Who else here is pregnant after struggling with infertility?
Anybody wish to share their journey?
2/12: 100 mg Clomid + Bravelle last minute+ back to back IUI. BFN 3/12 150mg Clomid + B2B IUI =BFP!! TWINS! Vanishing twin at week 6 Tater-tot born January 3rd 2013
2 IUI's in 2016- BFN 3 IUI's in 2017- BFN 8/17 IUI BFP!!!!!!!!
We tried for almost 2.5 years for this one. I did a round of Femara plus TI and they said my ovulation wasn't strong enough. Then I did a round of Femara + Follistim + TI and got pregnant last December. *TW I unfortunately miscarried in January. My numbers were dropping and then started to go back up, so I had to have the methotrexate shot and couldn't try for three months. TW* We then did another round of Femara + Follistim + Injectables, but that one didn't work. I did acupuncture starting with that last round. We then took a break from treatments because DH didn't like the pressure of them. I continued going to acupuncture and started the PCOS diet and got pregnant naturally. I completely credit acupuncture to helping me get pregnant with my first and with this one. I really wish I had started the diet sooner!
I'm not sure if I count...we've been trying for two years, but this was a spontaneous pregnancy (like my ***TW**** three previous miscarriages were ***end TW**).
I've been under the care of an RE for a year and had one failed TI cycle in May (clomid, gonal f, progesterone...but I take progesterone every cycle after O). I took a break because insurance doesn't cover it and I wasn't sure it was worth the cost/stress. I got a spontaneous BFP in June and then this one immediately after that.
Our dx was luteal phase defect, uterine polyps (removed), stage 2 endometriosis, and low sperm morphology. I don't have a dx for (TW) the recurrent miscarriages ("unexplained" though I'm also now AMA (just barely 36 - we started at end of 33)). I am currently on 5mg prednisone, 400mg progesterone, lovenox, and rx prenatals. I have no idea if the new medications are helping or if it's a coincidence, but this is the farthest I've ever made it.
I am in the same boat! We first started trying over two years ago. I have endometriosis and I do have a hydrosalpinx on one side, which means that tube is no good, but the other one appears to be open. Apparently they can interfere with implantation however by leaking fluid into the uterus. I had surgery in December to clip that tube, and they also untangled the other tube that had been caught by an adhesion. We tried for about 7 more months after that. Maybe if we'd been patient it would have happened eventually, but we decided at that point to go for IVF because I'm creeping closer to 35 every day. I was lucky, it took on the first round and here I am!
I have never got a firm explanation for my infertility. Since before this I never had so much as a chemical pregnancy, and I was definitely ovulating, I am inclined to think that other tube isn't working great either, so I'm glad we decided to go the IVF route instead of waiting for more disappointments.
2/12: 100 mg Clomid + Bravelle last minute+ back to back IUI. BFN 3/12 150mg Clomid + B2B IUI =BFP!! TWINS! Vanishing twin at week 6 Tater-tot born January 3rd 2013
2 IUI's in 2016- BFN 3 IUI's in 2017- BFN 8/17 IUI BFP!!!!!!!!
We had male factor infertility everything for me checked out fine (but some long cycles) We had 3 IUI's this year, then back to back IVF rounds as our first round we had 4 embryos and none made it to be transferred, so heartbreaking. Our second round we had 8 embryos going strong until transfer day... then they only recommend 1 for transfer. We were shattered honestly, but then that afternoon they called and said 2 embryos had pulled through to be frozen (and tested). We didn't get a BFP with that fresh transfer and I found it incredibly hard. We then got news later in the week the 2 frozen babies were normal - I honestly was blown over by the good news and I did not expect it! One of the happiest moments of my life, because it was tanglible hope after so much loss... We are pregnant with our first FET! We knew baby is a boy months ago, and treasure this crazy-special-rollercoaster journey. It was 22 months, and felt like hell, but in the end we love our family so much more, and our maturity, marriage and faith are all so much stronger, but are hearts are so soft.
I find it very hard to assimilate into the "mom" talk, when so much just doesn't apply to me. Praying that gets better, and love this group as a fun way to mom chat!
So, I have PCOS. We were trying, for about 6 months. Then out of the blue.... my period never came. Everything tested negative. About 3 months in of no period, I contacted my OBGYN. (Whom, I have since dropped. She is not fat-friendly.) She told me I am fat, and when I lose weight I will get it back, and dismissed me.
I fought her hard. I told her I had actually lost about 10lbs, was running/walking 2 miles everyday, cut out soda, and still couldn't lose any more than those 10. She finally went 'Oh, we should have some labs done!'
Fast forward, she tells me I am Insulin Resistant, and have PCOS. She sent me to a local fertility specialist. Around that time, I did get my period back, and was stalking the 3TC board here. I learned a lot about infertility and pcos through them, and I am SO thankful. Without their knowledge, I would have been fooled by that specialist. That specialist brought me in, and started in on big scare tactics. Started saying that since I was IR, I was basically diabetic, and isn't that so sad? He also said that PCOS in itself doesn't cause IF, so we "MUST HAVE" male factor, without doing any testing, and wanted me sign right then and there for a 30k+ IVF with ICSI round for the following month. Since I had been on the 3TC board, I had red flags EVERYWHERE.
I didn't sign, got a second opinion, and a bunch of tests done. Come to find out, I am considered annovulatory. Even though I would get a period, it wasn't a true period because I was never releasing eggs. My uterine lining would just get too thick, and basically shed on it's own.
So, we did two rounds of IUI, got pg on the second round with my DD. (I will add, my follicles were 'too mature' for other dr. standards. Some RE's cancel the round if the follicles are over 30. Mine didn't and I got pg. I trust my Dr.!)
For this one, we did 2 rounds last year, and 4 rounds this year. Again, this last round I wound up with LARGE follicles. I was concerned they were cysts. My Dr. was like "Nope, we're doing this!" And wouldn't you know it......
So. Long story short: Find a dr. you a trust, and the people here on the bump are wise.
2/12: 100 mg Clomid + Bravelle last minute+ back to back IUI. BFN 3/12 150mg Clomid + B2B IUI =BFP!! TWINS! Vanishing twin at week 6 Tater-tot born January 3rd 2013
2 IUI's in 2016- BFN 3 IUI's in 2017- BFN 8/17 IUI BFP!!!!!!!!
@JenniatONU I can't believe medical staff have treated you like that. I am bewildered by the way some people practice medicine. I researched A LOT about infertility, and know sometimes it doesn't dawn on people to do all that work themselves because they trust doctors that don't do a great job of practicing medicine, like yours! IVF is a huge process to go through, and shouldn't be taken lightly without assessing what the literature and research points to the chances of using medication or IUI first. The website fertilityIQ.com is the closest thing to my dream of someone having a resource that is medically informative and research based on fertility. I've been helping a good friend of mine navigate the system and I wish I had someone like me to help. It's great you found advice in forums helpful! I'd never had anything to do with medicine or doctors until infertility so the whole world of medicine was a mystery and I quickly learnt how naive I was about doctors and advice.
@desertdweller-2 Thanks for sharing your journey, sorry for your losses and the long painful road. But so glad you are now 9 weeks? How encouraging!! Even with spontaneous pregnancy infertility is the time of trying for baby with no baby ending up in our arms. Sometimes the issue can be getting pregnant or staying pregnant but the heart of the matter is the same. Hope you are feeling positive and so excited for you.
Did anyone because of their infertility struggles have the most amazing responses to their pregnancy? We've made countless friends and family cry with joy at our news, even many friends struggling with IF themselves have all been so happy (those are the most joyful, because they understand the struggle). I am so thankful and touched by the responses. We were quite brave and open about our struggles with IF so people really knew what was going on.
@thunderberry seems like more Dx than some other people, sounds like you made a good decision with IVF and glad it worked first time! It is so hard when IVF doesn't work. I think if people are ready for IVF it can be good to go that route before going through so much. DH wasn't even ready for IUI let alone IVF so it was an emotional struggle for us, he was very optimistic with IUI but I was so exhausted and disappointed by the time we started IVF.
We started our journey in Jan 2016. After many tests and procedures, we started treatment. The first 2 IUIs were with oral meds, the 3rd IUI was with oral meds + injections. I have also been doing acupuncture for about a year (and I am going to continue doing it throughout my pregnancy). I got my first ever BFP after the 3rd IUI, it is a blessing and a miracle, our next step would have been IVF.
Re: Success after infertility
I've been under the care of an RE for a year and had one failed TI cycle in May (clomid, gonal f, progesterone...but I take progesterone every cycle after O). I took a break because insurance doesn't cover it and I wasn't sure it was worth the cost/stress. I got a spontaneous BFP in June and then this one immediately after that.
Our dx was luteal phase defect, uterine polyps (removed), stage 2 endometriosis, and low sperm morphology. I don't have a dx for (TW) the recurrent miscarriages ("unexplained" though I'm also now AMA (just barely 36 - we started at end of 33)). I am currently on 5mg prednisone, 400mg progesterone, lovenox, and rx prenatals. I have no idea if the new medications are helping or if it's a coincidence, but this is the farthest I've ever made it.
TTC #1 since September 2015
*TW*
BFP #1: CP, April 2016
BFP #2: 10/5/16, MMC 11/3/16 at 7w5d (embryo stopped @ ~6 weeks), misoprostol 11/11/16 (EDD 6/16/17)
Dx: Luteal phase defect, uterine polyps, stage 2 endometriosis, low morphology
Uterine polyp removal (laparoscopy) 3/28/17
BFP #3: 6/19/17, MMC 7/11/17 at 6w3d, misoprostol 7/17/17 (EDD 3/1/18)
BFP #4: 8/25/17 EDD 5/4/18
I have never got a firm explanation for my infertility. Since before this I never had so much as a chemical pregnancy, and I was definitely ovulating, I am inclined to think that other tube isn't working great either, so I'm glad we decided to go the IVF route instead of waiting for more disappointments.
Happy and Healthy 9 months! (Well, 8 months now!)
3/12 150mg Clomid + B2B IUI =BFP!! TWINS!
Vanishing twin at week 6
Tater-tot born January 3rd 2013
2 IUI's in 2016- BFN
3 IUI's in 2017- BFN
8/17 IUI BFP!!!!!!!!
3 rounds of clomid - no ovulation
3 rounds of: Letrozole, ultrasounds and blood work every other day, Ovidrel, and IUI (Success = one healthy daughter in 2016)
2 rounds of: Letrozole, ultrasounds and blood work every other day, Ovidrel, and IUI (Currently 6 weeks pregnant)
We had 3 IUI's this year, then back to back IVF rounds as our first round we had 4 embryos and none made it to be transferred, so heartbreaking. Our second round we had 8 embryos going strong until transfer day... then they only recommend 1 for transfer. We were shattered honestly, but then that afternoon they called and said 2 embryos had pulled through to be frozen (and tested). We didn't get a BFP with that fresh transfer and I found it incredibly hard. We then got news later in the week the 2 frozen babies were normal - I honestly was blown over by the good news and I did not expect it! One of the happiest moments of my life, because it was tanglible hope after so much loss...
We are pregnant with our first FET! We knew baby is a boy months ago, and treasure this crazy-special-rollercoaster journey. It was 22 months, and felt like hell, but in the end we love our family so much more, and our maturity, marriage and faith are all so much stronger, but are hearts are so soft.
I find it very hard to assimilate into the "mom" talk, when so much just doesn't apply to me. Praying that gets better, and love this group as a fun way to mom chat!
So, I have PCOS. We were trying, for about 6 months. Then out of the blue.... my period never came. Everything tested negative. About 3 months in of no period, I contacted my OBGYN. (Whom, I have since dropped. She is not fat-friendly.) She told me I am fat, and when I lose weight I will get it back, and dismissed me.
I fought her hard. I told her I had actually lost about 10lbs, was running/walking 2 miles everyday, cut out soda, and still couldn't lose any more than those 10. She finally went 'Oh, we should have some labs done!'
Fast forward, she tells me I am Insulin Resistant, and have PCOS. She sent me to a local fertility specialist. Around that time, I did get my period back, and was stalking the 3TC board here. I learned a lot about infertility and pcos through them, and I am SO thankful. Without their knowledge, I would have been fooled by that specialist. That specialist brought me in, and started in on big scare tactics. Started saying that since I was IR, I was basically diabetic, and isn't that so sad? He also said that PCOS in itself doesn't cause IF, so we "MUST HAVE" male factor, without doing any testing, and wanted me sign right then and there for a 30k+ IVF with ICSI round for the following month. Since I had been on the 3TC board, I had red flags EVERYWHERE.
I didn't sign, got a second opinion, and a bunch of tests done. Come to find out, I am considered annovulatory. Even though I would get a period, it wasn't a true period because I was never releasing eggs. My uterine lining would just get too thick, and basically shed on it's own.
So, we did two rounds of IUI, got pg on the second round with my DD. (I will add, my follicles were 'too mature' for other dr. standards. Some RE's cancel the round if the follicles are over 30. Mine didn't and I got pg. I trust my Dr.!)
For this one, we did 2 rounds last year, and 4 rounds this year. Again, this last round I wound up with LARGE follicles. I was concerned they were cysts. My Dr. was like "Nope, we're doing this!" And wouldn't you know it......
So. Long story short: Find a dr. you a trust, and the people here on the bump are wise.
3/12 150mg Clomid + B2B IUI =BFP!! TWINS!
Vanishing twin at week 6
Tater-tot born January 3rd 2013
2 IUI's in 2016- BFN
3 IUI's in 2017- BFN
8/17 IUI BFP!!!!!!!!
I researched A LOT about infertility, and know sometimes it doesn't dawn on people to do all that work themselves because they trust doctors that don't do a great job of practicing medicine, like yours!
IVF is a huge process to go through, and shouldn't be taken lightly without assessing what the literature and research points to the chances of using medication or IUI first. The website fertilityIQ.com is the closest thing to my dream of someone having a resource that is medically informative and research based on fertility.
I've been helping a good friend of mine navigate the system and I wish I had someone like me to help.
It's great you found advice in forums helpful! I'd never had anything to do with medicine or doctors until infertility so the whole world of medicine was a mystery and I quickly learnt how naive I was about doctors and advice.
Thanks for sharing your journey, sorry for your losses and the long painful road. But so glad you are now 9 weeks? How encouraging!!
Even with spontaneous pregnancy infertility is the time of trying for baby with no baby ending up in our arms. Sometimes the issue can be getting pregnant or staying pregnant but the heart of the matter is the same. Hope you are feeling positive and so excited for you.
Did anyone because of their infertility struggles have the most amazing responses to their pregnancy? We've made countless friends and family cry with joy at our news, even many friends struggling with IF themselves have all been so happy (those are the most joyful, because they understand the struggle). I am so thankful and touched by the responses. We were quite brave and open about our struggles with IF so people really knew what was going on.
My husband last night referred to our 2 embryos as "one in the bank and one in play"