Ready for the next step.
Gary and I have decided to join the NCIVF study my clinic is currently doing. Here is an email from the study nurse that explains everything. I know if I try to explain it I will confuse everyone including myself lol
You will undergo an IVF cycle without any medications to stimulate growth of extra eggs. We will monitor you with blood work and ultrasound and when it is the right time, we will prepare to do the egg retrieval. Prior to the egg retrieval, we will instruct you to take trigger shots of Lupron & hCG. All monitoring blood work, ultrasounds, and embryology procedures will be free of charge. You will be responsible for the cost of all medications (trigger shots of Lupron & hCG). You may have blood work and ultrasound done at any office that is open, but the following procedures will be performed exclusively at the Basking Ridge location. Procedures include:* Two uterine aspirations at designated times during the cycle (done with an insemination catheter to collect any fluid inside the uterus).
* Egg retrieval - done in our Recovery Room transfer rooms. We will prescribe oral pain medication that you will purchase and take for the procedure.
We expect to get 1 egg per retrieval. The retrieved egg will undergo ICSI and grow for 6 days to the blastocyst stage. Any embryo that develops that far will be biopsied for Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) and frozen. This embryo will be transferred the next month in a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle, which will be covered in full (including the fee for cryopreservation). You will have to pay for the FET cycle medications.
In any natural cycle, there is a possibility of having no eggs obtained at retrieval, no mature eggs, no fertilization, and embryo arrest, leading to not having any embryos available for transfer. There is also the possibility that an embryo will not survive the warming process in the FET cycle. * An endometrial biopsy will be done 6 days after the egg retrieval* We will call you on the afternoon of day 6 after the embryologists make final observations on embryo development, to give you an updateParticipation in this study is voluntary. As with any clinical trial, you may withdraw from this study at any time without any change in your care, though you understand that if you drop out during your cycle, you will be financially responsible for any care provided that would otherwise be covered by the study. Potential risks include: no eggs obtained at retrieval, no embryo available for transfer, embryo not surviving the warming process, and/or reduced pregnancy rate per cycle. Risks of endometrial aspiration/biopsy include cramping, bleeding and a very small risk of uterine perforation.
We are aware the chances are low and are prepared (a little) for this not to work and then move on to conventional IVF, but seeing that this is free and I look like a good candidate I can't see us not giving this a try.
You will undergo an IVF cycle without any medications to stimulate growth of extra eggs. We will monitor you with blood work and ultrasound and when it is the right time, we will prepare to do the egg retrieval. Prior to the egg retrieval, we will instruct you to take trigger shots of Lupron & hCG. All monitoring blood work, ultrasounds, and embryology procedures will be free of charge. You will be responsible for the cost of all medications (trigger shots of Lupron & hCG). You may have blood work and ultrasound done at any office that is open, but the following procedures will be performed exclusively at the Basking Ridge location. Procedures include:* Two uterine aspirations at designated times during the cycle (done with an insemination catheter to collect any fluid inside the uterus).
* Egg retrieval - done in our Recovery Room transfer rooms. We will prescribe oral pain medication that you will purchase and take for the procedure.
We expect to get 1 egg per retrieval. The retrieved egg will undergo ICSI and grow for 6 days to the blastocyst stage. Any embryo that develops that far will be biopsied for Comprehensive Chromosome Screening (CCS) and frozen. This embryo will be transferred the next month in a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle, which will be covered in full (including the fee for cryopreservation). You will have to pay for the FET cycle medications.
In any natural cycle, there is a possibility of having no eggs obtained at retrieval, no mature eggs, no fertilization, and embryo arrest, leading to not having any embryos available for transfer. There is also the possibility that an embryo will not survive the warming process in the FET cycle. * An endometrial biopsy will be done 6 days after the egg retrieval* We will call you on the afternoon of day 6 after the embryologists make final observations on embryo development, to give you an updateParticipation in this study is voluntary. As with any clinical trial, you may withdraw from this study at any time without any change in your care, though you understand that if you drop out during your cycle, you will be financially responsible for any care provided that would otherwise be covered by the study. Potential risks include: no eggs obtained at retrieval, no embryo available for transfer, embryo not surviving the warming process, and/or reduced pregnancy rate per cycle. Risks of endometrial aspiration/biopsy include cramping, bleeding and a very small risk of uterine perforation.
We are aware the chances are low and are prepared (a little) for this not to work and then move on to conventional IVF, but seeing that this is free and I look like a good candidate I can't see us not giving this a try.
Replies
Seems like a good option! Less side effects! My accupuncturist thinks this is the way to do it!
WOW what a great opportunity. I realize it won\'t be as \"productive\" as conventional but if you consistently ovulate then maybe this is all you guys need to get the job done!!!! When will they start this study?
I think so too, Kelly. I actually have a groupon to an acupuncturist that i purchased a few months ago. I should schedule an appt soon.
Poldydoly - The study began 2 months ago so I am able to start right away. I will be going in tomorrow morning to sign all the consent forms.
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Fingers and toes crossed for you!!
Sounds like a great opportunity! And hey if it does not work then you move on and hopefully they get some good data for the study. But if it does work than YAY!
Those are my exact thoughts and it def can\'t hurt at this point. Thanks for the support, guys!
This sounds great! Might as well try if you are a candidate since it\'s free. My clinic prefers the natural method over conventional and has had a lot of success with it. Fingers crossed and wishing you loads of luck!!
WOW i am so excited for you! this sounds great!! and i\'m super jealous lol
Thanks, HopefulinNYC. I remember you telling me this is how your clinic likes to do it and that made me feel hopeful there\'s a chance it can work. Thank you!
Nelly\'sgirl - LOL who would have ever thought (before being diagnosed with IF, of course) that things like this would make us jealous. Thanks, girl!! ;) xo
Sounds like a great option! Keep us posted! So glad you are moving forward!
that\'s wonderful!! best of luck!!
I did natural IVF two times. We got 2 eggs on the first and one on the 2nd. We went ahead with transfert both times. I got a BFP with my first that ended in an mc. It\'s done very often in Quebec with great results (my odds aren\'t great because of my linining).
Quality is usually better on the egg retrived when they compare results of stimulated versus natural but you do just get one shot.
I think it\'s great that you get to try this way. In Quebec since we are lucky and cost isn\'t an issus you\'ll do one or the other based on your history.
Hope it brings you your BFP.
I think that sounds great and the fact that its free, GO FOR IT!!!
Just catching up. This sounds like an amazing opportunity! Good luck and hope this is the one for you!
Thank you, Proudmarinewife! It\'s worth a shot, right! I start next month, cannot wait!