Saturday, August 25, 2007

on a break

I'm finally caught up in my blog. I hadn't been keeping my blog here and had to copy and past my July entries from another blog/online diary account I have.

My husband and I decided to take a break from the infertility treatments and have been on a break for about a month now. I also decided to ad herbs to go along with my acupuncture. I've been doing acupuncture for over 3 months and herbs for just about a month now. So far the herbs have helped with CM and lengthened my luteal phase by 2 days. With out progesterone support I have a short luteal phase (slight progesterone deficiency) I'm enjoying not being on the fertility drugs and will be taking at least 1 more month off before I go on the BCP for IVF. My acupuncturist wants me to be on the herbs for 3 solid months before I do my next IVF. I can take them with the BCP but I can't take them with the Gonal F injections.

At this point I can't even think about doing IVF #3 with out feeling sick so I chose not to think about it. I know our chances are slim but I'm hoping we can get pregnant on our own in the mean time. LOL I honestly think I'd pass out from shock if that happened!!

I've had 4 IUI cycles in which I had 6-13 follicles each time (my doctor was more aggressive but I trusted her since she was very experienced) all cycles ended in a BFN. My first IVF we transfered 2 embryo's, one of which was perfect and given a "high chance of implantation." that didn't work either. Not to mention that even with ICSI only 40-50% of my eggs fertilize. Given the fact that I only ovulate 1 (some times 2 ) eggs on my own means that I'd have to have THE perfect egg and THE perfect batch of sperm. It would be a true miracle if it worked....

well it's late and I have to get up early for church tomorrow.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds to me like your IVF #1 was on the right track. Your eggs obviously did not like either the Lupron or possibly the ICSI in IVF #2. I don't know where I read it, but I did just read in the last couple of days that ICSI can actually yield slightly lower fertilization rates in couples who don't need it. But, often doctors will do it anyway because insurance covers it.
I bet another IVF like #1 would do it, if it doesn't happen sooner. You are on the right track. Just keep going!! It is so hard to keep waiting though, isn't it. That is the hardest part for me. But, in the end I know we WILL get our babies. . .it just might take us longer and cost us more :)
Here is an account of an LDS woman who took an unconventional path with her infertility:
http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=1291
I am sure you and I will never need to go this far, but it is nice to know that endurance does pay off in the end.

Amy said...

Thanks for your comment and the link! DH and I would never do egg or embryo or sperm donation but I can see why other people would want to!

My DH has low morphology (head defects) we don't "need" icsi but his morphology was 8% so I decided to ask for ICSI. My doctor actually didn't want to do it but I requested numerous times. I'm debating not doing ICSI next time but I'm afraid that we will get even less fertilization. Who knows. :)

Anonymous said...

I agree, I couldn't do "donations" either. But, that lady's endurance was awesome to me! (Thank goodness you and I both make eggs!)
Also, didn't you love her perspective on infertility in the mormon culture! Makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one who has a hard time going to Church on Sundays seeing all the women who get pregnant "every time their husbands sneeze on them." :)

Amy said...

Did I ever mention I was LDS? I just made the connection with the article and thought to myself "did I say that?"

Do you have a blog?

its hard being public about my IF. I almost wish I had not told his family the details (like IVF) I only said something because my brother in law and his wife were having their first baby and I wanted them to know what I was going through in case I acted "weird"

Anonymous said...

I knew you were LDS when you said it was a good thing you didn't live in Utah or you might be inactive by now looking at all the pregnant girls. :) I got so excited when I read that because 1) I am also LDS
2) I feel exactly the same way. Church on Sundays and family get togethers are so hard for me right now. I am grateful to not be living in Utah during all of this.

I don't have a blog yet. In fact, I barely started reading blog sites a couple of weeks ago! I am thinking about it though. I am sure my hubby would appreciate me having another source to vent to!

Amy said...

You should start a blog. Then I can read yours. If you haven't already you should check out www.fertilityfriend.com. I have an account there and use their forums a lot. Especially for support.