IVF Graduates thread!! - Page 93

[Kewpie80]

Originally Posted by auraleigh 

the weirdest thing is that my left foot and left leg keep swelling up.  it's like i have one giant food and one normal one.  even my left shoe is tight! did anyone have this?

Yep!  It's the oddest feeling, isn't it?  My doc said it was the babies' positions too. 

Blue - Thanks for asking about us MIA grads.  I'm doing well and the babies are great, but keeping me very busy.  Maisie is walking 95% of the time now, but Liam is still really cautious and hasn't taken any steps.  Maisie is saying a few words and can answer simple questions with a nod or shake.  She seems to answer correctly to what she wants most of the time.  Liam has 9 teeth and jabbers constantly, but no real words yet. 

[guppyluv]

Feeling braver after a repeat HCG today... BCP last monday IVF#2 baby #1 (hopefully!)... breathing... all signs and symptoms vanished saturday... hoping it sticks! 

[toothfairy2be]

guppy- I think the loss of symptoms may have to do with the IVF drugs. I felt way more pregnant at 4-5 weeks than I do at 9 weeks (except for the nausea that kicked in right before 8 weeks, that part sucks). I was terrified for every appointment thinking my baby would be gone. So far so good.

Kewpie- Your video made me laugh, they are so stinkin cute! 

Aura- It must be so amazing to see and feel both of them. I can't believe you are at 24 weeks already, it seems like just yesterday you were starting the new protocol for you FET. 

hope- I love your pictures and your birth story. What a great way for your daughter to be with your son. So sweet. 

Tenzin- 3 years without a full nights sleep, whoa. I get cranky with one night of broken sleep. Are you studying to be a midwife? I don't know what MSW stands for 

suzie- glad you found it over here! 

AFM- Went to my first OB appt and was disappointed. The nurse I met with was super nice but I didn't meet either of 2 OBs or the 2 midwives. They didn't ask me anything about my plans for birth or who I wanted to be treated by, no exam, no doppler, no u/s. Coming from an RE and having concerns about a small gestational sac I am really sad not to get more info. I go back in a week but it is so stressful not knowing if baby & sac are growing or not. They want me to stop my Crinone in a week as well. How long did you all take progesterone supplements for? I will be 10 weeks... I am considering going to 12 regardless. 

Edited by toothfairy2be - 2/21/13 at 5:00pm

[blueyezz4]

Toothfairy - sorry to hear your first appt was kinda a bust.  Did they say why you didn't meet the drs or MW's???  That is kinda weird.  I hope at your next appt you get better attention. Sorry I can't help w/ the crinone question but I'm sure someone on here has experience w/ that.  I can't remember now how long my RE had said he would keep me on it but i think 10-12 wks kinda sounds normal.

guppy - Congrats & Welcome!!!!!  Symptoms coming and going is always disconcerting.  It's totally normal and I know there were times where I would feel just fine like I wasn't pregnant at all.  I got a doppler from a friend and sometimes if i was really worried I'd use it just to calm my heart. I really don't like to use it much at all but sometimes if i'm extra worried for some reason it really puts my heart at ease.  You have to be past a certain point though to be able to hear the heartbeat though, which I'm sure you are aware.

Kewpie - Your little ones are so cute.  Love how they are playing w/ that ball.  It's the little things!!!  Do you cloth diaper?  Have you always?  I've really thought about it but not sure.  Let me know how you like it.  I know you can save money doing it.

Aura - butterfly stretches?   Is that kinda like sitting indian style but w/ your feet touching???  I did do that one day but my chiro told me to be very careful w/ that b/c you don't want it to stretch/open up your cervix at all.  I had the same thing when i was preg w/ our twins where one foot swelled.  I think it is more common w/ 2 in there.  Annoying i know.  I can't believe you are 24 wks now.  That is awesome!!!!  When is your other test again??  Hoping it all goes well.

Tenzi - that is great that you feel like you are getting into a routine and things are calming down.  That has to help when you are in school.

Hope - love the new pics!!!  They both are precious!!!!

Suzie - Welcome and congrats!!!!  So you had the acupuncture when you were pregnant? I did try acupuncture to help get pregnant but haven't done it since. The worse part of it I would have to lay on one side and then after so long they'd have to take those needles out and then i'd have to flip to the other side and do the same on the other side since I can't lay on my back.  I did  just get a massage today but i was a little disappointed w/ it but it can't hurt I'm sure. 

Keria - good to see your name pop up again!!  Hope you are well!!

Shesaid - how is your mom doing and how are you feeling??  Thinking of you!!

Hi to everyone else!!!

AFM - 33 wks this week and then this Sunday will be 34wks.  Wow, can't even believe it.  We have our 2nd shower on Sat w/ work friends, other friends and family, so that should be good.  Still have a few things to do in the nursery like get the mattress which BRU is driving me nutty and i feel like they are playing games.  The price of the same mattress has like changed 3 times.  Ugh!!!  I had a prenatal massage today and it was just okay.  I'm used to being able to lay on my stomach and back for a massage so it was a little odd and i felt a little uncomfortable w/ the way the prenatal pillows were kinda uncomfortable.  Who knows.  DH had gotten me a gift certificate for it this past Christmas which was nice but i think i'll use the rest after the baby and enjoy it more.  OB appt tomorrow w/ a NST and check up w/ a different OB than my norm b/c mine is on vac this week.  Next Fri the 1st we have our next u/s so that is exciting.  I know he is growing b/c my belly isn't getting any smaller.  ugh!!!
 

[suzie mccool]

Toothfairy: my progesterone was stopped just before my beta - but if my levels were low they would have put me back on them.  I'm fine with that, because I tested really high for it, but if you feel uncertain you can ask for another bloodtest to check your levels, to make sure that's right for you?  I hope you always get the nice nurse!

Blueyezz: I was recommended acupuncture by a 7 month pregnant lady last year with a funny knee.  She was so convincing I gave it a go and never looked back!    Honestly - i've tried EVERYTHING and that was the only thing that made a real difference.  It didn't get me pregnant either (neither did the fertility massage, the iridology, standing on my head after sex or drinking cough medicine LOL)

Hope: your birth story is amazing and beautiful! 

Guppy: Did you ask for the HCG test?  How did it go?  It's far to long to wait for the scan - I was toying with going to a local doctor and asking for a blood test (pretending to not know) just to double check my levels!

Apparently sleeplessness is a symptom (I woke up at 4am this morning) but I'm thinking it was the nightmare I had about my ex-husband attacking me with a shovel!  Luckily, a lady was in my dream with a tazer and she zapped him.  Still, a crappy way to wake up :)   But at least I have a nice early start to the day LOL

[auraleigh]

blue, so annoying about BRU!  i really hate them.  i hear they are a pain to work with for returns as well, i am sure it will be interesting post shower.  yes, those are the stretches i do, but i usually do them laying down (i figure i won't be able to be on my back much longer but for now it works).  i didn't know it could affect your cervix.  maybe i shouldn't do them anymore?  also boo to your massage.  definitely save the rest of your gift certificate for when your back hurts from lugging a baby everywhere.  you'll appreciate it much more! 

kewpie, i cannot believe how grown up they are!  the video was fantastic, i was giggling watching.  how is everything?

guppy, i had no symptoms and my hcg was pretty high, so don't worry.  i also never had morning sickness, so symptoms aren't everything.  i also never had breast tenderness (still don't, although my nipples are CRAZY).  if the blood test shows good levels, you're good!  you have no reason to doubt it!

toothfairy, so annoying about your ob appt!  give it a little time, but i say if you don't like them, switch.  i graduated from the RE at 10 weeks, and by 14  weeks i was 100% positive that i hated my ob's office and switched.  it was the best decision i have ever made.  i just had a gut feeling that the first place wasn't taking my pregnancy seriously enough.  i felt like they were too busy to keep track of me, they messed things up left and right, and didn't listen when i spoke.  my new ob's office is magical.  i feel very confidant that they have my best interests in mind, and they actually take the time to make sure everything is going smoothly.  trust your instincts! if they aren't giving you the experience you are looking for, find someone who will.  also in regards to crinone, they made me stop cold turkey by 11 weeks.  i cheated and went a few extra days, but everyone assured me that by 10 weeks the placenta is doing what it needs to do and anything else is unnecessary.  i had nightmares about stopping, and no one ever checked my blood to see what my progesterone levels were which made me nervous, but they were right!  also, once i stopped taking crinone all of my spotting stopped (i had several instances of spotting while on crinone due to cervical irritation).  

afm, fetal echo is tomorrow morning.  i'm a little nervous.  dh can't come to this one so i'm hoping that everything goes smoothly and i get to brag that i got to spend time looking at the babies again.  my ankles are very swollen today and my feet were aching, so i went to the mall to buy some backless slip on sneakers.  the pair i got are terribly ugly (black with hot pink piping), but they have memory foam in them and are like walking on pillows.  the scary part is that i normally wear an 8.5 and these are a size 10!!  i couldn't believe it.  i hope my feet shrink post pregnancy, but i can literally feel my foot bones spreading.  ugh.  i slept terribly last night and everything aches, so i will probably go to sleep early and hope that i can sleep through the night.  

 

here is my belly! i am saying goodbye to my lap because it is slowly disappearing. 

[Kewpie80]

Blue - Yep, I cloth diaper and have since the beginning.  I still use disposables here and there, but not often. 

I thought about getting a prenatal massage when I was pregnant, but now I'm glad I didn't.  I would prefer to be on my stomach too.  I can't believe how close you are!

[Vegan Princess]

Aura: Love the pic!!

Cindy

[blueyezz4]

Rcr - I was standing in the shower this morning trying to wake up and it hit me that I forgot to respond to you in my above post. Wow, that's awesome that it's only like around 100$. That's great! Is that bc you still have the insurance to help?? Fingers crossed so hard for you that it will work out!!

Aura- love the belly shot! Cute, kinda looks like my belly! Lol! Bending over to put socks on is getting harder, oh and trying to shave I feel like I'm cramming the little guy!!

Suzie - thx for the info on acupuncture! I think I'll stick w the Chiro for now just bc of money but down the road if it gets really bad I'll keep it up my sleeve!!

Kewpie - did you start them off w/ the cloth right from the very beginning or after they were so old???

Hope - hope all is going well w/ you!! How's the little guys reflux?

On my phone so it's hard to type much more.

[Kewpie80]

Originally Posted by blueyezz4 



Kewpie - did you start them off w/ the cloth right from the very beginning or after they were so old???
 

We did disposables while they were in the meconium stage and then went to flats with covers until they were big enough for fitted pockets. 

[guppyluv]

Suzie-- I called the nurse re thyroid issues and said I wanted to have a repeat beta HCG since this was the same time I lost the last one. My levels were soooo much higher than last time. So hoping that's good sign. I am exhausted with headaches today so am guessing that's good.

Interestingly my re doesn't measure my progesterone. They told me unless it was really a problem with the cinone they would keep me on it until 10 weeks (about when I'd be "released" to a midwife/Ob).

Being über optimistic and heading to an open house/tour on Monday at a local birthing center that I'm interested in working with. Next one isn't until April so figured I should go now regardless. Definitely midwife & OB shopping to find the right place/person.

[suzie mccool]

Guppy : So glad your levels are high!!!  That news made me as happy as if it were my levels   It must be such a relief!  And even though headaches are... a headache, they are a great symptom of an intelligent baby lol..  actually I made that up, but it is a common symptom and better than throwing up!

Hope the birthing center is awesome!  In my dreams that's such a lovely way to give birth, but I will be stuck with a c-section.  With my first I had a relatively awful 2 day labor followed by a c-section and pretty much sealed my fate forever.  Sigh..

Getting result from my second blood test today - couldn't wait for the scan so I just asked for it and apparently it's not an issue.  I should have done that earlier!! Still feeling really quite good except for falling asleep before 9pm every night (lame) and being quite bloated (thanks IVF drugs!)

Uber optimistic is the way to go!!  Have fun Monday 

[guppyluv]

Suzie - how was the repeat? Hope alls well.

I managed to avoid the IVF bloat - but I think it was purely b/c I didn't use Menapur this time. (it was evil for me last time!) so WYSIWYG when it comes to my untoned belly

[suzie mccool]

Guppy: :) Great news.  I'm doubling every 2 days and 6 hours which is apparently just right!  So relieved you have no idea!!!

Seriously - I've been wishing for some sickness or something extreme to make it seem more real, but this has sated the beast for at least the next few days lol.. The doc said she's happy to monitor my HCG every week til the scan which is awesome (and free!! yay!) so I'm totally gonna do that.  Still haven't got a real doctor yet, but I will continue that search on Monday.

By the way... you are SO lucky not to have this bloat!  So hard to pull off looking normal when all my skirts are done up with rubber bands and my belly (which was never very toned at all) is now almost as far out as my enormous progesterone cleavage LOL
 

Everyone:  Can anyone tell me if this is cause for concern or relief?  My progesterone levels have been over the maximum reading both times, one week apart (in Aust it's 190 max) - I've tried googling and that told me nothing... does anyone know for sure if these very high levels are OK?  My HCG is rising normally from the first beta, and the numbers aren't high enough to look like a multiple, and I stopped taking progesterone a week and a half ago.   Thanks in advance!

Edited by suzie mccool - 2/23/13 at 1:02pm

[auraleigh]

suzie, my dr always told me you couldn't overdose on progesterone, so i assume high levels are just fine.  your body is making what it needs to i suppose.  they never tested my progesterone so i am not sure what my numbers were, but no one ever seems concerned unless the numbers are too low.

guppy, i had tons of headaches.  although annoying, it's just your hormones going insane!

afm, had my fetal echo on friday.  as usual my little girl was posing for the tech and gave him the shots he needed instantly, while my little boy was curled up, face down, and refused to budge.  they had me walk around, chug orange juice, roll around on my sides... that kid was not moving for anyone.  i can tell already he is stubborn like his father!  they did manage to get one good shot which is apparently good enough.  the dr said that while there is always a small chance that there is a tiny hole or something that can't be detected by ultrasound, structurally both of their hearts look normal.  my stomach was so sore after from all the jiggling and pressing they did trying to roll that baby! right now my little lady is weighing in at 1 lb 8 oz, and my little boy is 1 lb 12 oz.  hooray for 25 weeks!

my dh and i also took an infant care class yesterday.  he hasn't changed a diaper or held a baby really since his niece was born 19 years ago, so i thought he could use some lessons.  the nurse was lovely and it was good to visit the hospital where i'll be delivering.  i have a tour set up for next sunday so we can see the maternity ward.  what i really loved though is that the hospital is part of a pro breastfeeding community, so all babies room in with you, no bottles or pacifiers are given, and they have lactation consultants around the clock to help you get started.  they said babies are usually immediately put skin to skin, and even with a c section, given there are no serious complications, i could have the babies on my within an hour.  i love it! 

hope everyone is doing well and just busy taking care of their beautiful babies!

[suzie mccool]

Aural:   Thanks for the advice. When I got my both my results it was from a receptionist, so nobody really told me anything except what the numbers were, and my clinic closes on weekends, so when I started worrying about the numbers, there was nobody to call.

Your hospital sounds amazing!  We had a similar set up when my son was born, and the lactation advisor saved my sanity.

It must be awesome to see the babies again, your stubborn one cracked me up :)  Congrats on 25 weeks!
 

[rcr]

Blue/Aura - I am not here much (and even less frequently on the other thread) - because it has been really unhelpful for me to obsess over this, and staying away from MDC keeps my mind away from TTC. So I am not avoiding you, I just need to keep my mind elsewhere right now. After 5 years of TTC, I am kinda sick of obsessing and being dissapointed, and would rather concentrate on the present (my DS, DH, work, garden, etc.). I have started a big spring garden and I am putting all of my energy into that. I have about two flats of tomatoes growing under lights in the basement, and I planted carrot, lettuce, cabbage, and collards seeds outside already (the south has an early growing season). Obsessing about it hasn't gotten me a baby yet anyway. I do still check in because I care about how all of you are doing though. Anyway, to answer your questions, my transfer is likely going to be in a few weeks - March 14 is the estimated transfer date. I started estrogen yesterday.  Blue - the reason it is so cheap is partially because of my insurance and partially because they are on sale (Dh and I call them our clearance babies). They are embryos that nobody else wants - not because of their quality (which is fine, plus there are so many that if they don't get two blasts they will keep thawing more until they get two), but because so little is known about where they came from - they are older and the RE didn't keep very good records about parent's characteristics back then. So essentially they offered them to me at half the price they normally charge for donor embryo FETs because they probably would have been disposed of otherwise. That fact was actually kinda my draw to them. It felt good to give them a chance at life they would not otherwise have.  Blue, I have been looking online for info about what to do when your doc refuses to do interlipids, and found some info about taking fish oil as a "poor mans interlipids" so I am trying that. I can't hurt. It does worry me that I am not doing interlipids.

Blue - I hope the showers were fun. You are so much farther along every time I check in here is makes me smile each time!

Aura - Your hospital sounds like a great place!

Suzie - congrats on doubling! that is wonderful news!

Hi to everyone else. Sorry to crash your thread with TTC stuff. I will go back to stalking now.

[gumby74]

RCR:  I don't ever post on here, but have been down the infertility path in the past and was pregnant at the same time Blue was pregnant with her twin boys. I follow some of your strories because I also follow Blue's story and consider myself her online cheerleader.  Actually, I secretly cheer for all of you because even though I know I am never having any more children, I remember the pain, frustration, disappointment and anger that came with trying,trying,trying.  I also remember the joy and elation everytime I got a BFP...even if it wasn't for very long. When others in my infertility group got their BFP's....I remember the elation and then silent sadness that always occurred because it wasn't me.  When it finally was my turn, I celebrated while also remembering the sadness that others were also still feeling. 

The reason I felt the need to post this, is because I think that any of us who have been down the path of infertility understand when someone has to take a break from obsessing to protect themselves.  It can be too much to spend so much energy on analyzing every single detail and then over analyzing it some more.  One can only handle going from hope...convincing yourself you are pg.....only to learn you aren't and then start the cycle all over again.  It's mentally and physically exhausting.  Not to mention the real life reminders of baby shower and birth announcements that seem to happen more frequently when you are in the midst of ttc. 

I also want to say that the fact that you are using the embryos you are using is awesome beyond words and I hope beyond hope that you are given the chance to provide these embryos with a lifetime home filled with love.  Best wishes to you always! 

[toothfairy2be]

Hi all,

We found out today that our baby stopped growing at 8w1d so about a week and a half ago. No longer had a heartbeat. We are sad and all the emotions that go along with it. Trying to process and prepare for a different future.

[auraleigh]

toothfairy, i am so sorry. there are never the right words to express sympathy, but i am sorry this happened and i hope you find success soon.