Welcome to 'Trying To Conceive Over 35'

[alicatt]

Hi everyone Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am turning 39 in a couple of weeks, and DH is 33. I am a Banker and he is a Mechanical Engineer. We currently live on the Oklahoma/Texas border along with our three cats and two horses. I have had two kids naturally from a previous marriage who are now ages 20 and 15. The 20 year-old is away at college and the 15 year-old is currently aspiring to marry one of the members of One Direction.

DH and I have dated for 3 years, and just recently married. We always knew we wanted a child - especially since he has no children of his own and has always wanted to be a Dad.

I have never charted before and never used an OPK, but since we have decided to actively begin TTC this month I am getting right on it

Katie,
Best of luck, there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this thread with respect to charting and using OPKs! I'm sure you'll get any questions you have answered!

 

[Samsfan]

Katie and Pascy- Welcome. I've learned so much from these ladies. They have a lot of information. When I was trying naturally they even helped me make sure I performed on cue....

Afm- I started stimming today ladies... Yes, I jumped right back in. I am glad I did as I had a long discussion with the doctor, nurse and acupuncturist, so as it turns out you don't need time to recover. They actually recommend going right into the next since I still have some meds in my system. Also, whatever you don't use in a month you lose. I don't want to lose anything. They lowered my dose at the expense of losing possibly an egg. I'm not concerned with just one.. I prefer quality over quantity and right now my problem is quality. I will never get more than ten eggs and I have only ended up with 2 embryos each time in the past. My problem is the grade... so lets see how this goes. I have Plan B that I'm working on...... Here goes another brutal 12 days of needed... Love you gals!

 

[alicatt]

Katie and Pascy- Welcome. I've learned so much from these ladies. They have a lot of information. When I was trying naturally they even helped me make sure I performed on cue....

Afm- I started stimming today ladies... Yes, I jumped right back in. I am glad I did as I had a long discussion with the doctor, nurse and acupuncturist, so as it turns out you don't need time to recover. They actually recommend going right into the next since I still have some meds in my system. Also, whatever you don't use in a month you lose. I don't want to lose anything. They lowered my dose at the expense of losing possibly an egg. I'm not concerned with just one.. I prefer quality over quantity and right now my problem is quality. I will never get more than ten eggs and I have only ended up with 2 embryos each time in the past. My problem is the grade... so lets see how this goes. I have Plan B that I'm working on...... Here goes another brutal 12 days of needed... Love you gals!

I think that means you are a week behind me, to day is day 8 of stims. They think I might go an extra day.. oh well, whatever it takes! I have 9-9mm follicles and about 15 in total the others were smaller. I go back Monday morning at 8:45 and we'll go from there.

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt. Whats the status of your beautiful eggs? I go in tomorrow for my first sono. The bloat begins.

 

[alicatt]

Alicatt. Whats the status of your beautiful eggs? I go in tomorrow for my first sono. The bloat begins.

No updates until Monday, I guess they figured I could wait until then. I'm definitely feeling the bloat and exhaustion from the meds. I stayed in bed all day it felt good to lie down and relax since stim time is always busy with work, acupuncture and US all the time!

I think we'll get 9-15 good eggs, the biggest ones were 9mm on Friday. My estrogen was 555 on Friday, so we'll see what they say on Monday. They asked me to order more menopur, another 10 vials just in case I have to stim longer. IDK, I think we'll see some growth by Monday. I woke up with an astonishing amount of EWCM this morning. I forgot about that side effect of the stim meds, lol!

How are you feeling? I hope with the lower doses you won't have as much bloat! I'm not all that bloated, but my pants push on my ovaries and it's uncomfortable. Yoga pants for me the next week or 2!

 

[alicatt]

Sams.. how did your US go this morning?

 

[Babywhisperer]

Alicatt. Whats the status of your beautiful eggs? I go in tomorrow for my first sono. The bloat begins.

How was the sono? I'm pulling for you girl!!

Hey Ali, rest up lady stimming is a major load on the body. I hope you don't need to do it for much longer.

Hey new ladies!! Welcome to the best forum ever. It's a judgment free place with wonderful supportive ladies with great advice. I don't know much about protocols outside the US, but getting a second opinion is always worth it even just for peace of mind.

Chantal how are you??

Afm, my 32 week scan went well but no pics since baby had his arm across his face and we tried to get him to move it but wouldn't. Dh got stuck in massive traffic and missed it which made him sad, but we have another in 4 weeks. I go now every 2 weeks to check heartbeat and cervix. They estimated baby to be 4lbs 10oz and 70th percentile so I was relieved. He tapered off from 89th to 70th percentile. Probably how active I was for several weeks with our move had something to do with it. I ate well and was super active for several hours a day. I hope I can keep up the activity so baby isn't too big! They did say he has this kidney thing that most baby boys have but it wasn't at a level where they were concerned and most resolve after birth. I forget the name of the condition but friends of mine say their sons had it too and it resolved after the baby was born.

The bump is getting bigger faster and more round on the bottom. They said baby was head down and facing my spine already so I am happy about that. He's still super active and responds to dh's voice. And I can't lie, I get tired more easily and need to go to sleep earlier now. I can see how women say the last few weeks get tough. Even after 8 mos its still surreal, even with the baby moving, sonograms showing him getting his baby fat, it is still not sunk in entirely!

Can we talk flu shots? One dr told me I should get it, another in the same practice said he doesn't twist arms esp since its a guess as to which strain it protects against bc it's made before the season hits. I'm afraid to get it even the mercury free one. What are you ladies doing?

 

[alicatt]

BabyW.. I've been on the fence about flu shots too. There are so many positives/negatives about them! I've never gotten one before, and I also haven't had a true FLU since 1997, and the H1N1 flu from the cruise ship in 2011, otherwise, I've been sick, but I usually just get a cold virus, never the flu. Thing is that getting the flu while pregnant can be bad for you and the baby, but having the flu shot while pregnant can be just as bad! Plus as you said they guess on the strains that will be prevalent this season, and if they guess wrong the shot you got is not going to help! I was thinking I would get the preservative free shot this year, and do it next weekend (when I'm egg free and waiting for transfer). I'm not sure what you should do? Have you read up on the risks of getting the shot while pregnant? Or the risks if you get the flu while pregnant? Definitely get the preservative free shot, that is a no brainer, but I'm not sure how to advise you

 

[Samsfan]

So ladies. I went today and I was supposed to go tomorrow, but they saw me anyway. I have 2 follies measuring 11 and 13.5 already and 4 small follies on each side. Hopefully they catch up. I start ganirelex and go for sono and blood tuesday.

Alicatt. Cant wait for your update. you need to take it easy and let those follies grow.

Babyw. Im totally against flu shot. It may cause flu like symptoms anyway, and doesnt protext you from all strains. The strains change every year so idk its worth

Your almost there, so exciting!!!!!!!

Sams.. how did your US go this morning?

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt. Are you on ganirelex yet?

 

[alicatt]

Alicatt. Are you on ganirelex yet?

No, I don't take ganirelix it's not used when you do the long Lupron protocol. I just take a little Lupron every day to keep my eggs in the follicles until we're ready. Your follicles are already bigger than mine! WOW!
On Friday mine were all 9mm, by now I'm sure they are bigger, but WOW! How on earth did yours grow so quickly?
We might be triggering around the same time!

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt- That's my problem everytime. I have 2 that grow quick and then the others have to catch up.. I think that is what compromises the quality...AND he lowered my dose. So let's see what happens, I hope the other 8 catch up. It also can be that the 2 are remnants from the last cycle or that the meds are still in my system. My acupuncturist said that I should respond better this month because the meds are still in my system from last cycle. I also started DHEA... so lets see how that helps.

How are you feeling? Today Im getting uncomfortable.

Alicatt. Are you on ganirelex yet?

No, I don't take ganirelix it's not used when you do the long Lupron protocol. I just take a little Lupron every day to keep my eggs in the follicles until we're ready. Your follicles are already bigger than mine! WOW!
On Friday mine were all 9mm, by now I'm sure they are bigger, but WOW! How on earth did yours grow so quickly?
We might be triggering around the same time!

 

[alicatt]

Alicatt- That's my problem everytime. I have 2 that grow quick and then the others have to catch up.. I think that is what compromises the quality...AND he lowered my dose. So let's see what happens, I hope the other 8 catch up. It also can be that the 2 are remnants from the last cycle or that the meds are still in my system. My acupuncturist said that I should respond better this month because the meds are still in my system from last cycle. I also started DHEA... so lets see how that helps.

How are you feeling? Today Im getting uncomfortable.

Alicatt. Are you on ganirelex yet?

No, I don't take ganirelix it's not used when you do the long Lupron protocol. I just take a little Lupron every day to keep my eggs in the follicles until we're ready. Your follicles are already bigger than mine! WOW!
On Friday mine were all 9mm, by now I'm sure they are bigger, but WOW! How on earth did yours grow so quickly?
We might be triggering around the same time!

It's because you aren't doing the Lupron protocol. Your body is like mind and fights the meds. The long Lupron protocol or the Lupron flare makes the follicles all grow at the same rate. I have 9 9mm follicles, not one is in the lead! That is what Lupron does. Then you get prior quality eggs since you have to coast for the others to catch up. Maybe you shouldn't wait for the others to catch up and just take the 2 you have? If this doesn't work you need to change protocols! Get on one with Lupron!

I feel so bloated and uncomfortable! I'm exhausted and can't sleep well, keep waking up from discomfort. I wonder how big the follies will be tomorrow? Off to bed, I have a long week ahead!

 

[alicatt]

Sams.. I was thinking about it more last night. I wonder if your body wouldn't work better with down-regging? That basically shuts down the body from doing anything for a month (and you are on BCP), that and the combination of Lupron make your body easier to control with the meds. That way they can help keep them in line, and equal in size. It might be worth trying that IF this cycle doesn't work. I really hope that this is your cycle, it would be so cool to know we went through this together and got our rainbow babies at the same time too

AFM.. I had an US this morning. My right ovary is missing! It is either shy or decided it was sick of the meds and went on vacation.
My left ovary is doing great, and we have tons of follicles, I think they counted 12 with most of them in the 12-14mm range. My lining is 12mm and triple line. Too bad we can't get my right ovary to come to the party. Hopefully it will reappear and have lots of follicles on it by ER day. They have pushed ER to Friday meaning I have to do another day of stims. I guess we just have to do what is best for my follicles! This could all change with this afternoons bloodwork results. We'll just have to see!

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt- I agree with you. I was thinking about it also. If this doesn't work, that is my next step. But, I feel this will work! I think this is it. Your follies sound perfect! remember when my right ovary went on vacation. I think your ovary joined it.

Can't wait for ER date. I go for sono and bloods tomorrow. I pray that my smaller follies are growing.

[
QUOTE=alicatt;30231561]Sams.. I was thinking about it more last night. I wonder if your body wouldn't work better with down-regging? That basically shuts down the body from doing anything for a month (and you are on BCP), that and the combination of Lupron make your body easier to control with the meds. That way they can help keep them in line, and equal in size. It might be worth trying that IF this cycle doesn't work. I really hope that this is your cycle, it would be so cool to know we went through this together and got our rainbow babies at the same time too

AFM.. I had an US this morning. My right ovary is missing! It is either shy or decided it was sick of the meds and went on vacation.
My left ovary is doing great, and we have tons of follicles, I think they counted 12 with most of them in the 12-14mm range. My lining is 12mm and triple line. Too bad we can't get my right ovary to come to the party. Hopefully it will reappear and have lots of follicles on it by ER day. They have pushed ER to Friday meaning I have to do another day of stims. I guess we just have to do what is best for my follicles! This could all change with this afternoons bloodwork results. We'll just have to see![/QUOTE]

 

[alicatt]

It will be nice to see how your follies are doing! I know you want them to catch up, but don't let your FS 'coast' you too much or you might lose the 2 you have (they might get too mature). I bet those 2 you have are good eggs, and they will make good embryos!

Yes, my follies seem to be doing well, its amazing how many I have on the left, but yet my right seems to be on strike, or on vacation with your ovary! I hope they are off somewhere nice, having a few drinks and partying cause I'm certainly not doing that! Got my estrogen level back, its at 1597 so its going up nicely, but not high enough yet for 12 follicles and who knows how many on the right if any at all.

Let us know how things look tomorrow!!! I'll give you all an update on Wednesday!

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt- I will get you an update! Can't wait for your update! I feel so much better on this lighter dose. I am so curious to see if I get the same results or better. I will not let him coast. My expected ER date is Sunday.

It will be nice to see how your follies are doing! I know you want them to catch up, but don't let your FS 'coast' you too much or you might lose the 2 you have (they might get too mature). I bet those 2 you have are good eggs, and they will make good embryos!

Yes, my follies seem to be doing well, its amazing how many I have on the left, but yet my right seems to be on strike, or on vacation with your ovary! I hope they are off somewhere nice, having a few drinks and partying cause I'm certainly not doing that! Got my estrogen level back, its at 1597 so its going up nicely, but not high enough yet for 12 follicles and who knows how many on the right if any at all.

Let us know how things look tomorrow!!! I'll give you all an update on Wednesday!

 

[alicatt]

Wait what? Sunday? How big were your follicles?

Mine are around 12-14mm and they are looking at ER Friday, maybe Saturday.

Weren't yours around that same size on Sunday? So you should be having your ER around the same time as me! Thurs or Fri I would think.

 

[Samsfan]

That was there initial prediction. I will know better tomorrow.

Wait what? Sunday? How big were your follicles?

Mine are around 12-14mm and they are looking at ER Friday, maybe Saturday.

Weren't yours around that same size on Sunday? So you should be having your ER around the same time as me! Thurs or Fri I would think.

 

[alicatt]

I hope all goes well tomorrow!!