Fall IVF Thread: Let's hear it for the BFPs! - Page 33

[TenzinsMama]

Kewpie, that is superb news about things!  It's nice to know that things are stable, so now all you need to do is keep doing what you are doing.  I hope the month flies by and then you go back for your next appointment and get some more great news.  Love the pics!  Ha ha, I wonder, when they move, if they do it in one big shift or if they just inch their way into their new positions. 

Belly, I've got everything crossed-- those little embies are strong ones, for sure.  I hope you get really good news about them tomorrow!

Blue, yay for triggering tonight and the ER on Saturday!  

Renavoo, when a person calls my clinic, you have to leave a message and then they get back to you within 24 hours, depending on what the issue is they might try to call back the same day... So, what I'll do is try to ask to speak to a nurse when we pick up the req tomorrow morning.  Can't wait to hear your update on the second beta test tomorrow... I wonder if they will tell you if they suspect it is twins, if things are more than doubling? 

Purple, I'm glad you had a better day. 

Deborah, hopefully eating beforehand does the trick and you don't have to deal with nasty side effects as more (or at the very least, as much as you have been).

Lyndi, that's scary about the spotting.  It's really unfortunate that the nurse spoke to you like she did, it is totally unacceptable to treat people that way, especially when they are in a situation where reassurrance, compassion and caring support is so vital.  I hope you are taking it easy, and best of luck in resolving things... I hope you never have to deal with her, or someone like her, ever again!

Have a good night everyone! 

[auraleigh]

hi ladies! just having a super crazy week so i've been catching up reading on my phone but haven't had a chance to write personals. 

so happy for you renavoo! your numbers are phenomenal! belly and blue, i'm thinking happy thoughts for you!  kewpie, glad you're enjoying bed rest! 

everyone else, i'm rooting for you all! 

afm, sore throat and pms, waiting for af so i can go in for my baseline us.  i asked my cvs and they have the generic clomid but they said if my dr wanted name brand it would 24 hours to get it in.  not bad.  i am slightly confused as to how they know when i'm ovulating, but i guess they'll let me know the protocol in a few days.  in pcos news, metformin is great.  it gives me mild face flushing sometimes and mild nausea, but i'm continuing to lose weight and i feel awesome.  we are going to stay with friends for the weekend (where i hear it's snowing already) so i am excited!  happy halloween everyone!

[BellyBean]

Hi Aura, I meant to include in my post earlier today that I made your squash soup again today :)  I enjoyed it and plan to eat a bunch this weekend on bed rest!  I think I mentioned earlier, but when I was on clomid (not with an RE) that they just had me use an OPK and when it turned positive I came in the next morning for the IUI.  Glad to hear the metformin is still going great!!

[renavoo]

Belly, today is the day!! yah!! Now, hope you get to rest a lot before the transfer to get your mind all zen! I know it's going to go great and in 2 weeks time, I hope to put you in the BFP section!!!

Aura, eww to the sore throat but i am SO excited for you this month. I'm really hoping that they have really figured out the magic bullet for you and that the metformin works miracles. This is so exciting. i assume that you're not being followed by US? If not, I've heard multiple people say that they used OPK sticks as well. Better go to Amazon for some of those cheapie sticks! I think that those sticks work phenomenally!

Tenzin, how are you doing? Any more contact with your mean friend? When is your US? I'm on pins and needles waiting for you to let us know how that goes!! I doubt that they will make a prediction. haha my nurse is one of the most stone faced woman (haha and i've never actually met her...we do everything online and when I go to Maryland for the clinic time, it's a different office than she works on (they have a network of clinics and the one I have to go to, with the cell banks, is not where she works). It's a very odd process, to be honest, but hey, it is fine because i just want to see results. How are you feeling by the way? Do you have any signs of pregnancy? I'm feeling scarily fine today. I am fatigued but that is probably because of insomnia (and I'm scared how the insomnia is affecting the growth of the baby!) and I feel light cramping. My nipples are feeling much less painful (which still sets me off into a tizzy of concern). I think that DH is starting to get annoyed at me because I am stressing so much and reading too into the symptoms that i know can wax and wane. It's so funny because i think we all KNOW so much but when it comes to personal experience, what we know isn't always how we behave! Anyway, DH has been trying to get my mind off things and i'm looking forward to getting the blood test results and hopefully, the US the week of Nov 7th!!

Blue, YAH to being home!! haha i'm so with you...anytime i have to stay away from home too long, i get really antsy. Do you remember how crazed I was for my fresh cycle? I just wanted to GO HOME!!! Well, enjoy your day at home and then hopefully, you have an uneventful ride up there today. And good luck on your retrieval!! I can't wait to hear from you tomorrow. As you said, quality vs quantity. I also find that people often get more eggs during the retrieval than they think they will- the US just can't pick up everything!! So hopefully you get a couple of more than you think you're going to! Hopefully, you feel up to going to the concern tomorrow night!

Hope everyone is doing well!! Big hugs!

[Tear78]

renavoo, light cramping is probably your uterus stretching, and insomnia is totally normal: your body is bombarded w/ pregnancy hormones! I hope that helps take the edge off the worry.

Belly, good luck today!

I'm slightly sleep befuddled right now, but I feel like today is an important day foe several people.

blue, power-folllie vibes to you this weekend!!

[Kewpie80]

Belly - Thinking of you today!

[BellyBean]

Thanks Kewpie and Tear! 

I couldn't sleep...up at 4 am.  Only 8 more hours till transfer :)  DH wanted me to call this morning to see if they had to thaw the blasts, but I don't think I will.   Bad news would just cause more stress and wouldn't change anything.  They'll be giving me a valium there so that should keep me calm :)  Transfer is this afternoon (pacific time) so I'll am planning on having everything set up in the bedroom so I can let you ladies know how it went.  Please pray or send some good vibes my way today, I really need it!     

[renavoo]

Tear, thank you for your calming influence. I am so grateful that you and all the graduates continue to come and give us advice. You guys are truly amazing.

Back to Belly, yaaaah! The day is finally here! Belly, my fingers and toes are all crossed for you. It's going to be a great day!!

[Mosaic]

Hi ladies! I'm thread-crashing to cross all my fingers and toes for you and wish you all luck on getting that BFP soon!

I also would like to give a very gentle reminder to our much-loved graduates, who have been so wonderful in coming back and sharing their advice and support "from the other side." While I know everyone here is thrilled for your success after this long journey of TTCing, I'm sure you're also very aware of the personal frustration and disappointment that sometimes accompanies TTC/IVFers around others' babies and pregnancies.

Please know that your input and support are always welcomed here, but perhaps consider sharing details of your pregnancy on another thread, maybe in the thread that Keria started for IVF grads. While I'm sure many members love to hear about your pregnancies, I'd guess there are also several who still struggle a bit with it, and I'd like to keep this a safe, comforting place for everyone. Thanks for understanding!

Originally Posted by Keria 

Hey guys I started a thread on the I'm pregnant forum for graduates. I feel like it will be a nice way to keep in touch with each other after everyone graduates and goes off to different DDCs.

This is the link

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1334294/ivf-graduates-thread#post_16720866

[rcr]

Belly and Blue - yea!! Good luck!

Hi Mosaic. (and I didn't know about the IVF grad thread). I love having grads around here though, and don't mind hearing about their pregnancies at all :)

Rena - your numbers are great! I bet there are 2 in there.

Everybody else - hi! I am trying to make it quick because I have a ton of papers and tests to grade today.

AFM - I am bleeding. Ugh. It was just a little spotting that started a few days ago but now it is looking like a period. How annoying. I wonder if this means that I am having AF and that will delay the next AF (and my IVF cycle). I remember when I went on vacation in like my 20s and I was on BCP but forgot them and I bleed for like 2 weeks. Sure hope that doesn't happen this time.

[BellyBean]

rcr, that is super annoying!  I am sorry it might add a few day delay to getting started again :(

I have lots more to say right now, but I am running super late and need to focus on what I came here to tell everyone :)  I'll be back this evening for more personals/comments.

AFM, just got a call from the embryologist.  She said 2 of the 4 were doing okay, growing a little slow (1 is now a morula, 1 an early blast), she thought they would be okay to transfer and could definitely become babies.  When pushed a little harder, she agreed that perhaps thawing all the blasts would be the best option for us in this specific case.  If I was willing to risk them all, we might as well see what we have and transfer the best 2.  Honestly, I am a little bummed.  I was hoping 2 of the day 3's would be all we needed and they would look great today.

Here is where I am really confused on what I should do.  Now that we are thawing the 5 blasts too, The question is do I freeze any of the remaining ones if they are "average"?  For instance, let's say I use the one early blast and then 1 of the new blasts they thaw...I'll have 1 morula and maybe 1 or 2 other blasts that would be "not as good".  It's all speculation I guess, since the decision could be made for me based on how they thaw, but I don't know if I should keep the "average/fair" ones?  If this doesn't work, I would probably be on the path to doing a fresh cycle next I think, but if it did work, I would rather use the frosties to try for a 3rd, and if it didn't work be okay with my family of 4.  The cost to freeze is about $1500, so that is the wager...

[renavoo]

ooph, sorry Belly, although at least you have options!! So let me understand something...are they just growing slowly or are they not great quality. The reason I ask is because my two that I transferred were really slow growers. They needed an extra 1 or 2 days to grow but they grew into very high quality blasts. So, if there is a chance that they can grow well, I'd let them grow till the embryologists can decide their grade and see how they are doing!

I guess it depends on just how "not as good" they are! I wonder about my last blast too...i had three blasts..two As and one B. I assume they used the 2 As for the last transfer so I question whether i should keep the one B. Can you ask them to give you an idea of what chance of pregnancy you would have if you transferred the remaining blasts in the future?

Sorry that you have to be concerned about this now!!! i just hope everything goes smoothly from now on!!!

[blueyezz4]

Belly - that is a really hard question and I'd think the embryologist would be the one to give you the best opinion about refreezing frozen embryos.  I always wondered about that too, not that I have had that situation b/c there's never enough eggs, but it kinda makes you think about thawing frozen chicken and then refreezing it.  You would think it probably isn't the best for the chicken, but who knows.  I'm not trying to compare our embryos to chicken, but you know what I mean.  Let us know what you find out.  Good luck today.  Thinking of you and praying all goes well. Be sure to let us know.  How long is your bedrest? Sending lots of sticky vibes your way!!!!  We will only be a few days apart in our tww.  I know my beta is on 11-11-11, when is yours????

rcr - bummer about the bleeding.  Weird.  What CD are you on right now? Hope it doesn't mess anything up and you still can stay on schedule for your next IVF.  Keep us posted.

Mosaic - I realize that being a moderator here you help to keep everyone and everything copacetic and in the right place and I have deep respect for that, but I also agree with rcr.  I love having graduates on here b/c not only have they "been there and done that" they have a lot of helpful input and it also give me hope that this process does actually work for some people.  I really hope that your post doesn't scare the graduates away, that is one of my fears after reading your comments.  I can imagine there may be some people out there, maybe ones who didn't cycle with these graduates that don't have the same connection that I may, that might have issues, but I am for sure NOT one of them.  I think the thread that Keria made is a great idea too, but I only wish that it could actually be on the IF area instead of the pregnancy area b/c I don't go over there very often (unfortunately) and it would be easier to check in on our graduates if it were closer to where I spend most of my time on this site.  Thank you for your input and I just felt like I needed to share my two cents as well.

AFM - Almost got everything packed to head back to MI.  We will leave after DH gets home from work maybe around 5ish, i hope.  I tried to wear the pup out some so she will sleep some in the car on the way up.  Not much else going on here.  Last night I went to a friends house so she could give me my trigger shot (she is a nurse) b/c DH was not home at 9pm yesterday.  All went well and my butt is a little sore today but not too bad.  I forgot to post that my Beta will be on 11-11-11 which i think is a good sign!!!  The pup gets spayed on 11-7-11 so at least that will help to take some of the constant wonder off of me and be a distraction that week.

[deborahbgkelly]

Thanks everyone. My estradiol was a little lower than they liked so I'm up to 300 IU of Follistim and Menopur and I have another ultrasound on Saturday, but clearly the drugs are working or I wouldn't have 6 follies!

[renavoo]

rcr, ugh to bleeding!! I guess anytime you get off of bcps, even after 3 days, you experience withdrawal bleeds. That is so annoying! i hope it is light and that you don't have to deal with it for too long!  And especially, that it doesn't ruin your next cycle! Maybe put a call in to your RE?

Blue,  YAH!! It happens tomorrow at 8am right? Check in with us when you feel better and let us know how it goes!! And then hopefully, it'll be smooth and easy so you can go out tomorrow night! i'm pulling for you! I want you to have lots of nice, high quality eggs to fertilize. Ah, tomorrow and then Sunday are going to be exciting days!!  By the way, how cool!! 11/11/11? Definitely a sign!

As for Mosaic's post, it was a little surprising but I understand. However, I'm not leaving this forum until you ladies are all pregnant!!! I want to see all of us getting our "happily ever after"!! (And I'm aiming for this to happen by the end of the year. hahah) Who do i need to speak to to get that to happen, huh?!

Big hugs ladies!

Belly and Blue, my thoughts are with you guys!! Check in when you have a chance and let us know how you did!! Belly, I know your transfer is happening soon so I'm just keeping my sticky thoughts with you!!

[BellyBean]

Hi all! I just got home and in bed where I will stay until Sunday. I am on the iPad so typing is slow,but I guess I have lots of time

About the graduates...having cycled with most of them over the past year I feel an extremely close bond and would be really heartbroken not to get their updates and support. Honestly, it is often (if not always) us asking for updates. I understand the concern being raised but I hope we can keep our balance right. I am not sure this thread would be as special without them...we are forever bonded in our journeys.

If anyone wants to be Facebook friends feel free to IM me. Be warned most of my posts/pics are of my daughter from IVF #1

Blue, have a safe trip up and good luck tomorrow. I am praying this is the cycle for both of us, and I LOVE your beta date!! Such a good sign!! Mine is 11/7

AFM, it went ok. I can't believe how different the clinics are...it was a huge operating wing and room. They ended up thinking 2 of the blasts they thawed this morning were best. Unfortunately they only rated a 2AA and 2AB, since they were still expanding from the thaw. The number represents expansion. They thought if they were left to continue expanding in the lab they could have a higher number, but there wasn't any additional time so there is no way to tell. Normally, they are rated before freeze but I guess my old clinics notes were mostly chicken scratch. I am not feeling super optimistic, but I do like that they did assisted hatching. They said my zona was thicker than normal and that freezing makes it even thicker. They are going to call tomorrow to let us know if any of the remaining are worth vitrifying. I might have just used 15 frosties in one transfer, but at least we know where we stand.

[Kewpie80]

belly - I'm sorry things didn't go better.  Does assisted hatching help them implant better?  I've heard of it, but never researched it.  I'm hoping so hard for you!

blue - I hope your trip is a safe one.  I've heard up north is supposed to get snow and I hope it's not in your path.  I think it's more east of you, but I wasn't paying too close attention.  I think your beta being on 11-11-11 is a great sign!  That would also be a really cool birthday.  Too bad I don't know anyone due at that time to root for. 

As for the graduates posting in here, I hope it's still ok for us to offer support and well wishes.  I hope our BFPs in our signatures don't bring any pain.  As we have ALL been on this journey, we know how BFPs can be painful even if by a sister infertile.  I care about you all deeply, so whether we're allowed to post here or not, I will continue to read and silently cheer you on.  

[Kewpie80]

rcr - I somehow missed your post my first pass through.  Could it be just breakthrough bleeding or is it too heavy for that?  I hope it doesn't mess things up for you next month.  

[MOMTOALEXIS]

Belly- 

Blue- Good Luck tom, you know I will be thinking of you all day.

Thanks to all of you who keep us welcome here, thats why I feel the need to check in cause you are all the sweetest caring group I've seen on MDC.

[TenzinsMama]

Belly, I've heard really good things about assisted hatching.  I'm glad that the new clinic chose this route for you, given the thickness of the zona that they noted.  Sending you lots of 

Blue, big day tomorrow!  Here's to good quality eggies! 

rcr, your're right, the bleeding would be annoying.  Hopefully it's nothing too major so you can deal with it and be done with it soon. 

AFM, I had good news at the u/s today.  It felt like I melted right then and there, with relief.  Anyway, I'll keep things low-key with my situation, just to keep what Mosaic said in mind.  But you know, I have too much rallying to do for each of you ladies!  And not only that, I love being part of this community!  I have received so much encouragement, hope and strength from connecting with others who are at various stages of this journey.  Not to mention, all the great information and advice for dealing with things at the start of it all to the present time.  I didn't have anybody else to turn to irl, and even now, I still feel like I'm in a fragile state with things so I'm so appreciative that I've been continuing to get the kind and compassionate support here.  My wish is that everyone that I've come to 'know' on here see their hopes and dreams realized, and if my own story can give someone else some much-needed encouragement, then I will feel like I have given back even just a little bit here.  Because I've received so much.  Thank you everyone!