My u/s was yesterday. I had 8 follicles on the right and at least 5 on the left. (Every since my c-section, my left ovary is in a different place and apparently much harder to see on the u/s.) my largest measured 17, with others around 15...so I was surprised. The doc told me my ER would likely be on Monday or Tuesday. Yay!
Later in the day however, they told me my estrogen is rising pretty quickly. So we may have to cut the meds back again, as they want to be sure to protect against overstimulation. I had more bloodwork (but no u/s) this morning to monitor that level. It seems I am responding very well to the meds.
Overall, so far, I'd say this process hasn't been as tough as I though it would be. The injections aren't fun and for me there is major burning for about 5 minutes after...but then it's as if it didn't even happen. My belly is feeling full and I have had twinges of pain, mostly in the mornings. But nothing terrible, thank goodness.
That's a great number Rebecca! You should get some good embryos from those follicles. So exciting! Do they give you a month off between retrieval and transfer to let your body recover or are you doing a fresh transfer? Keeping everything crossed for you! Mountains of baby dust coming your way!
We are hoping to do a fresh transfer, and have frozen embryos to save as well. If the are too concerned about overstimulation, they may make me wait. The problem with OHSS, is that it worsens after the eggs have been collected. So it can be extra painful if you,are pregnant as well. Hopefully that won't be the case.
I had another day of monitoring with BW and US. At least 11 follies on the right (with 2 22s) and at least 8 on the left (with 2 21s). My BW results made them remove one medication altogether and cut the other to the lowest dose possible for tonight.
Tomorrow I return for more bloodwork and ultrasound. It looks likely that my retrieval will be Monday morning. Fingers crossed because I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable from my swelling ovaries.
Seems like I am the only one active attempting right now, besides Cari who is a few days behind me.
Just a quick update: I am all set for my retrieval tomorrow morning. I definitely have lots of growth in there. The doctor told me this morning during my u/s that my ovaries are kissing...meaning they are so full that the left and right are touching each other. Which explains my discomfort! I am feeling excited and nervous. Hopefully they can get some good, healthy, mature eggs.
Good luck Rebecca, I'm thinking about you today and keeping everything crossed for you. Here's to lots of eggies from those kissing ovaries (what a nice way to describe something so painful!) I hope by the end of today you have good news, I can't wait to hear about the progress.
Ultrasound for me tomorrow - I am so nervous! I wish my wife could come and see but she just started a new job and can't get time off, she will get to see for the first time next week when the RE arranges a weekend ultrasound for us to accommodate her.
Julie, it's so exciting about the ultrasounds. So happy they can accommodate your wife. I can't for us to actually see our baby once we get one in there!!!
As for us our retrieval is tomorrow. We have 10 follicles. Hoping for lots of good eggs. Abby's estrogen has been really high suggesting she has some good ones in there. Hoping for high fertilization rate and that some make it to day 5 for a fresh transfer. We are a bit nervous about the retrieval tomorrow. Looking forward to see how Rebecca's went to know what to expect. Since it's surgery I don't get to be in there. I will be a nervous wreck from the waiting room. We are off work today so we are trying to keep busy and not think of tomorrow too much. Abby is definitely ready to get the eggs out! I'm hoping we get a BFP out of this with Rebecca!!!
Hi all - Everything went great today! I am definitely still recovering, but an am happy to say the got 17 good eggs. There were 18, but one was fractured...whatever that means.
They were being introduced to the sperm this afternoon and we will hear from the lab tomorrow to find out how many fertilized. After that we will get daily updates, but we are hoping for a top quality blastocyst to transfer on Day 5, and hopefully a couple for the freezer!
I will keep you updated.
Cari - I am going post a message for you on the IVF thread.
Hoping for lots of good news from you both Rebecca and Cari! I had another ultrasound today, two nice healthy heartbeats which is a relief. Another shock when they told me that there is actually a third sack, but they are not sure if there is anything in it. I know it is horrible to say, but I'm kind of hoping there's nothing in there and we just have the two!!
Omg Julie, triplets would be a lot!!! I'm glad there are two healthy heartbeats. I guess more monitoring for that third sack. How many follicles did you have?
We had our retrieval today. Abby's follicles are overachievers because we had 10 follicles but ended up with 17 eggies. We will find out tomorrow how many are mature and fertilize tomorrow. The hope is for a five day transfer on Sunday. If the embryos start to not look good they'll get them back into abby on day 3. A day 5 embryo generally has a higher success rate in pregnancy. Abby is in a lot of pain. They did give her some Tylenol 3. I'm trying to be gentle and give her all the love and presents. She's a trooper. One of my heroes today!
Wow! That's an amazing number of eggs! Well done Abby - I hope she feels better soon, that's got to have been arduous. Keeping everything crossed you get a fabulous day 5 embryo.
Yeah, triplets would not be a joke at all. I'm hoping not, I just don't think I could cope with 3 (although we do what we gotta do, right!). I had 2 follicles, one big one and one much smaller. When we heard it was twins we figured each one had fertilized, my RE is suggesting that if there are indeed 3 perhaps the big one divided into identical twins and maybe the other was from the second, but at this stage who knows! We go back in a week and a half for a follow up ultrasound, so it feels like a long time of waiting and not knowing how many there are!!
OMG! Triplets would be crazy! Keep us updated. And don't worry, it doesn't sound terrible...just practical.
Cari, Abby should be feeling much better tomorrow. This time last night I couldn't believe how yucky I felt, but now I am so much better. Still some tenderness, discomfort and bloating...but definitely doable. I went to work and was fine today.
The lab called this morning and told me of the 17 retrieved, 13 were mature, and 10 of those fertilized. We are still hoping for a 5 day blast transfer, but we will know a lot more on Thursday, Day 3.
We heard from the lab that all 10 of our embryos are still growing strong and normally at this point, which is exciting! Some are slightly ahead of others, but all are still progressing/developing, and none have arrested. Based on this information, the lab folks think I will be good to go for a 5-day blastocyst transfer. Of course, that will be officially decided tomorrow morning, but I am hopeful!
We are doing well here. Abby is still in quite a bit of pain from the retrieval. We got 17 eggs. 10 were mature and all 10 fertilized. We are beyond thrilled. We will get word from the lab on how the embryos are doing. Depending on how they are doing will determine if we do a three day or five day. Hoping for some strong blastocysts. I've been thinking about our little embies all day. Hoping some make it to day 5.
That's wonderful news Cari! Keeping everything crossed that they keep developing and you end up with some excellent blastocysts for a 5 day transfer plus some frosties!
Great to see all of the good news here ladies!! Hoping it will rub off on me!!!
Went in for back to back IUIs (our 4th) on Tuesday and Wednesday... just about 24 hours apart. This was the first time we have been able to get in on the same day as our surge! So I feel really great about the timing.
Things change very quickly in the world of embryos! So this morning, I had 2 "rock star" embryos and the other 8 were still developing, but significantly slower. So, I currently have 2 high probability embryos floating around inside of me!
I was disappointed to have a 3 day transfer, but it was the best bet with what we have right now. The others will be held and may be able to meet freezing criteria. We won't know for a few days.
Either way, at this point, I am excited and hoping for lots of magical things to happen inside. I will know what happens in less than 2 weeks!
Oh Wow! What a difference a day makes Rebecca! I'm sure the best place for them is inside you anyway. Here's to them both settling in and you and I both having twins!!
Just out of interest, what is the deciding factor when they are considering doing a day 3 or day 5 transfer?
That'd be fun we all had twins!! So much baby dust to you Rebecca. I hope some of your other embryos make it to freezing. As for us things still looked good yesterday for a Sunday transfer. Things can change in an instant so we are holding on to some good blastocysts on Sunday.
Julie they do three day transfers if the embryos start to not look good. Then they want to get them in the body asap as that is a natural habitat for them not a Petri dish. Most clinics prefer a five day transfer but want a pregnancy and I'm guessing with Rebecca since two were looking so good get them in and give them more of a chance!
You still nervous about that third sac? I'm hoping you the best with your pregnancy. And soon Rebecca and I will be right behind you. We have all been on this board together for so long!!
I'm so happy your little embryos are doing well Cari! I hope you get your 5 day transfer - thanks for explaining that for me. Once we are all pregnant we need to set up our own little pregnancy support group, we've all been backing one another for so long now!
I'm still a bit nervous about that third sack, but I'm pretty much putting it out of my mind for now, just concentrating on staying calm and positive for whoever is in there right now. What will be will be in the end, nothing worrying can do to help. However many babies we end up with we are a million times more blessed than we could ever have imagined.
TONS of baby dust to you and Abby for your upcoming transfer!
Rebecca - I hope those little ones are settling in there, come on babies! Baby dust and crossed fingers for all of you over the next few weeks!
Hey Julie, each clinic has their own criteria for deciding between a 3 or 5 day transfer. At mine, the lab wants has to see 3 or more high probability (highest rating) embryos on the morning of day 3 to move forward with a day 5 transfer. Yesterday morning I had two 8-cell, 4+ rated embryos. But my others were lagging behind. For that reason, they immediately wanted to put the best 2 inside. According to the lab manager, it doesn't mean the others won't continue to grow, it was just to risky to go forward with the possibility of having nothing to transfer on day 5 (which I agree, would have been pretty devastating after all this time and all those injections). The 5 day transfer is preferred because you can put in the one you know is best at the blastocyst stage for a high pregnancy rate of just one baby, which I have been told repeatedly is the most healthy for everyone.
Cari, any new updates? Is Abby feeling better?
I sure hope we are all pregnant really soon! Baby dust!
Hey ladies! So of course me out of anxiety because I want control over every single thing and have control over nothing called the embryologist and at our clinic they do not even look at the embryos on Day 3 or 4. Eeek! Everything looked great yesterday and it makes me nervous they aren't even taking a peek at them today or tomorrow. She suspected based on how they are doing on Day 2 we should have high success rates on getting to Day 5. It seems like every clinic has their own philosophies. So we will find out on Sunday as the embryologist will give us a full report for our transfer on our embryos. It's pretty nerve racking. I just hope we have a couple on day 5! So far they have been rock stars with all of them fertilizing. I am so ready for Sunday. Rebecca did they give you valium for your transfer? Apparently our doctor won't give us any but some of the doctors at the clinic will. Just curious.
Hey Cari - I totally understand the desire to control, even though you have no control at all. Lol! I hope you and Abby are ready and excited for tomorrow! I am sure all will go wel! My clinic doesn't not offer Valium for the transfer. I have actually never heard of that before, but I can see how it may help your body relax. The whole time I kept thinking I may pee on the doctor and mess everything up! But an managed to hold it back!
I can't wait to hear your update tomorrow! Sending you tons of positive thoughts and baby dust!
We are officially in the TWW. Well 10 day waiting!! Our transfer went well. It was awesome to see the embryo first and watch it get deposited in Abby's uterus. So fascinating. Right now we have two to freeze but the embryologist thought we may have a couple more tomorrow. So right now we are enjoying bedrest with BBQ and mac and cheese. Abby is off work tomorrow. Hoping for some implantation pains soon. Baby dust to Rebecca. I hope all our embryos stick. You get any to freeze?
Good luck and so much baby dust Cari & Abby! That's great news that you have some to freeze. Here's to a fast and easy 10 days with a fabulous BFP at the end of it! I hope the days are going by fast for you too Rebecca, the wait is such torture! Any symptoms? Are you waiting for beta or do you think you might be tempted to test before? FX for two BFPs very soon!!
Hey Cari - so exciting about your embryo transfer! I am glad that all went well, and can't wait for your BFP soon!
As for me, I am feeling not much of anything...so that kinda stinks. I can't stop thinking about whether it's working or not. I am having a hard time staying distracted this round. I am going to wait for the blood test on Monday, the 24th. And just pray for a positive!
We did get good news this Monday. The lab called to tell me that we ended up with 2 frozen blastocysts. So a couple of the embryos that were lagging on Day 3 were doing really well come day 6. I was super surprised and glad! Plus it was my wife's birthday, which was a nice little present!
How are you feeling Julie? When is your next U/S? I am so happy for you!
Rebecca I so hope it's a BFP for the both of us!!! Our test day is the 26th. We probably won't test before either. We ended up with three five day blastocysts to freeze. We are grateful for those potentials. I can't stop wondering if it worked. My wife has been feeling some cramping and she's so tired. Who knows. We are hoping and praying. We have an army cheering us on hoping it works.
Julie, I'm curious about how you are! I'm dying to hear about that third sack. So fascinating. I hope the pregnancy in general is going well.
I am hoping for 2 BFPs here!! It's time. I wouldn't worry about no symptoms yet Rebecca, it is so early. The first I felt anything this time was the day I tested (day 10) when for the first time ever I couldn't stomach being anywhere near our (clean) cat litter box!! But that was early and without that trigger I probably wouldn't have tested until the 2 weeks were up.
As for now, we don't have another ultrasound until Saturday so the third sack remains a mystery! I'm just hoping we still have 2 growing in there as I keep reading about vanishing twins - I need to stay off google!!
VERY nauseous ALL the time which is not very nice but I'll roll with it as it's supposed to be a good sign!! Right now the challenge is just to keep eating little and often (and bland - these babies do not like spice or exciting food!!)
Keeping everything crossed for you both - so happy you have some frosties too!
Comments
My u/s was yesterday. I had 8 follicles on the right and at least 5 on the left. (Every since my c-section, my left ovary is in a different place and apparently much harder to see on the u/s.) my largest measured 17, with others around 15...so I was surprised. The doc told me my ER would likely be on Monday or Tuesday. Yay!
Later in the day however, they told me my estrogen is rising pretty quickly. So we may have to cut the meds back again, as they want to be sure to protect against overstimulation. I had more bloodwork (but no u/s) this morning to monitor that level. It seems I am responding very well to the meds.
Overall, so far, I'd say this process hasn't been as tough as I though it would be. The injections aren't fun and for me there is major burning for about 5 minutes after...but then it's as if it didn't even happen. My belly is feeling full and I have had twinges of pain, mostly in the mornings. But nothing terrible, thank goodness.
Do they give you a month off between retrieval and transfer to let your body recover or are you doing a fresh transfer?
Keeping everything crossed for you! Mountains of baby dust coming your way!
We are hoping to do a fresh transfer, and have frozen embryos to save as well. If the are too concerned about overstimulation, they may make me wait. The problem with OHSS, is that it worsens after the eggs have been collected. So it can be extra painful if you,are pregnant as well. Hopefully that won't be the case.
I had another day of monitoring with BW and US. At least 11 follies on the right (with 2 22s) and at least 8 on the left (with 2 21s). My BW results made them remove one medication altogether and cut the other to the lowest dose possible for tonight.
Tomorrow I return for more bloodwork and ultrasound. It looks likely that my retrieval will be Monday morning. Fingers crossed because I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable from my swelling ovaries.
Just a quick update:
I am all set for my retrieval tomorrow morning. I definitely have lots of growth in there. The doctor told me this morning during my u/s that my ovaries are kissing...meaning they are so full that the left and right are touching each other. Which explains my discomfort! I am feeling excited and nervous. Hopefully they can get some good, healthy, mature eggs.
I will update after tomorrow.
Rebecca
I hope by the end of today you have good news, I can't wait to hear about the progress.
Ultrasound for me tomorrow - I am so nervous! I wish my wife could come and see but she just started a new job and can't get time off, she will get to see for the first time next week when the RE arranges a weekend ultrasound for us to accommodate her.
Good luck and baby dust Rebecca.
Julie xx
As for us our retrieval is tomorrow. We have 10 follicles. Hoping for lots of good eggs. Abby's estrogen has been really high suggesting she has some good ones in there. Hoping for high fertilization rate and that some make it to day 5 for a fresh transfer. We are a bit nervous about the retrieval tomorrow. Looking forward to see how Rebecca's went to know what to expect. Since it's surgery I don't get to be in there. I will be a nervous wreck from the waiting room. We are off work today so we are trying to keep busy and not think of tomorrow too much. Abby is definitely ready to get the eggs out! I'm hoping we get a BFP out of this with Rebecca!!!
Cari
They were being introduced to the sperm this afternoon and we will hear from the lab tomorrow to find out how many fertilized. After that we will get daily updates, but we are hoping for a top quality blastocyst to transfer on Day 5, and hopefully a couple for the freezer!
I will keep you updated.
Cari - I am going post a message for you on the IVF thread.
I had another ultrasound today, two nice healthy heartbeats which is a relief. Another shock when they told me that there is actually a third sack, but they are not sure if there is anything in it. I know it is horrible to say, but I'm kind of hoping there's nothing in there and we just have the two!!
We had our retrieval today. Abby's follicles are overachievers because we had 10 follicles but ended up with 17 eggies. We will find out tomorrow how many are mature and fertilize tomorrow. The hope is for a five day transfer on Sunday. If the embryos start to not look good they'll get them back into abby on day 3. A day 5 embryo generally has a higher success rate in pregnancy. Abby is in a lot of pain. They did give her some Tylenol 3. I'm trying to be gentle and give her all the love and presents. She's a trooper. One of my heroes today!
Yeah, triplets would not be a joke at all. I'm hoping not, I just don't think I could cope with 3 (although we do what we gotta do, right!). I had 2 follicles, one big one and one much smaller. When we heard it was twins we figured each one had fertilized, my RE is suggesting that if there are indeed 3 perhaps the big one divided into identical twins and maybe the other was from the second, but at this stage who knows! We go back in a week and a half for a follow up ultrasound, so it feels like a long time of waiting and not knowing how many there are!!
Cari, Abby should be feeling much better tomorrow. This time last night I couldn't believe how yucky I felt, but now I am so much better. Still some tenderness, discomfort and bloating...but definitely doable. I went to work and was fine today.
The lab called this morning and told me of the 17 retrieved, 13 were mature, and 10 of those fertilized. We are still hoping for a 5 day blast transfer, but we will know a lot more on Thursday, Day 3.
Baby dust,
Rebecca
We heard from the lab that all 10 of our embryos are still growing strong and normally at this point, which is exciting! Some are slightly ahead of others, but all are still progressing/developing, and none have arrested. Based on this information, the lab folks think I will be good to go for a 5-day blastocyst transfer. Of course, that will be officially decided tomorrow morning, but I am hopeful!
Went in for back to back IUIs (our 4th) on Tuesday and Wednesday... just about 24 hours apart. This was the first time we have been able to get in on the same day as our surge! So I feel really great about the timing.
I was disappointed to have a 3 day transfer, but it was the best bet with what we have right now. The others will be held and may be able to meet freezing criteria. We won't know for a few days.
Either way, at this point, I am excited and hoping for lots of magical things to happen inside. I will know what happens in less than 2 weeks!
I'm sure the best place for them is inside you anyway. Here's to them both settling in and you and I both having twins!!
Just out of interest, what is the deciding factor when they are considering doing a day 3 or day 5 transfer?
Julie they do three day transfers if the embryos start to not look good. Then they want to get them in the body asap as that is a natural habitat for them not a Petri dish. Most clinics prefer a five day transfer but want a pregnancy and I'm guessing with Rebecca since two were looking so good get them in and give them more of a chance!
You still nervous about that third sac? I'm hoping you the best with your pregnancy. And soon Rebecca and I will be right behind you. We have all been on this board together for so long!!
Cari
I'm still a bit nervous about that third sack, but I'm pretty much putting it out of my mind for now, just concentrating on staying calm and positive for whoever is in there right now. What will be will be in the end, nothing worrying can do to help. However many babies we end up with we are a million times more blessed than we could ever have imagined.
TONS of baby dust to you and Abby for your upcoming transfer!
Rebecca - I hope those little ones are settling in there, come on babies! Baby dust and crossed fingers for all of you over the next few weeks!
Julie
Cari, any new updates? Is Abby feeling better?
I sure hope we are all pregnant really soon! Baby dust!
Cari
I can't wait to hear your update tomorrow! Sending you tons of positive thoughts and baby dust!
I hope the days are going by fast for you too Rebecca, the wait is such torture! Any symptoms? Are you waiting for beta or do you think you might be tempted to test before?
FX for two BFPs very soon!!
As for me, I am feeling not much of anything...so that kinda stinks. I can't stop thinking about whether it's working or not. I am having a hard time staying distracted this round. I am going to wait for the blood test on Monday, the 24th. And just pray for a positive!
We did get good news this Monday. The lab called to tell me that we ended up with 2 frozen blastocysts. So a couple of the embryos that were lagging on Day 3 were doing really well come day 6. I was super surprised and glad! Plus it was my wife's birthday, which was a nice little present!
How are you feeling Julie? When is your next U/S? I am so happy for you!
Julie, I'm curious about how you are! I'm dying to hear about that third sack. So fascinating. I hope the pregnancy in general is going well.
Btw the TWW sucks even more with ivf.
Cari
As for now, we don't have another ultrasound until Saturday so the third sack remains a mystery! I'm just hoping we still have 2 growing in there as I keep reading about vanishing twins - I need to stay off google!!
VERY nauseous ALL the time which is not very nice but I'll roll with it as it's supposed to be a good sign!! Right now the challenge is just to keep eating little and often (and bland - these babies do not like spice or exciting food!!)
Keeping everything crossed for you both - so happy you have some frosties too!
Julie