21 posts tagged “progesterone”

7DP4DT (7 day post day-4 transfer) 7DPT (7 day post transfer) 11DPR / 11DPO (11 day post retrieval)

After recovering from the terrible stomach flu, I enjoy having absolutely no symptoms. I don't even have sore butts from the daily progesterone shot. Learning from the previous 2 IVFs that symptoms during 2ww mean NOTHING, helps go through yet another cycle.

I wasn't sure if I'd be overanalytical. The previous 2 cycles, OH yes. But having completely 2 different symptoms, I've decided not to read into anything, and so far I managed to do that.

Y'know, IVF is something that can make you "a little" pregnant. I don't know how my precious embryos are doing right now. I'm hoping they've decided to stay in my uterus. Since the retrieval, I'm a little pregnant. This is the closest I came in pregnancy. I know that's sad, but true.

My husband asked if I wanted to test before the beta on Monday. He's never said that. I don't know. Maybe... maybe not... Last cycle, it did not prepare me for the news at all. I was very depressed when a nurse called me, and I was sad for a very long time. I thought getting negative from HPT would ease the pain if the bad news came. Nope, it didn't. I was upset when I saw that NOT PREGNANT sooner that I could've been.

So I don't know. We'll see how I feel this weekend.

I'm just praying that they stuck. I'm praying that the stomach flu didn't ruin them. I'm just... praying...

1DP4DT (1 day post day-4 transfer) 1DPT (1 day post transfer) 5DPR / 5DPO (5 day post retrieval)

The transfer went well. 2 precious embryos were alive and well. They came back to where they belong!

Doc said the embryos looked very good, much better than the last IVF. So hopefully it will work this time.

I changed the progesterone suppository though. I just couldn't like Crinone and switched to Endometrin. The nurse said they are the same. I know suppositories are never fun, but inserting the tablet seemed less gross than a goo. I slept for 15 hours today. I try not to overanalyze everything this time if that's possible.

12DP4DT (12 day post 4-day transfer) 12DPT (12 day post transfer) 16DPR (16 day post retrieval)

So here I am. The day of my official pregnancy test. I went to the clinic at 9:00am. The receptionist asked me what I was there for, and I whispered "to do blood test, for pregnancy test". I don't know why I was whispering...

The nurse called me in. It was my favorite nurse. Whenever she draws my blood, There are never bruises or spots on my arm. And she always find my vein easily. Other nurses always struggle, "your have small vein, your vein keeps rolling," blah blah blah.

I told her that she was my favorite nurse because she never bruises my arm. She smiled. I brought my courage and said, "I've been spotting..." while she was setting up the test. I was surprised at myself that I was on the verge of tears. I couldn't finish my sentence. I felt like choking up, felt like my throat got clogged or something.

I took a deep breath in.

She asked, "is it spotting or heavy flow?"
"Very small, brown stuff."

She smiled again and said, "That's normal. I think you are good. I'm sure you are pregnant this time." I gave her weary smile, "you think so?" I was about to cry again.

"Oh yeah. One or two. Maybe twins."  she continues, "no cramping, right?"

I got nervous.

"Yes. On and off, it's not bad though... Last IVF, my period came before beta."
"How many did you transfer?"
"5..."

She patted my tummy, "I'm telling you it sounds good, mommy". Again I got choked up.

During these 2WW, I've googled and surfed the Internet until I was dizzy. It was the first time in two weeks someone in real life gave me a word of encouragement about the IVF. My husband is the only one whom I share this IVF experience, other than those who read my blog.

I was thankful for the nurse's words. I didn't realize I would get so emotional just getting my blood drawn!

A few more hours and I will know. I almost bought some pregnancy tests on my way home. What a way to kill time before the phone call! Do I want to get more depressed? Plus I didn't want to waste $20.

The second posting will follow after the blood test result.
 

5DP4DT (5 day post 4-day transfer) 5DPT (5 day post transfer) 9DPR (9 day post retrieval)

I've been taking PIO (progesterone in oil) shot in the morning, and Endometrin suppository tablet at night since the egg retrieval (9/29). I have absolutely no side effects from these medications. If I wasn't told of the IVF cycle (well, which is quite impossible!), I would never know that my body is trying to get pregnant. I prefer not to have same symptoms from the last cycle (failed IVF), and it is better not to feel bloated, breast tenderness, cramps, headaches, blah blah blah.

But this is too much. I feel absolutely nothing. I mean, nothing!! 

I know I can't win. If I have symptoms, I worry. If I don't, I worry. Now my ultimate worries are kicking in. Are those embryos sticking? Are they all alive? What if it doesn't work?

My husband and I both know that this is our last chance, other than "real" miracle. I bought a pregnancy test the other day. First I will test it on Friday Saturday, and then on Monday. I was thinking of testing it on Friday initially, but I chickened out! Maybe it IS too soon. Let my body work a bit.

I thought I'd handle this wait better this time, I guess not!

3DP4DT (3 day post 4-day transfer) 3DPT (3 day post transfer) 7DPR (7 day post retrieval)

If you've failed any number of IVF cycles before, you wouldn't want to see any similar symptoms from the previous cycles either. At least that's how I feel.

Tonight, I had the yellowish greenish discharge again like last IVF. My heart immediately sank. In the previous incident, I called the doctor's office and was told not to worry. He didn't elaborate anything on that. I wish he did. I kept googling but nothing really came up, other than some other people experiencing the same thing. As long as the doctor says not to worry, it should be OK, right? I finally found out on some websites (yeah believe everything on the Internet!!) that the progesterone suppositories cause such. So really, nothing to worry. But when that cycle has failed, I really didn't want to see that again. It's like a sign for failure. I'm painfully aware it's been only 4 days since transfer, but it still hurts.

Today at the office, I said to my co-worker, "I feel like McDonald's." I NEVER feel like McDonald's. She asks, "Are you pregnant?" She is also aware that I never crave for McDonald's. I was like, "Heck, no." In truth, I'm hoping that those little embryos are starting to nest in my womb, but that's far from even possibly pregnant. Plus, I've never shared my issues with anyone, especially co-workers!

Do people crave McDonald's when they are pregnant?! That sounds awfully unhealthy. I guess people crave "unusual" things while expecting. In my case, it is possible that I may crave for McDonald's since I'd never eat it. I wonder what I'd crave if I ever become pregnant.

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Progesterone shots since 9/30 am

Endometrin 100mg since 9/29 pm

Medrol 8mg every 12 hrs from 9/29 pm to 10/3 am

Doxycycline 100 mg every 12 hrs from 9/28 pm to 10/2 am

Novarel HCG Shot 9/27 pm 

Gonal-F 225IU from 9/16 pm to 9/27 am

Menopur 3 vials from 9/16 pm to 9/26 pm

Lupron 5 units from 9/16 pm 9/26 pm (10 units from 9/2 to 9/15 pm)

2DP4DT (2 day post 4-day transfer) 2DPT (2 day post transfer) 6DPR (6 day post retrieval)

I know, I know, I'm not supposed to do HPT until the beta test at the clinic. Of course I wouldn't do it today or anything. That's just silly. But I'm beginning to think when I can start testing on a pee stick. The reason is, to prepare myself. Last time, as disappointing as it was, it DID help me to prepare. As hopeful, and positive as I've been this time around, either way, I cannot have the news blasted at me. I know, I know, I sound like I'm just trying to justifying myself about "forbidden" HPT.

Anyway, I may test once this weekend like Friday, then again on Monday or something. That sounds reasonable enough.

5 embryos have been transferred. Honestly, I don't think all will implant. Last time 4 embryos were transferred and none implanted. I don't think they even stuck for one day, since my period came right on time despite the daily progesterone shots.

All we want is 1 or 2. My husband just wants 1. Not that having cute twins is tempting, he is worried about my health and fetal development. Well, he has a point. Anyway, God should know we are not being greedy. We just want to be blessed with one baby. Also having 5 embryos being transferred, there are risks of multiples. Gosh, that would be hard. I did agree to the Dr that I will reduce if that happens. I will deal with it when that happens, I guess. For now, I'm praying at least 1 embryo will stick to my uterus. That's all I want.
 
As for dealing with this tough two-week wait (technically it was 12 day wait, now 9-day wait!), me as ever-obsessive IVFer, I'm staring at the homemade chart. I know it's nuts. Every symptom from IVF#1 was recorded so I have something to compare this time such as when did I start to have bloody discharge, cramps or any kind of pains, etc. If the same shit doesn't have this cycle, I'm hoping I have better signs of good news (BFP)!

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Progesterone shots since 9/30 am

Endometrin 100mg since 9/29 pm

Medrol 8mg every 12 hrs from 9/29 pm to 10/3 am

Doxycycline 100 mg every 12 hrs from 9/28 pm to 10/2 am

Novarel HCG Shot 9/27 pm 

Gonal-F 225IU from 9/16 pm to 9/27 am

Menopur 3 vials from 9/16 pm to 9/26 pm

Lupron 5 units from 9/16 pm 9/26 pm (10 units from 9/2 to 9/15 pm)

The difference from IVF #1 is not only I'm mentally calmer, my body seems calmer too. I have so far no breast tenderness, sore butts, bloating, nothing. Is this a little strange?? I'm like, "am I missing anything?" I'm not overly emotional like the last time. Although I appreciate my body being "normal", it makes me a little concerned that it's too normal... if you know what I mean. Last IVF, I could hardly sit or walk (going up the stairs was especially hard). This time I hardly remember I have a daily shot of progesterone.

For the first time during this IVF cycle, the progesterone shot hurt today. The actual injection I mean. It bled quite a bit too. My husband was like, "I did it the same way as always." But it HURT, man. He knew it was different because of the blood spewing out (a bit of exaggeration - haha).

I 've been having sharp pain in ovary since yesterday. Sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left. Also I was a bit crampy too. It's mild but it's definitely there. Should I be concerned? I dunno. Everything concerns me - I think that's a second-nature for IVF patients.

I'm a lot more positive this time, and intend to stay that way until my beta test on 10/15.

The transfer was pretty non-eventful. I was careful of how much water I was drinking so I didn't feel like my bladder was about to burst.

Although all of 13 eggs were fertilized, only 5 were good enough for transfer, and the doctor didn't see it cost-effect to save one embryo. He suggested to transfer 4 eggs considering my age (38), however, he left the option for us (me and my husband who was by my side) to decide. 4 or 5? He said 5 would be aggressive and asked whether we'd consider reduction if all get implanted.

Yes.

So there you have it. The doctor transferred 5 eggs, I waited extra 30 minutes and went home. The embryologist performed Assisted Hatching too. I guess getting excited to be able to do cryopreservation was premature. Ah well.. Hopefully this IVF will work.

For two days, I'm supposed to be lounging, bossing my husband around.

The blood test is on 10/15.

****

Progesterone shots since 9/30 am

Endometrin 100mg since 9/29 pm

Medrol 8mg every 12 hrs from 9/29 pm to 10/3 am

Doxycycline 100 mg every 12 hrs from 9/28 pm to 10/2 am

Novarel HCG Shot 9/27 pm 

Gonal-F 225IU from 9/16 pm to 9/27 am

Menopur 3 vials from 9/16 pm to 9/26 pm

Lupron 5 units from 9/16 pm 9/26 pm (10 units from 9/2 to 9/15 pm)

Overall this second IVF that I'm going through seems much smoother. Probably because I know what to expect.
I didn't have that much bruises from blood tests, injections, etc. My butts are not hurting after progesterone shots either. Isn't that weird?

I was supposed to hear from Dr's office in regards to the number of the fertilized eggs on Tuesday (9/30). I didn't. This happened the last time too. Last time they called me two days later. This time I waited until yesterday (Wednesday) and nobody called back, and I called again today (Thursday). If they don't say that they'd call the day after the retrieval, I'd just wait. For something like this, they shouldn't mess with our heads like this.

Anyway, this afternoon the embryologist called and told me that all of the retrieved eggs were fertilized. All 13. I was so surprised. Last time 8 retrieved and 5 fertilized. I'm ever hopeful that it will work this time.

Later today, I received another phone call that the transfer will take place tomorrow morning at 9am. I'm to come in with full bladder. Ugh. That was the least favorite part of IVF last time...

Hopefully I won't suffer as much this time!

*******
Progesterone shots since 9/30 am

Endometrin 100mg since 9/29 pm

Medrol 8mg every 12 hrs since 9/29 pm

Doxycycline 100 mg every 12 hrs from 9/28 pm to 10/2 am

Novarel HCG Shot 9/27 pm 

Gonal-F 225IU from 9/16 pm to 9/27 am

Menopur 3 vials from 9/16 pm to 9/26 pm

Lupron 5 units from 9/16 pm 9/26 pm (10 units from 9/2 to 9/15 pm)

The doctor's office just called. The nurse sounded quite depressed. They must hate making this kind of phone calls. I'd dread it. Yes, the result was negative. But I knew it. Not because I had this "hunch". Because my period started yesterday. It wasn't "spotting" and it was indeed the period, so I knew. I even stopped taking the progesterone since yesterday.

Funny thing is I wasn't as upset as I thought I'd be. I was rather relieved. I wasn't relieved because it didn't work. I was relieved because I knew it didn't work and still had to wait for two full weeks. It was so agonizing. I tried to remain hopeful, but when something inside you tells you otherwise, it's hard to ignore.

What's next? My husband tried to cheer me up, I felt so bad. He said "I almost died a few times in my life, being alive and being married to you alone is a gift. So not having a baby is not the worst thing." I almost cried.

We've talked about adoption before. But when I told him how much it'd cost to adopt, we knew that wasn't our option either. Oddly enough, having a baby via IVF as expensive as it is, it's much more economical if successful.

We are going to have a consultation with the doctor next Friday to discuss our options. If we can get another grant, at least we can consider the possibility of another cycle. We don't know yet. We can't go bankrupt for IVF. We still gotta live our lives, y'know...

Anyway, those pregnancy tests were accurate. Sorry for doubting you, HPT!