Post
by tinaO » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:57 pm
Hey, girls. I just wanted to wish my old IUI buddies success in their next steps! It looks like many of you are heading down the IVF route. It is definitely much more involved, but when I look at what it brought me, I can't complain now!!! Yes, I got sick of the shots and the money was scary (it still is when I think about it), but now that I am at the 13 week point and free of shots, my fertility clinic, and everything else - it is wonderful!!!! Just to give some of you an idea of how it works....
1. Yes, you typically start on BCP's first for about 2 weeks or so. I took them from Oct 22nd through Nov 10th.
2. On Nov. 6th (while still taking BCP's), I started on Lupron (this is the drug you take throughout the cycle to stop you from ovulating - since your egg retrieval is your "ovulation"). It is a quick stick of a needle.
3. I had an estradiol check and sonogram the week of Nov. 11th-16th.
4. I started Menopur and Follistim (but you all might take different drugs) on Nov. 17th and continued to of course take Lupron. It is 3 shots a day, but you get used to it. Well, ok - it sucks, but it doesn't last forever. The Menopur burned a little more for me, but the Follistim pen was pretty easy.
5. The following week was the week of appts!!! I was in the clinic every other day for hormone checks and scans.
6. My egg retrieval was Nov 28th. They got 13 eggs, 12 were mature, and 10 fertilized.
7. My egg transfer was Dec 1st. They transferred 2 embryos - a Grade A, 8 cell and a Grade B, 8 cell. Out of all those embryos, we only ended up with one to freeze and it is currently awaiting us when we are ready again - but not any time soon!!! I was disappointed at first and cried because I was hoping for more to freeze, now I am glad because we are pregnant and I wouldn't want a bunch left in the freezer to decide what to do with them. So, remember that if it happens to you.
8. And as you know, I tested positive officially at the clinic on Dec. 13th (although I had been doing HPT's for a week at home and getting positives!!). We have one little baby in there!
Hmmm....what else can I tell you? I also took progesterone oil shots from the 1st day after the egg transfer up until almost 12 weeks. Those suck and I was so sick of them. But now that they are over, I have already forgotten about them. You just have to suck it up and think positive because it does get really hard sometimes. This is esp true for us IUI girls who have already been through many needles, scans, lots of disappointments, etc. Right before egg retrieval, you are VERY bloated and just frustrated because your ovaries are mass producing, but I swear a couple of days after the transfer, I felt great! I am back to walking 3 miles a day and have had a very easy pregnancy. I am off my shots, estrogen patches (another thing I had to do), and everything is great. I tell you that so that you always remember that there is an end in sight. IVF can be tough, but I swear you get through it!!!! And I am always here for you if you need help, advice, etc.
Ok, I hope that helps. I just know how confused I was in the beginning!!! I wish you all the very best - IUI, IVF, and everything else!!! Let me know if you have questions along the way and I will check on you all from time to time!!!
Me - 40; DH - 42
2 IUI's-BFN
1st IVF: BFP
Noah was born 8/20/08; he's our world!
Started FET 7/11
Only 1 frozen to transfer - praying for another miracle!!!
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