March IVF

PoeMasque

@SugarHead a lot of women bleed in early pregnancy. I see them in the ER all the time and most of them end up fine - although they get more monitoring (which is kind of nice! More ultrasounds). I know it's scary, but hang in there. 

IfYouCanDreamIt

Hopeful_mom wohooo, congrats on your super 7!!! And Happy birthday dear  I'm keeping my FX your embryos keep growing and going strong, so exciting that you are doing banking. When do you think you'll have your first FET? 

@SugarHead That must be so frustrating, I can’t even imagine as I never had HCG rising. Thinking of you girl. I hope the bleeding will stop soon and you will only see those numbers going up! FX

@ Aera11 I would not be worried of little drop in estradiol levels, your follicles seem to be very close in growth and a great number of them. Hope you feel better after next scan! 

AFM I caved in and POAS on 6dpt 5dt and it was a BFN, I know it can still be too early but could not stop crying for the better half of the day. My first beta is on Friday and we are still praying for a miracle. Our last two embryos didn't make it to freeze so these are our only hopes for now xx

sugarhead-2

Thanks ladies. I'm trying not to stress about it. But that's easier said than done. The bleeding is usually dark red/brown, or pink. Yesterday it was bright red. Today back to brown and cramping.  I'll just continue to think positive thoughts and see what tomorrow brings

-Sugar

Aera11

@Hopeful_mom & @IfYouCanDreamIt, thank you!  I'm still waiting to hear about my blood but now I have a 19 and many right behind.  As long as everything is good, my ER should be Friday.

thinking of you @SugarHead!

LoveDontCostAThing

@SugarHead -I am crossing my fingers that everything will be okay!  When did you say your next beta is?  

@Hopeful_mom -Happy Belated Birthday  Looking forward to hearing about your fertilized embryos!  

AFM, today I am going in for my first ultrasound to see how many embryos stuck and the sac position.  So exciting and nerve-wracking.  Whoever mentioned earlier about stress (I think hopeful_mom) is right!  How in the world can anybody going through IVF NOT be stressed at any single point of this entire process.  Wishing everyone the best!

Aera11

Good luck today @LoveDontCostAThing!! 

LoveDontCostAThing

@Aera11 -thank you so much!

artemis618

*TW* Loss mentioned

@Hopeful_mom Thanks - I'm sorry for your losses too  At our ages (it was 9 days before my 39th birthday, DH is 41 for not quite 3 more weeks - the baby's EDD was DH's birthday and oddly, his mother and I have the same birthday) the loss was devastating, but not entirely shocking.  We actually couldn't believe how quickly/easily we got pregnant - our second month trying (the month after our wedding) and our first month temping/paying attention.  But of course it was too good to be true, and we lost our deceptively NIPT-normal little girl at 11w5d.  RE subsequently ran tests and no explanation for it.

So the plan *was* to PGS test (the whole point of our going straight to IVF was to try to the reduce risk of another loss) and bank, but both of those require anything to actually make it to blast (which did not happen with IVF #1).  That was with an antagonist protocol (same as I did right after I turned 35 to freeze a few eggs - but even back then I only got 9/12 mature - two more than last month's 7/12, but praying the quality is better).  The eggcicles are last resort as we'd like more than one, but we'll see.  This time I am on a luteal lupron protocol - just started stimming last night so hopefully it'll go better than last time.  Whole thing just seems like such a craps shoot.  My insurance covers two cycles, so if this second doesn't go well, we'll really have to consider whether it makes sense to go through more OOP (and with someone else), or to try IUIs (no limitation on insurance coverage to my knowledge) or even just try naturally if screening isn't going to happen for us.

IMO, the pills/patches/stimming is the easy part - we've got control over that stuff.  But the waiting is awful.  Hang in there - you're off to a great start!

clovelyone

@SugarHead I totally understand! I haven't been on as much because the cycle to retrieve my eggs was canceled. I hope your HCG level continues to rise. My sister had period like bleeding until she was 5 months pregnant, so maybe that could be what's going on. What level would they want it to be at this time? 

@Hopeful_mom That's great news! I'm so happy for you! FX all make it to blasts. Also, happy birthday! 

@IfYouCanDreamIt FX your test was not accurate. I know you must be so upset and frustrated, but I'm going to try to think positive thoughts for you 

AFM The transfer with donor eggs is scheduled for Thursday morning. The estrogen patches are much better than the stimming meds so far. I felt so uptight and had 0 patience while stimming. 

mtele

@Hopeful_mom - Awesome fertilization report! FX for nice strong embryos! And happy birthday!

@SugarHead - Hoping it's just some implantation spotting and your beta keeps rising!

@LoveDontCostAThing - I'm so excited for you! Keep us posted on how the US goes!

@clovelyone - Good luck on Thursday!

AFM- Just waiting to see if insurance will cover another cycle so we will have some embryos in the future or in case our FET is unsuccessful. We should find out in the next few weeks, so hopefully we will be able to start another retrieval cycle when AF arrives next.

LoveDontCostAThing

Hello, so they saw what they were looking for...the sac and the yolk sac.  Only one!  Then, I met with the nurse, and she said everything is where it should be. I told her I google and have anxiety...she said stop googling...I'll try.  I'm 5 weeks 1 day...my next OCD is that she said it measured 4 weeks 6 days, but she wasn't concerned.  Is this normal?  I go back in one week for blood and then in two weeks for ultrasound and heartbeat.  I basically have to try to chill till then...yea, right...I am so not chill lol.

Rachel_leigh22

Ok just caught up! Wow a lot had happened within the last few days! 


@Hopeful_mom absolutely! I started at my fertility center back in October and have gained 10lbs already at least! Ugh...but congrats for you on 7 strong! 


AFM I started estradiol and baby aspirin, another ultrasound and bloodwork the 7th and will be starting PIO shots in a week or so and FET day on the 17th...I don't want those huge needles in my butt twice a day but gotta suck it up and do it 

lizycs

@SugarHead Congratulations! I also spotted the day before my first beta, then again between the first and the second. I am still cramping every once in a while too. My doc said progesterone can make you feel like AF is coming, so don't worry too much. I of course researched the heck out of it, and it can be caused by many different things. It could be from the transfer (brown spotting means old blood). It can be breakthrough bleeding (which happens sometimes, but is of no concern). It can be implantation bleeding. The list goes on and on. Don't stress and hope for the best!

wabash15

lurking @LoveDontCostAThing a very tiny change in where they click the mouse can affect the day measurement at this point.  Its not a big deal and not uncommon to be a few days off when doing early measurements. Also some babies grow slow then have a growth spurt and catch right up. It sounds like everything looked perfect!

mtele

Congrats @LoveDontCostAThing! That's great news! Typically doctors don't worry about a dates discrepancy unless it's more than 7 days. A few days of a difference is no big deal at all. Can't wait for that follow up ultrasound!

Hopeful_mom

Hi ladies have a Lil to catch up on but wanted to share...

Egg Update 

My report is in and of course I was a lil confused ha!!  The 7 are still growing but it seems 5 are really growing strong...praying they can make it to blasts!! 
Have 4 at 8AB, an 8A, 5BC and 4BC but its a 1PN.  Our eggs I believe are suppose to be a 2PN...so not to confident on that one.  We'll get another report on Friday.  I'm trying to stay positive but its tough!!  Its hard to except every egg isn't great and doesn't fertilize!  Who knows but its just added stress we dont need! I'm very worried.  I've only done a 3dt in the past so this is new territory for me, any advice?  Trying to prepare for all the what ifs.  

caseyw8784

Just checking in with everyone. Nothing much to report for now - just still waiting for testing results. DH and I are thinking of going to Long Island this Friday-Monday (or so) to "unofficially" visit his parents (he grew up smack in the middle of the island)...but to "officially" keep me busy and from obsessively staring at my cell phone...  Hopefully the results will come soon!!!

@clovelyone - you had your transfer today right?? I hope it went well and can't wait to hear an update!

@LoveDontCostAThing - awesome news!! That sucks that you have to wait 2 more weeks for the next US! The appt for bloodwork next week - is that just to check hcg and other hormone levels?

LoveDontCostAThing

@wabash15 and @mtele -thank you for the info about measurements...it's all new to me, so I am happy to hear that it is normal

@hopeful_mom -I'm not sure what your grading system means!  They told me how many cells each embryo was...did they tell you that?

@caseyw8784 -yes, in a week they check my HCG, progesterone, and estradiol again I believe.  They are also doing a urine analysis, which is standard I think, judging by the form they gave me.  It's to make sure there is not UTI I think.

Angelaag

@LoveDontCostAThing how exciting!

AFM, I just got a transfer date of May 25th along with the needed meds. Ugh, more injections! But I am super stoked to have a day! Still waiting on PGS results. Doctor said by Friday and then we have a follow up with him next week. Getting close!!

LoveDontCostAThing

thanks @Angelaag!  that's exciting you have a date...how do they calculate it that far in advance?

mtele

@hopeful_mom - Hmmm that is confusing. The grading systems don't seem very clear to me, and it seems like all the clinics use different ones! My clinic only gave one number and one letter on day 3. But, my RE told me that PN stands for pronuclei and that is what they use to check for fertilization. She said that 2PN is normal fertilization. I had 4 eggs that didn't fertilize, 2 0PN, a 1PN and a 3PN. My clinic didn't give me any addition information about those ones after day 1. I know it is so frustrating that all of them aren't normal and don't fertilize or divide normally, but my fingers are crossed that you have many that will keep going strong!

Aera11

That's so exciting @Angelaag!  May 25th will be here before you know it.

AFM, triggering with two Ovidrel tonight, retrieval set for Friday am!  I'm less nervous this time because I know what to expect.  Just hoping there are eggs to retrieve!

Angelaag

@LoveDontCostAThing I'm doing a Replacement Cycle. Whatever that means! So they had me pick the day and worked backward from there for meds. 

clovelyone

@mtele Thanks! I hope your next cycle will be covered by insurance. That'll be one less thing to worry about. 

@Rachel_leigh22 You're a superstar! I've been dreading the PIO shots, but I'm only using the suppositories, thank goodness. The clinic will give me a PIO shot the day of the transfer, but I think that will be the only one. 

@LoveDontCostAThing Congratulations! 

@caseyw8784 Thank you! My embryo transfer was this afternoon. 

AFM as stated above, I am officially PUPO! I had two embryos, 3BB and 4AA, transferred today. I feel like a big baby because the PIO shot area is still sore 9 hours later LOL. They gave me a shot just after, but I'm taking the suppositories still, thank God! Has anyone experienced hot flashes after ET? I'm so hot right now. 

Hopeful_mom

HI ladies - finally caught up!!  Sorry if I missed anyone AND thanks for all the birthday wishes!!!  Not an easy bday!

clovelyone congrats on your transfer, hoping ur beans are super sticky getting all comfy and cozy!  As for hot flashes I found it more during stemming.  I also didn't mind the estrogen patches when they stuck properly...but even with removing them they bruised my skin just like the shots.  Glad it was better for u!

Angelaag I've never heard of that before pretty interesting they can do that.  I always thought AF was ruler of all  How many did you send in for testing again?

Aera11  interesting you're triggering with two Ovidrel I've never heard of that before.  Good Luck tomorrow hope you get a bunch of good mature strong eggs ready to go!  

artemis618 so sorry for ur loss!!  How do you get past never having an explanation.  I'm sure the answer is you never do, cause I know I can't. Its great that you could get preggers on ur own so IUI might work for you guys.  My insurance only covered IUI so I wasted way too much time on it.  I'm all oop for IVF.  I can only imagine your frustration of not getting to blasts...thats my huge concern now!  It doesn't sound like you had a bad response but that coming from a girl who has low AMH so I'm I wouldve been doing cartwheels  Hoping you have better success with this protocol?  Where are u at in it?

Rachel_leigh22 thanks for sharing, glad I"m not the only one.  I know my diet hasn't been great especially since the MC but not to the point that I have put on the amount of weight that I have!  Why do they have you on baby aspirin?  I wonder if they'll add that to mine for the next time.

@IfYouCanDreamIt FX crossed for a great beta tomorrow!  I really hope u tested too early!  Remember I was carrying 2 and my line was super faint everyone is different.

mtele thanks for the info!  I guess thats why there was the note on that one egg, hoping for the best tomorrow.  Not sure how they grade the blastocysts, hope I'll get to know!

@LoveDontCostAThing interesting about the UTI, didn't know that was a thing until I had one at week 7 and they had to test my urine not blood...I'd like that form for next time

Question for others doing Banking.  AF should be here in about a week and my protocol is EPP I probably shouldve been on patches by now...but ER was only 4days ago...so maybe not.  Put a call in to the RE so we shall see what she has to say.  I'm hoping my body will be ready to do this next cycle!

Angelaag

@Hopeful_mom we sent 5 for testing!

LoveDontCostAThing

@clovelyone -thank you  congrats on your transfer!  wishing you all the best!!

@angelaag -I always learn something new!  I thought they always picked your date based on your bodies response to the meds and time in cycle.  Interesting...there are so many different types of cycles for sure!

QsMadd

It is so nice to read everyones updates! I have been kind of lurking lately and only been posting on the TWW.

@IfYouCanDreamIt I hope your beta goes ok tomorrow!

@clovelyone I had hot flashes when I first started the progesterone injections. They went away after about a week, but boy was it difficult to sleep at night sometimes!

Has anyone else been using the spreadsheet? I will try to post it below in case anyone is interested!

I can't wait to see more updates!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14-syIsChaDICHrp_uQn3RfmQmWoRRQc6uBNq9Qd9T8E/edit?usp=sharing 

Aera11

@Hopeful_mom I've only done two Ovidrel for IVF, otherwise I've only done one before...not sure why she has me do the two but hopefully it works!

@clovelyone I got hot flashes last time but they went away after 24 hours. 

retrieval is tomorrow morning! Hoping we get some eggs  

PoeMasque

I had big plans to log onto my computer tonight and get caught up with everyone, but I sat down for a minute and was out like a light! 

***TW****I've been getting positive tests since 5dp5dt (Monday) that are super dark now, but it's only made me MORE nervous that we will get a low HCG tomorrow or it won't double by Sunday. You know, now that we actually have something to lose it's all too real. 

I'm also at my wits end with the PIO shots. It feels like I've been hit with a baseball bat in both hip joints and I'm miserable! Am I just a wuss or does anyone else have super sore hips too? Is it typical to keep doing the PIO after the beta? 

QsMadd

@PoeMasque I was told I'd be doing them until fetus is 12 weeks but I've heard of women saying they had to do them their whole pregnancy. When you go in for your next appt, ask your nurse to circle on your body where the injections should go. When we first did them, my husband (a physician even!) was doing them too low and I had terrible pain and muscle cramping. It wasn't until I showed him several diagrams that he finally believed me...the difference was night and day.

lizycs

@PoeMasque I am also doing PIO, and yes, they are a giant PAIN IN THE BUTT, literally!! I almost cried when my doc said I have to do them til week 10. This makes sense though. Usually, when you ovulate, a corpus luteum is left behind in the ovary. This, then, produces progesterone until the placenta is large enough to supply the progesterone the pregnancy requires. Since we skipped the whole ovulation step, we do not have any corpus luteum to make progesterone. Therefore, more pain in the butt until 10 to 12 weeks. Ask your doc for recommendations to reduce the pain. The nurse at my office looked at where I have been injecting and suggested that I move a bit higher. This helped a lot. I think many people make the mistake of injecting in the cheeks rather than just above them. The nurse told me to draw and imaginary line where your crack (for lack of a better word) starts and inject above that. I also previously tried my thighs, but that was a mess. I still have numb patches on both thighs.

@Aera11 Sending you lots and lots of best wishes!

funkykey

*lurking*

@PoeMasque - thinking of you today. FX!!!!

Hopeful_mom

@PoeMasque glad things r looking good, dark lines are a great sign i'm sure you'll have a great beta!!  Sorry you're in so much pain...I do the vaginal progestrone which have its own fun..but I think I'll stick to those!

QsMadd lizycs congrats on ur BFP.  You both did PGS transfer embryos?  How many did you transfer?

AFM: I want to say I'm happy but I think right now I'm just relieved that I have something.  So far I have a 5AA and 5AB that have made it to freeze.  One was an icsi and the other regular.  MAYBE I can get another one or two tomorrow PRAYING that it does happen.  Just very worried about only having 2 for testing you know.  They are super quality I'm told so trying to believe in that right now.  This process is so expensive!!  Doing it this way its gonna be at least 30-40k and so far have hopes of just 2 ugh....I'm beyond worried today!  I know theres nothing I can do, but I do wonder if I just shouldve done the fresh cycle transfer.  Some embryos do grow better inside why they do the 3dt.  Last cycle I got 3 and pregnant with twins.  This cycle I had 9 and so far back to 2 and hopes they're normal!

My brain is going a mile a minute, I'm tempted next cycle to try and do a fresh transfer and then hopefully test whatever else makes it.  I know it sounds crazy but if others dont come through tomorrow then I just wonder if my lil embabies are happier being in me then out of me....

QsMadd

@Hopeful_mom thank you! I did a 5 day fresh transfer (no PGS) and transferred 2. 

I hope you have more tomorrow! Some are just a little slow to start! 

PoeMasque

Thanks @lizycs and @QsMadd clinic said no PIO after Sunday, just the suppositories. Woot! I'm a nurse, so I made sure my SO was putting them in the right spot. The actual shot didn't hurt ever, it was just a general area soreness. Ugh. So glad we get to stop in two days! 

So we got for our first beta back: 190!! I'm 9dp5dt and they said it was a nice, high number. Here's hoping beta #2 doubles!! 

clovelyone

@Hopeful_mom,@LoveDontCostAThing, Aera11 and @QsMadd Thanks for the well wishes and info on the hot flashes! 

@Aera11 Good luck with your retrieval! 

For all you doing PIO shots, hats off to you! 

@PoeMasque Congratulations on your high beta! FX it keeps rising 

AFM I'm still having hot flashes, but not as bad as yesterday. My first POAS will be April 11th and first beta April 13th. Now, I'm just ready to go home, but I'm not scheduled to leave until Tuesday. The people here, in North Cyprus, have been so nice to me and my fiancé. At the clinic, even the nurses aide said that she was going to fast and pray for me to have a healthy baby in my arms. We were all crying LOL. I'm so grateful to have had this experience here. They were supposed to get back to me today with the details on how many embryos made it to freeze, but they never called. I talked to my coordinator after hours and she said she will let me know tomorrow. I know that we had 2 for sure, but there were 3 more that were a possibility so they wanted to let them grow a little bit more. I was hoping we'd have 5 or 6 to freeze, but I guess I shouldn't complain. 

Rachel_leigh22

@clovelyone ha! Thanks, I can't imagine doing it twice a day for over 10weeks but I'll do what I need to! I was on suppositories also when they thought I was going to do a fresh transfer but they switched me to shots because they said they like to do the shots with FET. Good luck, FX for your embryos to stick! 


@Hopeful_mom I know for a fact it was the meds because my diet hasn't changed at all, if anything it's gotten better. I have no idea why I'm on baby aspirin lol I just do what they tell me to at this point, it's my office's protocol for IVF


@PoeMasque I have to do PIO shots also and they said I would need to continue through 10 weeks of pregnancy! Ugh. Congrats on your high numbers! That's awesome! 

IfYouCanDreamIt

Hi all, I'm out  we both feel completely broken, having our WTF meeting end of next week but honestly think I'll need a longer break before attempting another one...

Wishing good luck to all of you and congratulations to all those who got their BFPs and are getting closer to their dreams, and may the journey end happily to each and everyone  

cmiller73

@IfYouCanDreamIt I'm so sorry you're heart broken and your journey rocky and painful. Sending healing thoughts your way.  We are here to support however we can