[sunny72]

Alana, I love your new wee pic!

Well, it's definately going to take some extra courage for us all to try again. Have faith that although there is a chance something could happen again, you hear so many stories about people having miscarriages and going on to have good pregnancies and healthy babies. It is rumored that my grandma had a m/c after her 3rd and went on to have 7 more children. Clearly she never had IF issues, but I've heard many more stories of people going on to have good luck. Actually, the friend of mine that my mother was telling me is heavily pregnant with her third, had a miscarriage after her first and she's had two good pregnancies since it seems.

I know it's hard, we've really been put through the ringer as my ob-gyn said. I couldn't have worded it better. I hope you start to feel less anxious about it all, and I really hope you get some good luck from here on. You deserve it.

[jencat215]

Originally Posted by mnm000

Hi everyone,
I have been following some of these posts for a few weeks, gaining some information. Currently dealing with tests and just beginning my journey into infertility, but the one thing I can offer is the name of the book you all were talking about.
It is called "The Red Tent" I believe. It's been awhile since I read it, but it was definitely a good book.
Best wishes to all.

Yes, that is it!!! The Red Tent. My friend wrote me back today. It is by Anita Diamante. Great book. Today when I saw the title I remembered what the Red Tent was-

Anyway, thanks and ! Hope your tests give you good information.

Alana- love the new photo. So cute! Oh, and I expect I will be CD1 in about a week so I am just a week or so behind you! Keep the faith. And remember, practice makes perfect (okay, now I wanna puke!!!).

Susan- Remember- you don't drink no f*&^ing Merlot!!! Sav blanc is okay for summer/picnics especially. I had a Duckhorn Sav blanc in P-town...had to go white cause I was eating lobster...

Shelly-I will try to rent the movie for this weekend.

Sunny- I can hear your Boston/NZ accent when I read the bit about "Alana, I love your new wee pic"...so funny

[sunny72]

AF just stopped abruptly? Packed her bags and left. That was only 3 days total, of which only 24 hours of it was worth mentioning. Is she playing tricks and waiting for me to let my guard down again and then bamm? Strangest visit from AF I ever had, but then I wasn't expecting a "normal" one.

Here are my questions so far for RE on Friday:

- What the h*ll happened? any clues?
- How many cycles does he suggest we wait until FET? ob-gyn says 2
- With the best scenario being that all 5 embryos survive the thaw, how many would he suggest putting back? do you refreeze unused ones again? how does that work?
- Is there a chance they were a bad batch? hence the m/c or does each embryo has it's own set of circumstances?
- What does he think our odds are for FET? (last time fresh cycle it was 60%)

I can't think of anything intelligent to ask, I just want him to tell me it's going to work it.

[jencat215]

I can partly answer a few of your questions...First, yes AF can be erratic after the m/c. I was told that some women take a few cycles to get back to normal, some get back to normal right away. Sometimes it is lighter, sometimes it is way more heavy. AF is a wicked, wicked 'friend' and just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are gonna get!

As for the re-freezing embies. I am SURE that they freeze the embryos separately. It would seem stupid not to. That way you can decide on how many to thaw and transfer. In cell culture, when you freeze mammalian or bacterial cells, you usually place them in a freezing medium such as glycerol or DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide- stinky chemical). Anyway, depending on the cell type, you either flash freeze them (quickly drop them in liquid nitrogen, -196 C) like I do competent bacterial cells, place them directly at -70 C, for transformed bacterial cells. Or do a step-wise freezing from putting the cells in the cyro-protectant solution on ice, then transferring the cells to a -20 C for 1 hour, then a -70 C freezer overnight, then eventually into liquid nitrogen (-196 C). This is done with mammalian cells. To thaw mammalian cells, you normally warm them quickly from the deep freeze to 37 C in a water bath, then put them in growth medium. Depending on the cell line, the cells can start to grow anywhere from a day to several days. By mammalian cells, I mean anything from mouse cells, dog cells, hamster cells and many different types of human cells- most from some sort of cancer. With these cell types, you generally let the cells divide for a round or 2, then can refreeze them. When those are thawed, many survive. But here we are taking about 1-10 million cells. The culture as a whole can afford to take major hits (many cells dying).

So, I assume (although I really don't know the procedure for embies so here I am speculating) that they will thaw your embryos and let them grow in some sort of growth medium (chock full of nutrients such as trace metals, amino acids, etc) until they show signs of life-dividing. I found an article where they reported a case of a successful pregnancy after refreezing/thawing an embryo.
Successful pregnancy following replacement of embryos previously refrozen at blastocyst stage: Case report -- Farhat et al. 16 (2): 337 -- Human Reproduction

But still, I don't think they would thaw all of them unless you wanted to implant all, or if the intial ones didn't make it. But I hope all of them do! And I truly believe that the skill of the person handling the embabies plays a major role. Just like in any lab.

No, every embryo will be different...different traits, different genes, just like 2 sisters (non identical) or 2 brothers or a brother and a sisters. Maybe 1 might have fragmented chromosomes. Maybe they all have perfectly normal chromosomes. Your m/c should not reflect the outcome of any of your snowbabies. The only way it could is if your m/c was from some sort of genetic issue that was passed down to some or all of the other embryos. But that is HIGHLY unlikely.

As for the number of cycles you have to wait, I am willing to guess that your RE will say you need to make sure you have a normal cycle (or 2) and after your uterus has healed from the D&C. Depending on the person, it could take 2-3 cycles. Some women are ready to go the next cycle. And some women have any easier time conceiving after the D&C - it does clear out your uterus, making it ready for future implantation...

As for your odds, I really really want your FET to work so I am going to say 100%. Cause I really really want it.

Okay, now that I have bored you...

[jencat215]

I tried to reread my last post to check for errors, but I just got too bored...

[JustPeachy]

Girls I hope you don't mind... it's been a long day so I'm copying my post from earlier from the January thread. I'm apologizing ahead for my laziness but it's been a rough day.

Oh, and Shellyhume, I wasn't at all offended! I more meant to say that I feel as though religiously I have to "prove" myself to whatever higher power you believe it. Trust me, I had more than a few friendly conversations with my higher power today! And, I love all the religious diversity in here. I always enjoy surronding myself with all different backgrounds. Ok, here's my earlier post:

Let me start my post by saying the baby is fine....

but, I spent the night in the hospital. Urgh. I woke up at 4am and something didn't feel right. To be frank, I felt like I was leaking. I got out of bed and my panties were soaked in blood, with more coming out, and a clot. So, I immediately got my heartbeat monitor. Thank g-d for that contraption. I found the baby's heartbeat right away but knew this amount of blood could not be normal. I called my OB and left a message and she called me back within 5 minutes and told me to go straight to the hospital (after I apologized profusely for waking her). My OB met me there within the hour and was great the whole time. They found the baby's heartbeat right away too with their doppler and brought in the u/s. We could see the baby moving around and they hooked me up to monitors to check for contractions. Thankfully lots of cramping but no contractions. They checked my cervix and it's closed and also checked the fluids leaking to make sure it wasn't amniotic fluid. All good. So then we just had to wait until the perinatologist opened in the hospital at 8am to go for the high tech u/s.

The great news is the baby is measuring a week ahead and is definitely a BOY. Bad news is Mom has full blown placenta previa with the placenta completely covering my cervix. There is a chance that it will still move. The doctors will make a decision at 30 weeks. Otherwise, I'll be scheduled for a c-section at 36 weeks which is fine with me. I am back on my modified bed rest and go back to the OB tomorrow and the perinatologist in 2 weeks. The only concern my OB has is if this bleeding keeps up. She said after about the 4th emergency trip to the hospital they'll most likely make the call to just keep me at the hospital on bed rest there for the rest of the pregnancy. Please may that not happen. Bed rest at home is about all I can get my head around right now.

[sunny72]

Gosh Peachy, I'm glad everything is okay and the little man is still doing well. I stopped breathing for a second when I started to read your post.

You are just going to have to play the role of Cleopatra until the baby is born. I'll be thinking of you and hoping everything continues to be okay and that the bleeding subsides and doesn't come back.

[jencat215]

Rachel- I am glad everything is okay with your son (wow, a boy!!! so nice to really know). You take good care of yourself. So, are you going to stop working and stay home now?

[GRITS]

Sunny, I am sorry for your mom's insensitivity. Have you told her how you feel? Before you give up, talk to her. You will not regret trying, but if something ever happened to her you could regret not trying. Just a thought............ .........Like Peachy suggested, There is always caller ID if everythig else fails
On your obg ?.....I want to know the answers you get. I only get to put back two with FET, and % is only like 26% now for me I was told. Oh, and they are using hormones to ensure a 'cycle' for me to try after my first AF


Peachy, I have found it interesting how moving up north has made me hold on to southern things I always took for granted. That is when the name GRITS came in, (Girl Raised In The South). Not that my accent wouldn't give it away. Your DH sounds like he is really wonderful despite the clothes shrinking. He's got the important stuff down.
I just read your newest post, (I am a little behind I reply as I read). I am SO Sorry about your difficulties! I am so relieved the baby, I mean your little boy is okay. Bed rest, yuk! I know that is driving you crazy. But if the results are good, who cares right. I hope things calm down for you and you can rest at home. I will be praying for you and your boy. A boy, DH must be estatic! Let us know what his name will be.

Jen, I did not mention I have a sister named Jennifer also! And I for one love your biology lessons!

Hey Alana, good to see you again. Cute pic.Nope I do not mind you stealing my name. I am glad AF showed up for you. I can understand the cold feet. The idea of repeating the same trauma is scary. Ask yourself if a baby is something you want? If it is, just pray for the best, put your faith in God if you can, and trudge forward. You can do it, and we are all here for you if you need support. I am glad you decide to go forward.

mnm000, Hello! Best wishes to you too.

I went to the Obg yesterday, she said all looked well down there. I have not got my hcg # back yet. I hope it went way down.

[JustPeachy]

Hi everyone - Thanks for all your great words and support! I'm doing better today. I had a followup appt. with my OB today. She and the perinatologist confered yesterday and everyone is on the same page with the diagnosis of placenta previa. So, now the big thing is just convincing the baby to stay comfy for at least a few more months!

Jen - I am going to take it very easy work wise. I had set up an appt. with my boss (my broker) today but he canceled at the last minute. Urgh. So, I'm going to try to find some other agents to co-list my existing homes with so I don't have to do as much of the running around. I'll probably leave the house for a couple of hours a day so I don't go completely nuts.

Alana - I didn't even get a chance to tell you yesterday what a beautiful new picture you have. Please keep letting us know how this cycle is going so we can cheer you on. I can fully understand your reservations.

Grits - I am so glad your appt went well at the ob/gyn yesterday. I kept thinking Grits was a Southern nickname for my favorite dish at the Waffle House!

Sunny - Thanks for the kind words. I like the Cleopatra idea and I already have the bangs to match!

[jencat215]

yummm! grits at the Waffle House... Brenna's title always makes me think about grits with salt and butter.... yum!

[Shellyhume]

Rach!!! Congratulations!! A boy... that's so wonderful. Wow... never been so pleased about someone ELSE's pregnancy!!

I'm so glad everything is okay, too... I can only imagine what your soul was going through at that time... whew. Again, glad everything's okay.

ugh, friday... TGIF, right?!?! yessah. SLEEP!!!

[sunny72]

Jen, thank you for the bio lesson. I've had to go back a number of times to read it as my brain switches off whenever someone tries to teach it something. LOL. Seriously though, I really do appreciate any information.

AF came back this morning with a chip on her shoulder. She waited until I left the house and went shopping. Luckily I hadn't let my guard down. I think she's just mad that I tried to get rid of her for 9 months.

I've tried grits, but not sure I was a fan. I stick to hashbrowns or homestyle potatoes.

And welcome mnm000!!!!!!!

[designdiva32]

OMG!! I miss a day and come back to what I thought for the longest second of my life was very bad news from Rachael. I almost had a heartattack! I was sooooo relieved to see all is actually doing okay and that you are going to have a little boy. Congratulations hun, that is fantastic! Now you get to narrow your name choices down to just the male ones which should make it a little easier. Plus, as Heidi mentioned, while you lie around getting fawned over as I hope you are, you will have plenty of time to make a list...which I can't wait to hear. Do you have any favourites?

Heidi, Jen, Grits, thanks for the compliment on the photo. I've got about five of me all in similar positions that DH and I took for fun as I have no recent ones of late. Anyway, I'm not one for liking my own pictures, so if it changes daily when I have one of my 'Oh God look at her ugly mug!' days I apologize in advance!

As for my decision to go through with this cycle...I finally woke up this morning and remembered again why I'm doing this, to start a family, and so I got myself over to the clinic, had the ultrasound and I am now on the letrazole for 5 days. Also Heidi, I too was having the light weird AF...until of course, wouldn't you know it, my RE shoves that horrible u/s probe in and moves it around so she decides to show up with a vengeance. Ugh...I hate day 3 ultrasounds! My RE of course couldn't care less, he sees it all day and actually thinks its funny I get so shy. I'm just not used to all this bodily fluid stuff in front of others. Gotta get over that though....I'm guessing giving birth is pretty messy too!

Jencat, I hope you are cycling with me soon. It sounds like Heidi and I are now pretty much on the same week. Will you bother to try naturally Heidi or just give yourself a much needed rest? Honestly, if I didn't have the IUI to get me pregnant right now I wouldn't even bother. I still have no mojo and I'm not expecting it back anytime soon, so babydancing is just not an option. Guess its to be expected though. Oh, and I was chatting to my RE about the miscarriage and how I was afraid of it happening again because of the dodgy sperm etc, and he basically said its so common its ridiculous how many women have miscarriages, and not to assume its an issue. So that kinda helped. He also said he didn't think the aspirin would help, but he didn't say it would hurt either so I might try it anyway.

Meanwhile, keep up the updates everyone. Susan, Shelly, where are you girls at in your cycles now? I hope Grits that AF joins you soon so we can encourage each other along. You girls are all so supportive and amazing...I don't know what I'd do without you.

[Angelwithhope]

Ladies, I have missed so much and am having a hard time keeping up! LOL. I hope you are all doing as well as can be!!!