[bd711]

Babysteps - Yes, I know what you mean about no regrets. As many things as I've gone through on this IF journey, I don't feel like I'd have done anything differently (well, little timing mistakes early on with the IUIs, things like that - but none of the major steps). So I don't expect to have any about the DE process. My only concern is that we're using an unproven donor. She's only 24, and all indications are that she'll be fabulous. But I can't boast of her many kids and multiple donations. I'm just hoping that this is the beginning of a good run for her - everyone has to start somewhere, right?

So, you're in CA? Are you up north here in the storms? It's nutty out there!

[FurBaby]

BabySteps, It's complicated to do it within Canada. The law is very grey on the issue. I didn't have to go to the states but my RE's office worked in conjunction with an agency in the US. This made it very, very expensive.

hugs,

[BabySteps]

bd711 good luck with your donor. Keep me posted on how it goes! Yes all donors have to start somewhere. You are absolutely right about that!!

I am in Southern California...Santa Clarita. It has been raining all day. I am not sure if it is the pregnancy or the rain and cold weather but I have been hungry all day!!! I am happy that we do not live in the area where the fires were so we do not have to worry about mudslides or flooding!

[Justine]

Hello ladies,

Thank goodness I found you all. Wanted to congratulate Babysteps on BFP! I am also using ED and am currently doing 2ww. The entire process is so difficult but my husband and I followed our RE's advice and went ahead with ED to increase our chances. So expensive and we have put everything we have into this..I was really sad/disappointed when I found at they retrieved only 5 eggs. Although they all fertilized only two made it to embryos (5 and 6 cells), which we did the ET on Jan 9th. I had expected embryos to freeze in case this doesn't work, or for a future sibling, possibly. I know it only takes one but all of this is riding on this one shot. That's what scares me.

[BabySteps]

I know exactly how you feel Justine. I had the same thing happened to me. I was really disappointed that there were only 3 embryos that made it to day 5. I cried a couple of days over it. Silly I know but I really had the understanding that if you used a young donor there would be enough embryos to freeze.

Justine my thoughts and prayers are with you. The 2ww is very frightening, just hang in there and get lots of rest before long you will get some good news that you are pregnant!!!! I totally did not think that it worked for me. I didn't have any symptoms and I was only beginning to get tired after the two weeks. Using a DE has high success rates and you too will be one of the stats!!! Maybe even twins!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you! Big hug!

[Justine]

Shelley,

Thanks for the encouragement. Really, the 2ww is not that bad as I am afraid to hear that it did not work--at least now I can still hope. I was devastated after the tx when I understood that this is our one chance. It took me at least a full day to get my head past that. I think it was a coping strategy, to have a backup/security. It helped me to think I had a contingency plan. Now? I'm afraid to hope to much, so trying to keep busy and wish for the best! I know that if this works it will have been worth it, many times over. It really helps to read others' IF history and then see BFP at the end, that's for sure.

[bd711]

Shelley (Babysteps) - Looks like you're going to have a lot of babies stepping in your life soon! I saw in your signature that you're expecting triplets. That's fantastic!!! I'm so excited for you. You're so very pregnant. I hope you're doing well. B

[BabySteps]

Thanks Bethany, so far I am doing really good but it is early. I have another U/S on Jan 31. I am so happy I am pg but I am freaking out about 3. I would love 3 children believe me....I worry about the risks for me and the babies. I will be seeing a specialists to talk about the risks and all that other stuff they have to tell you that scares the begezers out of you!

[odmom2b]

Shelley--Congratulations!!!! OMG!!!! That is SO wonderful! I am thrilled for you. I know that you must be overwhelmed but excited. Please let us know how your u/s goes on the 31st. I'll keep you in my prayers .

FurBaby--I saw that you had a doppler. Are you keeping up w/the heartbeats that way? Did you rent or buy? How often do you check? I saw one advertised in a magazine and now I am very curious. I thought that it wouldn't work under 20wks. I would LOVE to have one to check on our little peanut. Which company did you use? Thanks!

[lucyxyz]

Hi there,

We had a great transfer on 11/20. 2 4aa 5 day blasties. First beta was 170, second great etc. All was well until last Friday when I noticed a little blood when I used the restroom. Unfortunately we finally miscarried the following Thursday. We have 9 frozen embies. 1 is a 5aa, 1 is a 4aa, then they go to 4 a/b etc. Anyway, has anyone had a successful live birth with DE's AFTER miscarriage with DE's?

Thanks so much.

[Justine]

Lucy,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you, we're here for you/

[FurBaby]

Odmom2b, yes I use my doppler for my own sanity, to make sure that there are two heartbeats in there. I guess once the babies start moving around it wont be as bad, but this gives me piece of mind. Mine is a HI BEBE and I bought it from the manufacturer in BC. They are available at Ebay and Amazon. You can also rent them from other companies. Someone posted info on that in the pregnancy forum about it. Sorry I can't remember the name. Anyway, there are a variety of different dopplers out there. Mine cost me $120.00.

Lucy, so sorry to hear of your m/c. I can't help with your question, but my thoughts are with you.

Justine, congrats on your , that's a great first beta number you've got there.

Hugs,

[odmom2b]

FurBaby--thanks so much for the info. I would love to rent a doppler. I'll look into it.

Justine--congratulations!!!! That is wonderful! Great Beta.

Lucy--I too am so sorry for your loss. I don't have an answer to your question either, but I'm sure that as long as there were no other complications and your doctor says your OK, then you should be OK to try again when you're ready. My heart definitely goes out to you.

[Becca10]

Babysteps-I was really happy to read your post and congrats on TRIPLETS! I was an egg donor in 05 and 06, and the couple I donated to had triplets the first time and one more a yr and a half later. My retrieval the first time yielded 10 eggs but only 4 were viable and 3 took....the second time I had 9 eggs and 2 were good but 1 took. I loved being an ED, but the second time around my body had a hard time from the Follistem. Still no regrets and it made me proud to help this couple have a family. Good luck to you!

[bd711]

Hi all. Everyone's looking really busy - some with one or more little guys in there. I'm thinking of you'all. And hoping to follow in your footsteps soon!

Lucy - I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Is your doctor planning to do any tests before a FET? Unless there's something in particular going on, I don't see any reason that they wouldn't be able to move on to a FET whenever you'd be ready to conceive again under normal circumstances after a m/c. Those of us on this thread may have limited experience with trying again with frozen embies after a m/c, but throughout this site there are so, so many with successes. Regardless, take care of yourself and give yourself time to mourn this loss.

Becca - I really hope that this next IUI works out for you. You are an angel for donating your eggs - and twice even. I'm excited for you that you're on the road to your own.

So, I've been wanting to write an update, but I've been wary to feel too settled until this week. DP and I selected our donor in late December - and we've felt great about her since. But I didn't want to get too, too attached until she had gone through her screening. Well, she had her screening this week, and it went fabulously. What was truly heartwarming about it was when the nurse called to tell us about it, and the first thing she said - really genuinely - was "Your donor is so nice, and so smart. And cute too, but really, she seems like such a good person." Her antral follicle count went well also. But it was great having confirmation of our sense of her. Like I said, it was heartwarming.

So, we got our schedule, and we'll be doing the ER around March 19 and the ET around the 24th. I realize that's still almost 2 months away, but it's fantastic to have a path in front of us.

Ah, it's so nice to be able to write this out. We're on our way!