1st IVF/ICSI cycle - New to IVF

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.

Did you get BFP 1st try with IVF/ICSI with less than 10 million count?

Poll ended at Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:49 pm

Yes
1
25%
No
3
75%
 
Total votes: 4

albany07
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Location: Chicago

1st IVF/ICSI cycle - New to IVF

Post by albany07 »

Looking for others to share the journey with, we are starting 1st IVF cycle, 1st IVF/ICSI, Male Factor 5.6 million.

I just need to get HSG and shot class, clearance to start BCPS again

1st cycle ... 1st IVF

Looking for buddies!
Sponsor
 
christib
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm

Post by christib »

I have yet to meet with my RE. My appt. is on 8/28. The nurse told me I would probably get started in October. My husband is missing his vas deferens on the right and it is narrow or blocked on the left. His semen analysis showed no sperm. He has cystic fibrosis and this is typical with the disease. We decided to concentrate on him first since we knew he would most likely have a problem. I have had some bloodwork done which was fine. They told they would do alot of the testing that day since we are 3 hours away. I hope they do. Good luck with your tests and keep me posted.
albany07
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Location: Chicago

Post by albany07 »

Christi,

I know all about it - I am a Respiratory Therapist! I am sure your husband is is an extraordinary individual. I know people with CF as being very strong and resilient - you will need to rely on eachother during the IVF process - it's not easy...

My first cycle was cancelled before I could ever start my injections - that was heartbreaking. Everything will not always go as planned...

You may feel like your RE and or office is not communicating to you - but I think they only tell you what you need to know, so that you are not let down if everything does not go as planned. In this process we are our own worst enemies - we have the internet (to find out too much information). Lots of baby dust to your and your DH and may all go well on the 28th!
christib
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm

Post by christib »

My husband is a respiratory therapist too. We met at work. I am a registered nurse. He no longer works in the hospital. We thought it would be best if he got out of the germ filled hospital. He got his masters degree in business, and is now the regional manager of a home care company. We dated for 4 years and have almost been married for 3. We started talking about IVF about a year ago. I left the final decision up to him. He decided for us to try. He has always wanted to be a father. He has to do another semen analysis when I go for my appt. (just to confirm the first one) if it is negative too, they said they will do a biopsy to retrieve sperm. (hopefully there will be some there) I will keep you posted.
ceiba
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Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:15 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by ceiba »

Hi there,

I'm in the middle of my 1st IVF/ICSI due to male factor right now, so I can't tell you if it will work yet or not. My DH had an accident many years ago that severed his vas deferens, so he basically has a vasectomy. His sperm count is 0. He had a testicular sperm aspiration, which yielded only 6 straws of not the best quality sperm. Nevertheless, we had 14 mature eggs ICSI'd on Monday and 8 fertilized. Today we have 7 healthy embryos and we'll transfer 2 on Saturday and freeze the rest. So rest assured that the process does work, even with less-than-perfect sperm! We are so happy with how everything is going so far, and I would dearly love to answer yes to your poll in two weeks. But even if it doesn't work this first time, we know know that my DH's sperm does work and that someday we will have a baby.

Here's wishing both of you the best of luck with your cycles, and keep us all posted on how it goes!!
me: 34, husband: 40
male factor infertility
8/07 1st IVF w/ICSI
albany07
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Posts: 235
Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:10 pm
Location: Chicago

Girls...

Post by albany07 »

I know there is hope...

Christi - How cool is that??? My DH is in medical device sales (home care)???? You were united with this wonderful man because you were meant to be... (as we were) I have a wonderful feeling!!!!

Cieba - I guess we will have some of our own stats soon... On one hand this poll makes me hopefull, that all that were successful are gone enjoying life with new baby(ies). We only have 3 responses in 3 days. I know there are more out there...

I can't wait until Saturday!!! Good vibes all around... Cieba, where are you?
Me 33
DH 32 low count and motility
TTC 3 years
IVF#3 - Nov '09 BFP!
Maren Laurel 20 inches 6 lbs 7oz
ImageImage
christib
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm

Post by christib »

albany- I would have posted sooner but I couldn't get the website to come up earlier. It is cool about our similarities. Hopefully we can add healthy babies to that list. I wish you and your dh the best of luck. You won't have long to wait before you really get started. I am anxious to hear about your adventure.

Ceiba-- First of all, congratulations on your progress so far. Everything sounds wonderful. You must be thrilled. I am glad that you posted. I am nervous about my dh biopsy. It makes me feel more optimistic hearing your story. My dh bloodwork is fine, and his urologist said that is a good sign that he will have sperm. It is hard, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Good luck to you too, and let me know about your success.

Did either of you tell your family and/or friends? We chose not to tell anyone, and I was just wondering what other people did.
jenni_k
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Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:18 am
Location: Michigan

Post by jenni_k »

Hello,
I just finished my IVF cycle with my transfer on Aug. 9. I will find out Monday 8/20 if it worked. The two week wait is the hardest part of the entire process. My dh and I dealt with male factor after his vasectomy reversal was deemed unsuccessful after having it work for 6 months. Apparently, scar tissue developed creating a blockage. On the day of my retrieval they got 16 eggs, 13 fertilized, 7 were perfect. We transferred 2 perfect 8 cells on a 3 day transfer and froze the remaining 5. The progesterone shots have gotten more painful as the days go on. My butt feels like I have done 5000 butt squeezes; only if it looked like I had done them! I've had some cramping and a clear/white discharge with breast tenderness. My blood test on Friday which tested my HCG level was only a 3. They said they couldn't confirm a positive or negative because the HCG shot could still have been in my system. Today, after 3 weeks of no sex, my husband and I tried. I bled a little so now I'm freaking out and thinking for sure that it's AF and it didn't work. It's amazing how some days you feel so positive about it and other days so hopeless. For the record, my husband too did the testicular biopsy and he laid around for a day after his procedure and said it wasn't bad at all. He said it wasn't nearly as painful as his vasectomy reversal.

Good luck everyone!!
christib
Newbie
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm

Post by christib »

Jenni, I hope all goes well tomorrow! I'm wishing you the best. I can't even imagine how the 2ww is because it has been hard for me to wait for my appt. As for the freaking out, I don't blame you. One day I thought if we make it that far, that I wouldn't let my DH touch me unitl we have a baby! I don't think he would go for that. I will tell my DH about your DH experience with the biopsy. He was just asking me yesterday how long I thought it would take him to recover. It makes me feel better that he might not have such a rough time. As you can see from my earlier posts that he has CF and I don't want him to have to go through too many unpleasant procedures. So far, he has only had to endure ultrasounds, SA, bloodwork and examinations. Thanks again for the info. Keep us posted with your progress. Good luck!
ceiba
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Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:15 pm
Location: Virginia

Post by ceiba »

Hi there- if you want to read about my DH's and a few other guys' experiences with the biopsy, search this forum for a thread called DH is 53, or search for the username uncle1 That was a whole thread about male factor with lots of useful info.

And we have told our entire family and several close friends. I know it will be devastating if it doesn't work, but I am very close to my family and could never go through something like this without their support. But I'm not telling people at work or everyone we know. Everyone is different, I think, in their need for privacy vs. support, and whatever you feel comfortable with I'm sure will be fine.

As for me, we transfered the 2 day-5 blasts on Saturday and I'm offically in the dreaded 2ww. Our preg test is Aug 30, so I'll be able to answer your poll yes or no then!
christib
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm

Post by christib »

Ceiba- Thanks for the heads up on the male infertility thread. It was very informative. I have heard that they really need to wear a jock strap. My DH is on a CF website where a couple ( the dh has CF) did IVF. They ended up having triplets from 2 transferred embryos. Anyway, she said he had to wear a strap for 2 weeks, but that he did very well. It won't be much longer for you until your test. You seem to be in a good situation with the blasts. As I have read, there is much success with them.
We chose not to tell our families because I knew they would want updates all of the time and since this is a slow process I figured they would drive me crazy. I also was afraid it wouldn't work and I could buy some time before I had to tell them. We are all very close and it is hard to keep it from them but we'll see. I may not be able to. I know they are going kill me when they find out though.(especially my sister) I keep a journal I am going to let them read when we finally do tell them. I write about everything that happens. Your right, everyone is different. I just wondered what other people did and why.
christib
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm

Post by christib »

Jenni--Good Luck today!!
albany07
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Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:10 pm
Location: Chicago

Back again...

Post by albany07 »

Sorry for being away for so long! Christi, I too could not get the website up on Friday.

Cieba and Jenni, congrats on the progress! Baby dust and good thoughts all around.

Christi, I know you are looking forward to next Tuesday! Any other appt.s coming up?

I have my HSG today at 11:45 and Shot Class tomorrow at 8am - I can't wait!!!!!

I got to spend the weekend with my wonderful new godson, he is 3 months old. Man, a baby definetely gets your mind off of this whole process - you do not have time to think about such silly things (jk)! Between feedings, trying to figure out whats wrong when the crying starts and changing diapers... I vote to borrow the nearest baby during the 2ww!

My DH and I chose not to tell... We did not want to worry my in-laws as his mother reassured me to wait (to have a baby) as the men in the family "do not have problems in that area"! It's a good thing we decided not to wait as we discovered this problem. The only person who knows is my mother. She worked with IVF patients years ago and we felt she was bound to figure it out sooner or later. Needles here and there, bruises on my buttocks... I am her only child and she knows me inside out! Christi, the journal is a great idea - especially if we feel that we want to share the journey later on...

As for "the deed" during 2ww and possibly the 9 months during... I vote abstinence... although I know the DH may vote otherwise... :)
albany07
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Location: Chicago

Adjuncts

Post by albany07 »

Let's share any adjunct therapy, supplements, visualization, etc. with eachother...

At this time, I am not doing anything fancy - just taking prenatal for 1 year, Folic Acid supplement 400mg for 2 months, Up to 4 drinks (glasses of wine or champagne only) per week, and Ester C supplement for a healthy immune system and antioxidents.

I have a chance to participate in an Accupuncture study with my RE, which I denied participation to as I could be part of the placebo group. What are your thoughts. I guess I am second guessing myself...

Does anyone exercise or do prenatal yoga? I do not exercise anymore.
albany07
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Location: Chicago

Not the greatest news...

Post by albany07 »

Hello Girls...
HSG performed, not so bad, took 2 motrin 1/2 hour before procedure. I did not get a full report from my RE yet, but during the procedure he did mention one tube was blocked. He also mentioned that IVF with BFP rates are increased when blocked tube is REMOVED.

I have never had bfp and feel that disassembling my body at this time is OUTRAGEOUS. :x This is hard stuff to accept. I feel that I need to go through one cycle with BFN get myself to get rid of my tube. The desired alternative to the first option would be to get a BFP and prove the study wrong!

Sorry for venting!
My DH and I are still attending shot class tomorrow, in case the RE gives us the option to proceed. What I have read up on it so far suggests that many RE's won't even consider without removing the tube. I am praying there is an angel out there which is willing to help us.
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