IVF over 40 Buddy Group........Membership Drive

[santa]

Renee, just wanted to thank you for the PM, I haven't figured out yet how to respond with a PM, so am posting here.

Just wanted to wish you all the best, I am thrilled that you got pregnant - naturally !! Hope you are having fun with your family.

Thanks Missygirl for the lining info, I am a bit worried about 8.2 (last time, it was over 10)...

S.

[AKMom]

Hey Santa...mine is over 10. It's 11. something. Is that not good? I dont know this is my first IVF past stims....I was canx the first time due to Overstim. What is a good number for your lining? I hope to trigger on saturday.

Thanks,

kat

[Liam'sMommy]

Hello to all. Nothing going on here per usual.

Here is some info on lining thickness. Don't worry ladies, every body is in good shape.

Most of the literature suggests that an optimal uterine lining should be somewhere between 7 - 12 mm in thickness on the day of hCG trigger. These values are not absolute. Our clinic has had implantation with a lining as thin as 3.5 mm.

Endometrial Lining and Post-Transfer Bed Rest
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Carl M. Herbert, MD
I recently saw a patient in my practice, Pacific Fertility Center, who had recently undergone a retrieval and she inquired about a couple matters that I get asked about all the time. For starters, she inquired as to what is the optimal endometrial lining on the day of the HCG shot (i.e. 36 hours before egg collection); i.e. 9 mm, 10 mm, 11mm, 12 mm, or greater; additionally, she inquired about the value of bed rest following an embryo transfer.

For starters, as long as the endometrial thickness reaches 8-9 mm with a good pattern, the pregnancy rates should be fine. There isn’t any strong evidence that endometrial thickness beyond 9mm (i.e. 10, 11, 12 mm etc.) will produce higher pregnancy rates.


The paste below kind of explains estradiol. On Monday, you had a bunch of follies but no where near mature so the level should have been low then. I expect it will be much, much higher tomorrow.

Some clinics also measure the blood estradiol level, to provide additional information, and each mature follicle produces about 200-300 pg/ml of estrogen . When the follicles are mature, we prescribe an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to trigger ovulation. The use of HCG allows us to control when ovulation will take place – and this is 36 to 39 hours after the HCG injection. This precise control allows the IVF team to be prepared to harvest eggs just before that time. The HCG simulates the woman's natural LH surge, which normally triggers ovulation.

Kat, on Monday, you had a bunch of follies but no where near mature so the level should have been low then. I expect it will be much, much higher tomorrow.

Santa, congrats!! Now let's hope for a great fert report to go along with it.

Missy, tomorrow is the big day. I hope you will be posting your BFP very soon.

Renee, I hope you are having a good time. I am glad you are getting a little me time while your sister is visiting. You need it. But i still want whale pics.

I hope i covered everything. Bye for now.

[missygirl]

Santa,

the first IVF I had they transferred 3 embryo's...an 8 cell grade 4, a 5 cell grade 4 and a 4 cell grade 2 and I had a singleton. I believe he did all three as just one was excellent. This time around I had 2 of the 5 embryo's that were 8 cell grade 4 so they only put those 2 back.....we'll see tomorrow if that worked. We froze the other three.

Missy

[AKMom]

Kelly:

You rock and are my HERO!! I get more info outta you than from anybody..incl my doc/nurse....even the internet. You deliver it in layman's terms and I get it. Thanks SOSOSOOSOSOSOS much! I appreciate you checking on ALL OF US!

L8r L8dies

KAT

[krisnerol]

Hi Ladies,

I've been away thinking and praying and sulking and all those other things when you're dealing with what we all are dealing with. After my m/c of twins in December, I swore I wouldn't do IVF again, but I found that after the hormones had evacuated my body, I could look at things a tad more rationally. Still, my DH & I have also been checking out adoption/foster care options and are open to those as well. It just seems that every door I've come to has open: my last IVF was marked as possible last IVF by the doctor, so I was kinda surprised when I went for my follow up appt (after D&E) to assess what she thought and she was all positive and enthusiastic that despite my age (41.5) I respond well to the drugs and I did get pregnant so she thinks I should try again; then door two, the insurance company said they'd pay for another round of IVF--another surprise. Then today I got the results of my day 3 labs and my FSH is 8.8 which is not too bad. Everything seems to lean me in the direction of trying again. My fears? Another BFN or mc or having a baby with Downs--sometimes I feel like I'm playing roulette--does anyone else feel this way trying all this over 40? Then my mother tells me that she heard on some report that about 50% of women having babies are over 40--is this possible? Just curious what your thoughts are. Thanks for listening. Oh, I go in for a hysteroscopy next Thursday, so we'll see if that door opens for me too

[SueQiwi]

Santa~wow! 5 for 5 is awesome!!! Nice job. I hope you get 100% fertilization now. Keep us posted. I am debating whether to excercise during the 2ww. I know I can't do any weight lifting--but am debating going to my yoga class which starts in about an hour. It is not rigorous and should not raise my body temp--but I can't help feeling aprehensive. I dont want to look back and think "I shouldn't have done that!"

Missy~I am hoping for your BFP! Thinking of you.

Renee~Im glad you are having fun with your sister! So cool that she can help out with Rocco too so you get a bit of a break and some excercise! Don't worry about the 10 weeks thing--you are going to make it through this time. Keep the faith, Girl. You will soon be past this hurdle and able to relax a bit.

Kat~Your numbers are amazing and this cycle is going so much better for you this time! Your chances for success are great!

Kelly~thanks for all the good info and encouragment!

I am really conflicted about the pineapple now! i'm not sure I can eat anymore after hearing such mixed reports. I am just trying to chill out and be as stress free as possible. I am a bit worried cause DH and I had a bit of spat and I got upset. Do you think this was bad for my embies?

[Liam'sMommy]

Hi Kris. I am glad you are feeling a little better. I would jump on another IVF cycle if my insurance was paying. It is now or never. You FSH is good you are still a good responder. Those days will be gone in the near future. Also, at 41.5 you still have some good eggs left. You just have to find them. Have you talked to your doc about doing a staggered cycle with CGH? More clinics are doing it now. If your RE vitrifies embryos and does PGD then they should be able to sent out the biopsies for CGH. Also, did you know what caused the m/c? Was the fetal tissue tested? Unless they were both abnormal, you should look into immune issues before cycling again. I am so glad to see you moving forward.


ETA Adoption takes a long time. You could easily do another cycle while working on that too. I think if you have plan b in progress it would be easier to handle another ivf cycle.


Santa, i forgot the number to transfer question. Read this and show it to your husband. It should help you decide what to do. You will find the same thing over and over. About half way down the page it discusses the number to transfer depending on maternal age and day of transfer. HTH
www.advancedfertility.com/blastocystmultiples.htm - 40

Sue, stop stressing. The pineapple is not going to make or break the pregnancy. Eat it if you like it and are hungry for it. Also, the stress doesn't make or break a pregnancy either. People living in impoverished war torn countries are in survival mode all day everyday. Yet, they still have children without difficulty. Does that make sense?

Big Hugs to everybody. Sorry if i missed something.

[lynniecat]

Sue -- I was not going to say anything, but I would not go nuts on pineapple core. I have read that pineapple core has a chemical in it that can cause contractions. I honestly think you would have to eat TONS of it for that to happen even if its true! I would say if you normally eat pineapple than go for it, if not, then eat it only if you are craving it! I do love pineapple though!

My nurse/doctor both said not to eat pineapple core, and that the best thing to do is what you naturally do. Keep your body in its usual patterns, but of course nothing bad for baby like alcohol. There are lots of these suggestions like pineapple or herbs or oil of some kind. Personally I think if anything really worked, the doctors would be recommending it or it would be something at least some clinics were recommending. If not, then I would say it could be more risky than helpful or most likely would have no effect!. At least my two cents on it. I would just be worried I was upsetting my body's natural balance.

I think the stress thing is also not going to stop your embabies from implanting, but you should just relax. Get a massage. I remember during my first cycle, I got a massage and pedicure. I was in vegas ( a trip that had been planned in advance) during my two week wait. My therapist said "I can tell your pregnant" during the pedicure and she was right! I really made an effort to not worry, and take it easy. Of course I did worry, but it helped to be distracted. I also avoided wine until I got multiple BFNs, then I said, screw it and had two glasses since I was sure it did not work (though I was having some symptoms). Next am I got a BFP. I almost was thinking the wine made that BFP happen due to murphy's law! Gosh did I feel like a loser! My brother and his wife were there and convinced me the baby would not be harmed just from two glasses just once. I later confirmed it with my doctor who said, its not these little things that will make or break it, its almost always the genetics! I totally believe that now. If the embabies are healthy, you will likely get your BFP, pineapple and stress or not! So do not worry, just send good vibes for those healthy embabies and I would say mild exercise, esp walking is great! I have a good feeling for you I must admit. I think its going to work. Two grade ones from three is how my last cycle worked for me! Anyway, a rant, sorry! Fingers crossed for you!


Santa -- 5 for 5! WOOOHOOOO. In my life, 5 is an awesome number of eggs. What I got my first successful cycle. I have good vibes on your cycle as well as Sue's! I hope you get some awesome embryos!


krisnerol -- I totally know how you feel, but I bet a lot of those over 40 are using donor eggs. Probably why its 50 percent, though that seems pretty high! Also, I am in a the awkward position of having a negative CVS result, so yeah I know what you mean. In my case, its unclear what the deal is so I am doing an amnio to follow up! Its grueling.

Have you thought about doing CGH, CCRM and SIRM both do this and that way you know your embryos are genetically normal when they put them back. Embryos that pass CGH have a high success rate for BFPs.


Kelly -- are you starting another cycle?

Hi to everyone else!


So here is my update.

I talked to another nurse at my ob practice. This nurse was totally apologetic and could not believe the first nurse I talked to did not immediately bring my in for a U/S scan! She was shocked! In fact she was calling me cause she was reviewing my chart and saw the first's nurse's note about my phone call (apparently it was very unclear). Anyway, I hope she gets talked to about her comment "its not our standard of care" to bring you in for an earlier ultrasound". I told the second nurse who called me that she has said this. And she said "the standard of care changes with an abnormal CVS result". She offered to set me up with an ultrasound on Monday, but I said no as I was going out for the amnio on Thursday. I fly to MD in order to use the same lab and doctor who did my CVS. A little complicated since I live in CA, but I moved here after I had already scheduled the CVS in MD (long story).
Anyway, I did have my OB appt today. We heard the heartbeat on the doppler and it sounded great.

I also talked to the genetic counselor finally ( I called her for the 4th time and she finally answered her phone). She was sorry for not getting back to me early ( I left three messages), but said she was covering another person. I do think someone quit, but seriously, they need to get someone else in quickly. Waiting on call backs is awful after getting an abnormal result.

She told me that DH does not have the chromsome marker, but my results were not in yet, so I still do not know if its in me, but as I said, its highly unlikely since this piece of chromosome is huge.

I also found out its has banding, ie its got DNA on it that will produce gene products. There was a hope it was just "filler DNA" and would not do anything and most likely be harmless if its in the baby, but alas that is not the case. She does believe that considering the size and the banding, that it will be very harmful to the baby. So we need it to NOT be in the baby. They are still trying to identify which chromosomes this piece came from....its likely more than one and involves some rearrangements of chromosome pieces. The worse part is unless they can completely identify it and even if they can, we will not know how or when it will express itself. IE, how bad will it be and when will it hit the baby. I worry about the baby being in pain and suffering, though I hope given a normal heart rate right now, she is not currently feeling any pain. Sounds kind of weird, I know, but I hope that if she does have this abnormal maker chromosome, that she does not suffer.

On the up side, I think I can feel her moving, a bit of a flutter now and again! I hope she is trying to tell me she is fine and that all this stress will be for nothing!

Anway, tick tock tick tock as I wait!

[Sara30]

Hi lynnie

Just wanted to pop in and say I have been following your updates now and again, we cycled before xmas with mally and Hope, I am sorry to hear your news and that you are having to wait for an amnio, just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you.......

Lee xx

[AKMom]

Hi there ladies

I know this isnt the forum, but I dont know where else to write my thoughts. Today, my 24 yr old nefew, Brien, died. The family is still in shock. I am the ex wife, of very ugly divorce and my place is no where near the family. I used to babysit him when I was stay-home mom, cheer him on at his baseball/football and wrestling tournies, watching him grow to become an over acheiver at everything he did. Brian lived a couple of miles down the road, he'd come to see us--hang out and play with my children, he was more of a big brother than a cousin. My heart is so broken. I am reminded of the time our son died, my heart breaks for Brian's parents, for my children for the gandparents who lost yet another grandson too soon, their hearts are broken for the loss and for the helplessness they feel watching their children grieve..knowing there is nothing they can do.

I am sitting here alone, my children are with their father, I know it feels right and good that he is surrounded by his babies. My husband is working at the firestation and I sit crying barely able to read the screen. Thankful for everything that I have and pray everyday that the preverbial "other shoe" never hits the deck.

Thanks for listening/reading

God bless and keep each and every one of you.

Kathleen

[missygirl]

Hi girls,

Just a quick note but it appears I had a BFP this morning on the HPT!!! It was faint but apparently that still means positive!!! Monday is my Beta so I'll update you again then!

Thanks for the support.....blessings to everyone. Sorry I don't have a second to comment on everyone's elses's status but I'm thinking about you all!

Missy

[Sisi1]

Lynniecat Just wanted to offer my best wishes to you, sincerely hoping everything turns out A-OK!

Not much new with me, work was crazy busy last week, no time to break the internet policy and post . Very thankful to be on my way to Florida on Monday for holidays. I am expecting to start my IVF cycle on March 09/09.

I am keeping up with all of your progress and wish everyone the best of luck. I will not have lots of time to post for the next little while but I am keeping up on your posts and of course I will be glued to the forum come next month......

Take care in the meantime.......can't wait to cycle with you women who know so much and give so generously of your time and resources! You truly are inspirational and I have so much respect for your altruistic support, thank you so much!

[Liam'sMommy]

Lynnie, remember one thing, we are all mosaic. Even if your blood comes back normal you can have some abnormal endometrial cells. So don't freak out if your blood comes back normal. Maybe she is trying to give you a sign. I hope so. At this point, i think i would pass on the blood results. The amnio results will trump that so why stress over the results if they are not good. KWIM I am so sorry you are living through this hell right now. My prayers are always with you, your little one and your husband. I can't believe that jackass nurse. I knew that didn't sound right. And yes, it was really nice for the geneticist to call you back finally. I call BS on her excuse too. HUGS!!!!

Kat, i am sad for you today as well. I wish you were not so isolated. You should be able to grieve with his other loved ones at this time. Are you and your ex-husband unable to put aside your personal issues for just a little while? How was your E2 and follie count today? When do you trigger. HUGS!!!!

Santa, how was your fert report?

Missy, CONGRATS!!!!! You are officially PG not just PUPO. YIPEE!!

Sisi, what do you mean you start your cycle 9/09? Are you starting bcp then or stims?

I will check back in later.

[Sisi1]

Kelly I will be starting stimms about March 09/09, no BC for me. I am doing a BC free antagonistic cycle.

Thanks for doing such a great job on this tread