Welcome to 'Trying To Conceive Over 35'

[alicatt]

So, it's official; they cancelled my IUI because of too many follicles. And they won't let us have sex for fear of multiples.

We are going to talk to the financial counselor tomorrow about converting to IVF. I think we'll likely do it. It seems a shame to waste these eggies!

Wow, yes, if you have that many follies go for IVF! Wow, how many did you say you have??

I have 11 that are larger than 10mm, 5-7 of which are already mature. I'm doing more shots tonight to try to mature a few more. Then, likely trigger tomorrow and egg retrieval on Weds. This is happening so unexpectedly. DH's head is still spinning. And I was hoping to get pg without IVF. But here we are!

As long as we get a healthy baby or two, it will be worth the $ and discomfort (my ovaries are gigantic now)

FirstTry - I've been through plenty of IUIs and 1 IVF, and I'm really surprised that they want you to trigger so soon? My FS won't trigger until my smallest follicles are about 18mm. They won't be mature until they hit about 20-24 mm. So I'm really surprised that they are already telling you that you have mature follicles. I'm not a Dr though so what do I know? Here is to hoping I'm wrong and that everything goes well for you!

If I can recall, they said I had the following measurable follicles:
22mm, 20mm, 19mm, 18mm, 18mm, 17mm, 16mm, 13mm, 12mm, 11mm, 10mm

If we wait one more day, they should each grow about 2mm, right? My RE normally triggers for IUI when you have one greater than 18mm.

WOW! Yes, you are definitely ready! I thought you said they were just over 10mm, not 22-17 yes those numbers are excellent! I concur, you have 5-7 mature follicles. I hope you do end up doing an IVF cycle, I would hate for you to not be able to use those beautiful follicles

I'm going to try to negotiate a discount because we don't have to do the normal monitoring (and insurance paid for the IUI monitoring). But if they don't give it to us, we'll just bite the bullet and pay for it. I'll just put off buying a car for a few more months. The walking is good for me anyway

Thanks for your support

Things to think about..

Trial Transfer. Make sure they can get the catheter up there to deposit the embryos. My FS said that it is critical that this goes well, if not, your uterus can spasm and when its in spasm there is a much lower chance of implantation.

Progesterone and Estrogen after transfer. When they go in and harvest your eggs (which is not pleasant, but you will be asleep), they ruin the follicles, which would normally produce the necessary progesterone and estrogen to maintain the embryo, so you must supplement both during the 2 week wait.

Medrol. This is given for a few days after transfer, it helps lower your immune system so that you don't fight the embryo when it tries to implant. There are other drugs that your Dr may use instead of this one, but you want to make sure you are using one of them. Its only really necessary for a few days after transfer.

Has your FS said whether you are doing a 3 day or 5 day transfer? They often put more embryos back on day 3, than day 5 (or blastocyst stage). This is something you and your DH need to discuss, how many to put back and how many to freeze.

ICSI. This is something they do to help with the fertilization. They literally push the sperm into the egg. It costs extra but if your DH has any issues with his I would recommend doing it. It brings people with questionable to almost 80-100% fertilization.

Assisted Hatching. If you decide to go with the day 3 transfer, you can ask for what is called assisted hatching. This is when they make a small hole in the embryo to help the embryo hatch. It needs to hatch before it can implant. They recommend this for women over 37, apparently the embryos in older women are thicker which makes it more difficult for them to hatch on their own.

Finally bed rest! All Dr's have different feelings on this, and mine insists on 2 days bed rest following the transfer. If at all possible try to do that! Even if it is just to keep you calm and relaxed, I'm sure it helps

OK, so those are my words of wisdom! I'm sure your head is reeling, but it is all very exciting!

 

[babydust2me]

Hey ladies! It's been a few days since I checked in. Been still out and about trying to help out as much as possible around here. And man, am I pooped! My temps are really high (in my opinion) for being on AF. We will see what this month brings for us. I really don't know why this is taking so long. Really longing for a little bundle and at this point I'm sure I will only have one more bundle and not two more. If I even get one! I know that sounds selfish when there are so many who just wish for one child. I remember before I had my first sobbing uncontrollably on the way to work one morning just crying out pleading that God would give me just one baby. Then I remember finding out that I was pregnant with my 2nd which was a total surprise when ds was just a year old. I was nervous and freaking out. How could I have 2 kids so close together??? THIS was NOT part of my plan. But now I wouldn't have it any other way. 3 years later, I have 2 earthly babies that I hold daily and one baby in heaven that my soul aches for. And now I plead out to God again for just one more. None of this was part of my plan. What's the saying? We make plans, and God laughs?? I think the hardest part of this journey is not knowing the plan that is set for us.

I read a book once that described trials that we go through as a glimpse of a piece of a painting. The little glimpses that we see are ugly and messy looking. They are not beautiful and we question if the artist really knows what he is doing. But then when we see the work in it's completion it is beautiful. Complete. It makes sense. And we'd have it no other way. That is this journey. It's messy, ugly at times, painful and disheartening. But in the end it will be beautiful and we will have it no other way.

Keep the faith ladies. This will happen. And it will be exactly the right thing when it does happen. I have two little ones that are living proof of that fact!

 

[alicatt]

Hey ladies! It's been a few days since I checked in. Been still out and about trying to help out as much as possible around here. And man, am I pooped! My temps are really high (in my opinion) for being on AF. We will see what this month brings for us. I really don't know why this is taking so long. Really longing for a little bundle and at this point I'm sure I will only have one more bundle and not two more. If I even get one! I know that sounds selfish when there are so many who just wish for one child. I remember before I had my first sobbing uncontrollably on the way to work one morning just crying out pleading that God would give me just one baby. Then I remember finding out that I was pregnant with my 2nd which was a total surprise when ds was just a year old. I was nervous and freaking out. How could I have 2 kids so close together??? THIS was NOT part of my plan. But now I wouldn't have it any other way. 3 years later, I have 2 earthly babies that I hold daily and one baby in heaven that my soul aches for. And now I plead out to God again for just one more. None of this was part of my plan. What's the saying? We make plans, and God laughs?? I think the hardest part of this journey is not knowing the plan that is set for us.

I read a book once that described trials that we go through as a glimpse of a piece of a painting. The little glimpses that we see are ugly and messy looking. They are not beautiful and we question if the artist really knows what he is doing. But then when we see the work in it's completion it is beautiful. Complete. It makes sense. And we'd have it no other way. That is this journey. It's messy, ugly at times, painful and disheartening. But in the end it will be beautiful and we will have it no other way.

Keep the faith ladies. This will happen. And it will be exactly the right thing when it does happen. I have two little ones that are living proof of that fact!

Glad you are doing OK, and that you have been helping out with those that are still without power, or need help. I can't imaging how miserable it is up there! I hope you and BabyWhisperer are making out OK!

Darnit, I'm sorry AF came. That is just not fair! Well maybe this coming month is your month? I guess we just have to hope that God has a baby plan for us, and that it includes a few more babies!

 

[FirstTry]

Thank, Ali! I haven't even spoken to the doctor yet because this all happened today, Sunday. When I go in tomorrow for blood & u/s, I'll ask about the procedure. I didn't know about all these details. It's a lot to take in all at once.

 

[alicatt]

Thank, Ali! I haven't even spoken to the doctor yet because this all happened today, Sunday. When I go in tomorrow for blood & u/s, I'll ask about the procedure. I didn't know about all these details. It's a lot to take in all at once.

I know, that is why I thought I would give you a heads up on some of the things you need to start thinking about! I am really excited for you!

 

[alicatt]

More to read on Gluten and Infertility.. especially those of you who have PCOS. This article states that 85% of women with PCOS were found to have some sort of gluten sensitivity. Read below:

Hidden Gluten Sensitivity a Leading Cause of Infertility

That bagel you had for breakfast just might be one of the reasons you haven’t been able to get pregnant. A hidden sensitivity to a protein in grain can cause infertility, depression, diarrhea, constipation, anemia and fatigue. This protein, called gluten, is present in wheat, rye, oats, triticale, spelt, kamut, and other grains. Gluten sensitivity is related to celiac disease, but it is much more common.

While celiac disease affects approximately 1 in 133 people, hidden gluten sensitivity may affect as many as 1 person out of every 2. Celiac disease has dramatic symptoms including rapid weight loss and severe anemia. Hidden celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can remain hidden precisely because the symptoms are not apparent. Gluten sensitivity can be determined with a blood test, but if it is still in the early stages it may not show on a blood test.

Melissa Diane Smith is a nutritionist and health educator. She is also the author of Going Against the Grain, an explanation of how a sensitivty to gluten can ruin your health and what you can do about it. Smith spoke at the After the Diet PCOS conference in April 2006 where she talked about the infertility and gluten sensitivity. She stated that gluten sensitivity is a leading cause of recurrent miscarriage.

Symptoms of gluten sensitivity can include anemia, abdominal pain, bloating and gas, depression, fatigue, diahrrea and constipation. Gluten sensitivity is associated with a variety of other disease including infertility, autism, autoimmune diseases, frequent headaches, psoriasis and skin conditions as well as other problems. Women with celiac disease who do not follow a gluten-free diet have been found to enter menopause 4-5 years earlier than other women.

In addition, up to 39% of women with celiac disease have been shown to have periods of amenorhea (no periods). Clearly, if you are sensitive to gluten it can negatively impact your reproduction. Men with celiac disease have also been shown to have reduced fertility. While gluten sensitivity is not different than celiac disease, it only makes sense to investigate gluten sensitivity while battling unexplained infertility.

Smith said that 85% of her PCOS clients test positive for a sensitivity to gluten. When these women remove gluten from their diets they often see a marked improvement in their PCOS symptoms. She has also seen dramatic improvement in cholesterol levels, thyroid function and weight loss in women who have changed their diets to avoid gluten.

Smith recommends that women who suffer from gluten sensitivity avoid gluten containing foods including hidden gluten such foods as soy sauce, teas and foods containging barley malt, vegetable protein made from wheat gluten, and beer. Don't just replace the high glutne grains with more starchy or sugary foods though or you run the risk of developing insulin resistance. Instead, focus on fresh vegetables.

I also found an excerpt from another article that shows the benefits of a GF diet for those that are gluten sensitive:

The most common health changes women often notice when going gluten-free are:

* Weight loss (if they are overweight)
* More physical and mental energy
* Resolution of abdominal bloating and gas
* Resolution of constipation, diarrhea and irritable bowel,
* Less depression
* Simply feeling better - and more clear-headed - than usual!

As I said, I'm on day 2, and I already feel like I have more energy, and mental acuity. So for those of you that have PCOS, I would highly recommend giving it a try, and see how you feel after a week or 2.

 

[twotogo]

I tested this morning because I am going in for my other mammogram and wanted to know if I was pregnant so I could let them know.

I thought I saw a very, very faint line. I don't know

I guess I will test again in a few days.

Sorry the pic is so fuzzy.

 

[babydust2me]

I tested this morning because I am going in for my other mammogram and wanted to know if I was pregnant so I could let them know.

I thought I saw a very, very faint line. I don't know

I guess I will test again in a few days.

Sorry the pic is so fuzzy.

I see a line too!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[alicatt]

I tested this morning because I am going in for my other mammogram and wanted to know if I was pregnant so I could let them know.

I thought I saw a very, very faint line. I don't know

I guess I will test again in a few days.

Sorry the pic is so fuzzy.

I see a line too!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I see something too! I'd make them do a test at the lab, or at least be very conservative with their testing!

 

[FirstTry]

I tested this morning because I am going in for my other mammogram and wanted to know if I was pregnant so I could let them know.

I thought I saw a very, very faint line. I don't know

I guess I will test again in a few days.

Sorry the pic is so fuzzy.

I see it too, but so you don't get too excited, I don't see pink. Does it look pink in person? How many DPO are you?

 

[FirstTry]

Update: so, they wouldn't give us a discount, but it turns out that my insurance company has a negotiated rate for IVF. They will let us pay that, which is $2500 less. That's good news

I now have 13 follicles of which 6-8 could have mature eggs. I believe they are judging maturity by follicle size. They will try to retrieve all 13 and see how many fertilize. The doctor said ideally, for IVF, we would have a couple more, but this is incredible considering the low dose of meds I was on.

I will likely trigger tonight, depending on estrogen and LH levels. Yesterday, my estrogen was over 1700 with LH at 5 (15 signals ovulation).

FX'd!

 

[twotogo]

I tested this morning because I am going in for my other mammogram and wanted to know if I was pregnant so I could let them know.

I thought I saw a very, very faint line. I don't know

I guess I will test again in a few days.

Sorry the pic is so fuzzy.

I see it too, but so you don't get too excited, I don't see pink. Does it look pink in person? How many DPO are you?

No, it doesn't look pink in person, so I'm not real excited about it. I'm 14 dpo, but according to my chart I had an implantation dip on 12 dpo.

 

[alicatt]

I tested this morning because I am going in for my other mammogram and wanted to know if I was pregnant so I could let them know.

I thought I saw a very, very faint line. I don't know

I guess I will test again in a few days.

Sorry the pic is so fuzzy.

I see it too, but so you don't get too excited, I don't see pink. Does it look pink in person? How many DPO are you?

No, it doesn't look pink in person, so I'm not real excited about it. I'm 14 dpo, but according to my chart I had an implantation dip on 12 dpo.

I noticed on your chart you had spotting today? I'd give it another 2 days and test again if AF still hasn't shown. It could very well be IB to go with the dip you had 2 days ago. Let's be positive!

 

[Grey Eyes]

Babydust- Nuts for AF showing up You are right- the hardest part of our journey is not knowing what God has planned for us. I mean, I know what He has planned is the best possible plan for my life--but not knowing can be lol!

FirstTry- Fx'd! Do you trigger at home?

Ali- will stopping eating gluten really give me more mental energy? What if I have none to begin with? JK! I would love to try it but not sure I can afford all the GF stuff. I will see what kind of options we have here...I have read some pretty awesome stuff though! Have you got your meds yet or is that company dragging butt still?

TwoToGo- O my gosh I can see the faint line too- very very faint but there!!!! Eeek!. Will you test again in the morning? This is a frer right? Looks like a frer...and at 14 dpo good time for testing!! Is AF officially late yet? I agree with your assessment of the 12dpo Implantation dip...that's what I was thinking too when I looked at your chart this morning. Oh and I notice you had ewcm on CD16 so am wondering is FF is off on your ov day and you are actually about 12-13 dpo??? Possibly??

 

[Grey Eyes]

AFM- well ladies I think hormones are being good to me today because I woke up feeling....good. Not only a little bit rested but more positive. My attorney said he would look at my case hopefully I will know by this afternoon if he'll be able to take it. Ah, I am stressing out about this for one reason and one reason only--if there is anything I have learned in this world it's that nothing runs on justice! You have to fight for right all the time it seems. Nothing is simply good in the world it seems you have to make it be good (except for babies- babies are always good ) lol! Am I cynical? ...Nahhhh..... Anyway, hoping for the best in this case.

Re: my physical. I no longer look pregnant! I have no clue what I weigh at this point- I was 140.2 at doc appointment on our one week checkup which is only 10 less than labor day weight. lol! Anyway I just noticed I can feel a firm waist and hip bones!!! So no love handles this time around Now, if I can just get my thighs to behave.......

Got my final done last night and today I start a new course- geology this time around, perfect as I prefer it to mythology. I get to be analytical and not buried in fantasy for a while

Jess- what are you up to lady?

Terri- where are you?

 

[alicatt]

Ali- will stopping eating gluten really give me more mental energy? What if I have none to begin with? JK! I would love to try it but not sure I can afford all the GF stuff. I will see what kind of options we have here...I have read some pretty awesome stuff though! Have you got your meds yet or is that company dragging butt still?

In reality you don't need to buy any of the expensive stuff to go gluten free. You just can't have anything with wheat in it. So if you are OK with not eating bread, muffins, cake, etc. Then you don't need to buy anything special. To get your carbs you can eat rice and quinoa (it is another grain like rice and tastes good). Like TwoToGo said you can buy things like Rice works chips and use them as crackers with hummus or salsa (they are a little pricey but not so bad if you go to walmart). What does get expensive is if you try to buy the GF bread, bread mix, pizza, or anything that would normally contain wheat (bread, bagels, crackers, etc) those items at the grocery store, if they even have them are often 2x the price. If you are internet savvy, you can find recipes for making your own GF bread, cookies, cakes, muffins etc online, and then purchase the items either at a health food store or online. Mostly it is the flour you need, buckwheat, or rice etc. It may not be available at your grocery store, and if it isn't or it is super expensive, you might want to try buying it online. My friend recommended this website to me this morning: https://consumer.kinnikinnick.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.main.html

The key to losing weight and being GF is to add lots of vegetables, and eat the non-GF grains. Not to necessarily try to eat GF bread, pasta, muffings, etc. I mean lets face it a carb is still a carb whether it is GF or not! So I'm really going to try to not eat bread often!!!

So far my food intake today:

1 20oz tea with 1tsp agave nectar
1 egg white omelet with vegetables, cheese and uncured bacon
1 2% fat Fage Yogurt strawberry and goji flavor
1/2 can of campbell's lentil soup
6 oz of my broccoli salad

I have 1/2 an apple some grapes and a few pieces of cheese for a mid-afternoon snack.

Oh and lots of Water!!!

 

[FirstTry]

Coy: yes, the trigger shot involves DH stabbing me in the butt cheek with a big, long needle.

Coy & Ali: we had spaghetti made from brown rice (Trader Joe's) for dinner last night. It was pretty similar to regular pasta, though not exactly the same, and GF. And inexpensive.

 

[Grey Eyes]

Ali- thanks for the website! Yes, I do try not to eat too much bread, it deends on my day. If I am having a feel-sorry-for myself day then I probably eat more than I should This morning I had a whole wheat bagel for example.... I tend to need something bread-ish with my morning coffee, I am terrible, I know! lol! But during the day I usually snack on mandarins or banana's...raw vegetables like cauliflower, etc. And yeah, tons of water as I am trying to flush the excess fluids from my body. The meats I cook are generally very lean and I cook with olive oil. Dh loves rice so I cook a lot of that but I try to avoid eating it

Oh, ok, fine! And I love hershey's kisses, and M&M's! lol!

 

[alicatt]

Coy: yes, the trigger shot involves DH stabbing me in the butt cheek with a big, long needle.

Coy & Ali: we had spaghetti made from brown rice (Trader Joe's) for dinner last night. It was pretty similar to regular pasta, though not exactly the same, and GF. And inexpensive.

I wish I had a Trader Joe's in my area. They don't have them in FL
I have Publix (which some have a really good GF/health food section), but otherwise it is Whole Foods, which is mega expensive! My friend that has an autistic child and has been feeding him GF has been giving me brands of the things she likes best. She said she likes pasta made with corn. So I bought some of that yesterday, figured I'd try it out in a few days.

GL with the trigger, it is not fun! I tell you by the end of my last IVF cycle I felt like a pin cushion!

Oh, BTW about the cost. I hope they at least rolled what you had paid for the IUI thus far into the cost of the IVF! My insurance won't cover the US's because they are monitoring for an IUI/IVF cycle. So they have 1 flat rate that covers all of the basics for the IUI/IVF and then add on's like the ICSI and assisted hatching.

Have you had a change to talk with the Dr about these things? Do they have a plan? Did you ask about the trial transfer?

 

[jm1355]

everyone!

FF gets on my nerves sometimes. It rudely removes my crosshairs when there is a significant change in my temp, only to replace them the next day.
So, today, I have no crosshairs...not that it matters much anyway since there was no opportunity for this weekend. BUT, the radiologist said I would be most fertile for the next three months. I am on with getting my BFP as a Christmas present. If I could have that for Christmas, then I wouldn't want anything else!! But if i don't get that, then I want DIAMONDS!!!

Well, I hope everyone is doing fabulous. I am still swamped at work and my thesis keeps me busy at home. Oral exams are at the end of next week. After that, well, I will be able to breathe a bit and hopefully catch up on everything that is going on in here!

~~Jess