September check in

[dove]

Thought I’d start this one a bit earlier. 

whats going on in your world?

for fun - what are you looking forward to this fall?

[dove]

I’m in the 2ww of my first IUI. App says I should be able to test on Friday. RE’s office told me to test next Sunday and call them with results. Guess when I’m testing? Lolll

I know odds are that it won’t work this cycle, so I’m trying to mentally prepare myself.

For fun: I’m looking forward to the cooler weather. I’m in the south and over it! I’m also doing a 25 mile bike ride for the state’s cancer center in October. I’ve been training for that.

[stellelinds25]

I started Delestrogen injections last week, baselines looked good. I go for a lining check next Wednesday and currently my FET is scheduled for 9/22. Delestrogen side effects are no fun...lots of headaches and I'm super moody/emotional. Doesn't help that I'm also changing anxiety meds, so it's hard to know what is from what.

Fun: Def the fall weather! I live in PA where it's super humid and I can't wait to be able to open the windows and sleep bundled up in a nice cool room. Also, pumpkin and apple everything

[thedutchgirl]

Based on some work stuff I have at the end of the month, we currently scheduled my FET for 10/11. I am on BCP now and start Lupron injections on Saturday.

For fun: We're trying to plan a long weekend trip to northern Minnesota for the first weekend of October. I'm excited to see the fall colors!

[choppinbroccoli]

Thanks for starting the thread, dove.

I am going to my first appointment with a reproductive immunologist on Monday. I'll have to get a endometrial biopsy, a doppler blood flow evaluation, and a ton of blood drawn. I'm excited it's finally here! I'm a little nervous for it, but I know I won't have a whole lot of answers until the bloodwork comes back (around a month after the appt). THAT'S when I will be really anxious! I'm hoping we'll get answers on why I keep having losses between 5-7 weeks.

For fun - Fall is my favorite season, but I also hate what comes after, so I am going to try to enjoy it as much as possible instead of thinking what comes next. If I end up taking prednisone, I will be thankful to switch to cool-weather clothing (i.e. hoodies) to hide the bloat!! LOL.

[shananasplit]

dove, 25 miles is impressive stuff! Fx for your IUI.
stellelinds25, I'm a PA girl myself. Dying to break out a hoodie. So glad baseline was good, and hoping your lining check goes well too <3
thedutchgirl, I bet Minnesota is going to be super nice!
choppinbroccoli, I really hope that meeting with the immunologist is your magic bullet. I have several friends that traveled to see someone, and it made the difference for them.

My egg donor started her meds a week ago and the cycle seems to be promising. I've spent the last two days arguing with the clinic's billing department. I received three invoices, all incorrect, and was threatened that they would cancel my cycle. So that was super fun ;-) My DH is just waiting to find out when he needs to travel there (we're several states away) to "contribute". I did meet with a local clinic this week, and we will be sending any embryos to them to do a FET, likely around December. So just a lot more waiting.

For fun: Looking forward to some fall weather horse shows. I hate competing in the summer, and don't love it much more in the winter. But the fall horse shows are full of beautiful jumps and pumpkins everywhere, and I just love it!

[dove]

Sept 6, 2021 9:17:28 GMT -5 dove said:

I’m in the 2ww of my first IUI. App says I should be able to test on Friday. RE’s office told me to test next Sunday and call them with results. Guess when I’m testing? Lolll

I know odds are that it won’t work this cycle, so I’m trying to mentally prepare myself.

For fun: I’m looking forward to the cooler weather. I’m in the south and over it! I’m also doing a 25 mile bike ride for the state’s cancer center in October. I’ve been training for that.

Update - CD1 today. IUI is a bust

Already scheduled to do another cycle this month.  

[pinkpeony08]

Sept 13, 2021 13:19:13 GMT -5 dove said:

Sept 6, 2021 9:17:28 GMT -5 dove said:

I’m in the 2ww of my first IUI. App says I should be able to test on Friday. RE’s office told me to test next Sunday and call them with results. Guess when I’m testing? Lolll

I know odds are that it won’t work this cycle, so I’m trying to mentally prepare myself.

For fun: I’m looking forward to the cooler weather. I’m in the south and over it! I’m also doing a 25 mile bike ride for the state’s cancer center in October. I’ve been training for that.

Update - CD1 today. IUI is a bust

Already scheduled to do another cycle this month.  

I’m so sorry.

[Jalapeñomel]

Im sorry [mention]dove [/mention]

[wanderingback]

Hi all. Again thanks for the advice about finding a specialist, so wanted to update. I found a great one! He is very very responsive via email and seems caring. The way he did my first ultrasound was not as patient friendly as I like to do ultrasounds with my patients, ha, but otherwise the whole experience has been good so far. 

And everything was a whirlwind because my initial appt with him was the first day my period...so right away I did an ultrasound and blood work, then 2 days later, hsg. He reviewed my partner's semen analysis and we decided on clomid with timed sex. So then I did 2 more ultrasounds and more blood work. So we're just going to do that for a few months and then move on to IVF.

I think I'm feeling pretty good and zen about things at the moment. Have completed 1 cycle with clomid. My period was a day "late" so I tested and it was negative. I'm not an overanalyzer in general, so I think I'm trying to take that with me and just going with the flow. So I just got my period, so going to do another round. Apparently my insurance makes you do ultrasound and blood work before each round per their office, which I find kind of annoying...just give me the clomid, but oh well, I guess it is what it is. 

My partner is going out of the country soon, but the timing seems like it'll work out to do this round before he leaves, so I'm glad the stars are aligning for that. So will probably do 2 or 3 more rounds with clomid and then reassess. 

I've also been reflecting on the fact that I have several patients who need to see an REI, but none accept their insurance (medicaid plans), so that has been very frustrating professionally, while feeling very fortunate personally. Plus having to take off work for these appointments isn't realistic for everyone. I'm going to add this to the list of advocacy work I do because insurance coverage really needs to change, everyone deserves care for their reproductive lives. 

Fingers crossed for everyone. 

ETA: for fun - There's a black owned yarn/knitting studio that I've been wanting to go to for a long time. Well the stars have finally aligned and there are classes that work with my schedule, so I'm going to start doing that soon. Really looking forward to it! I started a project by teaching myself a few things, but got frustrated and haven't kept going, so really looking for the in-person interaction for instructions and meeting people. 

[wanderingback]

Sorry dove, hang in there.

[thedutchgirl]

wanderingback, I read this article this morning, and seeing your post now made me think of you regarding it.

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/health/women-doctors-infertility.html

[doggielover]

I've taken some time to myself and did a social media type detox but in the TTC updates: I have been working with an actual RI and he didn't give me the green light to transfer until middle of August. He has me on a protocol of meds that were based on my blood results instead of the blanket approach my RE takes. I did have another hysteroscopy jut to make sure I didn't have anything and to smooth the lining - he said everything looks perfect. Of course I'm on CD170 right now thanks to PCOS. Yesterday I started meds to force a cycle so I can transfer.

1 of the thigs I did in my "time away from ttc" was check something off my bucket list by going skydiving. This was something I talked about doing but never got up the guts to do it. DH didn't want to go but I was in town visiting family so my brother went with me. We had a lot of fun and I'd do it again. I was glad I paid the extra money for the pictures and video since it's not a normal event.

[doggielover]

choppinbroccoli, which RI have you been seeing? I started with Dr. Derbala a few months ago and I'm glad I made the switch to seeing an RI.

[choppinbroccoli]

I'm sorry, dove. I hate that feeling.

I hope your next cycle does the trick.

[choppinbroccoli]

Sept 14, 2021 10:25:36 GMT -5 doggielover said:

choppinbroccoli , which RI have you been seeing? I started with Dr. Derbala a few months ago and I'm glad I made the switch to seeing an RI.

I am also seeing Dr. Derbala! I had my first appointment yesterday. Now on to the dreaded waiting for blood test and biopsy results!

I'm still very guarded, but I'm hoping that I will be glad I added an RI to the protocol, too.

[doggielover]

Sept 14, 2021 13:18:47 GMT -5 choppinbroccoli said:

Sept 14, 2021 10:25:36 GMT -5 doggielover said:

choppinbroccoli , which RI have you been seeing? I started with Dr. Derbala a few months ago and I'm glad I made the switch to seeing an RI.

I am also seeing Dr. Derbala! I had my first appointment yesterday. Now on to the dreaded waiting for blood test and biopsy results!

I'm still very guarded, but I'm hoping that I will be glad I added an RI to the protocol, too.

I can honestly tell you this is the worst wait.  Once you do all the blood (it's like 20 vials to start) and do the biopsy he'll do a protocol and keep doing blood tests to check levels.  He doesn't want you to transfer until given the ok which was like 3 months for me.  

[wanderingback]

Sept 14, 2021 10:14:10 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

wanderingback, I read this article this morning, and seeing your post now made me think of you regarding it.

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/health/women-doctors-infertility.html

Yes I read that article! Thanks for sharing.
I also think that those of us who work in full-spectrum repro health and are on the infertility journey def have a unique perspective when dealing with taking care of pregnant people, abortions, miscarriages, infertility work ups, etc. What an adventure!

[thedutchgirl]

Sept 17, 2021 21:43:28 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Sept 14, 2021 10:14:10 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

wanderingback, I read this article this morning, and seeing your post now made me think of you regarding it.

www.nytimes.com/2021/09/13/health/women-doctors-infertility.html

Yes I read that article! Thanks for sharing.
I also think that those of us who work in full-spectrum repro health and are on the infertility journey def have a unique perspective when dealing with taking care of pregnant people, abortions, miscarriages, infertility work ups, etc. What an adventure!

I agree! I can only imagine how it must feel to be both a provider of care and someone getting care.

Not the same at all, I know, but as a lawyer when I got divorced—using a lawyer—it definitely was interesting to be on the client side for a change

[wanderingback]

So since my partner was going out of town, we decided to do the trigger injection with timed sex. I think it might've been a little early, but oh well, nothing we can do about it now.

Did you all share with many people about your fertility journey?
3 of my close girlfriends (they don't live locally) all have kids/got pregnant easily so I haven't shared with them.
But I've told some other of my friends, none of whom have kids, so it's been nice to have their support.

I'm trying to figure out if I want to tell my mom. She's essentially begged me to have kids the past few years, so much so that I had to tell her I was going to stop talking to her if she didn't stop bring it up. We were somewhat ambivalent about kids, so I told her we didn't know what we wanted to do. I feel like if I tell her it'll put too much pressure on the situation that I absolutely do not want. Otherwise I do think fertility stuff should be talked about more, so I wish I felt like it could be easier to share with her/my family.

[stellelinds25]

Sept 22, 2021 19:32:27 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

So since my partner was going out of town, we decided to do the trigger injection with timed sex. I think it might've been a little early, but oh well, nothing we can do about it now.

Did you all share with many people about your fertility journey?
3 of my close girlfriends (they don't live locally) all have kids/got pregnant easily so I haven't shared with them.
But I've told some other of my friends, none of whom have kids, so it's been nice to have their support.

I'm trying to figure out if I want to tell my mom. She's essentially begged me to have kids the past few years, so much so that I had to tell her I was going to stop talking to her if she didn't stop bring it up. We were somewhat ambivalent about kids, so I told her we didn't know what we wanted to do. I feel like if I tell her it'll put too much pressure on the situation that I absolutely do not want. Otherwise I do think fertility stuff should be talked about more, so I wish I felt like it could be easier to share with her/my family.

I really think it depends on how you thinks your friends/family would react...would they pressure you wanting to know every thing that is happening? Would just use all the cliche "oh just get drunk and have sex" comments? Would they support your decision to use science/medications to expand your family? If you think it would be more pressure than helpful, I probably wouldn't tell anyone. Personally, we've been very open about our journey. *TW* When we went through IVF the first time to have our son, we were met with nothing but support and love and no pressure. Now that we've done our FET (yesterday), we weren't quite as open, but I did tell my close girlfriends and my mom. But we didn't tell my IL's because we felt like there would be too many questions and and pressure from them to know the outcome. Plus, my MIL has a big mouth and she can't be trusted with any personal info unless you are ok with literally every person she meets knowing your business. 

[dove]

Had ultrasound monitoring today. Only 2 follicles, 12mm/15mm. I don't have a good feeling about this month, but we are still going forward with the IUI. If I don't get my LH surge by Monday, we'll trigger and do the IUI on Tuesday. I'm preparing myself for the BFN later.

wanderingback - to answer your question, no one in my family but my sister and my BFF of 20 years knows that I'm going through this. Being Hispanic, infertility has such a stigma. It helps that I live half way across the country from everyone.

[Jalapeñomel]

wanderingback at first I didn’t tell many people, but after going through it for so long, it sort of became a part of my story, and everyone knew.

[scm1011]

Sept 23, 2021 18:55:50 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

wanderingback at first I didn’t tell many people, but after going through it for so long, it sort of became a part of my story, and everyone knew.

Same. One year during Infertility Awareness Week I posted about it on Facebook and SO MANY PEOPLE contacted me that they were (or had) gone through the same thing, and were so grateful I spoke up. I'm an open book about our journey.

[wanderingback]

Thanks everyone for sharing!
I guess I’m mostly just "worried" about my mom. I really have no idea what she’ll say or do. I love my mom and she is great and definitely doesn’t mean harm, but with the whole kid thing she’s been driving me crazy and I don’t want to have to put boundaries on anything again. But maybe if we move on to IVF I’ll tell her (I think we’ll do 1 more round with clomid, then take a break and go "natural" and think about IVF in the new year). I also don’t want to feel pressure from her if we change our minds and don’t want to continue down this path.

The main reason it came to mind is cause she wants to come visit in Nov and potentially one weekend that she wanted to come is gonna be a window we need to have sex. So it just got me thinking about timing if we do IVF and all that entails.

But like I said ultimately I think it’s definitely worth talking about more, so I do want to be transparent.

[thedutchgirl]

wanderingback, moms are a special kind of pressure. My husband's mom has some deficits after a significant stroke 15 years ago, and we shared a bit with her. I wish we hadn't, because she's made it all about her and claiming that my husband is losing weight and "so stressed out" from it all. He's not. My mom's been pretty good--she knows it is hard.

I've been pretty open with a few friends, particularly the wives in my husband's friend group, because they all are trying at the same time. Several are now pregnant, but at least one other is struggling pretty significantly. At the beginning, when we knew we had issues, they were talking about being all pregnant at the same time, and planning when to have babies and such. They are a bit younger than I am, so I wanted to be open so they would realize a bit more it isn't just as easy for everyone as sex at the right time for a couple of months. For some of them it did turn out that way, but for others it really hasn't. Those women have thanked me, each of them, for being open about it.

All that to say I agree with you. It is hard to know where to draw the line. Maybe your mom would do better if you actually told her all those things? What you are doing, and what you might not decide to do?

[dove]

Sept 23, 2021 9:44:23 GMT -5 dove said:

Had ultrasound monitoring today. Only 2 follicles, 12mm/15mm. I don't have a good feeling about this month, but we are still going forward with the IUI. If I don't get my LH surge by Monday, we'll trigger and do the IUI on Tuesday. I'm preparing myself for the BFN later.

LH surge today (no trigger needed) and IUI scheduled for tomorrow am. 

here we go again…

[wanderingback]

Best of luck dove!