Hello, IUI#5 Starting IVF next..my story to share

[iuimummy]

Hi everyone,:wave:
I am new to this web page and started posting in the "due May07" the other day thinking I was preg. I have now come here and am feeling a bit sad, but trying to keep my chin up.
DP and I have an IUI daughter from first attempt who is 4. After heaps of issues with an infected ceasar and then when she was 6 weeks old it herniated and I had to have a 4 hour op to wire it all back together we have taken our time in ttc#2...
Last year we did 3IUI and I could not beleive they did not work as I fell 1st time with DD. So I lost 15kg (was 138kg at this point so needed to LOL) and my Dr said he would let me have one more IUI before we go IVF. I am day 13 post IUI today and preg test is neg and I am cramping for AF. So we have been on yet another rollacoaster ride in this house. We have shared most stuff with DD as she is wanting a baby as much as us I think. It is hard not to let her in on what is going on as she has to travel with me to Sydney every 2nd day for bloods and scans and that is 2 hours each way. The nurses are great with her and give her a lolli pop each visit.LOL
I had 3 viable follicles this time and it did not work so I wonder if my tubes have been damaged at some point during my incisional heria operation. My hormone levels were over 3000 and I asked them if they could let me go on as long as possible so I could surge naturally as they told me that would increase our chances. They also made it clear it would increase our chances of 3! A litter! How exciting!!!
I have been on such a high I was convinced I was preg. Did a wee test Fri night just gone and it came up + but now I realise I still had Pregnyl left in my body from early Wed morning. Last night I cried and finally fell asleep. today I just want to learn as much as I can about IVF and get on with it. I am 37 so I see from reading other posts that could be an issue in itself. DP is very fertile but I have PCOS. Anyway that is my share and I hope I get to know you all in the future as I feel my family and friends are all "over" the rollercoaster ride as well. I am a very excitable person, so unfortunatly I tell everyone and then have to tell them all when does not work. I think this time I have found the place where you guys will understand and I wont need to drag my friends through it all with me. I feel bad for them when it does not work....does that make sence?
Thanks for your time guys!!!!!
DP "Scruff"...bearded person who turns 50 soon and going to be thrown out of airplane by surprise!!!!:kiss:
ME 39:gloomy:
DD:IUI# 1 absolutley beautiful the best gift heaven could have sent me 20/5/02:D

[Mel-Jane]

Hi iuimummy,

It's sad to hear about the IUI not working this time. It sounds like you have been through heaps and it must be time for a positive to come your way. We went through the IVF channel as I have PCOS and my hubby is quite fertile. You have experienced the rollercoaster before and I have a feeling that the same feelings will happen for the IVF. You sound like a strong person and it's great that you have found the right forum to express yourself.

Good luck with everything!

[leebubs2bee]

Hi there,

Wow, you poor thing. It sounds like you need lots of hugs and re-assurance. Your daughter sounds very sweet and I just know you will be blessed with a sibling for her and yourselves soon. Good things happen to good people and you sound very sweet, so I have confidence for you. Keep your beknown strength up as even though you may not feel like you have it now, this experience will only just make you stronger, trust me!

Although I am still very new to IVF, our first go this month actually but we have been trying for almost two years on clomid as I too have PCOS. I was also diagnosed with two blocked tubes in October when I finally went under for a D&C Lap. We had been on a rollar coaster, but funny enough when we found out about the tubes we were just relieved we knew why. I know I am only 31 but I was shattered at first but one thing is for sure I have learnt so much on google, forums and just believing in myself. Very hard isn't it? Chin up high sweety.

We are currently on the jabs now, last jab tonight fingers crossed, tomorrow is my first scan and then it's time for the stinger trigger injection and then in for the extraction if all goes to plan.
Who knows, I could be on more injections but ha! As long as it eventually happens I guess. We will know tomorrow, fingers and toes crossed.
All we can do is just hope it works.

Even though this is only our first go and could be on our journey for dissappointments, your friends are called friends for one reason, your support. They may not understanding because, and I am only assuming here, that none of them are going through what you are.

It's normal to think they may not want to hear it, but sweety I am sure they are, it's just maybe they just don't know what to say. It is very hard for someone who does not know what this journet entails. Believe in them and if by chance they are not seeming interested, try another friend or us!

You have come to the right spot for support and everyone is very supportive.
Cry all you like as I feel it's helped me deal with it. I believe it's better out than in.....just like wind, hahahaha!!! sorry i like to try and make you laugh.

You go girl, chin up, grab your friends together and express how they make you feel.....who knows they may even learn from this. But if you don't feel comfortable doing that, tell me! Apparently there is a DVD that you can get to show them even.

Have you thought about Hypnotherapy....I have been meaning to but as I am feeling ok I thought I'd give this IVF a go first before I think I can't cope. I have heard it's great though.

Send me a personal message if you like and we can keep in touch. Where do you live by the way? Which doc are you seeing and where abouts? Sorry for all the questions but if your close who knows we could meet one day.

Take care and good luck with the IVF. If you ever need me I am here for you ok........Leebubs2bee

Me: 31
DH: 35 (Soon, gee hope he doesn't see that comment, hahahah!!!)

Chat soon,:wave:

[Cian's Mum]

Hi Iuimummy :

I'm wishing all the best with your IVF journey ... Take care . :hugs:

[jbearsmum]

Hi IUIMummy
welcome!
Just to freak you out to start of with! we have a little boy who was born on 20.5.02.
We are trying for number 2. And I also suffer with a weight problem which I'm not sure in hindering our chances of success.
DH and I did 5 rounds of IUI with no success and are now doing IFV. We have just completed IVF ICSI number 2 and I got AF late last night, so feeling pretty shattered.
Our problem started with low sperm count but now the problem is I only end up getting 1 strong egg at the end of my stimulation cycle ( not sure whether this is due to my weight). I also seem to have told everyone in the world that we are doing IVF and now with our disappointment of yesterday have refused to take calls today because everyone wants to console me and I don't want to speak to anyone! DH and I have now decided to tell everyone we are taking a break and I'm going to try and keep my month shut!
So I kinda know how you feel.
It is a very big rollercoaster, and I'm trying to decide if I hop off for a couple of months and just give my head a break. Will speak with my DR tomorrow to see what his thoughts are. I am also going to see an acupuncturist and she has suggested going on a break for a couple of months and doing the chinese herbs and she thinks this will really help. But who knows! Its amazing the stress we women put ourselves through to achieve our dreams. But we have to stay strong, but we are allowed moments of tears.

I hope IVF will be positive for you. the girls on this forum are fantastic. ANd they are easier to share thiings with than you other friends as they all know what we are going through. I think my friends are getting over it to ( or I could be really paranoid)

Please feel free to write back and lets know how your going/
Take care and be strong
jbearsmum x:)

[iuimummy]

Firstly let me say that I am overwhelmed with the amout of support from you beautiful bunch of people!!! AF came today so I have spoken to MIL and she is transfering $5000 into our account to pay for one round of IVF. She has made it clear that she thinks we should stop after that. I am blown away by her generosity. She really wants another grandchild.
I know nothing about IVF...spoke to the nurse and she tried to explain about nasal sprays etc and it going over 2 months? Can somebody please fill me in? I have an anesthetic when they cut the eggs off my ovaries?? Do I??? Am I awake when they put them back in> Is that the same as the insemination except there are embrios in the catheter?? I would love DETAILS....LOL love those details :D
Mel-Jane Thanks for your thoughts. It is amazing how many girls have pcos. What are your plans for the future?
Leebubs2bee Thanks so much for the time you spent on your reply. You really have made me feel so much better. I am wondering if I too may have a problem now with my tubes from ceaser distasters...another story. It is interesting to hear that it gave you some releif to know what the problem was. that is the bit that is driving us a bit whakko too I think. I live in Kangaroo Valley and go to IVF Australia, at St george private, formally known as IVF South. Have been there since 1999 so feel the nurses are like sisters...kind of. Love Prof Chapman....Love the nurses...every one of them as they are incredibly sensative funny lovely people. They have seen my bits more than DP LOL LOL!!:laughing:
Where do you live? I cant thank you enough for your response about my friends.
How are you going with the scan? was that today? That trigger is a stinger I agree. Let me know how you go I wish you all the best. I am interested to know how they do the extraction too. Hugs to you.

Beatrice Thanks for the hug and support. Appreciated.

Jbearsmum oh how I feel for you. I know what it is like to dodge that phone. It is so hard not to get over excited and want to share but at the end of the day we all need our time for quiet and to take a breath and muster our strength to plough on. I think I too will have egg drama. It takes me 30 days to get 3 big enough follicles for IUI. So I understand how you feel. Please let me know how you are going and your next step. I'll be here to chat if you wnat me. As for your son being born on the 20-5-02.....gobsmacked!!! Abbey was about 9am a ceaser at Sutherland hospital. What about you? Taurus people ROCK..I am a taurus too LOL. Let me know how you are going. Chin up and a big hug to you. x;)

[SuperWoman]

iuimummy, want to wish you all the best hun on your IVF Journey. Good luck and fingerscrossed for you!:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

[leebubs2bee]

Hello there,

Your sooo cute, I bet your such a laugh to be around and your friends have to be honoured having you as a friend.

The IVF journey which I am sure you'll get heaps of views on initially starts with a 2 month span approx(I think that changes after your first cycle?)
1st month down regulating your cycle which includes the pill (How funny is that?) and involves the nasal spray....which can be ok but the taste is bloody awful. I found my moods were a little shakey and a few headaches but not too bad.
The 2nd month is about stimulating your ovaries.

I was told that you start feel really emotional and bloatedwith the injections but I must be one of the lucky one as I actually felt kinda normal...maybe after all this time with unbalanced hormones, mine are now balanced...should stay on them. DH must think he is in heaven, hahahaha!!!

I am only very new myself but when you go under a local a fine needle is guided through your cervix into the left and right ovary through the wall of your vagina and they suck the eggs out of the follicles from your ovaries.
Don't worry, I have done heaps of research but still heaps to learn. Google anything and everything and that should help you.
Apparently the transfer is just like a paps smear......We are all different so just be open minded about it all as not one women's cycles etc is the same.

Well good news for us.....lots of follicles, a little small but two more nights of injections, the trigger Wed night (Scarey!!) and then Friday is the collection.....I am excited but not too excited. If it happens first go, great, however there always next time:fingerscrossed:

Sounds positive with the PCOS but as I know those darn hormones you have to live with seems pointless, but who knows you could do very well.
Fingers crossed for both of us.In fact I know you will.

I am dreading the 2WW but if I have told too many people and we have no luck and I feel ****, I will learn for the next go not to be so open. Who knows I may not have to.

Well done to your MIL (Took me a bit to get the MIL part, hahaha!!!) My MIL also paid for our first cycle, very lovely of them if they can do it as my parents are not in a position to help financially but there support is just beautiful...love all of them heaps.

Well sweety, feeling quite good, works ****ting me, but my hormones and my hubby are doing well......Take care.xxxxx:smiliedance:

[iuimummy]

Hey there!
Thanks for your replies. Am feeling a bit more excited tonight about the next step.
Bradysmum, ooh love those snuggles thank you!
Leebubs2bee, let me know how you go!! Good luck!! I am thinking of you. I know what it is like to keep jabbing those hormones and hanging out for the scans to see if the follicles have grown. I had to do that for my IUI's. It sounds to me like this IVF stuff is similar to my IUI cycles. I was on 150 dose of gonal f for 30 days to get 3 follicals. So all I can say is dont rush it. You will be rewarded in the end! great to chat. Thanks for the support. I'm really excited for you and feel lucky to have "met" you...:yelclap:

[leebubs2bee]

Good luck with everything,

Nice to have met you too. Will chat soon and will keep you informed of where I am at and hopefully before too long we may have some good news :fingerscrossed:

Let me know how the IVF pans out for you and any questions just ask, i'm all ears for you hun!

Chat soon,

[iuimummy]

Hi friends,
Just wanted to let you know we have decided to try icsi even though the sperm side is ok, I understand that it more successful. So yesterday was day one. Why are some of you on the pill first? I have not been told to go on the pill, slthough I have just come off an iui cycle.

Also do you find AF after an unsuccussful cycle incredibly painful, like agony roll aroung the bed and cry sort of pain?
thanks for you time.

[OhHeck]

Hi iuimummy

This is my first post here and haven't gotten around to introducing myself to the forum but thought I might be able to offer a few insights from my recent IVF rollercoaster ride which I would not have survived without the help of "The Infertility Handbook" by J.Tomlins....I am not pushing this particular book for any reason other than I found it invaluable as it answered 95% of my late night panics about the process, and believe me I had plenty of them (ask my poor father who was repeatedly phoned at 3am in the morning when I was in tears about something!)

I tried 4 IUI cycles unsuccessfully before being recommended to switch to IVF. My GP said go for it, the hard part is deciding to try so use whatever tricks they have to make it work. I was lucky (or unlucky, hyper stimulation is rotten) and had more than 30 eggs collected so we decided to do half and half, half were subjected to ICIS and the other half "as nature sort of intended". The fertilisation rate was about the same for both.

What did shock me was being told that a Day 5 (blastocyst) transfer was the best option due to the high number of eggs, if I had a transfer at all that cycle. Had no idea what that all really meant and felt like I was making nothing more than an uneducated guess. I was not prepared for having to make that decision (to try or to freeze all) but turns out instinct was right as I now have an EDD of 19 April '07, assuming all goes well.

all the best for your cycle and if you have questions or worries - ask. cheers

PS I did not have to go on the pill either as there are different ways of supressing your hormones which is what the nasal spray does.

[iuimummy]

:wave: Hi there OhHeck!
Thanks for your reply and advice on the book. Will call the library tomorrow. Congrates on the pregnancy. :yelclap: Do you know how many bubs are in there? I am a bit confused, did they put All of those 30 eggs back in?????????? What was your instinct? Sorry I think i missed what you were saying. Did the icsi work or was it iVF natural ones that worked?
Anyhow great to hear your story. What is the problem if you dont mind me asking? I have PCOS and am 37:ecomcity: . Dp is fine at 50 this year.

[OhHeck]

Hi again

Sorry I was not quite clear, it's getting late and I can't sleep but am exhausted.

Definitely only one bub - had the 6 and half week scan on Monday to confirm that it was not ectopic (apparently this is a usual test for IVF ladies) and thankfully sweet pea is in the right place, has right heart beat and is the right size for this early stage.

Instinct was needed after EPU as I had to decide:

- did I want to do Day 5 or still go ahead with Day 3 transfer (as originally discussed)?
- was I still happy to try half and half fertilisation (natural and ICIS)?
- did I have a preference for which ones were frozen at Day 3 (I left this up to the embrologist (sp?) as she is the specialist and knows more than I do)
- and finally on Day 5, did I want to proceed with the transfer or freeze the embie and transfer at a later time when there was no risk of hyper stimulation

I basically looked at the odds and hedged my bets by freezing some at Day 3 and continued some on to Day 5. Have you talked to your Dr about this option, again, opiniosn on the success rate varies, but it might be something to consider?

This is a risky procedure as there is a high drop off rate and unless you have lots of eggs there is a chance that none will form transferable quality embies. So lots of guess work and trusting your instinct needed. On the day of transfer I went with my gut instinct, threw caution to the wind and took the risk of hyper stimulation as I felt okay (in pain but recovering).

In hindsight I realise how lucky I was to have had the problem of high EPU numbers and my heart goes out to those that have difficulties with this aspect of the process.

Sweet pea is from the "as nature intended" batch if that helps, but in my case these ones were developing slightly slower than the ICIS batch which is why the ICIS were frozen at Day 3. So who knows which is best.

Please dont be offended but I would rather not discuss my problem which lead me to IVF. No offence intended, but this has been a terribly difficult journey and I am not yet comfortable with discussing all aspects of it. The process and emotional side, no prob, ask away! BTW, I am also 37 but was reassured by the nurses at the clinic that we are their "young patients" - they can be so reassuring.