On the bench/Awaiting Cycles

stella_700 · December 2019

@inthewoods23 *hugs from an internet stranger* This process sucks.

erbear84 · December 2019

I go here now.

**TW**
I have a four and a half year old daughter from our first round of IVF. My husband is infertile due to cystic fibrosis.

it took us five years to be able to try again because we had to pay off our loan from the first try. Then my husband got a new job with insurance coverage! It made our decision to try for a second easier.

we transferred five years plus one day after our first transfer and I got pregnant - but it was a chemical. Scheduled another transfer for December 3 but I had unexplained bleeding and even though my lining was absolutely perfect, they cancelled it. I understand why but I’m struggling with emotions here and the holidays don’t help.

so now I am going in for another sonohystogram today and updating all of my tests and hoping for a January transfer.

stella_700 · December 2019

@erbear84 welcome to the bench. I'm so sorry. Delays are no fun, and I agree the holidays can be a challenge. Fingers crossed that all your testing comes back clean and you can start another transfer in January.

nasah15 · December 2019

Does anyone know how long it takes to transfer embryos from one clinic to another? We moved to a neighboring state so its only like a 2 hour drive. Its been a month and haven’t heard anything. I really want to get the process started in January but need the embryos to be here for that. The new clinic gave me a vague answer when i asked them last time saying it depends on the other clinic. I guess i’l give them another call this week but wanted to get an idea if anyone has transferred clinics.

stella_700 · December 2019

@nasah15 I haven't come up against this during my journey but you might reach out and post in some of the really long threads (Low AMH and IVF w/ Donor Egg threads) as I know some of the women in those have dealt with embryo/egg transfers between clinics.

bluguitarhannah · December 2019

@nasah15 lurker comment

I did a donor embryo transfer so somewhat different. It's the courier company that determines speed. In the case you are describing it's you (and spouse) releasing transfer to next clinic. There was a supervising nurse at each place in my case and they gave me the form. It was one that we had to either sign together there or get notarized which was a bit of a pain.

I never talked to the one the embryo came from b/c of situation. However, the agency did. Papers were signed for each clinic and courier was hired. Mostly you are paying for the storage tank. It was over $500 but in my case did require shipping across US.

My clinic gave me three companies they like as couriers and I read reviews on them and then picked based on price. Once it shipped it was a 48-hour process.

nasah15 · December 2019

@bluguitarhannah thanks for the reply.

We did sign all those forms at my new clinic. They said i didnt have to do anything else like call the old clinic. We signed the paperwork over a month ago and haven’t heard anything. I called their office but it was late. Hopefully they’l get back to me tomorrow. I hate all this waiting around. Dont want my potential FET to get delayed because of all this especially since the embryos are only 2 hours away!

1berettam · December 2019

Recap - First IVF cycle after 3 IUIs... Me 31, DH 34, PCOS (35-40 day cycles)

Benched for now...
Just had my ER on Saturday. 25 eggs retrieved, 24 were mature. All 24 fertilized and all 24 have made it to day 3. We decided to not PGS test and we are anxiously awaiting the news on day 5/6.

Unfortunately, my hormone levels were too high to do a fresh transfer and the lab is closed for the holiday which is within the time of what could have been our first FET option. We will be waiting it out until my cycle starts in January so we are looking at late January/early February FET.

I am anxiously awaiting AF (for once) so my ovaries can finally return to normal!

inthewoods23 · December 2019

@1berettam you should be finding out today about your embryos right? GL!

Question for those that have done acupuncture with their transfers - is it beneficial? I'm anxious AF lately and probably should have started seeing a therapist years ago, but I wonder if doing acupuncture can help keep my mind and body calm through the process? Is that something I can even start at this point?

I was never given the option when we started last time and idk if they'll let me try it now 🤷‍♀️

mtpbadger · December 2019

@inthewoods23 I don't see why you wouldn't be able to start acupuncture! I tired it during one of my transfer cycles and it just wasn't for me. I had a very hard time lying there the entire time and relaxing. I didn't go through my clinic since their hours didn't work for me and it was more expensive so I just found one near my work.

I started going to a chiropractor and that actually is more relaxing to me and I've seen some benefits (better sleep; less overall tiredness; neck/back/hips feel better) and not sure if it was just pure coincidence but after I started going regularly, that was the transfer that worked. I also like how I only have to go every few weeks and the appointments are 20-30 minutes. I had a hard time fitting in acupuncture appointments along with all the RE appointments.

inthewoods23 · December 2019

@mtpbadger we'll see if I end up asking about it. I'm worried they'll say no because I didn't do it last time and it adds another variable to the equation to figure out what works. I guess I would need to know how much it would cost and if it's even covered in some capacity by insurance.

CD1 started this morning so I'll be on the estradiol valerate starting next week if everything looks good at baseline 🙂

halfanewt · December 2019

Hi all,

i think its it’s about time to jump in here. Thank you for starting this thread - it’s weird to be in limbo again but nice to have a place to post!

**TW**
I have a 14 month old son from IVF with a fresh transfer. We wanted to get the ball rolling on #2, so I went in in July for the SIS and preliminary bloodwork for a FET. Turns out my RE and I had a complete communication fail and we in fact couldn’t do a medicated FET while still nursing, which she I guess assumed I knew, and she thought I was prepping for a natural cycle.

Fast forward to now, AF is still not back so we wait. I’m just a little bummed that we’re stuck in a holding pattern and I keep getting the “oh, you’re one of the lucky ones. My period came back at 4 months” comments from friends.

[Deleted User] · December 2019

@halfanewt (((hugs))) Sorry about the confusion/ delay. We had a delay too when my old Ob didn't want to clear me to transfer till deliveries would be pretty much a SOLID 2 years apart. Good thing I trusted my gut and found another doc who cleared me at least a little bit sooner, bc I had a feeling it might take a few cycles. :/ Fx by the time you get going, it will work out to be just perfect timing! 😊

inthewoods23 · December 2019

@halfanewt hopefully you can get started soon!

AFM, my baseline appointment on Monday was fine except that my estrogen was high at 91. They upped my lupron to 20 units for Monday night and Tuesday am and pm and had me go back in this morning to check it. It dropped to 88 and I guess that was enough that my RE is okay with us moving forward to do the biopsy. Much relief. Especially considering that I didn't get the call until 3pm when I had the draw at 8am!

Anyone else have above average estrogen levels at their baseline? They've never really explained what that could mean or if it's of any concern, but mine have always been that way.

halfanewt · December 2019

@BusinessWife thanks! Glad you were able to trust your gut and find someone who would work with you 😊

caseyw8784 · December 2019

Hi ladies. I've been MIA for a bit; prepping for the holidays was insane and (TW) the twins both had bad colds, so I didn't have much free time.

I went in this morning for the saline ultrasound, which is the last thing that DH and I needed to do to update our records. The RE on call said that my uterus looked "picture-perfect"........except she found a polyp.

So, my RE will be coming back from vacation on Jan 2nd, so she will be updated and then will schedule the procedure to remove it. Timing really sucks, since I'm starting a new full-time job on Jan 6th, so having to take a half/full day off so soon after starting probably isn't the best thing ever. I was Googling polyp removal tonight and noticed that most of the time, it's done during the cycle between the end of a period and before ovulation, so I'm expecting I have a few weeks at the least. Also guessing that this will push back starting the IVF protocol by a cycle or two, too...so that's bumming me out a bit...

In other news, we spent the last week and a half at DH's parent's house and celebrated Hanukkah and (TW) the twins' 2nd birthday, so it was chaotic but fun! I hope all of you had a good holiday week as well!

inthewoods23 · January 2020

@caseyw8784 hopefully the delay isn't too much. My hysteroscopy was during the days I was on BC before the stims meds began for FET. It was incorporated into my timeline vs being part of a standalone cycle.

caseyw8784 · January 2020

@inthewoods23 my doctor scheduled the procedure for February 4th, and then the followup appt with my RE will be on Feb 27th to then discuss the next steps. So I'm guessing everything would be about a month delayed, which sucks (but overall in the grand scheme of things, isn't actually that long lol) Using my ivf and fet protocols/timeslines from last time, I had estimated that if we had no delays and everything went as expected, the baby would be due in January; so fingers crossed that it'll be a February baby instead!

mbradfo2 · January 2020

AF arrived Friday so we are having a consult with the RE next week to see his thoughts on our situation and maybe do some baseline just to see how things are. Going to get bloods to see how much lower my AMH has dropped. It's probably 0 lol

inthewoods23 · January 2020

@caseyw8784 that's not too bad. I felt like the wait from my egg retrieval to my first FET was forever but when I originally talked to them they had said a FET date in late July but when I called when AF arrived they were like "due to bookings, time off from the lab, etc it's early September." Which really was only 5-6 weeks later so in hindsight it wasn't long and the time on BC in August was nice to finish off summer.

inthewoods23 · January 2020

Went through the biopsy this morning. Hurt like hell but the booklet on the Receptiva testing helped distract me as I read it 😆

Once I get AF we're skipping this cycle and when I get AF again (sometime in February) we'll start the BC to begin the process for our 2nd FET. I'm figuring a transfer in late March or early April pending no major delays.

Hope everyone else is doing well in the new year!

laurad75 · January 2020

Hello everyone. I'm waiting for my next FET cycle and wanted to join you on this thread.

*TW* I have a 16-month-old son conceived via DE IVF and we are trying for a second. We did a single embryo FET in November resulting in a pregnancy but things went awry when we began our ultrasounds. The first showed a low HR, the second gave us a shock when we discovered the embryo split and I was carrying identical twins and then a week later the last ultra showed no HR for either baby and no growth (I was 8+5). It was a brutal rollercoaster. I had a D&E days before Christmas and the tissue was tested to see if we can figure out what went wrong. *end TW*

We have an appt with our RE tomorrow to discuss the testing results and timing for a new cycle. I am hoping to get started as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to getting to know those of you I haven't already met.

stella_700 · January 2020

@inthewoods23 I'm glad that this part it past for you and you can hopefully move forward with the FET process with additional information. Take care of yourself and rest today if you can, a heating pad might be good. I know its totally dumb to think this way, the FET resulted in a successful pregnancy for me happened on March 31. I'll think of that time as being lucky forever probably. Hoping for great news this spring for you.

@mbradfo2 Come on normal numbers!

@caseyw8784 ugh, sometimes I feel like not a single part of this process goes without some sort of delay/issue/hitch. I am glad that it should just be a single cycle delay.

@laurad75 My heart just bottomed out when I read your news. Thinking of you.

JWatt5 · January 2020

I'm going back for IUI #4 this month, figured why not while I'm waiting forever for IVF (our funded round is hopefully Fall 2020).

@laurad75 - so sorry to hear, hopefully you can get some answers.

inthewoods23 · January 2020

@laurad75 good luck at your appointment today! Hope you find answers.

My biopsy went fine yesterday. I thought I'd be in more pain after but minimal spotting and slight cramping that's just enough to make you aware of your uterus is all I had 😆 Should have the results from the Receptiva testing in a couple days or early next week and the ERA results in 2 weeks.

Starting today for 6 days I'm taking Provera to get a period going, then I'm off for the cycle to let my body get back to steady state, then the FET Cycle so if we're lucky, maybe the FET is going to be late March but may end up being sometime in April. Assuming no major delays at the clinic or need for depot Lupron.

laurad75 · January 2020

Thanks everyone. I'll be here for a while since they want me to have two regular cycles and then the 3rd cycle we will do the precycle testing and then a transfer the following cycle. So maybe around April.

We also learned that the embryo that was transferred in Nov had trisomy 15 and never really had a shot. It's really just bad luck. I was relieved to hear that it wasn't a problem with me and there is no reason to worry about our other embryos.

mtpbadger · January 2020

@laurad75 I’m so sorry for what you went through but glad to hear you got some answers today!

@inthewoods23 glad the biopsy wasn’t too bad!

Sounds like this spring might be a busy time for everyone!

Im not sure when we will do our next transfer. I had originally thought it would be Jan or feb but I’m finally having somewhat consistent cycles (compared to NEVER having one) so kind of want to see what my body does and if they become regular. Also, I’m anxious thinking about transferring again since It’s our last embryo and we’d have to do another retrieval if it doesn’t work. I know that anxiety will never fully go away but I’d like to be in a little better headspace before hand.

nasah15 · January 2020

Hi everyone. I had my consult with the new clinic. My new RE seems great and he said now that the hydrosalpinx is taken care of we can move ahead with a natural cycle! I should be getting a period later this week so excited about things finally beginning to move along. I’ve had one cancelled fresh and two cancelled FETs and really hoping to get to transfer day. This clinic does mock transfer though so have to fit that in somehow.

caseyw8784 · January 2020

@inthewoods23 - i'm glad that the biopsy wasn't too bad. hopefully things will quickly fall into place and you'll get your transfer in March!

@nasah15 - that's great that you like your new RE, and that he said that you can move ahead with a natural cycle. FX for AF to come asap!

@laurad75 - I was so sorry to read your post, but I'm glad that you got definitive answers at your follow-up appointment. Hopefully the next few months will fly by and the next transfer will be here before you know it!

AFM, life is insane;y busy right now - I started a new job this past Monday, and it's keeping me crazy busy. One thing that I learned while filling out alllllll the paperwork, is that Massachusetts now has "mandatory" paid family leave - that will go into effect January 2021. I'll barely squeak by! Woo-hoo! This weekend DH and I will be putting a deposit on a new construction home that will probably be ready for occupancy in January/February 2021 - yay for planning a move and a baby for the same season

- but I've been a little obsessed already looking at paint swatches and new furniture and appliances for the new house

laurad75 · January 2020

@caseyw8784 Congrats on the new job and the new home! That sounds stressful but exciting and I actually really enjoy choosing paint colors. Where are you in MA?

mbradfo2 · January 2020

@laurad75
I'm so sorry....this journey sucks big time. The girl I was mentoring with Resolve had the same exact thing happen to her after transfer and she was completely devastated as I'm sure you are.

AFM, I haven't had a real period yet probably because I've been sick with flu/bronchitis since last Saturday and am just starting to feel better. I had a little pink flow on Sunday but then just spotting since then, nothing heavy which is not my normal period. No BFP, just screwed up cycles. The doctor said I should probably wait until I have a normal start to my cycle to do the bloods and u/s but the way forward without that info remains unchanged (another ER), so we're likely without any real plan until next month >.<

inthewoods23 · January 2020

@mbradfo2 bummer that you have to wait some more. Hopefully the next cycle starts much more clearly.

AFM, I haven't gotten a call or anything about the Receptiva results. Maybe no news is good news? Curious if they'll call me for the ERA results too or not since that's just related to the timing of the meds with the transfer.

mtpbadger · January 2020

@casey8784 oooo building a new house! How fun that'll be picking out all the stuff! That is awesome about MA having mandatory paid leave! I work for the federal government and 12 weeks paid leave just got passed starting October 2020 so I'm hoping I'll be eligible for that!

@mbradfo2 any type of delay sucks! Hopefully your cycle returns to normal soon and you can get started with all the testing.

stella_700 · January 2020

@caseyw8784 Oh wow, that's a boatload of changes to be wrangling. Congrats on the new job!

@mbradfo2 Trying to juggle appointments while being sick and not knowing where you cycle is is the pits.

@inthewoods23 Any results?

I've got no plans right now to try again until later on this year. I'm tracking my cycles (28 days like clockwork) but the chance of a natural pregnancy are pretty slim. My husband is struggling more than me right now. I'm doing what I can, wish he'd talk to me about it. I might need to bring it up. Talking about feelings isn't my cup of tea.

caseyw8784 · January 2020

@laurad75 - right now we live in Boston proper, but the new house is in Salem (as in Salem witches lol)...I'm very excited to get into all the planning and decorating!

AFM, just biding my time until the 4th, hoping the procedure is easy and fast and recovery is quick and we can get a move on with the ivf!

inthewoods23 · January 2020

@stella_700 still nothing! I can't believe we're at almost 2 weeks and no results yet on the Receptiva testing. I'm going to call again tomorrow in the afternoon if I still don't hear anything even though I know they will call when they get the results. I have the BCP to start that on Saturday so we can swing right into things, but I'm just annoyed that I don't know if we need to switch to giving me the depot Lupron.

At this rate I might get the ERA testing results before the Receptiva results 😒

inthewoods23 · January 2020

Update: left them a message again and they finally called me back. Receptiva testing was negative AND ERA showed my lining was receptive so we did everything right the first time.

Having a call with the RE tomorrow morning to discuss as I'm supposed to start BC tomorrow. DH and I may consider getting a 2nd opinion before trying a 2nd FET. The embryo we used was the lowest quality one of the 5 we ended up with. We opted for the best male embryo which didn't survive the thaw so our only remaining male embryo was used.

DH knows someone at work who went through IVF who had gone to get a 2nd opinion for their situation and ended up successful so they're going to dig up their records and let us know how things worked out for them.

inthewoods23 · January 2020

Next update: RE says our only option is to switch to a gluten and dairy free diet. She's had success every time the change has been made. We decided we would try this next FET with the dietary change and if that doesn't work we're going to take a break and get a 2nd opinion.

We are slotted to have the FET 3/31. Trying to sneak in a baby before 2020 is over hehe

mtpbadger · January 2020

@inthewoods23 That is very interesting that your RE says its the only option - did she give any research or further information why?

inthewoods23 · January 2020

@mtpbadger it's been her own experience. When couples have failed FETs and the ERA and Receptiva tests come back normal (no inflammation, timing was correct), going gluten and dairy free for a few months has been what makes it work.

Thankfully the nurse said that I just need to avoid gluten and dairy as best as possible. As in I can just remove the bun that came with my burger and not eat it when I eat out vs requesting food be made separately from everyone else.

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