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IVF Thread #4

  1. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    @yellowbeach: I hadn't thought about that, so thanks! I work in publishing. I'm already working a full-time day and part-time night job now (the night-time just because the opportunity to teach in my field came up and I couldn't turn it down, but I love it!). You've made me realize I should look into whether the teaching job's benefits will cover some portion bc I've been contemplating transitioning into that full time in the future.

    @Mrs Lavender: Good luck when you start job hunting! That sounds like a good plan. These costs are huge (our cycle is running us $18k!!), so anything to help.

    About the luteal phase, I have a 10-day luteal phase, too, and I did notice that it extended to 12-13 days when we did our IUIs. I'll have to look back and see what the dosage of the trigger was.

    I'll let you know how things go tomorrow!

  2. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @foodiebee @mrs lavender: Here's a good article from last year - not all inclusive, but helpful. My BF from elementary school worked a side job as an Avon rep bc they paid for her IVF. Not sure if that's still the case as they aren't on this list. My employer now pays 100% (Cigna insurance) if you work for the hospital itself and do the IVF with their doctors, but unfortunately I'm hourly (part-time, no benefits) and DH technically works for the university as he's medical school faculty, and he gets a different insurance (Anthem) which pays 0%. I'm currently paying COBRA to extend the Cigna that offers 100% coverage.

    https://www.today.com/money/best-us-companies-ivf-health-benefits-fertility-coverage-t118619



  3. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    Ok, so this is kind of random bc I can't believe I never asked for this info, but here's the grading on our 6 PGS tested embies. The 3AA one was the one we just transferred on 9/9 that I for the false positive on. DD isn't on here as she was transferred at the original facility that did my ER. I never did ask her grade. Not sure what to make of this info if anything.



  4. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @yellowbeach: Thanks for the info! I'm sure your clinic would have the grading info for your DD if you want to know. Although, they typically want to transfer the best looking one. I'd be curious! From my research, I'm not sure how much grading really plays a role in whether or not it will implant. I've seen success stories from embryos that were rated not so good and ones that were fail. I think it's amazing you have 5 more pgs tested normal embryos! Did you find out their sex? We are doing pgs testing and I'm so scared to have none come back normal.

  5. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: We asked for them to report gender on our results, but asked for our RE not to tell us gender until after a . For us, we didn't want to select based on gender, just health/chances of embryo.

  6. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    Hey all, back from my retrieval. I've been asleep most of the day. The procedure went well, and we got 6 eggs. While we were in recovery, the dr came back and explained that DH's motility was low that day (she said it has fluxuated greatly, which we didn't know). She advised us to do ICSI even though it hadn't been our plan and was worried if we didn't about what would fertilize. Of course we agreed. Now just waiting to hear what actually fertilized tomorrow. If we only have 1-2 survive, we'll skip PGS testing and do a fresh transfer this coming Wednesday! Can't believe it. As far as we know, we've never had an egg fertilize during all our times trying, so this feels like at least a step in the right direction.

  7. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @foodiebee: That's great news. I'm glad your RE was confident enough about what she was seeing and what the issue was to be able to immediately recommend and proceed with a solution. Hoping for a good report!

  8. Amorini

    persimmon / 1132 posts

    @mrswin: sorry to hear it’s been so rough! Many many hugs!

    Hey all, I still lurk here just because I want to cheer you all on. And something about IF and IVF, even after 2+ years later, just doesn’t ever leave my mind. I had a freaking miracle happen so I just like everyone to know that it happens. And I read accounts like mine throughout the internets so it didn’t just happen to me! This in particular was such a helpful board to read and be part of throughout my fresh cycle and then FET. DS will be 2 next month. We had no eggs to freeze; DS and the other embryo (his guardian angel, I say) were transferred due to my age and embie quality. DS as an embie started strong and still hasn’t stopped wowing us!

    @yellowbeach: About quality, one of ours was BA and the other BB, so one definitely worked...perfectly! (We did not do PGS.) I am so cheering you on. You have been through so much. Just know that a less than AA can be a wonder embie!

    @foodiebee: IVF was a total Hail Mary for us because of severe MFI. I was 39 (FSH 9.8; AMH 6+ but no POS; 9-10 follies at initial scan) with no other apparent issues, but that was enough to give us some bad odds. Anyway I responded to stims like I was 20, egg fertility with ICSI (a must) was okay, but quality meant that we only had two embies going into the FET. It was planned as a fresh transfer but changed to a FET when I hyperstimmed. I was kinda relieved that it was a FET because that seemed to improve outcomes for so many. Anyway may my miracle story give some hope! Just keep your chin up and believe.

    No more babies for us. There are so many reasons (even beyond IVF, $ and my age) that I say that. I think what we have is perfect and if 51% of me knew we needed a #2, then I’d be into it, no matter what it takes. I will be checking in to see how you all get your miracles.

  9. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    Update: 6 retrieved, 5 mature. Of those, 3 fertilized and 2 did not. Our RE said that those 2 were not genetically normal, with the genetic material smaller than it should be. Our next check-in is Monday, when we'll decide whether to do PGS. Based on how things look, our RE is now thinking we may want to do PGS if we have more than 1 still growing on day 3. She also echoed what I've read here and elsewhere about FETs giving slightly better results because of prepping the uterine environment.

    I had emotionally prepared myself for this, but I'm definitely feeling the pressure for Monday. There was a tiny part of me that thought maybe something would finally go right and we'd have all 6 fertilize and look great, and that part is taking a moment to be a bit sad while also knowing we only need 1 at the end.

    @Amorini: Thank you so much for sharing your story! I'll definitely hang on to your miracle and hope we get an ending just like yours!

  10. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @foodiebee: It's so hard making these decisions. Really hoping they continue to grow and you get some goods news on Monday. I'm rooting for you! Just curious if you used an hcg trigger only? In my clinic they will not do a fresh transfer if a GnRH agonist trigger was used. Not sure if that's the norm or not.

  11. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @Amorini: Yeah it's really interesting re: grading... I can't seem to find any evidence that says grade matters, yet they seem to spend a lot of time and energy assigning grades to these little guys. Who knows... Thanks for stopping back in to share your thoughts.

    @FoodieBee: I'm anxiously awaiting your Monday results as well!

  12. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: Yes, we did use an HCG trigger (Novarel). That's interesting that your dr won't do a fresh transfer with that. Mine isn't opposed to doing a fresh if your blood work and lining look good, but the way she was talking about a frozen made me think she was leaning that way. Honestly, the way she talked about everything made us think in hindsight that she's concerned for us. No word yet ...

    @yellowbeach: Soooooo anxious ....

  13. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @foodiebee: Oops, just to clarify... She won't do a fresh transfer when a lupron trigger is used. Hopefully they will call soon! Not looking forward to all the waiting...

  14. Mrs. Pajamas

    kiwi / 702 posts

    @mrswin: so sorry to hear you've had a rough go of trying for #2. My heart goes out to you.

    @foodiebee: Great news on your surviving embryos! Since you've had issues with fertilization in the past that is exciting, right? Our issue was MFI as well. HB is the first place I found so many people dealing with MFI and it is a huge comfort.

    @yellowbeach: I do miss the crew that was more active in the past but I must say my priorities have shifted so much since we're done having kids. i definitely always try to keep up with this thread and answer any questions that come up in other threads if I can but IVF talk is exhausting as you all know, and since I'm done, it's nice to take a break. I am always here for questions/support though!

  15. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    Update: Down to 2. One has arrested. The second one is slower developing. The plan is to go in Wednesday afternoon for a fresh transfer (!) of the healthier one unless the second has caught up. If it has, we'll freeze and PGS. This is honestly better than we were anticipating, so we're thankful we have one good-looking embryo still growing!

    @Mrs. Pajamas: Thank you! This is our first IVF, so until this we didn't realize that fertilization was an issue. We also didn't know that DH had a motility issue until now. So we've learned a lot. I second HB being a huge resource for learning and not feeling alone. I've read every IVF thread and following everyone's journeys has been huge in helping me mentally prepare for ours!

  16. MrstypeA

    cherry / 126 posts

    gosh I've missed so much. sending hugs to everyone that needs it and welcoming the new names.

  17. MrstypeA

    cherry / 126 posts

    @foodiebee: i'm cheering for you! Catch up #2, you can do it!
    @yellowbeach: I'm sorry about the false BFP, I'm glad you already have a plan for the next cycle.

  18. MrstypeA

    cherry / 126 posts

    @foodiebee: @Mrs Lavender: @yellowbeach: just wanted to add to the company list- Starbucks covers a large portion of Fertility even for part time employees!

  19. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    Keeping you in my thoughts, @foodiebee: . Crossing my fingers you got good news today!

  20. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @foodiebee: ???? 🤞🤞🤞

  21. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    Thank you for the luck, everyone!

    Latest update is that we have one embryo left. The dr said it's "beautiful" and they are very pleased with it, so we'll transfer it this afternoon and then hope like crazy that it sticks. I don't even have proper words. So many emotions.

  22. mrswin

    nectarine / 2433 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: I haven’t considered a second opinion only because I really like the doctor and she uses very researched based protocols. She mentioned doing a double trigger next time but other than that on paper the most recent fresh cycle looked very much like my first one for DD

  23. mrswin

    nectarine / 2433 posts

    @foodiebee: Thanks, I hope your transfer went well today you are PUPO!

  24. mrswin

    nectarine / 2433 posts

    @yellowbeach: I wish there was a list of companies in Canada that offered the same! I don’t think I have ever heard of any company that offers coverage for the actual procedure, although my company recently increased the lifetime fertility med cap to $10k from $3k so that will help a little!
    As for grading my doctor explained that it is really 1 part science and 2 parts art and that over time embryologist get a feel for what the “good” ones are regardless of grading. Also the grading only takes into account factors that they can see visiually like how tightly clustered the cells are but they don’t know if the cells are healthy, etc.

  25. mrswin

    nectarine / 2433 posts

    @Amorini: @Mrs Lavender: thanks nice to “see” you both!

  26. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @foodiebee: Yay! Hope your transfer went smoothly today!

    @mrswin: So interesting! I was just reading about a dual trigger. This is the video I watched that got me curious to do more research on the topic....


  27. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @mrswin: I have no idea why the video is so huge! lol Oh well....

  28. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    @mrswin: I had to google PUPO but LOVE IT!

    @Mrs Lavender: It went well! I waaay overdrank and was miserable by the time of the apt. Everyone was laughing bc I was hustling to the room for the procedure bc I was so eager to get to pee. Seeing the pic of the embryo blew DH's mind--he didn't know we would get that and it took him by surprise. And watching it on the u/s screen was amazing. I want to say we aren't already attached, but that'd be a lie. We have so much hope for it. (FWIW, the grade ended up being 4AB.)

  29. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @foodiebee: Awe... I can only imagine! I'm probably going to be a mess with the tears. I have so much hope for you guys!

  30. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    My meds arrived today... yay!

  31. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: Isn't it fun to feel like you are making steps forward? My Hcg trigger shot arrived today as well, and I have a CD13 ultrasound at 9am to check my lining and see when we need to trigger for our transfer. Finally feel like this month is moving along.

  32. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: @yellowbeach: Yes!! I'm so excited for both of you! We may have some leftover meds we could donate depending on how things turn out (Gonal, Menopur, Novarel). I'm going to POAS next Wednesday (7dpt).

  33. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    @yellowbeach: Yes, I feel the same way! I have my baseline/meds teaching appointment on Tuesday 10/2. Hope all looks ok for the both of us!

    @foodiebee: When is your beta? I actually hate POAS (total anxiety)... and will prob try to hold out until 10dpt or the morning of beta. Sooo crossing my fingers for you!

  34. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    Ultrasound this morning looked good - consistent with me being CD13. But, because my digital OPK has been bouncing around (went back to low today after 3 days at high) he wants to do another us tomorrow morning to check the progress.

    DH and I's 5 year anniversary is a week from tomorrow on Oct. 5 - I wonder if we'll be transferring on that day?

  35. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: Beta is next Friday, 10/5. I don't POAS normally either. But my RE said the PIO may delay AF and will def impact my bbt, so my options are to either test or wait for the beta call, assuming AF doesn't show up. I don't think I can handle waiting for the call. If it was bad news, it might mean being emotional at work, and I haven't been open about TTC. So I'm gonna be joining the POAS club!

    @yellowbeach: That would be such a special time to transfer! Fingers crossed for you.

  36. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @foodiebee: I was initially against POAS for our fresh transfer after our retrieval in 2016, but then I came to the same realization. I was going to be at work when I got my beta results, and whether good or bad, that wasn't something I wanted to be experiencing at work. I didn't know if the results would throw my focus off for the rest of the day, etc. I'm a little more hesitant this time after our false positive last month, but I'll probably POAS for the same reason.

  37. Mrs Lavender

    apricot / 302 posts

    O I'd definitely test before beta. I made that mistake the first IUI we did. I was convinced it worked and was completely caught off guard when the nurse told me "I'm sorry your beta was negative." Totally understand how it would throw off your work day.

    @yellowbeach: Aw that would be a great day to transfer! DH and I's 7 year wedding anniversary is Oct. 1st. My favorite time of year! What are they looking for during your ultrasound? Do they do blood work too?

  38. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @Mrs Lavender: We are doing I think what's technically referred to as a "supplemented natural FET" - whee a natural FET is no meds at all, and a supplemented FET is just an HcG trigger shot.

    The ultrasounds they do are timed based on where you are in your cycle. So today was CD13 for me, and they expect to see some effects of estrogen on the lining of my uterus (which measured 8mm thickness) as well as some developing follicles over in either (or both) ovaries. The size determines where you are... some people O earlier or later, but they repeat those measurements every 24-48 hrs until they feel confident about you actually OVing and then +/- do trigger shot and then do the frozen transfer.

  39. foodiebee

    kiwi / 662 posts

    @yellowbeach: So, forgive my ignorance of this, but in what you described, because you OV per normal + use a trigger, thus ensuring OV, and then you transfer an embryo, is there a possibility for an egg + an embryo to implant? I feel like surely not, but I'm missing something.

  40. yellowbeach

    nectarine / 2648 posts

    @foodiebee: Only if you do the deed in your window. My RE did say that he had a patient once who got pregnant with twins but had only transferred one embie. She admitted to sex between the trigger shot and transfer.

    So this morning's appointment was good - they had me take my trigger shot just now, 10,000u HcG with a plan to check my progesterone level on Wed and transfer on Friday. Friday happens to be DH and I's 5 year anniversary, so I'm hoping that will bring us luck!

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