IF/testing Check-in Wk Feb27

wabash15

Starting this a little early this week ladies since tomorrow morning is going to be crazy...

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another.  Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say, and treat this like an ongoing conversation. 

Diagnosis (If you've been): 

Cycle/CD: 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)

  

How are things going?

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without?

heatherdubrow

Diagnosis (If you've been): PCOS

Cycle/CD: 15/24

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) FET 

  

How are things going? Good! I'm planning on testing tomorrow, even though I know it could still be too early...

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? Cheese, for sure.

JuneRoseRuby

Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI and Robertsonian Translocation

Cycle/CD: 15/21

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  TTW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) H started Clomid and  supplements, so waiting until May for another SA. 

  

How are things going? I feel less stressed when we aren't "trying" but now seeing  these girls getting their BFP right before starting treatment makes me feel like I shouldn't have given up yet. 

  

Any questions? nope

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? I'm with @heatherdubrow .... Cheese all day.

@heatherdubrow FX for you!!! 

Marley629

@heatherdubrow FX for testing tomo!

Diagnosis (If you've been):  DOR, Factor V,  MFI

Cycle/CD:  cycle 18...not sure what CD 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):   WTO 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)

  IVF #1. Currently stimming.  Most likely will be pulling trigger tonight and retrieval Wednesday per the RE I saw this morning. Just waiting on my estrogen level to come back to make that definite 

How are things going? As good as to be expected with a DOR diagnosis. I have 4 follies measuring 20, 19, 16 & 15.  I have a few smaller ones 11, 12 as well but they likely won't be mature in time.  I feel like I actually responded just as well on my clomid cycle with TI where I produced 3 mature follies.  I'm an emotional roller coaster...constantly on verge of tears for no apparent reason! 

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without?  

Beef.  I could live on burgers, steak, taco meat etc for the rest of my life. 

heatherdubrow

@Marley629 good luck Wednesday with your retrieval!

Bababatty

@JuneRoseRuby I'm glad your H had started clomid! Fingers crossed for good results. The first three months DH was on it did go by pretty quickly. I hope they do for you, too.

@heatherdubrow Good luck!!

Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI (low motility)

Cycle/CD: 21/16

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO, I guess

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) DH is on clomid, OPKs, CoQ10 because why not?

  

How are things going? After much frustration, on Friday night, DH FINALLY got his test results from his follow up SA. With clomid, his count has improved since the initial SA we did back in July when we started testing, but it's still not normal. The last SA we did before he started clomid was for our last IUI, so the urologist needs us to find out if for this SA the sample was washed. Otherwise we can't compare to the IUI SA (DH did this past SA at our RE's office because we hate our urologist's practice). So we'll ask when we see the RE on Friday. ANYWAY, his total count went up to ~40 million, motility up to 32%, and progressive motility up to 24% (~9 million total motile), compared to ~30 million, 24%, and 16% (~4 million total motile) in July. We're modestly happy, and DH will continue with the clomid.

In the meantime, we'll talk to our RE but we are pretty sure we want to try the IUIs again starting next cycle. 

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? Agreeing with the above: cheese.

laurad75

@Marley629 An early GL to you for Wednesday's ER.  You'll be great and maybe those small follies will grow by then.  

Diagnosis (If you've been):  DOR

Cycle/CD: 11 (not really bc 2 of them were fake bcp cycles prepping for IVF)/ CD 6

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  prepping for ER #2

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) currently on bcp in prep for another round of stims and ER #2

  

How are things going?  fine.  Last time I was prepping for stims I was obsessed with the no caffeine, alcohol, sugar, etc but this time I'm much more relaxed.  One cup of coffee a day, a drink when I want one and eating whatever I want (within reason).  

I'm still waiting for the PGS results for our one little frosty that could.  My nurse said I could call today so I left a message first thing this morning and they just called me back to say the results weren't in yet.  She said to call back Wed.  

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without?  In Jan, H and I did Whole30 and to my shock I didn't die from sugar/bread/ dairy withdraw.  But I sure missed cheese.  I really love cheese.  

[Deleted User]

@heatherdubrow fx so hard  

@Marley629 Will be thinking of you - hope you get lots of good eggs!

AFM

Diagnosis (If you've been): NIR PCOS

Cycle/CD: 12/? - Not tracking right now.  Something like cd14ish.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO probably

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Still just waiting to start IVF - BC starts in May.

  

How are things going?  Gah I hate feeling like I'm doing nothing.  We are still having regular sex but I know it's pointless.  I just need the next few months to hurry up and pass by quickly.  It's just painful.  I'm trying to read up on things like It Starts with the Egg since I have a few months and can actually make an impact on egg quality.

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? Chocolate.  The two months I was on AIP was the worst of my lifeeee.

KristoKekerooni

@heatherdubrow - Crossing my fingers! what day are you post transfer?

@JuneRoseRuby - Definitely don't lose hope. I have said this a million times, even though Clomid in men is sorta a hail-Mary sometimes, it does work- My H went from having <1 mill to ~80 mill on Clomid. Granted, we haven't gotten KU from it yet, but our chances are back up there. One note, though, I  can't remember if I emntioned it, but have him take something for quality. Clomid increase sheer number, not quality. A vitamin will help with that. A multivitamin is bare minimum. My RE recommended FertilAid or I think Fertil X? Something with an X in it... we do fertilaid. Either way, fingers crossed the Clomid does work!!! And you can see it worked for  @babbabatty  too. Speaking of, babbabatty, It should continue to improve. H's improved slowly, then shot up. I would recommend IUI, even when numbers are "normal" because Clomid can have the reverse effect eventually and drop the count, so you want to give it your all the first few months of taking it. It's a delicate balance. 

@Marley629 - Excited for your ER. Crossing my fingers that the retrieval goes well and those eggs are big, fat, and healthy!

Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI, RPL

Cycle/CD: Cycle 32, CD13

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Canceled IUI, so just medicated TI.

  

How are things going? Just ready to ovulate. My chart is ridiculous. All negative OPKs. I am getting so impatient. Also, I am so tired. but I can't sleep. It's a horrible combination and I just want to slip into a coma. So TIRED.

  

Any questions? Not this time

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? I LOVE carbs. Bread. I cannot live without bread. 

heatherdubrow

@KristoKekerooni 4dp5dt

and the spotting has continued today...so now I'm less hopeful about it.

Bababatty

@KristoKekerooni Yeah, I remembered that you'd said before your H had had a modest improvement and then at the last SA it was back up to normal. Yay!! It took about 6 months? We definitely plan to do IUI once it's up to normal, too. We've done three already, so I'd like to do 6 before moving on to IVF. My insurance covers IUI but not IVF, so still in our best financial interest to continue like that.  Good luck with your TI!!

wabash15

Diagnosis (If you've been): AMA, unexplained, Factor V

Cycle/CD: 11/6

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Had my HSG this morning, other than that on our own this cycle

  

How are things going? Ok, HSG was clear, which is good news, though part of me was hoping they would find something. Unexplained IF sucks, nothing to fix...

  

Any questions? nope

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? Dairy, I'm with my cheese lovin' ladies! Also all the milk ect.

@heatherdubrow I am rooting so hard for you tomorrow. I hope that little frosty has nestled in for the long haul.
@juneroseruby your pursing treatment at least for DH so you haven't given up. I am so happy for our recent grads but their stories can be a slippery slope for someone with IF. 
@marley629 GL on wednesday I hope your 4 follies will lead to 4 good embies. Keep us updated on how things go!
@Bababatty its great news that DH's SA is improving and that you may be going back to IUI's.  
@laurad75 glad your more relaxed this time around. Fx your PGS results come back normal
@antoto It will be may before you know it. I can't believe this week is march already. The wait sucks but were here for you while you endure it.

KristoKekerooni

@heatherdubrow - It is early... and I'm hoping your spotting is just from the transfer and not from an impending period.... Ugh. My heart goes out to you.  

KristoKekerooni

Oh, @Bababatty I missed your comment. Yeah, his barely went up at his 1 and then three month check. Then we didn't check again till about... 7-8 months and it had skyrocketed. I really hope the same happens for you, and soon so you can get a move on those IUIs! Pray you don't have to ever think about IVF.

heatherdubrow

@KristoKekerooni thanks girl. I need that reminder that it's still early! It's so hard not to get in your head!

KristoKekerooni

@heatherdubrow - Oh, I am so right there with you. It's so hard to not assume you're out when you see blood. After so many cycles, you're conditioned to think a certain way. IVF is different though. I think it easily could have been a bit of blood just now getting down from the transfer? but I have heard that spotting about this time is pretty common after transfer. Holding my breath for you. (would it help if I said I hope you are a SS and it's implantation bleeding? )

heatherdubrow

@KristoKekerooni omg I'm so hoping it's IB! Thanks for the encouragement friend.

KristoKekerooni

@heatherdubrow

AND

JuneRoseRuby

@KristoKekerooni @Bababatty well, his SA numbers were in the toilet, 3 crappy sperm total...so I am hoping we might get 20 for an IVF cycle. @KristoKekerooni His Urologist recommended these specific supplements that have been tested and proven to improve motility and morph. They are by Theralogix. NeoQ10 and Conception RX Motility support. Paid an arm and a leg for three months, but why the F not. 

@antoto Glad to see you back here this week. I understand what it is like to feel like it is pointless and just waiting for IVF. We have a ballpark of June-July as well, so I feel ya. I am also reading up on things that I can control and trying to have hope in that I can prep my  body as much as possible. 

@laurad75 Maybe the relaxed approach will get you some more follies and set you up for an awesome ER

@wabash15 Yes a slippery slope indeed. H and I keep talking about his one little sperm that could and how it would be wild if I got KU. 

KristoKekerooni

@JuneRoseRuby - Oh yeah, I remember... well hopefully the Clomid works well enough to get you that far. Hoping for a crazy high increase. Don't lose hope. I haven't heard of Theralogix. I'll have to look it up. Isn't it crazy how expensive these supplements are? Like, just because they are "fertility" stuff, they charge so stinking much. It's ridiculous. Praying you are a SS and he has the one little sperm that could. 

shortstack930

Diagnosis (If you've been): unexplained secondary infertility 

Cycle/CD: 15/7

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) still trying naturally, waiting for RE appointment in May

  

How are things going? My moods have been up and down lately. I think the stress is getting to me. DH has been really supportive and my parents are amazing at helping in any way they can. Trying to relax a bit more this cycle. 

  

Any questions? My period has suddenly shortened to 4 days! Last month it was 4 days of bleeding followed by 2 days of brown spotting, this month just 4 days of bleeding. It's been 6 days of bleeding for the past 2ish years so I don't know if this means anything...?

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? Pancakes!!!

shortstack930

@wabash15 glad the HSG went well! I know what you mean though--when you're "unexplained" it would almost be a relief for them to find something wrong so that you have some sort of answer. 

magnolia131

Diagnosis (If you've been): PCOS, MFI 

Cycle/CD: 14/84

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  started Provera this weekend so waiting for a new cycle 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Working closely with my new primary care doctor and a nutritionist to focus on getting my bloodwork at a good place through diet/exercise/medication,etc. 

  

How are things going? Okay. I have a consult with the RE affiliated with my old RE (who was amazing) on Wednesday...it's a big practice with locations throughout the state. Unfortunately the new doctor's reviews are not as promising as my old one and she's the only doctor in the practice for this location. I'm still going to go through with the initial appointment but am wary of it for a handful of reasons. I found a completely different clinic in the area up here that I think might be a better fit for us but the first appointment they have isn't until April 6, so I took it also just in case.  I know it will be here before I know it but it feels like such a long time to wait. 

  

Any questions? 

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without? Seafood/fish. I love it! 

@heatherdubrow Like everyone else, I'm anxiously awaiting good news for you this week. FX! 

@JuneRoseRuby I'm hoping the Clomid brings your DH better results. I would be lying if I said the recent grads and their amazing stories didn't get my hopes a little higher for myself, which as PP said can be a slippery slope. 

@Marley629 GL on Wednesday!

@antoto the waiting is the worst. I feel like I'm in limbo. I'm so thankful for TB to pass the time and to have somewhere to talk about this stuff in the mean time, but sometimes even it makes me feel like I should be doing more and then I remember that there's nothing more to do and ugh, I'm just tired of hitting that wall. I hope this time passes quickly for you! The year thankfully is flying by already. 

@wabash15 I'm glad to hear about the HSG! Though I'm sorry about the frustrations of still being in the dark. I've only been hanging around this thread for about a month so forgive me if you've said so but was wondering if you have any other testing pending?

Bababatty

@JuneRoseRuby Ah yes, I remember you'd said that about his count. 

ETA oops sent before finished! Anyway, I also hope that you get some serious improvement from the clomid. DH was all depressed going into the follow up SA, thinking he wouldn't see an improvement, but he did. So all is possible! :-) I've never heard of those supplements. Our urologist said DH could take one but only after we prompted him. Of course we have a different situation than you. We skipped it because it was so expensive. It's ridiculous. Good luck!!

[Deleted User]

@magnolia131 Yeah it's so frustrating!  Sometimes TB is great for dealing with the time passing, but sometimes it's just a reminder that others get to keep moving forward and I'm just stuck right now.  I know it wont last too much longer so I'm trying to not get too bitter or hurt, but it is what it is.

heatherdubrow

I emailed my ivf nurse because I'm going crazy...she said spotting is totally normal because of the estrogen and progesterone I'm taking. So I'm not out yet. 

KristoKekerooni

@heatherdubrow - EEEEEEEKKKKKK Seeeeeee? Yay. I'll keep holding my breath, then!

eggplantface

Diagnosis (If you've been): fibroids, AMA

Cycle/CD: 8/on BCP for IVF

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  IVF

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) IVF

  

How are things going? I'm on day 8 of BCP. According to the schedule my nurse sent me a week ago I should have my baseline scan in one week, on the 6th, and start stims on the 9th. But she hasn't contacted me to schedule the appointment or said anything about my dosages or meds (like when they arrive or how to pick them up), and she hasn't answered my last two emails. And she doesn't answer when I call her phone. And doesn't return my voicemails. This isn't good, right? My worry is getting a shitty time for the scan so I have to use sick leave, or delay the appointment because they're booked. And what makes it super frustrating is I work in a cube farm and my cell phone is in my car, so I can't call her at work without letting everyone know my business. Ok I'm done venting now.

  

Any questions? I've had light brown spotting for a few days on BCP. Is this normal?

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without?
Cheese. All the cheese.

@heatherdubrow All fingers and toes crossed for you this week!

@laurad75 I hope you get a good report! It's so frustrating to have to wait! When will you start stims again?

@Marley629 Good luck with the ER!! I hope you get good results!

wabash15

@heatherdubrow your not out till your out!! are you doing PIO or suppositories?  The suppositories are notorious for causing spotting.  Its still way early. I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you.  Hugs girl!
@KristoKekerooni  sorry you had to convert to TI, hopefully you'll O soon.
@shortstack930 I also love pancakes! I had them at my wedding reception!
@magnolia131 I hope one of those REs is a good fit for you.  I like our RE but its weird since we dont see her very often, we mostly see the nurse. At our last RE we saw him for every single visit, he did everything so it was nice to get so much personal attention. This was the last of our testing. everything else was normal  

laurad75

@eggplantface  OMG that is so frustrating that you can't get in touch with them.  Something similar happened to me my last stim cycle and I made excuses to call every couple of days until I got someone who could tell me my next steps.  It's so important that you stay on top of them to make sure you don't fall through cracks.  

AFM: My nurse said I would likely be on bcp for about 2 weeks (I've been on them for just a few days) and then I will wait for withdraw AF and then start the stims on CD 2 or 3.  I'm hoping I can stop the bcp in less than 2 weeks bc I'm ready to get this going again.  

wabash15

@eggplantface oh that sucks. its not cool that she is so unresponsive. hugs girl, can you switch to a different nurse? 
@laurad75 GL this time around!

eggplantface

@laurad75 Good to know you had a similar experience. These poor nurses seem spread so thin, but if it were me that would spur me to be more organized to make sure everyone is covered. Like a spreadsheet with statuses and who to contact when. And @wabash15 I can't really switch, as my real nurse actually quit so that's why I've had a hard time with this one. She's covering the extra patients and I was even told that my nurse might change throughout so it's a bit of a mess. This sounds terrible, doesn't it?? I just need to call when I get to my car after work and see if I can get her on the phone to answer my questions all at once.

hartmich

@eggplantface I HATE having to chase doctor's down like that. Can you call the front desk and just mention you have some questions and just be like, "oh I wasn't sure if she was on vacation" or something like that? I always play the passive aggressive card in those situations.

@heatherdubrow I won't tell you to relax because we know that's not helpful  Try and keep yourself occupied, and know that you're going to have an answer soon! Eek!!

@magnolia131 @antoto I've just been floating around here lately, posting and commenting randomly because we're definitely in limbo right now... and I'm starting to get nervous our next appointment isn't going to make me feel any better (and that they'll want a repeat SA and I just need to DO something before I lose my mind). But it's nice to know I'm not the only one whose not actually in the middle of treatment right now (plus we have @wabash15 keeping us company, too  )

Bababatty

@eggplantface You could also try calling and asking for the Practice Manager if this continues as a problem. We had a lot of problems getting anyone to call us back with my H's SA results, and that's what my therapist suggested. (We didn't end up having to do it because H sounded sufficiently annoyed on the phone to the last person he spoke with.)

@magnolia131 I hope you're able to find an RE you like. Don't be scared off by online reviews of the one you're seeing shortly. If I'd looked at the reviews for my RE's practice, I might have been scared away, but we've never had any of the experiences people described (or if we have, they weren't as big a deal as others made them out to be). And we're pretty happy with the practice. 

magnolia131

@eggplantface what you're describing regarding lack of communication is probably my #1 concern when looking for a new RE right now because I've dealt with it with other specialists and it is SO incredibly frustrating to me. I'm sorry that you're having some bad timing right now in regards to their nursing staff and totally agree with @hartmich that I would be playing dumb and calling someone else just to see what is going on. But I know it can feel pushy and be hard to do so. As for the work thing, I had to make so many calls from my old job from the bathroom or my car because doctors offices would be closed by the time I got off. It sucks. I hope you are able to get some answers ASAP. 

mrsdaddario

@eggplantface That is super frustrating, and although some of it seems out of their control, you are completely right in feeling like they should be hyper organized because of it. I would literally just stalk them. Regardless of the fact that THEY are knowledgeable, and comfortable with the process, YOU are not and THEY need to realize that. IVF probably seems so routine to them since they do it daily, but I think it's easy for them to forget (at least I totally felt that way at my office) that you aren't doing this daily, and you may need your hand held during this really crazy precise process. So, you have every right to ask for them to be better about keeping in contact with you. 

@magnolia131 your new office sounds a lot like mine. It has three or four locations throughout the state, and doctors at each. But ultimately, the nurses are the ones who you end up seeing the majority of the time. I sa my RE three times in the six months we did cycles with them. And he talks a lot, but doesn't really say much if you know what I mean. We also have a one other practice in the area, and even though I haven't heard terribly great things about the, I'm wondering if it's worth my time to check them out. At least online. Otherwise, as we approach IVF in April/May, I think I may need to ask for a different doctor within the practice. At least we're lucky enough to have that option. But like I said up there to eggplant, I know I personally want my hand held during the process, because I've never done it before. With my current doctor I feel kind of left out in the cold!

@heatherdubrow I'm glad you called your nurse for piece of mind! I was also going to say maybe it's irritation from all the meds/transfer. But it never sounds as good as it does coming from a professional! Fx SO HARD for you!

@antoto I'm sorry for the wait. I know how utterly frustrating it is to feel like you're doing nothing. I've been taking our medicated break to really focus on myself. I know you're really great about doing that as well, so I hope that has been somewhat  helpful to you!

Diagnosis (If you've been): NIR PCOS

Cycle/CD: 17/15 CD 29

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  TWW - WFAF 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Still on natural cycles. This cycle is did CoQ10, Prenatals, Baby Aspirin, and Vitamin D. OPK's and Temping. 

  

How are things going? Meh. I started spotting yesterday at 11 dpo, and for a split second I thought AF showed eary, since I haven't had a temp drop. But I'm banking it was just irritation down there, as H and I got it on for the first time in 13 days lol. I expect my temp drop tomorrow with AF. In RE news, I reached out to my RE via email last week with some questions that have been bothering me. I asked about an endometrial scratch, and inflammation medications and my doctor responded in the most blase, way. It really pissed me off. To begin the IVF journey he literally told me to order all of the medications, and then call on CD 1. I'm sorry, what? No mention of an IVF coordinator, not mention of what meds I need and at what doses, no mention of financials or birth control pills. He sounds like a real as IMO. 

  

Any questions? For those going through IVF, what exactly is the roll of an IVF coordinator, and is that something I should ask for? It's never been mentioned, but I know the clinic as them because I can see them on the email list. Also, what about endometrial scratches? When I asked, my doctor said it's not necessary and it's a painful procedure that hasn't been proven to help, but we can do it if I want too. Meanwhile I've only heard good things about it upping the success rate?  

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without?

Cheese! Which is so bad because doing keto I eat a lot of cheese, and dairy is supposedly a big reason for inflammation. Which I wonder a lot if I have. 

laurad75

@eggplantface when I was on bcp waiting for my last cycle of stims to start my nurse was on maternity leave.  There were a couple of nurses covering for her but I didn't feel like they were as attentive or organized as she is.  When she got back I had her walk me through the next steps and there were a couple of things that definitely could have been scheduled ahead of time but no one told me they were necessary.  It was very frustrating - shouldn't there be a standard checklist to make sure every patient is taking all the steps and filling out the right forms and scheduling all the appropriate appts?  

TravelingCouple

Diagnosis (If you've been): Ok, so I spoke with my RE finally and checked my chart online in the portal my RE's office has for its patients. My Dx there is listed as Unexplained Infertility, and my RE confirmed that there is not enough to give me the diagnosis of PCOS. My Testosterone and AMH were deemed in the normal range after all. And the follicles during my scan were on the cusp as it could go either way, but not enough to say definitely PCOS. I'm not sure if I feel relieved or not...unexplained IF is such a catch all and there's nothing they can pinpoint really.

Cycle/CD: 16/23

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Currently on progesterone. I think my treatment should line up right next cycle that we can go ahead with the FE and trigger with TI. I really hope so. It depends when my period comes this cycle.

  

How are things going? Ok, overall I've been feeling better mentally due to the wonderful sunshine we got last week! It's cold and gloomy again, but the thought of spring is keeping me going. My pregnant sister emailed me and our other sister her guest list for invitations for her baby shower...she did say she totally understands if I can't help plan it. I think I'll see how I feel closer to. It won't be until June. I do have very mixed feelings about that.

  

Any questions? Yes, actually. When doing a medicated cycle with either FE or Clomid (as they work similarly and are timed similarly) and trigger shot, can ovulation still be delayed? I always ovulate late, around CD20-23 (earliest ever being CD18 and latest being CD45) so I'm really trying to work out next month's schedule to see if we should move forward since DH is traveling in mid-March. If we can get some good TI in than of course we'll do it, but what if I don't ovulate according to when I should with the trigger? Is that even possible? Will the RE be basing my taking the trigger according to when my follicles look mature and ready to fire? Lots of questions this time around!

GTKY: what is one food or food group you could not live without?
Sweets. As much as I wish I could.

@heatherdubrow Oh girl, I hope today flies by for you! Keeping hope alive for you
@JuneRoseRuby Hope your DH doesn't have any side affects from the Clomid
@Marley629 So exciting!! You may have answered this elsewhere, but how many will you be transferring?
@Bababatty I'm sorry it didn't go up as much as you'd hoped, but glad that is DID improve!
@laurad75 Fx for you on your ER!
@antoto I know I would feel the same about just waiting for the time to pass. But yes, I did the audiobook of ISWTE and she said it takes 3 months for eggs to mature so everything you're doing now will be perfect timing to impact those eggs in May! 
@KristoKekerooni Hope your O comes soon
@wabash15 I'm with you on the unexplained IF boat girl..Glad you're done with the HSG
@shortstack930 My period has done that too. My OB said anything from 3-7 days of bleeding is normal
@eggplantface Ugh that is frustrating! I've been off BCP for a while so I can't really recall about spotting.

Bababatty

@TravelingCouple I'm glad you're feeling better! Exciting that you get to start TI soon.  Your RE will tell you when to do the trigger based on your follicle growth at your follow-up u/s after your round of meds. In my experience, they also had me do OPKs, so it was usually, "do your trigger X night and come in X day for your IUI, or if you get a positive OPK before then, come in the next day." I think it would be similar for TI. I believe the trigger is pretty reliable, which didn't stop me from freaking out that I'd ovulated later or earlier because of my temps. I probably won't temp next IUI just for the sanity. My nurse said that when some people get their positive OPK, they still do the trigger just to be sure.

FWIW I usually O around CD 16 or 17, but I responded really well to medication and they had me trigger usually around CD 11 or 12 (and I never got a positive OPK for any of those cycles). The RE would say things like, "this follicle is very mature, we don't want to lose it." I probably should have asked what that meant, haha. I was also told that when you O normally wont necessarily have a bearing on O on medication.

wabash15

@TravelingCouple I second a lot of what @Bababatty said. The meds should stimulate your follies to grow sooner/more than usual so you should be good to trigger sooner than you would normally O. Yes your RE should be monitoring your follie growth. often your good to go at that first follie check up but sometimes you need more time. Once you have 1 to a few good looking follies (usually 18+mm) they will have you trigger. The trigger shot should make you O. I have not heard of someone not Oing post trigger. 

magnolia131

@Bababatty Thanks. I definitely realize that people are 10x more likely to post a bad review than a good one, so to take it with a grain of salt. I think the consistency of people's complaints being aimed at poor bedside manner and scheduling conflict just raises some red flags for me. However, I'm still going to go into the appointment with an open mind- especially given the wait time for a consult at the second clinic. At the end of the day I guess I'm lucky to be in a position to have choices.

@mrsdaddario You make a great point about how the quality of the nurses can be just as important as the doctors. I, too, am looking for someone to hold my hand through the process as you put it. I think that's terrible that your doctor pushed a generic reply on you regarding starting your IVF cycle. I'm the type with a million questions and I feel better when I can ask a nurse/doctor versus resorting to Dr. Google for answers because we all know how that can go. I can understand why you'd be looking for another doctor within the practice at the very least.

@TravelingCouple I can understand your mixed feelings regarding the shower. I was more involved than I cared to be in SIL's recent shower and there were days when I was super into it and then the next day I'd have serious anxiety about whether I could even show up. My emotions about it really did change day by day and in hindsight I think I should have distanced myself more from it from the get go. I don't have any experience with the trigger shot, so I can't answer your question, but I hope everything lines up for you next cycle!