stimulation day 5 of 1st IVF

[natailia3]

Hello out there! Anyone going through a IVF treatment?

I am on day 5 of my long lupron-Menopur cycle.

Today I had a follicle scan and had the same amount of follicles
as before my stims ....9 total but I guess not grown.
Now I am worried. Is this normal?

I feel my ovaries aching so I guess something is happening.

I've been pregnant 4 time.
One 5 year old daughter, 3 miscarriages last year.
Spent a year getting testing, nothing found to be wrong, just hashimoto's disease.
2 years ago lost one tube because of ruptured appendix
1 year ago found endometrioma cyst on other ovary.
Started IVF because of this tubal issue and age (36 now).

Love to hear from anyone. Feeling really alone on this ride.

[Carlaliz]

Hello!
I'm 36 as well and am just starting our IVF cycle. I stopped bcp yesterday and will begin injections on Sat. We've been waiting for a year to start this cycle and I can't believe that the time has finally arrived! We've done two cycles before, but both ended in miscarriage. We did tons of testing too and they found nothing wrong. It's proven to me that it was probably stress related. With that in mind, we're determined to go into this feeling really upbeat and expecting only the best. Let's hope it works and the third time is the charm!

I know that I'm not as far along as you are in this, but know that you aren't alone. You can feel something happening so I bet that it is. I know that these aren't words of wisdom, but just try to remain positive. Maybe by sheer force of will you can make things happen. Keep me posted on how things are going, ok? I'll be thinking of you!!!!

[natailia3]

Thanks Carlaliz! it is a lonely feeling to be on this crazy ride of IVF.
I am trying to remain calm and positive but feel that I have not started on the right foot.
I had good FSH (usually below 5), antral follicle count was 15 so my doc put me on 3 amps of menopur. My ultrasound after 14 days 10units Lupron showed 5 follicles in one ovary and 4 in the other. Now after 5 days of stimulation on Menopur my ultrasound showed "no change", the same 4 and 5. I don't think they have grown. But that day and all of today my ovaries are aching. Now my doc wants me to take 5 amps of Menopur but I am anxious of overstimmulating or making also of small follicles that aren't mature.
And he doesn't want to see me until day 8 of stims. I think that is late and again, I worry.
This is a bit more stressful than I imagined it would be!
Trying real hard to trust my doc and my body but I don't know if I will take the 5 amps yet.

I will keep you posted on my progress, and let me know yours!

[Carlaliz]

Wow - that is a tough decision. Do you feel like you know your doctor well enough to trust him and just do it? Of course, even then it can be easier said then done. I worried a lot during our last IVF cycle, and my mom told me that sometimes you just have to let it go and turn it over to God and "the experts." I wish that I'd been able to do that sooner because I think the outcome might have been different. I'm able to do that this time and it's actually a huge relief! I'm ok doing whatever they tell me to do. Even if it's to eat dog poop, I may have to put a lot of cheese on it, but I'll do it. I just don't know how I'd be able to make the decision that you're struggling with otherwise. I feel for ya..... And, yes, please let me know what you decide to do and what happens from here. Hang in there! I'm hoping for all the best!

[Levana]

Carla, you're funny!

Good luck to both of you with your cycles! It is a roller coaster ride and but worth it in the end.

Levana

[natailia3]

You are a much better patient that me!
I try not to be, but I am. I have had too many bad doctor experiences in my life.
Plus I spent the last year researching infertility and IVF so I have learned alot.
I was the one to diagnose my Hashimoto's disease when my OB said I was fine. My specialist agreed with me that it CAN cause miscarriage. Now I am being treated.
Last night I took 4 amps instead of 5. I am debating on if I will take 4 or 5 tonight. I figure if the Lupron is suppressing the ovulation, then stepping up the doses slowly would make the follicles grow nice and steady instead of jumping too fast and not being fertile.
My other problem is I will run out of medicine Sunday night and cannot get more until Monday so I need to make what I have last the weekend.
Its Easter here in Brazil which is more sacred than Christmas. Everything shut down yesterday at noon and will reopen Monday.
I am having the ultrasound tomorrow morning so I will know soon enough what is going on.
When you went through IVF did you have strong aches in your ovaries? Like they are swollen? I am at the point today that I am afraid to bend too much because its uncomfortable. This is why I am afraid to take 5 amps!
My concern from the beginning was overstimulation. I tend to be sensitive to medicines and have not problems with my ovaries producing follicles or ovulating.
When do you start stimulation? What protocol are you on?
<--this is me today!
PS if your doc asks you to eat dog poop, find another doctor.

[Carlaliz]

It's good to be informed! I'm so sorry that you've had bad experiences with doctors before. That would make me very cautious as well. I'm lucky to know that I'm at a good clinic with a doctor that I can trust. (And he doesn't ask me to eat dog poop! ) I have two friends and a distant cousin who all have babies now thanks to him! I'm really hoping to join their ranks soon. It sounds like you know your body well and are doing what's best for you.

I did feel VERY bloated and swollen. I think that I remember having some aching too. I could definitely feel things in there and even sitting down could feel weird.

Our medicine should be arriving today and I'll be talking with our nurse. I start injections tomorrow. I've never overstimulated and have normally produced 10 mature eggs for fertilization. I think that the plan is still to stay with what we did before. The difference is that we're going to use assisted hatching this time. I hope that it does the trick!

I'm sure that you're feeling all "out of whack." I'm glad that I'll be doing this while we're on Spring Break. (I teach.) I can just lay around and try to relax. I hope that you're able to find some time to take care of you and do something to make yourself happy. Please let me know what your ultrasound shows tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you! Good luck!

[natailia3]

Hi Carlaliz! Did you start your stimulation meds last night? Are yours IM too?
Last night I think I injected my meds into or near my siatic nerve and I am in alot of pain today. What else can go wrong???
I will be glad not to have to inject myself anymore. My husband can't even watch much less give me the meds.

So had my scan today, day 9 of stims. Nothing too good or bad to report.
They counted 11 follicles, 2 @15, 1@10, 1@9 and 7@8. If I can get those 8mm caught up, I will be happy.
My endometrium is already 12mm don't know if thats going to be problem.

Going back Monday for another scan. Did I mention my clinic is 3 hours away?

Let me know how your injections are going and how you are feeling.
That is so nice that you have a network there of friends and family while you are going through this. I don't know anyone who had gone thru IVF, at least and told me. It seems like its kinda a private thing. I only told my immediate family. My husband however, just this week, told the mechanic and the veterinarian in front of me. I was like, "can we keep this private??"
Last thing you want to hear from your vet is Are you pregnant yet?
Isn't that the job of our mothers? LOL

Also wanted to ask, since you have 2 unexplained miscarrages too...
are your docs doing anything besides the assisted hatching? Like adding baby asprin? My doc suggested PDG but after I researched it, I decided against it.

[Carlaliz]

What's PDG? Yes, I'm doing baby asprin too. My distant cousin had 2 failed IVF attempts, took baby asprin for the last two (didn't change anything else) and they both ended up working. She has two beautiful kids now. So, yes, I'm all over the baby asprin! I'm also doing acupuncture. We're going all out this time!

Yes, we started the injections on Sat. I had a little problem with the medicine (it arrived hot and is supposed to be kept cold) but it got fixed and it all worked out fine in the end. I HATE needles so my husband gives me the shots. We do them in my stomach. Kudos to you for doing them yourself! I don't know what I'd do if I had to do that! Since I'm just starting, my estrogen levels are a little low yet. Once I stopped the pill, I started my period. It's still hanging around a little bit. I think they expect to see it disappear by tomorrow. They counted this morning and so far, there seem to be about 10 follicles. They're different sizes and are not quite big enough yet, but the doctor seemed pleased with where we are now. I'm at the point where they're gonna check me out every morning. It takes me almost an hour to get the clinic, so I'm glad that I can do this while we're on Spring Break this time. I don't have the stress of worrying about being late to work. It's been really nice.

3 hours!!!! Man, I sure am glad that I don't have to drive as far as you do!!!! Do you know anyone around there that you can stay with? That really is a long way to go everyday! I must say that you're really working hard at this and I hope and pray that it works out for you. You deserve it! It sounds like you're gonna have a good number of eggs to use and that's very hopeful. I can't wait to hear how things continue to develop for you!

At first we decided that we weren't gonna tell anyone when we started our cycle. But we had to let our bosses know that there would be some days we'd be out. Then, our close friends and family asked, so we had to be honest with them. That made us decide that if people ask, we'll tell them and that's it. If they see me drinking water months from now, they'll know it worked. If they see me getting tanked on wine and beer, they'll know it didn't. So, there's our "game plan"! We should probably be morequiet about it, but I tend to be "an open book" anyway.

I know that it's gotta be kinda lonely sometimes to go through this alone. Know that I'm thinking of you and cheering for you. If you ever need to talk, feel free to email me! Good luck and keep me posted!

[natailia3]

PGD is pre genetic diagnosis, where they take one cell to test for the most common chromosomal abnormalities. We decided against it because 1. I feel in my heart this is not the problem and 2. there are studies of false positive, false negative or damaging perfectly healthy embryos.

I am so glad your follicles are already growing fast. My day 5 scan showed NO growth and I was a bit scared but, happy to report, I had my egg retreival today and had 10 mature eggs! 3 were inmature. I am in a bit more pain than I thought would be because some of the eggs were inside the 3cm cyst! I feel bruised and sore today.

I too am taking the baby asprin, and started acupunture as well. I also take a prenatal, vit E, and folic acid. So far I feel really optomistic. My transfer is scheduled for Monday (day 4). I will transfer 2 and hope for the best.
Also, I was freaked about my endo lining which was 14 on day 9 but was 11.5 on day 12 on trigger day.

My medicines also had complications, came from the UK to USA and then Brazil where they were held in customs and taxed (only because they were Fed Exed not common mail) so it was a stressful time and I too was worried they wouldn't be viable. But it did work!

So glad your cycle is going well. I see your E2 levels were low but so were mine! I was taking Lupron. Are you?
Any idea when you will most likely trigger?
Keep me posted, we are not far behind each other. Took me 12 days to trigger.
Enjoy these last few days of your holiday!
Keep me posted!

[Carlaliz]

Yes, I'm taking prenatals with folic acid, etc. as well. No lupron yet. We aren't doing the PGD either. Basically, for the same reasons as well as the additional cost.

10 mature eggs, huh? That's great! I'm hoping for that as well. As of this morning, there were 7 that were big enough and 4-5 more that I hope will be there by tonight. The doctor had me take one more shot of Gonal-F this afternoon in the hopes that that will help them catch up. We'll see....

Our retrieval is on Mon. If things progress like they have before, we'll do the transfer on Thurs. At this point, we're planning on transferring 3 and doing assisted hatching. I just hope that there are several good ones for the transfer and to freeze. I think that knowing that there are some "on ice" will help me be less anxious about this cycle.

I can't believe that your transfer is soooo close! I'm glad that you're feeling good about it and bet that it's a good sign of what's to come. Do you know if your doctor will put you on bedrest? If so, for how long? I'll be thinking of you! Please let me know how it's going just as soon as you can! Wouldn't it be cool if it worked for both of us and we could share pregnancy notes too?! Take care!!! Can't wait to hear what's next.....

[natailia3]

Just wishing you best of luck today! A big day for us both today. You have your retrieval and me having my transfer. I don't yet know how many embryos to work with. I am having a day 4 transfer. I guess because yesterday was Sunday but I am not sure.
I kinda feel like my clinic should give me a T-shirt that says "I survived IVF!"
Because its really not an easy thing to go through. My hat is off to you and other women who have gone through this repeatedly.
I will be glad to be on the do nothing and wait and see side of this process.
I will make the drive home immediately as we have been at a hotel the past 5 days and anxious to go home.
I am sending you good vibes today and hope you get plenty of good eggs!
Make sure to let me know how it goes. And take care the rest of the day. I was a bit surprised by the pain I had after. I hope you don't have any discomfort from your process today.

[Carlaliz]

Yes, IVF isn't for the faint of heart. The good news is that you're done with the worst physical pain. Now the difficulty of waiting occurs..... I bet it will feel really good to be at home again , not to mention cheaper! Are you gonna take a few days off to lay around when you get home? Do you have a date set for a blood test yet? I can't wait to hear that it's been a success! Please keep me posted.

Our retrieval went well. There were 10 eggs - just like you! They will be calling me tomorrow to let me know how many fertilized. I don't remember if I told you or not, but we're planning on transferring 3 on day 3. I can't say that I've ever heard of a day 4 transfer, but whatever works is great, right? I am feeling more pain this time then I remember feeling before. I'm really pretty crampy and have been lying down since we got home. I hope I feel better tomorrow and can go to work. We'll see..... My sister is bringing us dinner tonight so that we can just relax. She's soooo sweet and I really appreciate it. I hope that you're able to find ways to relax and take it easy the next few weeks too!

I truly can't wait to hear how things are going and am sending you lots of luck. Even if there's not much to report, please update me every so often. Take care!!!!!!

[natailia3]

I am glad things went well with your retrieval and you are feeling better today So you go back tomorrow for the transfer??
I had the transfer yesterday and things went really good.
I had no idea how many or quality embryos I had until that point. I was a bit nervous because what if they didn't have any???? I read alot about that being the reason many clinics opt for day 3 transfer. By day 5 you may have none to transfer. Anyway, out of the 10 eggs the collected, 8 fertilized and all were grade 1, 8 and 7 cells. They were really pleased with this.
It was amazing experience seeing first pictures of the embryos then seeing them in the lab on a computer screen. They looked great!
I had in my mind the whole time, if they were good quality to transfer 2. But the doctors kinda suggested 3 (because of my age) would be better. So I went for three. My husband and daughter were in the room watching the transfer and I could see the nervousness hit my husband and now he is afraid of having triplets. Scared to death actually. But I know the odds are low for that.
They are letting the other embryos grow until tomorrow (day7) and will freeze what makes it. I hope to have some to freeze like you said you were hoping for. It would feel like a safety net.
I feel really excited about things and am trying to remain neutral but I already feel a connection with the little seeds (hopefully) growing inside.
How can you deny that feeling? Yes, these 12 days will be tough but I know it will go fast.
I am able to work from home and I have someone to help clean etc. and my husband does most cooking so I am lucky. But I am not lying around too much. Sounds like you have family around to help too which is super.
We are kinda alone in a strange country so its been hard. I have difficulty understanding what the doctors are saying sometimes, can you imaging how that just adds to the stress??? Glad its over now!
Its been a experience I will never forget and I have to admit cringe at the thought of having to do it again.
Lets hope we both have luck this cycle
Weren't you doing assisted hatching?
Let me know how things are going with you.
I hope you get 3 perfect great embryos for tomoorw! And more to freeze!

[Carlaliz]

Yes, I was feeling pretty crampy all day yesterday and was a little worried. However, I woke up this morning feeling great! Haven't even needed any Tylenol. That's made me happy. The nurse just called and said that of the 10 they retrieved, 9 were mature and 8 fertilized. That's not too bad..... Now I just hope that those 8 go to town and all end up being of excellent quality! We won't know for sure about the day 3 transfer until early the morning of, which is Thurs. I'm gonna go ahead and take the day off just in case. We've done day 3 before, and things have been so similar up to this point, why not plan on that to be the same too? If it's not Thurs., it will be Sat. Waiting that long will be killer! Oh well, wait we will - we've been doing it for a long time as it is. Yes, we'll be doing assisted hatching and I hope that's the key to our success this time!!!

So very glad that your transfer went well and even happier that you're in good spirits about things! I think that it's smart for you to do 3 and up your chances of success. My husband and I joke about having all 3 take and then divide and we'll end up with octuplets. At this point, anything beats nothing at all! The pics are amazing and really cause you to get attached right away! I saved them before thinking that they'd be a cool thing to show any future children. How nice that your daughter was there for it too and can see her future sibling from the very beginning. My mom wants to come with us this time and I'm fine with that.

It's nice that you're able to work from home and have so much help. My husband is a huge help with cleaning, errands, etc. His cooking skills are a little lacking but he can grab take-out with the best of them! Both of our families are local so we can have plenty of help if we need it. I'm just glad that you'll be able to work at your own pace and relax when you need to.

I'm glad that the process is over for you. I can't imagine how much more difficult it must be to have to do this in a new country. Kudos to you and your determination! I'm gonna be anxiously awaiting your news 12 days from now! I'll be back in touch about our transfer. As always, take care and keep me posted!