July 2018 FET

leilee101

@drove2u it ain’t over until it’s over, but I’m sorry you aren’t feeling good about this FET. Taking time to figure things out and process with a therapist was a lifesaver for us in the past. We are using donor sperm, so if you ever want to PM me I would be more than happy to share my experiences with you. It was a really tough road to get to that decision, and for us it was certainly a last resort - but of course that is a very personal decision that is very unique to both persons and situations. Praying for you, and that this Friday brings surprising and wonderful news.

@megmac2010 and @madasm0530 linings looks great!! Congrats and good luck on transfers, I will be stalking August board and rooting for you both!

Drove2u

@leilee101 I think you meant to tag someone else. :-)

kristimh80

@ChristenMA83 Awe I really hope things can / will turn around for you before beta time! Taking time off will probably do wonders for you and your husband. We did that last year and it was a refreshing break and was able to go into things again with a clear mindset. Would you consider PGS testing next time? I know you've been able to get pregnant before, I just wonder if it could help or if some more testing could help on the immune side of things. Still have my FX for you!! 

@megmac2010 @madasm0530 Great news!! Looking forward to following your journey's! I have too many friends on the Aug board...so will be lurking a lot!  

@lizy181 You're so prepared! I'm over here trying to remember to take my estrogen on time and haven't even thought that far  Have a feeling, I'll cut my work hours or just work part time when the day comes. I'm praying my mom has moved to town by then for p/t help so I can go into the office for adult interaction. lol

ChristenMA83

@leilee101 thanks for the note.  I might hit you up for more information on the donor experience if we decide to go that path.

@kristimh80 Absolutely on PGS testing.  My plan was another round of IVF with ICSI and PGS testing and HGH to give my eggs a little more of a boost since our retrieval numbers for round one were a little lower than expected....If that didn't all work we would move to donor embryos b/c DH was never ok with just donor sperm.
(More in Spoiler just to cut down on length)

DH dropped the donor bomb last night because he feels like it's all his fault I'm having to go through so much (his words, not mine, and this was out of the blue - I think the shots and stuff are harder on him than me).  Five years ago when we couldn't afford IVF I would have been happy to pursue this path, but he didn't want to consider a donor and I totally understood.  Now he says he's comfortable with it because he knows we tried with IVF and maybe it's best.  I think I'd rather do another round of IVF and then resort to a donor if needed.  
We'll consult with our RE about it and probably meet with a counselor.  We could likely do IUI with donor sperm which would cut down not only on meds but also costs, which I think is another thing DH is considering.  This came a day after he saw my savings plan for the November cycle and I think he's dreaming of all the other things we could do with that money.

kristimh80

@ChristenMA83 Oh good! I always found having a plan for the future makes everything better somehow. I'm glad you DH is starting to become open about alternative methods, though I hate hearing he's blaming himself. Hopefully, your doctor for your next round can change things up so can have more embryos to work with. If it is mainly a sperm issue, I'd totally try another IUI in the meantime. If you can get pregnant that way and avoid  the IVF costs...that would be amazing! 

becca07024411

@Momifbysea I am so sorry for your bad news.  I know how it feels to have come this far just for it not to work, and then you start to wonder if it will ever work.  Take time away if you need and this board will be here to support you when you need it and I hope you are able to move forward with a plan you are comfortable with for you remaining embryo.

@ChristenMA83 I’m hate to hear your tests are negative now.  Dealing with MFI ourselves, I know how difficult it is to think of having to move on to donor sperm and much like your husband, it was something my husband was not ready to talk about when we started IVF and fortunately haven’t had to move on to yet.  It sounds like you do have options right now, so that is a good thing.  Depending on the amount of eggs retrieved, I have heard of people fertilizing only a portion of their eggs with donor sperm as a backup.  It sounds like talking to a counselor would be a helpful thing.

@megmac2010 @madasm0530 So exciting to have a date now!  If everything goes well on Friday I should be 8/2 with you guys, but I think I just may stay here if that is okay.  I believe @amy8686 and @suziev3 have appointments today and should hopefully be transferring around the same time!  It will be a busy week!

ChristenMA83

@kristimh80 I try to always have 2-3 plan B's lined up so I know where I'm going next   Our diagnosis is male factor.  While DH's count and motility are at the low end of normal, his morphology is 1% + very high DNA fragmentation...so IUI isn't a really good option for us, current RE isn't sure why the last RE we worked with even recommended it in 2012 when we did two rounds of IUI.  Our only viable option for IUI is with donor sperm.

Chrysalis7

@Momifbysea - I am so sorry to hear your results.  This is all hard enough, but having your clinic in another state adds an even greater demand.  My heart goes out to you.

@ChristenMA83 - I know it must be disappointing to see a second line and then have it fade.  I think it is good to protect yourself, but I am not counting you out yet.

@megmac2010 - Glad to hear your lining is ready although WOW, that is a long time to wait!

@madasm0530 - Congrats on your lining check!

kristimh80

@ChristenMA83 Makes sense! IUI's did nothing for us either obviously lol I always wish I had gone straight into IVF, but was stubborn and didn't think I had an issue. 

Chrysalis7

suziev3 - How was your lining check today?

I had my transfer today and I am happy to share that it was very uneventful.  The only story I can come up with is that I got an awesome parking spot.  Which is kinda a big deal, because my clinic is at a huge hospital and it usually takes forever to find a parking spot.  Oh and I asked my nurse to check my circles for PIO shots and she said that she would've drawn them a little higher (which is what I was hoping to hear) which she did!  So hopefully that will be going more smoothly.

Last night something kinda cool happened.  I was anticipating my transfer today and started feeling like I wasn't doing enough so I decided to try the pineapple core and mentioned to DH that I would stop at the store before transfer and pick up a pineapple.  His response was that he had pineapple core in the freezer already!  I was like what?!?  Who just happens to have pineapple core in the freezer?  Well, we had bought a pineapple a few months ago that we never used and so DH peeled and froze the whole inside including the core and I was just in shock.  On top of it all, he mentioned to me that pineapple core has bromelain and I sat there with my jaw gaping open and said, "That is the very component I am eating it for."  Who the heck just knows off the top of their head that pineapple core has bromelain.  DH earned a tremendous amount of brownie points last night.

tinjp78

@Momifbysea I'm so sorry... please know that I have felt your pain and sorrow. I know how much you wanted this, and hope and pray that, in time, you're able to grow your family the way you want. Sending uplifting thoughts your way. (((Hugs)))

@ChristenMA83 I'm sorry that your hpt is making you feel sad. I really do hope that your beta will tell a different story. But I like what you said in your last post that you have 2-3 plan B's lined up so you know where you're going next. I think that that practice is wonderful... I suck at making plans, the only plans I make now are meal plans (for the week). What I'm trying to say is that your attitude encourage me and I'd try to make myself those plans as well. Also,your plan to talk to a counselor is a good idea. 

@megmac2010 and @madasm0530 Congratulations on the wonderful lining results and for you schedules to transfer. 

kristimh80

@Chrysalis7 Happy Transfer Day!! I did the pineapple core this time for the heck of it! Ended up chopping it up in small pieces and doing shots of it for 5 days. It felt like I was chewing bark...so was the only solution! lol

amy8686

@ChristenMA83 - What a rollercoaster, to see a line and then see it go away. Let's hope it returns, but it sounds like you have some good options ahead of you. I understand your husband having a change of heart once the reality of the situation set in. We think we know what Plan B will be, and what it won't be, until that time actually comes. I've been there a few times during this whole journey! In any event, definitely see a counselor together. We did that recently and it helped us a lot. 

AFM, my lining check today went well, so I'm track for an 8/1 transfer. The decision that this is my last round makes everything much more tolerable. Like, tonight I did my LAST Lupron shot. No more Lupron ever again. That was worth a celebration. It might even be my last subcutaneous injection ever, but I can't say that with confidence (I know that my dad had to do some with chemo). And I imagine today wasn't my last ever transvaginal ultrasound, but at least it was my last one for a routine fertility-related scan. 

I'll leave you all with this little bit of hope: A friend of mine who has been unsuccessfully doing fertility treatments since 2011 is now 8 weeks pregnant with identical twins (she transferred a single donated embryo). I don't know where she found the drive to continue trying for this long, but it appears that her time has finally come. It's a good reminder that if we persist for long enough, and perhaps with some modifications along the way, it's likely that we'll eventually be successful.

suziev3

@amy8686 Yay!  I transfer 8/1 as well!  I have also made the decision that I won't ever do IVF retrieval again. I have done it twice and I these 3 lovely embryos to work with and that is going to be that.  I do feel relieved to have put those injection days behind me. 
@Chrysalis7 Congrats on your transfer.  Uneventful is good in the world of FET.
My lining check went as well as it can, which is a 6.5.  So I am starting endometrin tomorrow AM!  Which is yay but also ew. 
@ChristenMA83 I'm sorry your hpt doesn't have a line anymore. It is possible to have a couple of days of fluctuation on those HPTs when the HCG is still low, so I hope you have a beta surprise.   I think its great that you are going to seek counselor and take some time to figure out what you are both comfortable with.  
@megmac2010 @madasm0530 Congrats on your lining check.  So many lining checks today.  I'll see you over on the August board! I never tried viagra.  Hopefully, I wont need to go again but if I do I'll ask my dr about it.  
Slightly envious of all these thick linings, I must admit.  

Question-  After transfer do your doctors have you on bedrest, house arrest, no rest etc?  And for how long? My Dr says 48hr house arrest.  Of course I will take transfer day off, but can I go to work and do a desk job the following day?  Thoughts?

kristimh80

@amy8686 Good hearing your lining check went well! I love your positive attitude! That's so neat about your friend, what a blessing. I know they say the odds of an embryo splitting is so low, so that's really cool!

@suziev3 My dr said bedrest the day of transfer, then light activity the til beta. I actually took the whole week off of transfer this time and really much relaxed as much as possible! A couple days after, I went out with my mom to do some things, but was very conscious and aware to take it easy and sit whenever I could. When is your transfer? 

leilee101

@Chrysalis7 woohoooo.. Welcome to the TWW! I love that little bit of hope you left, I agree - we have all made the decision that this is something we very badly want, so it WILL happen. WHEN is a whole other story ..

@suziev3 congrats on the go ahead! I will be stalking you on August board for sure. My doctor gives no real restrictions, just "take it easy" and no heavy lifting or intercourse for a few days. After my fresh transfer, I went for a long walk after around our lake - which in hindsight was maybe not the best idea and that cycle was BFN. This past FET, I just laid around the house all day, stayed warm, ate some soup. I think that really helped (even if just mentally)

Beta drawn, now I wait... 

bpietronicco

Congrats everyone! I was out of town for a few days and had to catch up. like you @Drove2u I have a hard time keeping up.

@Momifbysea so sorry to hear. ((Hugs))

AFM- I start lupron on the 29th for my FET cycle. I am on oral estrogen and oral progesterone until the 31st.   I am still waiting for my results of my ERA.  Right now my FET is scheduled for the 27th of August. 

leilee101

beta results in spoiler..

222

I return monday for a repeat. Thank you all so much for your support through this crazy journey! I don't think I could have made it this far without all you lovely ladies

kristimh80

@leilee101 YAY!!! So excited for you!!  

@bpietronicco Exciting! Hope your ERA come back with some answers for you. Looking forward to lurking on the August board next month

Chrysalis7

@kristimh80 - Yeah the pineapple core sounded pretty unappetizing, but I sliced the pineapple 

(with the core and flesh) and eat one slice a day.  I also cut up each slice so I only get a little

core with each bite so it is surprisingly tolerable!  

@amy8686 - Congrats on a good lining check and your last Lupron shot!    

@suziev3 - Glad to hear your lining check went well!  My instructions for after transfer is light activity at home the day of and then no activity restrictions after that.  I am going to continue to follow a relatively light activity restriction for the next few days of my own accord.  I would think a desk job should be no problem.  I read somewhere that the best course is the one with the least amount of stress.  

@leilee101 - Congratulations!!!

lizy181

Beta done this morning!

Results in spoiler!

192!

kristimh80

@lizy181 Doing the happy dance for you!!!

@Chrysalis7 Oh also, make sure to eat the core itself 1st thing in the morning on an empty stomach or the bromelian just acts as a digestive aid.  

ChristenMA83

@lizy181 woohoo!  Super happy for you!

amy8686

@lizy181 and @leilee101 - Yayyyyyy! Congrats! So exciting.

@suziev3 - My doctor's advice was similar to what others have said. No real restrictions other than heavy lifting. He said that it makes a lot of people feel better to relax during that time, but the science has shown that it doesn't make a difference, so do what will make you feel best.

tinjp78

@leilee101 and @lizy181 Wonderful first betas!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!

@amy8686  Thanks for sharing the story about your friend. It sure made me think and check myself on how I'm doing with the persistence and patience department. Your friend's story is very encouraging and I'm very happy to know that she is almost there and ready to hold her babies.

@Chrysalis7 Happy PUPO!!! YH truly deserves those brownie points. I'm glad you got to discover something new about him (and the frozen pineapple). Moments and simple discoveries like this make marriages more interesting and fun. GL with the TWW! Oh and btw, I think it's only the pineapple core that should be eaten during this point on IVF and not the fruity/sweet part? I read it somewhere but not so certain now. I'll see what dr. Google says about this.

@suziev3 Yay for the transfer schedule!!! I'm also going to be stalking the August FET board to cheer you on

@bpietronicco  Fx on the ERA results. Keep us posted.

kristimh80

@tinjp78 Good to see you around Hope everything is getting a little better for you And you're right, I also read only the core should be eaten...I also can't remember why, but the core on an empty stomach. 

lizy181

Thank you to all! @leilee101 congrats on your beta! So excited for you!

mayflower513

You’re only supposed to eat the core Bc the rest has too much acid I believe.  

suziev3

@lizy181 and @leilee101   Woohoo! Congrats.  Keep it up! 

Now that I am on 2 boards its hard to keep up but I will try to check in over here to see all of your updates. 

bebesparrow

@leilee101 @lizy181 Congratulations!  Excited  

@suziev3 My doctor told me to take it easy the day of transfer and resume all activity the next day.  I went to work a 12 hour night shift the day after my transfer.  My doc was against me going to the gym, just recommended walking, no strenuous physical activity (even though I get my work out from work lol).  Got my first positive beta last week. Good luck!

@ChristenMA83 I'm so sorry that you are going through this. We are here for you if you ever need anything.  

kristimh80

@ChristenMA83 Sending happy thoughts your way....I hope today ends up being a great day

@becca07024411 FX for a great lining check today! Less than a week to go

kimberlyshae

Hi ladies,  May I join your group?  I just had my FET transfer on July 19th and I have my first beta on Monday (30th).  We have been trying for 5 years and this is our 3rd FET.  Trying not to stress

kristimh80

@kimberlyshae Welcome!! And best of luck to you! Hopefully your TWW is going well! Here's a link to the July FET Spreadsheet if you'd like to add yourself and catch up on the board  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PqHtrytUaRN_XJDNAG7vQ-zNLqSHCw6Rw3E03BVzB6E/edit#gid=1692034548

Chrysalis7

@kristimh80 and @tinjp78 - Thank you so much for the advice on the pineapple core.  I hadn't read 

those tips so I am glad you mentioned them!

@lizy181 - Congrats!

@kimberlyshae - Welcome!  We can go crazy together during the TWW since I think as of today 

everyone else has had their first betas.

ChristenMA83

Swooping in with a quick update.  HCG was <2 so FET failed .

We have an appointment with the RE on the 9th ti discuss next steps, but we are definitely taking time away from treatments until the November timeframe.

becca07024411

@leilee101 @lizy181 yay, so excited for more people moving on with good results!

becca07024411

@ChristenMA83 I'm sorry about your results, even if you were expecting it. It sounds like you are headed the right direction with several plan B's lined up.

becca07024411

@kristimh80 thank you, lining was almost 11mm, so we are good to go for 8/2! 

kimberlyshae

@kristimh80 Thank you! I added my info. Hopefully it saved it! 

The 2ww was going great until I found out yesterday that my brother and his new wife of 3 months are expecting. That news made me extremely emotional to the point where I had to leave work early.  DH and I have been trying for 5 years. I'm happy for them of course but still... it's not fair. 


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PqHtrytUaRN_XJDNAG7vQ-zNLqSHCw6Rw3E03BVzB6E/edit?usp=drivesdk

kristimh80

@ChristenMA83 I'm so sorry! I know you mentioned you didn't think it had worked, but still had faith it could turn around for you. I hope your doctor will give you several options for November. Always here if you need anything!! 

@becca07024411 Great to hear! It'll be here before you know it!