IVF for Beginners

Many of you reading actually know me (and Brandon) in real life.  Before undergoing fertility treatments, we both had limited knowledge about ART.  When my SIL, Sheri, went through IF procedures, I found myself searching google constantly to have some type of understanding of what she was going through.  This post is intended to help my friends and family understand IVF.
*How can I ask you to pray for me if you don't know what to pray for?!?*

At this point in our journey, it's obvious that Brandon and I cannot conceive on our own.  A brief rundown of our IF diagnosis:

• Male Factor Infertility- poor morphology, low motility, and low count due to Testicular Cancer and Chemotherapy.  We do not have enough swimmers to even get pregnant via IUI at this point
  
• Uterine Septum- mostly corrected, but my uterus will always have the characteristics of a septate uterus.  It has a tiny curvature at the top that makes it unique.
• Annovulation- I do not ovulate without stimulation drugs (ex: Femara, Clomid, Follistim, Gonal F, Menopur, etc.)  I believe that I've only had 5 or so cycles where I ovulated without stimming drugs in the past 2 years.

We believe that God has led us to this place in our journey.  We have taken many factors into consideration and feel that this is our best option at the current time to have a child (children).  The likelihood of us ever conceiving on our own is miniscule.  We know that nothing is impossible with God.  We know that pursuing IVF is part of His plan.  We will listen to Him each step of the way.

We are pursuing IVF with ICSI to have a child.  

IVF refers to the process, and there are many steps along the way.


IVF with ICSI

In Vitro Fertilization is commonly referred to as IVF. IVF is the process of fertilization by manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. When the IVF procedure is successful, the process is combined with a procedure known as embryo transfer, which involves physically placing the embryo in the uterus. American Pregnancy Association

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves the direct injection of sperm into eggs obtained from IVF.  American Pregnancy Association

Here is a brief explanation of how the process of IVF works (in our scenario):

• A new cycle begins
• A baseline u/s and bw appointment is scheduled to check hormones and the uterus and tubes.
• Suppression is started.  In my case, we are beginning with BCP.
• After so many days of BCP, injectable medication is added as well.  
• In my case, I am prescribed Lupron injections for 12 days in addition to taking my BCP.  
• A suppression check is scheduled to ensure that there has been no follicle growth or thickening of the uterine lining.
• Begin stimulation drugs for ovulation induction.  
• In my case, we are taking Follistim and Menopur for at least 10 days.
• Many office visits are scheduled to monitor and observe the follicles (that produce the egg).
• Once the follicles reach the desired measurement, the HCG trigger shot is administered, and the Egg Retrieval is scheduled.  
• On average, 70% of follicles aspirated will provide one egg. 
• There are no guarantees that every follicle will contain an egg, and that every egg will fertilize.
• After the retrieval, the eggs collected are then fertilized with Brandon's sperm
• This is where ICSI is performed.  
• After fertilization takes place, the embryos are closely monitored.  
• The plan is a 5-day transfer.
• When the embryos are five days old, they select the best, which are then transferred via vaginal catheter with ultrasound guidance.
• We are planning on transferring 2 embryos.  
• If we have more good quality embryos remaining, we will freeze them for later use. 
• At this point, I am PUPO!
• I will try and remain as calm and peaceful as possible while we wait.
• Nine days after my ET (14dpo) and (9dp5dt), we will go in for our beta to see if we are pregnant

There is much stress involved in IVF.  I'm praying for peace as we go through this process.  Once we get results, I will update here.  Within my blog, I have created a page outlining our IVF attempt.  If we have great beta numbers, I will want us to tell our families before posting.  If our numbers aren't promising, it will be easier to post here so I don't have as many people to tell.  

For now, I'm praying for God's will in our situation.  Whether IVF gives us a child or not, we will give glory to Him.  God is the ultimate healer and giver of live.  

Please visit my Lingo page for further explanation about any acronyms used in this post. =)  The coming posts will begin to contain more and more as we continue to move forward.

Instagram Update

It's taken me a few days to update my photos on the Instagram May Photo Challenge.  Here are my pictures along with a few extra.

May 8- A smell you adore; my roses in the back yard

May 9- Soimething you do everyday- I stare at this computer program for much of the day!

May 10- A favorite word- My husband is Sneakers

Somehow I forgot May 11. =(  It was kitchen.  I haven't been spending much time there lately. =/

May 12- Something that makes you happy

May 13- Mom- Sheri at the beach on Mother's Day

May 14- Grass- well, it's seaweed; grass of the ocean

Just  pretty shot of the beach and clouds

May 15- Love- Brandon and me at the beach

Another one for Love

Laura and Rachel got me a present for Mother's Day =)

Laura, Me, and Rachel with my SuperMom bear

A close up of my SuperMom bear (Baby Sneakers) made by Rachel and Laura.  I LOVE it!

IVF Protocol

Last week started the beginning of our IVF cycle. 

On Tuesday, I had my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork. On Thursday, I met with Dr. Allemand to discuss the IVF checklist. Brandon was out of town, so Joy came with me. We had discussed much at length about IVF with Dr.A previously, so the office visit with him was not too stressful. He did discuss each step of the IVF process at length, and answered the few questions that I had.

My antral follicle count was 14 at my baseline ultrasound. Dr. A thinks that I'm a great candidate for IVF, and that I should produce many healthy eggs. As of now, our plan is to transfer two embryos. If for some reason I have poor quality embryos, we will access whether to transfer more then.

My IVF calendar arrived in the mail on Saturday.  The next few months are going to be crazy for us!  I will write a post later describing the process of IVF for all my friends reading who are not familiar with all of the terms.

The Calendar

Court's IVF S3 Protocol

5-5:  CD 1
5-8:  Baseline appointment; Start BCP
5-10:  IVF Checklist with Dr.A
5-29:  Precycle visit with Janet (IVF nurse) at 9am; begin 10 units of Lupron daily (injectable)
6-1:  Take last BCP
6-6:  Office Visit/ Suppression Check; Cycle payment due; Signed consents due to office
6-10:  Reduce Lupron to 5 units daily (injectable); Begin stims:  Follistim 225 units (injectable, Menopur 75 units (injectable)
6-14:  Office Visit
6-15:  Possible Office Visit
6-16:  Possible Office Visit; abstain from intercourse for the duration
6-17:  Possible Office Visit; begin antibiotic
6-18:  Possible Office Visit
6-19:  Possible Office Visit
6-20-6-21:  Tentative Egg Retrieval (ER); ER will determine Embryo Transfer (ET) and Beta (if we're pregnant or not)

Like I said above, I will post more later about the specifics.  We will not know the actual date of the ER and ET until I have began my stimulation medications.  Please continue to pray for us!  The next months will be exhausting mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Mother's Day for the Infertilie

Mother's Day is difficult for many women and men.  

Some have lost their mothers, and some have lost their children.  I am positive that many women and men are hurting.  I think it's important to recognize all of the people longing for lost loved ones today.

If my pregnancy had not ended so quickly, I would be about 30 weeks pregnant today.  My little one would be able to hear my voice.  Instead, I have a baby in Heaven.  Our first Baby Sneakers is in the loving arms of Jesus.  I truly believe that that life begins at conception.  Just because we lost our pregnancy early, it doesn't mean that it hurts any less.  I have made it my resolve to move forward and try and not dwell too much on it.  Days arise where I feel saddened by losing that pregnancy, but I know that God had a greater plan.

All that I have to remember you by.  I've kept this put away for so long.  It made me sad to see it.  Maybe I should get rid of it, but I cannot.  For now, I will continue to keep it tucked away as a memory.

Today, I have to work, but we are headed to the beach as soon as I'm off.  (I'm going to the beach with my dear husband, amazing brother-in-law, awesome sister-in-law, and miracle of a nephew).  Thankfully, they invited us to go to the beach with them.  Looking at the calendar, I had been afraid of Mother's Day.  I didn't know how I would feel.  I was afraid that I would be sad.  Yes, I am sad, but I have hope.  I couldn't be surrounded by better people that know how much days like these hurt.  

I know that God has something greater in store for me.  He does for you too.  Happy Mother's Day to all of the angel Mommies and childless Mommies.  Thinking of all who are missing their own mothers on this day.

 

Baseline and IVF

I had my baseline ultrasound this morning.  My cyst did grow and measured at 2.7cm this morning.  Neicey (my NP today) seemed to think that starting BCP for the IVF would make the cyst go away.  Before leaving, I scheduled my appointments with Dr. Allemand for Thursday at 11am, and Janet on May 29 at 9am.  We've already went over much information about IVF, but Dr. A will be more detailed on Thursday.  Unfortunately,  Brandon will be gone, but I am trying to find someone else to accompany me this week. 

Brandon has been tobacco free for 4 weeks today.  He's done such a great job!  He has not complained one bit!

*Update*
I just checked my patient voicemail and Janet (IVF nurse) left me a message.

• Estradiol:  42 (normal range)
• FSH:  5.9 (normal range)

WoW!  I begin taking my BCP today.  This means that we are moving forward with IVF!! Janet is mailing me my calendar, and I meet with her on May 29th to go over my protocol.  I start Lupron injections on May 28th and will take 10 IU per day for about a week or so.  (I will know more once I receive my calendar.)

Right now I am still in shock that we are beginning the IVF process.  I had anticipated waiting at least two more weeks to take Provera and start my period.  God had other plans.  I am nervous, happy, terrified, and excited all at the same time.  God is so good.

More Instagram & Baseline Appointment

Well, AF arrived sooner than expected.  I had planned to call the nurse at ART today to ask for Provera.  God decided otherwise (probably with some help from the supermoon).  I noticed some spotting Friday afternoon and "she" showed up in full force on Saturday.  I was extremely confused and even called Kayla to try and figure out my wonky cycle.  During this previous cycle, I never ovulated or had a clear pattern.  I had some strange mid-cycle spotting and felt all over the place.

Previous cycle's BBT chart

I only spotted yesterday and seem to be doing the same today.  My baseline appointment is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:15am. This starts my 19th cycle TTC. I am hopeful that the 2.35cm cyst from my past two cycles is gone.  God, I know you are hearing this.  If it is your will, let the cyst be gone. 

Tomorrow will only be 4 weeks since Brandon began his fast from Skoal.  I am in hopes that they will go ahead and allow me to begin taking BCP in preparation for IVF.  I don't feel ready.  I was still planning on having 2 more weeks, but God's timing is always the best timing.

Here are a few more of my photos from the May Photo Challenge. These pictures aren't as pretty as the ones in my first post.  I promise to try harder with the next batch!  Enjoy!

May 5- Bird - from the Mother Daughter Banquet

May 6- Me- Laying out in the backyard

May 7- Someone that inspires you- My husband works so hard to provide for me.

Mother Daughter Banquet

Me, Gran, Mom, and Beth; 3 Generations

Our church had the 2nd Annual Mother Daughter Banquet this weekend.  The proceeds from this event benefit The Road to Bethlehem Ministry in our church.  This particular ministry helps give Christmas gifts and dinner to children in need in Calera.

In the beginning I was hesitant about attending.  I was afraid that the event would make me sad, but then realized that there are many women in my church who have children, but no daughters.  Mother's Day and events about mothers are hard for anyone with an empty cradle.  I am so glad that I had my family and friends there with me.  I did not shed one tear, and did not feel sorry for myself for not being a mom yet.  I was overwhelmed with the power of the Holy Spirit and grateful for all the blessings that have been given to me.

I'm so glad that I decided to go and host a table.  Midway through the day yesterday, I was asked if I could sing.  Wow, I haven't sang in public in a LONG time.  My mother and I sang "Redemption Song" a capella.   I was so nervous, but my Mom gave me confidence.  I think we did a ok to have only practiced twice about 20 minutes before the banquet began.

In attendance at my table were Mom, Beth, Gran, Aunt Penny, Rachel, and Jennifer.  Here are some pictures from the evening.

Eleanna Burke organized the entire event.  She did a fabulous job! 

We all had table themes.  My theme was "Not Every Hero Wears a Mask."  Yes, I know, I'm a nerd! =)

Beth (my little sister) and me

Joy was our special speaker.  Her story is amazing and I will be sharing more on my blog once I get my notes together.

Mom and the rooster timer she won (we had door prizes!)

Jennifer and myself (She's been so supportive of me!  She's always there with a kind word and open heart.  I couldn't have made it through the past few months without her.  She's been like a sister to me.)

Beth and Aunt Penny

Nesia (Joy's miracle baby) and me

Me with Rachel (my surrogate daughter)