Trying to Conceive with IUI #3

WLAB - 4 days feels like years away right now!!!! No, I wont POAS. I stay away from those things. Always have in my nearly 3 yrs ttc. I would rather wait until i am very late, or in this case for my b/t. My last injection was on sunday so i have to wait till b/t anyway, as a HPT could give me false pos.

Only 3.5 days to go now...

OP - AF is not here so it is not over yet babe!!! Maybe the cramping over the weekend is implanting, a late implantation. If that is true then the HPT will be wrong!! I have my fingers crossed for you that a miracle is heading your way.... Its not over till its over...

Hi Everyone,

Just a question I would like to throw out there for all your thoughts...

Do you give up caffeine all together in the ttw and/or ttc time?

I know there are some people out there that do this. I have cut right back, tried to reduce my intake, no coffee, no coke, just one cup of tea a day. But I am wondering if it is all worth it.....?

I have done some reading and found that the official guideline is no more than 1 cup a day. So why is would you give it up altogether??

What are your thoughts????

WLAB, scroll way back to where Diamond and I were the only ones talking in this forum (about six weeks ago) where we talked about the effects of both progesterone and hCG on the early stages of pregnancy. I uploaded some stats on levels. Both these hormones take off from the fifth day after fertilisation and escalate dramatically every second day all the way through to the 12th week and then they both drop away.

Also, review my post last week on anatomy of a pregnancy, which explains cell division from day 1-6 (fertilisation to implantation). If the blastocyst doesn't implant on the 6th day after ovulation, it won't survive. It needs progesterone to feed off until a placenta is formed and an umbilical cord is established.

I note you place a lot of importance on seeing spotting as a sign of implantation. This doesn't happen for most women, so not seeing it means nothing. If your mum is still around have a talk to her about her experience when she was pregnant. I've found my mum's memories invaluable and with the little success I've had, I've noticed my experiences are bascially the same.

:-)
P.

OP - I hadn't realised than being asked to defrost my own swimmers was such an odd thing? As far as I'm aware they just need to be warmed to body temp - my FS normally keeps the vial in his pocket for a while beforehand but he was busy busy so they asked me to hold it instead.
Oh and I might have to drink heaps and have a coughing fit before my next one I think! :)

Diamond - re the caffeine - when I found new research that suggested that ANY caffeine can be harmful to fertility and baby I cut it out completely - I didn't know what it actually DID to reduce chances of pg so I wasn't sure what timeframes would be critical, ie. during ovulation, in LP, etc. So I just cut it completely.

Hi Shades,

Thanks for your reply. I would love to get my hands on that info also. Would you have a link or any reference to it at by any chance?

Its just funny though, these things that we worry about. I wonder if mums worried about this sort of thing many moons ago. Some in my circle of friends never worried about this sort of thing when they were having babies (20 yrs ago). How times have changed...

Diamond - I actually had a look for it as I was writing that reply but I can't figure out where it was :(

As one of my mum's friends said - all these things are just a way to help the numbers come out the way you want - they're not a guarantee - she did everything right during her pregnancy and her daughter was born at 28 weeks, and has cerebral palsy and a heart problem - then there are other mums at my brother's school that we all shook our heads at while watching them smoke with their big preggy bellies - and they both had healthy full-term babies. So there's no point beating yourself up about one or two tiny things like a cup of tea a day - just do the best you can.

Diamond

Being a coffee lover myself, I asked FS on my last visit should I cut out caffeine, she said to limit it to one a day, I switched to a good DeCaf Coffee, and I have a cup of T or maybe 2 during the day ..

I dont stress about my caffeine intake - I stress about stressing

OP - Thank you for your advice, Im so clueless in regard to my body and its capability's, I am going to the library tommorow to get some books, and see how it all works ....

Here comes OP with the scientific info: Caffeine is regarded as a toxin. Whether you drink it in coffee, cola, chocolate or tea, it's a toxin. The health nuts want people trying to conceive to cut it out because all toxins are processed in the liver. The liver plays a big role in hormone production, which for fertility challenged ladies like us, is really important to support.

I take lipoic acid capsules to support liver function.

That being said, I drink one latte a day and two cups of tea. I periodically give the coffee up, but will not relingquish my tea! Sometimes I get a great deal of comfort out of my coffee, and sometimes I need a lot of comfort. So I drink my latte, and I feel very comforted!

AFM: no AF. Totally weird.

:-)
P.

Shades, defrosting the swimmers in one's pocket hardly seems like a controlled environment!!! Our guys are presented to us in a test tube, personally walked in by the scientist. Often our IUI is delayed because the scientist is still messing around with the sample. Our guys are the best of our donor's bunch. When he's made his deposit, they are placed in a recepticle with culture medium at the top. The fastest and strongest swim into the culture medium and are caught there. The culture medium is skimmed off the top and the rest is disgarded. Where a bloke usually deposits 20 - 50mls, we end up with 10ml of super swimmers.

Diamond, since you're using a fresh sample from your husband on the day, what's you're experience of the sample prep?

OP.

OP - are you using a local donor or a US Xytex donor? I can't remember... I was told that only the donors with the highest mobile sperm count (pre- and post-thawing) are used in the first place at Xytex, so it's just a matter of defrosting the vial... I haven't really asked for more info than that to be honest.

Shades, we do use a local donor - one of the last in NSW as I understand it.

I'm over at the clinic tomorrow so I'll ask the midwives some questions and see if I can't get some extra information about the thawing process.

As to quality - my lesbian Aunt simply got a friend to hand her a jar, so the cleansing process our samples go through isn't compulsory!! And it sure doesn't happen in a "natural" setting, does it? :p I think in a clinical environment it's mainly to a) screen for disease and b) improve the odds for fertilisation/eliminate negative influencing factors.

:-)
OP.

Well only one day left, no AF yet, have had slight cramping since Monday, but no sign that AF is coming usually I have a couple of days before were I am positive I am getting it, breasts are still sore and swollen, but who knows right. Part of me doesn't want to have the test tomorrow only because I am scared.

With regards to the sperm, my husband dropped his sample off and then we collected it 2 hours later after they had prepared it(exactly like what OP mentioned) we were told not to keep it at body temp, but room temp, apparently that has recently changed. Our clinic is very strict we have to have phot id taken and show our driver's licence and we hand the sample directly to the sciencetist and collect directly from the sciencetist after he has confirmed you are and look like the picture they have taken off you.

I don't really drink any coffee usually so that has not been hard for me to give up, but I do like coke (yes I know it is bad but I can't help it), so I have given up that.

Anyway hope you all have a good rest of today :D

OP - I was told that the reason why our IUI sperm is 'washed' is because it is put directly into the uterus, it contains hormones which cause severe cramping... home attempts with sperm in a jar are only intervaginal, not interuterine, so the washing isn't required.

Hi Guys,

Hubby give a fresh sample, we are instructed to keep it at room temperature, then drop off at the scientists. They 'wash' the sperm, turn it into super sperm is how my FS described it. Off memory they explained it that wash the sperm so all the high quality ones remain, so there is a better chance of success. I have not heard anything about it taking hormones out to reduce cramping though. Then they bring the sample for me to sight, I sign for it and then the procedure goes ahead. I do not handle it all after given to the scientists.

OP - no AF yet!! This is great news. Fingers crossed evil AF will stay away. Will you get a b/t tomorrow at the clinic?

AntGirl _ i understand your trepidation re: results. It can be a very nervous time and mixed emotions are normal. If pos, you will be the happiest! But if neg.... well at least you will have an answer either way, instead of this horrible limbo that is the tww.

Thanks everyone for info on coffee. I normally only have 1 cup of tea a day, a half strength latte on the odd occasion. In between given up alcohol, my gym classes and all the ttc stress, my tea/cofffee is also a comfort for me. I would hate to have to give everything up.

AFM - only 2 days left till b/t. The wait is killing me. Most symptons have gone. Not feeling very positive, trying to relax and be patient.

Good Morning Girls,

Just a quick note to say good luck for today Antgirl. I hope you get your BFP today!!

I hope everyone else is travelling ok.

Shades,

There are no hormones in semen. And there should be no cramping IUI unless it's done incorrectly.

We're off to the clinic. Still no AF for me. I'll be floored if this is how it happens for me. All that watching for symptoms like a buzzard on a fence, and when it really happens there's nothing!
Update: At our clinic they wash the sperm before it's frozen - they wash it twice. When they thaw it they take it out of the CO2 and bring it to room temperature by sitting the straw in a stand. In winter they put it in a warm water bath. They look at it under the microscope to see if it's still alive. Then they add an accelerant to make the guys swim faster. So there you go - that's the story of our sperm.

Either that or withdrawal from the drugs has thrown me into early menopause!!

Diamond, I'm not religious, but I'm praying for you darlin'!

Update: They made me do a BT. We get the results after 3.00pm.

OP.

OMG OP - My heart just skipped a beat for you. Extra extra good luck for today - imagine if you get your BFP!! How incredible will that be!!

Thanks for your good wishes, but I am pretty sure I am out this month. Ive had weird cramping, which now feels like AF cramps. And am very bloated. So pretty sure AF is on her way. Hoping I am wrong but we will soon see I guess.

Will be waiting anxiously to hear from you both OP and Antgirl today...

Popping in to say Hello to everyone - wishing OP a great appointment with your FS - and I am religious, so I just said a little prayer for us all -

Antgirl - thinking of you today and hoping you get a BFP

Diamond - One Day - I cant believe it - how exciting

Shades - Hi

AFM - Getting the results today of my second Prog test, I arranged it via GP - so I hope its rising ..

Oh what a day in the IUI group today .........

:

---

There are no homrones in semen. And there should be no cramping IUI unless it's done incorrectly.

---

My mistake - it's the prostaglandins that they wash out, that can cause cramping. But yeah - there would only be cramping with the IUI if the semen wasn't washed completely. I only had cramps with my first one, the FS said that's prob what caused it. Coulda been the doc too - I didn't like his manner.

Good luck for your BFPs everyone - I'm finding this to be the slowest TWW ever...

Shades, I am really wishing you'd get a new clinic. I don't think these people are taking good enough care of you. You shouldn't have to go through this treatment with anybody whose manner you don't like.

Our IVF FS was a cold fish - I cried my eyes out one time and wished we'd never have to see him again. Then two of our embryos died and our last transfer was unsuccessful, and we didn't have to see him again. Spooky.

My point is, I reckon you need women to look after you. Not men. I've found our midwives so much more caring than the male doctors we've dealt with.

It's your body, your very expensive donor, and your future baby. Don't let those folks manhandle you lovely.

:-)
OP.

Well, I said somebody in here needed a BFP to give everybody else hope. I didn't believe for a second it would be me.

But it is!!!!

My clinic just rang with our BT results. Prog 87. hCG 175. We have a BFP!!! :clap:

Notes: I had coffee every work day. I had ****tails at the Xmas part last weekend. I stopped taking my vitamins. I have no symptoms other than I think my face looks a bit puffy.

I am floored. We're beside ourselves. We have to go back for another BT next Thursday. We can't talk to anybody until Feb 5, so you girls are the only people I can shoot my mouth off to.

My fingers are crossed for everybody else. Big hugs to you all!!!

OP.

OMG ... OP what a wonderful wonderful surprise

I cant believe it - :dance:

I have to read back now over your threads and remember - Oh Yes an IUI with no Pregnyl -

Your so clever - and you so deserve this wonderful news - you are so helpfull and caring - your going to be a wonderful mum

Did I say - OMG !!!! I cant believe it

:bluecheer::stickyvibesboy::cheer:

Hip Hip Horray ..... OP got a :bfp: today

OMG Op!!!

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!:D

I am so happy for you and Hubby. You deserve this so much. Looks like the natural cycle is just what you needed. You have been such a great support and strength during my IUI cycles, I cant explain how happy I am for you.

I hope you have a very happy and healthy pregnancy and good luck for the coming 8 months ahead :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

omg OP........
:clap::clap: :dance: :clap: :dance: :kissing::kissing:

Congrats xxxxxxxxx wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

AFM: Had BT and scan today waiting until 230 when i can ring for my results but i think the scan was good!

BBL to update

xxBella

Thanks girls! I'm still totally shocked! How about that HPT, eh? You DO get false negatives afterall - it's not just an urban myth.

Apparently the girls at our clinic were in shock and were crying. God bless them - this is as much their baby as ours. Especially the midwife that did the IUI this month. She's had such a hard year personally and she has been so sad. But she was the one that did our previous good IUI - she had magic even if she didn't feel it. She wasn't there today so I can't wait for her to hear the news.

From the mud grows the lotus.

My fingers are crossed for all of you with BTs due. :pray:

Love & Light,
OP.

OP - I am being a "dates" stalker here ..

When was your Last AF ?? - b/c if your day 21 was the 25th Nov - that means your day 30 today -
now being selfish and bringing it back to me (just for a minute) because it's your day today .. why cant they give me a BT before the 12/12 -

My last AF was the 9th - and I had IUI on the 24th Nov - I would Like a HCG BT before the 12th - like you .. am I making any sense ?

PS - Congrats again

its 2.26 - Bella - cant wait to hear your news as well - Then D tommorow - OMG -

Yay for OP's :bfp: :cheer: :leap:

Maybe I should come down to Syd and visit your clinic!! :rofl:

This is why I stay away from HPTs. They can be so unreliable!!! And I think you must have had a lateish implantation as well OP which would have meant it was too early anyway.

I am so over the moon for you!~! I am hoping you BFP is a good omen for my bt tomorrow.

WLAB - when was/is your last pregnl injection? Your clinic is probably making sure it is 7-10 days after this. How did you go with your 2nd prog test today?

WLAB your AF is due 14 days after ovulation, so for you that's December 8. Fertility clinics like to do a BT 5 days after the period is due - this is to see if you AF and if not, to get a good strong result.

We did my IUI on Nov 19. The trigger was on Nov 18 so I'd calculated AF was due Dec 2. When we went in there today I was saying no to the BT because I've been 2 days late before and AF has kicked in in the arvo. My FS was saying lets do the test to put you out of your misery. But I was saying I was happy to wait. I think she was the curious one this time!

I think you're prog level was good and waiting for the 2nd prog level is a good idea. But just leave the preg BT til the 12th. I know the wait is tough. Last month I nearly had appoplexy when the clinic didn't answer the phone for an hour on our test results day!

Mean time, eat well, rest well, keep up your vitamins and be kind to yourself.

:-)
OP.

Shades, from memory I think you're in QLD, right? Is there a women's hospital up there? I'd be checking them out and looking for a Department of Reproductive Medicine. That's what my folks are called in RHW. The program is totally managed by midwives, although doctor stuff is handled by a doc that's based in the professorial suite in the Hosp. They've taken such good care of us and if there's anyone like that in QLD, I say go for it.

:-)
OP.

:cry::cry: Well I rang the lab and my Prog is 39.09


What on earth does that mean - Im not PG am I ????

WLAB - that means you're still in the game! Very much so.

Look at the crappy progr result I had. It went nutso without me even knowing.

So stay cool. You can't toally interpret that result without the hCG level. But to me, that's still very good.

Nice to see that ticke I put on my signature didn't work. Shades, maybe I should be getting you to sort me out!
:-)
P.

im trying hun to find out as much as i can What does the test result mean?
Interpretation of progesterone test results requires knowledge of where a woman is in her menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Progesterone levels usually start to rise when an egg is released from the ovary, continue to rise for several days, and then either continue to rise with early pregnancy or fall to start menstruation.

If progesterone levels do not rise and fall on a monthly basis, a woman may not be ovulating or having menstrual periods. If levels do not rise normally during an early pregnancy, the pregnancy may be ectopic and/or may be failing. If serial measurements do not show increasing progesterone levels over time, there may be problems with the placenta and fetus.

Levels of progesterone will be naturally higher during pregnancies that involve multiples (twins, triplets, etc.) than those in which there is only one fetus.

Increased progesterone levels are also seen occasionally with luteal ovarian cysts, molar pregnancies, and with a rare form of ovarian cancer.
Increased levels are occasionally due to an overproduction of progesterone by the adrenal glands.

In late pregnancy, low levels of progesterone may be associated with toxaemia and pre-eclampsia.




When is it requested?
Progesterone levels are measured:
As part of an infertility assessment, when a woman is having trouble getting pregnant and the doctor wants to verify that she is ovulating normally
To determine if and when ovulation has occurred following drug therapy to induce ovulation
When symptoms, such as abdominal pain and spotting, suggest an ectopic pregnancy or threatened miscarriage
To monitor the effectiveness of treatment when a pregnant woman requires progesterone injections to help maintain her pregnancy
To monitor placental and fetal health during a high-risk pregnancy
When a non-pregnant woman is experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding

Normal levels of progesterone at 7dpo - > 15 ng/ml
A progesterone test is done to confirm ovulation. When a follicle releases its egg, it becomes what is called a corpus luteum and produces progesterone. A level over 5 probably indicates some form of ovulation, but most doctors want to see a level over 10 on a natural cycle, and a level over 15 on a medicated cycle. There is no mid-luteal level that predicts pregnancy. Some say the test may be more accurate if done first thing in the morning after fasting.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...gesterone.html
i just found this here on bb
My progesterone started out low at 9, dropped to 6 and my RE started me on PIO (progesterone in oil injiections) 2cc/day and my progesterone went up and was 54 at last check. I am now 8 1/2 weeks. Good luck to you but you might want to ask about something more than the prometrium.


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05-04-2007, 10:02 PM #3
Milix I understand your concern very well. When I was pregnant with DS, I also had low progesterone levels (around 9 if I remember well). I was put on 2/day 200mg prometrium, my level went up a bit (around 15 was the last level tested), and the Dr. was cautiously optimistic. Well, my DS is a healthy 18 mo now.
There is a lot of controversy about progesterone levels in pregnancy. Some will say that a low progesterone level could mean there is something wrong with the pregnancy to begin with, but some women might have naturally lower progesterone levels and everything is fine. Talk to your Dr. and discuss your options,

Wishing you a smooth pregnancy

Hi Everyone,

An update - my scan was great and my e2 levels were good also - they almost cancelled me as to high risk for multiples - x3 follicles at 19mm and "quite a few not far behind", my E2 was 1500 so i was given the option - i have chosen to trigger and go for IUI tom at 230 :dance: :pray::pray:
I am so excited!!!!! but also very nervous (worried it will hurt!). So DH is cooking my spag bol tonight am i'm relaxing on the couch!

will post after IUI tom.

xxBella

Congratulations OriginalP!Wishing you a H&H 9 months :)
Regarding your ticker, just use the UBB code for your BellyBelly ticker. Contact a moderator in the messages section if you can't work it out.

Time for a new thread ladies. You can find it HERE.

Wishing you all BFPs!
xx