Getting Pregnant
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Re: Let's do this again... Tell your TTC story
DH and I started dating in '06, and stopped using protection in early '07. My cycles have always been totally regular, 30 days, nothing abnormal but I had always had the feeling that I would have trouble TTC.
After a few years of just letting things be and having sex from CD 12-15 I asked my gyn about it and he ran some tests and said things looked normal so we should just keep trying. Eventually he referred us to an RE in '10 who did more tests and didn't really see anything wrong either. DH's SA wasn't perfect, but wasn't terrible, so we moved forward with IUIs. We did about 5 of those with no luck.
We decided to move to IVF with a diagnosis of unexplained IF. We did our first IVF in June '11 and had a fabulous response to meds and they got like 20 eggs, but by the day of transfer there were only 2 that were viable, so we put those in and one stuck. Things were going okay and my betas were rising and we got to see the heartbeat, but then the fetus stopped growing and we had to have a D&C.
We did another round of IVF in '12 and that didn't stick, so here we are.
We did get a second opinion and that doctor things that I have an egg quality issue and said that he would only recommend donor eggs, which we can't afford.
We are now trying to come to terms with being child free.
"I DO NOT love that you think so many things revolve around you. I know you're bitter. I get it. But I'm over your feelings." The best person on the internet ever!
DH and I were married in the spring of 2009 and started trying in Nov 2010. At first it was all fun, no temping or charting (I miss those hopeful times). After a year of that we started temping, using OPKs etc. We took a few small breaks for mental sanity, job changes etc. but I started to really lose it at the two year mark.
We decided to go to an RE in Jan 2013. Everything looked normal on the surface and our RE was really hopeful but when the blood tests came back it basically said I have little to no hope of ever having a biological child. Most fertility clinics rejected me as an IVF candidate and I was told I had a 5% chance of getting pregnant with multiple rounds of IVF. We were all out of pocket and were not at the place to toss away $30,000 for a 5% chance.
I totally went off the deep end. I cut off all my friends and family, threw myself into my career and ended up in therapy. After a few months of that we decided to go the donor egg route. It was a hard process giving up the idea of the biological link. We started doing research on donor eggs and came across a production company doing a documentary on the topic. We signed up and got in.
Then it was a 6 month whirlwind of cameras, lawyers, potential donors, piles of paperwork, producers, flights and drives to another city 500 miles away. It was extremely emotional meeting our donor, it's the clearest memory I have of the time.
We started our DE IVF cycle on July 5th and the transfer date was around July 25th (I think). I can't give all the details but basically I'm 23 weeks pregnant with boy/girl twins.
I'm thankful everyday for my story but the pain of infertility was not something I'll ever forget. It's the type of pain that changes you forever.
We started seeing the RE after about 10 months. All of my tests were normal. DH had a fantastic count and motility, but 1% morph. The RE wasn't concerned though because his count was so high. We were diagnosed as Unexplained.
Our insurance at the time covered testing and meds for TI but nothing else. We tried 3 TI and 1 IUI oop and then changed insurance. At the beginning of 2013 we did another IUI and then decided to move on. Each time DHs count got lower and worse.
IVF #1 was a big failure. Lots of eggs retrieved, but nothing made it to blast and nothing to freeze. We transferred two and neither took. I then started acupuncture and moved on to IVF #2. Again, lots retrieved but this time the quality was so much better. We transferred one hatching blast and froze 7! IVF #2 was a BFP, our first ever! Unfortunately, it ended up being a blighted ovum. We waited a couple weeks for it to end naturally and then finally had a D&C.
We're trying naturally this cycle and plan on our first FET being in January.
dx: Unexplained IF (mild MFI)
TTC since May 2011, 1 year trying, and then 3 TI, 2 IUI = BFN
IVF #1 (May 2013): Antagonist Protocol:24R, 18M, 15F w/ICSI; 5dt of 2 early blasts, no frosties = BFN
IVF #2 (August 2013): Lupron Stop Protocol:
28R, 23M, 15F w/ICSI; 5dt of 1 partially hatched blast, 7 frosties = BFP
EDD 5/23/14, blighted ovum (6w6d), D&C (8w6d)
FET #1 (April 2014): transferred 2 5d blasts = BFP
C.J. born 01/09/15
All of you have such amazing stories! I really enjoyed reading them. You're all such strong women. I know I haven't been on here long, but I've learned so much from each of you and think you're all really great!
My story isn't long or eventful, so feel free not to read it, I won't be insulted. DH and I got married in June 2013. We decided to wait to TTC until after our honeymoon. When we returned we started some renovations on our new house, so we decided to wait a couple more months. My first cycle off BCP was in Sept. 2013. Surprisingly AF arrived about 1 week later than normal. I sort of charted in October, but wasn't serious about it. I did learn from FF that I ovulate later than the typical CD14. In November, I started temping everyday and just enjoying ST with DH. I didn't have high expectations and anticipated it would take us a couple more cycles. I bought some wondfos off Amazon and decided to test just because, thinking it was way too early. I got a squinter at 9dpo, and a positive frer a few days later. We're expecting our little nugget in early Aug. 2014.
"You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." - Dr. SeussAfter going through 3 REs we finally found one that worked well with us. We went through another round of testing and I went on BCP. DH's numbers came back and everything was basically good. I had blood work done and my testosterone levels were pretty high and my TSH level was 11. I got started on levothyroxine to see if getting my thyroid levels down would help my cycles. It didn't.
I went in for an HSG and while my tubes were clear they found a growth on my uterus so I needed a uterine biopsy done. Luckily, the biopsy came back clear. After the HSG/ biopsy I bled heavily for two and a half months even while on the pill.
My RE decided to put me on Clomid 100mg. I O'd for the first time ever! We did two more cycles on 100mg, but I did not respond on the third cycle, so we bumped the dosage up to 150mg and it made me ovulate and we were successful that cycle.
TTC#2 4/14
A Parachute in an Oak Tree: A World of Love
Cinnabun and Junebug say, "Go Wildcats!"
This is also PR.
I got off BCP in December 2010, and we officially started trying in March 2011.
I got a bfp May 2011, and started spotting around 8 weeks. Had betas drawn and found out I was miscarrying. My OB told me to take at least one cycle off before trying again, which we did. In September, I got another bfp, only to have spotting again, this time around 9 weeks. My OB got me in for an u/s and we saw an empty sac, and my betas showed that I was miscarrying again. I asked for some testing, but my Dr. insisted that they don't see it as an issue until I've had 3 losses, so I decided to switch to an RE to see if something was going on.
I had the RPL done, and everything came back normal. My HSG showed one of my tubes was blocked, as well as what seemed to be a uterine septum. I had laproscopic surgery to correct the tube and the scope showed that it was not a septum, but that my uterus was slightly heart shaped. Neither of these were really factors with the losses, though, thank goodness.
Because my bloodwork came back fine, as did DH's s/a, my RE suggested that we may have an egg quality issue, so she suggested we try Clomid, which may help produce better eggs. In July 2012, I got a bfp on my second clomid cycle, but ended up spotting around 7 weeks, and miscarried once again. I had genetic karyotyping done this time, and again there was nothing that could be seen that was causing the losses.
My RE suggested we take a break and try on our own and if we wanted to try another medicated cycle, that Femara may be a better option. We were going to start Femara in February 2013, but in January, I got a bfp. My RE decided to treat me as if I had a clotting disorder because she's had a lot of luck with this protocol for her patients with unexplained repeat losses. I started on a cocktail of baby aspirin, progesterone, and lovenox injections, and if that worked out, would remain on this protocol throughout first Tri. This seemed to be just what I needed, and I gave birth to a healthy baby boy September 27.
My new bff Gayle Forman!
“You can have your wishes, your plans, but at the end of the day, it's out of your control"
- Gayle Forman
"People talk about escapism as if it's a bad thing... Once you've escaped, once you come back, the world is not the same as when you left it. You come back to it with skills, weapons, knowledge you didn't have before. Then you are better equipped to deal with your current reality."
- Neil Gaiman
Married Bio
We took a cycle off and started TTC again in January. I got pregnant again in June 2011. I had good betas, a good early ultrasound, no progesterone issues. I had a normal OB appointment in mid-August 2011, at 11 weeks and learned that my baby's heart stopped beating a week earlier. I had another D&C and had genetic testing done on the baby. We learned she was a girl, and she had Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). This led to a meeting with a genetic counselor where we discussed our risk of chromosome abnormalities in future pregnancies, which is higher than my age-related risk. My OB also did the repeat loss panel which came back normal except for one marker that they felt wasn't a big deal. I also got a referral to a RE for more testing including a SHG. The RE decided I had "really bad luck" and told us to keep trying.
Congrats to both my TTC buddies, Amberley18 and sb2006 on their beautiful babies!
At this point we had a full RPL panel done and again it was all normal. Our RE felt we just had crappy luck and wasn't really willing to try anything different but also suggested that we might want to do IVF with PGD. We decided to get a second opinion. We met with an awesome RE who suggested we try Femera and IUI, baby aspirin and progesterone post IUI. Due to some timing issues we waited a few months to start and never needed to.
Cycle 8,9,10 - 50mg Clomid - BFN
We got some inconclusive diagnoses, ate all orgnaic, and did acupuncture. I injected myself with blood thinners. Nothing helped. After much discussion, endless tears, and desperate prayers, we decided to start TTA again and pursue adoption. We are currently saving for adoption while we try to buy a home. We are hoping to start the process sometime in 2014.
Married August 2009
3 years. 5 losses.
Our rainbow baby boy born 11.16.15
Married August 2009
3 years. 5 losses.
Our rainbow baby boy born 11.16.15
I had long/irregular cycles and periods from when I started my period until I went onto BCP when I was 19 years old.
Dh and I were married in 2004. We knew we wanted to have kid(s).
I had wanted to start trying at 25 years old but we weren't where we wanted to be career and financially. Over the years we would kind of "switch off" being ready. I would be ready, dh wouldn't. He would be ready, I wouldn't, etc.
I said "when I turn 30 we will ttc whether we are ready or not." We'll, I was wrong :-) I was unhappy at my job and knew i would have a hard time having kids and working there. I was pretty darn miserable. I looked for a new job for a long time (over two years).
I had been on BCP for over 10
Years.
I went off BCP in April 2012 but still Nttc. I tracked my cycles. In June 2012 I got a wonderful job after years of working my miserable job.
We started ttc in October 2012 and got our BFP about one year ago - less than a month from my 31st birthday. Edd 8/7/13
I had some troubling genetic results early in the pg. after further testing, our chances of ds being sick were reduced. I was dx a high risk PG at about 24 weeks unrelated to the possible genetic conditions. At 36 weeks I was told DS was breech. We scheduled a c/s for 8/5/13. DS broke my water and was born via c/s 8/1/13 due to being breech. He appears to be perfectly healthy and I am greatful every day.
We will have been married 10 years in July 2014.
When you've been married this long, you need a ticker to remind you.
Baby Boy M - 08/01/2013
My sorted tale...
April 2011 I went off of BCPs I tempted and charted and never ovulated, I used provera 2 times to induce a period. In Sept 2012 we decided to do 50 mg of clomid. Blood work showed I ovulated and we had good timing but it didn't work. We did 2 more cycles of clomid both unsuccessful. I had an HSG done. Everything was clear.
Dec 2011 DH had a semen analysis. His count came out as zero. We found the best IF urologist in Boston and made an appointment. Repeat s/a showed still zero. No blockages no hormonal imbalance. There is no scientific reason for DH to not have sperm.
April 2012 DH goes in for a TESE- testicular semen extraction. They found 5 enough sperm for 5 vials. So we could do 5 round of IVF (ICSI).
June 2012 IVF #1 - wrong meds, took about a month to stim for only 4 eggs. very poor quality embryos resulted in a BFN.
August 2012 - IVF #2 - got the meds right this time! PG with twins!
Dec 2012- anatomy scan reveals a boy and a girl and a funneling incompetent cervix. I was admitted to the hospital for 4 days and delivered my twins at 19w4d. They were with us about an hour before growing wings.
Feb 2013- met with a LAP surgeon to discuss a TAC - transabdominal cerclage. I was a candidate!!!!
April 2013 - TAC surgery took only 40 minutes and was said to be one of the most routine TACs he has ever placed. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever fought for in my whole life.
June 2013- IVF #3 canceled.
August 2013 - IVF #3.2 transferred 2 embryos against doctors wishes. Pregnant with one healthy baby boy! Due April 30th but will have a c section on 4/1.
That's long, I'm sorry! I tried to stay brief!
4/11- 12/11 Provera, 3 cycles clomid 50mg, all BFN (HSG-all clear)
Dec 2011 DH S/A shows zero count - dx Azoo
TESE 4/13/12 - Sperm found!! 5 viles frozen
IVF ICSI #1- (Lupron protocol) 5R 2F 2dt- 2DP & 4CF - BFFN
IVF ICSI #2- (Antagonist protocol) Started stims 7/26
ER 8/8 11R 9F 3dt - 9BF & 7BF (+HPT 8dp3dt)beta 1-184 beta 2- 1699 TWINS! EDD 5/1/13
LAP Transabdominal Cerclage - 4/15/13 only possibility of carrying my children to term
IVF ICSI #3.2- (Antagonist Protocol) 7/26 start stims (same day, a year later from J & Z's stim start date!)
ER - 8/7 19R 9F 3dt of 2 8BF embryos. (+ HPT 7dp3dt) Beta #1- 82.8 Beta #2- 821 Beta 3-7254
Colin born via c/s 4/7/14 (36w5d) 6lbs 14oz - 8 days in the NICU
TTC #2 - IVF 4 - July 2015 (Antagonist Protocol) 7/10 start stims
15R 8F 5dt of 1E blast grade BA & 1 blast to freeze!! (+hpt 6dp5dt)
beta #1-52 beta #2-62 Beta #3-6.5 - CP
FET - 9/18/15 (+hpt 5dp5dt) beta #1 -225.1 beta #2-2468 beta #3-21,352
10/29 - U/S shows 1 bean! HR 151 EDD 6/7/16 It's a BOY!
5/18/16 Jacob born via c/s (37w 1d) 9lbs .8oz 19in - 6 days in the NICU
BFP - 10/29/2016!!!, EDD - 7/8/2017
BFP 2: 7/7/2014 Beta 7/8: 115, Beta 7/12: 638, Beta 7/16: 3793, Beta 7/21: 21,625
So, I'm kind of late to this thread, but I wanted to share my story too!
Sorry if it ends up being a little too long!
I had started taking BCP at around age 21 (2001). I had a couple of periods of time that I was off of it (including to try to get pregnant with my Ex, which is a whole other long story), but for the most part took it pretty consistently. Then, in Summer 2010, I started having crazy stomach pains. I eventually went to the ER and was diagnosed with a hepatic adenoma (tumor on my liver, most likely caused by prolonged use of BCP). It was at that point that I stopped taking any BCP. Although we were not TTC at that time, we also weren't TTA, if "it happened it happened". Well, it didn't.
In March 2011, my BF (now DH) and I decided we were ready to get serious and start TTC (since it had already been >6 months and nothing had happened yet). Then, the following month, he proposed. Since I didn't want to walk down the aisle preggers (no offense to anyone who did, just my preference), we decided to TTA. About a month before the wedding (in March 2012), we started officially TTC again. I was using OPK's and eventually temping. After a year of no luck, we decided it was time for DH to see a urologist. When I had been TTC with the Ex, the message we got from the RE was it was a mild MFI problem. So, it was completely logical to me to have DH checked out first. Well, that ended up being a very costly, ridiculous work-up which eventually determined that everything is great on his end (not sure why they didn't just start with SA and then go from there, but whatever). After that news, we decided to meet with an RE. I had another work-up with a new RE (not the one I went to with the Ex). As stated in my siggy, I have a low AMH (0.76) and low AFC (2 on right and 4 on left, consistently). Everything else looked great.
Cycle 1 - Clomid, HCG, IUI, progesterone: good response, 3 mature follies - BFN.
Cycle 2 - Clomid, HCG, IUI, estrogen, progesterone: poor response, 1-ish mature follie (later than usual), uterine thinning (reason for estrogen) - another BFN.
Current plan... We're saving up and paying down debt to plan on IVF starting in Summer 2014. We will still have to take out a loan, but we are hoping that we continue to qualify for the "shared risk" program. Thank you to the ladies who responded on that thread to help us with our decision. You all are so very helpful on here!
So, for now, I'm just lurking on the boards, and finding "friends" who understand what I'm going through. It's really hard for people to "get it" without making comments like "just relax, it will happen when you least expect it" or "not being able to get pregnant is actually a better problem to have", etc. etc. etc.
I wish all of you a short and sweet journey as you add to your families! I look forward to your continued support and friendships as well!
DE IVF ER - 12/2/2016 (17R/10F = 8 frosties); FET 1.0 (1/27/2017) - BFP 6dp5dt (EDD 10/16/2017)
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
I went off of BCP in June 2013, and we started trying in late August 2013. I know we're not doing very well with timing, and I'd like to start temping next cycle.
08/13: Started TTC - 07/14: PCOS dx
BFP 09/18/15 - Baby S 05/27/16
***PR***
My husband and I started actively TTC in November/December 2011.
In the spring of 2011 my H and I decided we were going to go visit some friends in New Zealand. We were both ready to start TTC but decided it would be a good idea to get this last big trip out of the way before we started trying. So we spent the next 6 months dreaming of me getting pregnant while in New Zealand. which is a beautiful plan, but clearly unrealistic.
our trip came and went and the months of 2012 started to pass by. H and I talked about it and decided that if nothing had happened by my yearly gyno appt. in October that I would talk to my midwife and see where we needed to go from there.
She was wonderful and said she was going to send me directly to the RE for testing.
All my testing with the RE went very quickly and we were able to get it done within a month. the only crappy part was that my insurance company doesn't cover any IF costs including testing.
The test results for me came back all clear and good, unfortunately DH didn't have such good results. he has a low count, low morph, low mobility. it was heartbreaking to have to tell him.
The RE suggested we do and IUI with clomid and my H and I were both totally on board. So January 2013 was IUI #1, unsuccessful. February 2013 IUI #2, unsuccessful.
H and I decided we needed a small break from TTC with the RE to decide what the next steps were that we wanted to take. The RE suggested IVF with ICSI.
at the beginning of June we decided to move forward with the IVF. We changed our diets completely based on the recommendation of the RE to a low carb, high protein diet. we cut all caffiene and alcohol out of our diets and just hoped it was all worth it.
July 2013 I started meds for IVF. middle of July I went for retreival and they only retreived 9 eggs, only 9 eggs. this was heartbreaking because there should have been more! I have 3 times the amount of eggs in my ovarian reserve that they say is ideal. 5 of the 9 fertilized with ICSI and none made to 6 days. our IVF journey was over.
at this point I found H and I an IF counselor and we started to work through all the emotional issues that come along with IF and failed cycles and treatments. I went back to eating healthy and started my H and I on a new herbal supplement called Maca root and we just lived life.
In September of 2013 my H left town for Montana for a friends wedding. He went a week before me and I was going to meet him out there the following weekend. my period was late the day before he left town but I just assumed that it was my cycle being wonky. I'm not one to pee on sticks the second my period is late because I can't stand the dissapointment. Two days after he left and 4 days after my missed period I let myself have hope and peed on a stick at 5:00 in the morning. BFP. I was shocked. and my husband was out of town so I couldn't share with him our good news. I called the RE's office and stopped by on my way into work to get my beta's taken. They called me later that day to confirm the good news.
its been a long and heartbreaking journey and I couldn't have done it without the support of everyone here.
The Rowdy Roberts
Late to the party, but wanted to play
This is the bullet point shorthand of 6 years in the making.
Off BCP in 2007. NNT progressing to charting and TI from mid 2008 until I graduated DPT school in 2010.
Despite regularity 28 days schedules for the most part, and the occasional positive OPK, I was apparently not ovulating regularly.
3 rounds of clomid from March to May of 2010. Pouting and time off for the summer. Oct ish of 2010-beginning of 2012 we looked into gluten allergy possibilities, use of making babies book, and total overhaul into chem free living to see if that would help. It didn't, but we both feel much better overall
Sept 2012, finally "gave up" and saw RE. PS it was the best decision we made, we're just hella stubborn. Tests tests and tests 3 iuis from 12/12-2/13 with final "Dx" of mild mfi, sub clinical hypothyroid and irregular ovulation. Basically, "we don't know why you're not getting pg with the meds and Iui"
Took the summer to get J's sinus surgery taken care of and play, build funds, and drink.
Ivf in 9/13 successful, baby Lu due 6/14. Very fortunate to have it work on 1st try and counting my lucky stars that we're still so far so good.
Seriously, @LuckyAngel07!
In my situation, it was a friend who has 2 beautiful twin girls, who had previous issues carrying pregnancies to term. I absolutely could never claim to understand what a couple goes through who experiences a loss, but I also don't think it's fair to compare situations, and decide that mine is "better". My cycle is like clockwork. Everytime AF makes her appearance, I have further proof that my body is a "failure", and it's rough. Making comments like that does nothing more than trivalize what I'm going through, even though in her mind, she was being supportive and helpful.
DE IVF ER - 12/2/2016 (17R/10F = 8 frosties); FET 1.0 (1/27/2017) - BFP 6dp5dt (EDD 10/16/2017)
BC= Birth Control
DH= darling husband
TTC= Trying to convince
TTTC= Trouble Trying to convince
NNT= Not not trying
CM= cervical mucus
BFP= Big Fat positive
BFN= Big fat negative
IVF= Invetro fertilization
O= Ovulation or ovulate
IF= infertility
RE= Reproductive endocrinologist (getting you pregnant Dr.)
OPK= Ovulation Predictor kit
SA= Semen analysis
ST= sexy time
GL= Good Luck
PR= Pregnancy related
I think that's most of them.