Wednesday, April 30, 2014

IVF Update


Today was our first IVF appointment.  We had a consultation with our doctor about the process (most of which I was familiar with) and set up some appointments and came up with a plan, which I am all about.  I am happy with our decision to move forward with IVF.  We know that I have a great response to the FSH so we should have no problem growing follicles.  Also, we are only planning on transferring one embryo so we will freeze the others & hopefully one day after we've had the children we want, we can donate our unused embryos to a couple in need.  What a wonderful gift that will be to give to someone.  

So here is our plan: May 20th I will have a fluid ultrasound to make sure that my uterus is free and clear of any endometriosis and is ready for IVF.  If anything is found I will have another laparoscopy done.  May 28th is our orientation where we go over everything and sign all of the legal documents that come with IVF. Since our doctors office is currently in an IVF cycle, the next scheduled cycle is July 9th through July 21st so our retrieval is tentatively scheduled for July 11th with the transfer to follow in either 3 or 5 days.  I'd prefer to get the embryos to blastocysts before transferring which would be a 5 day transfer.  FSH will be started approximately 10 days prior to retrieval, with Ganirelix to follow after 4 days of stims, then we will trigger with Lupron.  We will tentatively have the transfer done either July 14th or July 16th.  Two days of bed rest will follow.  Then hopefully by the end of July will will have a positive HCG test.  

We will have to drive to Rockford the night before the retrieval so that we are for sure there on time.  There can only be 35 hours between the trigger shot and the retrieval so timing is key for this procedure.  I started BCP tonight and will take that until the ultrasound.  I might have one natural cycle between the ultrasound and the IVF procedure, but as of right now we will not be trying naturally.  

We are both feeling good about this process.  It's definitely a very precise procedure, but is 45%-65% successful so we are feeling good about it.  There is always the chance that it might not work, but we won't really know much until we have our retrieval done.  They will tell us how many eggs were retrieved then they will keep us posted on the status of those eggs.  We are planning on both mixing the sperm with the egg and directly injecting the sperm into the egg, also known as ICSI (ik-see).  Dr. G thinks that we should do 50/50 so that we can see what works best for us and give ourselves the best chance of fertilization.  

It was definitely a lot to take in, but like I've said before, I've learned so much from this amazing community that I feel very confident about the entire thing.  I feel like I have a good understanding of the process and what my expectations should be.  Now comes that dreaded wait.  

18 comments:

  1. I am so glad to see you guys have a solid process, appointments, and are making this happen. I am keeping you in prayers baby doll.

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  2. Praying for you during this process!! You're updates are always so encouraging and positive!

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  3. Thinking of you mama, stay strong!!

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  4. I'll be praying for you both during this process <3

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  5. I am a huge fan of plans! It sounds like everything is falling into place! I feel sooooo good about this for you! Keep us posted!

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  6. It's great to have a plan set and know when everything will take place but the wait is hard.

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  7. Wishing you the best! I would be so impatient with that kind of wait, but it sounds like you have a great plan.

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  8. You have a kind heart. I didn't know until this last year that people could donate embryos for adoption. Its because of people like you I just witnessed our music pastor and his wife having triplets that were born at 31 weeks gestation and 2 just came home after 17 days in the hospital. The 3rd is set to come home today if all goes well. Their last treatment and they had 2 embryos implanted they both took and one split. The entire pregnancy was a God miracle and the fact the babies are as healthy as they are. If you get the chance and you want some good reading checkout her blog at somuchmore2014.blogspot.com if tells all about their struggle and journey :)

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  9. Looking forward to this chapter for you!! I do have a question, you mentioned trying with just an egg and then also an egg mixed with sperm. So does that mean at the same time those will be implanted? Would that be a possibility for multiple births? Thinking of you with crossed fingers and toes! -xo

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  10. doesn't it feel good to have a plan!! Makes things more realistic!! So happy for you and can't wait to hear all the updates!! C'mon July!

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  11. Really happy for you guys to start this new journey. You are so inspirational in how you have approached all this head on with such a positive and real attitude.

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  12. Wow! So much information and you are so knowledgeable in it all! I'm glad to hear you have a plan in place and I will say a prayer for everything to go well! Keep up the positive vibes!!! ♥

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  13. sending happy and positive thoughts your way my dear.

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  14. Praying for you sweet girl! This will be one heck of an exciting summer for you :) Hugs!

    waitingforbabybird.com

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  15. This is wonderful news! That baby Ridley bump is coming! As always I will be following and cheering you along!

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  16. So exciting! It's going to be longest few months ever for you, but anything worth having is worth waiting for! Anything worth having is worth waiting for, anything worth having is worth waiting for...I've been repeating that to myself all morning because my dang period came today! Haha ugh.

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  17. I'm so glad you have a concrete plan moving forward with your dates and meds lined up. I hope everything goes smoothly for you two. You definitely deserve it. Waiting right now seems like the hardest thing...can't imagine how long 9 months is going to take!! :) If you have some time maybe we can chat about endometriosis since my ultrasound tech said I have an endometrioma on my right ovary today. I don't know much about endo, haven't met with my doctor yet, and apparently google image searching is the WRONG thing to do.

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  18. Glad you have a plan girl! Trusting and knowing that God is with you EVERY step of the way xoxo

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