Please post your Success Stories here!

ttc102002 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 07:12 AM

Successful IVFers, could you please post your stories to give us some extra hope & inspiration? We all have our days when we feel that it'll never happen. If you post your stories here, everyone will know that it CAN happen!

Feel free to add any additional comments - this is just a guideline to get us started.........

How long have you been ttc?
What IVF number was this for you?
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen?
What was your protocol?
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)?
How many were transferred?
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts?
How many took?
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it?
What were your pregnancy symptoms?
What did you get a

from POAS or beta only?
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)?
Do you have any advice to give us?

Thanks and congratulations to you!

runnerkim · #2 (**permalink**) 01-18-2005, 09:20 AM

Here is my story:

How long have you been ttc?
we never really were as we knew we couldn't ever get pg on our own. DH has issues.
What IVF number was this for you?
technically the first since my first round was canceled due to poor ovarian response.
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen?
Fresh
What was your protocol?
My cycle was what RE called a "rapid cycle". On the first try I did Lupron for 14 days and then I went onto sub-q shots of Follistim. I was canceled due to poor response. On the cycle that worked, I did no Lupron but started IM shots of Pergonal right away on CD 3 or something and then 10 days later I had retrieval. Oh, the day before the trigger shot I had to do 1 shot of Cetrotide to keep me from ovulating. It was so FAST compared to the lupron cycle!
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)?
No
How many were transferred?
three embies
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts?
3 day blasts
How many took?
one beautiful baby girl
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it?
I knew I was pg a week later. My whole body changed right away.
What were your pregnancy symptoms?
None. I had no urge to pee, no m/s, no heartburn, nausea or anything. My boobs became HUGE right away though and had godawful blue veins in them. That's when I knew and it was only 1 week into the pg.
What did you get a from POAS or beta only?
My first beta was 1300 (15 days after transfer because I was on vacation). They thought it was triplets but it was only 1 baby.
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)?
Yes, but only for the cycle that was canceled due to poor response. I did accupuncture that cycle.
Do you have any advice to give us?
Don't ever give up! A friend on another BB has been through 9 IVF's and she finally got pg this year with donor embies. She has been through everything and it paid off! Have patience and have faith.

azjen · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 08:10 AM

Here it goes....

How long have you been ttc? 2 years
What IVF number was this for you? 1st IVF (I had been on Clomid for 8 months - had 1 BFP then m/c at 5.5 weeks, then got pg on my own the next cycle and m/c at 8.5 weeks, then was on Femara with Injectables x 3 cycles with IUI, then moved on to IVF)
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh
What was your protocol? I was on BC pills and 1 shot of Cetrotide. I stimmed for 13 days (Follistim Pen 375IU) with low dose HCG for the last 5 days or so, and Antagon the lat 2 days. I also took antibiotics and a steroid at one point (it's amazing how I forget all this stuff now). After txf I was on Progesterone Lozenges 3 x a day and Progesterone Gel once a day along with Estradiol twice a day.
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? I was instructed to take baby aspirin (which I'm still taking) and I did drink 2 cans of pineapple juice from day of transfer through day of BFP.
How many were transferred? 2 embies transferred, still have 1 on ice
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? They were day 5 blasts - my clinic doesn't give grades on them, but said they were great with no fragmentation.
How many took? One little girl - due 5/22/05
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? I definitely had cramping during the 2ww and was very emotional (I cried at EVERYTHING). I also had dizzy spells and almost passed out 2 days before my beta. In my heart I felt like it had worked, but I was so used to being disappointed that I wouldn't let my hopes get up.
What were your pregnancy symptoms? My boobs were really sore a few days before my beta, but that went away by week 6 or 7. M/S hit around week 7 with a vengence and didn't go away until 16 weeks. But I'm not complaining - it is all worth it!
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? I did cheat by POAS when I got home from giving my blood. I felt like I needed to be prepared for the phone call. And I'm glad I did. My RE didn't call until almost 5pm with the news. He said he saves the best for last and that was me!!!! But DH and I didn't tell ANYONE until we had that number. My first beta was 282 (14dpER) and 48 hours later it was 936.
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? nope
Do you have any advice to give us? Try to stay positive and take one day at a time (I know it's easier said than done). My baseline u/s showed only 4 antral follices and my RE was "very concerned" that I wouldn't respond. But the RE's at my clinic were very patient and just called me a late bloomer. After a long haul on stims and daily u/s and bloodwork, I had 17 retrieved and 10 fertilized. I definitely had my good and bad days, but it was all worth it. Always have hope - I still can't believe this miracle happened and every day I thank my lucky stars!

bakertwins2004 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 05:55 PM

How long have you been ttc? 4 YEARS!
What IVF number was this for you? IVF #1
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? FRESH
What was your protocol? Baby asprin, Luporn, folistim, PIO
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? Just Baby Asprin
How many were transferred? THREE
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? 3DT
How many took? All three but two went on to develope
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? I thought I was going to get AF cause I was soooo crampy. Also has OHSS so that was part of it
What were your pregnancy symptoms? crampy
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? I did beta and HPT's
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)?
Do you have any advice to give us? Hang in there once it happens you tned to forget all of the heartache that's fresh now! It is SOOOOO worth it in the end!

seahorsemom · #5 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 05:43 AM

How long have you been ttc?
About 2 years
What IVF number was this for you?
We had 3 rounds. Round 1: I did not respond to the stims at all. Round 2: I responded very little and only had one embryo that fertilized...it did not make it past day 3 for the ET. Round 3: I responded more and the 2 "good" embryos went on to ET.
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen?
Fresh
What was your protocol?
For the successful round/ 2 amps of stims 2 x's a day at first. We upped the amt to maybe 4 towards the end of the stimming period. No Lupron (that was the midtake from round 1)
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)?
I took baby asprin and Lovenox shots throughout the pregnancy.
How many were transferred?
2
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts?
2- with assisted hatching
How many took?
both
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it?
I began to feel an aversion to cheese...I love cheese so DH was sure that I was pg.
What were your pregnancy symptoms?
EXHAUSTION, aversion to cheese, nausea
What did you get a from POAS or beta only?
Beta only. I took a HPT a few days before the beta and it was negative so I said scr*w that, I am waiting for the beta and I quit obsessing. It was making me crazy.
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)?
no, but I did contact an acupuncturist....I was too chicken to see him though.
Do you have any advice to give us?
Don't give up....talk to people (especially your spouse) about how you feel. Your friends with kids (who did not have IF issues) will not understand how you feel but most of them can sympathize. Don't feel bad about not attending "kid stuff" like baptisms or parties if you don't feel up to it.

Good luck to all of you....You WILL be mommys one day! I keep the IVF board members in my prayers.

BabyLove · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 07:02 AM

How long have you been ttc? 2 years (I was grateful that it didn't have to get beyond the 2-year mark)
What IVF number was this for you? #1

Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh
What was your protocol? Lupron starting cd 21; 225iu of Gonal-F (once a day/8 days); 300iu of Gonal-F (once a day/4 days)
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? No - I asked my IVF nurse (who was 8 months pregnant) on the day of my transfer about the helpful benefits of pineapple juice, and she said that she had never heard of it! I figured if she never even heard of it, I didn't need to drink it then to get

How many were transferred? 3 8-cell embryos
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? 3-day
How many took? 1
What were your pregnancy symptoms? Starting the first morning after my transfer, I had sore boobs. I read that the progesterone has that side effect also.
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? My beta was scheduled for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but how could I pass up the chance to POAS on Thanksgiving and make the holiday extra joyous for DH & I? I took 2 HPTs on Thanksgiving and both were BFP. Needless to say, Thanksgiving is our new favorite holiday (along with it being the perfect day to have the excuse of eating for 2)

Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? No
Do you have any advice to give us? On the day of my transfer, I was told that I had 3 8-cell embryos (being the best); I told them that I wanted to transfer all 3. The RE tried hard to convince me to only transfer 2. I stuck to my guns though and insisted on the 3. Since only 1 of the 3 implanted, I know in my

that it's the third one that I fought for! Also, prior to this successful IVF cycle, I had one cancelled IUI cycle (due to risk of high-order multiples), then a cancelled IVF cycle (during the stim phase due to a sky-high E2 level). So when this cycle started up, I made it very clear to my RE's office that I did not want one thing to go wrong this time, and wanted to be monitored better/closer. So my advice is to speak up and stick to your guns!

eire75 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 07:55 AM

How long have you been ttc? We had not been using birth control for 5 years and very actively ttc for 2+ years.
What IVF number was this for you? IVF/ICSI#1
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh
What was your protocol? (European Protocol) 14 days downreg with Supracur nasal spray, 11 days stimming with Puragon 150. 12 eggs retrieved, 7 eggs suitable for injection and 4 fertilized
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? Drank pineapple juice like crazy and rested for 3 days post transfer
How many were transferred? 2 embies
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? 2 day little 2 celled embies (there's hope for us all!!)
How many took? One took - beautiful baby daughter
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? No in fact I felt everything EXACTLY like af was coming, had the identical cramps so you never can tell!
What were your pregnancy symptoms? First symptom was totally exhaustion and sore boobs. m/s didn't start till 7 weeks
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? I POAS 9dp2dt and got a very faint +
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? No
Do you have any advice to give us? Don't give up - we had severe male factor issues and never believed we could have a baby of our own. All we had left 2 days after er was 2 x 2 celled embies and they transferred them just in case. We just couldn't believe that it worked......planning to ttc#2 again in summer 05!

LesaMK · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2005, 06:01 PM

How long have you been ttc? 3+ years. We got pg after about 8 months on our own and I m/c at 12 weeks. They found a large fibroid during the u/s so I had it removed via abdominal myomectomy 8 months after the m/c. We then tried on our own for 6 more months with no luck. 2 rounds clomid and 2 injectible IUI cycles which failed before moving to IVF
What IVF number was this for you? Got lucky on the first try!
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh
What was your protocol? I actually threw all of my IF stuff away recently b/c it was such a bad reminder of a long depressing phase in my life. I don't remember exactly, but I used lupron, repronex and gonal f. Then in the 2ww I last a whole 3 days on PIO shots, they were just killing me so I switched to suppositories and did fine on them.
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? My dr required baby aspirin frm stim date throught first trimester and I ate tons of fresh pineapple. I figured what the hell...I like pineapple, they say it helps with implantation so why not... and put myself on strict bedrest for 3 days after transfer (I am sure it was totally anal and didn't do a thing, but I didn't want to look back on a failed cycle and wonder 'what if I only did this...')
How many were transferred? 2
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? Day 3
How many took? Both took, we have beautiful fraternal twin girls born 10/7/05
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? For some reason I was much calmer through the successful cycle. I don't know how or why, but I wasn't stressing like I did through the other medicated cycles
What were your pregnancy symptoms? I really didn't have any before the beta which was 10 days frm transfer. I had some AF cramping,but that was it. M/S set in with a vengeance a few weeks later.
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? I POAS at 8 dp3dt and got a super duper faint line that could only be seen holding over a lightbulb. It got darker each day. The beta confirmed it at 10dp3dt and then I POAS for 3 more weeks. I just couldn't believe it was really true. I had about 50 pg test strips and I used them all!!
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? No, I considered it and had plans to do acupunture for IVF #2, but I got lucky on #1
Do you have any advice to give us? I know how difficult it is and I know many of you have been through so much more than me, but don't give up. Dig deep for the strength to go on. 'Talk' to people, don't hold it in. These boards were my saving grace. I really alienated myself from everyone and any social situation. I don't regret it. It was what I needed to do to keep my sanity. Take care of YOU and whoever is still there in the end, is a friend worth keeping. People who have not gone through this do not fully understand. I keep you all in my prayers and I hope your dreams all come true soon.

Lana · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 09:37 AM

How long have you been ttc? 2 years
What IVF number was this for you? #1
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? fresh
What was your protocol?Lupron, Bravelle, PIO -- ended up cutting meds out bc of fear of hyperstimming which did happen esp after got pregnant. Spent a week in the hospital with hyperstim and ended up with a drain for the 12-15 fliuds....but worth every minute of it!
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? baby asprin
How many were transferred? 2
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? 5 day
How many took? both! boy and girl twins! due in May
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? Just the hyperstim effect and red dots on my chest.
What were your pregnancy symptoms? Hyperstim and the red dots
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? beta, too scared to poas
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? no
Do you have any advice to give us? hang in there. It will all be worth it!

Lana · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 09:38 AM

I threw my stuff away too...I was wrong. We used lupron, repronex and gonal f.

Chiefsmom · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 01:12 PM

Hi! I'm not sure if any of you remember me. I was a regular poster when I went through my last FET and my last fresh cycle (the successful one!).

How long have you been ttc? 4 years
What IVF number was this for you? 4
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? My successful cycle was a fresh one. I had done one fresh cycle (pg but m/c at 11 wks), then 2 FETS, then this fresh cycle, which succeeded.
What was your protocol? Gonal f at a very lose dose because I am a good responsder.
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? Nope, just the meds (and prayers).
How many were transferred? 2
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? They were 3 day. My clinic doesn't do 5 day transfers.
How many took? One took.
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? No, I actually thought my period was coming so I did my beta 2 days early.
What were your pregnancy symptoms? morning sickness for about 5 weeks, round the clock!
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? My POAS showed negative, but the beta was positive. First beta was 100.
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? No
Do you have any advice to give us? Don't give up. We almost did, then decided to give it one last try. We now have an 8 week old son named Kieran Shawn.

Cindy

Jennw · #12 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 04:06 PM

I thought I'd post here since I obsessed over everyone else while I was TTC...
Good luck everyone...It can & will happen for you!

How long have you been ttc? We knew we'd have trouble getting pregnant, but we TTC w/ fertility meds for 1 year
What IVF number was this for you? 1
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? fresh
What was your protocol? I did Estrace & prometrium for 1 month. Then when I began stimming I did 2 viles of Repronex. I used Centrotide then PIO shots after Retrieval.
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? No
How many were transferred? 2
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? 3 day
How many took? 2
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? I think the IVF was just what we needed...and lots of prayers!
What were your pregnancy symptoms? I did not have too many. I was nauseous before my beta, but assumed I was getting the flu. My boobs hurt, but just like before AF. I also had some cramping that felt like AF.
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? Beta only. I was too scared to POAS until after the beta.
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? no
Do you have any advice to give us? No advice, but... If you've been through IUI'S you will be pleasantly surprised to find how much more relaxing an IVF cycle is.

jjuhlz · #13 (**permalink**) 03-11-2005, 12:20 PM

I still check in here all the time. Here's my story, I hope it provides inspiration to some of you. I can't wait to see you all graduate soon.

How long have you been ttc? 1.5 years
Issues that lead to IVF? Thin uterine lining (was 7.3 first cycle, 5 on FET that was cancelled, and 5.75 on successful cycle), irregular cycles/ovulation issues, male factor
What IVF number was this for you? 2.5 (One FET attempt was cancelled due to thin lining after 3 weeks of injections)
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh number 2
What was your protocol? Baby Aspirin, Gonal F, then added pergonal and antagon, used estrace pills for thin lining and heparin for APA, used PIO, progesterone suppositories, estrace pills, patches, and heparin for support throughout the first trimester...continued heparin throughout the pregnancy
Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? Acupuncture and tried to let go of all the stress of TTC
How many were transferred? 5
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? 3
How many took? 1
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it? I just felt a little different and hopeful until the day of my beta.
What were your pregnancy symptoms? Got red pin prick spots on my chest, AF like cramps that were really painful, veiny boobs that got sore toward the end of the 2ww. In first cycle boobs got sore as soon as I started PIO so I knew this was different.
What did you get a from POAS or beta only? The day before my beta I woke up and had light spotting. That same thing happened with my first failed cycle so I instantly was convinced that I was wrong for being hopeful and that this cycle must not have worked. I swore I wouldn't POAS but since I was now sure it was over I grabbed the only test I had, which was one that was expired. I peed, waited about 1 minute, only saw one line, then threw the test in the trash and went back to bed to sulk. I told DH it hadn't worked and he reprimanded me for POAS and said I needed to wait for the beta. I told him he didn't know what he was talking about and that I knew and I wasn't pregnant. Well, on my way to the shower for some reason I decided to pull the test out of the trash and to my complete amazement there were two lines. I told DH and then on my way to work stopped and bought 4 more tests and took one as soon as I got to the office and got a BFP. Beta was later that day and was 52.
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? Acupuncture, including post transfer at home in bed. I think it really helped. I also had my pregnant friends come over so I could rub their bellies and people with babies bring them over so I could get good baby vibes.
Do you have any advice to give us? Be your own advocate and ask for treatment that you think will help. I requested immune testing and asked to add estrogen to the stim phase of my cycle and add suppositories in addition to PIO. I think those things made a difference considering that with my lining I really should not have gotten pregnant. Also, there was a Korean study done showing higher success rates the cycle after uterine biopsies were performed so some doctors told me if I did something to my uterus the cycle before, I might have luck. I did a hysteroscopy and had mild adhesions removed the cycle before my BFP. My lining was seriously thin and no one thought this would work, but something made a difference. It could have been just luck, but I think some of the added treatments really helped.

amywest · #14 (**permalink**) 03-21-2005, 07:39 AM

How long have you been ttc? 40 Cycles (3 years)

What IVF number was this for you? IVF #1

Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh

What was your protocol?

IVF #1 with ICSI and AH

I started BCP's on 12/28 and stayed on them until 1/5 which was actually day 4 of Lupron 20 units.

I started Lupron 20 units on 1/2 through 1/11. My menses started 1/7 through 1/10. My lining measured 3 mm and I had 9 antral follies on the right and 11 on the left on 1/11.

Lupron was dropped to 5 units a day on 1/12 and I stayed on that though 1/22 which ended up being my trigger day.

I started Follistim 150 units and Repronex 75 units in the morning with an addition Follistim 225 units in the evening on 1/14 through 1/17. I had an E2 level drawn that day and it was 310. Nurse called to reduce my dose for the next day.

1/18 I took Follistim 150 units & Repronex 75 units in the morning and Follistim 75 units in the evening. Lining that day was 7 mm, E2 487 and 6 measurable follies and 10 smalls.

1/19 Took Follistim 150 units & Repronex 75 units in the morning only. No evening doses. Had 9 measurable follies and 10 smalls that day and lining was 8 mm.

1/20 No Follistim in the morning but did take Repronex 75 units and then 75 units of Follistim that night. Ultrasound that day showed 11 measured follies from 15 mm to 11 mm and 10 smalls. Lining was 10 mm.

1/21 75 units Repronex in the morning and 75 Follistim at night. Ultrasound that day showed 12 follies measuring 16.5 mm to 12 mm and 10 smalls. Lining was 12 mm.

1/22 Triggered at 8:30 p.m. after ultrasound showed 12 mature, 2 close to mature and 10 smalls with a lining at 12 mm.

1/24 Egg Retrieval was 8:30 a.m. Got 12 eggs. Started taking Tetracycline (antibiotic) 250 mg, four times a day through 1/29 (transfer day). Also started Medrol (steroid) 16 mg at bedtime today through 1/29 (retrieval day).

1/26 Fert Report was 9/12 mature eggs, all 9 were ICSI'd and all 9 fertilized. 8 of them were growing well. Started 1 cc PIO daily today.

1/28 Fert Report 1 morula, 1 high cell compacting, 2 - 8 cell compacting, 2 slow growing.

1/29 Transferred two blasts. Started Bedrest through evening 1/31.

2/2 Started Estraderm patches, two patches to be changed every three days.

2/6 ++ HPT

2/7 ++ Beta

2/28 u/s showed TWINS!

Did you add anything to your protocol to help (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)?

I did drink pineapple juice from retrieval to beta, one 8 oz glass daily.

How many were transferred? 2

Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? Both 5-day blasts

How many took? 2

Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it?
What were your pregnancy symptoms?

I did 3 days of bedrest on the couch following transfer and nothing much happened sxs-wise those first few days. Probably about 2/1 I started noticing a cramping feeling, like AF was going to visit. During my normal cycles, I usually got slight pre-cramping about a week ahead of time, so I told Peter that my period would be coming more than likely and we figured the IVF failed. The cramping continued daily, not severe, just annoying like AF was coming. I also started temping again on 2/1, out of curiosity. My temp that day was 98.5 which is typically where I top out on temps on a normal cycle. I continued temping daily from that point on and got 98.3, 98.4, 98.4 and then on 2/5 it jumped to 98.7 which was a new high for me. I decided that if it stayed at 98.7 on 2/6 that I would POAS as my beta would be the next day. It was 98.7 again on 2/6 and I used the stick and got my +++. My beta was 2.7. If you click on my PG ticker, you will see my IVF chart.

My bb's were really sore most of the cycle, really from trigger on, which typically also happened to me on other medicated cycles, but thinking back now, I think they hurt more consistently and later in the cycle than previous cycles.

I honestly thought I was getting my period until that temp went up to 98.7 for two days, then I thought, could it be ... and it was by some miracle.

What did you get a BFP from POAS or beta only? HPT on 2/7, Beta on 2/7

Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? No

Do you have any advice to give us? Really, just never stop believing that it can happen. I went through 40 cycles, 15 IUI's, Clomid, injectable drugs with a dx of unexplained infertility. IVF was ticket to success for us after three long years of waiting, hoping and trying our best. Remember to take one day at time with the IVF cycle and also, trust your RE, if you don't find a new one.

Good luck to each of you ... I hope and pray BFP's are in the near future for everyone ...

MeghanCB · #15 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005, 07:51 AM

How long have you been ttc? 3 years, 5 months
What IVF number was this for you? #1
Was the successful IVF fresh or frozen? Fresh
What was your protocol?BCP's 1 month before cycle, 225 Gonal am and PM for 4 days, then down to 75am/pm and 75 repronex am for 4 days. 10 iu's of lupron daily. Baby aspirin & prenate daily. Post transfer - oral estrogen and 100 mgs of progesterone (PIO for 3 days around transfer and again after BFP)
Did you add anything to your protocol to help? (baby aspirin, drink pineapple juice and so on)? Baby Aspirin per RE
How many were transferred? 2
Were they 3 day or 5 day blasts? Day 3
How many took?1!!
Did you feel anything different to make you think that this might be it?Not a thing!! Infact, I had started to have brown spotting on the day of my beta. For me this has always been a sign of AF coming!
What were your pregnancy symptoms? None showed up until a week after the BFP - tired and m/s. Never had sore bbs (even now)
What did you get a + from: POAS or beta only? Beta first - and I poas after the beta and got a -!!! Only got that + with fmu the next day!
Did you try any alternative help (such as acupuncture)? I did yoga at home every other day to try to stay calm, relaxed and focused. I also left notes for myself to remember to think positively.
Do you have any advice to give us? Well, this is what I believe helped me - I did not find out my numbers as we were progressing thru the cycle. I have a tendency to fixate on them and did not want to do that. I found out my e2 level when I was laying on the table for ER. That really helped me a lot! I was also at a point where I was becoming more accepting of the fact that it was all out of my control. I was just hoping for the best, and trying hard not to think about any of it.

Good luck to everyone out there!! I can't wait to pop in and read all of your success stories!