Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - July/August 09

[Loops12]

Hi again
I just got word from my nurse that my 5 eggs are developing along nicely and at about the same pace etc as each other - so sounds alright to me.
ET is at 10am on Sun - Im getting quite excited but still dont want to get my hopes up too much - just in case.

Hope everyone is well! and to all xo

[Bubbless]

Hi Girls

Can I join in? I'm new to forums but have been stalking since starting down reg in June. I am having EPU on Mon, have been very calm all cycle but nerves are kicking in now. Had my stim scan on 27/7 which showed 7 follicles on my right ovary and NOTHING on my left! I should mention that I had endo on right ovary and my lazy lefty should be healthy.

I'm getting a little worried that I might wake up to find out we have few or no eggs or embies.

This is my first ivf attempt, I have surprised myself at how well I've managed injections and coped well without too many side effects and today is the first day I've gone from excitement to feeling a bit down. I think reality is kicking in now.

[Taurean78]

Hello to all and TGIF!!!!!

Shame I can't knock back a glass of wine ATM but I know you all understand

Jasminstar - I am so glad that your cycle is back on track and that you are feeling a bit better. It must be stressful to be on the brink of a cancellation knowing there is nothing you can do to swing it either way.

Emerald Star - Hopefully things are still good with you. Well done for fighting the urge to POAS. Not long till BT now for you.

mitf - Thinking of you seeing as we are at the same stage. Good luck with your BT and U/S on Monday. We're really getting to the "business end" of things! Rest up and be kind to yourself this morning.

williamsemma59 - Welcome! It sounds like things are going really well for you. That's a great result with your embryos. I agree with the others who think things sound positive.

wishes - I hope that ovulation is kept at bay for you and that you get the answers you are looking for. . All the best for Monday.

Loops12 - things sound great with your eggs though I totally understand you not wanting to get too carried away with excitement. It must be your sister looking out for you. Again, take care and bring on Sunday!

Juniper76 - I think you are really wise taking your body and the stresses of AC into account. I hope you manage to reach the decision that is best for you without too much anguish.

Bubbless - I just read your post after I had put this one up so I hope that my questions bring the answers you too are looking for seeing as we are in a similar position. I agree - I had my first "down" day today where my normally positive outlook was brought back down to earth with a thud. I guess you can turn it around and say "You only need one good egg" but then I think, "But then it has to fertilise and then it has to make it to whatever stage your FS wants - in my case blastie". Try and keep a good outlook. I am going to do some relaxation/meditation to envisage my follies growing. If you had've told me I would be doing that a while ago, I would have laughed but I find it really relaxing and helpful. Also have an acupuncture session on Monday. Maybe that will help? Thinking of you.

I had my BT and US this morning and I was a bit disappointed so I thought I'd bounce a few thoughts off some of you more experienced ladies. I've been on Puregon now for 7 days and Lucrin for 18 days. I have 7 follies in total - 3 on right, 4 on left. Only 3 were measured - 16, 14, 12 (what is the measurement?). The remaining 4 were 10 or under. When I consulted my initial FS, she brought up the number 12 as being a number that she would be happy with at EPU. When the nurse called this morning, she said 6 was average. So a few questions for you all:

(1) How many follies are average?

(2) At EPU, is it expected that all mature follies will release the same number of eggs? ie. if I have 3 follies looking to be the right size, would I be right to expect 3 eggs at EPU?

(3) Is it normal for remaining small follies to hav a growth spurt in the last 5-7 days before EPU?

(4) Is there anything more I can do (diet/lifestyle) to get the remainder of them moving along?

So, a lot of anxiety in those loaded questions! But I appreciate your responses and recounts of your own experiences.

I should add that I am grateful I have follies in the first place - I know it could be worse......

xxTaurean78

[williamsemma59]

Tnx for the welcomes and advice going to wait a while longer before i test again! think this has to be the hardest part of all! fx for everyone

[williamsemma59]

Taurean78 Hi
I was on Menopur for stimulation and with me having pcos i was a very slow starter! day 7 & 9 i had very few follicles on the right measuring very small and unmeasurable on the left! i was starting to worry but over the next 2 weeks a had massive spurts! my fs adviced me that anything under 10mm was not really counted and the aim was to get the other follicles around 18-20mm.
I ended up with 16 good size follicles 14 eggs were collected and 13 fertilised, 7 of those got to blasto stage which is so much better than expected! so it'snot nessessarily a bad thing just ur body taking it's own time big fx for u

[Taurean78]

williamsemma59 - Thanks for your reply. Can't PM you yet so apologies..

day 7 & 9 i had very few follicles on the right measuring very small and unmeasurable on the left! i was starting to worry but over the next 2 weeks a had massive spurts!

At what day did you have EPU? It sounds like a long time? Mine is meant to be "late next week" which could also mean the weekend I guess because they do them 7 days a week. I just know that at best, I have another 7 days or so.

Thanks,

Taurean78

[jasminstar]

Hello ladies,

The hormone queen is back. All is good but I have to halve the puregon again to 50 as my FS said the blood test for est was good but as I have approx 30 follies now developing down there on the U/S they will be more than enough to keep the Est levels up! I found out I'm very uncomfortable due to the fact that most of them are between 14 and 16mm (which I am also very happy about BTW) but it means that my ovaries are actually "kissing" and very large indeed. (Nurse lost count and realised she was on the other ovary but they are actually touching at this stage). Back in Monday for next U/S and BT and hopefully go ahead for trigger that night for EPU Wednesday. Lets just hope they all keep growing and stay put till then

Persephone1, Thank you so much for your post and putting my mind at ease. Your symtoms sound exactly like what I'm having. Hopefully after Wednesday I will be a lot more comfortable.

Emerald Star, I certainly don't think TMI and I know I will be the exact same. It's only natural to examine everything and second guess it. I really hope the discharge was implantation - I read that that is quite normal for that timing.

Williamsemma, I'm not really sure when is safe to accept HPT results but it certainly can't mean anything bad. I hope you are sucessful - you've been trying a very long time, GL.

Wishes, How did they find out your uterus lining was very thin? Do they normally check for this kind of thing? Very curious as I have told my FS that I am very concerned about the lightness of my periods compared to a couple of years ago and told her I thought it wasn't developing properly. I have to say I am not much help on the rest of it as they are all new drugs to me but I really hope your OPK stays negative and the lining increases for your little frostie to stick.

Loops12, I hope you enjoy the ball and catching up with all your family. And, as you say, hopefully your sister can send some intervention your way. GL

Sorry to anyone I've missed. And the usual Lucky vibes out to us all.

[williamsemma59]

Taurean78 - i started menopur on june 18th & had collection on july 17th so i was veery slow! felt like a lifetime! my clinic is just a 3 day wk so bt & us every other day, because i was a slow grower i kept having rescan ( so impatient at this point! ) but the last wk of us was the biggest spurt i had with my lead follicle measuring at 27mm hope it's the same for you

Jasminstar _ thanx for your kind words, i totally understand how your feeling at the momenti only had 16 good size follicles & i was so uncomfortable! i have such a tiny frame & although i was very very happy i was praying for collection i have just shrunk back to normal size again! fx hope all goes well!

[jasminstar]

Hi Taurean, I'm a very slow typer so only saw your post after I had put mine up.
I'm pretty sure that a week is loads of time for the smaller ones to catch up. I had an U/S on Tuesday this week and had approx 18 follies most between 8 and 12 mm - 3 days later (today) I am told I have 30 and around 2 thirds are between 14 and 16 mm. Those little things grow like buggery so you have loads of time. Also as you say, all you need is one good one. I met a lady leaving the clinic today and she was absolutely beaming. She couldn't contain herself and said to me "I've got an egg!!! I know it doesn't sound so great but I'm 45 and this is my second cycle with nothing on the first. The follicle is 22mm" We chatted for a short while and I couldn't help thinking how happy I was for her but also how much luckier I am to be in a position where the odds are not so highly stacked against me - she told me that being over 45 they had given her very little hope but if attitude has any influence I think she'll definitely have a fighting chance. So here's to keeping positive; even when we feel completely crappy!

Bubbless - welcome to the group and go the righty!

[Bubbless]

Taurean 78 - maybe lucky 7 is not such a bad number? My biggest was only 13mm so you are ahead of me there. I'm not having a repeat u/s before EPU and since starting have had no blood tests. Is that normal? My FS seems pretty confident that everything will be fine for Monday so I'm putting all my faith in him. I think meditation and positive thinking are definitely beneficial, not just for infertility. As for acupuncture, I have been having for nearly 2 years (as well as disgusting herbs on and off) which have made real improvements in my cycles and pain etc. I think if you are doing all this and have a healthy diet then probably we're doing the best we can and the rest we have no control over but fingers crossed we both get our 7 eggs, at least!

I'm going out for dinner now to catch up with my 3 besties who know nothing about this! So hard to keep a secret but only want to let people know when I get my BFP!

Take care ladies

[Loops12]

Hi Lovely ladies

Bubbless - hi and . GL with your first IVF cycle. Hope you get some good eggs collected.

Taureen - As you may remember from my earlier posts - at my U/S before EPU I had 9 follies that were above I think 11mm.I had 5 others that were smaller. Out of the 9 - 5 on one side, 4 on the other. They said they were pretty good and EPU was scheduled for 3 days later so they had time to grow. They collected 6 eggs at EPU and 5 of those fertilised. So even though we didnt have as many follies and as big as a lot of others in here, the ones that were collected were still good enough to fertilise etc.
So even having a couple of good sized ones I would have been happy I think.

Jasminster - thanks for your wishes and I hope things are coming along well for you.

Sorry for those ive missed - just a quick one.
Ive got to go and get ready for our charity ball - i can't wait!

[wishes]

Jasminstar - I discovered a possible thin uterus lining at my first ultrasound after starting to see FS. On that occasion, it was CD17 and my lining was only 3mm. I had just finished a round of Clomiphene tablets, and my FS said that it was likely the tablets that made my lining so thin. I was a bit more skeptical though, because I also thought about the possibility that maybe my body was just like that (or maybe it was a combination of the two). I have only ever had an 8mm lining ONCE and that was on IVF, so with the FSH, my lining can get up there, but naturally (like with a FET), I don't think I'm as lucky. So I'm hoping the Progynova will help with that.

Regards your question though, every ultrasound I've ever had, they've always checked the thickness of my lining. I don't know if that gets done at every clinic, but it certainly does at mine. They check follicle development and thickness of uterus lining every time.

I've not been so lucky with the OPK's though. I got a positive result this morning (damn it), which is CD14. That probably doesn't sound unusual to a lot of people, but I really thought I'd finally figured out my body, and that I wouldn't ovulate until maybe CD17-CD19. So I rushed into my clinic this morning for a blood test, because I really wanted to get the results of my hormone levels today (if in fact I'm going to ovulate today or tomorrow). I would like to have the results for future reference. I haven't got the results yet, but they might not call til tomorrow cos they were pretty busy at the clinic today. My biggest concern now is the thickness of my lining. I still have an ultrasound on Monday morning, so I'll be very interested to find out how thick the lining is then. I hope I'll at least be at 7mm, but only time will tell I guess.

Has anyone got any idea to what degree your lining thickens over time? I ready somewhere that it thickens approx 1-2mm every second day. And that doctors like to see 8mm around ovulation.

Loops - good luck for transfer tomorrow. Hope everything goes well for you.

Williamsemma - welcome to BB and good luck with your cycle.

Emerald star - thinking of you and your upcoming BT. Fingers crossed. Hope you're doing ok.

Juniper - thanks for the update on your LH levels for a previous IUI. I checked back on my own BT results, and I also came across one cycle where my LH was 45 and I was just about to ovulate. Although i had other cycles where just before ovulation, my LH was under 10. I just can't pick it with my body. It is a complete mystery to me.

Bubbless - Welcome. Good luck for EPU on Monday. Fingers crossed for you.

Sorry if I missed anyone.

Wishes xoxo

[wishes]

Hey girls, quick update. Got blood test results back this afternoon and my LH is 20 so has definitely risen, but my E2 is only 459. So if I have surged and am about to ovulate today or tomorrow, I don't think my E2 is anywhere near where it needs to be. This is the lowest E2 level I've had so far (but then it's also the first assisted cycle where I haven't had FSH or Clomiphene tablets). Also, if follicles grow approx 2mm per day, my follicle would only be 16mm today. Surely you don't ovulate when the follicle is that size?

Am still very confused about results though, as I've been on Progynova for 6 days now, and I thought it would've helped out my E2 levels a bit. Oh well, can't do anything about it until Monday when I'll have my ultrasound and another blood test.

Wishes xoxo

[williamsemma59]

Hi every1
I think i can safetly say i got my long waited the tests are getting darker each time! i have now done 5! ( just to make sure )
I'm now 16 dpo and 18 days since pregnyl injection so i have stopped looking for resaon why it wouldn't be true According to the due calender i would be 4 weeks & 2days so i'm not gonna count my chickens to soon but i feel unbelievably lucky & blessed! but it just goes to show never give up hope! it's been a long 8 yrs and at one point i was told i would never be able to use my own eggs! i can confirm ladies little miracles can & do happen yaaaaay

[Emerald Star]

LOOPS12 - How did ET go? How many did you transfer and did you have any to freeze?
Hope all is well and to you.

TAUREAN78 -
(1) How many follies are average? Everyone is different I had around 20 follies, hoever 8 contained mature viable eggs

(2) At EPU, is it expected that all mature follies will release the same number of eggs? ie. if I have 3 follies looking to be the right size, would I be right to expect 3 eggs at EPU? As I understand it one follicle = 1 egg or no egg.

(3) Is it normal for remaining small follies to hav a growth spurt in the last 5-7 days before EPU? This may happen.

(4) Is there anything more I can do (diet/lifestyle) to get the remainder of them moving along?Absolutely no idea!!!

These are just my opinions and information from my FS as i understand it....can't say its gospel though. GL

BUBBLESS - Welcome! There are so many lovely ladies hear to help, support and listen.GL

JASMINESTAR - thanks for your support. It's getting closer to your EPU Day. Stay calm, relax and enjoy, there will be enough stressing done during the 2WW.

WISHES - GL for your cycle and i'm sure your lining will be perfect when its needed.

WILLIAMSEMMA59 - Sounds Excellent! Congrats! When is you BT for confirmation?

AFM - Trying to keep my mind off everything!! I feel very negative about this as I have absolutely no symptoms...my boobys aren't even sore anymore.
Anyway 3 more sleeps until BT!

__________________
Me 40
right tube removed
DH 42
TTC #1 for 3 years

1x natural ectopic 2007
IUI #1 18 April 2009
IUI #2 19 May 2009
IVF #1 7 July 2009

[Loops12]

Hi Ladies, just another quick one

ET (5 day blastocyst) went well today and Im now in the TWW although we had some bad news in that the other four havent done as well and unlikely they will freeze them. Im pretty disappointed about that because there is now a lot more stress that this one works, especially since we can't afford to go through this again right now. Just hoping that means this one is a fighter. Not feeling too bad, just some mild tummy pain. BT is on the 13th of August.
The charity ball went well, was lots of fun - I believe we would have raised quite a bit of money for kidney disease research in kids!

Williamsemma - Sounds very promising - Im really hoping for you. All the best for BT

Emerald Star - thanks for asking. To answer your questions - looks like we wont have any to freeze. Do you know if there is a chance they could catch up tonight and how long they wait? Sounds good though if AF hasnt showed up. You being good and not trying HPT? Im really hoping and for you. All the best x

Hi to everyone else - hope you're all hanging in.

[Taurean78]

Hi Girls,

A big thank you to all of you who answered my questions - it really gave me peace of mind over the weekend. I am feeling much more positive now and really, it's out of my hands anyway.

williamsemma59 - A tentative congratulations to you! I can't believe how long your stims went on for but obviously it's turned out for the best I look forward to hearing how you go. Thanks for the FX.

Bubbless - for your EPU tomorrow. My biggest was only 13mm so you are ahead of me there. I'm not having a repeat u/s before EPU and since starting have had no blood tests. Is that normal? - I can't really say what's normal and what's not - only what my clinic does which is blood tests every few days and U/S every 2-3 days from Day 9 or so. I'm sure your FS is confident for a reason but go ahead and question them. It's a service that you're paying for. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow

jasminstar - Thank you, thank you....for PERSPECTIVE! What a humbling story you told and it was just what I needed to pull my head out of my backside. I have age on my side, DH has good and this is our first shot at IVF. We'll get there - all in good time. I can't believe your ovaries are touching! Good luck with your BT & U/S tomorrow and for EPU on Wed.

Loops12 - Thank you for your feedback and I'm glad the ball went well. Sorry about your remaining eggs not looking like they'll make it. You've got the right attitude - the one that's made it in will be a fighter. Thinking of you and sending you

Emerald Star - Thanks so much for answering all my questions. Only 3 more sleeps for you! Stay strong and know that we are all for you.

So off for another BT and U/S tomorrow morning. Have steeled myself for news that the other follies haven't progressed but am cautiously optimistic. Have acupuncture from the afternoon so that is definitely something to look forward to. Have a great week.

xxTaurean78

[Emerald Star]

Loops12 - Glad ET went well.

I had 8 eggs retrieved. By the second day 2 had failed to fertilise ( leaving 6). (my clinic called everyday between 9am and 11am to let you know how your eggs were developing)
By third day 1 stopped its cell division and five were still going. by day 4 there were 4 left 2x a grade and 2xb grade. One of the B grade was slow in its development of cells by day 5 I had 2 grade A blasties with excellent division and no fragmentation. The other 2 stopped cell division and could not be frozen. So we have no frosties either. But i do hope yours work out and if not then you should get a BFP from this cycle. That's what I would give you if i was in charge!!!

I WILL be doing back to back cycles until i get my

What info about your eggs did you get?

As for me not doing a POAS, is because "i KNOW i'm not pregnant, and I think i might as well wait for the bad news on Wednesday...why confirm my misery from now?
_________________
Me 40
right tube removed
DH 42
TTC #1 for 3 years

1x natural ectopic 2007
IUI #1 18 April 2009
IUI #2 19 May 2009
IVF #1 July 2009