Okay, it's here! My 4th and final IVF...well, sort of 3rd, for this time around, anyhow....so third time is the charm, right? I will be due in December for the 3rd time as well. I'm sorta scared about that, because, well, it hasn't gone all that well for me in the past, right? - But I'm determined to change that this time!
I had my baseline u/s and b/w on 3/18/14 and I have:
R - 2 < 10
L - 4 < 10
Meaning I have an AFC (antral follicle count) of 6. I'm a little disappointed, because I thought with the new EPP or Estrogen Priming IVF Protocol, I would have like 10+...I guess that was just wishful thinking.
I am on practically the same timeframe as last year. My retrieval is tentatively 4/2 and that was my retrieval date last year, so I will be due on 12/24 if this cycle goes as planned. However, last year, I stimmed 2 extra days, so my retrieval may change and then, so would my due date. Either way, December baby (Fingers crossed) or November if it's twins!
We are transferring 3 embryos if it's a 3dt and 2 on a 5dt, unless they are bad quality on d5, then we will also transfer 3. Dr. S is on board with this decision.
So, meds start Saturday 3/22/14.
I'm taking the following along with Flagyl and Doxycycline:
Sat 2 Menopur, 6 Bravelle
Sun 2 Menopur, 6 Bravelle
Mon 2 Menopur, 4 Bravelle
Tue 2 Menopur, 4 Bravelle
Wed 6 Bravelle
Thu 6 Bravelle
Fri - same or it might be adjusted depending on bloodwork....and I'll keep taking it...probably stimming for 10-12 days.
Eventually, when my lead follicle gets to be 14+, I'll add the Ganirelix in at night, with one Menopur for 3 nights, then I will trigger, and have the retrieval 36 hours later.
Monday I have bloodwork
Wed I have an u/s and bw again....GAME ON!
I'm getting excited :)
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Update...much needed :)
So, I had a couple appts the week before Halloween, and they upped my meds from 2 Menopur / 4 Bravelle to 7 Bravelle on day 5 and I continued that for another 6 days for a total of 11 days of stims. At almost the double amount of meds I've needed in the past. On Monday, Oct 29th I had 4 follicles, 17.5, 15, 14.5 and a 12.5. My estrogen was up to 980, which is great. I was sad, because extra meds apparently do not mean more follicles :(. They had me stim one more day and trigger on Tuesday night (Oct 29th) at 11:45pm.
Halloween, we headed to our retrieval :) It went well! We actually got 5 eggs, but they said one was small. I did fine in recovery and rested that day. I had to call in on Saturday to get the info for transfer and was SHOCKED that they wanted to do a 5 day transfer (5dt). I've NEVER done one before and last time I had 11 eggs and they still didn't do a 5dt. I was freaking out. I was worried they would die in the lab and not make it and I'd have nothing to transfer and the cycle would be a total bust. But I have to trust they know what they are doing. Also, I came to realize, that if they make it to day 5, they are doing great and that is what we want. I do not want to have to go through another miscarriage if I can help it. Maybe a 5dt was great because they all were thriving and fertilized (although they don't give us a report until the day of transfer).
So we headed to Woodbury at 6:45am - got there at 8:45. The whole time I was just praying I didn't get a cancellation phone call on the way. No news meant good news and the embryologist came in and said we had a PERFECT blastocyst - a grade 1. (1 is best, 3 is worst) and this was a ONE!! Mallory was a 1.5!! And we also had a 1.8 Morula (one more day and the morula would be a blastocyst). And the other THREE are still growing and were currently Morulas. SHOCKED! It is really good to have a 100% fertilization rate and for them to continue growing. We might even have one to freeze!
Transfer went great and they said my lining looked perfect.
So, now we wait! I've been testing out the trigger shot (false positives) so I know when it's negative and then can know for certain if it's a positive test :). But that is just the first hurdle, then we have to get to U/S and then the next U/S and then I just MIGHT be able to relax. Maybe.
My Blood Beta tests are scheduled for the 15th and 18th. UGH a weekend wait again. And normally I go in at 13 and 15 days after retrieval...not sure why they pushed it out this time. They don't tell me the results until both tests have been drawn. GRRRRRRRR I hate waiting :)
So for now, I wait...and here are my beautiful embabies!!
Halloween, we headed to our retrieval :) It went well! We actually got 5 eggs, but they said one was small. I did fine in recovery and rested that day. I had to call in on Saturday to get the info for transfer and was SHOCKED that they wanted to do a 5 day transfer (5dt). I've NEVER done one before and last time I had 11 eggs and they still didn't do a 5dt. I was freaking out. I was worried they would die in the lab and not make it and I'd have nothing to transfer and the cycle would be a total bust. But I have to trust they know what they are doing. Also, I came to realize, that if they make it to day 5, they are doing great and that is what we want. I do not want to have to go through another miscarriage if I can help it. Maybe a 5dt was great because they all were thriving and fertilized (although they don't give us a report until the day of transfer).
So we headed to Woodbury at 6:45am - got there at 8:45. The whole time I was just praying I didn't get a cancellation phone call on the way. No news meant good news and the embryologist came in and said we had a PERFECT blastocyst - a grade 1. (1 is best, 3 is worst) and this was a ONE!! Mallory was a 1.5!! And we also had a 1.8 Morula (one more day and the morula would be a blastocyst). And the other THREE are still growing and were currently Morulas. SHOCKED! It is really good to have a 100% fertilization rate and for them to continue growing. We might even have one to freeze!
Transfer went great and they said my lining looked perfect.
So, now we wait! I've been testing out the trigger shot (false positives) so I know when it's negative and then can know for certain if it's a positive test :). But that is just the first hurdle, then we have to get to U/S and then the next U/S and then I just MIGHT be able to relax. Maybe.
My Blood Beta tests are scheduled for the 15th and 18th. UGH a weekend wait again. And normally I go in at 13 and 15 days after retrieval...not sure why they pushed it out this time. They don't tell me the results until both tests have been drawn. GRRRRRRRR I hate waiting :)
So for now, I wait...and here are my beautiful embabies!!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Meds!
I always take a pic of all my meds before starting a cycle...this time is no different :) Here it is in all it's glory :)
And here is a daily dose of what I'm taking right now...(okay, well, Monday...as I changed and now am taking an additional 3 Bravelle a day....)
And here is a daily dose of what I'm taking right now...(okay, well, Monday...as I changed and now am taking an additional 3 Bravelle a day....)
B/W and U/S Appts
My appointments have not been stellar so far. But I'm staying positive. Things were going this way for my first IVF and I had my beautiful Mallory....so I know it doesn't mean it won't work.
I had an estradiol on Monday of 64.7 (after 3 days of stim meds) and so they bumped me up:
Monday Morning 2 Menopur, 4 Bravelle
Monday Night - 1 Bravelle (change meds today)
Tuesday - 2 Menopur, 5 Bravelle
Wednesday and beyond - 7 Bravelle
Wednesday I have 5 follicles under 10, but my E2 went up to 220.1, which is MUCH better and the extra $150 a day in meds is working (it better!). I go back on Friday for another ultrasound. I'm hoping we see some follies in the 13-14mm range, as they usually grow 2mm a day. PRAYING I don't get cancelled. My clinic cancels if you have less than 5 eggs.
I've lost 21 lbs, eating clean, I just don't understand why this is my WORST cycle, when I'm healthier now than I've ever been *sigh* - Praying this cycle turns around and I squeak out some good follies....Definitely a 3 day transfer for MOI! I'll update on Friday!
I had an estradiol on Monday of 64.7 (after 3 days of stim meds) and so they bumped me up:
Monday Morning 2 Menopur, 4 Bravelle
Monday Night - 1 Bravelle (change meds today)
Tuesday - 2 Menopur, 5 Bravelle
Wednesday and beyond - 7 Bravelle
Wednesday I have 5 follicles under 10, but my E2 went up to 220.1, which is MUCH better and the extra $150 a day in meds is working (it better!). I go back on Friday for another ultrasound. I'm hoping we see some follies in the 13-14mm range, as they usually grow 2mm a day. PRAYING I don't get cancelled. My clinic cancels if you have less than 5 eggs.
I've lost 21 lbs, eating clean, I just don't understand why this is my WORST cycle, when I'm healthier now than I've ever been *sigh* - Praying this cycle turns around and I squeak out some good follies....Definitely a 3 day transfer for MOI! I'll update on Friday!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
It's Injection Time!! and Decisions, Decisions.....
YAY!! I started injections on Saturday!! I take 2 Menopur ampules and 4 Bravelle in the morning for 4 days and then I drop the Menopur and just do Bravelle on the 5th day until they give me other instructions :)....
On Tuesday I had my "Okay for surgery" appt (TransVaginal Oocyte Retrieval TVOR surgery) with my regular Dr. She thought my thyroid felt large, so we had it tested and it came back at 1.95 (anything under 2.5 is okay w/my clinic)...so all is good there, but to be sure, I've scheduled an ultrasound of my thyroid for Tuesday, to make sure nothing is growing around it. As if I don't have enough going on?
Monday - Bloodwork
Tuesday - Thyroid U/S
Wednesday - Bloodwork and Follicle U/S
Then they will tell me at that appt when I have to come in next :)
Last Wednesday I had my baseline bloodwork and ultrasound and had 6 antral follicles, which isn't stellar...but I had that last time and I managed to squeak out 11 eggies at retrieval...so hoping I can match or do better than that.
They have changed my protocol a little from last time. When I have to do the three nightly Ganirelix shots, they will also have me take a ampule of Menopur with it, the Ganirelix prevents you from ovulating early and can slow down follicle growth..the Menopur will boost the follicles so that they might grow just a little bit more mature. I'm down with that :)
Hoping this cycle is going to be IT.
The Dr. (since we have had two failed cycles - April m/c 8w and FET August that was a chemical pregnancy) We can opt to transfer 3 embryos on a day 3 transfer or 2 embryos on a day 5 transfer. I've only ever had a d3 txfer, so we have some decisions to make. I'm okay with twins, I'm terrified of triplets....what to do...what to do. The chance of triplets is 1%...but I would probably be the 1% the way weird things happen to me! In the past I've always transferred 2 and only gotten pg with a singleton..but you never know! Decisions, Decisions...
On Tuesday I had my "Okay for surgery" appt (TransVaginal Oocyte Retrieval TVOR surgery) with my regular Dr. She thought my thyroid felt large, so we had it tested and it came back at 1.95 (anything under 2.5 is okay w/my clinic)...so all is good there, but to be sure, I've scheduled an ultrasound of my thyroid for Tuesday, to make sure nothing is growing around it. As if I don't have enough going on?
Monday - Bloodwork
Tuesday - Thyroid U/S
Wednesday - Bloodwork and Follicle U/S
Then they will tell me at that appt when I have to come in next :)
Last Wednesday I had my baseline bloodwork and ultrasound and had 6 antral follicles, which isn't stellar...but I had that last time and I managed to squeak out 11 eggies at retrieval...so hoping I can match or do better than that.
They have changed my protocol a little from last time. When I have to do the three nightly Ganirelix shots, they will also have me take a ampule of Menopur with it, the Ganirelix prevents you from ovulating early and can slow down follicle growth..the Menopur will boost the follicles so that they might grow just a little bit more mature. I'm down with that :)
Hoping this cycle is going to be IT.
The Dr. (since we have had two failed cycles - April m/c 8w and FET August that was a chemical pregnancy) We can opt to transfer 3 embryos on a day 3 transfer or 2 embryos on a day 5 transfer. I've only ever had a d3 txfer, so we have some decisions to make. I'm okay with twins, I'm terrified of triplets....what to do...what to do. The chance of triplets is 1%...but I would probably be the 1% the way weird things happen to me! In the past I've always transferred 2 and only gotten pg with a singleton..but you never know! Decisions, Decisions...
Monday, September 23, 2013
Where to begin?
UGH. I've gotten so far off track, I don't know where to start....
I guess at the miscarriage. My 6w2d appt looked great. We saw our little beaner...the little heartbeat...perfection.
My 8w appt was not so sweet. It took the nurse a bit and I knew almost immediately, that it wasn't looking like it was supposed to. I raised my hand up to my head and Mike took it. I waited what seemed like 5 minutes and finally, Courtney, our nurse said, "I'm just not seeing what I'm supposed to see, I'm so sorry..." I couldn't believe it was happening again. She took some measurements and the baby had regressed 3 days in size from our last ultrasound. I'd had back pain (a sign of my progesterone dropping) the day after my 6w2d U/S...I worried it was my progesterone, but kept taking my shots, as they gave me the option. I'm glad I did, or I would have always wondered if it was stopping that pg that caused something to go wrong. Dr. said we had an 8% chance of miscarriage after seeing the heartbeat. I guess we were in that 8%.
I know some people may think....you only knew you were pg for 4 weeks, it's not that big of a deal to lose a pgcy, but they haven't been there. That is 4 weeks of wondering if you'll have a boy or a girl, what color you should paint Mallory's new big girl room, what season they will be born in, how old Mallory will be when they are born, how different xmas will be this year, what new car will I get? and a 1000 other scenarios in your head of how your new life will be like. And in that moment it is taken away. Gone. There is no amount of praying or anything you can do to change the outcome.
People walk by you at the grocery store and have no idea you are carrying around your little one inside you, who is now not growing, and just waiting for the inevitable to happen. For the bleeding, cramps, labor pains etc to start. It happened just the same as last year, like clockwork. After the cytotex, a few days later, I had early morning cramps, then labor contractions on Sat, June 1st....and by very late Sunday night I knew I would pass it soon and I did at around 10pm June 2nd. I put my hopes and dreams in a tupperware container the lab had given me and place it in the fridge. So horrific. $880 later, the sample was too contaminated (deteriorated) for any testing to give us any answers.
The next couple weeks were really hard, it's pretty much soul crushing. The realization of what I lost would just hit me at random times and I'd sit on the floor and bawl. It's such a tremendous loss, I can't even explain it.
After 6 weeks, I finally had negative pregnancy tests....talk about evil..seeing those beautiful 2 lines on a test and know they are not real....And then I finally got my cycle back and could get on track for our Frozen cycle (FET, Frozen Embryo Transfer).
Onto my FET's in August. This process is much easier that a fresh cycle, 3 appts total! Baseline bloodwork, just estrogen pills and antibiotics daily and one lining check a week before transfer and we were on our way....August 23rd, I transferred my two beautiful frostie embabies. I had several positive tests, but they quickly got lighter and by the time I had my second Beta it was a pitiful 1.1.
So, after my failed FET, a bunch of people around me were getting pg and I took it a bit harder than I thought I would, because I so badly wanted it to be me, I thought it would be me. And there I sat in limbo again, because my Dr. was on vacation. (I am very happy for my pg friends, I just want to join them :) )
Then I got a call from Courtney and got my protocol and I feel like it hugely pulled me out of my slump! I have a plan! I have dates! I know what's happening :)
Stop bcps Oct 1
Start bcps Oct 7th
Stop bcps Oct 15th
Baseline U/S Oct 16th
Start meds Oct 19th
tentative retrieval Oct 29th
EDD July 22nd - but with a repeat c/s I will go a week early and will be due on my BIRTHDAY of July 15th WHOOO HOOO...it's a sign EEEEK - At least I'm praying it's a sign. I always said I wanted a baby born between my birthday and Mike's...maybe this will be our rainbow baby :)
I guess at the miscarriage. My 6w2d appt looked great. We saw our little beaner...the little heartbeat...perfection.
My 8w appt was not so sweet. It took the nurse a bit and I knew almost immediately, that it wasn't looking like it was supposed to. I raised my hand up to my head and Mike took it. I waited what seemed like 5 minutes and finally, Courtney, our nurse said, "I'm just not seeing what I'm supposed to see, I'm so sorry..." I couldn't believe it was happening again. She took some measurements and the baby had regressed 3 days in size from our last ultrasound. I'd had back pain (a sign of my progesterone dropping) the day after my 6w2d U/S...I worried it was my progesterone, but kept taking my shots, as they gave me the option. I'm glad I did, or I would have always wondered if it was stopping that pg that caused something to go wrong. Dr. said we had an 8% chance of miscarriage after seeing the heartbeat. I guess we were in that 8%.
I know some people may think....you only knew you were pg for 4 weeks, it's not that big of a deal to lose a pgcy, but they haven't been there. That is 4 weeks of wondering if you'll have a boy or a girl, what color you should paint Mallory's new big girl room, what season they will be born in, how old Mallory will be when they are born, how different xmas will be this year, what new car will I get? and a 1000 other scenarios in your head of how your new life will be like. And in that moment it is taken away. Gone. There is no amount of praying or anything you can do to change the outcome.
People walk by you at the grocery store and have no idea you are carrying around your little one inside you, who is now not growing, and just waiting for the inevitable to happen. For the bleeding, cramps, labor pains etc to start. It happened just the same as last year, like clockwork. After the cytotex, a few days later, I had early morning cramps, then labor contractions on Sat, June 1st....and by very late Sunday night I knew I would pass it soon and I did at around 10pm June 2nd. I put my hopes and dreams in a tupperware container the lab had given me and place it in the fridge. So horrific. $880 later, the sample was too contaminated (deteriorated) for any testing to give us any answers.
The next couple weeks were really hard, it's pretty much soul crushing. The realization of what I lost would just hit me at random times and I'd sit on the floor and bawl. It's such a tremendous loss, I can't even explain it.
After 6 weeks, I finally had negative pregnancy tests....talk about evil..seeing those beautiful 2 lines on a test and know they are not real....And then I finally got my cycle back and could get on track for our Frozen cycle (FET, Frozen Embryo Transfer).
Onto my FET's in August. This process is much easier that a fresh cycle, 3 appts total! Baseline bloodwork, just estrogen pills and antibiotics daily and one lining check a week before transfer and we were on our way....August 23rd, I transferred my two beautiful frostie embabies. I had several positive tests, but they quickly got lighter and by the time I had my second Beta it was a pitiful 1.1.
So, after my failed FET, a bunch of people around me were getting pg and I took it a bit harder than I thought I would, because I so badly wanted it to be me, I thought it would be me. And there I sat in limbo again, because my Dr. was on vacation. (I am very happy for my pg friends, I just want to join them :) )
Then I got a call from Courtney and got my protocol and I feel like it hugely pulled me out of my slump! I have a plan! I have dates! I know what's happening :)
Stop bcps Oct 1
Start bcps Oct 7th
Stop bcps Oct 15th
Baseline U/S Oct 16th
Start meds Oct 19th
tentative retrieval Oct 29th
EDD July 22nd - but with a repeat c/s I will go a week early and will be due on my BIRTHDAY of July 15th WHOOO HOOO...it's a sign EEEEK - At least I'm praying it's a sign. I always said I wanted a baby born between my birthday and Mike's...maybe this will be our rainbow baby :)
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
6w1d Pregnant
Last pregnancy (my miscarriage) everything stopped growing at this point. I wish I had a little window in my tummy to see if everything is okay. I can't stop worrying the same thing is going to happen again, but I'm trying to concentrate on the positives.
I had heartburn yesterday
I woke up with the FAINTEST nausea
I woke up starving
I was exhausted last night
All great pregnancy signs. I didn't have the starvation and exhaustion last time, so hoping this is a good sign. I just have 5 more days until my Ultrasound on Monday at Noon and we'll know what is going on.
Praying SO hard everything is terriffic.
I found out on May 9th last year that we lost our baby. On May 15th I had my miscarriage. I just can't imagine going through that again in May. Praying so hard for a good Mother's Day this year.
I had heartburn yesterday
I woke up with the FAINTEST nausea
I woke up starving
I was exhausted last night
All great pregnancy signs. I didn't have the starvation and exhaustion last time, so hoping this is a good sign. I just have 5 more days until my Ultrasound on Monday at Noon and we'll know what is going on.
Praying SO hard everything is terriffic.
I found out on May 9th last year that we lost our baby. On May 15th I had my miscarriage. I just can't imagine going through that again in May. Praying so hard for a good Mother's Day this year.
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