It's...not looking that great. Beta #2 was 33. The nurse said they were looking for it to be at least 30 today, so I guess the issue is that's it's just kind of borderline? Also, my progesterone was low (11). Anyway, she said it could go either way at this point, but that they're also worried about an ectopic. So I'm supposed to increase my crinone to 2x/day, call them immediately if I have symptoms of an ectopic, and avoid sex and lifting heavy objects. I feel awesome about doing both of those things yesterday, now...
I'm supposed to come in for another beta Wednesday afternoon, which raises the question of what to tell my boss.
And now I know why they call it beta hell.
ETA, thanks for thinking of me, @TAT2MAMI! I appreciate it!
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
@davie813 I guess just above the borderline is more hopeful that below it, though? Just trying to look on the brighter side I guess. And don't beat yourself up about anything you did yesterday -- you weren't to know. Big hugs.
Thanks, all. I know I should try to stay positive. On one hand, this might only be 14 DPO (not totally clear when I actually started/finished ovulating, but per trigger shot timing it should be 14 DPO), so a beta of 33 just doesn't seem that bad. And the 41 hr doubling time (I calculated it) seems respectable.
On the other hand, the nurse I talked to was really negative, so I feel crappy. What she actually said was "well, it went up, but it didn't go up like it should have. We would have wanted to see at least 30, and it's 33." Huh? Then she started listing ectopic symptoms. But I am worried that the low progesterone (after a BFP on a medicated cycle) indicates something wrong with the embryo.
On the other other hand, the Doctor said Ganirelix has a tendency to do that to you. So I don't know....
I know the nurses need to be measured in what they tell people to avoid false encouragement, but--geez, lady.
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent; you all are the best!
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
You had a 41 hour doubling time and that's awesome!!!!! I thought vaginal progesterone doesn't show up in blood tests???? I could be wrong but as long as you are taking your progesterone you should be ok.
Think positive. Your baby is fine and snugging in nice right now.
When your betas double nicely in two days you will feel better.
I say ignore the damn nurse and focus on the fact that you did in fact double! Besides, I bet that nurse is just bitter she didn't make it to medical school and isn't the doctor. (Not that all nurses are that way, just this one)
Maya Arvigo Abdominal massage (daily self care), plus TTC meditations.
I'm very sensitive to diet (gluten, avoid processed foods) and environment. Have a history of inflammation and tendinitis before going off gluten in 2009.
July 2014 - RE Visit #1: Eggs look good, Endometrioma on R ovary, HSG showed blocked R tube close to ovary. DH SA normal
DX: Endometriosis probably the IF cause and gunking up tubes. Since egg reserve is high, RE says I can wait a couple months and then get laproscopic surgery to remove endo & clear tube. If that doesn't help then move to IVF.
Dec 2014 - Saw new RE - does not recommend surgery on tube as it isn't likely to help. Doubts I have endometriosis. My endometrioma shrunk to neglible size (yay!)
Thanks, everyone. I've been doing exhaustive Internet research, and it really doesn't look like this is going to end well.
Now I'm just hoping it's not an ectopic and that things are resolved sooner rather than later. I've been taking HPTs religiously, and as of this morning the lines are looking a little lighter rather than darker, so I think it will be.
I'm sad, but I keep reminding myself that experiencing a chemical pregnancy now is at least not as bad as having it draw out and ending up with a later loss or worse. Also, I found this while I was searching last night, and while I know many don't find it a comforting idea, I do:
"If a chemical pregnancy occurs after an in vitro
fertilization cycle (IVF) or an intra-uterine insemination cycle (IUI), it can be a good sign. Keep in mind that assisted reproductive technologies can only give you the opportunity to get pregnant.
Whether or not implantation and pregnancy occur are up to the body’s
and the embryo’s natural processes. We do not have the technology to
make that happen. It has to happen on its own. So the fact that
those processes occurred is always a very good sign. It is for this
reason that we draw our bHCG’s earlier than most clinics in order to see
if the patient has a chemical pregnancy. If the patient has had a chemical pregnancy there is a high likelihood that she will achieve pregnancy eventually."
While I would obviously be ecstatic if a miracle occurred and this was a viable pregnancy (and I'm still taking my progesterone just in case), I'm prepared and ready to move on to the next cycle.I'm definitely prepared not to be heading out to the suburbs for blood draws every other day. I have a job (other than obsessive Googling) and I need to be here to do it!
Anyway, thank you all so much for your kind words and good vibes. It really helps a lot! :x
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
You had a 41 hour doubling time and that's awesome!!!!!
I thought vaginal progesterone doesn't show up in blood tests???? I could be wrong but as long as you are taking your progesterone you should be ok.
Think positive.
Your baby is fine and snugging in nice right now.
When your betas double nicely in two days you will feel better.
I will continue to keep you in my thoughts.
You are right, but they feel that on a medicated cycle I should have progesterone levels above 15 on my own, not counting whatever I'm getting from the suppository.
Thank you so much for keeping me in your thoughts. I'm glad you are!
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
I have never experienced this myself....but my math minor tells me that if you are supposed to be at 30, and you are at 33 that is a positive change! Maybe that nurse has the common problem of word vomit. I hope that your betas continue to rise and your little bean continues to grow!
After doing more research, I think the issue is that 30 would have been the baseline for a 48-hour doubling time. But with such low starting numbers, a 48-hour doubling time (at the beginning) doesn't indicate a viable pregnancy or allow the HCG to get where it should be in a timely fashion. Doubling times for really low first betas that turn out OK seem to be more like 24 hours. Then, as the betas rise, doubling time slows.
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
01/2014: Meeting with RE to discuss options 02/2014: Clomid + Trigger + TI = BFN 03/2014: on the bench 05/2014: meeting with RE to discuss Donor IVF options 09/2014 - IVF#1 - converted to IUI - BFN
I'm sorry you're in Beta Hell. I really hope you're research isn't right and that tomorrow's draw shows a good jump.
I'm not well versed in ectopic pregnancies, why do they think it might be? From the limited research I did on it, it seems like they normally start out very similar to regular pregnancies as most aren't caught until further along.
TTCAL January Siggy Challenge: Animals in the Snow
I'm sorry you're in Beta Hell. I really hope you're research isn't right and that tomorrow's draw shows a good jump.
I'm not well versed in ectopic pregnancies, why do they think it might be? From the limited research I did on it, it seems like they normally start out very similar to regular pregnancies as most aren't caught until further along.
Thanks! They're worried because of the low betas, which are associated with ectopic pregnancies. Apparently both AMA and conceiving via fertility treatment are, too.
I think most ectopics aren't caught until later because most women don't have beta tests. I didn't see my OB when I was pregnant with DD until the first ultrasound at ~7 weeks. If I didn't know about the low beta numbers, I wouldn't suspect that anything was amiss with this one, so I wouldn't have seen a doctor this time either.
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
Hey lady. @Davie813 - You are in my thoughts...I sure have missed reading your posts and hope your next one is good news!
Siggy Warning
TTC#1 since June 2012
Dx: Unexplained Infertility / AMA
BFP after 4th IUI cycle with Gonal F + Ovidrel on March 2014 | EDD 12/7/14 | MMC on 4/14/14
IUI#5 with Gonal F and Ovidrel trigger on 6/6 - BFN
On to IVF #1 with a new RE. Started Gonal F and Menopur on 8/15. Added Ganirelix on 8/24. Trigger on 8/26 for ER on 8/28. 8R 7M 3F. Transferred all 3 on 8/31. BFP on 9/11 | EDD 5/20/15 - Beta #1: 56.7. Beta #2: 97. Beta #3: 1148. Beta #4: 3559. Beta #4: 7678. MMC confirmed on 10/13. D&C on 10/14 at 9w. Confirmed male with Trisomy 14.
On to IVF #2 in March. CCS Testing on 2 embies. No go. Waiting to start IVF #3 in July. Surprise BFP on 6/14! EDD - 2/20/16 - Beta #1: 121.4. Beta #2: 236.4. Beta #3: 2014.
I just had the blood draw, and should get the results tonight. I'm getting some spotting, which could be the progesterone, but probably...isn't. But based on hpt darkening, I'm expecting them to come in at just about double what they were Monday--still very poor outlook, but just enough to keep this whole process dragging on. Grrrrr.
Side rant: I honestly think that interacting with people is the worst part of this. I feel like the staff at the RE's feels sorry for me right now. I hate waiting for the phone calls. I feel embarrassed about needing fertility treatment in the first place (and yes, I do know how incredibly stupid that is). I'll feel embarrassed if I get upset when I get the news, and embarrassed for holding on to hope when they (OK, and I) knew better all along. And then I'll feel more embarrassed for making whoever calls me uncomfortable. We'll all be embarrassed and miserable and I want my dignity back and why, oh why, can't they invest in some sort of online portal?
End rant. Thanks so much for letting me vent!
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
Re: @Davies813
I'm supposed to come in for another beta Wednesday afternoon, which raises the question of what to tell my boss.
And now I know why they call it beta hell.
ETA, thanks for thinking of me, @TAT2MAMI! I appreciate it!
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart
Me: 35, He: 41. Baby #1!
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." - Eleanor Roosevelt
DH: 45
BFP #1 3/19/14 EDD 11/29/14 MMC D&C 4/24/14
BFP #2 12/4/14 Beta #1 218 at 12dpo Beta #2 1055 at 16dpo
Saw heartbeat 12/29. Please be a rainbow.
All welcome
On the other hand, the nurse I talked to was really negative, so I feel crappy. What she actually said was "well, it went up, but it didn't go up like it should have. We would have wanted to see at least 30, and it's 33." Huh? Then she started listing ectopic symptoms. But I am worried that the low progesterone (after a BFP on a medicated cycle) indicates something wrong with the embryo.
On the other other hand, the Doctor said Ganirelix has a tendency to do that to you. So I don't know....
I know the nurses need to be measured in what they tell people to avoid false encouragement, but--geez, lady.
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent; you all are the best!
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart
I thought vaginal progesterone doesn't show up in blood tests???? I could be wrong but as long as you are taking your progesterone you should be ok.
Think positive.
Your baby is fine and snugging in nice right now.
When your betas double nicely in two days you will feel better.
I will continue to keep you in my thoughts.
Me:39, DH:40
DD born 8/96, DS born 8/04
TTC#3
NTNP since 2006, active trying 1/13
Natural M/C 3/13 at 7 weeks
CP 2/14
All welcome
Me 36 DH 39
BFP 11/28/14 ~ MMC 12/29/14
TTCAL Siggy Challenge
My Ovulation Chart
Now I'm just hoping it's not an ectopic and that things are resolved sooner rather than later. I've been taking HPTs religiously, and as of this morning the lines are looking a little lighter rather than darker, so I think it will be.
I'm sad, but I keep reminding myself that experiencing a chemical pregnancy now is at least not as bad as having it draw out and ending up with a later loss or worse. Also, I found this while I was searching last night, and while I know many don't find it a comforting idea, I do:
"If a chemical pregnancy occurs after an in vitro fertilization cycle (IVF) or an intra-uterine insemination cycle (IUI), it can be a good sign. Keep in mind that assisted reproductive technologies can only give you the opportunity to get pregnant. Whether or not implantation and pregnancy occur are up to the body’s and the embryo’s natural processes. We do not have the technology to make that happen. It has to happen on its own. So the fact that those processes occurred is always a very good sign. It is for this reason that we draw our bHCG’s earlier than most clinics in order to see if the patient has a chemical pregnancy. If the patient has had a chemical pregnancy there is a high likelihood that she will achieve pregnancy eventually."
(Formatting theirs, full link here.)
While I would obviously be ecstatic if a miracle occurred and this was a viable pregnancy (and I'm still taking my progesterone just in case), I'm prepared and ready to move on to the next cycle. I'm definitely prepared not to be heading out to the suburbs for blood draws every other day. I have a job (other than obsessive Googling) and I need to be here to do it!
Anyway, thank you all so much for your kind words and good vibes. It really helps a lot! :x
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart
Thank you so much for keeping me in your thoughts. I'm glad you are!
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." - Eleanor Roosevelt
DH: 45
BFP #1 3/19/14 EDD 11/29/14 MMC D&C 4/24/14
BFP #2 12/4/14 Beta #1 218 at 12dpo Beta #2 1055 at 16dpo
Saw heartbeat 12/29. Please be a rainbow.
All welcome
Me: 43, DOR FI: 44, SA normal
TTC Since Nov 2013
01/2014: Meeting with RE to discuss options
02/2014: Clomid + Trigger + TI = BFN
03/2014: on the bench
05/2014: meeting with RE to discuss Donor IVF options
09/2014 - IVF#1 - converted to IUI - BFN
My Ovulation Chart
Thanks! They're worried because of the low betas, which are associated with ectopic pregnancies. Apparently both AMA and conceiving via fertility treatment are, too.
I think most ectopics aren't caught until later because most women don't have beta tests. I didn't see my OB when I was pregnant with DD until the first ultrasound at ~7 weeks. If I didn't know about the low beta numbers, I wouldn't suspect that anything was amiss with this one, so I wouldn't have seen a doctor this time either.
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart
@Davies813 - I agree with others that you have an awesome attitude about this. Sending you big hugs!!
Me 36 DH 39
BFP 11/28/14 ~ MMC 12/29/14
TTCAL Siggy Challenge
My Ovulation Chart
Me: 35, He: 41. Baby #1!
TTC#1 since June 2012
Dx: Unexplained Infertility / AMA
BFP after 4th IUI cycle with Gonal F + Ovidrel on March 2014 | EDD 12/7/14 | MMC on 4/14/14
IUI#5 with Gonal F and Ovidrel trigger on 6/6 - BFN
On to IVF #1 with a new RE. Started Gonal F and Menopur on 8/15. Added Ganirelix on 8/24. Trigger on 8/26 for ER on 8/28. 8R 7M 3F. Transferred all 3 on 8/31. BFP on 9/11 | EDD 5/20/15 - Beta #1: 56.7. Beta #2: 97. Beta #3: 1148. Beta #4: 3559. Beta #4: 7678. MMC confirmed on 10/13. D&C on 10/14 at 9w. Confirmed male with Trisomy 14.
On to IVF #2 in March. CCS Testing on 2 embies. No go. Waiting to start IVF #3 in July. Surprise BFP on 6/14! EDD - 2/20/16 - Beta #1: 121.4. Beta #2: 236.4. Beta #3: 2014.
I just had the blood draw, and should get the results tonight. I'm getting some spotting, which could be the progesterone, but probably...isn't. But based on hpt darkening, I'm expecting them to come in at just about double what they were Monday--still very poor outlook, but just enough to keep this whole process dragging on. Grrrrr.
Side rant: I honestly think that interacting with people is the worst part of this. I feel like the staff at the RE's feels sorry for me right now. I hate waiting for the phone calls. I feel embarrassed about needing fertility treatment in the first place (and yes, I do know how incredibly stupid that is). I'll feel embarrassed if I get upset when I get the news, and embarrassed for holding on to hope when they (OK, and I) knew better all along. And then I'll feel more embarrassed for making whoever calls me uncomfortable. We'll all be embarrassed and miserable and I want my dignity back and why, oh why, can't they invest in some sort of online portal?
End rant. Thanks so much for letting me vent!
Me: 41, DH: 45
DD, 6/15/2013
TTC #2 beginning January 2014
AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
July 2014: IUI #1. Follistim + Pregnyl. 2 follicles--BFN
September 2014: IUI #2. Follistim + Pregnyl + Ganirelix + Crinone. 4(?) follicles--BFN
October 2014: IUI #3. More Follistim + More Ganirelix + Pregnyl + Crinone. 4 follicles--BFP! Beta #1=10 Beta #2=33 Beta #3=97 Beta #4=158. M/C 11/1/14
December 2014: IVF #1. Microdose Lupron protocol. 9R, 9M, 9F. 3 5-day blasts transferred 12/15. BFFN.
August 2015: IVF #3. 14R, 13M, 11F. Froze 5 blasts for CCS testing. 3 normals. FET planned for 10/2015.
My Ovulation Chart