Tuesday, December 31, 2013

IVF- APN Consult

I met with my IVF APN today. She was spectacular. She answered all 7001 of my questions and she was warm, smiling, and all around awesome. We went over my protocol, the schedule, the medications, and the overall plan-

Currently I am on the BCP and will continue them until January 5th. On January 10th I will return to the office and have an ultrasound and blood work and go over the medications.

My protocol is Antagonist using Menopur, Follistim, and Ganirelix. I should star the Menopur & Follistim on Jan 10th.

From that point forward I will be in and out of the office for continuing evaluations of the follicles and their growth. I will also be placed on temporary disability from the ambulance. They do not want me lifting or twisting while I am stimming. This is a double edged sword. I’m glad that I will have some extra down time to just relax—but the extra income is a nice thing too. I’m going to do my best to use the time to just relax and relax and relax. My temporary disability starts 1/12 and will run until 2/17- at which point hopefully I am carrying a normal pregnancy and can return to work!

Retrieval is planned for around the week of the 19th- however that is subject to change completely depending on how I respond. For retrieval to take place there must be at least 3 follicles over 18mm—this should not even be an issue. I need to be healthy—this I am combating with extra Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Airborne (no sickies for me!)
I will start the Ganirelix once the follicles reach 13mm, this will tell my body not to ovulate the follicles on its own. About 36 hours prior to retrieval I will take two Ovidrel triggers.

For retrieval they will provide anesthesia and remove the oocytes (eggies). After retrieval I will be out of work for that day and the next and not allowed to drive. I will be on bed rest basically. That day they will split my eggs and half will be placed with the sperm to hopefully become embryos on their own- the other half will be done with ICSI.
ICSI- Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection is when they place an individual egg and insert an individual sperm. My insurance authorized it because we are considered unexplained infertility even though I have PCOS. Reason for the ICSI is in case there are any male factor issues that have been looked over. There is an 80% fertilization rate with ICSI.
I will start Crinone 8% Vaginal Gel (instead of Endometrin) for my progesterone supplementation 2 days post retrieval and continue it until 10 weeks into my pregnancy.

The day after retrieval we should receive an update on our embryos and then again to set up the embryo transfer. Embryo development for anyone that doesn’t know or is interested should look like this-- Day 1 zygote- fertilization, Day 2- embryos 2-4 cells, Day- 3 embryos 6-8 cells, Day 4 – embryos 16/32 cells "morula" and Day 5- embyros "blastocyst" and hopefully transfer day!

Embryo Transfer should take place about 3-5 days post retrieval depending on the embryos. Its advised to be on bed rest for 24-48 hours post transfer- I am hoping it falls on or near one of my 3 day weekends and I can extend this a little longer and take it easy!
Estrace will start the day after the transfer twice a day and continued until 10 weeks of the pregnancy.

The number of embryos transferred depends on the quality and number of embryos for us. We are open to a SET (single embryo transfer) and also not objected to transferring 2. It will all depend on the quality and how the transfer day goes.
14 days post retrieval is pregnancy test time- then blood work for betas and an ultra sound at 6 weeks and 8 weeks and then released to my OB.

Holy Moly. I won’t go into the other information we went over today. It was about FET (frozen embryo transfer) if our IVF fails... I won’t/refuse to think about that and will cross the bridge only if I must.

For now my focus is on a successful IVF. -Rainbows and Butterflies if you will.  Relaxing and taking my medications and being so very happy and blessed. 2014 is going to be our year<3
Thank you all for your support and your love- It means the world to us<3 Please continue to pray and think happy thoughts and do baby dances as we move towards a happy and healthy pregnancy :)



Happy New Year guys!! xo

42 comments:

  1. Yay! So glad the appointment went well. This is a great way to start the new year. Rest up and get healthy - we're all pulling for you. Happy New Year!

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  2. Prayers and baby dust coming your way!

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  3. Cheers and wishes for a growing belly in 2014!

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  4. You got a lot of good information!!! The transfer is going to be here so soon! Excited for you!!! Here is to a wonderful 20141

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    1. Thank you! Us too! Can't beleive its really here!!

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  6. It's such a good hopeful feeling to get your calendar for your cycle all laid out for you. We have our WTF meeting this Friday and I'm praying our doctor clears us to try again. We'll be on a similar timeline as your cycle if we are approved to move forward right away. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

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    1. Thinking of you too!! Hope that you get answers and get to move foward! Saying a prayer! xo

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    1. Thanks! I am so excited I really feel like this is it!

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  8. Wow that's exciting! Best of luck for a very successful cycle with great response!

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  9. Wishing you the bestest IVF cycle and a smooth sailing pregnancy after.

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  10. I remember well the IVF protocol I did. Hoping you won't be in too much pain after egg retrieval.

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  11. Wishing you the very best Kasey! I'm day 6 of stims on the same protocol (different meds), so you aren't too far behind me! Hopeful that IVF will bring you excellent news and a wonderful surprise to start the new year!

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    1. Yay how exciting! Wishing you the best this cycle!

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  12. Wishing you rainbows and butterflies.

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    1. Thank you so much! Rainbows and butterflies are welcome~~

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  13. Happy New Year!! Wishing for much happiness and joy for you this year!! xoxo

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  14. This was so great to read, so hopeful, and so FASCINATING. Thanks for being so detailed :) I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.. Let's go Preguary!! :D

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    1. Thanks Adi I was hoping it wasn't too overwhelming- but I want to document everything :) Fingers crossed for you too girl! xo

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  15. Happy new year! So exciting to be starting a new year with IVF - wishing you the best! It's great that you are able to get some time off of work.

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    1. Thank you! I am so excited and very glad for some time off from work :)

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  16. Sounds like a great plan! So excited for you!

    I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds by offering some friendly advice, but just thought I'd mention that high doses of vitamin C are shown in some studies to "starve progesterone" so you may want to omit the mega doses of Vitamin C & Airborne once it's time to start Crinone. Vit C is actually recommended for people trying to induce a stubborn period. Might be something to ask your nurse about if you want to weight the benefits vs. risks during such a crucial cycle. A daily probiotic would help keep you well too. :) Wishing you a successful retrieval!

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    1. I'm so glad you brought that up! I never have heard of that. I will call my APN today and see what they recommend. You definitely are not overstepping anything! I greatly appreciate it!!

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  17. It sounds like a very great appt. Love all of your details and your positive attitude going into this cycle. I'll be rooting for you.

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    1. Thanks Jessah! Always thinking of you too!!

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  18. I did an Antagonist protocol as well for my PCOS. Slow and steady stimming was the goal so as not to get OHSS. It worked well!
    Also - take this advice or leave it, but I strongly recommend a SET for your first transfer. It helps to know how your body does with one embryo before you jump into two. I wish that option had been pushed more my first time as I had really good quality embies. I didn't need to transfer two and a twin pregnancy is so hard to carry (for most women). Just consider it for your first go.
    Second, eat fresh pineapple and it's core during your tww. It's supposed to help aid in implantation. I did it both times!

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    1. They actually push for SET's at my clinic if the quality is good and everything else goes well. Right now Im just going with the flow and will see how everything goes.

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  19. Thanks for posting all the details. Sounds like you are well prepared to move forward. Interesting that you will be on temporary disability from the ambulance. I am dreaded talking to my bosses about time needed off for IVF and I really admire your courage and positive attitude.

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    1. Thank you! Im sort of glad to be off of the ambulance- its a much needed break both physically and mentally. Im trying to hard to stay so positive right now :)

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  20. I am going to be on an antagonist protocol as well! Best of luck this cycle!

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    1. Best of luck to you too!! Always thinking of you Risa!

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  21. Hoping that your treatment will be successful just like my brother-in-law who also undergo treatment at IVF Clinic Turkey by PlacidWay.

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