Update: FET for Dummies =)

[turtle0619]

Oh..one more quick thing...I found out today that my new clinic does assisted hatching for free on all of the embryos...what the heck does that mean? haha
I think it's a good thing right? How can I be so clueless after all this time? haha

[Supergenius]

hi Franny, quick reply to you (and then I need to get on the road):

Hurrah for AF! I have never done a FET, but I assume they are just looking to see your estrogen levels are normal (so they have something to compare with once you start the Estrace). I wouldn't worry about that nurse - it's not like she was looking at your chart or anything. I am so excited for you!

Assisted hatching is where they pierce the outer coating of the fertilized egg to help it, well, hatch. I've done the AH with my embryos - can't say that it made the difference, but it didn't hurt either.

First SnS is tomorrow morning!

I'll try to write more later and do better personals.

[Supergenius]

katie - wow, ryan is a big boy! i'm always amused/interested how different babies grow. james has been in size 5 diapers for a while, but only size 24 months for clothes (3T for Ryan??? holy cow!). he's got the big tootsies like ryan though - wearing size 6s and I bought a few size 7 snow boots (i wish - no real snow here this winter). the size 7s are a bit big. we go in early march for the 15 month check-up - I am expecting James' stats to be similar to Ryan's.
hope you are holding up with the waiting - it gives you time to think of strategies for keeping that big toddler of yours in check when you are pregnant with his sibling!

claudia - hope you are feeling okay these days - not too much morning sickness?

franny - I think I meant to say also that the cyst, if you had one, would produce it's own estrogen. So they wouldn't be able to control your estrogen levels well if that was the case. I don't know why the nurse felt to say it that way. If your levels are normal (and there is no reason to think otherwise), then all is a go! Big hugs your way! Your SnS will go great tomorrow!

AFM, I also have my SnS tomorrow morning. This will be day four of stims, which if my past cycle are any indicator...I'm at the half-way point for stimming. I already feel the super hormonal swings and a little bloating. Still dealing with lack of coffee - I quit last time at the start of stims, so I can't help but feel like I need to do it again. Ugh.
Anyhow, to end on a positive note: I took James out at dusk to see the full moon and all the crows - he was floored. I don't think he'd seen such an amazing sight in his short life. He also picked up on the word "moon" very quick...maybe making the connection to some of the stories with the moon in it. Anyway, proud momma moment for me tonight.

[turtle0619]

Libby good luck tomorrow!! yay for being SnS buddies! haha
I hope you see lots of beautiful follies growing big and at the same speed!! I've been also cutting back on caffeine, but still allowing myself a glass of diet coke (my favorite!) a day. I went and got a bunch of really good loose tea over the weekend, and I will move over to that and water as soon as I am told to start my meds. My RE never mentioned prenatals, but I've been taking one a day for a few weeks now, along with folic acid, and vit. D. I figured it's better to start this whole rollercoaster as healthy as possible, and not leave any "what if's" out there!
I'll be thinking of you all day, and can't wait to hear your update! Oh..btw...I do NOT miss stimming...just thinking of gonal F makes me moody! haha xoxo

[turtle0619]

I am go!! I start meds tomorrow, and I go back for a lining check on the 17th! FETs are soooo easy! It's amazing!
I also found out that they just did a donor embryo cycle, and the woman is pregnant!! Yay!!

libby I'm thinking of you! Hope everything went well this morning! Can't wait to hear how many follies you have cooking in there!! xoxo

[Supergenius]

Franny - WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! Seriously, I am so happy for you girl! When do you get to go to the day spa again?
Do you have any other appointments besides the lining check? If not, that is amazing! A whole week without being poked or prodded.
I'm surprised they never mentioned prenatal vitamins to you. I think its a very good idea that you started them early. The nurse at my clinic recommended I start a couple months before doing a cycle. I've actually never stopped taking them.

Katie - I forgot to answer your question about picky eating. No, James is not picky per se but does not seem to eat alot either. I have no idea how he is growing. Must be the milk. Sometime we just put a plate down on the coffee table and he can graze as he plays. He seems to have a limit of 15 minutes in the high chair and then poof, he MUST GET OUT OF THAT DEATH CHAIR. Sometime I can distract him with toys at the table, but then I'm feeding him which defeats the point of getting him to feed himself.

My SnS went well today - this is day 5 of stimming and I have 15 follies total. No measurements for them - I assume that will happen next appt (on Thursday morning). My last two cycles I stimmed about 8-9 days, so I am assuming I'm halfway to trigger day. Fun, fun, fun! I may have my egg retrieval on Valentine's day, which is just so romantic.

[Arabsrcool]

Franny,

You have the green light for GO GO GO!!!. That is awesome. FETS are amazingly easy, you will be getting your big ol BFP soon!

Libby,

Sounds like you are cooking your eggs well....half way there is awesome!

afm, started with a personal trainer...ahhhhhhh I hurt. Thought I was in pretty decent shape, however, the trainer is showing me all the holes in my prior workout. I sure it will get better, aka, less painful soon!

Ronda

[klinger13]

Franny - YAY for getting the green light!!! WOO-HOO!!! I'm so excited for you and I'm happily cheering you on!

[claud662]

Franny-yah for starting estrace and no apts for a whole week!!! Your transfer will be here before you know it

Libby-15 is a great start! Good luck Thursday:)

[katie99]

Hi everyone!

This will be a drive by quickie post because I am determined to get a decent nights sleep for a change. What? it could happen.. umm, yeah I say this every night and it always ends up that the only time I get to get some things done is after DS goes to sleep

Franny - Hooray for getting your green light to get started! And a clinic that isnt a nightmare to get ahold of has got to be a pleasure.. I was told by my old RE that assisted hatching is a standard thing for all FETs because after the thaw their shell is a bit "rubbery" and harder to hatch out of. I had to ask this new clinic if they also do AH for all FETs and they do, so for now (miracously) I had no more questions for them.. at least for the moment, lol. I got my transfer time ( 3/15 at 3pm) but still havent gotten any more of my schedule yet, guess I wont be hearing anything until they're ready for me to start estrace injections. I still find that odd to not take estrace orally, but new clinic, new ways I suppose. This will go quick for you and hopefully with as little stress as possible - hope you're ready because this is going to work!! I'm excited to hear how you'll tell everyone.. I have a good feeling about this for you.. can you tell? lol.

Libby - Go mama! 15 follies is fantastic!! You're off to a great start. I think Valentine's Day is a perfect day to get some eggies, ok, so IVF isnt romantic, but its end result sure is! I hear you on giving up coffee - taking care of toddlers practically requieres coffee, doesnt it? I've decided that they are a cross between tiny tornados and Tasmanian devils whirring all about! My favorite is the walking and not looking where they're going, bouncing off of things like the couch, or the dog and the ooops face that they make when you giggle at them. Thats great that James picks up new words fast. Ryan babbles all day long, but other than mama, dada doesnt say anything else yet, well not that I can make out at least. I know! I have no idea how they grow so fast or how they grow at all when it seems like they cant be bothered to eat. Its got to be the milk, theres no other explaination.Yes, 3T is for jackets and those snug fit pjs, tops & pants are 24m and sockies are 2/3T which are getting tight, I have a whole set of 4/5T sockies waiting, but I dont want him to trip because they're a tad too big yet, snow boots & walking sneakers are a 7 and a little big, but sooo many shoes were only worn once, or not at all because he outgrows things at a ridiculous rate. Hopefully we'll get to use them again with a sibling..

[claud662]

ahhh...I finally have a few minutes to post on an actual computer while my sister is watching the little one!!!

Katie-I'm stil confused...are you getting lining/bloodwork checks in NY/NJ or do they just want you to start a certain dosage of estrace before flying out to Nevada and they will check you before transfer??!?! I still can't believe how big Ryan is!! 3T?!?! Mady is still wearing 18-24month PJ's and she is 75% for height and 50% for weight!! How is the feeding going? I haven't been strict with the bottles so I will probably start after her 15 month check up in a few weeks

Franny-how's it going mama?!? At my clinic they also always do AH for FET's and it gives you a better chance of the embryo implanting!! Did you decide what to do with work? I guess you can see after the first SnS how late it will make you and if you will have a lot of them to go to depending on your numbers/lining. Is Barry getting excited?!

Libby-how did your SnS go this morning!! I can't wait to see how many foliles are growing DH is going to have to wait on you hand and foot for V-day!!!

AFM...9 weeks yesterday and still feeling pretty crappy but not actual throwing up so it's manageable to deal with. My TWO dinners has begun (I usually need a bowl of cereal around 10:00PM or else I'm STARVING)!! I just hope this time around I don't gain over 40 pounds!!! I go for my first obgyn apt next Wednesday morning and can't wait to see/hear Ruby!!! DH and I are going into Jersey City this weekend to celebrate a V-day dinner! have a great day ladies.

[brit1612]

I think I joined this thread way back when....but then I kept getting my cycle delayed. I am hopefully starting pills and patches tomorrow, as long as my baseline goes well. Then I will be transferring 2 of my remaining donor embryos at the end of the month. Hope you ladies don't mind me joining y'all! Good luck to everyone, hope it is a very positive month for all!

[turtle0619]

Hi everyone. going to try to get in a few personals!

Libby How did everything go today at your 2nd SnS? I hope those follies are behaving themselves and growing nice and big!! How are you doing without caffeine? I have been working a lot of early mornings this week. (like in at 5:30am) and the lack of coffee is killing me. It's all for a good cause though, and I'll do whatever it takes! I just take naps when I get home. hehehe

Katie ummm yeah...what claud just said....what the heck is going on with your cycle? Yay for a transfer date!! March 15th sounds like a wonderful day to get knocked up in nevada with your hubs and baby across the country! Oh the rumors that can spread from this one!! I'm so glad Ryan is doing so well, and growing like a big boy should!!
I'm telling you..this clinic is like a dream...I had no idea it could ever be this easy. Even their waiting room is nice..they have big comfy couches, and a fireplace going, and they pump in this amazingly peaceful meditation music. I actually *wish* they would take their time and make me wait just so I'd have a reason to stay in those couches longer!! haha

claudYay for 9 weeks, and yay for not throwing up, and yay for going to your obgyn!! What an exciting time! Are you still pinching yourself all the time? When are you going to start telling other people?? Oh and I think I missed the story behind naming your lil bean Ruby...what made you start calling him/her that? Are you planning on waiting to find out the sex again like you did with Mady?? I hope Lincoln doesn't feel left out!!
As for my SnS..I have one next Friday in the morning, and I don't work until the afternoon so it worked out perfectly. I asked the nurse what would happen after that SnS, and she said that if my lining was nice and thick then they would schedule my transfer! So if everything looks good next Friday she said I would have my transfer on Tuesday the 21st!! Amazing right???? I'm trying not to think about it because I don't want to jinx it, but knowing that I decided to change my schedule around that week so that I would have tuesday and wednesday off, and then I have some training class I have to take online for work, and I made it so I can work from home on that Thursday and do it then!! So now I have to just pray my lining is nice and thick and ready to go or else all this planning is out the window!!

Amanda I am so thankful for you cheering me on!! It means the world to me! Guess where I am going this weekend?? Turning stone casino! Kinda by the TeePee!! haha How are you doing? How does it feel to have a lil baby around again? Have your older kids been able to come down to meet her yet?? xoxo

Ronda OMG...FET's are soooo easy. Man I had no idea! Thank you for popping in and supporting me!! Yay for getting a personal trainer!! That's amazing. I am so proud of you. If you keep at it, you will actually start to like the pain! That's crazy talk right? But it's true, because you will start to see results, and the pain will remind you that you are doing something good for yourself, and it will motivate you to keep going!! You are a super mom!!!

Brit I'm so glad you joined out little group here!! Please stick around with us!! I'm sorry your FET's keep getting canceled! That so frustrating. I have 2 IVF cycles get canceled and it was sooo painful! This time yours will not be canceled though!! I'm here for you. I don't know if you know this, but if it wasn't for you and katie I wouldn't even have heard about donor embies!! You are part of what keeps my dreams alive, and hopefully will make them come true! You are my inspiration! You are such a positive addition to these boards, and I am thrilled you are going to be cycling with me!! xoxo

AFM day 2 of meds! yay! I am taking estrace 2mg 3 times a day, and a low dose steroid once a day. I never had to take a steroid before so I don't really know what that's about, but whatever...I just take it!
I also found out from my clinic that my embies were shipped and arrived today at my local clinic (they were being stored in their clinic in Rochester). I'm so proud of them for taking such a big trip at such a young age!! I'm such a proud mama!! It's a good feeling to know that there are here waiting for me though, and that I don't have to wonder if anyone did their job and got them shipped! (I swear my last 2 clinics messed so much stuff up it has made me so paranoid when anyone says they are going to get something done!)
I am going to turning stone casino for the weekend with DH for a little v-day getaway so I am excited! I should put all my money on 21 since that is the day I'm hoping to have my transfer!!


*much love always*

[katie99]

Oh so much good news around here - I love it!

Franny - Yippeee for your embies arriving at your local clinic with no problems or stress- embie shipping day is stressful to say the least. I'm thrilled that you like your new clinic and that you get the pleasure of being tended to and not being ignored like some clinics do. Gee, who would think that returning a call or actually answering their phones could make such a difference, huh? lol. I'm in the same boat and am already spoiled that every single time I call - someone answers the phone AND helps me. Ahh, its the little things that make us happy.. Your embies wont have too long to wait, the 21st is soo close!! Is your DH getting excited yet? Whew, for your superior planning skills, not worrying about your work schedule is a bleesing in itself. Come on thick lining and be on time so Franny wont have to work that week, hee hee. Are you doing any bed rest this time? My clinic told me that 3 "princess days" were advised after transfer - well that sure sounds appealling, but when does it ever really happen? And with a tornado toddler? Umm, I'll try, but after leaving Chris alone for 3 days with Ryan I'm pretty sure that asking him to do everything for another 3 days isnt likely. He'd be willing to, but I always feel lazy if i'm not doing everything myself, you know? Wheeee, Piper is going to be tearing up baby toys in your house soon

Brit - Welcome! You have the most positive attitude and your posts are always so warm. Hoping that you're ready to go and fingers crossed for no more cancellations!

Claudia - Aww, honey, you are in such good shape that you could eat 3 dinners and still be the hottest mom in your town! And besides cereal doesnt count as a meal anyway I cant wait to hear about your OB visit next Wed! So Franny has a good question - are you going to find out the gender this time? Or will you drive us all mad waiting to know, lol. You have the patience of a saint, I tell you. Hmm, my schedule seems to be missing a big piece. All they've told me so far is to get on BCPs and that my FET date is 3/15 - where is the important part?? If I dont hear from the donor coordinator next week I'll email her and whine that I need to know for my own piece of mind when and how many u/s i'll need to get here before I fly out there. I'm guessing 1 but 2 sounds more like it. For b/w I'll have them put an e-order to labcorp, but I prefer an RE to do any u/s, they said they can send me to a hospital for u/s, but I think its better for an RE's office to do them since thats what they do, you know? I have no idea how many trans vaginal u/s are done in a hospital - but you know any RE's office u/s sure are a large part of their day, haha.

Libby - How are you doing honey? Bravo to you for be able to stim while toddler wrangling all day long, I know that cant be easy on you. Wishing you many healthy follies! Good job James!! Saying "moon"! He's a good listener, and talker. Ryan isnt saying much of anything that I can understand, he did say mama, dada, hi and something that sounded like "eight" but he said them all day everyday for a week or so and then once he's tired of it, he just stops saying it, I suppose. So I guess he can talk, but only when he feels like it. I eagerly wait each day for him to decide to say something, anything, but it hasnt happened lately. I can barely get him to wave hi or bye bye. He is strong willed for sure I keep hearing that one day they just open up and start talking all the time, and I sure wish it would happen soon. Keep growing those follies mama!

I'm off to bed while I can still make some sense - tired sneaks up on me as soon as I sit down lately. much love to you all -

[klinger13]

Franny - Ha ha, and have a great time at Turning Stone! It's wonderful having a little one again and since I've gotten to be a stay-at-home mom this time, it's been even better than I imagined. And yep, the older kids love her like crazy. I try to go up once a month to visit them, the grandbabies, and the rest of my family and with all of these new babies, it's so much fun! I'm so excited that your embabies are all safe & sound and just waiting for you now.