The latest on my IVF cycle

[Christine08]

Hello everyone,

I haven't been on these boards much lately, sorry! But I wanted to update you all on how things are going. I'm happy to report that everything is looking good for egg retrieval this Friday morning, and transfer on Monday, Dec. 22. I have 16 follicles measuring 15.5-19mm at this point, so my RE wants me to do one more round of stims tonight, then it's time to trigger. I can't believe how many follicles they found -- no wonder I feel bloated and a bit sore in my abdomen!

He gave me a good prognosis, so I'm hopeful that our IVF/ICSI cycle will work. Our plan is to transfer two embryos. It seems like I'll have embryos leftover to freeze, but hopefully we won't have to go there until we're ready for Baby #2!

Please keep me in your thoughts for an easy, uneventful retrieval on Friday.

Thanks,
Christine

[aandp]

Sounds like things are going great!

Hi Christine!

I've been lurking following your story and I'm glad you stimmed so well. I had about the same when I stimmed and I was SO sore and uncomfortable. Take a few days after the ER to recover - you'll probably need it and want it, too.

Take care - and we hope to hear a good report on Friday!
Patti

[babieswanted]

Best Wishes

Hey Christine,
I have been following your story as well, and I will definately have you in my thoughts and prayers not only on friday for your egg retrival, but for the duration of your IVF journey. I think all of us would hope to have a successful cycle, and by the number of follicles you have produced it seems as if you are headed in that directed. I wish you much success on this journey, and I can't wait for you to share more of your IVF experience.

Good Luck on Friday!

[Christine08]

Thanks, Patti! I hope things turn out well for me. I really appreciate your support. I'll let you know how Friday goes!

Cheers,
Christine

[Christine08]

Thanks, Babieswanted! I really appreciate your support during this time. Hopefully things will go smoothly on Friday, and I'm hoping that having this many follicles works out well for me in the end.

I'll post again on Friday and let you know how things turned out.

Cheers,
Christine

[monkeefan73]

Wow! You had a good stimulation. I pray for a smooth retrieval Friday. Get plenty of rest and relax.

God bless,
Tracee

[Christine08]

Thanks, Tracee. Assume you didn't have any probs during retrieval? I'm a little nervous, and pray that I don't develop OHSS. My estrogen is about 1,600 today.

[SoniaO]

Hi Christine! It's been awhile since I checked up on you last, so I thought I would stop in. I'm sure everything will go fine on Friday! Post when you can to let us know how things went OK!?!

Sonia

[monkeefan73]

Christine, I say again everyone is different, but I believe your retrieval will go well. 1600 is a good estrogen value. The day before my retrieval I was at 2400. I was on a high dosage protocol to stimulate my one ovary and I did not develop OHSS. God was with me and he will be with you as well.

Tracee

[Christine08]

Will do -- thanks, Sonia! How are YOU doing??

- Christine

[Christine08]

Thanks, Tracee. That's very sweet. I'll keep your note in mind tomorrow morning when I go in.

I'll report back as soon as I can,
Christine

[TinaT]

It's Friiiiiiiddddddaaaaaaayyyyyy!!

Hi Christine,

As you can tell we are allllllllllll very excited for you this morning. Let us know just as soon as you're up for it how things went. We all are praying that all went well for you!!

-Tina

[Christine08]

Hi everyone,

Thanks SO much for all of the well wishes. I had my egg retrieval at 8 am this morning, and all went well, though I've been having bad menstrual-like cramps. It's wierd -- I even feel shooting pains in my pelvic area, it's not just my lower abdomen. I asked the nurse, and she said this is all perfectly normal. They gave me two extra strength Tylenol at the clinic, but it's beginning to wear off, so I just took two more. They also sent me home with Vicodin, but I'm trying to avoid taking that, since it can make you sick to your stomach. But if the pain gets really bad, I have it.

They got 12 eggs! I assume the other 3-4 were empty follicles, which I understand is normal for my age (just turned 36 last week). But all in all, I'm very happy with that number and so is my doctor. Tomorrow I get my fertilization report (we're doing ICSI), so we'll see how things look then, but my doctor doesn't expect any egg quality issues, so we're tentatively planning for a Day 3 transfer (Monday) of TWO embryos. I'm also thrilled that he raised my chances for getting pregnant to 50-55%, whereas before he quoted us 45-47%. I assume it was because he told me I had "a beautiful uterine lining." Who knows what the reason is, but I'm happy.

Now, if only I can get rid of these cramps. The nurse said that by tomorrow I'll feel much better. For those of you who've been through retrieval, how long did your pain last?

Thanks everyone for your love and support during this emotional time. I'm so happy to be at this point, especially knowing the most difficult parts (stimming, retrieval) are behind me!

- Christine

[TinaT]

Hi again Christine,

So glad it went well today. Now, you have to let us know the details of Sat. and your embryo transfer on Monday. Rest this weekend and think happy, happy thoughts!!

-Tina

[monkeefan73]

Yay!! I knew things would go well. I had cramps after the retrieval and I did feel better the next day. I never had to take anything stronger than Tylenol after the halcion and the other drugs they gave me before retrieval wore off later that evening. Get plenty of rest. Monday will be here soon. ---Tracee