Welcome to 'Trying To Conceive Over 35'

[alicatt]

QUESTIONS FOR ANY/ALL:

1. Do any of you know if it is possible to use an egg donor, but only have the RE fertilize two of the eggs that are retrieved (the max number the clinic will implant)?

2. Could the remaining eggs (not embryos) be frozen for follow on fertilization and implantation?

3. Do most fertility clinics have the ability to freeze eggs (not embryos)?

4. What's the likelihood that the eggs (not embryos) will still be in great shape after the thaw.

All these questions are because I want to avoid having to freeze and thaw embryos since the survivability of a frozen embryo is only 51%. This will determine whether we proceed with this course of action.

Thanks.

Brighteyez, That's a good FSH. Mine's 16.4 = Fail. My AMH is .93 = Pretty much a Fail. I had an AFC of 10 or 11 which is decent, and clear tubes, ovulating on day 14 of a 28 day clockwork cycle since I was 12. Waited too long to ttc w/ hubby (careers) and we have been ttc #1 naturally for 3 years. Choke me. Adoption homestudy completed, but over 1 million adoptive families don't get picked every year and it can be $20k-$50k. Foster traning is, literally, impossible to make (8 weeks) with our particular careers, so we can't even do that. Been praying for God's guidance. Just trying to find His will and don't want to compromise any embryos. Best of luck to you and your family

I have heard of freezing eggs, usually a woman will freeze her eggs if she is young and is worried that she won't have good eggs when she is older, or if she is diagnosed with cancer and wants to grab some eggs before chemo/radiation. Otherwise it is recommended that you fertilize the eggs and let them grow until they are day 5 embryos. I'm not sure where you got your stats of 51% survival rates after freeze? So far I have had 100% survival rates. I would discuss this further with your Dr as they now have a different method of freezing, called vitrification and the rates of survival are much higher, upwards of 80%.

 

[alicatt]

Hey all!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been away, and then just waiting for things to come together for my next cycle. Things are starting to happen! I have been using the new CBE Advanced OPK and have been getting the blinking smiley face now for 4 days. I'm hoping that I finally see a solid smiley soon! Once I get that we'll know that in 2 weeks I'll get AF, and then I'll start the BCP. Then around Oct 7th I will start Lupron, and then around Oct 21st I will start my stims and I'll have my Egg Retrieval around Halloween. Then we'll send all my embryos (including the 2 frozen) out for PGD testing, to determine if they are chromosomally intact. Then if either of the 2 frozen ones are good, we'll transfer them on day 6. If any of the fresh embryos are good we'll freeze them for a future time.

Finally I have some dates!

For those of you that are new, I'm 40, single and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. I have done 3 IUIs and we're gearing up to do my 3rd IVF. I have had practically every test under the sun, and am fairly knowledgeable about ART. So far, the issues that I seem to have are a mild case of PCOS, age, and possibly an immune issue where my body tries to kill the embryo once as it is implanting in the uterus. I managed to get pregnant back in May, but sadly lost it the end of June to a likely chromosomal issue. So here I am trying one last IVF!

 

[Babywhisperer]

Hey all!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been away, and then just waiting for things to come together for my next cycle. Things are starting to happen! I have been using the new CBE Advanced OPK and have been getting the blinking smiley face now for 4 days. I'm hoping that I finally see a solid smiley soon! Once I get that we'll know that in 2 weeks I'll get AF, and then I'll start the BCP. Then around Oct 7th I will start Lupron, and then around Oct 21st I will start my stims and I'll have my Egg Retrieval around Halloween. Then we'll send all my embryos (including the 2 frozen) out for PGD testing, to determine if they are chromosomally intact. Then if either of the 2 frozen ones are good, we'll transfer them on day 6. If any of the fresh embryos are good we'll freeze them for a future time.

Finally I have some dates!

For those of you that are new, I'm 40, single and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. I have done 3 IUIs and we're gearing up to do my 3rd IVF. I have had practically every test under the sun, and am fairly knowledgeable about ART. So far, the issues that I seem to have are a mild case of PCOS, age, and possibly an immune issue where my body tries to kill the embryo once as it is implanting in the uterus. I managed to get pregnant back in May, but sadly lost it the end of June to a likely chromosomal issue. So here I am trying one last IVF!

Missed your expertise on here for sure!! Frozen egg question, where's Ali?? How was vacay?? From your pics it looks like a relaxing time.

It was a quiet August on here. How is everyone?

Where's Coy?

 

[alicatt]

BabyW!!! Vacation was great, not liking my commute to the office at all! I miss waking up and looking out at the lake all day! Oh well, at least I have the memories and hopefully I'll be heading back next summer with a baby!
How are you doing? Everything progressing well? When are you due?

 

[Babywhisperer]

BabyW!!! Vacation was great, not liking my commute to the office at all! I miss waking up and looking out at the lake all day! Oh well, at least I have the memories and hopefully I'll be heading back next summer with a baby!
How are you doing? Everything progressing well? When are you due?

I think it was a well overdue reboot for you. I'm looking fwd to your next cycle. You've had some time off to relax and reset your system and you are armed with more info now. I'm praying for this to be the one!

I'm good, busy. No vacays for me as I'm banking every single day for maternity so I don't have to do short term disability which is 50% pay. I will probably end up working from home my last month too. We move Oct 15, shower is Nov 16 when I'll be 35 weeks, a tad late but no other weekend worked. We chose a Sat instead of a Sun so I could wash the stuff I needed or return stuff before baby comes. I am due 12/19 and he is kicking up a storm. They are so strong now you can see my belly move! He especially likes 4-5am.

There is a lot of aggravation going on at work, with dh's friend our mortgage guy, our landlord and the sellers of the house we are buying but instead of taking it all on I've punted to dh. I'm sick of being bad cop. His friend is dropping the ball at every turn, landlord playing games and sellers reneging on an agreement to rent our house back from us for a while since their house isn't ready.... They want to stay for free!!! Don't even get me started. So I told dh that I have enough bs at work, I'm not dealing with more when I come home.

He's been great about it especially since I have been agreeing to everything he has asked to do this Summer. And let's face it, being sober means designated driver and basically driving the short bus of him and his friends all over from dinners to parties to bars to having people over our house until late. That's a huge part of why I'm happy Summer is over. The social calendar isn't as packed.

But I must say even with all of that I have a healthy perspective that it will all work out in the end. Sometimes I have hormonal irrational reactions but mostly I've been mellowed out. I am starting to read about tears, episiotomies and how hard breast feeding is which is starting to freak me out. And oh yeah, everyone talks about the first poop like its child birth all over again! Oh the stuff they don't tell you until later!!!! There is a thread about what they wished they would've known before their 1st baby, some is helpful and sweet, but a lot of it is how awful you feel afterwards, the physical damage, hormones and pure exhaustion. I keep focusing on the baby bliss but my friends just pat my arm and tell me I have no idea what I'm in for (Covers ears).

Well it's September my fav time of year. Weather is amazing and I can't wait to go apple picking!! Miss you ladies xo

 

[alicatt]

WOW BabyW! Nothing like having a bunch of stuff going on all at once! Glad you have pushed most of the nasty stuff off on your DH, you need to focus on baby and work. The rest will just have to wait!! Amazing how time flies and you are so close, just another few months and bam! You'll be a mom, how wonderful is that? Plus you'll be in your new home too!

AFM - I got a smiley this morning, so I'm ovulating, I am very happy that my body is working as normal, it makes me feel good knowing that I still have it! LOL! I know it really doesn't mean much since I'm doing IVF, but knowing that my body is still capable of ovulating on its own even with the PCOS and my age and the D&C and all the meds I've put into my body is reassuring. The dates are getting to be a little more solid now since we know I should get AF in about 2 weeks. Then I do day 3 bloods and start the BCP, and on Oct 7th I'm supposed to start Lupron, then I'll have a period at the end of October, and we'll start stims on day 2 or 3 after that. They figure I'll be doing egg retrieval on Halloween, LOL! Fine with me, just as long as we get lots and they are nice and healthy looking! Then it will be a long and scary 5 days as we wait for the eggs to fertilize and mature into blasts. Then on day 5 they send a biopsy of the blast to Miami for testing and we'll get the result the following morning as to which of the blasts are good to transfer. Then we transfer any of the previously frozen embryos that are good, and freeze the fresh ones. It is enough to drive someone nuts!

 

[Babywhisperer]

WOW BabyW! Nothing like having a bunch of stuff going on all at once! Glad you have pushed most of the nasty stuff off on your DH, you need to focus on baby and work. The rest will just have to wait!! Amazing how time flies and you are so close, just another few months and bam! You'll be a mom, how wonderful is that? Plus you'll be in your new home too!

AFM - I got a smiley this morning, so I'm ovulating, I am very happy that my body is working as normal, it makes me feel good knowing that I still have it! LOL! I know it really doesn't mean much since I'm doing IVF, but knowing that my body is still capable of ovulating on its own even with the PCOS and my age and the D&C and all the meds I've put into my body is reassuring. The dates are getting to be a little more solid now since we know I should get AF in about 2 weeks. Then I do day 3 bloods and start the BCP, and on Oct 7th I'm supposed to start Lupron, then I'll have a period at the end of October, and we'll start stims on day 2 or 3 after that. They figure I'll be doing egg retrieval on Halloween, LOL! Fine with me, just as long as we get lots and they are nice and healthy looking! Then it will be a long and scary 5 days as we wait for the eggs to fertilize and mature into blasts. Then on day 5 they send a biopsy of the blast to Miami for testing and we'll get the result the following morning as to which of the blasts are good to transfer. Then we transfer any of the previously frozen embryos that are good, and freeze the fresh ones. It is enough to drive someone nuts!

Thanks Ali. It is a lot all at once, but that's how my life usually goes. Change comes in waves. You have a lot to look forward to and enough time to emotionally and mentally prepare. Stay positive and know that one way or another you will be a Mom. My friend is a single Mom and she tried several times to have one herself, but in the end she exhausted every possible option so adoption was the next step. She said its the best thing she's ever done. She went to Africa to the same orphanage Angelina Jolie went to and met her daughter. She flew back when she was a few months old and took her back to the US. All of this on her own. It's amazing to see the life she's give. Her daughter and the life her daughter has given her. So stay positive that IVF can work, but there are other ways for you to become a Mom too.

I'm glad they are testing to see which embryos are good to transfer. It's all about maxing your chances. Are you going to do acupuncture before?

 

[alicatt]

WOW BabyW! Nothing like having a bunch of stuff going on all at once! Glad you have pushed most of the nasty stuff off on your DH, you need to focus on baby and work. The rest will just have to wait!! Amazing how time flies and you are so close, just another few months and bam! You'll be a mom, how wonderful is that? Plus you'll be in your new home too!

AFM - I got a smiley this morning, so I'm ovulating, I am very happy that my body is working as normal, it makes me feel good knowing that I still have it! LOL! I know it really doesn't mean much since I'm doing IVF, but knowing that my body is still capable of ovulating on its own even with the PCOS and my age and the D&C and all the meds I've put into my body is reassuring. The dates are getting to be a little more solid now since we know I should get AF in about 2 weeks. Then I do day 3 bloods and start the BCP, and on Oct 7th I'm supposed to start Lupron, then I'll have a period at the end of October, and we'll start stims on day 2 or 3 after that. They figure I'll be doing egg retrieval on Halloween, LOL! Fine with me, just as long as we get lots and they are nice and healthy looking! Then it will be a long and scary 5 days as we wait for the eggs to fertilize and mature into blasts. Then on day 5 they send a biopsy of the blast to Miami for testing and we'll get the result the following morning as to which of the blasts are good to transfer. Then we transfer any of the previously frozen embryos that are good, and freeze the fresh ones. It is enough to drive someone nuts!

Thanks Ali. It is a lot all at once, but that's how my life usually goes. Change comes in waves. You have a lot to look forward to and enough time to emotionally and mentally prepare. Stay positive and know that one way or another you will be a Mom. My friend is a single Mom and she tried several times to have one herself, but in the end she exhausted every possible option so adoption was the next step. She said its the best thing she's ever done. She went to Africa to the same orphanage Angelina Jolie went to and met her daughter. She flew back when she was a few months old and took her back to the US. All of this on her own. It's amazing to see the life she's give. Her daughter and the life her daughter has given her. So stay positive that IVF can work, but there are other ways for you to become a Mom too.

I'm glad they are testing to see which embryos are good to transfer. It's all about maxing your chances. Are you going to do acupuncture before?

Yes, I'm going to do acupuncture too! I just hope it doesn't make my lining plump up to 18mm like it did the last time I did a fresh IVF! I'm sure my acupuncturist will watch that this time. Luckily my acupuncturist meets me at my FS office, so she gets to see all my progress and knows how to tailor my treatment.

 

[JandK]

I got an email from the licensing agent for the foster care agency we are going through. She sent our application into the state last week for processing. We should be licensed foster parents in as little as 2 weeks..After we are licensed then we just wait for a placement. My cousin who works in family court in another county bet me $5 that I will have a placement within a week of licensing. I took the bet and said I would have a placement within 3-4 weeks of licensing. The sooner the better...is what I say..I am "ready"..

 

[alicatt]

I got an email from the licensing agent for the foster care agency we are going through. She sent our application into the state last week for processing. We should be licensed foster parents in as little as 2 weeks..After we are licensed then we just wait for a placement. My cousin who works in family court in another county bet me $5 that I will have a placement within a week of licensing. I took the bet and said I would have a placement within 3-4 weeks of licensing. The sooner the better...is what I say..I am "ready"..

Congrats! I'm so happy for you!! Instant parent! Let us know when it happens so we can congratulate you!!!

 

[JandK]

I got an email from the licensing agent for the foster care agency we are going through. She sent our application into the state last week for processing. We should be licensed foster parents in as little as 2 weeks..After we are licensed then we just wait for a placement. My cousin who works in family court in another county bet me $5 that I will have a placement within a week of licensing. I took the bet and said I would have a placement within 3-4 weeks of licensing. The sooner the better...is what I say..I am "ready"..

Congrats! I'm so happy for you!! Instant parent! Let us know when it happens so we can congratulate you!!!

Thanks, I will..

 

[SueEllenBF]

I will be 36 this October so I am glad there is somewhere for us mid 30 girls to go. Thank you

 

[melly2]

I got an email from the licensing agent for the foster care agency we are going through. She sent our application into the state last week for processing. We should be licensed foster parents in as little as 2 weeks..After we are licensed then we just wait for a placement. My cousin who works in family court in another county bet me $5 that I will have a placement within a week of licensing. I took the bet and said I would have a placement within 3-4 weeks of licensing. The sooner the better...is what I say..I am "ready"..

That's such great news JandK. I'm so anxious to hear about your fostering journey; my husband and I have been considering as well. So happy for you, I know you're ready!

 

[melly2]

Hey all!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been away, and then just waiting for things to come together for my next cycle. Things are starting to happen! I have been using the new CBE Advanced OPK and have been getting the blinking smiley face now for 4 days. I'm hoping that I finally see a solid smiley soon! Once I get that we'll know that in 2 weeks I'll get AF, and then I'll start the BCP. Then around Oct 7th I will start Lupron, and then around Oct 21st I will start my stims and I'll have my Egg Retrieval around Halloween. Then we'll send all my embryos (including the 2 frozen) out for PGD testing, to determine if they are chromosomally intact. Then if either of the 2 frozen ones are good, we'll transfer them on day 6. If any of the fresh embryos are good we'll freeze them for a future time.

Finally I have some dates!

For those of you that are new, I'm 40, single and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. I have done 3 IUIs and we're gearing up to do my 3rd IVF. I have had practically every test under the sun, and am fairly knowledgeable about ART. So far, the issues that I seem to have are a mild case of PCOS, age, and possibly an immune issue where my body tries to kill the embryo once as it is implanting in the uterus. I managed to get pregnant back in May, but sadly lost it the end of June to a likely chromosomal issue. So here I am trying one last IVF!

Thanks for the update, Ali. Sounds like you have a solid plan! Sounds like a holiday baby to me.

I've been quiet lately, been very busy. We're going to wait until the beginning of the year to possibly seek any additional fertility options. We have a big trip planned to New Zealand in November, so we want to enjoy that, and then worry about the whole conception thing all over again after the holidays and such.

Good luck to all!

 

[alicatt]

Hey all!

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, I've been away, and then just waiting for things to come together for my next cycle. Things are starting to happen! I have been using the new CBE Advanced OPK and have been getting the blinking smiley face now for 4 days. I'm hoping that I finally see a solid smiley soon! Once I get that we'll know that in 2 weeks I'll get AF, and then I'll start the BCP. Then around Oct 7th I will start Lupron, and then around Oct 21st I will start my stims and I'll have my Egg Retrieval around Halloween. Then we'll send all my embryos (including the 2 frozen) out for PGD testing, to determine if they are chromosomally intact. Then if either of the 2 frozen ones are good, we'll transfer them on day 6. If any of the fresh embryos are good we'll freeze them for a future time.

Finally I have some dates!

For those of you that are new, I'm 40, single and have been trying to get pregnant for over a year. I have done 3 IUIs and we're gearing up to do my 3rd IVF. I have had practically every test under the sun, and am fairly knowledgeable about ART. So far, the issues that I seem to have are a mild case of PCOS, age, and possibly an immune issue where my body tries to kill the embryo once as it is implanting in the uterus. I managed to get pregnant back in May, but sadly lost it the end of June to a likely chromosomal issue. So here I am trying one last IVF!

Thanks for the update, Ali. Sounds like you have a solid plan! Sounds like a holiday baby to me.

I've been quiet lately, been very busy. We're going to wait until the beginning of the year to possibly seek any additional fertility options. We have a big trip planned to New Zealand in November, so we want to enjoy that, and then worry about the whole conception thing all over again after the holidays and such.

Good luck to all!

Sounds like a good plan to me!!! Enjoy your trip and the holidays!!! Maybe all that relaxation will make a holiday baby?

 

[Samsfan]

Hello ladies

Great news JandK

Alicatt- very excited for you.

How are all my old friends doing...

Well I have a dilemma. I was supposed to start a new ivf cycle, but it appears that I'm going to miss the next group. Meaning, my lab closed down for quality control and I'll have to wait another month. Is it a sign to wait? or should I try to get into another fertility clinic within a weeks time? any advice is appreciated.

 

[alicatt]

Hello ladies

Great news JandK

Alicatt- very excited for you.

How are all my old friends doing...

Well I have a dilemma. I was supposed to start a new ivf cycle, but it appears that I'm going to miss the next group. Meaning, my lab closed down for quality control and I'll have to wait another month. Is it a sign to wait? or should I try to get into another fertility clinic within a weeks time? any advice is appreciated.

Hey Sams!!

I'm not sure whether finding another clinic at the last minute is a good idea, unless you aren't happy with the one you have? When you start are you on BCP first? If so, you probably won't need the lab for another month anyway. I'm
starting BCP in just a few days.. waiting for AF to appear, then I start and then the following month I'll start stims. So if you wait a month then we'd be cycle buddies!! Keep us updated on what you decide!

 

[Samsfan]

Hey alicatt!!!!!!! No BCPS for me. Just straight shots... I had spokem to another doctor in April who doesnt shut down thr lab... That is where I would ho...but dont know if its a good idea since she didnt do my first IVF.

Hello ladies

Great news JandK

Alicatt- very excited for you.

How are all my old friends doing...

Well I have a dilemma. I was supposed to start a new ivf cycle, but it appears that I'm going to miss the next group. Meaning, my lab closed down for quality control and I'll have to wait another month. Is it a sign to wait? or should I try to get into another fertility clinic within a weeks time? any advice is appreciated.

Hey Sams!!

I'm not sure whether finding another clinic at the last minute is a good idea, unless you aren't happy with the one you have? When you start are you on BCP first? If so, you probably won't need the lab for another month anyway. I'm
starting BCP in just a few days.. waiting for AF to appear, then I start and then the following month I'll start stims. So if you wait a month then we'd be cycle buddies!! Keep us updated on what you decide!

 

[alicatt]

You can always ask for your records to bring to the other location. I wonder if you'll have to wait another cycle with them because they might need you to do additional tests with them. I'd give them a call to see what they can do.

 

[never_give_up]

Hello ladies

Samsfan- Sorry your ivf is delayed by a month. Ali was looking forward to having you as her cycle buddy. It would be nice if the new place would take all your work up you already had done and just go from there. Let us know how it all works out!

Good luck to you and Ali for your ivfs

Congrtas JandK on becoming a foster parent. Exciting!

AFM- Dh and I are planning a trip to Barbados for Christmas. We usually go in February but since my parents have no family in Barbados he agreed that we should spent Christmas with them. I am so excited to spend a green Christmas in the sun again. I wont miss the snow at all as we will have plenty for the next several months after we return