and went to my gyn in Jan 10 to talk about TTC knowing I have PCOS. They suggested we try for 6mo on our own and come back and we would figure something out. That sounded like crap to me so I went directly to a RE. Now I did get flamed for this because I did not try naturally or let my body regulate or whatever, but in hindsight I know I made the right decision and you have to do what is best for you. I also knew I had a diagnosed medical condition that was not working in my favor. In April 10 we met with our first RE and started all the testing. Everything was wonderful so we started with Clomid. That was a joke, no response from either dose. Because I never ovulate it seemed like each cycle took forever because I had to bring on AF with provera (the devil). In Nov we did our first cycle of injects and that was interesting. I went from no response on Clomid to over responding on gonal f. We coasted for a few days for my E2 to come down and I triggered with lupron, and it failed. I never O'd. It was at this time my RE decided IVF was the only safe way to get me pregnant. It was also at this time we decided to do a lap, just to make sure all was well in there. I had no history of pain or endo but Id rather be safe then sorry. I was trying to make a nice home for my embies. Dec I had my lap a few days after Christmas during a ridiculous snowstorm. We decided to set IVF #1 for April when I was home on spring break (teacher). We used the antagonist protocol and it went pretty smoothly for our first cycle. We transferred two embies and had no snowbabies. I did get pregnant with twins but it was short lived. It was a horrible experience that I will never forget. I ended up losing one twin unknowingly and when we went in to check for a hb we found the worst. I had a d&c and took some time to grieve. That was the darkest period of my life. We pulled ourselves together and wanted to cycle again.

IVF #2 started in July and we had ER/ET end of July, beginning of Aug. Again, we used the same protocol (antagonist with lupron trigger) since it worked once before, transferred two embryos and got pregnant with a singleton. We changed a few things based on the last cycle, I was on a ton of PIO and crinone but still m/c. This time we made it closer to 6w and had an u/s with the RE in the morning and saw the HB. It wasnt measurable and it was trying to flicker and beat. He wanted us back the following week. When we left I felt things were happening but assumed since i had an internal u/s that he rattled things and it was crinone or whatever. We got home and I was bleeding. I tried to stay calm and didnt call right away. After about 2 horrible hours of heavy flow I called the RE who ended up telling us to go to the ER. This, my friends, was the day of Hurricane Irene so DH was in denial about what I was telling him and we were in denial this was happening again. Sure enough many hours later in the ER, I had what I believe were contractions and everything, I passed our sweet babe and the miscarriage was confrimed and we headed home to grieve, again. Another d&c was done to ensure it was all removed and we asked for testing each time. Nothing ever came back. So here we were, still broken and empty with no reason as to why this was happening. We went over bloodwork and RPL panels and found nothing. Now this was the darkest time of my life. The only thing this RE recommended was weight loss surgery.

I pulled myself together and around Nov decided to head back to my old gyn and explain and ask where he sends patients with TTTC. He referred me to a whole new set of Drs who I met right around Thanksgiving. At this time I took the bull by the horns, did my research, had all my records and was on a mission. I was getting a take home baby one way or another. The new dr was amazing and was in a larger practice and I knew things would be different but I was ready for a change of scenery, a new embryologist, lab, protocol, everything. This dr was also more aggressive and had me jump through many hoops. First thing we did was discuss a weight loss plan, she re did a lot of testing, sent me to an endocrinologist, a hematologist and MFM. As of Jan we decided as a couple to start a new lifestyle, get healthy and set a goal of a summer IVF. I would work my behind off to get all the testing done and jump through every hoop this dr would throw at me so that we could cycle at the end of June as the school year ended. I ended up getting on metformin and starting a new diet. It was an interesting time for DH and I. We kind of shut ourselves in, didnt see many friends or family. Focused on us and getting healthy and doing what we needed to do for our take home baby. My RE wasn't convinced I would make it to cycle in June but I was on a mission. As the months passed I had to repeat tests and was able to prove to them I was losing weight and got things under control and they were more then pleased.

IVF #3 started in May. I turned 30 and started lupron. This was the most optimisitc I had ever been. We had a new protocol (long lupron) and new meds, I lost weight and was healthy and we were very excited for all new things. I also added in Circle+Bloom to my stimming to help keep me calm, I think it worked rather well. This cycle was challenging because of all the shots and the timing and things were very different then what we were used to, but we were willing to do whatever it took. I ended up having to do injects during my best friends rehearsal dinner, and ended up triggering at her wedding. Lets just say its a good thing a friend of ours who attended the wedding was a nurse so he could do the inject. It was the first time I was doing a real trigger shot IM in the butt, so I was nervous! He gave DH some great tips on where and how to inject, knowing we would need to do PIO. This RE did not let me use a numbing cream (which was for the better since it caused absorption issues!) so I was beyond petrified. Our ER was on Fathers Day and we made the decision to transfer only 1 embie this time. My RE was pleased with our progress but didnt want to complicate things even more. Sometimes I regret that decision but am thankful we did one at a time. I am so thrilled to say we have three snowbabies from this cycle! As you can see we are pregnant from this cycle and have had many bumps in the road. I had moderate OHSS and was almost hospitalized, ive had a few scares with my bloodwork, i have low papp-a, an anterior placenta and now GD. BUT, I wouldnt trade it for anything.

It took us a long time to get where we are and we are so grateful that this time worked. We made many changes to get to our ultimate goal and I know it sounds cliche, but dont give up. If this is what you want then work your behind off and go for it. It is perfectly normal for you to step back from your friends and family, especially those that have no idea about IF or what it entails. You need to focus on you and your body and DH and your relationship. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. Hang in there ladies and Im so honored to be able to share my story with you!

nhamilton1008 · December 2012

Yay for bump pic MrsNukem!!!

Blueyed228 · December 2012

Hi ladies. I still lurk over here and am always rooting for you.

I started posting on IF when we moved to IVF. Before that I was only posting on 3T.

My story: We had been trying since out wedding and when things were not working out after about 6 months we went to and RE. I had not gotten a period in over a year. I was initially dx with annovulatory PCOS. We did 3 IUI's that resulted in 2 m/c's. We did our first IVF in April and that resulted in a BFP but at our first u/s at 7w there was no heartbeat. I had 2 D&C's to remove that pregancy.

They did a 3rd round of genetic testing and we found out I have MTHFR. I have it on 2 genes so it is compound hetero. That makes it a little bit more serious than regular MTHFR. So I was put on Foltx and baby aspirin for the next IVF. We also added in Menupur.

Our second IVF was in Sept and even though I didnt overstim or have a lot of eggs (12R, 8F, 5 embies) I ended up with a severe case of OHSS. I had mild OHSS with my first IVF but it cleared up in a few days. I was pretty bloated for about 5 days. This time it started about 5 days after my ET and I blew up and looked 6 months pregnant. I ended up having 4 drainings (each time they got a couple liters). My RE suspected that it was twins due to the severity of the OHSS and I had 2 very early betas that were on the high end, but not outrageous so I really didnt put much stock in it. We transfered 2 embies for IVF 1 and only 1 took so we assumed the same would happen when we transfered 2 again. My subsequent betas started out higher but they didnt have huge jumps like you would expect with twins so I assumed it was just 1 healthy baby.

Well at our 7w u/s there were 2 sacs, 2 babies, and 2 beautiful heartbeats. I am still on the Foltx and baby aspirin and due to them being IVF, twins, and with the MTHFR I am considered high risk and seeing an MFM. Things are going great. Tomorrow will be 15w. I have to see my MFM every 2-3 weeks and probably will for the remainder of the pregnancy, but that is ok with me.

I am still praying for all of you to get your BFP's soon and lurk like crazy to see everyones progress.

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