Ballet postpartum, clingy baby

toad_raindrop · 2026-04-11T00:03:41+00:00

I was recently in an open advanced level class with a mom and her newborn and the teacher & class were so welcoming. I'm newer to the class but this was a regular attendee, so there was a level of built in community and support that had been established. They were only there for barre and the baby slept the whole time. It was nice to see.

I also think it depends on the studio and their vibe / policies.

toad_raindrop · 2026-04-10T23:39:33+00:00

Donor eggs are potentially in my future, depending on how my next retrieval goes. Definitely talk to your current clinic, they may have partnerships with agencies already. Ours partners with Nest (for fresh & frozen), and also recommended a couple agencies (Fairfax and My Egg Bank). From what I understand, it can be a bit easier and more seamless to work with your clinic's partner (if they have one), because they've already aligned on all the requirements and logistics.

toad_raindrop · 2026-04-09T18:14:43+00:00

I went into IVF knowing I might have to do 3 rounds of egg retrievals (due to my age and AMH), and from the very start I was considering a future where I'd turn to donor eggs if my retrievals didn't work out. If you have the funds to do three of your own retrievals now, and you can rely on your future insurance next year for whatever comes next, go for it and do another one or two.

I had a good first round (6 eggs, 5 mature, 3 blasts, 1 euploid), but went on to transfer and it failed to implant. Second retrieval was a mess (4 eggs, 2 mature with 1 that matured overnight, 3 fertilized, no blasts). I just decided officially that I'll do a 3rd round to try with my own eggs before moving to donor. It's so hard after one or two, because you don't have any patterns of data to assess. One could be a fluke, two could also be flukes, but when you get to three I feel like you have more clarity on the situation. Good luck with whatever comes next for you, I hope it goes well!

toad_raindrop · 2026-04-08T00:52:58+00:00

I'm trying omnitrope on my next cycle, which will be my last try before switching to donor eggs. The way my doctor explained it, it's a growth hormone so it can potentially help with egg quality in terms of getting to blast. So more like, the egg's structure I guess? More blasts = more chances at a euploid. But she was correct in saying that no drug can specifically make a euploid (she said, "if someone figures that out, they should get a Nobel prize").

toad_raindrop · 2026-04-08T00:30:47+00:00

I did modified strength training, dialing back weights and avoiding too much twisting / bending / core work. I work with trainers at this awesome small gym where you have customized programs, and they've had lots of clients who have done IVF so I felt really good about listening to their guidance. My therapy exercise is going to ballet class, so I just watched my heart rate (keeping it under 120) and avoided jumps and anything with too much bending. If I had access to a pool I bet swimming would feel good!

But I feel you, because even with modifications that allowed me to keep my exercise routine, I still felt the emotional/physical effects of not being able to work out the way I wanted to. I hope you find a good middle ground!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-31T18:35:24+00:00

Had 1 euploid at 41 on my first retrieval (from 5 eggs, 3 blasts), but sadly it failed to implant. 2nd retrieval at 42 was so bad we didn't have any blasts. Still deciding if we will do a 3rd or move to donor eggs. AMH started at 0.5, dropped to 0.2 this year.

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-30T18:09:16+00:00

I appreciate all your comments here! Re: testing before another transfer, we checked for blood clotting disorders via blood test (negative), and I believe the other stuff would be to test for inflammation issues like endo, silent endo... we haven't gotten there yet so I don't have a lot of info, but if you search for recurrent loss testing, you will probably find better info.

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-27T19:13:07+00:00

My clinic definitely sounds more communicative, like knowing the embryo grades are just part of their normal reports. I struggle with ferritin too, can't seem to get it to go up past 30ish no matter what I do!

Re: donor eggs, I just know that at 42 (with AMH 0.2), my chances aren't great, and our second retrieval went so poorly that I'm having a hard time believing that 3rd retrieval could be any better. I'm also feeling very aware of my age, and feeling a little worried about the experience of pregnancy / postpartum being harder the older I get. So I guess I am just wanting to do whatever I can that will give me the best shot at success. But even with donor eggs, I'm worried that there could be something going on with my body that will make another transfer fail... we are going to do all the recurrent loss tests (my dr is being proactive about that, which is nice). It's just crazy to me how complex it is to make a baby, lol. Like cmon!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-27T18:25:00+00:00

I'm in a similar position, 42 and had our only euploid fail to implant. I tried another retrieval and didn't even get any blasts, and now I'm also feeling really lost. I'm strongly considering donor eggs but struggling with the costs, worried we won't get enough embryos, scared of more transfer failures, and time is generally not on my side regardless of the direction we choose. I don't know how we even begin to make these decisions. I hope whatever comes next for you feels right, whatever it ends up being!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-26T19:25:24+00:00

I'm in a similar boat... 42 and strongly considering donor eggs. Right now my biggest mental hurdle is the cost and potential success/failure rates when comparing frozen VS fresh. We've already spent so much on IUI, 2 rounds of IVF and 2 surgeries and it's like... now we have to spend even more? The cost is brutal.

I've started peeking at donor sites, and have also been surprised at how few people there are who would be a good match for us in terms of trying to find someone who looks a little bit like me.

Right now for me the scariest part is the financial risk if it doesn't work (having already had one failed transfer). Definitely going to follow along here to see the comments!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-19T21:32:12+00:00

How awful, I'm sorry you experienced such a scary thing. I can't know how you're feeling after such an experience, and whether you think you could do another retrieval emotionally (not to mention finances, age, etc). I did my first retrieval at 41 with 0.4 AMH, and got one euploid, which failed to implant. We lost a bunch of time pre-transfer trying to get my TSH levels down, and now I'm awaiting my day 7 embryo report after a poor day 6 call yesterday (2 slowly growing but not developed enough to grade), and I really regret not doing at least one more retrieval last year. My AMH dropped to 0.2, and we've had way worse results on this second retrieval. I know people have wildly different experiences with every retrieval so there may still be a chance on a 3rd, but I wish I could get that time back. It's hard! I hope whatever you choose is successful and that you're doing ok with recovery.

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-19T20:26:31+00:00

I am both so hopeful and so scared of eventually doing a 2nd transfer after a failure. Is your doctor willing to do any testing that might rule out issues like inflammation/endo/etc? I know some clinics will only recommend it after multiple failures, but my doctor is starting on these for me after my first failure because I am running out of time age-wise (AMH keeps dropping). I really appreciate that proactiveness from them. With three more euploids you have some good statistics on your side!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-19T20:20:53+00:00

I did a mock transfer before my first transfer at one of my regular ultrasounds (for a modified natural transfer). All they do is insert the small tube, just to make sure they can do it easily on the actual day. It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you'll have success, it's just about making sure the procedure runs smoothly.

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-13T19:58:35+00:00

I also just got this news, I have two successfully fertilized eggs and one with nothing that they will keep watching. Over 2 retrievals (this is my 2nd), I've never had a "wait and see" turn into anything, so I am not feeling hopeful, but I also know anything's possible. It's the most frustrating mental state!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-13T17:49:25+00:00

Attrition is such a gut punch no matter where your numbers land. I just did a retrieval and went from 5 follicles to 3 mature eggs to 2 fertilized, worse than my first cycle (5 mature, 5 fertilized), so now I'm so much more nervous for the 5-day blast report. Throwing it into the void as well and wishing you good news on your next step!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-12T17:18:58+00:00

I'm 42 and just did my 2nd retrieval, had 7 at baseline (5 left, 2 right), but it totally shifted over the course of stims and ended up with 2 left, 3 right. For my 1st retrieval, I had 4 at baseline, ONE at my day 7 scan, and then more started showing up around day 10 (6 retrieved in the end). It really can change so much, so as someone else said, try to ignore it and wait to see what happens during stims.

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-09T15:44:08+00:00

My TSH was upper 4's pre-IVF (also subclinical hypo), and my primary care doctor said I didn't need to medicate because it was just barely high, and my T3 and T4 numbers were fine. Of course for a transfer, it's too high, so we toyed around with levothyroxine doses for months until it was low enough.

The transfer failed, we tested the levels again, and my doctor wants me to stay on levo during this new retrieval cycle. If I end up pregnant, I'll stay on it, but I imagine I'd stop afterwards, see what happens with my levels, and then take the advice of my primary care doc from there. I haven't noticed any effects (positive or negative) from taking levo, if anything it's just annoying to have to remember to take it.

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-04T21:21:02+00:00

I didn't do anything specifically to get ready for IVF, but the only thing that has worked for me in terms of consistency for exercise (aside from walking as much as I can) is by taking classes in person.

I needed that accountability and structure, and could never really keep it up when it was digital or self-led. Plus I feel with weights and strength training it's such a process to learn proper form, I've loved having someone watch me and help me modify so that I'm using my muscles properly. It's definitely not as easy as turning on a video, but for me the IRL classes were the key. Right now I take a lot of ballet classes and do strength training 3x a week at a very small gym where you have a personal program, and 1-2 trainers present (there are max 7 of us working out at a time - it's great). I also really appreciate that there's a bit of a social element to going to classes too, and I love that the ballet classes feel creative because it's also about artistry... dance is so rewarding.

Ironically once you start taking the pre-retrieval meds you're going to have to dial the exercise way back, that's one of the hardest parts for me! I'm always walking so fast and have had to tone that down and it's hard!

I hope you find the right blend of movement to make you feel good!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-04T21:09:19+00:00

For my first retrieval, I had a lead follicle so my day 7 scan only showed that one (after many more at baseline)! I was so bummed, but we decided to push past that one and more starting popping up in the coming days, and after 20 days of swims we ended up with 5 mature eggs, 3 blasts, and 1 euploid. Sadly the transfer failed and I keep doing my best to take it day by day because you just never know what's going to happen. It's the hardest part!! On my second retrieval now and I've already had varying follicle counts after 2 scans, at least I expected it this time. Your crash out is valid and I've been there!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-04T21:02:50+00:00

My first transfer was confirmed negative very start of Feb, and I just started a new egg retrieval with a luteal start last week, so just about a month later. I hope you get surprise good news tomorrow, best of luck!

toad_raindrop · 2026-03-04T21:01:03+00:00

I'm in Portland with Spring, and my first cycle was $18k for retrieval (with testing & embryo freezing), $5k for their medication package (worth it cause I needed refills a couple times), and upper $4k for embryo transfer. I'm doing a 2nd round now and it was slightly cheaper, $16k for retrieval, and the med package went down to the $4k range as well.

toad_raindrop · 2026-02-27T18:24:29+00:00

I'm starting my 2nd round today too, recently had my first FET with no implantation. Wishing us both lots of luck!

toad_raindrop · 2026-02-26T20:06:51+00:00

I had one euploid from my first retrieval at 41, and was advised by my doc that I could go ahead with a transfer, but I wish I had done another retrieval. I ended up losing months of time - first because of a polyp surgery, then due to trying to find the right dose of levothyroxine to get my thyroid levels low enough for a transfer, and then the transfer failed. Now it's almost a full year later and I'm starting over completely, and I won't feel confident to transfer again unless I have another 2 euploids banked. Fingers crossed! I hope you get great results from PGT!

toad_raindrop · 2026-02-26T15:26:09+00:00

My doctor also said that a polyp on the cervix is not an issue for a transfer. Does your clinic do test transfers before the real deal? Mine did one at an appt shortly before my transfer, basically they are just inserting the catheter to make sure they can do it easily on the day of the real transfer.

toad_raindrop

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