The Official TTC Thread!

[E B]

Date: 10/22/2008 3:11:05 PM
Author: littlelysser

Festy - We are total cycle buddies. O''d on Sunday...so good luck to you! Ebree, are you a cycle buddy as well?

cd17, 3dpo.

I am! 3 DPO for me too. You, Festy, Blushing and I are all going to be test buddies.

 

[blushingbride]

It could be because I missed 4 days of temps at the beginning of the month. Maybe that affected my coverline?

 

[peonygirl]

DD, I guess you''re right! I should amend my statement to say that I never got an ovulation dip!

 

[blushingbride]

OMG...so exciting!!! The fantastic four!!

Next week will be fun!

 

[Festy]

Date: 10/22/2008 2:52:14 PM
Author: peonygirl
Oh wow, that is QUITE the rise! Yay!! I never get rises like that, just a very slow one over a period of 5 days or so.

It''s funny how the big dip makes it look like a big rise, when really it''s not so big. In fact, my temp this morning was so low (for a post-O temp) that I wondered whether I would get crosshairs at all.

 

[Maisie]

What are crosshairs?

 

[drk]

Well, it was bad news for me today. Saw blood in the uterus on the scan, but no obvoius gestational sac. And the secretary finally called me back with bloodwork results this afternoon and the beta''s falling, so I guess it''s a chemical for me. I can''t believe I''ve now had two m/c in a row. It would be bad but not so bad if we didn''t need so much help and time just to get to the BFP, but what with taking over 1y to get the first one and 9 months to get the second one with great BD timing and drugs galore, I''m not feeling optimistic.

Ebree - If you don''t mind sharing what you found out in your consult, I''d love to know what words of wisdom your doc had for two consecutive losses?

Kate

 

[Maisie]

I''m so sorry drk. Thats very sad news.

 

[E B]

Oh, drk, I'm so sorry.

Basically, what my RE told me is this: With two m/cs, it's hard to say whether or not there's something wrong or if it's simply bad luck. If roughly 1/3 of pregnancies end in miscarriage, the chances of having a second are ~11 percent.

He told us that we could a) go ahead and see what happens with the next pregnancy, or b) go through testing. Apparently, 70 percent of women who are fully tested find a problem. 30 percent don't, and are put into the unexplained infertility category.

If there is indeed a problem (meaning a miscarriage isn't due to a chromosomal abnormality in the fetus, which up to 70 percent of miscarriages are supposedly due to), it falls under one or more of six categories.

1) Genetic (Karyotype testing)
2) Anatomic (Hysterosalpingogram)
3) Endocrine (TSH, PRL, fasting insulin/glucose)
4) Thrombophilia (Factor 5 Leiden, Antithrombin III, Protein C & S deficiency)
5) Immune Problem (Lupus anticoagulant, Anticardiolipin antibodies)
6) Unexplained- 30 percent

(Disclaimer: I typed this from a fact sheet my RE gave me, so don't know the specifics of these tests. But as a doctor, you might.)

With two miscarriages, the subsequent rate of miscarriage is 24 percent, practically the same as women who've never had a miscarriage. He told me that at two, it's up to the couple to decide whether or not they'd like testing. After three, he strongly recommends it.

Unfortunately, it's one of those confusing forks in the road. Go through with the testing or wait to see what happens with the third? It's isn't a place I'd wish anyone to be in, but at least there are options. I was tested and cleared (normal results) by my OBGYN in 'categories' 3 and 5, so we've decided to wait to see what happens with pregnancy #3. (I'm on progesterone and baby aspirin, just in case.)

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

[lili]

Kate
*hugs* I''m so sorry to hear.

 

[am04]

I''m so sorry Kate.

 

[am04]

First, Happy Birthday Sabine! Looks like you and I are cycle buddies this go ''round...CD 3 here.

Good luck to everyone in the TWW...I''m keeping my fingers crossed for lots of BFPs next week!

 

[robbie3982]

Kate, I''m so sorry for your loss

. ::hugs::

Maisie, crosshairs are the lines that are put on the chart after ovulation has been confirmed. The vertical line is placed on the day of ovulation and the horizontal line is referred to as the coverline. The coverline''s place is determined by the temp on the day of ovulation and the 5 preceding days. It should be drawn .1 degrees above them. Some people have different ovulation patterns though and their charts will look a bit different. I have the standard pattern so I never paid too much attention to how others draw their lines. DD might be able to better explain.

Wow, there are so many of you who are cycle buddies now! I think it definitely makes the wait more fun.

 

[Maisie]

Thank you Robbie. I appreciate your help

 

[drk]

Thanks for the great info Ebree. I''ve had the HSG and a sonohysterogram, so should be ok for category 2. I had 3 tested in the past, but it might not be bad to get that checked again since it''s been a couple years. Haven''t had thrombophilia testing done, but that ought to be pretty easy to do. I don''t think I''ve had 5 cleared yet either. Maybe I should ask for a req for some bloodwork when I see my doctor again. I wonder how much karyotyping costs in Ontario? Hmmm. The rest will probably be paid for by the public insurance, so what''s another couple vials of blood to me?

Since it''s taken us so long to get pregnant each time, I don''t really want to wait to see what happens with number 3...

Kate

 

[E B]

Date: 10/22/2008 8:06:35 PM
Author: drk

Since it's taken us so long to get pregnant each time, I don't really want to wait to see what happens with number 3...

Kate

You're very welcome, and I don't blame you. I struggled with the decision myself.

If it helps give you an idea of possible costs, my OBGYN (I'm in Oregon) said the karyotype testing costs around $600 for each partner (and is the most expensive of the tests) without insurance.

 

[Sabine]

Oh, I''m so sorry drk! I can''t imagine how frustrated you must be at this point. Please don''t loose hope, we are all rooting for you to have a successful pregnancy!

Thanks am04! It''s great to have a cycle buddy!

I can''t wait till the FAB 4 (as I''m here dubbing you) start testing! It''s bound to be an exciting week!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Kate I''m so sorry!

I was so optimistic for you with the initially rising betas. I think in your shoes I would do all the testing around to try to get as much information as possible. I am wishing and hoping that next time you get pg it is FAST and STICKY!

 

[tiffanytwisted]

Kate- I''m so sorry for your loss. I was so hopeful for you with the rising betas. I''m thinking about you.

 

[peonygirl]

Oh Kate, I am so, so sorry! My heart is breaking for you. I was so hoping that this would be the lucky cycle. I don''t know what to say, except that I wish you strength at this time and, of course, good wishes for the future.

I have heard this book recommended twice as a good resource about the causes of miscarriage and the tests that can be done to rule different things out. I''ve read a few passages from the "search inside this book," feature and it seems to be really informative.
http://www.amazon.com/Avoiding-Miscarriage-Everything-Confident-Pregnancy/dp/0977493318/ref=sr_1_1_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=books&s9r=8a5801be1145d82801114ef156af01ce&itemPosition=1&qid=1224725931&sr=8-1

This is another book about the emotional journey of infertility that I was eyeing on Amazon the other day. It seems to be pretty universally loved by people struggling with TTC.
http://www.amazon.com/Empty-Picture-Frame-Inconceivable-Infertility/dp/1432705962/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product


*HUGE, HUGE HUGS*

 

[Festy]

I read this thoughtful and touching essay in the NYT the other day about one woman''s experience with miscarriages.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/health/views/21case.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin

DrK, (and Ebree, and anyone else who has suffered this loss) I will borrow a line from the end of her piece: we hope you don''t give up.

 

[peonygirl]

Thanks for the article Festy. I enjoyed it a lot.

 

[lovelylulu]

kate, i''m terribly sorry for your loss.

 

[lovelylulu]

Date: 10/22/2008 6:30:47 PM
Author: EBree
(I''m on progesterone and baby aspirin, just in case.)

Hey Ebree: is this your first cycle supplementing with progesterone? did you notice if it altered your LP? thanks!

 

[E B]

Date: 10/22/2008 10:41:25 PM
Author: lovelylulu

Date: 10/22/2008 6:30:47 PM

Author: EBree

(I'm on progesterone and baby aspirin, just in case.)

Hey Ebree: is this your first cycle supplementing with progesterone? did you notice if it altered your LP? thanks!

lulu,

This is actually my first day of progesterone. I'm using the suppositories. I'm supposed to discontinue it at 12 DPO (I believe), so I'm afraid I won't be of much help to you. My usual LP is 13 days.

Are you thinking of taking it? I've heard it is used to help lengthen the LP.

 

[lovelylulu]

Right now, I''m not taking anything based on my initial visit with my new doctor. However, if I continue to get BPNs we''re going to reassess.

Lots of babydust to everyone

lulu CD 9

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Drk,

Oh, I''m so sorry. I have no other words, but my heart breaks for you and your husband right now.

Take care of yourself.

****
My mother-in-law is in the hospital. I''ve not been able to read up on everyone''s posts like I usually do. I am hoping that things are going well for you all, though.

Saturday night Paul is staying the night with her at the hospital, so maybe I''ll read up and catch up then.

Anyone of a praying nature, I''d be so thankful for you sending one up for her. Her name is Martha.

Thank you.

My mother-in-law has wanted to be a grandmother since well before I came into the picture and before Paul and I were even married, she would talk of grandbabies this and grandbabies that. Never in a prodding way, always in a longing way. At first it was hard for me, since I wanted a baby but the timing wasn''t right yet and my slow to make decisions husband was sitting on the fence on the topic. Now that we''re in baby mode, though, she''s been very supportive and not agressive at all about it, but you still the look of longing in her eyes. Sunday is my day to test, and originally we''d been planning to share the results with my mother when she visits for the "girls only" family trip at the end of Oct., because I wanted to be able to tell her in person, then of course, I''d have to call my daddy and tell him the same. The rest of the family we were going to wait until Christmas to tell the news to, just for the fun of a Christmas surprise of that nature and because of the whole almost end of the 1st trimester thing.

Well, now we''re considering telling Martha when we first get the news. She has a long road ahead of her and we know how strongly she aches for the role of a grandmother in her life, and I just wonder if that would be some sort of extra push for her to be strong and conquer her illlness. Then I wonder if it''s putting too much pressure on her, and I don''t want right now to be about me, by any means. I also don''t want her to have heartache if we were to lose the baby early on, when she wouldn''t have had to know about it.

Last night she said the Drs. told her she can''t be around babies for 6 months. Our baby would come along just in time for her to be all better and for her to cuddle and goo goo over and all the things she loves to do with babies. You should see her with a baby. She all but eats them up. I can only imagine what she''ll do with my baby. I may have to rescue the little guy from being too kissed on!

We are jumping the gun about the whole thing, since it is only 10 DPO and I''ve not tested, but I am kind of stuck. I also think it would be "mean" of us to ask her not to tell anyone, since she is such a talker.

Anyway, we''ll cross that road when we come to it.

Thanks again for the prayers for my sweetie of a mother-in-law.

***
Today''s temp was higher than before. Yesterday and today have been big risers among the 98.2s that cover the first week of post ovulation. Yesterday was 98.40 and today was 98.58. I tried to find where temps increase after implantation, but no such luck! I''m still hopeful, though.

I''m finally in the double digits for DPO. That''s exciting.

***
I''m thinking of you all and hoping for wonderful news for all of us soon and no more sorrow. I''m growing tired of sorrow.

Have a good day everyone!

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Sabine,

I hope your birthday was wonderful!

 

[robbie3982]

Fisher, your mother-in-law is in my prayers. Recently it seems like the lists of people in my prayers gets longer every day

. Can you post your chart? I''m pretty bad at visualizing things and I don''t want to get your hopes up, but I *think* you might have a triphasic chart if your temp is still up tomorrow! Can you post last cycle''s too for comparison? I think that FF recognizes charts as triphasic as long as the shift begins no earlier than 7dpo.

 

[Maisie]

I really hope its this month for you Fisher. It would be wonderful news for Martha. I think she would love to keep the secret for you. It would make her feel so special.