Long-term TTC & Assisted Conception April - May 2010

[sunshine 11]

Thanks KitKat - I wish you all the best with your little one and hopefully I'll be in the BFP club again soon. My AF literally arrived 15 minutes after I got the call about the BFN which strangely then made me feel a bit better as it means I can start again soon. I don't want to think about how much this all costs.

Is it strange that I got my AF on the day it was due even though I was on 400mg of prog a day? I would normally get it today without any progesterone so not sure what the point of the progesterone is!!

[juniper76]

Lairdoz, I'm so sorry to hear that. Was this a stim cycle for you? Sorry, I can't remember. If it was, I find that the FSH injections make my LP very short. The progesterone counteracts that. Plus, when an EPU is done the corpus luteum which normally produces the progesterone is damaged or doesn't happen (can't remember which), so you need the progesterone introduced artificially to give the embies a chance.

[sunshine 11]

Thanks Juniper - it was a FET which is why I am so confused as to what's going on as I shouldn't have really needed progesterone but given I was on double dose and it didn't keep AF away I am now confused. I am seeing my FS next week but I am 100% sure I am going to be told it's a numbers game which frustrates me no end given how expensive this is.

[onthefly]

Mia01, I've moved your post into this thread - Probably more appropriate. I'm sure the girls can help you out.
There's also a LT TTC with IUI thread.

[trueblue]

bugger I think I just lost my thread I had typed up bugger
Mia: welcome and goodluck I am on my first round of ai too I think I remember you from the 12mnth +thread I have had three of my jabs now and they really are nothing to worry about and I am a big needle wuss lol...
Lairdoz: hugs chick keep you spirits high and remember it's all worth it to get that special bundle
AFM: as I said had my third needle last night am having some bloating and had a bad day yesterday I was snappy, tired, emotional just wanted the day to be over. I am stir excited/anxious about mondays bt and tuesday's u/s am hoping that this is the home stretch to ai now without any bumps in the road I am also having some bleeding am assuming it'll be like last one only last for three days with bugger all bleeding.

[Mia01]

Thanks Marcellus

[JustOneMore]

Thanks KitKat - I wish you all the best with your little one and hopefully I'll be in the BFP club again soon. My AF literally arrived 15 minutes after I got the call about the BFN which strangely then made me feel a bit better as it means I can start again soon. I don't want to think about how much this all costs.

Is it strange that I got my AF on the day it was due even though I was on 400mg of prog a day? I would normally get it today without any progesterone so not sure what the point of the progesterone is!!

Hi Lairdoz,

Re: Progesterone.

From what I have read on Belly Belly forums, progesterone is very important. Lower than 20 after ovulation is not good and in pregnancy lower than 30 is not good.

I request two P4 (Progesterone test) in my tww. On all my previous cycles my progesterone has been above 40 but my last cycle my P4 at 7 days after ovulation was 49 then at 12 days after ovulation it was 15. It was too late to start taking progesterone pessaries. For my next cycles I will be using Progesterone Pessaries from now on.

[CK77]

Hi Ladies, I just wanted to pop in and wish you all the best for your cycles and big hugs for those of you that have recently received not so great news.

[sunshine 11]

Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to say thanks for the messages - this is one tough gig trying to get pregnant through IVF and I guess I have had more than my fair share of dissapointments with it this year.

I am seeing my FS this week but I'm guessing he will change nothing from my previous 4 failed FET's which is why I decided to make an appointment to see another FS at the same clinic. However the new FS can't see me until the beginning of my next cycle so I'm going to do a FET this month anyway and am starting Femara tomorrow. I just want some fresh eyes on my situation rather than just doing FET after failed FET with the ENORMOUS financial and emotional cost that this brings with it. I have no real reason why I can't get pregnant, produce great embies etc etc - so I've never been told anything other than to keep trying.

Have any of you changed your FS and found this made a difference?

[KitKat72]

Hi Lairdoz,
Gosh your situation is so frustrating, it's making me frustrated reading about it, so I can only imagine how YOU feel! I know you've already had one baby, so you know you can carry a baby to term, and this accordingly might sound like a silly suggestion, but have you thought about asking either the old FS or the new FS (I think it sounds like a great idea to get someone fresh to look at your case) to test you for factors that might be preventing implantation? I was just reading this book today that I got out of the library called Getting Pregnant, by Niels H Lauerson and Collette Bouchez, and it had a whole chapter (Ch. 15 - Preventing Miscarriage: Now You Can) discussing ways to counter factors that might prevent, disrupt, or undo implantation. Most of it is stuff that we all already know like taking progesterone during the TWW to maintain the uterine lining, but it also discussed stuff I've seen discussed here but really didn't understand like killer cells and other autoimmune disorders where your body attacks the embryo. The conditions/tests that the book discusses are:

1) a screen for seven antiphospholipid antibodies, which attack the lipids that aid the formation of the placenta and blood vessels (probably not the best test for you since this comes into play AFTER you have an implanted pregnancy, apparently). The treatment is baby aspirin a day during pregnancy, sometimes in conjunction with a low dose of heparin. (Getting Pregnant at 320)

2) antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-DNA, and antihistone antibody screening: according to the book, these cause inflammatory reactions that can attack the embryo. This is likely, apparently, for people who have a history of inflammatory health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. I suspect chronic fatigue syndrome would probably factor in there as well, although the book doesn't mention it. The treatment is anti-inflammatory drugs, including corticosteroids such as prednisone, which I've read about some girls on here taking, often in conjunction with the anticlotting drug heparin. (Getting Pregnant at 321)

3) If you and your husband have similar tissue structure (which apparently is NOT related to similarities in genetic background or anything like that), your body may not produce a substance called a "blocking antibody", which normally turns off your immune system in relation to a pregnancy, preventing your body from attacking the embryo as a foreign object. The test for this is a tissue typing test that determines if your biology is similar to your DH's. If so, a second test, called flow cytometry, helps determine if your body can produce the blocking antibody in relation to him. If not, then the treatment is that you essentially get immunized with a serum made from your DH's white blood cells! (Getting Pregnant at 322)

4) Screen for an overabundance of killer cells: apparently all of your bodies have both "helper" cells and "killer" cells; if there is an overabundance of killer cells, things get out of whack and your body starts killing things that shouldn't be destroyed (like an embryo). The test is called an immunophenotype, which identifies 5 different types of killer cells and the levels of each in relation to helper cells. According to this book (from 2000, so this may be out of date), the best treatment is an intrevenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, where you get a 3 hour infusion of highly purified immunoglobulin every 28 days until pregnant, up to 4 months, plus mothly treatments after conception. According to the book, "Studies show IVIG works as a kind of fertility "sponge", absorbing the excess killer cells so they can't affect your baby, while enhancing your production of helper cells, which mediate and control what your immune system destroys and what it leaves alone."

The book also notes that some bacterial infections that may be symptomless and sometimes present for months or years can cause infertility or miscarriages, and points out, as I head read elsewhere, that a lot of fertility clinics now routinely prescribe antibiotics for women (and sometimes their partners, too) to take during the cycle and TWW. My clinic didn't do this, but I've read of a lot of clinics, in the States, at least, that have seen success rates go up after introducing the routine use of antibiotics. Maybe you can ask your clinic about taking antibiotics (the book recommends erythromycin, since it is safe in pregnancy) during your next FET.

OK, hopefully none of these issues is affecting you and you'll win the numbers game on your next cycle. But since you're looking to re-evalute your protocol, maybe some of this stuff will help you and your FSes make some headway. BTW, I don't know if the fact that you've already had one child excludes the possibility of your having any of these conditions, but I feel like I've read somewhere that sometimes the delivery of the first child is when the body starts making some of the antibodies. Ask your doctor!

I really really hope this next FET is the one for you.

Kitkat72

[onthefly]

Hey Laidoz, sorry you've had another failed cycle Have you considered switching clinics? I seriously considered switching from mine - only stayed out of laziness to be honest. If we'd run through our embryos and had to go back for a fresh cycle I would have moved for sure. my clinic is very exxy and always so busy. Definitely push for further testing as kitkat has suggested.

All the best to everyone

[chekigal]

Hi Ladies,

I know I haven't posted for a while now... but I have just had my review regarding my previous IVF and FS has suggested DHEA and growth hormone injections to improve egg quality.

I am a little excited about this news, as well as apprehensive, as we were always of the opinion that due to DH's vasectomy it was his sperm that was the issue. This was the reason we tried donor sperm this time around. This news has allowed me to dream that DH and I MAY just have our own little one!!

Not too sure if anyone else has been on DHEA/Growth Hormone injections before? I would be interested in hearing about side effects/results etc.

Kit Kat - not too sure if you will be popping back in - but in case, I wanted to congratulate you on your results!!

As for everyone else, good luck with where you are at.

I will be popping in every now and then, but it still looks like at 2011 cycle for me, but starting DHEA in September this year.