May/June Cycle Buddies

[marsxp]

oopsss...double post

[arizonakiwi]

Marsha - coungratulations you must be thrilled. I hope you are feeling better today.

Tanya - whoo the wave runner sounds fun - but lets hope you won't be able to have a ride on it for a year because you get a BFP !!!!

[My2LnT]

OK ladies... I got a call this mornig that Dr was willing to do transfer our lil ones were....

3 Grade A 6 cells
1 Grade B 6 cell

So we decided to do the transfer.... Heres the kicker By the time we got there 1 was a PERFECT Grade A 8 cell one other was at 7 and the other two 6 cells were dividing WOO HOO so Just a quick post I am off for STRICT bed rest... Just wanted to let you all know thanks for ALL the P&PTs I could have never done this without all your support

See you all tomorrow after bedrest is over
XOXO
Steph

[marsxp]

ok, i just got a call from the clinic a few minutes ago.... they told me they got 9 eggs out of me.....

out of 9 7 fertilized..... grow embies grow!!!!

we will come back on Monday for the transfer... we will sit with the doctor and he will let us know the grade and if ever how many are still alive and kicking/dividing by Monday...

so far that's the great news i have right now..... i can't believe i have 7 in a petri dish somewhere ... i guess i can say i'm officially a MOM!!! hehehehe

sorry, cant help being so happy... this is my first IVF

[mandeeq]

Hi ladies

Steph, wow, a big improvement your babies, Congratulation your transfer well done sweet. I am so happy for you welcome to the 2ww to the group.


Marsxp, Congratulation that is really good news and good luck ET tomorrow and welcome to the club 2ww.

Tonya, Jovigal and Steph : well done guys. I am wishing you the best 2ww and BFP. Good luck on yours 2ww.

As for me I am still sitting here and waiting next Friday for scan and what is next.

[PMApsy]

Good morning ladies!

The show went very well! We were sold out (800 people) and the public reacted very well to the show! I had fun and there was an amazing vibe between the dancers. My DH gave me a hugh bouquet of roses, awwww! I'll manage to get pictures and post them on photobucket; then I'll post the link here for those who might be interested!

LOL however, today, I'm a wreck! I had been waking up with a sore throat since Wednesday and today... flu! I really didn't need that, but eh... I can still take Claritin, which is a blessing. Let's hope it doesn't linger too long! That darn turista must have weakened my immune system. Not to mention my thighs and feet that hurt like h**l and another unexpected and weird problem that would be TMI. LOL! On the good side, though, I'm only 4 shots away from stimming! Woohoo! And then the painful ones will begin! And I'll be able to sing that Lupron song again! (once I sing it to you guys, you'll have it stuck in your head, lol! So I'll spare you that till Friday morning!)

This week will really be crazy... I'm slowly evolving into full time at the hospital, but I still have private practice clients to manage through all that! Plus the IVF apt! Shhhhewww! But I won't complain too much, though; starting full time earlier means more income and I desperately need it after the honeymoon... and the big payment that's coming (Thursday at my downregging apt).

marsxp: I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't react well to the sedation! But from your other post, it looks like it was worth it! Everybody got amazing fert rates, it's SO COOL! Congratulations sweetie! So, are you going to freeze some if you can? How many will you transfer? Good luck for tomorrow. Don't apologize; the first IVF is always so special and exciting in its own way! You'll see; having embryos inside you feels amazing!

My2LnT: I hope you're not too bored by your bedrest, and especially not too stressed out. Given the scare they gave you originally, it will be tempting to be extra careful (meaning, extra stressed) during your 2ww, but I hope you will take it easy in that regard. Remember the two little peas in a honey sandwich. If your embies are viable and your lining is okay, they will implant. Think about all those women who live in truly harsh conditions and get pregnant all the same. There is truly little that you could do that could really impair implantation. I'm keeping everything crossed for your BFP. I'm truly excited that your embies had the time to show you how strong they are before ET; you have two little fighters in there, so stick to that image! And you, little embies, stick to your mommy and give her a smooth pregnancy, you misbehavers!

TansRN: I'm really sorry to hear that you're still all stressed out. To me, the 2ww was the least stressful time of the whole IVF ride. I just told myself that I had the rare privilege to know when life entered my body and that allowed me to enjoy being pregnant, even if for two weeks only, especially knowing that I might never feel that way again. Turns out I enjoyed it for less time given AF's arrival before the blood test, but I enjoyed it all the same. I would really feel sorry for you sweetie if you filled that special time with worries and what ifs. I'm very aware that we all have our own ways of coping though, and it's perfectly fine with me. Whatever you feel the most comfortable with is okay! That wave runner sounds awesome! Thanks so much for your encouragements about the show!

mandeeq: hello there! Nice of you to stay in touch!

nimble: wow, indeed that must have been a shock! But it means less drugs, less injections, less time with side effects! There are advantages! And psychologically, it feels great too because you don't have the impression to be delaying your cycle (given that EC and ET would be at the same time approx.) I'm very happy for you; it's always great to be told that there is no reason why next time wouldn't work. Keep us posted, and we'll be happy to share your cycle with you dear!

arizonakiwi: hello girlie! You're so sweet to me, remembering my show and wishing you were there! I'm truly touched! I'm so happy that your surprise went well for Mother's Day! What a lucky mom she is! I'm happy to know that the scan gave you good news overall. However, if I were you, I would stop thinking numbers. When you really add the stats for this and that, you truly can't tell what's the ideal number of follies that one would need. Wishing for a specific number only gives you stress and raises your expectations without having an impact on your follies. Your body is doing its best right now, and you'll have to take what it offers, like it or not. I'm sorry to be a little harsh, but it's the way I speak to myself. Look at My2LnT! She wanted more follies and was a bit disappointed, then she had that big scare, and then, surprise! Things look good after all right now. You just never know... but I'm with you through this, and I think of you often, and your follies! Keep us posted, and I do hope you trigger tomorrow with lots of promising follies.

Okay, gotta make that menu and grocery list, start the laundry, then gotta figure out what flowers we're going to plant all around the house this year! It's always SO difficult to figure out! The sizes, the needs, the heights, the blossom periods, the colors... ah, well! I'll survive! Thank GOD there's internet for advice!

Take care ladies!

Sophie

[PMApsy]

Going through the 2ww

TansRN 2 perfect embies transferred on May 11th, beta May 24th (13dp5dt).
Jovigal 2 perfect embies transferred on May 11th, beta May 21st (10dp3dt).
My2LnT 4 perfect little fighters transferred on May 12th, beta May 24th (12dp3dt).

Embryo transfer

marsxp, ET on May 14th (3 days)!
gbnut, waiting for FET in a medicated cycle; FET should be around May 17th
mandeeq, waiting for FET in a natural cycle; lining scan on the 18th

Egg retrieval
marsxp EC on May 11th! 9 follies, 7 embies! Divide and conquer, little ones!
arizonakiwi Possible EC on May 16th or 17th!

Ovarian stimulation

arizonakiwi started stimming May 3rd, hormone levels looking good, about 10 measurable follies so far, possible trigger on May 13th! You made it hunny, we're excited for you, squeeee!

Jenn started stimming May 9th, flare protocol, last scan showed 3-5 follies on each side measuring 6-9mm; next scan on May 15th, grow follies, grow!
PMApsy starts stimming May 18th(?), blood test May 22nd

Ovarian vacation
Jul1e.... injection on April 19th, scan May 16th
souris.... started downregging April 28th
PMApsy.... started Lupron May 2nd, blood test May 17th
mommytobe.... started Lupron May 8th, blood test May(?)
Literatriz.... starts Lupron May 16th
hrobinson.... starts Lupron May 22nd
annag.... starts Lupron May 24th, FET cycle
daly.... short IVF cycle, waiting for LH surge (Lupron starts 7 days later)

Birth control pill
annag.... FET medicated cycle, 9 frosties
hrobinson.... Fresh cycle
lwalker25.... Fresh cycle(?)

Waiting for AF
Nimble.... Fresh cycle, short protocol, AF due mid-June
ltaylor.... FET cycle
Jen779.... FET cycle starts May 16th or 17th
Literatriz.... fresh cycle, donor embies, starts Lupron on May 15th

Eagerly waiting for cycle to begin
Shantala.... Fresh ICSI cycle starts in May
Literatriz.... Fresh cycle started May 1st, donor embies); flying for Brazil on May 16th! Good luck sweetie!

In our thoughts and prayers
CarolynB, good luck for your postponed cycle in July 2006! And good luck in Dubai!

[My2LnT]

Well ladies I gotta make this quick DH is making me do the full 24 hours bedrest.

Sophie the board is so cute can you change me to 4 embies ha ha and beta will be 24th. Thanks I am so glad to hear your show went well that is so cool.I hope you start to feel better soon.

Tanya wishing you all the best with the 2ww hopefully we both can get BFPs this time.

Arizona - hope all is well. Good luck on next scan.

OK DH is back Gotta Run..... P&PT to all and thank you all for all the support... See ya later today when I am released from the bed jail.

Steph

[TansRN]

Good Afternoon Ladies....

I don't know if I have mentioned this but I HATE WAITING! Anyhow just thought that I would get that off my chest! LOL I keep thinking one minute oh yeah it worked no problem it did. Then I am about crying and thinking theres no way it worked! I am so bad. I have no basis for that I just do. I feel like I can't help it! Hormones probably are not helping. Do you guys have to take estrace after transfer? Just wondering.

Sophie
I am so happy that your show went well! I can't imagine dancing for that many people! Wow. And what a nice gesture from your DH on the rose deal! That was so sweet. Again Kudos to you the list is awesome! Feel better soon girlie! You are correct on your thoughts. I am so OCD it is unbelievable. I do try to control it the best that I can. still very hard for me. I should just be able to site back and be like all I can do I have done right? Hopefully tonight at work will be better.

Mandeeq
Not much longer for your scan! Just 5 short days. The week will fly by!

Marsxp
So happy for you that you have 7 little embryos dividing! Yeah! That is so great. Grow babies grow!!! Prepare to meet your mama! LOL I wish you the best tomorrow at your transfer! I really do.

Steph
Lets hope that the embies are preparing for the long haul...meaning 9 months! LOL Take it easy and rest up! DH just loves you and wants you to follow doctors orders.

Angela
You are correct about the wave runner. Actual I am hoping that I will be able to watch it sit in my garage all summer! lOL I will be happier if it is in my garage doing nothing this year.

Talk to you soon.

[My2LnT]

Tanya I feel the same way I keep thinking after everything that I have been thru there is no way that it is really gonna work.. then I think that my lil ones stepped up and showed what they were made of and showed they were lil fighters. SO just remember you are not alone in all the hell that is the 2ww I am right here with ya going nuts.LOL

OK ladies family is taking me out for dinner... So Wishing everyone a beautiful day!!!!!

Luv
Steph

[marsxp]

thank you all for the well wishes...... last night i wasnt feeling well so i couldnt wait for DH to come home... but i remember he kissed me goodnight and i told him half asleep in person that we got seven!!!! even though im half asleep that's all ive been thinking hehehehe

i hope the transfer goes well tomorrow... i promise to be on strict bedrest... im taking 4 days off so i wont be back to the office til friday... id rather take long vacation than look back and wonder what if i had taken one extra day... you know?

goodluck to everyone... will do personals next time.... pls buzz me if you have time.... id be lying in bed all day for 4 days, i guess chatting is the only thing i can do in bed.... hehehehe by the way... what was that they said about 2ww? about pineapples... i think i read something about it... should i or shouldnt i eat it....... im ready to gobble up if i need to .....

happy mom's day everyone!!!

marsha

[PMApsy]

Marsha,

I can't help but react to you mentioning that you intend to spend 4 days on strict bedrest. That topic is a sensitive one for me and I really want to share some information about that. But let's be clear about one thing: it's a free world, and you do whatever you want with the info I'm about to share with you. I do not judge, I just want to share info, the decision is entirely yours.

I wanted to do everything right and give myself every chance of getting that BFP when I did my first IVF. But, being a researcher clinician, I wanted to check the studies before I blindly followed the advice I heard here or read elsewhere on the internet. So, I went on Medline, the database that health professionals all around the world use to find scientific studies and I made a search on the impact of bedrest on IVF success rates.

It has none. It can even be harmful for your embryos.

Indeed, one study showed that strict bedrest impairs your blood circulation. You have a higher risk of developing blood clots in the legs, for example, a risk shared by all patients who have to remain in bed. Hence why nurses pester you to walk so soon after a surgery; it's dangerous to lay in bed all day and all night. So there is a risk for you, and there is a risk for your embryos, too... think of the blood circulation in your uterus that's threatened because you're not moving enough. That's why they recommend to avoid lifting heavy charges when pregnant and during the 2ww; the effort blocks the circulation in your groins area and that's not good for the baby. When I questioned my doctor about bed rest, he told me right away that he was against it, for the exact same reasons that I just mentioned. He is the founder of the Procrea clinic and is known internationally for his work in fertility.

At the beginning of IVF, it just seeemed logical to put women on bedrest because they had so few chances of conceiving. So it was adopted as an extra measure of caution. But as time went on, people started to doubt the utility of imposing that on IVF women and they started testing its impact scientifically. The success rates are the same whether women take a 1 hour, 24 hour, 48 hour or more bedrest... or none at all. The clinics that recommend it obviously have not read all the scientific evidence that's available. If that's your clinic's case, do ask your doctor on what scientific background he or she recommends bed rest. I'm sincerely interested in hearing the answer.

Almost all of us picture our uteruses as a little pouch that has thick walls but is basically empty in the middle; I sure did that. That's because of the front view drawings that we usually see in books and at the doctor's office. So naturally, in order to give those embryos the best chance, we figure that lying in bed will allow them to stay right next to the uterus walls (instead of bouncing everywhere in the empty pouch) and implant with less chance of losing their way.

However, look at a side view of a uterus. You'll see that the two walls are in fact pressed together. Basically, your embryos are like tiny peas trapped in a honey sandwich. There's no way they'll go anywhere. Once your doctor transfers those embryos into your uterus, they will stay right there. Depending of the transfer day (3, 4, 5, and so on), they transfer them right where they should be if they had been conceived naturally (e.g., closer to the opening of the tubes if transfer is done early, closer to a wall if transfer is done later). And once they are left there, they don't move, or barely and only from their own progression; it has nothing to do with your movements.

And don't start me on the cervix! It's sealed shut; there's no way you're going to lose your embryos through there. Except if you get a contraction and that's exactly the reason why your doctor asks you to avoid having intercourse or orgasms during your 2ww; penetration and climax make your cervix move and your uterus contract a little and that could impair implantation indeed.

One study tested the plethora of things that women do during their 2ww thinking that it will help: walk slowly, avoid using the stairs, do bedrest even if their doctor did not recommend it, eat this or that, avoid eating this or that, and so on. All the things I regularly read about here. They compared them to women who did not do any of these things. You see it coming; the two groups had the same success rate. It did not make any difference.

Not taking baths is also a popular one. The nurse at my clinic burst out laughing when I told her that some clinics give that recommendation. As I said, your cervix is sealed shut; taking a bath won't make water go into your uterus. The only reasons why you should avoid to take a bath are 1) if you have a surgery wound (e.g., your EC was done with a laparoscopy) and 2) if the water is too hot. During the 2ww and pregnancy, it's important to keep your core body temperature at a normal level. If you take a bath too hot, you overheat and that's not good for implantation or the baby's health during pregnancy. That's why doctors don't like you taking jacuzzis while you're pregnant; people set the temperature too high. But as long as you take baths that are not too hot, you're totally fine.

...and about pineapple, I've seen no study confirming its efficacy. Apparently, the whole April thread went crazy on pineapple and they almost all took it during their 2ww. From what I know, there weren't more BFPs there than in the other threads. It won't harm you, so gobble up if you feel like it, but please don't feel guilty if you don't. The difference it might make won't tilt the scales towards a BFN more than they will toward a BFP.

As I said, you do what you want with that information, it's your decision. People argue that some women need to do all those things to avoid feeling guilty if they have a BFN. I understand. However, reading about these things too much also contributes to increasing one's anxiety and that's never good. If those gestures were that essential, don't you think there would be clear warnings or recommendations from doctors or clinics? Truth is, women get pregnant while intoxicated with all sorts of things, in all sorts of health conditions, they do contact sports, they train, they don't eat well, they smoke, they make love, and so on. The fact we don't have so many shots at trying to conceive should not mean that we have to stop living until we get that pregnancy test. Your mental health is super important at any time, and you should not neglect it during the 2ww by doing things that make you stressed or unhappy.

Before you do something, take a moment, think hard and ask yourself, "Am I doing this because I'm scared I'll get a BFN and it will be my fault, or am I doing this because it truly makes sense for me?" If the second option is the answer, then by all means, go for it and I'll be right by your side cheering you on.

Hope that helps. Good luck for tomorrow sweetie, you'll see, ET is nothing compared to the rest. It lasts 30 seconds. I hope they let you see your embies, because it's awesome! And once they're inside, you feel like a million bucks! I must have caressed my tummy for hours!

Hugs,

Sophie

[PMApsy]

Good evening ladies!

After writing my epic novel, I thought I'd do the rest of personals!

TansRN: Thanks for your comments dearest! *hugs* Yeah, seeing the empty seats during the final rehearsal was something! But we had an amazing public! And the flowers, well... I was secretely hoping that he would give me some and usually, he doesn't miss occasions like this. He is very thoughtful, my sweet little DH. Eh, I'm in love with the bloke, ya know? I never said you're OCD though; I'd NEVER say that! Hehehe but you won't be surprised to hear that a noticeable part of my patients at the hospital are either nurses or teachers. There's something about letting go that is just difficult for these people. So when they get sick and/or find themselves deprived of the control they usually have, my my my... they try to get it back in every way they can... I know it's difficult to be "on the other side" this time, sweetie. *hugs* It's so true that we'd all love to just have a little window over that uterus to take a peek and see what's going on inside! Listen to me: you're a WONDERFUL person who uses her brain the right way and researched the information properly. You have good judgement. You did every little thing that you could do during that cycle; you took good care of yourself and you produced the BEST conditions possible for your babies to implant and grow. Right now, though, there's little you could do that would screw that up. You gave it the best try you could, and you should cling to that thought. It's not in your hands anymore; trust the process and be prepared for both eventualities. And in the meantime, enjoy the feeling of life that's cuddling inside you right now. You're very privileged to know that it's there. I'm sending tons of baby dust your way, hunny, and all I want is to see you happy! *re-hugs*

My2LnT: hey sweetie! How are you doing? I'm SO glad that you're sticking with the little fighters image, because it's the best one to stick to! Many IVFers here feared for their embryos before transfer and still got pregnant with healthy babies. Life is so strong, it finds it way! Thank you so much for your comment about the list! I made the changes you requested (sorry!!!!).

Okay, time to take that sore throat, runny nose and achy body into the shower, and then into bed! Take care, ladies, and good night!

Sophie

[marsxp]

sophie..... thanks for the enlightenment....... gosh i never thought of blood clot risk.... but yeah, that is totally true...... thanks a million for the information... i will do some bed rest but just on the day i guess... i will ask the doctor about his opinion on how long he thinks i should rest...

[arizonakiwi]

Steph: I hope you are doing well, sending you lots of sticky baby dust. – I hope you had a nice meal out with your family

Marsxp - all the best for transfer today – you are on your way to the mommy club, enjoy

Mandeeq – one day closer to your scan

Shopie – Thankyou for your comments and no they weren’t to harsh – Since I read them when ever I think about how it is all going I smile and tell myself my body is doing the best it can. Your comments were very helpful.
I hope you are rested and you are not coming down with another cold. How are they headaches? Yippie – only 4 days till you start stimming.

Tanya – another day has passed – you will get there

My scan went ok. My follicles are still only around 13mm so they still need to grow for a few more days but they have cut my stimms back to 75 to try and stop me over stimulating so it is another couple of days wait. I have another blood test tomorrow and I am feeling good and positive

Have a good day everyone

Angela