7th Natural cycle IVF(w/o meds) and finally BFP!

[dovkav123]

dovkav, this is so exciting that you are doing natural cycle IVF this month!! I cant wait to hear about the process and hopefully about your BFP at the end.

I think it's great that you are doing this test to check how your Dh's sperm survives in your CM. I never had that test cos it's just not among the usual tests that you are supposed to do over here unfortunately. although if you do IUi then your CM does not really matter. I do all sort of things to improve my CM and cultivate EWCM but some cycles I only get it for one day when I actually ovulate. using pre-seed can help if there are any issues with CM.

Do you have numbers for your June blood test?

I agree with you that transferring 2 embryos is probably best but I also agree with your doc that the human body is build to carry one baby. twins (when TTC naturally) is usually a glitch in the system. you have 2 ovaries so one can rest while the other is producing the egg (I think). but at this stage and considering my age I would settle for twins so I could have a family

I went to a specialist and he asked me to do lots of blood test. Unfortunately one of my cancer tests came positive. it can be a false positive but needs to be investigated. I was supposed to do MRI scan today but had to re-schedule cos in TWW. my doc told me it was OK to do it even if pregnant but apparently not. When I mentioned at the hospital that I am TTC and post O so might be pregnant I was told to take a pregnancy test to confirm I am not pregnant because they simply wont do MRI if it comes back positive. although I told them I tested in the morning and it was negative but I am only 6 DPO and I was told that in this case it's up to me whether I was to take this risk. Obviously I rescheduled my MRi to a later date once I get my period because if I turn out to be pregnant the last thing you want is to worry how MRI may affect the pregnancy. better safe than sorry. also, I just thought if the hospital would not do the test without specifically saying what the risks are it just means that there are some potential risks but they are not yet official but the mere fact they want to protect themselves from such liability by not doing the scan in the first 12 weeks should be considered as a confirmation that it is not safe. A bit annoying cos it probably means we wont be able to start IVF next cycle but on the other hand I was always told that it's best to look at cysts before O cos after O there may be all sorts of things coming out that will not provide an accurate picture of how things are (same for breast examination, it's only done up to CD10). Also judging by the sensitivity of my ovary I think the cyst might have increased but it may as well disappear the next cycle. so basically it's more waiting around for me. looks like I might not be able to do IVF next cycle as I really want to get all clear from the cancer doc before proceeding with IVF.

I am so sorry for the positive test. It could be false postive too. I am praying for that! I am glad you're strong and you'll go through this soon. The dark cloud will go by and you'll be fine again.
Wait till your AF comes and than go for MRI. Radiation could harm the baby. My cousin's dr.(in England) told her not to fly first 12 weeks of her pregnancy. Do you think radiation in the airplane can cause problems? I need to study this better. Then plane attendants should have maternity leave in the begining of their pregnancy.??!!

My June CD 25 test results
8.2 progesteron -needs to be >10ng/ml
67.2 Estrogen- needs to be 100


In June I had brown spotting 2 days after AF and 2 days before AF. It could mean nothing wrong, but it could mean hormonal imbalance. I had no spotting this cycle.
My previous RE told me my hormones are normal. My new RE told me that they are little low. Many women get preggo with results like that. Maybe I am more sensitive? Who should I beleave now?
The same story about Ovarian reserve. One tells me it's low, and the other- it is normal.


I chose the cheaper IVF because I am sure I'll O next week before Friday. I hope I am right. This clinic unfortunatlly is closed in the weekend.

I wish you a wonderful rest of the weekend.

 

[dovkav123]

I just found a study about natural IVF cycle success. Older women failed in stimulated IVF cycles but got preg with a natural IVF cycle. Please read, it is very encouraging study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582079/

 

[dovkav123]

hey everyone,
it is a copy from the first page. All updates are on my first page!
Officially I am on the green firtility schedule.
Blood work was perfect.

LH 6.4mlU/ml
Progest .3 ng/ml
Estrogen 166.9pg/ml
16mm follicle (14mm is pritty much matured)on Monday and HCG trigger shot at 9:30pm
Wednesday egg retreaval at 8:30am
Probably Friday(after 2days) eggy is going to my incubator!

My RE appoinment went really well.
During the ultrasound she saw one follicle but she couldn't tell if I still have an egg in it. It could be a corpus luteus. Dr. saw some fluid and she predicted that it could mean ruptured follicle, O is done. I told her I felt some activity couple days ago. We took a blood test and it showed that I havn't O yet and I don't have my LH surge yet. The timing is perfect so far!
Dr. printed a photo of my follicle.

My dh got tested for HIV, and I got tested for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B.
I asked dr. why should we test now? We didn't know if I O'ed or not, at that time. She told me that those tests are valid for half a year. "You'll come back , right?" She really made me think we'll fail this IVF

In the whole picture my dr. was really nice.
She was pleasant, smilling a lot..
She answered all my questions.
1. she gave me 10% success, many embryos doesn't grow in the lab, many women don't get them transfered.
2. I'll not get the same dr. during this treatment.
3. My dr. doesn't beleave that laying down after transfer will help with implantaton. Embryo will not drop, it will swim for 2 days in the womb till implants. She warned us that it is possible to get intrauterin, tubal pregnancy with this IVF.
4. Taking baby aspirin to increase implantation, the study is inconclusive. I'll reseach more about it and let you know.
5. I should not take preg test at home. One Patient did it and it was false negative.
6.My husband can be next to me during retreaval and transfer. We can't make the baby naturally, at least he'll be part of it. It is sooo wonderful!
7. Egg Retreaval risks are horrible. My dh went detail about it with a dr. She told us important arteries are close by, if she punctures, I could bleed. They may need to cut me open and operate. Firtility clinic is in the main hospital, so I am safe and ther will be no time wasted to help me. (every operation has risks, hysteroscopy also had risks, I was fine)


I had a huge scare last night about HCG trigger shot. 4 pharmacies didn't have it, they offered to order the next day. I was in shock and had tears in my eyes and I felt was so hoppless I needed that night at 9:30pm. The pharmacist told us to go to another city. Firtility clinic (the one I visited last Thursday is close by), it was a big possibility that they had it. And they did indeed! They were open till 10pm. WE were so blessed and so lucky! Big lesson for the future-please prepare in advance to avoid heartache.

When we picked up meds we had 1 hour till the shot. So we decided to go for a drink and relax. WE went to a brewery-restaurant where my dh dad worked when he was young. I had fresh squeezed orange juice and he had a beer. You can't imagine what we saw on the table! 4 glass cyclinder filled up with vinegar and oil. The ones we used in chemistry lessons for experiments. What a sign! The test tube baby will be made in Germany! Probably this week! I had chills! Pleasant once.

 

[pbl_ge]

I didn't know you had a journal! Stalking now!

Thinking of your little eggy and hoping for your bfp!

 

[Briss]

dovkav, I am so excited for you! this is happening so fast. poor you last night trying to find HCG trigger shot, what a nightmare, so lucky that pharmacy had it and was open so late. your bloods look good and follicle is good size. good luck with egg retrieval tomorrow! try and rest as much as you can tomorrow it's quite an invasive procedure from what I read.

some studies showed that laying down after transfer does not improve implantation rates. Having said that do what you feel is right and if you feel you prefer to take it easy than do just that.

are you going to take progesterone after ET?

 

[dovkav123]

Thank you for kind words. It is the begining of our adventure. I feel more connected and bonded with my Dh during tough times.
Yes, I'll take vaginal progesteron. I heard it is no fun.
Any symptoms? Your cycle coming to the end. Will you test or wait for AF?

 

[Briss]

I stopped testing a while ago, it just depresses me and my AF is never ever late, also cos I temp I usually know in the morning that if my temp dropped AF will arrive later that day. but I think I will probably be testing when I do IVF

 

[pbl_ge]

The progesterone is indeed no fun. Panty liners are not optional.

Briss, where are you researching what can affect transfer success? I'm just now getting into all this stuff, and I'm looking for good resources.

So did you already trigger? Have you have the egg collection? Hope all went okay!

 

[Briss]

pbl_ge, I am waiting to start my natural cycle IVF. I have a cyst that needs some investigation before we can proceed. I am reading Zita West's book on IVF. it's very good and she always says whether advice is supported by some research or if it's just her observation or intuitive feeling. like she does not recommend any complementary treatments after egg transfer (you can do acu on the day of transfer but not in TWW), no sex, no swimming, no exercise. if you can you should take 1-2 days off after transfer. there is no evidence to support any of these work but it seems like you should go with your gut instinct to make it successful.

 

[Briss]

dovkav, how's your Egg Retrieval? any progress on your embryos?

I contacted my IVf clinic with my results but they said they wont do IVf until I had my MRI and it confirmed that everything is OK. will have to wait and miss next cycle. hopefully if all goes well I can finally start my natural cycle IVF in September. waiting is so stressful and exhausting

 

[dovkav123]

Briss, i know it is possible to get preg with natural IVF, but it may take few cycles. I hope so much that you'll succeed from the first one!
I am in 2ww and reading a lot
Please read:
Avoid sex during traditonal IVF treatment
https://scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/B/200111955.html

Kisspeptin healthier choice for trigger than HCG
https://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_18-6-2013-16-42-49

 

[Briss]

dovkav, poor you!! what an ordeal! cant believe they could not get your egg. I thought if there is a follicle there must be an egg. I know it's not always the case with conventional IVF because of stimulation but in your case it was one naturally selected follicle so it must have the best available egg. I am confused. what does it mean the egg stuck to a follicle wall? is it how eggs develop, being attached to the wall and then they separate? judging by your temp you ovulated on wednesday or is it a natural reaction of the ovary following egg retrieval? or is your temp up because you take progesterone? what happened to your blood pressure is just terrible, so lucky your hubby was around and could get help. I had no idea egg retrieval can be so dramatic. the most important thing is that you are still with a chance so fingers crossed IUI will work the treat and you will get your BFP soon!

 

[dovkav123]

Thank you for support, Briss.
An egg is attached to the wall of the follicle and preparing for rupture and escape it. YOu take HCG shot, it will trigger the egg to get loose and after 36 hours to escape the follicle. It is very crucial time to trigger not too early and not too late. If my natural LH surge is on, it is too late to trigger and the cycle can be cancled. If an egg is not matured yet, it is a problem too. Blood test will guide the dr. what to do!
You are right about, that my body selected the best follicle and an egg had to be in there. That's why natural cycle IVF success to low ovarian reserve women is high.
My ER wasn't taht bad! I would go for it again. If my dh lets me.
If you are sensitive to pain, you can ask for sadation.
I hope your IVF will be the first one and the last one!
Your chart looks great!

My temps went down after trigger shot for 2 days and went up next morning after procedure. It was my Natural body response to O. Only That night I took progesteron. Now my temps staying up.

 

[dovkav123]

Update,
I have no hope this cycle. Why did we do IUI? I guess it is a protocol from clinic, dr. didn't catch the egg, so dr. gives us hope for spontanious conception. My tubes are nonfunctioning. If they are open, I have a big chance of tubal preg this month. Why I am taking progesteron? However, I got to know how my body will feel during pregnancy. I have to report some reaction to hormon shots. HCG shot - I got acne on my chin and progesteron- I feel dizzy and I nausea every day.
I think the follicle was around 20mm during retrieval. Mature egg was there. What happened to it nobody would know.
I would do another natural IVF treatment and I probably will do it again next cycle.

 

[Briss]

dovkav, why do you think you do not have hope for this cycle? you are only 6 DPO, too early to say. have they did HSG to confirm blocked tubes? if not, it's impossible to say and your tubes are most likely fine. my mum was told she wont be able to conceive cos of blocked tubes (they did not have HSG in those days) but a very insistent sperm still got through and my brother was born keep thinking positive it's very important

Thank you very much for explaining how it works I did not know egg is attached to the follicle wall inside and gets loose just before being released. I am learning new stuff every day! at my clinic they always do ER with sedation. I guess the benefit of doing it without sedation (if you can tolerate it) is that you can feel if something is not right it will be just too painful. still, probably strange to feel the needle going through your vagina and then into ovary…

as you can see I got my period, was very depressed last few days but now getting gradually better and trying to focus on the next cycle. had my 3rd CA 125 and it came at 34 which is just below the threshold so officially negative. I am relieved but anxiously waiting for MRI tomorrow.

 

[dovkav123]

Thank you for putting my hopes up!
I am so glad for your negative test. MRI tomorrow. You'll be in my thoughts.
MRI doesn't have radiation, it won't harm you. Don't worry, everything will be OK. You are healthy, dr. just double checking. Knowledge is a huge power.
Next step will be your IVF!

Briss

 

[Briss]

Just had the MRI (very long and uncomfortable procedure so was very grateful that hubby was in the room all the time) but they would not tell me anything. I have a CD with the pictures but afraid to look as I may misinterpret them. Will have to wait until my doctor's appointment in September.

your temp looks good! If it stays around 37 for the next couple of days I'd start testing

 

[dovkav123]

Just had the MRI (very long and uncomfortable procedure so was very grateful that hubby was in the room all the time) but they would not tell me anything. I have a CD with the pictures but afraid to look as I may misinterpret them. Will have to wait until my doctor's appointment in September.

your temp looks good! If it stays around 37 for the next couple of days I'd start testing

You are such a hero! I am so proud of you! You did MRI, that noisy and scary machine!
I hate that dr. make you wait so long for the results. Hang in here...

My temps stay high, I am taking progesteron, it is a hormonal response, that won't tell me much about pregnancy. I'll take a preg test on Monday just for fun. Sept 4th is my preg blood test, I need that, if it's negative I need to quit progesteron and AF will show up in couple of days.

Happy weekend, enjoy every minute of it!

 

[pbl_ge]

Dovkav, hope you're doing well. Stay positive! The progesterone causes a lot of pregnancy-type symptoms, so it can mess with your head during the TWW. Did you trigger with HCG, too? I hope this cycle works for you!

Briss, hope you get good answers from the doc!

 

[dovkav123]

BFN this morning 12dpo.
My temps are down too. I am taking progesterone. I beleave they should stay high with this hormone. I never had any side effects, maybe I am not responding well to it?
I want to quit it and wait for my period. I hope we are staying couple more months in Germany. I would do 2 more natural cycle IVF and then I'll convince my Dh for a standart one.
My blood test is due on Wednesday. I don't think I should do it. No egg, no embryo...This cycle is hopless.
I'll test again till then.