The Official TTC Thread!

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Tammy, I would definitely speak with your ob/gyn or the doctor who prescribed the SA to put your mind at ease on this. If it would make you and DH feel better, maybe he could start on a supplement such as Fertilaid or something similar. It can't hurt and might help.... DH is taking Fertility for Men (I think). Once we get out of the first trimester, I'll let him stop and he can start using the hot tub again. I think you also said that your DH is working on losing weight and getting healthier, which might also improve morph. And I'm sure you've already got this covered, but make sure he is not engaging in any activities or behaviors that would cause overheating - i.e. no tighty whities, hot tubs, or long bike rides I'm sure your DH is feeling a little sensitive about though, so be careful how you approach it!

Bright, hope you have a nice visit with your family. Really rooting for you to get AF soon. It won't be too much longer now, I can feel it! I'm hanging in there, thanks for asking. I had a few days of feeling a little yucky, but not enough to completely reassure me that all is well. We'll know more after our ultrasound on Tuesday. I can't wait until we're both heavily pregnant and all of these TTC and fertility challenges are a distant memory!

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi MP,

I don't want to make a big fuss over it right now though since she said it was normal and the lab report says standard. That said, DH and I have totally revamped our health lifestyle recently. He's taking B complex, multi vitamin, exercising 3-4 x a week at the gym and eating about HALF the calories (balance though) that he was before and so am I. The result is some pretty exciting weight loss and energy gain that we're both planning to stick with. That "lose it" program ROCKS.

So I think that what we'll do at this point is give this a few months since it takes that long to "reboot" for the guys. If all my labs come back good (which I am totally stressing about) and we're still not pregnant in another 4 months, I'll see about having him retested for a closer look at that number.

 

[Dandi]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

tammy, GOOD FOR YOU and your DH re. the lifestyle revamp! You're an awesome woman, you hot mama you! Sending you tons of good vibes for some excellent lab results

Yippee JGator, you must be so relieved! Amazing news hon, I'm so thrilled for you and your DH!!!!!

Hi mp, how are you feeling my dear? Good luck for Tuesday, I can't wait to hear all about it!

Bright, I hope you have a lovely time with your family, and that your DH is feeling better (and that you stay well!!!!) Nasty bugs.

GOOD LUCK this cycle mlk, I SO hope this is your cycle my love! Dust dust dust!!!

enbcfsobe, hope all's well with you, and that work settles down a bit to give you a break!

mia, happy lurking, but I'm looking forward to you joining us here more often! I'm sad for your thermometer, boo! Lucky your doggy is SO cute!

LtlF, thinking of you, how's things?

Hi Trekkie, Jen, amc, Missy, Prana, HOT, China, and anyone else I may have missed!

I'm sorry I've been MIA a bit, we've been so busy this week. Not much to tell though, just plugging along on CD 10. Last cycle I got a positive OPK on CD 13 so I figure I'd better start testing today and get as much BDing in as we can over the next week! DH and I have barely seen each other this week, we forget what each other look like! My work has been insane and DH's business has been crazy busy which is great, but doesn't lend itself to much baby making, bleh. We have a long weekend this weekend so things are calming down a bit, hopefully just at the right time.

 

[mia1181]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Aw thanks everyone for encouraging me to come out of hiding! I think I'll wait to officially join when I actually have something to contribute since right now we are just waiting around until May. I think I may have actually dipped my toe in this thread a couple of times in the past but this time will be for reals, for reals so I am very excited about that! Why May? Well DH picked that month and swore on his life to stick to it. More recently I thought about convincing him to just start now since its so close, but then I realized the due date could be December or January so I think I'd rather wait. Besides I'm starting to get freaked out that my body is not where I'd like it to be before trying. My focus this next two months is to lose a little weight. Should be interesting though because when I was skinnier, my cycles were not as regular. May be a coincidence, but I think I ovulate better with a little junk in my trunk... As for my thermometer drama, I still haven't had a chance to get a new one so I am making do with the one I have. This morning I got another recurring temp (97.1, I retemped and got it again so then I moved it to another part of my tongue and got a slightly different reading. So maybe it really is me with the same temps? I don't know I just really miss my old thermometer! (So dramatic, I know!)

JGator- Congrats on seeing your bean even if it's a bit too early for the heart. This is going to be another fun 2ww! I really hope it flies by! I actually have been temping and charting for like 3 years now. Crazy, huh? I can't believe when I started I thought we'd start trying any day, but it's been that long and we have yet to officially start! I do temp at the exact time every morning and I set an alarm for that and then go back to bed. Still, I'm super puzzled about whether to trust these new BBTs. I am a late ovulator so I think I have another few days to get another thermometer in time to catch ovulation. We'll see how it goes!

DandiAndi- Ah I can't wait to join either! I am really so bummed about my thermometer, still! Unfortunately the really cute doggy from my avatar passed away almost two years ago. But! Before he died we got a puppy who we still have and love dearly (even if he is a jerk who chews up BBTs!). It took us a while to love him as much as our precious Oliver (the pug) but I must say he is just as cute. I'll have to post a pic sometime, he's a cock-a-poo and is quite the personality because of his mischievous behavior and loving cuddliness. Hope your long weekend works out perfectly for BD action!

Hi to everyone else! I'll probably pop in from time to time...

 

[Jen_91909]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi Girls,

JGator - I am so thrilled to see your positive report. So excited everything is going well for you. Fingers crossed for continued success and a strong heartbeat in 2 weeks.

Tammy - I have heard that morphology 3% and below is when it is recommended to turn to ART, so I wouldn't worry yourself too much right now, which it sounds like you're not. Especially since the count is so good. We had 2 SA's and the results were 1% and 0% morph respectively... quite a blow. Motility, count, volume all good. So, I guess, I am happy for you that 5% is still in the acceptable range. The lifestyle changes can only help anyway. Wishing you good luck on all of your labs.

MP - Wishing you lots of dust for your scan on Tuesday. Very excited for you!

Bright - I hope you had/are having a nice weekend with your family. Hopefully AF will come any day now.

Hi to everyone else... sorry this post is more selfish I'm kind of in a daze... which leads me to:

AFM - Well, I guess I don't know what to think about today's news. A little background: our plan A was that hopefully all of our embryos would reach the blastocyst stage on schedule (should happen on day 5, which was today), they would then undergo CCS testing (comprehensive chromosome screening, a technique my clinic pioneered) to ensure they are chromosomally healthy, and then we would do the transfer tomorrow (Monday) morning. (My clinic is almost always doing day 6 transfers these days).
So, that didn't happen.
What did happen was that they called this morning to say the fresh transfer was called off because NONE of my embryos have reached the blastocyst stage yet. She said I had 12 morulas. Which means 10 of our embryos arrested, and I don't know at what point.
Now, of course I knew that we were never going to end up with 22 perfect blastocysts, I know it is normal to lose embryos along the way. But I wasn't prepared for losing almost half before even reaching the blastocyst stage, I guess.
But really, it is the slow growth that concerns me way beyond the count. Simply, it's just not ideal for embryos to grow at this rate. They like to see quick and strong growth. How many make blastocysts tomorrow will give us a better idea, but I'm very nervous. It's not uncommon for slow-growing morulas to arrest and never make it. We also know nothing at this point about the quality of the morulas. I'm feeling pretty confused and in the dark. I can't help but worry this is related to sperm quality. Who knows. I'll let you know what I find out tomorrow. Please, if you can spare some thoughts or well-wishes, send them our way.

 

[drk]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen - Dust for your embryos. I can't believe those results either when you had so many great-looking embryos early on. I do know that the couple next to us when we went for our transfer transferred their two morulas (the only embryos to make it to day 5) and ended up pg with twins. So I know that there's hope for you. I hope your clinic has some answers for you tomorrow, and that you have a bunch make it to blast on day 6. Did you guys do DNA fragmentation testing on your sperm? I think my DH"s pretty bad DNA fragmentation result might have been responsible for our two early losses. Good luck tomorrow!

 

[mlk]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi Ladies

Jen, I am crossing my fingers and toes and sending you dust for good news tomorrow. I really hope you have several blastocysts that you can use now and put the rest on ice for later. Please keep us updated of any news.

Bright, how are things going with you? Any more symptoms that AF is going to show soon? I bet you have never wished her to come like this before. I hope AF comes and you are back on track in the blink of an eye.

JGator, congrats on a great ultrsound result and a healthy and growing singleton! Even though you have now officially graduated, please check in us whenver your get a change. It is great to hear from everyone who has been ther done that.

Same goes for you too Monkey. Wishing you all the best for your ultrasound Tuesday, let us all know how it goes.

Enfscobe, how are you going? Hope your work situation calms down soon. Where are you in your cycle?

Tammy, not that I know anything about SA's but it all sounds good that everything is in range. Well done for your health kick. I am trying, but think I have put on weight rather than lose it. I have not had chocolate, biscuits, icecream, dessert for 2 months and no change! Hopefully you have more luck! How long until you start BDing again? I need more people to join me in the TWW!

Dandi, haven't seen you around here for a few days. Are you in the TWW yet?

LtlFire, how are you going? Any news from your end?

Mia and Trekkie, please come and play (MIa this is my first official cycle and I joined for 6 weeks prior, so I don't think anyone will mind if you officially become on of the gals before May)

Hi to anyone I missed

AFM, I am officially in the TWW. The problem is I am not sure exactly when I o'd. I think I am 3DPO, and the advanced setting of FF agrees. The research settiong puts me at 5DPO. It is also possible I am 4DPO. Anyway, I had a much bigger temp spike this cycle and two days of O pains, so I think things are working as they should. Our timing wasn't great this month, as I o'd a lot later this month CD23 rather than last CD17/18. Anyway, we got in O-1 (or maybe O depending on which day it actually was) but I am not too hopeful of our chances. The thing is, every little feeling/twinge I am reading into and almost imagining symtoms even though it would be too early to feel anything. Aaargh this wait is going to do my head in!

 

[Jen_91909]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen - Dust for your embryos. I can't believe those results either when you had so many great-looking embryos early on. I do know that the couple next to us when we went for our transfer transferred their two morulas (the only embryos to make it to day 5) and ended up pg with twins. So I know that there's hope for you. I hope your clinic has some answers for you tomorrow, and that you have a bunch make it to blast on day 6. Did you guys do DNA fragmentation testing on your sperm? I think my DH"s pretty bad DNA fragmentation result might have been responsible for our two early losses. Good luck tomorrow!

DRK - the fragmentation is exactly what I'm concerned about right now, and no they didn't test for it. To be honest, I hadn't even heard about it until yesterday when I was trying to find out more information on what could contribute to the slow growth. But, it seems there is a correlation between that and poor morphology so I'm a little mystified it was never even brought up as something to look into.
Truthfully, our RE made it sound to us like we were an open and shut case and would be totally easy. It makes me feel like something was overlooked. Thanks for your response. Waiting anxiously to hear today's news.

ETA - Mean to ask you, how did they solve your DH's DNA fragmentation issue?

 

[enbcfsobe]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hey all -- sorry i've been MIA and thanks to everyone for checking in!

JGator -- so glad everything went well with your scan!! can't wait to hear the next report!

MP -- fingers crossed for tomorrow, hope you are feeling ok

Bright -- hope things are going well and you feel like your body is getting back to normal. i know it can take a while!!

Jen -- i don't know anything about the technical aspects of ivf, but i'm so sorry this is stressing you out. maybe all they need is an extra day? sending some virtual miracle-gro!

Tammy -- my experience with SAs is that every lab is different and results can differ between samples. our RE to some extent disagreed with the lab report and thought it was too stringent. some of the morphology and progression things are subjective rather than purely quantitative. sounds like you have a good plan in place.

Mia -- welcome! we'll be here whenever you're ready!

Dandi, mlk, Trekkie and everyone else i missed, here's to a good week and hopefully good news for someone!

AFM, CD18 and not really sure what happened with O. Based on cramping on CD12-13 I thought for sure that was it, then temps went up CD15. But some of my temps were kindof high in the first part of my cycle, and i'm not sure they are high enough now to conclusively show O. Plus i had some EWCM on CD17, so now i'm pretty confused. I'm just going to assume i O'd around CD14, and that my temps have been odd due to poor sleep, coming off a m/c, and the time change. Now the trick is to actually wait until CD28 to test. I have to go out of town for a wedding at the end of the month, and i'm already starting to worry about the what ifs. That's if i even manage to get pg, but somehow i'm almost more worried about dealing with a bfp given my last two experiences. Part of me thinks it would be easier for it to be bfn and just be able to deal with AF and go and enjoy myself on this trip.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen, thinking of you. I'm sorry yesterday's results were not what you were hoping for and that your plans had to be changed. Very frustrating I'm sure. Hoping that some of them are just late bloomers and continued to grow overnight. And I also hope you are able to get more answers as to what might be going on. Big hugs.

 

[JGator]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen, my thoughts are with you. I hope your embryos grow today. I think the fact that you had so many eggs to start with and still have a great number in the running is a good sign for you. Hugs to you.

MP, only 1 day till your ultrasound! I can't wait to hear all about it.

MLK, I haven't graduated yet. I'm afraid to post on JBP till I see a heart beat.

Tammy, I think your time is coming soon. So, you are probably worrying for nothing about the SA. I think you'll be get your BFP either this cycle or the next one. Let's hope my prediction comes true.

enbcfsobe, my temps were all over the place after my MC for about 2 months. But, in the 2nd month after, I was able to detect a temp shift. But, I do think it's normal. And, it is good to always try to think of the bright side/silver lining of a BFN. And, I always had something planned where I would be able to do more (drinking) not getting a BFP even though I was always disappointed. Hope you get your trip and a BFP though!

Hi, to anyone I missed!

AFM, counting the days till the next ultrasound. 11 days to go!

 

[Puppmom]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen, so sorry you're results were disappointing. There's so much to stress about when you are pregnant and it's unfortunate that you have to stress BEFORE! I'm hoping for a positive outcome!

 

[drk]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen - I've been thinking of you today. Hope you got some good news and were able to do a fresh transfer.
The IVF was to solve the MF (very low volume, low numbers, borderline morphology and motility) and the hormone issues I have with PCO and luteal phase defects. I don't think there was anything they could really do about the DNA fragmentation issue apart from try to get a good number of eggs to let natural selection give us the best possible embryos by day 5 to transfer. I suppose it it had been really horrible and our chances of pregnancy very low, we'd have had to consider donor sperm to up our odds. I don't know that DH would have gone for that. I know my first RE (who was into Creighton method fertility stuff) had him on selenium and some other supplements. I have no idea if there's a role for CoQ10 or DHEA for bumping up sperm quality in cases of DNA fragmentation. DH had something like 29.4% DNA fragmentation where 30% was the cutoff for significantly reduced fertility potential.

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Just a quick fly by to say hello and thinking of all of you lovely ladies!

Jen, I'm so sorry for the not so positive update. I hope very much that you have a few good ones to transfer despite the slow growth!

MP, dust and prayers for a wonderful U/S today, can't wait for your update!

AFM: I'm antsy to find out what my FSH level is and have a question. Does it ONLY indicate how many eggs you have left, or does it also predict their quality as well? I am sure that some things will come back fine - prolactin, etc. because I am ovulating. Speaking of, my pre-o temps are LOW compared to previous cycles. I'm not sure if it's because of lifestyle changes (doubt it) or because I had to start temping an hour earlier b/c of work and we just had DST so it's even earlier. Alright, just solved that mystery, duh. I'm trucking along at CD9, FF on my iphone isn't working but hopefully it's fixed soon because I keep forgetting to temp!

JGator, I hope that you're right in your prediction! In the meantime I'm really trying to focus on getting (and staying) healthier. I told DH today that even if I do fall pregnant before I'm at a healthy weight (like 40 lbs from now, to give you an idea), I can't stop keeping close track of my calories/nutrition. It's just a fact of life that for the next several years that's the way it has to be. I lost 4 lbs last week, hope I can keep it up. In a perfect world I would have done this last year, or would have a year to wait to TTC. This isn't a perfect world though, so I have to just do my best and keep reminding myself that things will be okay. Have I mentioned that I'm freaking out about turning 35 in less than a week?

 

[drk]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

https://www.scsadiagnostics.com/home
http://www.inciid.org/printpage.php?cat=maleinfertility&id=442
http://www.andrologyjournal.org/cgi/content/full/26/3/349
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/06/30/daily.sex.helps.reduce.sperm.dna.damage.and.improve.fertility
http://www.procrelys.fr/telechargement/publications/RB2669-antioxydants.pdf

Jen - I did a little more poking around about DNA fragmentation. I'd ask to have the test done and see if the results are truly likely to be the cause of your non-ideal embryo development. Then if the DNA fragmentation is high, your DH might be able to help things (according to those studies/webpages) by avoiding laptops with WiFi, avoiding saunas/hot tubs, taking antioxidants (Vit C and vit E 1g/day), and even maybe ejaculating daily in the days leading up to another IVF cycle. I think they seem to say ICSI may help a bit too. Definitely see if your RE has any recommendations or agrees with what I was able to find. Good luck!

 

[Jen_91909]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

I feel at a loss. Of course, we've just done ivf with icsi so I guess there are no more extreme measures to take if this doesn't work.

I received the call. Of our 12 Morulas yesterday we have 3 that became blastocysts. They biopsied then froze them. I know many people would say to be grateful for 3 blastocysts but I can't help but being concerned that they are even normal. We've lost 19 embryos along the way... And these took longer than they should have to reach this point. Of course I will retain hope, what else can I do right now, but something just doesnt seem right. We're both young. I had 27 mature eggs. I never thought we'd wind up with only three blasts limping their way in. The nurse said all I can do is pray those three are normal. We won't be getting results for a couple of weeks. That'll be a cruel TWW.

Eta - drk thanks for looking into things. I'll check out the links.

 

[mlk]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen, I'm so sorry to hear your news. Sending you trucklaods of dust and hugs.

 

[JGator]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen, sorry you have a long TWW ahead of you. I will be sending positive thoughts your way for your 3 blastocysts. I'm sure they will turn out fine as you are both young.

 

[drk]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Jen - I'm so sorry so many more petered out, but glad you had 3 blasts to test. I hope a couple of them turn out normal. The FET will be a lot easier on your body, which is a bit of a relief. I wish this cycle hadn't sucked so badly for you after such a promising start!
I forgot to mention that they blamed some of our problems on possible crummy eggs too. Who knows what role the sperm/eggs/hormones all played in our lack of success. Will they test your DH for DNA fragmentation while you're waiting for the results on your 3 blasts?

 

[Jen_91909]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Everybody, thanks for the support. It means a lot.

Drk, my re is supposed to give me a call back tomorrow and I plan to ask her about some things, including that testing. I only spoke to the nurse today who wasn't really able to give too much info.

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi girls. Just a quick post from my phone so forgive me. I got my fsh results and for cd3 the level was 6.9. Is that really okay? It seems too close to the max range for normal to me even though she said its fine. Does that mean I'm starting to run out of time? All of the other labs were good though. I can't tell too well w/progesterone bec it was a cd3 draw but it was .7 I think.

 

[BrightSpot]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Still visiting my parents so not much time to post.

Just wanted to stop in & wish mp luck at her u/s today. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Big hugs to Jen. I hope your doc has some more info for you.

Hi to everyone else. I'll try to post more later today or tomorrow. Af has still not arrived, btw.

 

[Puppmom]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Monkey, good luck today!

 

[enbcfsobe]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

MP, thinking of you today!!

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

MP, me too! I am so excited and nervous for you, please update us when you have a moment.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Thank you everyone for checking in on me! I’m happy to say that I finally feel officially just barely pregnant! Ultrasound today went well, and little one is measuring just about on time now (9 weeks 3 days), and by timing of IUI I would be 9 weeks 4 days. So either the baby caught up by three days or the measurements were a little off last time. She said everything looks great, and I’m so relieved. I really appreciate all the support I’ve gotten from all of you ladies during my TTC journey and over the past few weeks! I cannot wait for all of you to join me with your BFPs. I’ll be checking in on you and sending you positive thoughts!

Tammy, your FSH sounds just fine. I wouldn’t worry about it all! I think mine was about 6 as well, and I’m a few years younger than you. Happy early birthday by the way! 35 is not old!

Jen, I’m so very sorry that you did not get the number of blastocysts you were hoping for. I will be sending you prayers that the three little ones that made it are healthy. I really hope you are able to get more information from your RE and possibly some more testing that will give you some answers. Please don’t give up. I truly believe that everyone who desires a baby will get the baby they are meant to have some way, somehow even if it is not necessarily the way you had planned. Big hugs to you.

Bright, hang in there lady. Your AF is just around the corner. Hopefully your body has had plenty of time to recover and you will be ready to get right back in the game shortly. Your time is coming lady!

enbcfsobe, mlk, dandi and all the others, I'm sending you lots of dust as well!

 

[amc80]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi girls. Just a quick post from my phone so forgive me. I got my fsh results and for cd3 the level was 6.9. Is that really okay? It seems too close to the max range for normal to me even though she said its fine. Does that mean I'm starting to run out of time? All of the other labs were good though. I can't tell too well w/progesterone bec it was a cd3 draw but it was .7 I think.

I'd talk to your doc. Found this online. You're under the threshold regardless of your age, even if you are at the top of the range. I do that too- I'll get lab results and they will all be normal, but then I'll analyze where I am within the normal range..."yeah, it's normal, but it's close to abnormal..." I drive myself crazy.

AGE SPECIFIC b-FSH LEVELS
___________________________________________

< 33 Years < 7.0 mIU/ml
33-37 Years < 7.9 mIU/ml
38-40 Years < 8.4 mIU/ml
≥ 41 Years < 8.5 mIU/ml

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Woohoo, MP!!! So happy to hear that everything looks GOOD! I can't wait to join you over there too, hopefully before you're out of the JBP thread!

 

[Puppmom]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Monkey, I am so happy for you! 9 weeks already? My goodness - time is flying!

Bright, I hope AF shows soon! It's so weird not knowing when it's coming. When my post m/c AF showed, I didn't really have the normal PMS symptoms, it just kind of showed up one day. I like a little warning!

 

[tammy77]

Re: The Official TTC Thread!

Hi girls. Just a quick post from my phone so forgive me. I got my fsh results and for cd3 the level was 6.9. Is that really okay? It seems too close to the max range for normal to me even though she said its fine. Does that mean I'm starting to run out of time? All of the other labs were good though. I can't tell too well w/progesterone bec it was a cd3 draw but it was .7 I think.

I'd talk to your doc. Found this online. You're under the threshold regardless of your age, even if you are at the top of the range. I do that too- I'll get lab results and they will all be normal, but then I'll analyze where I am within the normal range..."yeah, it's normal, but it's close to abnormal..." I drive myself crazy.

AGE SPECIFIC b-FSH LEVELS
___________________________________________

< 33 Years < 7.0 mIU/ml
33-37 Years < 7.9 mIU/ml
38-40 Years < 8.4 mIU/ml
≥ 41 Years < 8.5 mIU/ml

Interesting! I couldn't find a specific range, so thank you. I do have a follow up appointment on 3/20 so I'll talk w/her there but I am really glad that it's normal. I think that it's harder when you have these small increments from 1-10 vs 1-100, etc. on labs. I'm sure if it was 1-100 and I got a 69 I wouldn't even think about it!