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01-23-2013 at 7:41 PM
jezebel57
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fear of birth defects?

So because I always have to have SOMETHING to worry about, now that pregnancy is within my grasp with the upcoming IVF, I have now allowed myself to start worrying about what may happen when I actually become pregnant.  I would love to do PGD but my RE does not recommend unless there is a reason to think we would need it.  Plus I don't know how much extra $$ it would be.  I am now concerned with the thought of what if something is wrong with the baby?  should i get an amnio since i will be 37 at time of pregnancy?  would I do something about it if the results were abnormal after knowing how hard i worked to get there?  so many thoughts going through my head right now.  do IF'ers ever stop worrying?! 
Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Beta #1 at 11dp3dt is 190, Beta #2 at 13dp3dt is 363. U/S scheduled for June 13. In shock and so very hopeful. U/S showed 2 heartbeats in same placenta measuring 113 and 115 bpm. Identical miracles headed our way February 4th. Image and video hosting by TinyPic BabyFruit Ticker  
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01-23-2013 at 7:45 PM
Gr8te
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I think most people worry. I will get any tests that are recommended. You just have to remember the statistics of a normal healthy baby are in our favor.

Good Luck!
~ Everyone Welcome ~
TTC: 05/2011 Me: 32, All Clear DH: 38 Dx: MFI Low Testosterone & 1% Morphology
IVF #1 w/ICSI & IMSI, 12/03/12: ER: 27R, 20M, 15F
4 blasts frozen (3BA 4BA 4BB 5BB) b/c of moderate OHSS
FET #1: 02/08/13 Transferred 3BA & 4BA | HPT 5dp5dt BFP!
10dp5dt Beta #1 - 810 | 12dp5dt Beta #2 - 1843
BabyFetus Ticker 
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01-23-2013 at 8:12 PM
DebateThis
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Gr8te:

I think most people worry. I will get any tests that are recommended. You just have to remember the statistics of a normal healthy baby are in our favor.

Good Luck!

This. 

Also, Talking with YH about as many "what ifs" as possible will probably help, too. We've already had one loss due to chromosomal defect so we've talked extensively about what we plan to do if it happens again, etc. You can't control the future, but you can certainly be as prepared and informed as possible.

TTC on and off since April 2007. IUI#1 (50mg Clomid + Trigger) 3/14. BFP 3/25 at 11dpo. No heartbeat at 8 weeks on 4/26, D&C 4/27. IUI #2 7/22 (50mg Clomid +Trigger)= CP. IUI #3 8/16 = BFN. IUI#4 9/14= BFN. IVF#1 started 10/31; cancelled 11/15. New clinic; 1st visit 12/26. IVF #1 (take 2) cancelled. IVF#1 (take 3)Feb. 2013! 2/9/13 ER = 25 eggs. 24 M/22F. 5dt (SET)2/14. 2/25= BFP! Beta 372!  
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01-23-2013 at 8:19 PM
jadwedd
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Nope ifers never ever stop worrying.  I think at my dr he said that the testing is $250 per embryo.  Which was way cheaper than we thought it would be.  But he was only going to do that if the ivf didn't work and we had some frosties to test.  So we did not have to worry about the testing, or the freezing cost. ($1200)  I am just trying to take it one calamity at a time with all this.  But I do worry because I will be 37 soon too.  But I think as long as we don't FEEL 37 it will be ok :)
Married 12-12-04
TTC since 07
me-36 PCOS, Tubal Problems, and polyps removed 7-12
DH - 36 extremely handsome and no fertility problems
IUI 8-12 and 9-12 failed
IVF 12-21-2012 - 2 I think perfect no matter what the dr graded them (2B)embryos transferred Beta on 12-31-12 Positve - Beta is 21
Beta 2 1-2-13 - 31
Beta 3 1-4-13 - 53
Beta 4 1/9 - 212!
Ultrasound 1/10 - Nothing completely empty uterus Beta 1/14 - 743; Beta 1/17 - 1704 ultrasound shows nothing. Officially a miscarriage. 1/21 Beta 3900 Dr. says it ectopic. Ultrasound shows a miracle heartbeat right in the uterus where it belongs! Dr. says I can be cautiously optomistic!!! Hang in there baby!

 
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01-23-2013 at 8:42 PM
BootsOrHea...
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One thing at a time. Breathe! :-)

BabyFruit Ticker
TTC since January, 2011 | Me: 39, DH: 38 |DX: DOR and Uterine Fibroids | Natural BFP#1 January 31, 2012 | Harrison Gray born sleeping @ 18w6d on May 11, 2012 | Three surgeries and 26 fibroids later. . . | Natural cycle = BFN | 2 medicated cycles = BFN | IUI#1 = BFN | IUI#2 = Cancelled due to poor response | IVF#1=BFP#2 EDD Oct. 29, 2013, C/P 2/25/13, Bye little Ish | Natural cycle = BFP#3, Beta 1=1250, Beta 2=2230, EDD 12/21/13, Hello Izzy!|
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” ― Helen Keller
 
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01-23-2013 at 8:59 PM
SCrier
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I think it is a relief to hear that others have the same fear as i feel the same way.  Right now I just worry about the possibility of IF i will be able to get pregnant and when/if I do i will worry about miscarry and then from there I will worry about if the the baby be healthy.  Unfortunately I think the stress of all this just causes constant worry.
 
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01-23-2013 at 10:34 PM
RosyGlow
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I definitely think this is normal to worry so much! Just in case it is helpful, your doctor is correct to suggest that you don't need PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) unless there is a known genetic mutation or genetic disorder in your family. On the one hand, I hear you saying that you are worrying for worry's sake, but on the other hand, maybe some more information about PGD/PGS would help? There is a pretty common misunderstanding between PGD and PGS on the internet. I think your doctor is probably right not to recommend PGD unless there is a genetic disorder in your family history (like there is in mine), however, you might want to ask your doctor to explain PGS testing to you? They are really quite different. 

PGS (Pre-implantation genetic screening) is a common way to avoid a chromosomal disorder or birth defect (such as 21 extra chromosomes, resulting in down syndrome, or 16 extra chromosomes, which my genetic counselor told me is one common reason for miscarriage, etc.) We are choosing to go ahead with both PGD and PGS. PGS costs about $1800 at the lab we will use (Genesis). This includes checking for missing/extra chromosomes in up to 8 embryos. Embryos beyond 8 are charged at a rate of $250 per embryo. 

I just thought it might be helpful to hear my experience, but I also think there is a point in all of this where we have to learn to let go of fear and embrace the unknown. Life is a beautiful and mysterious thing...it may not be totally predictable, but we are choosing to take our chances and do both types of testing since we are already doing PGD to test for my family's single-gene defect anyway. One step of further testing seems worth it for me, especially because I don't want to end up transferring a healthy embryo (one without my family's disorder) but end up transferring an embryo with extra or missing chromosomes that will likely (or certainly?) end up in miscarriage. 

Good luck! PGS can be a decision you make toward the end, too, I believe. I think it's best to know all of your options, but then be wary of worrying about each choice, too. :) 
| Married since 2008 | DH and I: Both 30 | | Me: Endometriosis DH: Low Morph | | Planning IVF with PGD and PGS in 2013 | Freeze-All IVF #1: March 2013 ER 3/26. 29R, 12M, 11F. 4 5AA frozen blasts. Freeze-All IVF#2: May 2013 ER 5/15. 31R, 21M, 20F. 6 5AA frozen blasts. Our PGD probe will be completed in late May. Hoping for healthy embryos and an FET in June or July.



Everyone Welcome!  
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01-24-2013 at 8:29 AM
jezebel57
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Needed this reminder boots, thank you!
Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Beta #1 at 11dp3dt is 190, Beta #2 at 13dp3dt is 363. U/S scheduled for June 13. In shock and so very hopeful. U/S showed 2 heartbeats in same placenta measuring 113 and 115 bpm. Identical miracles headed our way February 4th. Image and video hosting by TinyPic BabyFruit Ticker  
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01-24-2013 at 8:30 AM
jezebel57
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rosy, thank you for that info!  I really didn't realize that there was a difference between the 2!
Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Beta #1 at 11dp3dt is 190, Beta #2 at 13dp3dt is 363. U/S scheduled for June 13. In shock and so very hopeful. U/S showed 2 heartbeats in same placenta measuring 113 and 115 bpm. Identical miracles headed our way February 4th. Image and video hosting by TinyPic BabyFruit Ticker  
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01-24-2013 at 8:59 AM
nawlinsgrl
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***TICKER WARNING, PAIF/SAIF POSTER***

 

I can't speak to PGD/PGS, but can tell you there are other options besides amnio once you are pregnant.  For my first pregnancy, we opted to do the quad screen, which is an ultrasound (NT Scan) that checks the folds in the baby's neck between 11 and 14 weeks, along with some blood work done at a couple points in time, to determine the odds (can't tell you specifics) of chromosomal abnormalities.  It is completely non-invasive, so no risk to the baby.

There is also CVS (chorionic villus sampling), which is slightly more invasive, and has a low chance of miscarriage (1%).  Here is a little info: CVS.  And of course, there is also the amnio.

DH and I decided to do the quad screen,and if we felt there was a major risk, we would move forward with either CVS or Amnio, but luckily we felt comfortable with our results and didn't pursue additional testing (and none was recommended).

During that pregnancy, a new test was just starting to be used, called MaterniT21: MaterniT21  This one is supposed to tell you yes/no whether there are chromosomal abnormalities, and added bonus is that it can tell you the sex of your child.  I believe it can be done any time after 10 weeks.

This time, my RE recommended both the quad screen (or at least the NT scan) and the Materni21.  I was already scheduled for the quad screen and called the office back to add the T21, but the doctor said I had to do one or the other, because the blood work overlaps.  She said we can discuss it when I go in for my appt in a week and a half.  I am going to push for the NT scan and T21 test, but will see what the doctor recommends.

Sorry so long, but hopefully there is some useful information in here for you!

 

 
10/10: Married DH; 5/11: Dx: Blocked Fallopian Tube; 7/11: D&C/Hysteroscopy to remove polyp
IVF #1: 9/11: ER: 12R, 11M, 10F, No Frosties; 5dt: 2 blasts, 1 morula; DD born 6/3/12
IVF #2: 11/12-12/12: ER: 20R, 20M, 16F, 4 Frosties; 5dt: 3 blasts, DS EDD: 8/23/13
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Pregnancy Ticker 
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01-24-2013 at 9:38 AM
jakraft837
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I actually just had this convo with my SIL the other day.  She asked me if i would do genetic testing (if avail and could afford it).  A few years ago we had a situation in our family that someone was born with Down Syndrome.  This was discovered prior to the child's birth. One parent wanted to terminate, the other (mom) did not.  Ultimetley, they kept the child which started a lot of resentment in the marriage.  The child spent most of his life in the hospital.  Sadly, he passed at the age of 3.  I was very close to these family members and child.  I said after this experience my opinon on genetic testing had changed and that i would do it (amoung other things I sore to DH we would discuss prior to having a baby).

However, now that i could realistically be presented with it, I have to admit i'm not so sure anymore.  I by no means stay up at night worrying about what could happen-that is just not my nature.  But i do have fears in the back of my head and never want to go thru what i saw that marriage and that woman as a mother went thru!  I could really argue both sides of it, so i'm not much help to "side" one way or the other. I think this is a very hard decision for any parent, but as you stated, maybe even a little harder for us IF'ers.  We have done so much to get pregnant and have that baby, and most of us realize this may be the only child we bear-so i could see how that would factor.

Don't worry-but i do think you and your DH should just have a discussion about it to at least put it out there.  That way if you are really presented with that, you have some ideas of how the other person feels.
~Jen
4/12: HSG All Clear
5-1-12: DX of PCOS
5-4-12: DH S/A all normal.
5-16-12: Offically start IUI#1-->Clomid(50mg) + Trigger + IUI + progesterone supplements=BFN
IUI #2-same treatment-->BFN
July IUI#3-same treatment--->BFN
Aug 22, 2012-Laparoscopy Found/Removed extensive endometreosis.
September 2012-IUI #4-Same treatment as before. BFN
October 2012-forced break/Surgery to remove abnormal cells in left breast.
November 2012-First Injects Cycle (IUI #5)! 225IU Follistim CD 3-5, then monitoring appointment. 20+ follier & e2 >2000-Mild OHSS
December 2012-#2 Injects + IUI#6): Beta 1/18/13-BFN!
Jan 2013-Starting IVF!!! BC starts Jan 17/Lupron on Feb 13/Stims on Feb 18/ER on March 1 IVF Protocol: Lupron 10 units in am until stimms. Then 5 units of Lurpon in am, 150iu of Follistim and 1 unit of Menopur in pm. Holding dosage throughtout since response has been great. Thought we would be freeze all due to OHSS, but ended up getting more follicles then expected! 14 total!!! 12 mature and 11 fertilized. 9 made it to freeze.
Transfered 2 beautiful 1AA blastocysts at 5 days!
STICK BABIES STICK!!!!!
HPT 3/15/13-faint BFP. HPT 3/16,17,18/13-dark BFP and on digi!!!
Beta #1 3/19/13=968!!!! Beta #2 3/21/13=2325
First u/s 3/28/13=TWINS!!



With Love & Strength, Hope Grows!
WHEN, not IF!!!
 
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