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@petunia: Hey, sorry I missed this!
I think your RE will just need to know basic history (loss, previous diagnosis, how long you've been actively TTC, etc). I would maybe take my OBGYN records, especially if you have a history of loss or anything else significant (like if your OB tried any simpler treatments first, like clomid, or ran any tests already). And DEF get and take your old RE records.
It's likely your RE would still want to run all of the tests and everything themselves but it would be good to have a baseline.
Otherwise they don't usually put too much weight in things you've recorded yourself (temping charts, for example). The testing they do is so much more advanced than anything you could provide on your own.For me, as far as what to ask, I liked to know timeline (rough) and to know what will happen and in what order.
I would also ask them, based on the old REs records, what they would have done differently and why they think they can be successful when the old one was not. But full disclosure, I went straight to IVF with no IUIs so I can't say that's what I've asked. It's just what comes to my mind.Also, a great book is-
In Vitro Fertilization: The A.R.T. of making babies.
It's kinda dry and text-bookish but it's very informative. I read it before my first RE appt so I wasn't going in totally blind. I think it made it easier that I already understood the process somewhat and let me focus more on specific questions about me vs procedural questions.Good luck!
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@SweetiePie: Thanks for the reply!! I'm so looking forward to getting a 2nd opinion. I will definitely check out that book. One thing that's confused me thus far based on my simple internet searches are the different protocols used; does this book address this at all?
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@petunia: It's been so long since I've read the book (4 years) but I'm sure it at least touches on it.
The thing about protocols is that they are really an educated guess on which to use. They will run their tests and based on results and other faactors (maybe age, maybe not) they will try a protocol. But they will never know how you respond to a protocol until they try it. They will adjust meds during the cycle if they have to (increase or decrease dosages) but they can't change a protocol midcycle. My first time they tried one protocol and it worked perfectly and that was it. The next time trying for #2 I went through 3 cycles with 3 diff protocols until they found the right one. First cycle they used the original protocol (antagonist) that worked for my first child. It didn't work AT ALL the 2nd time. It was actually abysmal. So what worked for me once didn't work for me again. They tried another protocol, microdose lupron flare, and that didn't work. Same results as first. He started suggesting egg donors but I wanted to try one last round. He went with estrogen priming with the antagonist from the first cycle. It worked PERFECTLY. And my RE is at one of the best clinics in the country, it's not like he's a newbie podunk RE who didn't know what he was doing. My body was just not responding the way it had/should and he had to keep tinkering.
Anyway, hope this helps and feel free to ask anymore questions! -
What were your follicle counts during early IVF ultrasounds vs. what you actually ended up with during egg retrieval? I'm worried my CD5 US today only showed 6 follicles
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@LaughLines: My follicle count was always really low (like 2-4) but they always got more. First time they got 8 and 2nd time they got 6. This last time they counted 7 I think (which for me was amazing) and ended up with 17!
I think a lot of times the REs are 1) cautious and like to underpromise and over-deliver and 2) there are often some hiding behind others that they don’t see in an ultrasound.
I wouldn’t be too worried about 5 unless your doc is. When mine only saw like 2 or 3 on max doses of meds (my AMH is super low, .45) they talked about canceling the cycle (but didn’t). I also needed quantities though because I have a chromosomal abnormality that meant numbers weren’t in my favor, so I needed a lot of eggs to meet my odds. -
No posts on the thread x 2 months - how is everyone doing? We are starting to think about baby #2 but just went to the Bahamas 2 weeks ago which has Zika, so probably won't be for a few months.
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@yellowbeach: Hi! I am here. This thread was a lifesaver for me when I was going through my first round of IVF in 2014 for my DD. So funny that it popped up tonight, we are transferring 1 of our 2 frozen embryos tomorrow morning to try for baby #2
Where did you stay in the Bahamas? -
This is also timely for me! I've lurked on this thread but never posted, so glad to see it revived! We did IVF 3 years ago which resulted in our son, and my wife just did our egg retrieval Monday for baby #2! We are scheduled for a 5 day transfer on Saturday.
This cycle was pretty much identical to our successful cycle 3 years ago: 9 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 4 fertilized with donor sperm. We transferred 2 with a 3 day transfer back then. I'm a little anxious because that cycle was supposed to be a 5 day transfer but turned to 3 day at last moment due to embryo quality. Tomorrow would be 3 day for this cycle but they would have called us today to change it so fingers crossed. We didn't have any frozen from our other cycle and would love to have some leftover if possible this time so also fingers crossed!
This cycle has felt easier as we do have our son now and we are so distracted! But also the emotions and pressure came flooding back...I think I mentally blocked it all out!
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@mrswin: @muffinsmuffins: good luck!!! How exciting!! I'm a two time ivfer--both my girls are ivf babies. The second one was actually harder for me in terms of emotional stress because I knew how amazing being a mom was and I so badly wanted another child. Thankfully we had success eventually. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you both. Did either of you do pgd testing on your embryos?
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@Mrs. Pajamas: Thanks! This cycle has been pretty easy since there is so much less monitoring and the meds are much simpler. I’m glad to hear you have 2 IVF babies. Do you plan to have more?
We did not do PGD testing because we didn’t have any “red flags” and ours seems to be a sperm meeting egg issue
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@Mrs. Pajamas: we didn't do PGD either as our fertility 'issue' is being two women with no sperm! Technically no issues though medicated and unmedicated IUI never worked for us.
We found it harder this time in terms of scheduling and logistics (8 am weekday retrieval and our daycare only opened at 7:30 am!) but a little easier in terms of the desperation I remember feeling first time around. Plus it's been crazy busy being December...our POAS is literally Christmas Day! Wasn't our ideal choice to do a cycle this month but in Ontario we now get a single ivf cycle funded by the govt so we had to go for it or wait til next spring when more funding became available. Crazy times!
@mrswin good luck to you at your transfer today! So exciting!
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@muffinsmuffins: I’m in Ontario too! Good luck on Saturday
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@mrswin: @muffinsmuffins: wow that's amazing Ontario funds ivf! Our insurance paid for it too which was such a blessing. I mention pgd because I also did not have any red flags but I had two failed fet's trying for #2 and that was really rough. Our embryos were great quality and all signs were good but it just didn't take. After that we tested our remaining frozen embryos and that gave us a lot more confidence. Just a thought and wanted to share my story.
We are 99% sure we are done with 2. We feel like our family is complete, I'm 37, and we're just kind of ready to move on to soccer practice and big kid stuff, travel, etc. And be done with the pregnancy and baby phase of our lives. Plus I had 2 all natural deliveries which were amazing but oof, I don't think I need to experience that a third time! My youngest is not quite 6 months so I'm still soaking up baby cuddles and just super content and feel lucky that we were able to have two healthy wonderful babies!! -
@Mrs. Pajamas: That's good to know and I'll keep it in mind for the future. Thanks for sharing. I'm definitely nervous about this round just in case we don't get good results...our clinic tends to be conservative so we were hoping to have more fertilized so more chance to freeze just in case. Quality over quantity is my mantra. Glad to hear you have your two babes!
And yes, IVF funding is newly available for every woman regardless of reason under age 43. It's one cycle per lifetime and includes any FET's resulting from the retrieval. There's been a huge demand obviously so the wait list at our clinic is 12-14 months for treatment. Thankfully we didn't wait that long but it's such a process either way
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@mrswin: We stayed at Compass Point Beach Resort. It worked out really well with a 10 month old. Was a much needed vacation after a crazy year.
@muffinsmuffins: I agree - go Canada for funding IVF. That’s pretty progressive. I appreciate your perspective having done IVF before. I’m not quite sure what to expect for round two. We won’t have to do a retrieval for a while (9 frozen) but I’m still wondering about making the schedule work. When we did IVF the first time I happened to be on a month where I could make my own schedule for work. Did you guys POAS yet?
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@mrswin: Yay Ontario cycle buddies! How did your transfer go? Fingers crossed for you! Did you test yet?
@yellowbeach wow! Beautiful picture. That's awesome you have 9 frozen! We ended up with 1 high quality frozen this cycle which was such a relief.
I was calm and cool up until like 2 days after transfer and then got a little down about it all and my wife and I were both symptom spotting all week ha. My family was here for Christmas so we were originally going to test Boxing Day but couldn't wait so my wife took a FRER at the crack of dawn on the 23rd: blazing positive!
we were shocked and so happy. We are travelling for the holidays starting tomorrow and our clinic is semi closed so we don't get to have a blood test til January 2nd. So for now we are just enjoying this time and trying not to stress until then. Told our parents for a Christmas Day surprise and swore them to secrecy. I always hate knowing results this early...makes the waiting for tests and appointments extra long. Trying to be cautiously excited!
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@yellowbeach: Looks like a lovely spot! I’m glad you were able to get away
@muffinsmuffins: Our transfer went really well, had the same doctor as with my DD, she has the worst bedside manner but she is amazing at what she does. I tested on Friday and got a
we are relishing the news just my SO and I, we will wait to share the news until we get closer to 12 weeks which might be interesting since we are temporarily living with my parents while we reno our house 
Congrats on you BFP
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@yellowbeach: I know you didn’t ask me but I found the FET process super easy and way less intense then a full round. I started my meds on CD1, went for an ultrasound CD 3, went for a lining check on CD14, added progesterone CD15 and they scheduled my transfer for CD21 since my embryo was a Day 6, so only 2 monitoring appts plus the transfer day.
I was able to do the monitoring in the morning before work 7am and I just decided to call in sick on transfer day.
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@mrswin: That's actually great to know and definitely less appointments to juggle than I was thinking in my head. Out of curiosity, did you bother giving it any time to try naturally for #2? I just know 3 people who got pregnant after IVF the natural way. Like the plumbing got flushed out or something and stuff started working.
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@mrswin: wow congratulations on your
as well! And good luck living with your parents...At least it's only temporary! I hope these first couple months fly by for us both. Have you been feeling ok? DW is super tired but otherwise ok. She had severe morning sickness with our son starting around 7-8 weeks up until he was born so I feel like the countdown to that is on!
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Hey all. Hopping back on these threads as we head into a natural FET cycle for #2. My 20 month old was conceived on our first IVF cycle and the IF boards were a lifesaver during that time. We had one frozen embie from that cycle so we're hoping this one will stick.
Glad to see some success stories on here and thinking of you all!
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Well ladies, looks like 2.0 wasn’t meant to be. We confirmed today that the pregnancy isn’t viable so now I am waiting to miscarry, will be back to try again with our last frozen embryo in a month or two. This has been such a heartbreaking week.
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@yellowbeach: My DD will be 3 in April and we haven’t used any protection since she was born so as far as I am concerned we tried and the “reset” didn’t work for us
@muffinsmuffins: I hope DW is doing well and the morning sickness isn’t too bad.
@YogiRunner: Welcome back! I hope your cycle is successful
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@mrswin: oh I’m so so sorry to hear this news. Hoping things go as well as can be expected for you and I’m sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and your family
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@mrswin: I’m so sorry to see this update.
I’ve just been getting caught up and was so happy to see your BFP. I’m glad you have another frozen embryo and please keep us updated on that. Lots of @muffinsmuffins: congrats to you and DW! Hope morning sickness is kept at bay. Good news is that my 2 sticky pregnancies have been very different in terms of MS and other symptoms, so maybe she can avoid it this time or at least have it last for less time.
@YogiRunner: Welcome back! What is your timeline for FET?
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@mrswin: I am so, so sorry to hear this.
Sending you healing thoughts. @SweetiePie: Just took my trigger shot last night and transfer is next week for my 5 day embryo. I totally agree with others that it's a whole different experience this time, mostly from being distracted with a toddler... and I actually only needed one monitoring appointment so it's feeling really fast!
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@muffinsmuffins: @SweetiePie: @YogiRunner: Thanks for the support ladies....I am thankful we have one embryo left to try. I had some bleeding and a beta taken over a week ago that I knew meant things weren’t right but because I was traveling on business I wasn’t able to confirm with the clinic until yesterday. In some ways it was a relief to be able to let go
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Hi ladies. Its been a while here for me. After the lap and ovarian drilling I did a last cycle resulting in 2 blast that we didn't test. So that totalled 4 blast in the freezer. (2 tested, 2 untested). I did the Yale EFT which resulted in highly elevated cyclin E and slight GDA, so we did the 3 month lupron depot treatment. That was finally over in Dec and we went right into a FET prep and transfer last Friday. I'm 5dp5dt, and I think I see the faintest squintiest of squinters irl. I don't see it in the pic, but here's one anyways. Lol.
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@PurplePumps: I see a bit of a line if I zoom in really close
How many did you transfer? Did you transfer a tested or untested embryo?
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@mrswin: Just one this time, tested. I didn't want to be biased, so I decided to go down the line chronically as the embryos were created....which happen to be a tested male.
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@PurplePumps: That’s great! I will keep you in my thoughts, 10dpo is still really early but great to see a line already. When is your beta scheduled?
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@mrswin: Thank you! I know it's early, I wasn't going to test today, but I couldn't help it. I figured if it's negative, I could prepare myself for that but still have hope that it was early. And if it showed positive, I could be relieved. My beta isn't until Monday.
How are you doing? Do you have a plan for when you will do your next FET? -
@PurplePumps: So nice to see your name pop up and I'm crossing everything for this FET
Are you going to test again tomorrow?
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@YogiRunner: Thanks. I sure am! I know I wont be able to help myself. My RE told me to wait until Saturday to test if I was going to test, but.. yeah, that didn't work.
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@PurplePumps: I do think I see the faintest of a line!
I'm praying that this works for you. You certainly deserve it and have been through SO much -
@PurplePumps: SO happy to see your name. I think about you often.
It’s hard to see but I 100% have had squinters that I could only see in person and couldn’t photograph. My first son at 4dp5dt and my current pregnancy at 4dp5dt. So I have everything crossed for you. Can’t wait for next update!!!!
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@PurplePumps: Haha well at least you get to pee on many sticks between now and Monday
Thanks for asking.I’m doing ok, my beta level is down to 12 as of Monday and I am no longer bleeding. I took the tissue samples and did my blood work on Monday so they could do the genetic testing.
I am hoping to do another FET when I get my period in February as long as nothing comes up on the genetic testing. -
*deeeeep calming breaths*
It's still light, but definitely there in person this morning!!! -
@PurplePumps: Yay! Much easier to see on today’s test
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@PurplePumps: now I definitely see it!!!
we were shocked and so happy. We are travelling for the holidays starting tomorrow and our clinic is semi closed so we don't get to have a blood test til January 2nd. So for now we are just enjoying this time and trying not to stress until then. Told our parents for a Christmas Day surprise and swore them to secrecy. I always hate knowing results this early...makes the waiting for tests and appointments extra long. Trying to be cautiously excited!
I’ve just been getting caught up and was so happy to see your BFP. I’m glad you have another frozen embryo and please keep us updated on that. Lots of 
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