AUG/SEPT BUDDIES!

[Kate21]

Hi Girls,

Sorry been MIA again - will explain later. Been trying to catch up on all the posts and I seem to have missed loads!

Coco - sorry to haer about your lab being scared - bless her! Sounds like your AP knows here stuff and getting a pattern is a good thing, at least she will understand your body better and then know where and when to put the needles. It amazes me that they can tell so much from a pulse rate. Mine told me she could tell that I was pregnant (I'd just had my ET so technically I was!) due to my pulse rate!! Don't worry about the natural way not working the first mth, there is still time! Even after 6yrs of trying I still get upset every mth when AF arrives....think it is just natural!

Babycrazy - not heard about your conditions, but I'm sure the doctor knows best and if he says it shouldn't affect things then I would go with him. We have enough to stress about without adding to them!

Rinnie - how's the landscaping going? The meditation area sounds lovely, just what you need. I love gardening, I find it very theraputic (only when the sun is shining tho!).

JHarris - don't worry about not doing AP, we just have to do what we can. I tried yoga and loved it, but just ran out of time so had to stop. I would love to go back, I might once school closes for the summer - I think anything that helps us to relax is a good thing.

Karen - any news on your friend?

Valerie - how's you? I can titally relate to your cat story. I have the most adorable cat who wakes me up around 4am every morning! I see it as training for when my baby arrives....I hopefully won't be too tired as I will be used to 4am feeds!!

I have had a manic weekend, we had DH daughter stay with us whihc is lovely but she is like a little whirlwind! I think she wants to stay with us more often as she gets more attention from us (her mum works shifts and so is basically looked after by an au pair). Hopefully over the summer holidays we can sort something out. We also had to pick up my brother from Heathrow (nightmare journey) as he fly in from Dubai (he lives out there) to surprise my parents. I feel like I have spent most of the weekend driving and have come back to work for a rest!!

AF also arrived on Friday so that is one hurdle out the way before my BFP arrives! I have to stay on the sprays until 7th August when I start stimming - feels like ages away but I am sure it will fly by (I hope!).

Anyway, have a good day everyone - catch you later

Kate
Sue Hoping, JDC - hope you guys are all ok?

[SueQiwi]

Cocos--Im so sorry the natural way did not work this time. I am always shocked at how devastated I feel upon getting AF--even though i know darn well my chances are near nil of getting pregnant the natural way! But I think our dream of being a Mum is so pure and true that our hopes raise at any chance we have. It is only natural. Keep the faith--you will be a Mum.

SDtrying--thanks so much for dropping by with some encouragment! Hopefully you sprinkled some of your baby dust upon our thread! Hope all is well with the baby.

Valerie, Kate, HopinginPA, Rinnie, Karen, JDC, JHarris--have you all been taking your follic acid? If not--start immediately! Your babies are going to need it

[jharris12]

Good morning ladies. Hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend! I didn't realize how much had went on since my last post until I just started thinking of responding to everyone! I even got on this weekend to check in, but got busy and didn't get a chance to respond. So.....

Rinne: Welcome back from your trip! Sounds like you had a fantastic time with the DH! Yes, I am counting the days! And I can almost picture that medation garden!! Enjoy it!

valerie: I keep telling myself that plenty of women have successful cycles without AP, so that's helping. I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to make sure this works. But I have a good feeling about this cycle, for all of us!! And I am with you. I am going to have to start taking notes to keep up with everyone. Your kitten story was great! I just love cats anyway!

JDC: Not much longer before you get that huge amount of meds again!! That is great that you are getting so close! Hope you enjoyed the gym!

hopinginpa: I am so ready to get my schedule!!! It will be one more step closer! Good luck with the house hunting!! Where are you looking again? I am sure you told me, but my memory isn't one of my strong points lately!

SD: Thanks for checking on us. I was so happy to read all your stories. You kept my last cycle entertaining! I couldn't wait to check and see what covert actions you came up with! Hope you and the little bean are doing well!

cocos: Easy weekends are the best, aren't they? Sorry the natural thing didn't work, but at least your APist is learning things about you to help you in the future. You always have to look at the positive side of things! And we all deserve a "me" post every once in a while!

kate: Sounds like you had a hectic weekend! Hope you get some rest now that you are back to work! I haven't been able to start yoga yet, but hopefully soon.

SueQiwi: I have been taking my pre-natal vitamins since before my lsat cycle. And I am also taking another supplement that contains a lot of vitamins/anit-oxidants, etc. I am trying to make sure my body is ready when I start this again!

So I have an appt with my RE today at 11:30. Hopefully he will let me know he got me some discounts for this cycle. And I am sure he will give me my BCP's today to start day 3 of AF, which should be here around the end of this week, so I should be starting BCP's by 1st of nexy week and get going again! ANd hopefully he can give me a tentative schedule to help me plan out the next month or so!! I will let you all know what he says!! OK, I know it was a long post, but I had to catch up! I'm thinking about you all!!

[jharris12]

Good afternoon ladies. I apologize now if this turns into a long post, but I have to get this off my chest!

To start at the beginning, 3 years ago, my first husband died. We had a 3 yr old DS, and I couldn't imagine having another child lose a parent so young, so I decided to have my tubes tied. Now, 3 years later and having met the most wonderful man, and getting married, we decided that we wanted children together. So we made an appt with the RE to discuss our options. My DH is diabetic, and the 1st RE we saw said IVF was a great option, and we moved ahead with it instead of a reversal. My DH has poor morphology, so they said we would need ICSI. Our 1st cycle got us a BFN. So at our follow up with a different RE in the same clinic, he asked why we didn't get the reversal to begin with. It's cheaper with a higher success rate. We told him about DH's diabetes, which is all in the charts, and he said that we would have to have ICSI so IVF was our only option. OK, so I go in today and see the same RE we saw at the follow up, and he is back to thinking we should do a reversal!!!! He says DH's analysis came back fine other than the morphology, which was only 1% worse than they like. DH is taking fertility vitamins, and an acai juice blend that is supposed to help, so the RE says we should have another SA done and if it all looks better we should proceed with a reversal instead. OK, why didn't they tell us before our 1st cycle?? We could have saved a lot of money with a reversal instead of the IVF cycle. But we won't know until the SA which option the RE will use. So he gave me a pack of pills to start day 2 of my next AF, and DH is going Wed morning for another SA, and I guess we won't know until next week what we are doing.

I don't want any of you to think I'm ungrateful. I have a wonderful 7 yr old DS, but my DH does not have children, and I would love to give them to him. I made a decision while depressed. But just knowing my RE could have saved me some of this frustration and told me to reverse first is very aggravating. And depending on my DH's next SA, we may still need IVF. I guess I will know more next week if I get to cycle again.

Anyway, thank you for "listening" to me. I am praying for all of you, and wish you all the best. I know your BFP's are coming soon.

[JDC]

jharris: I'm so sorry to hear about your frustrations. I would also be completely and utterly aggravated in your shoes. I hope they can give you some concrete answers soon and you can make the decision that is best for you. You can vent here anytime! Hoping the best for DH's SA.

SueQiwi: Yep, I've been taking my prenatal among other things!

Kate21: Sounds like you had a crazy weekend. I feel like my life is quieting down which is kind of nice for awhile. Actually finding a bit of serenity. Yeah for AF arriving!

coco: Sorry the natural way didn't work this month....I can relate about how we may be mentally prepared for these let downs, but emotionally NOT. I don't even have tubes anymore, and I still get that sinking feeling when I get AF. But now it is quickly replaced with excitement of moving on to the next step of IVF. I also take a very disgusting tasting herb which is a powder I mix with hot water - it's called cordy seng. Then I also take milk thistle which is in a dropper, but that actually taste pretty good. The rest are in pill form...and a lot of them. Hey, at least your AP is excited, that's a good sign!

Rinnie, Hoping, Karen, Valerie.....Hope everyone is doing well and keeping up that PMA!

As for me...not much new. My AP said my pulse felt much better tonight. I completely fell asleep during AP. My nurse failed to order any of the antiobiotics or Medrol for my cycle. I know it is rediculous, but in the back of my mind I felt like she did this because they didn't think I would make it to transfer anyway. I know it's crazy.

Does anyone know anything about antral follicle counts and do they predict response to stims?

Good bye for now my friends!

[hopinginpa]

Jharris- So sorry about your first husband, that must have been so hard on you and your DS. My heart goes out to you. We all make decisions while depressed. I think the reversal is easy, did you have a band placed or cauterization? That makes a difference.
The diabetes thing is tough-my DH is diabetic as well. His only problem is morphology, but we did get pregnant on our own 3 times. Diabetes sucks and no RE or endocrinologist wants to admit that it affects fertility...but I believe it does. It affects every body system, why not reproductive. Good luck with the SA and have fun this month trying
Oh we are moving to Durham in October.

SD-Great to hear from you. How is the bean doing? Anymore U/S?
Are you an attending now?

Cocos- I love labs! I have a boxer/lab mix, who was afraid of thunder a couple of weeks ago for 1st time. Cute! He always sleeps with me. He is my baby! I think you are the only one doing FET. I did it once and it is so much easier!

Kate-wow you had a busy weekend, I got tired just reading it! Hope you can start yoga soon, I will be starting that tomorrow, since I can't do Acu this cycle. Too expensive with the meds.

Valerie, Rinnie,Suequwi, JDC, babycrazy- hope you are all doing well. Thinking about you all. Thank you for helping me make it through this process. I really enjoy coming home at night and reading the posts! You all make is easier to go through this again!!!!!

[babyloves]

Hi guys,
i'm kinda in the june/july board, but 1/2 of them are in 2ww and talking about betas/POAS, etc....this is my 1st IVF, and i'm currently on BCPs, aspirin, finished my antibiotics, and waiting for AF. My 1st class is tomm with DH (i made him come with me...we're both doctors and so injections are not hard to do, but still just as annoying and painful as for anyone . Wondering if this thread has more people just waiting to stim in early july like me? Any 1st timers in here? i had 2 cysts on my mock ET so i have to wait to start stim based on E2, but i hope its not for long. Go for US/BW on 7/4. Anyone had this problem? My RE thinks its cuz i'm on BCP and i ovulated thru them. Its so crazy but i'm wondering what the chances of getting pregnant are on BCP - not like that's a good thing considering its teratogenic. i had a patient who become preggie on BCP while taking meridia (weight loss pill) and she's 43...go figure. thanks for listening...i'm hoping to connect with people in my similar cycle.

[valerie68]

Good evening girls!

jharris: I sympathize with your frustration during this whole process!.
I'm so very sorry about losing your first husband so suddenly, I'm sure it was a very trying time for you and DS. It made me very sad that you both had to go through that! But you found happiness again and you will make your DH a Daddy one way or the other.
Is there a way for you to go to a different clinic and get a third opinion? Is blood test will probably determine a little better what route you're going to take. I understand you are mad, I would be as well in such a situation. But maybe it's one of those issue where it could go either way. That's why I think a 3rd opinion would be beneficial. Good luck and vent again anytime you feel like it!


Hoping: Stims are right around the corner for you! How exciting! We are ready to celebrate your BFP...you're the leader of our pack!

JDC: You are going to do great, don't read anything into what happened with your meds! Keep your PMA and always believe that you're getting pregnant. I don't know anything about antral follicle counts. Wish I could help you on that.

Kate21: What a crazy weekend for you, it's good in a way because it keeps you so busy you don't see time going by. AF is our best relative around for right now...we just LOVE to see her as long as it's only once a month for 5 days and only until we are PUPO!
I can't wait to have mine...it will be feel like I'm beginning again!

Coco: Maybe it will work the next month...I just have that feeling for you...I don't know why.
Since you're on a special diet, I wanted to ask you if you were also advised to avoid milk, cheese and butter. My APist says that it has too much hormones and is not good for the reproductive system. Not really a big deal for me as I don't drink milk, eat very little cheese but love butter.
I hope your diet is making you super healthy and that you're doing well.

SueQiwi: I've been on prenatal vitamins for the past 6 months and will keep being on it until I'm well into my pregnancy! Good reminder as it's so important!

Karen: We haven't heard much from you and I hope you're doing well and getting more and more ready for your next try.

Rinnie:How is the landscaping shaping up? I'd love to see what you have done. I work alongside landscapers at times and love when my work and their work kind of fuse together. I love making people happy by growing orchids for them, it's very rewarding! Did you start meditating next to your Buddha?

As for me, the weather was extremely hot today, it felt like an oven...not the best feeling but I made it through! One thing's for sure, I never have to go to a sauna...I'm in one everyday and still don't have THE best complexion in town.

My APist said I was doing well and thought I had good Chi as the needles move the entire time they're in there. I think she will start doing different things starting with my next AF around the 10th of July.
I believe I ovulated this month...temp was up and had a lot of pulling on my right side for 2 days..never had that before but AP tells me that's good.

Well that's all for tonight...wishing you all a great day tomorrow!

XO

Val

[karenvancouverisland]

hi all!! just wanted to say a quick hello..i've been quite busy (all good stuff though).. i'll catch up tomorrow and wishing everyone the best! karen

[hopinginpa]

Welcome Babyloves- I too am going for my US in July. I am currently on BCP until the 7th and then start stims on the 11th. This is my third fresh cycle, I did have a cyst the first time around, I had ovulated. I had to stay on BCP for an extra week and it was small enough then to start. They aspirated it at ER.
I had a pt once who conceived triplets naturally while on BCP! She wasn't happy since she was in her 40s and had children in there 20s! So anything can happen!
Good luck with your U/S on Friday.

Valerie-I too was told by my ac to stay away from milk and cheese. I used to have cereal with milk in am and now have oatmeal. I just got some organic oatmeal and I feel better with it.
Your weather sounds crazy! I am here in PA and it is hot enough up here! This humidity is crazy this week.

JDC- the antral follicle count just tells your the baseline follicles that you start with. If you are taking BCP and lupron though, it can decrease or completely supress those follicles. That was my problem last cycle. The greater the number of antral follicles you have in the beginning, the better the number of eggs you should have. I started out with 6 this cycle.

As for me, the BCP are making me look and feel like a teenager again! My face is a mess! One more week!

[jharris12]

Good morning. Thanks ladies for listening to me vent!! I am feeling better today. I just can't wait for my DH's SA so we will know what the doctor will have us do. The reversal is cheaper, but it's an invasive surgery, and I read it can take like 2 weeks to recover. I will have to see if my work will allow me to work from home! But the RE gave me my pills, wrote on DH's SA sheet to freeze the sample for IVF backup if it was better, and gave me a mock schedule. So I don't think he knows what he wants to do yet either! If I do get to do a 2nd IVF cycle, he is putting me on an Antagon cycle? Looks like 2 wks of BCP's, get AF, start Follistim right away, take for about 4 days then add the Antagon, which is Ganirelix Acetate, and take both for another 4 or 5 days, then trigger, etc...A much shorter cycle than last time since it has no suppression meds. Anyway, I will keep you ladies posted. Thanks for all your support. It means the world to me. OK, enough about me.....

JDC: Thanks for letting me vent! Don't let your mind start making you doubt yourself!! I'm sure it was just a slip on the nurse's part and had nothing to do with you! Even your AP sounds positive!

hopinginpa: I had a clamp on mine, so it should be an easier process. And that's what I thought we would do until we heard DH's diabetes could hurt our chances of getting our BFP, so we did IVF instead. Even the 2nd RE said with a diabetic DH we will have to have ICSI. I don't know what made him change his mind yesterday. Thanks again! You decided on Durham?! I work in Durham, so that's where I am right now!! You will love NC!!

valerie: Thank you, too! I think we will wait and see what the RE's thoughts are after the SA, and go from there. Sorry it's a sauna where you are. I think our high today will be about 85 with low humidity!! I think it will be back hot and humid tomorrow though. Glad that AP is still working well for you!

babyloves: Welcome to the group. We have women at all points on this board. Depending on my DHs SA results, I should be starting BCP's this weekend/1st of next week, take them for 2 weeks, then go straight to stims. So feel free to join us. I think most of us have been through at least one cycle. But the more the merrier. This is a great group of supporting women!!

OK, so I should probably get to work. I will check on you ladies a little later!

[cocosmomma]

Good morning!

Welcome babyloves! Glad you are joining us. You and Hoping are going to show us the way to BFPs!

JHarris: Sister friend, I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I can't imagine losing my DH, but to do so at your age and with a young son. God bless you, darlin'. You'll make the right decision, whatever it is!

Val: Yes, I am to stay away from all dairy products. For a milk- and cheeseaholic, that's been hard, but I haven't had a sip of milk or a piece of cheese in over a month. Yikes! I do have a little butter with my toast 3-4 times a week, but that's it.

If you look at my temp chart, I clearly have LPD. My luteal phase was only 8 days with my follicular phase being 19 days! It'll take more than a month to correct, right? I have to keep telling myself that, but patience are NOT what I'm known for!

The weather here is well, Seattle-esque. All of a sudden, I live in a rainforest! LOL. It has rained everyday, all day, for days. But I won't complain because we need it and I know others of you would kill for it. The humidity is dropping today, thank goodness! But I think we are sending all our storms from yesterday down to Val, so get those orchids ready!! Ok, enough about the weather, for the love of pete! This is an IVF forum.

Y'all have a GREAT day!

[valerie68]

Welcome Babyloves!!! We're delighted to have you and between all of us, there's tons of experience that will come in handy when you start your cycle. You'll have a couple other girls stimming about the same time as you.
What kind of meds will you be taking? Are you doing Lupron as well?
I might be the only one not doing any Lupron at all.

If you want to add some info as your signature, you can do so under 'profile'. I think it's very helpful to the others so we can better remember what we're all doing. At first I had no idea how that was done but finally managed to do it.

How did the class go...probably just fine since you're a Dr?

Good luck and keep us posted!

Val

[JDC]

Valerie I'm not doing Lupron either..I'm on an agonist cycle.....no BCP or Lupron. I just start stimming on day 3 of my natural cycle.

Babyloves: Welcome to you! You are in the right place. I will be starting my stims towards the end of July....We are here to support you.

Everybody: Just want to say hi...I'm so lazy tonight, so I will keep it short. Thanks Hoping for your insight on antral follicles. I wish everyone the best and have a wonderful evening!

[babyloves]

everyone: hey thanks for making me feel so welcome!! i like this group already
valerie: i'm also doing a non-lupron protocol. i'm on ganirelex also. I will start gonal F and menopur on 7/7, hopefully. Sounds like we may be on a similar cycle in terms of dates - cool...
hopinginpa: wow, you live in pa and work in durham, nc - did i get that right? i'm also from philly, but currently live in dc. thanks for telling me about your cyst issues. i've never had one during the IUIs so i'm a little nervous, but i guess its good to know they can aspirate them during ER. The class went well...so many shots, the progesterone in oil sounds rough...hats off to everyone who's done this before...it sounds like such a trying process. But in the end it'll be soooo worth it if things go well.

i'm kinda dreading july 4th in a way...my entire family and in-laws are coming...40 in all! Glad i don't start my stims until 7/7, but the problem is that there are lots of little babies coming. My DH's cousins are all in their late 20s and get pregnant w/i few mos of marriage...it's really unfair - been married for 5, ttc for 3. Hopefully no one asks me any annoying questions of when...one already said why don't you guys go on vacation while you don't have kids during july since you are off of work - uggh! i know they mean well, but i'll have to try to keep my insanity and hopefully the kids will spread some baby dust on me. Trying to stay positive. Going to try yoga and falun dafa - anyone try one that before?

Thanks for listening!