Claire - Someone (lauren maybe) posted the process earlier in this thread. They have to go through the uterus to get to the ovaries then extract the eggs from the follies.

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That is correct.

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Rebecca-I did the Gonal F with the 2 trigger shots. It was really easy. It comes in the pen like she explained and all you have to do is set it the dosage they tell you. No mixing or anything. The trigger shots already come in the amount needed as well. I did one for ovulation and then the other one is 7 days later. Its supposed to help with progesterone and I think may be implanation.

They monitored my E2 levels and follies throughout. I don't think I did the Gonal F for more than 5-7 days as I responded well. I think you will too. I would presonally recommend this. I did 5 cycles of clomid and nothing happened for us either. I know I can't say for sure if it was the medication or the surgery I had right before that cycle removing the polyp that allowed for me to get pg. But I'll take it.

That is also pretty cheap for the meds. I was lucky and it was covered through insurance but had it not been I would of had about $2000 out of pocket. But they did have me order 2 Gonal F pens for each cycle and I only needed 1 since I responded quickly.

Feel free to PM me if you have other questions. Good luck and hope you keep moving forward.

OK, I'm a moron- I skipped right over that one. Sorry, Lauren!
But they can't see an egg by u/s, right? So how do they know they got the little sucker? Is it trial and error? Maybe this is too much for my little brain.......

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Claire~ They can see follicles (which contain eggs) on an ultrasound. They push the needle into the follicle and withdraw whatever is inside. Not all follicles contain an egg, although some can contain more than one. For me, I had 7 mature follies and they retrieved 7 eggs, but not all of them were viable. You never know how many eggs you will get, and when you get them, how many will be viable.

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Wow. That's crazy that they can do that-I've always been curious how ER works. Thanks, Lauren .

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Rebecca- I think it's great that you are still moving forward and considering all options. I've said before how I never in a gazillions years thought I would be considering IVF....but here I am trying to figure it all out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the 3rd time's the charm for you!!!!
And you never know...you and I could be IVF buddies in the near future. <<<HUGS>>>

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Thank you AGAIN for the wonderful support and input. Dh gets irritated sometimes with the amout of time I spend here with you, but if I didn't, I'd certainly be in the looney bin.

Heidi - Thanks for the info. Do you recall what s/e you had from the gonal f?? On clomid, I got sporadic headaches and pretty irritable.

Becky - Since the unmedicated ivf isn't an option with my RE, I won't be doing ivf. If nothing happens this next cycle, we'll probably try injectibles and see what happens from there.

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Rebecca-I too think its wonderful that you are continuing to explore options you are comfortable with, and that you have the finances (aka MIL!) to make it happen. You have always been so in tune with your body and spirit that it is important to go with your instincts and if they say there is a baby out there waiting for you, you should trust them.
Is Dh open to learning more about the process since he is worried about you being "cut" etc?

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Rebecca-I had the same side effects as you on the clomid. As far as the injectables the first cycle was abreeze and I didn't have any. I remember they started me out at 75ml(not sure if that's the right measurement) and then bumped to 150. I responded but only with 1 mature follie by trigger. My RE likes to see 3 mature follies for injectables.

Then the second cycle they started me out at 150 and bumped me down to 75 as I had several follies going. I do remember being more bloated that time and I was a little bit uncomfortable. I remember Jen was doing her IVF at the same time and we had similar issues but she ended up with the OHSS and mine wasn't that bad. It was worth being a little uncomfortable and to have more follies. Drink plenty of water and gatorade which is supposed to help.

I remember being really disappointed after the first cycle failing. But once I meant with the RE again to review that and the surgery he explained the first cycle is really a trial to see how your body responds and they don't want to overstimulate. I guess what I'm saying is be prepared that it may take more than one. But its better to be safe than sorry. And it sounds like your office is really good at monitoring as well.

Bina - Since this all started, he's been more open about things and more willing to learn. He's finally realizing that he needs to have a better understanding of how it all works and now knows that it's not as simple as 'relaxing and just having sex'.

Of course, we still have the smoking/beer drinking conversation regarding his swimmers, but since the last couple collections have turned out pretty good, he seems to think he has super sperm. What he doesn't realize (or refuses to believe) is that his overall count is still on the low side! I'm still trying to get him to take his vitamins. His reply "Well, you don't put them out for me!". Uh, last time I checked, you are 40 years old and I'm NOT your mother! Don't get me started.

Anyway, yes I think he'd be open to hearing more about how it all works. Since regular ivf isn't an option for me, I don't think we will need to go there, though. I'll make sure that he goes to the follow up with Dr Albert if the next cycle is a bust then he can ask his own questions. Luckily, he likes her and she's very easy to talk to.

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Rebecca, as I am sure you know I just KNOW that you have a baby waiting inside for you, but I am really happy that you guys are willing to explore more options. Be okay with whatever your gut tells you is right for you and do everything with no regrets.

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Rac - I think it is great you are considering all your options. It did take DH a while to understand everything (options/procedures), and having him come to my appts & for the IVF consultation was really great.
I did use Gonal-F, for 3 IUI cycles & for IVF. It was super simple, and I really didn't have any side effects. I think I got OHSS after IVF due to all of the meds I was on....and the # of eggs. I didn't have any issues with the IUI cycles. Oh, and insurance did cover 90% of my 3 cycles, which was so helpful.
Feel free to PM me with any questions.

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Jen - Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover any fertility 'treatments' only testing up to diagnosis. So in that respect, I'm screwed unless dh lets his mom help (which I will push for). I was wondering about OHSS, too. I remember when you were diagnosed with that. From what I've read, it can be really bad....even fatal if not cared for??

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Yes, OHSS can be fatal, but it is very uncommon for it to be that severe. My understanding is that OHSS only happens when you get A LOT of follies from the meds.

(((hugs))) Bec, I know this is hard. I am always hopeful for you.

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Thanks Lauren. I got the info in the mail yesterday from Dee about the meds and where they order from. I haven't shown it to dh yet. He knows that I got something from RHS but I didn't tell him that I had even called Dee. Since I started back to school this week, I haven't talked to him much in the past couple of days.

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