IVF and symptoms

[gretchen40]

Hi All,
I am brand new to this site. I have enjoyed reading your responses.  I am looking for your input.  I had 3 embryos transferred on Sunday, 9/20.   This is my first IVF.  Today is Tuesday, 9/29.  About 2 days post transfer, I began experiencing bloating, gassy feeling and some minor cramping.  I also had moments in which I felt pretty uncomfortable (like I was experiencing some burning or inflammation; it felt like some BAD PMS).  This discomfort has abated but my breasts are pretty sore and swollen now and I've been feeling like I'm about to begin my period at any moment (been feeling like this for the last 4 days).  I feel bloated, gassy and some minor cramping and had a crying breakdown two days ago.  Is it still possible that I could be pregnant even if I feel like I'm about to have my period?  I am supposed to take my blood test in 2 days.  Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  :)

[mirabela67]

thank you my friend for all the encouraging words. yes, i have many things in my life that i'm blessed with..GOD was always good to me and my family.  i truly hope that you will only know happiness for the next 9 months..and after. thanks for being there for me. hugs to you!!

[gretchen40]

I really do know what it feels like to be down.  Of course right now I'm on the up but I've had so many days when I feel stressed and overworked.  I'm one that tends to do whatever is humanely possible to get a job done...

I truly have been praying that God will give you peace AND the desire of your heart.

I know you recognize all the blessings that you already have (way beyond many!); however, I also know that it doesn't make it any easier when you want something that has not crystallized yet.

Take heart.  Jesus has overcome the world.   Please e-mail anytime.

[mirabela67]

hey girl...i'm very happy to hear the good news! i needed  some good news, i was "down" all day..i don't know why (well, i do but...) keep me post it on how you are doing. i was praying for you last night and i will continue to do so. best, best, best wishes!!!!!

[gretchen40]

Hi!  I got my progesterone and estradiol levels and both were way over the minimum.  I was so thrilled that the nurse said I had "great numbers" that wasn't able to remember them.  Consequently, I am to begin reducing my hormone support on Sunday and then will go in for bloodwork on Tuesday.  So, all is still well.

I have been praying for you.

[mirabela67]

you made me smile with " i'm on it.." comment. i'm going to do what you suggested. talk to you soon...  :)

[gretchen40]

Please do NOT start feeling anxious.  You need some prayer intervention for peace.  I'm on it...Will get back in touch on Thursday.  Please write at any time....

In the meantime, refer to Phillipians 4:6-7.  I have been meditating on it.

[mirabela67]

thank you!!!! i'm sure i'll need it...i already feel anxious and i didn't even start the meds yet. maybe the acupuncture will help me relax. look forward for good news on thursday!!

[gretchen40]

Enjoyed your e-mail.  I'll keep in touch with you this week.  You have been a precious supporter.  I want to continue to do the same for you.  :)

[mirabela67]

hi friend..i'm happy to hear from you. i checked my computer a few times while i was cleaning. we had dinner...but i couldn't wait to hear from you. i feel better now....i like the numbers this time. now we wait for thursday... i heard about acupuncture on this forum, from other women...and for some it worked. i will try, i found a place today, i'll see how it goes. i'll pray for happy news from you to the end..9 months. relax..try not to work so hard. i will let you know when i will start everything again..i need to wait 1 month. maybe by the end of november i will have my transfer. keep in touch...good luck on thursday! hugs!!

[gretchen40]

Did you get your basement cleaned?!  

Well, I got the results back and my nurse said the numbers look good. From 122 I went to 231...about a 90% increase.  So, I had a much larger increase over the last 48 hours...thank the Lord.  The next step is to go back Thursday for more blood work to determine my estrogen levels to begin weening me off of hormonal support.

I believe with all my heart that God intervened here and answered prayers.  I feel overwhelming gratitude.

I also want to share something with you.  Before I began IVF I spoke with a family friend who conceived twins after IVF.  I believe that she concieved in her late 30's.  She had 4 IVF cycles until she finally conceived.  She did tell me that she ended up doing acupuncture for her last one.  She also told me that many fertility clinics require it as part of their protocol...although mine didn't.  So, I do think that acupuncture may be an important part of your protocol.  I thought about this story because you told me that you were going to pursue this.  It may make a difference.  Have you heard that acupuncture increases the success rate???

Let's keep in touch this week.  I want to know what you're up to.  Best, Gretchen

[mirabela67]

i'm glad that you are somewhat calm...that's very good. i keep myself busy until i hear from you...i'm cleaning my basement (ha,ha).  :))

[gretchen40]

Hi Mirabela!  I drew blood this morning and am waiting for the results.  To be honest, I'm really not dreading anything today.  They told me at the clinic that this happens to many women.  I prefer to just expect some good news and will deal with it as it comes. The nurse did say that as long as it is rising the real test is the ultrasound on the 10/19.  So, I will e-mail you as soon as I get the results.

Thanks for writing!  Hugs to you sweet lady!

[mirabela67]

hi gretchen! how are you today? i hope you are doing good...i wish to hear good news from you. hugs to you!

[mirabela67]

hi my friend! hhhmmmm...don't like the news much. the numbers can still go up by monday....really hope so. back in july i had my blood checked 5 time because of the numbers low rising. first# 197, 2nd # 258, 3rd # 327,4th,# 427 and 5th# 324. the nurse told me that in some cases the numbers are not getting up as fast as they should and still it's a good preg. so, i still have hope for you. at this point we can't do anything else but pray and ask God for help...i pray every day...couple times a day... i also thank God for everything, the patience i have to go thru this, for my family health and now..i'm praying for good results for you. yes, i'm going for my 5th ivf...i do respond well to meds that's why... i still have hope. i'm going to see my doctor on the 14th to discuss my latest ivf and if we need to make any changes on my meds. i'm going to add acupuncture...maybe i will get preg on my own and i don't have to do anything anymore...that will be soooooo good!!!!! please let me know your blood result on monday....take care, i'm giving you a hug now, good night! best, best luck on monday!!

[gretchen40]

Hi friend,
We got the results of our 2nd beta today and it didn't rise as much as we would have hoped.  The first beta was 81 (was told that anything above 50 is a good score).  Today they called and told me that my hcg level rose to 122 (mere 51% increase).  They told me that they were expecting to see a 66% increase, which, of course, it wasn't.  So, I will return to the clinic on Monday and they will test it again.

I've prayed with my family and my husband and really want to trust in HIM.  I keep pondering what Paul exhorted us to do:  "be anxious about nothing but with prayer and thanksgiving present your requests and petitions to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

So, no matter how hard it is do I want to trust in that.  I really do.  

Have you decided for sure that you are going to pursue the 5th IVF?  

I think about you too and promise to continue to pray for you.  All my best.

[mirabela67]

hi!! i was gone almost all day, but i was thinking of you. you had your appt. today...tell me how it went. i used to have a stressful job...the best thing i did was get out of it. i hope that will work out for you ok. waiting to hear from you..

[gretchen40]

I know you are very disappointed.  To be honest, I really thought there was still a good chance that the test would be positive.  I am transitioning out of my current job over the next several weeks.  Right now, I have a pretty stressful, demanding job and I didn't want it to interfere with my pregnancy.  Either way, I was going quit to pursue this phase of my life.  I'm going to pursue a part-time job after I finish this one.  

You will continue to be on my mind.  I wish so much you could get pregnant.  Will touch base with you tomorrow.  

[mirabela67]

hi gretchen, i just want to let you know that my blood test was negativ:((  i'll see my doctor on 10/14 to see whats next for me...maybe i'll try again the ivf, if she said it's ok. take care!

[mirabela67]

hi, how are you? my blood test came back negativ. i'll see my doctor on 10/16 to discuss what is next for me. i will try another ivf if she thinks it's ok and maybe next time...i will have more luck. to be onest, i knew your request for something to pray was for me...but i knew my fate this time, regarding the ivf, so, i wanted for you to think of ...YOU. if i will go for another ivf, that will most likely be in november, until then i will be on my own trying. maybe you can pray for me to get pregnant on my own and have a healthy baby. thank you and don't forget to let me know about your test tomorrow. take care and good luck!!!

[gretchen40]

Thanks for the kind message!  Actually, when I asked for something specific to pray for....I meant YOUR request.  I want to pray for YOU.  So, let me know your specific request and I will follow through.

Remember...you were pregnant before and can be again.  I specifically didn't take the HPT test because I'm convinced that it is unreliable at such an early stage.  So, I look forward to knowing what the results of your blood test are for tomorrow. I know you are fearful, as I was too.  Take good care.  

[mirabela67]

Yaaaay....what good news..i'm so happy for you, because i know how happy you are, i know the feeling:) pray to St. Gerard Majella...he helps expactant mothers, motherhood. ask Him and God to protect you and the baby. now... relax, stay calm...take your vitamines and meditate. i'll also pray for you and think of you. let me know saturday about your test.GOOD LUCK!!!!

[gretchen40]

You were so kind to respond to my inquiry so I wanted to let you know that my IVF nurse called to let me know that my pregnancy test was positive.  I go back on Saturday to take another blood test to confirm that my hormone level is rising.  I feel very blessed but know that time will tell.

Tell me something specific to pray about and I will.  Take care.

[mirabela67]

what a miracle for yor friend..great story for all of us that we are in so much need of HOPE. i was praying for you and the other girls in this forum. i kind of know my fate for friday...but i'm still taking my meds, and wait till friday afternoon when the nurse will call me with the results. you must be so nervous also...i really can't wait to hear from you on friday. i hope you are feeling better. you are right, GOD is in control after all....

[gretchen40]

Hi!  

Oh, something else I should have mentioned about my friend... just to give you even more hope...She had tried for years to get pregnant and then finally went to IVF.  I think she was about 35 years old when she did IVF.  When they retrieved her eggs, she was told that her eggs were so fragile that they were breaking apart.  As such, they were given a numeric score of "1".  The doctor said he was sorry but that the procedure would likely not be successful because her eggs were so fragile. They went ahead and did the procedure.  Needless to say, my friend had no hope at all.

Then...she was so dejected that on the second week post implantation, she and her husband went on a camping trip.  She was so despondent that she drank and smoked for the entir week of the camping trip.  They did all kinds of major outdoor activity.  She brought the HPT tests and did them while she was on the trip. That's when she got a negative response to both tests.  At the time, this didn't suprise her as she was already told that her IVF procedure wouldn't be successful anyway.

When she returned home, that's when she got the call from her clinic urging her to come in to take her blood test.  She tried to tell them that her tests were negative and she really believed that she wasn't pregnant and felt the blood test was unnecessary...

Needless to say that she was totally and completely overwhelmed when the blood test indicated that she was pregnant.  Her daughter is now 7 years old and precious.  After that, they actually conceived another child naturally...without IVF.

So, that is a story that I will share with anyone undergoing IVF.  My friend Annie defied all the odds.

Right now I'm taking Endometrum (vaginally) and Vivelle patches.  I've been feeling mild cramping today along with a bloated, gassy feeling.  At this point, I know that my body is responding to the hormones.  I just hope this "about to start my period feeling" isn't a terrible sign.

I know that you're feeling nervous about Friday's test and I don't blame you.  I did pray for you today while I was driving.  I hope that the Lord brings you peace.  I really do believe that HE is in control.  It's just difficult...