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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