Multiple Risk

My scan today showed still 4 follies that were mature. On my right ovary, had some big ones, I think the two were between 18-20mm, the large one may have even been bigger. I've already forgotten the exact measurements. The left had smaller ones, one larger than the other. RE thought the smallest one of the left was a 'maybe' on whether it had a mature egg or not.

Because of all those follicles, my RE & I had a nice little chat about the risk of multiples that he had mentioned on Wednesday. He wanted me to be aware that I'd likely have to go for 'reduction' if I got pregnant with trips or quads. So we discussed the possibilities and there was a way to reduce the risk. Instead of doing an IUI, we could finish the cycle by trying at home. If this had been only my 2nd or 3rd try, he would have strongly recommended that option. However, being my 5th IUI and already having done IVF once, he left it up to us. DH & I decided to stick with IUI as it has the best chance of a pregnancy. Even though trying at home limits the risk of multiples, it also reduces the chances of a pregnancy at all. Right now we just want the best chances we can get, and can worry about multiples & reduction if we get there. You know, cross that bridge when we come to it. He didn't bother taking my e2 as it would not change either option. If this doesn't work, it will be the last IUI. RE said IVF would be the next step. That was another deciding factor but not a surprise.

So with all that in mind, we scheduled an IUI for Sunday. (Going to have to get up at the crack of dawn! Our appts are at 6:30 & 7:30 in Raleigh). So I'll take my trigger shot tonight at 6 which will have me ready for Sunday morning. Really the timing worked out well. I'm co-hosting a bridal shower tomorrow and need to shop tonight. So I'm glad we don't have the IUI until Sunday.

IUI on Monday

My IUI is scheduled for Monday morning. I was not expecting it to be so soon. I went in this morning for my Day 10 ultrasound and they said everything was looking good and that my follicles were at the right size & number. I had guess-timated that it would have been the later half of the week. So I take my HcG trigger shot (Ovidrel) tonight at six and that should make me ovulate just in time for IUI on Monday. My uterine lining was a bit thin, so I do have to start taking estrogen (estradiol) three times a day. With my old doctor, I was given an estring when the lining was thin, but either way the point is that I needed more estrogen. I don't know which works better, but the estring was easier. I'm not used to taking pills 3x a day.

overkill

I've gotten in this habit lately of sleeping pretty late on Saturday mornings. I know when this infertility trip is over, I'll have a lovely baby waking me up early and that's ok. But a Saturday morning trip to the doctor is NOT a good reason to be awake.

So today my estradiol level continued to climb (that's with no additional FSH or Ovidrel last night) up to 5204. Today the clinic admitted that's not great as they prescribed a new medicine called Ganirelix Acetate. This one is to 'help the estradiol levels come down' in the words of the nurse. Ok, so they pumped me full of all these drugs & they overdid it? Lovely. So I get to take another one to combat that. I actually laughed out loud when I read on the packaging that this drug is an 'antagonist'.

So anyway, back to the doctor bright & early on Sunday morning for more bloodwork & another ultrasound. Hopefully this time we'll hit the mark (I don't even know where the mark is).

getting close!

my estrogen level is 3661 today. and i only have to take ONE shot tonight instead of 3 :) so i'm only taking 5 lupron tonight, no ovidrel or follistim. but i do have to go back to the clinic tomorrow (yes on saturday), so thats a bummer

tuesday bw/us

Yesterday the RN msg said to reduce my FSH to 125, keep Lupron at 5 & Microdose Ovidrel at 10. It also said my 'levels were 643'. I had no idea what that means so between diggin on the internet & asking the RN today, I found that they are measuring my 'estradiol' or estrogen levels. Being that it was 'day 3', they said those levels should have been around 200 so mine was slightly high. That is why they had cut down my dose last night. They also had me come back in today for more bw/us. The US showed that I had a lot of follicles already & she said that's why my levels were so high. We'll know later this afternoon what the levels were today & what my doses will be for tonight. Hopefully I won't have to go back for bw every day!

I hate Cary

Cary is a nightmare ... of course the clinic is in Cary so I got stuck in traffic this morning trying to get to my US. I don't care if it is one of the top 5 places to live in 2006, driving there sucks.

Anyway, I did finally get there & the US went fine. BW came back fine too. So as scheduled, RE wants me to reduce my Lupron to 5units from 10. Start 10units microdose ovidrel and 150 IUs on my Follistim pen. Plus, start my estring and keep up with the prenatal & BA.

I go back on Monday for more BW & then they might change my dosages. At this point we're only about 2wks away from transfer. Not too shabby!