There might be a thread like this somewhere, but I didn't see a recent one, so I thought I would start one. Instead of my usual googling (where I get soooo many different answers,) I would rather hear from all of you about IVF dos/ don'ts in general. For example, what are your thoughts about caffeine during stims? I reduced it last time, but didn't completely cut it out. This time I reduced it as well, but today I didn't even get my morning cup of coffee because I started to second guess what to do. Then, I got a killer headache. Which leads to the next do/ don't...I took tylenol because the nurse says tylenol products are fine. What about sex during stims? I think it's fine, but what do you all think?
Me: 33, DH: 40
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
Re: IVF Dos & Don'ts
CP #1- due April 2017 lost 5.5 weeks
cp #2- due May 2017 lost at 4.5 weeks
iUI #1- BFN
IUI #2-BFN
IVF#1- transfer 2- BFP! Due October 2017 c/p#3 lost at 3.5 weeks
TTC: April 2013
DOR: AMH .3 - 1.31 (it varies); FSH: 5.1
Clinic NMCSD
IUI #1 July/Aug 2016
IVF #1 Sep/Oct Microdose Lupron Protocol - IVF cancelled only 1 follicle
IVF #2 Feb/Mar Antagonist protocol w/estrogen priming - 0 eggs retrieved (empty follicle syndrome)
Donor Egg Cycle as soon as we find a match
My office specifically said no sex once I started ganirelix because of the risk of torsion which how large my ovaries were. Plus I was so uncomfortable H probably would have had it chopped off if he came near me.
In prep for IVF I also did no dairy, grains, sugar, soy or processed foods and stayed organic if possible. I enjoy all the good foods after ER for two weeks and am back on no dairy or sugar as it's supposed to be inflammatory
BFP #2: 4.14.16 CP: 4.17.16
BFP #3: 6.10.2016 CP: 6.17.16
RE appt: 6.27.2016- saline sono all clear
Progenity: + carrier Tay-Sachs, Gaucher's, hemachromatosis. DH: carrier Alpha 1 anti-trypsin
PCOS, hypothyroid, MTHFR, hx of LEEP in 2006
Clomid + TI Cycle #1: 50mg Trigger 8.24.2016- BFN
Clomid 75mg + IUI#1 9.25.2016- BFP #4 10/6
Beta #1 15 Beta #2 38 Beta #3- 71 beta #4 171 Beta # 5- 21 Natural MC 10/21
HSG- clear
IVF Jan 2017
Egg Retrieval 1.22.17: 32 eggs retrieved,29 mature, 24 fertilized, 14 to blastocyst for biopsy
PGS results: 4 PGS normal 2 XX, 2 XY
FET: 3.13.2017 for 2 PGS embryos
Beta#1: 3.24.2017......... 78; Beta # 2 241; Beta #3 4198
Baby BOY due 11.29.2017
I unintentionally gave up coffee (had a terrible flu and afterwards it tasted gross so I just stopped), sex sounded miserable while bloated lol, and I kept it easy for a day after transfer but that's about all life would allow. I also gave up wine but only because I was falling asleep by 8pm, didn't need wine to worsen it. So though my RE said all those things are fine, I did give them up. Oh and Tylenol only, they did stress that a few times. They really felt you should keep busy and that helped keep my mind off things
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
I was told a glass of coffee and wine were ok. But no alcohol after transfer. Also I'm a triathlete and I was told I could workout until a few days before retrieval and then take it light and to stop if I felt any discomfort. As for Tylenol versus ibuprofen I was told only Tylenol because it's a blood thinner and can induce ovulation. Baths are ok until after ER because they could cause infection. I tend to bend the rules a bit and my husband gets on me so I have asked my nurse all of these questions to know what I can get away with. But I was very strict that he didn't drink two weeks before he gave his sample. And we were told protected sex was ok but I'm so bloated I'm not feeling it.
I've also cut down on alcohol. My wife cut it out *almost* completely for the 3 months leading to retrieval (we're retrieving her eggs, transferring embryo to me), since it takes 3 months to grow an egg, and we're fighting old age (both over 35). So we want to do whatever we can to help with egg quality.
She's also going to avoid sugar, and lean away from too much starchy carbs during stims. Blood sugar spikes aren't great for growing follicles.
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs.
2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs.
Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire.
Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus!
fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP!
Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)
Overall, I wasn't given any rules about stimming! Except the "only tylenol products." That's why I am curious and feel like I'm always looking stuff up.
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
I am on my ivf#1...any clues for when we start the injections? I am petrified and I think my DH will faint as he hates needles and blood. Anyone hired a nurse or found an alternative non-husband? I feel if I push it he will do it but I worry after all this his libido will just walk out of the door...I don't know if there is a way to keep romance throughout this. It is certainly hard for us.
anyway, all advice welcome.
TTC #1 since Aug 2014 (wedding night)
dx: unexplained (low motility not helping)
rx: Clomid 150 & IUI (third round) All BFN
currently working on ivf#1
Wine I had sporadically through my first two cycles, then went cold turkey on my third, I also did Whole Life Challenge and cut wheat, sugar and dairy
i had terrible constipation after my 2nd retrieval so I started taking a daily probiotic in the lead up to my 3rd to help, Dr said that was all fine
IVF#1 Sep 2016 (4 eggs retrieved, 2 matured, 0 transferred due to DNA breakdown)
IVF#2 Nov 2016: Estrogen & Ganirelix. Stimming: Loprun, Follistim, Menopur. (7 eggs retrieved. 3 matured. 0 transferred due to PGD results)
IVF#3 Feb 2017: Estrogen priming. Menopur, Follistim and HGH
Also, I was able to do all my shots myself. It's intimidating at first but very manageable once you get the hang of it.
2017 - egg retrieval #1 - 3 eggs, 0 embryos appropriate for transfer; ER #2 2 eggs, 0 embryos on day 3; ER #3 1 egg 0 embryos
moved to donor egg in summer 2017; 35 eggs retrieved; 19 fertilized; 9 total embryos
Fresh transfer Dec 2017= BFP! baby boy born 8/22/18
May 2019 - surprise natural pregnancy ended in MC
Nov 2019 FET; MC at 9 weeks
May 2020 FET; BFN
July 2020 FET; CP treated with methotrexate
Oct 2020 BFP!
Take a look at my blog
TTC: April 2013
DOR: AMH .3 - 1.31 (it varies); FSH: 5.1
Clinic NMCSD
IUI #1 July/Aug 2016
IVF #1 Sep/Oct Microdose Lupron Protocol - IVF cancelled only 1 follicle
IVF #2 Feb/Mar Antagonist protocol w/estrogen priming - 0 eggs retrieved (empty follicle syndrome)
Donor Egg Cycle as soon as we find a match
The IM shots have to go into muscle, and it's good to have help with those (since they go in the back/hip area). But if you don't have help, you can still totally do it yourself. Spend some time on youtube, searching for PIO injections. Lots of badass ladies get it done!
I once did a IM shot in my work bathroom. Just think of Xena, or Buffy, or GI Jane, or any tough woman you admire-- you can do it!
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs.
2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs.
Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire.
Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus!
fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP!
Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)
It shows videos of how to self-administer all shots. My clinic prescribed me numbing patches and lidocaine, so that helped so much. Some women use ice to numb the area. And I hear ya about the lack of romance through all of this. My poor husband is so tired of it all. He's actually done it before in his previous marriage. It's kind of a battle...ughhhhh.
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
I did have an occasional glass of wine, but I was also dead on my feet asleep by 8pm after like day 3 of stims so there wasn't much time for it lol.
My nurse told me to start taking a stool softener/miralax about 4 days into stims bc I am prone to being stopped up anyway (sorry tmi), I literally didn't think they worked at the time but I've since learned they do and should be used sparingly(again sorry tmi).
Nurse said no exercise as of doing stims, risk of ovarian tortion etc.
overall stims weren't too bad, after ER I was beyond bloated and literally could not wear normal pants for almost 2 weeks after. We will do our first transfer in a few months so I have no insights that far into the process lol.
Together Let Us Seek the Heights
Having been through moderate OHSS after ER, I can say it's not a bad idea to always ask your RE about your E2 level, size/number of follicles and if they are elevated, express concerns about OHSS (they may switch the protocol a bit depending on that). I was in the situation where RE was "oops, I probably should have done x, y, z instead in retrospect"...ugh, thank you very much.
Another thing I learnt though 2 IVFs and 5 months of visits to the clinic is that they don't know a lot, the science is very incipient, and it's more of a trial and error for most of them. Read a lot and ask questions.
Me: 34 ("unexplained IF"), DH: 40 (he is fine!), Married since 2013, 2 cats
TTC since Aug 2014May 2016: laproscopy, found & removed moderate (stage III) endo (largest growth was on R ovary)
Summer/Fall 2016: 3x IUI w/ clomid & trigger shot, 3x BFN
Jan 2017: 2 months of lupron depot to quiet endo (ugh). Done!
March 2017: IVF #1 (antagonist) Cancelled/converted to IUI #4 on 3/31/17, CP
May 2017: IVF #1, try 2 (Lupron added). ER 5/23 (14 retrieved, 11 mature, 10 fertilized, 3 blasts frozen, 2 PGS normal). FET in late July!
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
Egg Retrieval 2013 , later unsuccessful thaw and fertilization. starting from the beginning.
mini IVF, this March, 1 Happy Embryo in the freezer
Mini IVF May, ER on the 19th
here's a link to the mouse study https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140214075405.htm
I was told no running or activities that could cause torsion, walking and stationary bike were the only activities I was told I could do once I start stims. We were also told 1-2 drinks were fine (although I'm going to insist my SO limits that to 1-2 per week, which compared to what I have to go through is completely reasonable!) and 1-2 cups of coffee were also ok. No hot tubs or saunas for either of us.
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
Married: October 2014
Me: 35 DH: 39
TTC since November 2014
Diagnosis: Anovulation from PCOSish without syndrome, Male factors - low motility and morphology issues
April-Sept. 2015 - Clomid and TI - BFN
Dec. 2015- HSG - Clear tubes
Jan., Feb., March 2016 - Letrozole 7.5mg and TI with HCG trigger= BFN
April, May, June 2016 - Letrozole 7.5mg and IUI with HCG trigger= BFN
September 2016 - IVF round #1;ER 9/26 with ICSI on 14 eggs - developed mild OHSS.
Sept 2016 - 12 non-PGS embryos frozen (5 5AAs)
FET #1 Jan 16, 2017 - BFP!- MC at 6W5d
FET #2 May 8, 2017 - BFP! EDD 1-24-2018
Its interesting that your RE doesn't like aspirin because everything. I've read says it facilitates blood flow to the uterine lining and significantly increases pregnancy rates and lowers miscarriage rates. Although, this article does point out that more studies are needed to actually solidify this recommendation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2736057/
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
TTC#1 since November 2015
9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017
TTC #2 since July 2018
May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
July 2016: IVF #1 (froze embryos)
Aug. 2016: Hysteroscopy to remove a few polyps & Laparoscopy
Oct. 2016: FET #1 BFN
Nov. 2016: FET #2 BFP (ended in CP)
March 2017: IVF #2 Fresh Transfer of 2 Blasts = BFP!!! (EDD: 11/27/17)
Froze 5 Blasts
DS born on 11/2/17!!!
Back to try for Baby #2
Married: October 2014
Me: 35 DH: 39
TTC since November 2014
Diagnosis: Anovulation from PCOSish without syndrome, Male factors - low motility and morphology issues
April-Sept. 2015 - Clomid and TI - BFN
Dec. 2015- HSG - Clear tubes
Jan., Feb., March 2016 - Letrozole 7.5mg and TI with HCG trigger= BFN
April, May, June 2016 - Letrozole 7.5mg and IUI with HCG trigger= BFN
September 2016 - IVF round #1;ER 9/26 with ICSI on 14 eggs - developed mild OHSS.
Sept 2016 - 12 non-PGS embryos frozen (5 5AAs)
FET #1 Jan 16, 2017 - BFP!- MC at 6W5d
FET #2 May 8, 2017 - BFP! EDD 1-24-2018
TTC #1 since Aug 2014 (wedding night)
dx: unexplained (low motility not helping)
rx: Clomid 150 & IUI (third round) All BFN
currently working on ivf#1
Anyway, long story short, thanks everyone for the great advice, I ended up getting a nurse for now who will assist with my first injections at least...also needle anxiety here...my poor DH was so relieved, he is doing his best but all this medical stuff is just not his forte...
Question for the pros...I am about to start menopour but have done already estrogen gel, estrace and starting today the patches for 5 days. Well...I feel all the medication is making me go bananas.... my mood is all over the place, cry easily, anxiety, boosts of energy....omg am I going crazy?uff this is hard....please advice.
TTC #1 since Aug 2014 (wedding night)
dx: unexplained (low motility not helping)
rx: Clomid 150 & IUI (third round) All BFN
currently working on ivf#1
Day1-4 severe headaches, sweating, diarrhea
Day 5-6 exhaustion, fuzzy headed, moody
Day 7-8 increased energy, like super "high" started ganirelix and then broke out in a rash
Day 9-13 mild headaches, some moodiness, super uncomfortable, mild headaches, diarrhea, gas, "waddle walking" lots of laying around, feeling sad and anxious and excited, rash
Day 14-tired in morning, uncomfortable in tummy area, then major energy increase later in the day. It's anxiety and stuff like that I'm sure
My ER is tomorrow, yesterday intriggered today I'm feeling tired and crampy, worrying about tomorrow!
That's just my response. Everyone is different but one things for sure these hormones really mess with you!
TTC: April 2013
DOR: AMH .3 - 1.31 (it varies); FSH: 5.1
Clinic NMCSD
IUI #1 July/Aug 2016
IVF #1 Sep/Oct Microdose Lupron Protocol - IVF cancelled only 1 follicle
IVF #2 Feb/Mar Antagonist protocol w/estrogen priming - 0 eggs retrieved (empty follicle syndrome)
Donor Egg Cycle as soon as we find a match
I am on day 4 of stimulation and freaking out a bit with the side effects, even after treating them with acupuncture yesterday. BTW I live in SD too, in Encinitas to be precise, using Reproductive Partners in La Jolla, they have been pretty good so far.
My side effects, besides wanting to kill my DH every other hour (poor thing he is the recipient of all my clomid moodiness), I developed on day 3 some discomfort around the belly area (not just in lower area, where I can feel the activity) but in my tummy, with nausea feeling. I also get super tired around 3pm every day. Worst of all, I woke up today-day4 feeling like I am getting a cold, with my ears plugged, my through hurting a bit and pretty low in energy (no headache though).
Is this short of cold normal? Has anyone had it during IVF? And worse fear...if I get sick, will it impact the eggs (and we have to do all this all over again)?
That at is a question to all readers, please let me know what you think.
Gracias
TTC #1 since Aug 2014 (wedding night)
dx: unexplained (low motility not helping)
rx: Clomid 150 & IUI (third round) All BFN
currently working on ivf#1