AF appeared today, 6 days after ER, 8 days ahead of schedule. I'm not complaining, because it means that I am one week closer to reuniting with my baby(s). I wish I can fast forward time.
The embryologist has called and reported on the status of my embryos. Out of 24 eggs retrieved, only 6 embryos made it to the freezer. I couldn't really hear him very well over the phone and I think he said something like this: some eggs were fertilised using the natural method, none got fertilised, the remaining eggs were fertilised via ICSI, 11 were fertilised but only 6 continued to grow, 5 embryos are grade 4 and 1 embryo is grade 3.
Doctor's review is scheduled on 16 Jan. I'm getting impatient already.
Tuesday 22 December 2015
Monday 21 December 2015
Book Recommendation
A lady wrote a post in the forum recommended this book for reading:
It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett
The author also struggled with infertility and she put her degree in molecular biology and biochemistry to good use to research on what lifestyle changes and supplements would help to improve her chances.
I don't think I'll venture into taking supplements. Maybe I'll start with changing my plastic containers to glass ones.
It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett
The author also struggled with infertility and she put her degree in molecular biology and biochemistry to good use to research on what lifestyle changes and supplements would help to improve her chances.
I don't think I'll venture into taking supplements. Maybe I'll start with changing my plastic containers to glass ones.
Wednesday 16 December 2015
IVF Fresh #1 Day 15
It's ER day for me today! I fasted since last night and slept early. DH and I woke up really early this morning (probably even earlier than our usual work days), got ready and head down to KKH. In the early hours, KKIVF is almost empty. Shortly after registration, a nurse brought me to the changing room. I put on the surgery gown and kept my clothes and belonging inside the locker. I had to change into their slippers too. Then, the nurse inserted the IV cannula into the vein of my left hand. The diameter of the needle looks big! It wasn't really pain, but I was still scared to move my hand too much. While I was getting ready for the surgery, DH was in another room busy providing his troops.
I was scheduled as the second patient for the day. However, the first patient was somehow not ready and I get to go for the surgery first. The nurse led me into the surgery room. It's my first time in such a place; my first time being put on general anesthesia. It was really cold in the surgery room. I was shivering as I was walking in. Thankfully, the nurse quickly gave me a blanket without having to ask for one. Once I lie down on the operating table, I was hooked up to the blood pressure and heart beat monitoring equipment. I also had an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth. Dr Sadhana had not arrive yet, so the team of nurses and I waited for awhile. The anesthesiologist arrived and introduced himself. Once Dr Sadhana walked into the room, every one got into action immediately. My hand was in pain when the anesthesia was pumped through the cannula. I managed to tell the nurse about it and she assured me that it'll be fine. Then, I was totally knocked out.
The next thing I know, I was wheeled out into the resting area. In my semi-consciousness, I heard someone tell me to shift myself over to the bed. I have no idea how I did it. I fell asleep again. Every time a patient gets wheeled in, I sort of got awaken for a brief moment. I have no idea how long I was there for. Finally, a nurse came along and gave me a pack of biscuits and hot milo. Although I wasn't feel very hungry, I ate them all up! At the same time, I was watching what's happening at the opposite bed. The poor girl was very much in pain and the nurse had to bring some painkillers for her to take orally. Soon, a doctor came in and made her rounds. After she checked on me, I was allowed to get out of bed.
The nurse accompanied me to the changing room, told me to pee and change back to my own clothes. In my mind I was thinking "I only drank a small cup of milo, how to pee?" But I still managed to! It was only later then I realise that it was the drip that was keeping my hydrated while I was unconscious on the bed. Another nurse removed the cannula and gave me the medical certificate for HL. She told me that I have 24 eggs retrieved and explained that I have more follicles because I have quite a high AMH. (I think she mentioned my AMH is 7, not sure if I heard correctly, not sure what the unit is.) She instructed me to drink more water and reminded me that all my embryos will be frozen.
DH was already waiting for me in KKIVF when I came out around 11.30 am. We went home, ate lunch (DH bought food back) and I slept till it was time for dinner. I couldn't really walk straight because of the bloated. The ladies in the forum suggest drinking isotonic drinks, so I bought two 500 ml bottles.
I was scheduled as the second patient for the day. However, the first patient was somehow not ready and I get to go for the surgery first. The nurse led me into the surgery room. It's my first time in such a place; my first time being put on general anesthesia. It was really cold in the surgery room. I was shivering as I was walking in. Thankfully, the nurse quickly gave me a blanket without having to ask for one. Once I lie down on the operating table, I was hooked up to the blood pressure and heart beat monitoring equipment. I also had an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth. Dr Sadhana had not arrive yet, so the team of nurses and I waited for awhile. The anesthesiologist arrived and introduced himself. Once Dr Sadhana walked into the room, every one got into action immediately. My hand was in pain when the anesthesia was pumped through the cannula. I managed to tell the nurse about it and she assured me that it'll be fine. Then, I was totally knocked out.
The next thing I know, I was wheeled out into the resting area. In my semi-consciousness, I heard someone tell me to shift myself over to the bed. I have no idea how I did it. I fell asleep again. Every time a patient gets wheeled in, I sort of got awaken for a brief moment. I have no idea how long I was there for. Finally, a nurse came along and gave me a pack of biscuits and hot milo. Although I wasn't feel very hungry, I ate them all up! At the same time, I was watching what's happening at the opposite bed. The poor girl was very much in pain and the nurse had to bring some painkillers for her to take orally. Soon, a doctor came in and made her rounds. After she checked on me, I was allowed to get out of bed.
The nurse accompanied me to the changing room, told me to pee and change back to my own clothes. In my mind I was thinking "I only drank a small cup of milo, how to pee?" But I still managed to! It was only later then I realise that it was the drip that was keeping my hydrated while I was unconscious on the bed. Another nurse removed the cannula and gave me the medical certificate for HL. She told me that I have 24 eggs retrieved and explained that I have more follicles because I have quite a high AMH. (I think she mentioned my AMH is 7, not sure if I heard correctly, not sure what the unit is.) She instructed me to drink more water and reminded me that all my embryos will be frozen.
DH was already waiting for me in KKIVF when I came out around 11.30 am. We went home, ate lunch (DH bought food back) and I slept till it was time for dinner. I couldn't really walk straight because of the bloated. The ladies in the forum suggest drinking isotonic drinks, so I bought two 500 ml bottles.
Monday 14 December 2015
IVF Fresh #1 Day 13
Some ladies in the Singapore Motherhood forum are really religiously feeding on egg whites to grow their follicles. (A case of 以形补形; eat eggs to grow eggs?). As for me, I'm getting complacent and I ate eggs only when DH brings me out for Ya Kun breakfast. Then, there's also other fertility superfood like avocado, brazil nuts, etc. I didn't eat any of those; I just don't have the discipline to follow through. I hope I wouldn't have any regrets later.
Anyway, I'm back at KKIVF for yet another scan. Today, DH couldn't take leave and this is the first appointment that I am going on my own. Although I have more than 12 follicles on each ovary, the sonographer only measured the biggest 12 on each side. After she's done, she made a final count under her breath. The largest follicle measured at 18 mm.
As usual, I had to wait to see the doctor on duty. When I was called into the room the first time, she asked me if I was feeling bloating. Then, she said that she needs to consult Dr Sadhana on my case because I have many follicles and is at risk of OHSS. So, I was sent outside to wait. Meanwhile, I was feeling distraught at the possibility of a postponed ET, which means that I would not have ET for this fresh cycle. I message DH about the news. The doctor called me back to the room and confirmed that I would not have ET and all my embryos will be frozen in storage. I'm really upset that it turned out like this! But DH thought about it and concluded that maybe this arrangement is better. He still trust Dr Sadhana's judgement. Well, not that I don't trust her, but I'm just really disappointed.
Tonight, I'll be going back to KKH 24 hours O&G clinic for my trigger shot. Typically, patients who go on to have their ET done in their fresh cycle will be given Pregnyl. I am given Lucrin instead. It would prevent me from getting OHSS, but at the same time, it would affect my uterine lining and therefore making it unconducive for embryos to implant.
My IVF fresh cycle timeline:
My IVF injections. Puregon was injected using the fine pen needles, while orgalutran came in glass syringes.
Anyway, I'm back at KKIVF for yet another scan. Today, DH couldn't take leave and this is the first appointment that I am going on my own. Although I have more than 12 follicles on each ovary, the sonographer only measured the biggest 12 on each side. After she's done, she made a final count under her breath. The largest follicle measured at 18 mm.
As usual, I had to wait to see the doctor on duty. When I was called into the room the first time, she asked me if I was feeling bloating. Then, she said that she needs to consult Dr Sadhana on my case because I have many follicles and is at risk of OHSS. So, I was sent outside to wait. Meanwhile, I was feeling distraught at the possibility of a postponed ET, which means that I would not have ET for this fresh cycle. I message DH about the news. The doctor called me back to the room and confirmed that I would not have ET and all my embryos will be frozen in storage. I'm really upset that it turned out like this! But DH thought about it and concluded that maybe this arrangement is better. He still trust Dr Sadhana's judgement. Well, not that I don't trust her, but I'm just really disappointed.
Tonight, I'll be going back to KKH 24 hours O&G clinic for my trigger shot. Typically, patients who go on to have their ET done in their fresh cycle will be given Pregnyl. I am given Lucrin instead. It would prevent me from getting OHSS, but at the same time, it would affect my uterine lining and therefore making it unconducive for embryos to implant.
My IVF fresh cycle timeline:
| CD1 | Call KKIVF |
| CD3 / Stim Day 1 | Baseline scan. 300 IU Puregon jabs daily for 4 days |
| CD7 / Stim Day 5 | 300 IU Puregon & 0.25 mg orgalutran jabs daily for 2 days |
| CD9 / Stim Day 7 | Largest follicle at 11.5 mm. Jabs with same dosage |
| CD10 / Stim Day 8 | Largest follicle at 13.5 mm. Jabs with same dosage for 3 days |
| CD13 | Largest follicle at 18mm. Final 0.25 mg orgalutran jabs Lucrine jab at night. |
| CD15 | ER |
| CD17 | ET cancelled due to risk of OHSS |
My IVF injections. Puregon was injected using the fine pen needles, while orgalutran came in glass syringes.
Friday 11 December 2015
IVF Fresh #1 Day 10
Scan result of the day: largest follicle at 13.5 mm on the right ovary and another at 12.5 mm on the left.
My updated IVF timeline:
My updated IVF timeline:
| CD1 | Call KKIVF |
| CD3 / Stim Day 1 | Baseline scan. 300 IU Puregon jabs daily for 4 days |
| CD7 / Stim Day 5 | 300 IU Puregon & 0.25 mg orgalutran jabs daily for 2 days |
| CD9 / Stim Day 7 | Largest follicle at 11.5 mm. Jabs with same dosage |
| CD10 / Stim Day 8 | Largest follicle at 13.5 mm. Jabs with same dosage for 3 days |
| CD13 | Visit KKIVF for scan |
Thursday 10 December 2015
IVF Fresh #1 Day 09
I'm back at KKIVF for my first scan after starting on the injections. DH took leave and accompanied me just like every other appointments. As told, I brought along my remaining medication in a small cooler bag, with the small ice packs inside. (I'm not going to lug a "sweating" plastic bag and drip water all over.)
Today's ultrasound scan will tell how well I responded to the medication. And I anxiously waited for my turn, not knowing what result to expect. During my scan, the sonographer read out numbers to the assisting nurse, who will record them in my file. She measured the sizes of 20 follicles and obviously, I cannot remember all the numbers. However, I took note that the largest measurement was at 11.5 mm and there were 3 of follicles at this size.
After the scan, I waited to see the doctor on duty in either Room 3 or Room 4. The doctor said that it's hard to judge the growth rate of my follicles, because this is my first IVF cycle. This meant that I will have to make another trip here tomorrow for another scan. She gave me the prescription with the same dosage. When we went to the pharmacy to collect my injections, the pharmacist was nice enough to replace my "melting" ice pack with new frozen ones.
Today's ultrasound scan will tell how well I responded to the medication. And I anxiously waited for my turn, not knowing what result to expect. During my scan, the sonographer read out numbers to the assisting nurse, who will record them in my file. She measured the sizes of 20 follicles and obviously, I cannot remember all the numbers. However, I took note that the largest measurement was at 11.5 mm and there were 3 of follicles at this size.
After the scan, I waited to see the doctor on duty in either Room 3 or Room 4. The doctor said that it's hard to judge the growth rate of my follicles, because this is my first IVF cycle. This meant that I will have to make another trip here tomorrow for another scan. She gave me the prescription with the same dosage. When we went to the pharmacy to collect my injections, the pharmacist was nice enough to replace my "melting" ice pack with new frozen ones.
Friday 4 December 2015
IVF Fresh #1 Day 03
DH accompanied me to KKH this morning and we reached after 8 am. KKIVF was already crowded with patients. There's another 10+ patients before me, so we decided to go upstairs for breakfast. When we returned, the queue had moved quickly and it was almost my turn. While waiting, I watched the other patients stapling some papers to their queue numbers and leaving them in the white box outside Room 5. In my heart, I'm thinking "Did I forget some instruction mentioned during the pre-IVF briefing?" But I left my briefing folder at home! Indeed, I realised that I was suppose to write my NRIC on my queue number (for first visit) and leave it in that white box for the nurse to pick up before I go in for my scan. Anyway, my number was still called and the nurse didn't show any unhappiness that I didn't follow instruction.
After my baseline scan was done, we had to wait for reception to call for us (same queue number). Meanwhile, I was watching the patients and wondering which stage they are at. DH kept himself occupied playing game on his phone.
When we were called, the nurse gave us the Medisave forms to sign and handed over my prescription. We went upstairs to the pharmacy, collected my injections and headed back to KKIVF. This time, I had to take a different queue number and waited (again). Room 1 called, we went in and a nurse taught me with a demo on self-injection.Then, I had to do my first jab (300 IU Puregon) in front of her.
And we are finally done and can finally head home to rest! Next scan in 6 days' time.
By the way, the pharmacy put small ice packs in the plastic bag together with my injections to keep them chilled. (The injections have to be stored in the fridge.) On the way home, the plastic bag was "sweating". Now I understand why some other patients were carrying cooler bags.
My IVF timeline so far:
After my baseline scan was done, we had to wait for reception to call for us (same queue number). Meanwhile, I was watching the patients and wondering which stage they are at. DH kept himself occupied playing game on his phone.
When we were called, the nurse gave us the Medisave forms to sign and handed over my prescription. We went upstairs to the pharmacy, collected my injections and headed back to KKIVF. This time, I had to take a different queue number and waited (again). Room 1 called, we went in and a nurse taught me with a demo on self-injection.Then, I had to do my first jab (300 IU Puregon) in front of her.
And we are finally done and can finally head home to rest! Next scan in 6 days' time.
By the way, the pharmacy put small ice packs in the plastic bag together with my injections to keep them chilled. (The injections have to be stored in the fridge.) On the way home, the plastic bag was "sweating". Now I understand why some other patients were carrying cooler bags.
My IVF timeline so far:
| CD1 | Call KKIVF |
| CD3 / Stim Day 1 | Baseline scan. 300 IU Puregon jabs daily for 4 days |
| CD7 / Stim Day 5 | 300 IU Puregon & 0.25 mg orgalutran jabs daily for 2 days |
| CD9 | Visit KKIVF for scan |
Wednesday 2 December 2015
IVF Fresh #1 Day 01
AF is finally here! I called KKIVF as I was told and I'm scheduled for my first scan on CD3. I could go for my scan on CD2 (tomorrow), but DH would prefer to take leave on Friday (CD3) instead, so that he can enjoy a long weekend. We're looking forward to Friday!
Tuesday 1 December 2015
Annual Leave Day One
Today is the start of my long leave from work. I'm taking 2 weeks of annual leave for the first half of the IVF cycle. From what I've read online, there's quite a few mornings that I would need to go for scans. Problem is, it's really quite hard to pinpoint the exact scan dates. I want to avoid the stress of having to take last minute leave and being asked by my colleagues why I am going on leave so frequently. Also, I imagine that it would already be quite stressful for me to jab myself every morning. As for the second half, my absence from work will be covered by about 2 weeks of HL from ER onwards.
My colleagues do not know the real reason behind my absence from work for the entire month of December (only my boss knows why). They had been told the partial truth that I am clearing my annual leave, which will get forfeited next year if I do not use them.
Right now, I'm just kind of moping around at home and wondering whether AF is going to show up right on schedule today.
My colleagues do not know the real reason behind my absence from work for the entire month of December (only my boss knows why). They had been told the partial truth that I am clearing my annual leave, which will get forfeited next year if I do not use them.
Right now, I'm just kind of moping around at home and wondering whether AF is going to show up right on schedule today.
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