February Has My Heart - February Cycle Buddies Wanted

[pep23]

WIGAL- GOOD LUCK today!!! I hope your numbers will put your mind at ease and you can have a relaxing weekend. And how exciting that you booked an ultrasound!!! Very official...you are off and running girl!!!!

[Ghost]

Who is this "Ghost"???....Spooky!!!

Boo!

"Ghost" is a scientist who researches IVF and the means of improving it.

Mynala-Sending BUCKETS of positive vibes and baby dust your way!!!!

Wait a second. Is that FDA-approved baby dust? Are you licensed to prescribe and dispense baby dust? Are "buckets" the proper dosage of this baby dust? Are we certain it won't cause birth defects or OHSS?

I may need to study this baby dust. Please send me a few buckets, too. Thanks.

Ghost

[nimble]

Hey Ghost, welcome back - are you back for good - or just popping in to see how we are doing???

We have missed your wise words of wisdom and fountain of knowledge!

Nimble

[wannababyIVF]

Just got into work from RE so I’ll have to make this a quick post.

Ghost—Thanks for all the good info. Both times I did the down regging with Lupron. If I get a BFN this time, maybe I’ll talk to RE about Flare protocol.

Mynala—Don’t stress and take it day by day. Enjoy! Can’t wait to hear your news this afternoon.

Ilithyia – Good Luck tomorrow with your ET!!!

mominwaiting – Good Luck with your ER this weekend.

Well my RE said everything looks on track. I have a few eggs but they’re not that big yet. The biggest one is only 11. RE said they will continue to grow. He said they need to get to 19 or 20. GEESH!! Please say a prayer that my little guys will continue to grow. Have to go back on Monday to see if they’ve improved any. EC is tentatively scheduled for Thursday. With last IVF, had plenty of follicles but not every follicle had an egg (think that’s how it went). Today my RE said that there SHOULD be an egg in every follicle. Told him I felt a lot of pressure and discomfort in my pelvic area. He basically told me the pain would just get worse as these little guys continue to grow. I can live with that if I can get some big fat healthy ones out of this. I’ll just be in sweats all weekend.


Good Luck to everyone and I’ll be popping in here later to check on al of you. I think I’ll go research an acupuncturist now.

Hugs and baby dust to you all!!

[mominwaiting]

PEP the reason I decided to try my thigh first is because I am fairly skinny, and I have more fat on my thigh than on my stomach, all though after having bruises on both thighs(very small ones) I moved to my stomach and found that right where your loved handles come around to your navel is the least painful place for me about an inch outside navel. the only down fall to doing in belly is you actually see needle go in, where as in thigh you don't so I found myself hesitating more in belly which actually makes you feel it more, it seems that the quicker you put the needle in the less you feel anything, oh yeah be sure when you do inject to hold needle in one and and dispense with other that way the needle doesn't push into muscle, that you can feel I don't think it would actually cause damage but you can feel it when you do that!!! Try it like I did cause after the first one I was fine doing it myself every time, I am sure that after first progesterone shot if it is not too bad I will probably be trying to figure out a way to do it myself too. Anyway, it feels really good to be able to help someone for a change instead of being the one asking all the questions!!!!

I do have a really funny story though, as we were preparing to do HSG last night, DH is the one to start freaking out, now we are a country couple and both have given injections to horses, dogs, cats etc.... Well, last night as I was preparing to mix med, I take out my 231/3 ga syringe and my 18ga needle that I use to mix meds, if you don't know it an 18 ga needle is huge the center is big enough you can look through it!!!!!
But it is only used to mix the med not administer, well when DH saw this huge needle he went nuts, saying "NO,NO,NO,NO I AM NOT GIVING YOU ANYMORE SHOTS WE ARE STOPPING NOW, WE CANNOT DO THIS ANYMORE!!!!" I mean he was just pacing, until I finally calmed him down adn made him see that I was using a smaller needle. It was priceless, of course you have to understand he already has a child and will be 41 in april, so he is pretty much just doing all this for me, but I do believe he thinks we have truly lost our minds.
ANYWAY HOPING AND PRAYING FOR YOU ALL!!!!!!!

[Minerva]

Thanks for all your wishes. I have been busy yesterday with all the shots and stuff. Hope I will be able to update you all tomorrow after my EC.


Anna- Good news about the embryos and sending you loads of sticky vibes.

Angie-wow a scan on valentines day enjoy

Pep23-Enjoy your weekend and hope you don't forget the shot on saturday.

Mominwaiting- Looks like we both are on the same schedule.Good luck with your ER.

WannababyIVF- Hope your follies grow faster. On an average my follies grow at 2mm per day. Hope it helps. I had the same fear of not getting the required dosage every time I inject. I asked the nurses in my previous clinic and they said it's normal to have a droplet or two come out after the injection.So don't worry too much about it.

I did'nt like the taste of pepermint tea at all. Did'nt want to try the Ginger tea either. Planning to get ginger ale but I have been too busy to go to shop.

Don't know when my Et is going to be. If I get more than 8 eggs they will let it go to blast if not it will be a 3 day transfer. ooh the uncertainity that we go through

Jen-Just a quick question. Did you try the antagonist or short protocol? I am also a poor responder. I have just changed my protocol from long to short protocol. So a bit curious.

Good Luck everyone. Enjoy your weekend.

[CarolynB]

Ladies

I'll do a 'full' post over weekend but just a couple for now:

Angie - Welcome hun. Cannot believe that we get to cycle together again. So excited. Yer I get to cheat again like go 2. No down regging for me. Straight to the hard stuff. Guess that I'll be looking at EC/ET towards the end of Feb. Will we be in synch again. OHHHH I do hope so. How are you doing on the down regging? Please let it be 3rd time lucky for us both. Do let me know how you are doing? Wanted to post now, even though shattered, so you might see over the weekend your time.

Steph - I get to go straight to stimmies. I did down regging on my 1st cycle. My consultant let me do flare (no down regging) 2nd time so I could be done before Xmas. I responded about the same and so he is happy to keep me on the short flare cycle. Helps for impatient people like me!!!! Thanks for asking

Jen1d - how are you feeling? Back running now that the snow has melted. I have stopped rushing as 11pm on Friday and I am shattered. How is dear Lola doing? I know that she is taking a break and not diving in this month but I think of her often and hope that she is bearing up - please send her my love. No sign of AF for me. She will be late I am sure - but hey what is a few days

Anna - welcome. The girls are terrific. I find the board has been a godsend over the past - arggggghhhhh - nearly a year for me now. OMG. I am so pleased that the swimmers did well and things are on track for you. Hope that they will be settling in very soon. Sticky vibes

Wannababyivf - Somtimes some of my meds leak. I find taking the needle out slowly helped. I bruised loads on my legs so used tummy on go 2 which I found bruised me less. You'll be fine hun. i am in complete denial about starting. Meds here and hidden. Just carrying on like it is not really about to happen. Seems like it is best for me this way right now. Just deal with it when I get to ER/ET. I did ok last time as have been on the acupuncture which really helped me. Off booze and caffeine now since my 1st negative. Have lost some weight since cycle 2. What more can a girl do - other than come here and pray

Ghost - so cool that you came back to us. Are you sticking around? You are always so helpful/informative to us all

Shattered. Must go to bed. Loads of luck to all of you especially those with EC/ET over the weekend.

Have great weekends all.
Love
Carolyn xxxxx

[Ilithyia]

Just time for a quick update...

Yay! Day 2 ET with 2 little itty bitty embies. Welcome home little ones!
Testing on the 22nd. 2ww here we go...

Wow - look at all the 2s!!
Thanks to all of you for all the great babydust and PMA! Here's it all back to those in waiting...

[wannababyIVF]

Mommyinwaitng—That was too funny about your DH and the needle. My Dh reacted almost the same way when he saw the needle I needed to use for my trigger. He said it was too big and he didn’t want to stick it in me. He said “cant the RE do it? I’ll drive you to his office if you want.” I told him that we couldn’t because it had to be given at night and about 24 -36 hours before ER. He is very upset and not looking forward to that shot at all. My Dh usually gives my shots. Tonight I had to do it myself and I think I really screwed up. Mind you I don’t like causing myself pain so I put a bag of ice on my thigh the numb it before I began. But anyway, it really hurt when I put the needle in; as I was pushing the plunger down I can see my skin bubble up a little. Then once I took the needle out, it bleed a lot more than usual. Now it’s swollen. I put ice on it for a little while. It’s stinging a little now. I think I really screwed up. Now if my eggs don’t get to the proper size or if I get BFN, I’ll probably blame myself for screwing up this one shot. Yeah, I know this one shot wouldn’t make a difference but I’m a cynic.

Minerva—Sorry you didn’t like the tea. I honestly wouldn’t recommend the ginger tea. It is not good. I try to stay away from it or use lots of sugar (not good for you) to mask the taste. I really hope you start to feel better soon. How are the shots going? Good Luck with your EC tomorrow. Please keep us posted.


Carolyn and Angie—Good Luck to you both!

Carolyn—I’m thinking about doing acupuncture also. How long have you been on acupuncture? Did you do it with the last IVF cycle?

Wisconsingal---Did you get your number back yet? Ohhh, u/s, that sound so exciting.

Anna—How are you feeling? Grow Embies! Grow Embies! Take these next two weeks and enjoy!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Sending lots of PMA, hugs and baby dust!

[Dexter]

Hello beautiful ladies,

OK...I'm officially obsessive and NO I couldn't stay away

Have been reading all your posts and thank you so much for your support and positive energy you have been sending me on my 2ww. I am officially one half of a week down! No signs as yet
Don't really feel anything except really sore BBs and nipples but that's from the Progesterone pessaries that I am beginning to hate. Enough of the cottage cheese!!!!! (sorry )

I spend every waking moment hoping for a twinge in my tummy to give me a sign that my embie is implanting, but no signs as yet. Does anyone know how long implantation takes? I had my 4 cell embie transfered after 48 hours. It was a 2 day embie but transfered on the morning of the 3rd day, making it exactly 48 hrs old. I have researched many people's implantation stories and hear that sometimes you can get spotting, so for the first time in 3 years, I am hopin for a bit of brown on the toilet tissue!!!

I noticed there's been a lot of talk about acu last few posts. I have been doing acu for the past 3 months. Once a week and it really is great. Just helps me to relax and focus my mind on the task at hand. Not always so easy with so many distractions and negative thoughts always popping into our heads. Had my final acu yesterday, which was to help with implantation. I had needes in my back this time, and then she lit this thing which looked like a huge cigar and held it a few mms from my back to radiate heat. I could really feel it! I have read research that in 2 scientific studies of IVF in conjunction with acupuncture, women had a 42% increased success rate in the trial group who had acu immediately before ER and an hour after ET - definitely something to think about...

Got the night at home alone tonight which should be nice. To be honest, I've been doing too much and not as relaxed as I should have been. I went straight from my ET to a shoot for a TV Commercial (I am an actor as well) and was there all day while they pumped smoke at me. I'm thinkin "my poor little 4 cell embie". What was I thinking. I'm hosting a good old Aussie BBQ tomorrow for 13 friends and even my best friend said to me "What are you thinking??" I guess I just need to fill the void otherwise I end up in tears thinking about the highly probable outcome that we may not get our baby this time round.

OK, that's enough for me for one day. Gonna have to watch the positive thinking video again

Sending you all as much positive energy I can possibly muster at this time. Thanks for being there ~

D D Dex xox

[CarolynB]

Hope that everyone is having a good weekend.

Anna - so glad that your little ones are back home. Sticky sticky vibes for you. How are you doing? I am normally ok at the start and then start freaking out as it gets near the end

Mominwaiting- Really hoping that you'll get a good crop of little eggies today. Thinking of you and hoping that the ER goes really well for you. Sounds like your numbers have oicked up a lot over the last few days which should be a good sign

Wisconsingal - booking a scan must make it feel so real for you. Hoping that everything is going to be perfect for you

Wannababyivf - i hate that blown up feeling but at least you know if you are bloated something is going on down there. I also try to think of that as a reassuring sign!! Please don't worry about one shot. Same for me. Sometimes they are like no sweat at all and other times it hurts like hell. I read it just depends on the level of blood vessels where we decide to jab so can be hit or miss. You'll be fine for sure. Have puts loads about acu at the bottom of my message

Angie - How are things cycle bud? Desperate to know your dates so we can see who is following who this time?

Jen1d - what is the weather like where you are? Have you still got loads of snow? All melted now down south. How are you feeling? Any idea yet about your timings?

Dexter - my understanding is that implantation takes place around Day 6/7 after EC. But this can vary a lot from person to person. I have read girls who get spotting and girls who think they have AF - and still get BFPs. I have heard girls have all the signs and not get a positive. It is a really hard time as impossible not to analyse every twinge but the best thing to do is be as relaxed as possible - yeah right! Hope that you are doing ok. Sending you sticky sticky vibes

Minerva _ hope that you EC goes really well for you. Sending you lots of eggie vibes. Let us know when you feel up to it

Pep - How did the first shot go? You'll be a pro before you know it!!

Lots of questions on acupuncture. I am a total fan - and would have been a non-believer before I started it. I started after my 1st negative when my best friend read an article that said it could increase success rates by up to 15%. So my chances at my age are 20% without acu, so it hopefully lifts that % to 35% with acu. I did between cycles - once a week at the start and then every two weeks. Once before ovulation and once before AF. It was not cheap but I cut out other luxuries to cover the cost. It certainly regulated by cycle after the drugs and brought my cycle down from 34/35 days to 31 days. He also worked on improving my lining. AFs are much redder and less clotty (sorry TMI!!!). Then for cycle 2, he saw me on Day 6 of stimmies and before and then after ET. It certainly calmed me down a lot. I certainly dealt with side effects of meds better than go 1. On follow up after 2nd negative, my consultant (not knowing I was doing) positively recomended acu to me and said I should continue. Even though it did not help with my end result last time, I had comments from the scanners (unprompted) about the quality of my lining. For me the issue seems to be implantation so if my lining is better than hopefully it will help me. I found an ivf specialist by searching on the web, mailing a few places and then seeing the responses for timeliness and also for insight. The place that I go to mailed back quickly, treats just ivf/infertility issues and knew all about my clinic. Plus at the 1st session, I quickly got an understanding of how much he knows about the subject. Hope this helps people thinking of acu................ I understand that the piece that is supposed to make the biggest difference is the German protocol - which is just before and just after ET.

Hugs to everyone else

Dh and I have been out today having a nice time together before I turn into the evil druggie person!!!! Weather poor but we did the regular food shop, then went a bought a mirror for the bathroom that we just decorated, did some chores and went to the 'new' farmers market to buy some nice cheeses and treats! The more 'normal' that I try to stay then the calmer I feel about what is ahead. If I think too much then I'll start freaking about round 3!!!! Was a bit testy today which usually occurs about 4/5 days before AF arrives so sure that she is on her way but may be a couple of days late as the drugs from last round are still messing me up a little. Think that I shall be started by this time next week. Have shopped around for my drugs this time and saved £150 versus buying them all at my clinic. That is quite a difference when it is the 3rd go and you are paying for it all ourselves. Drugs should be delivered to my dh at work on Tuesday so then I am all set!!!!!!!!!!!!ARRGGHHH

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Love and hugs
Carolyn xxxxxxxxxx

[AuntyPebbles]

Hi Lady's hope you dont mind me crashing in....

Carolyn thank you for your continued support your fab...ooo im so excited to see you start your stimmies in 5 days...this is it this is your go, i love that your skipping the down regging again i will be keeping you in my prayers and now i know where you are stalking your progress ....

Jackie i didnt know you where here too...yoohoo...ooo ok i need to have a look see who else i know so a big shout out to you all...

i am praying for you if i know you or not ...big baby belly's to you all

Aunty

ooo Ghost really good to see you...and LMAO@ FDA approved....

[99]

My ET was yesterday morning and this is the first time I have been up and out of the bed in 30 hours! I was going stir crazy, especially since hubby had to work and couldn't be home with me. So I had to get up. My clinic said to stay on bed rest for 24 hours but I went ahead and did an additional 6 to be on the safe side. Two questions for all of you:
#1- How many hours have you heard you should be on bed rest after ET? I was surprised my clinic said only 24.
#2- Our embryos were grade 2, grade 1 being the best. We didn't have any grade 1 so we transferred two Grade 2. Should we have had Grade 1 embryos? Does that mean we have less chance of our embryos implanting?

[Angie65]

Hi girls - just adding my comments on acupuncture after Carolyn. I have just started it - had 2 sessions now - last one even included "Cupping" - well if it's good enough for Gwyneth Paltrow it's good enough for me!

It's perfectly pleasant - quite relaxing - my CHinese lady knows the IVF process in detail which really impressed me - she took detailed notes of all my long and complicated history. SHe recommends I go every week and I think may want to see me twice during stimming and around EC/ET. I am prepared to give it a go - just following my instincts and reading alot of good stuff about it on this board.

I found her via a newsletter which comes out from an IVF support group which I was led to by via my clinic. It has an "our miracle babies" section where people thank everyone who has helped them - my chinese lady got a couple of very enthusiastic mentions so I took it as a sign to give her a go....!

[CarolynB]

99

Just a quick post to try to answer your questions.

Period to stay in bed after ET - there is so much conflicting advice. Some books say 3 whole days - Zita West - UK godess of fertility! My clinic has you lay down for 20 mins and then says that whatever you do after that makes no difference. Think that bottom line is that they just don't know. So the best thing is to do what you feel comfortable with. There are a few things - hot baths, jogging - that they say not not do in the 2ww but other than that it seems to be in the lap of the gods now!

Grading of embryos - Again I understand that it is not an exact science - it is just where they are at on a particular day. Of course we would all like to have Grade 1s. I never have!? I have seen ladies have a BFP with lower grade embroyos, I have seen ladies have 2 Grade 1's back and get a negative. You cannot do anything about it. So best to focus on the fact that they are home now where they belong. Try to stay relaxed.

Glad that are back with you and you are getting lots of rest. Take good care. Sending you sticky vibes.

Hope this helps a litte.

Hugs to you and everyone else
Carolyn xxxxxx