[Airman'sBaby]

Age: 23
How long TTC: 2+ years
Diagnosis or any known issues: endo; twisted tubes
Treatments you tried before IVF: nothing. IVF was our only chance because of my tubes
How many IVF did you do before success: Worked the first time
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Baby aspirin, BCP, Lupron, Follistim, Ovidrel, Prometrium
How many follicles at ER: over 25
How many eggs retrieved: 13 (only 6 mature)
How many eggs fertilized: 4
How many days between ER and ET: 5
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 1 morula
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: sore bbs, cramps, fatigue (aka AF symptoms x2)
What day you got your BFP: 9dp5dt
HPT before blood test: Nope. Did it after I got the beta results for novelty's sake.
Number of first beta: 50.6
Number of babies: 1
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process: Apparently women in my family tend to ovulate late in their cycles. After I got the fertilization report, I was disappointed about the number of mature eggs I got. My mom told me she tried an IUI with donor sperm after my dad died to try to give me a sibling, and she ovulated 21 days into her cycle. This may contribute to the fact that my eggs weren't mature at day 14?

[Bella16]

Age: 34
How long TTC: almost 3 years
Diagnosis or any known issues: Unexplained
Treatments you tried before IVF: IUI x 3, clomid x 3
How many IVF did you do before success: 2nd was the winner
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Gonal F, Luveris, Suprefact, baby aspirin, estrace, progesterone supp, xtra iron
How many follicles at ER: 18
How many eggs retrieved: 17
How many eggs fertilized: 13
How many days between ER and ET: 5
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 Blasts - one graded 20 out of 20 and the other was a 19 out of 20
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: cramps, bloating, twinges/pinches/pulling in uterus area and sore tata's, but that was probably from the meds as I always get that when on them
What day you got your BFP: 11dp5dt
HPT before blood test: Heck no, those things terrify me
Number of first beta: 303
Number of babies: Dont know, just found out yesterday - will find out how many in about 3 weeks
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process: How stressful it was going to be. And how worrying wont help a thing - eventhough we all do it.

[patilla22]

Age: 31
How long TTC: not really applicable
Diagnosis or any known issues: husband had a vasectomy
Treatments you tried before IVF: nothing.
How many IVF did you do before success: Worked the first time
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): BCP, Lupron, Gonal-F
How many follicles at ER: 10+
How many eggs retrieved: 11, 6 were mature
How many eggs fertilized: 2
How many days between ER and ET: 3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 "perfect" level 1 8 cell embryos
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: cramping
What day you got your BFP: 8dp3dt (HPT) and officially 12dp3dt
HPT before blood test: Yes...quite a few, in fact!! They are truly addictive!
Number of first beta: 58.6
Number of babies: 2, but found out last Monday that baby B was a vanishing twin.
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process: How incredibly emotional and draining even the simplest parts of the process would be. How INSANE the hormone shots would make me...!! I bet my hubby would have liked a heads up on that too!!
__________________

[Pricklecushion]

Age:39
How long TTC: 3 years
Diagnosis or any known issues:Age/ vasectomy reversal
Treatments you tried before IVF: 1 IUI
How many IVF did you do before success: 2; 1 ended in ectopic
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Follistim, Menopur, Ganirelix, Baby aspirin, BCP, Estrodial, Progesterone suppositories and pills
How many follicles at ER: 8
How many eggs retrieved: 6
How many eggs fertilized: 5
How many days between ER and ET: 3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: I had 5 transfered and all were less than 8 cells. Dr. said one was almost 7 cell and the rest were less. This drove me crazy, but it worked so if you don't have an 8 cell have hope!
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: None
What day you got your BFP:12dp3dt
HPT before blood test: Yes three times all positive
Number of first beta: 112
Number of babies: 1
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process: That it's going to be really hard and the details are going to drive me crazy. It's better just to relax. The only reason I would worry is if I didn't trust my Dr. or clinic.

[Baby4Gerbee]

Age: 34
How long TTC: 3 years
Diagnosis or any known issues: endo
Treatments you tried before IVF: 4 IUI's and lots of rounds of clomid (6 or 7)
How many IVF did you do before success: One
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Baby aspirin, estrogen, vitamin E (1000iu), BCP, Lupron, Follistim, Novarel, Progesterone in oil
How many follicles at ER: 13
How many eggs retrieved: 13 (11 mature)
How many eggs fertilized: all did but only 2 made it to 8 cells for transfer
How many days between ER and ET: 3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 perfect 8 cell, grade A, AH used
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: sore bbs, cramps like AF would show, I think I even felt implantation on 3dpt
What day you got your BFP: 8dp3dt
HPT before blood test: uh, yeah, I took 6!!
Number of first beta: 216
Number of babies: 1
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process:Nope, my RE was great. He filled me in every step of the way.

[merylee]

Name: Beth R.
Age: 31
How long TTC: 3 years
Diagnosis or any known issues: unexplained/Stage 1 endometriosis
Treatments you tried before IVF: IUI x3 with Clomid - IUI Feb 2009 IUI March 2009 IUI April 2009 biochemical/ectopic at first u/s
How many IVF did you do before success:
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: no
Protocol (meds taken): bcp, Lupron, Bravelle, Menopur, Baby aspirin, PNV, Folic Acid, Crinone, Estradiol
How many follicles at ER:
How many eggs retrieved: 9
How many eggs fertilized:
How many days between ER and ET:
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred:
Symptoms or issues during 2WW:
What day you got your BFP:
HPT before blood test:
Number of first beta:
Number of babies:
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process!

[jaxmum]

Name: Tiffany
Age: 38
How long TTC: 2+ years (have gorgeous lil boy who is 3)
Diagnosis or any known issues: MTHFR, Recurrent Miscarriage (4) Thyroid Issues
Treatments you tried before IVF: IUI x 4 with Clomid - IUI Apr 2009 IUI May 2008 IUI June 2008 IUI Oct. 2008
How many IVF did you do before success: One
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: no
Protocol (meds taken): Lupron, Bravelle, Lueveris, Metnax, Estradiol, Lovenox (still taking), progesterone shots, Prometrium
How many follicles at ER: 11
How many eggs retrieved: 10
How many eggs fertilized:8
How many days between ER and ET:5
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 3 blasts, 4AA, 2AB, 2BC
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: sore bb's and severe cramping, thought for sure I was getting a visit from AF.
What day you got your BFP: May 11, 2009
HPT before blood test: Nope..Sooo hard to not do..
Number of first beta: 66
Number of babies: 1
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process! I never realized how hard the process was... I always thought it would be easy, go in, get some eggs, make a baby... Halfway through I thought WTH am I doing.. I have to up most respect for all the ladies that go through this process and those who do it more than once...
Currently 20 weeks pregnant with another litlle BOY.... C-section scheduled for Jan. 8, 2010....

[Kayleia]

Age: 34
How long TTC: almost 3 years
Diagnosis or any known issues: High FSH, 13.3 highest
Treatments you tried before IVF: Clomid, IUI, IVF
How many IVF did you do before success: One Fresh and One Frozen Tranfer
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Bravelle, Menopur, Ganirelix, Estrace
How many follicles at ER: 10
How many eggs retrieved: 10
How many eggs fertilized: 8
How many days between ER and ET: 3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 Transfered, both high quality
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: I don't think I really had any symptoms
What day you got your BFP: 7dp3dt with a hpt (dollar store)
HPT before blood test: Many HPT's
Number of first beta: 134 at 10dp3dt
Number of babies: 2 - Boy/Girl Twins!!!
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process: Try not to compare your situation to everyone else's and trust your doctors.

[bbb]

Age: 28 at time of procedure
How long TTC: less than 1 year
Diagnosis or any known issues: male factor due to pituitary tumor
Treatments you tried before IVF: nothing. IVF was our only option
How many IVF did you do before success: Worked the first time that we actually made it to transfer...which took awhile (see signature).
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Antagonist
How many follicles at ER: not sure
How many eggs retrieved: 24 (only 12 mature)
How many eggs fertilized: 4 that made it all the way-- a few didn't make the freezing (again, see signature)
How many days between ER and ET: 5
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 best quality blasta/morula
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: sore bbs, lots of cramps.
What day you got your BFP: 4 dp5dt on hpt
HPT before blood test: yes! every single day to watch it get darker.
Number of first beta: 451
Number of babies: 2 (boy/boy twins)
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process: Read alternative health books about getting your body ready for pregnancy-- I had been taking supplements, doing acupuncture and had been on a a fertility diet for over a year before doing our 1st ivf. You need to get the toxins out of your body before a baby will want to live there! Giving up sugar, caffeine and junk food is not so hard. The outcome of this is NOT totally out of your hands! Getting your body as ready as possible and positive thinking can both go a long way, along with some kind of spirituality, weather it's prayer or meditation.. whatever. The shots aren't bad at all. Expect that there will be tears-- lots of them-- this is not an easy process, but seeing that 2nd line on a hpt is the most amazing feeling in the whole world!

[silverbrumby]

Hello and congrats to all you BFPers! I hope you don't mind me popping in with a shameless plea for help.

As you can read from my signature, I am still trying. It's been a long and hard road, but I recently switched doctors and will be doing my first IVF in October.

My insurance recently changed to cover IVF so in a way I am blessed. The not so good side of the change is that now there is a maximum benefit for medicines.

While doing IUIs, in a fit of optimism and philanthropy, I donated my "extra" follistim to a lady who was starting her first ivf and was struggling with the costs of the meds. At the time, IVF wasn't covered for me and my meds had no maximum so I wasn't really worried about running out of follistim because I could "always just order a refill".

Now I am finding myself in her shoes. My new benefit limitations mean that most of my follistim won't be covered by insurance and I don't have the kind of money they are asking for.

Ironically, the amount of follistim I need now is the same amount I gave away two months ago. But I can't feel any regret in this matter because two days ago the person I donated the meds to wrote me to tell me that her IVF worked and she is pregnant!

I've come too far to give up now so in an act of desperation I am putting a shout out on the boards to see if there is anyone out there with any extra follistim they'd be willing to donate.

I know this is a long shot but I have to believe that karma is on my side and someone out there will be able to help me out.

[emmysmom]

Age: 26
How long TTC: 5 years
Diagnosis or any known issues: damaged tubes due to 3 ectopics. Finally had tubes clamped to prevent any more problems.
Treatments you tried before IVF: Clomid.
How many IVF did you do before success: One Fresh
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: No
Protocol (meds taken): Gonal F 225, Repronex 75
How many follicles at ER: 19
How many eggs retrieved: 13
How many eggs fertilized: 9
How many days between ER and ET: 3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 Transfered, Grade A 8 cell
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: OHSS, AF like cramps.
What day you got your BFP: 6dp3dt with a First Response Early
HPT before blood test: 6 hpt
Number of first beta: 102 13dp3dt
Number of babies: 1
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process:
__________________

[HopeNow]

Name: Brandy
Age: 27
How long TTC: 1.5 Years
Diagnosis or any known issues: MF
Treatments you tried before IVF: None was told only chance was IVF
How many IVF did you do before success: Worked First Try!
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: Had a back-up sperm donor, but day of ER we had enough from DH!
Protocol (meds taken): Lupron, follistim, menopur, ovidrel, PIO
How many follicles at ER:18
How many eggs retrieved:12 retrieved, 10 mature
How many eggs fertilized:5
How many days between ER and ET:3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 2 7 cell grade 4 (the best grade)
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: Felt implanting twinges, food aversions, strong smells, very tired, and VERY emotional!
What day you got your BFP: 11dpt
HPT before blood test: none too scared!
Number of first beta: 11dpt-114, 15dpt-720, 17dpt-2,366
Number of babies:1

[mytaylor08]

Hello Everyone:

I'm new to this site; I first went thru ivf in 9/07 and have a beautiful 14 month old daughter. We started our second treatment 9/10/09. Wishing and praying for a with the first cycle. If anyone would like to chat about ivf; I'll stay logged on. It's so nice to be able to discuss what can be a very complexed situation that alot of people just can't relate to. The best of luck for all us.


Name: Meme
Age: 30
How long TTC: 4+ years (have gorgeous lil girl who is 14 mths)
Diagnosis or any known issues: blocked tubes/tube removed 07
Treatments you tried before IVF: none
How many IVF did you do before success: One
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: no
Protocol (meds taken): Lupron, Menupor, Bravelle, progesterone, endometrium
How many follicles at ER:
How many eggs retrieved: 8
How many eggs fertilized:7
How many days between ER and ET:3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred:
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: light cramping, fatigue
What day you got your BFP: 10/2007
HPT before blood test: yes 10 I was obsessed..Sooo hard to not do..
Number of first beta: 37
Number of babies: 1
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process! The process was really easy to me. No reactions to the meds. Just some bleeding at one point.


1st IVF
10/2007
Lupron, Bravelle, Menopur
8 eggs retrieved 7 fertilized
2 transeferred

Beta 37

Healthy baby girl born 7/13/08 (easy 4 hr. labor/delivery)

2nd IVF started 9/11/09
Lupron since 9/11/09
9/20/09 Begin lupron 5u/bravelle/menopur

[melarooni17]

Name: Melinda
Age: 29
How long TTC: 1 year - now have twin boys - 14 months old!
Diagnosis or any known issues: DH - NOA
Treatments you tried before IVF: none
How many IVF did you do before success: none
Are you using donor eggs or sperm: no
Protocol (meds taken): Lupron, Menupor, progesterone
How many follicles at ER: not sure - a good amount
How many eggs retrieved: 10
How many eggs fertilized:4
How many days between ER and ET:3
How many and quality/rating of embryos/blasts transferred: 3 - 8 cell, 1 - 4 cell
Symptoms or issues during 2WW: little twinges
What day you got your BFP: Dec. 11, 2007
HPT before blood test: no - i restrained myself
Number of first beta: 146 I think?? In my signature
Number of babies: 2 bundles of absolute joy!
Anything else you would have wanted to know before you started this process! Extremely stressful for DH...as for me also, but he was very upset at dx. All in all, in the end, I look at my two boys and they are the best thing that has ever happened to me (and marrying my DH - he always make me throw that in there) . It is a hard process, but keep your chin up and think positive all the time - it is hard, but in the end it is soooooooooo worth it! good luck everyone!

[bistro]

WOW - this thread is great! So inspiring! I am going in for a Beta on Wednesday for my 3rd IUI. I am 95% sure this will be my last IUI. If it's positive - YAY! If it's negative, I would like to move straight to IVF.

It is great to see so many on the first try here. Thank you for posting and congrats to you all!