https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:38:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873781 Mon, 25 Feb 2019 12:29:44 +0000 Mrs. Pajamas 2873781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I'm sort of in the same boat as you....so happy to lend support and love and answer questions. I'm done having kids but have been through a LOT to get to this place so I have all the sympathy in the world for all of you going through infertility and will be your #1 cheerleader!</p> <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC?<br /> 3 years before conceiving DD1</p> <p>• What interventions have you done/are doing?<br /> We went straight to IVF, though we tried "natural IVF" twice, i.e., no stimulating drugs, just monitor the cycle, then retrieve the mature egg and peform ICSI with DH's sperm sample. I got pregnant but had a blighted ovum, and no heartbeat was found at the 6 week check up. I had a D&amp;C, the moved on to traditional, stimulated IVF and was able to do one retrieval that produced both of my amazing girls! We still have 4 PGS-normal embryos on ice and are desperately trying to find a non-religious organization to help us facilitate adoption.</p> <p>• Reason for intervention?<br /> DH has low motility and morphology, and count. He is on immunosupressant drugs due to a kidney transplant and we think one of the drugs caused this.</p> <p>• Any successes? Yes</p> <p>• Current # of Children - 2: DD1 is 4 and DD2 is 20 months</p> <p>• The most difficult part of the process?<br /> SO much damn time for everything to happen when I was more than ready! Feeling like it was all my responsibility for the appointments, nonstop prodding of my lady parts, emotional exhaustion/pressure, constant scrutiny when the IF diagnosis was on the male side (rarely talked about and it made me resentful that everyone assumes IF is always the "fault" of the woman--when it's nobody's fault at all) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873606 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 10:24:18 +0000 Kaohinani 2873606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, an update from me. As most of you who keep up with the POAS board already know, I overstimmed with my Follistim this cycle and was told due to having 4 large follies and a ga-zillion smaller ones, that our TI cycle needed to be cancelled and I should not trigger. WELL, DH and I had an "OOOPS" around OV (* broken polyurethane prophylactic without spermicide... I am latex allergic and spermicide causes an itchy rash in a very private zone. 😳😳😳) so, I found myself in the TWW anyway! I am 13 dpo of a normal 16 day luteal. I am so afraid to test because a BFN during a phase with so many ova would crush me. If I end up not pregnant (pending if I have any cysts), my next cycle will begin with only 50-IU of Follistim and I will be given an U/S every other day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873602 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 09:40:23 +0000 foodiebee 2873602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: Ha, my pharmacist asked me the very same thing. "I have to ask if you're pregnant to give you this." Me: "Uh no. I'm taking it TO get pregnant." Pharmacist: "Oh." I felt so weird. I agree, I kinda wish you'd said your other idea! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873593 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 06:31:44 +0000 Kaohinani 2873593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: I am so happy to read that you have a solid plan (medically) for this cycle ... That is great news! 😁 While it is understood that pharmacists must [legally] ask for any contraindications for prescribed medication, I'm sure the pharmacist could have asked in a more tactful manner. That must have been so unbelievably frustrating! 😖😠😤 With that stated, I appreciate your sense of humor! I wish you had replied with the former ... I would have loved to read about the pharmacist's reaction from your sarcasm! 😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2873579 Fri, 22 Feb 2019 21:35:25 +0000 Chuckles 2873579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm starting our second medicated cycle and the RE wants me to start on estradiol before the trigger and continue for 14 days. And that's in addition to starting progesterone at 3dpo. So I just went to pick up the estradiol from Walgreens and the pharmacist was like, I just have to ask if you're pregnant. Which just made me feel crappy - i said, nope, definitely not pregnant. That's why I'm getting this stuff. But I did think about saying, yes but I thought shoving more stuff up my vagina for no reason sounded like a good idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871332 Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:16:39 +0000 Kaohinani 2871332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@foodiebee: Thank you so much for careful and detailed response! :heart: You have gone through so much. As for me, my RE says since I was so receptive to injectables, my E2 has been too high to allow for a LH surge leading to ovulation. He states that when my E2 gets low enough, I "should" ovulate and see my progesterone rise accordingly. We shall see 🤷‍♀️ as I am already 5 days past my longest unmedicated OV. I'm just afraid of an anovulatory cycle and a plethora of cysts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871327 Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:05:38 +0000 foodiebee 2871327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: I'm just now seeing this thread. I never overstimmed for my IUI cycles, but I used Clomid, then Clomid + Gonal F. Even on the cycle with Gonal, I only produced 2 mature follicles. I agree with PP that it takes some tries to figure out how your body is going to respond to these meds, which is frustrating but part of the game. </p> <p>With my one round of IVF, we did more Gonal (not Follistim, like you'd asked about), but even then, I only ended up with 5 mature eggs at retrieval. This is with having a normal-range AMH. I noticed through both IUI and IVF that the meds caused my cycle to be faster than it would be naturally, closer to what it should've been and wasn't doing on its own.</p> <p>My symptoms on my IUI cycles were bloating and over 5 IUI cycles (2 cancelled for no response or cysts but cancelled after meds were taken), some small weight gain (5 lb. over 6 months). All my bloating was delayed 1-1.5 weeks post taking the meds, not felt immediately.</p> <p>My symptoms post-IVF are harder to track bc we did a fresh transfer and my body immediately went crazy with the IVF hormones combining with the pregnancy hormones. Way too much for me to handle. I had painful bloating, water weight gain of another 5-8 lb., and horrible, depressive crying spells every day at the same hour like clockwork. I lost clumps of hair when I showered (hair loss is rarely mentioned from what I see but it is listed as a side effect of some of these meds). My dr said my body was having a hard time handling the symptoms of the IVF meds kicking in combined with pregnancy hormones, so my strong reaction could just be my body. Either way, DH and I left the experience grateful we'd gotten pregnant this time, because we only had one chance and we both didn't think my body could handle doing IVF again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871154 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:35:56 +0000 Kaohinani 2871154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Lavender: Thank you for your insight! 💙👍 My AMH at the start of the cycle was 1.4 ... which is good for being a couple weeks short of 39 years old. 😁 I was told not to trigger bc to do so may lead me to OHSS but to OV on my own time would allow the smaller follicles to shrink or absorb [hopefully before OV]; thus, to reduce chances of OHSS. I went from 3 large and 12 small follicles on 75-IU, then 2 days later (on 25-IU) I was with 5 large and 19 smaller. On no meds (* note - they reduced my dose to NONE), they found 4 large follies and 20 smaller than 10mm (one of the 14mm shrunk). The RE's nurse said I would be a perfect candidate for IVF since I respond so well to FSH but for the purpose of TI or IUI, I was TOO responsive. 🥺 My next cycle (whenever it comes), I will be stimming on only 50-IU of Follistim and going for scans every other day. They assume DH and I shouldn't have any issues conceiving as his numbers are stellar and my only issue was early OV [of immature ova] so they would like us to continue another cycle (or two) of TI before moving on to IUI. I was soooooooo hopeful this cycle since I was responding so well to Follistim but it wasn't meant to be. 😥 Looking at it positively, at least we have a plan for next cycle. Unfortunately, I do not know when/if I will OV at this point (since my E2 was so high). 🤷‍♀️ I was hoping SOMEONE would have a similar story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871147 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:07:09 +0000 Mrs Lavender 2871147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi @Kaohinani: ! I agree with SweetiePie, regarding overstimming being less common with IUI. I'm sorry your first cycle turned out that way! At least you now know you will respond! I was on a much lower dose of Follistim for IVF - I think 150IU. What's your AMH? I wonder why they wouldn't just have you trigger and abstain. Did they say why? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871137 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:26:15 +0000 SweetiePie 2871137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: fwiw, I know it’s not the same but I had random follicles in the middle of my cycle when I was doing IVF. Like not when I should have. And it was causing issues with starting stims. They always had me trigger those away. I would imagine if your body didn’t ovulate on its own past a certain time frame they will trigger you but maybe caution you to stay abstinent so you don’t end up with quads 👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871136 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:13:27 +0000 Kaohinani 2871136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Thank you, so much. 🙏 I had not considered "the weekend factor." I will bump it on Monday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871135 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:09:07 +0000 SweetiePie 2871135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: I think it’s a little less common to overstim with IUI/TI. And then on top of that the boards are generally a lot slower on the weekends. I’d just try and bump this again on Monday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871133 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 14:57:57 +0000 Kaohinani 2871133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Seriously, overstimming hasn't happened to anyone else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-with-me-about-follistim#post-2871080 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 06:39:55 +0000 Kaohinani 2871080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ladies, once again, I need your help and guidance. This is especially directed to the ladies who were set to IUI or TI but had to cancel (as with IVF, one must carefully overstim to collect the optimal number of mature ova) ...</p> <p>My conundrum:<br /> I overstimulated on my 1st cycle (24 follicles with 5 large) and had to be taken off of Follistim (which resulted in 24 follicles and FOUR large ones at my last scan). My E2 was also over 625.<br /> The cycle was cancelled and I was told not to trigger. I'm STILL waiting to OV. The RE's nurse told me not to use OPKs because with such high E2, it lowers LH and would not produce a decent enough line on a test even if I were ovulating. I have been tracking my BBT and have yet to see a significant temp shift. I assume that my E2 is still riding high and suppressing a surge. My fear is having painful cysts (if they are still growing and not desolving) and having to forgo next cycle.</p> <p>I would appreciate any response...<br /> My inquiries:<br /> • If you overestimated, when did you ovulate on your own?<br /> • Was it earlier or later than your typical [nonmedicated] ovulation time frame?<br /> • What happens if someone doesn't ovulate? Will I be given medication to induce an AF?</p> <p>Thank you in advance! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869866 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:55:57 +0000 Kaohinani 2869866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Spinny: Thank you soooooooo much for sharing! It is so difficult to make a concrete decision as whether or not to continue at any given point, but I am certain it is even more difficult after losses. :heart: DH and I had a plan that we would stop TTC in May as we want a #3 so badly but we are content with the 2 beautiful children we have; that was until I visited my new RE and figured out the problem wasn't unexplained 2ndary infertility, rather, immature ova. The RE has helped with a plan for further TTC which extends our "trying" to April 2020! He, of course, is supportive of our decisions and IF we choose to stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869864 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:47:26 +0000 Sams Mom 2869864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Spinny: I feel you on the moving forward as a family of 3. Like I know we won't only ever be a family of 3, because we want to pursue adoption of some sort (embryo or from the state, since they can be a little more certain than standard adoption)... But I can't seem to find that peace, even though I do feel like some parts are definitely on standstill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869862 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:44:35 +0000 Spinny 2869862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC? A little over 2 years<br /> • What interventions have you done/are doing? 3x clomid cycles, I have done 1 IUI cycle (femara, ovidrel) that was unsuccessful, I will start another IUI cycle next month.<br /> • Reason for intervention? Unexplained secondary infertility<br /> • Any successes? I've gotten pregnant twice in the last 2+ years but lost both around 10 weeks due to different chromosomal abnormalities.<br /> • Current # of Children - 1 - my son is 3.5<br /> • The most difficult part of the process? I had a breakdown during my first IUI cycle, no surprise it wasn't successful. I didn't anticipate the early morning monitoring appointments (clinic is an hour away) to be so stressful. I also am struggling with "letting go" and moving forward as a family of 3. I feel like life has been on hold for the last couple of years and I'm torn between wanting a second child and moving forward, it's not easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869826 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:20:46 +0000 Kaohinani 2869826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: Thank you, bhbee! I appreciate your comments and offer for support on this board! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869824 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:14:17 +0000 bhbee 2869824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All the :heart: to all the ladies trying. I always found my best support here on HB! There used to be an IF checkin thread that checked in weekly (maybe a long time ago) and I’m glad to see people connecting again!! </p> <p>We did clomid, triggers, IUIs, all the basic testing, recurrent loss testing, karyotyping, hysteroscopy, metformin, progesterone ... I am sure stuff I am forgetting. I felt relatively lucky and still it was some of the loneliest times of my life. I have many memories of hard days burned into my brain. </p> <p>If there’s anything I can ever do to support someone or talk about our experience let me know :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869819 Thu, 31 Jan 2019 08:21:19 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2869819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: so frustrating and makes the whole thing even more isolating. Now its another person I can't even try to share this journey with. Thank goodness for HB. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869794 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 21:06:05 +0000 Kaohinani 2869794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: Frustrating, isn't it?!?! I am always dumbfounded, myself. I am not a confrontational person so I now just thank them for their concern or advice (and all but swear at them in my head 😂). I know MOST people mean well and all but my sentiment to those with intrusive advice is: "It is not your body or life to monitor, so please keep all comments to yourself as I would never say such to or judge you." 🤷‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869792 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:58:51 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2869792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: I never knew how to respond to people who suggested I just let nature take its course or whatever and I really hated people who offered advice like just relax and have sex with your husband it will happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869780 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:35:25 +0000 Kaohinani 2869780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snarkybiochemist: Thank you so very much for sharing and congratulations on your LO! :heart: I agree that not having a strong or understanding support system is frustrating... Right now no one outside of the HB community knows I am on injectables with TI as I am finding my family and friends can't understand why we don't "Give up," or "Leave it to God," or "Try to be content with our 2." I appreciate that you touched upon it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869778 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:28:26 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2869778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Joining you all in support and a resource if I can be<br /> It took a year for E and that was b/c I knew at 17 that I would likely need fertility treatments and I very luckily had doctors who listened to me and were proactive and I responded well to treatment.<br /> I did all of the assorted infertility testing which confirmed PCOS and hypothyroidism. I did clomid once but it was starting to decrease my lining even after that so no more clomid for me. I did a femera cycle (5mg) and had 4 follicles which made both my doctor and I very nervous and she almost canceled the cycle. Then I had cysts and had to take a cycle off from meds so we tried naturally which did not result in a pregnancy but at least I ovulated in a reasonable time. I have had many annovulatory cycles in my life the longest being 90 days. My RE lowered my femera dose to 2.5mg and I had 1 really great looking follicle. My husband and I decided to convert that cycle to and IUI instead of just TI. It was successful and we now have 15 month old E. All of my cycles successful and not included a trigger shot, progesterone suppository support after O, metformin for the PCOS, synthroid for the hypothyroidism, and a handful supplements including vitamin D and CoQ10.<br /> The hardest part for me was not having many people in real life who understood what infertility was like and how uncertain and frustrating it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869777 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:48:13 +0000 Kaohinani 2869777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePumps: Thank you, PurplePumps! You have had quite a journey... I am so glad you were successful. It gives me (and others) so much hope. Thank you, again. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869776 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:41:23 +0000 PurplePumps 2869776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC?<br /> 5yrs, 3 months until my sticky baby</p> <p>• What interventions have you done/are doing?<br /> Clomidx3, Femerax1, IUIx3, IVFx8, ovarian drilling, 3 month lupron depot. (Full details on my blog linked from my profile)</p> <p>• Reason for intervention?<br /> Mild PCOS/unexplained, crappy egg quality</p> <p>• Any successes? Yes</p> <p>• Current # of Children - 1</p> <p>• The most difficult part of the process? Not knowing if it was ever going to work and how long it all took. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869775 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:33:10 +0000 Kaohinani 2869775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: Simply *hugs* :heart: . We have spent so long together on the POAS boards that I am so hopeful we will both get our BFPs soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869774 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:30:33 +0000 Sams Mom 2869774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>• How long have you been/were you TTC? 25 Cycles</p> <p>• What interventions have you done/are doing? I have done 4 rounds of Clomid, 1 round of Femara, and 1 round of Femara + Progesterone support.</p> <p>• Reason for intervention? Unexplained secondary infertility. Our son was an oops baby. After 3 1/2 years of calendar/symptothermal/pull and pray birth control I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant 3 months into our marriage 😬🤷🏼‍♀️ from one miscalculated night. </p> <p>• Any successes? Not a single repeatable positive (had a couple cycles where A test gave me hope, but the following 10 never confirmed anything.</p> <p>• Current # of Children - 1, my son is coming up on 3</p> <p>• The most difficult part of the process? The most difficult part is knowing you're doing what you're supposed to be doing; yet nothing is working out. The feeling like you're a failure when your body is failing you. Knowing that you have room in your heart, life, house to have a baby... Yet it doesn't happen. That's what sucks...</p> <p>O and the ever ignorant people that tell you to quit trying and it will happen... Those people suck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869772 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:24:45 +0000 Kaohinani 2869772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: I was just searching HB for other "intervention" boards since I have yet to see one recently, and look what I found:<br /> <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/list-your-interventions" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/list-your-interventions</a><br /> It is so exciting and wonderful to know that someone else felt the same as I do now (and had a similar idea!) :heart: So many strong, supportive women sharing as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interventions-ttc-board-those-using-fertility-medications-ti-ici-iui-ivf-fet-etc#post-2869766 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:40:36 +0000 Kaohinani 2869766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@foodiebee: Oh, I was hoping you'd join in! Thank you. :heart: </p>