Anyone doing FET/IVF in Jan 2013 till everyone's BFP (Everyone Welcome)

[~Brandy~]

Wondered if I could join here ladies... starting lupron tomorrow!!!! so so so hopeful this works!

Yay were close mines friday

 

[Blue12]

Nice pic Em!

Good luck tomorrow Ali!

So, the hematologist recommends that I take heparin as soon as I start the injections for the next round of IVF. He says the jury is still out whether it really makes a difference with implantation, but with three early miscarriages he would recommend it even if I didn't have the factor V leiden thing. Wouldn't it be nice if that made the difference!!

I will also be on baby aspirin and heparin for my cycle due to a clotting issue - we are still trying to pin point what the source/reason/diagnosis of my clotting issue is.

 

[Blue12]

Wondered if I could join here ladies... starting lupron tomorrow!!!! so so so hopeful this works!

Yay were close mines friday

Thats awesome Brandy!!!!! SO awesome! Is this your first cycle? I see you are on Lupron for 14 days - or is that just estimated timeline?

 

[Turkey16]

Turkey.. where in PA are you? We have a house in the poconos! Love it

Outside Philly...in the suburbs. Yardley, PA. I got married in Elk mt. Which is a lil north (I think!) of the poconos. Sooooo pretty there. Where in the poconos is your place! Are you guys skiers??

my husbands whole family is from philly...I think from overbrook and rittenhouse.. but I could totally be wrong and just know those names for some reason.. supposedly it's a nice area. I was a big skiier, haven't been in years... not as agile as i once was! Our house is like 20 min from stroudsburg... not too far from the Crossings outlets. I've been to Shawnee, Camelback, Jack Frost/Big Boulder... love them all....

My hub is the one from this area...but I am familiar w/ the rittenhouse area...it IS really nice. Don't know overbrook though. Originally I'm a Jersey Girl!

 

[Turkey16]

So my "WTF?" appt. didn't tell me all that much, but it was still good. I already knew that I had passed the sac prior to my D&E so there wasn't any fetal tissue to test. After a lot of thought, I think I'm ok with that. Might have made things tougher. Basically the doc dissected my last cycle and then gave us his recommendations. Pretty much what I mentioned the other night...we'd do the estrogen priming protocol. Still not 100% sure why he is changing things up, but I'm ok with it. Apparently the "EPP" is usually for poor responders, which he said didn't apply to me as I did have 12 eggs at retrieval. But, he did say that my responding wasn't off the charts either. So I'm thinking that he's hoping to get more eggs with this New protocol. He did say my bloodwork at trigger time showed only low to average estrogen for the number of follies I had, so I'm thinking maybe that also has something to do with choosing this route. The only new info he presented was the idea of doing CCS testing. Any of you guys familiar with this? Basically he said my AMH was great...my FSH level was great too. The only "kicker" as he called it, was my age. Womp-Womp. So the idea of producing a big batch of follies, then giving each of them this complete chromosomal biopsy (at what looks to cost an average of 5K, but he is going to go to bat for us with Aetna) is what he thinks is best for us. I am definitely a fan of this plan, but there are two scary factors (well probably more, but two for now) 1. None of my follies make it to blast which is where they need to be for CCS, and 2. Whatever # make it to blast get tested and come back "abnormal". Sigh. Just thinking about that possibility is a tad overwhelming. I'm gonna try to keep my PMA and move forward. Gonna call tomorrow to get price specifics, then I just need AF to show up. (Of course i was hoping doc would immediately insist that I take a pregnancy test right that instant, but alas he hardly even batted an eyelash). This EPP business takes a lot longer than the microdose Lupron protocol, so she better arrive STAT! Any CCS experts in our group?? Or even non-experts?? The googling I've been doing makes it out to be the wave of the future for IVF...

 

[alicatt]

Em! Great picture!

Blue! Welcome, and

Turkey! Glad you had your WTF appt. With the chromosomal testing on the embryos, are you sure they test at day 5? Most test at day 3, then transfer at day 5 I think there is an option to test on day 3 and freeze immediately then transfer back on a FET cycle. Maybe this is a different type of test? I'd ask more about it before deciding to go that route. However; I have read a lot about the use of genetic testing in older 39+ women. If you respond well and produce eggs, then you are a candidate for chromosomal testing. Basically it removes the chromosomal factor from the equation, which for women 39+ is a big part of why we can't get pregnant. So if the uterus is receptive and you have no other known issues, then knowing you are transferring chromosomally perfect embryos means you are increasing your odds back to that of say a 30 yr old. If I'd known this back in December I would have seriously considered chromosomal testing! My only concern is the timing of the testing and the strength of your embryos. I'd talk with your FS some more about that part! See if he has thoughts on how to get your embryos to blast!

 

[Turkey16]

Em! Great picture!

Blue! Welcome, and

Turkey! Glad you had your WTF appt. With the chromosomal testing on the embryos, are you sure they test at day 5? Most test at day 3, then transfer at day 5 I think there is an option to test on day 3 and freeze immediately then transfer back on a FET cycle. Maybe this is a different type of test? I'd ask more about it before deciding to go that route. However; I have read a lot about the use of genetic testing in older 39+ women. If you respond well and produce eggs, then you are a candidate for chromosomal testing. Basically it removes the chromosomal factor from the equation, which for women 39+ is a big part of why we can't get pregnant. So if the uterus is receptive and you have no other known issues, then knowing you are transferring chromosomally perfect embryos means you are increasing your odds back to that of say a 30 yr old. If I'd known this back in December I would have seriously considered chromosomal testing! My only concern is the timing of the testing and the strength of your embryos. I'd talk with your FS some more about that part! See if he has thoughts on how to get your embryos to blast!

Nope...the CCS testing is only done on blastocysts. If they have reached blast by day 5 they biopsy and send off to labcorp in NJ. Results are back on day 6 and a day 6 transfer happens with "good" embryo/embryos (that's another advantage apparently...average embryos transferred is like 1.6). Anyway, if embryos take til day 6 to reach blast, CCS testing is done and embryos are frozen for a future FET. Which interested me b/c Dr. Google led me to believe this route also increases your chZnce for success due to not dealing with a "recently stimulated uterus". God the things we gals know about!!! HA! Anyway...this testing seems to be somewhat new, or at least new to RMA (I think CCRM originated) so much so that at our initial IVF consult only back in Feb of this year, doc only mentioned PGD. Seems that this CCS is so successful (so far) that many experts think it'll be standard in a couple of years, which is good for us gals and according to my doctor, good for insurance companies, and good for clinics b/c of dramatically lower multiple birth rates.

The thing is, this is all new to me...I'm still doing my research, but if I could dramatically increase my chances of avoiding going through what I did with the first IVF go-round, I'm definitely on board!!

What's your countdown at?? How are the nerves?

 

[Turkey16]

Al...tell me again what you did to improve your egg quality for your second IVF...I did ask doc about taking DHEA, and he didn't seem too keen on it, but he said it couldn't hurt. Well...I had Anxiously's recent post in my head, so I'm confused as to whether it might hurt! ARRGGHHH!!

Darn those Teen Moms on MTV!!! This is all such a PITA sometimes!

 

[MoBaby]

my clinic does testing at day 5 also...then usually brings you back for FET thought vs doing the tranfer at day 6. That basically the route we would go if we did a 4th IVF.

ali: gl tomorrow! will be waiting for your update!!

 

[alicatt]

Turkey.. interesting.. I wonder what the difference is between PGD and CCS is? I mean in PGD you get a chromosomal analysis right? Again I'd go for it but you need to get your embryos to blast! I like the idea of freezing them and doing a FET, your body is usually more receptive to implantation!

I took CoQ10, Maca Root and Royal Jelly for my second IVF. Also no drinking, no caffeine and no gluten. We also did the long Lupron protocol, not sure how it stacks up to the EPP? Your next cycle does sound promising!

12.5 hours until US.. trying to be zen, but freaking out at the same time.

Night ladies and thanks for your well wishes! I'll update you as soon as humanly possible! Appt is at 11am EST.

 

[Turkey16]

Turkey.. interesting.. I wonder what the difference is between PGD and CCS is? I mean in PGD you get a chromosomal analysis right? Again I'd go for it but you need to get your embryos to blast! I like the idea of freezing them and doing a FET, your body is usually more receptive to implantation!

I took CoQ10, Maca Root and Royal Jelly for my second IVF. Also no drinking, no caffeine and no gluten. We also did the long Lupron protocol, not sure how it stacks up to the EPP? Your next cycle does sound promising!

12.5 hours until US.. trying to be zen, but freaking out at the same time.

Night ladies and thanks for your well wishes! I'll update you as soon as humanly possible! Appt is at 11am EST.

I think CCS tests all the chromosomes (Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening) and PGD tests specific chromosomes that tend to be problematic?? I really don't know. Hmmm...lots to learn as usual!!!

I will be thinking about you tomorrow morning and checking my phone incessantly til you give us the good news!! Sleep tight!!

 

[Mells54]

Turkey.. where in PA are you? We have a house in the poconos! Love it

Outside Philly...in the suburbs. Yardley, PA. I got married in Elk mt. Which is a lil north (I think!) of the poconos. Sooooo pretty there. Where in the poconos is your place! Are you guys skiers??

my husbands whole family is from philly...I think from overbrook and rittenhouse.. but I could totally be wrong and just know those names for some reason.. supposedly it's a nice area. I was a big skiier, haven't been in years... not as agile as i once was! Our house is like 20 min from stroudsburg... not too far from the Crossings outlets. I've been to Shawnee, Camelback, Jack Frost/Big Boulder... love them all....

Hey Turkey, we have friends that live in Yardley, PA...what a small world. My parents live in Hamburg which is in that area as well.

 

[Em260]

So my "WTF?" appt. didn't tell me all that much, but it was still good. I already knew that I had passed the sac prior to my D&E so there wasn't any fetal tissue to test. After a lot of thought, I think I'm ok with that. Might have made things tougher. Basically the doc dissected my last cycle and then gave us his recommendations. Pretty much what I mentioned the other night...we'd do the estrogen priming protocol. Still not 100% sure why he is changing things up, but I'm ok with it. Apparently the "EPP" is usually for poor responders, which he said didn't apply to me as I did have 12 eggs at retrieval. But, he did say that my responding wasn't off the charts either. So I'm thinking that he's hoping to get more eggs with this New protocol. He did say my bloodwork at trigger time showed only low to average estrogen for the number of follies I had, so I'm thinking maybe that also has something to do with choosing this route. The only new info he presented was the idea of doing CCS testing. Any of you guys familiar with this? Basically he said my AMH was great...my FSH level was great too. The only "kicker" as he called it, was my age. Womp-Womp. So the idea of producing a big batch of follies, then giving each of them this complete chromosomal biopsy (at what looks to cost an average of 5K, but he is going to go to bat for us with Aetna) is what he thinks is best for us. I am definitely a fan of this plan, but there are two scary factors (well probably more, but two for now) 1. None of my follies make it to blast which is where they need to be for CCS, and 2. Whatever # make it to blast get tested and come back "abnormal". Sigh. Just thinking about that possibility is a tad overwhelming. I'm gonna try to keep my PMA and move forward. Gonna call tomorrow to get price specifics, then I just need AF to show up. (Of course i was hoping doc would immediately insist that I take a pregnancy test right that instant, but alas he hardly even batted an eyelash). This EPP business takes a lot longer than the microdose Lupron protocol, so she better arrive STAT! Any CCS experts in our group?? Or even non-experts?? The googling I've been doing makes it out to be the wave of the future for IVF...

Hey Turkey. CCS is the type of PGD that we did. It's called PGS or preimplantation genetic screening at my clinic. Every clinic calls it something different but essentially it tests to make sure all the chromosomes are normal vs regular PGD which tests for specific genetic disorders. My RE is a huge proponent of this and he said it will be standard for all IVF cycles at some point in the future because it ups the success rates so dramatically. We were quoted a 65% success rate for cycles with PGD tested embryos.

Also, even younger women can have a lot of abnormal embryos. In my age group 30-35 my RE said the rate is of abnormals is approximately 50% which is exactly what we had. We tested 8 embryos and only 4 were normal. In my case I chose to do the testing because I can only transfer one embryo at a time. I'm too high risk to carry twins due to my blood clotting disorder. If you can transfer two embryos, chances are you'll transfer at least one normal. That being said, knowing what I know now, if I were ever to cycle again I would 100% do the testing.

At my clinic they biopsy day 5 embryos because by that time the embryo is 100 cells and it's less damaging to take a few cells from something that is 100 cells vs an 8-10 cell day 3 embryo. By day 5 they can tell which cells become the fetus and which ones become the placenta and they take cells that would become the placenta. On day 3 they use a laser to drill a small hole in the outer shell of the embryo and by day 5 a couple of cells have started to pouch out of that hole and those are the ones sent off for testing.

My clinic freezes the embryos and then does a FET the next cycle. I asked about the day 6 transfer but my RE believes that it's better to wait and do a FET because the high estrogen levels from a stim cycle can negatively affect implantation in some women. Most likely you'll have to meet with a genetic counselor from the company that your clinic uses and they will give you so much more info and detail on the process.

So excited that you're getting started again soon!! Come on AF!!

 

[Em260]

Nice pic Em!

Good luck tomorrow Ali!

So, the hematologist recommends that I take heparin as soon as I start the injections for the next round of IVF. He says the jury is still out whether it really makes a difference with implantation, but with three early miscarriages he would recommend it even if I didn't have the factor V leiden thing. Wouldn't it be nice if that made the difference!!

Oh so good that you are adding this! Will you be on Lovenox or Heparin? Lovenox is low molecular weight heparin. If it's Lovenox I have a tip for the actual injection. GO SLOW!! Like ridiculously slow. I take about 30 seconds to do the injection and haven't had a bruise and it doesn't hurt. If you inject too quickly you'll get huge bruises and it will sting like a bee sting.

Wondered if I could join here ladies... starting lupron tomorrow!!!! so so so hopeful this works!

Welcome!!

 

[Sandy83]

Morning Ladies

Hope you are all well

AFM, Bloods have been taken so just a waiting game now will know by 5pm tonight! Feeling about 80% sure that it hasn't worked as still spotting but keeping that 20% positive that i might be that unusal case that is pregnant even tho spotting has occurred! xx

 

[everhopeful]

sandy - keeping everything crossed for you!!! xx

 

[Sandy83]

Thanks Ever, My emotions are up and down like a yoyo at the mo as i spotted this morning a bit but then nothing since so start to get my hopes up again and been reading stories to say spotting at early stage is quite normal so I'm none the wiser just be glad when 5pm is here and i know the official results xx

 

[alicatt]

Sandy.. I think your odds are pretty good! Looking forward to your results!

 

[Sandy83]

Thanks Ali I hope so 3 hours and counting!!!!

How you feeling about your u/s are you on count down exciting stuff xx

 

[Anxiously]

I had the sweetest dream ever last night - I was hugely pregnant, and DH was bringing me out shopping. Both of us looked so happy.

Then I woke up, and a strong wave of despair just came over me. Am trying so hard to keep PMA but sometimes, those dark moments still manage to catch me unawares.

Sorry for being emotional...maybe my hormones are acting up...