Calling all RMA Ladies (1st page updates)

[DaisyQ]

Jersey! That's exciting. Are you doing the temperature study, where they culture half the embryos at 37 degrees and the other half at 36 degrees? And then do pgd/ccs? We are doing that study...

We have opted out of genetic testing for ourselves at this point because I've already had a lot of testing done and all normal, dh has two normal kiddos from first marriage, and we wouldn't get the results back before starting our cycle anyway. Plus we are getting our embryos tested so we should have an idea how many are normal/abnormal.

Ash, GL with the tww. It's good that you did the testing so that if you do need IVF, you'll have covered your bases.

 

[Helena_]

Have my hsg today. Kinda nervous that it'll hurt, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Wish me luck!

 

[jerseygirl412]

Jersey! That's exciting. Are you doing the temperature study, where they culture half the embryos at 37 degrees and the other half at 36 degrees? And then do pgd/ccs? We are doing that study...

We have opted out of genetic testing for ourselves at this point because I've already had a lot of testing done and all normal, dh has two normal kiddos from first marriage, and we wouldn't get the results back before starting our cycle anyway. Plus we are getting our embryos tested so we should have an idea how many are normal/abnormal.

Ash, GL with the tww. It's good that you did the testing so that if you do need IVF, you'll have covered your bases.

Daisy, Yes that's the study. I wanted to opt out of the genetic blood work too but the doctor convinced me to have it done, we each have a normal child different relationships, and that was my arguing factor to decline the genetic testing, the doctor told me we may each have a normal child but we don't have a child together, better to have it done she said. So we did it,

Yes our embryos are getting the testing too, are you having the ICSI as well? We are but I think that's part of the study... did they say anything to you about the assisted hatching?

Helena good luck!! Everything will be ok!!

 

[Helena_]

She said that they'll give me a cd, and I need to bring it to them. Did anyone try to look at the cd before giving it to them?

 

[ashknowsbest]

Daisy - yeah we were going to opt out of genetic testing too but my insurance covers it so why not and fyi, just because your DH has 2 other kids that don't have any genetic disorders doesn't mean you and your DH will because kids only get them if both parties carry the disorder, so I'm not saying that you guys have that compatible gene I'm just saying that some people are carries, some not and when two people that are both carriers get together that's when the kids are effected. Anyways! Yeah I'm all set for IVF. I test 5/18 and if negative onto injectables

 

[Helena_]

Tubes are clear! The room/doctor looked like it was out of a horror movie, but otherwise it was just mildly painful.

 

[DaisyQ]

Helena Lynn, so glad it went well!

Ash, I've already had a bajillion genetic tests done - the entire Ashkenazi jewish panel, which includes things like Fragile X and cystic fibrosis and Tay Sachs etc., and much, much more. All negative - not a carrier for anything. And there is no history on either side of genetic issues, so at this point we are not considered high risk. I think because I have already had all this testing done already, the doctor did not push us to do MORE testing. We may still get the full genetic testing done - but not before moving forward with this IVF cycle.

Jersey, we are doing ICSI because DH has 1% morph. Before I found out about the morph issue, we were undecided about ICSI - but it IS a part of the study, so you will end up having it. You should find out if the study will pay for it, or if you have to pay for it.

As for Assisted Hatching - my nurse told me that they do assisted hatching for everyone pretty much - I think it is their standard of care. It's true that assisted hatching has a higher identical twin rate, and it is entirely possible (but probably not super likely) that one or both embryos will split into identical twins. I didn't ask about the frequency of this occuring, but I think it is pretty low. I did ask today about the success rates of IVF with CCS tested embryos and was told it increases your chances by about 10%. Specifically, if they end up putting back 2 genetically normal embies, the pregnancy rate is 70-80%, and if they put back one (if you only have one blast to transfer), it's 60-70%. I was also told that the rate of twins with the transfer of 2 CCS tested embies is 50%.

Are you READY for twins??!!

 

[ashknowsbest]

Oh, didn't know you already had all of that testing. That's good you've had it all done. My DF and I have never had it done so we needed to do it. Good luck with IVF daisy!

 

[jchic]

Jersey thats SO exciting! You are on your way now. Dont worry about the assisted hatching, its standard practice for RMANJ, they do it for everyone unless there is a specific protocol for certain reasons that wont include that.
5/25 is so close, so you are right there!

Not much to report here, waiting for AF, then onto surgery then IVF, so taking a relaxed approach for the summer until mid july!

 

[BlueStorm]

Jersey - Great news! You will be transferring before you know it!

Helene - I'm glad that your HSG went well. I was so nervous for mine after reading stuff online but it was a piece of cake.

Ash - Good luck in your TWW. I don't envy you right now, hate the TWW

AFM - Started Lupron injections last night. I was kind of mad at my nurse b\c I was supposed to get a reminder phone call yesterday to tell me to start the lupron and I never got a call. I also felt like I got no instructions on how to do the Lupron injections. I mean once you've done one it's pretty much the same thing with all but it would have been nice to at least had a video to watch or have the nurse explain what to do..

 

[ashknowsbest]

Bluestorm - I wouldn't envy me either! The TWW sucks! But surprisingly this has been the easiest TWW thus far. I think because I had a friend from high school visit and she kept me busy for about 3 days. And my DF and I have been doing wedding stuff so ... I'm happy but I do want to know if it worked or not, I think my testing date is 5/19 or something but of course I'll start testing at about 10dpiui.

 

[DaisyQ]

Blue, didn't they set you up to take the online IVF course? I haven't taken it yet myself, but I'm hoping that it really will teach me how to do the injections. I just got all my meds last night.

NOT impressed by communication at RMA NJ.

 

[marie44]

Daisy - i learned how to take all of my needles watching youtube videos. I had a training class but it was a week ahead of time and so did me no good. Also, i had no instructions which needles to use so it was so frustrating. Hopefully online is good & you get all of your info.

 

[BlueStorm]

Blue, didn't they set you up to take the online IVF course? I haven't taken it yet myself, but I'm hoping that it really will teach me how to do the injections. I just got all my meds last night.

NOT impressed by communication at RMA NJ.

No I did not get set up online for IVF course. I did do that with IUI but they never did it with the IVF. Other girls I know in the area that go to a different clinic have to take a course or go online and take a test before they can start. I just feel like I was just thrown into it with no direction except for a schedule. My nurse called me to apologize this morning. SHe was like, "good thing you are ontop of it". geez...

Marie - Hope you are feeling well!!

 

[DaisyQ]

Thanks Marie!

Same thing happened to JenniferAnn. She was totally in the dark, and watched YouTube videos. My nurse sent me a link to an online IVF class. I just went over it and haven't watched the injection videos yet, but they are there. I think there might be some videos on freedom pharmacy's website too?

 

[Helena_]

Blue- wow, I can't believe they dropped the ball on that. You sure do pay them enough, you'd think they'd call you.

OH got his SA results back. They said it was all normal, but reading the packet they gave me, the motility seems low?

volume:4.9
concetration: 70,000,000
actively moving: 53%
shape: 4%

It says 60% with forward progression and 32% with rapid progression...Maybe his were rapid and not forward?

I'm unsure about the morph, but I'm pretty sure it falls within normal. Wonder if I should have him take fertilaid motility just for the hell of it. He's on fertilaid for men, so I'm hoping that that's helped. any ideas?

 

[DaisyQ]

I really don't know that much about motility. Sorry!

As for morph, 4% is the cut off for "normal." So it's normal, but perhaps a little borderline. If you do end up going the IVF route, you should discuss whether ICSI would be appropriate for you.

 

[Helena_]

thanks Daisy! Are there any supplements you know of that can help? I'm not sure if his count is normal, but the packet says 15 mil of higher. So his seems way above normal...4% of 15 mil is a lot less than 4% of 70mil.

I should also mention that he said his sample looked different than it usually does. He said it was very watery and just odd looking. I wonder if that could have anything to do with it. For now I won't worry and just see what the doctor says. I really hate borderline results....too close to bad.

 

[DaisyQ]

I hear you. If you end up going down the IVF road, you can always request another SA done.

As for supplements, I've heard Fertileaid for Men is good and Conception XR. I think coQ10 is good for men, but I don't know the details or how much to take. I know Fertilaid for men has coQ10 in it.

Blue - here is a link to a lupron video... although I'm sure you already have it figured out!

https://www.freedommedteach.com/player/Videos.aspx

 

[BlueStorm]

Thanks Daisy - I ended up watching something on utube just to make sure i didn't kill myself I emailed my nurse again and she set me up with the elearning thing so I feel better now.

Helene - sorry I don't know much about the motility either. Our doc told us none of those supplements work but I seem to remember some people saying that they do. Not sure, but I guess it can't hurt if you are willing to spend the money on them.