*Irishgrl1017's IVF Journal*...Final Updt 9/7

Well I never thought I would have to go through all that we are going through to conceive. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this hard to have a baby.
DH and I started trying about 2 yrs ago. For the first year we tried naturally. I then started to use OPK's. After about 4 months of that, we decided it was time to make an appt. We started to see Dr. B. After much testing and all it turns out everything looks great on paper. We tried 5 IUI's, each time adding something else. After being poked, sticked, and flushing pills down my throat, we have made the decision to move onto IVF. So here begins my journey...EVERYDAY I tell myself "Keep your eye on the Prize." I am very hopful that this will be it for us, and pray daily for the baby we both so desperatly want. So here is begins:

July 6 2011:
First BCP pill

7/14:
Received meds...OMG! I was very overwhelmed when I got my "package" as Dr. B really didnt go into much of the meds on my last visit...kind of brushed it off like its nothing....certainly does not look like nothing! Anyhow, here are some that I recevied...if you have any experiences on any of these please share or FM me...thanks..I am listing the ones I have never been on.
Ganirelix, Dexamethasone, Estrace, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Menopur, Follistim...YIKES

July 20:
Monitoring Day!

Lining was on the thin side and I have a cyst. Dr. B is not sure if its an egg or a cyst. So we have to wait for my bloodwork to come back this afternoon to see what the deal is...he said it is nothing to worry about and he just has to wait for the bloodwork to see the game plan... cant ever be easy I guess...so now the waiting for the phone call.
Sandra called and said its def not a follie its not estrogen producing. So, its a cyst. They will keep me on BCP for another week. Originally was 2 now its 3 weeks. Will go back and it will hopfully have disappered on its own

July 26:
Last BCP

July 27:
Well the cyst did go away So I now have my calendar! YIKES...I am so excited to start and yet so scared...well here it is...Sandra took so much time with me to explain it all, and I think I am ready

July 30, 31:
Follistim 300 units
Dexamethasone .75mg

Aug 1,2:
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 1 vial
Dexamethasone .75

Aug 3 monotoring day :
Lining is about 6.4, and I have about 10 measurable follies...Dr. B is happy with the way things are looking and I go back Fri for another monitoring appt.
Dex. .75
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 1 vial

8/4:
Ganirelix 25 units
Dexamethasone.75
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 1 vial

8/5 Monitoring day! Everything looks great. Lining is at 9.3 and I have about 20 follies. Dr. B thinks retrieval could be Tues or Wed. I am SOOOO nervous about this part, but know the end is almost here!!!! I go back today 8/6 for another measurement! Keep you all posted!
Cipro 2x day
Dex. .75
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 1 vial
Ganirelix 25 units

8/6 monitoring Day: Dr. B was a little concerned with my estrogen levels. He would like to see them a little higher. He is not sure if its the lab, as he doesnt love Enzo, but I will know more on Monday for the next appt. Looks like the ER date will be Wed. Hopefully by Mon my levels will be a little higher. The lining was great at 11.3 and follies all look good...just hoping we can get several eggs from them
. Please say a prayer that there are some to retrieve

Cipro 2x day
Dex. .75
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 2 vials
Ganirelix 25 units

8/7
Cipro 2x day
Dex. .75
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 2 vials
Ganirelix 25 units

8/8 Next Monitoring day...come on estrogen levels!

UPdt***Levels are still OK. He liked them better today and sees no problem with them getting several eggs
Retrieval is set for Wed morning...waiting for Sandra to call and give me the time to do the trigger tonight....Will updt more later when I have some time...ahhhh im so nervous, but so excited to almost be finished with this whole thing Thanks for thinking of me...
8/8
Cipro 2x day
Dex. .75
Follistim 150 units
Menopur 2 vials
Ganirelix 25 units
Clindamycin

8/9-8/10
Cipro 2x
Dex.75
Clindamycin
8/10
Retrieval day
Cipro 2x
Dex.75
Clindamycin
UPdt to follow after Wed. morning...Pray for us please



Retrieval Day....Went to Gramercy and was pretty happy there. Had a 6:45 appt and was out of there by 8 and..................they got 15 eggs


Will hear tomorrow about Fert rpt! Hoping we can get some good ones!

8/11
Dex .75
Crinone
Cipro
Dr. B called last night and of course I missed the call so I emailed him and he said all 15 were mature and he will be calling later with the Fert. Rpt

He emailed me last night...all 15 fertilized Going to call him in a bit for more info

8/12 on
Dex .75
Cipro (finish 8/14)
Crinone
Updt** 7 are grade A and 2 are grade B the rest are C's and D's...he is very happy and we are looking at a day 4 or 5 transfer

8/13
Transfer day is set for Monday This is from Dr. B... all grade As have progressed to perfect 8 cells today. The Bs are also 8 cells so we will have blasts

Now my question is...when do you decide how many to put back? and how many to freeze etc.? Thanks!

8/15
Transfer complete!
We decided to transfer one after going back and forth. We had a great Grade A blast and 6 frosties I am so happy with the way that it went. It took all of about 45 minutes from start to finish...and now we wait It honestly feels WONDERFUL to be at the end of this road!
8/16 on
Dex. 75
Crinone am
Estrogen Suppositories pm

8/21
After going back and forth I decided to test this a.m I am 6dp5dt. I used an EPT and I was not sure if there was a line or not it was sooo light. I decided to get a digital and see what happens....to my amazement it read the beautiful words PREGNANT! I am still so scared but cant believe this is it

8/22
7dp5dt Beta #1

Beta =30.....Dr. B called and said "you are definitely pregnant".....I am so happy....Go back Wed for another...He is very please with the levels

8/24
9dp5dt Beta #2

Numbers doubled...I cant remember the number! I was so happy after he said it I completely blanked out!!! Wohooo....next Beta Monday

8.30

Went today even tho I was supposed to go yesterday b/c of power issues on my end and the lab...but anyhow we are at 853!!!! Dr. B is very happy with everything, I have to call tomorrow to schedule my sono

9/7
We had our first sono and saw the heartbeat
It is such a great feeling and yet still so scary...I will end my journal with this happy day

I will continue to post on here and answer any FM's regarding Dr. B and my IVF experience

Good luck everyone

Message edited 9/8/2011 4:24:22 PM.

Re: IVF Journal...

Good luck!!!!!!!

Re: IVF Journal...

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: IVF Journal...

good luck to you! I this is it for you

Re: IVF Journal...

Good luck!

Re: IVF Journal...

Thanks everyone...we hope so too

Re: IVF Journal...

Re: IVF Journal...

Good luck!

Re: IVF Journal...

Good luck!!!!

Re: IVF Journal...

Re: IVF Journal...

Wishing you lots of luck!!!

Re: IVF Journal...

Hi Colleen!

We must have been at Dr B's together today!! We are on the exact SAME schedule!!

BCP #1 tonight for me too!! See you on the 20th? What time will you be there? Me....9:15am!! : )

Re: IVF Journal...

Good luck!!!!

Re: IVF Journal...

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/14

**Bump for updt**

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/14

Good luck!! It seems totally overwhelming at first, but when you take it step by step, it's totally manageable. I'll try to answer what I know about the meds you listed.


Ganirelix - used for suppressing ovulation. Probably will start this on around day 6 of stims.

Dexamethasone - don't know

Estrace - estrogen. I took this to "prime" my ovaries. Just a little pill.

Clindamycin - are these suppositories? If so, they're for the the two nights before retrieval and the night of retrieval. Just an antibiotic that goes right up there!!

Ciprofloxacin - Antibiotic that you and your DH take for 10 days, before and right after retrieval.

Menopur - part of your stimming meds. This you have to mix. There's a great online video that explains just how to do it (I'll get it for you later!)

Follistim - stimming med that is very simple to administer.

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/14

Posted by InShock

Good luck!! It seems totally overwhelming at first, but when you take it step by step, it's totally manageable. I'll try to answer what I know about the meds you listed.


Ganirelix - used for suppressing ovulation. Probably will start this on around day 6 of stims.

Dexamethasone - don't know

Estrace - estrogen. I took this to "prime" my ovaries. Just a little pill.

Clindamycin - are these suppositories? If so, they're for the the two nights before retrieval and the night of retrieval. Just an antibiotic that goes right up there!!

Ciprofloxacin - Antibiotic that you and your DH take for 10 days, before and right after retrieval.

Menopur - part of your stimming meds. This you have to mix. There's a great online video that explains just how to do it (I'll get it for you later!)

Follistim - stimming med that is very simple to administer.

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/14

Posted by PennyCat

Posted by InShock

Good luck!! It seems totally overwhelming at first, but when you take it step by step, it's totally manageable. I'll try to answer what I know about the meds you listed.


Ganirelix - used for suppressing ovulation. Probably will start this on around day 6 of stims.

Dexamethasone - don't know

Estrace - estrogen. I took this to "prime" my ovaries. Just a little pill.

Clindamycin - are these suppositories? If so, they're for the the two nights before retrieval and the night of retrieval. Just an antibiotic that goes right up there!!

Ciprofloxacin - Antibiotic that you and your DH take for 10 days, before and right after retrieval.

Menopur - part of your stimming meds. This you have to mix. There's a great online video that explains just how to do it (I'll get it for you later!)

Follistim - stimming med that is very simple to administer.

The only thing I'll add is...

menopur burns going in so inject SLOWLY!!

Dexamethasone is a teeny pill, take it with food in the morning. I never experienced any side effects.

Actually, from all these drugs the worst side effect has been the bloating, which is to be expected.

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/20

Bump for updt

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/20

Posted by Irishgrl1017


July 20:
Monitoring Day!

Lining was on the thin side and I have a cyst. Dr. B is not sure if its an egg or a cyst. So we have to wait for my bloodwork to come back this afternoon to see what the deal is...he said it is nothing to worry about and he just has to wait for the bloodwork to see the game plan... cant ever be easy I guess...so now the waiting for the phone call.

Re: IVF Journal...UPDT 7/20

Posted by PennyCat

Posted by Irishgrl1017


July 20:
Monitoring Day!

Lining was on the thin side and I have a cyst. Dr. B is not sure if its an egg or a cyst. So we have to wait for my bloodwork to come back this afternoon to see what the deal is...he said it is nothing to worry about and he just has to wait for the bloodwork to see the game plan... cant ever be easy I guess...so now the waiting for the phone call.

What, like you thought this process would be AT ALL predictable?

Re: *Irishgrl1017's IVF Journal*...UPDT 7/21

Cyst updt!

Re: *Irishgrl1017's IVF Journal*...UPDT 7/21

Honestly it's not so bad!! (I know, easy for me to say ) .. but my first IVF cycle was delayed by 2 1/2 weeks because Dr.B was switching labs and I wanted to use the new one (back when he switched over to Dr.Batzofin's) ... I held out the 2 1/2wks which felt like FOREVER but ultimately I DID GET PREGNANT and with TRIPLETS so it was totally worth the wait!! Of course you know how that ended- but obviously that has nothing to do with the fact that I had to wait to get started!!

I know another week stinks now, especially since you're all primed and ready to get started, BELIEVE ME I KNOW ... because if I'm told on Friday I need to go on the pill for a few weeks, I think I will flip a sh!t but if you really think about it, in the grand scheme of things it's just a blip on the radar

ETA: and you said in your update you hope the cyst shrinks on it's own- the pill will help to shrink it!!

Message edited 7/21/2011 9:31:14 AM.

Re: *Irishgrl1017's IVF Journal*...UPDT 7/21

I know it stinks to have to do another week of BCP but like Penny said, the BCP will help the cyst to shrink.

Re: *Irishgrl1017's IVF Journal*...UPDT 7/21

Ugh, delays stink. But, to quote Pennycat, "it's just a blip on the radar."

Message edited 7/21/2011 11:24:11 AM.