Starting IVF Process Tomorrow (4/16/08)

[dnapasin]

Hi All,

My wife will begin injections tomorrow night and are slated to conduct egg retrieval around April 25 or 26. Then inseminate embies around May 4/5, if all goes well at this point. This is our first/last IVF cycle. Next option is artificial insemination, if needed....very much less costly.

Just to share some history, we've been trying to get pregnant naturally for the past 1 1/2 years and have been unsuccessful. Although, we've had one son together naturally back in 2004. He's now 3 yrs old. In addition, my wife became pregnant naturally and gave birth to her first child from previous marriage back in 1995.

Currently both my wife and I are now 37 yrs old. Age maybe a significant factor why we can't become preggo naturally. So, we've opted to do IVF and, fortunately, my insurance covers 80%....made decision easier to move forward with this option.

I'm very cautiously optimistic about this whole thing, unfortunately, and keeping expectation low....the fear of failure is what I'm dreading. But nurses and doctors are more optimistic due to the fact my wife has had two live births. Both of us have gone through physical examinations and appears both of us are capable of having another baby.

Does anyone have any advise on how I should approach this whole process? Also, has anybody here experienced successful live births in first IVF cycle? Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

Warm Regards,

Don

[Hope644]

Just wanted to say good luck, Don... kudos to you for seeking support on this site - there are a lot of supportive, helpful people here.

Unfortunately, I can't give you a great 1st IVF success story, but I just wanted you to know that I know the fear of First/Only IVF (though our tune changed after our 1st cycle = BFN, 2nd cycle BFP, m/c 7wks, 3rd cycle - BFP - current). We didn't think we would do more than one and really hoped it would work. I can say though it didn't happen for me, it DOES happen. Keep your chin up and keep the positive thoughts flowing.

Best wishes and God Bless you and DW!!!

[dnapasin]

Hope644,

Thank you for replying and I appreciate the kind gesture. Alot of praying and doing whatever I can to be strong for both my DW and myself. My DW doesn't know how nervous and concerned I am. I prefer keeping it that way all through out this process in effort not to stress her out any more than she already is. The ordeal can be very draining both emotionally and financially.....though more emotional....quite a roller coaster ride indeed!

Anyhow, we'll do the very best we can to take one day at a time and, as you mentioned, stay positive/hopeful.

BTW, I hope and pray for the very best for you in 3rd cycle. Take good care and again thank you for your support.

Best,

Don

[Aliann09]

Don, My DH and I were a 1 and only attempt as you can see from my info we had no real fertility issues other than my DH had a vasectomy that was unsusessfully reversed. We got pregnant on our 1st try and are due in 2weeks, all I can say is just try to remain optimistic and follow your protocol. I took a week off after my transfer and did bed rest for the first 2 days, I tried the pinapple thing and stayed off excersise and sex, until after our U/S. Everybody is different but I knew I only had one shot so I tried anything that I thought would help. There are quite a few women who get pregnant on the first try, you can post on the pregnant after treatment board and I am sure you would be suprised at the number of responses you will get.

GOOD LUCK!
Ali

[dnapasin]

Ali,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me. It's awesome to hear you'll be delivering here shortly....Congrats!!

A little bit more comforting to hear that there a quite a bit of couples who get pregnant and live birth delivery on first IVF attempt. I'll start to think more positive and not worry so much.....it becomes draining afer awhile, you know.

Also, thx for your IVF tips. I'll ensure to communicate your suggestions to my wife and do whatever it takes to make her relax and comfortable as possible throughout this whole ordeal.

Anyhow, take good care and hope you've delivered next time I hear from ya.

Best,

Don

[dnapasin]

Hi everyone. Well, my wife has been through 5 days of follistim shots thus far. This morning she went into the clinic for ultra-sound and blood draw appointment.

My wife just informed me of some egg/follicle development issues. Nurses mentioned that there are 11 follicles. Although, one egg/follicle appears to be larger than the all the rest. Not quite sure why this is an issue, but the cycle can, potentially, be cancelled if other eggs/follicles don't catch up to this one over sized egg/follicle in the next couple of days.

We maybe contacted later on today if blood work shows abnormalities and confirm cancel of cycle. If we don't hear from a nurse today, we're supposedly ok until next U/A and blood draw appointment (2 days from today).

This is an unexpected outcome and I never had an idea that this would be an issue.

If possible, can somebody please explain to me or has experienced why one over sized egg maybe detrimental to all other eggs? Potentially, lead to cancellation of the cycle?

Thanks,

Don

[Hope644]

Don -

Once again, I wish I could offer some help with first hand knowledge - but I have not heard of a cycle being cancelled due to one follie being larger than the others... in fact, quite the opposite.

I've heard that many times there is one follicle that is an "over-achiever" of sorts. Each time that I had ER, I had a range of follicles, with a group in the "perfect" range, and a few straglers above and below the ideal range (18). This last time I had one at 21 and some as small as 16. I also had 11 follicles at ER. They retrieved 11 eggs, 8 of which were mature enough to perform the ICSI procedure on. From my limited experience, I would say that your situation is normal...

I can't imagine them cancelling a cycle due to one large follie, especially on the first U/S & BW. I have heard of them cancelling cycles due to low response - but 11 follies is a good number and you still may have more, as it is early.

Hope you got good news from the nurse today. Let us know how it's going.

Thinking of you and DW - you're in my prayers.

[dnapasin]

Hope644,

Thank you so much for your prayers and feedback. It appears we can ignore/disregard the one follie that is over-achieving, if necessary. We got the blood results this past Monday afternoon. Nurse mentioned hormones and other test look great and to continue on with the meds. Good news thus far.

We were hoping for egg retrievals by this Saturday. Although, DW went into the clinic this morning for u/s and blood draw. Nurse says less likely eggs will be mature enough by Saturday…but we’ll find out for sure on Friday. They do state that egg retrieval might take place this Sunday, Apr 11 and/or at the latest Tuesday, Apr 13.

BTW Hope644, are you still going through your first cycle?.....just curious to know.

Talk soon…..

[Hope644]

Don -

That's excellent news - sounds like everything is going great. Don't worry about the "maybe this day, maybe that" on the ER - I was a day later than planned on my 1st cycle, on time my 2nd and 4 days late on my last - which was scary, because it was unexpected, but it worked out perfectly fine.

About my cycle - nope, I'm in my 3rd. I started 1st in July last year - BFN, and 2nd in October - BFP - m/c at 8 wks. Actually, it was probably earlier, because I had no idea I'd lost it (due to progesterone PIO shots, probably) and didn't find out until 8wk scan - that baby had stopped growing around wk 7 and there was no HB.

I'm happy to report we've passed that scary date in this cycle and baby is doing very well - measuring 1.71 cm and has a strong HB of 176. We're still not out of the woods, but feeling much more comfortable than in previous weeks. One day at a time - but I'm trying to look at it as good preparation for becoming a mom - I'm gonna be worrying about him/her for the rest of my life, so I might as well get used to it now!

Praying you have tons of lovely eggs to be retrieved on exactly the right date for maturity in the majority of them. Keep up that PMA for DW and your soon to be embies!!

[dnapasin]

Hi Hope644...CONGRATULATIONS for the nice strong HB and thank you for sharing your experience.. I strongly feel that you and your husband will have a great outcome this time around. I truly hope and pray for the very best for you all. Please keep me posted as you move forward through the process...these are exciting times!

Just want to quickly share....my wife went in for her 2nd visit yesterday for u/s and bw. Fortunately, nurses contacted me directly and mentioned that DW is doing quite well. Additional follicles were seen in u/s bringing the number of follicles from 11 to 14. Amazing how 1 day can make a difference. All are at about 14mm - 16mm. The over-achieved follie is at 27mm...which will be discarded since ideal for E/R is 20-24mm.

Anyhow, just getting past this process is an emotional roller-coaster. I'm really hoping this Sunday will be our E/R day. We'll just take one day at a time and wait and see.

Take good care and well talk soon.

Best,

don

[Hope644]

So glad to hear the good news, Don! 14 follies is an excellent #- you may be surprised with the number you end up with! Best wishes and keep us updated!

[dnapasin]

Hi all....just wanted to give an update. Well, we did E/R yesterday (4/27) morning. 9 eggs total were retrieved, then ICSI a couple of hours later.

Today is Day 1 fertilization check...got a call from embryologist this morning and they mentioned that out of the 9 eggs, 7 were mature enough to fertilize. Although, only 2 actually fertilized on Day 1. We're hoping other 5 will begin to fertilize and show potential by tomorrow (Day 2 Fertiliztion Check).

I'm a bit disappointed that only 2 fertilized on Day 1. As we all know, this is somewhat of a numbers game when it comes to chance. I, certainly, hope the other 5 embies will fertilize successfully by tomorrow....btw has anybody experienced this type of scenario? If so, please do share.....

I'll be sending another update sometime tomorrow. Have a good one all.

Best,

Don

[Hope644]

Hi Don -

Just checking in on you... I hope all went well with the other eggs and that they took fertilization. How are the first two doing? I'm hoping they are doing well and growing strong. Let us know when your DW is going for ET.

Wishing you all the best.

[dnapasin]

Hi there Hope644. I was just going to send update in this forum.

Well, we are actually doing embryo transfer this morning (Day 3). Unfortunately, only 2 of 9 eggs fertilized. Although, embryologist mentioned that quality of both embryos are good, no fragmentation and cell lining looks good. We'll know more about embies when we get to the clinic.

Doctor was originally going to transfer 2 embies, but sure wished we would have had extra embies to freeze for safe keep sakes.....oh well, at least we had a couple that fertilzied. Better than none at all, huh?

Well, here's goin' for broke and wishing for the best. Please feel free to share your thoughts when you get the chance.

I'll be in touch shortly.

Don

Don

[Hope644]

Don -

First of all, congratulations on two good quality embies with no frag. That is excellent!

Try not to let the fact that only 2 fertilized get you down. You were going to transfer 2 anyway, and those that you have are great quality.

We entered into our IVF journey thinking we'd have tons to freeze for the future but we have never had any to freeze either. We have always had a good number of mature eggs, but our %s decrease when it comes to fertilization. This last time, we had 8 mature eggs and only 4 fertilized. Of those, 3 were grade 1s and one was a grade 3. In each cycle, we've had some extras (beyond those transferred) that were excellent quality which we hoped would make it to freeze, but in each case they either had low inner cell mass or low outer cell mass... so they were discarded.

Each time, especially the first time, it was very disappointing to me that we had no frosties... but my clinic says that frosties are a "bonus" and they don't have them in most cases.

The main thing is to focus now on your perfect little ones going home to mommy today. Praying you'll have implantation and a healthy pregnancy making the thoughts of frosties a thing of the past.