~*~DE/DEmbryo/GC Check-in~*~

JM1977

This group is open to anyone who has already gone through donor egg/donor embryo/gestational carrier, is in the process of it, or plans on doing it in the future. 
 
This check-in posted each Tuesday.  If you?d like to be added to this group, please reply to this message, and I?ll make sure to add you for next week.  Welcome to the lurkers!  We know this can be a difficult journey, but we welcome you with open arms.  Let us know if we can answer any questions.
 
GRADUATES ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO POST! 
 
FACEBOOK GROUP: Yellow_Daisy has restarted a PRIVATE Facebook group (meaning no one can see it in your feed, that you are a member, etc.) for the ladies from IF and SAIF who are using/have used donor eggs/embryos or donor sperm.  If you would like to join, please page Yellow_Daisy and ask for an invite to the group.  This might be a nice way to keep in touch in a more private setting and address issues that may arise down the road.
 
***** If you are a donor or interested in donating, we would be happy to answer questions.  Please start a new post with ?Question for DE ladies? as the title. *****
 
Last Week?s Check-in

Status Update: Where are you currently with the DE/DEmbryo/
GC process?
 
QOTW (thanks to mtlaurel for the suggestion): How has your DH/SO handled the stress of a DE/DEmbryo/GC cycle?

 

Hugs to happywifemomofone on your decision to put off DE for now while you figure out the finances.  Those kinds of delays are always really tough.  We are here for you!

 

Huge congratulations to sekura  on your BFP!!!

 

Congratulations to rebaann on a great mock cycle!  Hope everything worked out with getting access to the donor database!

 

Good luck to reb259 at your lining check tomorrow!

 

Congratulations to kbrodie06 on reserving your donor.  That?s a great step forward!

 

Hugs and best wishes to BRSAugust20 as you begin your new job!  Hope it?s an easy transition for you and J!

 

Hugs to lhcooper and hope your glucose test went alright! 

 

All the best to our ladies in the 2ww and to those currently cycling or preparing to cycle!  We truly wish you the best!

 

Hugs to all who need them!!

 

In the 2ww

Mom2Reese ? Have a daughter from previous IVF cycle, pursuing donor embryo for a second child, chose a donor with 13 frozen embryos, started Vivelle patches, lining check on 5/11, transferred 2 blasts on 5/18, Beta #1 on 5/29

RFBsbride ? Fresh DE cycle and FET in 2009 both BFN's, pursuing DE again after unplanned 2-year break, initial blood work fine, started BCP?s on 12/15, everything looked good on saline sonohystogram and bone density scan, DH going for a physical and will get a referral to a urologist, all testing done, 7dp3dt at check-in two weeks ago  

Currently Cycling/on BCP's or Lupron
amethysgrrl ? Pursuing DE, have selected a clinic and a donor, planning for a June cycle, successfully completed evaluation cycle and had SHG done, got calendar! Began Lupron on 5/22, ER planned between 6/14 and 6/17 with ET between 6/17 and 6/22
lynn0926 ? Pursuing DE out of state, found a local clinic willing to do monitoring and submit to insurance, started mock cycle on 4/2, accepted into guarantee program and lining looks good, chose a new donor, psych eval complete, on BCP, baby aspirin, PNV, and extra folic acid, signed legal agreement, started Lupron on 5/28, baseline and estrogen starting on 6/5, making travel arrangements

M&MBride0506 ? Medicated cycles with sister, final IUI was negative, moving on to IVF, IVF#1 = BFN (((hugs))), cycling with sister again, on Lupron, monitoring appointment on 5/23

mtlaurel ? Pursuing DE after two failed IVF cycles, DE consult complete,  scheduled required mammogram for April, DH?s SA numbers are up, chose a donor! started BCP?s on 4/3, another recipient selected donor! ER anticipated for 6/13 with ET on 6/18, started Lupron week of 5/17, started Delestrogen on 5/28, dilapan on 6/4

PetraStonegirl ? Fresh-frozen DE cycle in late July, had scar tissue and uterine septum resection in May, on Estrace and Provera, moving toward BCP?s and Lovenox   

reb259 ? DE consult schedule for 11/3, DE IVF#1 with frozen eggs did not work out (((hugs))) WTF and appointment with reproductive urologist scheduled, phone consult with RBA went well, meeting with psych and had more blood work done on 4/20, picked a donor! Finished BCP?s, planning travel to RBA for thaw and fert on 6/4, u/s on 5/30 to check lining

Waiting to Cycle/Between Cycles
BeckyP005 ? 2 IUI?s both BFN?s, RE says DE is best option, not 100% sure about this option but beginning required testing, cycle on hold until August or September due to repeat mammogram needed

ceemonkey ? High FSH on her side and sertoli-cell only syndrome on DH's side, joined donor embryo program and submitted some picks, matched with donor embryos! Next step is more testing and then waiting on a few more things before getting ET schedule, in the 2ww from an IUI cycle with OE, waiting to get matched with more donor embryos

Ginger71 ? Staring the DE process in the New Year, considering DE + DS, decided on a guarantee program and moving forward, working on financial details 
happywifemomofone ? 100% OOP, considering shared DE cycle, DE consult scheduled at Advanced Fertility went well, would like to cycle in June or July, contemplating guarantee programs, delaying cycle due to financial considerations, applying for a grant through Baby Quest 
harriet93 ? ET May 2011, lost baby at 9 weeks (((hugs))), hoping for FET soon, growths in uterus removed, waiting on lab results before moving forward  

kbrodie06 ? Has a 3-year-old daughter, considering/researching DE for second child, checking with doctors in the area and weighing options, secured a shared donor! Cycle hopefully starting June 30, put down a deposit on the donor as the second recipient in a shared cycle  

krod2010 ? IVF #6 with identical twin as donor, 16 eggs retrieved but none fertilized ((((hugs)))), DE cycle, ET 1/16, transferred 3 blasts, nothing to freeze, BFP followed by m/c, cycling with the same donor again? 30 eggs retrieved, transferred two blasts, chemical pregnancy ((((HUGS))), hysteroscopy and laparoscopy scheduled for 5/21, 18 frozen embryos, next transfer is 6/15
may2806 ? DE IVF cycle was BFP, having bleeding episodes but heartbeat is good, NT scan went great but blood work showed high HCG and low Papp-A, amnio scheduled but not done, late m/c ((((HUGS)))), determined to be caused by a huge SCH behind the placenta, hysteroscopy showed uterus looks normal, waiting for next cycle with donor, completed Lupron Depot, now starting daily Lupron and IVIG

mielkede ? Decided on DE in August 2008, DD born August 2009, 2 frozen embryos, FET = BFN (((hugs)))  

rebaann ? Two pregnancies from IUI that ended in miscarriages and D&C?s (((hugs))), now pursuing DE, assigned a team, mock ET on 4/12, everything looked good on repeat HSG, current steps: repeat S/A, annual GYN appointment, mammogram, social work consult, injection training, started estrogen shots for mock EEP cycle, u/s and blood work on 5/22 ? everything looked great! Hoping to get database password soon and pick a donor, hoping for a July cycle  
rewdew  ? Going straight to DE with ICSI after removal of one ovary and elevated FSH, also dealing with MFI, DE IVF #1 = BFN (((hugs))), 2 morulas frozen, planning on natural FET 
sarahtoledo ? Looking into traditional surrogacy after a third loss  
vawad82 ? BFP on 1st attempt with donor ? m/c, huge hugs
 
Looking into Options
emca ? Decided on DE after 7 early miscarriages (including after IVF with CGH testing), chose a donor but cycle then cancelled due to donor thinking she was pregnant, decided to cycle one more time with OE, BFN with no frozen embryos, unsure if it is an egg quality problem, looking into gestational carrier

hrtbreakr ? Has been going through IVF/Infertility for 4 years, told DE is the best option   
militarywife2b ? Considering embryo adoption, first consult with a new RE unsatisfactory, pursuing private adoption of baby who is due in May, also working on losing weight 

~*~Recent Successes~*~

kb1965 ? Baby girl from DE who is 18 months old, FET of one day-3 embryo on 5/2, BFP! First and second betas both looking good! 

sekura ? Had WTF for IVF#1 and decided that DE is best option, considering RBA, consult scheduled for 3/6, cycling now at RBA?s frozen egg program! 3 out of 5 donor eggs fertilized, 5dt of 1 blast on 5/12, beta is 5/22, also have 2 frozen embryos ? BFP! Beta #1=306 

 

~*~Graduates~*~
07may07 ? DE cycle with sister's eggs, 3dt, BFP! Beta at 11dp3dt = 190, Beta at 15dp3dt = 927, it?s twins! A boy and a girl!, feeling better, baby girl on the lower end of normal for weight so keeping an eye on her, 34 weeks! Babies are growing well  
aebaby ? Cycled with RBA?s frozen DE program, HSG showed polyp which was removed, hysteroscopy for 11/2, 6 eggs fertilized after the thaw, SET on 12/14, 3 to freeze, beta on 12/22, early HPT?s positive! 
ashleyann82 ? Chose a new donor after first one backed out, shared cycle, DE eSET on 6/19, 4 frozen, BFP! Heartbeat is looking great on ultrasounds, baby looked great on a/s, it?s a BOY!, failed GTT, appointments set up with RN and dietician, going to start exercising more and watching diet, hit 35/35 milestone 
bluebabka ? DE IVF #1 - 13 eggs retrieved, ET of 2 blasts on 2/19, BFP! First u/s showed two but follow-up showed one beautiful baby with a heartbeat of 174, baby boy born 11/3 via C-section, planning on FET in April or May  
BRSAugust20 ? BFP (singleton)! Joseph is here! Contemplating next steps regarding frozen embryo, on a parent panel for RESOLVE?s NIAW activity! Starting a new job

Bubs711? Selected donor! Sonogram as follow-up from mammogram showed fibrocystic breasts, biopsy of both breasts on 2/16 ? mass was drained, TSH came back high, went on Synthroid, ET of 2 day 5 embryos, beta #1 = 477, beta #2=1,777, first u/s on 4/25 showed one heartbeat, EDD is 12/12/12, OB appointment went well, bleeding scare (((hugs)) but everything looked good on u/s, NT scan and perinatal consult scheduled  

dreamalotmp ? DOR, AMA, DE IVF + ICSI cycle, chose donor, cycle planned for November, donor dropped out of the program but selected a new one, ER and ET complete, BFP! Beta #1 = 243, Beta #2 = 489, first u/s showed one healthy developing yolk sac, everything looked good on first trimester screening, diagnosed with gestational diabetes, great anatomy scan on 3/5 showed a girl!  First monthly growth u/s complete, baby looking great

gemini667 ? Pursuing DE after 2 losses and 3 failed IUI?s, started Lupron for DE cycle, received 4 eggs in a split cycle, on PIO, ET on 3/17! Transferred 2 embryos, HPT shows BFP, Beta #1=625, Beta #2=1,527, Beta #3=3,697, u/s #1 scheduled   
hep01 ? BFP on 1st attempt with donor ? m/c ((huge hugs)) blood work results are back and showed a strand of MTHFR started Lovenox before ET, transferred 2 frozen embryos on 2/1, BFP! It?s twins! Two baby girls!
hooliface ? DE cycle, transferred 2 embryos (8 cell compounding grade B+ and an 8 cell grade on day 3, BFP!    
Imanurse03 ? DE IVF #1 - ER on 5/31, ET on 6/4, 16 frozen embryos! BFP! It?s a BOY! Complications including low amniotic fluid levels, IUGR, welcomed baby boy on 1/18/12!
iwannababy2010 ? BFP on 1st attempt with donor! Everything looked good on NT scan, baby is here! Trying for a second baby with FET in March   
jcath ? Donor egg cycle with frozen egg bank, chose donor and back-up, had endo biopsy, 5dt on 1/26, beta #1 = 118, betas have been good, first u/s on 2/21 showed identical twin girls! Arrived safely on 9/2, the girls are now crawling! 
jhleap ? Has a toddler from DE, did an FET in November and got a BFP, expecting baby #2 in early August, first OB appointment scheduled for week of 1/16
JM1977 ? DE IVF #1 = BFN, DE IVF #2 - eSET on day 5 (12/15), beta on 12/28 = 1,035, beta on 12/30 = 2,234, first OB appointment showed baby measuring right on track, baby girl M arrived on 8/30/11!
kdussault ? Donor egg cycle with known donor, 3dt on 1/22 of one perfect embryo, BFP! NT scan went great, anatomy scan on 5/19. It?s a boy!
koyn ? Cycling at RBA, transferred 2 embryos on 9/19, froze 1, BFP!! Beta #3 was 14,621, first u/s showed TWINS! 1st MFM appointment and saw both babies dancing around, hit 28 weeks
LBR_NJ/LisaBRM ? BFP! Baby girl Alana arrived on 12/9/09! FET scheduled for 12/10 but embryo did not survive the thaw (((hugs)))
lenebene ? Split DE cycle underway, on estrogen, donor started stims, ER on 4/25, ET is done - BFP! Beta #1 = 314, Beta #2 = 664, u/s showed one bean, u/s #2 saw heartbeat again, released to OB, team green!, passed glucose test
lhcooper ? Cycling with DE at out-of-state clinic, ER 12/5 - 16 eggs retrieved, got 5 in split cycle, 4 mature, 3 fertilized, 5dt of one embryo on 12/10, beta #1=413, beta #2= 3952, first u/s showed a healthy baby with heartbeat of 138 bpm, second u/s also went great, CVS on 2/14 showed healthy baby GIRL! starting to feel the baby move! Baby girl looked perfect at 20-week scan, shower scheduled for June, starting monthly growth scans, second glucose test on 5/23 after baby?s abdomen on the larger side  

lisaiesha ? DE cycle with an anonymous, proven donor, transferred one Day 5 blast on 3/12 ? BFP! Due date is 11/29, second u/s scheduled for 4/27, 10 weeks, 6 days! Done with estrogen shots and PIO

ljhgrey ? Diagnosed with POF at age 16, unresponsive to Follistim, matched with donor in January, started estrace and more blood work on 3/2, everything looking good! ER was 3/7! ET was 3/12, transferred two beautiful blasts, beta scheduled for 3/23, 3 frozen embryos, HPTs show BFP! Beta #1=114, Beta #2=301, first u/s showed one sac and one yolk sac, next u/s scheduled for 4/6
Lulubelle ? Diagnosed with POF at age 19, has a daughter from a previous DE cycle, original donor contacted and agreed to donate again, BFP! NT scan results looked great, anatomy scan on 8/15 - it's a boy!
lunatwo ? September cycle cancelled due to ovulating on Lupron, DE IVF#1 - ER was 11/11, 13 eggs, 6 fertilized, 5 B-grade embryos, ET on 11/16, BFP! Beta #1 = 485, Beta #2 = 2,495, first u/s showed twins!! A boy and a girl!   
njohnson1972 ? Last attempt with OE, transferred 2 embryos on 11/6, BFP!  Jack is here! IVF cycle with OE unsuccessful, currently on a break and pursuing DE during the summer
RachelD83 ? BFP on 2nd FET (single embryo transfer) - boy! Jonathan born on 12/8 at 38w3d, he's starting to crawl!  
shyntrue ? Donor selected! Surgery to have septum removed, cycle postponed to December, had second SHG and uterus looked good, DE IVF#1 - 3dt of 2 embryos on 12/10, no symptoms but positive HPT?s! beta #1=890, beta #2=10,967, first u/s on 1/11 showed TWINS! NT scan scheduled for 2/24, two trips to the ER and an overnight hospital stay, extensive u/s showed (most likely) 2 boys! Failed 1-hour glucose test and going back for 3-hour  
snoangel79 ? Dx with POF, DE cycle: 15 retrieved, 12 fertilized, 2 embryos transferred, and 8 frozen, BFP! Twins! NT scan went great - strong heartbeats and good growth, a boy and a girl!, babies small for their gestational age but doing well, welcomed babies on 2/24! 
strudel82 ? Success with DE cycle in Dec., pregnant with twin girls! Both are over 1 lb. and kicking, enjoying being pregnant with these girls, heading into third trimester! 
Vet-Tech ? BFP with donor embryos, baby girl born 9/20/10! Considering pursuing donor embryos for a second child

reb259

Hi everyone!! Tomorrow is the big day...my lining check. Hoping it is 8+, if it's not I will need to go back on Friday. RBA requires my lining to be either 8+ or 2 consecutive 7+ ultrasounds.

H seems to be handling things ok...although I think we are both looking forward to closing the door on this journey. The stress of IF, the cycling, and the let downs have really taken a toll on us. We are tired and ready to move forward as hard as it will be.

The sad thing is this whole IF stuff has changed me as a person and if I am honest with myself, not for the better. I really hope I am able to find that person I once was but I am scared that person no longer exists. I have become much more sensitive, aware, thoughtful and proud but I have also become very bitter, angry, self centered and jealous. I hate that I have become those negative characteristics. I hope as I move further away from treatments some of those ugly characteristics will begin to also "go away"

Ok...sorry I have started to ramble.  Good luck to those getting ready to cycle or who are cycling.  Hugs to those who need them and congrats to the recent BFP's!!

xoxo

mtlaurel

Status: Started Delestrogen last night. I've been getting headaches the last couple of days - not sure if the Lupron finally caught up to me or what. I feel much more detached from this cycle than others, even though I've been waiting so long for it and I am excited. I think it's self-protection, but who am I kidding? If this doesn't work, I will be crushed.

QOTW: Thanks for posting it. My DH is showing signs of stress, which means he puts out a lot of chaos vibes - he misplaces stuff, forgets things, gets very agitated with himself, etc. He tries to be helpful and considerate during cycles, but what I really wish he would do is just pull himself together a little better because his stress stresses me out more... 

lynn0926

I was supposed to start lupron yesterday but got messed up on the dates. My nurse said it is fine and I will start tonight. I will probably be on the pill one extra day to avoid a flare of a follicle. All of our travel plans are set now. We leave on June 15th.

QOTW: My DH has not been showing signs of stress. It is more me than him.  

sekura

**Ticker Warning**

lynn0926:

I was supposed to start lupron yesterday but got messed up on the dates. My nurse said it is fine and I will start tonight. I will probably be on the pill one extra day to avoid a flare of a follicle. All of our travel plans are set now. We leave on June 15th.

QOTW: My DH has not been showing signs of stress. It is more me than him.  

Yay Lynn!  So excited for you to get started!

 

Update:  2nd Beta was 818, 48 hours from first, so all is going well!  I have a third beta on Thursday.  I'm doing well; no horrible symptoms just yet.  Just can't believe we're here.

rebaann

Status Update: Where are you currently with the DE/DEmbryo/
GC process?  Hey, we are still waiting on our database access code (I'm going to call tomorrow to ask about it) and waiting on AF to start BCP.
 
QOTW (thanks to mtlaurel for the suggestion): How has your DH/SO handled the stress of a DE/DEmbryo/GC cycle?  He seems to be handling it pretty well.  He was a champ about helping with the shots and doing whatever needed to be done.  I think that what stresses him out most is the financial part - the medical part doesn't seem to phase him at all. 

lhcooper

 reb259: I felt much the same as you towards the end of our IF journey. I can tell you that once you are pregnant, a LOT of that negativity goes away. I don't think we will ever get over it fully, but the best parts win out.

Update: I failed the 1-hr glucose test, but passed the 3-hr the next day; my OB at my appt today says everything's fine. Baby is moving around more and more, including all through the movie we went to last night.

QOTW: my DH has been a champ all the way through. That includes going through our whole "recipient day" at the clinic and producing his sample on the same day that his father died (whom fortunately we had made it in time to see the day before).

 

reb259

lhcooper:

 reb259: I felt much the same as you towards the end of our IF journey. I can tell you that once you are pregnant, a LOT of that negativity goes away. I don't think we will ever get over it fully, but the best parts win out.

Thanks...I am glad I am not the only one.  I appreciate you sharing!

JM1977

reb259:

lhcooper:

 reb259: I felt much the same as you towards the end of our IF journey. I can tell you that once you are pregnant, a LOT of that negativity goes away. I don't think we will ever get over it fully, but the best parts win out.

Thanks...I am glad I am not the only one.  I appreciate you sharing!

Oh, yes, I completely felt this way.  When I was going through it, IF really robbed me of my personality, interests, enthusiasm, hope - everything.  I wasn't sure I would get myself back, but I have.  It's taken a while, but I'm definitely me again. 

krod2010

Mtlaurel-curious to know how much and how often you do the delestrogen shots. This is new and my dr has me doing 5ml every 3 days so just wondering. I am do a FET on 6/15.

I had my hysteroscopy and laparoscopy and everything checked out fine. Started delestrogen shots on May 21 and FET will be 6/15.

Good luck to all those cycling.  

 

 

mtlaurel

reb259:

Hi everyone!! Tomorrow is the big day...my lining check. Hoping it is 8+, if it's not I will need to go back on Friday. RBA requires my lining to be either 8+ or 2 consecutive 7+ ultrasounds.

H seems to be handling things ok...although I think we are both looking forward to closing the door on this journey. The stress of IF, the cycling, and the let downs have really taken a toll on us. We are tired and ready to move forward as hard as it will be.

The sad thing is this whole IF stuff has changed me as a person and if I am honest with myself, not for the better. I really hope I am able to find that person I once was but I am scared that person no longer exists. I have become much more sensitive, aware, thoughtful and proud but I have also become very bitter, angry, self centered and jealous. I hate that I have become those negative characteristics. I hope as I move further away from treatments some of those ugly characteristics will begin to also "go away"

Ok...sorry I have started to ramble.  Good luck to those getting ready to cycle or who are cycling.  Hugs to those who need them and congrats to the recent BFP's!!

xoxo

I could have written every word of this. Good luck with your lining check.

mtlaurel

krod2010:

Mtlaurel-curious to know how much and how often you do the delestrogen shots. This is new and my dr has me doing 5ml every 3 days so just wondering. I am do a FET on 6/15.

I had my hysteroscopy and laparoscopy and everything checked out fine. Started delestrogen shots on May 21 and FET will be 6/15.

Good luck to all those cycling.  

 

 

I take Delestrogen every 3 days, started with .2 cc, go up to .4cc tomorrow, and then dosage is based on b/w results. 

krod2010

Mtlaurel....thank you. I feel better now. I am use to taking estrace every day.

 

amethystgrrl

Status Update: Where are you currently with the DE/DEmbryo/
GC process? Sorry I'm late on this! As of today, I'm officially cycling! Had my baseline appt., and donor and I are cleared to begin!
 
QOTW How has your DH/SO handled the stress of a DE/DEmbryo/GC cycle?He's done great with it, and is such a perfect balance to my stressed-out Lupon-addled brain. He's very calm, and always reminds me that while nothing is guaranteed, these are the best odds we've had yet. He is also a great shot-giver

amethystgrrl

reb259:

Hi everyone!! Tomorrow is the big day...my lining check. Hoping it is 8+, if it's not I will need to go back on Friday. RBA requires my lining to be either 8+ or 2 consecutive 7+ ultrasounds.

H seems to be handling things ok...although I think we are both looking forward to closing the door on this journey. The stress of IF, the cycling, and the let downs have really taken a toll on us. We are tired and ready to move forward as hard as it will be.

The sad thing is this whole IF stuff has changed me as a person and if I am honest with myself, not for the better. I really hope I am able to find that person I once was but I am scared that person no longer exists. I have become much more sensitive, aware, thoughtful and proud but I have also become very bitter, angry, self centered and jealous. I hate that I have become those negative characteristics. I hope as I move further away from treatments some of those ugly characteristics will begin to also "go away"

Ok...sorry I have started to ramble.  Good luck to those getting ready to cycle or who are cycling.  Hugs to those who need them and congrats to the recent BFP's!!

xoxo

This describes me to a tee, sadly. I am not who I was, and fear I never will be that person again...