APRIL FET

ndz2018

@kristimh80 Are you relaxing today or back to work? 

kristimh80

@mcgeeva I stopped coffee the day of transfer. Drinking decaf today. My one gf that just got a BFP has been doing 1 8oz cup of regular coffee / day and rest decaf. So idk...I've heard all stories on what to do! lol 

@ndz2018 I'm relaxing today. I'd probably be fine to go back in, but doctor said 2 days of nothing but could resume light activity today. I slept most of the day yesterday, so I'm itching to get out of the house today!

ndz2018

@kristimh80 I am thinking since my transfer will probably be between 12-2 I’ll come to work in the morning for a few hours leave around 11, my clinic is about 20 min from my house so I’ll have plenty of time to get there if I leave at 11. Relax afterwards and take the next day off to hang out with my mom and maybe we’ll go see a movie or something

smittenkitten123

So I did POAS this morning with the first response early test (supposedly picks up icy at 6)...and got a BFN!
So disappointed....I was hoping too see even a faint line....guys tell me I am crazy and it's too early. My beta is set for Monday, April 9th.

smittenkitten123

Oh this spell check...not icy but HCG

ndz2018

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 Calm down, it is REALLY early to be testing and you are NOT crazy!! I think I hear a lot of woman not getting a faint positives till 7dp5dt some not till 8 & 9dp5dt. 

kristimh80

@ndz2018 That sounds perfect!! I had to be there 45 mins before transfer time. They'll probably have your embryologist come in and let you know everything on the embryo. Hopefully they give you a fun picture as well!

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 It's still very early!! Try not to stress too much. Some people don't have anything show up til close to beta day. 

tosh24

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 how many days past transfer are you? Was it a 5 day or 6 day blast? 

ndz2018

@kristimh80 OHHH that’s really cool, can’t wait to see the first picture our out lil guy lol! 

kristimh80

@ndz2018 It was my favorite part. I swear the whole time I was in a daze. I think was part shock of what was really going on! It still feels like one big dream. 

ndz2018

@kristimh80 Were you in a daze Bc of the Valium or because it was surreal?  

smittenkitten123

@tosh24 , it was on day 5 past ovulation (ovulation day is $0), which was last Thursday. So today it will be 11 days past ovulation or 6 days past transfer. 
I am just hoping that it im0lanted late and is not picking up the hcg yet!

@ndz2018 , i got a nice little picture too of the blastocyte like @kristimh80. They didn't tell me much about the embryo, I know from my doctor it was a  5bb. They whole thing took like 5 minutes and it was over.

dragonette505

kristimh80 So nice you are home today! Make sure you watch lots of funny stuff! Theres research data that says laughing around transfer ups your chances of implantation!
@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 youre crazy, youre too early   Are you like 5DP5DT? Start expecting to see something 8DP5DT. Obviously theres some girls out there getting faint positives at 6 and 7DP5DT but that's NOT the norm. Some girls don't get positives till Beta day. 
ndz2018  It might be nice to have something to do before transfer... I was just at home trying not to stress last year lol. My plan is to take a nice long bath (since no baths after transfer) and then show up , get my embies and then go to acupuncture right after... then home so laze on the couch watching comedies and my faves (like pride and prejudices, BBC version) All the movies that give me the happy feels...
AFM... Started my estrogen today and doxycycline!!!  Yesterday afternoon my noodlehead of a scheduling nurse emailed me a NEW calendar because she forgot to change my estrogen dosing instructions... she says my doc is changing her transfer protocols and now wants her patients to take 8 mgs of estrace a day (2 pills AM and 2 pills PM) as it shows better results of endometrial thickening in a 10 day time frame. My doc told me that morning it would be 10-12 days (starting today) but it looks like shes trying to get me in at 10 (which id love!). The countdown starts now!

ndz2018

@dragonette505 YAY!! I am so happy that you’re starting!!! WOOHOO!! When is your first monitoring app??  And good call about the bath!! Didn’t even think about that!!! Ok need to Create a check list things to do before transfer..
drinks were on there already checked that off lol next is a nice long bath... anything else?

kristimh80

@ndz2018 Just was all so surreal! 

@dragonette505 I heard that...so been trying too. I hope my slight cough counts! LOL So exciting you're starting your meds!!! Idk what I'll do when I stop taking estrace, I maybe one of the weird one's that loves it lol

kristimh80

@ndz2018 Take a shower the night before or day of transfer. I was told no bathing that day after transfer. 

dragonette505

kristimh80  I like the effects of estrogen as well... I always have more energy, higher libido and all the other good stuff! 
ndz2018 my next appointment is 4/13 (lucky Friday the 13th!!)
@kristimh80 @ndz2018 as for baths... it depends on the clinic... my last clinic let me have a bath before...just not too hot. I'm not sure what my current clinic will say, but since I'm taking 3 types of antibiotics including a vaginal gel, I get the feeling my lady parts will be completely germ free! lol 

artemis618

Yikes - so much activity!

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 Still way early! Last FET, I tested at 7dp5dt just ‘cause someone else on November FET board who transferred after I did got her BFP.  This was two days before my beta, and I have to say that squinters drive me nuts.  With my natural pregnancy, I got a negative like 11DPO, cried (kind of bratty really in retrospect since it was our second month trying and my first month temping), then tested again after I had 16 high temps.  Don’t fret and try again in a few days if you must.  Also, FYI my P4 Saturday around 8AM (I apparently ovulated some time between 7:45AM Thursday AM and then) was 2.  I will aim to hold off until the day before my beta this time - but like last time my beta’s on a Saturday so at least I won’t have to get the call in the office.

@dragonette505  Yay for getting started!

@ndz2018Hmm...let’s see, I had a hot dog & lunch meat over the weekend, sipped some of FH’s wine a party on Saturday, ate some brie, sushi for lunch on Monday - I “need” to get froyo...some places won’t massage women in first trimester (I think just ‘cause of liability)

AFM, lining this AM was 8.4TL (after smooshing from progesterone - still enough) and blood work will confirm whether all is well.  We skipped adult tumbling last night to relax instead, and tonight I think I’m going to try a new Thai massage place in our ‘hood.  Tomorrow the plan is still to walk to breakfast with our dog (after DH runs her) before we head up to the clinic (40 miles from us) since procedure’s at 12:30pm and since I’m doing the on-site acu before and after, we don’t have to arrive till 11:30.  Going to take a Valium tonight before bed and the other one half an hour before transfer.  I’ll return to work on Friday for distraction, but Fridays are pretty chill around my office.  Trying to be optimistic, but my face and neck got weirdly itchy (anxiety?) starting Monday

Edit:  typos

kristimh80

@artemis618 Happy Transfer Eve!!! I'm excited for you! The Valium made me super tired...I think I slept all day. So hopefully it'll give you some good rest!

dragonette505

artemis618  yes, im sure that itchiness is totally anxiety! But sounds like you have a good plan! I feel like the best way to manage transfer anxiety is to keep myself mentally occupied. Yay that your lining got where it needs to be! I only get fat linings on off cycles (non medicated) so I'm totally anxious about that too! lol. I don't know if my current clinic gives valium, but how lovely to be able to literally take a chill pill ahead of it! 

artemis618

@kristimh80 Last time I swore I hardly felt the 10mg of Valium (just taken 30 min prior to procedure).  I didn’t even fall asleep during the pre-transfer acu (but managed to for the post-).  Since I figured I’ll be even more anxious this time, I asked my PA about taking one and a half (15mg) and she said no . But also last time the nurse who wheeled me out to the car told me that 1 (10mg) Valium wasn’t a lot, so who knows?  PA advised me I might have a little Valium “hangover” in the AM so hopefully that will help!  How much did you take?

@dragonette505 With my last FET (medicated) I was surprised at (and slightly concerned by) how much the progesterone “smooshed” it down.  But this natural cycle my lining was actually a touch thicker (11 vs 10 pre-progesterone) than on the Estrace.  Probably it varies from cycle to cycle like so many things do.  I’m surprised your clinic doesn’t (or you’re old one didn’t?) prescribe Valium for transfer.  Or maybe you’re just naturally more chill than the anxious mess that I am!

ndz2018

@artemis618 WHAAAAAAA NO MASSAGES??  Shoot, I have one scheduled for the 16th! Guess I’ll reschedule till I know What’s going on, huh? I’m gonna see if they have any cancellations this week too! I’ll see if my mom wants to go for sushi tomorrow she loves sushi and a big ole fat sub sounds perfect for dinner tonight lol! Happy Transfer Eve! 

@dragonette505  I think I’ll take a bath every night between now and next week just Incase! 

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821  Still think it’s a lil too soon! When is your beta again? I would Def give it a few more days.

dragonette505

@artemis618 I'm pretty high strung! But also a control freak, so im not sure how much it translates...lol The last place was very low meds as much as possible and more about the natural approach. I have no idea with this current clinic... they update meds a lot as you go along..lol

kristimh80

@artemis618 I have no clue...they just gave me a cup with it and was "here you go"! lol It made me relaxed during transfer, but I don't think it really kicked in fully until I got home. After I had lunch I was a zombie and passed out. Or it could be the lunch / McDonald's fries I told me husband I had to have because everyone claims it's "good luck" after transfer lol

tosh24

Wohoooo! So excited for you all who are quickly approaching your transfers!

Does anyone have a steroid in their FET protocol (Medrol, prednisone, etc.)? I'm fairly certain my clinic doesn't "believe" in immune issues wrt fertility, but since I have couple autoimmune disorders a steroid is something I'd like to try. Pretty sure my RE is going to say no but I'll ask anyway. For anyone who is on one,  is it your clinic's standard procedure or did they add it in for any specific reason? 

I also asked for valium for my second transfer since I experienced 3 days of fairly strong cramping after my first transfer. RE said no,  they don't like giving it for transfers since there's no evidence to support its use. I know with endo patients uterine cramping can be an issue and some REs will give valium to calm the ute down. Did anyone have to fight for valium or are all your REs just handing it out like candy????

On a related note,  I have a referral in to another clinic that is more progressive/experimental but they have a really long waitlist so I don't expect to get in until the summer. 

artemis618

@tosh24 Not quite like candy w/the Valium, but maybe a little.  I actually still had an extra one from when I was preparing for a day 3 transfer “just in case” (of low #s) with my last RE last year. No steroid on my protocol, but I wonder if it would have helped with my random itchiness...

Hopefully you won’t need that other clinic after the end of this month!

@dragonette505 Yeah, I’m pretty stressy.  IVF is pretty much the most neurotic way we can go about procreating.

dragonette505

tosh24 ive got celiacs and hashimotos... no one is putting me on steroids (though I kept strictly autoimmune protocol diet during IVF cycles) but I 'believe" the doxycycline that I'm on is meant to reduce systemic inflammation: "In addition to antimicrobial activity, tetracyclines have other indications on their hit list. Current data have shown that tetracyclines can suppress inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor proliferation.3-5 Their nonantimicrobial properties have made them the preferred agents for treating various noninfectious disease–related disease states—namely inflammation.3-5 However, tetracyclines’ true mechanism of action in treating inflammation is unclear." full article
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2016/may2016/tetracyclines-multitasking-fighters-of-inflammation
Its probably not as aggressive as steroids, but this is what my doc decided as opposed to something like intralipids

laurengon82

@tosh24 I got one Valium for my fresh transfer in January, and I’m going to get one this time for frozen transfer.  The nurse actually forgot to give the the written prescription today at my appointment so I’ll have to run in tomorrow to get it.

@dragonette505 when should we eat the pineapple again?

@ndz2018 are you getting excited or nervous for transfer?  

AFM, monitoring appointment this morning went well.  Tonight hitting a winery with a friend for dinner.  Can’t wait to have a couple glasses of Sangria!

dragonette505

laurengon82  lol.. start the pineapple on transfer day and for the next 5-7 days. I took my pineapple core and blended it down like a smoothie so it was easier to get down.

artemis618

@laurengon82 @dragonette505. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do the pineapple thing, but last FET (medicated) I started the day after I started progesterone (since the day I started progesterone was my “fake” ovulation day), and this cycle (natural) I started the pineapple consumption the day after I ovulated.  So more like a natural cycle, though probably more novel than anything.

dragonette505

artemis618 said:

@laurengon82 @dragonette505. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do the pineapple thing, but last FET (medicated) I started the day after I started progesterone (since the day I started progesterone was my “fake” ovulation day), and this cycle (natural) I started the pineapple consumption the day after I ovulated.  So more like a natural cycle, though probably more novel than anything.

True... you can actually do pineapple core for much longer (mostly ive seen the earliest ppl think its useful in an FET is about 2 days before)... I just wouldn't be able to bear more than 5 days! lol... its so bitter and acidic! Luckily I take a supplement with Bromelain (the main stuff in that core that helps with implantation) so really I'm just on the superstitious bus in taking the actual core! I just need tons of busy work!

smittenkitten123

I hope it's just too early...although today I am an emotional mess....probably cause iuts my birthday and I am a year older or the POAS messed with my head.  I got missed at everyone today...so now I am outside having a latte, All by myself! How sad is that! I just don't want to be Around anyone right now...including my husband!

smittenkitten123

Bump keeps deleting the rest of my post!

smittenkitten123

@artemis618, YEAH for transfer eve....so your progesterone was a 2 on ovulation day? My lining was 8.2cm, 4 days before transfer, so not so different from yours. 
I also took a valium (5mg) 2 hours before transfer and slept the rest of the day. 15mg seems like a lot, you don't want to be too lethargic...good luck tomorrow, fx for a sticky baby.

@dragonette505, the tetracycles sounds like a good idea...it's so good you are oon top of everything.
I wanted to try the a cupunture, but chickened out cause ii was still a little scarred from the IVF...it's great you fijnally get this show on the road.

@kristemh80 how are you feeling. I haven't had any cramps...just waiting for some sign...

dragonette505

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 I actually didn't at first know why the heck she had me on 3 antibiotics, but she said for inflammation so I did some research I still actually dislike being on so much antibiotics, but you gotta try and trust your docs... right? Awwww sucks that the HPT bummed you for your bday.... just remember it really IS way early!! Being by yourself right now will probably just drag you down more... if you can, I'd say "try" to enjoy your bday and give your body a little more time to do its thing!

tosh24

Hmmm, seems like most of you get the valium. I don't want to take more drugs than I need but I do worry about the cramping and, to be honest,  after the last 2 years I've had,  I'd be happy to have a valium-induced slumber for a day.....my anxiety has been through the roof lately. 

@dragonette505 Thanks for the info. Interesting using the antibiotic as an anti-inflammatory. I've already been on a (mostly) anti-inflammatory diet for the last 9 years (especially no gluten and  no dairy) but I just removed corn and all sugars as well two weeks ago. I've been really irritable, to say the least hahaha. I feel sorry for DH right now. 

@laurengon82 I take one pineapple and cut it into 5 equal circles. I eat one circle a day,  including the core section,  starting 2 days before transfer. I do it for about 7 days total,  so I go through about 1.5 pineapples.

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 Happy Birthday! FX it's just too early and you'll get a belated bday present in a couple of days! 

ndz2018

@tosh24 No Valium here either but I didn’t ask... HOWEVER that being said I do have A stash of Xanax in the medication cabinet if I get Nervous. 

@laurengon82 YES I’m both right now! Getting ready to do my 1cc of PIO in the morning!! What about you?

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOLL!! You are not out yet !! I say You grab your H or whoever you want go out with get your favorite dinner tonight and try ( I know How hard this is but try) to have a good time!! 

artemis618

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Sorry you’re feeling down - sometimes a little alone time can be good for me but you know what works best for you. P4 was 2 the morning AFTER I ovulated (they take anything >1 to indicate that you ovulated).  FYI, my progesterone this morning came back at 19.6 (started the Endometrin on Monday, but again I don’t think it really shows up in blood).  Try to enjoy your special day - even a breath or a minute at a time!

ndz2018

DUHH Just thought of one more thing I am Doing before transfer... MY HAIR!!  Highlights tomorrow afternoon!! 

J1006

Man you ladies are hard to keep up with hahaha. 

@tosh24. My doctor prescribed me antibiotics and a steroid. That is just her protocol. 

I also wasn’t prescribed Valium for my transfer nor has anyone at my office mentioned it. However for my ER the nurse was like take this. It’s Valium. I have to drive myself home from transfer so I would have to decline it anyway. I have been surprisingly calm throughout this. I was shocked I wasn’t panicking on the way to my ER haha. 

@smittenkitten_aka_knottie821. It’s really early!  I wouldn’t get discouraged. Happy Birthday!