I am so happy to see this check-in! I love lurking on old IF pals, now I can do it a bit more openly. First off, though I've moved on to PAIF, IF isn't off my radar. Even at 20 weeks, I still struggle with completely embracing this pregnancy. That said, I can't wait to meet my miracle girl in April!

For those of you who don't remember me, DH and I struggle with MFI. After years of trying, RE said IUI was not an option. I cycled with the Spring Chicks in April. That first IVF ended in a c/p, which was devastating. I took a bit of a break and then cycled as a Beach Bum in August (I ran the check-in - hi again everyone!!). IVF #2 was a success and I am due April 24th with a girl- Grace Charlotte! :)

I am still rooting for all of you girls. My heart is with you. I am confident that one day each of you will make the move over to PAIF. xo

Hi Ladies!

I think of you ladies all the time and are pulling for you and lurk to see how everyone is doing. Hugs to those that need them.

For those that don't remember DH and I were unexplained IF. We went through two medicated TI cycles due to missing O and then two medicated IUI's, one with injects included and all were BFFN. DH and I were devastated. We didn't have coverage for IVF, we had been paying 50% OOP for everything so far. We didn't have the money for IVF, but my mom gave us some money to make our dream possible and with a ridiculously expensive loan and a fellow bumpie who turned into a IRL friend almost all my meds were donated to me. I can never thank her enough for what she did for us!

After two delays, one to remove a uterine polyp and a second to have my gallbladder removed, I moved forward with IVF#1. We transferred two embryos and were extremely fortunate to have it be a success! I am now 9 weeks and 2 days KU with twins! DH and I couldn't be more excited. It was a long 2+ year journey, but we are forever grateful for those who helped along the way (you ladies included!!!) to get us to where we are now.

Everything is going great, babies are perfect, I graduated last week from the RE (we even got 3D pics of the babies!) and am trying to be patient with my two week wait for my OB/MFM appt (spoiled with once a week with the RE). I am more than exhausted, but I know that means all is well. I just don't sleep more than 2 hours straight at night, thanks to my bladder for that too.

Miss you all and wishing you the best of luck! Sorry so long!

I love this idea and love that I can still post over here on the IF board.  Ditto PennyLane - I stalk often but don't comment.

QOTW:  Since this is a new thing we're doing - please share your IF story with us and what finally got you to your goal of being KTFU!!!

DH and I decided about 6 months after we were married that we would start trying to have a family (we have been together for 10 years and we had been living together 'in sin' for 2 at that point).  After a year, we met with our RE.  After going through all the tests and all the bloodwork, we were diagnosed as unexplained IF.  Of course we were happy to not have any 'issues', but baffled as to why it wasn't happening for us.

So over the next year, we did the treatment options.  3 cycles of Clomid + TI, 3 cycles of Clomid + IUI, 3 cycles of Follistim + IUI all = BFN.  Our first IVF cycle was canceled before it even got started due to a cyst I had developed (found at my first baseline appointment).  IVF cycle 1.2 is our current and only successful pregnancy we've ever had.  Our little girl is due on Feb 19th!

I am hoping to see you all over on PAIF very soon!!

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking on the IF board since I got my BFP, just in disbelief and not read to let go I guess. I'm praying for all of you that good news is on the way for you.

H and I have been married for 5 years and after my brief battle with ovarian cancer 4 months after our wedding, decided on TTC on our 1 year. Our journey lasted 4 years. During that time we had a year of charting which didn't produce anything, 7 failed clomid cycles, 4 failed IUIs, a boat load of tears and grief. Then finally IVF #1 was a BFP and we found out yesterday it's twins. I still worry daily that this joy can be taken away from us at any time, but I am managing to allow myself to rejoice in little bursts.

I'm 7 weeks today and feeling double the nausea and exhaustion, but it's everything thing I've wanted! I hope our story provides some optimism and hope because IF pretty much erodes that from time to time.

Good luck to you ladies!

Hi ladies!

We were diagnosed with MFI in Sept 2011. We spent 3 months with a urologist, but nothing helped, so we moved onto a RE. IVF was recommended, but due to hope and being OOP, we tried a Clomid IUI. Low post wash and a BFN, so we moved onto IVF.

Had a perfect cycle with the Spring Chicks, except neither of our perfect 4AA blasts stuck. BFN. Then, had another perfect cycle with the July Sparklers and we opted to do a 3dt of 3 embryos. One stuck, but betas were low/slow and it ended as a CP.

We had 3 snow babies from IVF #1 and 4 from IVF #2. For our FET with the Turkey Basters, we had them thaw 2 perfect 4AA blasts, they both survived and so we have 5 snow babies remaining. We had really high betas this time, so we were expecting twins. 2 gestational sacs showed on the ultrasound, but one appeared empty. We are still hopeful for twins, but thrilled either way to finally be pregnant. 6w6d today. 

As PennyLane said, when you've dealt with IF, what it took to get to this point (being PG) never really leaves your mind. I am beyond thrilled to be pregnant and expecting twins, but I still get anxiety every now and then, and probably will until I'm holding these babies in my arms!

This is all in my siggy, but briefly my DH had chemo and a stem cell transplant to treat his Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2009-10, which left him with zero swimmers. Luckily he banked sperm before he started chemo, but his counts were low because he banked when he was sick. We waited until he was a year in remission before we started to think about kiddos. Once the SA came back with the harsh words "no sperm", we knew trying naturally would be a waste of time, so we saw an RE who told us IVF would be much more effective than IUI because of his banked sperm count. I cycled in April, but did not get any fertilized eggs. I got my BFP when I cycled in August as a Beach Bum using Gonal F and Menopur (and boy, did they make me nuts!)

Best of luck to all you ladies dealing with IF, it's not an easy road. I wish you all success and BFPs! 

**Sorry its long***

I'm glad this is here! I've only been gone from the IF boards for a short time and I miss you guys! I lurk ALL the time!! Always rooting for you ladies!

QOTW: my IF story started almost three years ago. My DH tested himself way before we saw a RE because I read sometimes it can be the man more than the woman and its cheaper to get him tested. He came back all perfect! I always knew I would have an issue getting KU. I knew I would have to go this route, but didnt know it was so much work! 

In August of last year we began my testing. My RE had no idea why I wasn't getting KU. I was about to become unexplained, but they asked if I wanted to do a genetic screening. I said sure but didnt think anything of it. As I was waiting for those I passed every test with flying colors. My progesterone was slightly low and my egg reserve seemed ok, but nothing too alarming. Once we got our results for the genetic testing, they told me I was a fragile x carrier. I had no idea what I meant. I heard of it in my teaching classes but my professors never focused on it. They said counsyl will call me and tell me what it is. She scared me and said I. Only had a 50% chance of having a normal girl with no mental issues. And only a 1% chance of having a boy normal with no metal issues. She also never mentioned pgd. She told me I should do a donor egg or adoption if I didn't want it to affect my children.

It didnt sound right so we met a genetic counselor in our area. She said that counsyl was very wrong. I had a 50% chance for a normal child regardless of sex. And also mentioned pgd. She gave me so much hope! She said its very possible to have a normal biological child. 

So we decided to do pgd. We had to pay $3800 oop and all at once. So we had to wait for that. After months of waiting our probe was finished. Then, I was all excited because I was ready to start the shots! We did two ER. We sent 9 embryos in and got two 'normals' back. One boy and one girl. 

I, personally, believe pgd helped me be successful my first IVF. And I saved a lot of time getting genetic testing and not going for iui. I highly recommend genetic testing, it was optional for me and glad I chose to do it. 

Since I have fragile x, my chances of pcos are very high and most likely hit menapaus very early. So whatever children i get I really am blessed!

Thanks for setting this up juicy! Means a lot :) 

What a great idea.  I always check the IF board first, as it still feels like "home".

QOTW:  DH and I started TTC in October 2008, 6 months before our April wedding.  I was tracking BBT, but my cycles didn't regulate right away due to years on Depo Provera (aka The Devil).  In March, 3 wks before our wedding, DH went to MD due to pain in a testicle and we were immediately told it was most likely cancer.  He had his right testicle removed 5 days later.  Amidst the chaos of cancer, wedding, honeymoon, etc. DH chose not to have an SA or bank sperm.  After 4 rounds of chemo, tumors appeared in his abdomen so he needed surgery to remove all lymph nodes/tumors.  The surgery severed nerves causing permanent retrograde ejaculation and the chemo cause azoo.  We knew IVF would be our only option, but needed to wait a minimum of two years to see if sperm production would resume.  Finally, in January 2012, DH had his first SA come back showing sperm, although all were nonmotile due to PH of urine.  After meds and several more tests, we were told that a biopsy would be the only option for trying to find viable sperm.  We did all other necessary testing, as well as ordered DS as a backup, and started our first IVF in April.  6 days of stims caused one follicle to jump way ahead of the others and we were cancelled.  Our second try was a different protocol (long lupron).  DH also had his biopsy the day of ER and we were excited to find healthy, mature sperm.  We retrieved 12 (I think), had 11 eggs fertilize, transferred 2, and froze 4.  We're now expecting triplets, all boys.

I'll be 24wks tomorrow (woo hoo!) and so far everything looks great!  I'm on meds for hyperthryroidism and high BP, but both seem to be regulated now due to the meds.  My goal is 35 wks, but I'm now taking it month by month.  Next goal is 28wks then 32wks.

Congratulations ladies, and thank you for sharing your stories, you have no idea how much hope they give me!!  Hoping you all have smooth, uneventful pregnancie! 

eandk18:

Congratulations ladies, and thank you for sharing your stories, you have no idea how much hope they give me!!  Hoping you all have smooth, uneventful pregnancie! 

should say pregnancies...geez!! 

I totally lurk over here all the time. I am pulling for all you ladies! (Also, my heart goes out to those of you with bfns.)

We were trying for about two years with one CP when we finally gave in and went to the RE. Technically we were unexplained IF, but the RE suspected endo. We did four IUIs with no success before moving on to IVF. The IUIs wore me out, emotionally and physically, so we took two months off before IVF. Then an EPP antagonist cycle with ICSI/AH, two out of seven made it to 5dt, we transferred both and one stuck. :)  

Right now we are almost 15 weeks, which seems completely crazy. I am still hesitant to relax into the pregnancy and enjoy it, but I am doing my best! 

I wish all of you the best of luck in your journeys, and hope to see you over on PAIF soon!

Hi ladies!  ::waves::  I think about you all often!

My story:
   After trying on our own and charting for a year, we did all the normal IF testing (HSG, b/w, S/A, etc...).  I had slightly elevated FSH, and DH had some motility issues with borderline numbers on count.

  We did our first IUI with only 1 million total motile sperm, and got KU with our one in a million!  Unfortunately, that was a c/p.  Three more IUIs were all BFNs.

  About a year ago I started posting on IF in addition to 3T and we did a fresh IVF cycle (28 retrieved, 19 fertilized, 6 blasts, one transferred and 5 frozen).  That was also a c/p.  FET#1 we transferred two, and both stuck.  We had good betas, and even made it to an u/s to see that both embies stuck, but I started bleeding and had an early m/c.  FET#2, transferred two more... BFN

   Last August we transferred our final frozen embie and to our delight it has stuck around for the last 4 months!  I'm 17w6d today   I was GF for three months before this transfer and also used PIO since crinone was really causing a problem for me.  Not sure if either of those made a difference, but I guess you never know.

  I started feeling movement on Thanksgiving and have my A/S coming up two days after christmas.  Feeling pretty good and just kind of chugging along!

Basically, we've been TTC for 3 years. We had 2 miscarriages in 2010. Although we didn't know it until over a year later one of those D&Cs lead to an infection (symptomless) that destroyed my tubes. In November 2011 we got pregnant again only to discover it was ectopic and it was during surgery that my doctor discovered how bad my tubes were. The right one was removed. And the left was cleaned up and FX that it would actually work. We attemped a few injectible/Clomid/IUI cycles over the summer that all ended in BFNs. We finally decided to jump ship, switched REs and moved right into IVF. And we got a BFP. We're still technically in limbo as my betas have been wonky but seem to be getting back on track. Before my tubal issues getting pregnant was never our issue so I feel like for me the bigger battle is just starting while we hope to hold onto this baby. First ultrasound is Friday and I'm already getting scared.

Thanks for running the check-in Juicy!

And to the ladies still here, so many ((((Hugs)))) and positive vibes and prayers being sent to each and every one of you. I know that sounds so cliche but I truly mean it. Wishing you all the very best!

Hello, ladies!  Love the check-in ideas!!

About us....
I was getting frustrated that I wasn't getting pregnant.  We are both healthy and active, so I had no idea why we couldn't conceive and we were almost 35.  One day we were discussing about our health history and my DH mentioned that he had undescended testicles and had a corrective surgery late in his life.  I didn't know what exactly it was, but my gut told me that I needed to look into this.  I did some research and found out that it can very much affect fertility, so I brought it up to my GYN.  She took it serious and we did SA right away.  Bamm...everything was low, esp.  morph, but it still showed 2%.  

Then, we started working with RE.  We tried 3 IUIs, which all resulted in BFNs.  I was a July sparkler and had IVF w/ ICSI following the last IUI.  It was very hectic with the timing and financials, but the IF board was my rock.  Did 5 days transfer with perfect 2 embies, but I ended up with a blighted ovum so lost one.  HOWEVER, my other rock star embie stuck!!!  We didn't have any frosties, so this one was our hope.  We found out that it's a girl and she just turned 24 weeks and we cannot be any proud of her.  

Anxiety never goes away even after I became pregnant.  Tear still comes up when I drive pass by my RE clinic and everything I went through to get here.   I still think a lot about this board and I am rooting for all of you!!!                

eandk18:

eandk18:

Congratulations ladies, and thank you for sharing your stories, you have no idea how much hope they give me!!  Hoping you all have smooth, uneventful pregnancie! 

 

should say pregnancies...geez!! 

Best of luck to you with your upcoming cycle!!!! 

Add me to the list of Grads that are thrilled to see this check in :)

I think of you IF ladies often and always lurk, but don't comment.

DH and I started trying in August of 2011. I was sure it would take us a while since I had been on the pill for SO long. I immediately started temping and much to my surprise, my cycles were regular pretty much right out of the gate. By February 2012 I was convinced something was wrong. Everything looked perfect on paper - there had to be a reason I was not getting pregnant. My OB agreed to see us and do some baseline testing. I have always liked my OB but I am so incredibly grateful that she was willing to explore even though it hadn't been a year. We got the call in early March that DH's numbers were very low and were sent straight to an RE.

We spent some time with a URO - and DH was DX'ed with a small varicole. We decided to proceed straight to IVF, as our numbers were too low for IUI. We cycled in July and had a perfect cycle.

To this day I am still florred that I am actually pregnant.

I'll be 23 weeks on Thursday and am finally getting a bump. Not sure if it's because of the long road that it took to get me here or not - but I actually love being pregnant. Despite a few complications I have had a very easy pregnancy and feeling this baby move just amazes me!

I am rooting for you all and hope to see you on PAIF soon.

P.S. for those ladies dealing with MFI - Please feel free to page me on PAIF if you ever have any questions. I had a really hard time with this DX and am happy to help in any way I can!

HI Ladies! I am your biggest cheerleader!!!

I am 11 weeks pregnant with one baby- I did IVF with 6 eggs retrieved, 5 fertilized, and had no frosties. They put in 2 embryos, and We had a vanishing twin we think, because my betas were high, then didn't double. I graduated from RE 2 weeks ago and saw my first OB friday. I had an ultrasound and it is starting to look like a  baby now. We announced to family on Thanksgiving, which was a lot of fun. My dad did a magic trick where he pulled a scarf out of the air that said call me grandpa. We haven't announced on FB yet. We plan on doing our professional christmas card pregnancy announcements tomorrow. I have gotten a lot of ideas on Pinterest.  The scariness and worry never stops. I miss getting ultrasounds often. Other than that, I haven't been sick, just yeast infections and hemmorhoids, FUN FUN! I miss talking with you guys, and I do lurk often. Thank you for the chance to check in. I truly wish the best for you ladies. Maybe your time will be short on here. I am not brave enough for pics of the bump yet. 

SOOO glad to see this started....I check in on ALL you ladies daily!! My thoughts and prayers are with out and I pray you get yout BFP's!!

 Update and back ground on me:

Was trying for 3 years 3 months, tried Naturally for 10 months, had low Progestrone.Orginally thought it was Unexplained IF did 7-8 rounds of Clomid, 4 IUI's, 1 cancelled IVF, 1 IVF that resulted in a C/P,then on our next full round of IVF only ended up with 2 that took, did a 3dt, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant with TWINS!!

Everything out 1st cycle that ended in a C/P looked great...5 day transfer of prim embies...remaining embies made it to freeze

The cycle that ended up with Twins, only 3 that even made it, 2 transfered on a 3 day transfer and none made it to freeze....

So don't give up hope on those cycles where things don't seem "perfect"...sometimes they are just what works!P

Praying for you ladies~!!

Hi ladies! I echo the other grads in that I lurk here often to see how you're all doing! I know my stay here was short because I found you all at the end of our 2 year journey, but you're all wonderful and deserve this miracle! I am rooting for all of you!!

DH and I married in October 2010 and I had gone off my BC the weekend of our wedding as we had agreed. We tried for a year on our own with no success at all before moving on to 2 unmonitored medicated cycles, then off to the RE for 5 medicated IUI's (pills and injectables) and finally on to a fresh IVF cycle which resulted in our BFP almost two years after starting to try.

Here is my 13 week bump pic from Friday, 11/30/12. Bloating is gone, just bump now, which is exciting and crazy - I'm sure it won't change too much in the next couple months until I really pop! :)

This is so exciting!! I check in with all of you frequently!

My journey was almost two years.  We were diagnosed with MFI and first tried IUI and clomid.  After three failed attempts we moved on to other options.  We began our IVF journey.  I had 13 eggs retrieved 11 of those were fertilized with ICSI.  I had a 3day transfer of two beautiful embies both 8 cell and grade 3.  I got my first BFP.  My husband kept telling me up until the first ultrasound that he had  a feeling both took and sure enough we are having Twins!! We are over the moon I am 8 weeks and 1 day pregnant now.  I have graduated from my RE and have my first prenatal visit with my OB on Dec 13th.  I wish you all the best.  I am still all bloat and so ready to have a baby bump.  The meds and now the pregnancy have made all my jeans to tight and I live with belly bands and sweat pants now a days :)  It still doesnt seem real to me and I cant wait to see my babies again hopefully at the next appointment.   

Thanks for doing this Juicy!

 We were married in '07 with no plans of starting TTC for 2-3 years.  Flash forward,(2008)  my blood pressure was high at my regular gyno appointment so they wouldn't refill my birth control pill, so we used the pull up method until '10.  No slip ups or anything.  In 2010, my BFF had a stillbirth daughter (@39 weeks) which was beyond devastating, which led DH and I to start trying.  We did for a year (temping, opk, etc) and I was ovulating, but nothing ever happened.  We starting seeing an RE, and we did a ton of tests which led to me being PCOS-like (what ever that means), and DH was fine.  I haven't had a thyroid since I was in college, so my hashimoto's was never really a factor.  

We did 4 IUI's (clomid, fermara, natural) between last December and August, before we went for IVF #1.  It worked and we were expecting twins until our 10 week appointment, where they discovered that B's heart had stopped beating at 9w3d.  Baby A is doing fantastic and we are still excited to be expecting a miracle in June!  No bump pic yet, but will definitely start taking some this weekend! 

Loving this! Like others have said, I lurk all the time and can't wait for more of you to join us!

Our history is in my sig, but we are dealing mostly with MFI and my anovulatory issues. DH had testicular cancer and it seemed to have done a number on his swimmers. We went straight to IVF with our RE (after several months of trying on our own and clomid rounds with my OB) and got this miracle baby! We don't have any to freeze, so IVF is more than likely in our future again since RE gave us a less than 1% chance of ever conceiving on our own.

I am now almost 27 weeks and the sting of IF never goes away. Anytime I don't feel movement (and my entire pregnancy up until 22 weeks since I didn't have any symptoms) I freak out. I get really scared the day before and day of appointments that the OB won't be able to find anything. I wish I could enjoy it, but it's so hard sometimes.

I am rooting for you all and hope to see good news from everyone soon!

I love this check in!  The ladies on the IF were so helpful for me.  IF is such a lonely road and this board made me feel like I wasn't so alone.  It also has helped me to tell IRL people about our IVF journey (I'm usually very private). 

We started our RE conversations about six months before our first assisted cycle.  We had already had conversations with my OBGYN but we were trying to get full custody of SS1 and SS2 and wasn't ready for the additional stress.  We had an unmonitored IUI.  It failed.  We switched REs and began our IVF cycle with the September Sweethearts.  So thankful that it worked. 

It is still such an amazement.  I saw my baby last week during my u/s.  For the first time, it looked like a baby.  LO's nose reminds me of my sister's little button nose when she was a baby.  My due date is on DH's beloved deceased grandmother's birthday.  We feel LO has been extra blessed by our family who have passed.

The IVF process is so emotional and uncomfortable but is so worth this miracle.  I am so grateful everyday that we had the option for IVF.  I was finally ready for this when my IRL friend had her beautiful baby after 6 IVF treatments.  She had everything going against her -- other than cancer, if you can name it, they had it.  And it worked.  She has been my inspiration daily. 

Good luck IFers!  I am looking forward to seeing you soon at PAIF.

Add me to the list of grads who is grateful for this check-in.  I lurk here all the time, and am rooting for everyone to find success.

My story:

After a year of TTC, we met with the RE and did all the testing.  I had a lap in February to diagnose/remove stage 2 endo.  We did 3 IUIs, all BFN.  Our RE wasn't really sure why it wasn't working for us, but we were lucky enough to have some insurance coverage, so we moved on to IVF.  I cycled with the Beach Bums in August and had a chemical pregnancy.  I cycled again with the Pumpkin Patchers in October, transfered 2 3-day embies that were pretty fragmented (stage 4 of 5) and am now 10w4d with one baby.  

The fear of IF still lingers, and I'm terrified to tell anyone outside of immediate family and afraid at every point that something will go wrong.  But at the same time, I'm filled with hope.