TWW, baby dust alive!!

KN1

Elliejo, where in Chicago is the support group? I'm going home this weekend for about 10 days to visit my fam, it would be nice to check out

Elliejo

It's through the Chicago Women's Health Center. It's the last Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 in the uptown neighborhood.

pols12

Hey Cari - that progesterone level seems great! Mine was never that high either time I was pregnant. Did she have multiplie follicles release? Not sure if that can make the progesterone higher. I have my fingers crossed that it means a BFP is coming your way very soon!

Livvy - any updates on the coverage for IVF? It seems so unfair and discriminatory. I hate dealing with insurance companies! And why should it be mandated coverage in one state and not in a neighboring state? Ugh!

We met with our new RE yesterday. We really like her and the new office. We have all of our ducks in a row and will be ready to begin by September, when my insurance picks up. But with the protocol they do, that means I will begin 3 to 4 weeks of BC and then begin my stimulation, so the actual IVF won't be until October, if all goes well. I am nervous, but hopeful.

Baby dust to everyone trying!
Rebecca

Elliejo

Rebecca, we had eight measurable follicles they measure anything above a 10. Three were ready to be inseminated. I have no clue what it means except she really ovulated. The timing seemed well. Wednesday seems so far away. We were at Target ready to buy a pregnancy test but it made my wife want to vomit because she is so scared its another negative. She's had symptoms that I don't know are the progesterone or pregnancy. I am driving myself analyze every single ache and pain trying to figure out. I know its not helping anything. The TWW is hell.

Livvy it is really sucky about your insurance. We have two family members going through IVF right now and the price tag is hefty. I don't know what we will do if it comes to that.

Rebecca, I hope the IVF works for you. I am hoping that soon you will have your BFP.

Baby dust to all who are trying. There is not an unlimited number of babies and we can all get pregnant. Thanks for this board it helps to receive support.

Elliejo

We go in for our beta tomorrow. Really hoping its positive. We have been surrounded by some negatives lately which is having me doubting. I am trying to not get my hopes up because it will be disappointing to get a BFN. I am trying to stay positive as well as we do not have all the information until tomorrow. Tomorrow at this time we will either be pregnant or not. Please send us positivity and baby dust.

Livvy

Cari, sending baby dust your way! Those progesterone levels sound very encouraging!

Rebecca, so glad you are happy with your new doctor and I feel very hopeful that IVF will be successful in no time.

I am continuing to fight for some kind of IVF coverage. I am going to scan in a copy of my marriage certificate and just stay on top of HR, since that is where I am supposed to complain (they're the ones who chose the insurance package, after all).

We meet with my Dr on 7/12 to talk about planning for IVF!

Good luck to all,

<3 Livvy

pols12

Cari - I have my fingers, toes, legs, arms, eyes...everything crossed for you!!!

prbs2002

Cari, keeping everything crossed for you!
Livvy, I hope sending the marriage certificate and keeping on them does the trick, it's about time they stopped this discrimination.

I am having to travel on Saturday for the UK, I was not planning to go until later in the summer but circumstances have once more kicked me in the ass! I am technically due to insem on Friday or Saturday but we are talking it through and thinking it might be best to delay which is really upsetting as I took Clomid again this month. I know my wife doesn't want me traveling on the TWW or getting a BFP or BNF without her and I understand that completely but I'm so bummed that whatever number of follicles I have produced will be wasted yet again and that I have used clomid again for nothing (I'm worried that was what caused the polyp and the next step with be yet more checks for polyps). I guess it's all just so frustrating.

ttcmoms2be

Hey everyone!!

I am new to the thread and had my first IUI July 1, 2016. I honestly thought that this TWW would be a piece of cake, however, I was wrong. This is the longest two weeks that I think I will ever have to endure. Its even harder because my fiance and I are keeping this journey a secret from family and close friends until we receive our BFP and are at least 16 weeks pregnant, and other than my TTC family on instagram, I do not have anyone to speak to about it.

Wishing you all lots of stick baby dust! And to those of you have have recieved your BFP, wishing you a safe, health, and happy pregnancy, delivery, and baby!

Elliejo

Ours was a bfn. Pretty disappointed. Not sure how anyone gets a positive. Lots of anger and rage. I think I skipped the sadness and disappointment stages.

prbs2002

I'm so sorry Cari. I know how you feel, we have been doing everything we can for so long. It's hard not to feel bitter when people get bfps on their first go these days, even if it doesn't make much sense.
big hugs to you, I hope you and your wife are able to come up with a protocol to move forward. My wife and I were just talking the other night about how many more we will do, then do we try IVF, do we just accept defeat? I don't know, but my thoughts are with you xxx

Elliejo

Thanks Prbs. I think what hurts me more then people getting their BFPs on the first try is straight couples just having sex and accidently getting pregnant. We have to go through painful and uncomfortable procedures. I don't know just how painful because my wife is the carrier but I see her face and hold her hand during them. It just sucks. I am really not hopeful for cycle 5. We just took a four month break and need to get pregnant this summer before my wife's insurance changes and may not cover fertility treatment at the same rate its covering now. We hope it doesn't get to IVF but I am not sure how many more tries we want to take our chances at 30% chance of pregnancy. At least IVF raises that to 60% chance. It is so incredibly frustrating and lonely. This journey is lonely and strains a marriage. I am hoping this summer is ours. We have the very last vial of our donor left but just one otherwise we start all over on picking donor number three. I am sick of picking new donors. I just want this to work and not hurt so much.

Scarlett2780

Well, unfortunately we got a BFN. So incredibly bummed out right now that words just don't describe it.

prbs2002

I hear you Cari, it is just such a devastating process. You feel like you put everything on hold for it, like it's always in your mind. we have a friend who wants to plan a big vacation next year for a group of us and my first thought was, oh we might be pregnant, or have a newborn. The problem is i have been thinking that about everything for over a year! I am seriously thinking of trying some fertility yoga or something, just to get out of my own head with this. My wife is good at being the relaxed one but I know she is disappointed every month and it makes me feel horrible, like I am a failure. Then to make it worse our (straight) neighbors upstairs are about to give birth this month, so we will have been doing this for over a year and have a newborn in the building, it just won't be ours. That gave me some kind of weird straight envy/anger/ whatever random stupid feeling which my wife assures me is not good for karma! Oh, and we just chose OUR third donor. I now almost don't care who the donor is now, I just want it to work!!
This summer is yours, it is yours. I am going to keep positive thoughts coming to you.
Julie

Livvy

Hi Cari and Scarlett--I am so sorry about your BFNs. This process--from brainstorming donors to getting the beta, is EXHAUSTING! And I am with you on feeling envy towards the straight couples that accidentally get pregnant. I can't even fathom this working WITHOUT all of the painstaking timing and meds and pokes and prods.

Just wanted to share that I feel your pain like it's my own, b/c pretty much all of us on here are going through this.

Here's what I don't get-why are IUIs so ineffective for some women? If it takes the average healthy straight couple up to a year to conceive, how come everyone swears by the "give up after 5 or 6 IUI" rule?

Anyway, you are going through the thick of it now and it just has to suck before you get your wonderful news. My wife and I are meeting with our doctor tomorrow to talk IVF. Still not sure what HR is going to do about insurance, but we're fighting the fight.

Prbs, sorry about this work trip sneaking up on you. Luckily those follicles would've been wasted with this cycle anyway (which I somehow didn't know 'til recently). But I'm rooting for you, since you've been such a trooper for so long.

Livvy

KN1

Hi ladies, I'm sorry to hear about the BFN's :( keeping you all in my thoughts and sending lots of baby dust to you all <3

I'm sure everyone has prepared differently or done the same steps, but sharing the things I did prior to starting the process at 34 and I did get a BFP on the first try. I kind of went a little crazy googling stuff to help with fertility since I wasn't sure if I had any issues but just in case I took these steps...

I started taking prenatal pills months before, ate healthy, I already normally drink about a gallon a water a day so kept that up, worked out but not too much, googled fertility boosting foods and ate them, took Premama Fertility every day for a few months http://www.drinkpremama.com/ the reviews for it on amazon were great. leading up to the IUI my doc did a Hysteroscopy and then later a HSG test. Also I read that taking mucinex helps with the cervical mucus and it's an expectorant and it helps thin mucus which makes it easier for the sperm to make it through..I only took it once a day for about 2 or 3 days right before my IUI also Evening Primrose Oil but only for like a week before the procedure and stopped right before ovulation.

My doc wanted me to call them on the first day of my full period not when I started spotting so then I started taking clomid for 5 days and we did a couple of ultrasounds and I guess he timed it at the right time. The last ultrasound was on Monday I had two follicles at about 18 and 20 and I took the trigger shot the following day Tuesday at 10P and went in on Thursday at 10am for the IUI, my donor had 9 million count and we just stayed at the docs for an extra 30 min with my legs straight up in the air, it's silly that a friend said to do it, but we did it.

Good luck to you all, I wish you all the best on this journey!

prbs2002

thanks, KN1 for your story, it is always good to hear and i for one will be looking up Premama!!
How's everyone doing? Quiet old board these days. I am in Greece for another week and we are trying again in September once my body has had a chance to "de-travel!"
Anyone trying this month or next? Keep us in the loop so we can cheer you on!

Livvy

Hello ladies! How is everyone doing? I hope well.

My wife and I are doing IVF now and I'm currently in the birth control pill phase. We're ball parking the transfer somewhere around September 13th.

Livvy

pols12

Hey Livvy, that is so exciting! I am so happy to hear from you and know that you are moving along with your journey! I wish you speedy success!

My wife and Inare beginning our IVF process in September. I am back at work, after a glorious 27 month leave with our daughter, and my insurance picks up on Sept 1. According to all the documents, we should have full coverage, but I am anxious to get the final word once the RE office has my new member number and can begin to process the information.

Have you and your wife, and of course your doctor, talked about how many you will plan to transfer? And at what stage or day? My doctor and wife both think that we should transfer one that has best developed by day 5 or 6. It makes me nervous to go through the long process and only have 1 shot, but the statistics show that the rate of pregnancy isn't higher with multiple embryos, but the rate of multiples is significantly higher. I am turning 37 next month and multiples would be a very high risk pregnancy for me, especially given my complications with pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy. I guess I will see how it goes once we are in that spot, but I was wondering if you all had made any preliminary decisions yet?

I truly wish you the best and am glad to have someone to talk to about it. Sending you all the baby dust in the world!!!

Rebecca

Livvy

Hey Rebecca-I have been thinking of you, since we've kind of been on the same page for a long time in this journey. Would you believe that after I was told by the clinic that IVF would NOT be covered, after a couple months of complaints and phone calls, I got a call from my employer's HR dept saying that, in fact, we ARE covered? I hope you put up a fight if there are any glitches. I am VERY grateful this mess has been straightened out.

We're only transferring 1 embryo. I've also heard the statistics you have, and even though twins would be lovely, I know that entails a higher risk pregnancy. Not sure about after what day they'll do the transfer. I just hope to get through the retrieval, since I am a wimp about the pain.

Keep me posted!

Livvy

prbs2002

Good luck on the IVF journey Livvy & Rebecca! Keeping everything crossed for you both, please feel free to have a vent on here if you need to - that's what we're here for.
As for us - we are trying again in Sept after taking a break. We have chosen a new donor and also purchased an ICI vial to use at home (since I am convinced I tend to ovulate overnight and figure this could be throwing the timing). It feels like we are covering all the bases, but if we are not lucky this time we may consider finding a local donor as people seem to have more luck with fresh, beyond that we will be joining the IVF road with you. Just waiting for CD1, roll on AF!

Baby dust to you both,

Julie

Livvy

Hey Julie-Been thinking of you, too, since I remember you saying September you guys might try after all your traveling. Keep us posted! You've really kept my spirits up all these months.

pols12

Hi all! We are about to begin our first IVF cycle too. We got the okay from the insurance company with 100% coverage which is effective today! My AF started yesterday, so I am going tomorrow for bloodwork and to start my birth control for 3 weeks. I am most nervous about the injections too. But I know it will all be worth it!

Livvy - How are the injections going? Are you still feeling positive about the whole experience? I am so excited for you!

Julie - So glad to read your update! I am excited that you will be back in the game soon! Keep us posted.

Baby dust to all
-Rebecca

Elliejo

Hey all we are on the ivf train as well! We start birth control on day 5 of my wife's period. Tomorrow should be Day 1. Have you guys thought about when to transfer. Our clinic gives us the choice of a three day transfer but doing two. Or a five day transfer with only one. It's all overwhelming. Hoping insurance says we have satisfied the criteria for ivf. Our clinic won't run it til AF arrives then they'll get our authorizations. We got the infertile diagnosis after four Iuis.

prbs2002

We are back in the TWW! We had our IUI yesterday and did an ICI last night, hopefully our timing was good. I went in for bloods and ultrasound in the morning then went to work, we had 2 follicles. While I was at work I got a voice message saying "we need to inseminate you now!" It was pretty funny and a pretty stressful day between rushing back and forth to the clinic and carrying a tank with our ICI vial in it around all day!!

Baby dust to you all, I hope some others are joining me in the TWW soon!

pols12

Hey Julie! That's so exciting! Sorry you had all that craziness to deal with yesterday, but I hope your timing was perfect! Can't wait to hear about your BFP in two weeks!

We are one week into the birth control stage of IVF #1. So my injections should begin around the end of your TWW. I am really hopeful and excited to be getting started again!

Fingers crossed that after all this time,we end up pregnant together!

Keep us updated!

Baby dust,
Rebecca

prbs2002

Oh I do hope so Rebecca! It is so exciting that you are so close, it will be SUPER exciting to end up with a number of embryos, I love that with IVF you are at least canceling our ONE of the ifs and maybes going on in our bodies! As of right now I am going on the basis of a BFN, then I won't build my hopes up too much!!
FX for your injections and everything, I hope they don't make you too crazy!
Julie x

Livvy

Hi everyone-

Glad to hear from you and am excited for everyone's journeys starting up again. Seems like we all had quiet summers. Julie, I am vicariously living through your 2ww and kind of miss the suspense! I hope the fresh sperm made all the difference. Rebecca, Elliejo, and anyone else doing IVF, I suppose this post is for you...

I went on birth control for 3 or 4 weeks last month and by the time all the meds were mailed to our house, we were ready to go! My wife was terrified of injecting me with a big air bubble and we ended up calling the 800 number for help, but after you do a few injections, you're old hat. The shots are not intravenous--they're intramuscular, so they're uncomfortable but certainly not unbearable. Yes, it's a pain in the @ss, but it's temporary, and you'll move on before you know it!

This past Thursday, I had 14 eggs retrieved from my body. I was out for it and felt very mild pain afterwards. Again, nothing to be afraid of. 10 eggs survived the transfer and 7 embryos have been hanging out in a petrie dish for a few days:)

Tuesday, the clinic will put one embryo back into my body. I am excited, I'm ready, I'm scared...You ladies know how many failed IUIs I've had (7!!) and I can't fathom this actually WORKING, but I know it has a better chance, right?

I'm afraid to talk about this too much with other people, but I am also an open person, so that hasn't gone so well. My wife and I are just very excited and I know you women get it more than anyone.

Wishing you the best of luck and hoping we all get our BFPs sooner or later.

Livvy

Livvy

Hi everyone-

Glad to hear from you and am excited for everyone's journeys starting up again. Seems like we all had quiet summers. Julie, I am vicariously living through your 2ww and kind of miss the suspense! I hope the fresh sperm made all the difference. Rebecca, Elliejo, and anyone else doing IVF, I suppose this post is for you...

I went on birth control for 3 or 4 weeks last month and by the time all the meds were mailed to our house, we were ready to go! My wife was terrified of injecting me with a big air bubble and we ended up calling the 800 number for help, but after you do a few injections, you're old hat. The shots are not intravenous--they're intramuscular, so they're uncomfortable but certainly not unbearable. Yes, it's a pain in the @ss, but it's temporary, and you'll move on before you know it!

This past Thursday, I had 14 eggs retrieved from my body. I was out for it and felt very mild pain afterwards. Again, nothing to be afraid of. 10 eggs survived the transfer and 7 embryos have been hanging out in a petrie dish for a few days:)

Tuesday, the clinic will put one embryo back into my body. I am excited, I'm ready, I'm scared...You ladies know how many failed IUIs I've had (7!!) and I can't fathom this actually WORKING, but I know it has a better chance, right?

I'm afraid to talk about this too much with other people, but I am also an open person, so that hasn't gone so well. My wife and I are just very excited and I know you women get it more than anyone.

Wishing you the best of luck and hoping we all get our BFPs sooner or later.

Livvy

Livvy

Hi everyone-

Glad to hear from you and am excited for everyone's journeys starting up again. Seems like we all had quiet summers. Julie, I am vicariously living through your 2ww and kind of miss the suspense! I hope the fresh sperm made all the difference. Rebecca, Elliejo, and anyone else doing IVF, I suppose this post is for you...

I went on birth control for 3 or 4 weeks last month and by the time all the meds were mailed to our house, we were ready to go! My wife was terrified of injecting me with a big air bubble and we ended up calling the 800 number for help, but after you do a few injections, you're old hat. The shots are not intravenous--they're intramuscular, so they're uncomfortable but certainly not unbearable. Yes, it's a pain in the @ss, but it's temporary, and you'll move on before you know it!

This past Thursday, I had 14 eggs retrieved from my body. I was out for it and felt very mild pain afterwards. Again, nothing to be afraid of. 10 eggs survived the transfer and 7 embryos have been hanging out in a petrie dish for a few days:)

Tuesday, the clinic will put one embryo back into my body. I am excited, I'm ready, I'm scared...You ladies know how many failed IUIs I've had (7!!) and I can't fathom this actually WORKING, but I know it has a better chance, right?

I'm afraid to talk about this too much with other people, but I am also an open person, so that hasn't gone so well. My wife and I are just very excited and I know you women get it more than anyone.

Wishing you the best of luck and hoping we all get our BFPs sooner or later.

Livvy