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Getting ready for IVF

lizardknitterlizardknitter member
in TTC after 35

I purchased a book today... IVF: Patient's Guide.

Other than reading that, can anyone give me some insight?  What protocols work better for the 40 year old crowd?  Do I HAVE to take BCP to start with?   What can I do to help the process?

Thanks! 

Me - 40, DH 34 Married 11 years, TTC since 7/09 3 rounds of Clomid > Vivienne born 5/28/11
TTC#2 since 01/13 - 3 rounds of Clomid, 2 IUI w/injectibles, moving to IVF
IVF #1 - Lupron 20 6/19, Follistim 225 6/21, Menopur 75 6/27, Trigger 6/30
ER 7/2 (8R, 7M, 5F); ET 7/5 - 2 8 cell, grade 1 and 1 7 cell, grade 1 Stick babies, stick!
BFP on HPT at 11dp3dt
Beta #1 13dp3dt 787
Beta #2 17dp3dt 6,007
1st u/s 5w2d showing one "good" sac and 2-3 questionable
2nd u/s 6w2d showing one baby with HR 128bpm
3rd u/s 7w1d - HR 159bpm - graduated from RE!
MaternT21 test results: no chromosomal issues, it's a BOY!!!
EDD March 25, 2014

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Re: Getting ready for IVF

  • Jacque SillsJacque Sills member

    Hi, Lizardknitter,

    I am 43 and am going through my first IVF treatment. Your protocol will be based on your test results from b/w and other procedures.  It appears that most of us, gals have our AMH bloodwork done to help the doctor get an idea of our egg reserve.  But, they won't be able to understand your egg quality, until they actually go in for egg retrieval and do a PGS test on the embryos. Your FSH bw, they will do at baseline, meaning on your first day of IVF.  They will run some other preliminary bloodwork to see that all is normal.  They will probably do some kind of HSG or SHG testing to see what your uterus and tubes look like, too, to establish your individual protocol.  So, don't take any birth control pills or anything like that, let them prescribe that to you, that is a part of your treatment plan.  But, what you can do in the meanwhile.....

    If, you are not already, start taking a prenatal with folic acid, CoQ10,(my doc has me on 800mg), but maybe, start at a lower amount like 200mg.  The rest of the supplements, I would wait til your doc tells you what he or she wants you to take, he will probably give this info to you, on your first visit to get you started.  My doc put me on quite of few of them, so, if you would like to know the names, I will tell you, but again....remember, we are all different and coming in with different issues and situations, so that can dictate your requirements... 

    Eat healthy!  Can't stress enough. Lots of veggies.....  Check your BMI to see where you fall in and work on getting into the normal range, if you are a bit over or under, you will want to do your best to get into the middle range to help. I have stopped coffee, chocolate, no alcohol and no preservatives/junk food, and lots of water...... etc.  Accupunture to help getting your blood flowing in all areas, especially, the ovary area and relax the system.  Make sure they do fertility accupunture, there are mixed reviews.  Some people swear by it and others can't tell the difference.  But, remember, it will depend on what your issues are.  But, get started with that, because, it can take a month or so, for it to take affect, I have heard.   

    I hope this gives you a starting point to consider.  If, you would like to know the exact names of the bloodwork/procedure names, let me know.  The doctor will get you on the right path before you start.....I need to run, I have to take my shots for the night.  The things you get to look forward to....Lol.

    I am sure that there will be some more experienced IVF'ers, to help explain it better and more detailed than I.  This is my first go-around with it and I am on day 11, so I still have to get through the rest and who knows what that will provide in what I need to do to prep for the next round, if I don't get my take home baby.....

    Best of luck and let me know, if you need any more help.  take care.

    Lilypie Trying to Conceive 15 to 80 day cycle tickers
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  • happywifemomofonehappywifemomofone member
    Hi!  Welcome to the group!  I remember that I was very "lost" with my first IVF.  Unfortunately, the number of ladies doing IVF here waxes and wanes-as does the IVF knowledge base.  I encourage you to also lurk on IF board.  We'd be happy to try to answer any specific questions as you go along.  GL with your IVF cycle!!
    TTC since 10/09 Me-43 DH-44 RE and testing 10/10-11/10, Recommending IVF 1/11 New RE AMA and DOR-DH low motility IVF #1.1 cancelled 3/11 due to poor response IVF #1.2 May 2011, one perfect 8-cell embryo, 3dt-BFN, IVF #2.1 Converted to IUI d/t poor response. New RE 9/2011. IVF 2.2 completed using HGH,EPP,DHEA, Q-10 and accupuncture. Transferred one 8-cell, grade one embryo on 10/19. BFP 10/31/11 Chemical pregancy on 11/2/11. Started stims for IVF #3, our final try, on 12-2-11. ET on 12/18. Transferred 3 Grade A embryos-BFFN Planning DE IVF, late March/early April- Donors ER expected to be 4/2-4/4. PAIF/SAIF welcome
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  • chucktgirlchucktgirl member

    imagehappywifemomofone:
    Hi!  Welcome to the group!  I remember that I was very "lost" with my first IVF.  Unfortunately, the number of ladies doing IVF here waxes and wanes-as does the IVF knowledge base.  I encourage you to also lurk on IF board.  We'd be happy to try to answer any specific questions as you go along.  GL with your IVF cycle!!

    ^This. Welcome, and good luck with your first cycle. It very quickly becomes less scary than you think! :)


    imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage
    My BLOG: www.ivfbabyquest.wordpress.com -Update - old blog.

    PAIF/SAIF Welcome!
    Me: 42, Hubby: 35, TTC since Jan 2010. Dx: DOR due to advanced maternal age. Also: Hypothyroidism (100mcg Levothyroxin). Positive for MTHFR (hetero-C677T), Factor V Leiden, and Fragile X (on DH side). Taking pre-natal vitamins    .
    First natural PG 9/27/11; mc: 1/20/12
    First RE visit: 8/8/12, Saline Sonogram: 8/28/12, IVF injection class: 10/11/12, add FaBB Tab for FVL, +Vitamin D.
    IVF #1: 10/17/12 Baseline: FSH- 9.4, E2- 24, LH- 3.7, Prog- 0.3 The u/s showed 6 follicles in my right  & 9 in my left. Rx: 150 Bravelle & 150 Menopur SQ nightly. 10/21/12: Add Ganirelix SQ every morning.
    ER 10/28/12: 13 Retreived. 7 Mature. 6 Fertilized. 5 Made it to PGS. ET 11/2/12: CANCELED. All 5 came back from PGS as having "severe abnormalities."
    IVF #2: 1/7/13 Baseline: FSH- 8.8, 4 follicles in my right & 6 in my left. Rx: 150 Bravelle & 150 Menopur SQ nightly. 1/11/13: Add Ganirelix SQ every morning. hCG Trigger 1/16/13
    ER 1/18/13: 9 Retrieved. 5 Mature. 5 Fertilized. 2 Made it to PGS. ET 1/23/13: CANCELED. All embryos (he even sent the ones not growing) came back from PGS as having "multiple severe abnormalities."
    IVF #3:     NEW RE! 3/1/13 Baseline: FSH- 9.6, E2- 61, Prog- 0.94, 3 follicles in my right & 4 in my left. Rx: 150 Bravelle& 150 Menopur SQ in PM. 3/7/13: Add Ganirelix SQ in AM. hCG Trigger 3/9/13 SQ.
    ER 3/11/13: 6R, 2M, 2F. Day 3: one 8 cell, grade 0.  Five day ET 3/16/13: one early blast, grade Fair. 3/24/13 AF came a day before beta. BFN
    IVF #4:     (Added acupuncture to this cycle.) 3/25/13 WTF & Baseline: FSH-11.8, E2- 56, Prog- 0.84 3/26/13 Start stims. 3/30/13 u/s: 5 follicles in my right & 4 in my left. Rx: 225 Bravelle& 225 Menopur SQ in PM. 3/31/13 Add Ganirelix SQ in AM.hCG Trigger 4/3/13 SQ.
    ER 4/5/13: 5R, 3M, 3F naturally. Day 3: two 8 cell, grade 0, one 8 cell, grade 2 (Scale 0-best to 3-worst). Five day ET 4/10/13: two blastocysts (the 3rd stopped growing.) Beta 4/18/13: 2.5 BFFN. RE recommends we stop trying and focus on living childless, due to the extremely poor quality of my eggs.
    ***Decided to stop trying and live CFNBC. I couldn't adjust. So, six months later...
    IVF #5: Changed RE. Going to one of the big name clinics now. OWDU: 10/29/13. Update: HORRIBLE experience. Disgusted and distraught at their complete unprofessionalism and how much money and precious time they cost us. Sickening. Have now changed RE again. New Patient appt. 1/30/14.
    BFP! Out of nowhere, I got KU the old fashioned way! POAS 1/26/14 - Positive! FDLM 12/30/13. Beta #1 16dpo= 373. Beta #2 18dpo= 801. EDD 10/6/14
    2/4/14 1st U/S revealed a 5wk2day sac but no fetal pole. Started 200mgs of progesterone suppositories daily
    2/11/14 2nd U/S revealed a perfect 6wk1day "diamond ring" embryo with a beating heart! 138bpm! Add 1mg folic acid and 40mg Lovenox
    2/25/14 3rd U/S: perfect 8w1d embryo, 178bpm. 3/6 start spotting. 3/11 10w1d U/S shows no heartbeat. Scheduling D&C. The Stork has forsaken me again.
    IVF #5.2: New in-state RE. Supplement priming for 1.5 cycles prior to start of cycle, including DHEA 50mg (stopped 5/15), CoQ10 200mg 2x/day, L-Arginine- 1000mg 2x/day (stopped 6/5 due to cold sore!), myo-inositol- 2g 2x/day, melatonin- 3mg, and Neevo (prenatal for MTHFR).
    5/16/14 Day 2 bw cycle prior: FSH- 12.22, E2- 38.37, Prog- 1.35, LH- 9.46. 6/2/14 Day 19 bw: Prog- 23
    6/12/14 Baseline: E2- 122.7, Prog- 0.4. 5 follicles in left, 4 follicles in right. Start stims: 375IU Follistim & 150IU Menopur. 6/19 Increase Follistim to 425IU, Menopur still 150IU. 6/18 add Ganirelix. 6/23 Ovidrel trigger SQ. 6/25 ER: 8R, 8M, 5F naturally. Start Medrol & Doxy. 6/26 Start Endometrin. 7/2 Start Lovenox.
    7/8/14 Beta= 137.4 BFP!!! (My first from IVF!) E2- 1109, Prog- >60. Stop CoQ10, myo-inositol, and melatonin. 7/9 2nd Beta= 281.4. TSH- 2.70. Increasing Synthroid to 100mcg daily. 7/24 6w3d u/s measured 6w3d, hb: 121bmp! 8/5 8w1d u/s measured 8w3d, hb: 164bpm! Graduated from RE to OB. Now I just need to find an OB!
    EDD 3/18/15!

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  • efhoping2010efhoping2010 member
    Hi there, I wanted to say good luck on your upcoming IVF, I just had ET with my third fresh IVF and would be happy to answer any questions though pp addressed a lot of what I would say.  I would also add that acupuncture is a great addition too.  Being relaxed and thinking positive makes it less daunting as well as celebrating each step such as ending bcp's if you are on them, starting lupron, if you are on it, and starting stims, trigger, ER and ET, Beta, etc.  Protocols vary and usually are a combination of age, dx, and CD 3 lab results.  Best of luck!!!   
    H: 34 dx Azoospermia due to CBAVD from CF  
    ME: 39 IS FINE!!!  DOR and poor AMH/FSH/LH
    IVF/ICSI/PESA #1 Beta 1 373 Beta 2 1783 BOY/GIRL TWINS!! Born April 2010!!
    Natural FET 5/26/12 2 blasts Beta 1 207 Beta 2 513 Beta 3 1377 U/S 6/28 Pregnancy not viable d & c scheduled :( 
    IVF/ICSI/PESA #2 ER 11/15/12 Nothing to transfer :( 
    IVF/ICSI #3 April 2013 MDLF 3dt of 3 embryos, chemical :(  
    IVF #4/ICSI/MESA/CCS/FET EPP April 2015
    ODWU CCRM with Dr. Sch COMPLETE!!!! Put on acai supplement they are studying for DOR and embryo quality.
    DAY 3 Labs Drawn 2/26 put on vitamin D and calcium supplements
    Regroup and Protocol Reveal 3/04 "Bazooka Protocol" EPP with MDLF "Protocol 6 with patches"
    ER/MESA 4/10 ER 9 eggs retrieved MESA success found live swimmers :)
    Fertilization Report 6 eggs mature and ICSI'd 4 eggs fertilized normally
    Day 6 Report to Blast for CCS 4/16: 2 DAY 5 BLASTS BIOPSIED FOR CCS a 4AB and a 3AB!!!!
    CCS Results BOTH BLASTS CCS NORMAL!!!!!!  call on 4/24
    Regroup call to discuss CCS results and FET call on 5/20
    FET prep: CD 1 6/08 CD 3 Start BCP 6/10, HSG 6/12 Lupron Start 10 iu 6/17 End BCP 6/21 CD 1 6/23!!!
    Start vivelle patches 6/25 change e/o/d reduce Lupron to 5iu 6/25 Blood Draw 7/01, 7/08, 7/15, 7/19
    Increase vivelle patches 7/03 2 change e/o/d and 7/05 change e/o/d 3 and 7/07 4 change e/o/d add vaginal estrace 2x a day
    Lining Check/Blood Draw 7/08 and 7/15 End Lupron 7/18  Start PIO 1ml daily 7/18  Blood  Draw 7/19
    Flight to clinic 7/22
    FET 2 CCS BLASTS :):)  7/23 :):) YES YES both thawed and both fully expanded :):)
    7/26 :):) 3dp5dt PM very very faint positive FRER
    7/27: 4dp5dt Neg Digi AM but very very faint positive FRER PM POSITIVE DIGI CLEARBLUE PREGNANT 1-2 :):) 
    7/31:8dp5dt AM POSITIVE DIGI CLEARBLUE PREGNANT 2-3!!!! :):) 
    Beta 1 8/01= 408!!!!!!!!!! at 9dp5dt FET
    Beta 2 8/03 = 1014!!!!!!!!!! at 11dp5dt FET
    8/05/2015 AM POSITIVE DIGI CLEARBLUE PREGNANT 3+!!!! :):) 
    First Ultrasound: 8/20!!!!!! TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Genetics says BOTH BOYS!!!!!!!!!
    Second Ultrasound: 9/03!!!!!!!!!!










     










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  • lizardknitterlizardknitter member

    I've had all the baseline testing done.  Except AMH, simply because my RE doesn't think it is as good as FSH/E2/AFC. I didn't have a period for 7 years on BCP so I'd like to avoid being over-suppressed.  Does the acupuncture need to be from an IF experienced person?  I live in a rather small town and we only have 2 acupuncturists and neither is well versed in IF.

    Thanks for all the replies! 

    Me - 40, DH 34 Married 11 years, TTC since 7/09 3 rounds of Clomid > Vivienne born 5/28/11
    TTC#2 since 01/13 - 3 rounds of Clomid, 2 IUI w/injectibles, moving to IVF
    IVF #1 - Lupron 20 6/19, Follistim 225 6/21, Menopur 75 6/27, Trigger 6/30
    ER 7/2 (8R, 7M, 5F); ET 7/5 - 2 8 cell, grade 1 and 1 7 cell, grade 1 Stick babies, stick!
    BFP on HPT at 11dp3dt
    Beta #1 13dp3dt 787
    Beta #2 17dp3dt 6,007
    1st u/s 5w2d showing one "good" sac and 2-3 questionable
    2nd u/s 6w2d showing one baby with HR 128bpm
    3rd u/s 7w1d - HR 159bpm - graduated from RE!
    MaternT21 test results: no chromosomal issues, it's a BOY!!!
    EDD March 25, 2014

    <a href="http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Parenting Advice"><img src="http://global.thebump.com/tickers/ttfc354.aspx" alt=" Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker" border="0"  /></a>

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  • Jacque SillsJacque Sills member

    Hi Lizardknitter,

    I have heard that they need to get the blood flowing in the ovary department, but I am not too well versed in all the details.  I would probably discuss it with your RE and ask him or her, what they think about using a general acupuncturist.  Maybe, it would be fine.

    In the meantime, check on Dr. Google and do a bit of research to see if there are some questions or ways to go about finding out about acupuncture and fertility to see if it explains and or demonstrates that a general acupuncturist can do the same thing....maybe, that would help. 

    Best of luck.

    Lilypie Trying to Conceive 15 to 80 day cycle tickers
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  • clownfishedclownfished
    I finally went with an egg donor after 3 miscarriages using my own eggs. It has worked MUCH better so far.
    http://lbdf.lilypie.com/UVWsm4.png
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  • clownfishedclownfished
    test
    http://lbdf.lilypie.com/UVWsm4.png
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