IVF cycle 5

Long story short - we did it again. 

Last year over Christmas Tim and I talked about trying ivf one more time. We talked about timing and whatnot. We planned for October but wound up pushing to November because of a conflict next summer for Leiland. 

Here we are and it was transfer day today. 

So to rewind a bit. Two cycles ago in September it was the weirdest cycle ever. I had no clots, no cramps, no need for Motrin, and no heating pad. I only bled for 3ish days then some light spotting. Bizarre. Then on 9/25 I have a hysterscopy procedure with my Alabama OB. All went well and all the dr could really say was my “tubes were tubing”. So that happened early in my cycle and so then come October I had nothing. Not even spotting. Again beyond weird. 

Now at this point I’ve noticed my normal mid cycle aches and pains have eased up some. Not gone but definitely less. 

So moving forward. Dr. Q was all good to move forward. My period was due to start on my birthday but after the previous two cycles who really knows when things will happen. If I start on my birthday that puts ovulation/ transfer right at Thanksgiving week. So we had a tentative transfer date two days prior to Thanksgiving. 

Well per usual my period did its own thing and began on November 1st. Now I was already slotted to begin my Lupron injections starting November 1st and so that’s what we did. I was also instructed to go to Labcorp as soon as I could once I started. And of course I started on a Saturday and not a one lab was open until Monday. So again we have a wrench in the plans. I go Monday for the labs and it’s no biggie. 

So because my period was early that means we are slotted for a transfer the week prior to Thanksgiving - the 18-21st. 

So Tim and I made the plans to have me fly out with Ellie for the week. We flew in on Sunday and go home next Sunday. Transfer was today - Tuesday. There were a handful of hiccups but we got there and transferred two 5 day blasts. It was a little uncomfortable but bearable. I had a little bleeding and have been cramping ever since. After we left the transfer Ellie and I went to dinner at black angus and then watched a movie at the hotel room. 

Praying for a healthy little bean to finish off our family. 

This is go #5. 

Of 4 cycles we have transferred 8 embryos that resulted in two healthy boys. 

I’m very nervous but also know it’s in Gods hands. If it’s his plan then I know it will all work out. 

5 Weeks Pregnant

Today is 5 weeks pregnant. I have known for about 10 days now. It feels like longer, yet it all feels so slow at the same time. Leiland has been off lately and I think he is getting molars, so I have just been trying to get by. I was having slight nausea off and on through the day, but that seems to mostly be gone now. I'm slightly more tired then usual, and my boobs have a tinge or soreness, but its not even close to bad. I'm still really nervous. I can't make that feeling go away. I feel like this pregnancy is going to be ok, but then I am still nervous all the time.

I told Leiland there was a baby in my belly. He asks to hold it, and calls it his baby. Its so stinkin cute. Then today he started saying there was a baby in his belly. One silly boy he is.

Beta #2

Got yesterdays beta results (yesterday) and my number was 127. The nurse said that was a good number. So I have an ultrasound scheduled for August 9th. Im still nervous, but trying to not worry too much.

Beta #1 results

My HCG today was 53.

Not going to lie, I am NERVOUS. Its not a great number, but its not as bad as last time either. It was 8 last time. But I am worried and nervous.

Ruth Beta
12 DPO - 29
15 DPO - 114

Leiland Beta
13 DPO - 147
16 DPO - 395

IVF #3
8

IVF #4
13 DPO - 53

6dp5dt pregnancy test "11 dpo"

Today test, darker than yesterday - this makes me hopeful.

Post transfer - IVF #4, FET #2

So yesterday everything went great. We arrived a little too early but it worked out because I got to pee before the procedure. I am always WAY too full. So I went to the bathroom and was able to refill my bladder before going it. And I still had to go terribly bad when finished. It also gave Tim and I some time to hang out and relax. I haven't been able to spend that many hours one on one with Tim is a VERY long time. We dropped Leiland off at 8:45 and when we picked him up he passed on right away in the car, and slept till 5pm. So I had the better part of the day with just the two of us.

Shortly after arriving the embryologist came in to tell us the 2 blasts they thawed survived the thaw but we both still compacted. She said they could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours to expand, but it wasn't a bad thing necessarily. So we had 2 - 1 Grade 1 and one Grade 2 to put in. We walked into the procedure room and checked to be sure my bladder was full enough. It was full enough to flatten my uterus. So we were good. The embryologist came in again to give a little more info. While in I asked her opinion on if it was better to do a 5dt with frozen over 3dt. Last time we thawed 4 3 day embryos and 2 didn't advance, the other two were not great quality. She explained that if they freeze on day 5 they tend to thaw better, and survive better. Because some froze on day 3 may not make it to day 5 if they were going to freeze them or transfer them, so the 5 days were stronger if they made it. This worried Tim. He took it as that means they are more likely to survive in me and more likely to produce twins. And that might be the case. I will welcome it with open arms if thats the case. We shall see.

Once home yesterday I did pretty good resting, and Tim was really helpful with Leiland. Today Tim is out of town. Its only 9:30 and I feel like I have already done too much. But I have a child - alive and breathing - I have to tend to him. I have a friend coming over for a few hours to help, so that should be good.

As far as how I feel, just cramping a light - medium amount. Nothing crazy, but praying for some sticky embryos.

Off to rest and relax a little more.

U/S from transfer

IVF Round 4 - coming soon

Im currently on CD 17 and next cycle is due June 18th. And they we begin our IVF #4 (2nd FET). I am SO excited but so nervous all at once. The last FET in October ended in a miscarriage over Thanksgiving. It was a super crazy time with Leiland breaking his arm (the day we found out I lost the baby), and we had just moved to Maryland. Now we are back in California (Thank you - close to my dr) and I am ready. I am more than ready.

It took me a REALLY long time to feel ready to have another baby. I can honestly say when we did the last FET I was more ready to be pregnant than to have another baby, but now I am SO ready for both. I constantly dream about what it will be like to be pregnant again. Give birth again. To hold and smell another new little one. And to nurse - oh how I can't wait to nurse another little guy. I miss that with Leiland. But I am ready. I can't wait to make Leiland a big brother. He loves kids, and babies. He will be great at it.

If all goes as planned - we will be due around March 17th. I think its good because it isn't too close to Leilands birthday. We originally were going to do the end of July for the transfer, but then I would be due RIGHT before Leilands birthday, and I just wanted a little spacing. It will be a couple months before he turns 3 and I think that is good. I would love if he could get potty trained before another baby comes along, but right now he just isn't ready.

SO March. CRAZY. I will be 29, so will Tim. I am starting to feel older. I wonder how a couple years older will affect being pregnant. I felt great with Leiland, but lets be honest, I still haven't lost any weight in a long time. I want to be more active this time around, and with Leiland I find it easier to do.

So yeah thats the start. Praying for a sticky bean and a healthy one. We want this so bad right now.

5dp5dt

Took a test this morning and it was negative again. I kept going between thinking I could see the faintest of lines then back to nothing. No symptoms all day long making me think again that it didn't work - then at night slight nausea and minimal cramping. Who knows. I will test again tomorrow and see.

This time around I am taking progesterone and delestrogen until 12 weeks if we get pregnant. I never needed estrogen before so I don't know why I need that extra one. My bum is so incredibly sore right now. I am covered in knots and bruises. It hurts to sit down or to have my phone in my back pocket. The thought of doing my nightly shots literally brings me to tears and its sad.

4dp5dt

Today is 4 days past a 5 day transfer. I took both a cheapo test and an FRER test this morning and both were unmistakingly negative. Last night I had slight carmping as I did the day before (usually associated with slight constipation) but then this morning nothing. This evening I have had a few moments of some cramping similar to my period starting. I recall this when I was pregnant with Leiland and it lasted a long time. So maybe thats hopeful?

Today I had this sad feeling come over me that it just didn't work. I know its SO freaking early but it wasn't because of a lack of symptoms. I can't pinpoint where the feeling came from.

As we entered into this cycle I barely entertained the idea that it might not work. I just figured our chances were really good because the two other times were a success the first time each. Then when they told us the quality of the embryos (blastocytes) was good and just ok, I was a little nervous. And right now I just don't have a strong feeling.

We shall see. I will test again tomorrow. I will inspect the readout of the test so closely. I can always see where the line SHOULD be, just its not always there. Then I will wait a little longer. Test again Thursday, and Friday. Just to see.

I got my first bfp with Leiland at 7dp3dt (10 dpo) and tomorrow I will be the same 10dpo. We shall see.

Waiting

So, I wait. Its not as hard as I expected but we just put embryos in 3 days ago. Its crazy its been 3 days already. This weekend was so busy packing.

Yesterday  I was nauseous a couple time but not bad. Then when I gave myself my shot I got SUPER light headed and nauseous and I had to crouch to the ground because I thought I would otherwise fall over.

Today very slight nausea. TERRIBLE heartburn at one point. Now my left nipple is tingling. Weird. Sorry if thats TMI

I took a cheap dollar store test this morning. I showed Tim and we both agree it was negative. But I SWEAR I could see the faintest of lines. I tried to take a picture but you can't see it. So its considered negative.

I am currently 3dp5dt (3 days past a 5 day transfer)

I will take another cheapo test in the morning, just to see. Then Wednesday I will use a real test.

IVF Update

So IVF has been going as planned. I did forget to start one medication on time, and I accidentally took one shot a day early. Hoping it doesn't make a huge difference though.

We did our transfer on Friday the 12th. We were able to put 2 embryos in again. 1 was good quality and the other ok. The 2 we didn't put in weren't growing or were slow/ behind where they should be.

I go in for bloodwork on the 19th to see if it worked.

This weekend I SHOULD be on bed rest, light activity and that isn't happening. I SHOULD be pushing it but I am not. We have to pack and move and that makes it impossible to sit around all weekend. I think its ok though.

So because Friday the embryos were 5 days (past ovulation) that puts me at 7 DPO right now. I am considering taking a test on Wednesday just to see if it shows up.

Tim and I have both made a guess and think it will work and it will be 1 boy.

We haven't really told everyone yet. My sister knows and a few friends. If it works I won't tell everyone until Christmas just for the fun of it.

TTC #2 - First cycle

So its official, we are ttc #2. We have never NOT tic but we are starting IVF as soon as my period starts. This will be our first cycle with frozen embryos, our 3rd IVF, and hopefully baby #2.

Today we met with the RE (Dr. Q) to see what the game plan is. As soon as my period starts I just have to call and we will be in progress. If all goes as planned we will be transferring 2 embryos around October 8-12th. My medications were ordered today and the schedule is so much easier than with a fresh cycle. I was very anxious about the frozen embryo transfer (FET) because its so foreign to me, but really its SO much easier.

So on CD 3 I start Delestrogen .3ml shots and take them every 3 days (CD 3, 6, 9) then on CD 11 I get bloodwork and an ultrasound to check. Delestrogen again cd 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39. I would also start daily injections of progesterone 1ml on CD 12 and Medrol dose pack (steroid to prevent rejection of embryos) CD 13-18.

Its crazy that we are here, it came so quick. We planned to start at the end of November/ early December however with the upcoming move - things were moved up.

Im honestly scared. I am terrified of another miscarriage, another instance of Ruth, and possibly twins. BUT I am so excited to get pregnant again and to give Leiland a little brother or sister. One more month and I can know if we should expect a new family member next June.

Frozen Embryos

So, we ended up with 15 embryos. We put two back leaving 13. Of the 13, 8 were frozen on the day of the transfer. The remaining 5 were left to grow to day 5 (today) and be frozen. 4 made it, so all in all we only lost 1 embryo. Good news for me.

Each pregnancy we attempt after this will only cost a $300-500 for the meds. I think they defrost the embryos one at a time till the number you want (for us likely only 2-3) survive the thaw, and they transfer them in.