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This is a revolving buddy group for women going the A.R.T. route to compare notes on protocol and symptoms during the course of their fertility treatment. Every so often, a moderator will start a new thread for you. If you feel a new thread is needed, please use the Report Abuse feature to let the moderators know. Good Luck! Baby Dust!
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Hi there,
So here I am after 6 IUI's - 3 with clomid and 3 with injectibles - it's on to our first IVF. Just thought I'd pop in here and introduce myself as I'm sure I'll be back for support throughout this cycle. I'm on Lupron at the moment just waiting for AF to appear so I can start stims as well.
Looking forward to connecting with people on a similar journey.
~Ruthmarie
Hi ladies
Happy 2012 to everyone!
Ruthmarie- welcome! You have definitely come to the right place. I am on IUI with injectables #3 but have already started calling REs in the US for info. I hope to have my 1st IVF this spring. The good news is that alot of of women in this group have gone through the same thing as you and from my short time here I can tell you that the LARGE majority are pregnant. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing from you.
Twin- haven't heard from you for a bit but I imagine that you are celebrating the good news. What a way to ring in 2012! I wish you a very H and H 9 months. Please pop in from time to time to let us know how you are.
CMF- it is good to hear from you. So how are you feeling about round 2? I cross my fingers for you that this will be your cycle.
To everyone else, I wish you the best in the upcoming year.
Maygirl, Lari, mamajmamg, desp seeking, I hope everything is going wonderfully.
AFM- CD 12 and I think I may trigger tonight. This month I actually took a lot longer for my follicles to grow. I also took 425 units of FSH in all instead of 300 because I was not ready at my u/s on day 10. I have 2 - 18 mm that are ready and a few 15 and 16s that won't amount to much. Anyway, I am kind of just going through the motions at this point. I have already decided that I am ready for IVF and I will do it in the US (not France), and I am leaning towards ORM but still undecided. Maybe if I were to try more inseminations, one would take, but I am not willing to waste more of my fertility which is already going into freefall...
Hope to hear from some of you ladies soon
Me: 34 DH:35 TTC #1 since October 2010
DH: sperm survival issues; Me: elevated FSH of 9.5 but other tests point to good ovarian reserve/ uterine blood flow issues
IUI #1-3 BFN
IVF #1 March 2012- ER 19 eggs, 12 fertilized (1/2 ICSI, 1/2 IVF), ET 2- 5 day blasts, 4 expanded blasts frozen, Beta 4/18, 5/10 7w1d heartbeat, thank god! 130 bpm!, u/s #3 5/30 at 10 weeks-praying that everything is still on track
Hey ladies. I wish I had more positive stuff to post but I'm honestly freaking out. My original beta on Thursday was 45.9 and today (4 days later) was only 51.2. The nurse didn't seemed to concerned and they want me back to check Thursday again but I know 45 to 51 is not promising.
Any great success stories with crappy betas?
me (29), hubby (32) married my best friend October 2008
Chart
TTC #1 since May 2010
IUI #1 Sept 24th (Clomid/Ovidrel) - BFN
IUI #2 Oct 21st (Clomid/Ovidrel) - BFN
IUI #3 Nov 20th (Clomid/Ovidrel) - BFN
IUI #4 Dec 17th (Gonal F 75u/Ovidrel/Prometrium 200mg) - BFP - chemical pregnancy
IVF #1 ER 3/22, ET 3/25 (2 grade A little ones!), 13 retrieved, 9 fertilized, none to freeze - BFN
IVF #2 Stims to start 4/30 planned ICSI
Hi Ladies,
I just completed my 1st IVF and am in my two week wait. Any suggestions on foods or things in general that might be helpful to a positive outcome during this time?
I am hoping that the new year brings us all patience, preserverence, and the luck that you need to undergo this process which is like a 2nd job - hopefully, the pay off will come soon!
Congrats again to all you ending 2010 with a BFP!
ME - 35, DH-34 - TTC for over a year. Doctor prescribed injectibles from the start.
First cycle IUI - 8/17/11 Follistim for one week , Gonal-F for the remainder (11 days) - BFP didn't stick .
2nd cycle - Injectibles but ovulated too soon for IUI - BFN
2nd IUI - 11/10/2011 - Gonal-F, Ganirilex (to stop ovulation) - BFN
IVF - Eggs retrieved 12/31/2011 and transfered 1/3/2012 (17 follicles retrieved - 9 viable - 3 transfered - freezing 4) - BFP and then m/c
FET (natural) April 4, 2012 in TWW
Previous LEEP procedure but otherwise unexplained infertility - DH sperm count high
This is my first time joining into one of the monthly groups - Hi! DH and I are getting ready to start our first IVF cycle. I take my last BCP on Thursday and then start stims (presuming all goes according to plan) on Monday. I look forward to keeping in touch with you all through this process.
GL to everyone!
Hannah
I'm so far behind on keeping up with personals I'll just start with everyone who has posted so far this month.
Twin - I hadn't yet gotten around to congratulate you on your BFP and then I see your post about your 2nd beta. I hope your 'crappy' beta spikes up. Keeping you in my thoughts!
Ruthmarie - Wow, 6 IUIs...impressive you did so many of them but sorry they didn't work out for you. Hope your AF hits soon so you can get the show on the road. We were really excited to start IVF and I hope you keep your optimism high and just be kind to yourself during the stimming, retrieval and transfer process...oh and the TWW. Good luck!
JG2007 - Hope you don't need to bother with coming to the states to do IVF but if you do you've got my support. I've been reading your other posts about IVF and where to go. Did you set up a phone consult with the Oregon location? I've wondered how in the heck these gals can do IVF out of state like the CCRM'ers. I think the stress of arranging it all would be too much for me but Oregon posts some nice success rates. Good luck!
TSmith9044 - Congrats on getting to your TWW. I've read many people taking pinapple during their TWW specifically in the days after the transfer. Something about helping uterine blood flow. I didn't do it my first IVF but this time, lord, the supermarket better stock up because we're going to buy every one of those pinapples this go around. Not sure I put much stalk in it but I like pinapple so why not!
athena484 - Good luck, the first IVF is always the hardest but if you take it day by day it isn't so bad or overwhelming.
AFM - FET cycle is happening. I start my estradoil shot tonight and am hopefull about this working. Since I have so many zygotes in the freezer (fertilized eggs frozen at day 1) I'm sure I'll have enough to make it to a day 5 transfer instead of a day 3. And I'm hoping we have enough to freeze because it was heartbreaking to have nothing to freeze during our first attempt even though we know it is common to have nothing left over.
Good luck everyone. May 2012 be OUR YEAR for take home babies.
Me - 35 (the problem), DH -41 (great swimmers), TTC #1 since 11/2010
IUI #1 August 2011- cancelled, ovulated on tubeless side
IVF #1 w/ ICSI Sept 2011 - BFN
IVF#2 w/ICSI Nov 2011 - free all day 1 for FET later
FET#1 1/20/12 - m/c at 7 weeks 4 days
FET#2 4/24/12 - BFN
IVF#3 w/ ICSI & PGS under New RE - June 2012!
RPL/kayrotyping - reveals MTHFR A1298C heterozygous positive
Issues: unicornuate uterus (half of a normal size uterus and one tube), ovulation, short LP, polycystic ovaries
Hi ladies,
I will do more personals next time but I just wanted to say a quick hi to Twin. I REALLY hope you get a doubling beta next time. I am crossing my fingers and toes for you that you will get to take this baby home.
To the ladies in the TWW, I wish you the absolute best. Please come back with some success stories!!
Ruthmarie - welcome, sorry you have to be here.
JG2007 - good luck with this IUI, fingers crossed for you.
Twin - I know it's possible that your first beta was a twin beta and now it's a singleton beta, but I don't know how common that is. Sending positive vibes.
TSmith - I've heard pineapple is supposed to help, if you eat the core part too.
Athena - How exciting that you're finally here!
Mopie - do you know when your transfer will be?
AFM - I'll be doing my next IVF cycle at the end of February with retrieval/transfer probably in March. So nothing new from me for a while but I'll be here to support.
Dorothy (29) DH (30) Dealing with unexplained severe MFI
IVF #1 - ICSI miracle baby boy born 5/22/10 at 37.4 weeks due to low fluid
IVF #2 - chemical
IVF #3 - 32 eggs retrieved and a BFN
FET #1 - 2 blasts, BFN
IVF #4 - 6 eggs, 5 fertilized, transferred 2 5-cell - chemical
FET #2 - ET 6/6/12
Thanks for the support ladies. I know its possible that my beta will have risen nicely by tomorrow but I'm a nervous wreck. I'm hanging on to the fact that it did increase even if it was a little and my progesterone went up too.
I feel like an idiot for telling our parents this weekend but we were so excited and wanted them to share in the excitement. Hopefully work tonight will keep my mind busy. I'll update tomorrow once I have results.
Twin- I really hope you get good news tomorrow. I had slow doubling beta's and I know how stressful the waiting is. Even a day feels like an eternity. Hang in there. We are pulling for you.
Me 35 DH 38, 2 horses, 1 dog, 1cat
IVF#1 = DS 12/08 FET#1 = BFN IVF#2 = IVF #3 = BFP
Lari - thanks for the thoughts! I knew there was someone recently that had slow betas and things ended up being ok. I feel like I'm stuck in a time warp till tomorrow. I was so exhausted, atleast I slept last night. Trying to be strong and take care of myself and hopefully this little bean too Dreading going to work but at the same time happy for the distraction.
Twinroth- Just wanted you to know that I'm hoping and praying that your beta numbers tomorrow are up up up! Talk about an exercise in patience - we get enough of that already! But you sound like your coping better than I would be - keep it up!
Carrie
I am a 36 yo woman married to the love of my life (who's 38 yo) for almost 4 years now. We have been trying to get that BFP since May 2009. Started infertility work ups in Jan 2011.
IUI #1 May 2011 BFN
IVF #1 Nov 2011 BFN
IVF #2 FEB 2012 BFN
IVF #3 APRIL 2012 BFN
to all!!!
Twin: I am thinking of you and sending positive sticky vibes....keep positive and eat lots of folic acid. I am on vaca in UT and wont be back till sunday but I am checking in on you to hear your reports.
Welcome everyone else to the group. I wish you all the best this cycle and pray this is your super sticky little one this go around!! 2012 is going to be a great year for babies, I just know it!
Me (38) DH (40) with IVF #1
IVF #2 11-13-11 BFP! Its TWINS! | this baby sticks! | 1st Beta 144, 2nd Beta 325
Hi All,
It's always nice to hear from sisters in the struggle
Twin - My fingers are so crossed for you. My cubemate is struggling with the same situation. BFP with now stagnant beta growing very slowing. I know that it must be frustrating but it's not over till it's over.
Ruthmarie - I had two IUIs and one missed so I can't imagine 6 - bless you. The last bout gave me cysts and put me on bcps - do they plan on putting you on bcps before your IVF? I read that they sometimes do that. Honestly, eventhough i was apprehensive about the bcp. They gave my body the break it needed to be ready for my 1st IVF cycle. As mentioned, all these shots, visits and then egg retrieval were rough but the possibility of this working is still SO exciting that it makes it all worth it!
JG2007 - I hope that you have gotten to speak to a variety of doctors based not only on success rates but patient care stats/gutt feeling as well. My doctor has high patient satisfation rates (http://www.healthgrades.com ). Not sure about his success rates but he was referred from a success story and during this process you need someone that works with you, is honest and you feel comfortable with. I spoke to some offices over the phone and new they weren't going to be a good fit.
athena484 - We're in the 1st time IVF cycle together so let's keep up with eachother.
AFM - Good luck on this cycle. Having some to freeze helps to give you that cushion for Plan B, if you need it (hopefully, not . It is expensive for us but I believe it is worth saving me from the grueling stimming process again.
As always, best of luck to all and much
Ladies you have all been so supportive over the past few days. I'm sorry to report my beta today had dropped from 51.2 (Tuesday) to only 8.9 today. Another followup next week to make sure we are back to 0 but I have to decide if we try another IUI or move onto IVF and I'm totally clueless. Today I want to just take a really long break but I know that's not how I'll feel in a few days. Going to take atleast the weekend to think it over and figure out where we stand. UGH.
Twinroth-I am so sorry to hear about your Beta. I understand how disappointed you feel. Sending hugs your way.
TSmith9044-It's nice to see someone else on about the same schedule. When are you looking to start stims? Feel free to private message
GL to everyone else...sorry, I am terrible, horrible at personals! I am trying to get better. Promise. :)
Normal 0 21
Twin- I am so sorry about your loss. I imagine that this weekend will be hard for you. Sending you my thoughts and bunches of hugs. The next step you choose will be the right one, whatever that may be.
Athena- sometimes I don’t have the time or energy to write personals either. We like to hear what is going on with you though! Good luck on Monday- I hope you are ready to start stims!!
TWSmith- how are you handling the wait? I have never been through the TWW after IVF which must be super intense. How are you staying calm? Walks, yoga, etc? I wish you all the best and a BFP very very soon. And thank you for the site link. I looked up the Dr that I am consulting with and he got 100% positive reviews. TBH, I have never seen a negative review about this particular Dr.
Mopie- it is good to hear from you. You must be so excited about getting the FET started as you have been waiting a long time to do this. Question- are they thawing everything frozen or just part of it? And they will refreeze what is viable after? And yes, I have set up my phone consult with ORM on 01/24. The Dr who I am consulting with has such good reviews so I hope that he is good. For me, because I live in France, the only convenient place would be in Orlando or New Orleans and neither one has a great clinic…so Oregon it is.
Dmstvr- I guess you are in the waiting game for the time being. I am HOPING that if things go according to plan that I will be able to cycle in March too! We may be cycle buddies!!
CMF- Hi!!! Thinking of you!!!
AFM- this cycle is a mess. I thought that I was ready on day 12 but the Dr wanted me to take 200 ui of FSH day 12 and 13 and then have another u/s and bloodwork on day 14. I feel like he was doubling my doses to hurry me along already. This cycle I have 7 eggs that are greater that 12 mm according to him but not growing (weird how cycles vary like that). I misunderstood at the last u/s that I had some 18 mms.
Anyway, my Dr had me skipping days where I was taking nothing and then taking 200 units for 2 days (see siggie). I worry about its effect on egg quality. I question what he is doing, which is never good. Plus I have been sick so leaving the house is nearly impossible....therefore I told him that this cycle I wanted to stop the FSH and do timed intercourse because I m not feeling right about it. Now, I am waiting for my LH surge. Sorry about the novel but I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening ladies!!!
Twin - I'm really sad and sorry to hear your beta dropped. What a difficult loss and I can imagine how painful it is to have to go back and tell your family there's no baby this go around after the big announcement. Don't beat yourself up for announcing it. I would too probably...it would just be too exciting to not share, especially on the Christmas holidays. As for your next steps, I think over a few days you'll start to know what path you are most comfortable with exploring. I would think you'd go one of two ways...a BFP albeit a loss, may energize you thinking that this can work and you'll be push you into wanting to move further and faster...or a BFP with a loss may tell you to take a bit of a break before moving forward again. There's no wrong decisions, only the best decision for you and DH. Hugs.
JG - I'm really excited for you and your phone consult. Like I said, I wished I had the strength and energy to persue a long distance clinic. It sounds like so much hassle and an exhausting process so I give you kudos for making the trek to do long-distance treatments. Obviously you'll fly in for the treatments but I've heard about the stress of running around getting labs done and stuff shipped to the proper clinic from being out of state. Can't imagine what it is like to deal with things out of the country. Oh, my RE is thawing all 25 fertilzed eggs and letting them all grow out to a blastocycst. (That lab is going to be busy- ha!) Then whatever we don't transfer they can refreeze without issue. I'm told the survival rate for the 25 zygotes we have is about 90-95% and with so many eggs, we are comfortable...well, I'm more comfortable than DH...he's still nervous for that first call when they take them out of the freezer.
Dmvstr - You've got about a month plus a few weeks until you start stimming. Do you get excited about going through this process again or are you dredding it? I only ask because we were super excited about going through IVF#2 because we were hopeful and had a new plan in place. But I'm guessing some people dread it and was wondering how you were doing emotionally as you gear up for next month? Oh, my transfer date should be 1/20 assuming we can make it to a 5 day transfer which we assume with the number of fertilized eggs we have in the freezer.