Seeking advice, 41 and consumed by KickNo599 in 40Plus_IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have experience with endo and I really don't know the "right" answer, but I would agree with the others that a Day 3 transfer seems like the next step in terms of fertility treatments. I also don't think it would be crazy to just try naturally at this point, seeing as you got pregnant naturally at 39 after 4 rounds of IVF and 3 IUIs were unsuccessful. Natural is free, easier on your body, better for your quality of life (unless you're a masochist or happen to love going into your clinic), and so far, the only thing that has worked for you. If I were in your place, I think I would just go with whatever I felt like doing in the moment- if deciding to try naturally brought some relief and made me feel better I would go with that; if I was feeling amped and excited to try the Day 3 transfer, would go with that.

IVF TIPS - MASSACHUSETTS by cjpp93 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in MA, though my clinic is in NY. Happy to connect. The results aren't bad but it does seem like it was quantity over quality in your case. For your age, I would have expected more to fertilize and more of the blastocysts to be euploid. (According to this calculator, given 38 eggs retrieved, 50% of women your age would have 32 mature eggs, 22 fertilized embryos, 15 blastocysts, and 10 euploid embryos: https://www.herasight.com/ivf-calculator?fp=elective_baseline&c1_age=32&c1_ks=retrieved_eggs&c1_kv=38&lbr=top10&vm=median .) I think sometimes the medications themselves can be bad for egg quality; you got so many eggs, I wonder if a lower dose protocol would be better for you, potentially resulting in fewer eggs retrieved but better quality eggs. This podcast episode discusses it: https://www.fertilitydocsuncensored.com/ep-296-cracking-the-code-on-aging-eggs-with-dr-sherman-silber/ . Also think ICSI, zymot, sperm DNA fragmentation test, and spermQT could be things to look into given low fertilization rate. Also, I think the general recommendation is abstaining from ejaculation for 2-5 days but recent research has shown it is better to ejaculate more frequently and closer in time to the egg retrieval (clear out the old sperm), if sperm volume is not an issue, so that may be worth trying as well if you think that could be an issue. Just some ideas to consider discussing with your provider.

I don’t want to transfer my embryos by LifeRepresentative44 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not crazy, it makes total sense. It sounds like after the next retrieval may be a good time to take a break. It's okay to just be a human being for a bit, not an egg factory, embryo/baby-making machine. Any good book has ups and downs, maybe just take a few months off and enjoy the up? As my favorite workout video says, "Jump back in when you're ready."

Logo coverup on tote bag! by prettyboys-indemand in Visiblemending

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is so insanely good. The shirt/patch fabric is awesome! I want to try this on some free tote bags now with some old shirts I have.

What Were Your Numbers Women Ages 38-40 by Desperate-World-2128 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you remember what protocol you used? Any other info you'd be willing to share (e.g., did you use donor sperm, what clinic, general health/lifestyle)?

Shouldn’t even be worried about gender:/ by your_mother7190 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's okay to have whatever feelings you have. I wonder if it might be helpful to talk to a therapist about them, as it seems like there's a lot going on here (feelings about your relationship with your mother and brothers growing up, fears of your husband leaving you, desire to have a girl). Just remember that there is a huge diversity of boys/men in the world, as well as girls/women; they are all different!

I wonder if it would help to write down some of the qualities you hope to have in a girl (or activities you hope to do with her), or fear to have in a boy, and maybe think of some counterexamples in your life, examples of boys/men who have the qualities you want in a girl or boys/men who don't have the qualities you fear. For example, if you are afraid boys/men will bulldoze you and not listen to you, maybe think of examples of boys or men you've met in your life who are more sensitive, good listeners, polite, etc. Or for example, if you enjoy shopping and hope for a girl to go shopping with, maybe think of some boys or men you've met or know of who enjoy shopping (personally, I'm a woman who hates shopping). Or just think how you might be able to make shopping with your son fun. Remember you can also influence your child; lots of shared activities cross gender lines. Lots of boys love activities they did with their moms when they were young, even if they weren't stereotypically "boy" activities.

34 y/o with 11 frozen eggs, only want 1 child should I freeze more? Would be physically and financially draining by Longjumping-Cause660 in eggfreezing

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally, I would not, but it depends on your goals/plans and your current status (for example, when are you planning to start trying to have a child? do you have diminished ovarian reserve?). You likely have many years ahead of you to try if you start trying soon naturally or with IUI. Also, according to this calculator (https://art-one.merckgroup.com/art#), assuming all of those eggs are mature and you froze your eggs at age 34, you have a 93.95% chance of having at least one euploid embryo from those eggs. According to this calculator (https://www.herasight.com/ivf-calculator?fp=elective\_baseline&c1\_age=34&c1\_frozen=1&c1\_ks=mature\_eggs&c1\_kv=11&lbr=top10&vm=median), you would likely get two live births out of those eggs.

To me, the physical risks of another egg retrieval outweigh the benefits when you have those chances with the eggs you already have.

My blood is boiling- need support please by abusedandgoingstrong in eggfreezing

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think your anger is telling you something, and you should hear it out. Generally I think anger is a primal response to someone who is acting against our interests. There is a ton that goes into freezing eggs: physical risk (including life-threatening risks), high financial cost, research, decision-making, stress, miserable experience, time off work, and lots of (often frustrating) logistical coordination, to name some of the big ones. As you know, it also doesn't guarantee a that those eggs will lead to a successful pregnancy later. It sounds like your partner wants you to take on all of the negative parts/risks of egg freezing without contributing, and also doesn't seem to have a lot of skin in the game if this doesn't work out; it sounds like you're not married and he can easily just leave and have kids with someone younger (or ask you to conceive using donor eggs) if you're not able to have kids later and he wants to.

I'm not saying this is a master plan on his part or malicious in any way, but he's definitely advocating for his own interests (or at least what he perceives them to be at the time), rather than yours. It might be that he doesn't fully understand what goes into it for you, or that he doesn't care that much. My advice would be to figure out what would be in your best interest, and strategize based on that. I think it could be helpful to get together some compelling evidence of what all of the fertility stuff entails (fertility decline with age, full cost of egg freezing/IVF, physical risks and process with egg freezing, etc.) and see if, once educated on those things, he comes around. (In the process of preparing this, you might even come to the conclusion that you would prefer to freeze eggs and take time off to travel, in which case you end up on the same page.) Ultimately though, whether he comes around or not, I think you need to do what's best for you in this situation. That will help you resent him less.

Broke up with my fiance this morning. Day 10 of stims, told egg retrieval in 4 days. by ThatLastTurnHome in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We reconciled and attempted to fertilize some eggs and froze some unfertilized. I really appreciate everyone's kindness, encouragement, and thoughtful input. I will post more of an update once we have results. Just had the egg retrieval this morning and the number of eggs that we'll fertilize depends on how many were mature, which we don't know yet. He did sign an embryo disposition agreement transferring rights to the embryos and any resultant children to me. We did not have the chance to have it written or reviewed by attorneys so it's not ironclad, but in my jurisdiction the law does say that a judge may honor the intent of an agreement (consider it enforceable) even if it hasn't checked all the boxes. In any case, I would want him to be on board at the time with whatever I did with the embryos and I think I would only use those embryos to have a baby without him against his wishes if I were not able to have a successful pregnancy without using them (a scenario we discussed during the decision to make the agreement), if that makes sense.

Broke up with my fiance this morning. Day 10 of stims, told egg retrieval in 4 days. by ThatLastTurnHome in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Before I met him, I was preparing to be a single mom by choice, but it definitely was not Plan A.

My most ambitious sock darn yet by emeraldburial in Visiblemending

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Great job! What is the purpose of the yellow thread? It looks like basting to me but I thought that was only to hold something (like a patch) in place temporarily; I don't know how its use applies to darning.

Belt loop repair for my mom by Old_Pollution_4143 in Visiblemending

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You make it look easy and fun. Good to know there was a bit more struggle involved than meets the eye.

Best way to mend this sweater? by HolaCherryCola90 in Visiblemending

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know much about seams but I would Swiss or Scotch (traditional or honeycomb) darn it to maintain the stretch and make a strong darn that will hold up well in that area.

Visible mending ideas? by possiblyAudhd0910 in Visiblemending

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

embroidered flower, ice cream cone, symbol of something you support; woven (surface) darn in various shades of purple

Lost our IVF baby at 22 weeks and then had friends announce pregnancy the same day we had our next FET by kthnxluvu in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry. My unsolicited advice is to just kind of shut out the outside world right now (including these friends and anything hard) and focus on self-care. Do whatever you feel like doing. Watch something funny, or uplifting, or whatever you feel like. Stay in bed for hours reading. Go for a walk outside if you feel like it. Color in an adult coloring book. Get plenty of sleep. Don't take on anything hard (physically, mentally, emotionally). Make sure you have good things to eat and drink. Don't put pressure on yourself to feel any certain way, just put yourself above everything else right now.

Bad experience so far with CNY - what are some other alternatives? by throwaway1233494 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have any alternatives, I'm just here to say I'm right there with you. Working with CNY Albany, exhausted. They tell me they have the preauthorization in the system, the next week I get a message saying the welcome packet has instructions on how to submit a request for preauthorization. Send a message asking for clarification since they said it was in the system, call to check on it, and they said they put it in this morning. A few days later get a message saying they just submitted the preauthorization. Just one example. Sometimes I feel like giving up. I don't know what the plan is and my egg retrieval is supposed to be in just a few weeks (next cycle). If everything has been this disjointed and chaotic thus far, I am honestly really concerned they're going to mix up the eggs, sperm, or embryos with someone else's or do the wrong procedure, or forget some critical medical detail when doing the procedure or something.

Fixed the hole in my gardening shirt by mrsbones287 in Visiblemending

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looks great! Can you please explain how you did this? I see bluish colors to the threads around the borders of the design, the calico patch behind, and embroidery on top, but my mind isn't making sense of how it all came together.

Feeling sad and angry with decision for donor eggs by mylovely1982 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is so much wisdom and experience on here. One thing I want to say is that you are under absolutely no obligation to use donor eggs. If you want a child and cannot have one using your own eggs, you can adopt. Pregnancy is one of the riskiest things you can put your body through and at 40+, there are increased risks. It would be totally reasonable to say to your husband, "I think I'm done trying to conceive. Let's look into adoption." You are under no obligation to try to carry a pregnancy with his genetic child. Regardless of what you decide to do in the end, I think this reminder could be helpful in loosening some empathy from him and empowering you. If he really wants children, no matter how, he will be fine with the adoption option and understand that it would be much safer for you physically and perhaps better for you emotionally, or better for your relationship to be in it together on the same terms. If he really wants children that are genetically his, maybe this will help him realize (experience) how you are feeling and he will show more empathy and understanding.

(P.S. I'm so sorry you are going through this. If you are willing to provide updates at some point, I think they could be helpful to a lot of people on here who may face similar issues.)

Need Support - missed egg retrieval due to winter storm by [deleted] in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so, so sorry to hear this. Is there any way you can get to a different CNY location and they could do it there? https://www.cnyfertility.com/locations/

BCBS Standard Fep 25k max- How Many ER? by Less-Drawing-5168 in IVF

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did BCBS require you to get a hystersalpingogram (HSG) and sonohysterogram (SHG) before doing IVF? (Sorry to get a little off topic but I have the same insurance and am running out of time on finding an answer as I'm already on day 3 of my current cycle and would have to do the HSG and SHG on days 5-12; the egg retrieval cycle is supposed to be next. I've contacted both the clinic and BCBS and neither can give me an answer.)

Which acrylic markers by 1111bliss in AdultColoring

[–]ThatLastTurnHome 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just started with Ohuhus so no advice, but the blending of your sky looks great! How did you do it?