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Post by lastnamewithheld on May 1, 2019 5:50:35 GMT -6
Hi Everyone! Happy MAY! (I hope it's okay to start the new monthly thread!)
I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by!
What's on the agenda for this month? Are you on a break? Are you cycling? Any big plans for the month?
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Post by sharebear on May 1, 2019 6:06:22 GMT -6
After the failed frozen transfer last month, we are taking a month or two off from this roller coaster ride. It has been nice to let my body remember what it feels like at its baseline hormone levels. Still TBD as to when we will start back up. Regardless, I want to talk with my RE about doing a natural cycle transfer, and any ways to avoid using estrace. I was reading the literature about variations on natural cycles vs using estrace vs using other meds and it sounds like natural cycles can be effective. And the estrace didn’t do anything to thicken my lining last cycle, so it seems pointless to deal with the terrible side effects for nothing.
So that’s my journal entry for the month. I’d love to hear others’ experiences using a “natural” cycle for FET.
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Post by lastnamewithheld on May 1, 2019 6:42:37 GMT -6
I actually have a monitoring appointment on 5/9! That will be CD16, so IDK what the purpose is, but whatever. Presumably to check to see if I've ovulated/am ovulating so they know when exactly to start Lupron for suppression. So I'm hoping I can get a calendar and get this ball rolling! WOOHOO! I'm hoping I get my new credit card by then just in case I need to pay for my cycle that day. My dummy self lost my credit card last week. FIGURES. I lost my card AND THEN the nurse calls me for the appointment the next day, lol. The representative that I spoke with when I called to report it missing said 7-10 business days, and my appointment is AFTER that window, so here's hoping. I want those sweet CC points! ha!
LC mentioned/LC related talk ahead: We really don't have too much planned for this month- besides my mom and step-dad taking Tommy for the weekend in two weeks. So H and I will need to find something to do, lol. (Maybe a glorious lazy weekend?!??!! NAPS! TV!)
I'm also looking forward to being able to transfer my flex-spending dependent care $$ at the end of the month -- MH needs some dental stuff done and this will certainly help cushion that looming expense, not to mention the FET that is (finally) rapidly approaching.
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Post by lastnamewithheld on May 1, 2019 6:45:58 GMT -6
sharebear, I've heard many anecdotes about successful natural cycle FETs/IVFs (as I'm sure you have, too) but unfortunately I don't have first hand experience! I hope your break is just what you need to re-group! and I hope your RE is on board with trying a natural cycle in the future.
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Post by radiantfate on May 1, 2019 11:58:12 GMT -6
Hi y'all! I'm officially joining the ranks of the infertile this month. Boo. And yay, too, for finally getting a diagnosis.
Backstory for those I haven't talked to on TTGP: I'm 38 (will be 39 next month), DH is 44, we've been TTC for 2 1/2 years with one c/p in June of 2017.
I had my first RE appointment this morning. I have secondary IF (I have a 10 year old from my first marriage, this would be mine and DH's first, and he has no children of his own). I'm kind of overwhelmed by everything that happened at the appointment, it's just a lot of info to take in and a lot of steps in the process. I had a transvaginal ultrasound which showed my uterus is fine (yay) but he wasn't able to see the ovaries well enough so I have a CT scan scheduled for that on Friday. SA is happening next week, and CD3 bloodwork will probably be next week as well since AF is due Friday, followed by an HSG shortly thereafter. Also had bloodwork drawn for TSH, AMH, prolactin, and Vitamin D as well as a genetic screening. I had bloodwork done earlier this week at the OBGYN for FSH/LH, estriadol and progesterone and all of those came back normal (normal CBC as well, which they checked because i had been anemic but I'm not anymore) but they'll be repeated on CD3 by the RE. I don't know yet if our protocol will be IUI or IVF (I'm hoping we're candidates for IUI since insurance doesn't cover IVF).
Looking forward to getting to know you all and I wish you all the best this month!!
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 3, 2019 23:49:54 GMT -6
***TW: Child mentioned
Hello everyone! Well I guess I ‘go here’ again. Just a quick background. DH and me tried to get pregnant for about 4 years, NTNP. Then we did treatment for about 4 years. I have a UU, PCOS and mild endometriosis. DH has sperm issues, with motility being the biggest issue. We did a butt load of IUIs. Then 2 cycles of IVF. We were successfully with IVF# 2. I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy even though I have a unicornuate uterus (half a ute). DD stayed put for 39 weeks and 4 days. We are ready to try for #2. We have 7 frozen male embryos on ice. We made a pact to budget for 2 FETs.
So I’m planning a FET for the summer. RE wants to do the exact same protocol for IVF/FET #2. The only big difference from other FETs is he does mine under general anesthesia. My ute does some weird spasm stuff and this impacted my first IVF cycle. My RE wants an updated hysteroscopy and a mock transfer. The nurse told me to schedule my procedure once I start my period. So I’m just patiently waiting, it’s CD 54 (thanks PCOS). I would really like to transfer in early July. So I’ll wait a little longer for AF and then I will contact my nurse.
Good luck to everyone! This group used to be really busy and it totally helped me get through all my treatments.
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Post by teachermomtobe on May 4, 2019 12:16:31 GMT -6
**TW: Child Mentioned I was active on TCF and mostly on the IF board there a few years ago. Some background: I wasn't ovulating and DH had low sperm count, we did 4 IUIs which resulted in 1 CP but no baby. We did IVF in the summer of 2016 and the fresh transfer wasn't successful. We did a FET in Sept 2016 and I got pregnant with DD who was born June 2017. We still have 2 frozen embryos and are preparing to transfer during my next cycle. The meds are ordered, all consents are signed, just waiting for my period in about 2 weeks to get the ball rolling. I am having a lot of mixed feelings about everything this time around. I am afraid of dealing with the emotional pain all over again. I feel so experienced and like such a n00b all at the same time. ttcbabyj, nice to see a familiar face around here
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 4, 2019 14:43:03 GMT -6
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Post by champagne on May 4, 2019 16:29:26 GMT -6
lastnamewithheld Yay for progress! I’m glad everything is finally getting going for you. I’m sorry about your credit card issue. sharebear I totally understand where you are at. Take as much time as you need. radiantfate Welcome! I hope your stay here is short. Welcome back ttcbabyj and teachermomtobeAs for me, I’m just waiting for DH to come around. The back to back losses have been really hard on both of us. I like to have something to look forward to which is why I wanted to do an IUI round while we save back up for IVF2, but so far he’s not on board. He feels like it will be a waste of money and hurt us even more. I hate the month of May. Mother’s Day has been so hard for me that last 6 years. I’m already dreading next weekend. I think I might be the only one here TTC #1 still? Sorry that turned into a rant.
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 4, 2019 16:37:15 GMT -6
champagne thank you for the welcome. I’m so sorry about your losses. It took DH a long time to get on board with any treatment at all. We had to and still just keep communicating about everything treatment related until we came to an agreement that we were both comfortable with. Again I’m sorry. Eta: And don’t ever feel like you have to apologize for a rant. You’re entitled to rant.
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Post by champagne on May 4, 2019 16:57:31 GMT -6
Thanks for your support and kind words ttcbabyj. Luckily we have always been on the same page during treatments in the past. I can see why he feels like this would be a step back. I have a feeling he’ll come around and maybe we can do one next cycle.
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Post by radiantfate on May 6, 2019 11:50:02 GMT -6
Thanks for the welcome champagne! Went in for my CD3 bloodwork over the weekend. I had an appointment for a pelvic CT scan on Friday (they weren't able to see the ovaries via ultrasound for some reason), but DS wound up being in the hospital Weds night and wasn't released until last night (he's okay thank goodness, back at school today!) so I had to cancel it and I need to reschedule. SA is also happening Wednesday. Other than that, no new news here yet.
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Post by sharebear on May 6, 2019 12:11:20 GMT -6
lastnamewithheld good luck this week! radiantfate I'm sorry you're joining us here, but welcome! I hope everything went okay on Friday and also that you're a candidate for IUI/the max that insurance will cover. Welcome @ttcbaby ! <3 champagne I'm sorry you and DH aren't on the same page about this cycle. And it is okay to hate May. Can you guys find some sort of non-mom-centric activity to do? Go see a movie together? Or just hibernate instead? <3
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Post by charliefox on May 6, 2019 19:12:15 GMT -6
sharebear, I have no experience with a natural cycle FET but it's something I've thought about. We have 2 embryos left and if the next one doesn't stick I will be asking more seriously about trying a natural cycle. Keep us posted on what info you find!
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Post by charliefox on May 6, 2019 19:25:56 GMT -6
Hey! Sorry I've been so absent. Found a big ol' cyst at my baseline, estradiol levels were borderline so I had to repeat it all 2 days later. Estradiol levels lowered slightly so they don't think the cyst is producing hormones and they let me proceed with this mock cycle for the ERA test. I have a lining check on Friday (just to make sure things are progressing normally, I'm curious to see what the cyst it up to as well), then bloodwork on the 15th and start PIO the 16th. Biopsy for ERA is scheduled for the 21st.
After that we wait for CD1 and test results. I HATE how I feel on BCP so I'm really hoping I can just jump into an FET cycle and avoid BCP.
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Post by wineandcake on May 6, 2019 19:42:04 GMT -6
sharebear my doctor suggested a natural cycle. She says there's no indication that medicated or natural is better and since medicated hasnt worked might as well try. I'm iffy on it since we only have one more chance, plus I've gotten pregnant twice with medicated cycles so why mess with something we know worked? It might make a difference with staying pregnant for me though so who knows, maybe it would be a better choice. I'm torn.
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Post by champagne on May 6, 2019 20:54:32 GMT -6
radiantfate I m glad your son is okay. I hope it wasn’t too serious. sharebear Thank you for your kind words. This year I actually don’t have to celebrate with my MIL and my mom doesn’t live nearby, so I fully intend to let myself cry and eat ice cream if needed.
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 7, 2019 22:50:10 GMT -6
Still waiting on AF. I’m starting to feel that anxious feeling about my body. Ugh. 😐
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Post by lastnamewithheld on May 8, 2019 5:37:26 GMT -6
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 10, 2019 19:49:50 GMT -6
So today I scheduled my transfer date, July 11th. Still awaiting on AF, but my RE ordered some tests to see what’s going on.
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Post by sharebear on May 10, 2019 19:52:33 GMT -6
TW: loss mentioned, and living child . . So I’m just feeling really weepy this Mother’s Day and heading into the latter part of May. This time last year, I was at a family weekend away sponsored by DH’s employer and I GKU, but then it ended in a chemical a month later. We are about to leave for the same trip this week and I’m on track to O the same date as last year (WTF?!?!) And then my September cycle that ended in another CP would have been due next week. I keep cycling to the phone calls from the nurse at the RE saying “congratulations, you’re pregnant!” And obviously that didn’t work out. So just generally feeling yucky heading into next week, even though I should be more appreciative of the amazing kiddo I have.
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Post by radiantfate on May 11, 2019 22:54:13 GMT -6
Thanks lastnamewithheld! champagne Thanks so much, he’s doing fine now Going in for my HSG on Monday. I was a little mad at the RE’s office because the nurse was supposed to call in the pre-procedure antibiotic and forgot, even though I called twice to remind them. They finally called it in this morning after I left a voicemail on their answering service last night so we should be good to proceed. This cycle and next are going to be out because I tested negative for immunity to Varicella. The RE wanted me to get vaccinated first and wait at least one cycle before TTC to prevent congenital varicella syndrome which is fine. It’s weird because I was vaccinated in 2013! I guess it didn’t take. I also got the genetic screening back and I’m a carrier for 3 different genetic disorders so DH is going to need the screening as well to make sure he is also not a carrier. Also DH finally got a new job on Friday! That might put a damper on our plans since he’ll want to put in a lot of face time at first to make a good impression. We also just celebrated out 2 year wedding anniversary. Things are looking up I guess
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Post by radiantfate on May 11, 2019 22:56:23 GMT -6
sharebear I feel you on the mother’s day sadness. I love my DS to death but I also feel sadness for the child we want to have but don’t have yet. I think it’s normal to feel both.
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Post by teachermomtobe on May 12, 2019 14:16:13 GMT -6
sharebear, hugs! ttcbabyj, they let you schedule that far out? Will you be on BCPs to help it line up with that day?
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 12, 2019 20:21:18 GMT -6
sharebear, hugs! ttcbabyj, they let you schedule that far out? Will you be on BCPs to help it line up with that day? Yes, it is wonderful. My RE’s scheduled so far in advance that I didn’t even get my first selected date. I told my nurse I really wanted a due date (if I get pregnant) as close as possible to spring break. I would like to (hopefully) teach the first 8 weeks of the spring semester. I will be on BCPs. Last time I was on BCPs for like 3 weeks. He doesn’t do transfers without the BCPs first. I may start them a little earlier since I haven’t had a period and I need to have my hysteroscopy and mock transfer before my transfer. My PCP ordered an estrogen and progesterone test to see what’s going on.
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Post by radiantfate on May 13, 2019 14:38:56 GMT -6
Ugh, I feel like the HSG kinda sucked today. They did find one partially blocked tube but the other was open. The doctor has to review it and then we find out next steps.
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Post by sharebear on May 13, 2019 17:10:30 GMT -6
Ugh, I feel like the HSG kinda sucked today. They did find one partially blocked tube but the other was open. The doctor has to review it and then we find out next steps. radiantfate that sounds sucky, but hopefully it also provides some answers and helps your Dr figure out the best plan for you ❤️
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Post by teachermomtobe on May 13, 2019 17:54:40 GMT -6
When we first met with RE this time around I asked if I could just stay on BCPs but she said I had to come off to do bloodwork for insurance approval. I was so worried because the first time around I had like 60-90 day cycles. This time my body got with the program quickly fortunately! The practice I go to is large so they do transfers every day by someone, may not be my dr. sharebear, hugs! ttcbabyj, they let you schedule that far out? Will you be on BCPs to help it line up with that day? Yes, it is wonderful. My RE’s scheduled so far in advance that I didn’t even get my first selected date. I told my nurse I really wanted a due date (if I get pregnant) as close as possible to spring break. I would like to (hopefully) teach the first 8 weeks of the spring semester. I will be on BCPs. Last time I was on BCPs for like 3 weeks. He doesn’t do transfers without the BCPs first. I may start them a little earlier since I haven’t had a period and I need to have my hysteroscopy and mock transfer before my transfer. My PCP ordered an estrogen and progesterone test to see what’s going on.
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Post by champagne on May 13, 2019 18:13:40 GMT -6
ttcbabyj That’s great they let you schedule like that. Mine didn’t at all, but it would have been nice for planning purposes. radiantfate I’m sorry about the blocked tube. I hope the doctor helps you figure out next steps.
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ttcbabyj
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Post by ttcbabyj on May 13, 2019 21:34:07 GMT -6
teachermomtobe yeah my body is definitely not cooperating. I was having pretty regular cycles as long as I was taking my metformin. But for some reason this cycle is up to day 64 with no AF. I think they’ll put me on BCPs so I can have my hysteroscopy soon. My progesterone was like 7.4 so I definitely have not ovulated. I know I’m not pregnant, DH had a vasectomy so I’m just waiting to see what they say. My RE is too much of a control freak to let someone else do his transfers. And my transfers are under general anesthesia so he wouldn’t ever let someone else do it. My clinic is a chain and I remember when I just wanted to do monitoring at another clinic he made sure he was on speaker phone with the other RE. 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
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