March / April - IVF/FET

Joyzie77

@oxinfree great news!!!

Tulips29

@halips oh man, now you're making me think my gut was right that i had my period when the nurse thought it was just spotting. were you allowed to start bcp after baseline was confirmed or did you have to start over somehow? not sure if that makes sense. basically, my day 3 would have been this past sunday (vday) but i don't go in for a baseline test until friday. wondering if ithey will still allow me to start bcp on friday if they confirm that was my period.

MelD17011

Hi All – Nice to see a couple familiar faces from the Jan-Feb board here and some new folks on a similar schedule…..

I had my ER end of January – ended up with 4 6-day blasts for PGS testing – 3 came back normal. Scheduled to start meds end of month with a 3/15 FET. Trying to fill the time between now and then!

Rcost

Hi- Im new to the boards and also starting my first IVF cycle beginning March upon the start of my next menstrual cycle. We have been TTC for 3 years. Re gave us a AFT test last week and due to only seeing 7 follicles and my age of almost 39 has given us a programme of Gonal F, Low dose HCG, DHEA, Ganirelix and progestrone in oil. The Re has rated our chances of success in the lower bracket so hoping the drugs will help us produce what we need. Anyone on a similar protocol?

capps42613

@MelD17011 Sweet! We should be transferring within a few days of each other.

halips

@Joyzie77  do you think you'll try the embryo glue with your next FET too? 

@Tulips29 yep, I started the bcp that day. They just did a shorter prep cycle. Hopefully it all works out for you! 

Joyzie77

@oxinfree . I think so. I'm going to ask her a little more about it but I do t think it will hurt. Might do a little research. She just said it might help. It didn't but who knows why the last round didn't work. I'm also taking baby aspirin. 

rachlee2010

Nice to see you here @MelD17011

@capps42613 I'll be near you too. My fet is currently scheduled for 3/8

vssbrm

Hi all, I am going to hop in here as well as Feb / March board. My retrieval will be at the end of the first week in March with the transfer hopefully during my next cycle - April. 

Good of luck to everyone, I am goingcto read through the thread to catch up on everyone's progress tonight.

If you can't see my signature, a quick recap on our story: trying since November 2012. No BFPs. Me: now regulated high prolactin, him: low morphology (small varicosele (that does not look spelled correctly). 4 failed IUIs, now moving on to IVF! 

laurenlalap

So close, yet so far away....

We went to our IVF info session yesterday which was great. The next step is to book an hour long apt with the IVF nurse and Doctor. They only do appts at 2:15. Well my husband is a teacher and says he's maxed out his sick days for the year. So I try to book an apt during his winter break in 2 weeks. That entire week of apts is gone. 

My husband can't and won't take any time off until June and the clinic will not give us a 3:30 apt time. He could be there at 3:30 any single day. 

I dont blame my husband or the clinic but I just want to scream. Another roadblock. We have this apt scheduled for July when he's off in the summer. 

Ivf in August.....

capps42613

@laurenlalap Did the clinic say your DH's attendance was mandatory? I was alone for my nursing consult. He did however have to come in to sign consent paperwork, but they allowed him to do that at his convenience. 

laurenlalap

capps42613 said:

@laurenlalap Did the clinic say your DH's attendance was mandatory? I was alone for my nursing consult. He did however have to come in to sign consent paperwork, but they allowed him to do that at his convenience. 

Yes, it's mandatory which is just mind boggling to me. It's my body, my injections, my monitoring appointments. It makes no sense to me why he has to be there. 

I I feel so defeated. I can't stop crying. It's one thing after another. 

Rachnan

Hi all!  I just intro'd on the main forum and wanted to jump in here!  We are moving on to IVF after 5 failed IUIs.  I'm currently on BCP and had a hysteroscopy on 2/16 to make sure everything looks perfect.  Go back on 2/22 and expecting to start meds then.  In my IUI rounds I did gonal F, but I have no idea what the protocol will be! 

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

mtpbadger

@laurenlalap ugh I'm so sorry to hear that! That is so annoying your clinic can't accommodate you and DH. Don't they realize how much time we have to take off anyway for all these appointments? It's not like everyone has a flexible job or unlimited sick leave! I am frustrated for you!!

@rcost welcome! Hopefully you have success with that protocol! This will be my first IVF as well after three failed IUIs. Well...whenever I actually am able to start meds!

I am kicking myself! Got a call from the doctor's office I have my hysteroscopy consult with on Monday that they had a cancellation and asked if I wanted to come in tomorrow. My leave for Monday JUST got approved in the system and it's such a pain in the neck to cancel it out and then have to put it back in so I said I'd prefer to keep it on Monday. But now I'm thinking to myself that I could have gotten this over with that much sooner and then scheduled for the actual procedure that much sooner! I'm trying not to think about it and realize how silly I'm being because it's really only a 3-day difference and in the long run, it's not going to matter that much. It's just one of those days.

Rcost

@mtpbadger - I have my hysteroscopy in the morning so fingers crossed it all goes well - Had something similar about 2 years ago and all seemed fine at that stage.  I don't think a few days will make a difference - they will need to wait until your cycle is ready anyways so I'm sure fri or mon won't make a difference. Im being put straight into it without birth control etc first. I never tried the IUI's but had TSI with Clomid and Gonal F over the course of a year. 

Tulips29

@laurenlalap that's so frustrating! Can you talk to someone in charge there to ask for a different appointment time? Seems silly they can't squeeze you in at a time that works for both of you and you have to wait until July!

thejessicanicol

@laurenlalap I am so sorry This whole process is so difficult already I can't believe they can't be understanding and more accommodating! But it will give you that much more time to prepare yourself so I suppose there is a bright side

I still have no updates Not so patiently waiting for AF to get here so I can be put on the March calendar with our RE's office for a FET. We have 3 frozen babies waiting for us (I love telling people that because they look at me like I'm crazy lol) and DH wants to transfer at least 2 at once. My frame is so tiny our RE doesn't recommend it but does anyone know if my pre-baby size really matters? I know there are higher risks with multiples but we're so afraid of another miscarriage.

MelD17011

@capps42613 @rachlee2010 yay! It can’t get here soon enough! What protocol are you on to prep for FET. I am doing suppositories vs shots. I hear good and bad things, but seemed like the right decision for me.

@laurenlalap sorry to hear that…. I’m surprised he has to be there.  I found the appointment confused my DH more than anything else – ha

@thejessicanicol – we also have 3 waiting! How many does your RE recommend? Did you do PGS?

Tulips29

Here's my update - found out today I'm at baseline so I started bcp today. I go back to the clinic on 3/19 for monitoring and will start injections after. Meeting with my IVF coordinator on Tuesday to go over the concrete timeline of the whole process. Nerves are kicking in! 

capps42613

@MelD17011 My meds just arrived today: Lupron, Follistim, Menopur, HCG 10,000U, Progesterone Oil injectables and Doxycycline & Prednisone oral tabs. If all goes well with my blood test on Wednesday (showing I ovulated this month), I'll start Lupron since RE didn't put me on BCP. I wasn't given a choice between suppositories vs injections.

rachlee2010

@MelD17011 my prep protocol was 2 weeks birth control.> I finished those on Wed and then went in for u/s and bw yesterday and everything looked good so started estrogen injections last night.  I take an estrogen injection every 3rd night and go back again in 2 weeks on 3/3 for a lining check..if all looks good I start progesterone that day (not sure yet if it will be vaginal inserts or PIO shots yet)  Transfer will be 5 days after stating progesterone. 

Do you know if it's normal to get a light period after stopping the birth control pills?? The dr said something yesterday that I may not get a period or I may ge ta light one but it didn't dawn on me that that would happen.  He also sometimes forgets when he walks in where in your cycle you are so I was caught off guard and unsure what he meant. I since have has a few wipes in the bathroom with a small tint of something..just want to make sure this is normal.

halips

@rachlee2010 it's completely normal to have a light period after stopping the bcps. This is my 2nd FET prep and with both now I've had light periods after stopping bcp, while doing the Lupron shots. So don't worry! Fx for you!!

rachlee2010

Thanks @halips I've seen on here a lot of people do lupron shots in prep for a FET..I am not doing them..I am on del estrogen shots.  I wonder what the difference is.

MelD17011

rachlee2010capps42613 protocol.....

MelD17011

@rachlee2010 my protocol was exactly like yours (except I am ob BCP for 4 weeks). I asked if I could be switch to suppositories, so I have to take those more often but still just estrogen and progesterone.... I wonder why the difference between this and something like @capps42613 protocol.....

capps42613

@MelD17011 Your guess is as good as mine lol maybe it has something to do with doctor's personal preference & their success ratio???

laurenlalap

Well I'm happy to say my doctor called me and apologized for this recent clusterfuck with scheduling the consent signing. We are all set to sign the consent in early March and start IVF right after that.

Who is doing a light cycle instead of long cycle? (In case the terminology is different - my clinic will sometimes do a "long cycle" by using BCP first). I was told I don't need a long cycle so once I get my period things should be moving quickly for me!! : ) 

capps42613

@laurenlalap So glad they were able to work with your DH schedule and that you can get the ball rolling. I guess I would qualify as a "light cycle" too.

kyethra

Ugh, I have gained 15 pounds now after 3 failed rounds these past 6 months. The other day I was just tearing up a bit because my clothes are too tight, and I see the weight on my face. I was up 5 pounds from vacation weight which is the sort of thing I normally wouldn't have troublw losing when we started ivf. I had forgotten this part. I am overweight, always have been but lose very slowly over time after a lab band 9 years ago. I was at a low, nearly down to onederland (under 200 pounds) and looking good in my size 12 jeans... 30 pounds from goal. But then today I remembered that back in 2011 when I had 5 rounds of IUIs I gained 25 pounds when I was in my 20s. And it came off. 

We are trying one more round of IVF to see if I can use my own eggs (at the ripe age of 32). Our last round, we did micro lupron and made it to egg retrieval for the first time and got 3, 2 mature. One fertilized but the embryo did not go past day 3.  This time we will try estrogen priming. Last time I had a job interview the day after retrieval, and in March I start and this is for rest of school year at least (I am a teacher). So I am anxious about not taking time off or being moody.  Also, my little boy, who has Autism, isn't progressing much lately despite all our interventions. Sometimes I get frustrated because it seems like nothing is ever easy...

laurenlalap

@kyethra I'm so sorry. It sounds like you're under a ton of stress. Big hugs to you. 

Tulips29

@laurenlalap I didn't know what a short cycle was until I read your explanation. I guess I'm doing a longer cycle then since my RE started me on BCP last week. I go in mid-March for monitoring, then start injections, etc. How soon are you able to do a transfer on a shorter cycle?

Tulips29

@kyethra sorry to hear about your struggles. Hugs to you XX 

thejessicanicol

@melD17011 @capps42613 I believe it is preference. During our first fresh round our nurse said I was going to be doing suppositories because so many patients complained about the PIO. I hated the suppositories because they made me bleed very badly everyday and it freaked me out. I had to switch to PIO and for this coming FET I'm sticking to the PIO. It definitely hurts but I get so stressed seeing the blood

halips

@rachlee2010   @Tulips29    My first FET was a short cycle with no bcps or lupron prep. I was able to transfer 3.5 weeks after retrieval. My RE said he prefers to do long cycles, as it gives the body more time to adjust, but that the success rate really isn't any different. My practice actually has higher success rates with FETs than fresh too. My long cycle this time is 6 weeks.

With my first FET I had estrogren and progesterone suppositories and did PIO.  PIO was not that bad. It was more mental than anything. Just ice for 3-5 min first, and then you don't even feel it. Afterwards, use a heating pad and rub the spot a little. Never had a sore bum and very little pain!

Tulips29

@halips thanks for the info. Silly question, but what's PIO? I plan on doing a fresh transfer first as my RE recommended to do that initially and then if it doesn't work, to do frozen. I just hope I have something left over to freeze! 

rachlee2010

Good to know @halips I guess i'm a long cycle..I finished 2 weeks of birth control and started estrogen injections..i haven't come across anyone else on any of these sites who has done estrogen through a shot but whatever..It's every 3 days in the butt!  I don't mind it..it doesn't hurt and it's every 3 days.  As for progesterone they haven't told me yet if it will be PIO or suppositories.  My dr is doing a study on the different progesterone types and I am doing it to get all my meds for free so I should find out soon.  Might be a combination also but I hope not.  

halips

@Tulips29 PIO = Progesterone In Oil (usually sesame oil!)

@Rachlee2010 That's awesome that you get your meds for free! I have never heard of estrogen shots, but that sounds better to me! The little blue pills 2-3 times a day and a panty liner 24/7  OR a shot in the butt every 3 days...hmm I'm interested in finding out what you get to do for progesterone, and if it is PIO, you'll already be prepared since you do the estrogen shot!

thejessicanicol

@meld17011 Just read your mention lol. Our RE recommends doing just one for now. I'm only 24 and DH is 29 so our RE is thinking that because we have that "advantage" as he calls it, he doesn't want us to have the risks associated with multiples. It's a long and crazy story but we chose to not do the PGS testing after discussing our health backgrounds. We later found that some genetic information was withheld from us by some family members so if these 3 snow babies don't work we will absolutely do PGS in the future.

rachlee2010

Yea @halips I had never heard of estrogen shots either. I don't mind it though but shots don't really bother me. I've heard the pio is a little worse but I'm not too worried. I did those blue pills and its gross so the every 3 days shot works for me. I'm hoping i get all pio for progesterone otherwise all suppositories. I'd rather not have both and have the grossness from the suppositories and any soreness from shots. 

Tulips29

Good morning! Here's my update after meeting with the IVF coordinator today and being completely overwhelmed...

DH and I signed a million consent forms today and now we have to wait for the answer from our insurance if we can do a frozen transfer or if they require a fresh one. I'm a bit annoyed they even get to decide! After doing research, we decided we may want to wait for the FET since success rates seem to be a bit higher. But we may not have a choice in this. We did BW today to get tested for genetic diseases. In the meantime, I continue BCP until end of March and then come in for monitoring. After that, it's injections and possible PGS testing. My doctor is saying that at my age (we're both 32) PGS isn't as necessary, but hubby wants to be extra cautious and do it. But it's 4K out of pocket, yikes! Anyone decide to opt out of it? By the looks of out, if we proceed with a fresh transfer, it will be around mid April. 

My timeline is still tentative, but will anyone else here be doing their transfer around that time?