In the Conceivable Future

"Octo Mom" - IVF laws

2009-02-06T21:41:00.005-06:00

I really didn't care about the first news feeds that crossed my cursor regarding the California mom who recently gave birth to 8 babies. It's just another litter and another Discovery show; I clicked elsewhere. But the story is pervasive and made its way to the morning and evening news. Nestled between the debates about the stimulus bill tonight, both Fox and MSNBC injected this human interest story.

Both anchors injected their strong opposition. MSNBC's talking head basically made her out to be just a crazy loon - end of story: OctoMom now has 14 kids, no daddy, no job, etc and she insisted to transfer 6 embryos. Fox's talking head (I'm being gracious) took her anger out on the medical community. She opined that creating embryos in the lab was akin to murdering babies. "Where are the laws" she asked her doctor panelists? One top doc's response was that most clinics absolutely follow the rules set out by the ASRM (1-3 embryos transferred dependent on strict factors). As he was trying to explain how most ( a lot?) of embryos are not viable "like any seed", she cut him off and slammed him for not answering the question about how many embryos were being killed every year.

To her credit, her question inspired me back to the blog, "where are the laws"? Here is an opportunity to take some negative press and turn it around. Since science has been invited back to Washington, let's get this addressed.

Let's start with this law: infertility treatment should be treated as a disease> thus covered by insurance (or, gasp, universal health care) > thus less need to produce unnecessary embryos (low stim cycles) .

Less drugs, less embryos, less neo natal intensive care costs for multiple preemies= duh!

Enough developed nations already employ these laws with this science; the results are out.

Having just dealt with a local politician who wanted to kill the IVF mandate in my state, I can safely say (as did he) that he didn't understand the personal plight that leads one to IVF. No one gets it that isn't intimately involved with it. Let's get some normal IF patients onto these talking head panels.

SO what now??

2009-01-10T16:23:00.002-06:00

All in one week, the Chickadee is gone and the IVF mandate in Arkansas is saved. Whatever will I do with myself?

The Politician goes public and admits the error of his ways -so to speak

2009-01-08T13:19:00.017-06:00

This just in:

A statewide paper wrote a hard hitting article about The Politician and his bill. (They also didn't fact check with him before going to print - per his response).
No hot button was left unpressed. The writer made some pretty heady insinuations about T.P.'s positions.

T.P. responded to the article at another online venue. -TP is blogging now!- He did admit that he learned lessons from us in the infertility community. That "our positions have merit and that we are a powerful force." I'll leave the commentary to the other parts for you.

He still cites (and insists on) a study by CAHI that states that IVF raises health care costs for Americans. I could poke him for this. They are NOT an independent source. They are lobbyists for the insurance industry. Google them to see just how independent: - Calls "President Bush's Plan Vital to Curing Ills of America's Health Care" and calls President Elect Obama's health care plan "A Recipe for Doom". They are uniformly against mandates. Whether you agree with their positions or not, you must agree, they are not an independent source, TP.

But at this point I am not concerned about TP's impetus. He apologized (sortakinda) and he's not pursuing the bill.

Back in December, TP said, "I think it’s a mandate that is hard to defend". He has obviously changed his mind.

Way to Go TP. I may not agree with everything you say in your editorial errr blog, but the bill is off. Can we be friends again?

The Chickadee didn't make it.

2009-01-07T16:44:00.008-06:00

My fourth ultrasound today showed that the heart probably stopped beating last week. This is not a tremendous surprise considering my previous ultrasound results that were not very encouraging. "It was most certainly due to a chromosomal problem from the outset".

The most curious thing is that to this minute I still have morning sickness and can feel twinges in my uterus. I am told that this is the placenta growing like it is supposed to despite the demise of the fetus. Can I tell you that feeling pregnant when you're not - sucks?

Am I heartbroken? No. Am I sad? Very. Years / months of hopes dashed keep accumulating. We, that are struggling with infertility, keep on keeping on. Thank goodness for medical science in addition to faith to give us hope. Thank goodness that IVF is mandated in Arkansas and I have some frozen embryos to try again.

I have some silver linings:

> I have frozen embryos.
> I have my God to remind me about Nature's way.(Science and Nature: what a delicate balance)
> The company I work for recently deployed good private short term disability. I can now enroll in time to have paid benefits when maternity leave DOES happen for me. For me this is a tremendous benefit. Now, I can take time off work to bond with my newborn and still be able to pay the bills that warm my house and fill my fridge. In my 20 years in the workforce, this is the first company I have been employed by that offers health insurance- much less disability. Now I'm just like families in all other developed nations!

Do these sentiments make me a socialist Sarah Palin? Or is my situation (insurance, disability, and state mandate) a free market example? Just call me Hussein.

( I didn't intend to mix my technical logs with my political logs. Strange how that's been my evolution)

I'm going to step out and catch this grand sunset.

Bill to Repeal IVF mandate won't go forward?

2009-01-07T16:36:00.000-06:00

I heard from a couple of reliable sources that The Politician has given his word that he is not pursuing the bill any more. ( He won't communicate with me anymore. Wonder why? I've been so generous to remove his letter and comment and name and bill?) ;-)

We're all waiting to hear or see this proof on Monday , but I believe The Politician is going to do the right thing.

The local rally has increased by hundreds strong. Dang that feels good.

Please take 2 seconds and vote for Mel!

2009-01-06T20:13:00.001-06:00

The 2008 Weblog awards are looking for votes right now. Click Here to Vote.
Vote everyday.

Mel / aka / Stirrup Queen is the Queen B. Blogger of the infertility blogging world -and so much more. The synergy and community she creates is without parallel.

Feel alone in your journey? Need help getting a word out? Looking for someone who's doing what your doing? Going on to the next phase in your journey to make a family? Need a hug? Want to share a recent success?

Visit Mel (and thousands of others) at Stirrup Queens. Revisit daily because you will be amazed at day to day updates.

I've had my best connections on her LOST and FOUND button.

Bill still shows on Legislative Calendar

2009-01-06T10:56:00.000-06:00

I am not quite ready to pull the trigger reverting all the posts to their original state. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt that he WILL be withdrawing the Bill. Yet as of this morning I still see it on the State calendar. It is to be "introduced" Jan 9.

I want to keep my end of the bargain- as I recall it - for just a little while longer. I will not speak about him by name, yet.

Meanwhile, I am gathering contacts in the news and legislative field so to prepare myself for public opposition to this proposed policy change.

I have no problems being the face to this opposition.

Your support and comments here are all the muscle I need.

The Politician says, "We don't have an agreement"

2009-01-04T13:57:00.000-06:00

The Politician just wrote to me that "we don't have an agreement". He insists I permanently delete all my posts tagged "infertility politics". I do not want to do this. He insists that I agreed to, but I have proof otherwise.

In the spirit of grassroots movements and particularly infertility politics, I want the meat of this matter to remain on my blog. For posterity sake. The productive comments from this community are strong and it is my hope that these posts can help someone else down the line.

It does not matter to The Politician that I removed all references to his name, his bill, his title, our state, his links , his comment , his letter, etc. -all searchable terms were removed. I even deleted the unproductive comments that might have been embarrassing to him?

Furthermore I offered to temporarily remove my "infertility politics" posts for one month; until this died down.

He responded that we don't have an agreement anymore.

What do you think about this?

UPDATE: 7:25pm
I'll leave - for now - all the posts that I edited in his favor. Thanks for your quick input.

If I find that the bill is still on the legislative calendar, I'll revert all the posts to their original place: names, links and plenty of new stuff that will amaze you. I'll go back to gathering residents, sending out press releases, and refining my voice for when the time comes at the capital. He told me that we don't have an agreement anymore, so of course this would be my course. (I'm holding out hope that he'll drop the bill)

Question: Why do you think he insists that my blog return to the day before I read the announcement that he was presenting a bill that would repeal the IVF mandate? I find it bizarre that my conciliatory efforts to date are not enough and that all history must be erased - or else.....

To Clarify: T.P. believes that I am the one doing the reneging. He insists our agreement was that I would delete all posts tagged "Infertility Politics". My recollection is that I would delete all possible references to him and his bill in said posts.

Major Turn of Events: the bill is dead

2009-01-02T23:43:00.000-06:00

The bill that was to repeal mandated coverage of IVF in my state has been killed. The Politician will "take measures to ensure that it is not considered by any legislative committee."

I had a very thoughtful conversation with The Politician. For many reasons, including "learning more about IVF and insurance rates" from us and other sources, he is dropping it.

Not only am I proud as a peacock for my state, but I think this is a profound gesture for the rest of the United States. There are credible studies that show when IVF is NOT mandated in states, multiple births are higher.

( The reason is twofold: insurance WILL often cover IUI and ovarian stimulation drugs. Doctors have less control over fertilization in this scenario than they do with IVF. Also Couples that have to pay out of pocket for IVF are often willing to risk transferring more embryos because of enormous loans they most often have to take). >> PLEASE correct me if I am not on the mark with this ....

Higher order multiple births lead to time in Neo Natal Intensive Care units. Medical Costs for NICU are far greater that they are for IVF.

I extend to you heartfelt thanks IF community and The Politician. I am exceedingly grateful.

Your Comments

2008-12-31T11:50:00.000-06:00

Maybe you don't live in my state, but your Point of View is very important to me. I appear to be going all the way with this. I am morphing into a more educated, strong opponent on the subject due to the comments you are leaving here. Press releases, letters to Reps, and perhaps an appearance at the capital might result because of the aid I am receiving in your comments. I don't feel alone.

Still looking for other residents.

Keep 'em coming and thank you very much.

No more grey area: read the bill here, read more about his source

2008-12-31T09:28:00.000-06:00

EDITED JAN 2

-link to actual bill-

"Will repeal In Vitro as a covered expense"

#############

XXXXX is using a study (referenced in previous post) for his claim that insurance rates would drop for residents. Click here to read more about the Council for Affordable Health Insurance.

From sourcewatch.org: "CAHI's membership includes insurance companies, small businesses, providers, nonprofit associations, actuaries, insurance brokers and individuals. Since 1992, CAHI has been an active advocate for market-oriented solutions to the problems in America's health care system ... CAHI is an association of small and mid-sized insurance companies, actuarial firms, legislative consultants, physicians and insurance agents," its website states."

Politician finds my IF blog and leaves a comment

2008-12-30T20:27:00.000-06:00

UPDATE Jan2 2009.

This post has been severly edited. I removed any identifying terms.

#########

I paused before I clicked "publish" on my posts regarding the attempted repeal of the AR IVF mandate. It would have been very easy to hide all the search terms that could out me. But I opted not to hide. Why should I? I am proudly pregnant - for now - with thanks to the state mandate that has been in place for almost 20 years. Just ask my parents, my inlaws, great grandparents, my brothers and my husband how thankful they are for the state mandate.

The politician who is responsible for the bill that would repeal the state mandate googled me / him / bill and found this blog. He even left a comment.

This is politics; I am opposing his bill. I am done with IVF. I will not be doing it again and the repeal of the state mandate would not affect me directly. It will affect the infertile couples that will be walking behind me. What would you do if your state mandated IVF and then someone came along and wanted to repeal it?

Click here to view the report he is referencing and is the basis for his bill to repeal the IVF mandate. It does not prove that insurance rates would drop if his bill is successful.

I am indeed a powerful lobbying special interest group; I am an infertiliy patient. I was not "mislead by my fertility clinic" as you state in the response. I looked up your bill here:

Some of the more productive comments that were originally left are pasted here:

1.
You said it for all of us struggling to have our own family photo album - thank you!

2.
Stick to your guns with this guy. And I cannot believe he left a comment on your blog?!? As mentioned before, contact your local news station and continue to keep this ball rolling and open the eyes and ears to everyone who could be effected by it.

3.
You go! I am from the state mandated Massachusetts and I thank goodness that we have infertility coverage. IF is emotionally devistating enough, why should it also have to stress if not ruin people financially too?

If this were happenin in my state, I would do the exact same thing you are doing!! Way to go!

4.
Anyone who thinks insurance companies will LOWER premiums if families are deprived of health care access needs to go see a doctor immediately--they must be delusional with high fever.

Anyone who thinks that not covering IVF leads to lower costs is likewise in need of medical attention. When couples with infertility have to pay tens of thousands of dollars per treatment--huge swaths of their before-tax income--we take risks. We put back three embryos instead of one, say, during IVF. We take higher levels of stimulating hormones and produce large numbers of eggs during IUI. We risk multiples, who are almost always born early and sometimes spend expensive days, weeks, and months in NICUs. NICU care is covered. These children's on going health issues are covered. That sure boosts premiums. Give us coverage, and you'll see thoughtful medical care, instead of the all-or-nothing black-jack mentality of those of us sunk deep in medical costs--and taking big tax deductions while we're at it, and that affects state coffers.

What working families can afford to buy insurance anyway, with the for-profit private companies in the mix? Perhaps we should do away with them and try a single payer plan like every other single developed country in the world. THAT will make insurance affordable, not doing away with coverage for selective medical conditions.

5.
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. I was just looking over a list of the states who mandated IF coverage yesterday, and I was so impressed with your state. Your state, like Mississippi (my state) has a bad rep in the US for being the last in many things. Just seeing your state on the list made me have more respect for your state. It would be such a shame for your state if this bill was passed. It has been proven over and over again that adding infertility coverage has not shown to have any effect on insurance costs. This rep is kidding himself if he thinks that taking away this coverage would making insurance costs go down at all. And let's not forget that infertility is a medical condition and should be treated like one.

6.
Wow. Here from LFCA and, yeah, I really cannot get beyond (a) infertility is a medical problem and should be treated like one, including of course insurance coverage -- rare though that is in -- and (b) I strongly suspect, though I don't know that it's been researched, that covering IVF does or can reduce costs by reducing the prevalence of high-order multiples (I for one would be delighted to accept insurance coverage in exchange for limits on the number of embryos transferred).

I am not fortunate enough to live in AR, but how sad that this state's forward-thinking policy on insurance coverage for infertility is being challenged.

Letter to me from Politican re IVF mandate repeal

2008-12-30T14:33:00.000-06:00

UPDATE ON JAN 2
I have removed the letter from the politician. The gist of it was that I was taking the wrong side and that if IVF mandate were repealed, all insurance premiums would be decreased 3-5%.

I have saved some of the better comments left by the powerful women of the infertility blogging world. I hope that they can be used again, by others in need.

Comment -
I don't understand this logic...so because one medical problem adds x amount to everyone's policy it should be cut to reduce the cost for everyone? Don't all insured services (ywzq) add to the cost for everyone? But certainly not everyone uses ywzq either. Heck I bet those who don't need z would love to have z cut from the mandate so -they- can have lower insurance rates. Why cut X over another condition/tretament? Seems to me like trying to dismiss infertilty as a supposed "voluntary" condition and discriminate against those dealing with it. We are an easy target as usual.

Comment -
If he wants to cut insurance costs, why not slash mental health care (oh, wait, isn't that illegal?) or prescription drug coverage? Those represent a much larger percentage of the expenditures than IVF. Clearly, this is a value judgment about which medical issues are worth treating. Shame on you, XXXXXXX , father of XXXX children, for trying to take away care for real medical issues that prevent others from having the family you take for granted.

In addition, when IVF is not available, women must resort to ovulation induction alone, which more often results in higher order multiples, often born prematurely, whose NICU care increases the cost of health care for everyone. I don't see that being taken into consideration.

Comment -
I have just read a few statements by XXXXXXXX. He seems to be one of those people who simply does not acknowledge that infertility is as valid a medical problem as any other, and deserves coverage for effective treatment just as any other condition does. In one quote he states: “In my opinion, the reason people need health insurance is to be able to have a reasonably pain-free, productive existence,”. he said. "That's possible ... without having access to an array of reproduction technologies," XXXXXX said. The sheer ignorance of that statement astounds me. Clearly he has no concept of the reality of infertility and how it affects people’s lives (and their health for that matter). To have the audacity to suggest that those dealing with infertility do not need “health insurance” to be able to have a “reasonably pain-free, productive existence,” stuns me (and clearly shows he has no idea whatsoever of what he is talking about with regards to infertility and access to treatment). Having children is a fundamental human experience, and to have a medical problem that prevents ones reproductive system from working properly thus denying people the ability to have a child is far from benign as he suggests it is by his comments. I find it endless fascinating how easy it often seems for those with children, whom they often claim are the most important thing in the world to them (“my most important constituent” comments XXXXXXX about his own child-and has ‘cute’ baby photos of his children - on his website), to dismiss infertility coverage that would allow others to have a family as they does. Can he not imagine what it would be like to not have his precious children, or to know that the reason he didn’t have his children was simply because he could not afford the medical treatment needed to have one. It is one thing to be against coverage for something, quite another to dismiss and deny the reality of what that something really is as the excuse for doing it is quite another.

Comment -
Ahem. He chides you for not doing your research and claims that A) The mandates to cover IVF do not exist, and B) He is not trying to do away with IVF coverage, and C) "Powerful special interests" are trying to price poor people in the state out of affordable health care coverage".

As far as A) and B) go, I read that bill, and it specifically addresses doing away with IVF coverage.

As far as C) goes, perhaps Mr XXXXXXX didn't do his research, because the Council For Affordable Health Insurance is on Sourcewatch.org's list of front groups- for the insurance industry.

Isn't the insurance industry a much larger, much wealthier "special interest" than an individual clinic, or a small group of infertility patients?

Look how much this wonderful nonpartisan council who decided IVF coverage needed the chopping block spent on lobbying yearly: http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?lname=Council+for+Affordable+Health+Insurance&year=2008

By the way, if you look at both the above link and the so-called accurate report, you will see that Victoria Bunce, the Director of Research and Policy, is also listed as one of their main lobbyists.

Whose corner is your state rep in? I'd love to see who contributed to his campaign. Has any wining and dining been going on?

I see he also lists himself on his website as pro-life. How much of this anti-IVF campaign is about money, and how much of it is it about when the beginning of life is defined, and chipping away at abortion laws?

Infertility Political Action Requested!

2008-12-29T14:41:00.000-06:00

Please read the email chain below. If you have any political action advice please chime in. There is not much time!

To Whomever it May concern:

I just found out at my Fertility Clinic this am that there is a bill to be presented in ONE MONTH to repeal the IVF mandate that has been in place in the state for 20 years.

I am an IVF patient that just got pregnant thanks to this mandate. My medical history is similar to many others: We have unexplained Infertility . We have been trying for many years to get pregnant. We started with non – invasive fertility treatments about a year ago – to no avail. Meanwhile, the biological clock is ticking unfavorably. We got pregnant with our first In Vitro Fertilization that we would have been unable to touch without the state mandate.

This state prides itself that it is “Family Friendly”. The IVF state mandate echoes this and makes this state very unique in the United States. Most couples have to take out loans that take years to pay off. Of course most other developed nations cover this medical procedure with their national healthcare plans. It should go without saying how infertility affects families. Medical Intervention should not be for a privileged few.

I am ready to put a lot of energy into opposing this bill. BILL XXXX.

I called XXXXX, who is introducing the bill to ask why he is doing it. He said , “because the IVF mandate raises everyone’s insurance by 3-5%”. This claim is dubious to me and I would like to see some proof that policies would lower if the bill is passed.

If you have any political action advice for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Virginia

3rd u/s: 8w0d

2008-12-29T13:12:00.000-06:00

Back to the RE for another ultrasound. A different doc measured me today. And as of last week there has been a lot of change - if indeed their measurements are correct to begin with!

Today I am measuring precisely at 8w0d. (So the fetus grew 2 weeks in 6 days?)
The heartbeat was measured at 83!!!! (That's down from 106bpm at 6w4d)

Once again I was told to expect for the worst.

I feel there is too much information and medical intervention at this point. But I'm so far in this, I am not about to quit going to these u/s. He "needs" me back next week.

Second Opinion Ultra Sound / 7w1d

2008-12-23T14:45:00.000-06:00

I went to a local OB/GYN clinic. He completely understood my desire for a second opinion before heading home for the holidays and was very accommodating. They had a very fancy new u/s machine - fancier than the RE - considering the small town they are in. What a nice man he was. I think I'll return to him.

But enough waxing; the second opinion was not much different than the REs assessment last week at 6w3d. The heartbeat is strong he noted (but didn't measure). The CRL is still one week behind, but it has grown since last week. Today it is measuring 6w1d and 6 days ago it was 5w3d. So the good news is as follows: It's still alive, it's growing, and it's got a good heartbeat. Bad news: it's a week behind and below the 'safe zone'. Rx: wait and see.

First Ultra Sound Report - not so good news at 6w3d

2008-12-18T20:29:00.000-06:00

(I am so thankful that my clinic puts all my lab results on the web and I can log on and get them after the fact. All blood work and ultrasound results are available to me 24/7. Even before I started IUIs this was avail. Don't they get bonus points for this?)

Today there were a lot of details that I wasn't able to process after he told me my embryo / fetus size was indicative of a future miscarriage. And no I don't curse him for his manners. He treated me like a grown up without much sugar coating and I respect that. "Have I seen cases like this that have gone on to be perfectly healthy births, absolutely. But it is quite rare."

First he measured my ovaries and commented that they are still quite large. And yes, I officially have moderate OHSS, but I could have told you that (and did) about the time I got my first BFP. Alas, there is nothing they can do about. Just deal with it.

Secondly he looked for the sac. He didn't hesitate to say it was smaller than he hoped for. The sac measures approx 8 x 8 x 7. It should be in the 14 range.

Thirdly he measured the Crown to Rump Length. It is measuring 2.43mm = 5w4d. Just about 1 week behind schedule. Should be 4mm

Finally he measured the Fetal Heart Rate. And there was some good news here. We saw it and heard it. 106 bpm. I believe that 110 is 'safe'. But 106 is good considering everything else is so behind.

When I looked at the monitor with the blow up of the heart fluttering, it was huge! This embryo / fetus is all heart and no body!

So I've already thrown this out to my online support group and have gotten some been there done that good news stories, and I've also read some not so good news storires of similar cases.

I'm trying out this mantra: There is nothing I can do about it, Worrying won't help anything, it's nobody's fault and if it goes it wasn't meant to stay.

But certainly this was big blow today; I walked in there with all the confidence in the world.

Waiting for the next u/s on Dec 29.

Nity got a BFP today after a FET!
Still Waiting had her 9 weeks appt and got a stellar report. She is celebrating.

PS, I read in the docs notes that they marked this IVF cycle, "Succesful, Viable Pregnancy". I believe for their CDC Success rates that if a heartbeat is heard, it is considered a win.

7 Not So Random Things About Me

2008-12-12T20:45:00.000-06:00

I was tagged not once , but twice by Ashley and by Clio! I wasn't going to participate b/c I'm bent on keeping this blog technical and to the point, but I'll bite since I've enjoyed reading your Randomness that has personalized you more.

I've also noticed no one is truly random in these posts; such as, "I pick my toe nails". You are all sharing 'who I am and where I come from" type randomness. I am glad for your posts and I will follow suit.

1. In all my years of babysitting, being a sibling and working with kids, I've enjoyed being around young boys the most. I never played with dolls. That said, I think I'll end up with a girl.

2. I travelled Solo to many islands in Indonesia when I was 24.

3. I have an affinity for water: drinking water, bath water, ocean water, stream water. (yes, I am a Pisces Clio). I am daydreaming about a water birth .

4. I feel guilty in IF blog and board land that my first IVF was such a success - thus far .

5. Being in the wilderness is my favorite vacation / or holiest church.

6. I was a strict vegetarian for 8 years until I returned to Memphis TN in '96 and drove past my favorite BBQ Joint. I cook almost every day. My favorite processed food is Cheese Whiz. I buy organic as often as I am able.

7. I work for a company on 5th Ave in NYC from a cow pasture in the Ozarks (shhh).

Now I am instructed to tag a few others to keep this flame alive:

(if you click over to any of these gals, will you kindly let them know they've been tagged?)

Kandi
babydust
Leigh
Tintedsky

2nd Beta Test

2008-12-03T15:21:00.000-06:00

Hcg Level was 195 at 16DPO
That makes my 'doubling time' 36.82 hours.
Which means, so far so good and right on track according to this beta data base.

Nurse relayed that Progesterone was greater than 45 "just what they want to see".

First Ultra Sound on Dec 17th.

Incredible.

BETA test

2008-12-01T19:41:00.000-06:00

My HCG level was 80 mIU/ml at 14 DPO. The clinic will be looking for the doubling rate of this number upon my return Weds. This beta site was fun .

OHSS - Part Two

2008-11-30T10:43:00.000-06:00

It has returned. I feel just as I did post Egg Retrieval; extremely bloated and having to urinate as if I have been in a pub for 4 hours slamming pints. Luckily it's nothing more than that. I read that this is somewhat common for women going through IVF and then become pregnant - the ovaries swell right back up again. Hopefully it won't last the TWELVE WEEKS that I also read about.

BFP!

2008-11-29T09:19:00.000-06:00

I tested Thanksgiving and got a FAINT one and was dubious. I tested Friday and it was darker. Tested today and it was Darker!

So just for my records; I first tested and got a BFP on 10DPO / or 5dp5dt! This pic taken 12DPO / 7dp5dt.

5 blasts on ice

2008-11-24T13:55:00.000-06:00

wOw

Transfer Day!

2008-11-22T17:31:00.000-06:00

8am - Had acupuncture here!

9:15am - At the clinic for the transfer. The Embryo report on this day, day 5, was 2 "excellent" blasts and 11 more close behind. We opted to transfer one today. We froze the other and with luck, will freeze more tomorrow. The procedure was very similar to what I read your procedures to be like: Hubby dressed out and went in the room with me. The embryologist showed us a video of the Blast that was to be transfered. And D kept us all in stitches today. My husband won 20 bonus points with me today. He was GREAT! I really admire the staff at this clinic and there was just a lot of good vibes. (I think the big doc was hoping we would transfer two)

11a- back for follow up at the acupuncture clinic and I love this doc. She's the maternal acupuncture doc I always wanted and never knew I did ;-)

noon- sushi

3p - home in front of fire and cuddling with dog.

more about blasts here - ofcourse this was not our blast, but it sure did look just like this. with the inner cell mass as such.

Happy Happy Day.

My blogland friends

2008-11-20T19:08:00.000-06:00

My blog is primarily to journal my IVF technical details. But between the lines have grown a very warm and fuzzy feeling. As soon as I click publish, you are there. All of you are really with me in this. When my husband can't get excited about embryos reports (no dis on him) - there you are. When one of our sisters gets bad news, we flood in with sympathy. I really appreciate you all and am honored to be amongst you.

~Virginia

Day 3 Embryo Report

2008-11-20T09:03:00.000-06:00

13 embies still growing!?!

1- 5 cell good
1- 6 cell good
2- 8 cell good
4- 8 cell excellent / good
5- 8 cell excellent

They said we're 'going to blast' . Transfer on Saturday morning. Nurse said we need to decide to transfer one or two. Yikes. This is a big question. We're nervous about twins and I'm not really one of those who secretly hopes for twins. - Yet I am confident that I can handle what I am given - or not given.

Back to Doctor Google for some advice. Your advice / experience is welcome!

Embryo Quality Report

2008-11-19T12:30:00.000-06:00

48 hours post ER

We still have 13 embies - and I am shocked.
3=2 cell good
1=3 cell good
3=4 cell good
2=4 cell excellent / good
3=4 cell excellent
1=5 cell excellent

Nurse said they are apparently doing great in the incubator and we are looking at a 5 day (blastocycst) transfer on Saturday morning - Unless some degradation happens this evening in which case we will be called in for a transfer tomorrow.

(pic posted is not mine but pasted from this excellent site http://www.advancedfertility.com/4cell.htm)

Fertilization Report

2008-11-18T10:06:00.000-06:00

13 of the 14 eggs fertilized. (The nurse said that 60% fert. rate is normal at this clinic). so, Yeah!

Quality report will be tomorrow.

so many hurdles.

As far as recovery from the ER, I am just a little sore. Not even taking the pain med they presecribed - yet. So many drugs; Today I am on an antibiotic, a steroid, and a progesterone suppository.

Retrieval Report

2008-11-17T17:55:00.000-06:00

They gave me warm booties and a warm blanket and a chill pill as soon as I walked in the door. How 'bout that? I wish every procedure I had thus far at the clinic had been like that. What a difference a blanket can make when you're waiting in a cold fluorescent room.

They got 14 eggs. (no news on maturity, but before I went under, the doc doing the harvesting said he reviewed 9 big ones prior to walking in the door)

Another hurdle accomplished.

I am not particularly sore. But I slept like a fool today. As soon as I got in the car (noon) to now (6p) I've been sound asleep and couldn't lift an eyelid or keyboard. It's been a nice day.

AND BIG GOOD NEWS for me ; I was anxious about the PIO shots which are 1.5 " and D. would have to administer. Supposedly the oil hurts going in and we would have to keep this up for many weeks. I asked about alternatives and they gave me a newer drug call endometrian - suppositories. Thrilled about this!

Stim Check #3 - Trigger tonight

2008-11-15T16:30:00.000-06:00

13 Follies (11-21mm).
E2 = 2937
Progesterone = 1.52

Doc says everything is A-OK!

ER at 10 on Monday Nov 17th.

So this means I only stimmed for 6 days. (Monday thru Saturday morning) The norm is >8. I didn't ask about the disparity b/c doc appeared very confident about successful retrieval. Besides, it's out of my control. Doc mentioned lead egg might be past it's prime by ER, but the remainder should be perfect.

Stim Check #2

2008-11-14T16:37:00.000-06:00

11 eggs measured and recorded today
(from 9mm to 19 mm)
E2 =2363
Progesterone = 1.07

My ovaries are SORE! The wand even made me yelp today. Can't imagine how they're going to feel by Monday.

They want to do ER on Monday, yet have asked me to drive back in tomorrow AM for the 3rd straight day in a row. (my drive is 1.5 hours each way)

In the Woe is Me category:
1. My beloved Gran is on her deathbed and in utter dementia 6 hours away. Family plans and ER / ET pose a little logistical challenge.
2. Immediately following Stim Check #2 this AM, I told my husband which day ER would be. one hour later he told me was going out of town on that day to buy / or sell a motorcycle. In one hour he had completely forgotten his meagre part in this ! 'Scuze me while I go inject myself some more.

Stim Check #1 - recalled to clinic

2008-11-13T14:21:00.000-06:00

First stim check was this morning. About 13 antral follicles measuring from 9-16mm. Doc said multiple times, "You're doing just fine."

Clinic just called with E2 lab results and they need me back in first thing in the morning. 1500. After 5 or 6 days of stims. (even on low dose IUI cycles, I never got above 300 by O day)

It can't be too critical b/c they told me to do my normal med dose tonight.

Rhetorical Questions: will they cancel? or if they continue with ER and have to do it early will the eggs be mature enough?

Too Much Information

2008-11-11T14:05:00.000-06:00

It's been a while, but I had one of those nights again - too much time on the web reading about Infertility. The gals on FF are wonderful but I come away from these support groups more stressed than I should be. Continuously reading about treatment failures and what-ifs is not the best medicine for me. This last month I took off of TTC it was a happy month. I also took off from the web (except for blogs - why do blogs feel happier?) Aside from the support groups, I can get lost in medical journals and reports about negative things. Enough of that. I know better.

When I goto the doc now I don't ask for my levels. This past U/S the doc asked me why I didn't look at the screen? "What can I do about those blobs?" Sure I like the info and I'll post some of it here as I move along this cycle for my journal's sake. But really, if my levels are such and such and my sacs are such and such, then that's that.

Letting Go.

U/S CD 1

2008-11-08T13:06:00.000-06:00

All clear and ready to start injections! E2 Levels were fine. My first Lupron shot was this morning. Monday starts the Gonal - F. New doc / intern was doing the wanding and he could not find my ovaries. I was able to crack some jokes and ease his stress. He counted about 8 antral follicles on each side.

It's about that Time

2008-10-30T12:47:00.000-05:00

I've been on BCP for about 6 weeks. (I bled for 9 days during it and that wasn't supposed to happen, but the clinic didn't seem to care). Next monday, Nov 3, I stop the BCP pills. Thursday I have the first U/S of the cycle to determine if there are cysts or not, and that night I am supposed to start the Lupron. I know it's all going to turn into a whirlwind after that first doc visit. If cycle goes as planned, I should have an egg or two growing by Thanksgiving. I haven't had babies too much on my mind the past couple of months, so I suspect I need to go look at some pics; also visualizing my future baby should help get me excited.

IVF Drugs

2008-10-13T19:38:00.000-05:00

I finally received them all they came via FedEx, UPS, and USPS . The nurse told me the retail value was almost $4000!

Almost everyone of these drugs has a warning label, "Do not use if pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant" ???? This does not play well with my psyche.

I am almost finished with my first pack of BCP. The nurse told me to skip the blank ones and move on the next pack. "What, no period?" She said I didn't have to have one. Well that just doesn't feel natural. I am accustomed to having my period. We're given periods for a reason in nature, right?

I will do as I am told and not question the authority on the matter. I will take these drugs that all have warning labels .

First IVF Meeting, Protocol and Mock Transfer

2008-10-01T17:19:00.000-05:00

Protocol for IVF#1 = Microdose Flare Lupron

We spent the better of 4 hours at the clinic today for the IVF meeting, and it was my best day there yet! I was under the wings of the awesome IVF Coordinating Nurse Debbie. She insured my blood was drawn on the first prick, that we didn't have to wait around for anything - like the normal 2 hour waits. We sat in her office for an hour going over the protocol and calendar. She's down to Earth, a straight Shooter, and very intelligent on her subject. (I am very happy to report this b/c I have had stressful experiences with my very busy docs and the clinic - the only one in the state- and I did have a bad taste in my mouth about it)

I had a mock transfer that went well and again, the docs told me that I have the ovaries of a 25 yo. (20+ antral follicles?) The proof will be in the quality of the eggs that they ultimately harvest. Daren had to have blood tested and his soldiers were analyzed further.

I have to go out of town to a bz meeting the first couple days of Nov, so they are going to start stimming me on Nov.6 . They predict the transfer to happen right before thanksgiving week.

So basically I have the Month off! Whoopee!

We did decided to freeze the successful embryos that won't be transferred back to me.

So here's my protocol: Microdose Lupron (all our tests have been normal with the exception of an iffy high estrogen test once. Hence this is the protocol the doctor chose)

9/23 - 11/3 = Birth Control Bills - to suppress my ovaries
10/2 = Daren and Virginia take antibiotics to knockout unknown/hypothetical infections
11/8 = start Lupron for suppressing
11/10 = start gonal - f for ovarian stimulation
continue both of these (suppressing and stimulating at the same time??)
11/18 = take ovidrel to release eggs, take anti-biotic to prevent infection
11/20 = Egg Retrieval
11/20 = start steroids, progesterone and estrogen
11/23 = Embryo Transfers
continue Progesterone until first trimester complete.

This is subject to change of course and only skims the surface . The Lupron, progesterone, ovidrel and gonal - f are injections. Some are twice daily!

IVF#1 - CD9

2008-09-29T21:15:00.000-05:00

Got my big packet of info for the "IVF Class" that will take place in two days. Class ? I spent a good portion of today getting my insurance ducks in a row. Although I am 100% covered for IVF - due to state mandate, I was informed that I would need to pay $700 on Wednesday for Out of Network Deductible. A call to the clinic and they stood by this. A call to the insurance company and they insisted it should only be $250. The clinic has been wrong before; once the office manager insisted that UHC did NOT cover IUIs. I had to prove her otherwise with a document. Yet she was so sure of herself; just another example that we must be vigilant about our own business. The paperwork from the clinic also stated that I needed to have about $4k for meds for this cycle: here again; my meds are covered...

I was loosing some sleep that DH might bark about having to leave his work early to join me for this meeting and give another sample, but he didn't bat an eye - so I was loosing sleep for nothing.

It's odd to be on BCPs. I'm on my 8th day. I secretly worry that all these drugs are bad for me...

The moment I look forward to the most on Wednesday is to have the full attention of the IVF nurse who I have met before and liked. I have some calendar and scheduling questions and have NO IDEA what they have in mind for me . Or rather when does my cycle fit into the clinic's?

A pen pal asked me for an update with the IVF. I replied and she jokingly relayed that I sounded hostile towards IVF. There is a sad truth to this that I must overcome. How can I expect a positive outcome otherwise. I feel angst at how my clinic has treated me the past several months: their busy waiting room, no time for questions, the wait time of upwards of 2+hours sometimes while in the paper gown and alone... I need to get past all this.

IVF#1 ~ CD2

2008-09-22T22:05:00.000-05:00

Started Yaz birth control today so the docs can have a clean slate to work with. I read the warnings for potential side effects and swallowed regardless. Drugs = babies, right?

IVF Class is scheduled for Oct 1st. Class consists of me and Daren meeting with the IVF coordinating nurse to go over paperwork and calendar I presume. "Inject Class" was completed last month with IUI #2. It lasted all of 3 minutes.