October/November IVF

Kp214

@JamieH2000 thanks!  Fx that you are right!  We are doing genetic testing, but if there are some day 5 embryos that aren't good enough to be biopsied, we will transfer them on Wednesday. 

@kwolf002 thanks. For me, it is. 

Just got the update: 7 out of 10 fertilized with icsi!  We are excited. One more hurdle crossed!  Next update will be Monday. We are going to try to enjoy the results of today and not worry about Monday. Easier said than done, right?

I have a question for those of you who've had a lot of eggs retrieved. I know 10 isn't a ton but it's double the amount I've ever had retrieved. I'm still bloated and my whole abdominal region (from my diaphragm to my lower abs) is sore, like I've done an intense ab workout.  If I move a certain way, pain shoots from my abs into my neck. Has anyone else experienced this?  How long did it last and did you do anything to get over this faster?  I'm drinking Gatorade and taking colace. 

shauna43

@JamieH2000  
I have no symptoms minus extreme  hunger. last time i was pregnant my boobs hurt so hoping thats a good sign for you! your 5dp3dt?
@kp214 i had 43 eggs retrieved  a few weels ago. it was terrible pain the first 2 days then i was pretty much back to normal by the 3rd. maybe you have ohss? drink a ton of gatorade! pain pills and  rest!

JamieH2000

@kp214- I forgot that you were having them tested! Hoping you will be an Fet then and they are all good for biopsy!!

@shauna43- I am 7dp3dt, but they have been hurting pretty bad since mon/tues. I have done 10 days of PIO so maybe it's just building in my system or something. The last few days my good ovary has also been aching like when I just start stims so not sure what is going on there. Also super thirsty but wondering if I have just been eating too much sodium since I've been a little lax with my healthy eating the last week. Hoping Your hunger is a good sign and can't wait to your poas results again later!

Colleen0516

@shauna43 I am a POAS aholic too! I should buy stock in pregnancy tests for how much I spend on them lol 

@Kp214 congrats!! 

@JamieH2000 PIO always make sure my boobs sore! SIde effect. Confusing because it's a pregnancy side effect too. 

@DDRGirlie didnyoubhave your beta?? Thinking of you! 

kwolf002

@shauna43 I felt bloated yet dehydrated and tried coconut water, propel and gatorade. 

Bringman8809

Thanks!  I test on the 21st. It's so nice to hear from other who are going through this too! 

Adoc86

@Kp214 I had 13 eggs retrieved and I felt terrible for days afterward. I did have a lot of sharp pains for 3 days and even still have some every now and then even though it's been 6 days. For me, the bloat was the worst part of it all. I was SO uncomfortable!! Eating high sodium foods seemed to help me whereas I didn't feel like Gatorade made much of a difference. I'm still bloated but it's definitely improving. I hope you bounce back quickly!

AFM I had my transfer today. I had not gotten an update since Wednesday so we went in not knowing anything about our 5 embryos. Turns out we only had one blastocyst and the rest are still cellular I was really surprised and pretty disappointed. The embryologist said that our one looked beautiful and perfect though. They're going to watch the other 4 until day 7 to see if they develop any further so they can freeze. We were only planning to transfer one so everything went as planned and I keep telling myself that maybe we only got one because it's the only one we'll need. But yeah, after retrieving 13 and only having one make it to the end I do feel discouraged and a bit worried. I feel silly worrying about this when I know we're lucky to have even gotten this far. Just venting. 

IfYouCanDreamIt

Hi All,

Just joined the board... 

I'm 32 and DH is 34
Struggling with infertility for the past 3 years, now on our 2nd IVF.
Things aren't looking that great as I had my 10 day scan on Friday that revealed that I'm having low response to the already increased amount of meds (Gonal-F & Menopur 187.5) and have only 3 follicles on the right side and none on the left. As advised by ER still continuing the meds and have another scan tomorrow.

I'm feeling so disappointed as I did several changes 3 months prior to this cycle hoping to have better results - gave up my one cup of coffee a day and quit all caffeine, took CoQ10, prenatal vitamins, drank green juice every day, avoided BPA and switched to organic/chemical free products and though I'm continuing all of it except CoQ10, I'm starting to doubt if any of it has to do with my issues.

Hate to get this familiar feeling of entering to the sad phase of yet another cycle and would love to hear your tips about staying motivated and optimistic. 
And if there's any ladies that have experience of low response IVF cycles, I'd love to hear from your experiences.

Kp214

@Adoc86 thanks for letting me know about the high sodium food. I'll try that. Fx that your one is all you need. I'm glad it was perfect. Fx the others look great for freezing. 

JamieH2000

@adoc86- I totally get being dissapointed about the others. So glad you have the one perfect and hoping this the one!!

@ifyoucandreamit- sorry things aren't going good. I have been there and this journey is so hard. Myself, and a few other ladies on this board, have had poor responses. Do you have low AMH/DOR? I know there are a lot of pages, but if you read through some of the previous posts you will see that some ladies are on their third or fourth cycle and have found a protocol that works for them. A lot of ladies are having success with Estrogen priming so maybe ask your RE about that if you have to do another round. PErsonally I only got 2 eggs and 1 embryo this round (transferred a week ago on day 3). I plan on getting two more opinions if this doesn't work- already have them scheduled actually. HAving a plan is the only thing that makes me feel better when things don't go good. Hang in there!

Kp214

@IfYouCanDreamIt this is such a hard journey. I'm sorry things aren't going as you had hoped. If you read my signature, this is my fourth start and third retrieval. It's been my best response yet, though. I did EPP with lower dose stims. I don't know how this cycle will end, but I'm more hopeful than I've been in almost a year. If you have any questions, feel free to tag me or pm me.  Good luck. 

ljsmith805

@shauna43 Fx for you! Hoping that line keeps getting darker!

@Kp214 congrats on your fertilization report!! Those are great numbers!!

@IfYouCanDreamIt I am sorry you find yourself here, and I am sorry you are feeling down. It is a VERY hard journey, and not one that the many people in your life truly understand. This group helps so much in that way. When I am feeling down I do a few things... I pray that this month will be the month no matter how discouraged I feel (because miracles can happen, I have seen them!), and then I pray for patience, strength, endurance, and understanding if it is not. I tell myself that the child I am supposed to have is so special that he or she just takes that much longer to make. I tell myself that though I am suffering now, the day I become a mother will be that much sweeter and special. I tell myself that no matter the outcome I will keep breathing, I will survive this, and I will find happiness in the present. Mind over matter! In my journey someone who also struggled with infertility told me that she realized she was tolerating the present. Her desire to be a mother had so overwhelmed her that she was not living life, but rather tolerating it until she achieved her goal of becoming pregnant. This really resonated with me. I felt like I too found myself in this limbo of TTC but never getting anywhere and just sort of tolerating my current state. So I now make every effort I can to find happiness and gratitude in anything and everything, and not to just see life without children as a waiting period. It is hard sometimes, and waiting is still so much of the game, but I try my best not to let it define who I am. Sorry this kind of turned into a journal entry, hope some of my rambling helps:) Thinking about you, hoping for positive results and lifted spirits!

@JamieH2000 Hoping your PIO shots get easier, and fx you'll be taking them for many more weeks Sending positive thoughts your way!

@Adoc86 Congrats on your transfer! Sorry you are feeling disappointed with numbers, but you are right, it only takes 1! Fx this one is YOUR ONE:)


AFM I am feeling better today. I still have 1 follicle leading the group at 21mm, but a few others are trying to keep up. Progesterone is still low so they are not worried about me prematurely ovulating on my own. There are 9 now (though several of them are on the smaller side) measuring 12.4-21.8mm, and my lining has improved from 7.25 to 10.1 (this has been a struggle for me in the past. I have another bw/us tomorrow, I guess we are moving to daily appointments now, which I don't mind! It helps pass the time. 



 

LeFemmeViolette

For those keeping score, 8 out of 8 embryos made it to day 3! Last time only 6 out of 9 made it to day 3. Hoping this bodes well for day 5. 

Kp214

@ljsmith805 you described it perfectly, tolerating life. That's something I struggled with until this past summer. Looking for the positive things in life now really helps. 

@LeFemmeViolette that's awesome!  Yay!  Are you doing a fresh transfer? I'm sure you've said but I forget. 

natalie4oscar

@ljsmith805 hiya my next us/bw is on Monday I'm anxious to see if these little follies are growing strong

can we talk about how sucky Menopur is!! I don't mind the other meds, but that one is a stinker for hurting so much 

@LeFemmeViolette that's awesome news - congrats 

@IfYouCanDreamIt I'm sorry to hear of your struggles, it is such a tough journey that can feel so isolating from the world. Your username says it all though, stay positive and we will for you also

@Adoc86 that is one tough little fighter you have there, lots of love and positive thoughts coming your way 

jildsm215

After a full eight days since the egg retrieval, the bloating finally went away, and my stomach looks normal again. However, I've had a couple glasses of wine since and not had a great reaction. I hope that goes away soon!

We heard back from the lab on day six that three of the six fertilized eggs matured enough for PGS. They said that was their normal rate. I have no idea what to expect next week when we hear back with the results of the genetic screening. The election has been a huge distraction and kept me from obsessing too much.

I was a little upset with our clinic because no one called on day six. I had to finally call them at 4:00 and got a return call, which I missed, at 4:45, so I couldn't call them back that day. All they said was that we got the three. I was a little disheartened that it took so long to hear anything and that the call we did get was from someone I've never even met before. I would have thought a nurse or even the doctor himself would have called. Don't they know we're going crazy waiting?

After I nicely complained in an email to the head nurse, the same lab tech called me back again. He was very nice and explained their whole process to me. It would have been nice to know beforehand rather than feeling like they'd washed their hands of me once the retrieval was over. I don't know what typically happens at other clinics. As far as I know, ours is the best option in town, and up until this point, they've been very responsive and caring.

Kp214

@jildsm215 that is so stressful you'd think they would know that we anxiously await the results. I'm glad you have three to test. That's awesome!  What type of genetic testing are you having done?  We are hoping to do genetic testing if the embryos make it to day 5 or 6.  However, we were told it would take a month to get the results if we make it that far. 

mandasd

@JamieH2000 I didn't even get to test day...period is in full force, really terrible. Kinda thought I wouldn't get my period being on progesterone but I guess not. 

We are calling Dr next week to see if we can do another cycle probably in January since coordinator told me a few weeks back the calendar is full until January. 

DDRGirlie

Hi everyone.  I took a little break for a few days to reset.  I called my clinic again on Wednesday and explained to the nurse that i was 100% sure AF had arrived and I would like to start FET.  I saw my RE Thursday and she was devastated and confused as to why it didn't work.  I started the estrogen pill yesterday and will be transferring 2 snow babies on November 30th.  I'm in a positive state of mind now.  And I'm excited that I can work out this month!  Although I don't know whats worse - Crinone cream with itchiness or PIO...

So much has gone on!  @Colleen0516  congrats on your results!   I hope you have a happy and healthy 9 mos.

@mandasand AF sucks even more so when we're going through this process.  I'm sorry that you have to wait until January.  But it will make 2017 an exciting year!

IfYouCanDreamIt

You ladies are amazing, thank you so much for your encouraging words!

@JamieH2000 Thank you I will have AMH/DOR tested again after this cycle and scheduling meeting with RE to talk about Estrogen priming - thanks for the tip, I’ll make sure to read the pages through, this is so wonderful help while taking this journey. You are so right about having a plan, it does calm me too no matter what is going on right that moment. Sending positive thoughts your way and praying for a miracle with you!

@Kp214 Thank you so much and best of luck to you, only positive thoughts and praying for good news!

ljsmith805 That is beautiful! Mind over matter! You are absolutely right - IF and TCC can drift all focus to having a baby while it can be difficult and overwhelming at times it really isn’t all there is, so much to be happy about and grateful for. Thank you for your encouraging words. Only good vibes xxx

natalie4oscar

@jildsm215 congrats on your fertilized embryos and good luck on the genetic testing. I'm sorry about the nurses lack of response though, I've had similar situations in the past and it's just so frustrating. We are all in such a vulnerable position and just need some support and answers from the experts,  I'm glad that you said something to the head nurse though, they need to know how their actions affect us.

Hopeful_mom

@ddrgirlie so sorry this cycle didn't have a better outcome, to start AF so soon I would certainly be confused too.  But exciting you get to FET so soon.  Hoping it will be your sticky bean, sending you hugs!! 

@kp214 that's an awesome update yay!!! Praying all make it through for you, yay golden eggs!!

@jildsm215 ugh sorry u had to deal with so much! I know work is hard for people and they have protocol however this field really takes special people to understand what your going through and they need to be on top of it more.  You can't be in this field just for the job and not have a heart for the people.

@adoc86 yay!! That's great news really!! Since you good just do one you had ur lil fighter that really want to get in front and go first!  Now hoping it gets all cozy inside good luck!!

@LeFemmeViolette wow that is a super update!! Hope those champions keep on the great track they are!!

@natalie4oscar I'm actually laughing from ur post on menupar, I hated that one at well!! The prep the burn just so annoying.  In these last few days of stemming I actually did the annoying drug first since the pen is easy.  And it didn't hurt as much however then the gonal F burned, go figure!!

@kwolf002 wow that's amazing news glad so many made it, what are the odds!! You know one of you will be out numbered when are you do to FET?

@shauna34 let that line keep getting darker yay, praying hard ur on ur way!!

@ifyoucandreamit hi and welcome to the board. As I was reading ur uodate I thought the same exact thing as @jamieh2000.  This board more then others I have been on had quite a few ladies that are poor responders.  I would definately go back and catch up.  There much I've learned trough these ladies on this cycle alone.  You can always pm me if you have questions to.  In the beginning my er considered me borderline DOR because of my low AMH, however after the responses I've been having I'm definately DOR, even though I don't meet all the criteria for it.


AFM.
Yesterday's appt showed follies at 15, 16.5, and 20.  So that was a huge growth spurt from 8,12, and 13 the previous day.  Hoping the tech measured right. I'm really just so confused by it all.  AND OH is not thrilled with me doing ER for just 3 and wants me to wait another cycle which since it looks like only 3 are on board.  BUT for me if all 3 will be on board I think I would like to go for ER SOOO I can tell that's going to be a problem for us too.  Why one more couldn't pop up, it's truly frustrating to no end.  Since I now have one at 20 I'll probably be close to triggering I think, so I'm bac at the dr now so we shall see.

Just don't know what to do

My thought is, do the ER and pray all 3 are perfect.  Now I feel like if I get 2 do i do the transfer, or bank another cycle.

If only 1 makes it then I know I would bank it, I kno for sure I want to transfer more then one.

my question to all is this??
I'm paying OOP so this could be all for nothing as I'm told I could get none.  How is that possible if I'm measuring 3 mature.  Would love some thoughts and feedback as I'm very confused what to do.  OH thinks I'm rushing it cause I'm so anxious to retrieve something, which I am.  My body showed the very first cycle I can produce more a big 4-5 haha, but full second cycle on other protocol was one. And now hear I am. Ugh this process!!

Kp214

@Hopeful_mom I'm glad they are all around the same size!  That's great and such excellent growth!  That's tough to be in a position where OH is if differing opinion with you. I understand the almost desparation/ eagerness to get to ER, not saying you are desparate. After all that you've been through, it's understandable. Praying your RE has some words of advice to help you guys make a decision. 

shauna43

hey ladies...pretty sure this is a fail. my tests are negative and i know the odds. if no line by 6dp5dt...odds arent great. so just want to tell you all good luck ...wish u well and  signing off. 

JamieH2000

@hopeful_mom- that is such a hard call... I wish I could tell you what to do but you just have to follow your gut. If you don't try, you won't know, but I also had 4-5 follies and only got 2 eggs so I see both sides of it. Praying for good news for you today!

@shauna43- no, no I don't understand how that can be! I'm so sorry and sending hugs your way. I know you need time but hope you will come back and join us when you do an FET! If I remember right, you have some frozen. Thinking of you!

@ddrgirlie- so sorry for the negative so glad you are able to do an FET so soon!! Stay with us and let us know how it's going?!

JamieH2000

@mandasand- sorry about AF really glad you can try again in Jan! If this doesn't work for me, I'm guessing my cycle will be in Jan too, so maybe we will be cycle buddies again!

shauna43

@JamieH2000 i will doing fet next cycle but i think transfers at my RE will be 2nd week in dec. good luck to you! i have 7 frozen

ljsmith805

So much going on here! 

@Hopeful_mom praying for guidance and clarity for you! There are so many decisions to make in this process and often they are not easy!! 

@shauna43 I am so sorry for your negative tests! Thinking of you and praying  for miracles and that your IF journey is almost over.

@DDRGirlie hoping your FET is the one!!! Glad you don't have to wait so long:)

AFM- I am triggering tonight for ER early morning Tuesday 11/15! A few more follicles popped up and RE thinks we may have 15ish, maybe, that are ready for retrieval by Tuesday Several of them are on the smaller side since I had the 1 or 2 growing so much faster, but I am very pleased with the progress over the weekend! IF we have good results that would put a fresh transfer on 11/20 I think, and Beta is already scheduled for 11/29:)



 

IfYouCanDreamIt

Hopeful_mom I'm doing catch up on this board as we speak or shall I say write. Great your follicles are about the same size and I'm with you about the positioning hope you will get good advises from the RE that help you to move forward. Praying for you x

I've just taken my trigger shot and have retrieval scheduled for Tuesday. 12 day scan this morning showed a forth follicle on the right, hoping it will still catch up in size (They were 11, 15, 18 and 23).

ljsmith805

@IfYouCanDreamIt we are ER buddies!!

Hopeful_mom

@shauna34 I'm hoping u had a bad test and ur still in it, glad you have so many frozen to work with!!


AFM:
@kp214 @JamieH2000 ladies thanks for the advise, OH isn't home so this could be premature but after talking to my dr she does think and hope I should have 3 mature follies, so I'm going to aim to ER On Tuesday so I guess that makes us  cycle buddies too.   I hope. @ljsmith805 and @IfYouCanDreamIt

I'm overly nervous right now!! No one knows what's going on at work and I'm trying to sit here and figure out how to work around it.  Problem is I'm on a huge project that will be frowned upon me not being there ugh!!! Is what it is.

@ljsmith805 wow so many growing food for you!! Are you looking to do a fresh transfer, any testing?

@IfYouCanDreamIt I feel like we're in a similar boat, my right side has done on the work this time, my left side didn't want to join the party I'm at 20,19, 14.5 dr say anything over 13 can be mature and hopefully with my trigger this evening it will catch up to the rest.  I'm panicking a bit I must say! @JamieH2000 you're the first person I thought of when trying to decide.  I think I'm nervous as I now know I can walk out with nothing. Hopefully something magical can happen, my ER is on my parents anniversary so it has to be lucky right!!

Colleen0516

@shauna43 oh no! Hoping things get better for you! 

JamieH2000

Looks like Tuesday is shaping up to be a big day for our group! So glad that you ladies are getting to ER! You never know if they will find extras in there and I'm hoping for the best for all of you!

@hopeful_mom- haha you are too sweet to think of me! I've been waiting to hear an update from you and so glad you are getting a shot on tues! It's hard to be gone from work, but hopefully in a few months they will understand why does your clinic do a three day transfer? Mine does it no matter what if you have 4 or less embryos. might not hurt to check since that would Friday and then you can give work the notice asap. IF ER is on tues, you are triggering tn right?!

Kp214

Yay!  So many people triggering tonight for a Tuesday retrieval!  I know you all are excited and anxious. It is one more hurdle crossed!  Tuesday will be here before you know it. For those who haven't done this before, you may have to take a pregnancy test in the morning to make sure you triggered properly, that is if you triggered with hcg. Good luck!

natalie4oscar

Tuesday looks like a great day for our group, good luck ladies @ljsmith805 @IfYouCanDreamIt

@Hopeful_mom that is such a tough call, I think I would be in the same frame of mind as you. Good luck with wahatever you decide to do 

tiffavis12

So after our failed 1st IVF in October we thought that we wouldn't have enough fertility money left in our insurance and personal funds for another round.  But we ended up having enough thank God. 1st round we did gonal f and cetrotide with an hcg trigger. Response wasnt the best only got 5 eggs, 2 weren't mature and only 2 fertilized. Transferred  both day 3 and they didnt take. 

So today started round 2 with a little but different protocol. Lupron injections daily at 20 units started tonight. Will stop BC Thursday 17th, expected cycle start Monday the 21st, and first dose of gonal f 300 Friday the 25th will lower lupron to 5 units when starting gonal f. Estimated ER Dec 7th and transfer Dec 12tg if all goes to plan. Hoping for more eggs and a day 5 transfer this cycle. This is our last official cycle with help if it doesnt work. Here hoping its a good Christmas. 

natalie4oscar

@tiffavis12 welcome to the board although I'm so sorry your first cycle didn't end in a positive outcome.

i was very similar, I didn't respond well to the first cycle, they only extracted 4 and of that 2 were in ok shape but deteriorated quickly 

Sending so many positive vibes that there are some very happy holidays for all of the strong ladies on this board 

JamieH2000

@tiffavis12- welcome back! So glad you are able to try again! I added you to the list (again). Really hope this is a Christmas miracle for us all!

ljsmith805

@Hopeful_mom Yay for Tuesday ER!!! Yes I am hoping to do a fresh transfer, we are not doing any testing this round. My RE suggested that IF this round was a BFN and IF we had embies to freeze would could test them at a later date. She didn't feel like testing was totally warranted right away, and given the cost we opted not to for now.  We are unexplained so we really don't know why I have never had a positive, genetics could be a possibility though. We are doing ICSI with this cycle because again we are not sure if fertilization is a problem for us or not and don't want to chance it. Getting excited!!

@tiffavis12 Welcome back! Glad you are able to try again so fast! Fx, hoping this is it for you! 

 

Adoc86

Wow Tuesday is going to be a big day for our group! GL to everyone triggering and heading to ER! 

@Hopeful_mom so happy to hear that you'll make it to ER! Is OH on board now? I feel like I would want to continue to ER too if I were you since the follicles are looking good. It's a real pain trying to coordinate getting around stuff at work when no one knows what you're doing. 

@shauna43 so sorry to hear that! I hope that maybe the test was a dud