Beginning the IVF rollercoaster

After alot of thought, discussions with my DH and many sleepless nights, I have made the decision to make that possibly life changing phone call to Fert+. I have left a message for the nurses to call me back so I can find out where we start. (we have already had our orientation and one follow up visit)   PLEASE....if there is anyone out there going thru their first IVF cycle or beginning IVF soon, please respond. I don't have any family in NZ, as I moved here from the USA (DH is a Kiwi). I desperately need somebody to share this experience with who will understand what I am going thru.    Don't get me wrong, I do have some very good support in the form of in-laws and friends, but nobody I know has any first hand experience with IVF.
A bit of history about me and my situation:
I am 38 years old and have been married for 11 years. (yes I am one of those women who decided to wait until the 'time was right' to have children) I was diagnosed with Fibroids about 5 years ago, for which I had a myomectomy. I had several other problems arrise following the operation but eventually my cycles seemed to return to 'normal'. I have just been diagnosed with PCOS and little or no endometrium/lining. My uterus is also enlarged and mis-shaped due to the myomectomy and the fibroids have returned but are not too big yet. My doc suggested that we try IVF, as none of these issues are a 'show stopper', but could possibly make implantation more difficult.   
I will keep updating this site as things unfold for myself. I look forward to hearing from a fellow IVFer.

Not an IVFer either but just wanted to wish you luck as well

There are definately some girls on here who have been through IVF with positive outcomes and Im sure they will share their journeys with you. In the infertility section you will find some ivf stories

Goodluck again

Thank you all for your well wishes and suggestions.

Gosh that will fly by Bert, All the very best and keep us updated, Take Care

Hi Sweetpea,
Thanks for the wishes. Yes, I have discussed the problems that could arrise during pregnancy with the fibroids. My specialist said that they will grow but in most cases they do not interferre. They would just keep a closer eye on things in general, given my history.

Hi Bert,

Im 27 years old and have been trying to conceive for 4 years I too have Polycystic Ovaries and also Endometriosis. My husband and I did our first round of IVF early this year and were lucky enough to fall pregnant straight away, but sadly we lost our baby only last week I was 24 weeks pregnant it was picked up at our 20 week scan that our baby boy had a very bad heart problem, so we had to make the hardest decision of our lives to terminate the pregnancy!!! Its still very fresh as u could imagine so bare with me. By the way this had nothing to do with the IVF, it is just one of those horrible blows that life throws out sometimes...

So yeah, Ive been through IVF so any questions you want answered fire them at me, I need a bit of distraction at the moment. Its a tough thing to do... but its soooo worth it when you see that little bubba at your first scan. Its unreal how much you can love something that is so small.

Edited by Sarahlou

Hi Bert
I am in a similar situation – also waited until 'time was right'. I am 33 years old and have been TTC for 4 years. Diagosed with fibroids so had myomectomy to remove 3 of them. Went for 6 month check-up. Got told that I still have dozens and it would be easier to adopt as DH has low count. We have been on waiting list for IVF and will start early 2009. March will be here before you know it.

Sarahlou – so sorry but keep smiling.

Let’s hope 2009 is a lucky year!

Hi mtji,

I can answer some of your questions....

It really depends on what kind of cycle you will be doing to how long it will take from wo to go.... I did a manufactured cycle because I dont cycle on my own because I have polycystic ovaries and endometriosis. My cycle took about 5 weeks from the time I started injections to the day of my egg collection plus about 3 weeks once I started meds to make me cyle to the time Injection started so 8 weeks in total..... unfortunatly (but good as well) I produced 21 eggs and out of those 21 16 were good enough quality to be frozen (we were very lucky, some ladies only get 1 or 2 eggs). If you produce more than 15 I think it is you will have to wait 2months and then have a Thawed embryo replacement (which I had). The waiting time is to let your body recover and also because there is a risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome... they will give you something to read up on about the too (if they havent already).
Egg collection......well Im pretty sure this too may depand on how many eggs you produce the more there are obvisously the more swollen your ovaries are.... they sedate you as much as they can... but dont be afraid to ask for more pain relief.... man! I really dont want to scar you off doing this but I want to tell you the truth.... I found it very painful but it honsetly its over in about 10-15minuets!!! I was a bit sore for the next couple of days but its all so worth in the end. The really good thing is the embroy transfer doesnt hurt at all! We only put in 1 embryo, but we were advised that by VP Singh (the Dr there) because Im only 27 and all my embryos were very good quality. Its a good idea to talk to the embryologists about this. You may be wonderin g how it all went.... all was going perfectly until our 20 week scan, when they picked up that our preicous little man had a very bad heart problem... after countless nights thinking, MORE specialist appointments in Hamiton and Auckland we had to make the hardest decsion of you lives.... our little boy Ryan was still born (by medical termination) in the 15th of October 2008... the sadest and most heart breaking day of our lives . He would of had to have countless operations and probably wouldnt of survived them... We dont blame the IVF... we have had a meeting back at Fert Ass and at Waikato and they have told us it is just one of those horrible blows in life.... Im sorry to bring this to such a sad ending but to answer your questions I had to tell you my story.

We too are due to start treatment again on thursday... so good luck with everything and maybe we will pass in the hallway at Fertility Associates in Hamtilon one day and not even know it..... Take care and all my fingers and toes are crossed for you... and stay positive!!

Sarahlou

P.S. sorry for rambling!

Oh my goodness Sarahlou, that is so heart breaking! And wishing you all the very best for your new round of treatment starting soon.

We may pass in the Hamilton FA hallway one day too, we have just started this month!

Good luck and take care!

Hi Sarahlou,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can't even begin to imagine what it is like to lose something you have wanted for so long and worked so hard for. You are very brave to have another go at it. I hope there are no complications this time around.
All the best!