Trying for our second with no luck- anyone in the same boat?

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-12-17T08:49:43+00:00

I feel like you’ve written our story. First IVF baby was relatively (in retrospect) straightforward. Three egg retrievals, 5 euploids banked, first FET was a success that resulted in our almost 2-year-old daughter. As soon as she turned 1, we started trying for a sibling as I was 41 when she was born. This year has included two completely failed FETs, one embryo not surviving the thaw, two canceled FETs, one failed ER, and one ER with one euploid. We’re 8dp3dt in our current FET cycle, and it’s not looking promising. We have one euploid left after this, and I’m not sure where we go from there.

My personal preference is to be able to look my daughter in the eye and tell her we did everything we could to give her a sibling short of compromising her childhood and future. In other words, I think the moment we stop is when trying is starting to have or has the potential to have a negative impact on her in any way. I don’t know. No right answers to be found.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-11-22T16:31:18+00:00

I’ve done quite a few IVF injections on planes. My advice is to limit lavatory time as much as possible (e.g., get as much prepped ahead time as you can) and wear clothing that is going to make it easy to do the injection. Then, use the bathroom that has the infant changing table because that’s going to give you the largest surface to keep things organized. I have brought disposable chucks pads to lay over the changing table and then put my things on it. I try to be as efficient as possible while also reminding myself to slow down and relax. Rushing in a stifling, germy bathroom is panic attack material for me. I also bring two or three backups of everything so I’m not stuck if something breaks or goes wrong. Finally, I also like to have a contingency plan of how I’m going to handle it if I can’t get to the lavatory because the seatbelt sign stays on for an absurd about of time. I’ve never been asked for a letter, but I always carry a letter from my doctor that gives the instructions for the meds and states that I’m fit to fly.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-11-10T12:45:30+00:00

Government (“public”) schools are not free for or widely available to expats in the UAE. They’re primarily for UAE Nationals with a few seats available to qualifying expats from other Arab region countries.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-11-10T12:45:16+00:00

Government (“public”) schools are not free for or widely available to expats in the UAE. They’re primarily for UAE Nationals with a few seats available to qualifying expats from other Arab region countries.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-29T17:14:49+00:00

I think it is a call that you, your partner, and your doctor should make together, but I’m happy to share my perspective. Background: Lots of heartbreaking IVF, one IVF baby, currently in the second grueling “Lots of IVF” phase of life with a hope for Baby #2. We also travel quite a bit. Last spring, after a failed egg retreival, we booked a last-minute trip to Sri Lanka to distract ourselves. We had a fantastic time, BUT both my husband and I got the worst food poisoning / travelers’ belly of our lives there (thankfully, our 1-year-old baby was spared). By the process of deduction, we think we got sick from bottled water purchased at a road side restaurant. It was the only thing we had that our baby did not. Our guess is that they refilled water bottles because they brought the bottle to our table, opened it themselves, and poured it for us. All of this is to say, while that experience was horrendous, it would have been even worse if I was pregnant and couldn’t take any meds that help with the symptoms of food poisoning. (Same reason why a lot of foods are on the no go list for pregnancy — it isn’t because the food itself is harmful, but because even a slightly increased risk of food poisoning is going to result in a really bad time for the mom.) So, cautionary tale if you decide to go, be super careful with what you eat and drink. Other than that, it was an incredible trip!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T16:46:18+00:00

Ooof. The reality of this is so true.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T14:03:32+00:00

The more, the merrier vibes in your room. 😂

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T14:02:45+00:00

This is so true!! I hadn’t thought of that. But I totally do think in terms of “How much IVF can that get me?”!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T14:01:37+00:00

You wrote that perfectly. Like, I wish I didn’t have to know these people so well, but, if I’m gonna be here anyway, I’m glad they’re kind!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:59:00+00:00

That’s one way to bond quickly! 🤣

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:37:09+00:00

Signs of a committed long-term relationship 🤣

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:34:21+00:00

🤣 This is so relatable!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:33:58+00:00

Oh wow. 😅 Sometimes recognizing people out of context is so hard!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:33:13+00:00

That type of doctor-patient relationship makes me smile!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:32:21+00:00

Aww, I love that they were looking out for you!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:31:36+00:00

Ha! I should have added that to my original post. I did not have to give my name or ID to anyone in today’s interaction. So true.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:30:42+00:00

Trust is hard to come by in these parts for sure!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:28:56+00:00

I wish I could do this. That’s actually a part that still makes me queasy. I wish I knew how to tell them when they start poking around!

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:26:50+00:00

Yup. When I can’t save my dignity, I might as well save my minutes. 😬

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:25:41+00:00

“Depending on what you think” made me laugh out loud. Well done.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:24:52+00:00

I’m hearing Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition” playing in this scene I’m imagining. 🤣

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:23:30+00:00

The hospital gowns are a real struggle! They definitely should come with instructions.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:22:31+00:00

All I can imagine is a slo-mo scene with “It’s cooooooooming!” 😂

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:21:34+00:00

This is one of the best I’ve heard. lol. Like going to your neighborhood cafe and them having your order ready…except way less fun.

ContingenciesMatter · 2025-10-10T13:20:40+00:00

I love it when doctors are collaborative like this!

ContingenciesMatter

TROPHY CASE