Intro: 2nd IVF in 5 years **Loss warning **Child warning through surrogacy/foster care in 2nd part

Cmartin6706

Hello Everyone!

I'm Christopher. The people on these boards were very good to me during my wife and my first attempts at having a baby and now that we are going down the road of IVF again I wanted to join a second time. I was a very active member of TTTC for many years. We've had quite the journey which you can read more about after the warning below.

As of right now we are scheduled for an egg retrieval on Monday. It was supposed to be a mini IVF netting only about 5 eggs but my wife is an over achiever and we are looking at 10-15eggs. Her estrogen and lining are looking good for a fresh transfer for next Saturday assuming we get good embryos. Last time we did but we found out after all of the tries failed that she had an uterus full of polyps. (Insert eye roll) She has since had those removed. She's been on high doses of vitamins for nearly a year: 5,000 vitamin D, Omega 3, 300 ubiquinol. On the recommendation of our RE, she's been in ketosis for 4 months. Research is showing that it lowers inflammation in the body. Our RE has had much success with women in our clinic getting pregnant on ketosis so we thought we'd go all in. We have MFI and use donor sperm. We changed donors after our last vials ran out on the chance that was the problem. We have done 5 IUIs, 1 IVF. We are also foster parents. We have had multiple children come though our home from the ages of 2 days - 13years. Nearly every one lasted at least a year and most 2yrs in our home before moving to relatives. The baby was 11 months.


*** WARNING: Child and losses mentioned below.

We lost 10 embryos during our first IVF. We were so hopeful and then it all failed. Additionally, we've had 6 early miscarriages. We have since had a child through traditional surrogacy (our best friend become pregnant using our donor sperm and gave us the baby as planned). It was a journey of a lifetime and maybe I`ll write a book one day. We are blessed everyday that she was willing to do that for us. Our son is now almost 3. We also have a 6.5 year old daughter who is legally still our foster child although we are expecting to hear in the next 2 months if she'll be free for adoption by us although that's still officially a long long way away due to parental appeals. She came to us when she was 3 and therefore was apart of the experience of our son's birth.

oxinfree

You have a beautiful story @Cmartin6706 - i really encourage you to write a book one day. Especially with the male perspective I think the infertility story is a special one to hear. I know my husband often feels at a loss, and guilty for all that I have to endure, but yet he experiences pain and heartbreak right along with me. Anyways. Welcome back. I'm so sorry to hear about your losses etc. Your transfer is right away here, so best of luck to you. 

KLake42

Welcome!  It sounds like y'all have done some amazing work to build your family, and I'm sorry you have endured losses in the process.  A book would be great-- it sounds like you have an amazing story to tell!  I'm definitely interested in learning more about foster/adoption-- that's something we want to do, down the line (whether we have a successful pregnancy or not). 

I wish you well on your ongoing journey. 

mskeenan

Wow! What a story-it is truly inspirational. Thank you so much for sharing. I wish and your wife a smooth, easy IVF process this time around (if that's possible). Praying yall get your BFP soon!!!

wifeinraleigh28

Welcome back!  What a story you have, thanks for sharing.  I used to work with foster families (I'm a marriage and family therapist) and helped with the adjustment process, particularly when the children had experienced trauma and/or had PTSD diagnoses.  I've met some phenomenal foster parents over the years, and I admire you all.  I hope your family will continue to grow!