May 6th Retrieval

babybarbo

Hi everyone...it?s been a while since I posted anything because after my first failed IVF I was totally bummed and really didn't want to talk about anything. Now we have just had our second retrieval and I have regained all of my faith in the treatment and that it can and will work. For the past couple of months I have been involved in Mind-Body Program that is designed to complement your medical infertility treatments by teaching multiple relaxation and stress-relief techniques. The program was offered by a local licensed psychologist who specializes in infertility that was trained by world-renowned expert, Alice Domar, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School, who developed the Mind-Body Program to provide women dealing with the stress of infertility with a toolbox of coping skills that will be useful throughout their lives. It was a wonderful weekly group that met in person to discuss our Infertility journey and struggles. It was the best thing I could have done. Not only did I meet a group of outstanding women going through the same things I am who I have become very close to but also the guidance of wonderful therapist that really helped me thru the toughest time thus far.

Forward to yesterday, May 6th and the some really surprising news after my egg retrieval. I am 37 years old and during my first IVF retrieval, they were only able to retrieve 11 eggs of which 4 ended up being viable. This time my wonderful doctor retrieved 30 eggs...yes...30 eggs!!!! The nurse had to double check with the Embryologist because she couldn't believe it. My husband and I were in shock to say the least but very thankful for this wonderful outcome.

Now I am anxiously awaiting the call from my RE's office for the fertilization results. I am on pins and needles. I am of the belief that quality over quantity is key but with this result I can't conceive (no pun intended) not having some really great results.  I hope everything turns out well and I will let you all know the results soon.  I hope everyone has a terrific day  

 

 

patchen30

That is wonderful about how many eggs you had retrieved, congrats!

I read Alice Domar's book, Healthy Mind, Healthy Woman, and I loved it.  I took a one-time stress management class at Cornell where they spoke a lot about Alice Domar.  I've been using guided meditations and Domar's relaxation techniques (autogenic training, visual imagery, etc.).  I love it.  I really want to take a class like the one you took, but I haven't found one in my area yet. 

GL to you!

Bella2u07

Wow!  What an amazing number...Congrats!!!

I wish you the best of luck!!!

babybarbo

Thank you. Yes, it was so helpful. I would be happy to check with my therapist and see if she knows of any in your area. What part of NY are you in?

babybarbo

Thanks! Fingers crossed as the next few weeks will be the most stressful.

patchen30

babybarbo:

Thank you. Yes, it was so helpful. I would be happy to check with my therapist and see if she knows of any in your area. What part of NY are you in?

I'm in NYC.

missred75

Wow! What a difference with this cycle! Besides the stress-relief program, what did you do differently this cycle? Was it a different protocol?

Hoping for a great fert report!

babybarbo

After many discussions during our Mind and Body group, some of the girl?s recommended seeing an Acupuncturist. They both had been seeing the same Acupuncturist so I went to see her and it was great! I also had a few full body as well as a few upper body only massages. Lastly, I also went to see a Chiropractor. I had read in a few different places that it was helpful as well. I spoke to the Chiropractor at length about my primary reason for going to see him (Second IVF cycle) and my protocol was established for this treatment.  I had a few adjustments and a couple different therapies in the office over several weeks. I stopped the adjustments on stimulation day 7 which was almost a week before retrieval because I was feeling super tired and extra bloated and didn't really want to lay on the adjustment bench feeling that way. I also stopped getting massages that day as well. I did not however stop going for the Acupuncture, my last visit was the day before retrieval. Per my Acupuncturists recommendation, my next visits are scheduled for immediately before transfer and immediately after transfer. We are planning for a day 5 transfer but you know things could change.

All in all, I really emphasized the stress relief during this cycle. Whether it is all in my head or not, I believe that everything that I have done has been super helpful. Another thing I did that has kept my stress down is not telling anywhere near the amount of people I did the first time. I limited it to those that really needed to be in the know. Obviously my husband...LOL...my parents, my best friend, one of my nearest cousins and 2-3 more people that I felt really could help me through the process. Compared to the first cycle where I told 40+ people. Having people to talk to about it is great but having too many people in the circle is not good. Sometimes you just want to relax and not talk about it and if too many people know then you run the risk of someone always asking you questions. Plus in the unfortunate instance where the cycle is unsuccessful, it is easier as far as how many people you have to share the heartbreaking news with.

 

babybarbo

Just received a call from the RE's office and here are the results: out of the 30 eggs, 17 were mature and 13 were immature. Out of the 17 mature, all 17 fertilized!!! So we have 17 embryos!!!!!! I am so excited

 

missred75

babybarbo:

Just received a call from the RE's office and here are the results: out of the 30 eggs, 17 were mature and 13 were immature. Out of the 17 mature, all 17 fertilized!!! So we have 17 embryos!!!!!! I am so excited

 

 

That's wonderful! Congratulations! Hoping those embies are all rockstars!

cbeney

That is seriously awesome!!!! Congrats!

Im on day 6 of my stims...getting acupuncture. Any tips for stress relief on my own since its prob too late to go to chiro, etc?