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@MrsCB: Congrats on the follicle! That sounds awesome!
@justdarling: I've only done Menopur so I have nothing else to compare it to, unfortunately. But achiness/fullness sounds like par for the course with injectibles. Don't let the on and off part scare you that you ovulated early! The pain doesn't always correlate exactly to what is going on. And the follicles can get bigger without releasing! Best of luck tomorrow!
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@justdarling: I don't have any advice, just want to commiserate with you. I keep worrying about the same thing. I can only reassure you that my RE said that the pain and (even my early OPK this month), really may not indicate you are ovulating early. And even *IF* you did O early, there were two more follicles that should release eggs with your trigger shot, so you still have great chances! I just keep telling myself to try not to worry about it and trust the dr. I am having better success with that on this cycle (my 2nd) than on my 1st IUI. Hoping you have success this month!!!
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@justdarling: I can also relate to what you're going through. I have not been on Menopur, so I don't have any advice there. But that worry about the timing thing is the worst. And noticing every little ping and twinge in your mid section. I feel like timing is what was off on my first IUI. So I'm hoping we can get it right on my second try. I agree with @kentuckygirl, I think you have great chances. Lots of luck tomorrow!
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Well I'm all confused. My acupuncturist just called me (after talking to my naturopath) to tell me that she doesn't think they can work together, because the naturopath doesn't respect Chinese medicine. Who would've thought that the "natural" providers can't agree? As convenient as the naturopath is, I think I'm going to go with the acupuncturist on this one since I have a longer relationship with her and she has a better reputation. Unfortunately, the nautropath she recommends is further away and doesn't take insurance
I don't think I need to make an appointment again until I actually get pregnant though...
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I just triggered! Here comes the TWW, finally!
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@MrsCB: YAY!!! Happy TWW!
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Hi all! We do not have an infertility diagnosis, but I hope you don't mind me posting here. I would love your input.
My question for you all is this: when did you decide to see a fertility specialist? What would be your recommendation for a couple TTC?
We're just finishing our 5th TTC--1 of not really trying, and 4 of charting and using OPKs. This cycle and the last, my temp has dropped on CD 10. I just turned 34, he is 36. No known health issues.
It seems the standard advice is to see a specialist after 6 months if you're 35 or older, and after 1 year if you're younger. In Taking Charge of Your Fertility, she mentions that you may want to consider seeing someone after 3-4 cycles if you know you've timed it right.
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@Happygal: Hi! Although they have those guidelines about a year or 6 months, there's nothing wrong with making an appointment with your OB when you're starting to get worried. I only waited 3 months although we knew of a reason there could be a problem.
Sorry I haven't kept up with the charting thread...I happened to notice that FF seems to have your O date wrong almost every single cycle, by 2-3 days...
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@SpanielLove: hi back! Do you think they have my O date early or late? Interesting....no worries on the charting thread. I pop over here every now and then just to catch up on how you all from that thread are doing.
I see a midwife right now, and while I've been happy with her care, I don't have a lot of confidence for TTC stuff. She told me last time that we need to have sex every other day to give the sperm time to mature, even though there is no known male factor issue. That was her one piece of advice, and she was very confident if we did that, it would happen. I guess it wouldn't hurt to start with her, and move on if needed.
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@MrsCB: three cheers for a speedy TWW with a great outcome!
@kentuckygirl: thinking of you in your TWW!
@Happygal: It's perfectly fine to ask a question on this thread even if you're not a regular
I know it's a deep thread to go combing back through, but I think some people have spoken about this topic before. So if you want more feedback, it might be worth digging.I'm 34 and my husband is 36. We began TTC when I was 32 and he was 34. I waited the full year before doing anything about it, but now that I'm at the 18 month mark, I wish I had looked in to getting answers sooner. You might check with your insurance, because they may not cover fertility treatments until you have been trying for a year. But if that's not a factor, I'd look in to seeing an RE sooner rather than later. It may still be early for you, but at your age (I'm not trying to scare you, just trying to help!) getting answers sooner is better. Even the initial 3-day bloodwork is a good first step to determining if things are ok.
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I finished my 2nd round of Clomid last night. I go in tomorrow for early monitoring to see how things are developing and if I need to add injectibles into my protocol. I'm really hoping we can get the timing right this time around and that I have more than two follicles. I learned last night on an IVF web conference that my fertility clinic hosted, that sometimes follicles don't always have eggs. So even though I had a 20 and 27 sized follicle on my first IUI, there's no guarantee they there was an egg in there. I swear, more and more everyday, that it will be a miracle when we get pregnant. Trying to get all of the stars to align is so hard.
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@Happygal: My doctor said to come see her if I didn't get pregnant within 6 months. At the time I was 30 and DH was 33. Though my naturopath seems to think that up to a year is still normal. I think everyone has a different opinion! Also, my insurance won't cover anything until a year of RECORDED trying with a doctor (or 6mo for 35+), meaning they need to note something in your chart.
Also, Happy February! As soon as AF shows up in the next few days, we're back in the game, yay. I know a lot of you are also looking forward to this month due to IUIs and IVFs
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@Sweetooth: Thanks for letting me know--I'll search through this thread to see what I can find. I welcome an excuse to procrastinate from work today! Your age comment didn't scare me--I'm quite pragmatic about all of this and know the facts.
@Mrs.Someone: Our insurance plan is fine, not great, so I expect to take the cost fully on the chin. We may not be able to jump into treatments if something shows up, but at least we would know what we are dealing with.
Thanks for chiming in!
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@spaniellove: @kentuckygirl: @sweetooth: Thanks girls! DH just left his sample at the clinic. My appointment is at 10:30. I'm tring to remain positive for this cycle.
@MrsCB: Happy TWW! Hopefully there is a BFP at the end of it!
@sweetooth: I never knew that about the follicle not having eggs in them. That's interesting. Good luck at your appointment tomorrow.
@Happygal: I went to my doctor after trying for 3 months just for an annual exam. We had only been using OPKs for 2 months. She wanted me to try OPKs for 3 months before she would start looking into fertility issues. I was 34 at the time with no known previous issues for either me or DH. I went back to her a month later and she started running tests. You should definitly start with your mid-wife and then an OB if necessary. My OB is a Fertility Specialist so she is really proactive when it comes to this stuff. Of course, you should do what you are comfortable with. I like that my doctor is really proactive, but other women may want to take more of a wait and see approach. It's really up to you.
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@Happygal: I'd definitely recommend seeing an RE whenever you feel like getting pregnant isn't working. If your insurance will cover the cost, follow their timelines, but ours didn't cover anything so it didn't matter. Our RE said if you're getting close to a year and it hasn't happened naturally you're going to need help regardless. We didn't go see the RE until 10 cycles of trying and I really wish we had gone there by about 6 or 7.
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@justdarling: Good luck, I hope all goes well!
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@justdarling: Good luck!!
Does someone want to update with all of the future appointments and such? I know there are some of you in TWWs, some about to start treatments, and some right in the middle. It's hard to follow them all.
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Thanks again. We'll go for one more cycle and then see the RE in town. I contacted them today and the initial visit is anywhere from $350-700.
@Marionberry: would it work to have a Google doc for this group? Might be easier to keep up with.
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@marionberry: I've been wondering if we should start a new thread. This one is getting pretty long and hard to follow.
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@happygal: @leialou: A Google Doc might be nice to have on everyone (that's what we have in the September Moms group) so that we can track progress at any point without scrolling through the posts. However, I think the board is good for the daily what's up kinds of things. I was about to say no need to create a new board, but given that this one is so long, it's probably really hard to follow for newbies having fertility issues. Perhaps it's time for Infertility Board II? If it had a link to the Google Doc in the header, that would make it easy to always access the information.
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@Happygal: The $350 price is about what our first RE appointment cost. Maybe the higher end of the range is associated with the tests that follow?
@Leialou: @marionberry: I think that threads always get difficult to follow when they are so long, but in this format, no matter what, it will be hard to keep up with all of the details of so many different people. What would help the most?
I also think what's hard is that this thread doesn't always deal with happy stuff. So it kind of ebbs and flows with conversations and random topics about infertility. People come and go. We could keep this thread going, and start another one as a place to just check in with our current fertility status? (I don't think that's the best way to put it...but do you know what I mean?) A thread, where if people want others to know where they're at in their cycle/treatment/TWW they could get the support, positive thoughts, that they need.
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@Happygal: Hello, I'm currently 29 (DH is 30) and we have been TTC for about 1 year now. Though, it's been spaced out over two years with no success. We currently don't have any kids.
I saw my OB during my annual and just casually asked her about not getting pregnant after 6 months of trying. My DH has health issues (that she was aware of) so she said she would recommend me to a few clinics. You could always ask. I was a little scared that she would tell me to wait til I got to 1 year. I'm glad she referred me right away. I don't think I would be sane right now if I had to wait a year. I would ask your ob/gyn to 'feel the waters.' Good luck!
Also, I was off BC for a good year when we hit our 6 months of TTC. My cycles were normal, pap smears all normal. I just didn't understand why it wasn't happening for me.
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I wish we could have signatures...that would make it much easier to see at a glance where we are and what we have been through. Another thing I've seen that's helpful is on the POAS threads when they post the updates again on just about every page, which I bet is a lot of work but no one has to click back and forth.
Sorry I don't have very much to give right now...this week before I start IVF feels so long. Of course I don't want something to be wrong for AF to show up early, but I'm anxious to start. As DH pointed out last night, if we're ever going to be parents these next few weeks will have to be successful since we won't be able to do another fresh cycle...so no pressure or anything.
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@spaniellove: Or I wish there was something in our profiles about how many cycles we are on or treatments we done. It does help (my memory) to know where everyone is.
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@spaniellove: @bluestriped bee: Maybe we should suggest to Mr. Bee to add a short "about us" section to our profiles? That way people can put in TTC info, kids ages, etc.
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We met our RE yesterday. I really liked her and the nurses. We went over all our past tests and she said that IVF is likely going to be her suggestion. We have a few tests and a follow up appointment before we make our final decision. I had an ultrasound, which I didn't expect. She said my uterus and ovaries look good. I had a lot of eggs! My DH had his blood drawn and they are going to check for chromosomal abnormalities. I'm having my blood drawn on the 11th and then again on CD 2 or 3. I'm also having an HSG around the end of the month. I expect our follow up appointment will be in March.
I'm feeling excited and positive about everything. I'm not looking forward to paying for all this because our insurance isn't covering anything. Oh well. It's worth it.
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Here's basically what was posted in January. I can try to repost/update it every page or two this month. This doesn't reflect any treatment changes made recently so go ahead and tell me what you want me to update!
Upcoming important dates:
Clomid/other meds:
@Shutterbug
@Ladybee
@MrsCB (Femara)
@Sweetooth
@Alie
@ChuckNorrisIUI:
@Kentuckygirl (w/ injectibles)
@Justdarling
@Sweetooth (w/ Clomid)
@Bluestriped BeeIVF/ICSI/FET:
@Spaniellove
@Raintreebee
@DerevivalOther/TBD:
@Mrs.Someone (acupuncture/herbs/naturopath)
@LeialouCongratulations Graduates
@Grace
@Trailmix
@Greenthumb
@Marionberry -
@Mrs.Someone: I've seen that suggested by a few people in the past in different ways, so I'm inclined to think there's a reason they're not implementing it.
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@Mrs.Someone: Yeah, you should suggest it here. http://suggestions.hellobee.com/
I think that's a great idea.
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@spaniellove: Thank you for the updated list! You're fabulous. I wish we could just have a progress line in our "Persimmon/# Posts" so that it would read "IVF/Persimmon/# Posts" or "8 Weeks Pregnant/Persimmon/# Posts" or "TTC/Persimmon/# Posts"etc. It doesn't have to be big but it would help us keep things straight. If that was a field we could choose on our profile page, it would be pretty easy I'd think. Oh and I know how anxious this IVF cycle will be for you. I'll be praying for you! Do you know what your clinic's IVF success rate is?
@Leialou: That is great news! Bummer that it's IVF and that's quite an expensive ordeal to undertake without insurance (our insurance didn't cover infertility either) but I really hope you're able to do it and get that baby you want so much!
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The iui went well today. Didn't hurt at all. The results from DH's sample were not good at all. His worst yet. Pre wash he had only 9% motility. Post wash it went up to 42. This is so disappointing. I'm trying to stay positive but it's hard when my doctor said that we should think about moving on to ivf if it doesn't work this month. She also suggested he see a urologist.
For those of you who are doing ivf, how did you decide it was time to go there? i guess that I am having a hard time accepting this. I am trying to stay positive for this cycle but am also trying to prepare myself for the future.
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@Leialou: I'm glad you felt positive about your RE after the appointment and that you're moving forward with tests! It feels good to do something....and like you said, it's worth it. How are you feeling about doing IVF?
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@justdarling: I'm so so sorry. Hopefully it will work out this time and you won't need to move on to IVF. We suspected from the beginning that MFI was a problem and then the urologist specializing in male infertility brought up IVF after 2 SA's showing 10% motility. I don't like to waste time or money on treatments with success rates in the low single digits (which is where IUI is with low motility). In our case it was a $40 copay each visit plus medications, but the additional cost to me was the month it took away from my fertility and the agony of going through a treatment cycle. My RE explained to me that often they're forced to make patients do 6 IUI cycles before IVF because of insurance requirements, but if IVF won't be covered for you anyway then you have more control over your treatment. I hope this helps!
@marionberry: They're in the mid-40% range, which is average in my region. I'm aware that there are clinics around 60% an hour or two away from me, but it just doesn't seem worth the drive when I can go to a reputable clinic that I like a few minutes from home. And there are enough clinics a few minutes from me that I had a choice, which was nice! I'm not sure what to make of the fact that their twin rate in my age group is 51% even though they're transferring on average less than 2 embryos...
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@spaniellove: I'm ok with it. At the beginning of this process I didn't want to do IVF, but now that we are here I am at peace with it. The doctor said they have a 70% success rate on the first try when transferring 2 embryos. I like those odds and my DH and I are ok with multiples.
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@justdarling: I'm sorry about your DH's numbers. But it only takes one sperm to get there to make a baby, so try to stay positive. My DH saw a urologist due to his numbers and after everything, they found nothing wrong with him, but it's a good way to have everything checked out and know that there isn't something being missed. It's usually covered by insurance as well.
@spaniellove: I checked my clinic's success rates and they range from 46% (at 40) to 64% (below 35) so I was just curious. The high twin rate is odd if they're on average transferring less than 2 embryos. I guess that means that some people could transfer 2 or 3 and end up birthing all of them and it's offsetting your 1 transferred in the averages. Our clinic averages at least 2 embryos transferred but the highest twin rate is only 41%. However that is live birth rate, so perhaps some are being lost throughout the pregnancy? I'm a data analyst, so I'm just curious about numbers. Don't mind me lol.
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@marionberry: Well...I'm not about to switch clinics just before my IVF cycle so there's not really much point in worrying about that right now.
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@spaniellove: No, no, no I did not mean to infer anything about your clinic. I'm sure everything will work awesomely! I just can't wait for you to get started!
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@Leialou: That's great that your RE has a plan and went right to IVF. Sorry about the financial aspects of IVF. I would have to reevaluate our finances if we ended up going that route.
@spaniellove: BTW, I love your monthly updates! It really helps me see where everyone is. Thank you!
@justdarling: I'm sorry about your IUI and your DH's numbers but there's still hope. Since his deposit is more concentrated, it still only takes one sperm. Sending lots of luck and positive thoughts your way.
As for me, I feel really positive this cycle (but not too positive that I get my hopes up if it doesn't work.) I had my acupuncture appt on Thursday. It was different but at the end I felt really refreshed. She wants me to call her when the doc schedules the IUI so she I can have an acupuncture appt the day of.
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@bluestriped bee: Thanks! That's a good idea to have an appt the day of the procedure.
@justdarling: It occurred to me that despite the motility numbers, they probably only went ahead with the IUI if there was enough total motile sperm. Often drs won't do the IUI if the total number of motile sperm is below a threshold that would make the IUI worthwhile, so it sounds like there is definitely hope there!
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@marionberry: Don't worry about it. I can't wait to get started either!
I don't think I need to make an appointment again until I actually get pregnant though...
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