March 2018 IVF

prudence9-2

@llhfreedom & @kyapplb so sorry I know nothing I can say could make you feel better. Sending you both hugs. 

@Knottie1445631780 you might want to check out the March FET thread since you’re doing a frozen transfer. I’m not sure what to tell you about the low number. What did your RE say? Maybe increase the patches? 

josiepasta

@knottie1445631780 Hi!  welcome to the group.  FX for a smooth upcoming transfer and a quick TWW.  Sorry, this is my first IVF and I did a fresh transfer, so I'm not sure about estradiol levels for your transfer.  I know I was prescribed some estrogen pills in the beginning, but never ended up using them.  Did your RE express any concern with your levels or think it would affect the transfer?

@kyapplb so sorry for the BFN this cycle.  Hoping for better results next cycle!

@lizy181 I agree, so frustrating about the embryo numbers!  I couldn't believe how much they dwindle from day 1.  I had 17 retrieved, 12 fertilized on Day 1.  By day 5, only 2 made it to blastocyst.  All of the others were still growing or had stalled.  By day 7, only 2 of the remaining 10 made it to blastocyst and were frozen.  I'm still thrilled I was able to transfer 2 on day 5 and have 2 snowbabies left for the future, but I was shocked about how many embryos stopped growing.  FX that all of yours make it through PGS safely.

AFM - BFP mentioned 

I think the three week wait for first ultrasound after BFP might be worse than the two week wait.  The worry is still there, if not greater.  I know I have good Beta 1 and Beta 2 numbers, but I have no obvious pregnancy symptoms (except for weird dreams at night and some bloating - but that could be from the PIO shots) and my hCG could be dropping or I could have an ectopic (which just happened to my best friend) and I would have no idea.  I just pray thanks to God every time I use the bathroom and there is no blood.  My DH and I are waiting until week 8 to even start considering ourselves pregnant and buy books, tell close family, etc.  Last year, my sister-in-law got pregnant naturally (on her first try...the nerve!) and announced it to everyone on facebook at week 5, before she even saw her Dr. to confirm the pregnancy.  I just can't imagine doing something like that. 

Funny/gross story - I finally hit a blood vessel/vein or something last night when doing my PIO shot back there.  I know they warn you about that and have you first pull back the syringe to see if there is blood, but I was definitely not prepared for seeing blood last night.  I freaked out and got blood all over my pajamas.  I'm hoping that never happens again! 

prudence9-2

@josiepasta yikes! I always wonder how bloody it will be if I hit a blood vein! I still sometimes have a lot of blood all over and also on my pj and that is without hitting a blood vein. So I can only imagine how much blood you had!!

when is you next appt? I know in my clinic they usually schedule you for week 5 to make sure it’s not ectopic and then the following week for a heartbeat. 

josiepasta

@prudence9-2 they won't schedule my ultrasound until they get the results of my third Beta this Thursday.  I tried asking when they thought it would be and the nurse wouldnt give me a clear answer.  I think when they call me for my beta results, I'll push for an earlier u/s if that's an option.

prudence9-2

@josiepasta that makes sense. In my clinic they also wait for the third beta before scheduling....

lizy181

Day 6 update: Five have been biopsied and frozen and are graded AA. Two are still growing with one at early blastocyst and the other is at the stage prior. Best case scenario we have 7 frozen (likely 6) and worst case scenario is just the 5 we have. 

Thank you to all the ladies who have responded and provided insight. I’m not sure what to make of all of this right now and just need to wait until PGS test results come back to fully digest, I think. Ryan and I are hoping To have 3 kids but I’m not sure that’s doable with our numbers. I am thankful though to have those 5 embryos and hope PGS test results are as positive as they can be. 

prudence9-2

@lizy181 that is great news!!! FX those make it by tomorrow!!!! How long for PGS results? I got mine within days but I know some labs take up to 2 weeks. 

lizy181

@prudence9-2, thank you! Our lab takes 10 days. The Easter holiday may delay the results a few days depending on whether my clinic can send the cells out tomorrow. Fingers crossed for two more frozen today!

lizy181

Today’s final report came in. We have two more frozen embryos for a total of 7. One of the last two frozen is graded AA and the other is AB. Now to wait for PGS results!

prudence9-2

@lizy181 that is great news!!!!! Amazing!!! FX for many normals!!!!

adamae1216

Hello everyone I am new to the board.  I started my stim meds on 3/24 and had my first monitoring appt on 3/27.  There were 14 follicles but they weren't measurable yet.  I go again tomorrow morning so we will see if they are developing nicely.  This is my first cycle and we are doing PGD/PGS testing since both me and DH are positive for the sickle cell trait.  I haven't had many side effects from the stim meds yet, which is surprising since my body usually does crazy things with hormones.  My husband was all in during the injection class and ready to give me shots but when it came time to actually do it he was singing a whole different tune.  He has given me one shot and had to take deep breaths before (so dramatic).  I thought it was hilarious.  I hope he gets better because I don't relish having to stick myself in the butt. I love reading about your journeys and having others to share my stories and worries with.  I see babes in our futures!

prudence9-2

@Knottie02415720 welcome!!! 14 is a great number for first monitoring!!!

as for shots, I’ve been doing all my shots. Also the butt one and it’s actually not as bad as it seems. and in a way, I feel like when you do your own shots, you have a better control over it. 

adamae1216

@prudence9-2 I actually don't mind giving my own shots, thank goodness, since DH is so dramatic.  He gave me the shot of Menopur last night and it hurt so bad.  I think he bent the needle when it went in so I'm over him injecting me at this point.  We need something for him to practice on before he sticks me again.  LOL

prudence9-2

@Knottie02415720 my first IVF manopur stung. But this time around it was unbearably painful. So what I’ve done was injecting it SUPER slow... so slow it takes you a minute or two to inject. Your husband must have injected it fast. Which is another reason why if you do it you have better control. If it hurts, just slow down. Not sure why injecting manopur slow helps but it totally did for me. So try that tonite. 

josiepasta

@Knottie02415720 Hi!  Welcome!  I found doing the shots (both in the stomach and the butt) myself were the way to go.  I was able to have way more control, plus it's kind of empowering to give yourself your own shot. As for the menopur, that one is the worst with the burning.  @prudence9-2 is exactly right, the slower you go, the easier it is.

AFM - Just got my Beta #3 result:

I'm 17dp5dt and my beta rose to 5,176!  based on my Beta #1 and Beta #2 result, that's doubling around every 40 hours.  I found out my RE won't schedule my first u/s until I'm 7 weeks along, so I schedule it for April 11th, which is when I hit exactly 7 weeks.  I've read that at that point I should be able to hear the heartbeat, so maybe it's best that I'm not getting an earlier ultrasound and worry about no heartbeat yet.  I'm dreading the week and a half wait, but for some reason hearing that third Beta really helped put my mind at ease.  I wasn't quite convinced with Beta #1 and Beta #2.  I still have no major symptoms except for being a little bit tired, bloated and gassy.

Is anyone's beta or transfer coming up soon?!  Is anyone else trying the pomegranate juice and pineapple core like I did? I'm curious how many people actually do it.

prudence9-2

@josiepasta that is an amazing third beta!!!! Congrats!!!!!

my beta is coming up tomorrow. It will be 12dp3dt 

I’ve been testing positive in HPT!!! FX for a good number tomorrow!!! Needless to say I’m excited yet very scared!

adamae1216

@josiepasta @prudence9-2 I will definitely try putting in slower and seeing if that helps.  Funny the Monopur didn't burn for me until I read about others having a burning sensation then that night it burned.  (Maybe psychosomatic)  I've also red some people use an ice pack before and it helps.  It hasn't hurt too bad for me except that one time my husband did it.  I'm just going to inject myself from now on.

Well today was my second monitoring.  I 7 follicles measuring between 7-11mm so he is keeping me on the same meds 225 Folistim and 75 Menopur for now.  I'll go back tomorrow and Sunday because I have to go out of town for a wedding on Saturday.  FX that we get some nice health mature eggs from this round.  

josiepasta

@prudence9-2 so exciting about the HPT!  I was too afraid to cheat before my first Beta, but it was only at 8dp5dt.  If I had to wait until 12dp5dt I definitely would've cheated a couple times.  After my first beta I went and did a HPT just to see my first positive.  I've never seen one before and it was so surreal.  FX for you tomorrow!  The waiting between the time of the blood test and the actual phone call is absolute torture, so good luck!  I should've gotten an apple watch or some sort of Bluetooth phone device so I wouldn't be so darn scared to leave my phone more than 10 feet away from me at all times.

prudence9-2

@josiepasta no, mine is 12dp3dt so it’s only 2 days after you. Which is early for me. Because my clinic usually let me test 12-14 days after 5dt. So when they said to test after 12dp3dt (Which is like 10dp5dt) I wasn’t going to correct them. Was happy I get to test earlier. 

Yeah seeing a line line is always exciting. ***tw*** last time I saw a line ended in cp and the time before that in a m/c ***end tw***
so I’m trying not to get too excited just yet. 

I do do have an Apple Watch but this is not a call you want to answer on the watch for everyone to hear. So I know I will not be leaving my phone tomorrow. I just hope it’s a good number!!!

josiepasta

@prudence9-2 Gotcha - I didn't realize 3dt counting was different than 5dt...that makes sense.  Glad they made that same mistake and you get to test earlier!  FX for tomorrow!

prudence9-2

@josiepasta my test is 12 days after my transfer. But compared to a 5dt it’s after 10 days. Basically my clinic likes high betas so we test really late. So testing on day 12 means my beta should be only as high as a day-10 after a 5dt. But yeah, I had to wait 12 days. Not sure if I’m making any sense.  Haha

 I guess my point is that in 3 days you have to wait longer to have hcg numbers. But I was expecting them to make me wait 14 or 16 days. So was super happy with 12!

mich_elle

:::lurking:::
@prudence9-2 Aaaahhhh! OMG! I'm so happy for you! I'm glad you POAS before the call. I would've too. Hurry up Tomorrow and get here already! Congrats & GL!!!

prudence9-2

@mich_elle thanks I’m trying not to get too excited yet. But I do hope that this is it!! 

My nurse usually calls me around 4pm. Hopefully she’d call earlier tomorrow! There’s always so much waiting  

mich_elle

@prudence9-2 FX!!!

prudence9-2

Thanks @mich_elle! 

mich_elle

@prudence9-2 It's nearly 4pm by me...hear anything yet? FX!

josiepasta

@prudence9-2 The suspense is killing me!!!

prudence9-2

@mich_elle @josiepasta I’m in California so it’s just 4pm now. But the nurse actually called me 2 hours ago but I had to go into a meeting right after. So.... the beta is:

It’s 281!!! The nurse said they’re happy for anything above 100!!!

She wants me to go test on Tues and not Monday so we could multiply by 4... 

and now we wait...

mich_elle

@prudence9-2 Yay!! Congrats to you!! Stick baby stick!!! FX!

prudence9-2

@mich_elle thanks!!! I know it’s all still so early. So trying not to get too excited. But just happy today for a good beta. 

How’s your wait going? You will start the FET cycle at the end of April?

mcgeeva

Congrats @prudence9-2

mich_elle

@prudence9-2 GL! AFM, waiting sucks. I'll do IVF early May. Sooo, long month ahead of me!

prudence9-2

Thanks @mcgeeva

@mich_elle oh right! I don’t know why I said FET. I meant IVF. And yes, I agree, waiting sucks. So much of this process is waiting... 

josiepasta

@prudence9-2 congrats!!!  That’s a great beta! Hope the numbers rise!!

prudence9-2

Thanks @josiepasta

remind me, when is your appt?

josiepasta

@prudence9-2 my next appointment is for my first u/s when I hit 7 weeks on April 11.  Luckily I have a lot of activities coming up this week and next to keep me busy.

prudence9-2

@josiepasta hope this next 1.5 weeks goes super fast for you

tinjp78

*lurking*

@prudence9-2  I'm happy to see your beta result! 

Congrats and Fx for a x4!!! Squeee!

prudence9-2

Thanks @tinjp78

mrsyng

I’ve been MIA for a few weeks. But I’m so glad to see those BFP!! Congrats to you ladies!! ❤️❤️ Good luck to those still stimming and with upcoming ER & transfers!!