Decided on IVF....

[Zoe2B]

Hi girls,
Well, it's been about 2 1/2 weeks since my D&C. Saw my RE on weds and I decided to do IVF. We're borrowing money, selling off possessions, and family is helping as well. We can keep trying on our own, but at 43, I'm scared of too much time passing, without a healthy pregnancy. My thoughts are, with IVF, if I'm lucky enough to produce several eggs, and then lucky enough for a few to fertilize, I'm increasing the odds that one of them will be a healthy egg. For those of you who have done IVF, how many embryos did you end up with and how many did you have transfered? I'm grateful for this forum, because I am entering uncharted waters now. I'm happy that I was able to get pregnant on my own, and so sad to have m/c. But on the positive side, at least my body knows how to GET pregnant. Please send your prayers my way!

[Zoe2B]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to be aware of all that. You mentioned IVF FSH needles causing your mc. Is that something that RE's do for everyone.. what is it supposed to do? So you transferred the next time with no meds. I didn't even know that was an option. Congrats on your pg! Keep posting how it's going.

[Zoe2B]

Thanks so much everyone for all the support and info! I guess I will be learning a whole new set of terms and abbreviations.... Is grade 1 the same as grade A? I haven't gone to my first ART class yet, so I didn't even realize that the embryos get graded.

Dena01....       thanks for telling me your story. I will remember that! I would be the type to freak out if I only produced a few follicles - so it's soooo good to hear that you got pg! Congrats to you! A boy and girl... how wonderful! Have you picked out names yet?

jill03...            I think we can start with my first cycle. He's one of the RE's that believes you can start ttc imemdiately after the D&C (after that initial week or so of recovery). His philospohy is, if your body ovulates, it's ready.

Janimal....       I've heard that there's a difference between transferring the embryos as blastocysts vs, the 3 day old 8cell embryo. Did your RE recommend the blastocyst instead of the embryo? Congrats on your pg. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that the your baby's hb and size developes as it should. Let us know, please!

hopinfortwns...  Thanks for the info. And congrats to you! Yay!

BG-MN & Hannah....  Thanks! It's a bit overwhelming, but I feel it's the right decision. I do wish it could happen on it's own, but at 43 I'm nervous about my egg quality declining every monthy we aren't successful. However, I did see on "Birth Day" a 47 year old unexpectedly got pregnant (her first) and didn't even find out until she was almost 6 months along. She had a perfectly healthy baby girl. Didn't even need a c-section. I love those stories!

[Mona93]

Going into IVF I had one ovary left and took FSH injections but only 225 units not the 425 they suggested.  I went with the amount my body was able to tolerate not doc suggestion.  We had 6 follicles develop but only 4 let go of the sac that they may be fertilized.  4 fertlized and we transfered 2.  Only one took and my geno said most of the time transferring more than one is a waste because one will not take.  I wish I had only known that!  Anyway because of ivf FSH kneedles my baby did not grow properly at 7 weeks and then dissolved to nothing at 11 weeks.  I was on progesterone suppositories and they threw my hormones WAY OFF.   If you get signs that these are causing more harm than good post IVF then stop!  My signs were intense thirst, intense fatigue and swelling in my feet.  Really progesterone should be monitored post IVF but my clinic did not do this.  I was taking 600 mg progesterone every day - this was WAy too much.  Most people only take 200 mg per day - any more is too much!!  Some clinics are after yuor money so try to work with your doc/geno post trnsfer.  

Check your thyroid regularly post IVF - mine cropped up with problems because of the high hormone shots.  So much info but best of luck to you.  We ended up doing a natural transfer (no meds at all with natural LH surge) and I am 9 weeks.  This time baby is growing properly with good bpm.  IVF meds did not work with my system so that I could carry but were sufficient to get eggs.  

[Dena01]

Hey! Had my 1st IVF in May. I took all my follicle stimulating injections and 2 days before the scheduled day of retrieval the u/s showed only 2 good follicles but my doc decided to go ahead with the procedure anyway though I was pretty apprehensive. I took my HCG shot that night. FInally on the day of the retrieval they got 3 mature follicles. All 3 fertilized and were classifed Grade A embies and all 3 were transfered back into me. 2 took and am now 25 weeks pregnant expecting a boy and a girl.
So don't fret if you don't have too many follicles-its quality that finally matters.

[jill03]

This is wonderful news, how exciting for you! I wish you the best and can't wait to hear more good news. This is so worth it and in time, you will have the money back.
When did your doc say you could start? We want to try again as soon as my body is physically healed from the D&C. I too am scared about to much time passing, so we don't want to waste any time either.

[Tanker Chic]

Congrats on your BIG decission.  I hope it all goes really well for you.  And of course please keep us posted and let us know how it goes for you.

Take care, Hannah

[RunningL8]

I think that's a great decision!  You'll eventually make up the money.  I hope for the best possible results for you!

[Janimal]

I'm 35 and just did my first IVF cycle.  They retrieved 12 eggs,  fertilized normally.  We transferred 2 blastocysts 5 days after the retrieval.  I am pg with a singleton, due 6/11/08.  
My baby's heartbeat and size isn't where it needs to be - but that's not because of IVF.  I found the IVF meds easier to tolerate than being on Clomid!  No mood swings or other unpleasant side effects.

If this pregnancy (knock on wood) doesn't work, we'll do IVF again with PGD.

Best of luck to you.

[hopngfortwns08]

Hi,

i am sending lots of luck and prayers your way for a succesful ivf. we did ivf in july got 27 eggs 14 fertilized we transfered 2 grade 1 didnt work we did FET in SEpt transfered 2 again grade 1 BFP 09/13/07 hpt 1st HCG on 9/17 329. pg with singleton EDD 05/25/08. hope this helps and good luck to you!