February IVF

rayoflight80

@brela11 - how exciting! good vibes for tomorrow. 

AFM: Went in for monitoring this morning and got a more amiable nurse. She said I have a possible 18 follies (some are slow growers) so that's why we're still not sure when my ER will be. I asked how many eggs and she said it will be around 10 (maybe more) but I am happy with that  

I think 10 will be good. Yet another monitoring appointment tomorrow morning... hopefully one of my last! I have become way too well acquainted with that ultrasound machine

Polythene Pam

@brela11 thinking of you tomorrow, fingers crossed!!

We scheduled our ER for Tuesday, eek! The doctor said right now he sees 5 that are a good size, he'll hope for 10 but said 5 are great looking right now. Now I am SO anxious.

QsMadd

Does everyone have one or two things they will be trying after transfer? I read in a blog once that heart of pineapple works really well for implantation but they also slept with only one sock on for 3 nights after transfer. I want to hear any and all things that people think will help with implantation....no matter how superstitious it is!

Polythene Pam

@Knottie1470722089 I'll do acupuncture the day before and after transfer, then once a week till we know if we're pregnant. 

*TW*

I have a 3.5 year old and got pregnant no issue with her. I can literally tell you the day we conceived (it was a slow month, ha) so I know that I went running right after, and had wine that night. So basically didn't think about it. I'm planning things like normal after the transfer, even setting up a date night, just keeping things normal will (hopefully) help me from stressing

SBump

It's been a while since I updated--fun to see how everyone is doing here.  I hope you all have success with your cycles.  Today was my 3rd morning of Cetrotide, and tonight will be night 9 of stims.  I saw the doctor this morning, and he wants to see me tomorrow, but he is estimating egg retrieval for 2/8. I've still got the same 6 follicles I started with after 3 days of stims.  I was hoping for at least 7 eggs, but my doctor says the follicles I have all seem to be progressing nicely.  I am concerned because of the costs about needing to do this again. My meds were on the higher dosages/more expensive side.  Luckily, the injections haven't been too bad--the biggest pain is prepping them.  I am worried about the trigger shot next week, but hoping I can get someone to give me that one--the rest I have done on my own.

missydallas

@Knottie9983816 I've read the pineapple thing as well - and was planning on doing that! I did read that you have to be careful in the amount - since too much can cause the reverse effect. 

@PolythenePam - I was also thinking about trying an acupuncturist. I've read that if anything - it can't hurt, and there are some studies that show it actually helps implantation. 

QsMadd

I have been going to an acupuncturist for a month now and I can tell you from experience that I absolutely love it. I like it better than massages because it forces you to relax your entire body for 30-45 minutes. They will put the needles in from your feet to your head and if you move at all, the needles will give you a slight pinch of pain. Whenever I am in a massage, I tense up in other parts of my body while they work out the tension...with acupuncture, I relax completely.
I was very skeptical at first being a medical professional but I am a firm believer now! Especially when she puts in the needles in one spot and you can feel it in another or have a twitch in the spot the needles are supposed to be helping.
The first time you have it done, it is a little daunting knowing how many they will put in. BUT by this time, you are probably used to the needles. I would recommend starting to go a couple of weeks before the transfer so you know what to expect and they will know what you can/cannot handle. 
They will also work on other things besides the infertility component as well....for me, she has been focusing on me getting better sleep to reduce my stress.

brela11

@SBump trigger shot was not any different than other shots for me. I had to do two back to back and it was fine, actually exciting to be thinking it was my last one!

SBump

@brela11, that is helpful. Just the size of the needle freaks me out.  

HopeSIN

Hello everyone! I'm a late joiner of the "February IVF" club ;-)
I'm currently on day 3 of stimulation with Gonal-F 300IU per day.
I've started since this morning to feel rather shaky (I feel so clumsy that I already broke a glass today!), jittery and have hot flushes (which is very untypical for me since I'm always freezing).
Are any of you experiencing this as well? Can that even already be side effects cause I'm only on day 3 of stims? Thanks a lot in advance

brela11

I just thought I'd update everyone here in case anyone was wondering... 

we we ended up transferring three embabies today on day 3! Three! Ahhh!! Lol we had a great 12 cell, 8 cell with 25% fragmentation, and the third little guy was a 6 cell with 40% fragmentation. My re said the 6 cell wouldn't make it to freeze and there is only a one in a million shot we would end up with triplets. I'm super excited and just in shock! Haha glad I took the Valium to help with anxiety. 

brela11

@HopeSIN I never experienced those symptoms so if they continue I'd definitely mention it to your nurse. 

artemis618

Congrats on being PUPO @brela11!

Polythene Pam

@brela11 how exciting!! Fingers and toes crossed, I can't wait for more updates from you!!

mandasd

FX @brela11

rayoflight80

@brela11 So exciting! Keep us posted FX

So, I'm ready for my trigger shot tonight! I'm really excited about it because I ran out of some of the meds and now I don't have to buy more. (And of course it's nice to move forward!) ER is Tuesday (2/7). 

From what they could see today, I had 15 mature follies and they couldn't say if I had more than 10 eggs. The goal is to have success with this fresh transfer and freeze one for later, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Trying to stay positive and relax.  

rainbowwishes5

Hi All,

I might be doing IVF #2 this month. I'll know more tomorrow. I am currently waiting for AF after TW------------ my first FET ended in a cp. once we get that going we'll see what Doctor says. Hope I'm not too late to the party.

Polythene Pam

@rayoflight80 same! I also have just the right amount of meds. Good luck on Tuesday! 

HopeSIN

Brela - that's great news! Fingers crossed it will all work out!

Rayoflight - 15 mature follicles sounds like a fantastic number! All the best for tomorrow's ER!

Quick question to everyone - I'm on day 4 of Gonal-F now and have an incredible amount of EWCM (sorry, too much info...), just like I have normally right before ovulation. I'm sure it's just a side effect from the hormones, but I'm wondering if you guys have that as well?
Also, in my 5 unmedicated IUI rounds I tended to ovulate early and usually got the HCG trigger shot already between CD 8-10 - I'm wondering if there is such a thing as ovulating early even though you're on Cetrotide or in case Cetrotide is started too late? Thanks a lot in advance! : -)

laurad75

@brela11 So exciting!  Congrats on being PUPO!

@rayoflight80 That's amazing!  GL tomorrow!

AFM: I'm getting very nervous.  I've had 10 nights of stims and went in for more monitoring this morning.  There are only 3 measurable follis right now.  I will have more information when the nurse calls me with my blood work this afternoon but I am sure ER will be pushed to the weekend. 

brela11

@HopeSIN I've definitely heard of people getting loads of ewcm while stimming. You could mention your concern at your next monitoring appt. my nurse told me sometimes people can still ovulate while on cetrotide too but it isn't too common.

@laurad75 Immsorry you're not seeing the response you want. My re wouldn't move forward with IVF without 4 follicles, he said we would switch it to iui and try again the next cycle with a different protocol. Hopefully your body just gets some more growing. I ended up with 5 total. 

JuliaGoolia719

Hey all! I signed off for a few days waiting for our day 5 report. The Dr just called, of the 9 fertilized 2 were able to be biopsied today for PGS testing, there are 2 others that could possibly catch up by tomorrow, but she wasn't very hopeful about it. The 2 they biopsied are both BB's so pretty good quality. 
Im suddenly so nervous for PGS testing. 

missydallas

@HopeSIN - I'm on day 6 of stim - and am having a ton of EWCM as well. I had a follow-up this morning and said that it was completely normal and to expect it.

@brela11 Congrats! FX!

@rayoflight80 - so exciting - that's a great number!

@JuliaGoolia719 - I'm doing PGS as well and am super nervous about testing once it comes around. I guess it's better to know now - than not knowing and have issues. But it definitely just adds another stressor in an already stressful process.

Had an appt this morning and everything is progressing as it should - RE said his best guess is ER this weekend. It looks like I have at least 15 follicles that are growing at an even pace. Just trying to keep up the positive thoughts!

teamginger13

Hi ladies -- quick question for those who have already had your retrieval. Do you remember how large your lead follicle was when you triggered? I have a 20.2 right now and my RE wants me to continue on stims for another day (and ganirelix) and trigger tomorrow night. I looked back at my last IVF cycle and my lead follicle was 21 when I triggered so I sort of expected to trigger tonight. I tend to ovulate early so I am just feeling uneasy about it.

liljoy-2

@teamginger13 Lurking from the January IVF. My lead was also around that size and I waited another day. Even if the lead one over-matures, if you have lots of other smaller follicles it is worth sacrificing it. But I think mine didn't overmature and it was all well. Ganirelix will prevent ovulation (I also tend to ovulate early but everything was fine at ER). 

enchilada16

Hi everyone!  I'm late to the party but just found this forum and everyone looks so nice and engaged - I definitely need others to go through this with . I'm on day 7 of stims.  I have pcos and have like over 20 follicles apparently growing.  Too early to tell which will mature but the doctors say they are progressing and we just have to wait and see.  I'm currently on Follstim, Menopur and Cetrotide.  Docs think my ER will be this weekend or next Monday.  I'm nervous but excited.  Crossing fingers for good growth and under control estrogen.  Right now it's on the higher side but still in range.  Don't want OHSS.  We will be freezing all and doing PGS.

Polythene Pam

@teamginger13 my retrieval will be tomorrow (Tuesday) but on Saturday my lead follicle was 20, I triggered last night (Sunday). He said if he were to have triggered me on Saturday, I'd have at least 5 eggs, his hope was by doing the trigger on Sunday that'd bump me up a bit more even if I lost the biggest one. 

Welcome @littlelibra16! 

Lin&say

@teamginger13 (lurking from January IVF) I had two lead follicles at 25 when I triggered. By some miracle they were perfectly good eggs at retrieval. Easier said than done but I wouldn't stress over it too much. 

laurad75

@PolythenePam Good luck today!  Come back and update us when you feel up to it.  

missydallas

@littlelibra16 - welcome! We're on the exact same schedule I have PCOS as well and am on Gonal-F, Menopure, and Cetrotide. Today is day 6 of stims for me. I'm in the same boat with quite a few follicles (probably over 20) and will have retrieval hopefully this weekend. We're freezing and doing PGS too. Are you having any side effects? My bloating and water retention is unreal.

Polythene Pam

Hi all! Just got home from ER, they got 10 eggs. They were counting 20+ follicles all along so I was like "oh.." but they said 10 great quality from initial look so I can't be disappointed. We're doing ISCS (is that right? Haha) in hopes of getting the most embryos.

I'm just tired but actually feel fine. My daughter is at my inlaws till tomorrow so I'll be on the couch having a Downton Abbey marathon haha. I've never had that before, so crazy to be chatting with the nurse and next thing I know she's waking me up saying it's done

thanks for thinking of me!!

caseyw8784

@Polythene Pam - 10 eggs is great! I'm assuming they will update you tomorrow to tell you how many fertilized with ICSI? Do you know if they'll update you each day or only every so often? I can't remember, are you doing any testing on them too?

A Downton Abbey marathon sounds awesome! I have that show on my list of things to watch when I'll be needing to take it easy...I watched the first season and then got too busy with "life" so I need to catch up and watch the rest! 

FX that you won't be too crampy for too long!

Polythene Pam

@caseyw8784 we'll get a call tomorrow with updates, they said they'd have a feel if we'll do a Friday or Sunday transfer then. We're not doing additional testing, so I don't think we'll get too many updates, she mentioned day 3 to confirm if we transfer on day 5.

thank you again so much, I so appreciate this group

stella_700

@Polythene Pam congrats on 10 eggs! Hoping you recover fast from ER.

We chose not to do the PGD/PGS testing, after paying for the IVF cycle OOP, it was just too much extra. Each of us was tested separately for a long list of genetic disorders, it was necessary as my husband (French Cajun) is a known carrier for a very nasty genetic blood disorder. I'm negative for basically everything so that was a relief. I'm praying this decision doesn't bite us on the butt. Can embryos be thawed and tested if our initial transfers are unsuccessful?

Also on insurance that denies covering the cost of meds for an IVF cycle. If you have OptumRX as a prescription insurer GO through the appeal process ladies, it can be done over the phone and was successful for us. Huge relief to only pay $250.00 for all the meds and they are already at my house waiting for Friday (1st day of stims).

My husband and I danced around our backyard in excitement last night. Completely silly, I know but we both are feeling so hopeful.

Polythene Pam

@stella_700 thanks so much!!

I'm not sure on testing eggs later-? *TW** with my daughter, she was conceived naturally and we did a 12 week ultrasound and test to check for any issues. She's very healthy so we just kind of hoped that meant we're clear of any major issues. Hopeful thinking probably but just waiting these few days is enough for me, we wanted an embryo in me quickly

good luck as you start stims!! I was so anxious before starting but it really is worthy of dancing outside once you start keep us posted!

enchilada16

@missydallas yay a cycle twin!  Today is my day 8 of stims and I just got the call about my estrogen.  It's at 2000 and my follstim dose is being reduced again tonight but they seem to have the rising somewhat under control and they aren't too worried.  Tomorrow is the next big ultrasound and I'm hopeful some of my oodles of follies look promising!  I am actually not feeling too bad and I think the Cetrotide is playing a role in that.  I've been on it for 3 days and it seems to be controlling the bloating I was having before I started it.  I do however have a fullness/twinge pain in my right ovary where the bulk of the follicles are.  Not looking forward to that getting more pronounced over the course of the week.  How are your ultrasounds looking so far?

@PolythenePam congrats on your retrieval!  That sounds like a good number of eggs to me!

brela11

@PolythenePam yay 10 is great! FX for lots of fertilized eggs tomorrow!

@teamginger13 I believe my lead was around 23 and we triggered two days later. I had 5 the whole time and they got 5 mature eggs. 

rayoflight80

Hey everyone! I have not been feeling the best today but ER went well and we got 16 eggs! The whole process was fine but I have had really bad cramps all day (hope that I'm the exception on that front). My husband did microtese and we're hoping to end up with an embryo with his sperm but we had a donor backup just in case. Tomorrow we'll find out how many made it / how many we could use his sperm for. 

That's it! Hope everyone else is doing well xo

@PolythenePam Sounds like yours went well too!  

Polythene Pam

@rayoflight80 great number!! Let us know when you get the update tomorrow

i got crampy midday when I decided to get up, definite couch day hope you feel better quickly!

teamginger13

@stella_700 yes the embryos can be thawed and biopsied later. I did a fresh transfer which was unsuccessful so after that we decided to do PGS. Unfortunately for me 2 of my embryos did not survive the thaw process but that is unusual and mine were just poor quality to start with. Hopefully you will have better luck if it comes down to that.