***Sucess Stories from Veteran IVFers***

[ChristineNY]

By Jla on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 9:58 am: Edit Post
Christine-
My dx is tubal factor.
Started out at a mediocre clinic
fresh ivf#1 neg
FET#1 neg
fresh ivf#2 + DD born in 1999
TTC#2 (same clinic)
FET#2 neg
fresh ivf#3 neg
FET#3 neg
fresh ivf#4 chem
FET#4 neg

Switched to new clinic changed protocol
Fresh ivf#1 w/ them cancelled due to no fertilization (never had that before so switched again)!

Switched to reputiple clinic w/ great stats and a Shared Risk Program. Slightly new protocol.
Fresh ivf#1 neg but great response
Fresh ivf#2 + pg w/ twins 22wks

I made the mistake of staying w/ the 1st clinic for too long because I got lucky w/ them w/DD. They never tried anything new or tweaked my protocol or anything. After many failures (I might of even missed a few FET's) and loss of lots of money. I finally switched to a small place more patient focused. Unfortunately they tried a flare protocol that was bad for me and my eggs were terrible. Never made it to transfer and was out $8k! So, I finally researched and got info from stats and this bb about a great place in my area that if you qualify has a have a baby or get 100% of your money back guarantee! Those 2 cycles were the best response and egg quality I ever had in my IVF "career". The IF journey is so hard. Took me 5 yrs for DD and 3yrs for this pg but if you go to a good place to start w/ your chances are much better. Find out the best place you can go and afford and work from there, that's the best advice I got. Perseverance paid off for me, but it's been tough, expensive and worth it! Hope you find success! Good luck

Julie
22w5d b/g twins
Grace(3)

[ChristineNY]

By Leonie on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 4:39 pm: Edit Post
Christine,
DX is tubal, bad endo scarring, lost one part of ovary, mf.
Ivf one, neg
Ivf two neg
Ivf three, neg
ivf four, chemic.
ivf five, negative
Changed doctor!!
ivf six cancelled
icsi number seven, positive with blast transfer and PGD testing, AH when I turned 38
So never give up!
Leonie, mom to a wonderful 7.5 month old baby girl

[ChristineNY]

By Ctjay on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 5:43 pm: Edit Post
#4 was the charm for me- I am 12.5 weeks now.
I added accupuncture and ICSI, even though we did not have male factor. St Barnabus did it for me. Dr Cekliniack is the best. Do not give up hope- #3 was cancelled when all embire dies, and we were given a very poor prognisis!

[ChristineNY]

We were married in 1990 and wanted children from the start--- after about a year of trying, we sought out an Ob/gyn doctor (not knowing the designation of RE was even out there)--- the first doctor gave us that ole "your young it will happen" yes we were young, but this is something we really wanted! (we are now 34 and 32) So then we went to another ob/gyn doctor who performed some of the basic tests and then the more in depth tests of lap and hystersalpingogram... couple cycles of clomid 50mg---with timed intercourse...all that charting crap that seems ions ago. We then moved onto another ob/gyn doctor (I have to add that it was always fun sitting in the offices as the pregnant ladies came it...arghh)... this doctor was much more knowledgeable and we did a couple more cycles of clomid 100mg with IUI... he was the one who said we should seek out a Reproductive Endocrinologist---a what? Well we went there, did four failed cycles of injectible IUI's with no results... our very first IVF was in 1998 ---success , but miscarried at 8 weeks --- we went on to do IVF's and FET's until 2002 when we changed RE's --- first IVF with new clinic was another negative, but his approach was different and we liked his enthusiam and expertise. Our next cycle FET was a success and here we are today...though there were a couple more bumps in the road everything seems to be going well. Well thats it in a nutshell---sorry for the rambling.

I almost forgot to add--- during all of these years, my wife and I did foster care and ended up adopting three children in our care...without them, we would not have been able to keep on going---

Tim (heidi's dh)
16w6d

[ChristineNY]

By Jennci on Thursday, November 14, 2002 - 6:33 pm: Edit Post
I am 29 years old, DH 31. DH and I married for 5 years, TTC for 4 years.
First DX was KEEP TRYING
Second DX was PCOS, SA came back great
Tried Clomid 50mg for 3 months, 100 for 1 month no luck.
Had HSG done showed blocked tubes
Third and final DX with excellent RE-blocked tubes and probably slight endo. Did not think I had PCOS at all! Said IVF is a great option. I never had a lap done.
IVF#1 12 eggs retrieved, 7 fertilized, all had fragmentation, put back best 3 on 2 day transfer. no others survived for freezing. + Beta but was only chemical pregnancy.
Sperm DNA test came back awesome
IVF#2 changed my meds a little, 11 eggs retrieved, 9 fertilized, all had fragmentation but were better than last time. Put back best 3 on 3 day transfer.
Now 6w3d pregnant. Had u/s which showed one with heartbeat and another without. The second one may grow or be absorbed back into uterus. For me it took 2 tries for the charm! Best of luck to everyone. Sometimes it just takes a few times! JennI

[ChristineNY]

By Rita1000 on Friday, November 15, 2002 - 9:16 am: Edit Post
At the age of 32 I discovered my husband had poor motility and varicolele for which he was operated upon. There was no immediate difference in the motility but it has marginally improved over a period of time.

9 IUIs over a period of 2 years (Between Ages 33-36) - Low resposne to stims 5-7 eggs

3 ectopic pregnancies (between Ages 35-38)

9 IVFs on stims (between ages 36-39)

1 chemical pregnancy - (Age 36)

3 IVFs without stims (natural cycle)(between ages 36-39)

Donor cycle with sister
- (at Age 38) unsuccessful

Donor Cycle anonymous donor (At Age 39) successful

Even though I was a low responder I made beautiful grade 1 and grade 2 eggs, which is what kept me going. But they never implanted. 2 of the ectopics were through natural conception and one with IVF. We never did PIGD. No regrets on that though, Im convinced that if any of the eggs were good they would have implanted.

All the best to you and may you have a smooth and and wonderful IVF.
Rita, 39
singleton
23w

[lilysmom]

my IVF miracle was born on 11/13/01!

me - 34 (when i gave birth)
dh - 36

married in 1993, TTC for at least 5 years.
4 IUI's - failed
3 fresh IVF's + one FET- at the Tulsa Center for Fertilty (all failed)

took one year off of treatment (still diagnosised as unexplained IF). decided to change clinics based on the outcome of a friend who had great success.

CCRM in Denver got me pg on the 1st attempt. diagnosis: poor egg quality. was given the DE speech. fortunately, they allowed me to stick it out and put all of the fertilized embies back in. that was lucky IVF #5. we had a low 1st beta of 42 - so i knew very early on that it was probably just a singleton. i had a healthy baby girl exactly one year ago.

ivf does work but motherhood can be achieved in more ways than one. knowing that you have options can be such a relief.

ETA: i was shocked to get pg naturally 3yrs later. i now have two healthy girls!

may all of your dreams come true!

[Cheryl D]

After reading all the above posts....I feel fortunate that I didn't have to go thru so much tx....although ttc for almost 12 years (thru 2 marriages) was enough heartache....

I was married at 22 in 1989. My (ex)DH and I never even went on B/C because we wanted a large family. (ha ha) After 3 years of BMS and nothing, I finally went to a Dr. for my 25th b-day! Ran ALL tests on DH and me, including HSG and could find NOTHING wrong. Finally, the stress of IF on our marriage contributed greatly to our divorce in 1994.

Remarried the most fabulous man alive in 1997 (I had just turned 30, DH was 35) Because of my hx, we ditched b/c and started all the IF tests again a month after wedding. AGAIN.....all tests normal including 2 more HSG's (OUCH!) and a lap. Did clomid for 6 months with IUI's....no pg. The emotional toll on me was OVERWHELMING! DH was SO supportive. We finally ended up at IVF in 1999.

Due to a borderline high FSH (12), my RE decided to do a flare protocol with 3 days of lupron, then 6 amps of Follistim a day. Also took 1 baby aspirin per day, until retrieval; medrol between retrieval and transfer and antibiotic after transfer for infection. I stimmed slowly (14 days) but we retrieved 10 eggs. All fertilized, took to blast-stage and 2 made it to transfer (none to freeze). Embies got BEST grade and RE told us to "expect twins!" We were thirlled! I stayed in bed for 5 days after transfer. AF started on the way to do my 1st beta....which was NEGATIVE! TOTALLY crushed!

Decided to start adoption process at this point and not tell agency that we were going to try IVF again.... 2nd IVF was in early 2000. Same protocol except my RE had me do "electro-acupuncutre" during stims. Retrieved 10 eggs again, all fertilized, 3 made it to blast, we transferred all 3. I was quite negative during this IVF and only stayed in bed for a day.... Took an HPT the day before my beta and LOW AND BEHOLD....FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS....I HAD A +++++ OUTCOME!!! (I still have that test as proof!) 1st beta was 70, 2nd beta was 140. Had a spotting scare at 7 wks. Did 1st u/s and could find NOTHING in my uterus! RE said it was "classic blighted ovum" and scheduled a D/C for a week later. Went in for D/C and asked if we could do 1 more u/s because I had been feeling so queasy.....and you guessed it! There was my little Breanna....heartbeat blinking away on the screen! Appearantly she had been hiding during the 1st u/s, because she measured 8wks! Had some pg. complications from 29-36 wks (pre-term labor, bedrest and terb-pump) delivered my sweet little Breanna at 36w2d. She weighed 6lbs 6oz and never needed the NICU.

IVf #3....early 2001. Same protocol including acupuncture again. Retrieved 14 eggs this time...all fertilized, had 2 make it to blast, transferred 2. Bedrest for 2 days (we had a 5-mo. old too....) Had quite a bit of spotting this time and "knew" I wasn't pg. Freaked out when RE called to say my 1st beta was 301! He said "twins!" 1st u/s showed 1 little fiesty baby in there (RE thinks it might have orig. been twins and 1 absorbed.) Pre-term labor started at 20 wks, bedrest/terb-pump again from weeks 24-36. My precious Benjamin arrived at 36w1d, weighing 6lbs 10oz, no NICU time again. And boy is this little boy fiesty!!! ;>)!

I know that God has blessed me beyond imagining....but I feel like there is 1 more baby that needs to be with us....so we are trying again in 2003. We will try acupuncture and BMS since I still have an "unexplained" dx after all these years. After 6 mos., we may consider another IVF....have to talk DH into it! ha ha

Breanna turned 2 and Ben turned 1 last month and they are truly the light and joy in our lives. They are SO very precious and I get emotional just watching them play and thinking about the fact that these perfect children started out in a petri dish! Sometimes my DD just says "thank you Mommy" for no reason....and I like to think she is thanking me for all the effort and sacrifice it took to get her and her brother here......

Don't give up. I believe that there are MANY ways to be a parent. BTW....our adoption home-study was completed and accepted the day before we found out IVF #2 was successful. We kept our names in the hat until about 5 mos. along. Agency decided that we should focus on our pg. and removed us from the waiting list. But we would still adopt in a heartbeat!

[chrish]

Hi
I hope you all have success soon. I know how hard the IF battle is believe me. Here's my story.

I am 40, dh is 38. We have been married 16yrs. We were ttc#1 for 9yrs. Went through lots of testing, several IUIs with and without clomid, lap, hsg, and varicocele repair. No luck. We were with Kaiser and they dont do IVF so we were on our own. Dh's insurance had a one year wait for IVF. During the 1yr wait they switched insurance to excellent coverage. Unlimited IVFs with only 2k out of pocket a year. We got started in July of 97.
IVF#1- p4 too high froze 4 embryos
IVF#2- 3 day transfer Neg
IVF#3- 3day and 5day transfer Neg
IVF#4- 5day transfer Neg
IVF#5- 5 day transfer Neg
IVF#6- 5 day transfer Neg
IVF#7- opted to freeze while we waited for immunology test results froze 10
FET#1- thawed all 21 that were frozen, transferred 4. 2 poor and 2 fair on day6. Positive ds born 12/22/99
2 IUIs- Neg 12/01 + 2/02
IVF#8 6/02 Postive m/c at 7.5wks
IVF#9 10/02 Positive edd 6/03

Not sure what is going on and why all the early failures but I did think it was just a matter of time since there wasnt anything obviously wrong with us. Dh has slight morph issues and my eggs were not great just Ok. Embryos before were always ok, never perfect. These last 2 cycles I had all As and Bs though and I am 40. How can that be. You just never know. I do feel the same as someone else above who said they were totally relaxed for the FET, figured it couldnt work, but it did. For these last 2 IVFs I think that since I made less eggs they were better quality. I always had 18-28 follicles before, too many I say. These last 2 I only had 8 or so eggs retrieved and they were good.

We paid cash for these last 2 IVFs. That was tough. I hope this pg continues because this is it. Good luck to everone! Feel free to pm or email me if you have any q's.

Chris 40
7failed IVFs
then 1 successful FET 12/22/99
IVF#8 m/c 7/02
IVF#9 edd 6/30/03

update: I am 19wks now with a baby girl, looks like this one is going to work out 1/29/03

update 1/7/07: got pg on my own when #2 was exactly 1yr old. #3 is now 21mo
Patrick 12/22/99
Shea 6/21/03
Aaron 3/4/05

[ggg]

Hi, My dh and I started ttc shortly after we got married knowing that we might have some trouble due to an ovarian cyst that ruptured and caused internal bleeding and major scarring when I was 19, I knew about the scarring because I used to have SO much pelvic pain when I was younger,not ttc but just pain so they did a lap to see what the matter was and told me I had a lot of scarring so anyway,we ttc "naturally" for about a year with no luck so I had an HSG and found both tubes blocked with hydros so I opted to have a tubalplasty because insurance covered it,my RE who did it said my tubes were pretty damaged from scar tissue and gave me a 30% chance so I went on Clomid for 3 months with IUIs with no luck,they already checked my dh sperm,all was okay,so then I added Repronex INJ and upped the Clomid with IUIs for another 3 months,still no luck,oh I should say that I don't ov on the side where I had the ruptured ov cyst but with the Repronex,I did,so after ttc that way,we did another HSG to find out that one of my tubes closed back up and was a hydro again,(toxic fluid filled tube) and the other was open but didn't know if it was functional so I opted to have the one hydro tube removed,after a long long thinking process and during that lap a different RE told me that the open tube looked good,even have fimbria,and gave me a whopping 50% chance so went back on Repronex,Clomid,IUIs just to get huge cysts,all the while I was trying to find "studies" for IVF so I could get it cheap so after they found the cyst,they cancelled me and low and behold one of the IVF clinics that was near me that I was on the waiting list for a study called me and I did that and was successful with twin boys,they are now 9 months old and I am in heaven and you will be too,it just takes patients and a lot of emotional support.We have 6 frozens which we plan to do an FET in a few years. GOOD LUCK.

proud mommy to Adam and Zachary, 2-5-02, 7.8 lbs and 7.11 lbs
age 36
tubal IF
successful 1st IVF