Only One?

Transfer was yesterday. Thank G-d, it went well. The KGB Clinic kept us waiting over an hour after the appointment time, with no news of how many had survived, or without discussing the number we would like to be transferred. Communicating with clients is not important for them.

Finally we were taken through, and after about 20 mins the Doc walks in and tells us that 4 made it, with 2 very good and 2 okish embryos. He then announced that today he would transfer the 2 good ones and could we sign on the dotted line as he's running late. Much to his surprise I refused to have 2 transferred, and asked for just one. The Doc looked at me as if I'd grown two heads. "Remind me", he said, "how many kids to you have already?". Now dear reader, I'm sitting in an IVF clinic, with a doctor who was supposed to be in charge of my case, and he asks me that? Does this man ever read notes? Or perhaps he lacks the ability to retain basic information. "None" I replied, "but if you look at my medical history you'd fully understand why twins could result in a very high risk situation."

I'm 35, very overweight, and have a condition that could lead to many complications in pregnancy. I've also worked in Early Intervention for the past 7 years, and have come across so many twins who were preemies and behind in their development. Much as I would love to have twins, medically it's just not a good idea. Still the doctor pressed on, with 2 embryos transferred I'd have a 50% chance of pregnancy, and only 35% chance with one. It was a tough decision, but transferring one felt like the best option.

The actual transfer went ok. I was yelled at because in the hour wait I had no choice but to make a bathroom visit. There is no way I could hold a full bladder for the two hours we were there.

One good thing about the 5 day transfer is that it cuts down the dreaded 2ww to 9 days. I'm scheduled for a blood test next Wednesday.

Still feels like a long, anxious wait.

Stressed :(

Well, 18 follicles, 11 eggs rettreived resulting in 8 embryos.

However, the KGB Clinic decided to do a 5 day blatocyst transfer without informing us of the risks to the embryos. I had no idea, but most don't make it to 5 days, and it's even possible to end up with none. They also don't freeze/ thaw as well. I sent off an email this morning, asking for an update.

Can you believe this?

Still waiting...

Countdown has begun!

::Taking a deep breath::

Retrieval is tomorrow.

Transfer IYH, Tuesday.

Then comes the dreaded 2ww.

Oh, no...

Well, we survived last Shabbos as rent-a-parents. I tried to stay positive, despite some rather trying episodes, and it worked out well. We got a shock just before we arrived at their house. I finally called the mother (who had communicated only by text all week) to ask the door code, and at this point she informed us that "12 high school girls will also be staying for Shabbos". Er, say that again? You forgot to tell us this? As it worked out the girls were out for both meals, and were very sweet when at home. Still, 3 kids, 12 high school girls and 3 pet birds made for a busy time.
The IVF meds didn't make things any easier. Lupron has made me bloated, tired and now it seems, has raised my blood pressure from a usual 110/70 to 134/96. I had the Doc paged today (Sunday), to check if I should still continue on the Lupron- which I have been taking for 16 days now, and I've never heard of anyone taking just Lupron at the start of their cycle for so long. The average appears to be 12 days. Of course the KGB Klinik won't tell me why I've been taking it so long. The Doc returned the page and said to keep taking the Lupron, and I should go to bed for the rest of the day.
High blood pressure can happen in pregnancy- but what do you do when the medication you are taking trying to get pregnant gives you hypertension? Moreover, do I really want to start a pregnancy already with high blood pressure? And on bedrest?? Not the most auspicious of beginnings.
I keep thinking, perhaps I should switch to IUI. I'm not sure about this, as the clinic hasn't shared the results of my husbands SA yet, apart from saying we shouldn't need ICSI when the time comes. One of the reasons I chose IVF was that the Rabbi would not allow for a SA until the actual IUI procedure was taking place. I would have to go through all the IUI treatment, with the chance it might be cancelled at the last minute due to a low sperm count. That, I decided, was too risky. I've undergone 2 years of testing a 3 different clinics, and the problems highlighted we ones to do with staying pregnant, not getting pregnant. So I came to the conclusion that maybe the issue was with my husband.
Really not sure what to do, my dear readers, apart from ponder why life is so so complex.

Lost In Translation

Well, the good news is I'm set to start on Lupron next week - which means the start of our first IVF cycle!

Let's hope it's the first and last. Not only for the glaringly obvious reason, but because of THE CLINIC! I know I've moaned about them before- poor Nurse Natalia's phone phobia has developed into a phone/fax and email one. Boy, she really needs to get help. How am I supposed to communicate with her? Smoke signals? Carrier Pigeon? Owl?

I think the problem is that the clinic is Russian owned and run, and so Nurse Nat can just about string a sentence together in English. I'm sure if I could converse in Russian, she's answer my questions fully. If I ask open questions, she's stuck (an example: "So Natalia do what happens when I next come into the clinic?" NN "Well, it depends". "Depends on what, NN? "I do bloods and ultrasound day 21. If ok, you start medication" "What medication, NN?" "Well, that depends...") See what I mean? I finally called the front desk and asked for a copy of the prescription to be faxed over, and called the insurance myself. Another thing NN didn't tell me was that the meds are all injectables (although I'd worked this out by reading other info online). So I call back, and...shock..NN picks up again! "Can I arrange my injectable lesson with you NN?" "No, I do not do lesson" " I thought you were my IVF coordinator?" "Yes, that is correct." Finally, I give in and call the front desk again, who tell me that a different nurse does the injectable lessons.
$15,000 they're charging me readers, and they really can't answer my questions.

Excuse me while I go insane

Ahhhhh, what is it with the IVF clinics we go to? Both were chosen by Rabbis (not me)and both SUCK.

I've had over 20 tests in their "pre-IVF" screening, and that's not enough for them. I have no more body fluids to offer, sorry!

Then we have our IVF nurse Natalia who seems to have an exteme phone phobia. I call and call, and until I leave a ever-so slightly shouty voice message, ol'Nat won't get back to me. I also requested that this be an IVF cycle, rather than IUI as its more successful. Our insurance only covers up to $30,000 for infertility, and the clinic charges $15,000 per cycle, if its IUI or IVF, so lets go with what works.

$15,000 a cycle and they can't even return my calls? I'm going to loose my mind.