New To Ivf

[rachelannsauer]

Hi Everyone,

I just joined INCIID. I'm hoping to find some good support here from ladies just like me. My DH and I have "unexplained" infertility. He's great, i look great but we haven't had any luck getting pregnant, naurally of with IUI. We're starting IVF this month. AF just arrived and I am waiting for the doctor to call to so I can go in and get my IVF schedule and get started. I'm excited as I feel like this is our best chance to concieve. I look forward to getting to know some of you who are going through what I'm going through.

[Christine08]

Hello and welcome

Hi Rachel,

Welcome! I'm fairly new to this board, too, as my husband and I just started getting fertility treatment in June, due to male factor. After trying for a year on our own, we spoke with our doctors and they ran some tests. Everything checked out fine with me, but my husband has some moderate sperm issues (low count, motility, and morphology). We tried 3 IUIs (despite a low success rate) and we were unsuccessful. The frustration of not getting pregnant every month is beginning to wear on us, so we've decided to move to IVF/ICSI, per our RE's recommendation. We recently applied for our insurance approval, and while we're waiting for that we decided we'd try one more IUI this month. We don't have much hope that it will work, so we're planning to begin IVF in early November.

Anyway, I don't know tons about the process, as I'm still reading all of the materials that were given to me. But it seems like IVF is the best way to get pregnant, no matter what the issues are. It has the highest success rate, so despite the annoying cost and meds, I think it's worth it for most couples.

I wish you lots of success and I hope this board serves as a source of good information and comfort. We're all in this together!

Cheers,
Christine

[sunflower]

hi

Hi- I am so excited for your upcoming tx with IVF! The cost is just crazy. I would love to know your medications and protocol.

Hi Everyone,

I just joined INCIID. I'm hoping to find some good support here from ladies just like me. My DH and I have "unexplained" infertility. He's great, i look great but we haven't had any luck getting pregnant, naurally of with IUI. We're starting IVF this month. AF just arrived and I am waiting for the doctor to call to so I can go in and get my IVF schedule and get started. I'm excited as I feel like this is our best chance to concieve. I look forward to getting to know some of you who are going through what I'm going through.

[rachelannsauer]

Frustrating news

Hey Ladies. I'm totally bummed this morning. My DH and I just went in to sign consents for IVF and get our calendar. We found out that we won't be able to start for another month. I'm so sad. I guess the Dr's have some sort of conference and if we starting now they'd be gone for part of my stimulation time; which obviously means we can't do it. We just want to be parents so desperately. Just when you feel like you're making progress one more month is set to go by. Sorry for being such a downer; just need to vent before I start balling my eyes out.

Christine 08- Good luck on IUI this month. I really hope you and your DH find success and if not' maybe we'll be close to the same IVF cycle.

Sunflower- when I get my meds and protocol in a few weeks; I will definitely share.

Take care ladies and thanks for the support.

[Christine08]

Hang in there -- we might cycle together!

Hi Rachel,

I'm sorry to hear that you're IVF cycle has been delayed. If all goes well on my end, we're set to begin as soon as I get my period at the end of this month. Of course, this is assuming this IUI doesn't work. I'm going in for it tomorrow (Tuesday morning), actually. Anything is possible, but the odds are against us, so we're getting things in order to begin IVF/ICSI right away.

Hang in there -- when does your doctor expect you can begin your cycle? I'll likely begin birth control pills on Oct. 29/30, depending on when I get my period. I have to do that for 3 weeks, then begin injectables, though not sure exactly what they'll give me yet. I asked for a conservative protocol, since I recently had an antral follicle count of 17, and I'm scared of getting OHSS. I think that will work well for me, as all of my other tests have been normal.

I'm actully quite excited about the possibility of getting pregnant by Christmas! What a wonderful gift that will be.

Don't feel bad about the delay. We might end up being cycle buddies!

Cheers,
Christine

[katie9924]

Rachel,

Saw your post about your IVF postponement. I'm so sorry to hear that! Is there anyway that they could shift your dates around with bcp's? They did that with my first IVF cycle and it seemed to work out. Either way, make sure that you make peace with whatever happens. I've found it's the best way to keep my sanity and prevent myself from burstin into tears at the worst times possible. Good luck and keep us up to date!

Kate

[rachelannsauer]

Latest Update

Hi Ladies,

When I thought my IVF postponemnt was the worst of my day yesterday; I was dead wrong. Two of my close friends called me last night to tell me they were expecting. That's one of the hardest things about not getting pregnant; all the people close to you that are just passing you by. Oh well, now it's time to get postive again. It's our turn next!!!!

Christine,

Lupron shots should start 11/04 with stim shots staring around 11/14. I will find out for sure next Tuesday after my next appointment. I'm so excited to get going. I feel really postive about our IVF chances. Good luck on IUI; I hope you beat the odds. If not it sounds like we will be really close to the same cycle for IVF and a possible chance of Christmas pregnancies. Yeah!!!!

Kate-

Thanks for the idea. I spoke to the Dr. about that yesterday and I guess the whole conference thing just won't work with the timeframe the dr.'s will be there; that and people already scheduled before me. I feel okay about it now. I just glad I'm on the schedule and moving forward. You mentioned you've done IVF. Did you have success or are you in the process of your cycle?

[sunflower]

anyone having tx IVF without ovaries

I am doing an IVF cycle with donor due to not having ovaries now. I am wondering if any of you are in this situation too. I am sorry to hear of delayed tx for some. I am delayed as well due to waiting results of tests to be sent to Cooper in New Jersey. Any one working with them? Best wishes to all!

[Christine08]

Sounds like you'll be slightly ahead of me...

...I expect to begin birth control pills for 21 days on or about 10/29. Then I'll begin Lupron, then stims. I'm actually quite excited about beginning the process since I, too, feel optimistic about our chances of getting pregnant. I had my IUI yesterday, but highly doubt it worked. I'd be SO much happier if we didn't have to resort to IVF, but if that's the only way for us to get pregnant, then I'm just thankful that treatment is within reach. I feel so bad when I think about couples who can't afford fertility treatment and are just stuck. That must be an awful situation; I know I'd have a really tough time going childless.

Regarding your friends who all seem to get pregnant while you're trying, I dealt with that same issue. My younger sister got pregnant last year after just 3 months! Meanwhile, DH and I had been at it for 6 months and nothing. So, I was kind of upset, but once I met my nephew, that didn't last. But it's tough. It really disgusts me when teenagers, who couldn't be less prepared for motherhood, get pregnant by accident. Anyway, I seem to be handling it OK. I know some women get bogged down in the hopelessness and can't socialize, etc. I really feel for them, as it's so consuming and upsetting. Thankfully, I haven't reached that point, and I hope not to. I think it's because we haven't yet done IVF and I'm hopeful that it will work. But if it doesn't, then I think I'll really have a problem managing...

Anyway, I'm glad you're a newbie at this with me. Stay tuned for lots of dumb, paranoid questions from me!

Christine

[Christine08]

Not me, but...

...I wanted to wish you luck, Sunflower! I hope it all works out, and you end up with a happy, healthy baby.

Best,
Christine

[katie9924]

Rachel,

My first IVF in August was a BFN. We are expecting to start our first frozen cycle next week. They had me take a cycle off in between and wouldn't you know it, it took me 28 days to ovulate.... Unbelieveable. On the bright side, if the FET doesn't work we can move straight to IVF #2, no waiting.

Also, sorry to hear about the friend issue. I had a similar problem recently. You'll find a way to work through it. I can't name one person that is dealing with IF that hasn't had that happen to them. It's devastating initially, but if the friendship is important enough you'll figure it out, and they'll understand. I'm not sure if you're sharing your situation with everyone -- we're not, but those who do know that are of child-bearing age, I had a sit down chat with each of them and gave them instructions on how to tell me if they do get pregnant. So far it's worked well. They don't feel like they have to tiptoe around and I don't have to worry if every lunch invitation is a possible baby bombshell :-) Feel free to e-mail me if you like -- katie9924@hotmail.com

kate

[rachelannsauer]

Much better today

Hi Ladies!!!!! Thank you so much for writing back. It feels great to communicate with people who are going through the same things!!!!



Christine- It does sound like I will be a bit ahead of you (provided the IUI doesn't take). Probably by like 2 weeks. I'm so excited for both of us. It feels so good to have hope. I recently started acupuncture- my RE recommended it. I have two visits and I've really enjoyed it. It has really helped me relax. I know what you mean about the finances. My insurance covers like 1/3 of the treatment (labs and surgery fees are out of network and insurance doesn't cover any infertility out of network). We still have to come up with about 9k per fresh cycle. We were planning on buying a house but have come to the conclusion that having a family is more important and we can just invest some of our savings into having a baby. There are places we can go that are in network- I just LOVE my RE and feel that having him is worth every penny. I feel so lucky though that we have good jobs and savings. My heart like yours goes out to the people who have no means to try what we've tried/and have yet tried.

Kate,

I wish you all the best with your FET! Good news that if it doesn't take you don't have to sit out another month. I hate that!!!!!! I was bummed when they said if the first IVF didn't take I'd have to take a month off. I always feel like that's a step backwards. Know what I mean? Have you received a diagnosis? My husband and I are unexplained. I guess that's one of the reasons I have hope with IVF. Everything for the most part looks fine- just no Positive tests yet. Best of luck to you. I hope it happens this time.

Rach

[Christine08]

So glad to hear you're better!

Rachel,

Thanks for your note. We can still be IVF buddies though you're about 2 weeks ahead of me. This board is great -- I'm glad we've found each other!

All the best,
Christine

[Christine08]

Good luck, Katie!

I hope this is your cycle!

- Christine

[rachelannsauer]

2nd that

Looking forward to it Christine. Great to meet you!!!