Back on the IF train, this time doing IVF
Hello my lovelies,
It's been FOREVER since I've been on DS, I admit I'm a bad DS friend since I haven't kept up with anyone in a while. I just was so sad during the holidays and wanted to turn off the light for a while until I regrouped and ready to do my first IVF in February/March. After three failed IUI's I felt so hopeless, angry, depressed, just not understanding why something so natural is so hard for women like us. It makes no sense and I will never get an answer to that question. I got tired of picking myself up after every fall and tired of hearing the same encouraging words and looking into those same concerned faces. I don't care what anyone says but IF truley changes you and just reading how women on DS that did get pregnant but still feel sad about IF proves it. I will never forget my journey or you women that are going through it with me.
So here I am, 2014 and I guess I'm starting off with a bang. Due to work travel I had to push my IVF to early March so I just started my BC a week ago to get this party going. I had to get a utertine sanagram or whatever that is yesterday to make sure the "environment" is good for implantation and.....drum roll.....everything looks great! So I consulted with the RE nurse afterward and we went over my IVF calendar, medications, etc. It was so overwhelming and I can't believe I'm actually at this point in my journey. I never thought I would have to do IVF and it completely scares me because mentally, I was ready for the IUI's not to work, but I'm not ready for the IVF not to work. I really feel in my heart that this has to work and if it doesn't, I will be devastated.
I asked the nurse if they will put in 2 embryos and she said with my situation they will only put one because my RE like to be conservative. She said that the number of singles that were implanted were extremely successful and they don't think I need two. I don't know how I feel about this since I thought that two was the protocol. Should I talk to the RE? I feel like I need two to make sure it works...am I weird? What did most of your RE's tell you about this?
So on 2/14 I start Follistim and Menopur and the hundreds of other meds. I'm so ready for this that time cannot go by any slower at this point. Other than that, my huge 8 month old German SHepherd puppy Jake is awesome,he really has put a smile on my face these days and continues to melt my heart. I think the DH was right about getting him to make us feel better. Other than the tumbleweeds of hair around the house, he's been a great pet!
I hope all of your journies are going well and I am looking forward to catching up to your journals. Not to mention, a lot of you got pregnant while I was gone..woo hoo, Hope this trend stays that way!
KJ
It's been FOREVER since I've been on DS, I admit I'm a bad DS friend since I haven't kept up with anyone in a while. I just was so sad during the holidays and wanted to turn off the light for a while until I regrouped and ready to do my first IVF in February/March. After three failed IUI's I felt so hopeless, angry, depressed, just not understanding why something so natural is so hard for women like us. It makes no sense and I will never get an answer to that question. I got tired of picking myself up after every fall and tired of hearing the same encouraging words and looking into those same concerned faces. I don't care what anyone says but IF truley changes you and just reading how women on DS that did get pregnant but still feel sad about IF proves it. I will never forget my journey or you women that are going through it with me.
So here I am, 2014 and I guess I'm starting off with a bang. Due to work travel I had to push my IVF to early March so I just started my BC a week ago to get this party going. I had to get a utertine sanagram or whatever that is yesterday to make sure the "environment" is good for implantation and.....drum roll.....everything looks great! So I consulted with the RE nurse afterward and we went over my IVF calendar, medications, etc. It was so overwhelming and I can't believe I'm actually at this point in my journey. I never thought I would have to do IVF and it completely scares me because mentally, I was ready for the IUI's not to work, but I'm not ready for the IVF not to work. I really feel in my heart that this has to work and if it doesn't, I will be devastated.
I asked the nurse if they will put in 2 embryos and she said with my situation they will only put one because my RE like to be conservative. She said that the number of singles that were implanted were extremely successful and they don't think I need two. I don't know how I feel about this since I thought that two was the protocol. Should I talk to the RE? I feel like I need two to make sure it works...am I weird? What did most of your RE's tell you about this?
So on 2/14 I start Follistim and Menopur and the hundreds of other meds. I'm so ready for this that time cannot go by any slower at this point. Other than that, my huge 8 month old German SHepherd puppy Jake is awesome,he really has put a smile on my face these days and continues to melt my heart. I think the DH was right about getting him to make us feel better. Other than the tumbleweeds of hair around the house, he's been a great pet!
I hope all of your journies are going well and I am looking forward to catching up to your journals. Not to mention, a lot of you got pregnant while I was gone..woo hoo, Hope this trend stays that way!
KJ
Replies
ok early March! You can do this! I felt the EXACT same before I started IVF, couldn\'t believe we needed to go this far.
I am a little surprised that your RE puts in one embryo. Obviously I only know from my own experience and what I have read but my RE said 2 is standard of care. We did 2 the 1st IVF (BFP w/ 1 but MCed), 3 with 2nd IVF (BFN), and 3 with FET (BFP w/ twins). At 33, I would be pushing for 2, personally- as long as you and DH are committed to the chance of multiples.
Awwww I bet that puppy is adorable. My two fur babies are boxers and are always there for me. Often I just wanted to cry and not hear people\'s knowledgeable advice, concerned faces, etc like you said. Those dogs would just put their heads in my lap and look at me with those eyes to say \"we love you anyway\". Uh! I am going to tear up thinking about it. Besides DH and you DS sisters, I would still be a mess without my babies! BEST OF LUCK & can\'t wait for updates! :)
Welcome back doll!! So glad you\'re on track for your transfer. I haven\'t been in your shoes, but I\'m pretty sure I would push for 2. That\'s great that he\'s conservative, but I mean it\'s your body, your life and your money. Go with your gut and be your own advocate :)
Welcome back sister! I totally understand needing the break, we all need to do what\'s best for our hearts and minds so def don\'t apologize for taking care of yourself! However, it\'s great to have you back and I am cheering you on during this new phase of your journey! Praying this is it!!!
Welcome back pretty lady! I was just thinking about you the other day wondering how you were doing and here you are popping up on the feed again my friend:0)
YAY for an IVF journey! I wish you all happy thoughts and success on this. How fun that you are starting your meds on Valentine\'s Day:0) the silver lining is you wont be all cray cray and loopy from all the drugs just yet and you and hubby will get to enjoy the day that celebrates LOVE and what a bonus it\'s on FRIDAY this year!
For our very first fresh cycle IVF, the day I started my drugs and the first time I had to give my self that shot my hubby and I were teaching a massive marriage retreat. It was surreal and special for us that we were doing a couples oriented thing that day to kick off our unique baby journey:0) The day we found out our fresh cycle IVF took and I was preggo we were enroute to teach another retreat which happened to be a single soldiers retreat. I can\'t remember a single thing I said in that conference center that day but I remember being happy my hubby was with me:0) (yes im in a sappy mood right now)
Since you are in your 30\'s I really would question the one embryo deal... It is pretty standard that they transfer two. Also the fertility clinic you are using should have on record what their success rates are complete with age demographics and numbers of embryos transferred all listed in their success rate. It should be public record information so I would ask where you can look that up if you can\'t find it already on their website.
I am here cheering you on friend! and I am SO excited for you!! *HUG!!
So glad you\'re back and on the IVF train now!! I started my stims almost a week ago.
When we went in for the appointment, they have me a 40-60% chance of working with two embryos. My RE told me that even then the twin rate is less than 10% for me. I never really would have imagined him insisting on just doing one.
Seems like your success would be greater with two embryos. Also, sometimes I wonder if these doctors are only thinking $$. But then again, I think they care about their SART scores too. Now I just confused myself and probably you too. Wishing you good luck!!
IVF is so scary, but oh so worth it. You will feel like you can do ANYTHING after doing a process like this. It\'s so unfortunate we have to do it, but we\'re so much stronger for it. I totally understand Jake bringing you happiness :-) That\'s what both of my dogs were for...one signaling a year of no success and he other a successful surgery and new beginnings. As far as 1 vs. 2 embies, that\'s a really tough one. The first time we transferred 2, then the second time we transferred 3. There\'s a professional push to only transfer 1, as there\'s this huge debate about all the IVF twins out there. Yet if it\'s my money, i\'m ok with twins, and you just wanna charge me another 3k to transfer 1 after this 1 doesn\'t work, then i wanna do it my way. You are your best advocate. Good luck sweets, glad to see you back, and I hope the meds treat you well!
Glad to have you back!! And I love that your puppy puts a smile on your face - I totally get that feeling!!
My new RE mentioned to us that his recommendation on 1 vs 2 would be based on the quality of the embryos at day 5 (if they make it that far). He said that if I had a great day 5 blast, then he would suggest 1, if not, then he could see 2. I think I\'m going to push for 2 regardless. I\'ll be 33 in March and have been waiting for what seems like eternity between procedures, cancellations, etc. We are perfectly fine with twins and understand the risk.
If all goes well with my hysteroscopy on Tuesday, I think we will be cycle buddies. I should start stimming mid to late February :)
Thanks ladies for all of your welcome backs and your advice on the 1 vs. 2 embryos. I think what I will do is ask the nurse again on the statistics and wait to see how many embryos I have and how they look. I really do trust my doc but I guess I just always thought that 2 was the standard. It\'s so great to get all of your opinions on this IVF process, it\'s super scary and exciting as at the same time!
Hey-- good luck with everything! March will be here soon enough. My clinic likes to do one embryo IF they genetically test the embryos. Then, they know they have the best embryo and the odds are great. If you aren\'t testing (we didn\'t, it was too much money), your odds aren\'t as good, so I\'d go with 2!!