Anyone starting September FET?

amynico · August 2017

Hello ladies, Anyone starting September FET?
I had us and labs this morning, starting Lupron tonight. Transfer date 9/12. Anyone else have a similar calendar?

Medicallyblonde · August 2017

Hi @amynico -- I've been reading the boards for a few weeks now but am new to posting here. This is my first IVF cycle, we did a freeze all with PGS at the end of July. My transfer date is 9/6. I'm on Lupron too, starting Estrace Friday.

krenee124 · August 2017

Hi ladies - I should have a FET in September! I'm awaiting AF so I can get started! I actually take Femara day 3-7, with Follistim injections and then u/s on day 11 or 12! Trigger & Transfer will be closer to 18-20. This will be my 2nd FET. We have 2 embryos remaining so praying they both make it through the thaw so we can transfer both!
*edited for meds - I will also take Estrace 3x/day and later start progesterone (Endometrin) about 1 week before transfer*

*TW* Fresh transfer didn't take in February, April FET got cancelled bc my lining was too thin, May FET worked with this current treatment plan, but miscarried at 7 weeks. Dr. Believes it was due to chromosomal abnormality - no testing was done. *END TW*

amynico · August 2017

Hello @Medicallyblonde ---I'm so excited to be here finally and to have you join me! Yay for September transfers!
I did er in June but ended up with cysts.. I've been lurking too, patiently waiting my turn. ( okay, maybe not patiently)

This is also our first ivf and we did PGS as well. PGS left us with 1 boy embryo. How many did you get to freeze? How many are you going to transfer? What meds are you on for this? I have to get a period or wait 1 week before starting more meds. I will be on vivelle dot patches along with estradiol. Later, I'll do progesterone. I go in tomorrow for the scratch test.

Mewkie · August 2017

Hi ladies, hoping to join all of you for a September FET! I've been lurking for a while but haven't posted yet.

TW
I had a failed FET in May with one PGS tested embryo and a chemical pregnancy in June with one PGS tested embryo. I just had hysteroscopy and biopsy to check my uterus for abnormalities before proceeding with transfer of our last embryo. My RE is using a different protocol than the previous two so hoping it will do the trick. Excited and nervous to try again and wishing everyone else here much success.

Medicallyblonde · August 2017

So excited to have some pals on the same timeline! @Mewkie and @krenee124 sounds like we're all in the excited but nervous zone. I'm trying to temper my expectations but honestly just happy to finally be at this stage in the game.

@amynico We have 5 PGS normal embryos frozen from my ER. We're going to transfer one. Right now I'm on Lupron, starting Estrace on Friday 8/18. Then my protocol calls for Doxycycline and Medrol for 7 days before transfer, then PIO for 5 days before transfer. I'll have 4 ultrasounds between now and then to evaluate my lining. First one is Friday with bloodwork.

cseley321 · August 2017

TW - loss mentioned

I have my next FET scheduled for September. I had my last in July but it ended in a CP. There was no testing done prior, so now they are recommending PGS if the next 3 transfers don't work.

amynico · August 2017

Welcome @Mewkie and @krenee124 !
Let me first say, I am so grateful to have all of you to share this journey and to share stories . After reading your stories, I can't help but feel discouraged and nervous. Some of you have done this before and some will get second chances if it doesn't work this time. For us, we get one chance. I know, this isn't positive thinking but I'm feeling quite pessimistic about our 1 shot, as we only have one embryo.

I'm trying to stay positive but I can't help to feel this way. I'm really happy to even be here but the "what if's" have definitely set in.

amynico · August 2017

Welcome @Crystal321

amynico · August 2017

@Mewkie what is the differences in protocol? The last two times vs this time?

Mewkie · August 2017

@amynico I can't even imagine the pressure you must feel only having one embryo to transfer. I do think there are many people who do have success with their first try though so keep that in mind.

My first FET was a medicated cycle. I used oral estrogen and PIO to prep. The 2nd cycle was supposed to be non medicated. I had ultrasounds and bloodwork to determine when I would ovulate then triggered and transferred. My estrogen was a touch low the day before transfer so I did need to use oral estrogen at that point.

For the next cycle my doctor wants me to stim with gonal F as I would for a fresh cycle, then trigger (skip retrieval) and transfer at the appropriate time.
TW**She is trying to mimic the conditions from my fresh cycle which was successful nearly 4 years ago. End TW**

I am on on birth control pills until I get the results of my biopsy. Then if biopsy is negative I can stop
birth control and begin stimming. I'm guessing transfer will be towards the end of September.

amynico · August 2017

It's so crazy how different doctors have completely different protocols.
I had my uterine scratch this morning. A bit painful and now very crampy. Did anyone else have or plan to have this done?

cseley321 · August 2017

I have never heard of a uterine scratch before now.. fx that it works for you

krenee124 · August 2017

@Mewkie sounds like our doctors are trying the same approach! Thinking of you & hoping it works!

@amynico please don't feel down about your chances! We did not do any genetic testing on our embryos. I was devasted with the results of my last two transfers but I have to remember that we forced my body to produce 18 follicles.. idk why I assumed this would be easy getting them to stick and hang in there! I now believe they cannot all be perfect when so medically generated/altered. I have confidence in Your 1 embryo that has tested genetically good. Hang in there! Keep the faith & positivity!

Medicallyblonde · August 2017

@amynico it's so hard to stay positive some days. Patience has never been my thing, and this whole process has tested me at times. I think it's totally natural to go through ups and downs of optimism and pessimism. And it's good to have a space like this where we can support each other on the days when it's a struggle to stay positive. Better to be honest about it and face our fears together. We know exactly what you're going through. And all it takes is one sticky embryo. I've heard of the endometrial scratch on these boards. The cramps sound like a drag -- I hope they don't last long for you.

Keeping busy/distraction helps me pass the days. I've just been trying to put a lot of energy into being healthy and "preparing the womb" - ha. Eating lots of fruits and veggies, drinking a lot of water, upped my gentle exercise routine and have been walking to and from work everyday. I'm also doing acupuncture. I figure even if I don't get the outcome I want out of this transfer, all of that stuff will help me feel better physically and psychologically.

Anyone else have good tips for practicing patience?

Mewkie · August 2017

@amynico I have heard that having a uterine scratch before transfer can increase chances of success. I think this may have been included in my hysteroscopy but I will have to ask my doctor to make sure. I'm sorry you are feeling pessimistic. Infertility is just so difficult in so many ways and it can be hard to think positive thoughts. I hope the support you receive here can help, if even a little. And I hope your cramps are subsiding!
@Medically blonde those are good tips! I think taking care of myself physically gives me some distraction and also a sense of control over at least something in this process.
@krenee124 do you mind me asking if you have used this protocol before? I'm curious as to how it will feel as compared to a fresh cycle. I was quite uncomfortable for both of my fresh and the FETs were a breeze compared to those.

krenee124 · August 2017

@Mewkie I did this protocol in May. I did Femara day 3-7, and added in Follistim injections. The idea was to create a follicle, once it got large enough, trigger, and then transfer (basically tricking my body to think that follicle was going to get fertilized). My follicle that was growing stopped growing around 16mm. I had another ultrasound and I started growing lots of small follicles. We ended up not triggering. Lining was at 7.8 so doctor left it up to us if we wanted to cancel or transfer. I started Endometrin and continued Estrace. Lining was great day of transfer. He prefers 9mm plus. SO - it didn't work exactly how we wanted it to last time but hoping it will work better this time with the break I've had from medication.

Mewkie · August 2017

@krenee124 ok so the goal for you was to have only one follicle. Ahh! Why is it our bodies never seem to respond how we think they will?! I guess even though you had some smaller follicles the bottom line is lining ect was good. I get the idea my doctor wants to grow a bunch of follicles much like a fresh cycle so that I make a good amount of my own estrogen. Not sure if that makes sense. Hopefully I will get more details when I speak to my nurse. Thanks for the info.

amynico · August 2017

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words! ❤️I am feeling so much better today. ( mentally and physically )!!
@Mewkie when do you expect the biopsy results?
@Medicallyblonde thanks for the reminder of acupuncture! I had put that on the back burner for a while. It's definitely time to make an appointment! How often do you go?

Hopeful_mom · August 2017

lurking...

amynico I know its hard to stay positive but remember it only takes one. There are so many people that have been on here that have success there first time up at bat. Its very sad that it doesn't work for everyone right away. Hopefully for you it will and that's how you should try and feel. *TW A girl just did a fresh transfer on her 3rd day and she only had one to transfer and she just got a faint positive so i have high hopes for everyone. AND during her ER it showed she had 7/8 follies and she only got one!! so it really does just take one - best of luck to you!

krenee124 best of luck hoping you'll have success this cycle! Just finished my 8th cycle of IVF - whoah I know...now waiting to see how my embabies do and then hopefully i'll really be joining you on the FET train

amynico · August 2017

@hopefulmom thanks for the positive words! where exactly are you in this process? I am so sorry that you have had to have 8. Does that mean you have stimmed and done egg retrieval 8 times? Happy though, that you can make it happen 8 times financially! You must be one, extraordinary woman; I don't think I could physically do 8 rounds.

krenee124 · August 2017

@Hopeful_mom I recognize you from previous boards. I'm sorry we are still on this train.

Ladies, I might be crazy but I'm sort of feeling I need to do a full IVF cycle this time instead of a FET. Hear me out on this and give feedback - have any of you done another IVF with embryos still frozen? If so, why?

So... we have to do ICSI bc husbands semen analysis has still come back showing 100%head defects. We are thinking this will never change so we will have to do IVF forever. (He has been on several medication/supplement cocktails and nothing has changed morphology over the year).
Also - last FET we had to thaw 3 embryos to get 2 to transfer bc One didn't make it. We have 2 frozen embryos left but they were our slowest growing blastocysts. (They were frozen on day 6). - i have a gut feeling they both aren't going to make it through the thaw and I don't have high hopes for these two that were so slow to mature in the beginning - maybe I'm crazy.
We only have a little bit of insurance benefit left - a full IVF cycle out of pocket is double a FET out of pocket so I'm thinking we should use up all benefit we can now so it's less out of pocket in future. my insurance has no provisions which would require me to use our frozen embryos prior to a full cycle - I have already checked that.

I dont know - I'm stressed about this and my mind keeps wandering. HELP

Hopeful_mom · August 2017

amynico - THANKS for the kind words I think anyone going through IVF is a strong woman. If you hit the spoiler box that's my signature of my history...funny thing is I need to actually update it. My OH likes to call this our million dollar baby

I am all OOP (out of pocket) its not easy and should've stopped cycles long ago!!

TW*** Here's my story its a bit of a novel but i'll give is a whirl

Did 7IUI hate that I wasted the time as age is probably my biggest issue as to why I'm having issues TTC from the beginning. I have low AMH so to me that is a ticking time bomb as it does mean i do not have a lot of time left to make good normal eggs. So they lie when they say age is only but a number. Age is is decided on what your AMH is

OK - I've done 6 ER. First cycle we canceled, One as I didn't have OH sample...note to self - always have a frozen sample on hand! AND my RE thought I should've had more eggs to retrieve this is an expensive process not to get a good amount to work with. I then thought one more month wait AND OH being stuck out of town took the decision out of my hands...even though I stemmed, triggered and gained all the weight from that cycle

. Now on to #2 I tried a different protocol to get more and it was HORRIBLE, i had disappearing, reappearing follies all to end up with one follie ready to go after 2 weeks of stemming...so we converted to IUI. On to #3 going back to original protocol from ivf #1 and I make even less eggs so i'm doing ER regardless now! I get 3 and all 3 fertilize yes! Now because of everything my RE feels we transfer all 3 on day 3. To my delight I get my first BFP ever, blessed with twins

I then had my dream shattered losing them at 10wks...worst experience of my life as they were healthy and fine that morning as i had an appt so we saw everything was perfect and i lost them later that night...we still dont know why.
SOOOO I heal which took a while I had a horrific MC (none are fun, but mine was bad and has to be rushed to the hospital) Ok so now with having low AMH and my age, wanting to be a mother more then anything I'm going to bank normal embryos now (which means now I will add pgs testing)....I only thought of doing 2 - 3 cycles and then moving on to being pregnant. My body had other plans with giving me no normal embryos in cycle 4. Brokenhearted is beyond especially as i got the results as i was stemming for cycle 5. I still moved on and got 6 for testing which was huge!! And luckily finally got 2 normies back. IVF 6, I didn't retrieve as much only had 3 for testing but was blessed and got 2 normies back! They say you need 2-3normies for a viable pregnancy so I wanted to get 5/6 before moving on to FET. I'm 41 and they say at 42 it will be so hard to get normies so it really is now or never to make them. IVF 7 - 3 for testing again, now the tricky one with this is originally my results had one that was inconclusive So I had to thaw my lil embaby and have it retested...glad i did as its another normie

BUT I then already started IVF 8, which I got 7, but one egg apparantly was a dead egg - something no one wants to here. Did icsi on the 6 and 5 fertilized. My Day 3 report showed they were all still growing with 2 a lil behind. Hoping I will get good news this weekend and have blasts to send out for testing. Regardless of my outcome my body has had enough. I've done the trigger shot 6times and this time i had an allergic reaction so on all front my body and mind are done with IVF and ready for my first FET!! Am I scared as anything 100% I've done so much but never an FET. SO i'm really with you, this will be my first and I have to pray its going to work...so now I wait for AF to arrive and get started. Its up to my body so we shall see if she will be ready to go!

We all have different journeys and I just hope mine will be a good story to tell my children one day. Its hard on your relationships with everyone, thats why I find these boards the best place to vent and just share it all.

krenee124 · August 2017

Wow @Hopeful_mom I had never read your entire story and forgive me if I missed it on a prior IVF board. You are the strongest person I've ever heard of! You deserve a baby or 5! You are amazing and this truly gives me hope!

Mewkie · August 2017

@amynico I'm glad today was a better day for you! I'm expecting my biopsy results the week of the 28th.
@krenee124 that's a tough call for you. There are so many factors to consider when making your decision. I guess age and ovarian reserve have to be considered and how many children you hope to have? Of course finances play a big role in all of this unfortunately too. I think I would speak to my doctor and voice concerns to them as well. Sometimes they can offer a medical perspective on things that we haven't thought of. You are doing the right thing by questioning the longer term scenarios. I hope you will have some clarity soon.
@Hopeful_mom man you have been through the wringer. I'm sending positive vibes that you will get good results soon and be on your way to a transfer and healthy pregnancy.

amynico · August 2017

@Hopeful_mom ... wow! Yay for finally making it to FET. Sounds like you have gone through so much. I'm sure it's been a long frustrating ride. How exciting to finally be here and to have several in the bank!

Hopeful_mom · August 2017

amynico thanks i'm nervous about every aspect...and this cycle is making me nervous too...I'm shut hoping for at least one more normie...even if I dont I still have to move on. My body did not respond well to this last ER and needs to be done with it!
We actually might have a similar cycle, I'll start estrace once AF arrives and i go from there which will probably put my transfer mid september.

@Mewkie sorry you didn't have previous success with your normies and your loss. Why i've been struggling to create normies as we know nothing is 100%! I hope these procedure will help give answers or just needed for success. Last month I was struggling with putting things on hold and do immunology testing but I just want to at least try and hope it will work!!

@krenee124 aww thank you thats very sweet! I would love 5, not sure my OH would agree

It's certainly a hard process its taken me 7 cycles to get the amount of normies that it can take another just one cycle...its not easy for sure. And right now I'm a bit panicked but just trying to hope for th@Mewkie
I want to share that I understand your concern about Day 6 embabies BUT during cycle 5 out of 6 embabies in that cycle, 2 were 5 day blasts and 4 were 6 day blasts, I did PGS testing and got 2 normies back one was a 5 day blast and the other was a 6 day blast. AND I might add that if you look at the grades, one was perfect a 5AA at the top of the back, my other was at the bottom, second to last but a normie non the less.
I have a friend that only had fair great frosties and had a lil girl to show for it.
I would've loved to just do another IVF and fresh transfer but due to my age I couldn't. You don't have a siggy and I dont remember your age but thats the important thing. The younger you are the better your eggs should be...meaning the chances of making more normal embryos is in your favor. We all know IVF sucks but if you think you're up for trying another round first then maybe you should. I have no idea of your finances as well
You have to ask yourself how many kids are you hoping to have? Would you like to try an FET have a baby and then do IVF when you're ready.
Ok one more story a girl wanted to bank cycles but her insurance said she had to due a fresh transfer before doing another IBF cycle. She didn't think it would stick even though i did

Shes entering her 2nd trimester and has a couple of normies in waiting. Maybe you could do that next. A fresh transfer and hopefully that could work and you have some in waiting
I know its so many choices just thought I would share a few. At least you still have something to transfer

AFM: Of course I miss the clinic call by like 20 min seriously! At least one of the nurses was nice enough to give me the update. So far I've got one frostie, praying tomorrow i will get more to join this party!! ugh this process! Its so hard not to stress. I had a better response to meds and yet I only have one day 5 which is the worst day 5 from all my cycles

I'm already worried I won't get any back this cycle and I went through so much just to do it! You make so many decisions through this process and have to hope they're the right ones.

I had a crazy dream last night was pregnant 12 weeks with a baby that already had pigtails, wishful thinking shall we say

krenee124 · August 2017

@Hopeful_mom thank you! I am not trying to sound ungreatful for the two frozen embryos I do have! I'm thrilled, I'm just scared. We have both wanted 3-4 kids and this has never changed - maybe it would after we have one, I guess we won't know until we cross that bridge. The past few days I have done a lot of thinking and praying over this. We have a consultation with the doctor Monday so I will hopefully have an idea of what's going on then. I will be sure to look st the ratings of those two embryos as well. Thanks for sharing the stories ... i hope you end up with good results. You are so strong. Hang in there!

keep us updated

Hopeful_mom · August 2017

AFM: So I had my day 5 embaby that was a 5AB which is promising. She then mentioned today that the other 2 she did freeze and biopsy are pretty poor...gee thanks. I was half asleep when she even told me. I think she graded them a 4BC or a 4CB...which doesn't sound good and I'm confused how on a day 6 they're a grading of a 4. I'm glad I at least have something to test. She mentioned I still have one going and they'll let it go till Day 7 to see...shes doubtful but letting it still thrive if it can. Why I get frustrated not doing a fresh transfer as I believe my lil ones do better inside their mama

krenee124 I actually thought of you today when I got my results on my embabies. Technically if I wasn't having the testing done I would be in a similar predicament. I'm feeling a bit down but trying to remember everything I told you

So on to the tww for my pgs results while I wait to start prepping for FET!! And as for sounding ungrateful I dont think you sound that way at all! IF straight up sux and we're allowed to be angry and mad about it!

krenee124 · August 2017

Good luck!! My doctor likes to see 4's! I actually got my grading - we had a 2BB, 3BA and 4BB so we will see .. meeting with the doctor in 30 mins. Trying to make the best decision is all I'm hoping for! Stay strong in your own advice - sometimes the hardest & get your body ready for FET! Happy to hear you had a 5AB! (Also goes to show grading scales are all different! We don't get 5's where I'm at)!

Mewkie · August 2017

@krenee124 good luck with your appointment today!

cseley321 · August 2017

@Hopeful_mom wow, you are such a trooper. I really pray for the best for you!!

cseley321 · August 2017

@krenee124 I may find myself in a similar situation if I don't have a successful FET before December. My insurance will let me, so I figure why not... I will most likely get PGS with my next round so that is part of the reason my doctor is pushing for it. I am praying that I get a successful FET before that though

krenee124 · August 2017

@Mewkie thank you! Appointment went really well - I discussed my thoughts and concerns with the doctor and he was 100% on board with doing a full IVF cycle with fresh transfer. Depending on how many embryos we have fertilize and make to day 5 we may also do PGS @Crystal321. We would do an untested fresh transfer if we have a decent number of embryos and then test the rest as well as our two frozen we have now. I feel good about the plan - but sad to have to leave you ladies! I may lurk here to see how things go for everyone!

Mewkie · August 2017

@krenee124 I'm so glad you voiced your concerns and now you have a plan that you are comfortable with. Sounds like a solid plan too! Hope to hear your updates at they come.

Medicallyblonde · August 2017

@Hopeful_mom wow that's an inspirational story. I really admire your courage and patience throughout this process.

I am right there with all of you juggling the demands of insurance requirements against what makes the most sense in terms of good clinical judgement. We had a long and annoying battle with insurance just to get here -- but fortunate to live in Massachusetts where the infertility coverage is excellent.

AFM Ultrasound & bloodwork this morning showed lining at 8mm, Estrogen rising appropriately. Staying on Estrace BID and Lupron for now and on track to transfer in two weeks. Wishing it was sooner! Hope some of you are still on track to transfer in September with me. It really helps to hear the stories of women going through the same thing.

cricci05 · August 2017

Hi somewhat new here. I deleted my account last year after loosing my twin preemie girls. I woke up recently and decided I was ready to try again. I am filled with fears. I have 4 remaining frozen embryos and we will be transferring 1 September 15th. I am riddled with fear. I did a fresh transfer last time and this time I am only doing a single transfer. Last time both stuck, this time they have me on estrogen oral and patch. Then progesterone injections, crinone, doxy, and Medrol. My husband just expects this one to "stick" but I am feeling guarded about it.

Also, I have a wedding that night. Should I skip it?

amynico · August 2017

@cricci05 my doctor recommends 3 days bed rest but I think that's pretty cautious compared to other doctors. I am so sorry about your loss. Fx that this little embryo is super sticky! ❤️

Mewkie · August 2017

@cricci05 I am so sorry for your loss. I can understand being terrifed to try again. Hopefully this transfer will be a little easier physically in that it's a FET. I found those to be easier than fresh. Less meds and monitoring ect but I realize it doesn't take away the fear. Thinking of you and hoping you can find some support here as you get ready to start your cycle.
Oh and for the wedding that's a tricky one! Is it a really close family member or friend getting married? Deep down I think if it's going to stick it will stick regardless of activity (short of anything extreme) but would hate for you to regret anything if things didn't work out. My doctor would probably say it's ok to go as she does not believe in bedrest after transfer. You could always go and take it easy and head home early if you're not feeling it?

HottLemonade2886 · August 2017

Hello Ladies! I have done 3 retrievals and finally after the 3rd I have PGS tested normal embryos so now can do a FET. My 1st two cycles resulted in only 1 blast each that tested abnormal. This last cycle we got 6 blasts and 5 are normal (3 girls and 2 boys). If all goes as planned I will be transferring 1 girl embryo on September 25th. I go in tomorrow morning for an ultrasound and if all looks good I'll start Lupron at that appointment.

Magallyta · August 2017

Hi all! You ladies are all such amazing, courageous & strong woman. This is my 1 ivf cycle & I have 1 normal embie for transfer. I go to doc tomorrow for a check up & will start estradiol this weekend. I also started acupuncture today so I feel good. Anyway , glad to be on this board as I am looking for support , advice , etc

Anyone starting September FET?

Re: Anyone starting September FET?

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