Feb/March IVF/FET

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@oxinfree Ugh! 10 days!? That is super lame. Hopefully it will be quicker, but still. I think I'd go crazy and start Googling everything I could think of that could possibly be a result.

@ssandberg Congrats on already having two frozens! If you get another two would you do two FETs with two embryos each?

@susykat77 That is a bummer. I did just see your blog post this morning, so that helps explain it. Personally if I were hosting a party and knew someone couldn't have sugar I'd make a special cake, but I'm weird like that. And I hear you about becoming a hermit through this process. The DH and I have been invited to a friends (and DH work colleague) house for dinner tomorrow and I'm so dreading that the reason it is just us (and not any other company people) is that she is pregnant and they want to tell us alone first. DHs company also does birthday dinners and SO are invited. There is one in a few weeks and the birthday girl is going to be about 5-6 months pregnant (I will have not seen her in about 6 weeks by then) and I am seriously considering faking a migraine so I don't have to go and see her cute pregnant belly. Ugh!

AFM - I'm still waiting to hear back about financial clearance, but I'll be calling again today if I don't hear back by noon as I need my meds ordered by tomorrow at about 2 in order to get them delivered on Thursday to start injections. After a fresh and a frozen cycle I'm feeling better about doing the injections, especially since during the FET I had to do one myself as DH was gone from about 11 am to 11 pm one day. What I'm not looking forward to: PIO. I think all my bruises from last time have finally gone away, but I know they'll be back shortly after I start them again.

twomommiestobe · January 2016

Ok, it is so hard keeping up with everyone! How do yall do it? Haha
DW had her endometriosis drained on Thurs. She has her baseline on Fri! I am so nervous because she should be starting Stims on on Mon. We are still doing pretty good keeping the med and our schedules seperated.
As of now, we are still on schedule for a fresh transfer

mtpbadger · January 2016

So many posts to catch up on! I'm swamped at work (again!) but will hopefully have time to read everyone's posts and catch up this afternoon/evening.

I ended up talking to my nurse Friday afternoon and we bumped up my repeat blood work to this morning and she's already called with the results....finally back to zero, whoo hooo!!! I'm still spotting and she wants to wait and see if it eventually turns into a full flow so my next appointment will be on Monday for pre-menses ultrasound/blood work and if everything looks good, start BCPs that evening! Hopefully everything goes well during that appointment and there are no other delays. She will be sending me an updated protocol with possible/anticipated dates so I have some sort of idea and can make any necessary plans around them. She did want to confirm that I was not travelling in March, so no trips for me. Crap - We have a wedding in Chicago that I gotta check the dates on (I can't remember if it's march or april).

Double Crap, hopefully I can make it to my appointment on Monday. There is a huge likelihood of an epic snow storm in the mid-atlantic on Friday/Saturday which would cause everything to shut down for a good few days. On one hand I hope we get a ton of snow b/c I LOOOVE adult snow days (one perk of the job!) but not if it is going to mess with my appointments!! Grrr....such a dilemma and conflict of emotions going through me right now.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@twomommiestobe I personally keep up with everything by having the link to this thread in my bookmark bar. It makes it easy to just click and be here. Congrats about DWs appointments! How exciting about starting stims so soon!

@mtpbadger Yay for blood work at 0! Boo for having to wait nearly a week for your next appointment. Hopefully all goes well and you can get your schedule! The bummer is that those "anticipated" dates depend on your body cooperating with the meds you take. Ugh! Hopefully the sky takes it easy on you guys and you can make it to your appointment!

AFM - Just got a call from one of my nurses asking how many embryos we'd like to thaw. It was funny cause she told me it was okay if I didn't have an answer and needed to speak with DH first. Yeah, like he cares how many we transfer. He is such a go with the flow guy that he wouldn't really mind how many I said. So of course I told her two, so the two best we have will be thawed in a few weeks. She should also be putting together my medication order so I can get it delivered by Thursday. Luckily the pharmacy I use doesn't charge for overnight shipping! Still waiting to hear from the financial lady to get clearance. Grr! Hopefully she'll call today!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@AandDM2014 I have to do it on mobile all day which sucks, so it's so hard to remember everyone's name to address each person. Lol

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@twomommiestobe Ah, yes, that would make it more of a challenge. I find it rather challenging to use the app on my phone, especially when replying to individuals. Maybe write down the @'s on a piece of paper?

2015dee · January 2016

@oxinfree - I am SO glad that things went better than expected! What a relief to have that over with. No for the terrible "waiting for results" time. My RE told me to plan for a "freeze all" but said we would make the final determination based on how I respond. He is assuming that I will over-respond because I have PCOS and a high AMH. I am crossing my fingers and hoping that's not the case, but trying to be ready for it. So probably a frozen, but maybe a fresh.

@AandDM2014 - so glad that you were able to get the med order in! What do you mean by "financial clearance?" Is that just a fancy way of them making sure you've forked over enough money? Ha. So your DH has given you all your shots? That's what I'm hoping/praying for, but on my calendar, it shows that I have to do shots 2x a day (once between 6-9am and again between 6-9am). Then if I actually get pregnant, I will be on Lovenox injections for my whole pregnancy. Guess I just better get used to the needles, but I HATE them!

@twomommiestobe - y'all are getting close!!

@mtpbadger - ugh, the scheduling stuff is so difficult!! so glad you're levels are back to 0 though!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@2015dee That is basically what financial clearance means. I think they want me to pay for the entire FET up front. I haven't actually done one yet as my previous one was part of a package deal I bought (1 fresh and 1 frozen together). I still haven't heard from her, but I got a call to confirm my meds and they should be coming tomorrow. He has given me basically all of them. The very first one we ever did at home was for triggering for an IUI and he was not interested in helping. When we decided to move to IVF I told him he had to do the shots or we weren't doing IVF. Since we started IVF I've only done the one Lupron shot last month before my FET. Luckily I only have to do shots once a day between 6-8 pm, so I usually plan for dinner to be almost ready at 6 so we can do the shot then eat dinner. I find it easier to do the shots before I eat versus shortly after. And with the PIO I can't do those myself. I'm not quite that flexible! I feel like I've gotten used to the tummy shots. They are totally not a big deal anymore. I think it helps that DH is very confident in his abilities to stab me. PIO on the other hand... somewhat unpleasant. Woah, I just read about Lovenox... that sounds scary. Do you have a condition where you might get deep vein thrombosis?

2015dee · January 2016

@susykat77 - I am so sorry that I didn't see your post earlier. The book club experience sounds awful. I'm so sorry! I've been through so many friends and family members getting pregnant, but it still hurts. Every time.

@AandDM2014 - the lovenox issue is kind of complicated. I had a prior DVT (deep vein thrombosis) when I was 21. I was on the pill and had just had my knee scoped. They tested me for every clotting condition under the sun because my mom has a clotting condition and has had 2 DVTs. Everything was negative. I think everyone is just worried about me clotting again since I have before. It's really really scary.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@2015dee Yikes! That sounds really really really scary! I can understand why they'd put you on it!

kadair123 · January 2016

@susykat77 your book club experience sounded like a scene straight out of a movie! I could literally see it all play out as I read your post and started tearing up (snif) big {{hugs}}
@2015dee sorry to hear about the whole DVT issue. I know that had to be scary for u. My RE is actually putting me on Lovenox right after transfer for about 10 days cuz it's supposed to help with circulation to the uterus. Anything for a BFP but I'm not looking forward to the ugly bruising and soreness it causes. :-/

capps42613 · January 2016

Woohoo! Finally allowed to post into the group... I've been following all of your posts.

(Child mentioned) Hi everyone, my name is Michelle, I'm 28 years old, and I'm beyond ready to start my journey with you all. I already have a 7 year old daughter from a previous relationship. At 20 years old, she was not planned, and I thank my lucky stars for her, for she has made me a better person.

My DH (age 35) and I got married April 2013 (together since 2009). We've been TTC for a few years and realized it wasn't happening, even when I monitored ovulation closely. Last year we began seeing dr's @ Penn Fertility Care in Philadelphia, Pa. We finally received the news as to what was holding us back from conceiving...my DH doesn't produce any sperm in his ejaculate (no scientific reasoning as to why). Azoospermia effects about 1 in 1,000 men. DH being the unlucky 1 :-( The doctor said we had a 50% chance of extracting sperm directly from his testicles by a procedure called Micro Tese.

It took my DH a year commit to having the procedure done (I left it in his hands for obvious reasons). However, we're thrilled to announce that the doctor (last week) was able to retrieve & freeze more than enough viable sperm to allow us multiple rounds of IVF, if necessary

Even though I've carried a child naturally previously and testing showed no indication that I wouldn't be able to carry a child on my own, we will still have to go forward with the IVF process (no IUI/ICSI) due to DH's infertility. We have our initial IVF consult next Wednesday (1/27). Hence why I'm not as educated in this matter as most of you are, but I promise, I will get there soon ;-)

I feel incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to be able to conceive a child with my DH. And I wish everyone on this forum much success in your own journeys!

Thanks for reading and any advice on what to expect from my initial visit would be appreciated.

oxinfree · January 2016

Hey all!!!
Happy Thursday... getting so close to the weekend, which should have me excited but a big snowstorm is coming, so I'm pretty sure I'll just want to hibernate... I got a call from the biopsy lab for payment, and he mentioned that we should have results by Friday. I'm not sure if he meant this Friday, or next. I was prepared to have to wait until the end of the month for results, but tomorrow!? That'd be crazy! I'm very curious what will come up (if anything).

@capps42613 - welcome to our thread.
*trigger warning* so adorable that you have a 7 year old daughter. I knew a young couple in a similar situation that got pregnant at 18 and were two of the sweetest people ever. She always said she had to grow up faster than most, and felt in some ways like she missed out on her "young life" but wouldn't have traded it for the world. I'm so glad you have such a strong bond with your existing child and I can only imagine how hard SI must be given how things transpired in the past. *trigger ended*
I think IVF is a great choice given your DH's diagnosis. So happy for you that he made the decision to get the surgery. Mine has been putting off his urologist appointment for fear that he has varicocele. He has an appointment (Finally) but I was careful not to push. After all I've been through over the years I was tempted but on the one hand, it may not be the be all end all to our success, and I think we're used to having our lady parts violated a little with regular paps etc... men not so much. Anyways, I'm hopeful for you that your stay with us will be very short. Welcome!

@susykat77 - O....M....G @kadair123 nailed it... so out of a movie. I am so so sorry!!! We should all get together and write a bunch of our awkward interactions and write a book of short stories. Kind of like Chicken Soup books, but centered around infertility. Honestly, I feel like we could fill a library. Who's in!? haha. But really, I'm sure that was not a fun night for you, and I'm so sorry you were subjected to that. I'm not sure I'd be able to find the strength to keep going back. But on the flip side, as you said, being a hermit is no good for morale either. Blegh... big (creepy internet, as you put it) hugs to you

I have to run to work, and I'm still behind, but I'll get to others shortly. In particular @AndDM2014 - you're on my radar, thinking of you!

susykat77 · January 2016

@AandDM2014 Thanks for the support! I think that faking illnesses might be in my future. So excited that you decided to transfer two!! My SIL has twins from IVF and although it has totally freaked me out, it might be my only chance at having two kids so I am all in for transferring two! Did you get your financial clearance?! Are your meds arriving today?

@2015dee Crazy about the DVT but glad there is something you can take!! My reaction to others pregnancies and births seem to be getting worse. Ugh.

@kadair123 You're so right, totally straight out out a movie. Thanks for the hugs!!

@capps42613 Welcome to the group! Wonderful news that the docs were able to extract sperm from DH. I bet he is relieved! Sounds like you have had some testing done already so that might be reviewed at your first appointment. Hopefully you can jump right in and get going soon!! Fx!

@oxinfree I really hope that your results are back tomorrow!! It is a weird place of not wanting anything to be wrong but also wanting to have something to pinpoint as to why things aren't working. And that is great the DH has his appointment with the urologist - it will be nice to rule out all possible issues. How does varicocele affect fertility - I get that the sperm get overheated but does it prevent fertilization or are they able to fertilize but they are messed up so they don't make it long? We could definitely compile a book of short stories!! I really wanted to blog about my situation but now I am afraid that I am going to isolate myself by bitching about my encounters with pregnant women (our community is pretty small). How have you dealt with this while blogging? Thanks for the (creepy internet) hugs!

vssbrm · January 2016

@oxinfree I'm glad your op went well and the anesthesia did not get to you! I have serious fears of being put under. I have only had my wisdom teeth out, and they had to strap my arms down because while I was under I kept trying to rip the IVs out of my arm. Oops!

@susykat77 that just stinks! I am so sorry you had to go through with that. But, like you / others have said, we deal with situations like that or become a hermit! As much as hermit sounds tempting...

@capps42613 welcome! Good luck with your journey, I hope it is a quick one!

@AandDM2014 your meds are coming! That is so exciting. Good luck, and I'm keeping my fx that this is your turn!! My dh wants to transfer 2 embryos, if we are lucky enough to get that many, but that has me very scared! What if they both split??

@twomommiestobe I too checkin here on my phone, it is very hard to make sure I am not missing something.

To everyone on here, I have read all of your posts and am cheering for you, I am sorry if I miss something or do not post anything to you. I am thinking about and cheering for you, I promise.

@mtpbadger Yay!! For being back to 0. I do not have a calendar yet, or much of a clue if when this is really going to start rolling, so it is making me a little nervous.

Dh and I did select this new clinic for IVF, I think I mentioned that already. Last week we went in for some blood tests they wanted to run for their own comfort I guess. We also are doing this Counsyl test, which is a DNA screening, make sure we do not have anything generic working against us.
My cycle (first non medicated in about 5 months) this month has been crazy, I spotted lightly from day 20 - 23, the nothing - so of course I got my hopes up that we were maybe successful. Wrong. AF came shortly after, and a week early. That had my bummed.

Next Tuesday I will be going into the clinic for a Sonohystagram (sp?), you know, to check that my tubes are open. The new doc wants to do one again since the last one was 2 years ago. At that time I think we will nail down exactly which cycle we will be doing this. Since my cycle this month was so early we will miss getting work bonus prior to the original cycle we wanted go with. So that makes it even more annoying.

We are also enrolled to do the Star Study, any one here done that? We can still opt out of it... We are not 100% on doing it, would love to know others experience with it.

I started acupuncture yesterday. It was amazing!! I left feeling so good, and I felt happiness, in my soul happiness. That has not happened in a long time. So I think I will be sticking with it.

O, and I found out that my youngest cousins are now trying to start a family. I have a good 10 years on them. I am very happy for them and will be so excited, but I am not sure how I will react when we find out they are KU. I will be over the moon that they did not have to struggle at all, but I think it will slay me a little. I have been trying to prep myself for it, but I think I am failing.

Sorry that was long and a bit of a mind dump.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@capps42613 Welcome to our group. I'm glad to hear that your DH decided to go ahead with the procedure. Men can be so weird about having stuff done with their reproductive parts, yet have no problem with us having stuff done to ours constantly! My DH still complains about the one time he had to have his blood drawn! And I fully agree with your decision to move straight to IVF. It probably has a much better chance of working for you guys than doing IUIs, having them fail, and loosing all your stored sperm. Your initial visit will probably consist of some routine blood work, and maybe an ultrasound (depending on when in your cycle you go in). Nothing too hard!

@oxinfree Hopefully they did mean tomorrow! That would be amazing!! And hopefully the payment wasn't too bad. And thank you for thinking of me! We're doing our first Lupron shot this evening!

@susykat77 I actually didn't ever hear from the finance lady, but I got a call on Tuesday from the pharmacy, which I guess means they're okay for me to start the cycle. My meds arrived yesterday morning, and gave me quite a shock at how expensive they were this time.

@vssbrm Thank you! It means a lot to me! I feel that, based on how my previous transfers went, that it is highly unlikely that both will split. I'd be okay if one of them split because we'd like 3 kids, but at this point I'm hoping that one of them sticks! I'd settle for only having one baby. I've also read that transferring two helps because they both sort of support one another, and at least one is more likely to implant. When should you get the results of your genetic screenings? And it makes sense that they'd want to do another HSG to make sure you're still clear. I've not heard of the Star Study, but it sounds interesting. I get ya on hearing about such a younger couple trying to conveive. I have a cousin who is getting married in March and she was talking about starting to try right away. I was thinking to myself "no, wait a few years so I can have a baby first!"

AFM - I have my frst Lupron injection this evening. I feel absolutely no anxiety about it. I'm feeling like we got this down to a T, easy peasy! I hope everyone's week has been good, and that everyone has a fun weekend plan!

oxinfree · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - Isn't it funny how we become such pros. My mom was just in awe of all the terminology and knowledge I have that she doesn't even remotely understand. She was also shocked that I always gave myself my shots. I guess I didn't talk about it to her all that much before. But anyways, great feeling the confidence and ease about treatment. Makes the cycle so much better! Your getting so close! Yay! Sorry to hear meds were expensive.

@capps42613 - they may also do a transvaginal ultrasound... depends on where you are at in your cycle. And your so right about the double standard haha. Oh man.

@vssbrm - omg I wish I could share my video on here... maybe I'll get the guts to post it to my blog. My mom filmed me when I was coming out of it (our family has a sense of humour, clearly), and I was soooo loopy. It was so funny. I was talking about "last time" - yet this was my first time... not sure what I was talking about. Then I say "I'm cold" and my mom is like do you want me to get you a blanket, and I'm like "no I'm warm, but cold" haha. Oh man. But overall it was great, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I had so much anxiety going in, but now I know what to expect and it certainly beats the intense pain I experience without it. Just sayin... Good idea to have another HSG. My old clinic had the same mentality. This clinic doesn't seem as concerned, but we're dealing more with uterine issues, than tubal... or so it seems. Good luck to you! I've also looked into Counsyl. Let us know how it goes... seems like another good idea!

Totally get the wanting your family to not struggle, but yet it also being hard to root for them... it's a weird feeling and very hard to describe. I can relate for sure. What is the star study btw? Gosh you have so much going on!

@susykat77 - I don't share my infertility blog link with friends. If someone happens upon it, so be it, but I keep it as my infertility sanctuary and post only snippets about our infertility journey on my general blog. Enough so people are in the loop, but not uncomfortable or inundated with medical jargon. It works for me, and I like it that way, but at the same time feels silly to "edit" for friends... but I do it anyway.

Today is my last day at this internship> Was supposed to be tomorrow but I told her it was silly to ask me to make up a day because I was having surgery. She agreed, so I'm done at 6pm... which is in 2 hours and 41 minutes. Not like I'm counting or anything...

haha So anxious to be out of here and focusing back on myself and my health etc. Yay.
And haven't heard from lab yet, but there's always hope for tomorrow. I'm patient enough though. No rush since I can't start this cycle anyway.

mtpbadger · January 2016

Hey All!

@vssbrm we did the Counsyl genetic testing as well before we even started IUIs - I found it really really interesting! What is the Star Study? I haven't heard of that. I haven't been on meds since November and I still feel like my body is going just as crazy as when I was on meds! Hopefully we both get things rolling and I totally hear you on being nervous/anxious to get going! I don't like the unknown!

@oxinfree fingers crossed that you get your results tomorrow, that would be awesome! I hear you on the snow storm, I am stocked up on books, puzzles and snacks. Last time there was a big storm here (in 2010), everything was shut down for almost a week!

@AandDM2014 good luck on your first Lupron injection tonight! You totally got this! My coworker transferred two and is now expecting twins!

@capps42613 welcome! Glad (but not glad, if you know what i mean) that you found us and are getting things going! The initial meeting is definitely overwhelming but these ladies are an awesome resource/sounding board I have found!

Called my nurse today about my appointment on Monday since we are going to get SLAMMED with snow (they are saying a minimum of 18 inches and up to 30+ by Sunday) and it is likely I won't make my appointment. We had about an inch last night during rush hour and people were still stuck on the roads till about 5am this morning - that's how bad my area is with snow. She said since I don't tend to have a cycle at all on my own, there is no harm in pushing it till next week. I asked if it would be better to come in tomorrow and my RE said come Monday if travel allows, otherwise we would reschedule for most likely Thursday. I just hope my body cooperates and is still at baseline next week and things don't get pushed back. I feel like I am in a perpetual "hurry up and wait" status.

For those in the path of the snow storm this weekend - stay safe!!

oxinfree · January 2016

Oh gosh, seriously @mtpbadger ?? I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow

Don't we all feel in that state!? Wait to start, wait to retrieve, wait to transfer, wait to get results... it never ends. Even when we do all finally get our bfps there'll be waiting for first ultrasound etc. haha. We better get used to it. Sorry to hear the storm is messing with your plans though. That sucks!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@oxinfree when we did our HCG shot before the FET we were visiting with family during the time we were to do the shot, so my DHs mom and sister both wanted to watch DH give me the shot. It was too funny! We didn't let them watch DH give me the PIO shot though (it was our first one and I think DH was a little nervous about it). So exciting to hear that your done with work! Yay! Are you starting a new job?

@mtpbadger Hopefully the snow doesn't hit too hard and you can make Mondays appointment. If not, hopefully your numbers will stay good until Thursday!

It'sPB&JTime · January 2016

Hi all!
Im going to start my FET in the next few weeks!
I haven't been on this board since 2009!
I did IVF in April 2009 and had my beautiful daughter who just turned 6!
im excited to start the ttc journey again.
Good luck to all of you!

kadair123 · January 2016

@oxinfree and @susykat77 I am down with the movie idea! It could be the prequel to What to Expect when you're Expecting!
Congrats on finishing your job! I'm sure that had to be a weight off your shoulders.
@mtpbadger be safe out there in that snow storm. Please keep us posted on how your doing! Also GL on starting your cycle. Hopefully u can get to the clinic on Monday and not have to wait til Thursday.
@capps42613 and @It'sPB&JTime welcome to the board and GL to you both!
AFM still in waiting mode too. I suspect AF should be here in a few days cuz I'm having some serious pms! I just hate how bad the first period is after meds. It just doesn't feel "normal" like something is wrong. Can't wait for AF to get here so I can be over this feeling. That still puts FET sometime in March since I'll have a longer BC cycle. Hopefully I'll find out next week.

vssbrm · January 2016

@mtpbadger I am excited to get the results from the cousyl blood test, this sort of thing intrigues me. FX everything comes back good! Did you guys find anything interesting from it?

The Star study is a clinical study that utilizes PGS with new methods. The cool thing is that the testing is then “free”. BUT there is a control group, so 50% of the group gets the testing and 50% does not and you will not know which group you fall into. For those that fall into the group being tested they really benefit and only one embryo is transferred. For those that do not get the testing, the lab selects the best embryo by observation and only one embryo is transferred. So we have a lot of discussion to have, as DH really wants to transfer two. I would prefer one, I would love twins, but like I said, the thought of possibly four terrifies me.

I hope that the weather holds off and you are able to make your appointment next week.

@oxinfree anesthesia if funny like that!!

@anddm2014 That is interesting that when transferring two embryos they support each other. I am going to have to do some research on that. Thanks for the tip – maybe that will sway me if we do not do the study. Not sure when we will get the results of the study, I think they said around ten days, so next week some time? Probably when I am out of town.

@kadair123 Welcome back and Good luck!

@it’spb&jtime good luck with your transfer, can wait to hear how it goes!!

This weekend did not come soon enough, my weekend starts on Friday (though I seem to have remoted in for a majority of the day so far). I am exhausted. Now I need to clean the house though. Last night I took a cooking class at Sur La Table and had mussels for the first time. THEY WERE AMAZING. Does any one remember what the prep is for the flooding of my tubes test? If I remember correctly it is no food but a ton of water before hand. I should call the clinic.

mtpbadger · January 2016

@vssbrm our results were interesting. My DH has a sister with severe developmental disabilities so we thought maybe he could potentially be a carrier for something but his results showed nothing. I ended up being a carrier for Cystinosis, NEB-related nemaline myopathy, and Nijmegen breakage syndrome none of which impact fertility or could cause defects. Being a carrier for Nijmegen breakage syndrome actually might put me at a slightly higher risk for cancer and if ever diagnosed can impact what treatments my body responds too. When talking with the genetic counselor she also indicated I need to be careful of sun exposure as well as my body can tolerate it differently. I was fascinated by it all.

Once you get your results, you will get an email detailing everything along with a video with information on each one. Then you can set up a telephone appointment with a genetic counselor to discuss in even more detail. It will explain what it means if you are a carrier, risk of an affected child (all mine were 1 in 2000+) and if being a carrier puts you at risk for any symptoms. I think we got the results way sooner than expected too.

That star study sounds very interesting!! Keep us updated if you decide to go forward with it!

The snow has started and the entire city is basically shut down. Got out of work at 11 this morning and went out to lunch with DH before the snow started. They upped the totals to possibly 30+ and are calling it the most epic storm to ever hit the area. I have a feeling I won't be making it to my appointment on Monday. As DH reminded me, at least I'm not having the ER or ET this weekend bc I don't know what we would have done. I just hope for anyone that is can make it to their appointments or the clinic had some plan in place.

Happy Friday all!!!

Joyzie77 · January 2016

Hi everyone! I've been off the grid for a few weeks while on birth control before starting stims. I will have to catch up. I just needed a break from everything but I'm back. I was nervous because my Medicine was supposed to be delivered yesterday but it took two days. It wAs refrigerated in a box but by the time it got to me it was cool to the touch. I hope it's ok because it's expensive out if pocket and I obviously want them to work properly. This will be my second IVF. I did one iui before the IVF. We did PGS testing last time and had 3 embryos. 2 the first time and 1 the second without success. I'm doing Gonal-f and Menopur this time. I start on Sunday. Looking forward to reading your posts and catching up. Anyone started stims recently??? happy Friday everyone!!!

kyrgyzshan · January 2016

This is my first post so I'll introduce myself. I got married in May 2014 and started TTC immediately. Waited the longest year of my life for ins to kick in. Had 2 cancelled IUIs be used of cysts and then 3 failed IUIs. Waited 2 cycles for my husband's new ins to kick in (ugh!) and started yesterday on CD3 with birth control for my first IVF cycle. Will have suppression check and US and hopefully start injections of Feb 10th!! Fingers crossed!!

oxinfree · January 2016

Welcome @kyrgyzshan - ugh indeed. I don't even know how we are going to pay for some of the out of pocket expenses coming up... such a burden, the financial aspect of infertility. Exciting you're getting started on your first IVF. What's your diagnosis if you don't mind me asking? (no pressure to answer if you're uncomfortable). Lucky you to be getting underway. I'm still waiting on some results before we can plan our protocol but I'm hopeful for mid Feb... fingers crossed

@Joyzie77 - welcome back on the grid haha. It's definitely never a bad idea to take a break. Don't feel pressure to catch up... you haven't missed much since most of us are still waiting to get started (Although a few ladies are underway). Stressful about the meds. If they were cool to the touch though thats a good sign right? Sorry about your failed IVF history (I'm there with you my friend). Are they doing anything differently this time around to support implantation? Do they have any idea why they may not have taken last time around?

@mtpbadger - the snow hasn't even hit NY yet and its madness. So much traffic, and grocery stores are utter chaos. I was literally out of groceries because I've just been so busy this week, so had no choice but to brave the crowds... people are freaking out!!! I seriously hope it's not as bad as they are thinking. My husband's flight home tomorrow from his business trip just got cancelled too. Though I warned him and told him that would likely happen. He didn't listen. We're both ready to cry... though I'm also a little angry and ready to yell. I'm pms'ing so that sure as hell doesn't help matters haha. He's been gone so long, I just want him home. Not cool. Anyways, stay warm!

@vssbrm - I don't remember having any specific guidelines for before the HSG... I remember being told to bring advil and pads for after, and they do a urine pregnancy test before starting (as precaution but its a bit of an emotional slap in the face I feel). Good luck.

@kadair123 - I'm pms'ing too... let's commiserate haha. I'm super duper crampy and cranky. Great combo. I just had my biopsy so everything is a little "off" from usual as well. Meds always mess with your system, sorry its so crummy though.

welcome @it'sPB&Jtime

Joyzie77 · January 2016

@oxinfree .... They are using baby aspirin again and changing to Gonal f which is different. She also mentioned one blood thinning med that they might use later on. It's frustrating with unexplained infertility. They are also adding l-methyl folate since I have a positive gene mutation of MTHFR but I'm not sure how much that had to do with the last round not working. She's thinking that it also might be age related. I just turned 39 so she said it just might take time. I'm wondering if they are paying for the next failed round?

thinking positively. How about you? Where are you at in the process? Diagnosis???

oxinfree · January 2016

@Joyzie77 -No phone call yet with results, so still with you in the unexplained category. Doc is anticipating that my lining isn't receptive, so we'll see if the biopsy results confirm that suspicion. If not, we'll likely have to consider PGS. It's just so dang expensive. Don't even know how we'll pay!!! Glad they switched up a few things for you at least. My doc recently put me on Micronized Resveratrol & Tween to hopefully help with egg quality before we start. Other than that, no protocol planned out, since we're waiting to see if there's anything specific to address first...

ssandberg · January 2016

This is such an active board! I love it. I need to go through and read all the new posts soon.

The Day 5 results are in! We have 3 embryos that are Blast GI, and 1 that is Blast GII. Before they told me we only had 5 fertilize, but I learned today that one fertilized later so there were actually 6. They are going to give the other 2 embryros one more day to cook, but they aren't hopeful they will make it to blast. But all things considered I'm really happy we have 4 that made it to day5. They were biopsied for PGS today and frozen. We'll know late next week how many are normal. FX!

Regarding the late fertilization, here's what my coordinator said: "The 6th embryo fertilized abnormally, 0PN, but remained cultured to see if would eventually normally fertilize, which it did." Has anyone ever heard of this before? Abnormal is such a scary word!

kadair123 · January 2016

@oxinfree yes! Let's pms together! Lol I'm still waiting maybe she'll rear her ugly head tomorrow. Fx u get a good biopsy report.
Sorry to hear you and @mtpbadger will be snowed in. Stay safe and keep us posted! Hopefully it'll clear up quickly.
@vssbrm thanks for the welcome!
@kyrgyzstan welcome to the forum! I'm sure your find this board very informative and all of these lovely ladies helpful and supportive!
@ssandberg congrats on your report! Sounds like you have good quality embabies. I haven't heard about an abnormally fertilized embryos that turns normal. Will u send that one for PGS testing? If so, maybe you'll get more answers once the report comes back.

kyrgyzshan · January 2016

The frustrating part about my journey is I'm completely undiagnosed. I don't have answers and we're just going through this blindly. Crossing our fingers for happy results or at least answers with this round!

MelD17011 · January 2016

Hi ladies – I’ve been active on another board, but as I’m snowed in today, got readying this one too. Sounds like there’s some exciting stuff happening with all of you!

afm... I had my ER on Thursday. 11 fertilized and as of today, we still have 11. We will be dong PGS followed by FET (I assume sometime in March – not sure how long the next cycle takes to prepare for FET)

vssbrm · January 2016

@MelD17011 11 fertilized! FX that they all make it!!

I am super antsy today. I just want to know if the IVF will work or not already!! I feel like this perpetual waiting game is a huge joke on us while everyone else is celebrating their happy news - over and over again. Argh. Just needed to vent. Hope everyone is staying warm today!!!

_Amanda_ · January 2016

Ohhh my…. catching up…. again.

@oxinfree I’m thrilled to hear your procedure went well. I know you had some anxiety about it. – Bummed about hubby’s flight being cancelled. Where is he stuck now? Hopefully, somewhere tropical and warm!

@susykat77 Ugh ugh ugh to the book club night. That is incredibly tough. I would have reacted the same way, and you shouldn't feel bad/embarrassed one bit! ((HUGS))

@mtpbadger Wahooooo – back to zero!! I hope you’re doing ok with that snow storm! 30 inches!?!?! My hubby would love 30 inches of snow – he’s a tiny bit crazy.

@capps42613 Welcome to the conversation! Your DH’s condition is very very interesting. And, I’m surprised they wouldn’t allow IUI or ICSI before IVF?? Did they give a reason why? Good luck for your initial IVF consult on Wednesday! My intial consult was 4.5 hours long! I told DH I felt like we were buying a car or a house! We talked with so many people. And, we came home with a folder full of signed paperwork! -- I hope you’re not somewhere stuck in the snow-apocalypse. :-/

@vssbrm We also did the Coundyl test! I was thrilled that my insurance covered it, and they only collected a copay! And, all negative! -- Bummer AF arrived. -- The Star Study sounds very intriguing.

@It’sPB&JTime Welcome back!!! I’ve been on The Nest/The Bump since 2005 – not entirely active the whole time, but it’s been a long time! -- I make no judgement at all, but I can’t help by notice the age gap you’ll have between your daughter and your next baby. My daughter will be 5 in May, so we’ll have a decent age gap. It wasn’t my first choice, but it will be great, I just know it. Does your daughter ask for a little brother/sister?! My daughter started asking a few months ago. It just breaks my heart.

@Joyzie77 Welcome back! I’m still on bcp here myself.

@kyrgyzshan Welcome! I should start stims around the same time as you!

@ssandberg Congrats on your results!! That is very interesting about the “abnormally” fertilized one…. Did you hear an update today?

@MelD17011 Welcome to our thread! I hope you stay! These girls (and, we have a guy too!) are pretty rad!! – Wow 100% fertilized?!?! That is awesome!! Did you take any supplements to increase your egg health, etc.?

AFM – I’m in a GREAT mood. Hah. I’m on Day 9 of AF – day… NINE!! And, no sign of her departure, if you get my drift. WTF?! Maybe it’s the birth control pills?! I don’t know, I don’t care, it just needs to leave… now.

My meds arrived this week. I’ve unpacked everything, but haven’t taken a good look at everything or taken inventory. I was called for collection of the $30 copay for the PIO! Everything else I have no idea how much it will cost. I’ve called my medical and pharmacy insurance and no one is helpful. So, what do you do?!

And then we received DH’s SA results (finally….). It is NOT good. The abnormal values on the results are: motile sperm/ml, % motile, and normal form (morphology). They are all low. No one has called to explain this to us. So frustrating. We suspected a sperm issue. I guess this just confirms it for us. This was DH’s 3rd or 4th SA since we started TTC #2. His results are getting worse by the test.

I have to admit, I'm a bit jealous of all of you who would like to transfer two. My RE will only transfer one (office policy) at my age, unless the grades are very low.

I should get my calendar on Feb 4th, at my medication education visit.

vssbrm · January 2016

And apparently I was having premonition anxiety, my baby cousin (10 years younger), the one who I mentioned was now starting to try to have a kid. He just called to let me know they are pregnant. I completely appreciate he called and told me before they tell their family tonight, but it F-Ing sucks (sorry for the language but there are no better simple words). I am thrilled for them, but I feel like I was punched in the gut. Friends are one thing, but family makes it so much harder. Why?

I'm supposed to go to dinner, but I am the ugliest cryer. I just want to stay in bed.

StephanieWalstrom · January 2016

@vssbrm
Stay home! Sometimes it's best to remove yourself from the situation. We recently had brunch with friends from San Fran and I had a feeling my husbands friend's wife would be preggo. She shows up with her SIL and they are both 7-8 months along, beaming and gloating. I had to go cry in the bathroom at the wafflería. The worst part, she came to see our new home after and saw my fully set up nursery and asked "do you guys babysit or something?"
I explained we were trying to conceive and I wanted to be ready. She said, "wait, seriously?" and proceeded to laugh. I began sobbing and explaining how damn hard infertility is. She is my husband's friend's doctor wife. It was super uncomfortable and embarrassing. I kind of hate her now for mocking me during the hardest thing of my life! Do yourself a favor and avoid these moments when you can. You have a right to your feelings, so honor them. I'm sorry, it's so hard. Xoxoxoxo

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@MelD17011 Welcome! Amazing that you have 11 that fertilized!! Hopefully testing will show at least one good one!

@vssbrm I think that is everyone going through IVF! The will it/won't it game sucks! Hopefully it will! Just saw your second post. All I can think is "what an asshole". But I feel that way about pretty much all fertile people. Especially the young ones, or the unmarried ones. I definitely third staying in bed. I'm pretty firmly decided that for the DHs next work birthday dinner I'm staying home so I don't have to see his pregnant coworker.

@_Amanda_ Ew. That sounds absolutely terrible! I couldn't imagine 9 days of AF! $30 for PIO isn't bad, depending on how much you got. Hopefully you'll hear soon about how much the rest of it is going to cost. When I got my stim med box I was totally overwhelmed at how much stuff was in it. All I could focus on when I got it was what needed to go in the fridge and what didn't, then deal with the rest later. So sorry to hear about your DHs SA results. That isn't a good sign. Would it be worth it for you guys to freeze a sample or 2 for later use? I find it weird that at 33 your RE will only transfer one. There is a poster in one of the transfer rooms at my clinic that talks about national recommendations for how many to transfer based on both age and egg quality, and for the 30-35 bracket it is like 1-3. Have you insisted that your RE transfer two? Mine asks how many we'd like and takes it into consideration. Before our FET I asked if we could transfer 3, and he said he'd only do 2 based on my age.

@StephanieWalstrom Wow, what an effing bitch! How very insensitive of her. I really hope you slapped her! And I hope you don't ever encounter either her or that situation again. I'm so very sorry you had to listen to her be rude. Like still, I can't even imagine ever doing that to someone. It's truly baffling.

AFM - Not much going on right now. Day 3 of Lupron today, counting down the days to my next u/s. I did get an email from my nurse asking about me and DH signing a consent to thaw form. Apparently we have to do it every cycle. DH doesn't usually go to monitoring appointments with me because his work schedule fluctuates so much, but he's going to have to go to one of them to sign the form. I'm just hoping he can give me a firm yes the day before so I can let her know to have the form waiting for us to sign. I hope everyone had a nice week and has some fun plans this weekend. As for me, I'm just over here in sunny southern California, where I could wear shorts and a t-shirt outside and I can go to the grocery store without 1000 other people being there. GL to all you affected by the blizzard!

stranzm · January 2016

Hi! Is this board for those who will go through in March as well? It sounds like many are in process right now. I will be going through FET in March. We were blessed to be successful on IVF #1 and have a beautiful, strong-willed baby girl (almost 10 months old). Good luck to everyone!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@stranzm Welcome! Yes, this board is for people doing ivf or an FET in February or March. I believe that I am the earliest in this group as I should be doing my FET in 2-3 weeks. Most of the others are later in February or in March. Congrats on your little miracle. Hopefully you don't have to stick around too long (in a good way!).

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