A Grad Story

74dragonfly · December 2013

Hi,

I hope it is OK to post here. I always liked when grads posted their success stories so I hope you don't mind mine.

I conceived DD 1st cycle. She was born in Jan 2009. We started trying for a second in Jan 2011. Got pregnant the first month, lost the baby at 6 weeks and had a D&C. tried for the next 7 months before going to my OB who ran some tests (I was 37 so I only waited 6 months). Initial testing showed low AMH so OB told me I needed to get aggressive and see an RE.

Jan 2012 saw an RE who did a follicle count and told me I didn't have many eggs left and they were probably mainly bad quality. I was devastated. We discovered later that month i was pregnant. However our joy was short lived as I lost the baby at 5 weeks.

We then went to a new RE since they last one seemed so pessimistic about my chances. The new RE said my AMH was low but still normal for my age. The RE ran pregnancy loss testing, HSG, semen analysis, full fertility testing. The conclusion was "unexplained"/age related.

I did a few medicated cycles with femera and then 3 IUIs, no success. During this time we decided to relocate to CA. our plan was to find a new RE and try IVF. It was during this waiting time we conceived our son who was born 2 weeks ago.

There are a few things that I think helped me get pregnant with my "unexplained" diagnosis. I think they all helped a little bit to give my body that extra help to get pregnant,

1. Vitamin D. My OB discovered i had very low levels, 9 when ideal for fertility is over 30. I was on mega doses of vitamin D for months.

2. I lost weight. The fertility drugs and my stress over my IF caused me to gain weight. I was 30 pounds over my goal weight. I lost 15 pounds in the few months right before I got pregnant,

3. I took COQ10 and DHEA for a few months. I think this helped my egg quality.

4. I used pre-seed and robitussin to help my CM.

5. I used to spot 7DPO thru AF. Although my progesterone tests looked fine my RE said my lining might not be stable enough to allow for implantation. I began suppositories. a few cycles later I was pregnant.

6. A new RE. I am glad i changed. the new RE gave me hope and made me believe I had a chance. You NEED an RE who WANTS you to get knocked up, an RE who cares. The first one I had seemed to feel my chances were low and I didn't feel like he would encourage me. Although my meciated cycles didnt work becuase my RE got me on progesterone I feel i was successful in carrying to term.

A few things that helped me mentally on this journey:

1. This board. being in touch with ladies going through the same struggle helped immensely.

2. Having a strategy each month. Having a plan of new things to try kept me hopeful. If something isn't working, try something new.

3.Having a long term plan. My plan was stop trying/give up in May 2013. For me I wanted to know that was a point I'd call it quits. I couldn't mentally do this forever. it ended up taking us 26 months to get the BFP which lead to our son. there are ladies with longer and shorter journeys. I just needed to know what our plan was.

I know how hard the journey is when you want another baby and it isn't happening. when I had my second my loss my friend announced she was pregnant with her second, due two weeks after my baby would have been due. The day I met her baby I was undergoing IUI to try and achieve pregnancy. it was so hard to see her baby and wonder if I would ever have one again.

I wish you ladies all the best. I hope you all find success .

tuscanbride2007 · December 2013

Thanks for sharing your story. I am also 37 with "old eggs" so it's nice to hear a positive outcome! Congratulations!

pettycrocker · December 2013

Thanks.

I just had a failed IVF cycle, so your sporadic conception gives me tons of hope.

P.S all of our testing has come back perfect. My vit. D is amazing. I've lost over 100lbs since my daughter was born in July 11, and we've been TTC for 22 cycles.

I could not even count how many cycles I've tried pre seed and robitussin, and if I am in the mood for reading success stories I go lurk on SAIF and/or PAIF.

I am currently on my period now from my failed IVF cycle, so if my response seems HYPER BITCHY at this post in my effing safe place- that is why.

SnowflakeBride06 · December 2013

Thanks KKDragonfly for the update, I remember you!

What you said about having an RE that wants to get you KU really struck me. I like my RE but I never sense that he has any real urgency. But I think part of it is my reluctance to get aggressive with treatment.

The weight loss, ya. I am working on it but MrsC. how did you do that?!

Also, the spotting before AF got me thinking. I never used to spot before AF and for the last year or so I do, since my m/c.

pettycrocker · December 2013

Low carb, which is supposed to be good for TTC anyway. Not that any of it made any effing difference for me anyway

Eta- I really shouldn't just say "low carb" because I'd be lying if I acted like that kind of weight comes off just by diet. I have to work out every single day- so it's really a whole lifestyle change.

SnowflakeBride06 · December 2013

Since having DD I have done two stints of low carb and lost 15lbs each time. But I am so sick of the low carb food and slow progress.

Did you follow SB or Atkins? What do you eat and how do you avoid boredom?

pettycrocker · December 2013

SnowflakeBride06 said:

Since having DD I have done two stints of low carb and lost 15lbs each time. But I am so sick of the low carb food and slow progress.

Did you follow SB or Atkins? What do you eat and how do you avoid boredom?

I'll PM you some snack ideas!

74dragonfly · December 2013

@mrs castillo I truly did not mean to upset you or anyone by posting here. I am sorry to have caused any hurt. I wish you all the best.

SnowflakeBride06 · December 2013

KKDRAGONFLY said:

@mrs castillo I truly did not mean to upset you or anyone by posting here. I am sorry to have caused any hurt. I wish you all the best.

I do think in the future, if you lurk first for a bit before posting an update like this would be better, you can get a sense as to where folks are at on the board and if this kind of advice/update is going to be well received.

I know you meant your update to give us hope, but truthfully, many of us have heard this advice about being an advocate for your health and to lose weight.

Sometimes with all that, getting KU and having another baby still doesn't happen. Its tough to swallow.

CeCe8579 · December 2013

KK, I know your heart and I know you were tryong to be encouraging. I was here through most of your struggle. Congrats on your son. How is he doing?

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