New here, but not to IVF

[rachellove]

I have been lurking here for quite some time now. I am 36 years old, husband is 40, and we had our first child last December via IVF. It was our 2nd try with IVF, and we had done 2 IUI's before IVF. We were married in 2004 and TTC for over 3 years. I am amazed by the support and encouragement you all lend each other. I wanted to help in the "hope" department. As you all know, trying to have a baby can be a fun and beautiful adventure, but for those of us who have spent years trying, it can also be a nightmare. The stress it puts on the marriage is horrible. Sex becomes mechanical. Seeing your friends and family have one child after another is heartbreaking. When we first visited the fertility clinic we seemed like prime candidates for IVF. I was under the "dreaded" 35 and in good health. My FSH was borderline at 10.4, but the RE didn't seem overly concerned about it. I produced only 7 follicles (using Gonal F), they retrieved 5 eggs, all fertilized and 2 blastocysts remained for a day 5 transfer, none to freeze. After the transfer I forgot to take one of the medications prescribed, Medrol, and I almost lost my mind. The entire first round of IVF was just a disaster for me. I was a stressed, scared, crying, disorganized mess and I didn't become pregnant. My RE said I could have just 2 more tries at that clinic. He actually brought up donor eggs and adoption. I was like, already? I only did one cycle! He said with my FSH I should have produced a lot more than I did. SO, we took a few months off and then tried again. I was on the highest dosage of Gonal F. I did accupuncture, wrote absolutely everything down, took note of ALL the medication I was supposed to take, went on a "fertility diet", and I stayed calm. FIVE days into my shots the ultrasound showed only TWO follicles! I was devastated. I had to go to work and was so unbelievably depressed I could barely do my job. I kept going with the meds and started to look into the donor egg process. Four days later I had just 7 follicles again, they retrieved 5 and they all fertilized, but this time we got a call on day 3 saying the transfer had to be done that day because out of the 5 we only had 1 8-celled embryo. It was a great looking embryo, but the others weren't so good and the doc was afraid none would be remaining by day 5. I had them transfer ALL 5 embryos. After the transfer I relaxed and made sure I took all of my medications. I had cramping during the ENTIRE 2 week wait (and then for the first 16 weeks or so of pregnancy!). I thought for sure it was AF. I took a HPT and there was a very light line. I kept taking them the whole week. Then my blood test confirmed a beta of 133. I was pregnant with a singleton after transferring FIVE embryos. Anyway, just wanted to tell my story. It was a long and hard journey and the odds were against me that IVF would work. But it did. My daughter will be 1 year on December 10th. Don't give up hope.

[margi26]

Thanks for sharing...I think that most of us can relate to the range of emotions you must have been feeling. I call it the fertility "roller coaster". Congratulations to you! and thanks for the inspiration...as you see from my siggie, i've had a difficult couple years with IVF (the first landed me in and out of hospital for 6 weeks, and I could have died-says my doc). Insurance is run out so we are moving in what seems like the opposite direction to IUI. But, it is our only opportunity that we can afford so I am trying to stay hopeful. We are using injectibles and will start as soon as AF arrives in about a week or so.

Again, thank you for taking the time and sharing your positive story!! The IVF board has a lot of wonderful and supportive woman.

So--are you going to try for #2? or are you satisfied with your little girl?

[kynlee]

Rachel....

Thank you so much for sharing your story... I am new to Ivf, and nervous scared and excited...i started my meds in july had my transfer in Aug and got hyper stim so I was put on hold to do my transfer... I was discourage but amd takig a positive look on thngs... I get my first transfer Tuesday, super excited.. I got 14 frosties from my retrieval in Aug so I am transfering 2.. Your story gives me encouragement that it could happen for me... This website has helped me so much, finding great people to talk to and also making some great friends... If you dont mind me asking what kind of fertility diet were you on?? is there somewhere I can find info on what to eat and not to eat??? I heard of the pineapple so I am going to start that On Tuesday...

I know you had a tough and long journey, but thanks again for sharing your story and giving me hope

[rachellove]

margi26,
I'm sorry you've had such a tough journey. I am hoping and praying that you'll find success with IUI. MANY women do! As far as #2 goes...we won't be doing IVF again and I think I've had it with fertility drugs so if we do decide we want another we'll just try on our own and see what happens. Right now it's difficult to imagine having another...my pregnancy was uneventful and the delivery fast and pretty much textbook but my postpartum depression was a struggle. I don't know if I could go through that again.

kynlee,
wow! 14 frosties is amazing! We had none to freeze- both times. The first time I went through IVF I was shocked at how little I produced (and absolutely devastated). The second time I was hoping for more with the increase in meds but I finally came to terms with my situation. I kept telling myself, "It only takes ONE!". Your chances are great with so many to work with. Just relax, stay calm, try accupuncture (really helped with my emotions) and make sure you follow the medication regimen! As far as nutrition goes, there are a number of books out there with helpful suggestions. I cut out alcohol and caffeine and basically all junk food. I skipped the white bread for wheat and drank water and gatorade (no soda at all). I ate at least 2 pieces of fruit a day (peach, apple, banana). I got trail mix instead of chips from the vending machine at work. I was on prenatal vitamins for a long time before actually getting pregnant, so that was beneficial. I don't know if my diet actually helped me get pregnant, but I was willing to try and there was the added benefit of being only 122 lbs when I got pregnant due to the healthy eating.

[kynlee]

Rachel...

Thanks for the health tips.... I had my transfer today, alittle disappointed they had to defrost 8 out of 14 to get me two for transfer today... Glad I had the two that made it so now I am just praying and hoping all goes well.. I still have 6 more frosties so if It doesnt happen this time I have a few to fall back on... This is so tough emotional but I am staying positive, I so want a family Thanks again for sharing your story