Entering the world of Assisted Conception...like it or not...

[Hiker1]

Hey there smille,
Goodthing you told your hubby. How did he take the news? I think it will be good to see the urologist. the more info you can get,the better!! There maybe some meds or supplements he can try.Trust yourself that you know yourself best, and if you feel that more time trying IUI is worthwhile, then by all means you should listen to your instincts and give it a fair chance before going the IVF route.

Robinsonmom, welcome! Sounds like youve also had a long road too. I hear you about being more relaxed. For once this month, im notfeeling that old anxious feeling of trying to figure out what day im going to ovulate and trying to calculate the best time to dtd and getting frustrated when hubby cant or doesnt want to BD. Thats all gone now that ive handed over my fertility to a doctor. Just need to show up to my appointments and do what they tell me to do. Please keep us updated about your journey.

Tonight was my last Femara dose. Dont really feel any different, so we shall see after next monday. Thanks for the support!

 

[Smille24]

Lauren- he was very upset at first, but he's doing much better. We still have hope. We found a supplement with vitamins and antioxidants to help boost numbers and morphology. I ordered some bc he'll need to start taking those right away. We're not doing any treatment next month bc it's winter and the travel is too much in these conditions. We'll pick it back up in March and if his numbers don't increase then he'll see a urologist.

Robinsonmom- I remember you from another thread. How are you? I'm sad to hear you haven't gotten a bfp yet .

 

[Hiker1]

Hey Smille,
I'm sure the news was very hard for him to take. You sound like you are giving him great support though. He's lucky to have you. Good idea with the supplements. Probably won't hurt for him to take a men's multivitamin as well. I got my DH to start taking them as well - the Dr. wasn't too concerned and said they probably won't help in any way, but I figure they can't hurt.

So I got some slightly upsetting news today. My doctor called to say that my bloodwork came back - there's no underlying cause for my ovarian reserve to be low, so that's good I guess. But also he said I am a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis. I about laughed. Seriously? It's like "bring it on" now with all the bad news I've gotten (a year of disappointment TTC, diagnosis with DOR, low AMH, hubby's questionable sperm, etc.). And now this. Good news is if my hubby is not a carrier, which would supposedly be quite rare, that our children would only have a chance of being carriers as well. If he is also a carrier, we have a 25% chance of having a child with Cystic Fibrosis. And so if he is, we'd go straight to IVF with pre-genetically tested embryos. So I guess that's a small consolation, and actually a luxury people just having babies "the old fashioned" way would never get to have prior to conception. We have to go to a genetic counselor to have further testing done (Jan 25). I asked if we should skip the IUI this month since we dont know my hubby's bloodwork yet...but he said he's quite confident that the likelihood we both are carriers is very slim, and even if so, the chances of us conceiving on any given month is only 10%...so he's ok with us going thru with it this time.

All these doctors appointments are making me stressed - my bosses said they would work with me, but already I feel like I've asked for too many exceptions to my work schedule. And I'm sure this is only the beginning...

Ovidrel shot came today. All the packaging and needle disposal kinda freaked me out. Like this is real now...So on we go on this crazy journey. My friend brings her baby home from the hospital today; I get a fertility injectable. Ironic.

 

[Smille24]

I opted out of the cf testing. The less I know, the better.

I hear you on these dr appts. Luckily I'm done for awhile. I got a blood draw order so I can go to the lab near my home, because driving 2 hrs away during the winter won't be happening. I hope your employer remains patient with you.

These supplements had raving reviews from multiple websites so I'm hoping they help. We may try another IUI in March and if his count is still not good we will seek help from the urologist. It may be an internal problem that may require surgery. Ivf isn't an option right now.

When do you go for you u/s?

 

[miranda007]

Hey! Just thought I'd check in to see how u guys are doing.
Smile - so did your husband get some bad sperm results? It's hard news to take. Aside from the multi vitamins and high zinc - my husband (who had the same) took COq10.. And actually so did I..
Ah Lauren - I know exactly what it's like when you're finding it tough and then you find out about the cF gene. At least you know. It sucks though hearing every obstacle. And yeah people's baby news always comes at the worst possible time!
I get my first blood test tmw to check levels for FET but I imagine I'll have to go in a few times - I have no idea but I think they need to know exactly when I have ovulated.. Then they put the embryo in 5 days after that.. Because it's 5 days old when it was frozen(. Yikes when you think of it like that it's kind of weird.. But anyway, try not to think of it like that - try to think of it like we're so lucky to be able to use science and how far it's come.

 

[Smille24]

His count post wash was 2.86 mil. The cpn who performed the iui said we have no chance of conceiving and we need to consider ivf. That isn't an option for us right now. We're going to try supplements, if that doesn't work we'll see a urologist.

I'm just mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted and I've come to the point where I want to give up.

 

[robinsonmom]

A very long journey and it happened out of the blue. Had an early mc and after 2 cycles AF just stop showing up not only is it a reminder of my lost but my inability to conceive. I've tried several things which was around the time I joined bnb and met smile. Hi Smile! Tested negative for pcos and any imbalances ready to move forward with clomid. Sorry to see you're still having trouble as well Smile. I am a firm believer things happen for a reason. Miranda hope your blood test went well. Lauren thanks for the warm welcome. Still waiting for AF to come so I can start. I didn't want to pay for the meds to induce AF so I am inducing it myself with Chaste Berry.

 

[miranda007]

Ohhh smile I'm really sorry to hear that.. I hope your husband is ok. I got the same news that we wouldn't be able to conceive naturally. I went and saw this dietician who specialises in fertility. I'm not at home now but I'll check to see what dose she had given him for the zinc.. It was pretty high like 90 (over the recommended daily allowance of 60) to bump him up a little bit. It's not impossible though I've seen couples get pregnant on here when they've been told there's no chance naturally and they were about to turn to IVF.
If IVF isn't an option for u right now, make all the other stuff count like, get him on the c0q10. Another thing for him to realise is that's it's really common and to support him. I probably didn't do this the best when we found out my husband's results. But he was good after that he gave up drinking a lot and started to exercise. I think I even had him on the Royal jelly..

Lauren.. You must be getting close to an egg pick up soon! During the extraction they had me on drugs.. Actually I kept talking through it she had to remind me to lay still! After it I did get a bit of pain in my tummy but nothing major.. I did have to have a hot water bottle handy for a day on my tummy. Also, I found going to the toilet #1 and specially #2 pretty sore.. So make sure you're having some high fibre foods and lots of water so it's all a bit easier. But nothing to worry about at all!! We'll be here in the 5 day wait - that's the hard part.

 

[miranda007]

Oh I forgot.. Robin hope your period shows up soon so u can start.
I don't get another blood test till tomorrow.. I think I'm day 13 then.. Then they make sure they know when ovulation is.. And then they put it in 5 days later.. Because that's how old it is. So weird! I didn't know they wait 5 days - stands to reason.

 

[Hiker1]

Smille,
I hear you about wanting to give up. It can be so discouraging. Do your best to do what you can with the information you have. Try the supplements, try more IUI, take a break if you need to. Then dust yourself off and move ahead with the next option when you're ready. My doctor said to me when we started, "there's always another option." I just feel like we have to try each option, then move to the next. Each step will have it's share of challenges and letdowns I'm sure. If it turns out that we end up that we are at our last option, and we are facing adoption, then we'll deal with that then. Hopefully (HOPEFULLY!!) we can have a family of our own flesh and blood, and I hope the same for you and your husband as well. Hugs to you. I am with you all the way

Robinsonmom, hope your period starts soon so you can start your Clomid.

Miranda, Good luck on the blood test. So you are doing IVF? We are cycle sisters I am day 12 today! I am not getting any eggs taken yet. We are starting first with IUI. Tomorrow is day 13, so I am going in for an ultrasound to see my folicles. I am supposed to do an OPK before going, and I am taking my Ovidrel shot with me. They said if I'm "ready", they'll give it to me then, then the insemination will be a few days later. This will be interesting!

 

[robinsonmom]

Thanks lauren and miranda! Waiting patiently. Smile there's lots of hope for you I have a buddy I met on bnb a yr ago she got her bfp but we all stay really close. Her dh count was low and they did iui for their dd now he's been taking lots of supplements and his count more then tripled.. They are expecting again in just a couple months. I believe Maca was one super food they did. Guys have it pretty easy lol hope this gives you a bit of help.

Smile if you look under "success stories" the thread " my first ever bfp.." her name is rebecca.. I think her story would be helpful

 

[Smille24]

Lauren- best of luck tomorrow! You're so close. The procedure literally takes 1 min after they confirm 100x that the sperm is your dh's...that is really important lol.

Robinsonmom- where are you in your cycle? Thanks for the words of encouragement. It will happen one way of another.

We received the supplements in the mail the other day and he started them yesterday. There's a bunch of vitamins and antioxidants.

We got great news about his job. He's taking a temporary training position and will be on strict daylight for 2-3 months. His shifts are always changing which has a huge impact on his numbers. When we went for the IUI he justcame off of midnights and his body was over exhausted. Hopefully this will help.

I am 6dpiui and my temp took a nosedive. I have pressure in my abdomen, but I'm going to blame that on the progesterone.

I am feeling much better about things and know we have other options. I know they may want us to try ivf, but we aren't there yet and they'll understand.

Fxd for all of you ladies. Thank you for your support.

 

[Hiker1]

Hi all,
Just an update - Had my ultrasound today. There was one "beautiful" follicle on my right side (21-22mm) and a second one not as big (13-14mm) as well. I had a negative OPK this morning so they didn't give me my Ovidrel shot. They said to test again tomorrow morning, and if it's positive, I give myself the shot in the AM and IUI will be Wednesday. If it's negative again, I'm to give myself the shot at 10pm tomorrow night and do the IUI Thursday. Exciting stuff! But the doctor reminded me that even still, our chances are only 10% on any given cycle. Oh, and I've stopped temping. I figure I need to listen to the doctor (part of that whole "handing over the control" thing) and give myself one less thing to worry about. Plus I figure once we've introduced all these meds, I think any hope for normal charts would be out the window, so temping won't tell us much anyway.

Smille, you know, I was wondering about how they make sure the sperm is my husband's?!? Could you imagine if somehow they mixed it up?? I can't even imagine.

Next Monday is our appointment with the Genetic Counselor. You had said you opted not to get that testing; I don't recall being given a choice - the doctor just ordered the bloodwork and I didn't question it. Regardless, I'm very glad I know, and I'll feel better once we know what my husband's genetic makeup is as well.

Smille, that's awesome you got the supplements, and even better about your husband's work schedule. I'm sure taking better care of himself will do wonders. I am surprised though that your clinic is pushing you directly to IVF without giving things a little more time. Have you expressed this to them? My place has said on numerous occasions "you're the boss here", which I think is nice, so I don't feel like we are doing anything against our wishes. Can you talk to your doctor again and discuss why they aren't encouraging that you try some more rounds of IUI?...Oh and 6dpo and a temp dive...that sounds sneakily promising!! I've got my fingers crossed for you!! I'd love to see you guys prove your clinic wrong and conceive on the first shot

 

[Smille24]

They'd have a big lawsuit on their hands.

I'm confused as to why they're making you wait until tomorrow. 21 is a great, mature size. I guess every dr is different. Either way, I'm happy you're that much closer.

They said if we had no cases of cf in our family, then testing wasn't necessary. We didn't want to know because if I do get pregnant it'll add to worry.

It was the cpn who pushed for ivf. She is not a dr, so imo her words don't matter. The 2 drs we met with prior to the iui said to give it a few rounds b4 considering anything else. I'm ultimately in control, it's our money and our insurance doesn't cover crap. It will be discussed if we need to meet again how out of line she was. I mean, I left in tears when I should've been hopeful.

Good luck Wed!

 

[MMW430]

I will say, sometimes those nurses really talk about things they shouldn't. After our first IUI failed (clomid + Ovidrel), the nurse called me and told me we should be considering injections for the next round. I said okay, because I'm on the team of following medical advice. Later that day, a different nurse called me and told me that the dr told her to call me and tell me that he would agree to injectables only if I was positive I'd be open to selective reduction. Like it was MY idea when the nurse was the one who told me it should be our next step.

Needless to say, the doctor did not agree with that recommendation and we upped the clomid and it worked the second go around.

If you do have to go to IVF, it's really not that bad. Our first baby was an IVF baby. It worked the first try with only transferring one embryo.

 

[Smille24]

I will say, sometimes those nurses really talk about things they shouldn't. After our first IUI failed (clomid + Ovidrel), the nurse called me and told me we should be considering injections for the next round. I said okay, because I'm on the team of following medical advice. Later that day, a different nurse called me and told me that the dr told her to call me and tell me that he would agree to injectables only if I was positive I'd be open to selective reduction. Like it was MY idea when the nurse was the one who told me it should be our next step.

Needless to say, the doctor did not agree with that recommendation and we upped the clomid and it worked the second go around.

If you do have to go to IVF, it's really not that bad. Our first baby was an IVF baby. It worked the first try with only transferring one embryo.

Thank you! At first, I really took what she said to heart, but I know my dr would let me be in control. He really feels that IUI will work. Of course ivf has a better success rate, but he doesn't think it's necessary.

I'm not against IVF, but our insurance doesn't cover treatment and it's not feasible for us right now.

 

[Hiker1]

MMW is right - sometimes nurses can be awesome, but other times they can give you misleading information. After you, the doctor is the boss! So if your doctor is telling you IUI is a good option, best to put your faith there. Right on though about telling on the nurse for her insensitivity. That was so not her place or right to judge or make definitive statements like that. ESPECIALLY at that time when you were there at that time to do implant sperm. That's like a cancer patient going in for chemo, and a nurse saying, "you know that's not going to work, right?" Horrible.

MMW, you said your first child was through IVF. May I ask how you were successful in conceiving this time around?

Just came home from meeting my friend's newborn baby. It felt so good and natural to hold her. It really brought home the point of all the craziness I (we) are going through right now. That if that's how all this work will end, it will all be worth it. Now, onto gaining the courage to inject myself! Eek!! I want my hubby to do it, but at the same time, I need to get over the fear and do it myself. Either tomorrow morning or night I'll be doing it.

 

[MMW430]

MMW is right - sometimes nurses can be awesome, but other times they can give you misleading information. After you, the doctor is the boss! So if your doctor is telling you IUI is a good option, best to put your faith there. Right on though about telling on the nurse for her insensitivity. That was so not her place or right to judge or make definitive statements like that. ESPECIALLY at that time when you were there at that time to do implant sperm. That's like a cancer patient going in for chemo, and a nurse saying, "you know that's not going to work, right?" Horrible.

MMW, you said your first child was through IVF. May I ask how you were successful in conceiving this time around?

Just came home from meeting my friend's newborn baby. It felt so good and natural to hold her. It really brought home the point of all the craziness I (we) are going through right now. That if that's how all this work will end, it will all be worth it. Now, onto gaining the courage to inject myself! Eek!! I want my hubby to do it, but at the same time, I need to get over the fear and do it myself. Either tomorrow morning or night I'll be doing it.

.

 

[Hiker1]

Wow what a story! And how incredibly devastating that all your embryos were lost. I can't imagine what that must have felt like. Thank God IUI has worked for you this time around! Why before did the other clinic jump straight to IVF without trying IUI (I'm assuming that's what happened based on how you told the story?) I hope you have a very healthy pregnancy!

My doctor has suggested the same plan: 4 tries of IUI before IVF.

Thanks for your input on this.

 

[MMW430]

Wow what a story! And how incredibly devastating that all your embryos were lost. I can't imagine what that must have felt like. Thank God IUI has worked for you this time around! Why before did the other clinic jump straight to IVF without trying IUI (I'm assuming that's what happened based on how you told the story?) I hope you have a very healthy pregnancy!

My doctor has suggested the same plan: 4 tries of IUI before IVF.

Thanks for your input on this.

Honestly, I'm not quite sure why. I remember bringing it up, and them telling me that it wouldn't work. I probably shouldn't have just accepted that, but I'm not going to say I wish I wouldn't have, as I have a two year old now, that we just love to bits, who wouldn't be here were it not for IVF. I didn't know very much about my options. I never thought I would have ever been in that situation.

Thank you! I have another scan next Friday, and hopefully everything goes well (I don't have any reason to assume it wouldn't). I can't wait to be in the clear, have my baby, and never have to do or think about any of this ever again!