[Kay]

Kristen- What are you leaning toward on your decision about the ballet?

I am determined not to become stressed about this cycle. DH does feel bad about the illness. What can be done? Nothing.... out of our hands..... like so much in IF. I could be crazy with worry, or take it easy and see what happens. I am choosing the later. Maybe I will talk myself into that .
Kay

[bd711]

Kay - Good luck tomorrow! I'm sorry DH is sick, but I imagine that your RE is right - it will all be fine. The day of my first IUI I have a bad cold/flu. I almost cancelled, but the nurse convinced me that it was ok by reminding me that people get pregnant in all sorts of conditions - when they're sick, when they're in the middle of a war zone, etc. (of course, that was long before I had any idea about my own IF). Well, that IUI worked and I got pregnant. (And the fact that it didn't stick had nothing to do with my flu). The same will be the case with DH tomorrow. It might not be as fun for him, but his little guys will be just fine. And you've got the safety net of ICSI just in case!

Kristen - I imagine a little symphony for your little ones to implant to will be lovely. My RE just says to stay away from the heavy stuff. So maybe no heavy metal concerts (joking). Anyway, enjoy yourself. You'll need all the distractions you can get during your 2ww.

I'm so excited for you'all this coming week. So much happening!

[chantalTTC]

Kay, I totally agree with Bethany... I cannot wait to hear how many eggies they get! Good luck over the next 24 hours until the first fert report - find something to keep your mind occupied.

I'm still undecided as to the ballet Saturday. I really want to go...but I don't want to start off this pregnancy being selfish, you know? I've sent a msg to my RE nurses to see what they think...

[Kay]

We got 25 eggs today from our fantastic donor!! We are expecting a fert report sometime tomorrow.
Kay

[chantalTTC]

Yeah! I posted on the other thread - 25 is amazing!!! Very much looking forward to an incredible fert report tomorrow...

[chantalTTC]

Thanks for everyone's ideas on the ballet thing. I'm giving the tickets away - it's sad to see them go, but it's much more important that I focus on aiding implantation in any way I can right now. My RE confirmed they want my butt on the couch for the three days after ET - I'm taking 5 days, and I'm looking forward to the R&R.

I spoke with the nurse today and my E2 is 44 and P4 is 446, apparently at good levels. Kay, do you know what yours are? I trust the nurse, just curious what other docs say. The nurse also checked on the embies and they're still progressing well...

So my dh surprised me last night and asked if I thought we should reconsider and transfer two vs. one... Oh boy. As you know, we'd decided to only transfer one embryo, as we feel we could better provide for a singleton. We decided to think about and decide on Friday once we know what options we're faced with. I'm hoping nature takes the course that's meant for us and it's a clear decision either way...

Have you decided what your optimal # of embies would be to transfer? What are your reasons, if I can ask?

[Kay]

Kristen- I don't know my levels. I've wondered about this. All they have said is everything is right on track.
We have decided to transfer two. I have always wanted twins. I would be fine with a single or twin. If we don't have twins and we have any snowbabies we will probably do a FET soon after recovering from pg. Wow is that thinking far ahead?!
I think you need to do what feels right for you. If you feel strongly about wanting a singleton, I would stick with that. I have been seeing and hearing that transfering more doesn't actually increase pg rates a lot, but do increase multiples. If your RE thinks transfering two would be better you will have to consider his/her input.
I know you and DH will make the best decision for you and your family plans.
I'm sorry the ballet didn't work out. I'm sure there will be another opportunity for you to go. I think you are doing the right thing though.
You are so close to being PUPO. I'm looking forward to the Nov. due date buddies thread!
Kay

[bd711]

Hi all. A very exciting day. Kay, I'm thinking about your 25 eggs having a little party with your DH's soldiers (ok, that wasn't supposed to sound so bad). Kristen - Sounds like you made the right decision for yourself about the ballet. There will be many other opportunities for events like that - I'm sure once you pass on the tickets you won't look back.

The question about how many to put back has been big on our minds as well. Kay, like you, we'd be happy with twins. We have so many "spontaneous" (non ART) twins in my family (including my mom) that it almost wouldn't be noticed. That said, our clinic tries very hard not to have people get pregnant with multiples - three women in the clinic last year implanted 2 embryos and ended up with triplets (though they said that's really, really rare). But doing our IVF in the fall, our doctor was sympathetic to us trying for twins in part because my DP is already 45. On the other hand, after my ectopic pregnancy I'm a little hesitant to put in any more embryos than I can surely keep track of.

All that said, I'm hoping/expecting it to become more clear as the ET approaches. Our doctor spent quite a bit of time discussing this with us before our IVF ET. I imagine your doctors may do the same.

I can't believe how close you two are to being PUPO! And you'll be joining Shelley, Sandy and Justine so soon! G'nite all.

[BabySteps]

Kay, Good luck on your fertilization report. I can't wait to hear how it goes. Sorry your DH is sick. I am sure everything will be ok.

Kristen, sorry you had to pass up on the ballet but I think you will realize you made the right decission. After the ET I had a hard time concentrating on anything else. Our transfer was before Christmas and I really did not feel like going out much for a couple of days.

My advice to you girls is only transfer the number of embryos that you can see yourself being pregnant with and raising. Donor cycles are very successful.

DH and I are in a good position in our lives to have 3 children. I am a stay at home wife and really can't think of anything better to do than lay around and grow babies for a few months and then spend my days loving and caring for my children....and my husband. I read a post on the triplet connection forum last night from a girl who is the primary income earner in the household and she is devastated how being pg with triplets will impact their lives.

I don't want to be a downer but I think it is important to consider how having mulitples will affect the family situation. For some it is a blessing and for others it creates challenges. I know you girls will make the right decision and the little one (s) will be so lucky to have Mommies like you!

[Kay]

I have great news. We have 17 embies! Hey it just dawned on me..... maybe we could become like the Duggar family lol. It looks like we will transfer on the 25th of Feb.
Thanks for your !
Kay

[chantalTTC]

Hi Shelley - you're so right on all your points. This is my 5th ET and I knew that I'd be giving the tickets away the minute I got them but I think I needed someone to give me permission to do so, you know?

On how many embryos to transfer, I totally agree with you. My husband and I live a very comfortable life financially, though mine is the only 'guaranteed' salary. My dh is an independent filmmaker and although he does well, it's impossible to predict how much he'll make in a given year. So I'm unable yet to take significant time away from my career. We are fortunate to have my mom and other family and friends in town to help, but if we had twins or triplets I know I would feel either my dh or I needed to be there fulltime. Not to mention the impact to my job if I were on bedrest for weeks/months before delivery. Also, I'm 5'7" 120 lbs, so I think it might split me in two to have twins or triplets - that scares the bejesus out of me! Lastly, we are honest with ourselves in that we travel a ton for work and play and our lifestyle would be significantly more impacted having to figure out logistics for 2 or 3 children vs. 1. I realize things will be different enough with only one, but 2 or 3 might be hard to manage...

So all that is driving us (I hope my dh is still on board!) to only transfer one this time 'round. I'm preparing myself to do a FET ( we have snowbabies) if this one fails to implant.

Shelley, I really respect your decision to go for the gusto and embrace your triplets. It's clear you are in a great place emotionally and are well prepared for your growing family. You are going to be such a great mom!

[chantalTTC]

Yeah, Kay!!!! That's fantastic. 17 embryos is so great - you'll most likely have some great blasts on day 5. Yippeeeeee! Monday will be here before you know it. You can treat this weekend as your very last before being PUPO!

[chantalTTC]

Hey, Shelley - hope your appt goes well today. Also, noticed you just have a few days to go until you're in your 2nd trimester - yeah!

[bd711]

Hi guys. I was just popping in and saw Kay's fantastic news!!! You're on your way, m'dear. Enjoy the next 4 days, dreaming about your little guys growing growing growing!

Shelley - I hope the perinatologist visit went well. Let us know.

Also, thanks for the reality check on the multiples. I'm the breadwinner in our family and I haven't been expecting to take that much time off - 3 months max. I realize that with twins it would be longer, but you're right that it can really impact how a household supports itself. On the other hand, the experience my family and friends have had with twins is that it's much harder to begin with, but they immediately have a buddy so later on in their childhood it can actually be a little easier.

Have a great day all! (yippee again Kay!)

[BabySteps]

Congratulations Kay!! That is a great number of embies. I am very happy for you. Are they going to give you daily reports on their development?