March/April cycle buddies??

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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melanie_100
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Location: Richmond, VA

Post by melanie_100 »

:arrow: AFM- Got call from RE today regarding FET. We are a go for this Sunday, Easter! That means beta 4/21- DH's birthday!! I had originally thawed 6 day 1 embryos, and 5 made it. Of those, today being their day 3, they all look good at 3 above average, and 2 at excellent. So they felt comfortable letting them attempt to grow to blasts for our transfer on Sunday. Hopefully we won't lose many!
The embryologist, which I love because he takes the time to answer all my questions, said we will be giving me Easter Eggs! How cute :D
My big problem now, is the dreaded question of how many to transfer. I really want to improve my odds of getting prego, and since my fresh cycle failed, I am leaning towards 2 Easter eggs. The other side is I really don't want multiples, so then I lean towards 1. I hate this decision. I want a crystal ball to tell me what the future holds- Yeah Right!
:arrow: BTW my RE gives pregnancy a 40% chance with 1 blast & 45-50% chance with two. Seems really low to me. I am 36 and have endometriosis. Any advise you guys have on how you decided, or what numbers you were given for percentages would be very helpful.

:arrow: Aims, Cynthia, Latinosunshine & anyone doing PIO, even if DH does it (or Mom :wink: ) here is a good article I found:

The injection is much easier if you warm the progesterone beforehand. The oil thins out when heated and needs less effort to inject and bruises less. You can do this by holding the bottle of progesterone, or a syringe with the proper amount of progesterone in it, in your hand for a few minutes prior to the shot.

Progesterone is made in peanut and sesame oil (in the US anyway, not sure about overseas). If one form is particularly bothering you (lumps, rash, etc.) try switching to the other kind of oil. You may have a slight allergy to the original oil.

Progesterone in sesame oil is a tiny bit less viscous than progesterone in peanut oil, so it goes through small needles a little better.

Try not icing the area beforehand, if you can stand it. Chilling the muscle first may make it harder for the progesterone to dissipate.

Moist heat on the area may help dissipate the progesterone and make the area less painful. (Microwaveable heating pads are perfect for this!)

Massaging the area after the shot helps the progesterone dissipate.

If you have lumps forming, try to make sure the shot doesn't go right into one. If it does, it makes the shot extra painful.

Most clinics recommend that you do progesterone shots in larger needles because the oil is so much thicker than the other medications. You can use smaller needles (25 to 27 needles gauge work fine). The injection will take longer, but it may help reduce the pain and soreness from the shot. (It will not affect whether the progesterone itself is painful or forms lumps.)

Remember that progesterone often brings on pregnancy-like symptoms, and also makes your cycle longer. So, if you're on progesterone and have breast tenderness, etc., you arenÕt necessarily pregnant and you will need to have a test to know for sure.

Remember that you can still be pregnant even if you seem to have started your period, so be sure to go for your blood pregnancy test before stopping progesterone support.

:arrow: Here's my PIO experience with self injections (have only done it 3 times now) for what it's worth. I originally did my own HCG shot as well for my fresh cycle, and like Cynthia, it took me a while to get the courage to do it. This time, I literally just went for it, since last time the build up was the worst part. Take it from me, just go for it. It's really not that bad, I just started doing 2cc last night, and that was more sore, but I'd rather do it myself than have someone else do it (probably the control freak in me). I don't use a mirror, but either way is fine. I do heat the vial in my beany while I prepare stuff. I like to have everything laid out including my bandaid. I think I may start heating my skin first also, like one of the girls here suggested and the article as well. That will probably numb the skin a little and also keep the PIO nice and thin. I will try that tonight.
My clinic said I didn't have to pull back to see if there is any blood in syringe, but I always do, I was trained to as an RN and I don't want to give my self PIO intravenously. Also, after hearing Cynthia's accounts of it being a lot more painful, I have decided it's better to pull out and find a new site if I do get blood return.
Well, aims if you have more questions ask away. We had a bit of a discussion earlier about doing the left side (for right handers) and I have found it to not be a problem, you just have to twist more.
Good luck with it!
Melanie
Me: 36 Endo DH: 35 Morphology
1/16/03- DS 6 yo :)
3/09- 1st IVF-BFN :( 4/09- FET #1- BFN :-(
10/2/09-FET#2 BFP :lol: BETA 220,530,1500
Twins :shock: :P
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/1;20707;111/st/20100620/k/d39e/preg.png[/img]
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estrellita
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Post by estrellita »

:shock: I'm starting to get scared about those "PIO" shots. At least I think my progesterone is pills. Not sure if is really better but at least. :?
Me: 28, DH: 31

1st IVF 04/09 = BFN
3 frozen embies

08/09 = BFP (Natural)
melanie_100
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Location: Richmond, VA

Post by melanie_100 »

Cynthia: Forgot to mention- Yeah the PIO shots get old fast. I have only done 3, but I can't imagine having to do them for 12 weeks, Yikes!
Also, I don't know why you keep saying you hope your prego- YOU ARE PREGO GIRL! Getting a positive HPT is not a BFN, much less several + HPT's. A lot of girls that are pregnant don't even get a + , so enjoy being pregnant :lol: Stop double thinking it. I would say your biggest worry from here is MULTIPLES :wink:
Melanie
Me: 36 Endo DH: 35 Morphology
1/16/03- DS 6 yo :)
3/09- 1st IVF-BFN :( 4/09- FET #1- BFN :-(
10/2/09-FET#2 BFP :lol: BETA 220,530,1500
Twins :shock: :P
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/1;20707;111/st/20100620/k/d39e/preg.png[/img]
kline
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Post by kline »

hi everyone! you all seems busy with injections! all the best ladies...

i just got a phonecall from RE, my 3 other eggs didnt make it.. they stop growing... so they have to be discarded.

michelle- thank you very much for your encouraging words.. i really need TLC at this time. they didnt do ICSI, does it have to be ICSI even though it's my first time and DH have perfect healthy sperm? is that a protocol in US for everyone.. just wondering?

kline,

TTC 6yrs
Ectopic Preg 2005- rt tube removed
HSG- lt hydrosalphinx
Endometriosis
1st IVF
ET- Apr 9... Beta Apr 23
Neffi211
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Location: Lancaster, PA

Post by Neffi211 »

CT Michele-- sorry....i forgot.....Jack only weighs 10 lbs and they dont want me to lift him for 5 days! I think it seems a little ridiculous, but I dont want to hurt my chances.
Me 32 DH 31
DS 3rd try
8 failed cycles
No luck with adoption
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DS 7/23/14 IUI after Celiac diagnosis
CT_Michele
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Location: Connecticut

Post by CT_Michele »

kline- if dh has perfect sperm then i do not think icsi is protocol, we just had no choice b/c dh's sperm is crappy for lack of a better word.

Neffi- that seems ridiculous to me too, there is no way i can go without picking ella up. for my first ivf, i picked up my cats and they weighed more than 10 lbs!
Me- 28 DH- 33 Male Factor
1st IVF- 12/07- BFP! Ella Michele was born 8/26/8
2nd IVF- 04/09 - BFN
1st FET- 09/09 - Chemical
3rd IVF - 04/11 - Embies didn't make it to ET
4th IVF - Fall 2011??
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cymplicity27
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Post by cymplicity27 »

Melanie, I can't help it! :lol: I promise to stop after Monday :wink: Easter Eggs is sooo cute!!! :D
Cynthia - 31, blocked tubes, DH - 26, perfect
1st IVF - 3/2009, ER - 3/26, ET - 3/29 BFP!!

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CT_Michele
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Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:57 am
Location: Connecticut

Post by CT_Michele »

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latie - Stimming! ER Mar 20
millie 09 - Stimming!
Hjw – stim start Apr 2, ER around Apr 13
trx0424 - stim start Apr 9, ER Apr 21-24
CT_Michele – stim start 4/10, ER/ET/fresh TESE week of 4/20

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faithseverything - ET Mar 9, Beta???
cymplicity27 - ET Mar 29, Beta Apr 13
sbr - FET Apr 2, Beta Apr 14
Sari - ET Apr 2, Beta Apr 16
Latinosunshine – ET Apr 3, Beta Apr 17
dys24 - ET Apr 7, Beta Apr 18
hopeful57 - ER Apr 1 - Beta Apr 17
babyluv123 - ET Apr 4, Beta Apr 18
josee1973 - ET Apr 5, Beta Apr 18
Trying for another angel – ET Apr 8, Beta apr 20
Neffi211 - ET Apr 10, Beta Apr 21
kline - ET Apr 9, Beta Apr 23
wishfull27 (carolyn) - ET Apr 10, Beta Apr 24

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SunMoon&Stars – DE w/icsi, ET Mar 16
wmcgrath - FET Mar 23
Waiting For 4 - Consult w/ RE Mar 13
milpagan - BCP start Mar 7? RE consult Mar 9, ER/ET early Apr
biancajb - Last bcp Mar 20, stim start Mar 25
estrellita - on lupron, start stims Apr 17
hope2beamummy - IVF w/icsi April
statsgoddess - IVF Apr/May?
melanie_100 - FET Apr 12, Beta Apr 21
sportsmom - on lupron, start stims Apr 8
EmilieNZ - ER around apr 27
caperez - Last bcp Apr 14, start stims Apr 24, ER around May 5
Wishing4Baby - 31 frozen embies! FET May/June
Beta Results
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babymex - BFP...a true miracle! :D
Sara30 - BFN :(
kimbob - BFN :(
lionoe - BFP! :D
Sisi1 - BFN :(
aims327 - BFP! :D
ianmichael3 - BFP! :D
tabatha1975 - BFP!:D

Calendar site -
http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/IVFCycleBuddies
Last edited by CT_Michele on Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Me- 28 DH- 33 Male Factor
1st IVF- 12/07- BFP! Ella Michele was born 8/26/8
2nd IVF- 04/09 - BFN
1st FET- 09/09 - Chemical
3rd IVF - 04/11 - Embies didn't make it to ET
4th IVF - Fall 2011??
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CT_Michele
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Post by CT_Michele »

Oh my goodness- of course my first injection couldn;t just go smoothly!

I went to do it at 9pm, and started taking everything out of storage (I have had the medications for 2 months since I was supposed to cycle a month and a half ago.) When I got the meds back in February, I did check and everything was there. But tonight I went to do everything and I quickly realized that the special order pharmacy did not put a follistim pen in there! I couldn't bellieve it. I called the clinic and while I was waiting for a call back, I called every pharmacy checking to see if they had one, and of course they don';t. The dr finally called back and said it was ok, that I would skip follistim tonight and instead of one vial of menopur, to do 6! So we had a bit of mixing to do, and I just blew threw half of my menopur, so I will need more. RE gave me a phone number tomorrow of someplace I should be able to go get a pen from, and he said if they aren't open to call him back and we would scramble and figure something out.

So anyway, I did the injection, dh did it in my upper tush, and it stung a little more than I remember! But I am glad to be started finally.
Me- 28 DH- 33 Male Factor
1st IVF- 12/07- BFP! Ella Michele was born 8/26/8
2nd IVF- 04/09 - BFN
1st FET- 09/09 - Chemical
3rd IVF - 04/11 - Embies didn't make it to ET
4th IVF - Fall 2011??
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kline
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Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:01 pm

Post by kline »

oh my! michelle... it happened to me as well.. when i check the bag.. all the meds are in.. except the kit wherein the pen (the most important), alcohol swab and yellow disposal bin is not present.. i went in panick too.. as we live in county side..everything here is slow... something happened to us... DH contracted chicken pox.. i dont know if it save us or what.. so my treatment all together was cancelled... oh what a nerve wracking experience! that chiken pox.. scared me to death as well.. in all the time of my hubby's life.. why did he catch it this time.. when we are in the most crucial time of our life.. anyway doc said it's better bef we started rather than when we are in the actual process...that was january..

kline,
1st IVF
ET apr 9... BETA apr 23
babyluv123
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Posts: 68
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:22 am
Location: Mumbai, India

Post by babyluv123 »

hey,

kline: sorry to hear abt the cancelled cycle. :(

CT_Michelle: I am so sorry to hear about the injection thing. you know what, here in India, our doctor actually gives us all the injections, pens and eveything needed for the cycle. SO its like we pay for the package which includes, injections,cost of ER and ET and post 2WW follow up as well. I dont have to do my shots on my own. I actually have a nurse whoc comes over everyday at fixed time to give me a shot :lol: Which makes my job much more easier and all she charges is Rs 50 a day that is around a dollar a day, isnt that kwel?

Just a question girls, I have been getting a lot of white discharge. I know it can be due to progesterone, but i take Progesterone in oil and tablets orally as well.

I have just finished my 1 Week of the dreaded 2WW. One more to go. Phew!!

Should I POAS once i m done with 8-10 days of transfer?
27 yrs Right fallopian tube blocked, Poor egg quality
DH:28 Low Sperm motility
AMH: Very Low - Below 0.30
2008: 4 IUI cycles - negative
IVF:ICSI - 1st cycle - Febraury 09 - BFN
IVF:ICSI - 2nd cycle - April 09 - BFN
kline
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Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:01 pm

Post by kline »

hi babyluv! that was january cycle that's been cancelled.. we had a repeat bloodwork out and semen analysis in feb.. all was clear so we got a green go this march.. im on 2 ww.. day 2.. 50 percent chance BFN/BFP.. i trust everything to God. they transfer 4 cell embryo on day 3 that stop growing on day 3.. i dont know if my emby is still alive that time.. anyhow they recon microscope does not tell the quality of embryo the only test of embryo quality is wether it implants and develop normally inside their mum.. as embryo grading systems are imperfect in modern science at the moment.. it's only the pregnancy test that will reveal the outcome.

to anyone who posted "haveababy.com" it was a great help... as i navigate the website i found loads of stories about 4 cell embryo.. i felt a sigh of relief!

freinds from church came in as well and brought easter egg, hyacinth and card for me, missionaries said their prayers, had a tight big hug from sisters... what a comfort! i talk to our heavenly father as well in my prayers.. not my will.. but His will be done!

Happy Easter everyone!

Kline
1st IVF
cymplicity27
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Post by cymplicity27 »

Wow Michele, that sucks! I remember freaking out when they didn't pack syringes with my PIO and I was suppose to start that day. Eventually I was able to find some the right size by about the 3rd pharmacy, but I do remember the madness of that day! The other near miss I had was just before ER, RE was telling me that she was "pretty sure" I was going to trigger that Tuesday. The problem was I was due to run out of Gonal-f that Monday. She offered little advice...only that I could either order an extra pen that may or may not get used (money wasted), or we could try our luck with a pharmacy down the street that occassionally has a pen in stock which would have been a last minute decision. I didn't order the pen and prayed that I'd be ready to trigger! The prayer must have worked :wink:

babyluv, what a convenience! I think I'd be willing to pay extra for that service :wink:

Melanie, I thought about you last night while doing my shot...where you mentioned being in control. It's a world of difference with me doing my own shot!!! It had been about 5 days since I did my own and I felt NOTHING!!!! I at least feel a pinch/sting/prick when dh does it. I may just have to take over and start doing them all myself...I'm so much better at it, haha! :lol:
Cynthia - 31, blocked tubes, DH - 26, perfect
1st IVF - 3/2009, ER - 3/26, ET - 3/29 BFP!!

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wishfull27
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Location: UK

Post by wishfull27 »

Hi guys - transdferred 2 blasts - one a and 1 B grade so woulod not risk 3 :roll: :idea:

off to realax - michelle can you move me to 2ww with beta on 24th although no way will last that long :lol:
IVF 4 BFP
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hjw
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Location: UK

Post by hjw »

Hello everyone, hope you are all having a great Easter weekend.

Lee - I'm so happy to hear about your adoption plans. You are going to make a wonderful Mum (well, you already do with your fostering). I'm afraid I know very little about how adoption works in the UK - what is the process and does it take a long time?

Nicole - how exciting that you saw a heartbeat! Do let us know when you've been for your scan next week how the other embryo is getting on.

Carolyn - thinking of you today having ET in Prague. Did you transfer 3 in the end? And is the Prague clinic freezing the other 2 for you? BTW, be grateful that you aren't in this country for Easter - we are having the typical British public holiday rain! You may well prefer not to come back on Monday!!

Michele - what advice did your RE give you on baby aspirin? I've been dying to hear. And no, no, no, please don't come down with a bug! Take lots of vitamin C and tell that sore throat to go away! Sorry to hear about your missing follitism pen, but thank goodness you were able to adjust the drugs and get on without it. Have you managed to track one down now?

sbr - hun, I was so shocked to read about your accident. Are you still feeling OK? I'm so relieved that you weren't injured but please take extra special care of yourself for a few days!! Sorry to hear about your negative HPT, but as you so rightly said it is still early days...

caperez - how did your first shot go on Friday?

Tabatha - congratulations on your beta, your BFP is official, hurray!

trx - you're stimming now, yay!

Melanie - it was me who said I heat up my tummy with a heatpad before injecting and it seems to make me feel the needle less - did it help you last night? GOOD LUCK for FET tomorrow! How many have you decided to transfer? I sympathise with you finding it such a hard decision, like you I would prefer not to have multiples but on the other hand I want to do what gives me the best chance of getting pregnant. And stats wise, I think the US is very different to the UK because you tend to transfer more embyros than over here, but I've just dug out the info my clinic gave me and they have the following success rates:

- 41% for two fresh non-blast embryos on day 2/3 for women under 37 and 23% for the same transfer in women over 38;
(there aren't any official stats for transferring one fresh embryo, but the clinic bluntly told me when I asked that the chances are 'less');
- 18% for two frozen non-blast embryos for women under 37 and 14% for the same transfer in women over 38;
- 38% for two fresh BLAST embryos for women under 37 years old and 39% for the same transfer in women over 38; and
- 22% for two frozen BLAST embryos for women under 37 and 32% for the same transfer in women over 38.

They told me that they only really advise people to develop embryos to blast stage for older women, so that skews theirs stats a bit (ie that the blast stats would be higher if there were more younger women doing blast culture). Does that make sense and help any?

To all our 2ww ladies - Cynthia, sbr, Sari, Latino, dys, hopeful, babyluv, josee, Trying, Neffi and kline (such a big group!) - you are all in my thoughts.

AFM, my update for the day is that we've just got back from my day 10 stims scan. I've still got just the six follies developing, plus a small 7th which the clinic thinks won't do anything. The largest follie is still only 16mm so I've been sent away with more Gonal-F and told to carry on injecting. I go back on Tuesday (which will be day 13) for another scan and blood test - they will make a decision then, but at the moment the most likely trigger day is Tuesday/Wednesday with ER on Thursday/Friday. I feel like I've been stimming forever already, and still a few more days to go! So I'll post another update on Tuesday...

I've just seen Michele's latest tracker - I can't believe I have worked my way up to the top of the list of the 'doing injectibles' and am going to be the next one of us to go to ER - I have to admit to being a little scared now (plus I had a nightmare last night about the procedure and woke up terrified!). I've told the clinic that I'm going to have my ER done under a local anaethetic rather than a general. Apparently that means I will have an injection of pethadone (sp?) to relax me before going to theatre, will have local anaesthetic gel put on my cervix and will have access to gas and air if the pain gets too much. I have to admit to being completely petrified, I hope I've made the right decision.

Hazel x
Me 35, DH 41
TTC 4+ years
4 IUI's, BFN
#1 IVF, 04/2009, BFN
#2 FET, 07/2009, no transfer, frosties failed to thaw
#3 IVF, 12/2009, +ve HPT New Years Day!

GEORGE THOMAS ALEXANDER born 18th September 2010, 9lbs 4.5oz. Our beautiful boy.
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