September IVF

emmasemm · September 2017

@sunnyrain2 - fx no exploding ovaries!!! But you sound like a pro by now!

AFM - well I finally have CD1 yay!!! So means I start stims on Sunday night and then first monitoring booked for next Friday! So excited to get started (remind of that in a few weeks will you???)

sunnyrain2 · September 2017

Just had my day 6 scan. Lining at 12. 1 14mm, 3 12mm, 3 11 mm, 19 less than 10. My right ovary is way more productive than my left with 17 follicles compared to 9.

DecemberDoll27 · September 2017

@sunnyrain2 Wow your ovaries are much more productive then mine! We only have 2 large ones on the right and 3 on the left! I cried at the dr's office today because of the low numbers. They told me that even with 5 we should be good to go.... So we are going with retrieval on Tuesday if nothing changes dramatically... I don't know how I feel about it but I am trying to put all my faith in doctors and hope for the best!
Excited it is Friday! It is going to be a beautiful weekend!

emmasemm · September 2017

@sunnyrain2 so that means so far you have plenty but not so many as last time, so hopefully fx for good quality? When are you scheduled for retrieval?

@Decemberdoll27 Firstly yay for 5 - do you have DOR or are you unexplained so far? My RE keeps reminding me if we get 4 I will have surpassed his expectations... but we agreed right from the start as long as there is one he will retrieve (as the insurance counts it as a cycle once I pick up meds).

JaeJayStark · September 2017

artemis618 Welcome and rooting for you! Thanks for the congrats! That's so fun!

loverin Congrats on the baseline and so sorry you have to worry about all that crazy weather. Like you really needed one more thing to think about.

sunnyrain2 Wow! amazing lining so early! So fluffy

AFM: **TW** I got a BFP today on 5dp 5dt. I can't believe it. I'm numb.

sunnyrain2 · September 2017

@DecemberDoll27 Oh don't be fooled by my numbers. I have PCOS and while the quantity is there quality is lacking. Based on my past ERs, I'll only get 3 embryos when it's time to transfer.

DecemberDoll27 · September 2017

@JaeJayStark OMG!!!!! Congrats!!!! This is awesome!

DecemberDoll27 · September 2017

@emmasemm I have tubal infertility and very mild PCOS so I do not know why my number is low. I guess that it is because we are doing a mild cycle meds wise ( Menopur only) but I do not know for sure. Only time will tell how it all is going to turn out.

sunnyrain2 · September 2017

@JaeJayStark Congratulations!

sunnyrain2 · September 2017

@emmasemm no idea on ER yet. I'm guessing Wednesday or Thursday but will know more at my next scan on Monday.

DecemberDoll27 · September 2017

My clinic just called. There has been a change of plans, no retrieval on Tuesday, going back on Monday instead for an US and BW. It actually makes me feel a little better. Hoping some more follies are going to catch up.

JaeJayStark · September 2017

DecemberDoll27 That's good news. I am glad you are feeling better about taking a bit more time!

loverin · September 2017

Oh my goodness, congrats @JaeJayStark !! How exciting!

@DecemberDoll27 I'm glad you feel better about what you're doing, I'm sorry it's been hard so far

Fingers crossed for your US on monday! I know at one point they up'd your stims, did they see any change from that?

AFM - What a mess. I was supposed to start stims last night and have a follow up appointment tomorrow to see how I'm responding. So I did start but found out the hospital my doctor's office is in decided to close and therefore he can't see me(they didn't do this last year during the hurricane so he had no way of knowing they would this time or I'm guessing he would have delayed me). He gave me 2 options: stop everything today and start back on BCP or have him give an educated estimate on what dosage and have me keep going. The first time he could see me would be 5 days after stims started. From reading your updates it doesn't sound like that's completely abnormal? Maybe just for him?

Either way, my cycle with him is good(meaning if it doesn't work we're not paying again). If I stopped now, we'd start again in a month or two he said. If I kept going and he had overstimmulated me too early (but not over hyperstimulated, my health would not be at risk) we'd stop and start again. OR I keep going and see him Tuesday after the hurricane and if I look like I did alright we can continue on. The only loss of money in this is the medications either way.

We decided to continue on with the possibility of reordering medications if it didn't work. It definitely been much more stressful and complicated than I would like, trying to figure all of this out and trying to prepare your life for a hurricane but I'm just crossing my fingers we made the right decision. My hope is that I'll be responding but not to the point that I'm too far past where he needs me. He went down in my dosage from what he originally gave me (I've started at 200 units of Follistim and he has me going down to 150 and 125) so hopefully that helps as well.

How soon after stims did your doctor see you and do tests? Thanks for all the well wishes ladies, I'd really appreciate if life would just chill right now!

JaeJayStark · September 2017

loverin What a conundrum but I am glad you have some options. I can't remember when I came in after starting stims. June seems so long ago!

emmasemm · September 2017

@loverin oh no!!! I would totally have been panicking in your shoes.

But!!! I'm starting Stims Sunday and only having first monitoring on Friday so that's also five days and completely normal for my RE and I'm on higher does than you

(though I am DOR so the meds basically need to wake my zombie ovaries...)

Hope this helps a little and you have something to focus on through the hurricane too. Fx you don't get too much damage

emmasemm · September 2017

@jaejaystark wow! Only 5dpt - bet you could hardly believe it when you saw it!

@decemberdoll27 it sounds like your RE maybe sat with some more of their team and reviewed your US etc and they decided they could shoot for a few more. Fx!
I read Some research on PCOS that some REs specially aim for less but hope that way to get higher quality eggs. If you're not sure then I definitely recommend asking on Monday - don't be shy, it's not questioning their judgment it's just understanding and being in a position to advocate for yourself.
Maybe @sunnyrain2 can offer more practical insights on the PCOS side

sunnyrain2 · September 2017

@loverin I had my first scan today, day 6 of stims. Are you doing an agonist or antagonist cycle? If antagonist maybe just fine out when to start the ovulation suppression meds. My nurse said it was good I had started Cetrotide on day 5, before my scan, since I have some larger follicles already. I'm have PCOS and am on 200 Follistim and 150 Menopur

JaeJayStark · September 2017

emmasemm I couldn't believe it was so visible! *TW* My first positive in December was a squinter on 10 dpiui. Good luck with starting stims!

emmasemm · September 2017

@JaeJayStark thanks!
Hope you don't mind if I ask, although your siggy talks male factor, your retrieval of 5 eggs was relatively low but fert rate was high with 80%, especially allowing for the male factor. Was that 5 mature or five total eggs? Did you use ICSI or traditional IVF for fertilization? And we're your stims aimed at not too many but good quality eggs, or originally had you expected more eggs?

DecemberDoll27 · September 2017

@ loverin Holly Molly what a mess you are going through! I had BW done on day 3 but my first US was on day 5, so I think you should be ok! Crossing fingers and toes!
@emmasemm it was not even my RE who decided on Tue retrival, it was some other dr, so I guess my RE overrulled that decision and I am happy about that! Can't wait for Monday US!
DH is having a tough time adjusting to everything changing on us. He told me that his biggest issue is that he does nothing and just watches me go through everything and can't help. It was very sweet! I am becoming an emotianal mess over here...

I am off to do my ganerilix and extra menopur shots :-)

JaeJayStark · September 2017

emmasemm - Certainly ask away!
My male factor is that sometimes he can't finish during intercourse. All his other results are in tip top shape. They did ICSI to give us the best chances and it was covered at 50% by my insurance. It was 5 mature eggs AND 5 total. They only retrieved mature ones. I have lower AMH but only because I am older in age so I think the stims were aimed just as you guessed - quality, not quantity, and not to over stim. I think we expected a few more than we got but we knew we wouldn't have bunches. The hard part is that we can't see my ovaries until they have some big follies in there or when they drop closer to ovulation. I like to compare it to a Texas longhorn. My Fallopian tubes go up so the ovaries are pretty high. I am guessing if I have to do another round of stims some day they might up the anti a bit.

loverin · September 2017

yay for starting stims Sunday @emmasemm ! That does make me feel better and sounds like 5-6 days isn't too abnormal for them to check in for the first time.

@sunnyrain2 sheepishly I don't really know what mine is. I did bcp for 5.5 weeks, started Lupron the last day of bcp up to I'd assume trigger and have started Follistim (200 units) and Menopur (1 vial). Because they suppressed my last cycle and I'm doing lupron maybe that will help keep my follies in line!

funkykey · September 2017

*lurking* congratulations @JaeJayStark !!!! Awesome! xo

sunnyrain2 · September 2017

@loverin No worries. You are doing an agonist cycle. Lupron is an agonist and meds like Cetrotide are antagonist. Lupron creates a LH surge in the beginning then works to suppress ovulation. That's why it's generally started before stims, to give it time to work. There is a Lupron flare protocol that works a little differently but I don't see it used a lot. Antagonist meds work to suppress LH in the pituitary right away, without the surge that Lupron creates so they are generally started several days after stims start.

Lol sorry if I provided way too much information.

emmasemm · September 2017

@JaeJayStark thanks a lot for the details.

5 with all 5 mature is seriously awesome. I guess ,Anne they might try to up it if you do another ER but to be honest a lot of the research shows even when 15-20 eggs fertilize they rarely get more than 8 mature, one of the latest big exhaustive studies combing global research results said average for u35 was 7.8 mature. Though of course that has multiple reasons.

And then 50% making it to day5 blasts is really bang on typical expectations. Do you know how the quality looked at day 3?

I'm about to turn 39 (but still my AMH is below normal limits for my age) and I have one ovary that is tucked away until around CD7-8 each month. So it's always, " you have 4 + we have no clue". We have the plan for any that look a bit "sluggish" on day 3 to put them straight back and give them that very small chance. But also depends on how many. I have drawn up a decision tree and had my doctor initial it along with our protocol just so that there is no confusion in the heat of the moment lol. It runs to three pages...

I love love love your comparison to a Texas longhorn! Painting pictures like that really helps people to understand easily and I'm totally going to steal it with pride.

@decemberdoll27 awww bless your DH and what a way to spend a Friday night shooting up hey

@sunnyrain2 great explanation- wish REs could all explain it that clearly!

JaeJayStark · September 2017

@emmasemm They just old me the embryos were "high quality." It doesn't seem that my clinic shares the specific rating which I was ok with. It was one less thing to obsess over.

Omgosh, a decision tree? Three pages!? You are an amazing planner. Love the organization! Sounds like something I would do.

I'm glad you have a hiding ovary like me. Right always hides. Go team longhorns!

Where are you located? You are up later like me. I'm in the Seattle area.

emmasemm · September 2017

@JaeJayStark Actually I was awake early in Germany! And I was also awake til around 1.30am - both because I was home alone last night and made a fire but couldn't push the lever to open the chimney and filled the house with smoke... so had to wait with all doors and windows open for hours and then got up early to do the same... not my finest moment and DH is going to have some choice words later I'm sure!!!

adirat · September 2017

@JaeJayStark Congrats!

@sunnyrain2 Thanks, that was really helpful information about agonist/antagonist protocols.

@emmasemm I love the idea of a decision tree! What all is on it? I am also a planner, and also likely to have a poor response to stims, so I would love to learn from you.

@loverin Stay safe friend!!

emmasemm · September 2017

@adirat - if I'm on the computer tomorrow I'll try to remember to post a photo. It basically just walks through the main point where decisions need to be made in a cycle. So e.g. At first monitoring, are the number of follies as expected, and then do you abandon and do TI, convert to IUI, still go ahead with ER... as much as anything it helped me to work through the main possibilities and know what we would do for each case, it helps me feel like I am prepared for what might come then. For others I guess it might freak them out too much. But for me it's a comfort

Though I'm no expert - just a BSC detailed OCD researcher with access to research studies and a long ago background of studying statistics and basic genetics... not sure being an accountant is making full use of my experience lol!

adirat · September 2017

@emmasemm Girl I can't even tell you how many times I have searched for RCTs on PubMed to understand my diagnosis and prognosis with IVF...right there with you

[Deleted User] · September 2017

Hey guys! Just dipping my toe in here, I see lots of names I recognize! ;) I actually started the October FET thread, but now it looks like we may be repeating another IVF cycle this month, have to move my polypectomy from Sept 27th to some time in October, and that leaves FET more likely in November. Sigh. Not especially looking forward to the do-over, but at least I know I'd be in good company, so it's not so bad. ❤

For anyone I may not have met yet, quickie backstory... I joined the Bump after about 6 months of NTNP, started Creighton method with my doctor a few months later.... it took him another 6 months to finally order an S.A., and then a repeat confirmed azoospermia.

That was about a year ago now, and we have since completed a successful (!) MESA/TESE retrieval for DH in July, and my first IVF cycle in August, which resulted in three beautiful frosties!!! We are not doing PGS, so while I haven't been able to talk to the doctor yet since getting our results, I am leaning towards repeating the cycle to try and bank a few more, so we can hopefully grow a little bit bigger family, and not have to go back and do this all over again down the road... Not to mention, we got four vials of sperm from DHs procedure (2 MESA/2TESE), and have already used one for the first cycle. It's my understanding that the MESA samples are more prolific, so they start with those. Hopefully those two MESA vials will do the trick with my eggoes and we'll be all set to move forward with FETs!!!

Nice to "meet" you, and I look forward to getting to know all of you better, and sharing this next cycle with you! ❤❤❤

[Deleted User] · September 2017

<a rel="nofollow" href="https://forums.thebump.com/profile/emmasemm">emmasemm</a><span> said: </span><blockquote class="Quote"><div>@JaeJayStark thanks a lot for the details.

5 with all 5 mature is seriously awesome. I guess ,Anne they might try to up it if you do another ER but to be honest a lot of the research shows even when 15-20 eggs fertilize <b>they rarely get more than 8 mature, one of the latest big exhaustive studies combing global research results said average for u35 was 7.8 mature. Though of course that has multiple reasons. </b>

<b>And then 50% making it to day5 blasts is really bang on typical expectations. </b>Do you know how the quality looked at day 3?

***snipped***</div></blockquote>This was true for me. We collected 18, but only 10 were mature. 6 fertilized, and then 3 made it to freeze, which is 50%. Sigh. We also did not get any Day 3 report, so I am totally wondering how it all went down...

JaeJayStark · September 2017

@BusinessWife I feel like I saw you on the boards when I first joined and still a knottie284950583739208485758302058

. Good to hear all your details and happy to have you!

[Deleted User] · September 2017

Heeey! @JaeJayStark I knew you were familiar! ;) oh and uh, sorry I said eggoes. Lol. I realize after all we've been through, that whole thing sounded a little on the overly bubbly side. I guess I'm just relieved to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Congrats to you, too!!!! On your amazing news!!!
<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/50/8yduk07h72ih.gif" alt="">

loverin · September 2017

@sunnyrain2 I love information

It gets me into trouble sometimes. But seriously I've read many people referencing the different types and didn't know quite what they were so thank you for explaining! My newbie-ness is showing

Welcome @BusinessWife! I've been lurking on the June/august ivf boards so it's nice to meet you

AFM just doin stims...feeling like a pro at needles now which is not something I'd ever gun for but I'll take it

preparing for if we lose power. What does it say about my sanity that my first priority would not be important documents but my Follistim?! So far just bruising and a bad headache the first day after stims but I'm so excited to be going that I don't even care at this point

emmasemm · September 2017

Welcome to the September club @businesswife I've also been lurking July/August and the IF thread on TTGP so was wondering if we might see you here too

Firstly congrats on the three frosties! With your age you have a great chance majority are normies. Fx

@loverin I'm hoping for not too many bruises, let's see! DH is quite looking forward to giving me my first injection in around 10 hours from now. (Not that we're counting or anything...)

adirat · September 2017

Welcome @businesswife! So you guys are definitely doing a second round and banking?

@emmasemm Ahh good luck with your first injection!

[Deleted User] · September 2017

@adirat. I definitely want to! I think? But I haven't spoken to my doctor yet... we got our freeze report Thursday morning only, Friday got the grading, and while I spoke to the covering nurse both days, (my regular nurse is away), I haven't actually gotten to speak with my doctor yet! I hope I can talk with her early this week tho, because as of now, my plan is still call cd1, go in for cd3 baselines. If I start bcps for the polypectomy the nurse was saying we could just conver to a retrieval cycle, but I'd rather not have to do it that way if we can get the approvals in time to just start stimms on cd 3 like normal.

cmiller73 · September 2017

Howdy ladies! Took a bit of time off since my last go round in July which ended in *TW* CP (but with very high numbers). DH and I opted to go back for another cycle but thanks to how much chaos this has taken on my regular monthly cycle, my surge must be super short lived and we missed it in August so were benched til this month's AF. CD1 was Saturday and today was my baseline and bw. Funny thing, now in IVF#3, and expecting things to be wonky, I said to the tech "man, seems like you are in there a long time this morning for baseline" and she just laughed. I, on the other hand, got NERVOUS. Did I have a polyp? Was there scarring from the last impantation? I was a wreck for about 5 minutes... got my clothes back on and went out to meet the nurse for the blood work. She walked in and was like "so 14, huh?" Holy $#%^&*()?? 14 Antral count? IVF#1 was 4, #2 was 8 and #3 14. Goodness.

So tonight I start my 300 Gonal F, tomorrow add in my 4amps of Menopur and take it front there. We are doing the exact same protocol as #2 (which was very successful: Gonal/Meno with Cetrotide added in CD8-12ish, and a combo Lupron/hCg trigger. ICSI, PGS and hopefully a late OCT FET)

@emmasemm looks like we are spot on same cycle timing! WOOHOO ER buddy

@BusinessWife @artemis618 hello again ladies

Good luck to all and congrats on the good news @JaeJayStark!

emmasemm · September 2017

@cmiller73 woohoo! That's so nice to have you on the same timeline!
Though I am super jealous of your AFC. I had 5 they could see... but one of my ovaries is always hiding so they struggle until mid-end of my FP to see anything there.
Are you doing IVF for DOR or MFI or something else? I guess with your previous AFCs it's not PCOS?
What CD have you done your ER in the previous two cycles?
(And sorry for all the questions - I'm a complete data-oholic!)

Right now DH is cooking the "last supper" before the first injection lol

September IVF

Re: September IVF

Choose Another Board

Search Boards