I'm waiting to hear back about the estradiol and progesterone numbers, but the appointment went well. I have 8 follies, 3 that are 9 (2 right/1 left), and the rest 6 or under. My lining was about 6.5. They will let me know my numbers this afternoon and whether or not and how much Follistim to use. I got back Monday to do the same tests again. I also spoke to my RE about the SIRM conference I went to and conversation with Dr. Sher. He is very supportive of ordering any tests I want, but says he has my best interests and budget in mind. He also thinks we have a less than 10% chance of IUI working with male factor issues, BUT says its worth trying. I feel content with that and I physically and emotionally feel great right now so why not?
Bloodwork results:
I have to take the Follistim: 25 iu tonight, Saturday morning, Sunday morning, Monday morning
Estradiol was 191 and P4 was less than .5
My numbers are low, but they said the progesterone suppositories will help as will the follistim and I go back on Monday morning to check in again! Prayers up!!!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Day 4...
I started Clomid yesterday. This is finally becoming real! I was having the period from hell... in fact the most painful, heavy, miserable one I've had in years and within 30-45 min of taking the Clomid my cramps went away, and flow slowed down. (TMI alert) I was having to change every 45-hour and it slowed to 3-4 hours. So I was glad for that, BUT since I started my period around 2pm on Friday, they want me to take Clomid around that time each day (not very convenient) and while watching super bowl on the couch with DH I was hot and cold and hot and cold, then cried during the Clydesdale commercial. It got me thinking how ridiculous IF treatment is. You have to start meds that make you crazy while on your period - terrible combination, then if you don't get BFP, you get the bad news and your period at the same time. Just. Not. Cool. Prayers up!!!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Contemplation
The appointment on the phone went well, Dr. Sher is such a nice person, but very matter-a-fact. He confirmed what my RE has said- IUI with any male factor issue is not often successful, but why not try it just in case? He said with our age/numbers/history we'd have an 85% chance of success and could donate our frozen babies to couples who couldn't otherwise afford egg donation... lot to consider there.
He also said to apply for free IVF to INCIID.org and if we don't qualify and would like him to be our doctor he would do whatever he could to reduce costs and ethical dilemmas to our comfort level- very kind.
We decided to move forward with our Feb. IUI. CD1 should be any day now and I'm trying to not stress so comes quickly! If it doesn't work, we'll talk about what next. I've asked my doctor to order the activated natural killer cell test though just in case.
He also said to apply for free IVF to INCIID.org and if we don't qualify and would like him to be our doctor he would do whatever he could to reduce costs and ethical dilemmas to our comfort level- very kind.
We decided to move forward with our Feb. IUI. CD1 should be any day now and I'm trying to not stress so comes quickly! If it doesn't work, we'll talk about what next. I've asked my doctor to order the activated natural killer cell test though just in case.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
SIRM: Sher Institite Conference
Today I attended a talk given by Dr. Sher and learned a lot. It was an interesting forum of people seeking information and who have been trying treatments for years. He introduced IUI in the United States and has been changing the face of IF treatment since. Books, blogs, awards, TV interviews, and a long legacy of physicians he's trained. (I had of course never heard of him, but now see his name posted all over this forum).
I was initially drawn to the conference by the free IVF cycle giveaway- they did a drawing at the end, but I got a lot out of it and ended up signing up for a free phone consultation this Thursday at 7pm. I was incredibly impressed by his knowledge and accomplishments and what seems to be a genuine desire to help people- even those who couldn't normally afford treatment.
I left slightly discouraged by some of the information he provided that leads me to believe IUI may not work for us. He VERY strongly suggests women do NO MORE than 3 IUI's. He said if pregnancy doesn't occur after three the chances of IUI working are slim and if pregnancy does occur on the 4th or later cycles, the damage to our uterine lining from the medicine will dramatically increase the risk of miscarriage. When he does IVF he prefers to freeze the eggs and let your body rest for 1-2 months while they do testing to ensure the quality of the egg and so your body can recover from stimulation. Oh, and he suggest we have a blood test done to check for Activated Natural Killer Cells that will prevent implantation regardless of the quality of the egg. A lab called Reprosource sends a kit for the blood work. Oh, AND he mentioned women using vaginal viagra (yes, that viagra) to increase the lining of the uterus.
He compared reproduction to farming... you need a healthy seed (egg), quality soil (uterus), and a farmer that knows what season and what fertilizer is best. (An RE who understands your body and what medicine to use).
I'll let you know how our conversation goes on Thursday and where we decide to go from here. We're not ready for the IVF investment, but may not want to face IUI failure either... ugh!!!
I was initially drawn to the conference by the free IVF cycle giveaway- they did a drawing at the end, but I got a lot out of it and ended up signing up for a free phone consultation this Thursday at 7pm. I was incredibly impressed by his knowledge and accomplishments and what seems to be a genuine desire to help people- even those who couldn't normally afford treatment.
I left slightly discouraged by some of the information he provided that leads me to believe IUI may not work for us. He VERY strongly suggests women do NO MORE than 3 IUI's. He said if pregnancy doesn't occur after three the chances of IUI working are slim and if pregnancy does occur on the 4th or later cycles, the damage to our uterine lining from the medicine will dramatically increase the risk of miscarriage. When he does IVF he prefers to freeze the eggs and let your body rest for 1-2 months while they do testing to ensure the quality of the egg and so your body can recover from stimulation. Oh, and he suggest we have a blood test done to check for Activated Natural Killer Cells that will prevent implantation regardless of the quality of the egg. A lab called Reprosource sends a kit for the blood work. Oh, AND he mentioned women using vaginal viagra (yes, that viagra) to increase the lining of the uterus.
He compared reproduction to farming... you need a healthy seed (egg), quality soil (uterus), and a farmer that knows what season and what fertilizer is best. (An RE who understands your body and what medicine to use).
I'll let you know how our conversation goes on Thursday and where we decide to go from here. We're not ready for the IVF investment, but may not want to face IUI failure either... ugh!!!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
From Easter announcement to Valentine's Day basting.
Well, I just found out that I'm going on my work trip, leaving the night I'd have IUI if AF is only a day late, but 2-4 days late and I miss altogether. That's assuming we do trigger on day 12 which we wont know.... so I'm out for December. Looks like a romantic valentine's day turkey basting for me!
Commonly used and accepted abbreviations
From: http://forums.fertilitycommunity.com/acronyms.php
2WW two-week wait
AF Aunt Flo; menstrual period
AH assisted hatching
ART assisted reproductive technology
ASA antisperm antibodies
ASRM American Society for Reproductive Medicine
AZH assisted hatching
AWOL a woman on Lupron
BA baby aspirin
BB bulletin board
BBT basal body temperature
BCP birth control pills
BD baby dance; sexual intercourse
BFN big fat negative; a negative result on a pregnancy test
BFP big fat positive; a positive result on a pregnancy test
BMS baby-making sex
BSE breast self-exam
BTW by the way
BV baby vibes; happy baby thoughts
BW blood work
CB cycle buddy; someone who has the same cycle as you
CCT Clomid challenge test
CD cycle day
CD56+ natural killer cells
CM cervical mucus
CNM certified nurse midwife
COW curse of womanhood; menstruation
C/S caesarian section
CVS chorionic villae sampling
CY# number of cycles spent trying to conceive
DA dear angel; lost baby
D&C dilation and curettage
D&E dilation and evacuation
DD dear daughter, darling daughter
DE donor eggs
DH dear husband, darling husband
DI donor insemination
DOR diminished ovarian reserve
DPO days post ovulation
DPR days post retrieval
DPT days post transfer
DP3DT days post three-day transfer
DP5DT days post five-day transfer
DS dear son, darling son; donated sperm
DW dear wife, darling wife
Dx diagnosis
EB endometrial biopsy
EDD estimated due date
ENDO endometriosis
EPO evening primrose oil
ET embryo transfer
EWCM egg white cervical mucus
FAQ frequently asked questions
FBG fasting blood glucose
FET frozen embryo transfer
FF Fertility Friend
FH fetal heart rate
FIL father in law
FM fertility monitor
FP follicular phase
FSH follicle stimulating hormone
FTTA fertile thoughts to all
FWIW for what it’s worth
GD gestational diabetes
GIFT gamete intrafallopian transfer
GnRH gonadotropin releasing hormone
GP general practitioner
GTT glucose tolerance test
hCG human chorionic gonadotropin; a hormone shot to bring on ovulation within 36 hours
HPT home pregnancy test
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HSC hysteroscopy
HSG hysterosalpingogram; a test in which the doctor injects dye into the uterus and fallopian tubes
HTH hope this helps
ICI intracervical insemination
ICSI intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection; a type of in vitro fertilization when the sperm is directly injected into the egg cell
IF infertility
IGTT insulin and glucose tolerance test
IM intramuscular
IMHO in my honest opinion
IMO in my opinion
IR insulin resistant
IRC internet relay chat
IUI intrauterine insemination
IVF in vitro fertilization
LAP laparoscopy
LH luteinizing hormone
LMP last menstrual period
LO love Olympics; sexual intercourse
LOL laugh out loud; lots of luck
LP luteal phase
LPD luteal phase defect
LSP low sperm count
MAI miscarriage after infertility
MC miscarriage
MF male factor
MIL mother in law
MMR measles, mumps, rubella vaccine
NBD no big deal
NEST non-surgical embryonic selective thinning
NP nurse practitioner
NSA nonsurgical sperm aspiration
O ovulation
OB obstetrician
O YN – obstetrician/ gynecologist
OD ovum donor
OHSS ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
OPK ovulation predictor kit
OPT ovulation predictor test
OT off topic
OTOH on the other hand
OTC over the counter
OTTC overweight and trying to conceive
OV ovulation
OW overweight
P4 progesterone
PA physician’s assistant
PCO polycystic ovary
PCP primary care doctor
PCOD polycystic ovary disease
PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome
PCT post coital test
PG pregnant
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PIO progesterone in oil
PMS premenstrual syndrome
PNM perinatal mortality
POA plan of action
POC products of conception
POF premature ovarian failure
POV point of view
PROM premature rupture of membranes
PTSD post traumatic stress disorder
RE reproductive endocrinologist
RI reproductive immunologist
ROFL rolling on the floor laughing
ROTFLOL rolling on the floor laughing out loud
RPL recurrent pregnancy loss
RSA recurrent spontaneous abortion
RX prescription
SA semen analysis
SAHD stay at home dad
SAHM stay at home mom
SART Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology
SB stillborn
SD stepdaughter
SI secondary infertility
SIL sister in law
SIS saline injection sonogram
SO significant other
SonoHSG sonohysterogram
SPAL subsequent pregnancy after a loss
SS stepson
STD sexually transmitted disease
STIMS stimulating hormones
SubQ subcutaneous injections
T1 type 1 diabetes
T2 type 2 diabetes
TAB taking a break
TCOYF Taking Charge of Your Fertility – a book by Toni Weschler
TEMP taking your temperature
TESA testicular sperm aspiration
TESE testicular sperm extraction
TIA thanks in advance
TL tubal ligation
TLOL the labor of love
TMI too much information
TR tubal reversal
TRH thyroid releasing hormone
TSH thyroid stimulating hormone
TTC trying to conceive
TTCAR trying to conceive after reversal
TTFA ta ta for now
TTYS talk to you soon
TTYTT to tell you the truth
UR urologist
US ultrasound
UTI urinary tract infection
V vasectomy
VR vasectomy reversal
WB welcome back
WBC white blood cells
WTT waiting to test; waiting to try to conceive
ZIFT zygote intrafallopian transfer
2WW two-week wait
AF Aunt Flo; menstrual period
AH assisted hatching
ART assisted reproductive technology
ASA antisperm antibodies
ASRM American Society for Reproductive Medicine
AZH assisted hatching
AWOL a woman on Lupron
BA baby aspirin
BB bulletin board
BBT basal body temperature
BCP birth control pills
BD baby dance; sexual intercourse
BFN big fat negative; a negative result on a pregnancy test
BFP big fat positive; a positive result on a pregnancy test
BMS baby-making sex
BSE breast self-exam
BTW by the way
BV baby vibes; happy baby thoughts
BW blood work
CB cycle buddy; someone who has the same cycle as you
CCT Clomid challenge test
CD cycle day
CD56+ natural killer cells
CM cervical mucus
CNM certified nurse midwife
COW curse of womanhood; menstruation
C/S caesarian section
CVS chorionic villae sampling
CY# number of cycles spent trying to conceive
DA dear angel; lost baby
D&C dilation and curettage
D&E dilation and evacuation
DD dear daughter, darling daughter
DE donor eggs
DH dear husband, darling husband
DI donor insemination
DOR diminished ovarian reserve
DPO days post ovulation
DPR days post retrieval
DPT days post transfer
DP3DT days post three-day transfer
DP5DT days post five-day transfer
DS dear son, darling son; donated sperm
DW dear wife, darling wife
Dx diagnosis
EB endometrial biopsy
EDD estimated due date
ENDO endometriosis
EPO evening primrose oil
ET embryo transfer
EWCM egg white cervical mucus
FAQ frequently asked questions
FBG fasting blood glucose
FET frozen embryo transfer
FF Fertility Friend
FH fetal heart rate
FIL father in law
FM fertility monitor
FP follicular phase
FSH follicle stimulating hormone
FTTA fertile thoughts to all
FWIW for what it’s worth
GD gestational diabetes
GIFT gamete intrafallopian transfer
GnRH gonadotropin releasing hormone
GP general practitioner
GTT glucose tolerance test
hCG human chorionic gonadotropin; a hormone shot to bring on ovulation within 36 hours
HPT home pregnancy test
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HSC hysteroscopy
HSG hysterosalpingogram; a test in which the doctor injects dye into the uterus and fallopian tubes
HTH hope this helps
ICI intracervical insemination
ICSI intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection; a type of in vitro fertilization when the sperm is directly injected into the egg cell
IF infertility
IGTT insulin and glucose tolerance test
IM intramuscular
IMHO in my honest opinion
IMO in my opinion
IR insulin resistant
IRC internet relay chat
IUI intrauterine insemination
IVF in vitro fertilization
LAP laparoscopy
LH luteinizing hormone
LMP last menstrual period
LO love Olympics; sexual intercourse
LOL laugh out loud; lots of luck
LP luteal phase
LPD luteal phase defect
LSP low sperm count
MAI miscarriage after infertility
MC miscarriage
MF male factor
MIL mother in law
MMR measles, mumps, rubella vaccine
NBD no big deal
NEST non-surgical embryonic selective thinning
NP nurse practitioner
NSA nonsurgical sperm aspiration
O ovulation
OB obstetrician
O YN – obstetrician/ gynecologist
OD ovum donor
OHSS ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
OPK ovulation predictor kit
OPT ovulation predictor test
OT off topic
OTOH on the other hand
OTC over the counter
OTTC overweight and trying to conceive
OV ovulation
OW overweight
P4 progesterone
PA physician’s assistant
PCO polycystic ovary
PCP primary care doctor
PCOD polycystic ovary disease
PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome
PCT post coital test
PG pregnant
PID pelvic inflammatory disease
PIO progesterone in oil
PMS premenstrual syndrome
PNM perinatal mortality
POA plan of action
POC products of conception
POF premature ovarian failure
POV point of view
PROM premature rupture of membranes
PTSD post traumatic stress disorder
RE reproductive endocrinologist
RI reproductive immunologist
ROFL rolling on the floor laughing
ROTFLOL rolling on the floor laughing out loud
RPL recurrent pregnancy loss
RSA recurrent spontaneous abortion
RX prescription
SA semen analysis
SAHD stay at home dad
SAHM stay at home mom
SART Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology
SB stillborn
SD stepdaughter
SI secondary infertility
SIL sister in law
SIS saline injection sonogram
SO significant other
SonoHSG sonohysterogram
SPAL subsequent pregnancy after a loss
SS stepson
STD sexually transmitted disease
STIMS stimulating hormones
SubQ subcutaneous injections
T1 type 1 diabetes
T2 type 2 diabetes
TAB taking a break
TCOYF Taking Charge of Your Fertility – a book by Toni Weschler
TEMP taking your temperature
TESA testicular sperm aspiration
TESE testicular sperm extraction
TIA thanks in advance
TL tubal ligation
TLOL the labor of love
TMI too much information
TR tubal reversal
TRH thyroid releasing hormone
TSH thyroid stimulating hormone
TTC trying to conceive
TTCAR trying to conceive after reversal
TTFA ta ta for now
TTYS talk to you soon
TTYTT to tell you the truth
UR urologist
US ultrasound
UTI urinary tract infection
V vasectomy
VR vasectomy reversal
WB welcome back
WBC white blood cells
WTT waiting to test; waiting to try to conceive
ZIFT zygote intrafallopian transfer
Dream on...
I'm looking back at some of my posts and realizing I can't spell when I type. Oh well! Also, I wanted to add to my "ideal scenario"!
I have IUI this month, around the 16th, which is my husband's birthday and we're due in October, the baby is born on "Sweetest Day" and we know there was some divine intervention there. Also, we hit the 12 week mark around Easter Sunday so we find a really cute, fun way to announce our pregnancy to friends and family. Oh, and while I'm dreaming I should ad that my husband doesn't argue at all with my desire to "wear" my baby, co-sleep while breastfeeding, cloth diaper, and avoid most vaccinations. And to continue the dream, we have a really fun baby shower that's more like a co-ed party with all our friends, family, and neighbors. Oh, AND some of my other girlfriends with babies agree to co-op childcare so we can have our babies at home with a nanny, and if the nanny needs a sick day or vacation we take turns staying home from work, we also share laundry duty, baby food making, and date night/weekend childcare!! AAAANNNDDD.... baby is so smart and wonderful that he/she is accepted to my school at 3 so we're together from Pre-K through 6th grade! Am I missing anything??
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