FEB / MARCH 2011 Cycle Buddies!! can't wait!

[crissylove]

Shay that's awesome! They'll probably try to slow u dwn so ur eggs can play catch up. I'll keep u in prayer with the OHSS. You'll be fine. Remember to take it easy on the salt or maybe go no salt for now if u can manage. Eat a lot of raw veggies like spinach and broccoli salads, snow peas, and watery fruit. Keeps u going potty. Low salt is the key though.

[Shaymama]

Crissy- Thanks for the prayers and advice. Why low salt? I have been really tired today and I told my DH that I have not been peeing much today. I started drinking lots of crystal light this evening and I have been going pee non-stop. Does the stims effect your kidneys? Do you think I have to many follies? What is a good number? I am going to ask what my estrogen levels have been so I can start tracking it for myself. How is your cycle going so far? Just think in two weeks we will be knocked up!

SD- I have been crying when I watch American idol. I have acne because of my PCOS and so far with all these hormones my acne has been clearing up a little so they are my friend too. What does progesterone do to you?

[BlissfulCS]

lol- maybe it is "AS FOR ME"... I just assumed from day one it was ALL FUTURE MOTHERS because people use it to address the whole group after addressing individuals. Given we need all the PMA we can get, I am going with the latter choice. That's funny!

SD/LYD10- thanks for the detail and advice. I am much more comfortable now. And like you- I have younger frosties in reserve. Going for this fresh cycle to improve the odds and stock up on young embies since we want 2 and we already have two failed cycles. When I chill out and think about it, I really like the fact that we will be freezing at Day 2 and only taking a portion to blast.

SD- thinking of you. Can't wait to hear the report.

Shaymama- good luck as you progress. Take it easy!

Mamaboo- congrats!

AFM- Pulled my taxes together for our CPA today and realized how much stinking money I spent on this stuff last year! Deductibility is just about the only silver lining to multiple BFNs so I tried to savor the experience of totaling everything up. Ordered my baby in a box which is being delivered on Valentines Day. AF is due on the 16th and it will be here just in time. Getting excited to jump in the action!

[blairwh58]

The LIST

Tina-Marie: ER in March






Blissful: AF 2/16
ER 3/1

JenMink55: ER- March 2/3
ET- March 7/8

Blairwh58- on prometrium so should have AF around 2/12
Lupron 3/5
ER/ET late March




Nancy1: Started injections Jan 31

Mamaboo: Lupron 2/5
ET 3/11

To_have_fun: Lupron 2/3
ER 2/21


Crissylove: Start stims 2/1
ER-2/12
ET-2/15-2/17

Shaymama: Start stims- 2/1
ER-2/12
ET-2/15-2/17

LYD10: Stimming
ER Feb 10


SD Trying: ER 2/6, ET 2/10 Beta 2/22






[/quote]

[blairwh58]

SD- Hope things went great this morning!! Cant wait to hear all about it.

LYD10- Sounds like you are well on your way to a a great ER on thursday. Keep us posted on how things develop between now and then.

shaymama- Sorry to hear about the possible OHSS. Hopefully they can keep things under control and still have a very successful ER/ET. Good luck.

crissylove- Keep up the good work with the stims!!

Blissful- What are your potential start dates for everything? I wasnt sure but knew that you said you were expected AF...so I put you there. Just let me know.

JenMink- Any luck with AF yet? I know you sad you were 2 days late...I am technically going onto 25 days past when I would normally start. If only that meant we were pregnant!! Good luck and I hope she comes to visit you soon!

Nancy1- which injections were you starting? And do you have your estimated dates?

To have fun/ Mamaboo- let the fun begin!! Good luck with the lupron- one step closer!!

AFM- I am soooo sorry that I volunteered to keep track of everything and then disappeared. I usually get emails sent to my phone when people post to the board but hadnt gotten any and just figured there wasnt much action here...but oh was I wrong. I tried to skim through and get everyones dates to put on here- let me know if I screwed any up or missed anyone. Things have been crazy with work and school so I havent had much spare time. I finally gave up on waiting for AF and started the Prometrium wednesday...so I should have a period around next saturday/sunday. I am pissed that I could have started it sooner and would have already started my period but I guess hindsight is 20:20. Oh well. Still hoping to transfer in mid/late March but I guess time will tell.

[cwehrs]

Hi everyone! I haven't been on in a while since I was just in a holding pattern taking BCPs and waiting to get going. Last pill is Tuesday, so it's finally time to get going. I have my baseline US on friday and then start stimming next sunday. Finally!

SD- My last cycle was in November. After that I decided to take a couple of months off to just enjoy Christmas and take a couple of months of DHEA and see if that helped any. I guess I'll find out if it did anything at my ER in about 3 weeks. I see you are having your ER today, good luck and keep us posted!

[BlissfulCS]

Blair...THANK YOU for the list. You are doing a great job and you totally nailed my dates. Love it!

Cwhers- welcome back! You and I took the same approach after our November BFN. I have been on DHEA, going to acupuncture, eating a fertility diet, meditating and doing fertility yoga. I it has been like living in a 3 month fertility health spa (except for having to go to work ).

[blairwh58]

All- I have seen some of you mention the fertility diet. I've never actually done one but thought maybe it was worth a shot this time around. Does anyone have a list of the foods they could send me?

[JenMink55]

First, AF finally came yesterday 5 days late!!!!!!!!!! Ugh.... if only being late actually meant I was pregnant lol. Tried to call RE yesterday and they are closed on Saturdays so I have to call tomorrow.

Blair-- you asked about the Fertility Diet, here is what my RE gave me--- it's long!

Bad List (Don't eat): Sugar (including hidden sugars and fruit juice), Breads, baked goods, and flour (all breads, cookies and flour products), Cereal and instant oatmeal, Potatoes, potato products and yams, Yogurt (all types), Beer, white wine and other alcohol, Ice cream and frozen yogurt and Banana's.

So-SO List (see below for how much): Pasta, Rice (including brown), slow cooked oatmeal (steel cut)

Good List (eat anything from here): Anything not listed above, Meats, fruits, veggies and nuts. Dairy products, Corn products (including: corn chips, popcorn and corn tortillas-not flour).

* From the good list there is no need to limit portion size. Just stop eating when you are full. Eat only when hungry. Red wine may be consumed in moderation *

Phase 1 --- Restrictive Phase-- 1 month long
* Nothing from the Bad List
* 1-2 Servings/week from the So-So List
* As much as you want from the Good List
* Must be very strict to get good results
* Relearn eating habits
* Decreases cravings for bad foods
* Impressive results in 4 weeks
* You may be hungry between meals for 1-2 weeks. Eat snacks from the good list-- DO NOT CHEAT!
* After 4 weeks have a "cheat day". Pay close attention to how you feel after cheating. This feeling becomes your warning when you have too much from the bad list.

Phase 2--- Maintenance Phase- Ongoing
* Used after the initial restrice phase
* 2-3 servings/week from the Bad List (serving size= size of a tennis ball)
* 3-4 servings/week from the So-SO List
* As much as you want from the Good List
* Eat only when hungry, stop eating when your full
* Cheat day 1 time/week
* Vacations- Enjoy yourself! You may need to return to the restrictive phase for a few weeks after your vacation.
* During all phases exercise 3 x per week for 20-30 minutes. Must have muscle fatigue or cardiovascular workout for best results.


Well that's it, I typed it right off the paper. There might be a few diets out there, this one has something to do with the glucose levels which helps fertility.

Enjoy! It's gorgeous today in California! 75 degrees! We be back for personals later. Love you all--- Jen

[JenMink55]

Forgot to send good wishes to SD on the ER today! Cannot wait to hear the counts!! EXCITING!!!!!
Hopefully you get something good to eat today too

Jen

[blairwh58]

Jenmink- thanks for all that info on the fertility diet. Sounds a lot like the south beach diet. Are you supposed to lose a bunch of weight while your on it? I'm asking because I would prefer to stay around the size I am right now. I know sometimes not weighing enough can affect fertility. I guess maybe whenever I start me period ill ask the md for suggestions. Thanks again!!

[BlissfulCS]

Blair- my diet was a little different. It is based on a book called "The Fertility Diet" which I ordered and read. Essentially, it is just a normal healthy diet. It does include carbs, however recommends complex carbs and an avoidance of most simple carbs like sugars, fruit juices, and enriched flours. Very similar to Jen's but fiber is recommended in the form of whole grain breads and cereals. Also, cold water fish for Omega threes is encouraged a couple times a week. Red meat is okay in moderation, but the diet recommends getting most of your protein from plants, particularly nuts which also have beneficial fats. Most interesting is the fact that the diet recommends a switch to whole fat dairy products during the time you are trying to concieve, hence the reason you have seen some ladies on here celebrating the need to eat ice cream! It appears that a lot of the beneficial nutrients and hormones in cows milk are removed in the process of removing the fat. Better to get it from milk, cheeses, or yogurts than ice cream though which contains those evil sugars or artificial sweeteners.

The jury was out on caffeine and alcohol, but I made the decision to abstain from both after reading the conflicting results of many studies. Caffeinne in moderation is actually GOOD for DH though. Not fair!!!

The diet is based on a fascinating study not directly related to fertility called the Nurses Study. I I believe it was conducted by multiple researchers from Harvard. Two separate studies followed something like 16,000 nurses over the course of their lives, interviewing them once a year on their lifestyle choices, life events, and health condition. The women who followed a diet similar to that above were far less likely to suffer from ovulatory infertility. So the thought is that following a diet like this can help increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally if that is the issue. I have tubal issues, but am following the diet in the hopes it will increase the chances of producing better eggs.

The book also talks about a fertility sweet spot in terms of BMI. If you are at a healthy BMI you should not lose weight. And on this diet, you are unlikely to do so thanks to the whole fat dairy and nuts. I gained 6 pounds, but was on the low side of BMI and wanted to gain a few pounds. I feel like I am in a good spot now so I have tightened up on the calories and leveled off. Like Jen says, you should get at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a week. An hour is even better, but don't overdo it (no more than 5 days a week, your body needs rest). It seems there is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

My RE wrote a short article in his fall newsletter. Here is the link. You will see the link to his Fall Newsletter in the yellow box about a third of the way down the page.

Don't worry if you haven't followed anything... our eggs have been with us our whole lives. Ultimately any good or bad we have done is already done, but there is some opportunity to improve productivity and quantity over a 90 day period prior to retrieval as eggs go through the maturation process. Or at least that is the thought, there is no definitive proof. Same thing with DHEA. But if it doesn't hurt...why not try it!?

http://www.fertilitycentermi.com/

[MamaBoo]

Lyd10: I have never done Menopur. I did Follistem for my IVF. This time, I'm not stimming at all. I'm doing an FET. It is too bad that the meds have to be so complicated. Is it dictated by your insurance? I was really glad the Follistim was so simple. I was quite overwhelmed when I first started IVF.

Please, don't think too mean of me that I do not do personals too often. I have a terrible time with names and get confused when trying to do them.

[crissylove]

Hi Shay,
I've been keeping busy today so I'm late jumping on. I went to the beach to get so mental relaxation-clear the mind. I went to do my first post stim U/S this am. I'm moving quickly myself. 18 follies so far. U have an excellent number. No cause for concern. Y low salt? Just to keep ur OHSS In check. It will send ur body in diuretic mode and keep u peeing. Good luck with ur ofc visit in the am. I'll be at mine too, so we can keep each other company.

Blairwh-thx for list. Awesome job!

SD-don't fret. It only takes one as u already know.

Good to see everyone else in progress.

[BlissfulCS]

SD- if standard math holds...six is what you need to get to three blasts so...CONGRATS. I love the PMA. How frequently will you receive updates on fertilization/embryo development? Big time prayers for you tonight!