This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say, and treat this like an ongoing conversation.
Diagnosis (If you've been):
Cycle/CD:
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)
How are things going?
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc)
Re: IF Testing & Treatment : Week of August 28
Cycle/CD: 22
Any questions?
GTKY: I've tried stitchfix, it was okay but most of the clothes were cheaply made and pricey. I loved hello fresh for when my work schedule gets super busy.
Cycle/CD: 14/17
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) I don't really do any online things besides Amazon Prime
Cycle/CD: cycle 16/8dpo
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) we did blue apron every week for over 6 months. It was nice, but too a long time to prep everything and I'm no stranger to the kitchen. I also felt like many of the meals were too high calorie and wish they would use more whole grains. We still do it sporadically.
@leekat14 girl, you enjoy that trip to Boston! IF shouldn't rule our lives, but I know what you're saying about costs adding up. We don't have coverage for IVF, so if it comes to that for us, we will need to think about creative ways to pay for it.
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
@kiwi2628 Amazon Prime is the best!
Diagnosis (If you've been): Low progesterone for now - waiting for some more testing
Cycle/CD: 12/19
Any questions? Any tips on keeping all of the information from the RE straight? Last year when we went on a 10 day road trip I put a binder together of all of our reservations, directions, etc plus a notebook to write stuff down in. I was thinking of doing the same thing for all things IF.
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) I used to subscribe to Gwynnie Bee. It's clothing service where based on your plan you received a certain number of clothes at a time. You returned them as you wore them and then they would send more. I loved it, but it got too expensive.
Dating: 2/2007 Married: 4/2011
TTC #1: 9/2016
*TW*
BFP #2: 3/9/2017 - CP: 3/10/2017
08/2017: DH's SA = normal
08/2017: Low progesterone (4.6) all other BW normal
11/2017: HSG Clear; Pelvic Ultrasound Normal; and AMH, FSH, and Estradiol normal
12/2017: 1,000mg Metformin
12/2017: 50mg Clomid + TI = BFN
01/2018: 100mg Clomid + TI = BFN
01/2018: RE Consult
03/2018: 5mg Letrozole + 50 units Gonal-F + 500 μg Ovidrel + IUI = BFP #3: 4/1/2018 - CP: 4/4/2018
04/2018: 5mg Letrozole + Gonal-F + Ovidrel + IUI = BFP #4: 5/2/18
@BertieMeetsGertie Thank you, I know I'll have fun but it's so hard when that credit card balance is climbing. Any tricks to staying positive? I would call myself a realist which a lot of people consider me to be negative but I don't know how to make life more sugar coated....
Cycle/CD: CD 27
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) Amazon Prime is the best, I did switchfix and a similar subscription service but didn't like a lot of the options, we use Thrive every couple of months and we do Sun Basket just about every week. I've tried Blue Apron and Hello Fresh but Sun Basket has been our favorite.
2017 - egg retrieval #1 - 3 eggs, 0 embryos appropriate for transfer; ER #2 2 eggs, 0 embryos on day 3; ER #3 1 egg 0 embryos
moved to donor egg in summer 2017; 35 eggs retrieved; 19 fertilized; 9 total embryos
Fresh transfer Dec 2017= BFP! baby boy born 8/22/18
May 2019 - surprise natural pregnancy ended in MC
Nov 2019 FET; MC at 9 weeks
May 2020 FET; BFN
July 2020 FET; CP treated with methotrexate
Oct 2020 BFP!
Take a look at my blog
I did intro a few months ago when we were going back and forth between ttc and just going straight to our RE. We decided on the RE, but I've been lurking ever since.
Diagnosis (If you've been): Unexplained infertility
Cycle/CD: CD 28
Any questions?:
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc): I've never tried any of this type of thing. I do a lot of online shopping, but never through product specific services like that.
I want to use thrive so if anyone has any info to share I'm all ears!
@kiwi2628 & @laurad75 +1 for Amazon Prime!
@BertieMeetsGertie FX for a great repeat SA!
@KariAnn323 I had a clipboard with my questions, test results and extra paper to write stuff down. Of course I did none of that - but they gave me tons of material to read through. GL at the appt!
@suchaglencoco That's kind of how DH and I are this cycle and next cycle (if we need it...) and we had A LOT of fun
Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI (0 morph)
Cycle/CD: 13/18
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) Amazon Prime. I haven't used any of the others, but am curious about some of the food ones...
TTC #2 - August 2016
MFI
IUI #1-3 BFN
BFP 4/21/18 MMC 6/11/18
@leekat14 I have to be honest, it's not always easy. I'm not rainbows and sunshine all the time. It's really important to feel ALL your feels. there's a reason why we have good and bad emotions. There is a lot of research out there about gratitude and it's impact on wellbeing. Essentially, if you write down 3-5 things you are grateful for each day, you typically have better wellbeing than those who don't. You need to consciously acknowledge all of the positive things in your life. It's really easy to get bogged down with depression, grief, etc during this crazy process. I give myself time to be pissed that a cycle failed (and drink wine!), but then I try to reframe my mind into something more positive. Given everything that you've already been through, it might take some time. It's a lot for someone to go through. Just do your Best and eventually you'll get there! Until then, let it all out here and we will do what we can to support you.
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
@RVAmom315, we're trying to get the fun done before all the shots, tests, and stress pile on. It's like we are teenagers for a little bit, haha.
@kiwi2628 I'm sorry you still have to jump through so many hoops for the insurance.
@BertieMeetsGertie I hope the repeat SA goes well! I'm glad you're staying positive.
@KariAnn323 I keep all of my RE stuff in a binder along with the physical copies of my charts.
@laurad75 did they give you any idea how long the screening would take for the donor once she's back in town?
@suchaglencoco good luck at your consult!
@RVAmom315 glad you had a good week!
Cycle/CD: 21/17
Any questions? Nope
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) I don't use any of these, just a lot of Amazon Prime!
Married 07/2012
DD born 07/2014
DD2 born 10/2018
DS born 10/2022
IF history:
TTC #2 since January 2016
June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN
Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis
Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing
Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018
FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks
FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22
Bloodwork back and it was negative as expected.
@shortstack930 Her screening will supposedly take 14-16 days to complete. Two weeks ago they sent her the questionnaire and told me I would be notified when it was accepted and at that time we would pay for her medical screening. I haven't heard anything yet so I don't know if that's because she hasn't sent it in or they haven't accepted it yet. She is supposed to complete all screening within three weeks of accepting the donor role (this was 2 weeks ago last Friday) but we are extending that since she is not back in Boston until the first week of Sept. If I don't hear anything this week I'm going to investigate if she has at least completed the questionnaire.
2017 - egg retrieval #1 - 3 eggs, 0 embryos appropriate for transfer; ER #2 2 eggs, 0 embryos on day 3; ER #3 1 egg 0 embryos
moved to donor egg in summer 2017; 35 eggs retrieved; 19 fertilized; 9 total embryos
Fresh transfer Dec 2017= BFP! baby boy born 8/22/18
May 2019 - surprise natural pregnancy ended in MC
Nov 2019 FET; MC at 9 weeks
May 2020 FET; BFN
July 2020 FET; CP treated with methotrexate
Oct 2020 BFP!
Take a look at my blog
Married 07/2012
DD born 07/2014
DD2 born 10/2018
DS born 10/2022
IF history:
TTC #2 since January 2016
June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN
Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis
Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing
Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018
FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks
FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22
Diagnosis (If you've been): poor egg quality
Cycle/CD: 1st cycle AL/ CD 10
Any questions? Has anyone considered taking on a part time job for some insurance coverage? Or does anyone work at stuarbucks? Starbucks has really good coverage and I was thinking about picking up a part time job for the benefits and the extra income.
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) we have prime now in our area and I love it.
@leekat14 I'm so sorry for your bfn. Please have a good time on your trip and try not to think about the financial aspect. We went to Orlando last month and it was just what I needed to reset my attitude. It helped to take that break and reset mentally.
@laurad75 Im sure it doesn't feel like it right now but you sound so close! I'm rooting so hard for you!
Married May 2014
TTC # 2 Since December 2021
Baby girl W born 2/2021
Our journey so far...
(tw loss & infertility)
Working with an RE since March 2016
2 failed TI cycles
3 failed IUI cycles
IVF Feb - April 2017
23 eggs collected, 20 mature, 14 fertilized with ICSI, 4 day 3 blasts, 3 day 5 blasts, 1 PGS normal
Transferred 1 PGS normal embryo 4.12.17
BFP 4.21.17
MMC due to small gestational sac 6.8.17
Our adoption journey:
12.25.18 Agency picked and apps submitted!
5.1.19 Adoption on hold so we can buy a house!
1.1.20 Homestudy process started
3.14.20 First social worker visit
5.25.20 Homestudy Approved & Submitted to Agency
6.1.20 Surprise! Positive pregnancy test!
Healthy baby girl born 2/10/2021
@kiwi2628 You are definitely lucky to have insurance coverage, but that does not necessarily make the waiting and jumping through hoops a lot easier. IF is so mentally and emotionally draining!
@bertiemeetsgertie Your outlook is refreshing. I like your idea of making note of a few things you are grateful for each day.
@KariAnn323 So is Gwynnie Bee kind of like Rent the Runway, but for day to day clothes?
@Laurad75 Urgh I hope your donor has at least completed her questionnaire, and you guys get to move forward sooner than later
@RVAmom315 Google promo codes for any of the food boxes you’re interested in, or if you know someone who uses them, find out if they have a promo code. You can usually get 50% off your first box, and the person who refers you usually gets some sort of kickback/credit as well.
@Shortstack930 FX your upcoming surgery does the trick for you! 9/20 will be here before we know it.
@KariAnn323 I have a notebook where I just keep anything and everything written down, and then a separate folder for all papers from insurance
@RVAmom315 glad you had a good week!
@tamalahoops I am so sorry you find yourself back here. As for a part time job, I don't know about Starbucks, but I know a lot of part time jobs don't offer insurance coverage- its only for FT employees....definitely something to look into
Cycle/CD:
Any questions? Nope.
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc)
I LOVE Amazon Prime, and I used to do Blue Apron, but canceled when I started having to throw away meals because I didnt have the time to cook them
Married May 2014
TTC # 2 Since December 2021
Baby girl W born 2/2021
Our journey so far...
(tw loss & infertility)
Working with an RE since March 2016
2 failed TI cycles
3 failed IUI cycles
IVF Feb - April 2017
23 eggs collected, 20 mature, 14 fertilized with ICSI, 4 day 3 blasts, 3 day 5 blasts, 1 PGS normal
Transferred 1 PGS normal embryo 4.12.17
BFP 4.21.17
MMC due to small gestational sac 6.8.17
Our adoption journey:
12.25.18 Agency picked and apps submitted!
5.1.19 Adoption on hold so we can buy a house!
1.1.20 Homestudy process started
3.14.20 First social worker visit
5.25.20 Homestudy Approved & Submitted to Agency
6.1.20 Surprise! Positive pregnancy test!
Healthy baby girl born 2/10/2021
Cycle/CD: 22/8
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) Someone got me a Birch Box three month subscription when my dad died and that was pretty nice! Otherwise, I don't subscribe to anything except Amazon Prime.
@leekat14 don't feel guilty! Live your life!
@KariAnn323 I kept a running log of questions in my phone for the doc. I didn't feel like I needed to organize anything until we started IVF and now I have a file foldery thingy that I keep everything in for taxes and consents and information and protocols....
@tamalahoops Welcome back from hiding, friend. I picked up a part time job just for extra cash, like you, we are all out of pocket for our IVF (cycle, meds, ICSI, PGS, Donor Sperm, FET). I didn't look into part time jobs for insurance coverage, just extra cash.
Dating 7/2008
Married 7/2014
H Type I Diabetic
TTC 1/2016
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL)
1/17/2017 SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility)
1/18/2017 STP tubes clear
2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation
H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements
6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility
7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm)
8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup
9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze
9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid
9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim
October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
@tamalahoops I worked at Starbucks part-time when I was in graduate school, specifically for the health coverage. I'd be happy to share my experience with you. It has been several years since I worked there, but you are correct if you are hired on part-time and work a minimum of 20hrs/week then you qualify for health benefits. I don't know what/if they have IVF coverage.
TTC#1 10/2016
TTC/IF:included medicated cycles, IUIs and 2 rounds of IVF with 1 embryo each.
BFP finally in 12/2018
TTC#2 06/2021
planning FET
"Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks,
some doors are open, some roads are blocked"
@laurad75 thank for the info! Do you think the prep is less time than BA?
@tamalahoops girl, so sad to see you back here. Good for you for taking some time away from TB. I hope the future is nothing but bright for you.
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
@kiwi2628 waiting for insurance purposes still sucks! Is it great that you have coverage? F yea! But it still sucks to wait... I feel like that's all this whole process is.
@BertieMeetsGertie Good luck on Friday!! I agree with Blue Apron - it's a bit more carb heavy than we typically eat! I also like your idea of writing down things you're thankful for daily. I started doing that...I think I lasted a week and then just forgot. Back to it starting today!
@KariAnn323 it wouldn't hurt to bring a list of questions that you can write down the responses to. I feel like from being on here so much that everything ours said wasn't foreign to me so I really didn't need to write much down or keep track of much. Any time we know we're meeting with the actual doctor, we both start keeping a running list of questions in our phones to blurt out to him while we're there. Organization wouldn't hurt but it'll depend on the outcome and any issues they may find. Good luck!!
@laurad75 soak up this cycle of no testing or treatments!
@RVAmom315 get it giiiirl! I hope trying on your own is successful!!
@shortstack930 enjoy your break this month and good luck!!
@tamalahoops Sorry to see you back. I don't have any input regarding picking up an extra job (as mentioned previously - @BusinessWife would) buuuuuut if I were going to do it, Starbucks seems like the way to go! I hope something works out for you
@JuneRoseRuby I giggled at chubby ovaries. But that's a good thing for them!!
Cycle/CD: Cycle 16, CD 9
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) Obsessed with Amazon. Stitchfix was on point my first 2 boxes and then totally just dropped the ball the last couple. I'm debating on signing up for another box because when they've sent me pants, they fit great and are comfy and nice quality.
Blue Apron I loved. We never made a meal we didn't like (even the ones that were sent that I was thinking I'd be less than thrilled about). A bit more carbs/heavier than the meals we typically eat but the convenience is just so nice - I don't have to think about 3 of the meals we would eat those weeks which is magical! I'm a meal prepper so it was nice to have. I'm off to google Sun Basket now though.
2017 - egg retrieval #1 - 3 eggs, 0 embryos appropriate for transfer; ER #2 2 eggs, 0 embryos on day 3; ER #3 1 egg 0 embryos
moved to donor egg in summer 2017; 35 eggs retrieved; 19 fertilized; 9 total embryos
Fresh transfer Dec 2017= BFP! baby boy born 8/22/18
May 2019 - surprise natural pregnancy ended in MC
Nov 2019 FET; MC at 9 weeks
May 2020 FET; BFN
July 2020 FET; CP treated with methotrexate
Oct 2020 BFP!
Take a look at my blog
Cycle/CD: Benched while they figure out what is going on - Placebo skipping BC so no cycle
How are things going? Trying to be patient with how slow this process is - focus on other things.
TW*** Child mentioned
.
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) Hannafords-to-go. I just order all my groceries online the night before, then I pull up to the little kiosk in the parking lot on my way home from work, push the button, and they come load my car and swipe my card. So full of win. I can even get a hot rotisserie chicken for dinner that night that way.
@tamalahoops Banks and financial services companies usually have ridiculous benefits, and usually offer them to part timers as well. I've worked for banks or wealth management companies my whole career, and only one company didn't cover IF in full, and they offered a 4k credit to be applied towards it, or towards adoption costs, your choice, as part of the EAP rather than cover it through the health insurance. So even still they offered ... something. And that was available to part timers as well.
Cycle/CD: cycle 17/CD 11
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Letrozole+Ovidrel+IUI I went in for a scan yesterday and discovered that apparently my body was pretty eager to get things moving, and we were already good to trigger. Was not really expecting that! So I triggered last night, had IUI part 1 this morning, and go back for IUI part 2 tomorrow.
How are things going? Not too bad. I have been trying to focus a little more on myself lately, and started to yoga again which has actually helped me to relax a bit (now I just have to hope I keep up with it...). I haven't actually figured out how I feel this cycle yet. I'm not exactly feeling hopeful, but I don't feel totally out of it. I'm just kind of in a weird state of indifference.
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) All I really use is Amazon Prime, which I love. I tried Blue Apron very briefly, and while it was good I think I was just too cheap to keep up with it ha ha.
Married 9/2015
TTC #1 6/2016
Dx Unexplained IF 6/2017
Clomid + Ovidrel + IUI 7/2017 - Cancelled (overstimulated)
Letrozole + Ovidrel + IUI #1 - BFN
Letrozole + Ovidrel + IUI #2 -BFN
Letrozole + Ovidrel + IUI#3 - BFP! EDD July 15 2018
Baby Girl H - July 22 2018
@olliegolly I can relate to your spoiler section. SO HARD. Hugs.
TTC #2 - August 2016
MFI
IUI #1-3 BFN
BFP 4/21/18 MMC 6/11/18
*autocorrect was shouting
@BusinessWife yuck. Sorry about the headache. Your treat sounds delish though!
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
@kiwi2628 You and are in the same boat with jumping through hoops to get insurance to pay for anything. You need to have 6 cycles before they'll cover IVF too, right? Have you made sure that TI counts as a cycle? I don't want anyone else to get burned like me where TI doesn't count!
@BertieMeetsGertie I'm glad you are keeping cool and staying positive.
@KariAnn323 My clinic has an awesome patient portal that keeps track of all my results. I love it and I reference it all the time. (And I go down the rabbit hole of back referencing cycles and comparing cycles too...) I track other things in Fertility Friends using Notes. If I were going to combine it all, I'd probably combine everything into a folder on Google Drive - screenshots of results, a calendar with my cycles, etc.
@laurad75 Hang in there.
@suchaglencoco Welcome back.
@shortstack930 I'm glad you're enjoying your break.
@tamalahoops I hope you feeling somewhat rejuvenated (as much as possible any way) after your bump break. I haven't considered a part time job for IF coverage, but I have considered changing my job entirely for better IF coverage. Are you in pretty content with your job now?
@Hollyyyyy I hope AF arrives soon for you.
@JuneRoseRuby I hope that bloat means you're cooking up some good eggs. Any idea when your retrieval will be yet?
@50Wife FX for you! GL Wednesday.
@olliegolly I can only imagine all the feelings you must be feeling because the IF is secondary and may have been avoided through different doctors. It sounds like an incredibly frustrating situation to be in. I'm sorry you have to wait 2 months for your new OB/GYN appointment.
@BusinessWife Thursday retrieval! That's so close!
@Pinky917 That's great you were able to trigger already! GL with your next IUI.
Cycle/CD: month 19/CD 1
Any questions?
GTKY: what is your favorite online service? (Like stitchfix/Thrive/Blue Apron etc) All I use right now is Amazon Prime, but I want to check out stitchfix some day because I hate shopping for clothes.