June IVF

Hopeful_mom

mrsa2017 For me the meds have been only through injections BUT I take a bunch of supplements and vitamins that are pills.  When I did my IUIs I did take clomid and that was the only pills for that and they were pretty small.

SP128 Its so interesting that insurance has a say on how many you can transfer wow!!  At least you have coverage so you have to play by the rules.  I bet they're looking at the future that multiples cost more for hospital bills and thats why!  Good luck for monday!

Holls214 I have to say if it meant waiting a month or not I wouldve went the same route, we want to be preggers yesterday so I totally get it, but ouch!!

AFM:  After more acupuncture and another day of meds my right side showed some improvements 18,14, left is 19, 20...tech measure differently so hoping that everything is ok still on the left.  This is also the first time i split my meds and only put the gonalf on the right.  At first I was just going to put all the meds on the right but my acupuncturist mentioned gonal f is stronger and to only use that on the side.  HI DOC!!  I've been doing this for how long now maybe you shouldve mentioned that to me at some point.  I'd like to think it helped SO since my prog. is still at bay thank goodness I get to go for one my day of stemming and I believe tomorrow will be my trigger and then ER on monday.  Praying I got 4 nice strong ones to go!!!

Side note anyone else veins not cooperating?  Mine are tough to get in general but this last week I have just been a pin cushion for all!! 

mrsa2017

@Hopeful_mom I am so terrified of needles and my H won't be with me while I'm doing Stims since we're doing IVF out of country (we live in the Bahamas). I really hope I don't screw this up because we're paying out of pocket. I'm on all the boards hoping to learn as much as I can before we see an RE next month. 
I must say that these boards have been a saving grace with first hand information. I was kinda tired of just watching YouTube videos lol

Hopeful_mom

mrsa2017 I stem myself as well and have the bruises to prove it...its hard when the meds burn as you're hurting yourself on purpose so you don't want to keep pushing the meds in BUT you do it knowing whats ahead!  I went to utube to make sure I was actually doing the shots correctly.  These boards are great and many woman do things differently so you'll hear a ton of different suggestions.  Thats how we all start just reading up so we're prepared.  Don't worry the first few days will be odd and I still dont like sticking myself, some days are better then others for sure BUT by the time the end of your cycle comes you'l feel like a pro!!  

mrsa2017

I'll have to add "professional needle  sticker" to my resume after IVF

Enia11

@mrsa2017 Professional needle sticker))) Love it!

Holls214

@mrsa2017 I'm only taking prenatals gummies with my shots. No pills at all. Well minus some cold meds unfortunately. 

Aera11

@mrsa2017 I'm sorry you're here too but the infertility/Ivf boards can be super helpful!  I was terrified at first of just the thought of a blood draw, but eventually I got used to it & three Ivf rounds later I don't even bat an eye at needles.  You'll do great!  Just take your time I'm on all kinds of supplements (DH too) to help with egg quality.  I don't know if that's an issue for me but they can't hurt!  

Aera11

@Hopeful_mom your follies are doing great!  Do you normally rotate sides for your injections?  I usually do in hopes to prompt equal growth (I'm sure it's in my head but maybe it did help?)

SP128

@Hopeful_mom my doc also didn't mention rotating sides. I did the left side yesterday and then the right tonight. My friend did the gonal in her arm. Yes, I'm thankful for insurance coverage but their rules are insane. Gl and hopefully everything is cooperating for er. Cooperate veins !! 

@mrsa2017 I take a prenatal and vitamin d pills. Also, my re has me on estrogen pills. Villiage fertility has some pretty good videos on the shots. 

@Aera11 didn't even cross my mind about rotating sides could produce more equal growth. I did because the video said to to prevent soreness. Huh. 

Aera11

@SP128 I also rotated sides to help me keep track of how many days I'd stimmed.  With so many, I'd get into a fog so anything that could keep me focused haha.  I really didn't think they were that bad though.  Menopur burned a bit & cetrotide was itchy, but the actual poking was fine.  I can't wait for the vitamins/supplements to be over... Prenatal, vitamin d, co-q10, dhea, baby aspirin, açai, myo-inositol... Not to mention they get pricey.  Is this your first IVF round?

mrsa2017

@Aera11 thanks for the vote of confidence. I will definitely document my first stick lol. 
 Do you have PCOS too? Most of the supplements you mentioned I read about in " it starts with the egg" and I plan to take some of them as well. I thought you only took them up until you start your meds?

mrsa2017

@Holls214 not a fan of the prenatal tablets huh?

Aera11

@mrsa2017 initially my ob/gyn thought maybe I had mild pcos, but I don't have any of the symptoms/criteria except I don't ovulate on my own.  My RE just considers me anovulatory.  Yes, I read that too but was on the supplements prior.  My doctor has me do them through IVF but I'm sure some have you stop -- like anything, everyone has their own take on it & you just gotta trust your protocol/dr, but it's definitely good to question them too!  
I documented my first round, I bought some milestone cards to take with pics.  By round two & three, I didn't want to spend my time doing that but I'm so glad I have the first round!  You definitely should capture the process  

Hopeful_mom

So you inspired me to take my before and after picture (even though it posted backwards of hopefully my last night of shots!!! Tomorrow's US will tell but I think it will be.  13 days of stemming so far, I'm pretty over it!!  That's a mess of stuff!

Holls214

That's a lot of menapur. You are so strong! I had an ultrasound today. 2 more days of meds then another one to see if the growth is where it needs to be... Hopefully doing the ER on Wednesday or Thursday. Fingers crossed for you and this being your last day! And yes I like gummies not tablets. Less heartburn for me.

SP128

@Aera11 yup. I'm an ivf virgin. I'm only on gonal f and low dose hcg right now. I have my first bloodwork and ultrasound tomorrow. I've heard my doc starts off slow the first round to see how my body responds. 

@hollis214 hope you get to retrieve soon!!

@Hopeful_mom
 Holy moly. My meds are child's play compared to your protocol!

Hopeful_mom

SP128 ah the days of being the virgin what fun it was  Thats why I shared mine, not to freak you out but its not so bad and its all to get to the same goal! I'm also nearing the end which gives you an extra shot too!  Good luck at ur baseline!  You made me LOL so u kno

Holls214 isn't it exciting knowing the end is near!!  My clinic was SO BUSY today,  I was able to nap.  I have a feeling I'll be triggering tonight.  I'm gonna play RE and think I'll need a lil extra gonal F on the right in hopes to get that last one mature!

SWITCHING SIDES FOR MEDS....Not sure who asked this but each RE is different, many switch sides right to left to keep things even and comfort.  Some RE have you split up the injections in am and pm...glad thats NOT me!  These last 2 days though I did split up the sides as recommended by my acupuncture doc and I feel like it did help my right side perk up a bit more...so its something for others to keep in mind if you see one side thats not responding as well.  Just my 2 cents.  I did gonal f on the right and then my menpur and cetritide on the left...I feel like it did make a difference.

Aera11

@sp128 my RE was pretty conservative with my first round too.  Hope you have a good first u/s!

did you do blood & u/s today @hopeful_mom?

AFM, we transferred two 8-cell embabies today!!  Now the dreaded tww...I'll probably poas starting Friday or Saturday to test out the trigger.  We'll hear by Wednesday if the others make it to blasts & can be frozen.

mrsa2017

Looking at all of the medications

mrsa2017

Smt my entire post was missing

mrsa2017

You ladies are definitely my motivation ... Us as women go through so much but I don't think that we'll have it no other way. 
By the time as we see our RE next month, all of you will be pregnant and having morning sickness and sore boobs lol
I am so rooting for everyone here, and especially you ladies that I have corresponding with.

SP128

@Aera11  fx for double happy and healthy!

Hopeful_mom

@aera11 woohoo was tired forgot today is Sunday transfer day YES!!! 2 8 cell is exactly where they're suppose to be that's great news! Sending you super extra sticky baby dust my friend!!! Hoping they get all comfy cozy and ur going to take it easy! Are you going to have some pineapple core? 

@mrsa2017 you'll be surprised how fast a cycle can go and we shall all be bump buddies together!!

AFM: its TRIGGER TIME woo hoo!!!!!!!
Was waiting for my call to post my update as I did have US and bw this morning.  E2 is now 778 so really hoping I should have hopefully a good 4 eggs. My left is still looking good with 20 and 21.5, the right side is still playing tricks on me 18.5, 15 and a 14...a 3rd popped up??? Not sure if it's real I'd be estavtic with 5 for sure but thrilled with 4 too.  Nervous stemming for so long just praying these are some strong ones!!!  If you want to laugh at how I was playing dr, I asked if the dr doesn't want me to take an extra 300gonal f prior to triggering this evening. 

I remember another time they had me take the extra boost prior to triggering.  Since I had one or two still a bit immature and the largest is measuring 21.5, I didn't think it could hurt....and I was going to do it anyway  My nurse was laughing that I now think I'm a dr too, maybe this is my next calling in life 

kristimh80

@Aera11 Yay!!! FX for you having healthy babies growing and one's for later 

Holls214

@Aera11 will be thinking about you! Woot woot! 

Aera11

Yayyyyyyy @hopeful_mom!!  So retrieval Tuesday?  No pineapple or Pom juice for me.  I did that the first time and it actually didn't agree with my stomach... I'm on baby aspirin anyways, so the Pom isn't necessary and the pineapple is too acidic.  Hoping the biopsy will have made a difference too for implantation!  

Thank you @sp128 @kristimh80 & @Holls214!!  I'll still be lurking around rooting for everyone!

SP128

Can you veteran ladies tell me what I want to see for my first ultrasound and what my levels should be for blood work?  

Enia11

@SP128 it's my first IVF, but as I'm informed they are looking for a cyst and hopefully there are none. They will check the lining too, but it will get thicker whith all the shots. I hope this helps. But I'm not a pro.
@Aera11 Wow!!! Great news! Good luck!!! I would be paralyzed scared to poas, but respect your bravery.
@hopef_mom Your follies look great!! I hope the ER will go smoothly and whish you a speedy recovery! 

AFM  Transfer is tomorrow! I'm still not completely sure whether or not go with 1 or 2. Makes better sense to go with one, but then most of you go with two.. very difficult decision.
What means FX?

Aera11

@SP128 my first u/s is for lining, cysts, etc.  they can usually see small follies too, mine were at 4-6 at my cd2 u/s.  

@Enia11 the first time I didn't poas to test out the trigger & I was blind sided by an early AF.  It was horrible & I wasn't going to let it happen again, so last time I poas to test out the trigger/positive & wasn't blind sided when AF came early again (ugh).  Now I know with me + IVF that I have a shorter cycle by a day or two.  

FX = fingers crossed

SP128

@Aera11 & @Enia11  Thanks : )  @Aera11   Good luck with the transfer.  It's nice that you can decide last minute on how many to transfer.  Definitely a very personal decision to go with 1 or 2.  

@Hopeful_mom  Doctor does have a nice ring to it.....  In the mean time, trigger away!

Hopeful_mom

Trigger is complete I had to jam the last syringes in there was literally no room for a thing in there!

@SP128 the ladies pretty much covered it, they are really look to make sure everything looks good for you to start.  Its literally just the beginning a clean slate.  There are a tom of things they could see and theres no need to get into it, just relax and let them take a peak.  Same with your bw they're making sure levels are good to go and your start off point.  For me my Estrogen was 44 on the lower side and at the follow up it was 88 whichis what they want to see, your E2 going up.  This is showing that your follies are producing estrogen, I dont make as many part of the reason my E2 is lower I believe.  So its really just a start and they call it your baseline using this to compare it to as you continue on.  Hope that made sense

Enia11 How very exciting!!  Enjoy drinking all that water and wanting to tinkle but cant, thats the not cute part.  I know its a tough decision but I'm sure your RE is going to help you make a choice too.  You may have such a beautiful perfect looking one that they say to just go with that one.  I wanted twins no question so for me it was more the merrier but i'm older AND I wont lie doing that couldve caused me to MC too.  I'm never gonna now and still carry the guilt with me.  Sleep on it and see how you feel in the morning.

Aera11 how does it feel being PUPO  hope you took it easy today!  How r u feeling?  I know this isn't my transfer but i'm so excited for you so please check in and keep me posted how u r feeling!!!!

Aera11

@Hopeful_mom I've filled so many sharps containers it's ridiculous!  Hopefully those were your last shots . I did take it easy today and most likely will tomorrow too, then I'll return to a pretty normal routine. Your retrieval is Tuesday am?

Good of luck tomorrow @Enia11!  My clinic decides for me because of my age, but I could ask for one or petition for three...I'm good with two.  We've done two the last two rounds so I feel like I want to do whatever I can to have at least one stick.  

bionerdsteph

Just did my first injection- had to physc myself up. Not as bad doing it but it's a little tender now. Forgot to alcohol swab myself in my nervousness & hurry to get it over with. 1 down a crap ton to go.

Aera11

@bionerdsteph did you ice the area before?  If not, that may help too!  I would sit with a reuseable ice pack while I prepped and it helped a lot.

Hopeful_mom

Aera11 yes tuesday is the big day  I like to make sure my container is full before disposing and yes I'm hoping this is it!!  The nurses laugh how jam packed I make them each time.

@bionerdsteph congrats!!  It'll get easier as you go.  I make silly mistakes all the time and still made it through!  I try and prep each out so i can remember what I have to do.  I almost forget to put the gonal f pen back in the fridge after I take it...so thats something I always have to look back at for sure!

SP128

@Hopeful_mom you make me laugh. Jam that sucker full!! Tomorrow will be here, well tomorrow. 

@bionerdsteph woo hoo. Let the games begin, at least that she what I felt. Yesterday was the third day of shots. You are brave to do it yourself !! I admire anyone that does the shots themselves. 

Just had bloodwork and us. I'll just twiddle my thumbs until they call. I have been tolerating the meds well. Will be nervous when they introduce new meds and doses. 

mrsa2017

Sprinkling baby dust all over to each of you fearless and strong mommy's to be 

Momifbysea

I second the comment about icing! My SIL is a nurse practitioner and suggested for 3-5 minutes prior. I did 5 of course and it really helped reduce my pain of the needle going in and also Med stinging. For the Menopur, it was suggested to me to mix my powders and then let the solution rest for 10 minutes before injecting and then inject that one really slowly. It helped me doing these things, so wanted to pass along!

AFM, I am dreaming of hearing the news hopefully next cycle to just have something reach blastocyst stage since with our first two rounds we've never had anything make it that far! I hate to doubt it can happen (my re reminds me my eggs are old and fertilization doesn't happen easily, boo) but I'm praying so hard! Right now am waiting for AF so I can get in for a baseline and if they don't see any cysts then I get to start stims again on CD3! It would be great not to have to skip a cycle with BCP.

Momifbysea

@mrsa2017 I absolutely hate swallowing pills and can't do big ones, so I've gotten by by doing gummy prenatals, gummy vitamin d, and chewable Augmentin for the antibiotics, and then the only pills for IVF are a baby aspirin (chewable orange flavored) and dexamethasone steroid which is small, the size of a birth control pill, so it's totally doable for someone who hates pills!

Holls214

Had another u/s this morning. 26 follies and they are all growing ranging from 14-18 in size. 

We were hoping to trigger tonight but they want one more day of meds and another u/s tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a Thursday retrieval. It's been a long week.