Is it over?

Hi

I am about 6 weeks PG after an FET of a PGD-tested bubba. The blast had been screened for 8 different chromosonal probs as two of my previous MC's were trisomies.
I have been getting lots of BT's. The initial HCG level was very low which we optimisitically supposed was late implantation (apparently unusual with IVF). The levels were then good but now the progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2 levels) are dropping dramatically :rolleyes:. They are supposed to rise during pregnancy... I am on one P4 pessary at night - just protocol with my clinic. I did not need it during my previous two successful pregnancies.

The story so far...
4 weeks: E2 763, P4 155, HCG 35
4 + 2: E2 811, P4 153.3, HCG 136 :D
4 + 6: E2 1162, P4 161.3, HCG 759 :D
5 + 6: E2 1020, P4 106.4, HCG 4227 :rolleyes:

In two of my past MC's (one chromosonal, one unexplained), the losses started out just like this. The HCG continued to rise but then the P4 and E2 started to drop, I would get a HB, but then still lose the bubba :shakehead:.

Is it over?

Thanks
WTH

i can't help with the numbers. sending big positive thoughts that bubba will stick. PGD babies are so precious.

WTH I hope bub is a sticky one :hug:

I'm not experienced with this at all but could you call your clinic and ask them? When are you due for your next set of bloods? could they give you a clearer picture?

Sending you heaps of sticky vibes and baby dust. Stay put little one!!

Thanks Mistyfying and HotI - I have another blood test on Fri. I'm just not much good at these waiting games...

Hi Liviam
The clinic weren't very sure, but did arrange the extra BT for this Fri to help get a clearer picture.

I don't think there's much you can but wait. Sorry darl. I really, really hope this is a sticky one :pray:

WTH

Really sorry to read about what you are going through :(

I know how hard the waiting game is, and how powerless you feel when you have no control. There is nothing I can say to make the agonising wait any easier.

All I can say is, I am thinking of you. Dont give up hope because you never know....

Good luck with your blood test on Friday. We will all be here if you need us xxx

Take care

n2l

Thanks, Ladies :grouphug:. Am slowly working my way through a packet of white Tim Tams...

Well, based on previous losses I had honestly written this PG off but bubs is still holding on :)

My E2 and P4 have bounced back a little and the HCG has gone from 4227 to 8800 in three days. Next BT on Monday. Still super-nervous. I cannot for the life of my figure out why my progesterone and estrogen had dropped so much. All the literature I have found points to it being a failing PG. Still a waiting game but I now have a little hope to hold on to...

WTH

I reckon it was the white tim tams that helped. You'd better have another pack just to be sure ;)

TERRIFIC NEWS WTH!!!!

I am so, so happy for you!!!

Be sure to update us again on Monday :)

In the meantime, take care (and enjoy the Tams!)

Yay! Hang in there bubby! WTH - the whole making a baby in general is such an amazing miraculous thing that I've given up trying to guess things. Keep holding on to that hope xx

Hang in there precious little bub.
Oh WTH, I am sending my stickiest of sticky vibes to you. I will be thinking of you on Monday. All the best.

I think the tim tams helped too!

I am praying very hard this bubba is the stickiest there is hun :pray::pray::pray:

Hang in there hunni :hug:

Thanks ladies for your well wishes. It has been a very looooooong week. I am still very anxious about what is going on. Despite all the losses after DD, the PG with DS was very uncomplicated (though I was stressed then, too, but all the results were reassuringly spot on with him). It doesn't make it easy when you get off to such a weird start, ie: unusually late implantation and jumpy hormonal levels. I have been wondering if my body is packing it in a little and a bit worn out from all my PG's (failed and successful) over so few years???

OK, I really need some advice. These are my figures so far. I don't see my OB or have a scan until Friday, but this is doing my head in. I am on one progesterone (P4) pessary a night...

4 weeks: E2 763, P4 155, HCG 35
4 + 2: E2 811, P4 153.3, HCG 136 :D
4 + 6: E2 1162, P4 161.3, HCG 759 :D
5 + 6: E2 1020, P4 106.4, HCG 4227 :rolleyes:
6 + 2: 1096, P4 120, HCG 8800 ;)
6 + 5: 1033, P4: 91, HCG 13,627 :rolleyes:

Another scary drop in progesterone (which I understand can indicate a failing pregnancy) and the HCG has now not even doubled in three days!

Any thoughts?

WTH

Aw love... This is such a horrible part I know.

I'm sure there are ladies out there who know the numbers much better than I do, but they are not unlike mine and I am now 26 weeks along. My FS told me that once the HCG reaches 10,000 it becomes pretty meaningless, and will not double at nearly the same rate as under 10,000.

Also, while it's pretty hard to tell what your true progesterone is when you are on pessaries, mine bounced around a bit and was a fair bit lower than yours.

Is there any way they can squeeze you in earlier?

Big hugs and sticky vibes to you xx

OK - back away from the bloodtests!!!!!

Firstly, progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the day and also change depending on whether the test is fasting or not. I decided to "experiment" when I was getting tests and evertime I tested after fasting, progesterone was lower. btw - my P4 levels were never over 71, so yours are great in comparision. And I was on 200mg suppositories daily.

Secondly, it is pointless to measure HCG after 6000ml. The doubling time extends and it's different for everyone. The 48-72 hour rule is only up to about 1200ml. You're past that point now. As an example of why i know this stuff, I followed my HCG to 31000 at about 6wks. For "fun" I had it tested again at 10-11 wks whilst I had the amaternal serum testing done. It was 35000!! I thought it was all doomed. HCG will peak at 8-10wks then reduce and plateau.

I have no idea about E2 because I've never tested it, but it's a hormone, I imagine it's going to fluctuate like progesterone.

Please step away from the bloodtests and remember this mantra "I am pregnant. Baby is safe and growing strong. I am calm and relaxed and confident in my body and my baby."

Then stick your head in the sand or take up meditation or something until you get a scan :) I know it's hard this early (I've just been through the early bit, again). But please try to step back from obsessing, take a deep breath and trust baby is doing it's thing without you needing to stress about it.

it's so much easier to tell someone else this than follow such advice myself :) Doesn't make it false though.

Thanks Bugsmum. No, I have to wait it out until my US followed by OB appointment, both on Fri morning. But I have found out progesterone levels can be affected by stress (and I have had some un-pregnancy related stress of late). So now I am feeling even more guilty.

The clinic told me it is not so much the level, and that it can fluctuate, but that there have been some significant drops. They got in touch with my Ob (I have not seen him yet) and he does not want me to increase my pessaries.

Hold on bubba...

Tash - thanx so much for your very real advice! I know I am over-obsessing. I will try and get on with my life and survive until Friday x

Oh how stressful for you. It must feel very unsettling to still be without a definitive answer. :hug: It sounds like you have enough stress in your life already. What do you have planned for the week? Will you be able to rest or relax a little between now and Friday? All the best hun.
Hold on precious bub.

To those that might have been following this story: an update...

I followed Tashybabe's excellent advice. Tash - thank you!!! I really was over-obsessing and driving myself crazy. So I went MIA from BB and have been keeping myself very busy.

It actually turns out that when we went to our scan a week back we found the measurements were 6 weeks (should have been 7-and-a-half). We knew there were a few days leeway there due to suspected late implantation. But the sack was completely empty. No fetal pole or yolk (I think in the past this would have been referred to as a blighted ovum). I had an appointment with my Ob straight after the scan and he said there was no hope, that I would MC.

I have chosen to MC naturally. If nothing happens in the next few weeks I will go in for a D&C (my fourth). I am doing OK. DH and I have so much to be grateful for with our two beautiful children who are the light of our lives. I will not be doing any more cycles - my two recent FET's were remaining from our successful cycle with DS. I just couldn't leave those embies sitting there and not give them a chance. At least I tried...

Thanks to everyone for their kind support on this thread. It really helped me through a difficult time.

WTH x

Look after yourself :hug:

Oh sweetie, I'm really sorry to hear your news. Thinking of you and look after yourself lovely :hug:

sending hugs.

Sorry to hear the news :hug:

I'm sorry to hear of your loss :hug:

Take care x

I'm really sorry to hear that bubs didn't stick. Huge hugs for you and your family.

WTH

So, so sorry to read your news. It must be devastating for you and hubbie :(

I recommend you stick with the white tim tam therapy :)

Now, of course, you can add that *insert liquor of own choice* to the mix.

Take care lovely x

n2l

I am so sorry for your loss :hug: go gently and look after yourself

I'm so sorry, WTH. Sending lots of these :hug: :hug:

I've only just seen this after having my own break from BB. I'm so sorry WTH :hug: I hope you're taking care of yourself.

oh sweetie, i'm so sorry. i don't understand any of those numbers, but i understand what it's like to try, for a long time (years) for a baby.

Oh hun, I'm so sorry. Sending love and strength. :hug: