You might be wondering how IVF #4 is going. I started stims last Thursday and I went in for my first follie check on Tuesday. I was pretty excited since I had 10-12+ antral follicles on each side.. We were also being aggressive on my stimming protocol since we weren’t going to transfer (progesterone increases OHSS but I wasn’t going to do progesterone so OHSS wasn’t as big of an issue). Needless to say I was expecting to see a good number of follies. Imagine my disappointment when we only saw a few follies on each side. To make matters worse, my ovaries were disynchronous, meaning that the follicles on one ovary were measuring ahead of the other ovary. My E2 level came back later that day at only 188. WTF? Really? We decided to keep stimming and repeat the u/s on Thursday morning. My RE was also quite surprised by the results and thought maybe I was just a slow starter.
Fast forward to this morning. I had already decided that if things weren’t progressing that I would scrap this cycle. In fact I decided to hold off on my morning dose of go.nal-f until after my ultrasound… no point in wasting another vial. On my ultrasound, the other follicles hadn’t caught up. I still just had about 4 follicles on each side. I know to some that’s a good cycle but I was really hoping to produce more. While still wanding me, my RE says to me “Don’t kick me in the face but what do you think about…” I cut him off, “Yes, let’s cancel this cycle”. I think he was so relieved that I was on the same page. We were both unsatisfied with how this cycle was progressing so there was no need to continue.
It’s amazing how different this cycle has been. Obviously having 3 kids changes everything. There’s no longer the emotional baggage that comes with cycling. No longer that pressure of thinking that if this cycle doesn’t work, we may never have children. Had we been cancelled at that point, I would have been devastated. I’m sure I would have been in tears during the wanding session. Instead since this is an effort for a bonus baby down the road, I was relaxed and joking with my RE (who over the years has become a friend). We’re going to cycle again in January. We briefly discussed other protocols. We’ve always said, the first IVF is a practice one. I hope this counts as my practice shot and the next one is a success.
Sorry about the disappointment! I like your attitude about it and agree that it should be considered a practice round. Now, you can enjoy the holidays without having to poke yourself.
I like that you refer to this future lil one as a bonus baby! Totally takes the stress out of IVF when you have 3 beautiful children at home huh! Sorry it didn't go so well, but like anna said, no more shots during the holidays!
Today I'm waiting to hear if I'm canceled. No babies at home yet, so I'm not as relaxed as you. But nonetheless, it is good perspective. Thanks.
Were sorry to hear that it did not go as you were hoping!! Sending good thoughts in January!!
Damn. I'm sorry ! I am glad that your circumstances are different this time around but it still sucks to go through the whole thing with nothing at the end.(I suppose I jinxed you by cursing you with more eggs than your wife. sorry bout that)