Many couples will hit a "Bump in the road" during their fertility treatment.
Mine was this day. Below is my journal entry.
2/28/07
Yesterdays appointment didn't go as well as I hoped it would.
The Dr. now seems a bit concerned about how many eggs I will produce. I knew my egg count was a bit low for my age, but he didn't seem too worried about it.
However, at yesterday's appointment, he told me he's worried I won't produce the 12-17 follicles and eggs he'd like to see.
It seems that he isn't as much concerned about my body accepting the eggs, rather the ability to produce enough good eggs. Originally, he wanted to do a day 5 transfer, which means he'd grow the embryos 5 days and implant the best then. However, now he's thinking we'll have to do a day 3 transfer, which I'm perfectly ok with...just nervous.
I should have asked for a detailed explanation, but due to the Lupron I had a terrible migraine and random hot flashes and I didn't think to ask.
He said he was going to take a more aggressive approach for us since we are only doing one cycle. This sits fine with both my husband and I. We trust that he's been doing this long enough that he knows what to do to increase our chances of becoming pregnant.
As I sit here today, I'm praying that I produce plenty of good eggs for my retrieval and transfer and that we're expecting in a month!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
17 days and counting!
I just got off the phone with the hospital manager from the Dr's office.
She called to remind me of my appointment tomorrow and what I needed to do. Such as remember my medications; I will be having another teaching tomorrow on how to give the next set of injections. She also wanted to let me know that I will be having more blood work done tomorrow and answered a few questions I had for her.
(1) I've read that I should be taking in more protein. Her answer was to follow all recommended dietary guidelines.
(2) Can I get a prescription for EMLA, a numbing creme used to help with the pain of the progesterone injections? The answer...no. This Dr. doesn't recommend that medication.
We're getting down to the wire. Next week we will have to be available around the clock...or between 8am-5pm anyway. :) I will have another blood test done on Monday, March 5th and ultrasounds approximately every other day from that point on, until the retrieval.
She reminded me that we are at a crucial point in this. Everything must stay on schedule and we are not to make any weekend plans for March 10 & 11th, as we may need to be there one or both of those days!
I'm having a hard time containing my excitement! This whole process is a dream come true. I've longed for another baby for years and now, it's going to happen and I truly couldn't be happier!
She called to remind me of my appointment tomorrow and what I needed to do. Such as remember my medications; I will be having another teaching tomorrow on how to give the next set of injections. She also wanted to let me know that I will be having more blood work done tomorrow and answered a few questions I had for her.
(1) I've read that I should be taking in more protein. Her answer was to follow all recommended dietary guidelines.
(2) Can I get a prescription for EMLA, a numbing creme used to help with the pain of the progesterone injections? The answer...no. This Dr. doesn't recommend that medication.
We're getting down to the wire. Next week we will have to be available around the clock...or between 8am-5pm anyway. :) I will have another blood test done on Monday, March 5th and ultrasounds approximately every other day from that point on, until the retrieval.
She reminded me that we are at a crucial point in this. Everything must stay on schedule and we are not to make any weekend plans for March 10 & 11th, as we may need to be there one or both of those days!
I'm having a hard time containing my excitement! This whole process is a dream come true. I've longed for another baby for years and now, it's going to happen and I truly couldn't be happier!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
IVF Questions and Answers
Admittedly, today was a "tough" day for me.
With my emotions all over the map, I decided today was a good day to start looking for answers as to why I felt like this. I found all of the following information at http://www.ivfconnections.com/:
"What side effects can I expect from the suppression medication?"
"The side effects of the suppression medication are similar to that of going into menopause. Some women are very sensitive to the effects of the medication while others experience hardly any changes. You may experience some of the following side effects below. Always contact your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about your side effects or the medications you are taking.
*mood swings
*breast tenderness
*hot flashes
*headaches
*changes in sex drive"
I begin my egg stimulation stage on Thursday, March 1st. I'm very excited to get this stage underway. Although, after today, I decided it was time to learn more about this stage.
"Why do I have to continue to take the suppression drugs, when I start my stimulation drugs?"
"With most IVF drug protocols, you will continue to take suppression drugs while you are taking the stimulation drugs. If you do not take the suppression drugs you may ovulate on your own before the clinic has a chance to retrieve your eggs. The clinic wants to keep you on suppression drugs, so that they can time the retrieval of the eggs when the follicles are at their optimum size for their number."
"What kind of side effects can I expect from this round of medications?"
"You may experience some of the following side effects below. Some women are very sensitive to the effects of the medication while others experience hardly any changes. Always contact your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about your side effects or the medications you are taking.
*Abdominal bloating
*Nausea
*Diarrhea
*Weight gain
*Fatigue"
I've already experienced some bloating, which was somewhat relieved when my cycle began today. I'm not looking forward to the nausea, I'm a real wimp when it comes to being sick.
Weight gain??? Uggg....I'm not ready for that. I'm perfectly ok with gaining weight while I'm pregnant. I guess I'll just avoid the scale over the next two to four weeks. :)
And fun fatigue...I had read somewhere else that fatigue is common during the egg retrieval stage. Good thing I don't mind taking naps!
Helpful tips I found on giving yourself these injections:
"To reduce stinging:
Try putting ice OR a product called EMLA (available at pharmacies) on the injection site to numb the skin before injecting
Before injecting, make sure you let the injection site dry after you clean your skin with the alcohol wipe
Some women find that injections sting less given in the abdomen and others find they sting less in the thigh. You might want to try switching locations to see which one works best for you
Some medications sting less than others. If your clinic gives you a choice, Gonal-F seems to sting less than Puregon or Follistim."
"For better absorption:
Try giving yourself injections in the abdomen instead of the thigh. The abdomen is actually the best site for injections for most people because the blood flow to the tissue remains the same and generally speaking there is more fatty tissue there. However, you must stay away from your bellybutton by at least 1 inch in diameter. The more blood flow to the injection site the quicker the medication is absorbed."
"Progesterone in Oil Injection Tips:
Try warming the progesterone in oil vial next to your skin (slipping the vial in your bra is ideal) for half an hour before the injection.
Change the needle after drawing up the Progesterone to avoid injecting yourself with a dull, oil-covered needle
To lessen the pain of the progesterone IM injections, place warm compresses on the injection site after the injection is given and rub the area really well so the oil gets disbursed more quickly."
"How does the clinic know when my eggs are ready to retrieve?"
"The clinic will monitor you closely, once you begin the stimulation stage of your IVF cycle. The clinic can monitor you in 2 ways: through ultrasounds and through blood work. Some clinics only use the ultrasound method. The number of days that you will be on stimulation drugs varies greatly depending on your drug protocol and how well you stimulate. In the US most clinics are looking for 150-300 units of Estradiol for every mature follicle. In Canada, clinics like to see between 750 and 1,000 units of Estradiol for every mature follicle. A mature follicle is usually between 18 and 23 mm. The clinic tries to do the retrieval when the most number of mature follicles fall within range. This may mean that some eggs may be too mature and some too immature to fertilize."
At this point, I know our Dr. will be doing a procedure called Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI for short, it's where the sperm is injected into the egg. It can help to improve fertilization rates when the sperm can't penetrate the eggs on their own.
Next is the transfer stage, the most exciting part of the process, the reason the "pain" didn't hurt...the reason the emotional roller coaster was worth every tear.
"What will the transfer process be like?"
"The transfer process is usually uneventful and pain-free compared to the retrieval process. Your embryos are loaded into a thin flexible catheter, which is inserted into your uterus. The embryos are placed as far into the uterus as possible without touching the back wall of your uterus. Some clinics measure how long your uterus is and map out your uterus before the actual transfer date. The doctor doing the transfer tries to place the embryos 0.5-1.0 cm from the back wall of your uterus. Some clinics use an abdominal u/s to help guide embryos in place. Once the embryos are inserted into the uterus, the catheter is slowly removed. The catheter is then sent back to the lab to confirm that there are no embryos sticking to it. The embryos don't often stick to the catheter, but if this happens the stray embryo is reloaded into the catheter and the transfer is tried again. Some clinics will recommend that you rest on the transfer table for about an hour, while other clinics may allow you to leave right away."
After reading about IVF or the past couple of months, I wondered, what is the difference was between an embryo, morula, and a blastocyst transfer?
"Embryo Transfer: An embryo transfer is done 2 or 3 days after retrieval. A day 2 embryo usually contains anywhere from 2-4 cells. A day 3 embryo is usually around 8-10 cells in size. Morula Transfer: A morula transfer is done 4 days after retrieval. Morula transfers are not as common as embryo or blastocyst transfers. A Morula usually contains at least 30 cells, but as the cell numbers increase the morula compacts and the cell borders become less distinguishable.
Blastocyst Transfer: A blastocyst transfer is done 5-6 days after retrieval. A blastocyst has so many cells that individual cells are no longer recognizable."
My Dr has told me that I will be on complete bed rest for 3 days following my transfer. I've already got a few things I will be able to do while lying down. I've decided to take a few extra days off from my part-time baby-sitting job to prevent any unexpected accidents that could happen.
"What else should I avoid following my transfer?"
"I have compiled this list of precautions from the women who have passed along their clinic's guidelines to me. Please always seek the advice of your doctor on what precautions you should take for your situation. If you are in the 2 week wait and have already done something which the list says to avoid, please do not worry. I have known women who have done some of the things on the list and still have gone on to become pregnant.
AVOID caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and drugs
AVOID heavy lifting
AVOID strenuous exercising and housework (this includes vacuuming)
AVOID bouncing activities (horseback riding, aerobics)
AVOID sunbathing, hot saunas, hot tubs and Jacuzzis
AVOID swimming and baths
AVOID sexual intercourse and orgasms"
"Will I experience pregnancy symptoms?"
"From having talked to women who have gone through IVF, I have come to realize that there is not a standard set of symptoms that you will feel if you are pregnant. The range of symptoms differs so widely that it is hard to even begin to answer this question. Symptoms during the 2-week wait can be caused by a number of different sources: the medications you are taking, your body recuperating from the IVF cycle, an impending period or an impending pregnancy. Below are some of the symptoms that women have reported to me before getting a positive result. You may experience some of these symptoms before your pregnancy test, but the only way to verify what you are feeling is a pregnancy test done by your clinic.
*absolutely no symptoms
*pre-menstrual-like symptoms
*breast tenderness
*cramping
*nausea
*food aversions"
"I tend to be pretty impatient, can I take a home pregnancy test?"
"It is very tempting to do a home pregnancy test before the one scheduled by your clinic. However if you had an hCG injection (the one 2 days before your retrieval) it could take up to 2 weeks for the hCG to leave your system. If you have received hCG boosters it could take even longer. If you test while the hCG from the injection is still in your system you could get a false positive. You could also get a false negative if the hCG from the injection has left your system and the hCG produced by the implanted embryo isn't strong enough yet. If you do decide to do an HPT, please realize that it is not a conclusive result and that you should always have your cycle results confirmed by your clinic."
I guess I'll just have to wait out the 2-week wait to find out for sure if we'll be expecting a little one in December.
"What if I experience spotting during my 2-week wait?"
"Spotting during your 2 week wait could mean a number of possible things: an embryo is implanting, one embryo is implanting while another is detaching, your period is arriving. Please always call your clinic if spotting occurs. You should always go ahead with your clinic's pregnancy test even if the spotting is heavy. There is really no way to tell what is happening until the pregnancy test gives the clinic some indication."
The night before each of my appointments I make a list of questions to ask my Dr. He is always more than happy to take the time to answer each one of them.
This blog is simply the information I believe to be true, always ask your Dr any and all questions you have regarding your IVF process!
If you are in the process of IVF or AI, I wish you luck!
With my emotions all over the map, I decided today was a good day to start looking for answers as to why I felt like this. I found all of the following information at http://www.ivfconnections.com/:
"What side effects can I expect from the suppression medication?"
"The side effects of the suppression medication are similar to that of going into menopause. Some women are very sensitive to the effects of the medication while others experience hardly any changes. You may experience some of the following side effects below. Always contact your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about your side effects or the medications you are taking.
*mood swings
*breast tenderness
*hot flashes
*headaches
*changes in sex drive"
I begin my egg stimulation stage on Thursday, March 1st. I'm very excited to get this stage underway. Although, after today, I decided it was time to learn more about this stage.
"Why do I have to continue to take the suppression drugs, when I start my stimulation drugs?"
"With most IVF drug protocols, you will continue to take suppression drugs while you are taking the stimulation drugs. If you do not take the suppression drugs you may ovulate on your own before the clinic has a chance to retrieve your eggs. The clinic wants to keep you on suppression drugs, so that they can time the retrieval of the eggs when the follicles are at their optimum size for their number."
"What kind of side effects can I expect from this round of medications?"
"You may experience some of the following side effects below. Some women are very sensitive to the effects of the medication while others experience hardly any changes. Always contact your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about your side effects or the medications you are taking.
*Abdominal bloating
*Nausea
*Diarrhea
*Weight gain
*Fatigue"
I've already experienced some bloating, which was somewhat relieved when my cycle began today. I'm not looking forward to the nausea, I'm a real wimp when it comes to being sick.
Weight gain??? Uggg....I'm not ready for that. I'm perfectly ok with gaining weight while I'm pregnant. I guess I'll just avoid the scale over the next two to four weeks. :)
And fun fatigue...I had read somewhere else that fatigue is common during the egg retrieval stage. Good thing I don't mind taking naps!
Helpful tips I found on giving yourself these injections:
"To reduce stinging:
Try putting ice OR a product called EMLA (available at pharmacies) on the injection site to numb the skin before injecting
Before injecting, make sure you let the injection site dry after you clean your skin with the alcohol wipe
Some women find that injections sting less given in the abdomen and others find they sting less in the thigh. You might want to try switching locations to see which one works best for you
Some medications sting less than others. If your clinic gives you a choice, Gonal-F seems to sting less than Puregon or Follistim."
"For better absorption:
Try giving yourself injections in the abdomen instead of the thigh. The abdomen is actually the best site for injections for most people because the blood flow to the tissue remains the same and generally speaking there is more fatty tissue there. However, you must stay away from your bellybutton by at least 1 inch in diameter. The more blood flow to the injection site the quicker the medication is absorbed."
"Progesterone in Oil Injection Tips:
Try warming the progesterone in oil vial next to your skin (slipping the vial in your bra is ideal) for half an hour before the injection.
Change the needle after drawing up the Progesterone to avoid injecting yourself with a dull, oil-covered needle
To lessen the pain of the progesterone IM injections, place warm compresses on the injection site after the injection is given and rub the area really well so the oil gets disbursed more quickly."
"How does the clinic know when my eggs are ready to retrieve?"
"The clinic will monitor you closely, once you begin the stimulation stage of your IVF cycle. The clinic can monitor you in 2 ways: through ultrasounds and through blood work. Some clinics only use the ultrasound method. The number of days that you will be on stimulation drugs varies greatly depending on your drug protocol and how well you stimulate. In the US most clinics are looking for 150-300 units of Estradiol for every mature follicle. In Canada, clinics like to see between 750 and 1,000 units of Estradiol for every mature follicle. A mature follicle is usually between 18 and 23 mm. The clinic tries to do the retrieval when the most number of mature follicles fall within range. This may mean that some eggs may be too mature and some too immature to fertilize."
At this point, I know our Dr. will be doing a procedure called Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI for short, it's where the sperm is injected into the egg. It can help to improve fertilization rates when the sperm can't penetrate the eggs on their own.
Next is the transfer stage, the most exciting part of the process, the reason the "pain" didn't hurt...the reason the emotional roller coaster was worth every tear.
"What will the transfer process be like?"
"The transfer process is usually uneventful and pain-free compared to the retrieval process. Your embryos are loaded into a thin flexible catheter, which is inserted into your uterus. The embryos are placed as far into the uterus as possible without touching the back wall of your uterus. Some clinics measure how long your uterus is and map out your uterus before the actual transfer date. The doctor doing the transfer tries to place the embryos 0.5-1.0 cm from the back wall of your uterus. Some clinics use an abdominal u/s to help guide embryos in place. Once the embryos are inserted into the uterus, the catheter is slowly removed. The catheter is then sent back to the lab to confirm that there are no embryos sticking to it. The embryos don't often stick to the catheter, but if this happens the stray embryo is reloaded into the catheter and the transfer is tried again. Some clinics will recommend that you rest on the transfer table for about an hour, while other clinics may allow you to leave right away."
After reading about IVF or the past couple of months, I wondered, what is the difference was between an embryo, morula, and a blastocyst transfer?
"Embryo Transfer: An embryo transfer is done 2 or 3 days after retrieval. A day 2 embryo usually contains anywhere from 2-4 cells. A day 3 embryo is usually around 8-10 cells in size. Morula Transfer: A morula transfer is done 4 days after retrieval. Morula transfers are not as common as embryo or blastocyst transfers. A Morula usually contains at least 30 cells, but as the cell numbers increase the morula compacts and the cell borders become less distinguishable.
Blastocyst Transfer: A blastocyst transfer is done 5-6 days after retrieval. A blastocyst has so many cells that individual cells are no longer recognizable."
My Dr has told me that I will be on complete bed rest for 3 days following my transfer. I've already got a few things I will be able to do while lying down. I've decided to take a few extra days off from my part-time baby-sitting job to prevent any unexpected accidents that could happen.
"What else should I avoid following my transfer?"
"I have compiled this list of precautions from the women who have passed along their clinic's guidelines to me. Please always seek the advice of your doctor on what precautions you should take for your situation. If you are in the 2 week wait and have already done something which the list says to avoid, please do not worry. I have known women who have done some of the things on the list and still have gone on to become pregnant.
AVOID caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and drugs
AVOID heavy lifting
AVOID strenuous exercising and housework (this includes vacuuming)
AVOID bouncing activities (horseback riding, aerobics)
AVOID sunbathing, hot saunas, hot tubs and Jacuzzis
AVOID swimming and baths
AVOID sexual intercourse and orgasms"
"Will I experience pregnancy symptoms?"
"From having talked to women who have gone through IVF, I have come to realize that there is not a standard set of symptoms that you will feel if you are pregnant. The range of symptoms differs so widely that it is hard to even begin to answer this question. Symptoms during the 2-week wait can be caused by a number of different sources: the medications you are taking, your body recuperating from the IVF cycle, an impending period or an impending pregnancy. Below are some of the symptoms that women have reported to me before getting a positive result. You may experience some of these symptoms before your pregnancy test, but the only way to verify what you are feeling is a pregnancy test done by your clinic.
*absolutely no symptoms
*pre-menstrual-like symptoms
*breast tenderness
*cramping
*nausea
*food aversions"
"I tend to be pretty impatient, can I take a home pregnancy test?"
"It is very tempting to do a home pregnancy test before the one scheduled by your clinic. However if you had an hCG injection (the one 2 days before your retrieval) it could take up to 2 weeks for the hCG to leave your system. If you have received hCG boosters it could take even longer. If you test while the hCG from the injection is still in your system you could get a false positive. You could also get a false negative if the hCG from the injection has left your system and the hCG produced by the implanted embryo isn't strong enough yet. If you do decide to do an HPT, please realize that it is not a conclusive result and that you should always have your cycle results confirmed by your clinic."
I guess I'll just have to wait out the 2-week wait to find out for sure if we'll be expecting a little one in December.
"What if I experience spotting during my 2-week wait?"
"Spotting during your 2 week wait could mean a number of possible things: an embryo is implanting, one embryo is implanting while another is detaching, your period is arriving. Please always call your clinic if spotting occurs. You should always go ahead with your clinic's pregnancy test even if the spotting is heavy. There is really no way to tell what is happening until the pregnancy test gives the clinic some indication."
The night before each of my appointments I make a list of questions to ask my Dr. He is always more than happy to take the time to answer each one of them.
This blog is simply the information I believe to be true, always ask your Dr any and all questions you have regarding your IVF process!
If you are in the process of IVF or AI, I wish you luck!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Lupron Injections
First of all, I want to say that I thought and thought about whether or not I should post this blog. I wrote it and included the photos, because in my search for IVF information I couldn't find anything like it. For me, seeing something like this would have helped prepare me for the process...so here it is, my experience with IVF injections. If you have a weak stomach or don't like graphic photographs, then you should skip this blog.
I'm 6 days into my injections and am beginning to feel like a real pro at it. I am however, growing concerned about my upcoming Progesterone injections.
I've talked with other women who have had to have them and hear that they are quite painful. I've also read tips on how to make them easier online, so I feel my concern is justified.
I decided today would be a good day to blog about these injections.
As I begin, I get everything together on the table, I have my Rx, one syringe, 2 alcohol pads and hand sanitizer.
I thoroughly wash my hands before I begin, but use hand sanitizer as extra insurance that my hands are clean.
I begin by following the instructions given to us by our nurse as to how to fill the syringe. ---->
<----I prep the site where the injection will be administered with an alcohol pad.
I take a deep breath in and give the injection. It stings for a few minutes, but overall, it's a piece of cake...and I'm done for the day.
---->
The pain of the injection is lessened knowing that these will help us in our goal to become pregnant.
I'm 6 days into my injections and am beginning to feel like a real pro at it. I am however, growing concerned about my upcoming Progesterone injections.
I've talked with other women who have had to have them and hear that they are quite painful. I've also read tips on how to make them easier online, so I feel my concern is justified.
I decided today would be a good day to blog about these injections.
As I begin, I get everything together on the table, I have my Rx, one syringe, 2 alcohol pads and hand sanitizer.
I thoroughly wash my hands before I begin, but use hand sanitizer as extra insurance that my hands are clean.
I begin by following the instructions given to us by our nurse as to how to fill the syringe. ---->
<----I prep the site where the injection will be administered with an alcohol pad.
I take a deep breath in and give the injection. It stings for a few minutes, but overall, it's a piece of cake...and I'm done for the day.
---->
The pain of the injection is lessened knowing that these will help us in our goal to become pregnant.
Friday, February 23, 2007
InVitro Fertilization through my eyes
In November 2006, my husband and I decided that we'd like to expand our family.
Now, as easy as that may sound to do, it wasn't going to happen the "good ol fashion" way. In 1996, when I was 21 and in an unsuccessful marriage, I made the decision to have my tubes tied after I delivered my 3rd child. At the time, it was the right choice for me. However, I regret not doing research to find other alternatives to tubal ligation.
Ok, fast forward to November 2006. My husband and I had been discussing babies for about 6 months and a few days after my nephew was born, we knew we had to give IVF a try!
Our first appointment with a specialist was December 7th. We were very excited to hear what the Dr. had to say.
We chose a Dr. in Manhattan Beach, CA. Our first appointment was a success. The Dr. told us that he felt we had a good chance of becoming pregnant due to my age, and the fact that I've already been pregnant and delivered three healthy children.
We were told to come back the third day of my next menstrual cycle. On cue, I arrived with bells and whistles. I couldn't wait to get started. My stomach was in knots. I was so excited at the opportunity to share a pregnancy and child birth with my husband. We went in thinking we would be able to do our transfer in February.
To my disappointment, my ultrasound showed eggs developing early. This set us a month behind. The Dr. told us we would have to wait until my next menstrual cycle to start. He gave me a prescription for birth control pills along with the instruction to start taking them on Day 1 of my cycle.
Although, I left the office sad because I didn't want another delay, I knew that for one reason or another it wasn't the "right" time.
I spent the next 25 days thinking about having a baby and counting down the days to my cycle. Finally, it arrived. I started taking the pill on day 1 of my cycle. The advantage to taking the pill on day 1, was that it was a light cycle with fewer cramps.
Day 3 of my cycle, we headed back to the Dr for another ultrasound. I prayed for my ovaries to be "quiet" so that we could move forward and they were!
We sat in the Dr's office and went over my IVF schedule. He ordered my prescriptions and warned us that the expense would be high. That day we paid $600 for our two office visits and two ultrasounds.
I went home on cloud 9! I couldn't wait to get home and share our good news with our family and friends. We now had a projected transfer date of March 15th!
On Feb. 9th we received the call from the pharmacy that our medications were in. Our cost, $2,065.15, not bad considering we were expecting them to be around $5,000.
On the 14th, I started an antibiotic called Doxycycline. This was given to me to prevent getting an infection from my upcoming SonoHSG.
About SonoHSG (copied from http://www.pinelandpress.com/):
"A hysterosalpingogram is where dye is injected into the uterus to look for anatomic problems, such as tube patency (if they are open), fibroids, polyps, or structural problems with the uterine cavity. This test is usually done in the first half of a woman's cycle, between days 7-10. A small catheter is inserted through the cervix in order to inject the dye, or, in some places, a balloon catheter is used to push dye through the cervix without actually threading anything through it. You'll be expected to turn a little as the doctor / radiologist takes pictures or views the process through something that looks a lot like an ultrasound. It should only last about 5 minutes. Some cramping and discomfort is common during the procedure and for a little while afterward. Also, some spotting is to be expected. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and suggest a painkiller be taken. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to shellfish. Women taking metformin (brand name Glucophage or GlucophageXR) should discuss whether the medication should be discontinued for a couple of days before the procedure."
This procedure was a bit uncomfortable.
My husband and I were also instructed on how to give my upcoming Lupron injections. It was a bit nerve wracking thinking about my husband giving me shots in my belly.
Monday, Feb. 19th, I begin my Lupron injections. I was terribly nervous about my husband giving me this injection, but even more uneasy with the thought of doing it myself. So, armed with my Lupron, a syringe and 2 alcohol pads, I take a deep breathe and reinstruct my husband on how to do it correctly. I then, stop him, restart him, then stop him yet again. I didn't like the look of the first needle, so had him get a new one. Then, I wanted a new alcohol pad. Finally, he begins to give me the injection while I let out a
"Eeeeekkkk" followed with a
"Are you almost done???"
Then, it was over....my belly stung for a few minutes and my husband decided that in order for tomorrow's injection to go better than today's, I would have to be quiet.
The following morning, I decided I should try to give myself the injection and to my surprise it went much easier!
Feb. 20th, payment day! I think this was the most painful part of the entire process. :) Our IVF bill was a bit higher than our initial quote because the Dr. decided to add on a couple of procedures to help our success rate.
Feb. 22nd, we headed back to the Dr for our mock transfer. The procedure felt like a single menstrual cramp and only lasted a few minutes. Everything went according to plan and we continue to stay on schedule.
That brings us to this weekend. Our weekend will be a quiet one. I took my last birth control pill on Thursday, so now I'm only taking the Lupron each morning.
Tuesday we have another ultrasound and injection teaching and I begin egg stimulation on Thursday with Repronex and Follistim!
More blogs to come on this subject!
Now, as easy as that may sound to do, it wasn't going to happen the "good ol fashion" way. In 1996, when I was 21 and in an unsuccessful marriage, I made the decision to have my tubes tied after I delivered my 3rd child. At the time, it was the right choice for me. However, I regret not doing research to find other alternatives to tubal ligation.
Ok, fast forward to November 2006. My husband and I had been discussing babies for about 6 months and a few days after my nephew was born, we knew we had to give IVF a try!
Our first appointment with a specialist was December 7th. We were very excited to hear what the Dr. had to say.
We chose a Dr. in Manhattan Beach, CA. Our first appointment was a success. The Dr. told us that he felt we had a good chance of becoming pregnant due to my age, and the fact that I've already been pregnant and delivered three healthy children.
We were told to come back the third day of my next menstrual cycle. On cue, I arrived with bells and whistles. I couldn't wait to get started. My stomach was in knots. I was so excited at the opportunity to share a pregnancy and child birth with my husband. We went in thinking we would be able to do our transfer in February.
To my disappointment, my ultrasound showed eggs developing early. This set us a month behind. The Dr. told us we would have to wait until my next menstrual cycle to start. He gave me a prescription for birth control pills along with the instruction to start taking them on Day 1 of my cycle.
Although, I left the office sad because I didn't want another delay, I knew that for one reason or another it wasn't the "right" time.
I spent the next 25 days thinking about having a baby and counting down the days to my cycle. Finally, it arrived. I started taking the pill on day 1 of my cycle. The advantage to taking the pill on day 1, was that it was a light cycle with fewer cramps.
Day 3 of my cycle, we headed back to the Dr for another ultrasound. I prayed for my ovaries to be "quiet" so that we could move forward and they were!
We sat in the Dr's office and went over my IVF schedule. He ordered my prescriptions and warned us that the expense would be high. That day we paid $600 for our two office visits and two ultrasounds.
I went home on cloud 9! I couldn't wait to get home and share our good news with our family and friends. We now had a projected transfer date of March 15th!
On Feb. 9th we received the call from the pharmacy that our medications were in. Our cost, $2,065.15, not bad considering we were expecting them to be around $5,000.
On the 14th, I started an antibiotic called Doxycycline. This was given to me to prevent getting an infection from my upcoming SonoHSG.
About SonoHSG (copied from http://www.pinelandpress.com/):
"A hysterosalpingogram is where dye is injected into the uterus to look for anatomic problems, such as tube patency (if they are open), fibroids, polyps, or structural problems with the uterine cavity. This test is usually done in the first half of a woman's cycle, between days 7-10. A small catheter is inserted through the cervix in order to inject the dye, or, in some places, a balloon catheter is used to push dye through the cervix without actually threading anything through it. You'll be expected to turn a little as the doctor / radiologist takes pictures or views the process through something that looks a lot like an ultrasound. It should only last about 5 minutes. Some cramping and discomfort is common during the procedure and for a little while afterward. Also, some spotting is to be expected. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and suggest a painkiller be taken. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to shellfish. Women taking metformin (brand name Glucophage or GlucophageXR) should discuss whether the medication should be discontinued for a couple of days before the procedure."
This procedure was a bit uncomfortable.
My husband and I were also instructed on how to give my upcoming Lupron injections. It was a bit nerve wracking thinking about my husband giving me shots in my belly.
Monday, Feb. 19th, I begin my Lupron injections. I was terribly nervous about my husband giving me this injection, but even more uneasy with the thought of doing it myself. So, armed with my Lupron, a syringe and 2 alcohol pads, I take a deep breathe and reinstruct my husband on how to do it correctly. I then, stop him, restart him, then stop him yet again. I didn't like the look of the first needle, so had him get a new one. Then, I wanted a new alcohol pad. Finally, he begins to give me the injection while I let out a
"Eeeeekkkk" followed with a
"Are you almost done???"
Then, it was over....my belly stung for a few minutes and my husband decided that in order for tomorrow's injection to go better than today's, I would have to be quiet.
The following morning, I decided I should try to give myself the injection and to my surprise it went much easier!
Feb. 20th, payment day! I think this was the most painful part of the entire process. :) Our IVF bill was a bit higher than our initial quote because the Dr. decided to add on a couple of procedures to help our success rate.
Feb. 22nd, we headed back to the Dr for our mock transfer. The procedure felt like a single menstrual cramp and only lasted a few minutes. Everything went according to plan and we continue to stay on schedule.
That brings us to this weekend. Our weekend will be a quiet one. I took my last birth control pill on Thursday, so now I'm only taking the Lupron each morning.
Tuesday we have another ultrasound and injection teaching and I begin egg stimulation on Thursday with Repronex and Follistim!
More blogs to come on this subject!
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