IVF: Second Time Around

This is the Second Time Around for me with IVF and It has not been bad.  I feel much calmer than I did the first time around.  I am not worried or anxious, I am hopeful. 

 This time my protocol changed a little, I took Microdose Lupron 2x’s each day with gonal f 300 and menopur 225. I only did this for 3 days which was shocking.  Then they changed my dosage amounts.  I was reduced to gonal f 225 and menopur of 150.  I took this for about 7 more days. 

When you have your ultrasounds which you will have many of them, I advise you to look at the computer screen and watch the growth of your eggs. Also don’t forget to get a clear understanding of your estradiol numbers. Your doctor will be following that closely. You will get a phone call daily explaining your results.  ASK QUESTIONS:  If you feel uncomfortable with a result.  ASK.  No question is too small. 

I messed up my meds the first day.  I traveled to Dallas right at the beginning of this cycle so, I had to carry an Ice-pak with my meds in it and THEY LOST MY LUGGAGE.  I had part of my meds in the suitcase.  Note to self “Never pack medication in a suitcase”.  I got my luggage the next morning.  But of course my heart was in my mouth all night.  I couldn’t get my mind right and I started the drugs the next day and forgot to mix the gonal f with the menopur.  I took 2 separate shots.  I called the doctors office and they told me I was okay.  You will want to carry the instructions on how to mix your drugs with you if you travel and make more than one copy for your house, just in case your brain farts and you temporarily forget.

 My estradiol numbers doubled every day. This cycle went really quick. There are some side effects that you should know about. I felt so full and i gained weight. I didn’t eat more but the meds make you have that super full feeling and you bloat a bit. I went in wednesday of this week with 16 follicles (eggs) all of them were numbered all over the place. I had 4 that were 19 or larger and the rest were 15, 16, 17, 11, 12, 14 etc. I was happy to see so many eggs. This time around the Dr. Kawolczyk increased the gonal f to stimulate more eggs. I want to freeze more this time so I am hoping for the best. I just finished egg retrieval TODAY Feb 5 2010. I tell you the drugs are so good. When they retrieve the eggs they put you under complete anesthesia. You don’t remember a thing. You come out with some cramping but you wake up on your hospital bed from a wonderful sleep. The lady in the  little room next to me cried when she woke up. So I guess you can have a surge of emotions. I didn’t feel that. I was happy to get those little “eggs” in the petrie dish. The next steps to me are the hard part because when you leave you start the next protocol which for me was prenatal vitamin and asprin. 1 progesterone injection (I did the endometrin vaginal inserts the first time around and I hated it). Now the progesterone injection is an oil so it goes in your buttock with a freakin big needle. Its a bit intimidating but doing it once a day is way better than the endometrin to me because you do the suppositories 2x’s per day. I also take 1 estrace which is a tiny blue pill no sweat. The exciting part is coming up in just a few days. I will let you know how the little eggs grow. I have to tell you that I absolutely love my doctor’s office staff. You go to the doctor every day when you get close to egg retrieval and they want you to get pregnant just as much as you do. Be nice to them, they handle everything for you and can be fantastic support. They know some really good stories too. If you are in Michigan try the Center for Fertility and Women’s Health, in Warren Michigan. Tell them Yolanda sent you! They even offer support groups. I laugh when I get the calls from their counselor Rhonda because she is so loving it feels unbelievable. But overall this has been the best experience ever. I am not afraid of the results. The second time around is so much better. I trust God will do what He will do! My prayers support you in your journey as well.

P.S. Don’t forget to have sex.  It is easy to get caught up in the process of baby making and forget the process of love-making.  Your husband will appreciate you and you will enjoy him too if you take time to remember your connection with him before you go through the egg retrieval process.  They may forget to warn you but after they take the eggs NO SEX for about 2 weeks.  So prepare your partner for a little dry spell.