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

[mandarinorange]

hello ladies! first post and first cycle. it's going to take me some time to keep you all straight, but i'm looking forward to getting to know you all. we just confirmed our february cycle today and i'm beyond excited!

it seems like most of you already have had children and/or have had multiple cycles. i'm feeling surprisingly relaxed about the whole thing at this point, but we still have a while to go. we'll see how my tune changes when i have my first injection! how did you all feel going into your first cycle?

@BlissfulCS: your clinic sounds very similar to mine. i'm also in mi. where are you going?

[BlissfulCS]

to have fun- I am so sorry you are struggling so much and I completely understand. You have been through so much more than I have at this point and I can only imagine how much harder this gets. This past FET (my second attempt) I decided to thow myself completely into the idea of being PUPO and embraced the concept of being pregnant. I didn't even use an HPT until the night before my Beta. I felt like the embies needed me to be calm, confident, and positive. I even talked to them and had my hubby give my belly goodnight kisses. I was sure I was pregnant! Well...you know what it is like to have that bubble burst. I thought about it though and I am not changing a thing with this next cycle. I truly believe in the power of positive energy and I can see from your signature and your earlier posts that you live by that motto too. I am glad we have this venue to show our true heart and selves and we are here for you! Stay positive. I will be praying for you as hard as anyone on the board!

Mandarin- Welcome and good luck. My first cycle was confusing because I hadn't discovered this site. I feel like if I knew more I could have advocated for myself better and prepared better. So you are already on the right path and we are here to help! I go to Dr. Dodds at The Fertility Clinic in Grand Rapids. I had thought about switching but decided aganst it after this morning because...

AFM:

We had such a good meeting with our RE this morning!!! As previously mentioned we are 3 and a half hours away from our clinic and we had our last post BFN consultation over the phone. We made the right decision meeting in person. The doctor helped us feel very confident about our chances and assured me that all signs lead to success (my tubes are the only issue, everything else is good). He definitely supports our doing a fresh cycle instead of thawing our snowbabies since we want 2 children and I am getting older. And even though the embryologist doesn't like going to blast we decided that we will take 4 of my next embies to blast and freeze the rest at day 2 (God please give me lots of healthy eggs!!!). He is going to try a new antogonist protocal this time because he felt they triggered a day too early last time and wants to push it a little longer this time. I guess this protocal has less risk of OHSS and I responded really well to the stims last time and they didn't want to push it. I love this protocal because there is no suppression so it will be quick and literally less painful. I'm also excited to be switching to crinone (if anyone needs needles I have about 40!). I am so over daily intramuscular injections.

We are doing The Fertility Diet per his counsel for the next two months and will cycle in March so I will be a little behind most of you but hope to be celebrating your BFPs on the way to my own.

It feels great to be hopeful again. DH and I are like newlyweds tonght. We've needed some good news and positive information so much and are soaking it in...but I had to take a minute to tell "the girls" the plan.

[BlissfulCS]

SDtrying- I didn't even think about price yet... But as long as it's not wildly different I'm going for it. I'll let you know!

[LYD10]

Blissful-- Wonderful to feel like newlyweds!! I'm very excited and optimistic that things are going to go fantastic for you this cycle! I'm really thinking about asking my RE about switching to crinone for this cycle. Is it super expensive compared to PIO?

i did my previous 2 cycles on progesterone suppositories - similar to crinone - and it was very convenient. But this cycle, the clinic is switching me to PIO. The reason is suppositories or crinone do not show up on the blood test very well - because they are local to uterus. and although the progesterone levels in uterus are just fine they cant tell through bloodwork. and that makes them nervous. so they are switching everyone back to PIO so that they can monitor the progesterone levels better.

[BlissfulCS]

Very interesting...my clinic didn't even monitor my progesterone levels during this last cycle...perhaps because they have always been normal? Not sure but I'm definitely asking. Thanks LYD10. They did say they switched to crinone in the last 6 months and have had great success with it. If I don't go crinone I am most definitely switching to 1 inch needles. I am a long distance runner and the muscles in my hips/bum are pretty developed and close to the skin. Or at least I WAS a long distance runner until I cut back to 12 miles a week per RE's orders. Its tough but worth it.

[krisnjer]

Hello ladies!

My Jan cycle seems to be running into Feb! AF arrived finally so that puts me suppression check on Jan 19 and ER during 1st week of Feb probably. I'm just glad to be getting started!

[BlissfulCS]

Hello again Krisnjer and welcome to the Feb/March crew!

SDtrying- I've been meaning to ask. Does your name mean "still darn trying"? Or are S and D initials?

Just to be clear...I am no professional runner. I am a professional banker who runs at an average pace. I race but mostly against myself. Usually finish in the top 20-30% of my age group.

Its amazing how much conflicting advice we get. When I read "Conquering Infertility"...it said no exercise at all. Then the doctor said to just cut back. Last night "The Fertility Diet" said to start exercising daily and if you already exercise daily to increase the intensity...(but not too much which "can work against fertility"!). Sheesh! Who knows. I'm just going with moderation and doing elliptical instead of running since its easier on the ovaries.

It is probably good to cut back. I ran my first marathon just 2 weeks prior to having my tubes removed and three months prior to my first cycle...maybe all that training could be a little much. At the time I thought it was a GOOD thing. Then I ran several 10ks and a half prior to my FET. Once again...I thought it would help!

Its cool you are a runner too. Maybe we will can start a "New Mommy Running" board after we both give birth in 10 months or so. I fully intend to run a second marathon when I am done having babies. Wanna join me? You probably have about 3 years to train!

[cwehrs]

Hello everyone! Just thought I'd drop in to say "hi". I spent the day making Christmas cookies and wrapping gifts, and trying not to think too much about the coming cycle. Obsessing about it isn't making the time go any faster, so I figured distraction might help! Anyway, I just dropped in to wish you all a Merry Christmas (or whatever holiday you happen to celebrate). I hope the new year brings us all that BFP that we are dreaming of!

[Kyleen81]

Hi SD and everyone.

I too will be having a natural Fet cycle in feb/march after a chemical in nov.

I have a 4 year old daughter and am heading back to uni (3rd year) and been ttc for 3 years. Desperate for another one.
Good luck and baby dust to all.
2011 is our year!

[blairwh58]

Sorry I havent been checking the boards as often but after everything going on I thought it would be better to take some breaks. AF started last Wednesday (7 days after stopping meds), and came with some beyond horrible pain. MD wrote for something for the discomfort and since the meds made me throw up I just learned to deal. I go back for an US today to make sure everything is cleared out....if its not then I have a D & C scheduled for tomorrow morning- Merry christmas to me. Just hoping that all this happened for a reason and our next cycle is the one. Got the paperwork in the mail from the new MD- just filling it out gets me anxious and excited to get started. Hope all is well with everyone.

[wannabeamum]

Hi all can i just say good luck to you all starting IVF in feb/march!!!
I hope you dont mind me here im starting my first cycle!!!
Just awaiting to start my period in the beginning of january xxx

[hopinginnc]

I just wanted to check in with you all. Hope everybody is doing well.
I found out last week that I am pregnant! I had a HPT in the house and had just bought more so figured I would use one....didn't expect to see anything but it was a faint positive. It kept getting darker each day! I went for BW last Monday and beta was 147. It has been doubling every 2 days so still checking it and set up for an US next Tuesday. I am excited but nervous....I have had so many miscarriages so I hate to get excited.
Sucks that we have to be so cautious....
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

[blairwh58]

Well despite the insane cramps and bleeding since last wednesday I found out at the ultrasound today that I still have to have the D & C that they scheduled tomorrow. Even though I know I always have bad luck I thought for sure that with the amount of bleeding (sorry for tmi) I would escape the inevitable...nope. Looks like ill be up @5:30 and at the hospital by 6. Not excited at all. What's even more of a kick in the teeth is the fact that the hospital called to make sure I knew I would have to pay the 10% of fees tomorrow. So not only did we pay thousands to try and get pregnant, but now I'm paying to not be pregnant- figures.

[riogirl71]

I am here stalking you girls.

Blair - I am so sorry to hear you still have to do a D&C. Huge hugs. Are you going to try and see if they recover tissue for a biopsy? SDtrying can correct me, but when I was offered a D&C on my last cycle the OB said they could take the tissue and try to figure out what was wrong with the fetus. I don't mean to be blunt but I know you are looking for answers. Again I am so very sorry you are going through all this and your luck will change and you will get your BFP!

[Sunshine1576]

Just a little update since yesterday... Did test negative this morning yet no AF yet. DH wants me to call my RE tomorrow to see if having an irregular cycle (35 days instead of the normal 28d I used to consistantly have) would make a difference in when we start the 2nd IVf attempt. DH is also FEDEX the S/A tomorrow to see if the vitamins my doctor recommended might improve his count. If so we may look into trying IUI with follistim. It would be a fraction of the cost for sure, but his S/A will determine our next move on what we decide to do next. I keep thinking what if we waited until June then I could meet him half way with saving up another $11,000. I know we've been patient long enough, but it would be easier financially speaking.

Blair, I'm praying for you tonight. I used to think maybe it would of been easier had everything passed naturally, but after going through a D&C myself and then hearing the tramatic experience my friend went through in the bath-tub, I don't think there is an easier way to deal with a miscarriage. It's all so emotional, like loosing a loved one. Each day does get easier, but I don't think we ever get over it.

I planted a hybrid rose bush and hung an angel ornament on it in memory of my own angel. I feel things like this helps during the grieving process. More than anything it's hearing so many other women tell you her personal experience which makes us realize we're really not alone out there afterall! My doctor did say having a D&C would help us move forward, cleansing the body in preparing for a new pregnancy. We have to be willing to move on to make things happen for the better, don't you know 2011 is going to be our year!