Going through Donor Egg IVF Cycle - Appreciate any Support

[everhopeful36]

Greetings,

I'm new to the forum, although (unfortunately) have had lots of experience with IVF. Husband and I have been married over 8 years and have TTC for almost five. We've been through multiple IUI's and 4 IVF cycles using my eggs (I have been diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, two blocked tubes, and endometriosis). First cycle we had one embryo implant but it stopped growing and ended up as a D&C. 2nd cycle was a false positive. 3rd cycle was negative. 4th cycle was cancelled because I didn't have enough follicles.

Which brings me to where I am at now and the reason I am looking for support from all of you nice people...we are undergoing a Donor Egg IVF cycle now, with the tentative transfer date scheduled for the 18th. I am on estradiol and our donor is reacting very well to the stim meds and has been fabulous to work with. We travel to the location where our hospital is so leave town on the 16th.

As I know many of you understand, I am so scared of getting my hopes up - and yet I keep pushing forward with this process because I do always have hope. I just so badly need for things to turn out well. Ideally, we hope for a postive after this transfer and have some frozen embryos for possible future siblings...that's our dream outcome. I'm constantly worrying about the outcome, and I know that isn't good. After years and years of the ups and downs and dissappointments - and coming to terms with not having a genetic child of my own - I remain ever hopeful.

Is anyone on this forum facing or have gone through Donor IVF? I would love to trade support with anyone that happens to be going through a cycle at this same time.

Good luck to all...

[celticlady]

Hello,

I haven't been through Donor Egg IVF Cycle, we are on our 2nd cycle of IVF and v.hopeful... just relaxing after transfer now. However my sister-in-law has been through it twice and has three beautiful children from the one egg donar donation. One from the first round and twins from the 2nd round. She doesn't ovulate and new from a teenager that she would never have her own genetic children. She had no problems at all. The children are just adorable and don't think at all that they are not hers. I'm sure it's hard to be hopeful given what you have been through but you will have children, keep your energy focused on those we embryos waiting for you to nurture them! All the best!

[cristiecs]

Hello,
I under went donor transfer on Sept. 27th. I go in for my blood test tomorrow. Then we will have the long awaited day until they call. I can relate to you in many ways. I do have two children from a previous marriage in my 20's, but have remarried and my DH and I have tried for 2 years to have one of our own. I am 42 now and dry as they come. We chose a donor for this reason and the egg quality of a younger person.

I too am scared about getting my hopes up. I have tried to avoid getting excited about any signs that might mean I am pregnant. I do not really talk to anyone about this since my DH is very private.

I wish you the best. Going with a donor your odds are so much higher. We retrieved 23 eggs from our donor. 9 fertilized, 4 made it to day 5, transferred 2, 1 survived freezing. Our embryologist said our chances were 75% with the egg quality we had.

Now on to the last day of waiting. For some reason I am strangely at peace. I hope that is a good sign.

Keep your chin up and focus on the positive.

[wishfull27]

After two failed cycles with my own eggs and one failed donor cycle I am now a very proud mummy to 8month old twin boys from a fet donor cycle - it does work !!! Any questions feel free to ask !! Good luck ladies xxxxx

[everhopeful36]

Cristiecs, good luck! You are in my thoughts and prayers that you get a positive result. That waiting period is so tough, but hopefully if you are feeling at peace that is a great sign.

It's wonderful to hear from all of you about your experiences and that you can relate. It's so hard to find people that understand the psychological ramifications of what we go through to try and achieve pregnancy. I love hearing success stories, and always pray that eventually it will be me getting to share that with someone else who is trying.

As of right now our donor is doing wonderful on the meds (bless her heart - I know EXACTLY how she must be feeling!). At her first ultrasound after starting the stim meds she had 20 countable follicles, which they said is great for the first look. We'll get another update today, and we should know soon when they'll trigger her ovulation to do the retrieval (at which time I start progesterone shots). I'm very, very hopeful - but trying to keep my expectations under control.

Wishful27, how many embryos did you transfer when you becamse pregnant with your twins? Our donor is an identical twin (and has 9 sets in her family!). In addition, my DH is a fraternal twin. I feel like it would be an incredible blessing to have twins, but would be so grateful for one healthy baby and certainly don't want to 'ask' for too much. Curious though how many embryos were transferred.

Thank you again to all of you...your support is incredible!!

[wishfull27]

transferred 2 on every cycle !!

Good luck keep us posted xxx

[everhopeful36]

Hi All,

Well I am back home after our transfer last Tuesday - we ended up transferring two and freezing the 6 remaining. They said all 8 embryos were excellent quality. I am doing what we all do and feeling extremely anxious to know and trying to just live my daily life. I've been having a lot of cramping, to the point where it is uncomfortable, but I've read that could be the meds that I'm on (estradiol, progesterone shots, prometrium caplets, vivelle dots) or of course it could be prenancy (here's hoping!).

Hope you all are well!

[wishfull27]

good luck - when do you test ??

[everhopeful36]

I test this Friday. Had a preliminary blood test yesterday that the Dr. interpreted as implantation had occurred. So that's good news! Now if I can just get through this Friday with good results we will be going in the right direction. How are you doing?

[wishfull27]

How did beta go yesterday ! Hope your out celebrating your bfp

[everhopeful36]

Thank you so much - Beta yesterday was positive! So (cautiously) excited! We've never gotten to the point of having a really good Beta - it feels so wonderful to know it can happen. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this forum...it really picked me up when I was down. I have another blood test Monday, and an ultrasound on the 8th to look for gestational sacs (how many!). Looking forward to that!

[wishfull27]

oh thats great news - what was your beta yesterday ?? - how many did you transfer ?? and not long till your scan - I had to wait to like 7 weeks and then diid not find out it was twins till 12 week scan !!

keep me posted !!

xx

[everhopeful36]

Hello again my friend!

Yesterdays Beta was up to 1027! Hard to believe...but I take it as a very good sign. Our Doctor does seem to test way more often than our past doctors. It sure made that 'two week wait' a lot easier to deal with. He's having me do another blood test this Friday, and another on Monday with the ultrasound.

We transferred two - and I would be thrilled either way (twins or not). I do think it would be so much fun to have twins. My husband is a fraternal twin, and our donor is an identical twin.

I can't believe you didn't know it was twins until 12 weeks! Did your Beta levels give any indication? How did you feel when you found out it was twins?

Thanks, as always!!

[wishfull27]

thats a great beta number - am thinking more than one - how many days past transfer was that ?

I am in the Uk and they don't do beta's anymore here - I paid privately to have one 14 past 5 day transfer and it was 587 - so not really that high - I then had a scan at 7 weeks were they saw one heart beat and another sac - so just assumed one had survived - although DH said all along it was twins - then when went for routine 12 week scan - 2 heartbeats - was shocked but overjoyed as knew at 40 I wiould not be doing IVF again - so after all the heartache and financial pain (self pay) we got 2 for 1!!

Good luck for friday beta xxx

[lanabanana]

I'm so sorry to hear about your failed cycles. My first cycle with donor eggs had also failed. I remember when I was diagnosed with pcos. I was devastated. And when treatment didn't work for me that crushed me completely. I know that you feel now like it's the end of the world but it's not, believe me. I chose ivf with donor egg as a great opportunity for me. I have no regrets! We found good clinic in Ukraine with reasonable prices. We had 5 attempts and I've got pregnant from the second one with twins! I gave birth to my precious girls in November. Now I have family I was dreaming about for so long time. I still remember how long and tough was our path. There were days when I felt so miserable and broken. But I'm so happy I didn't give up! Now I am here with my husband and my children. I am happy and I am so proud I made it! I wish you all the best dear! Be strong and don't be sad xx