Multiple IVF success story please make it a point to read this if you are struggling

[ChristineNY]

Hi girls I want to share with you my infertility success story. Since being part of multiple support groups I can’t tell you how much I have learned from so many women. They are truly my heros. I hope that some of you will read my success story and have the courage as I did to continue to believe in your dreams and never give up the hope of having a child (children) of your own.

To start my husband and I were ttc for 5 ½ years before our success. Our original diagnosis was my husband was born without vas deferens (the tubes that transport port sperm to eventually come out). We first went to 3 urologist before someone made this discovery. It was obvious at this point the only way to become pregnant was for my husband to have an operation to extract sperm and for me to undergo IVF. Since we were young the RE felt this was a fool proof case. My first IVF we transferred 3 embies and became pg, but later m/c at 9wks. This was devastating to both my husband and I. I fell into a deep depression and never thought I would find the courage to continue another cycle. With the help of so many women on these bb I found hope to continue. I had 4 embies frozen and so 3 months after the m/c were did a FET put back all 4 pg test was negative. This was sad for me but definitely not the same feeling as the m/c still I had hope to do another fresh IVF and so 3 months later I did another cycle. Unfortunately my retrieval was done on 9/11/01 and since I live in NY this was not a good time to be in a hospital, so I was rushed out and unfortately that cycle was negative as well. So I figured that cycle never had a chance due to the circumstances that day. I still remained hopeful and we had 3 frozen embies which were transferred 2 months later and that was also negative.

I started to do some research to try to figure out what else I could do to enhance the chance of my next fresh cycle being a success. I had asked my RE if I should be tested for immune disorders and he said no, I am young and I will get pg it may take a couple of cycles he also kept insisting it was my husbands sperm that was not good and suggested I use donor sperm. Considering IVF is a very expensive monetarily as well as an emotional process I wanted to give myself the most optimal chance of being successful with my next cycle. I did my 3rd fresh cycle which was the worst with regard to eggs produced and fertilized. The RE held my age responsible for this negative, keep in mind I was only 30. I decided to research and talk to other women that recently become successful after many negative.

I switched clinic and discussed with my new RE what would be done differently to optimize my chances of success. He suggested gradually reducing the amount of drugs I took and retrieve my eggs one day earlier than the previous RE. Also since many of my fertilized eggs were fragmented he eliminated repronex from my protocol. He also suggested doing co-culture and immune testing. 3 months later I produce more eggs than in the past and they were all better quality. Fertilization was also greater. I did co-culture but no immune testing. I became pg but later m/c at 5 wks. I did have one frozen embie with that cycle that went to blast.

After that the RE strongly suggested I see a hematologist which I did. She took blood and all my tests come back negative except for ANA. That was only borderline positive and so the hematologist suggested I take baby aspirin and prescription folic acid with my next cycle. 2 months later I transferred one frozen blast and became pg for the 3rd time. This time my beta was the highest it has ever been. I later m/c at 7wks but this showed the baby aspirin had an impacted on the implantation. After that cycle I continued to search for answers as to why I was having difficult holding a pregnancy. Many women on these bb told me to ask my hematologist about heparin. So I called my hematologist and suggested that and she agreed and for my eight cycle in total I planned on taking a six month break, co-culture, baby aspirin, prescription folic acid, heparin and transferring 4 embies. January of 2003 I became pg my beta was even higher than the previous FET, at 6w5d I had my first u/s the RE said he sees 3 heartbeats my husband and I was trilled beyond believe, but still not convinced the pg would last.

Well I gave birth to my triplets on August 15, 2003 at 31w3d. I was on bedrest at 18wks and hospitalized wk 27 through 31.3. Since my babies were premature they spent some time in the NICU. They were all born healthy and didn’t require and breathing assistance or medications. The came home 5wks after birth. They have been home for 8ks now and I still can’t believe I survived infertility and have been greatly blessed more than I could have ever imagined.

Here is some advice I offer anyone who is struggling with infertility as I did. Remain positive through all the ups and downs. Of course grieve your losses and negatives, but never loose sight of your goal. For me if I couldn’t afford out of pocket I changed jobs that offered IVF insurance coverage. Do your own research if you want something bad enough you have to do the work yourself. I listened to my gut that the first RE did not know enough about immune disorders so get a second opinion. For me taking a long break away from infertility drugs did me good. It gave me time to clear my mind and forge ahead with my 8th cycle. Of course being part of support groups really is important for your mental well being. Most of all I can’t stress it enough remaining positive, positive and positive.

I wish you all the best please don’t hesitate to post me if you have any questions.

Christine

[Nina1]

Hi Christine,
Congratulations!! It was cool to hear you story and words of encouragement. Thank you. I'm on my second cycle and have my beta test on friday, fingers crossed.
Anyway, thanks again for sharing your story, take care
Love Nina

[Sandy222]

I was an active member on these boards four years ago.Now I'm a lurker. I still feel a connection to all of you because of this war we fight against IF. I'm a soldier who's tour of duty is over, but I can't forget. Here's my story and a little nudge from God to remember my blessings. Ididn't go off the pill until after my honeymoon, because God forbid I get pregnant on my honeymoon(Oh how nieve I was!!) Iwent a year of ttc naturally and taking my bbt. I went to RE Dec98. By the way EVERY person I knew was getting pregnant. I had lap and hysteroscopy in Jan 99,they found little endo, not much. DH had low motility (slow,just like him)so the RE said good chances with IUI. IUI was in Mar99--BFN. Ididn't want to waste insurance $ on anymore IUI so I convinced RE to do IVF. Our 1st IVF in May99---BFN. Our second IVF started in Aug but cancelled due to spotting during stim. (this was on my 30th birthday non the less). We had enough ins $ for one more try. I took a break, decided to work on me. I was about 40lbs overweight, I had stopped working out since my wedding and felt like crap!!! My DH and I went on the atkins diet and I excercized.
I drank tons of water! I lost about 25lbs before our last try in Oct99. The transfer was 10/15/99. All went well, we transfered 4 embies (I think 2-8cell,1-7cell,1-5cell). I decided to lay in the back of my DH's Blazer with a pillow under my pelvis. We were riding home down Rt10 and I remeber looking at this most amazing sunset. The sky was blue,red,pink,yellow,orange. It was the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. I talked to God back there. Isaid "Well, this is it. If I'm ment to be a mother this is my last try.If you can find it in your plan to make these little guys stick I would greatly appreciate it." I cried (silently of course) and prayed the whole way home. Idid some bed rest maybe for a day or so. The 2ww was hell!! I did hpt on beta day and there was a line but DH and I didin't believe it at all. The call came a t work and I freaked out. I wish all of you that feeling. I was due 7/00.Of course nothing is easy for us IF'ers. I started spotting about a month in to my pregnancy, that subsided. I went for usual weekly sono and my cervix was dialated 3cm. My peri said and meant "Your feet won't touch the floor until these girls are born either today or 3 months from now." Again I freaked. Iwas admitted immed. and then txfrd to Univ of MD because of their NICU. I was 26wks!! Long story short my girls were born the next week: Hannah was 2lbs3oz and Lindsay was 2lbs5oz. They were healthy thank God. Fast forward a little to this weird thing that happened. My DH and I and the girls were driving in my DH's blazer down Rt10 and DH and I were in a "heated discussion" over something stupid and DD Hannah kept calling "Mommy"over and over again to get my attention. I finally spun around and in not so nice of a tone said "What Hannah, I'm talking to your father. It's rude to interrupt!!!" She looked at me with her beautiful little brown eyes and said "I just wanted to show you the "petty" sky, look." To appease her I glanced out my window and started to say "Yes, yes that's nice...." But I stoppped and saw the most beautiful sunset ever. We all just stared at it for a minute. The girls were telling me the colors and how pretty it was. My heart melted. I asked my DH what the date was and he looked at his cell phone and said "October 15th", why?" I gasped and turned my head back out the window. "Okay God, I got your message, I got what I asked for 4 years ago at this exact spot. I need to stop this silly bickering and be thankful for my blessings. I have been truly blessed and I pray every night that no one has to go through IF. I'm scarred by my short yet deeply painful IF battle. If I had any advise it would be get as healthy as you can be (not too skinny and not too overweight),drink lots of water, trust your RE and take it easy after the transfer. Thank you for reading this long story. I think of all of you all the time. I feel guilty sometimes. I always say that I've never won anthing in my life and don't plan on it because all my luck was used up on the IF roulette (spelling?). Please keep positive thoughts and I'll keep praying.

Sandy

[Ozigirl]

Thnk you so much Christine and Sandy for your stories. They really mean so much to me right now and were just what I needed.

Nina, I hope everything went really well for you.

Ozigirl.

[Nina1]

Hey Ozigirl,
Yes, everything did go very well!!! The beta results were amazing and then we saw 2 sacs on the 2nd u/s. I'm now 13wks, just had an u/s last week and all is well. Got myself registered at the hospital today. It is really weird being surrounded by pregnant women.
So don't ever give up hope. I know I only did 2 cycles but it was so emotionally draining that I had told DH that if it failed then I wouldn't/couldn't put myself through it again. My prayers were answered and now I still can't believe it. I had honestly given up on the idea of ever being a mother and had thought that my life would be different, no kids but other centres of interest and I'd be a good aunt.
However, I did do things a little differently this time. I ate a lot of protein during the stims and after the transfer I pretty much stayed horizontal for almost a week, and drank and ate a lot of pinapples. I really don't know if this made any difference but I visualised my babies and talked to them all the time, telling them to latch on and get comfortable!! Oh and carried on with baby aspirin for about 8 weeks.
So wishing you all the best Ozigirl, feel free to post me if and whenever you want. and as Christine says, stay positive. However hard it is at the moment the pain does pass and it is extraordinary the power each one of us has inside (perhaps hidden!) to keep going and to try another day, a fresh start with an open heart.
Take care of yourself and keep smiling!
Much love, Nina

[Nina1]

Hi Melbeth!!!
Great to hear from you. Yes, finally everything came together and we're expecting twins! So I did find light at the end of the tunnel although it still feels weird to be pregnant. I went to meet the ob at the hospital for the first time today and couldn't help wondering how many women around me had fought so hard to "get there".......I don't quite feel like I belong, hard to explain really....
Good luck Melbeth, I'm sending you all my bestest thoughts and warmest hugs. As I said, the last attempt was much calmer than the first and even if more painful (due to increased meds) I did manage to stay pretty postive and relaxed. Anyway, I wish you all the very best and keep me up-dated.
Thinking of you,
Love Nina

[Ozigirl]

Nina - CONGRATULATIONS Well done & twins too! You lucky girl. I'm praying for a good strong preg for you.

We are agout to go for IVF #3 so the poems and your story have been really helpful to get me into a +++ mindset. I have been having trouble bc IVF #2 which we did over a year ago was awful. After reading this thread I'm already feeling good.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love reading about these positive stories.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy preg.

Ozigirl.

[tmyers]

Christine,
Thanks for your inspiring story. Can you tell me what immune DO you have and how heparin helped?

Thanks!

Teresa
about to try IVF #2

[lvaustin]

Christine--- I would like to send you an email...can you give me your address...or tell me how?
Thanks,
Christine

[dimugs1]

My name is Diane
I too am trying to be possitive I am becoming an IF soldier I have had one fresh IVF which resulted in a two yr old named Abby 2 embies transferred one stuck. I had an FET in May two 8A's tx neg beta neg pg test. I got preg on my own July of this year and after a week of vacation found out by us that it was ectopic and pretty large. Last week I had mt falliopian tubes removed d/t risk factors. I can still go through IVF and will attempt a second fresh cycle in OCT I am now 35 as opposed to 33 when I did my first cycle any advise greatly appreciated sorry about the spelling. Wish me luck pray and keep your heads up whats meant to be is meant to be. Diane