April/May Buddies??

Discussion group for all topics related to infertility including preparation for pregnancy, causes, investigation and treatment of infertility.
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LauraLou
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Location: Texas

Post by LauraLou »

I am anxiously awaiting AF so I can start the stims. Pre-ivf my cycle was 30-32 days, since the ivf and m/c, its been 34 days. So AF should arrive in the next 3 days.

Looking back at my calender from April, it seems I went in for another sono before starting the stims. So AF better arrive by Thursday so I can get in on Friday for a scan. If not, then I will have to wait another week as my Dr only lets you start stims on a Saturday. I think he does that so it's less likely you will need your EC or ET on a weekend and his golf game doesn't get disturbed!

Lots of people know I was planning to do another round of IVF in September, so I've gotten quite a few questions about when I'm starting again. Mostly I'm just saying, "I start the drugs this month but it will be Oct before we do the actual procedure."

I think I am a little tense but mostly I am doing well on my "stay calm" plan. It helps that I don't have any side effects from the lupron, so I can sort of forget about it except when I do the injection in the morning.

I am looking forward to seeing how I do on the Folistim and Menapur. I'm hoping that adding the Menapur will help me produce more than just 6 mature eggs this time. I would really like to transfer 3 embryos this time. I don't know if the Dr will let me, he is pretty firm on only doing 2. I just turned 38, which puts me into the higher risk for failure category, so perhaps he will make an exception for me.

Laura
Me 38, DH 52
1st IVF 5/06- BFP m/c
2nd IVF 9/06- BFP identical twin boys!!
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Xrayem
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Location: Brisbane, Aus

Post by Xrayem »

Hi Carolyn,

I always know when I ovulate as I get a sharp pain in my pelvis that alternates side each month. Its usually lasts around an hour for me and sometimes I get a pressure feeling around my lower bowel (like I really need to a number 2 but can't). I also have a clockwork 28 day cycle too so that helps.

The pain comes from the follicle rupturing as the egg is released. The fluid around the egg is leaked into the abdominal cavity which irritates the organs, causing the pain. As it is only a small amount, the body absorbes it pretty quickly. With my last IUI, the pain was pretty bad as I had so many follicles rupture.

I didn't realise all this until I started keeping a basal temp chart. Being the nerd that I am, I also documented how I felt each day....ie: grumpy, constipated, any mucous, headachey, tired, hot/cold, etc.

I found that I get the pain on day 14 every month but don't get mucous like most people. I also found that each month, on the same days I felt the same things.....now I am so aware of my body! Thats why I was so convinced last time that I had a BFP - it all felt different.

Hope this isn't tmi...

Laura - Have you done a HPT? you know what late AF's on this thread mean!!! :wink:

As for your doctor, I would really push for 3. In this book that I have just read (Expecting Miracles - Dr Christo Zouves) he was transferring up to 11 embies in woman over 40 who had had many -ve cycles. I guess if you and your DH have discussed selective reduction and can assure your doc that you would consider it should you get a multiple, then maybe he would allow you to try it.

I'll do a little AF jig for you!

Hope everyine else is having a happy tuesday!

Em
TTC 5yrs - Unexplained Infertility
3xIUI's (April, June & Aug 06) - BFN,s
1st IVF - Oct 06 - Jasper & Finlay born 07/06/07
Natural preg - Addison Grace born 15/10/08
CarolynB
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Post by CarolynB »

Laura - Seems like you are doing well on staying calm and fully in control of this cycle. I asked about 3 as I am now 40. The sense that I got was my consultant would but he might need to be pushed a little. Think that none of them like getting too many multiples for their stats. Also there is some research that has shown just putting 1 back can have the same success rate as multiples so jury is out on the best approach. Great news that you are getting very few side-effects from the drugs.

Like Em says - are you sure that AF is not late for any reason? :wink:

Em - Thank you so much for all the info. Wow. That is so helpful. You certainly have got all the angles covered & know what is happening very exactly. Guess that I need to start tracking things better than I have over my cycle. I think that I shall keep a log of all the things that you have written below. Have been tracking CM and baby dancing and counting days but that is about it. Could do more!!!

Jackie - Hope that you are back at home safely now. How was the wedding? How are you feeling? When can you get your dog? When do you go for another scan? So many questions.................

Vero - acu again tomorrow...........I go Thursday.

So I am an idiot. Succumbed to a HPT this morning. Dh was in shower and I could just nip to the loo off our bedroom without being found out. -ve of course. It is a sensitive test and will pick up 4 days pre-AF at 60%. So if AF was due on Friday then should be detecting now. If AF is Sunday then it might be a day early. So not hopeful any more....................hey hoh. Have to think of it as a 'bonus' attempt and focus on the next couple of cycles. Need to dust myself off and carry on again.

Love to you all.
Carolyn xxx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
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veronika
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Post by veronika »

Carolyn, argh, the HPT :twisted: Still, dear, you don't yet know, and should it really be a -ve you are warned ahead in time. This hoping game is just so evil. But you're so right, it was the very first time - and you can take every month until the potential start of the next IVF as a "free chance" and gift. After the surgery I had this thought: everything is different now, it could really just happen now... In any case, it's only so horribly dissappointing for the first days. After that you can start looking forward to the next cycle again. I am thinking of you and feeling with you. We all are.

Wow, Em. You're really good with your body. I never got to the level of knowing when I ovulated. I did do the whole temperature curving, but I still felt insecure when exactly ovulation took place. I think I know better sine I did the IVF, because what I felt was so exaggerated that now I suppose those little twinges probably mean the same thing.

I am so much looking forward to tomorrow's accu session. This one is five days after ovulation - meaning that it is supposed to improve implantation. Whether or not it does, it makes me happy to just be actively doing something again. I am still trying to figure out exactly what could be my bodies "imbalances".
My accupuncture lady gave me a book about traditional chinese medicine and infertility. As it is the first one I am reading I cannot say whether it is such a great read or not, it's complicated enough.. What I like about it is that - once you understand the whole concept of thinking - you can find out so much about your own body if you watch it carefully. The author is trained in both eastern and western medicine and I think she really tries to put the two approaches together. Here is the title, should you be interested: The Infertility Cure (Randine Lewis).

Laura, I would really try and push the doctor to put back more than two embryos as well. It should just be the woman's decision and it makes me mad to think that they would not let me do it last time because of the high risk of multiple pregnancies (although it meant that my last high quality embryo was just wasted, because they didn't freeze only one...) When I talked to my doctor during the review appointment I insisted on three embryos for the next cycle and it was possible to convince him. Maybe they are less strict here in Canada, though.
Hope AF will come soon :!: or else doen's come for the best resaon.

Sending you all my hugs and hoping you're having a good tuesday,

Veronika
me: 31, DH: 43
TTC: 2.5 years
unexplained infertility
IVF#1 April/May 2006: BFN
endo-surgery July 2006, no endo after all
CarolynB
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Location: london

Post by CarolynB »

Vero

That is so exactly how I felt. They have done the op. I have taken the pain. They have fixed me when I was broken before. So now it will all happen like magic. Yeah right................

Tiny spot of blood this afternoon just to really finish me off. Usually shows about 3/4 days before AF. ARRGGGGGGGGGGG

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Going to a gallery viewing tonight with dh and a couple who we know (they don't have kids which will make it easier). Will have to pretend that all is ok. May be I'll let my dh down gently when we get home.

I hate this. I so want us to be able to have a baby.

Thank you all.
Carolyn xx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
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LauraLou
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Location: Texas

Post by LauraLou »

Carolyn, I'm so sorry the evil HPT was negative. I know how disapointing it is.

If you've never charted your cycle before you should really read Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It explains everything. It even has pictures of cervical mucus to show you what it looks like at ovulation!

I have this elaborate Excel spreadsheet I made to chart my cycle each month. I used it when we first started to try to get pregnant. It really helped me understand how my body changed during each stage of my cycle. I could have done it on paper, but the spreadsheet looked really cool!

Em and Veronika, good to hear from both of you! Thanks for the support on transfering 3 embryos. If I could just bring all of you along on my next appt.

Jackie- I am dying to hear how your scan goes today!
Me 38, DH 52
1st IVF 5/06- BFP m/c
2nd IVF 9/06- BFP identical twin boys!!
[img]http://b2.lilypie.com/midEm5.png[/img]
jackoa21
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Post by jackoa21 »

hello
So its ok news.. they saw the sack (which confirms the pregnancy and shows its in the right place..The not so wonderful news is they did not see anything in it yet) that could be because its early or for another reason (which we wont talk about) the doc said she is being cautiously optiomistic. They took my blood and probably wont call me till tomorrow.. Ok so now I need some brutel honesty what do you think. Off the nurse intial thinking I am at 5 weeks but per the doc I could be 5.5 weeks so what are you thoughts.. and thanks for letting me vent/stress worry etc
love you
me
me 34 DH 34 1st ivf 06/06 + lost at 5 weeks
Natural BFP 09/06 by the grace of GOD
Kennedy arrived 05/2007 and we are loving every moment...
LauraLou
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Location: Texas

Post by LauraLou »

Jackie,

I know you must have wanted to see the baby with a strong heartbeat but I really think it is too early. I would tell you not to worry but I know that's impossible!

I tried to check some references to see exactly when a sono should be able to pick the fetus and heartbeat, this is what I found.

A sonogram taken at 5-6 weeks will only show an empty gestational sac, and will not show a fetus or a fetal heartbeat until 6-7 weeks gestational age.

Some sonogram milestones:
4-5 weeks -- pregnancy sac visible
5-6 weeks -- fetal pole visible
7 weeks -- heartbeat visible


Hopefully your beta level tomorrow will show a big increase. That will be a great sign that things are going well. I really think it will another week or two before you can see the baby and his/her heatbeat. When are you going back for another scan?

I know you won't feel better until you can actually see your baby's heart beating, so it's going to be a very stressful week or two. Please know that I am always here for you. I truly believe it is going to be okay and 8 months from now you will be holding your baby.
Me 38, DH 52
1st IVF 5/06- BFP m/c
2nd IVF 9/06- BFP identical twin boys!!
[img]http://b2.lilypie.com/midEm5.png[/img]
CarolynB
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Post by CarolynB »

Jackie

Honestly...............I think that it is pretty early as Laura has said. Based on what I have read, it is uncommon rather than common to see a heartbeat before 6 weeks.

I think that it is the bloods that are really really critical. I am praying that they are strong and continuing to double for you.

As Laura says, impossible not to worry but I truely believe that if your bloods are doubling then all will be well.

I was so looking out for good news from you after the scan.

I will think of you today and really very much hope that the bloods will give you some piece of mind.

We are here for you.
Lots of Love
Carolyn xxx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
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jackoa21
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Post by jackoa21 »

Hello lovely ladies
First of all I want to say thank you.. I have been gone and not keeping up and now the frist couple of days back I have been completly focused on me and not being a good friend.. I am sorry :oops: You guys are so good to me.. I promise this weekend that I will catch up on all the personals.. For now things seem to be looking good the beta went to 11080. The nurse seemed good with the number and said "so we just have to wait and see" I hate going through this and I have another scan on Friday.. I just hope and pray they can see something on Friday :D
Thank you again for all being such amazingly good friends.
love ya
Jackie
me 34 DH 34 1st ivf 06/06 + lost at 5 weeks
Natural BFP 09/06 by the grace of GOD
Kennedy arrived 05/2007 and we are loving every moment...
veronika
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Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 6:15 pm

Post by veronika »

Oh, Jackie, dear, I am so relieved and happy to read your news!

Many hugs to all of you. I'll be back tomorrow, Veronika
me: 31, DH: 43
TTC: 2.5 years
unexplained infertility
IVF#1 April/May 2006: BFN
endo-surgery July 2006, no endo after all
LauraLou
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Posts: 397
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:18 pm
Location: Texas

Post by LauraLou »

Jackie, 11080- what an awesome number! That is such good news!

AF finally arrived today. I am actually really crampy, which is unusual for me. I start the stims on Saturday night and will go in next Wed for the 1st follicle scan. If things go at the same speed as last time, my official test date would be 4 weeks from today!
Me 38, DH 52
1st IVF 5/06- BFP m/c
2nd IVF 9/06- BFP identical twin boys!!
[img]http://b2.lilypie.com/midEm5.png[/img]
CarolynB
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Location: london

Post by CarolynB »

Jackie

That is really great news. Looked yesterday (my time) and saw no post from you and was a little concerned. I am sure that this must be hell for you.

Terrific number and as I said I am sure that it is all about the blood levels. If they are rising then that must give you real hope.

So hope that you'll be able to see more at the scan tomorrow and that you might finally have some piece of mind.

Take good care of yourself and your little one.
Thinking of you lots hun.
Love
Carolyn xxx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
[img]http://lb1f.lilypie.com/2iB9p1.png[/img]
Xrayem
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Post by Xrayem »

Hi guys,

Jackie - We quote that you wont expect to see a heartbeat until at least 6 weeks, so that would fit exactly with your doc's thought of around 5 weeks. Also your beta sounds huge! I just wish you lived over here, then I would scan you every day and show you your angel as he/she grows!

Carolyn - I'm sorry that AF is on her way.........damn her! Sending a big hug across the water to you. Look after yourself and your dh.

Laura - My charts are fancy too, I didn't even think of spreadsheets though, mine were hand drawn...but I did go out and buy graph paper specially... Good that you can get started now. I'm starting in a week (but short cycle) so I guess we'll be on the 2ww together???

Veronika - let us know how you get on with that book...it sounds interesting.

I went to another "Friends of QFG" coffee evening last night. It a support group-cum-socila club attached to my clinic. I met some wonderful ladies and I have joined their fitness group. They meet every tues and thursday for a walk and exercises in a local park. Its run by one of the nurses from the clinic.

There was one lady who was 39 and had been trying IVF for 7 years. I asked her how many cycles and this is what they have done: 10 fresh cycles, 15 frozen cycles, 8 laproscopies, around $100 000 in bills and a whopping total of 80 embryos! I was amazed. She has severe endo and her dh has male factor. I asked her if she would keep going and she said that as long as she had the eggs and the money she would. She was so positive. What an amazing, strong woman.

Well, I have to go to my parents for the weekend as my brother, his wife (pregnant, of course) and son are visiting them and we have been "ordered" home. Not entirely happy to be going as Sis-in-law can be a bit smug. Will be back on sunday so I'll give you an update.

hugs to you all
em
TTC 5yrs - Unexplained Infertility
3xIUI's (April, June & Aug 06) - BFN,s
1st IVF - Oct 06 - Jasper & Finlay born 07/06/07
Natural preg - Addison Grace born 15/10/08
CarolynB
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Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:49 am
Location: london

Post by CarolynB »

Quick post as running out the door for acu session then my youngest sister is coming over this evening to stay. Then tomorrow we are all off to see Robbie Williams. Makes me a little sad as know dh bought me the tickets the day after I got the BFN but I am sure that we are going to have a fab day out. :lol:

So that's my way of saying that you'll probably not hear from me until Saturday pm when I haul myself out of bed as tomorrow will be a v long day. :roll: At least I can go. Soon after my op I thought that I might not even get there. :wink:

Jackie - hope that scan tomorrow will bring you piece of mind. I shall send you loads of positive vibes from the concert hun

Em - Cannot believe that lady had tried so many times. That is utterly amazing. Hope that will not be me..............???? Not long now until you get started. Really hope that your weekend is not too awful. Smugness is not what you need right now. What you need is good, stong, supportive vibes from everyone.

Vero - Hope that acu yesterday went well and you are equally positive about the benefits. I agree with you that it does feel like you are doing something to help

Laura - Glad that AF has started. Hope that you can get going with the stimmies over the weekend. Sending the follie fairy in your direction

Dania - Really hope that all is well for you both :lol:

Not much more to report. Spotting continues. Sure that AF is awaiting to descend tomorrow for me. :evil: At least the real bad pain that I had at the start of this week has passed so I feel less pain in my tummy. I still don't feel right but guess that 6 weeks are up on Monday. A friend who is a nurse told me that they have to go through 2inches of muscle and the sewing up is of 7 layers of skin and takes at least an hour of the op. She made me realise that I did need to be more patient but I might still get better from here.

I really value and appreciate all the support that you give me. Setting up a spreadsheet to trak better my cycle based on info from Laura and Em. Plus bought the books that you both recommended on Amazon too. What else can a girl do!!!!!!!

Anyway, must dash.
Love and hugs to you all
A Very Excited Robbie Williams Fan xxx :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
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