Our First IVF

IVF # 1
After 2 ½ years of no pregnancy we decided to look into IVF.
We started looking at IVF. It was very expensive in our area and we had no fertility insurance . So we would have to pay for it all ourselves. We began our search on the internet looking at the different fertility clinics in our area. The prices were no less than $10000.00 for a single IVF cycle not including ICSI or the medication. Our dream of having a child seemed like it was never going to come true. So we kept looking and tried to find an IVF Center that we could afford. We then found Dr. B in New York. His fees were much less than IVF in our area. I called him in November of 2006 and he answered all my questions about IVF for free. After talking with Dr. B we decided to fly out to New York for the weekend to meet him. After meeting him we then started to plan an IVF cycle with Dr. B. We decided to start our IVF cycle in December of 2006 at home and have my doctor here monitor me until day 9 of my cycle. He called in the medication we needed from the pharmacy and the pharmacy shipped it to us overnight. One week before my cycle was due I went for a baseline ultrasound and then started a medication called Lupron. I took it once a day until the day before the retreival. It was my first injection of many to come. Then on day 3 of my cycle I went for day 3 labs. They drew FSH and Estradoil levels. That night after the doctor received my results I was able to start the second injection called Bravelle. I took 225IU of Bravelle on cycle days 3 thru 6. I went for ultrasound and bloodwork every few days. And my results were faxed to the doctor in New York. On day 5 of my cycle I then started another injection called Repronex. I took 150IU of Repronex on cycle days 5 thru 8 and 150IU of Bravelle. On day 9 of my cycle we arrived in New York and saw Dr. B. He did bloodwork and an ultrasound to monitor my progress. I had about 15 follicles but they were not large enough yet to retrieve. So Dr. B increased my medication. I took 150IU of Bravelle and 450IU of Repronex. I then returned the next day for another ultrasound and more bloodwork. Every day I would go for bloodwork and an ultrasound to see if the follicles had grown. On day 10 of my cycle the doctor increased my Repronex to 600IU. On day 11 of my cycle I went again for more bloodwork and another ultrasound. Dr. B decided that the follicles were large enough for reteival. I stopped all the other injections on cycle day 10. And was given the HCG injection on day 11 of my cycle. I was told not to eat or drink anything after midnight. We went to the Doctor’s office on day 11 of my cycle for the retrieval. I was taken back to the retrieval room while my husband gave his donation in another room. The anesthesiologist and Doctor explained the procedure to me.. He first gave me an IV and then asked me where I would like to go on vacation. I said Jamaica. He then injected some medication into my IV and off on my vacation I went. I woke up about 30 minutes later to the anesthesiologist asking me how my vacation was. The Doctor was there also and said that everything went well. My husband was finally allowed into the room with me. We stayed in recovery for about an hour and then the Doctor gave me my first Progesterone injection. I have to say out of all the injections this was the worst. I was then given several medications. I started Doxycycline to help prevent infection. I was given Medrol which was an Estradiol tablet. And Progesterone suppositories along with the Progesterone Oil injection that I would have to take until we saw a heartbeat. After my time in recovery I was able to leave the office and go get something to eat and then go back to our hotel and rest. Later that day we received a phone call from Dr. B saying that they had retrieved 5 eggs and he would call us tomorrow and let us know how many fertilized. We were relieved that they were able to retreive more than one egg because we knew that meant we would have more of a chance of getting pregnant. The next day Dr. B called and told us that 4 out of the 5 eggs fertilized and that they were good quality eggs. We didn’t have to return to the Doctor until 13 of my cycle. We went in for bloodwork and to talk to the Doctor about the progress of our embryos. We were then told to return for a day 3 transfer which was day 14 of my cycle. All 4 embryos were transferred back to increase our chances of pregnancy.The Doctor said with my age the chances of all 4 taking was not likely. We then returned home on day 15 of my cycle. I caught a bad cold while in New York and was scared to take anything for it. So all I could do was rest. One week and 2 weeks after the transfer I went to my OB doctor and had my progesterone level checked and had an ultrasound to check the lining of my uterus. Every thing was looking good. But during the second week after the transfer I started getting those PMS symptoms and started having a little spotting. And of course I thought I was getting my period and was disappointed. I asked my Doctor if they would do an HCG blood test since a home pregnancy test came up negative. Much to my surprise the nurse called and said I was pregnant. I was happy but also worried because I was still spotting. My Doctor said that it is normal to have some slight spotting early in pregnancy. I then went in every 2 days for bloodwork. My levels were quadrupling. I was told that we might be having multiples. The first thought was fear. We knew we had transferred 4 embryos. The thought of possibly having 4 babies was scary. But we went in at 5 ½ weeks for another ultrasound and there was only one sac. And it was not measuring the size it should be. Our happiness went to worry. We had went so far and done so much to have the baby we had wanted . And then to have someone tell us we may lose it. We were told to come back in a week for another ultrasound and bloodwork. My HCG numbers continued to rise over the next week. But when we returned for our 6 ½ week ultrasound there was no heartbeat and we were told again that we would probably have a miscarriage. We were in a state of shock. hoping the Doctor was wrong.. But my spotting continued and by the time I was 7 weeks it was getting worse. I woke up the day we had the miscarriage and had a feeling that something wasn’t right. And sure enough the spotting got worse and then I began to pass clots. By the afternoon I passed what we believe was the embryo. We were told that it was nature’s way of fixing something that wasn’t just right. We were also told that it was probably something chromosomally wrong. Sadness filled our hearts. The dream of having a child together was gone. After months of grieving we were able to consider trying IVF again.