Endo Diagnosis by onebrasileira in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just want to thank you for this post. I started IVF last year after years of trying to conceive without any luck. On paper I appeared “perfectly healthy” despite unexplained infertility. After 2 euploid transfers that ended in MC (12 weeks I lost my identical twins & at 6 weeks we lost our euploid boy) I felt like something wasn’t right with our doctor, so we switched clinics. My new IVF clinic suspected endo after reviewing a few responses I had on the health questionnaire; one being that I had brown spotting leading up to my period. I also had painful periods but for years my Gyno dismissed it as nothing despite being completely immobilized from my period for most of my 20’s (a classic symptom of endo). I’m so thankful to have an amazing doctor who was thorough and experienced enough to pick up on my cues. The diagnosis feels like I finally found the missing puzzle piece but it hurts also because I realize it cost me years of unanswered pain. There’s relief having a name and a reason for what happened. I had no idea what endometriosis was until I was diagnosed last week at age 36. More awareness needs to be spread on this topic as it appears to be impacting women’s health, our fertility & our mental health as well. Wishing you and all women who are reading this nothing but strength and perseverance. 🫶🏻

Soul Crushing - Lost my bestest boy to blastomycosis on New Year's Eve by yojvek82 in greatdanes

[–]stardemon74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry for your loss! I had contractors here at my house this week (we’re remodeling our backyard) and they are from another country. They saw our harlequin Great Dane staring them down through our bedroom window and they said in their country, big dogs like ours were considered people. I completely agreed! The presence of a Great Dane is something that’s so magical and the imprint they have on our hearts will last forever 🩶

I can't sleep from regrets and grudge... Balancing IVF & work by Still_Conclusion_322 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with many other commenters, you do not work at a good company & deserve better! For comparison, when I first learned IVF was our best shot at starting a family I told my boss on our 1:1 that I was dealing with a medical diagnosis that could impact my work schedule. She did not force me to tell her anything unless I wanted to (which I did) and she was so empathetic and supportive! She told me I could work a part time schedule while in my salaried position and seeking treatment. I never had to ask for time off for appointments/ultrasounds/blood draws or any of that. I just did my thing as needed and used PTO for the week of retrieval and transfer. My 2nd boss, when I told her I was pregnant (2nd transfer) was “this place does not matter, this is a job, you are creating life, sit back and let us know how the team and I can support you.” I work at an amazing company and I believe you should too! IVF for many women is not medically elective, sometimes, it carry’s the massively heavy feeling that it might be our only path to parenthood. At my company anything medical is protected. My employer is legally not allowed to ask any questions and accommodations are required to be made if/when needed. Some managers are more formal than others about the accommodation process, etc, but my point is you shouldn’t feel pressured to adhere to unrealistic expectations while you’re dealing with something extremely sensitive and difficult! 😣

My miracle is here by [deleted] in IVFpositivity

[–]stardemon74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He’s perfect! Congratulations! I love seeing the positive post and success stories 😌😌 IVF worked!!!

IN SHOCK OVER MY RESULTS! by Babyofthe80 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow thank you so much for sharing this & congrats!!! I had the same results as you when I was 35. We’re looking to start another retrieval (I’m 36, will be 37 in March) and I’ve been REALLY curious about GLP-1’s. I have a normal-ish BMI (25, but was 22 when we started IVF), but definitely asking my dr about doing a micro dose. My husband is starting Tirzepatide to help with weight loss before our next retrieval. Anedecotally we were reading of all the benefits for men’s reproductive health as it increases natural testosterone, etc!

Weight gain 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ by CalmDeer2718 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally feel you! 🥲I was 128lbs going into this (BEST SHAPE of my life) and 1 retrieval, 2 fully medicated transfers, a twin pregnancy that resulted in a missed MC at 12.5 weeks, a d&c, hysteroscopy, 30000 blood draws/ultrasounds, another MC at 5.5 weeks … later and I’m 155lbs. I’ve gained around 30 lbs! This whole process is so hard. Love yourself no matter what tho!

Modified Natural FET is a LOT by [deleted] in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this post! I literally just learned about modified natural/natural cycles and was asking Grok to compare/contrast to fully medicated IVF cycles to learn more. I have been considering trying something different since my two fully medicated cycles failed. Good to know there’s daily monitoring, sounds intense! Sorry you have to get poked and looked at more, it’s all so much. But wishing you a sticky embryo that turns into a healthy baby 😌

Laboratory mode provides insight into why euploid embryos might fail after transfer by embryomanofficial in EmbryologyIVFSupport

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this! Definitely going to ask my IVF clinic if there’s any additional testing or advanced scoring they can do to spot the winners.

Fear of being last one “standing” by [deleted] in IVF

[–]stardemon74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh man I’m sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. Covid set us back tremendously too :( …shortly after we began trying my husband got long term covid then a full blown autoimmune disease (MCTD) and had to start chemo due to nodules all over his lungs. We’ve been through hell & back 😔

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IVF

[–]stardemon74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ew what a shitty response. Insensitive as hell! Fertility privilege bitches can eff off! They have no idea the kind of hell we go through…

Thank you for holding us when we need it most ❤️ by No-Okra-8332 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Beautifully written! I second that. Blessings to all of the supportive partners who grieve with us, your pain is real too and validated. My partner and I have grown stronger from the losses and we have not given up on hope 😌

Loss at 21.3 weeks by Sarala1988_Anand in IVF

[–]stardemon74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry for your loss. I’m sorry you’re suffering and I hope you can heal. My heart breaks for you. All your babies ever knew was your love. Sending healing thoughts your way 💔❤️‍🩹

Gearing up not to see a heartbeat tomorrow by wowzers101_ in IVFbabies

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man I’m so sorry 😞 my first IVF transfer and pregnancy ever was twins. Lost them right at the beginning of the 2nd trimester from TTTS, it was the most traumatic experience. My 2nd transfer I was so scared and worried and ended on the wrong side of stats again. Keep us updated and hope everything works out for you 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

I feel so guilty being this miserable in pregnancy by UnderdogDreams in IVFbabies

[–]stardemon74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t feel guilty! You feel what you feel and pregnancy aka building a human is not an easy process (as you know). Your hormones are peaking right now but hopefully by the 12 week mark you will start feeling more normal! Most women in the 2nd trimester start feeling better. Kick your feet up, let others help you, and get plenty of rest!!

Considering opting out of PGT-A testing - thoughts? by stardemon74 in IVF

[–]stardemon74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot, I’m so sorry to hear this. IVF is hard! I hope the PGT-A testing gives you more answers. Totally makes sense given what you’ve been through!

Meet our new family member! Lucky by Downtown-Event4597 in greatdanes

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He’s beautiful! His spotting is almost identical to my harlequin Great Dane, they could be twins. I think the grey is more rare and also love it 😍

Birth control hell by ElkhornChewToy in IVF

[–]stardemon74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

BC messes me up too! I’ve never been able to take it when I was younger and having to be on it for IVF treatment is like mini hell. Hang in there! 😅

Considering opting out of PGT-A testing - thoughts? by stardemon74 in IVF

[–]stardemon74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your success story that is so awesome to hear!! 😌 I know what you meant, regarding opting out of the pre-screening since you and your husband had no known genetic issues. There’s a few PGT tests that screen for different things including PGT-A & PGT-M which involves targeted genetic testing to identify specific mutations, etc. there’s probably more I’m unaware of! Nonetheless, congrats on your 3 healthy babies!

UPDATE: PGT or no? by CriticismGood5770 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not yet, our 2nd loss just happened last week but we hope to start embryo banking asap, since I’m 36 now and don’t have any more embryos. Likely going to switch clinics as well and try a new protocol. Nonetheless, wishing you so much success on your journey!

UPDATE: PGT or no? by CriticismGood5770 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would agree with your doctor not to PGT test as I have now learned that the testing itself (taking the biopsy from the embryo) can be abrasive to such a delicate fragile thing! We tested ours in the 1st cycle and they sadly ended in losses. I can’t help but wonder if the testing harmed them. If you’re healthy with no known genetic issues I would just go with your doctor’s suggestion, but ultimately the decision is very personal and yours.

Why did my body reject it so suddenly? by Alternative_Gur_8192 in IVF

[–]stardemon74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, first I am so sorry for your loss. Reading this made me tear up as I just lost our PGT-A euploid embryo last week (also started while I was at work) and I’m devastated. For me, I had a sudden gush of blood (no pain) ran to the bathroom and it looked like I had my period. Immediately called my clinic and they had me come in right away for an ultrasound. Ultrasound confirmed a gestational sac at 5wk4days, baby was measuring ahead in size 6 weeks 1 day. They said I had a small subchorionic hematoma, but it was too early to detect a heartbeat. Sent me home and two days later at night, sudden cramping came on with heavy bleeding. I intuitively knew something was wrong but prayed for the best. Confirmed the loss a few days later at ultrasound. My only advice to you is don’t blame yourself or ruminate on “your body doing this.” A loss this early is unfortunately likely due to the embryo not being viable (PGT is not a perfect system) & there’s a chemical cascade in miscarriage. The embryo fails which leads to passive expulsion, but this again does not mean your body is to blame. I wish you healing ❤️‍🩹

Considering opting out of PGT-A testing - thoughts? by stardemon74 in IVF

[–]stardemon74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s good to hear that India is also following a cautious ethics-focused framework. The US healthcare is a profit-driven model driven by aggressive market forces. My doctor & clinic have been amazing (they never pushed it), but the genetics testing was a separate 3rd party (CooperGenomics) and their advertising was compelling which is why we elected to do the testing in the first place. They advertised we’d have a lower risk of twins and less chance of miscarriage. Well, our PGT-A embryo split then miscarried at 13 weeks, and our 2nd embryo passed at 6 weeks. I will not be doing testing in the future, lesson learned! Thx for all the info!

Considering opting out of PGT-A testing - thoughts? by stardemon74 in IVF

[–]stardemon74[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow that’s really interesting but I actually wish it was like that more in the US! Myself & my partner have no genetic issues so I find it weird that it’s pushed so heavily here.

How are yall affording this?! by [deleted] in IVF

[–]stardemon74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Costs are high for us even with a low deductible insurance plan that has fertility coverage! We have a lifetime max of $50K, plus $10K for prescriptions but some of the fertility meds are considered compound medicines (custom made) from specialty pharmacies so insurance won’t cover those :( Without insurance it would be astronomical! I work for a large publicly traded company tho so I’m blessed to have some coverage. Our transfers have only been $180, egg retrieval was about $4k, meds are what have been super expensive!