May 19 IVF

PoeMasque

@prepfamily i saw you tried to start a May IVF group, but the title is going to be misleading, so I’m starting this one. There are a few of us lurking in April, but who won’t start stims till May ( @inthewoods23 I think is one)

inthewoods23

Yep! I'm here! AF is due in about a week for me so I'm tentatively here for conversation 🙂 unless by some miracle we conceive this last natural cycle.

I think my ER is going to be sometime mid May when considering 3 weeks of BC and 10-12 days of stims.

Looking forward to this ride with everyone!

PoeMasque

I’ll do a quick intro: I will be 39 in April, my DH is 34. *TW* we have a 16 month old from our first IVF cycle in March of 2017 *end TW* but had no left over embryos, so - after 6 months of letrozole with zero luck - we are back to IVF to try for just one more kiddo. 

I will start BCP as soon as AF comes (likely in two weeks), have a mock transfer and saline US on 4/29, then baseline scan 5/6, and stims 5/7. 

Based on our previous IVF cycle, we thought I might have DOR (low AFC of 12 and only 7 mature eggs at ER), but now the RE thinks it was just an off cycle because my AFC two weeks ago was 17, which I guess is much better. Hoping that’s the case!

caitiemae

Hi ladies!  Just got AF and my calendar and it looks like I'll be starting stims late April with a mid May embryo transfer!  Just a little bit about myself- this will be my 2nd IVF cycle.  *Tw* I have a 2 1/2 yo daughter from my first IVF cycle and ended up with a m/c after an FET this summer *end tw*.  Our diagnosis is male infertility.  My husband cystic fibrosis and was born without vas deferens.  Hoping May is a very lucky month for all of us!  

inthewoods23

Hi @caitiemae! Welcome! We'll probably have retrievals very close to one another as it looks like AF is due for me on Monday 🙂. I take it you are having a fresh transfer? My clinic only does FETs. While that delays us in getting PG, the timing actually works out better for us to have a transfer in June or July. GL!

caitiemae

@PoeMasque yay for higher AFC count!  I was pretty surprised and had a higher one this time.  At 27, they saw 16.  4 years later and I'm at 20!  Hoping it means just one round of IVF is all we'll need to get pregnant!  

PoeMasque

@caitiemae 20 is great! Last time we had 21 the day before starting stims, 10 at retrieval, and ended up with just the two good embryos at transfer, so I’m still a little hesitant to be too excited. I assume you will do testing for CF carriers before transfer? Is the absent vas deferens your husband’s only CF symptom? 

dreamunoz

Hi all, I’m expected to have a May 2019 fresh donor egg transfer if timeline works out right...

a little about me...I am 36 years old and will be embarking on our second egg donor cycle. The next part will be full of *** TW***In 2011 I had my ovaries removed while 7 weeks pregnant with my now awesome 7 year old son. He ha sbegged for a sibling for awhile and my husband and I started the donor egg process last year. We were matched with a donor and ended up with 3 embryos. 1st and 2nd transfer resulted in chemicals and 3rd did not survive the thaw to be transferred. ***end TW*** We desperately want to grow our family and have now been matched with another donor. Who will likely begin the egg retrieval process in the coming weeks. Other than me not having my ovaries, i have no other fertility issues. I am so nervous to go through this again, but am so excited to be walking this journey with all you. 

caitiemae

@PoeMasque yes, I had the most thorough CF screening available before our first IVF, along with the screening offered by my clinic.  After a false positive on my daughter's newborn screening for metabolic disorder, we went through a whole lot more genetic testing. Turns out I'm a carrier for a couple of nasty genetic diseases, but luckily my husband isn't a carrrier for anything other than CF.  My husband was diagnosed at birth and has all the typical CF symptoms but luckily he's in pretty good health and stays out of the hospital except for some occasional IV antibiotics and some CF related GI issues.  

inthewoods23

@dreamunoz welcome! Hope you are successful in expanding your family!

I've had a giant temp drop on my BBT this morning so I will definitely be going through IVF! AF is expected tomorrow.

caitiemae

@dreamunoz welcome!  Any update on when your donor is starting? Hopefully this cycle will be the one!

inthewoods23

Funny story guys, my BBT temp went back up this morning so who knows with AF 🤷 lol.

I happen to find an expired internet cheapie and it was a definite no so AF must show up at some point. I went back in FF and found that my LP is more towards 13-15 days vs the usual 12-13 I thought I had. So maybe she's really just due tomorrow. We'll see!

caitiemae

@inthewoods23 hopefully AF hurries up!  I usually have regular cycles, but of course she decided to be 9 days late the one time I'm anxious to get her and get my IVF calendar.  I just saw your previous post.  I'm assuming I'll be doing a fresh transfer, although I didn't discuss it much with my doctor. I'm at a new clinic since we've moved cross country and the only thing different he mentioned was not using lupron prior to my cycle.  I initially assumed everything would be similar, but I'm learning that protocols vary a lot by each clinic . 

dreamunoz

@caitiemae not yet but should get the schedule soon. I’m thinking definitely May for the transfer but no idea when the donor will start meds to give a better idea of when my transfer will be. I’m anxious to get a date just because I hate the not knowing!!

PoeMasque

Just ordered all my meds! Thankfully PIO and trigger were covered by insurance, the rest we ordered from overseas for $2,200. Knowing what others pay, it felt like a super deal, even though DH and I both cringed at the bill. 

Anyone else taking antibiotics prior to starting stims? I’m on day 3 of 7 of doxycycline and am constantly nauseous (kind of cruel actually, it’s like I have morning sickness). AF is due in 5 or 6 days. Feels like this part is dragging on forever! 

inthewoods23

@PoeMasque how did you find the cheapest deal on your meds? I doubt my insurance covers any of it (my trigger shots for IUI did not appear to be covered) and since the meds are the most expensive part I would love to be able to make less of a dent in our funds.

Also, I finally got the big drop in my BBT this morning so AF should be around soon to start the process 🙂

caitiemae

@inthewoods23 this Reddit thread has some good info.  Apparently you can get smaller vials/pens and there's enough overfill to get some extra dosages out of the.  Also, check out to see if there's an I fertility support group for your clinic or general area on FB.  I'm a part of one and people will often donate extra meds.  

dreamunoz

So we got an approximate schedule based on the egg donors last period. It looks like donor egg retrieval will be around 5/6 with transfer around 5/11 give or take a few days depending on when donor gets her period. I am feeling very nervous/anxious going into this one given the heartache from our last egg donor not producing a child. I feel at this point i have PTSD from dealing with all the PIO injections and crazy hormone emotions last time around. 

inthewoods23

@caitiemae I don't see a like but I'm on mobile so maybe it's just not showing for me?

@dreamunoz I hope you get a much better result this time around! Take it one day at a time 🙂

caitiemae

@inthewoods23 whoops, yeah, I might have forgotten to paste it haha

https://www.reddit.com/r/infertility/comments/9bjjfa/best_pharmacy_for_ivf_meds/

inthewoods23

@caitiemae thank you! I will definitely have to ask my clinic if I can choose any pharmacy. I know there are 2 that they recommend or typically use, but maybe they'll send the prescription to any place I'd like.

My triggers for IUI have been through Schrafts 2.0 and they have videos on their website of how to give yourself the injections which is really nice!

inthewoods23

Alright ladies, I'm officially on the IVF journey. AF finally showed up at 3pm. I go in tomorrow morning for lab work and for my calendar 🙂

dreamunoz

@inthewoods23 yayyyyy!!!! This is exciting. I always feel so much better once I have an idea of dates and what the schedule looks like. Super excited for u!

PoeMasque

@inthewoods23 we ordered our meds from IVFPharmacy.com. Our RE places the order for us and we complete it with payment (cash only - via bank transfer or ACH), but there’s an option to place an order and have it approved by your doctor. The PIO and trigger shot were ordered via Walgreens specialty pharmacy, again our office placed that order. 

inthewoods23

Darn it, my expectation of the calendar was wrong. I'll actually be taking BCP this month and next month due to their down period. FET will still be in July, but my IVF is actually going to be mid June. I'll still hang around here for a little bit before getting a June IVF board going.

dreamunoz

@inthewoods23 sorry to hear there is a delay, totally sucks. I’m sure no one minds if you hang around as long as you want to. We are all stilL on the same journey regardless of when exactly it takes place😀😀😀

PoeMasque

AF started on Saturday, so now I am on BCPs for the next 17 days, then a small break before stims on the 7th! I definitely feel like this time around is easier so far, I remember the wait being torture the first time we did IVF, now I’m actually glad we still have some time before things get crazy. 

Really anxious for the baseline US on the 29th though and worried we won’t see as many follicles in waiting as we did last time. 

dreamunoz

@PoeMasque so exciting! I know what you mean about the wait not seeming so bad this time around. For my first go around, the days waiting seemed to drag. I am much calmer now. We are waiting for the donor to get AF which is expected around the 24th so she can start her medications. I am anxious and excited but it’s different from last time. The last go around every single thought was preoccupied with the process, now although still on my mind, it is not consuming me which is nice! 

clover321

Hi everyone! We're looking at a likely May retrieval cycle so wanted to say hi to all of you. I just had my AFC and AMH checked (22 and 1.79) and will have a sonohysterogram tomorrow. DH will have his SA this week also. This isn't our first time (history below under TW) so I kind of know what to expect, but the nerves and stress are definitely starting to creep up on me. If all stays on track, I should get next AF on May 14 and start letrozole and stims (no downregulation as I have a Lupron allergy). Happy to have this group to go through it with!



***TW - previous child, MC***

DH and I are both 37 and did our first IVF cycle at 34 after a spontaneous pregnancy resulting in 9 week miscarriage followed by 1.5 years of infertility and 2 failed IUI. Fresh transfer failed, then transferred 2 blasts in a FET and had my son plus a blighted ovum. 2 more not great blasts were frozen (no PGS testing) which we transferred this year and both failed.

1berettam

Hi everyone... I've been lurking the IVF threads for a few weeks and feel it is time to introduce myself.  

I am 31 and my DH is 33.  We have been TTC since July 2017 and started our journey with our RE about a year ago.  I have been diagnosed with PCOS and have been taking Letrozole since September 2018.  DH is taking a surplus of vitamins because his counts are all over the place, but not a major concern.  I responded very well to the medication in my last two months because of an increase in the dose.  Unfortunately, our three IUIs (January, February & March) all ended with a BFN and a lot of emotional stress.  After my last BFN, I decided to take the month off from the entire process - letrozole, monitoring, trigger shot, progesterone - and called the doc to set up my IVF Consultation.  The earliest they could get me in was June (instant tears), so I'll be lurking and asking questions until my time comes.  

Best wishes for all!

inthewoods23

@clabaughk22 I took break between our failed IUIs and our IVF (although we have a 2nd month break due to their down period so no retrieval in May). It's been so good to not have to worry about things.

caitiemae

@PoeMasque hoping your baseline goes great this weekend!

@clover28 and @clabaughk22 welcome to the group!

I had my pre stim check and everything looks great.  Stims start on Sunday!!  Right now, I'm just trying to work out the logistics of my retrieval.  My husband will be having a sperm retrieval in the same building the same day as my egg retrieval.  My clinic, however, doesn't allow you to use Uber to leave your procedure.  You have to have someone waiting for your throughout your procedure to drive you home.  Unfortunately, our families live out of state and my mom won't be able to fly out since it's her last week teaching school.  I'm going to call and awkwardly ask my in-laws if they can drive 8 hours to be our ride and watch babysit our daughter.  

lemondrop1976

It's been awhile since I have posted updates, but I'm about to start stims tomorrow for IVF Round#3 and get through it better with following the rest of the gang.

Summary: TTC since 2015, Botched Tubal Reversal 2015, IVF May 2016-no embryos to transfer, Successful Tubal Reversal Aug 2016, IUI's etc 2015-2018...
Purchased a 4cycle IVF pkg in NY: #1 June 2018- 3 embryos no implantation, #2 August 2018- 3 embryos no implantation, took a break before #3 and became pregnant naturally in October 2018, miscarried Dec 2018....starting round #3 at age 42

PoeMasque

Welcome everyone! I’m excited to hear updates as all the cycles get going  

@caitiemae ask your insurance or the clinic about medical transport. I think the worry with Uber/cab is that no one makes sure you get into your home safely. Medical transport can walk you in. 

AFM - I realized my baseline isn’t until May 6, it’s a saline sonogram next week (similar to a HSG??). Not as exciting. But that’s ok because we just found out the offer we put on a home was accepted, so now we have to sell our current home, move into the new home, and do IVF all at the same time!! Not sure we are going to make it through with our sanity! 

inthewoods23

@PoeMasque oh my, good luck! Going to be a very busy time for you! Sometimes I find being so booked with things in my life I end up handling it very well and getting through it like a pro. Hope it all goes well for you!

caitiemae

@lemondrop1976 welcome!  Hoping third time's a charm!

@PoeMasque so exciting!  Buying a house is always stressful, but maybe it'll be a good distraction and make the eventual 2WW go by a lot faster. 

I hadn't thought of checking insurance about covering medical transportation.  We ended up buying a flight for my MIL to come visit and help out the week of the retrieval.  Our plan was to have her drop us off and then hang out at a park or restaurant while she watches our 2 yo, but apparently she needs to be in the building the whole time.  The nurse said it'd be 3-4 hours which I'm hoping is a huge overestimate.  Good news is that a friend's gf is studying for board exams and is free on weekdays to drive and wait for us.  My MIL will just be our babysitter I guess.  A very expensive one for the price we paid for her flight, but I guess it's nothing compared to all the other IVF costs.  I thought having our retrievals done by the same clinic would make this easier, but I guess not!

clover321

@PoeMasque I just had a saline sonogram and it was fine, other than having my cervix cannulated which is always bad for me regardless of procedure. Once the thin tube was in, the rest was no problem! Also, we were in the same situation back in 2015 of doing IVF in May while closing on a house in June and moving in July! Crazy times but we got through it.

AFM, all our testing is done and insurance authorization submitted as of last week. I have my followup with RE on May 7th and if all goes well, will start stims around May 14th when my next period comes with retrieval probably sometime the week of Memorial Day. Our protocol doesn't have any downregulation so it's pretty short overall! If we get any blasts, plan is PGS and freeze all.

penelope4612

*TW - living child*

Hi all, I'm new on this board.  I'm 36 and DH is 34.  Dx is male factor infertility, although due to DH being on medications that we are not supposed to conceive on.  We are using frozen sperm that he "donated" prior to starting meds.  We had our son 2.5 years ago and have not tried to "naturally" conceive since then so I don't actually know if there may be other factors contributing to infertility or not.  All of my labs/workup was "normal" for someone of my age but we haven't had much luck yet so I don't know...

We have done 3 medicated IUI cycles with no success.  I am now in the middle of a stim cycle for IVF.  We will do a fresh transfer and freeze any other potentially viable embryos.  I am on day 7, on Gonal F and Menopur, will start Cetrotide tomorrow.  Only one 12mm and one 10mm on ultrasound this morning, so I'm feeling a little bummed.  There were "many smalls" but I don't know how many will catch up.  They told me they would trigger me when they had at least 3 eggs 16mm or greater.  Hoping I'll get more than 3 eggs!

PoeMasque

@clover321 I used to have a “stenotic cervix”, so I feel you on the pain getting past that! Thankfully it’s not bad anymore and the saline sonogram was a breeze! I felt nothing! 

The RE said everything looks great! I took my last BCP this morning and get a brief break from meds until baseline on Monday. I definitely recommend being busy during this process, I feel like it’s flying by, not at all how I felt last time. 

@penelope4612 I think I only had 2 or 3 “measurable” follicles at day 5 last time and at my US the day before retrieval there were 10 (we got 8 eggs, 7 were mature), so there’s still time for those little ones to grow! 

lemondrop1976

Thank you @caitiemae!

@penelope4612 I'm on day 7 of stims as well. So far I have 7 follicles, but only 4 are of decent size. I'm older so I'll take what I can get. Quality over quantity, Good Luck!

penelope4612

@lemondrop1976 good luck to you too!  

@PoeMasque thanks for sharing your story.  Glad to know there’s still a chance for me.  Good luck with your cycle!