My egg retrieval is Monday at 9 am. So we need to be at the clinic by 7:30 am to get everything set up and get me medicated! :) Today I had 18 follicles so we are hoping that they are all good quality and size to be fertilized. This also means that the embryo transfer is Thursday....and then the dreaded wait time to see if it worked or not.
Today is the first day that my body really doesn't feel like my own, I have heard friends who are pregnant say that but today I understand. I feel heavy and sorta lumpy, in that i can't bend certain ways because I am so bloated.
So tonight we do the HCG injection and then get some sleep!! Tomorrow is a needle free day! YEAH! I start my antibiotics and get some rest as well as drink lots of Gatorade.
One more day down and a few left to go! I will post some pictures tomorrow if I can of all the meds we were using.
Night!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
A little info....
I thought today that I would post about IVF its self as many of you may know a little about it but not as detailed as what we are dealing with.....this procedure comes after many many tests, procedures and investigation of why we are dealing with infertility. Here is an overview of the IVF process.(There are a few variations depending on the doctor and clinic- this is ours)
First -- The stimulation medication is self administered on a daily basis starting on cycle day 3(in my case Ryan does it) This is usually an injectable FSH hormone. On day 5 onward I go for blood work to check hormone levels daily as well as internal ultrasounds to monitor the growth of the follicles daily. When the first follicle reaches 1.8 a second injectable medication is given daily as well. This medication is an antagonist which stops the body from ovulating on its own. It gives the DR full control of my cycle.
Second -- When the follicles have matured and there are many of them the right size the another injection is given 36 hours before the egg retrieval. This is the HCG injection and it matures the follicles completely. (Follicles are the "case" of the eggs)
Third -- The egg retrieval (minor surgery) This procedure is performed under conscious sedation and although I am conscious, a combination of medications is given to keep me comfortable and relaxed. An internal ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina and mature follicles are identified. They mount a needle on the side of the probe and its guided through the wall of the vagina and into each of the follicles that are viewed on the ultrasound. The follicles containing the egg is then aspirated into culture tubes to be fertilized shortly. The follicle is then viewed by the laboratory staff for the egg.
Fourth -- A semen sample is provided shortly before egg retrieval. The sample is assessed, appropriately processed and placed into the culture dish containing the eggs. Approximately 20 hours later, fertilization is assessed.
Fifth -- The fertilized eggs (now called embryos) are cultured under strict conditions and examined carefully on a daily basis to assess their progress.
Sixth -- Embryo transfer procedure is a simple and painless procedure. No anesthesia is required. I have to drink 2 or more glasses of water an hour before the procedure so that my bladder is full. This is important so they can see where they are placing the embryos in the uterus. A speculum is placed into the vagina and the cervix brought into view by the physician. The embryos are loaded into a catheter in the laboratory and the catheter is passed through the cervix into the uterus and the embryos are deposited inside the uterus.
Lastly -- After 13 - 15 days a pregnancy test is done.
Hope this helps a little as to what we are dealing with and going through! Thank you for all your love and support! We are very blessed to have family and friends that we do!!
First -- The stimulation medication is self administered on a daily basis starting on cycle day 3(in my case Ryan does it) This is usually an injectable FSH hormone. On day 5 onward I go for blood work to check hormone levels daily as well as internal ultrasounds to monitor the growth of the follicles daily. When the first follicle reaches 1.8 a second injectable medication is given daily as well. This medication is an antagonist which stops the body from ovulating on its own. It gives the DR full control of my cycle.
Second -- When the follicles have matured and there are many of them the right size the another injection is given 36 hours before the egg retrieval. This is the HCG injection and it matures the follicles completely. (Follicles are the "case" of the eggs)
Third -- The egg retrieval (minor surgery) This procedure is performed under conscious sedation and although I am conscious, a combination of medications is given to keep me comfortable and relaxed. An internal ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina and mature follicles are identified. They mount a needle on the side of the probe and its guided through the wall of the vagina and into each of the follicles that are viewed on the ultrasound. The follicles containing the egg is then aspirated into culture tubes to be fertilized shortly. The follicle is then viewed by the laboratory staff for the egg.
Fourth -- A semen sample is provided shortly before egg retrieval. The sample is assessed, appropriately processed and placed into the culture dish containing the eggs. Approximately 20 hours later, fertilization is assessed.
Fifth -- The fertilized eggs (now called embryos) are cultured under strict conditions and examined carefully on a daily basis to assess their progress.
Sixth -- Embryo transfer procedure is a simple and painless procedure. No anesthesia is required. I have to drink 2 or more glasses of water an hour before the procedure so that my bladder is full. This is important so they can see where they are placing the embryos in the uterus. A speculum is placed into the vagina and the cervix brought into view by the physician. The embryos are loaded into a catheter in the laboratory and the catheter is passed through the cervix into the uterus and the embryos are deposited inside the uterus.
Lastly -- After 13 - 15 days a pregnancy test is done.
Hope this helps a little as to what we are dealing with and going through! Thank you for all your love and support! We are very blessed to have family and friends that we do!!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Another day done!
Well today was an overwhelming day for me. After my ultrasound and blood work I sat for a few mins in the nurses room while she explained what comes next. They think that the retrieval will be Monday or Tuesday so we were talking about HCG injection and the new progesterone injection and what happens the day of the surgery. WHOA!! I know we have been here done this but its all moving so fast this time through.
The good news is that I have many good size follicles and that there are 20 still that are between 1.1 and 1.5..... 9 that are 1.8 to 1.5 so that s really good.
I have been going from feeling really really moody to just numb.....my brain is also not working as it normally does, I am fortunate to have a great work partner that makes me feel less stupid and we laugh about it.
Between the medications and the hot weather my body temp feels way higher than usual.
Over all I am looking at today as one more day done and now focusing on tomorrow.....one day at a time!
The good news is that I have many good size follicles and that there are 20 still that are between 1.1 and 1.5..... 9 that are 1.8 to 1.5 so that s really good.
I have been going from feeling really really moody to just numb.....my brain is also not working as it normally does, I am fortunate to have a great work partner that makes me feel less stupid and we laugh about it.
Between the medications and the hot weather my body temp feels way higher than usual.
Over all I am looking at today as one more day done and now focusing on tomorrow.....one day at a time!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 5
Quick post tonight. Today's ultrasound went well 8 big follicles and 27 small. The new medication is making feel yucky most of the time but nothing I can't get through...right? Ryan has mastered the art of giving injections and is my rock when it comes to all of that. I did get poked twice by the nurse today who was taking blood.
That's about it for today!
HAPPY 9th ANNIVERSARY RYAN!!! Love you! xoxoxo
That's about it for today!
HAPPY 9th ANNIVERSARY RYAN!!! Love you! xoxoxo
Monday, July 12, 2010
Quick update
Today I went for ultrasound and blood work. All is looking good so far....it is day 4 of gonal F and they started me on Cetratide injections. I had a small allergic reaction to this one but the clinic isn't too worried about it, they just want me to take benadryl before hand. The ultra sound showed that I have 5 follicles between 1.2 - 1.0 and then 30 that were small....so we are off to a great start....lets see what tomorrow brings. They did decrease my dose of Gonal F to 300iu today!
My emotions were in better check today but the new medication was making me feel sick and gave me a headache. It will all be worth it when I see my little one(s) for the first time.....keeping focused on the goal!
My emotions were in better check today but the new medication was making me feel sick and gave me a headache. It will all be worth it when I see my little one(s) for the first time.....keeping focused on the goal!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Day 3
So I am one injection in (from last night) and already feeling like I am losing my head. I would say that I feel today like I did at the end of the last cycle. I can go from feeling totally normal to so bloody angry in the blink of an eye. Nothing has changed and nobody is around.....I just feel crazy!
I am SO blessed to have an AMAZING, WONDERFUL husband who can make me laugh even when I am crying, he is patient with me and as I have said does all my injections (which I am afraid of) but he is a calm, supportive energy and gets me through them each one at a time. I also have an amazing group of women that I met long ago on an infertility support board, we went from there to a private board to now on Facebook. Through the years some have had their babies and some of us are still waiting and trying but we are close and supportive and really really truly get what the others are going through. This is an amazing and unique thing to have during this process.
When feeling so nuts today and worrying about how I am going to cope with these crazy emotions without hurting anyones feelings I asked the girls for tips on how to get through this. One of them posted this as advice...I am posting it here to be able to read it daily.
"I've made a science out of trying to stay in control when you feel like the incredible hulk- ready to bust at the seams at any given moment. Okay so, no. You will not be able to get rid of it- but there are a few things that will help you "ride the waves".
First, remember to tell yourself that you are NOT INSANE. This is not your fault, and its just your body looking for a way to balance out the extra hormones. The more hormonal you are- the more the meds are working for you.
Second, stay away from people if you feel like it. I know that may not be totally realistic, but its better not to worry that you might snap at an inappropriate time. People who are close to you- make sure they understand and are ready to be forgiving.
Third, write. Keep a journal. It helps to have an outlet for the emotions,
When you are feeling your worst, take a few minutes behind closed doors and recite this to yourself "this is just the hormones, I am not crazy. I just need to cry and let it out. Every breath I take will level it out a little more. This is all part of the process. I can get through this. "
So this is the start of this journey and I am finding that the blog is therapeutic in a way. Here is to another needle tonight and feeling a bit better tomorrow!
(I HOPE)
I am SO blessed to have an AMAZING, WONDERFUL husband who can make me laugh even when I am crying, he is patient with me and as I have said does all my injections (which I am afraid of) but he is a calm, supportive energy and gets me through them each one at a time. I also have an amazing group of women that I met long ago on an infertility support board, we went from there to a private board to now on Facebook. Through the years some have had their babies and some of us are still waiting and trying but we are close and supportive and really really truly get what the others are going through. This is an amazing and unique thing to have during this process.
When feeling so nuts today and worrying about how I am going to cope with these crazy emotions without hurting anyones feelings I asked the girls for tips on how to get through this. One of them posted this as advice...I am posting it here to be able to read it daily.
"I've made a science out of trying to stay in control when you feel like the incredible hulk- ready to bust at the seams at any given moment. Okay so, no. You will not be able to get rid of it- but there are a few things that will help you "ride the waves".
First, remember to tell yourself that you are NOT INSANE. This is not your fault, and its just your body looking for a way to balance out the extra hormones. The more hormonal you are- the more the meds are working for you.
Second, stay away from people if you feel like it. I know that may not be totally realistic, but its better not to worry that you might snap at an inappropriate time. People who are close to you- make sure they understand and are ready to be forgiving.
Third, write. Keep a journal. It helps to have an outlet for the emotions,
When you are feeling your worst, take a few minutes behind closed doors and recite this to yourself "this is just the hormones, I am not crazy. I just need to cry and let it out. Every breath I take will level it out a little more. This is all part of the process. I can get through this. "
So this is the start of this journey and I am finding that the blog is therapeutic in a way. Here is to another needle tonight and feeling a bit better tomorrow!
(I HOPE)
Friday, July 9, 2010
Officially started!
So tonight we started with the gonal F again. I was fine all day and then became quite nervous when 9 pm came around. Lucky for me I have a wonderful hubby who does all my injections and is an old pro, he walked me through it step by step! The dosing is twice what I was on last cycle so we will see by Monday how many follicles there will be starting!
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