Adventures in Stims

 

If you are unfamiliar with my story, we decided to complete 2 retrievals in a row before we start genetic testing (I’m not crazy I think). We completed our first retrieval in September and today marks day 7 of stims for retrieval 2. I figured the retrievals would be the same since we are doing the same exact thing. By now I should know that with infertility and IVF, I should expect the unexpected.

During this round, I have felt more bloated and worn down. I am also gaining weight faster. Today I found out the reason. I am responding more this time. In our first retrieval, we started with 16 follicles which ultimately led to 4 day 5 frosties. I was ecstatic with those results. Today I found out that we have 29 follicles. They are all very similar in size (between 10 and 12.5mm). My RE is always quick to remind me that higher numbers are not always better. What really matters is whether eggs are actually growing in the follicles and how good those eggs are.

Even so, she (and I) are really happy with these results. My numbers are not too high to where she is worried that I am over-responding. Also, we are preemptively decreasing the likelihood of OHSS being an issue by having a freeze all cycle. I know that all women are different but for me, I am so glad we decided to skip a fresh transfer. I feel like it makes things so much easier and I am glad I will have a chance to recover before we do a transfer (assuming PGS shows I have some normal eggs). It does add extra wait time but at this point I have been waiting for 5 years so what’s a few more months?

It looks like our retrieval will happen on Wednesday or Thursday. Assuming all this works out, this could mean that I am close to being done with retrievals forever! I decided at the beginning of all this that I would do two retrievals and if nothing comes from that then we would look at other ways to expand our family.

Today I tried to estimate the number of shots I have given myself in the last 3 months (it’s a lot). They are not too bad but it will be nice when I do not have to do it anymore. I do get a kick out of my husband’s face when he is around while I am giving myself my shots. He things the Follistim pen looks awful but that is actually the one I feel the least (I also take Lupron and HCG). I may have milked this process a bit to get a little extra TLC from him 🙂 He has been super supportive which makes things so much better.

I have been keeping up with other blogs and it looks like I have a lot of IVF cycle buddies. Best of luck to everyone!- xoxox Jennie