1st IVF Transfer on 2/10/07

[kez01]

Hi,
my name is Kerry, I'm from England and reading through most of you appear to be from the us, wish we were all in the same time zone.

I am completely lost. I had my embryo transfer on feb 7th and have been having all the cramps too, I am feeling really low thinking that my period is on the way. It is very reassuring to read through all your comments and see that you are all experiencing the same symptoms.

Unfortunately my clinic is leaving me until the 22nd and they dont do the beta blood test, I just have to do the pregnancy test at home myself.

Also I am a gynaecology nurse and I have easy access to the home pregnancy test kits and stupidly have already done one, even though i know it is too early and it was negative. I am going to leave it till monday before i do another one even though i should leave it until thursday.

I dont know if i will get any replies, but i do feel reassured reading through all your messages.
I wish you all the luck with your treatment and will keep you in my prayers.
Kerry x

[zoegirl]

HI there,
I new to the message board. I had my first IVF this month. My transfer was on 2/5 and my pg test is on 2/19. I have been on bed rest all this week for moderate hyperstimulation syndrome. I am having some pretty unpleasant cramping - from what I read it has to do with the size of my ovaries (I had 16 eggs retrieved) and the progesterone injections and suppositories (1 mL injection and 2-100 mg suppositories at bed time). The cramping comes and goes and sometimes it is mild and sometimes it is REALLY PAINFUL. Besides drinking lots of fluids, heating pad, and taking tylenol, does anyone have any strategies that work for preventing or getting rid of these cramps? Last night the pain was so bad for about 30 minutes that I almost went to the EMergency room. I am terrified of having an episode like that again. My doc did cut down my progesterone for one night (last night) but I go back to my regular dose tonight. Thanks for any ideas you might have!

[Torrie]

Hi - in reference to the sore butt piece - I had a horrible time with the shots at first. I had big knots and was almost limping when I walked. One of the nurses finally told me to put the shots higher on my butt/hip area. I was afraid to do this because I have a small frame and was afraid that the monstrous needle would hit my bone. It didn't. The pain from the shot itself is no less, but the next day was so much more comfortable. Heating the area directly after the shot really helps too. Hope that helps, wish someone had told me sooner!

[suezer]

Hello. My name is Susan and I live in PA. I have been an infertility patient a long time. In 2004, I became pregnant with my daughter after multiple IUIs and Laprascopy. This time around, I thought it would be the same. It wasn't and we have been at this since June 2006. I just completed my first IVF cycle and am in the 2ww.

I have never posted to these boards before, but I couldn't help but chime in. Its nice to know I am not along in my anxiety, frustration and worry. My transfer was on 2/8, and my bloodwork is scheduled for 2/20. We transferred 2 embryos - 6 and 8 cells. After the retrieval, I was extremely uncomfortable and looked at least 4 or 5 months pregnant. That is starting to go away, and I really have no symptoms. I am on prometrium 4x a day, am weepy one minute, grouchy the next, but overall, feel well. Sad, but that worries me too. I keep thinking I would have some sort of symptoms. Its so hard not to do a home test, but I don't think I could handle it if it were negative. In fact, I want my husband to get the blood results for me. Isn't that crazy??? I want to know so badly what the result is, but at the same time, I really don't want to know.

Good Luck to all of you ladies. It really is nice to know I am not alone.

Susan

[want2bpreg]

Welcome to all the Newbies!

Kerry - as hard is is MUST be with all of those preg tests in your face - try to wait! We're here for you... ...just hang in there girl.

Suezer - thanks for "chiming in" - we all need each other to get through this TWW! Your worries are the same as mine. I really don't think I could handle a negative result, however I have gone through so much that I have to hear first hand - regardless. Be strong, sister-pants! We'll all pray that everything will be great for all of us.

Torrie - thanks for the info on the shots... ...me and my bum THANK YOU!

Zoegirl - I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I hope you find some relief for those cramps.

Hope everyone is hanging in there - we're HALF WAY TO OUR TESTING POINTS! Not much longer to go. Let's hope the weekend goes quickly.

My cramps are more dull now. I am less emotional. I have been keeping a list of symptoms and will post them soon. I want to give it a few more days.

BABY DUST AND STICKY THOUGHTS TO ALL!!!!!!
AJ (Amy)

[geckogirl]

Hi Everyone,

I am so glad that there are so many of us pretty much in the same place in our TWW. I was feeling really sick yesterday- 8dp3dt- kinda like I was getting the stomach flu and had a migrane. I am better today but my cramps are getting much more like regular AF type cramps. I don't test until the 20th but am feeling like this cycle is a bust. I am really depressed but we will try again, and again if that is what it takes. At least DH is being a champ and treating me like a queen! I am so lucky that way.

[want2bpreg]

Hi Geckogirl!
Chin up, sister!
Gotta stay positive... ...The 20th is still days away. You could be having the cramps for so many reasons. I know I'm having them, and they definitely feel like AF. It's the nature of the beast (the beast being the TWW - it kind of plays head-games with you!). Don't let it get the best of you. Try to do something for yourself to get your mind off of it and just hang in there... ....only 4 more days to go and it's the weekend. Weekends always go fast, so it'll be here before you know it.

It's so great to have a DH. More than likely you won't need any more "chances" 'cause this is the one that will stick!

Be strong!

BFP thoughts out to you.
AJ

[geckogirl]

Thanks Amy! You made me feel better. Tonight my DH and I took my mom out for dinner and it was nice to be doing something "normal" and trying to keep my mind off the cramps and the wait.

Your cramps are just like AF too? I am also having some sharp pains tonight near my ovaries which I have never had before. This is my first IVF so everything is new to me. It feels much different from the IUI cycles with more side effects post transfer.

When do you test?

[want2bpreg]

Hi Geckogirl!
I test on February 21 (my first IVF too). I totally can not wait... ...it's killing me to know. I've made a mental pact not to test at all before then.

Yes, my cramps were exactly like AF was on her way. I also had a couple of sharp pangs/twinges. Today is the first day that I don't have a single symptom. Not even a cramp and my breasts are only slightly tender. I just feel quiet and normal. Not sure what to think about that, but I'm taking your lead Geckogirl, and DH and I are going out tonight - dinner and a movie - to get my mind off this nonsense!

Hang in there. Let me know if you need to "chat" and go do something to get your mind off everything.

LOTS OF STICKY THOUGHTS TO YOU!
Amy

[hhb]

I'm also curious about the bed rest. I should be having the egg retrieval some day next week and the transfer five days after. No one has mentioned bed rest to me. I have a 5 year old so I'm just curious if I will be on bed rest also. That should be interesting!

Good luck to all of you who are due for your pregnancy test early next week. I get so excited for each of you when I read that. I will be there shortly and I'm sure it's excruciating (is the wait worse than it was when you were just trying by having sex, or after an IUI)? Just wondering if it's even more emotional?

Prayers to you all-
Heidi

[nickster]

Heidi,
I can't speak for everyone but my doctors didn't say anything anout bed rest at all. They told me not to do anything strenuous or lift anything that day but other than that go on with life as I normally would. I did lay around for a few days though and not do much, but I dont have any kids either.
I hate to tell you this but I have also been through IUI and of course years of timed intercourse, and YES it's worse. I truly had myself believing that I would be OK and not think about it much because I really didn't have a hard time when we did the 6 IUI's. I guess it's just because there's so much more a stake, I don't know. It is just very different. I don't mean to sound negative but I wanted you to be prepared!
Good Luck with your retrieval!

[want2bpreg]

Hi Heidi!
You should ask your RE if you should go on bed rest. I think they all follow different standards. Mine recommends 3-5 days.

Hi Nickster!
OMG - I know what you mean. I didn't go through IUI, but lots of sex on Clomid and this TWW after IVF is so stressful. Like you, I thought it would be easier and I wouldn't give it much thought. Ha! The jokes on me! It's ALL I think about!!

Happy thoughts to all!

[want2bpreg]

Zoegirl,
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ON YOUR TEST TOMORROW!!!

I'm sending you tons of positive thoughts and feel very confident for you!!!!

[alyson]

Well I couldnt wait until the 21st for my beta test! DH and I stopped at the store and picked up two first responce kits. I took one last night and there was a slight line. This morning I took another and It was a definite positive! Im trying not to get too excited, still nervous about the beta test on Wednesday. Good luck girls.

Aly

[geckogirl]

Alyson,

HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you! A BFP!!!!! Now you can relax and wait until Wednesday. I have been to afraid to take a HPT and I have my beta test tomorrow. Keep us posted on all your good news!