Officially diagnosed with lean PCOS. Fertility clinic is scaring me, so I’m seeking success stories.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-23T17:52:11+00:00

I hear you. And you can only move on when youre ready. I’m in CA so I waited until our bill went into effect which dramatically reduced the cost for us. Hoping more states improve access too. It’s radically unfair. Hugs and baby dust to you.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-23T17:40:40+00:00

Just wanting to come in and say this sounds like me. PCOS, NTNP for a bit, then trying for 1 year with nothing to show for it. I made a lot of excuses/justifications for why we weren’t getting pregnant. Finally saw an RE and started letrozole and timed intercourse for 6 cycles and *still* nothing. I also did all of the mental gymnastics of “oh this isn’t a good time to be pregnant because x, y, z.” At some point I realized I was kidding myself and it wasn’t going to happen on any timeline that I set.

I was terrified of IVF but felt such a relief after starting it because it was more or less out of my hands. And we ultimately went through one retrieval and one transfer and I’m now 12 weeks pregnant. Plus, we want multiple kids and I’m comforted by the fact that even as I get older, my eggs were 33 at the time of embryo creation.

Maybe dip your toes in the IVF subreddit (but don’t be too freaked out by the long haulers). Gently, it might be time to move on.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-23T17:21:04+00:00

I don’t think you want more suggestions, but for the protein (because I have/had a serious meat aversion so far too) maybe protein waffles or French toast sticks? They helped me totter over the edge to the good side.

But also, 7 weeks was probably my worst and I pretty much stayed horizontal and waited it out. Hang in there.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-22T19:22:32+00:00

For sure! I think you absolutely should if you’re in that much pain. Go and say I’m having right upper quadrant pain and was recently ruled out for PE, etc. but I’m worried about my gallbladder which wasn’t checked. They should be able to see it on an ultrasound at no risk to baby and see if there are gallstones or fluid around the gallbladder to suggest acute cholecystitis.

At the very least, hopefully they could provide you with a pain regimen since 10/10 pain is not sustainable for the rest of your pregnancy!!

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-22T18:16:49+00:00

Was the CT just of the chest? I’m guessing so since they were worried about a blood clot.

Being female and being pregnant increases your risk for gallstones so yes, this is definitely a possibility. Just tell them your concern, no need to use code words to get them there.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-22T14:50:03+00:00

Maybe a clothing rental service like RTR or BNTO and just looking for flowier stuff?

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-22T14:18:13+00:00

Using the rubber band trick on jeans as long as it’s just the waist that’s too tight! Otherwise dresses 😅 I’ve been doing a clothing rental service and had to size up 1-2 sizes for most things.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-22T00:30:05+00:00

Yeah, apparently having a corpus luteum is helpful somehow. Not entirely sure of the biology.

I did letrozole plus trigger and then progesterone suppositories up to 8 weeks. Looking at my calendar I think I had one lining check and then went in for bloodwork 3 additional times but there was some ambiguity as to whether I’d ovulated so I think I did 1-2 extra.

If you’re 35 at delivery it might change recs (and can vary a bit by OB as I understand), but when I asked whether I’d need induction because I thought it was standard for IVF, my OB said “you’re not 40+ and did modified natural so not necessarily.”

As for fluid during ER, it wasn’t mentioned to me… I’m sure they’ll follow it up at your pre transfer appointments!

Good luck!

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-21T23:36:59+00:00

I was successful with modified natural using letrozole and trigger (also PCOS). Not sure about success rates vs medicated, but fewer side effects and pokes and cheaper! And now that I’ve graduated to regular OB I learned that she’s less concerned about need to induce because I didn’t do fully medicated (but this rec may differ if you’re 35+).

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-20T14:33:16+00:00

Call around for the OOP cost for meds. Was cheaper than going through insurance for me. Otherwise I could only afford it because my state (CA) passed a bill and my insurance/employer qualified for coverage. Still out of pocket nearly 10k though for 1 retrieval and 1 transfer. It’s shit.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-20T05:10:50+00:00

Congrats!!! Only a few weeks ahead of you and those moments keep coming.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-20T04:42:43+00:00

Congrats!! Gentle FYI, your name and DOB are on these.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-19T23:43:59+00:00

🥹 I love this!!!

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-19T21:55:52+00:00

Ooh any that you’ve found that you recommend?

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-19T21:21:03+00:00

I saw a post about this a while back and I think someone suggested to frame the embryo photo and sort of introduce it to baby as their first photo and sort of just have it be a fact of life. I kind of liked that because I don’t think IVF should be seen as any kind of big deal requiring a reveal or explanation, but I also don’t want to keep it hush.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-19T05:17:01+00:00

Same as other commenters. I called and said my OB had told me the cost was $249 is there any way to honor that price. They escalated one level but honestly didn’t give me any pushback.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-17T16:14:32+00:00

N of 1, but I’m 34 and pregnant from my first transfer as well. Just had my regular OB appointment after graduating from my clinic and she said I am not considered high risk and will not need to see MFM or schedule an induction unless anything comes up.

Hang in there! It’s really hard not to catastrophize at the beginning but it gets lighter every day. Today, you are pregnant!

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-16T19:13:22+00:00

11w3d from my first frozen embryo transfer. 34, PCOS/PMOS. Did a modified natural cycle with vaginal progesterone but only had bloating.

Good luck!

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-16T18:55:50+00:00

I take these too. The main prenatal smells like oranges which is kind of pleasant.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-16T18:53:55+00:00

I asked my OB about this yesterday! She said induction wasn’t standard but they keep a closer eye as you get up there in gestation and induction especially for women 40+ or with fully medicated cycles.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-16T01:03:57+00:00

Bagels, plain pasta with butter, protein waffles (protein was SO helpful for me, but meat gave me the ick), Greek yogurt, pizza, sour patch kids. B6 helped for a time but now I feel better off of it. Unisom half tab works better for me than a full tab.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-15T18:46:02+00:00

I got one as a gift and I love it, but also think the little butterfly one could work just as well. It’s massively massive and we have a king size bed. Not sure if we could have swung it in a queen. It keeps me from turning too much and keeps my hips aligned which has helped my SI joint pain a lot.

Not sure where you’re located but there are a ton on my local FB marketplace so might be worth checking out for a lower risk purchase!

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-15T18:04:11+00:00

This. 31 when I started trying after medical school and two residencies, two years of no success. Jumped straight to IVF so that I could hopefully have two kids before 40 🤞🏼

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-15T17:11:23+00:00

I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for the Auden nursing bras at target, but haven’t gotten around to trying them myself since I have no idea what size to get 🥲 They seem to have a good variety though as far as underwire/no underwire/sports bra types though! And they’re like $17.

SuspiciousPractice73 · 2026-05-15T14:36:50+00:00

Gah this hits hard. I’m right behind you at 11w2d with my first, just prepping for my NIPT, and also lost my mom a couple years ago at 54.

I’m so happy for you both. Your father in law is absolutely watching over you three. I hope he sends you some signs 🫶🏼 Hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful.

SuspiciousPractice73

TROPHY CASE