OCT / NOV / DEC 2008 Buddies

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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gina1234
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Location: CT

Post by gina1234 »

hey ladies i still have forgotten about u all u are still on my mind everyday i have just been so super busy with the pregnancy & other things that i usually only have time to read all the new post that are on the boards....i feel great on thurs i will be 4 months & the only things new is since being pregnant i had IBS before & now it came back again....so i talked to my doc yesterday & they want me to see my GI doctor again to see if he can give me anything or do something for me, but that is it...anyways big hugs to u all & i hope u are all doing well
Me 29 pcos
Dh 32 ring chromosomes problem
1st IVF 2003 3trans/ bfn
2nd ivf sept 2008 2 trans/bfn
3rd ivf nov 2008 bfp : )
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lynniecat
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Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:52 pm

Post by lynniecat »

Babyhope -- I did not know they sold the belly band at Target. I will definitely get one. I want to wear my jeans again!


Chris -- Good luck on that IUI! Yes, I have seen lots of IUI success and even some natural pgs in the over 40 group! I think 09 is going to be a good year for us all!


Wonderce! Hi --how are you doing???



Kat -- I saw that all three babies are doing fine! I am so happy for you! Are you going to have help when they arrive? I sure hope so!!!! ;-) Do you know if you will BF? I wonder if its tough making enough milk for 3 babies. Maybe people supplement???? I feel bad for you boobs already if you do plan to BF! ;-) I hope to , but not sure what meds I will be on by the time this pg is done!

Karen -- Have fun maternity shopping! Its great you already painted the baby's room! So prepared!


I am 13 weeks today. I hope that means the bleeding is finally gone. None for the last 3 days! YAY! I am having these heart palpitations. I have them from time to time, but never like I have them now. They put me on meds and so I am worried cause its a cat c med. The meds help a little but, but I still have the heart issues.

And the constipation is gone, I have had the runs for two + weeks now. Its weird, that started with the heart issues. My hair is also thinning/falling out. They are testing my thyroid. I am also having some pain behind my eyes! If its not one thing, its another!

I am still waiting for the rest of my CVS results. At least the most common things are ruled out, but it will be nice to get a completely clean bill of health for the baby.

Oh and we have a name K/Catherine Jordan! Thoughts on K or C?
Me: 44 severely reduced reserve
DH: 44 perfect
IVF 1: Feb 08 -BFP twins (lost one at 7 weeks, one at 13 weeks) :-(
IVF 2: June 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 3: September 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 4: November 08 - Katherine Emma born 8/9/2009 :D
Kas101
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Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:55 pm

Post by Kas101 »

ladies,

good to read all your updates...

I had a shock today..... I went for my first appointment with my high risk OBGYN and had a regular (non vaginal) u/s and they have told me the RE made a mistake and i am having 4 babies, not 3. I am sure you can imagine i burst into tears and was in a total state of panic...

I had kind of got my head around 3 and was actually looking forward to 3 but i am freaking out over 4. I have no idea how this extra baby was not picked up as they saw it immediately. The sex of the babies was also very clear (although she said we might not be able to tell). There is a set of monozygotic twins sharing a placenta these are girls and there are 2 boys.

My uterus is at the size of a 22 week singleton and will be at full term size by the time i am 20 weeks. I go in for a cerclage monday - this is all happening so fast. They spoke about selective reduction but this would have to be done in NY in the next 2 weeks.

DH and i said if there was something wrong chromosomally we would do this as it would give the others a chance, so we had the nuchal test and all past with super low readings and they said the chance was now 1 in 900 for each of them so that made our decision really hard. the OB said they woudl prob reduce the girls as they share a placenta and are higher risk and we have a few days to think about it, but both DH and i think we cant do it now. The OB said she is confident we can get through this and have the 4 and all stay healthy so to remain positive, we are both so worried :(
to_have_fun08
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Location: Illinois

Post by to_have_fun08 »

OMG Kas - i can't believe they didn't see the other one. I know this must have been such a shock to you. 3 scares the crap out of me, 4 would throw me off a bridge. HEHE, Just kidding :lol: I think I would also consider reduction but it would be a really hard thing to decide. That is such a personal decision. So i guess 1 off your eggs split. Gosh that is such a shock. Many ladies have given birth to 4. Nope it won't be easy but it is doable. Just take it one day at a time. Keep us posted. You and all your little beans will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Chris
lynniecat
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Post by lynniecat »

Holy crapoli! Kat that is just shocking! I can not imagine. I think you need statistics. What are the chances of all four babies being healthy vs two babies? Also find out about your health as well. You have come so far to have a tragedy. Find out how risky SR is as well. Do not make a final decision until you have all those stats. It will be tough either way.

In a way, it would be easier for me having lupus, I would have to reduce. My immune issues and high blood pressure would not allow me to safely carry four.

Its awful to find out so late and be told you have two weeks to decide! It definitely sounds like you are thinking about trying to keep all four! If so, definitely find a way to be able to take it easy and give you body all you can so it can grow those babies.


I would also consider a second opinion. You definitely want to know the risks of two vs four up front. When looking at the number, you can DH can decide if the risk of keeping all four is something you think you can take knowing there is some risk of the babies having problems :-( I just do not know what those numbers are for the babies...

I totally feel for you, this must be awful for you right now. Esp since you know the sex for all the babies! You have to already be attached. I think you are just one week behind me now and I would just freak if they said I had two in there! But seriously, do what you think is best for you healthwise and emotionally.

I know for me, I would need to reduce and give the remaining babies and my body the best chance, but you do not have the same health issues I have (at least I do not think you do).

OH...can you do a CVS on the babies. I just had a CVS at 11 weeks. They say CVS is not really more risky any more than amnio if you have a good doctor. I am not sure if they can do CVS with so many babies though...they need to get a few cells from each placenta with out contaminating them with the other babies. I guess with the twins, they only need one sample.

NT tests for down, but CVS can give you results for everything, all the chromosomes and they do rapid tests for Trimsomy, 13, 18, down and the two X linked issues (turner X0 and kleinfelter XXY). I did my CVS on Friday and had those five results by Monday evening!

I have a friend who reduced from 4 to 2 and I can get you into contact with her if you would like so you can ask how she feels about it now. She now has two twin boys...

I am sorry you are in this situation! Let us know what happens and try to stay strong. Ah...this road is filled with surprises!

(((((HUGS)))))
Me: 44 severely reduced reserve
DH: 44 perfect
IVF 1: Feb 08 -BFP twins (lost one at 7 weeks, one at 13 weeks) :-(
IVF 2: June 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 3: September 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 4: November 08 - Katherine Emma born 8/9/2009 :D
karenvancouverisland
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Post by karenvancouverisland »

hi all, wow kas, i feel for you right now :) .... i wish you would have found out earlier, as i can only imagine how hard this is to handle now. so whenever i have to make a decision that holds this much magnitude- i ask myself 'could i live with myself if i did, could i live with myself if i didn't?'....that's how i would handle this question.. frankly i wouldn't like the idea of having 4 babies, BUT i moreso wouldn't like the idea of reducing one.

so whatever YOU decide, we will be here to support you. i'd probably lean towards keeping all, but want a second opinion on the health risks of this before following through. it's good your dr. gave you input that you seem a good candidate for keeping them, as lynnie said, some women wouldn't be.

so i found out today that a work friend is dying of cancer, she's not even 30 years old. i'm in total shock, she is so vibrant and fiesty. her prognosis sound like about 6 months to live. not only am i extremely shocked and sad that she's going to leave us, the bigger picture of life and death, and our fallibility is hitting me hard. i can;t explain how i feel, but it's shaking my core. my problems and insecurities seem so small, yet at the same time, all of my insecurities also seem sickly validated.

love to all. ps. how you feeling chris?? :D karen.
38 yrs. DOR, TTC since '04, recommended DE but didn't listen
3 IVF's & 1 FET: 1 cancellation, 1 m/c @ 12 wks, 1 chemical, 1 miracle boy & miracle 'natural' PG right now while waiting to cycle (WTF?)
feb 21 hb 154
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lynniecat
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Post by lynniecat »

Hey Kat,

So I asked my friend who did SR how she felt now. Her boys are 4. She said she always wonders about the two that were reduced...she will never really get over it. On the flip side, one of her boys was born with issues, being premature and he is still suffering from them today. So if she had to do it again, she would but it sadly sounds like heartbreak either way!

Like Karen said, it good the doctor said they think you are a good candidate to carry all 4. At least you know you are not starting out on the wrong foot. And of course we will all support you no matter what you choose!

My thoughts are definitely with you tonight. Been thinking about you a lot and wondering how you are doing! I would be really needing support right now as I would know what I had to do and would be torn up inside!


Can you take a leave of absence from work? Oh, on the bright side I read that multiples grow faster and so are "ready" to come out of the oven sooner. In fact I read 10 weeks sooner! So at least you will get to meet your babies earlier!!!!! Of course that was a random web site. Definitely check all these details out!

My DH also wishes you luck and his thoughts are with you!
Me: 44 severely reduced reserve
DH: 44 perfect
IVF 1: Feb 08 -BFP twins (lost one at 7 weeks, one at 13 weeks) :-(
IVF 2: June 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 3: September 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 4: November 08 - Katherine Emma born 8/9/2009 :D
wonderce
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Location: North Carolina

Post by wonderce »

Good morning girls. So I haven't posted in a few days but a lot has happened!

Kas, wow. I can't imagine the surprise you must have felt when you went in and they found a 4th baby. I can't believe they didn't see this before now. Needless to say, it sounds like they're all doing well. I have to admit that when I had my scare last week with my screening results, I really wasn't sure how we would handle it. DH and I had never discussed what we would do. Along the same lines, you are faced with the decision of selective reduction. I'm also wondering if possible for you to have CVS done or if that would even help with your decision. It's such a personal issue and can imagine it's very upsetting to have to make a choice. I hope you get an instinct or feeling one way or the other that will maybe make the decision easier for you. As the other girls mentioned, we are here to support you whatever you decide.

Chris, I'm happy to hear you're officially in the 2ww now. I was on prometrium before and loved it! I've never had the PIO but can imagine the prometrium will be a nice switch from a shot in the rear everyday. I may have missed in your post, but when can you take your first HPT?

Lynnie, glad your bleeding and constipation are finally gone. I am a true believer in Colace now! When is your thyroid test? Is that connected to the heart palpitations? By the way, I love the name you picked out! I like Catherine with a "C", but just my preference. There are so many ways to spell different names these days.

Karen, so sorry to hear about your co-worker. That is so sad. It sounds like this news has been hard on you. I hope you find a way to cope since you've had other stressful things on your mind lately too. On a more positive note, your nursery must be coming right along. I forgot to tell you, but I saw a picture of some bedding that I fell in love with at Restoration Hardware. It's pricey but I may splurge since my sweet mom has offered to buy our nursery furniture. Anyway, the picture I saw had wainscotting in the nursery and I loved it. DH is very handy so he started working on it yesterday. He said what mama wants, mama gets. He spoils me. :D

Hi Gina, good to hear from you! How ironic, I have IBS too. Lucky us huh? I was diagnosed over 10 years ago but eventually learned what to eat and not eat, although I still love my fajitas and burritos even though they don't love me. I hope your GI doctor can recommend something to help you.

Babyhope, I may have to look into some of those belly bands soon. I've been wearing my same clothes, but went to put on some of my work pants this morning and can uncomfortably button the top button. But I chose to be able to breathe today so I have them unbuttoned with a long sweater to cover up. I guess it's time to go shopping! I still love your IUI success story and it gives me hope to try it again one day if we decide to try and have another.
pixelgirl
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Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:39 pm

Post by pixelgirl »

HOLY CRAP KAS!!!!! i can't believe it!!!!! i've been hanging around still reading posts about once a week.... feeling a little like a cyber stalker and wondering when i should appropriately be dropping off this board but still part of me is enjoying still following your stories and living your pregnancies vicariously through you all....

KAS, i can't believe this latest news! i too would freak out and for you to finally get comfortable with three and have this new news and so little time to decide what to do.... i can't imagine what you're going through. at the end of the day, i think you should weigh the recommendations of the doctors and make a pros and cons list and then go with your gut. don't forget to think long term too - like what will i be able to live with 20 years from now rather than what i can live with the first year... because they will only be babies for a year and then kids for 18 (officially) but they will be your little adults the rest of your life. i love that lynnie asked her friend that went through SR what she thinks about it now. that's what i would want to do - find out if there were any regrets. sounds like there are regrets no matter what you do. it's such a personal decision. my husband went into the IVF being completely convinced he couldn't do it. I wasn't sure how i'd feel if i was faced with such a difficult decision. ultimately, it's up to the two of you and you shouldn't let what anyone else says make it for you. they do not have to live in your shoes and live with whatever choice you make. which ever way you go, know beyond a shadow of doubt that this board supports you 100%! though there may be some that might have made a different decision than what you ultimately decide, they know that you did what was right for you and DH and we all know how difficult a decision this was for you. we are here for you 100% and are keeping you and DH in our hearts and prayers.

Lynnie - i like "Catherine" with a C a little better - it's a tad artsy-er and you can still shorten it to Cate and have it look cool - but both are insanely pretty spellings!

to all the rest of you ladies, i've been following along with your stories and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. may you continue to be blessed with health, smooth pregnancies and many more blessings all around!
- Pixelgirl

Me 37 DH 37
Male Factor (2% Morphology)
4 IUIs - BFN
IVF cycle started Oct 27
Stims started Nov 17
ER on Nov 26, 3 mature eggs, 2 fertilized
ET on Nov 29, 2 embryos transferred
Beta scheduled for 12/11 - BFN
CLOSURE!
lynniecat
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Post by lynniecat »

Bad news on final CVS results.


Some of the placenta cells have an extra chromosome piece in them. I need an amnio now to find out if its the baby too. If it is, the baby will likely not make it...

12 days till the amnio. Unbelievable.
Me: 44 severely reduced reserve
DH: 44 perfect
IVF 1: Feb 08 -BFP twins (lost one at 7 weeks, one at 13 weeks) :-(
IVF 2: June 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 3: September 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 4: November 08 - Katherine Emma born 8/9/2009 :D
Kas101
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Post by Kas101 »

Lynnie Oh no, i hope your amnio shows no extra chromosome with the baby.... what is going on here???? The last thing we need are these curveballs... 12 days seems like a torturous amount of time :( I'm thinking about you...

As for me, i'm reading but thats it for now, although Lynnies post make me log on so fast.... i called the SR doc to find out more and his staff were so rude and mean, he takes no insurance and charges $4k plus testing plus we would need flights and a nights accomodation, so prob $6k+ which we dont have anymore but could borrow if we had to... I just hated the attitude, she told me the price and said do you want me to book you in? I said i needed to find out more about the procedure and she replied VERY sharply 'like what???' i was upset so i said i would call back but havent.....

I am flip flopping between the 2 scenarios. Basically i would like to keep all 4 (oh boy) but dont want to sacrifice all of them in the process. Thanks for all your thoughts... and Pixel, i'm glad you're still around :) I will have my cerclage on monday..I'm just hoping the answer comes to me soon.....

Lynnie, did you do the NT test before the CVS???
babyhope1
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Post by babyhope1 »

Lynnie-I am so sorry to hear your news, I understand that those prelim tests are often wrong, amnios are more accureate, my prayers are with you. I pray its a one off, we have come so far.

Kas-What a surprise! I remember when they found my three, I was surprised, the third didn't show up on the first u/s because my ovaries were so enlarged. Then, I remember them suggesting the idea on January 15th and I immediately thought no way. Then I tought, how ironic, my ivf failed, I asked them to put back 2-3 but they fought me to just put back 2 due to my age (31) I said I wanted three but then thought of all three taking and chickened out and we put back 2 only to have it fail and get prego with IUI a much less controlled situation with three. Does God think this is a joke I thought.

Anyway, I did feel relief and grief when I lost the third one with the miscarriage of baby c. I remember thinking I wanted to be prego so badly that if I could just get there...if I had too many babies that God would take care of it, possibly naturally reduce and wouldn't you know it, that is exactly what happened. However, in being faced with the option by the dreaded deadline I freaked out. I wondered how Jon and Kate plus 8 had six and the gal in CA had 8!! The body can do it! They are healthy but it is a sacrafice for the mother with bedrest, the family, finances etc. I remember at my last job hearing the best piece of advice I ever heard and it is this, when your head and your heart conflict you have to go with your gut. Listen to your gut, research statistics and then go with your gut. I am sorry that lady was such a b#$@* when you called. It certainly doesn't make matters easier in a sensitive situation.
Babyhope1
3 Angel Babies
Failed IVF
There is someone in Heaven looking out for me!
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lynniecat
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Post by lynniecat »

OH man, Kat you do not need to deal with that garbage right now! I just can not believe they would be nasty.

Is there another doctor you can talk to about the procedure? These has to be right?

I tried to find stats for you, but really was not finding much info. The main thing I would want to know is what are the chances that all 4 will make it AND be healthy vs just the two making it. And what about reducing to three? I guess I would go with stats if you are not morally opposed to SR or if there was a way to do CVS...

--------------

I am so dreading a bad amnio result. The twisted thing is that was likely a normal baby to start out with and a freak accident occurred. I hope it only occurred in the placenta!
Me: 44 severely reduced reserve
DH: 44 perfect
IVF 1: Feb 08 -BFP twins (lost one at 7 weeks, one at 13 weeks) :-(
IVF 2: June 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 3: September 08 -BFN :-(
IVF 4: November 08 - Katherine Emma born 8/9/2009 :D
pixelgirl
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Post by pixelgirl »

lynnie - i'll be praying for you. try and keep positive though i know it will be hard. many of these tests end up being wrong and only freaking people out. keep yourself busy and that will make the next 12 days pass faster.

kas - you're doing all the right things. the lady was a clueless ***** who clearly has never had to make a decision even close to as difficult as you're having to make. so much for having some compassion! i believe in karma and she'll be getting bad in some future way, believe me. i was so freaked out about what my DH and i should do about whether we should try IVF or just live childfree or adopt and people kept telling me, you'll just know what to do. at some point, you'll just know. i was terrified that i wouldn't know - what if it never comes to me that way - what if i never know and then time runs out and my eggs dry up??? well, i didn't believe them, but they were right. i finally just knew. i just had some form of peace with one outcome over the other. it wasn't like a burning bush or a lightening bolt or anything - it was just a feeling. maybe it was a gut feeling but it came in time. you too will have a feeling - a gut feeling - or some sort of peace that comes over you more when you contemplate both options to help point you to the path you should be on. just know there isn't a "right" answer - there are just two paths and you'll take one of them. they will both lead to two amazing journeys. peace and hugs and love to you right now as you deal with this difficult decision. you and lynnie are in our thought and prayers.

actually, all you ladies are in mine.

peace,
- Pixelgirl

Me 37 DH 37
Male Factor (2% Morphology)
4 IUIs - BFN
IVF cycle started Oct 27
Stims started Nov 17
ER on Nov 26, 3 mature eggs, 2 fertilized
ET on Nov 29, 2 embryos transferred
Beta scheduled for 12/11 - BFN
CLOSURE!
wonderce
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Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:43 pm
Location: North Carolina

Post by wonderce »

Lynnie, I was sorry to hear about your results but it sounds like there is a chance it could affect the placenta cells but not the baby. I know waiting for the amnio is going to be hard. Hopefully it was a false positive and you won't have anything to worry about. When I had the amnio last week, they gave us the option to pay extra and have the results in 48 hours instead of 10 days. Maybe you can get your's back sooner too. You are definitely in my thoughts because I know how stressful it can be.

Kas, that doctor needs some new staff. I can believe how rude the lady was to you. That's the last thing you need, especially when you're already stressed and trying to make a decision. Maybe you will have some time this weekend to think things over more and will get that gut feeling that Pixel mentioned.
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