1ST IVF CYCLE

Hi everyone.  I am brand new to this forum, and this is my 1st ivf cycle.  I am 39 years old (40 in May) and tomorrow is my pregnancy test.  I am currently taking progesterone injections, and my symptoms have been off and on.  My ET was on Sunday, (4/1)- 2BB blastocysts transferred (dr. said he was very pleased with these results do to my age).  The wait was getting to me, so, I gave in to temptation and I took a hpt on Saturday (4/7) and on Sunday (4/8)..both BPN!!  Of course, I am concerned that this IVF cycle has failed.  But, I don't feel like I am going to start my period, but, I do have other minor symptoms (e.g., sore breasts, some sweating at night, sneezing a lot, foot cramps, some minor twinging in my lower abdomen and tired).  My questions is, while on the progesterone injections, if IVF fails, would I start my period like normal if IVF fails, or would I have to stop taking the progesterone injections first?  Please let me know your thoughts and your experiences...

Carisa..looking forward to hearing your results too.

[seazshell]

Lori,
I am in my 2nd round of IVF.  I had a few positive BPT and then my numbers dropped.  Fortunately my body recognized the cycle and AF started all on her own.  
Early contratulations and best wishes!!

[BabyforLori]

Hi seazshell.  Thanks for responding.  I don't know what BPT means, can you please help me with that?  I am trying to get all this language down, thanks for helping.  Baby dust to you in your 2nd round.  How old are you, may I ask?

[toglory37]

Hello
I too am on my round of IVF...am on stimulation part...today was day number 5 of stimulation but US showed not enough to talk about. I am 37 years old and am hoping when I go back on thursday for next us that there would be great improvemnent...Do have any childrenif you don't mind me asking?
Good luck to you

sea: good luck to you as well...

[seazshell]

Hello again.  I'm Michelle.  I'm 30 in NJ.

The language is not easy to pick-up.
I felt like an idiot the first few days.  Here's a few:
BPT: blood pregnancy test
HPT: home pregnancy test
BFP: big fat positive
BFN: big fat negative
AF: Aunt flo
DH: dear husband
RE: reproductive endocronologist
BD: baby dance
CM: cervical mucus

[BabyforLori]

Hi again.

Seazshell, thanks for the list.  This will help tremendously.  I love NJ, spent a summer there in a house on the Jersey shore.  It was great!!

Toglory37 - I don't mind answering any question, ever.  But to answer your questions, no, I don't have any children yet.  My husband and I married when we were both 38, the next month after we were married, I found out I was PG, but, the baby was ectopic. I never cried so much in my whole life!!!  I lost my right tube from the ectopic, then found out from a laparoscopic procedure that my left tube was "not in the best condition."  The first dr. I went to started to concern me that I was not getting good treatment.  I was with them for a year before I started to seek out a new RE.  I found the RE I have now, and he discovered I had several polyps and one fibroid in and on my uterus.  This would have made it very hard for me to implant even if I did get PG.  So, now, I am 39 years old and on my first round with IVF and knocking on 40's door.  Right now, I am very confused with trying to analyze symptoms.  Trying to remain positive.  How are you doing?

[ZevasMom]

Negative home pregnancy tests are not all they are cracked up to be... in other words, have hope.  My first round of IVF, I had BFN even when I tested the morning of my blood test; however, I have a beautiful baby girl (8 months old now).  The HPT was wrong!  Thank God.  

I tried for IVF with frozen embryos... 3 were implanted, none took... I stoped the progesterone injections and AF came 3 days later...

If you have any IVF questions, I will try and help!

And to think.... years ago, they gave that woman a rashon of sh*t about have a "test tube baby"... Thank God for her courage!

[toglory37]

Thanks for being open...it helps when you know that people are going thru similiar things...I am 37 and I too only have 1 tube. I had reconstructive surgery and found out that I had grown a cyst on my right tube that was huge...they said if I didn't have surgery it may bust and cause something that i didn't want. They took the right tube and I found out that the left tube had blockage. I found RE who told me I have alot his words of fibroids but all on the outside of the uterus cavity. Said that IVF is the only way for me and so here I am on 5 injections a day. It hasn't been bad and I have to stay positive and believe thatthis will bring me and my DH the little bundle of joy that we want.

Funny: I met a lady at the mall who had triplets on Saturday, I asked if triplets run in her family she said No way I did IVF and was preg with 3. My mouth fell to the floor I was never expecting her to say anything about IVF just though that the babies were cute.

[BabyforLori]

Thanks for you insight.  I want to tell a story just like yours after tomorrow  (tomorrow I have my first beta since the transfer.)  I have, so far, had really good response to the IVF, and, of course, every ache and twinge you feel you want it to be implantation.  I have tried so hard to be positive (and, I feel better after your post).  Tomorrow is the big day.  Did you take your BBT's while you were on your IVF cycle.  Reason I ask, I have been so cold this last week.  Our weather has been colder (around 30 degrees for a high), but my hands/feet and nose are cold to the touch and I thought I should feel warmer.  Can not figure it out!!!

[BabyforLori]

You are so very welcome. Tomorrow, I will be in the same boat as you.  I go in at 8 a.m. in the morning (Chicago time) and I won't know the answer until later on in the afternoon, 3:00 p.m. or so. This is really dreadful.

I, too, had a five day transfer. They transferred two blastocysts.  During my ER, they retrieved 9 eggs.  8 fertilized.  We did the PGD testing and lost 5 embryos, 1 due to Downs, 1 due to Turner's, 2 did not have the other side of the chromosomes (I don't really understand this one), and 1 did not develop to blast stage, so it could not be frozen.  On the day of the transfer, they put back (1) 2 BB and (1) 3BB blastocysts.  Doc told me, since I am 39 years old (knocking on 40's door), they were very happy with these results.  My endometrium lining at 13.5, which my nurse told me was beautiful.  They put me on an antibiotic and steroid prior to the transfer, then progesterone injections daily starting the day of the transfer until we find out the results.  I don't know if I just expect too much out of myself, but I expected to start throwing up the day after the transfer. LOL!!  Then, as the days ticked on, and my symptoms would come, then they would go, they would come back, then they would go, I started to get concerned that things were not going well.  Then, I started to get cold hands/feet and nose. I thought that was really strange.  I managed to wait until Saturday to do a PG test - BPN!  Sunday - BPN.  Monday, I ran out so I did not do one. Tuesday is the blood test, so I will just wait until then.  

This waiting will just make you crazy!!!!

[MAR13]

Hello, it is my first IVF as well. I am right now waiting for the blood result. I actually had a 5 day tranfer with blastocyct. I am really nervous and scare as well. But I have learned from the doctor the the home pg test are not alway accurate. I actually took one on Saturday and it was negative and then following date was negative. I am not myself today waiting for the call from the doctor. I have all the symptoms for the PG but it could be very much related to progesterone injections. Good luck to you, I hope for the best.

[BabyforLori]

Thank you everyone so very much for ALL your kind words.  I am sure that you have all heard this a million times, but I can not tell you how much I appreciate everything you have offered and your support.  I am very new to this type of forum, and it is very very comforting to be able to chat so freely, expressing concerns, hear others concerns and all the time knowing you are not alone.  I will pray for each of you, too.  You guys are so open and warm.

Mar13, please let me know what happens today.  I am very anxious to hear good news about you.  I know how you feel though, because I do have symptoms which resemble pregnancy. Symptoms unlike anything that I have felt before. However, I can explain them away by the medicines I take or just not wanting to get to excited about the unknown.   I will feel better once I know the actual results.  

[BabyforLori]

Thanks for writing back and especially for the word of encouragement.  What are your levels right now?  Is this your first beta?  Did you do IVF, or natural?  If IVF, how many did they transfer, and on what day?  

[MAR13]

BabyforLori, I am having exactly the same symptoms....God I hate waiting for this call. I don't know what to expect. Thank you for your warm words, you have no idea how much I need them right now. I hope you will get the good news too, very soon. I am still hoping that more embryos (in my case blastocyst) better chances ;-)))

[Prettymama23]

I had an IVF cycle done in October and it didnt work for me =(
I tried again in March and I had a 5 day transfer.
I had my HCG levels checked on day 10 and they were high.  However, I go to my first ultrasound tomorrow. I am really worried about the high #'s,.
Anyhow, my point is dont get discouraged if the first time doesnt work. Dont give up.... We are all here to help you out!!!!  Lots of Baby Dust your way...
Your symptoms sound positive!!!  Good Luck!!!

[Danny170]

Hi My Name Is Danny and My GF went through IVF and she just had Her Blood test (HCG ) and Came out Negative and we are very stressed out , and Broken Heart and we spent all the money we had to this ,Can somebody tell me whats next the doctor has not called us yet its been three days we are waiting to see what is our next step ...Thanx

[mature momma]

I finally got a BFP after 3 IVF cycles. We did a day 5 transfer with 2 high grade blast. My first Beta was 361 (on 4/18)11 days passed ET. Second Beta was 1050 on 4/21. It more than doubled. Next test is tomorrow. I'm nervous because as you know anything can going wrong at anytime. You had said in your post you've had several BPT then #'s dropped. How many did you have before they dropped and what were your first few #'s if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks,
D:-)

[Kim14]

Any updates on anyones blood tests! I am also going through my first IVF/ICSI. 2 blasts transfered. We had one make it to freezing. Waiting till May 5th.....