New Here, Waiting to Resume DE Cycle

laurelew

Hi ladies!  I have been lurking for a week or two and wanted to introduce myself.  

My husband and I have been TTC for approx 2 years now. I am 35 and my husband is 36. This would be our first pregnancy/baby.

Our first fertility appt was in early Nov 2018. We thought the problem might just be on his end but after testing, my numbers were just below where they should have been. We have done approx 4-5 IUIs and tried one IVF cycle but I did not have enough mature eggs for us to move forward with the retrieval so we converted that cycle to an IUI. None of those treatments succeeded in a BFP and meanwhile my numbers (AMH/FSH) continued to move in the wrong direction.

After a short break from trying we made the decision in December 2019 to move forward with an egg donor. My clinic recruits all of the donors and coordinates their care. We had an option of selecting to obtain 10 eggs or all of the eggs. We opted for all of the eggs.

Donor's egg retrieval was in February. 23 eggs were retrieved and after PGS found out we had 5 good embryos: one female and 4 male. 

We had the first embryo transfer on March 17. We opted to transfer the female embryo first. Unfortunately the beta was negative.  This unsuccessful transfer was really hard for me because all of my life I had pictured myself with a daughter and now that seems next to impossible.  It's also been a rough couple of years for me in other ways, including losing my mom to brain cancer back on January 24 of this year.

Our clinic is currently hoping to start treatment again on May 1st.  The RE would like to do an ERA cycle before we try another FET.  Depending on when my cycle begins, the ERA could be in May with a possible FET in June, or it could be ERA in June with an FET in July.  For the most part I've tried to be very accepting of the challenges we have faced and the need to use donor eggs.  I have no idea what I'll do if it turns out I have problems with implantation as well.

I look forward to joining the low AMH discussion and cheering everyone on.  

lucyb1954

Welcome! There will be several of us doing DE FETs soonish. I’m doing one in June and there’s a couple of others on the low AMH board who will as well. I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage and your moms death❤️ It sounds like you have had a rough year. I think you’ll find us a good bunch to get support from, and a lot of us have likewise really been through the wringer with this and have lots of advice to offer. Have you been tested for autoimmune issues?

laurelew

@lucyb1954 Thank you for the welcome!  I have not been tested for autoimmune issues.  I know that they are going to be looking at a few things during the ERA including whether my uterine lining might be inflamed.  I know that a lot of women who pursue DE who aren't successful with the first transfer have better success with the second so I'm continuing to stay positive and hopeful for now. 

laurad75

Welcome!  I too am looking forward to a FET with a DE embryo.  My first transfer in Dec 2017 was successful and resulted in my little boy who is almost 20 months.  We transferred a 2nd embryo last Nov but sadly MC at 9 weeks.  My clinic is doing very specific treatments right now including FET's so I think I will be able to start meds next week for hopefully a transfer at the end of the month or beginning of next month.  

laurelew

@laurad75 I'm so sorry to hear about your MC.  That's wonderful that you may be able to start meds again so soon!  I will be keeping my FX for you for your upcoming transfer.

JamieH2000

Wow, you have been through a lot! We have gone the donor egg path too, so def join us on the low AMh thread!

my journey is just long to type, so if you are interested, here is our story. ERA was the KEY to our success after a failed DE transfer!! There is so much reason to have hope.

https://youtu.be/twhJTtl2vIw

laurelew

@JamieH2000 That's very encouraging to hear.  It's been a roller coaster of emotions but I'm feeling very hopeful at the moment.

andreamm31

Hi @laurelew. Im also one of the girls over on the low AMH thread who is also pursuing DE.  Im so sorry you have had such a hard time with so many sad and heartbreaking losses including your mother.  My heart goes out to you.  I am also pursuing DE and my Donors retrieval was right around the same time as yours, but we did ours in Prague.  We only got 2 embryos... and they were not PGS tested. The first transfer failed and now we cant go back for the next transfer as Czech closed their borders.  So Im in the same boat, but my next transfer may not be till the summer or fall with how bad our numbers are here in the states....czech will likely not allow Americans in to their country for quite some time.  Its a frustrating process for sure and it definetly teaches us to let go of control and have a lot of patience.   Hop on over to the low AMH thread as well....along with @JamieH2000 and @lucyb1954, there are so many amazing women in various stages of their journeys....most with DE, who are so incredibly lovely and supportive.  We are all here for you!  

laurelew

@andreamm31 Thank you for the warm welcome!  When I was lurking, your story was definitely one that stuck out to me.