In Vitro, Anyone?

[kelly]

Hey Folks -

Many of you may be unfamiliar with my two-year history of infertility. To sum it up, after 13 failed cycles of IUI, paired with no medication, or Clomid, and finally injectables with no baby and no explanation of why despite numerous tests, my partner and I have finally met with an in vitro clinic and will be starting the program my next cycle. I have mild endo and possibly blocked tubes (though nobody can agree on the tubal problem), so this just makes the most sense for us.

Anyone with IVF experience? I'd love some input. Thanks.

Kelly

[Nada]

What specifically do you want to know about IVF? It's a very long and somewhat complicated process... I can certainly answer most of your questions.

Nada
dx's: PCOS, endometriosis, blocked tubes, thyroid issues, immune issues
Finally conceived #2 after 3 IVFs and 4.5 years of IF

[gonnabeamom]

I don't have IVF experience, but I've held a couple of beautiful babies conceived that way.

I have read that IVF odds can be improved by using visualization and other mind/body techniques. You might want to check out

http://www.fertileheart.com/

Which has some neat info on boosting the sucess of IVF, and some folks who have tried both IVF and alternative approaches. Based on my reading it's a good idea to talk to as many women as you can about the clinics available to you, as they seem to run the gamut from compassionate to awful in how they treat couples.

I hope you get your baby soon.

[Daffodil]

I have a beautiful 10 month old baby conceived through IVF. I did IVF twice - got pregnant the first time, but miscarried early on, then the second time got pregnant and stayed pregnant. A good site for IVF info is www.ivfconnections.com. They have boards where you can discuss the process in detail with other people who are going through it or have done it.

[kelly]

Thanks everyone!

I am really just anxious (though excited) about the details, especially the retrieval procedure. It sounds awful in theory - Nada, did you have a lot of discomfort with your retrieval?

So far we are very comfortable with the clinic we have chosen - the dr we had the initial consult with was very pleasant, not pushy, and explained everything very thoroughly, answered all of our questions. The nurse we have been dealing with has been great. They took our picture on our first visit - routine for them. Whenever I call with questions, they get back with me right away. So far, so good.

Thanks for the links - I'll check them out.
Kelly

[gonnabeamom]

I'm glad you've found such a good clinic.

I've been through the rounds with other medical issues and it is so disturbing to me to see people treated badly when they seek help.

Good luck.

Oh the thing that made me think of fertile heart was a story about somebody who did a visualization of the embryos swimming there way to a red comy couch with cozy music. I think it is in the case histories section.

[SpiralWoman]

hi Kelly~
I remember when you were TTCing & all those heartbreaking IUIs, man! It is great to hear you are moving on to IVF & feeling hopeful about it. I 2nd the Fertileheart website, Julia Indichova's book really helped me stay positive. I also went to Fertilethoughts.com while we were doing testing & trying to figure out what to do. They have a zillion forums with so much detailed info & I think it helps to talk to people who are going thru it.
wishing you the best! ~Maria

[onetimemama]

I have a beautiful healthy 4 year old, the result of a long road ending in IVF. Going through it was what I thought was the worst time of my life, but now that I have my boy, I don't regret one minute of it.

I am just so grateful that there is the option of IVF for those of us who have no other way to conceive.

I just suggest that you do your homework and make sure you are at a top clinic. That was the key to our success.

Good luck with your decision to move foward.

[Abadaba]

IVF success

I wish you all the best with IVF. I am very hopeful for you, because your problems sound like mine (endo, possible tubal problems, but otherwise healthy). I had 4 cycles of IUI with the last resulting in an ectopic pregnancy (that was the worst part of the infertility process for me), but with my first cylce of IVF we conceived our wonderful daughter who is now 8 months old!

The retrevial process was not bad at all. They put me under general anesthia and I did not have any pain other than very minor soreness after the retrevial.

Keep good thoughts and best of luck. I was truly impressed with the IVF process.

[jenn s]

I just want to wish you tons of luck, we have 5 and am into the 6th cycle of IUIs (with Gonal-F) our final one.. and will be moving on to IVF in the summer..

[skinnymama]

I wish you much luck! We conceived our almost 3 year old with 3 rounds of IUI but when we wanted number 2 3 rounds of IUI didn't work so we moved on to IVF and were fortunate that it worked the first time. We got prego with twins and lost one at 10 weeks which they say is common. No pain from the retrieval and it is so quick. Just made the mistake of not eating IMMEDIATELY after the process and got a migraine so bad, vomiting, etc that I had to call the doc and she got me tylenol with codeine (sp?). So have a good snack ready to eat on the way home!

At first it all did seem overwhelming and all so controlled but as I was going through it it wasn't that bad at all. Plus we left for a week's vacation the day after implantation, so I had a week to not think about it and then returned to a positive preg test.

I totally agree with comments about relaxation/meditation/visualization... and those things will help with labor too. I talked to both babies during pregnancy to work with me in labor and I have had two wonderful birth experiences.

so good luck, you are probably already in the cycle!

[AdinaL]

Kelly, I was wondering where you were!

Good luck on this. It sounds intimidating, but like a good option!
If you don't mind me asking, how much is it going to cost? Is insurance covering any of it?

Jenn S - I am in Colorado too, in Boulder, but was raised in Denver. If you don't mind me asking, what clinic are you going to? I know of a couple in town, but not too many. I am starting to research my options.

[LisaJD]

This will be my 3rd year of ttc .. and I also will be going down the IVF track if no baby in my arms on my 28th b'day ~ Sep *sigh. No doubt in my mind, IVF will bring us our life.

Thanks for the good links also ...

Just saying a big hello to Jenn S **waving & winking **

[kelly]

Hello Again -

Adina - the cost for one treatment/retrieval cycle is about $11,000. My insurance is "in theory" supposed to cover 80% of my costs, but of course we are having to jump through all sorts of hoops to get them to agree to it. So as not to delay things further, we have taken out a personal loan for this first cycle and hope to be reimbursed by the insurance company. Even if they don't pay a cent, if it works it will be the best money I ever spent!

I just started my cycle 3 days ago, so I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the well-wishes!

Kelly

[SpiralWoman]

for a fruitful cycle!
Maria

[Suzetta]

I wish you the best of luck!

You may wish to visit the following websites

IVF Connections.com


ANd

Fertilethoughts.com

[sleeping queen]

I have 13 months twins from our first ivf cycle. If you have any questions you can pm. I had two pg naturally before we did ivf.

[HollyBearsMom]

Good luck to you! I am just finishing up a cycle today with my transfer this afternoon. You've had plenty of offers all ready but if you want/need more info please PM me.

Think fruitful thoughts!! :

[octobersweethearts]

Just wanted to be another on the list to let you know you are not alone in your struggles to conceive.

I also had Endo and one blocked tube (a hydrosalphinx) - have you had a laporoscopy as a part of your treatment yet?

We ended up doing IVF and were blessed with twins.

I would be happy to share my experiences with you....BTW, are you in South Georgia? Just wondering as the clinic I went to here in Jacksonville sees many patients from Georgia.

Anyway, another GREAT support site you might want to visit is:
http://www.inciid.org

Good Luck to you!
Dana

[kelly]

Thanks again everyone -

As I just posted on another thread, I had my transfer 2/19 - I only had ONE egg that fertilized. That was one special little egg! Anyway, I went in this am for a blood hcg level and they called me at 5:00 to tell me that the test got screwed up!! Now I won't know until tomorrow!

BUT I did a hpt 3 days ago - BFN. Did one before going to the doc today - I got a faint POSITIVE!!

I am holding my breath until the blood test comes back - I've gotten my hopes up too many times before, but this was the first time in the last 2 1/2 years that I have seen 2 lines on the hpt! Keep your fingers crossed for me - I'll let you know what happens!

Kelly