LT TTC & Assissted Conception Mar-Apr 2010

Hi girls

so sorry i have been MIA. I have had an assignment due and then we were one of the fortunate people in Perth to lose power for almost 36 hours after Monday's storm, so still haven't finished my assignment and haven't been able to check in with all of you.

I'm at work and only have time for a quick post, so sorry for no personals. But I have had a quick squiz and good luck to all who are waiting for something.

Loops - I was so sory to read your news. *hugs*

AFM - I went in on Monday for my first scan since starting the puregon and had a lot of follies growing (which was quite exciting for someone who doesn't ovulate). After the scan the nurse told me that they would possibly see me for EPU on Wednesday, but it just depended on the bloods. I was so excited at that prospect, as I wasn;t expecting my ovaries to respond so quickly on such a low dose (125IU puregon) if at all. Obviously bloods weren't quite right because they rang that afternoon and said come for another scan on Wednesday and EPU will likely be Friday. They called me earlier and yes my EPU will be Friday. I had about 14 follies on my right ovary, ranging from 1.2 to 1.8mm with one being 2.4mm and another 7 or something on the left, all between about 1.2 and 1.7mm. So I'm a bit wary of OHSS, but they didn't seem to be too concerned. I am so excited and nervous at the same time.

Due to the storms, the hospital where my clinic is has been damaged in some parts (including where they do the EPU) so I have to go to another clinic to get the EPU done. So that will be a bit weird, because I don't know them, but I guess, since I've not done IVF before, I don't really know the people who do it at my clinc either! And to weigh into the DH/DP debate, mine has been so fantastic to me, however when I rang him today to let him know about Friday and told him the process would be:
- me admitted at 7am at 'other' clinic
- he goes back to our clinic (only around the corner) to deposit his fresh sample
- he comes back and waits for me at other clinic
- we both go back to our clinic for run down of meds and protocol post EPU
he seemed a LITTLE put out... I was at work so couldn't say much, but its like, ummmm I'm going to be getting a needle up my you-know-where and you're worried about a couple of trips around the block??

Mel

Hi Ladies

Just a quick one from me - AF arrived right on time yesterday. So no BFP for us this time......just as I had anticipated.

melttc - so sorry to hear that hun :hug: we are here if you need.

melttc, those are the predictions I hate getting right. :comfort:

mellybelly, sounds inconvenient, but after all you're going through, what's a little inconvenience? I hope it all goes smoothly.

Damn melttc :hug: I was so hoping to hear she hadn't arrived

Hi ladies

sorry I haven't been around and really not much time for persies today trying to catch up on work been on a course for 3 days.

Melttc just wanted to pop in and tell you how sorry I am that this wasn't your month :hug:

promise I'll catch up with everyone soon and hope to see some positives coming through soon

Melttc - so sorry to hear your news. Big hugs to you and hope you are doing OK.
MellyBelly - I think my DH is pretty crap at this point so can only agree that men are simply far less empathetic than we are. But I think they do their best as they can't (and are glad they can't!) trade places with us. Goodluck with everything and I am sure he'll come through with the goods.
Juniper - hope you have recovered from the paternity mania in your office.


Hi ladies - we REALLY need some good news in here!!

Hi all

Just heard from the clinic and they have cancelled my FET cycle. I'm day 20 of cycle and still nowhere near ovulating. So my FS wants me to wait till next cycle to do the FET. I'm ok just annoyed that they didn't say to do that in the first place cause i have mentally and emotionally prepared for it to happen soon.

I agree laridoz we are long overdue for some good news!!!

Renee - I'm so sorry to hear about your FET being cancelled! Uggghhhhhh I completely agree how frustrating it is - I had my 1st FET cancelled on day 25 and it was awful as you get excited about this month being the one. Grrr, well at least it won't be long before next month starts up - will you be on meds next month to make sure you ovulate?

Laridoz - Ta, not sure about meds, i haven't had a natural cycle for god probably over 6 months so not sure if nxt cycle my body will go back to normal. Oh the joys:)I didn't really feel like talking to the nurse today, but i have to ring when AF arrives. Who knows when that will be!!

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for all your kind words & hugs....I am doing ok. I haven't had a teary yet. I guess these days after ttc for more than 2 years you get used to the disappointments.

However, I am really beginning to wonder whats's actually going on down there? This time we transferred two embies and not one stuck?? I also tried to do everything right leading up to and during my cycle. So I really don't know what do now??

We collected 5 eggs and 4 fertlised. The best two were transferred and we were hoping we could freeze the remainder. However they turned out to be defective (multi-nucleation) and so now we have nothing. It was the same situation with the first cycle. I know a few of you have discussed the appropriate number of embies to transfer. My first cycle my FS was completely against transferring two embies, however this time she offered up transferring two. I am beginning to think now it was because the quality of my embies were not so good. So what makes the embies no good? Is it my eggs or my partners sperm?? I guess I have a few questions now after two failed attempts and no frozen embies. I am wondering if any of you ladies are from Melbourne? I am also considering changing FS but was hoping to hear of others experiences before doing so.

I know you shouldn't blame your partner after such an outcome, but I can really relate to many of you on this forum about the attitudes and committment of our DH. We both want a baby more than anything...however it seems I am the only one making the sacrifices. No drinking alchohol, coffee, watching my diet, popping vitamins and minerals, doing acupuncture, going to scanning appointments on my own etc etc. My DH smokes, drinks (although he did curve his consumption for the last cycle) I feel it's not enough. This really upsets me more than anything. So I am holding off doing another cycle until he sorts himself out.

I am sorry for the rant, but I really need to get these issues and frustrations off my chest. I know you all understand where I am coming from.

You know one thing that keeps me positive and keen to try again, is the fact that there are so many women who after many failures and set backs still found the courage and strength to try again and eventually got that long awaited BFP. I know this will happen for all of us. This month just wasn't my time.

p.s. Renee ~ sorry to hear your FET was cancelled. Look after yourself and fingers crossed it all works out perfectly for you next month...

Renee, oh, that sucks that they cancelled! :comfort: I often find I O a week late after an IVF cycle, so CD20 seems a bit early to cancel, but I guess they know something I don't... When I did my natural FET I was offered clomid to help me O in a timely fashion. That may be an option to consider for any future cycles?

melttc, those all sounds like completely normal thoughts and frustrations to me! But I'd have to say that I don't find I get used to the disappointments - sometimes they seem harder than ever these days... I think all you can do is ask your DH to make a few changes to optimise his sperm quality (back it up with a bit of research printed out if needs be), but remember you can't force him to do anything - he's an adult and has to make his own decisions... It is both egg and sperm quality that determines embryo quality, so you both contribute. There's a theory that egg quality determines how the embryo does up to day 3 and then sperm quality takes over after that, but not everyone seems to support that theory. And, for me, changing FS this year was the best thing we've done in a long time! We've gone from unexplained to having a reason. I wish we'd changed sooner! I asked our old FS about endo at our first ever appointment back in Feb 2008 and twice more within the next year and he just dismissed it out of hand.

Gday guys saw the councillor yesterday in sale and after dreading it it was so informative she was fantastic and answered every question and reassured every fear. Best of all it was free and she was available for us whenever we need. But the very best bit was she said some of the feelings I have with emotional days and all the rest of the well known emotions we have all been through she said I am NORMAL!!! woohoo... calling the nurse on monday to set up an app to see her then to pick up the drugs. I have 7 days left of the first cycle of the pill before I skip an af then into the next cycle and then ai... I have a renewed enegery about it all.
Renee: SO sorry they cancelled
Juniper: Hugs chick being surrounded by all that at work every day must be really hard.
Loops: Hey chicky hope your app went well today (will message u and ask anyway lol) hope your feeling a little better and hope mac was able to answer some questions. Huge massive big hugs

Hello Ladies,

I'm back, after taking the month off all the IVF stuff.
Did a few test in the break, nothing new came up there.

Wow so much has happened in the last month, sorry girls but its just really hard for me to catch up with you all.

I Just quickly read the last couple of posts and I would just like to comment on
melttc: Honey, it sounds like a one way street to me. Your DH really needs to commit to this 100% and give up drinking, smoking and start popping the vitamin pills too.

AFM, Finally my FS has agreed to let me take Prednisolone for my next 5 FET's transfer. I feel that we are now trying absolutely everything there is out there to try. (Cartia, Clexane and Prednisolone).

Well, being in King Island with no communication to the outside world has really put me behind the 8 ball on BB!!

Renee - so sorry they cancelled - I think I may go through the same thing next month - I'm away for work on many days early next month (which is when I think it would probably happen) but because its work, I can't cancel that, so the FET may have to give way at this stage ... I agree that next month you should ask your FS about taking Clomid to bring it on ...

Hi to everyone else (sorry, I need to catch up on everything first!!)

AFM - had another BT yesterday, my hcg and prog were both down to 16 again (hcg went from 16 to 27 to 16; prog was 470 to 370 to now 16) so AF should arrive shortly. My FS was happy with the result nonetheless because it was my first IVF cycle and I fell pregnant - just not a viable pregnancy... so he said it looks positive going forward! So I have on my computer desktop a photo of a newborn boy and girl with "BFP - April 2010" (the "Secret" - visionary board style) !! I'm sending out the positive vibes for next month!!

Welcome back Danyelle and M2B. Hope you both had nice breaks.

TMI warning: It looks like the bleeding I had earlier this week may not have been AF. The bleeding all but stopped on Wednesday and then I started getting typical CD1 symptoms late yesterday complete with heavy flow and diarrhoea. So, I've got no idea wtf is going on. I think I may call my FS's office just to make sure there's no cause for concern...

Hi ladies
WOW Im struggling to keep up with so many in here. Thanks so much once again for all of your support. Im feeling ok and I think I owe most of that to you ladies. xoxo

melttc ~ So sorry hun it was a neg. Keep trying though, never give up because it will happen when the time is right.
You're not alone, I love my DH to bits but it has only been probably just before this last cycle that he really started to make an effort by taking the tablets from my uncle (naturopath), cutting down on smoking and drinking. Although there has been many times we've been in big arguments because I want him to quit smoking altogether. I realise its probably hard to give up but having not been a smoker at all in my life its very frustrating too. I also want him to come and do accupuncture with me. I think I might be able to convince him soon. I never thought he really wanted children because he never seemed to make an effort but now he has changed and yours probably can too, the more and more he wants a child. GL hun

Trueblue ~ appointment went well hun, thanks for asking. Glad yours did too and I hope you can get started with the IUI very soon. xoxo

Renee ~ sorry your appointment was cancelled hun, that would be disappointing. At least you only have to wait a month. Hope it goes quick.xo

Mum-2-be ~ looks like we are in the same boat, both early miscarry's, so sorry hun :hug:
At least we both got that 1 step closer and the next go will be the one, thinking pos.

Juniper ~ I hope your body works its-self out and so you can do a cycle soon.

GL everyone wherever you are at :bluedust::pink-babydust:

AFM ~ FS appointment was good, confirmed as suspected that it was an early miscarry. FS called it "missed abortion" although I know every doctor seems to call it a different thing. He wanted me to have another BT so I did and HCG down from 50 to 10in a week. He wants it below 5 so that I dont have to have a curette. So I have 1 last BT to go next week, which Im positive will be down to 0 and I wont have to have curette. I know AF is coming now and I reckon she'll be here by Sun/Mon.Hopefully she does because that will mean everything will be back to normal and I can probably do another IVF cycle as soon as July -yay.

Loops: that's so great you FINALLY got some answers and even better is that July you might be able to try again and going by your progress each time you try something next time has to be it for sure. So glad dh is being suportive of you now chick. I think the reason some of them don't show anything (dh did for a little bit) he wanted a kid probably more than me me if that's possible but his way of dealing with it not happening was to brush it off and not think about it. as time went on and after every bfp they start to realise and feel themselves that same way you feel after every dissapointment.
Hope AF comes and is a nice heavy one to flush you out.
Hello to everyone else sorry no time for lots of persies today am busy cleaning the house from top to bottom the family is coming for the weekend so am house cleaning in the middle of going back and forth to the shed and checking the calves.

hi ladies just a quick update post will do persies later.i have had my mum in hospital since last thursday and monday caloundra hospital transferred her to nambour (WHEre her oncologist etc are) and in last couple days we have found out that she has staph in her foot and it has now spread into the bone and as a result she is having surgery today to remove at least part of her toe and the joint if not more.they really need to get it healing as her mastectomy is supposed to be three weeks yesterday (april 15).i have my laparoscopy next wednesday too..so much going on at the moment.still trying to get DP to get his butt into gear about getting us a second car again, coz now with everything with mum i need a car without having to get up at 4am just so i can have the car

Loops, I'm glad that your appointment went well. I find it interesting that you have to go for another beta. Once mine dropped (down to 51) I didn't have another. I was just told to call them if AF didn't show up within 2 weeks (showed up next day).

trubabe, :comfort: I wish there were some way I could help. I hope they sort out the staph infection quickly so the mastectomy isn't delayed further. GL on Wednesday.

Hi girls

just wanted to let you know I went in for my EPU this morning. All went well, felt good after, but they picked up 23 eggs so they won't be putting any back in. FX we get a good number of blasties to freeze.

Can anyone tell me how long you have to wait after a stim cycle to do a FET cycle? or can you do it the next month?

Mel

Mellybelly - FX for lots of blasties. I have just had my FET cancelled straight after a stim cycle as my cycle is longer due to chem preg and the drugs, but not sure if you are not having a transfer done after EPU it might be different. Each FS is different.

mellybelly81 - My doc won't do a FET straight after a STIM regardless of OHSS or not, he says it puts too much pressure on your body (and ovaries in particular!) and that you have a better chance of success by taking a month off. I have had two friends go through OHSS and both had at least a month off before their FET. Like Renee said, I think different FS's have different opinions, but I think it's pretty common to recommend you have a month off to let your ovaries have a break and better prepare them for a successful pregnancy attempt in the near future.

FX for your embies!

Hi everyone,

Some of you may remember me from a couple of months back, don't think I've posted since oct/nov last year! In the last 6 months I've had the 2 frostie blasties from my 1st ivf cycle but back in (one at a time), the first one was put in and two days later I got period type bleeding. With the 2nd one I fell pregnant, however had light bleeding from the day after I got the BFP and my scan at 6 1/2 weeks showed a baby with no heartbeat. The misscarrige was drawn out from 16 dec (when i first had light bleeding) to mid Feb, but at least it was natural, and no D&C required!

As of today I am well and truely into my 2nd ivf cycle. I had my EPU yesterday and they retrieved 4 eggs. In under 2 hours I can find out if any fertilised!

With my 1st stim cycle, they collected 15 eggs, but I developed OHSS and couldnt have a fresh transfer. So for this cycle my Dr reduced my injections of puregon from 125 to 100, which unfortunatly has resulted in such a low number. I was pretty upset at my last scan to see only 3 follies looked of a good enough size, but have kind of dealt with it now, and know that I'm doing my best and thats all that can be done, and as the cliche goes - it only takes one!

My dr has advised depending on how things go, ie if its looking like only one or two may make it to Day 3, I may be having a day 3 transfer rather than day 5 like my previous transfers. Not really fussed on this idea as I could be going through the emotions of having an embie inside and thinking/praying and hopeing I fall pregnant, when i could have died by day 5 and I won't know til weeks later when I can test!

I swear although the physical stuff and costs with IVF is no walk in the park, its your emotions and thoughts and the waiting that makes it so damn tuff!

Wishing all you girls here the best with your journeys, I'm still a strong believer in everything happens for a reason and that all the trauma of the last few years of TTC has made me a stronger person.

Thanks lovely ladies

Trueblue ~ I think you're right about DH he does just like to move forward and focus on other things because he does now want a baby so much and if he thinks about it too much then he'll get upset.
Thanks hun, AF started to come and then disappeared (What the?) Still think she'll be here tomorrow though.

Trubabe ~ Sorry about your mum and that its such a long haul, thinking of you and big hugs. I hope they clear up the staph and everything xo

Juniper ~ I think my FS just wants to be sure. Im thinking that If I get AF I probably wont need to have it. I guess every FS is different and mine says he is old fashioned and wants to be certain there is nothing still there so I can move forward and try again soon.

Mellybelly ~ I dont reckon they'll make you wait too long but a month or 2 off is probably a good thing, let your body recover. It'll come around quick if ya stay busy. GL hun and Im glad you got lots of embies.

Hi Mummawannabe ~ welcome back, wish I didnt have to say that though :hug:
Ive just gone through the exact same thing. Had 1 blasty transferred back in early Feb, had bleeding when AF was due a week after transfer then was still getting BFP HPT's and so panicked that it was ectopic then couple weeks later had heavy clotty bleed and thought I was miscarrying and had an early ultrasound the next day 5.5wks into cycle and there was something in the uterus but no heart beat. Didnt have BT for over two weeks as the nurses and stuff were stuffing around (very frustrating) and finally had one a week ago and it was down to 50, now its down to 10. Looking like I wont have to have D&C either, hopefully.

So I know how you feel although sounds like yours went on even longer than mine. The worst bit was all the waiting and stessing, one minute positive and hopeful the next negative :wall:
But hey at least we got that one step closer and hopefuylly next time will be the one.

GL with this one hun, will have FX and :pray: for you!

Hi girls

hi mummawannabe. Your journey sounds like mine so far... I had my first epu yesterday and got 23 eggs so they aren't transferring a fresh emby. I too was on 125IU. Good luck for your fertilisation results.

AFM - got a call from our clinic this morning and from the 19 mature ones they injected, 12 have fertilised this morning.

Hope everyone is having a good start to the weekend.

Mel

hi Everyone,

I hope you are all hanging in there.

loops & mummawannabe, so sorry to read about your long drawn out process. torture. to all the other girls in here, I hope things are going just the way you want them to.

AFM - I started injecting on monday & beginning to feel a bit blah. I've had an intermittent pain in my left side today. no idea what that is about. I wonder if somebody may have some advice please. I have been reading that water & protein are important post transfer (I think). I wonder if I'm 'googling' too much. any suggestions.

happy weekend everybody.

kmm ~ feeling pain during the FSH process is quite normal. To minimise the pain ensure you drink lots of water 2-3 litres a day and try to relax :-) Goodluck!

However if you are really worried about the pain don't hesitate to contact the clinic. When is your scan? Perhaps mention it then.

mum is still classified as an emergency but is still waiting for her op.over 48 hours of waiting and has been fasting for all except 6 hours.great move for a diabetic.gave hospital piece of my mind over the phone and if she doesnt have her surgery tonight as they hope then media will be contacted tomorrow

kmm, I was told to increase water and protein intake when I started the injections. The protein can help egg quality as well as try to help prevent OHSS. The water is supposed to help with the OHSS issue.

Mummawannabe, I'm so sorry to hear you've had to go through all of that! I hope this cycle has a happier ending in spite of having fewer eggs.

trubabe, FX the hospital can get their you-know-what together and get your mum's infection healed without further delay. I'd be pretty furious at them by now too!

trubabe - I hope your mum is being taken care of properly now :hug:

she finally made it to surgery this morning.just had call from her a little while ago that she was back in ward.dont know details of surgery yet other than another trip to surgery in about 2 days for a washout.she sounded good on the phone and is looking forward to eating lol.thank you everyone for your support

Hi Everyone,

trubabe - I hope your mum is progressing well & you are managing ok.

mellybelly - How are you going?

mummawannabe - I can't agree more. the emotions are raw aren't they.

melttc & juniper76 - thanks for your advice. my scan today showed alot of action in the left ovary, so I guess that's what I'm feeling.

good luck everybody. x

Hi everyone,

Ok I really need to get back into the loop!!

kmm - good luck with the eggies!! When is your EPU scheduled for?

truebabe - I hope your mum recovers quickly!

mellybelly81 - 12 is a great number!! Is the transfer going ahead?

Mummawannabe - good luck with your transfer!!

Renee - so sorry your FET was cancelled ... are they going to try again next month?

AFM - On friday my AF arrived and meant the end to my short pregnancy. I didn't think it would hit me so badly - I mean, the FS told me that there was something terribly wrong with the embryo, and therefore my body would 'flush it out', but when AF came, it made me realise what was actually happening. Anyway, been in a bit of a sullen mood ever since - but I'm trying to lift my spirits because I know that it was never meant to be. So now I'm going to focus on my FET for April. I think it should happen around the 14th. And hopefully the little snowbubs want to stick and be ok!!

M2B, it took me weeks to reach a point where I didn't just cry every time I thought of my early loss. Grieving is normal and necessary. You wanted that baby so much. I hope you can take some comfort from getting that extra step closer to success this time. I hope it bodes well for your next cycle. :goodluck:

M2b - hi yeah we will do it next cycle, it does make sense to have a month off cause of all the drugs related to a stim cycle, FS said it's best to wait till they are all out of your system. It is likely that your cycle this month could be a bit longer than usual, happens to lots after a stim cycle. I'm on day 24 of cycle and i still haven't o'ed yet. Last time i came of a stim i had a 47 day cycle compared to a 32 day one. My accupuncturist was happy cause now she get smore time with me before FET. It is very tough emotionally to go through i know how you feel. This may sound silly but with my most recent cycle i knew that it had taken as i got a really tight feeling across my lower stomach, and i know the exact moment that changed and i could no longer feel it. But it's not till AF arrives with **TMI***heavy clotting that you realise what could have been. Stay positive, many say 3 goes is the average it takes to get your bundle of joy.

Hi Ladies,

Just a quick post from me:

mum-2-be ~ Sorry to hear about AF showing up. Hope you are doing ok :hug:

trubabe ~ Hope your mum makes a speedy recovery.

mellybelly21 ~ What an awesome result! When is your ET? Goodluck!

kmm ~ Glad to hear that your scan went well! All that niggling pain was because your follicles were working overtime! Hope you get lots of eggies.

Hi to everyone else - hope you are all travelling well in your cycles!

AFM ~ Made an appointment to see FS next Tuesday to talk about the last two failed cycles and why we haven't been able to get any frosties. Plus to discuss a new strategy. I am not going to let two failed IVF cycles beat me! Renee I hope your right - 3 attempts is the charm!

hi Everyone,

m2b & Renee - it is an awful thing to experience, I so hope you get good news soon.

trubabe- how's your mum doing?

melttc - my pick up (i think) will be friday or saturday, my next scan is tomorrow. more waiting.....

To anyone else, I hope things are going well for you. x