Aa
new to IVF
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this. Here's my story- 4 miscarriages, last one just last week. The first three ended before the 8th week. The last miscarriage I was on lovenox, progestrone, and estrogen. We saw the heartbeat for about two weeks and then on week 10 the heart stopped beating. My doctor wants to look at the fetus and see if it was chroms that did it or not. He said that if it is we should start IVF with PGD. Has anyone done the PGD with IVF? What happens and what kind of drugs do you take? All of my other tests keep coming back that nothing is wrong with me. I guess I'm just looking for answers or hope.
I'm new to this. Here's my story- 4 miscarriages, last one just last week. The first three ended before the 8th week. The last miscarriage I was on lovenox, progestrone, and estrogen. We saw the heartbeat for about two weeks and then on week 10 the heart stopped beating. My doctor wants to look at the fetus and see if it was chroms that did it or not. He said that if it is we should start IVF with PGD. Has anyone done the PGD with IVF? What happens and what kind of drugs do you take? All of my other tests keep coming back that nothing is wrong with me. I guess I'm just looking for answers or hope.
Thanks for all of your advice! I've worked with three different doctors and all of the test came back the same. I did find out that I have MTHFR heterozygoss but from what I heard this is very common in most women. I was put on extra folic acid supps four times a day. I did prometruim once a day and at 5 weeks had to start the progestrone shots once a day. I was put on lovenox just as a precaution and used estrogen patches to help with my levels. We tried everything and it seemed like it was working since we actually saw the baby this time with a very strong heart beat.
The IVF sounds very complicated. Did you guys have to take a class on what to do? This seems way over my head. By the way how much did each cycle cost you? My insurance has a $5000 cap on it so I'm sure we will have to pay out of pocket. I'm just curious as to how much it is without the PGD.
The IVF sounds very complicated. Did you guys have to take a class on what to do? This seems way over my head. By the way how much did each cycle cost you? My insurance has a $5000 cap on it so I'm sure we will have to pay out of pocket. I'm just curious as to how much it is without the PGD.
So sorry for your m/c. So frustrating!!!!! And NO ONE should ever have to go through it. I had one in December at 9 wks, and it is really heartbreaking...can't imagine four. I am so sorry.
Ok..I have a co worker who did do PGD on her 2IVF cycles...really for more "selfish" reasons, but I am certainly not one to judge! She had two boys and wanted a girl desperately, was 40, had the funds, so her and hubby had been trying to get pg unsuccessfuly and opted to do IVF and PGD so they could try for a girl and also ck for any abnormalities due to her age and seeing if had affected her not getting pg. So first cycle, after testing 15 embies, only 2 were completely perfect 1 boy 1 girl, so put one in and it didn't take. So they used a donor, due to her egg quality, tested all 18, ended up w/ 2 girls that were perfect, transfered, and she has twins. So...in order to do the PGD, it does cost quite a bit more (our clinic charges 2500 on top of everything else) it is hard on the embies, a lot don't make it through testing, and a lot of abnormalities can show up that are so slight...but there are checking for PERFECT embies...and they really are few and far between. But they really would be able to find out what is wrong w/ the embies, which really could tell you a lot. Nothing more than the regular IVF cycle was required as far as meds and monitoring, they just tested the embies on a certain day after the eggs were retrieved and fertilized. But like mentioned. it would be a lot easier if you didn't have to embark on IVF and PGD if not necessary. Are they going to test the fetus like you mentioned? Good luck on your finding. Just know what the heck going on would help you out soooo very much, either way.
Ok..I have a co worker who did do PGD on her 2IVF cycles...really for more "selfish" reasons, but I am certainly not one to judge! She had two boys and wanted a girl desperately, was 40, had the funds, so her and hubby had been trying to get pg unsuccessfuly and opted to do IVF and PGD so they could try for a girl and also ck for any abnormalities due to her age and seeing if had affected her not getting pg. So first cycle, after testing 15 embies, only 2 were completely perfect 1 boy 1 girl, so put one in and it didn't take. So they used a donor, due to her egg quality, tested all 18, ended up w/ 2 girls that were perfect, transfered, and she has twins. So...in order to do the PGD, it does cost quite a bit more (our clinic charges 2500 on top of everything else) it is hard on the embies, a lot don't make it through testing, and a lot of abnormalities can show up that are so slight...but there are checking for PERFECT embies...and they really are few and far between. But they really would be able to find out what is wrong w/ the embies, which really could tell you a lot. Nothing more than the regular IVF cycle was required as far as meds and monitoring, they just tested the embies on a certain day after the eggs were retrieved and fertilized. But like mentioned. it would be a lot easier if you didn't have to embark on IVF and PGD if not necessary. Are they going to test the fetus like you mentioned? Good luck on your finding. Just know what the heck going on would help you out soooo very much, either way.
Sorry for your losses. I have had two myself, so I know how devestating it is.
Some of the things that popped into my head after reading your question...
Has your hubby's chromosomes been tested? Both of you should have you chromosomes karyotyped to ensure that you don't have a balanced translocation, which can cause chromosome issues in the fetus.
I am also assuming that you have done the blood work checking for blood clotting disorders. What tests have you had? It is interesting that you say that nothing comes from the blood work they've done, but they put you on lovenox. Were you on 40mgs a day? How about baby aspirin? Folic acid supplements and your prenatals?
I did three IVF's (no PGD). I was on gonal f, antagon, menaour, steroids, baby aspirin, lovenox (after a positive pregnancy test), progesterone shots (until week 12), folgard (folic acid supplements--was on these the whole pregnancy), and my prenatal.
An IVF cycle, depending on the protocol you follow, will take on average 6-8 weeks. They'll most likely start you on birth control pills to calm your ovaries. THen, once you start your period, you'll go in for blood work on the third day of your cycle. That night you'll start your stimulation medication. In my case, that was gonal f and menapur. For me, after 4-5 days of stimulation meds, I started the antagon to prevent me from ovulating early. (A lot of other people will start lupron before the stimulation medication and continue on lupron until before retreaval. I didn't use lupron because it supressed my ovaries too much and kept me from making very many eggs). Retreval for the eggs is on the 14th-16th day after you started your period. PGD will come in at that point. After your eggs are fertilized, they will let them grow to day 2-3. Then they take a cell of the embryos and send it to a lab which specializes in chromosomes. The lab will check for a few genetic disorders (mental retardation and the trisomies) and will able to tell which embies are genetically sound. Then on day 5, your lab will transfer the best looking/healthiest embies back into you.
The drawbacks of PGD from my understanding are these: 1) costly 2) sometimes, when they take the cell from the embryo on day 2-3, it damages the embryo and they can expire, 3) even with genetic testing, it is possible to miss a genetic issue because the lab is only looking at a single cell.
There is quite the controversy about whether the use of IVF and PGD is even valid to cure multiple miscarriages. I just want to throw that out there, too.
I would get a list of the tests your doctor has done, and then go get a second opinion before you embark on IVF. IVF is costly and emotionally draining, so you don't want to go through it all if you don't need to.
But, that being said, I had two miscarriages before my blood work found that I am compound heterozygous MTHFR. I also am borderline protein s deficiency. The lovenox and baby aspirin helped me conquer these things and I had twins (through my third IVF) in Oct. 2007. It can happen!
I wish you much luck in the future.
Some of the things that popped into my head after reading your question...
Has your hubby's chromosomes been tested? Both of you should have you chromosomes karyotyped to ensure that you don't have a balanced translocation, which can cause chromosome issues in the fetus.
I am also assuming that you have done the blood work checking for blood clotting disorders. What tests have you had? It is interesting that you say that nothing comes from the blood work they've done, but they put you on lovenox. Were you on 40mgs a day? How about baby aspirin? Folic acid supplements and your prenatals?
I did three IVF's (no PGD). I was on gonal f, antagon, menaour, steroids, baby aspirin, lovenox (after a positive pregnancy test), progesterone shots (until week 12), folgard (folic acid supplements--was on these the whole pregnancy), and my prenatal.
An IVF cycle, depending on the protocol you follow, will take on average 6-8 weeks. They'll most likely start you on birth control pills to calm your ovaries. THen, once you start your period, you'll go in for blood work on the third day of your cycle. That night you'll start your stimulation medication. In my case, that was gonal f and menapur. For me, after 4-5 days of stimulation meds, I started the antagon to prevent me from ovulating early. (A lot of other people will start lupron before the stimulation medication and continue on lupron until before retreaval. I didn't use lupron because it supressed my ovaries too much and kept me from making very many eggs). Retreval for the eggs is on the 14th-16th day after you started your period. PGD will come in at that point. After your eggs are fertilized, they will let them grow to day 2-3. Then they take a cell of the embryos and send it to a lab which specializes in chromosomes. The lab will check for a few genetic disorders (mental retardation and the trisomies) and will able to tell which embies are genetically sound. Then on day 5, your lab will transfer the best looking/healthiest embies back into you.
The drawbacks of PGD from my understanding are these: 1) costly 2) sometimes, when they take the cell from the embryo on day 2-3, it damages the embryo and they can expire, 3) even with genetic testing, it is possible to miss a genetic issue because the lab is only looking at a single cell.
There is quite the controversy about whether the use of IVF and PGD is even valid to cure multiple miscarriages. I just want to throw that out there, too.
I would get a list of the tests your doctor has done, and then go get a second opinion before you embark on IVF. IVF is costly and emotionally draining, so you don't want to go through it all if you don't need to.
But, that being said, I had two miscarriages before my blood work found that I am compound heterozygous MTHFR. I also am borderline protein s deficiency. The lovenox and baby aspirin helped me conquer these things and I had twins (through my third IVF) in Oct. 2007. It can happen!
I wish you much luck in the future.
KellyV -
First, I am soooo sorry for your losses. There are no words to truly express it, but this is a place that you can always come to, as we all know too well the pain that you are feeling.
I don't know what PGD is, but I just finished my first IVF. The meds are intimidating simply due to the volume that you receive, but as I have said before, "the bark is worse than the bite." There really isn't much to it and none of it was as bad as I had imagined - which tells me to quit imagining! Everyone has a different protocol - bravelle, menopur, follistim, gonal-f, the list goes on...but basically, it's very supervised and controlled.
The most important thing is to be good to yourself; try to relax and do fun stuff that you truly enjoy to get through the weeks.
I will say to an extra prayer for you. Stay strong.
First, I am soooo sorry for your losses. There are no words to truly express it, but this is a place that you can always come to, as we all know too well the pain that you are feeling.
I don't know what PGD is, but I just finished my first IVF. The meds are intimidating simply due to the volume that you receive, but as I have said before, "the bark is worse than the bite." There really isn't much to it and none of it was as bad as I had imagined - which tells me to quit imagining! Everyone has a different protocol - bravelle, menopur, follistim, gonal-f, the list goes on...but basically, it's very supervised and controlled.
The most important thing is to be good to yourself; try to relax and do fun stuff that you truly enjoy to get through the weeks.
I will say to an extra prayer for you. Stay strong.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Fertility and Trying to Conceive Community
Many couples are turning to acupuncture to treat infertility. But does it work? We take a closer look.
Does exercise really lower fertility? We take a look at 8 common myths about fertility.
Your guide to safely exercising throughout your 40 weeks.
Learn which foods aren't safe to eat when you're eating for two.
Is your biological clock sounding the alarm? Dr. Elaine Brown explains new advances in egg freezing.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
