IF testing & treatment w/o 9.7

misshelen86

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): 

How are things going?: 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? 

misshelen86

Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IVF!!

How are things going?: It’s here!! We are finally getting started with IVF this week! I have my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork tomorrow and hopefully I’ll get the green light to start stims. I’m so excited to be here after waiting so long. I’m a bit nervous about what our outcome will be but I’m trying not to go there. 

Any questions?: For those who have been through IVF, was the number of eggs retrieved similar to your AFC on baseline ultrasound? 

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? Hoping for nice temperatures and looking forward to going for long walks with the changing leaves, warm drinks (I’m a PSL lover) and cozy sweaters.. I need some new fall clothes, so I’m looking forward to shopping (probably online). 

gingermama29

@misshelen86 yay for starting the IVF process this week!! So excited for you! 

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): trying naturally again

How are things going?: I have my annual tomorrow so it'll be nice to check in with my OB since going off BCP and having a full cycle since.

I guess the upside of starting a new cycle is that it's safe to take a Xanax this week if I feel a panic attack coming with the students returning in person.

Any questions?: No

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? Cooler weather, apple season, fall crock pot recipes, baking, and the gorgeous scenery with the leaves changing. 

acleverusername

@misshelen86 oh so exciting!!! Can’t wait to go on this journey with you. We’re here for you every step of the way.

@gingermama29 good luck with your OB appointment tomorrow. Hopefully only good news. And I really hope your return to school doesn’t cause a panic attack. Good luck on that front as well.

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained, AMA

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTI (I = inseminate)

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI tomorrow!!!

How are things going?: I am feeling pretty optimistic; last week I went into a dark place contemplating the frustration of an “unexplained” diagnosis but this week it’s as if I’ve come to terms with it. I’m also marveling as how quickly things are moving and how much has happened over the last year.

*TW pregnancy of another mentioned:*

I’ve remained really good friends with 3 of 5 housemates I had for one summer in 2008. One of us married 6 years ago. The remaining 3 of us all got married within the last year —including 1 who married 1 year ago today; and 1 who married 1 week ago today! Anyway, the one who got married 6 years ago struggled for 5 years to conceive until miraculously it happened (naturally) in Jan; she’s currently 39+3. At the wedding last year, I was chatting with her about their fertility struggles and here we are today... she’s about to give birth and I’m about to have my first IUI. Anyway, all that to say that although it feels like things have moved very slowly during this TTC journey, they have in fact moved very fast!

Any questions?: My LH was starting to surge naturally last night before I did the trigger shot and I wonder if that’s good/bad/neutral. 

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? I’m looking forward to SF summer! Haha. It usually starts right about now (although I can do without the heat wave we’re having this weekend.) But yeah, slightly warmer temps than the 54-64 range we have have from May until now would be okay.

legallykate

@misshelen86 Yay for getting started, FX all goes well at your appt and you get the green light! My RE didn’t do an AFC at baseline, but when I went in for my u/s after 3 days of stims I only had three measurable follies and ended up with 16 eggs retrieved (most of which showed up out of nowhere at the last minute) so I definitely don’t think you can go off of baseline at all.

@gingermama29 Hope your annual goes well and that things are less stressful with students coming back than you are expecting, big hugs.

@acleverusername I’m so glad you are feeling better about the “unexplained” diagnosis and the speed at which things are moving. I think it’s probably good that your LH was starting to surge even before trigger? Will keep all things crossed for you tomorrow!

 

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA/DOR

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO but really just waiting for lining to thicken

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): FET next week if all goes well

How are things going?: Okay. The estradiol is still kicking my butt for some reason. I have had a headache every day for over a week and am moody and exhausted and have gained 5-10 pounds of bloat, I had to take off my rings. But I am feeling hopeful it will be worth it! My lining check is Thursday so hopefully that will go well and I will get a confirmed date and time for my transfer next week. 

Any questions?: Nope.

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? Cooler temps (it has been hot AF in Texas this summer), long sleeves, chili and other fall crock pot dinners, hopefully being KTFU lol.

ramzlau

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI #5

How are things going?: Went for CD3 labs and ultrasound today. I have no hope for this cycle. Not where I want to be emotionally, but that is reality for now. The IVF process seems a bit daunting right now. Scheduled the urologist, acupuncture and have a referral for a nutritionist. Reading through all the material our RE sent over. I need to find out if we have to redo any testing before moving to IVF. I want to have it lined up for November. 

Any questions?: NATM

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall?  Apple picking! We go every year and I love that tradition to kick off the holiday season. 

@gingermama29 Sorry last cycle wasn’t the one. I hope you can keep the anxiety at bay with the medication. Good luck with your OB appointment! 

@misshelen86 Yay for getting the show on the road! I will be stalking you through this proceeds knowing we are just a few months behind you. Keeping everything crossed for lots of healthy eggs for you! 

acleverusername

@legallykate grow lining, GROW! Although I’m sorry that you’ve had such a rough go with estradiol. 5-10 lbs of bloat?! Yuk! But as you said, hopefully it’s all worth it!

@ramzlau I am sorry that you’re not feeling good right now. IVF is definitely daunting but you’ve definitely got support in us. I didn’t quite understand... are you continuing with IUI leading up to November?

ramzlau

@acleverusername Yay for feeling hopeful this week! GL tomorrow! My RE always takes it as a good sign when my LH starts to surge on its own. And yes, we are doing a medicated IUI this cycle (it is the last medicated one my RE will do, we had one medicated cycle cancelled), while we wait for insurance to kick in for IVF in November. 

@legallykate I hate the bloat part of all of this! Hopefully your lining check goes well! 

keikilove

So many exciting things coming up here this week!💓

@misshelen86 YAAAAYYY it’s happening!!! So excited for you to finally get started! FX for tomorrow that everything lines up perfectly & you get that green light! I so hear you on trying to not think about the outcome at the end of the whole process. Taking it step by step is a great approach. Re: your question about baseline AFC: my RE didn’t check it this time. But all my other U/S (before HSG, Day3 or Day6 BW, etc) usually showed around 6 or 7 AFC, and that’s basically what we saw at my recent IVF ultrasounds. I’m crossing everything that I wind up with a great surprise outcome like what @legallykate experienced.🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽 Also, I’ve been doing this fertility meditation when I do my shots: it’s especially for the week(s) where you are stimming before egg retrieval. Sharing in case you like it. 

 https://youtu.be/yBXpWRs7naw

@gingermama29 Yay for a natural cycle. Hopefully everything will run like clockwork! Glad you can check in with your OB tomorrow & have that additional touchpoint. I wish you a smooth start w the kiddos; glad you have the Xanax just in case you need it!

@acleverusername Hooray for IUI tomorrow! Good luck with it! Your LH surging is a great sign that your timing is lining up perfectly. I responded to your update in the WTO thread. Just gotta say, How do you do that SF weather? I lasted 1 year in the Bay before I had to get out for anywhere much warmer!😬 Enjoy your summer weather! 

@legallykate FX for a nice thick lining at your check on Thursday! Soooo exciting!💗 Sorry that the estradiol still has you feeling yucky. That’s no fun. Hopefully it subsides soon, and the bloat too. 

@ramzlau Sorry you’re not feeling great about this last IUI. I hope it surprises you in the best way! But it makes sense, especially as you begin to look ahead to the IVF path. You know we are all here for you, however this goes. 

AFM, I did a quick update in yesterday’s IF thread. Gonna recap below. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): RPL, Elevated NK Cells & Activity (mostly resolved with meds), Blood-clotting disorders, AMA, DOR 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WFER! 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Still stimming for ER sometime this week. The bloat is real! I go back to the RE tomorrow for my final U/S, then she will determine whether I trigger tomorrow or Wednesday night, and whether ER will be scheduled for Thursday or Friday this week! Eeeeek! 

How are things going?: Very well. I feel extremely positive, been doing lots of fertility meditations & moderate exercise & just positive thinking in general. The only downside is that I have to fly to my RE, and when I get back I have to quarantine for 2 weeks. I’m allowed to fly to her without quarantine, but once I get back I have to stay in my house/yard. When MH has to fly over w me for ER this week he will also have to quarantine when we get home. We live in the country so no grocery or food delivery service. This is going to be....interesting....

Any questions?: For those of you who’ve done ER: do you think I could fly home the night of ER, or should I recuperate overnight in a hotel & fly home the next morning? Thanks! 

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? Well, the weather doesn’t really change here. But we do have a nice big pumpkin patch that kicks off the season. It’s the only thing that really feels like Fall. I will look forward to going up the mountain there and snapping a new photo. (Look at this amazing view! *These aren’t my photos.😄)
Edited to fix typos. 

acleverusername

@ramzlau can you get in to see the acupuncturist before your IUI? It might make all the difference!

@keikilove I just love the enthusiasm and positivity of your update. Good luck tomorrow! Will pray for more surprise follies in the style of @legallykate! As for the quarantine after retrieval, is there any neighbours you can ask for help? Or stock up in advance?! Argh! I wish you didn’t have to think about that on top of everything else!

Also dying 🤣 at your feeling towards SF weather. I think the novelty of it still hasn’t worn off. I’ve been in Bay Area for 2.5 years but only moved into the city in March. Previous to that, I was in East Bay and Mid-Peninsula where it’s easily 20-25 degrees hotter all the time. Yeah, so maybe by next year, I’ll want to hightail out of here too. I’ve already asked MH what he thought about moving to San Diego. I 😍 the ocean. 

keikilove

@kiki047 Thinking of you this morning, hope you’re feeling excited & doing a happy dance that the day is here! Sending you all the positive vibes!!

acleverusername

@kiki047 wow big day is here! Keeping absolutely everything crossed for you today!!! 

akoros

@keikilove Re: comment last week on the MFM dismissing Factor V as cause for my most recent loss, her reasoning is that the disorder is very common (5% of caucasian population) so if it really caused so many miscarriages we'd see a lot more miscarriages than we do. Honestly, I don't really buy her logic. First off, it increases your risk of miscarriage, it doesn't guarantee it, so on the aggregate you may not see that high of a bump in miscarriage rates. Also, even though it remains rare that it would cause a miscarriage, we're already in "rare" territory, and that in no way means it's not what happened here. If we were talking about potential future pregnancies I get trying to emphasize that the odds are in favor of a healthy pregnancy, but we're talking about one that already didn't work out. I would have argued more, but she said she'd prescribe the blood thinners if I want them anyway so I figured it wasn't worth it. My medical appointments are already very stressful for me with all the emotions involved, so it's hard for me to focus. As for you, best of luck with your ER!

@misshelen86 Good luck with IVF! And have fun with shopping, lots of good sales out there (as my closet can attest to...)

@acleverusername Good luck with the IUI! I hear you on time moving so slow, and yet so fast. It's crazy to think about all the things that have happened in the past year, but at the same time I feel like last week was a month ago

@ramzlau Sorry this cycle isn't looking good, but best of luck as you start the IVF process

---------------------------------

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, RPL, Factor V Leiden

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): I guess between WTO and TWW, since I think I'm ovulating today?

What are you doing this cycle?: Our normal routine, which is just OPK strips and trying to time things right. Though we didn't bother last night, we were both too tired

How are things going?: Mostly good, got myself into a funk yesterday for no reason and gave myself an internal pity party

Any questions?: Debating if there are additional vitamins/supplements I should take? I currently take prenatal vitamins and Vitamin D3. I saw that CoQ10 might help with egg quality (the studies are done on women doing IVF, so there's no evidence that it has impacts for those not using IVF). That's the main one that isn't included in my prenatal. Also debating if I should take folate (prenatal has folic acid, but read that some people don't absorb it well) and other B vitamins (B12, B1/2/3/6).  

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? Everything, it's my favorite season: crisp weather, beautiful leaves, no more mosquitoes (they've been especially bad this year, along with flies), comfort food, sweaters/jackets/boots....can't wait. 

misshelen86

@gingermama29 Hope things go well at your appointment tomorrow. Hope you don’t have any panic attacks this week but glad you have the option to take a Xanax if needed   Ohh I love fall crock pot comfort food!

@acleverusername GL with your IUI! Sending you all the positive vibes!

@legallykate So relieved to hear that you ended up with some surprise eggs! Sorry to hear about all your side effects. I’m so hopeful that it will all be worth it for you!

@ramzlau Hugs, friend  I know this whole process is overwhelming. I can relate to that! Take it one step and one appointment at a time. Apple picking sounds like fun!!

@keikilove Thanks for the meditation link. I do circle + bloom’s meditations, but I will check out yours too. FX you get a surprise outcome at your ER! I’m sooo excited for you! 

@akoros  Sorry you were in a funk. Hope today is better  I started CoQ10 for IVF, it’s supposed to be really good for egg quality. I would ask your Dr about what vitamins/supplements they recommend though, since they know your medical history

@kiki047 Hope everything goes well with your transfer today friend!! 

inthewoods23

@misshelen86 yay for starting IVF! They retrieved 24 eggs from me and my AFC is over 30. Most should grow, but some just never do.

@gingermama29 I hope you won't need the Xanax. Good luck at your appointment today and with school!

@acleverusername GL with your IUI! Hope you get a good number to inseminate with (that's kind of weird to say haha).

@legallykate sorry the estradiol is kicking your butt. It'll be worth it!

@ramzlau hopefully you won't need IVF, but I definitely like your planning to make sure you get retested now instead of finding out about it in a few months

@keikilove ER is almost here!!! Eek! I personally felt fine enough to do to dinner and have a greasy burger after my ER, but YMMV. If you're not feeling like total trash I'm sure you could fly home, but if you're not feeling great it may be a good idea to be able to rest for the remainder of the day.

@akoros currently I'm taking a prenatal, CoQ10, and DHA. My prenatal has some DHA so I bought the Nordic Naturals brand DHA because I think the recommended amount is 400mg and my prenatal only has 100mg or so. I was previously taking a probiotic, extra vitamin E, and L-arginine. Those 3 were added when I was doing the FET and decided I didn't want to spend the money on them if I wasn't actually doing anything with the RE.

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, low morph (but we'll see, no results yet)

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO but DH wants TTA

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): still trying to get the damn measles vaccine. I think it will happen at my already scheduled follow up for my antidepressant with my PCP (lame). Eh, it is what it is I guess.

How are things going?: Today is meh, but it's also been gloomy out and rainy so it's kinda dim outside. I know it's only been a week since finding out about no immunity for measles but it still feels like so much time has been wasted. Trying to stay positive through this process and not think too much about "must have a 2021 baby" even though I'm often counting how much time we have and how soon I need to contact the other RE to get a FET cycle going because that's always a minimum 2 month process *eye roll*. At least I'm covered on FET meds, shouldn't need to buy more until after a transfer occurs.

Any questions?: nah, not right now.

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? I love being able to dress up warmer without people thinking I'm crazy. Indoors I'm often in hoodies or under a blanket so if I venture out for groceries or something I'm sometimes in a hoodie when it's 80+ degrees outside! Also boots, my favorite footwear  While I love 75 degree weather, I like it in the 50s as long as it doesn't chill me to my core!

acleverusername

@akoros I agree with you 💯re: Factor V & as it applies to a miscarriage that already happened. I'm surprised at your MFMs rationalizing. The good news is that she's going to give you blood thinners when your get KU'ed. Also definitely agree with @misshelen86 to ask either your doctor or a herbalist/acupuncturist for which supplements to take. The ones I'm currently taking was collectively pulled from Is Starts With An Egg, my NaPro OB that I saw for like 1 visit, my fertility acupuncturist, and my RE. 

@inthewoods23 I'm anxiously waiting to hear about YH's SA results, hoping that changes to your lifestyle has had a positive impact. I'm sorry that the weather is so gloomy and it's making your already gloomy circumstances even worse. Hang in there friend! *virtual hugs*. 

acleverusername

I have a some humor-as-medicine for you gals. Today I learned that MH didn't know that a follicle was spherical. LOL. I was telling him about the discomfort I was feeling in my lower abdomen (my left side follicle has got to be around 30mm by now!) and he's like "yeah, but isn't it microscopic in width?" 😂 At that point, I realized that he thought that ovarian follicle is the same as hair follicle so I set him straight.

On the one hand, I get that this is not something that gets taught in school, and if you're not actively learning about these things, you wouldn't know these things. On the other hand... well, he really hasn't been doing his homework. It's a good thing he's good looking. 

keikilove

@acleverusername Hope it all went great today & that you’re feeling good about it! Lol at the SF weather commentary.😄 It is such a beautiful city, I can see how the charm hasn’t worn off yet. 

@akoros Your logic makes total sense about the Factor V Leiden. If doc is willing to prescribe the blood-thinners at your request, absolutely no reason to push the issue w her.  That’s a relief that you can get it if you need it! Re: your vitamins question: there are lots you can learn about in It Starts With The Egg. Also the RE called “The Egg Whisperer” has a ton of great videos in general, and one video specifically on which supplements to take. 

@misshelen86 I was just trying the Circle&Bloom meditation last night for the first time.😊How do you like them? 

@inthewoods23 Missed you here on the boards yesterday! So sorry the vaccine thing feels like it’s dragging on & on. The appointment will be here soon, thankfully. That is awesome that you’re already stocked up on FET meds—one less thing to worry about. I hope this week starts looking up for you! ☀️ And thanks for the insight about how I may feel after the ER. All info is helpful! 

Edited to fix typos & weird spacing. 

inthewoods23

@acleverusername I keep checking DH's account in the portal for results! Nothing yet. I hope it doesn't get delayed from the holiday. I would like to have the results by tomorrow. YH is hilarious  you don't really get it until you actually think about it. If you're triggering with a 25mm follicle, that basically means that follicle is an inch wide! These babies aren't tiny so the discomfort and everything doing IVF makes so much sense!

acleverusername

It's done 🏊🏻‍♂️. More in spoiler: 

I'll start off with a gif since I've been thinking of doing that all morning: 

Argh - so, DH's sperm count wasn't great, so I guess I can add MFI back to our cause of infertility. Total total count of the initial sample was 6.33 (vol 2.5; concentration 11M/ml; motility 23%). They didn't even do a wash. 🙁 This is very different from the SA results from June of this year, and health wise, things have only gotten better for both of us (DH has lost 11lbs since his SA; and he's been taking lots of vitamins to help with count and motility). I'm trying to stay hopeful, but the reality is that I had expected completely different results. I'm reading the FertilityIQ course on IUI, and a wash would have reduced the count by as much as 30%; this clinic has a cut off of 5M. 

Anyway, we'll see how this cycle goes; it's going to be hard to stay positive though. If we're unsuccessful, we definitely need to have a chat w/ the RE again and possibly with the reproductive urologist on staff. @misshelen86 I might DM you since you'd offered it back when I first raised the MFI issue in July. 

For context, previous results were:

Dadi kit results (at home test; Jun 2019) were: concentration = 31.4MIL/ml, volume = 2.5ml; motility = 4.8% 
SA results (Jun 2020) were: concentration = 48MIL/ml (just below the normal range for 50-150MIL/ml), volume = 3ml; motility 48% (normal is 60% and above). 

keikilove

@acleverusername I’m sorry that you’re not feeling good about the IUI.☹️ YH’s results are so drastically different today than they were at the last two testings; I wonder if he was nervous & couldn’t produce as much? Anyway, at least the Dr felt it was still enough to go forward with the procedure. That’s a good sign! I didn’t know you could do insemination without washing the sperm first. It sounds like it was better to preserve the overall number rather than potentially lose 30%. Try to stay positive & hopeful—as we all know, it only takes one strong swimmer to reach that gold medal! 🥇🥚 

bluejeanbabi05

@misshelen86 I hope your u/s and bloodwork both went well today

@acleverusername I’m sorry the IUI wasn’t as encouraging as you hoped. Are you doing another IUI tomorrow?

@legallykate fingers crossed for a good checkup Thursday. Ditto to hopefully being KTFU for this fall.

@ramzlau I’m sorry you’re having to go through all this and having to wait. Sounds like you really have your ducks in a row, though.

@keikilove wow so soon! Exciting! Also wow you have to fly to your RE? So will you fly there for the u/s then stay in a hotel through your ER?

@inthewoods fx for quick and positive SA results. MH’s first SA came back with really bad morphology, after a few lifestyle changes, it changed dramatically for the better.

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, endo, maybe early ovulation?

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): unmedicated IUI, maybe

How are things going?: Meh. I got a positive OPK this am (day 12), so I was super happy. My u/s was this afternoon, though, and it didn’t go great. Basically, I don’t have a follicle that is mature enough yet. I feel so dumb for not writing this down, but it was either 12 or 15. The nurse took some blood and is doing a progesterone test to see if I am actually ovulating or about to, and I’ll get those results tomorrow. If I’m ovulating, or if it is going to happen any minute, we are going to have to cancel this cycle, because I won’t have a mature enough egg. If they think my body can hold out, I’ll go back for another u/s on Thursday. But I’m not holding out much hope, I’m guessing this is part of our problem, maybe I’m ovulating too early every cycle. If we have to cancel this cycle, we’ll do Femara next cycle.

Any questions?: Anyone experienced this in the past? Also

GTKY: What are you most looking forward to this fall? Well, I’m in South Florida, so no cooler weather here *poor me*. This time of the year I miss my home state of Michigan a teeny tiny bit. But then I get over it haha. But, my company is “mandating” that we all take 5 days PTO btw now and the end of the year (it’s not an actual mandate, but strong encouragement backed up by the promise of a $150 dinner expense reimbursement). I want to do the 5 days in a row. I haven’t taken more than 2 days in a row off work since my honeymoon 6 years ago. Idk what to plan, though! Go somewhere drivable or do a staycation? Decisions! But that week off is what I’m looking forward to the most this fall, however we end up taking it. I love my job, but I’m a bit burnt out right now.

 

inthewoods23

@acleverusername ugh, I'm so sorry his sperm count wasn't great! 😢 We were definitely losing more than 30% in our sperm wash for IUIs. I've heard some be successful with less than 1 mil, but of course that person isn't us!

@bluejeanbabi05 that really stinks! I didn't know early ovulation was a thing. Hopefully the femara can help the egg mature before you O if you have to cancel this cycle. Femara always helped me O a little earlier than normal, but I know for some it makes you O later than normal (everyone is a little different). If there's some place cool near you, a vacation away (even if it's only an hour) can be very relaxing! Otherwise, staycation a can be just as good. When I was on a rotating furlough back in May (1 week furlough, 2 weeks working) I just did things around the house (like cleaning) or spent some time watching TV. The idea of a staycation sounds lame to me but furloughs have changed my mind! Just not being at work while everyone else is is refreshing to me.

keikilove

Update: 
So I had my 3rd round of BW & U/S today, estradiol is still in perfect range. I was feeling all positive that we’d get the go-ahead to trigger tonight or tomorrow. Not so.😔 More details in spoiler because it’s getting long. (Spoiler feature acting up, sorry.) 

Today I had 4 follicles already at 20 (happy dance!) but 3 more that weren’t quite ready yet (13-17mm) and 3 smaller ones that she didn’t measure. She said to pray that those 3 smaller ones catch up by this weekend. I will go back for one more monitoring appointment this week, at which time I will be told to trigger for an egg retrieval either on Saturday or Sunday. So what this really means is that those 4 beautiful follies at 20mm are very likely going to be over-mature by the weekend😩. They will go to waste😭. We will HOPE for the 3 large ones to be ready and the 3 smaller ones to catch up. I’m hoping against hope that the 20s will just miraculously hang out at 20 till the weekend and not overcook!🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽 

Later, I asked a nurse if I could get a copy of how all the follicles have been developing at each appointment. She let me take a pic of my file from page where all those details are captured. It shook me. First off, it has an area for the nursing staff to circle whether the patient has been suffering from IF for months or years. “Years” was circled on my chart. It’s true, but it felt so weird to see it in writing. The next thing is that under “Cause” it listed all sorts of things as options to circle: PCOS, DOR, Endo, on & on. Nothing was circled on my chart except “Male Factor”. This is the FIRST time I’ve heard this!! I’ve noticed that MH’s sperm count has been going down at every IUI, but I thought it was because he spilled the sample cup a couple of times, and once he had to give 2 samples in one day (one was for insurance SA for IVF approval and one for the IUI itself). So now I’m wondering all kinds of things:

1) Did the Dr not mention it because it doesn’t matter anyway once you move to IVF & plan to do ICSI?
2) Did she not mention it because she truly believes in keeping all thoughts positive at all times, and we are already under her care so it doesn’t really matter & no need to add more stress?
3) Is it just the code they use so insurance will cover the ICSI procedure? 

4) Do I even mention any of this to MH??? 

Ladies, I could honestly use your input here. On the one hand, I hate to keep anything from him. On the other hand, I don’t want to stress him the F out right before he has to ‘perform’ this weekend. 

Also, I’ve been harping on MH for months & months about his eating habits because he eats way too much junk & not enough fruits & vegetables. He thinks that since he finally started taking all his supplements that he must be golden as far as health & diet. Plus, his motility & fragmentation, etc, all came back normal so he’s been saying “I’m good, I’m normal” everytime I bug him to eat healthier. I’ve had a fear that we’d be facing a situation exactly like what Emerald experienced recently. I shared her story w him to scare him straight—I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. So now he finally gets that diet can make a huge difference, and only started eating some fruit & salad this week. So do I say anything? Sperm sample is only 4-5 days away. It’s not like we can do much about it right now....

  

bluejeanbabi05

@inthewoods23 yeah, I think their thinking is that the Femara will speed the follies along. I haven't done an unmedicated IUI before, but I have done medicated IUIs, and that was my experience then. O day was still around day 12/13 like it is for me naturally. Also yes to the staycation--as long as I can be disciplined enough to stay away from the computer! My office is in an alcove type room with no walls, open to our kitchen and family room. I have a hard time staying away on my days off, lol. Especially if I forget to mute it and that damn slack noise keeps going off. 

@keikilove I think I would hold off saying anything until you have the chance to talk to your doctor about it. Right now it's just speculation without context, which might mean frustration for YH without any firm action steps. And like you said, nothing to do right now, probably best not to psych him out. Men can be...sensitive...about things like that *upside down smiley*

acleverusername

@keikilove Oh dear... lots of learning today. First of all, re: YH and his sperm quality and MFI diagnosis, I totally agree with what @bluejeanbabi05 said; first of all, there's really nothing that he can do between now and Thu to increase sperm quality (and also, given my own experience, I now wonder just how much of a role healthy lifestyle plays in all of this) and it will just stress YH out, which definitely CAN negatively affect sperm quality. So, sit tight on this information for now. Would his semen be analyzed as part of IVF too? (Not sure if that do it before ICSI.) Then, after you've talked to your doctor you can have a "day of reckoning". Second of all, I will pray that those 20mm follies hang in there until the weekend. Is there any reason that the doctors wanted to err on the side of having you do more stims at the risk of losing those follies? 

@bluejeanbabi05 first, to answer you question: no, we're not doing another IUI tomorrow; I'd asked our RE about double IUI during our last appointment, and she said that it's actually not worth it (value wise) since we're paying out of pocket. It increases chances very minimally. What kind of OPKs are you using that you got a positive? If it's digital, you can have a positive for several days before peak, so it may very well be that your follicle will have time to catch up. Either way, it sounds like you have a good backup plan in place for next cycle, if needed. Personally, seeing how my follies responded to medication, I don't see a reason _not_ to do a medicated cycle. 

@keikilove @inthewoods23 I know that it only takes one swimmer, and I guess the only positive thing in the semen analysis was that MH's swimmer were "Moving Fast Forward"; a score of 3 and the WHO 5th edition normal range is 2-4. Plus, we definitely correct any me-side issues with Clomid + trigger. So, I will endeavor to remain positive even though today, I'm feeling like I did when I got a 49% on my Calculus mid-term in 1st year of college (i.e. prepped so hard, but failed by 1%). 

Honestly though this report was very different from the one we got when he did his SA. For e.g. it doesn't have morphology; just has a section called "round cells" which may be the same thing? That measurement isn't great either though... < 1M/ml. Super sigh. 

misshelen86

We got the green light to start injections yesterday! So we started last night and it wasn’t too bad. I have a small bruise but otherwise feel fine so far. Unfortunately, my left ovary was hiding so I don’t know what my afc was, but I had 5 follies on the right. My next ultrasound is Sunday..  hoping they can see some follies on the other side by then!

@inthewoods23 Sorry you have another obstacle with the measles vaccine. I hear you on the “must have a 2021 baby.” It’s so depressing when you think every year will be “the year.” I had 2 weddings this year and I kept thinking I’d for sure be KU by then.. now I have another one next year, so I’m not even going there. I tell myself “I will be a mom someday. I don’t know when, but it will happen. It may not be how I planned it, but somehow I will be a mother”

@acleverusername YGPM 

@bluejeanbabi05 I hope your OPK was just a false positive so you can still go ahead with this cycle! Glad you have a plan in place though if you do have to cancel

@keikilove So frustrating that your follies are at different stages. I’m keeping everything crossed your bigger ones just stay put and your smaller ones catch up!! Are you sure they circled the right thing on the chart? Sometimes mistakes happen unfortunately. Do you know what his count/motility was? I wouldn’t mention it until you know for sure.. I would just ask them about it!

keikilove

@bluejeanbabi05 Thanks so much for your input. You’re so right that right now it’s just “speculation” and I need to chill out. I needed to be talked off the ledge.  (Although I wanted to blurt out something so badly last night when MH decided to have yet another bowl of cereal for dinner! He lives on cereal, sugar, and more cereal.😩)//I didn’t see your post yesterday when I posted my update. I’m sorry your U/S didn’t go great. Hopefully today’s BW results will help clarify what is happening. It’s so surprising that your body will turn an OPK positive even if the follicle is not quite ready. The good news is that there is medication to delay ovulation if you need it in the future. For IVF they use Lupron for this purpose. I’m not sure how Femara might help going forward, sorry. PS: Staycations are awesome! Lots of people do them here by staying at a hotel fairly close to home. Like a vacation without the travel. PPS: Yes, I have to fly to my RE, just a 30-minute flight. There are no specialists on the island I live on. Many people have to fly to see their specialists of all types in Honolulu. 

@acleverusername Thank you for your input as well. Yes, he’s had a couple of SA for insurance purposes, and I know they select the best ones for ICSI. I’m not sure if that exact process, just that they select those that have the best shape etc.//I kind of had a mental spin-out yesterday when I returned from the RE. Her office was very busy yesterday & she was in & out of the exam room quickly. She had a transfer to do after seeing all of her patients so I know she was cautious about time. That’s why I didn’t ask her more about her thinking. I’m guessing she wanted to delay because my uterine lining hadn’t progressed since 2 days beforehand. And because she is hoping to get the 6 smaller follicles to grow & be at the perfect stage this weekend instead of collecting the 20mm follies now and risking that the other smaller ones will be immature. Those are my guesses. I wish I’d asked her.☹️ But now it’s done so I have to think positive and hope for the best!

acleverusername

@keikilove +1 on staying positive

@misshelen86 yay for the green light! Good luck!

acleverusername

Question for those with IUI experience: how long did you abstain before the procedure?

keikilove

@misshelen86 Oops! I guess we were posting at the same time… Hooray that you got the green light! I’m so happy for you! And happy that the shots weren’t too bad for you. Personally, I didn’t feel any symptoms until waking up on day five with bloat and abdominal tenderness.Now I have those symptoms plus super sore boobs. Hopefully your cycle stays fairly symptomless but with great results! And yay that she saw five follies on the right! Keeping everything crossed for you that you see great news at your first ultrasound🤞🏽🤞🏽

I will definitely follow your advice and just ask the doctor the next time I see her about what I saw in my file. I’m thinking more and more that this might have been to secure IVF approval through my insurance. (Since there were problems getting approved through our prior insurance when the issue was me.) I don’t remember what my husband’s numbers were at his previous SAs but I do remember that all the numbers were normal for motility, etc. 

inthewoods23

@keikilove I'm not entirely sure, but I know some of our documentation with the RE lists male factor so maybe that is noted to help with insurance things for ICSI? I've never asked. I would say it's best to not mention anything to YH until after your ER just to keep things positive and as low stress as possible. I would hope he'd be understanding if you note that you waited so that you wouldn't stress him out this week. But FWIW, any change he makes now to his diet isn't going to do anything for his sperm in a few days since it takes 3 months for the body to make sperm.

@acleverusername motility is probably the most important with sperm anyway. It means nothing if his samples have above average amounts of sperm but they can't move for shit. I did a search on round cells and found this sentence in an article "In a semen sample, apart from spermatozoa there may be a variable number of non-sperm cells. In a routine semen report, they are mentioned as “round cells” without further differentiating them into leucocytes or immature germ cells." So actually, I think having a small number is better to see on the report. For our IUIs they always told us to have intercourse within an hour or 2 of injecting the trigger and then abstaining so that the next sperm were for the IUI. I can't remember if they recommended BDing that night or not.

@misshelen86 yay for the green light! Glad the injections are going okay. Hopefully that ovary doesn't hide for the ER. Mine sometimes takes some finagling of the wand to get the right angle for my left ovary on the US so I was slightly concerned there would be issues reaching those eggs (not the best thing to read about before an ER! ).


AFM, I've checked multiple times today and the SA results are still not under DH's account in the patient portal! SHUCKS. I want to know the results soooo bad. Today happens to be our dating anniversary (13 years together!) so I'm not sure I would want to read potentially bad news anyway today.  I'm sure it won't be horrible, but you never know.

gingermama29

@acleverusername I'm sorry you're not feeling great about your IUI. I'm crossing everything for you!

@legallykate ahhh I can't believe your FET is already possibly next week!! So excited for you and crossing everything for good news at your lining check!!

@ramzlau hugs friend. I hope things go smoothly and everything can be loved up for IVF in November! I'm so happy that your insurance covers it! I didn't realize the new law that had passed in NY about insurances having to cover IVF (but it totally explains why mine suddenly does!!). Sending so many positive thoughts your way.

@keikilove yay for ER this weekend!! Sending positive thoughts your way that the others don't overcook! I agree that I would wait to say anything until you have more information.

@inthewoods23 I'm sorry for everything going on with the measles vaccine. It's so frustrating. I hope you get YH's results ASAP.

@bluejeanbabi05 I hope you don't have to cancel this cycle. FX that you aren't ovulating yet.

@misshelen86 yay for starting injections!! FX for more follies on the other side!

AFM,  everything went well at my annual yesterday. My midwife reiterated that I should contact the onsite OB that I saw in February in a couple cycles of I haven't gotten KU and then we'll look into possible medicated cycles. First day of school went surprisingly well today - definitely better than I expected. My anxiety was pretty minimal and the kids did really well with wearing masks. It was really good to see them all again. Thank you all for the kind words and well wishes. ❤️

ramzlau

@keikilove Oh so much! Keeping my fingers crossed all follies behave and get to/stay same size! All together now, 20mm! As for YH, I agree with others about clarifying before bringing up that specifically, but I had a similar talk with MH a few days ago about how stressful this all is, he asked what he could do, I said take your vitamins and eat healthy, it’s the least with everything I am doing and if he really wants a baby he needs to do his part. He got it. Hopefully having a frank conversation about it takes two to make a baby will help him get onboard with everything. But this could totally be me talking from my own situation right now. 

@misshelen86 Yay for starting! Will be keeping all fx for you! 

@gingermama29 Yay for a good first day and what sounds like a routine appointment. I hope that your cycle stays regulated this round and you don’t need that follow up with the OB. 

@inthewoods23 Congrats on 13 years! Sorry about the measles vaccine hold up, such an out of nowhere delay to be facing. Hope the SA results are swimmingly swell! 

@acleverusername Our RE has us DTD every other day leading up to IUI, then abstain 36 hours before. 

legallykate

@ramzlau I’m sorry you aren’t feeling hopeful for this cycle, maybe being more relaxed about it and less hopeful will actually help somehow? Otherwise it sounds like you are going to be super well prepped to start IVF. It is super daunting but once you get started it is really not so bad.

@acleverusername I’m sorry the IUI didn’t go as well as you hoped, but it only takes one sperm and one egg so FX!!! When do you think you’ll start testing?

@keikilove That’s so weird about the coding, but I definitely wouldn’t worry about it or talk to YH about it until you are able to get more info. I really hope your large follies slow down and the others all catch up! When do you go in again?

@akoros I’ve been taking CoQ10 for egg quality, that is the only thing my RE wants me on other than my PNV. So can’t hurt? I am also on a PNV that is folate and not folic acid.

@misshelen86 Hope the injections are going well and you have a great u/s on Sunday! 5 follies on one side is great!

@inthewoods23 Come onnnnn SA results!

@bluejeanbabi05 I hope you don’t have to cancel your cycle, FX your body gives you a pleasant surprise and holds out!

@gingermama29 Glad the annual went well as well as the first day with kids!

AFM, my lining check did not go well. He is having me add 2 estrogen pills vaginally at bedtime in addition to the 3 oral daytime ones and then return in a week. He didn't sound very optimistic that my lining will get there at all though, and he said there is a risk I might ovulate before then in which case we will have to cancel the cycle and reevaluate. I really thought old lady eggs were my only issue but now it's hard not to feel like my body is just telling me it doesn't want to do this. And on top of that work is just really terrible this week and I'm struggling to focus on it and it's all just too much. Thank you all for attending my pity party. 

akoros

@misshelen86 @inthewoods23 @acleverusername @keikilove Thanks, all! I did ask, they seem to be in the camp of "if studies don't show it as being effective, we say 'no'", whereas my mentality is more "if it doesn't hurt, let's give it a try". I'd ordered some CoQ10 from Amazon, so will add that to my daily regimen, I think the rest is mostly covered by what I already take. 

keikilove

@legallykate I’m sorry your lining wasn’t ready yet for transfer. FX that it gets there right on time for the new plan! Sending you positive energy that the estradiol does exactly what it needs to do to get that lining prepped for next week🤞🏽💗 (And Sorry about work. Having that type of week myself. We can get through it!)

inthewoods23

@gingermama29 glad the first day of school went well!

@legallykate ugh, come on lining!!


Still no SA results in the portal and at one point there was issues with getting to the page so that had me in a bit of a tizzy earlier. GRRR I just want to know already! I really hope we get the results this week and that the labor day holiday didn't delay it.

acleverusername

@inthewoods23 thanks for looking up what "round cells" are; that means this SA report doesn't have morphology. Go figure. It seems that every lab reports things a bit differently. For instance, the June SA just had 1 motility score, not a breakdown of 4. This one had a cumulative mobility (of 23%) plus also a score of 3 for "moving fast forward". I am sorry to hear that you're still waiting on YH's SA reports! It must be excruciating. FX that the wait is worth it. 

@gingermama29 Glad to hear that 1st day of school went great! Hopefully it'll continue to be stress-free (well, relatively; being a teacher is stressful). When do you think you'll be reaching out to the OB if not KU'ed? 

@legallykate I'm sorry about the lining and work both being a$$holes. Hopefully the extra estrogen will do the trick. And I really hope work stress is temporary; it doesn't sound like you're having a great week. *hugs* I have mentally prepared to hold out until Day 12 before testing, especially if my temps do the usual thing (at this point, my LP pattern is fairly consistent.) 

@inthewoods23 @akoros thanks for sharing your "DTD practices" pre-IUI. DH and I have been trying to figure out how this SA was so different from the last and we definitely abstained for longer for the last one (4 days vs 2 days), but it sounds like 2 days pre-IUI is the prescribed cadence; the doctor who did my u/s said we DEFINITELY should HIO that day. Anyway, our RE did refer MH to a reproductive urologist on staff, so hopefully he'll get an opportunity to see him during the TWW. 

inthewoods23

@acleverusername I feel like you'd still want both on the report - round cells and morphology. My understanding is that round cells are non-sperm things found in the sample and the morphology is obviously the shape of the sperm. So weird.

No updates on the SA. Still not in the portal *sigh* but I did get the vaccine today yay!!! My PCP was also very proud to hear of my progress from the 2 weeks of bupropion. At least something positive happened today.

keikilove

Quick update: Triggering tonight! Retrieval on Saturday!