Pregnant after IVF Study?!

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

Hi Ladies! I've been with RMA of NJ (Basking Ridge) since July 2013. Currently on month 21 of TTC and we were just accepted into the NexGen IVF Study! I had three failed IUI's at RMA all cycles were injectable cycles with Follistim so I'm really not too nervous about the IVF proceedure other than the Anesthesia for the Egg Retrieval. This is my first time on here and my first time finding your PAIF board How many cycles did you have before getting pregnant? And were you in an IVF study if so was it with RMA? Any advice as far as Acupuncture or anything else you wish you knew before starting IVF?! I'm really excited and hopeful and looking for other people who understand this process, so glad to have found you and looking for any info you can give me! Thanks!!

Aurora1181 · February 2014

I was not part of any study. We did two IVFs and one frozen transfer. No acupuncture, but I did start seeing a therapist once a month and that did wonders for my sanity. I remember my doc telling me that they learn a lot from the first IVF (especially for people who were "unexplained" like me and that second IVFs are sometimes more likely to be successful because of that. Knowing that it wasn't the end of the road when IVF 1 failed helped me pick myself back up. Good luck to you!!

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

Thanks Aurora! With the study we do an automatic FET (no fresh cycle but we get to keep the remaining embryos to try again obviously if IVF #1 doesn't work out) So I'm nervous but excited and hopeful for this to work for us

xtina78 · February 2014

I was not part of a study. We were very lucky in that our first IVF worked - at least everything looks good so far at 13 weeks. I did do acupuncture weekly for several months including acupuncture before and after ET in the RE's office. I also started doing meditation which I think was helpful b/c I am anxious person. We did a fresh cycle and since it worked I wouldn't change anything - however I was so swollen and bloated from having a lot of eggs that it may have been better to recover and then do a FET later on.

Good luck to you!

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

Thanks Xtina78! Can you tell me was there a method to your madness in terms of acupuncture? How many days before and after ER did you go? My nurse basically told me that if I haven't started yet that it won't make a difference that I should have started earlier... I feel like it can't hurt but they can't see me until March 10th... ER will prob be around the 10-14th? Sooo I'm not sure if I should just make an appointment at a different place sooner just incase... looking for thoughts on that

Ylvelill · February 2014

Did one cycle with follistim. Ended up freezing 2 embryos since I developed a polyp. Transferred both embryos and now we are pregnant with 18w twins.

LilSip0611 · February 2014

Hi from a RMA graduate! We fortunately only had to do 1 fresh cycle and never did one of their studies but I always found them really interesting when I read the pamphlets while waiting. Don't sweat the anesthesia, it's really no big deal although it did burn for a second before I was out, just long enought to tell the anesthesiologist. RMA also offers laser acupuncture when you go for ET, which they say improves the outcome. I think it was $250 for the service and while my husband thought it was a crock, I wasn't discounting anything. And it worked so maybe it does help. They do it for about 10-15 minutes before transfer and then again after transfer. Best of luck to you in your cycle, you're definitely at a great place.

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

Thank you all for your responses thus far! And thank you LilSip0611! So great to hear from other RMA patients especially success stories!

You may be hearing from me as I progress through this process with questions haha

PhillyJ33 · February 2014

hi,
Good luck! I was lucky that I got my BFP on my first full IVF cycle (I had one canceled cycle prior and didn't make it to ER). I don't remember the ER at all- no pain, just felt sleepy and when I woke up they were telling my the number of eggs they got.
I wasn't part of a trial where they covered the IVF or influenced my protocol but I was involved in a study for the incubation part after ER. My embryos were placed in the incubator with cameras watching them develop so they never had to remove them to examine them. We have the video but it's not compatible with our MAC at home so I have yet to see it

I did acupuncture. I did it weekly until stims and then maybe 2x week. They came to my ET and did it before and after. I went once in the 2WW and then stopped it because it was kind of far and expensive. I don't know if it helped but it definitely didn't hurt. I felt like I was in control of something so I enjoyed going. My acupuncturist said the most important time to go is before and after ET so I wouldn't worry if you haven't been going all along. That is when they base their studies off of anyways.
I wasn't a RMA patient either.
Hope this helps!

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

PhillyJ33, that all Totally helps thank you so much for your response! I just came across this site today really... I think I signed up awhile ago but never used it and everyone today has been so incredibly helpful it's really nice to have the support! Our trial uses the same imaging technology with the photos being taken every 5 minutes too! Also chromosomal testing if we're in the study group... if not then we get it after the study on all the remaining embryos. They're transferring our two best embryos either way whether they're screened for the new test or not

So either way it's a win win I think.

I really appreciate the info about acupuncture I'm going to go to the one at RMA on the 10th and pay to have it done before and after ER after hearing everyone's comments about it... maybe I'll find an acupuncturist locally and go once a week because RMA is an hour away from me... and I'm already there enough lol

Thanks again for your post and Congrats on your pregnancy!

Aurora1181 · February 2014

That imaging process sounds amazing. @phillyj33 I would love to have a video like that!! How incredible!

PhillyJ33 · February 2014

@musicianlala26 definitely a win win! Best if luck and we are always here if you have any questions!
@aurora1181 pretty cool, right! It will be his first picture/video! I transferred 2 so who knows which took but still pretty neat!

PhillyJ33 · February 2014

@musicianlala26. Also, they did a bunch of studies with favorable outcomes in the UK on the camera imaging. I remember that it was in the news right before my transfer in August. If you haven't seen it, I would look it up. Pretty neat stuff!

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

Awesome!! Thanks @phillyJ33

I'll def look it up!! Our nurse also told us that with this Study since we're transferring two embryos if we end up pregnant with one and carry full term they do a swab of us and the baby after delivery and can actually TELL us which embryo the baby came from.... Science... it's insane lol

PhillyJ33 · February 2014

That is insane!!!

xtina78 · February 2014

I used an acupuncture practice recommended by my clinic and just did what they told me to.

I don't think it's too late to start.

My understanding is that the first studies that showed acupuncture to help with IVF success rates were done before and after ET on women who were acupuncture-naive.

FloridaSun82 · February 2014

Hi! I'm very fortunate to have gotten pregnant with a fresh cycle after my first round. I also did acupuncture for about 5 months prior. I did not do it immediately before or after the transfer. My doctor and acupuncturist said that if you've been doing it consistently (once a week and then twice a week during stims), that there is no extra benefit to doing it the day of the transfer.

I will not lie, I had a reaction to the anesthesia from the retrieval. I believe that they did not give me enough initially, as I distinctly remember a sharp pain and me jumping back, and then they gave me more and I was knocked out completely. As far as the reaction, I threw up everything I ate or drank for the entire day and when I wasn't throwing up, I was sleeping. However, I was better the next day, although took the next day off of work as well.

I wish I would have known the emotional toll that it was going to take on me, DH, and our relationship. It was absolutely the hardest thing, emotionally, that I've ever been through (it took a while for my body to start responding to the meds). I wish I would have known that you take progesterone shots for 2 months following, because they were kinda awful. However, I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it means that I'll have a baby.

Peanutz21 · February 2014

I'm an RMA graduate - i declined participating in their study...can't remember if it's the same study I was offered. Are you getting any compensation for it? I didn't do the study bc I was OOP and didn't want to add any extra variables.

I did one IVF cycle and luckily got BMP of my frozen transfer of 2 embryos. I wasn't able to do a fresh according to them at the time. I did the laser acupuncture only before and after transfer as DH made me.

I didn't have a fabulous warm loving relationship with RMA for various reasons but am ecstatic and thankful with the end result.

Good luck to you.

curlylocks3 · February 2014

We did three Clomid + IUI cycles, one IVF cycle where my transfer was cancelled because of a suspected DVT and a FET. We had consented/enrolled in a study on cumulus cells surrounding embryos - not through RMA- but ultimately I didn't have enough frozen embryos to meet the study criteria.

Good luck to you!

FutureMrsW9 · February 2014

I'm a RMA grad, as well. We did 1 IVF w/FET cycle and currently have 15 frosties, and nothing prior other than unmonitored clomid with my OB. That 1 cycle was obviously successful :-) RMA is the best! I was not part of a study, but we were lucky that insurance covered a lot of it. I did the laser acupuncture only right before and right after my transfer...it was awesome, I was so relaxed! If I could afford it OOP I would have continued to go :-)

If you ever have any questions about RMA's IVF process feel free to PM me, and good luck!

BBColt78 · February 2014

I did not go through RMA, but wanted to give a little info about my experience.

My first IVF worked. I had no issues at all with being knocked out. For that pregnancy, I did accupuncture once a week starting five weeks before. I did not do it after the transfer.

This pregnancy is from an FET. I did accupuncture about 4 weeks before and I did go in the day after transfer this time.

FWIW- My RE office is actually recommending that most patients do the retrieval and then a frozen transfer as opposed to a fresh. It allows the body to calm down after meds and the success rates are becoming just as good as with fresh cycles.

Good luck!

Musicianlala26 · February 2014

Thank you all SO much for the responses! @FutureMrsW9 I will definitely message you as I start my STIMS this Saturday as I'm sure I'll have tons of questions

FutureMrsW9 · February 2014

BBColt78 said:

I did not go through RMA, but wanted to give a little info about my experience.

My first IVF worked. I had no issues at all with being knocked out. For that pregnancy, I did accupuncture once a week starting five weeks before. I did not do it after the transfer.

This pregnancy is from an FET. I did accupuncture about 4 weeks before and I did go in the day after transfer this time.

FWIW- My RE office is actually recommending that most patients do the retrieval and then a frozen transfer as opposed to a fresh. It allows the body to calm down after meds and the success rates are becoming just as good as with fresh cycles.

Good luck!

My doc at RMA actually said this, too. I didn't have a choice because I was high risk for OHSS, so I had to do FET no matter what, but my primary did say that they've been seeing higher success rates with FET vs. fresh....so something to think about and def mention to your primary.

ally510 · March 2014

Another RMA grad here...I did one IVF cycle & had a FET. Our diagnosis was unexplained. I was not part of a study, but paid oop to have PGD testing on our embryos. I also chose to do the laser accupunture before & after the transfer. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

Good luck!!!

auntjessy · March 2014

After a ton of clomid + IUI cycles and surgery on my tubes (see siggy) we conceived our twins on our first try with a fresh transfer IVF, transferring 2 embryos. We have another 2 frozen for donation. I wouldn't worry a bit about the anesthesia. At my clinic, they don't do anesthesia, just a pain/anxiety pill an hour before you get there. The pain was excruciating - jabbing a giant needle through the wall of my vagina for each egg they retrieved. I'd gladly go through anesthesia, and even then - I'd do it exactly the same, all over again for this BFP. Good luck & prayers your way.

Musicianlala26 · March 2014

Thank you everyone for the replies I feel really positive that IVF will work for us. I didn't get a head start with acupuncture but I will be going in on 3/10 as well as a massage tonight and ER scheduled sometime next week so I'll be nice and relaxed! haha

franj1104 · March 2014

22weeks here with our 1st fresh IVF cycle. We were part of the EVA study, a study on our embryos for the CCS testing not really on DH or myself..we did the acupuncture, and much like yourself the only thing that scared me was the anesthesia for the egg retrevial mainly because I had horrible allergies at the time and refused to take any meds... I also did the 5 days of eating pineapple (you'll hafta look it up) but its supposed to help with the lining of your uterus. Good luck, keeping my fingers crossed for you

Musicianlala26 · March 2014

Thanks @franj1104 ! I actually just started looking up info about the pineapple!

I go in for my first Acupuncture this coming monday... egg retrieval will be a day or two after that and I plan on doing Acupuncture before and after Transfer too!

GermanGirl2007 · March 2014

Musicianlala26 said:

Thanks Aurora! With the study we do an automatic FET (no fresh cycle but we get to keep the remaining embryos to try again obviously if IVF #1 doesn't work out) So I'm nervous but excited and hopeful for this to work for us

I was part of a study, but not at RMA. The study I was a part of was comparing success rates between Mini IVF and conventional IVF. I was selected for Mini IVF, which also had an automatic FET with SET, and was successful on the first transfer. I can totally relate to the feelings of both nervousness and hopefulness. It's quite a rollercoaster! I wish you well and am happy to answer any questions about my experience.

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