Summer IVF Thread: Summer Embies Bring Spring Babies!! - Page 33

[Nese1972]

Aura, that's a great report on you embies!  Sounds like you are going to have some great ones to transfer and freeze!  Woo-hoo!

Blueeyezz, I woke up twice and the first time they gave me more of something and out I went, but the last time the nurse just grabbed my hands (I think because I was saying it hurts), but there was no more knocking me out.  I am very sore.  I just woke up, but feel like I could go back to sleep again.

Deborah, do they always have to intubate you for ER?  I didn't know they had to do that for ER.  I hate that.  I had surgery in January to have my ankle reconstructed and they intubated me.  My throat was soooo sore after so I can completely relate.

AFM: I don't know when ET is.  I am supposed to be a day 3, but he said depends on how the embryos look and based on my last 2 IVF cycles and the quality that he may do a day 2.  I didn't even realize day 2 transfers were done, but apparently it's not uncommon.  I am pretty sure I won't be a day 5 since history has shown that my embryos start crashing between day 3 and day 5.  

I woke up once in the bedroom and could hear something out side the bedroom door.  I said "Piper" (my dog's name) and she got up and stuck her nose as far as she could under the door.  I went back to sleep and woke up again a few hours later and she was still there.  I asked my step-daughter, Ashlynn, to please let her in and she laid down beside my side of the bed.  Ashlynn said "she's been lying outside the door since you got home.  Wouldn't even come for a treat".  Now that's love.  I think she was worried about me. :)

[MOMTOALEXIS]

AURA-I am over the moon for you.

Good luck Nese

[deborahbgkelly]

Nese- No, it was because I had a reaction to the Versed I vomited and aspirated, so they had to intubate me to get me to breathe again. I woke up from the Versed and they said I was going to the Emergency Room. I was like, why?

[deborahbgkelly]

They scared the crap out of DH too b/c he thought they said my lung collapsed. Definitely not what happened.

[Vegan Princess]

Aura: Sounds like things are going amazing!!! Your take home baby just has to be in that batch! Remind me, with your prior IVF cycles, did you use donor sperm or your DH's sperm?

Nese: Eww I'd hate to have woken up in the middle! I'm sorry you're in pain. I only had 6 or 7 eggs taken out so not nearly as many pokes to my ovaries! I hope you feel better soon and that you get a great report tomorrow! My old RE did do 2 day transfers when there weren't many embies - he didn't want to take a chance. But the RE I used for my cycle only did 3 or 5 day. I only had 1 embie and wanted to do a 2 day so as not to risk losing it but they said they didn't do that. I guess it depends on the clinic. 

Cindy

[SKJ2011]

Wow! So much amazing stuff going on here!

Aura - I'm with Cindy. Your take home babies just gotta be in the mix. Can't wait to hear your update today.

Nese - You poor thing! I can't believe you woke up TWICE during the procedure. WTH! I hope all the torture was worth it. Can't wait to hear your fert report. How do they determine which day to do the transfer? Sorry for my ignorance.

[Nese1972]

Just got my fertilization report.  of the 21 eggs, they ICSI'ed 18 and 10 fertilized.  My ET is Saturday at 9:30.  Said they couldn't give me grades until Saturday morning.  That I would meet with the dr before transfer and we would decide which ones to transfer.  We decide?  Nervous as heck that my embryos will be poor quality like the previous 2 IVF cycles.   

[Nese1972]

Originally Posted by SKJ2011 
How do they determine which day to do the transfer? Sorry for my ignorance.

I really have no idea.  I just know that he didn't want to wait until 5 days for me because of the 2 past IVF experiences with my embryos going downhill between day 3 and 5.  

[SKJ2011]

Good luck Nese! What a nerve wracking process. You are too emotionally invested in this to decide, I would think. I hope it's more of the RE saying, "here's what I think we should do, cool?".

I'm hoping for amazing news on Saturday for you and that you've got embies to freeze. Grow embies grow!

[Nese1972]

SKJ2011, I am sooo hoping that is how it goes... him saying "here's what I think we should do" because I don't know how to decide.  From my previous 2 failed attempts, I now know what grading scale is used and what it means.  My new RE always says "ugly embryos make pretty babies, too", but all of my embryos in the past were SUPER ugly (poorest of quality) so he could tell me that over and over and I'll still be thinking in my head "well, here comes another BFN".  I know I shouldn't be so negative.  I definitely have not gotten my hopes up this cycle as I did in the past so that if I do get a BFN I won't feel so inadequate and useless.  With all the research I've done I know, at my age, not to expect too much.  I do believe if this fails we will (hopefully) have a FET and then move on to donor eggs even though my DH truly doesn't want to go that route (he feels like it wouldn't be "our" child).  I'm just praying we have better quality embies this time around.  I've done everything different including being on a different protocol than before.  

[SKJ2011]

Nese - I totally 100% get where you are coming from. In fact, that's about all I talked about at therapy last night

My new goal is to try to live for today only and not worry/hope about the future. Obviously, this is near impossible when dealing with IF and all the physical, emotional, and monetary pain we go through. Anyways, I'll be hopeful for you. I'd try not to think about the what-ifs. I know that's easier said than done. But, why waste emotional energy on something that may never happen, right? Ok, I'll shut up now. Talk to me next week and we'll see how zen I am

[auraleigh]

hello ladies!

Nese, I've got all my fingers and toes crossed for you! At this point all you can do is trust your doctor and go with the flow.  In what way was your protocol different this time than it was during your last cycles?  I love hearing about different ways that doctors make this magic happen!

Vegan, how are you feeling? For my first ivf we did husban'd sperm to give it a shot.  Second ivf we did 50/50 with donor #1.  Three IUIs were with donor #1.  Then Dr T suggested I try a new donor as maybe we're just not compatible, so now we're on to donor #2.  Dr T did mention that he thought we could try again with my DH's sperm again if we wanted, but since he's diabetic, 42, and had retrograde ejaculation, we figured it would probably be better odds if we just continued on with the donor.  We've made our peace with it.  A baby born to us will be our baby, regardless of how that embryo was made.  I googled donor #2 and he's had over five reported pregnancies in the past year or so, so I am hoping he's very fertile! Ab

Rcr, how is your camping trip! Hope you're having a blast!

Silver, hope your trip is lovely as well!

Blue, how's Abby doing?  Have you found any new solo activities for her? 

SKJ, so glad that the therapy is making you feel so calm!  At some point I just had to let go of all the insanity and just go with the flow.  Make a game plan, put yourself in capable hands, and hope for the best.  What else can we do? I think being calm and relaxed has to help the process along anyways, right?

Afm, Dr Wang emailed me today (again) to check in and see how I was doing.  Can I say again how much I like the Drs at SIRM NYC?  Can't say enough about them! He said he is going to personally check out my embryos tomorrow morning.  If anything is amiss he will call to update me, but otherwise just assume I'm coming in at 2pm to transfer a couple of blastocysts.  My heart is racing and I know I won't get any sleep tonight.  We have never made it this far, we are in unknown territory, and I'm scared!  To keep busy I am going to bake up a batch of amazing chocolate chip cookies to bring to all the nurses and reception girls tomorrow.  I think they'll appreciate it, and it will keep me occupied!

[Vegan Princess]

Aura: Wow, it's finally transfer day tomorrow!! Very sweet of you to bring cookies! I want to do something for my doc and nurse coordinator but I've been superstitious so I'll just wait until baby is here to send a birth announcement and some See's chocolates or something. Thanks for answering my question. I know how you guys feels about the donor sperm. My sister used a surrogate for her girls (and used the surrogates' eggs) and they are completely her girls!! I am feeling tired and achey but good. And I finally watched a couple episodes of Breaking Bad. Yay! :-)

Cindy

[MOMTOALEXIS]

AURA- love love love hearing that u love them there , stalking like crazy to check up on u.

[blueyezz4]

Aura - good luck tomorrow.  Can't wait to hear how it goes!!!  I think your idea of laying low for a day of so is a good one.  Sending lots of sticky vibes your way for tomorrow.  Are you feeling better and is the bloat going down?  Sure hope so.  You are so sweet to check on Abby. She is doing good.  We found an empty beach w/ hardly any dogs so we did take her there once which worked. It sounds like it affects younger dogs b/c their immune system isn't as strong.  I also got her some new vitamin powder to go on her food to improve her immune system b/c i think it has been off for awhile now.  She must get that from me.  LOL.   I got her a dollar store rope today as a little gift and she destroyed it in like 4 hrs.  Grrrr.... glad i only paid a dollar for it.  She is on antibiotics so hopefully it will help get rid of the virus and keep it from coming back. 

Nesse - I think that sounds like a good report!!!  Keep us posted.  fingers crossed!!  You are right, you have done everything you can and now it is all out of your hands.  Just try and relax and let what will be, be. I know it's easier said than done.

SKJ - like that moto "live for today".... keep telling yourself that.  IF messes w/ all of us.

Hi to everyone else!!!!

[auraleigh]

Stephanie, seriously your recommendation was spot on.   If their embryologists are anything like the doctors, I think we'll be okay. I just remember my last IVF when one of my embryos got caught in the catheter.  I wish I could have started out at SIRM and saved myself all this grief!

[lilacvioletiris]

Aura, exciting, exciting!  I hope this afternoons transfer goes well.  I hope the laying low goes well for you and there is a BFP at the end.

Nese, hope the decision making about which embryos to transfer goes well tomorrow. Looks like things are going along well for you.

[hope4light]

Nese - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!  Sounds good so far!  I'll bet the RE will just say "I think we should transfer these" and you'll move on.  Have you heard anything else? 

Aura - Sounds like things are going great!!  I love that the RE emailed you to check up.  I can't wait to hear how the ET goes.  How are you feeling?

[Nese1972]

Originally Posted by SKJ2011 

Nese - My new goal is to try to live for today only and not worry/hope about the future. 

Good morning ladies!  

SKJ - I love this!  That's exactly what I'm trying to do 'live for today".   My DH has been very surprised at how calm I've been through this cycle.  I told him I know it's because I didn't have to take Lupron.  I swear Lupron makes me CCCRAZZZY!  But, I also honestly believe it's because after 4 years of mentally preparing to try this again (yes it took me 4 years to get up the courage to try again... almost tried last year and I wussed out again) I think that I've taken a different perspective on it.  I've prayed about it.  I cried about it. and I've finally come to the conclusion that I have no control over it. First cycle in 2008 I did not do acupuncture.  I did take royal jelly (GROSS) and got ugly embryos.  I did acupuncture the second time around with the clinic that was opened by Randine Lewis (the author of "The Infertility Cure"), took Royal Jelly and there supplements they suggested and it made me level out and not be Lupron CCCRAZZZY, but I got worse embryos that cycle than the first.  Mind you I also stopped ALL caffeine cold turkey before starting at all and no alcohol at all.  This time around I have not done acupuncture.  I did not cut out caffeine completely (although I cut back about 90% and so maybe get about 65mg of caffeine a day at the most which my RE said was perfectly fine) and my RE suggested a glass of red wine daily up until transfer if I wanted.  Although I didn't have it daily, I did have it every now and then.  If I get the same type of embryos as the previous 2 cycles then I'm going to chalk it up to my eggs being poor quality because Lord knows I've done everything imaginable to make it work.  Wow, that was a lot of typing.  sorry.  I'm just not going to let this consume me like it has in the past.  I will be so upset if I don't get a BFP, but I'm not going to give up.  I'll move on and if it doesn't work out for me, then God has another plan for me.

Aura - today's the day! WOO-HOO  I'm so excited for you!  It's so sweet of you to make chocolate chip cookies for them.  do you want my address so I can have some of your homemade cookies, too :) LOL.  Praying for you and those embabies sweet lady!  BTW, the difference this time around is no Lupron.  Also he put me on Metformin.  I gained about 20lbs each cycle before and sadly, in 4 years I have not managed to get rid of all of it so now I am 40lbs over weight.  I don't know if these drugs change your metabolism or what, but I have never had so much trouble losing weight as I have after IVF.  I lose and it all comes right back.  Even when I'm not eating poorly.

Hope - I haven't heard anything else and surprisingly, I am not expecting to hear anything today since the nurse said my RE would discuss the grade/quality tomorrow at ET.  I am a little disappointed that this clinic doesn't give you updates daily as the previous one did, however, this RE office has been so forthcoming with information that I'm not holding this against them.  I love my RE.  I keep telling him that when he retires he should try stand up comedy.  He's very funny and he makes the whole process so much easier.  He is with Baylor, so he's a teaching physician so there is always a resident or student with him.  The downside to that is I am pretty sure that's the reason I woke up TWICE during ER because he was probably going slower showing mr. resident what he was doing and explaining. (he's long winded).  

Blueyezz - thank you.  I am trying to relax and for a change I think i'm doing a pretty darn good job of it :)

Ladies, if I haven't told you before.  I love y'all .  I may not have been here long, but you are the most supportive group!  I appreciate you more than you know!

[SKJ2011]

Nese!!!! Your post gave me chills. You have been through so much. You truly, truly deserve this. I'm so impressed with your strength and courage. Come on embies!!!

That's really insightful/helpful to hear what you did do in the past. I'm just starting out this whole IF journey. I've read The Infertility Cure and I have the Fertile Female sitting on my nightstand. Both authors talk about giving up alcohol and caffeine. I had decreased my caffeine to a half-decaf cappuccino once a day. If I had another coffee-type drink it would be decaf. I also drank the occasional red wine or 3 Ever since reading those books, I've cut out caffeine, alcohol, dairy and soy. I dont' obsess about checking for dairy and soy in things, but I cut out all the main sources. I've also vegetarian, so it's been a bit of a sacrifice. I always go back and forth. Is the stress of cutting everything out worse than the harm of having it occasionally? I am also having the internal struggle with supplements. When I first got the DOR diagnosis, I was trying to take every supplement out there. Then, I started thinking that none of it is tested, so I quit them all. (Can you tell i have an "all or nothing" personality ) I hate the second guessing side of IF. It's not an exact science and it's so easy to blame yourself when things don't work. But, who knows why things work sometimes and not other times.

It sounds like you are living a really balanced life. I think that's the best we can do.

Can't wait for tomorrow for you!!

Aura - Today is the day!!!!! Eeek! I'm so excited for you.