I finally got the call from the nurse, and my beta is 106 at 14dpER! She described it as a "nice, strong number" and said that they are happy to see anything over 60. I'm thrilled, but also starting to realize that this isn't the end of the process -- somehow a BFP has been my goal and finish line for so long, and now I have to get used to the fact that there are many more things to worry about, many more milestones to hit before this 106 HCG turns into a baby BUT. For now, I am pregnant. And for that I am incredibly grateful, because I know just how precious and miraculous this gift is!
On that note, I want to say a huge gigantic thank you to all the precious and wonderful women of this board and 3T. I seriously wish I could shackle all of you to my ankles like a big long infertile chain gang and drag you over to PAIF with me. Or win the lottery and set up an IVF OOP fund. There are so many of you who have been through so much, and your strength and determination and grace kept me going through the dark days. Seriously, this is cheesy, but you make me a better person. (What is that from, Jerry Maguire? Wow, that just dated me.) Really -- when I was feeling low and angry, you guys carried me. And I hate the thought of "leaving you behind," because I know that on some days it really feels like that, or at least it did for me. So I promise that I'm rooting for each and every one of you, every single day, and will continue to stalk you all and post as appropriate!
Also, some credit for this BFP goes in equal parts to tst's beautiful hand knit socks (ER, and i think they stayed on my feet for 48 hours of couch rest afterwards) and MsGM's lucky clover socks (ET on St. Patty's day). I wore one of those pairs to every single appointment throughout the IVF cycle. It was awesome having you ladies with me in spirit at the appointments and the luck clearly worked.
-------------
Just for fun... Quick run-down of symptoms, because hey, I did start off on TTGP a long long time ago and sometimes it's fun to pretend to be a fertile:
I
had a serious and sudden onset of PMS-like cramps 2 and 3 days after my 3dt. I hoped like crazy
at the time that they were implantation cramps, and it seems likely that
they were! The PMS cramps stopped for a week after that, and I had a slight heavy
feeling in my uterus, as well as "different" feeling cramps. More like
twinges, I guess. And I've had a few PMS-y cramps off and on for the past few days. On my BFN cycle (Prometrium), I had huge boobs. This time (PIO), not
so much, although they did feel firmer (weird I know). I've also been
ravenously hungry and get lightheaded if I don't eat for more than a few
hours. Also, my ass hurts like a b!tch. Oh wait, that's the PIO.
:-p Really all of these could be attributed to the PIO or Estrace,
but maybe at some point it will help another crazy IFer hold out hope for a few more days when they are frantically Googling IVF 2ww symptoms, like I did.
Protocol changes that I believe helped my particular situation:
*Early trigger, when lead follies were at 17 and 19. FWIW, also had a 450IU Follistim co-trigger along with the HCG. Way fewer eggs retrieved (14 compared to 27)!
*Supplements: co-Q-10, fish oil, Vitamin D, B complex, Vitamin C (and of course PNV.) Also, since I'm mostly vegetarian, I really tried to eat more protein (including meat). I think I had eggs for breakfast almost every day of stims, plus a daily smoothie with spinach for extra Niacin. I also did acupuncture twice a week while on stims.
Severe MFI. Me: supposedly all clear but eggs showed vacuoles.
IVF #1 January 2012, ER Jan 14th: 34R, 27M, 23F. Day 3: 18 embies still strong. Day 5: zero "good," one "fair," the rest "poor." Transferred 3. None made it to blast or to freeze. Jan 28: BFN.
Lucky IVF #2: Transferred two beautiful day three embies on St. Patrick's Day. BFP on HPT 7dp3dt. Beta 1 (14dpER)=106; Beta 2 (16dpER)=140; Beta 3 (19dpER)=264! First u/s 4.17.
Hope is the thing with feathers - that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops - at all - (Emily Dickinson)
Re: Beta is in! And giving thanks...
Me: 39, Dx DOR (FSH = 10.5, AMH = 0.43, best AFC = 10), AMA
MH: 37, Dx Obstructive Azoospermia, multiple successful sperm retrieval procedures
2/2012: IVF/ICSI #2 MDLF (4R, 4M, 1F) = BFP, saw heartbeat, missed m/c 9w0d, D&E
8/2012: IVF/ICSI #3 EPP/MDLF (7R, 2M, 1F) = BFN
12/2012: (New RE) Operative hysteroscopy to remove scar tissue
1/2013: IVF/ICSI #4 Low-dose stim/Antagonist (AFC=6); ER=1/26 (5R-couldn't access rt ovary, 5M, 4F), ET=1/29 (trans 3) = BFP!; 2/11 beta#1(13dp3dt)=2127, 2/13=3367; twin girls due 10/19/13
PAIF/SAIF very welcome!
<a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Pregnancy"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/tt16bf7d.aspx" alt=" BabyFruit Ticker" border="0" /></a>
*sig warning*
So awesome!
Me:34 Type 1 Diabetes, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Hypothyroid DH:35 Perfect
DX: Unexplained IF
Many IUI's with various meds all BFFN
IVF #1 11/11 canceled due to OHSS
IVF #2 Feb/March 2012 ET of 2 on day 3 4/7 BFP! 5/1 u/s blighted ovum
IVF #3 July 2012 ET of 3 on day 3 7/24 BFP!
Healthy baby girl born at 36w4d on 3/9/13
TTC#3
IVF #5 June 2018- PGS planned, no surviving embryos
IVF #6 August 2018- ET of 2 on day 3 - Chemical pregnancy
IVF #7 August 2019-....?
TTC since March/April 2010
DX: MFI - less than 1 million sperm, 26% motility
DH put on anastrozole to increase counts
June/July 2011 100 mg Clomid + TS IUI#1 & IUI 2 - BFN :-(
Forced break due to DH getting spinal surgery in August 2011
IVF - January 2012: BFN
FET in April 2012 - BFP at 6dp5dt! Beta #1 at 9dp5dt: 82.5, Beta #2 at 12dp5dt: 352 Beta #3 at 19dp5dt: 6000, saw heartbeat and one little bean at 5W6D!
After nearly 3 years of waiting our LO was born December 18th 2012!
Beta #1 3/4/14- 105. Beta #2 3/7/13- 397 EDD-11/11/14. 1st u/s 3/20- 6w2d lil' bean with 120hb. 7w0d- lil bean's hb was 144. Graduated from RE 3/25/14.
DX: DOR & major hormone imbalances; DH low motility
4 Clomid cycles + Trigger = BFN
2 Femara cycles + Trigger + IUI = BFN
IVF 7R,5F; ET cancelled - high P4; Froze 3
FET transferred 2 beautiful embies!
Beta #1 - 2,353! Beta #2 - 5,000! It's TWINS!
Hayden River & Connor Jackson born at 34 weeks on October 19, 2012!
**double dips** CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
TTC #1 since 8/1/10; Me:41 and BRCA1+, DH:46
DOR (FSH 24.3)/ terrible egg quality ; homozygous MTHFR c677t
5 IUI's: 2/11 to 6/11 and 1/12= BFN
OE IVF#1-4 8/11-6/12= all BFN
DE IVF#1 11/12 bad embryos= BFN
DE IVF #2 2/13 BFP/Beta hell: m/c 5w6d
CFNBC 7 months, not doing well; decided on guarantee program at RBA w/frozen DE
DE IVF #3 1/14 ET 4BB; BFP;M/C 5w1d, incomplete m/c; MVA extraction in ER 7w1d
DE FET#1 ET 3/1714; BFP, beta 1 3/27= 197, beta 2 3/31= 1586, beta 3 4/7= 13879!!
First u/s= Twins with HBs at 6w2d! We are Team Pink x 2!!
K & K born 11/21/14 at 38wks 4 days
SAIF/PAIF Welcome
http://waitingforraintostop.wordpress.com
Congratulations! Although I will miss seeing you on this board, I still send you off to PAIF with lots of hugs and well wishes and a happy and healthy nine months!
Countless BFN(s)
Moving to IVF
IVF1 (ICSI): Long Lupron
6R. 3F. 3DT. 8Cell 1Grade 2Embies. 1Frostie.
Beta 1/22: 14 Beta 1/24: 24 Beta 1/26: 28
Round One Result: Chemical Pregnancy
Pressing Forward
IVF2 (ICSI/AH/ACU): Microdose Lupron Flare
13R. 11F. 5DT. 2TFR'ed. 1Frostie.
Round Two Result 4/30: Harsh BFN
FET. 2TFR'ed.
Round Three Result 6/25: BFN
Where do we go from here?
Moving forward with CCRM in 2013
ODWU revealed blocked tube(s). Lap 2/15.
Bilateral Tubal Ligation. Stage IV Endo.
Finally some (tough) answers.
IVF3 (ICSI/CCS): Antagonist with EPP
13R. We have 3 CCS Normal Embryos!
Lupron Depot: May 2013 to August 2013
Long awaited FET on 9/3. 2TFR'ed.
BFP on FRER 5dp5dt: IN SHOCK!
Beta1 9/10: 152.7! Beta2 9/12: 378! Beta3 9/14: 1224!
1st ultrasound 10/1: TWO beautiful heartbeats! Overjoyed!
YAY! Congratulations! Your research and determination paid off. Good for you for being your own advocate, and finding a better place that would learn from the mistakes of your former cycle. Sometimes I wonder if all the obsessing I do is worth it and then I realize that it is, because you took this into your own hands and found a much better solution.
Enjoy every single beautiful moment!
me (36): Hypothyroid (on Levothroid), low vit. d, borderline/high fsh (day 3: between 7-10) (day 10: 13 during CCCT), AFC: 14
dh (31): awesome (minus one sample with agglutination)
Diagnosis:possible DOR and/or unexplained + elevated NK cells + MTHFR (C677T - one copy)
MAY 2011 - FEB 2012 - 3 injectable IUI's with numerous cancellations due to high TSH levels
MAY 2012 - onto IVF/ICSI (Antagonist Protocol) on BCP and Folgard (3 week delay - cyst - boooo) 5/21 start stims 5/30 ER 11R 8M 3F 6/2 3DT of 3 6/12 Beta #1 83 | 6/14 Beta #2 196 | 6/21 Beta #3 3818 | 6/28 Beta #4 22,213 | 7/2 1st U/S - 2 on board! 8/24 CVS reveals that we have a boy AND a girl on board!
Healthy baby boy and girl born in February, 2013 at 38 weeks and 2 days!
Me:40 AMA, DH:36 0% morph, TTC#1;
BFP#1 4/2011, MMC 6/2011 11wks Trisomy 13;
BFP#2 11/2011, CP
FSH: 17.9, AMH: 2.2
IVF#1 w/ICSI: ER 4/3: 5R,4M,4F
ET 4/6 All 4 (1-8A+, 2-8A-, 1-3A) BFP#3
Two weeks of beta hell = Blighted Ovum
IVF#2 Aug/Sept: ER 8/27: 4R,3M,3F
ET 8/30 (1-8A+, 1-6A+)
Beta#1 9/10: 350; Beta#2 9/12: 796; Beta#3 9/20: 9155
Expecting Boy/Girl Twins! My babies were born 4/23/13 at 36w1d!
DX: 6/9/2011: Azoo ICSI/IVF only option for biological child
IVF #1: ER - 9/26 * ET - 10/1 * beta#1 10/13 - 140 * beta#2 10/17 - 477 * beta#3 10/20 - 1101
1st u/s at 6w6d - one hb * 2nd u/s at 8w3d - no hb detected 11/10/11 * natural m/c 11/13/11
FET #1 Jan/Feb 2012 - 3 delays - cancelled 2/13
FET #1.2 - May/June 2012 - ET 6/6/* beta#1 6/15 - 95 * beta #2 6/19 - 322 * beta #3 6/22 - 940
7/6 1st u/s @ 7 weeks - one beautiful hb - released from RE
EDD 2/22/2013
PAIF/SAIF/PGAL welcome
TTC #2 since July 2010
March 2012 IVF (MDL Protocol) Started stims 3/3; ER 3/11 (9R, 8M, 7F) ET 3/16 (5dt of 2 blasts graded 3AB and 3BA, 3 frosties(!!) Beta 3/26 = 386; Beta 3/28 = 827; u/s 4/11 says TWINS! Boy/Girl Twins delivered at 36 weeks 6 days
What incredibly great news!! I am so happy for you! H&H 9 to you!
Thanks for the end note about your 3dt. I am sweating this one myself.
#1 BFP 1/10/11; missed m/c discovered 7w5d
IF Dx: Endo, hetero MTHFR mutation, poor morphology
#1 IUI: 1/18/12 = BFN
#1 IVF/ICSI 4/2/12 = 2 x 7-cell and 1 x 5-cell transferred (3dt) = BFP!!
H was born at 41w2d on 12/29/12 - be still my heart!
#2 IVF/ICSI 1/19/14 = 2 x 8 cells transferred (3dt) = BFP!! EDD 10/09/14
M&W born at 37 weeks on 9/18/14 - I am the momma of 3 boys!!!
Multiple ectopics, 2 failed IVF's
IVF #1: Did not get to ET, embies all failed PGD (major chromosomal defects)
IVF #2: We have 2 chromosomally perfect embies as a result of PGD (Boy/Girl) 1 failed the thaw (Girl) Transferred 1, yet ended as a c/p
Thought it was the end of our TTC Journey 6/20/2012
SHOCK BFP 9/28/2012: IT'S A BOY! and everything is normal !!!!!!
Little A born 38w 2d on 05/23/13 and is a true miracle for this IF Vet!
******siggy warning
HAPPY HAPPY DANCING! so happy for you lynda. yay for 3dt no study or doctor will convince me otherwise. fx for doubling. keep us updated over on PAIF too
Great beta! Congrats!!
DH: Severe MFI/Azoo Me: Compound heterozygous MTHFR
IVF #1= m/c- methotrexate @6w2d
FET #1= BFN
IVF #2= m/c- D&C @8w5d
IVF #3= Beta #1 9dp5dt= 252, Beta #2 11dp5dt= 417, Beta #3 17dp5dt= 4,952
US #2 @ 7w2d= twins, baby B measuring behind
US #3 @ 8w5d= Baby A doing well, no HR in baby B
*S/PAIF always welcome*
4 failed cycles of clomid, 1 Femara IUI = BFN IVF #1- results 3/20- BFN
FET - April 17 - 2 frosties 5aa
Beta #1 9dp6dt- 4/26 - 344 BFP!!
Beta #2 13dp6dt- 4/30- 1385
u/s scheduled for 5/16
3 furbabies (1 pug mix, 2 tabby cats)
SAIF/PAIF welcome
Congratulations!!!!! Praying for a happy and healthy 9 months!!!
I'm SUPER JAZZED to see success on a 3dt!!!!!!!!!!
Sending you lots of positive vibes!!!!
Me = 39 DH = 50 TTC (since 01/2009 after a short break, I stopped counting *cycles* in 2010)
DX 2010 : Unknown Infertility , AMA
HSG 2005 = Normal / HSG 2010 = Normal
SA 2005 = Normal / SA 2010 /2012 = Slightly low count : motility, morphology GREAT!
Chromosomal analysis, MTHFR, ANA's, Lupus, Protein C, Protein S, APCR = Normal 2011
M/C : 2005 (7wk), 2010 (6wk), 2011 (7wk)
8 IUI's 2010-2011 all BFN
IVF/ICSI antagonist 01/2012 #1 = BFN
IVF/ICSI antagonist long 06/2012 #2 = BFN
IVF/ICSI/CGH MDLF New Clinic/New RE 11/2012 #3 = One beautiful boy blasty frozen PGS normal
IVF/ICSI/CGH MDLF 02/2013 #4 = One more beautiful boy blasty frozen PGS normal
FET 6/20 : One 5AA PGS normal transferred Beta 1 6/28 = 53.9 / Beta 2 7/1 = 220 / Beta 3 7/3 = 550!
1 U/S 6w3d - Heartbeat 119 / 2 U/S - 7w5d- Heartbeat 169 / 3 U/S (OB) 8w5d - Heartbeat still great!
Baby G welcomed into the world 3/7/2014
SAIF / PAIF always welcome ****
******ticker warning******
Congratulations!! So excited for you!
That is an amazing number. Congrats Lynda, I am so excited and happy for you! May you have a happy and healthy nine months.
DH diagnosed with Testicular Cancer 8/2010
Low sperm count. Only option IVF with ICSI
Starting First cycle Jan/Feb 2012- Canceled due to not responding to BCP and/or Lupron
IVF 1.2- stims March 14, ER March 24, 16 R 10F 6 made it to blast
ET March 29- transferred two blasts, 4A and 4BA, froze 4
Positive HPT 9dp5dt Beta 1- 385 11dp5dt
u/s April 25- one healthy heartbeat
EDD 12/12/12>
TTC #1 Since 8/2010
Me: 34, DH: 35 DX: DOR (FSH 14.9, AMH 0.67, AFC ~10) and Egg Quality
IVF #1 Feb 2012. MDFL protocol w/ Met. 7 ER, 0F.
May Donor Egg IVF cycle:3 EF, 1 blast ET 5/12, 2 frosties
BFP 5/21! beta #1 5/22 306 beta #2 5/24 818 beta #3 5/31 15,038.
"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian." --Dennis Wholey