IVF Frozen #1 Day 31

I secretly used a HPT early in the morning before I head out for work yesterday. Looks like we can expect a BFP confirmation today!

Few days back, I actually tested with the Guardian HPT and there was only 1 line. Either the HPT is lousy or it was too early to test. Whatever the reason, it scared me to the point that I was Googling for 'early pregnancy symptoms' and reading almost every single website from the search result. I couldn't really focus on doing any work in the office. Seriously, early pregnancy symptoms is never ever conclusive nor helpful at all. I couldn't help it but let irrationalness overtake my mind.

This morning, DH and I made the trip to KKIVF and reached slightly after 8 am. I pressed the queue #3 button and waited for my turn. We didn't have to wait long. The nurse asked if I was feeling okay and proceed to draw my blood. She told us to expect the result in 3 hours.

Although tired (because we had to wake up early), we didn't go back home. We went for a good breakfast at Wild Honey located in Scotts Square and went window shopping to kill time while waiting for the result. Finally the phone call came. I nervously picked up the call and received a good news from the nurse! Happily, we went back to KKIVF.

This time, I pressed the #4 button for a queue number. The reception congratulated us and asked for my IC. Then, she gave me the prescription and forms for the next appointment in 2 weeks' time. We went to the pharmacy, collected and paid for the medications, then headed home.

Today's charges (including GST) paid by cash:

Beta-hCG blood test	$42.80
Medications	$156.97

I updated my close friends, the ladies in the IVF WhatsApp chat group and in the forum. With my beta-hCG at 2686.4 iu/L, some suggest that I could be carrying twins! Using the online pregnancy due date calculator, my estimated EDD (based on LMP) is 23 November.

Baby dust to everyone!

TWW Embryo Growth

Today is 2dp2dt. I took only 2 days HL and I'm back at work (because I have a meeting this afternoon). I wonder how's my babies are doing... keeping my fingers crossed that they are growing well. Anyway, I found several websites describing the day by day embryo development in utero. I have no idea how reliable they are, but it's nice to know what's going on inside. I couldn't find any on 2-day transfer, so I've made up my own.

0dp2dt	The 8-cell embryo is transferred
1dp2dt	The cells of the embryo continues to multiply
2dp2dt	The embryo continues to grow into a morula
3dp2dt	The cells of the morula continue to multiply, developing into a blastocyst
4dp2dt	The blastocyst begins to hatch out of its shell
5dp2dt	The blastocyst continues to hatch out of its shell and begins to attach itself to the uterus
6dp2dt	The blastocyst attaches deeper into the uterine lining, beginning implantation
7dp2dt	Implantation continues
8dp2dt	Implantation is complete, cells that will eventually become the placenta and fetal cells begin to develop
9dp2dt	Placenta cells begin to secret HCG in the blood
10dp2dt	More hCG is produced as fetus develops
11dp2dt	More hCG is produced as fetus develops
12dp2dt	Levels of hCG are now high enough to detect a pregnancy on HPT

References:

• http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/index.php?/topic/927508-timeline-of-what-happens-after-an-embryo-transfer/
• http://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/ivf-icsi-discussion-299/embryo-implantation-timeline-your-thoughts-181436/
• http://withgreatexpectation.com/ivf/three-days-post-transfer-plus-whats-the-deal-with-pineapple/
• http://www.bubblesandbumps.com/what-happens-after-embryo-transfer-day-3-day-5-transfer-calendar/

Socks Buddy

One sister in our IVF WhatsApp chat group shared with us about the socks buddy system in the States. I did a quick search on Google and found this website. Why socks? "The reason it’s socks is because during egg retrieval and embryo transfer you can’t wear anything under your sexy gown except a bra/vest and a pair of socks so it’s nice to take a pair that will bring you a bit of luck and positivity."

Interesting.

IVF Frozen #1 Day 14

Today is ET day! My appointment was at 8 am. On the way there, I brought along warm water in my thermal flask and sip throughout the journey. We managed to reach KKIVF before 8 am, took our queue number and wait for reception to call. The nurse took my ET form and asked me if my bladder is full. After a brief wait, another nurse led us into the procedure room. After I got changed (just the bottom only) and once Dr Sadhana arrived in the room, the procedure begins. From the TV, we were shown our 2 embryos in a petri dish (I assume they are in a petri dish) before they were transferred into my womb.



Out of my 6 frozen embryos, these 2 were thawed. They survived and grew from 4-cells to 8-cells.

My 1st frozen cycle timeline:

CD1	Call KKIVF
CD4	Collect medication at KKH (can be done before CD4 too). 4 mg progynova daily for 5 days
CD9	6 mg progynova daily for 5 days
CD10	Visit KKIVF for scan. Uterine lining 8.1 mm
CD12	Crinone gel inserts twice daily until BT
CD14 / 0dp2dt	ET. 2 8-cells embryos transferred. TWW begins! 4 mg progynova daily until BT.
CD31 / 17dp2dt	BT

IVF Frozen #1 Day 10

Went for scan today. Uterine lining is 8.1 mm. Felt like I just scraped through an exam because lining must be at least 8 mm to proceed. ET scheduled on 1 March at 8 am!

Disappointed

I thought I could start my frozen cycle. But, no! AF came this morning and I called KKIVF. I was told that I have to wait for the next cycle, as I have missed the cut off date for ET because of CNY holidays! Now, I have to wait another month. So upset!

Pre Frozen #1 Consultation

Today is my review day with my IVF doctor, for post-fresh cycle #1 cum pre-frozen cycle #1. As usual, I spent a great deal of time waiting outside the consultation room, but only a short few minutes meeting Dr Sadhana. Knowing that I do not ovulate regularly, doctor decided to put me on medicated frozen cycle.

So, the plan is as such:

• Call KKIVF on CD1
• Go to KKH to collect medication on or before CD4
• Start taking mediation from CD4 onwards

Difference between natural vs medicated frozen cycle:
(This is what I've gathered from the forum.)

Natural	Medicated
- No mediation	- Start progynova from CD4 onwards
- First scan on CD11 (or CD9 / CD10)	- First scan on CD11 (or CD9 / CD10)
- Follow-up scan (and BT*) until   (1) lining is at least 8 mm and   (2) ovulation occurs	- Follow-up scans until   (1) lining is at least 8 mm   (2) (no ovulation)
- Schedule for ET	- Schedule for ET

* Ovulation determined via BT in some hospitals.

Do's and Don'ts during TWW

One sister in Singapore Motherhood forum posted this today. It's probably going to come in handy, so I shall "bookmark" the information here.

• Eat healthy balanced diet. No extreme shifts in diet even when including foods suggested to benefit TTC.
• Drink at least 2L of water to keep well hydrated.
• Have ample good rest.
• Do light exercise like walking to enhance blood flow.
• Continue pre-natal supplements (min. 4mg folic acid or otherwise as per doctor's advice) and post transfer support meds.
• First week post transfer ie. hatching and implantation window, take things easier. Talk to and encourage your embie to attach, implant & stick! (If have, can listen to hypno/meditation cd for post transfer)
• Can take foods that support implantation as suggested by IVFers sisters on the forum - brazil nuts, walnuts, avocado, double-boil chicken essence (http://jewelpie.com/homemade-chicken-essence-to-relief-tiredness/)
• Ensure adequate protein to support growth, regeneration and esp. in fresh cycle, to prevent OHSS - e.g. Egg whites, fish, chicken
• Take fruits & leafy vegetables that are not too cold/cool - e.g. can take golden kiwi, broccoli, cai xin, etc.
• If not heaty, can take warming foods/ drinks, otherwise cut down (e.g. take less or do not take daily) or stop - e.g. longan red date tea, durian (signs of heatiness include heavy headed feeling, swelling tongue that is more red than usual, sweating too easily, very warm palms and soles to extent of discomfort, constant thirst; don't let heatiness escalate to constipation)
• Avoid cold and raw foods - e.g. NO papaya, banana, watermelon (any melons), sashimi, salads, ice-cream
• Avoid pineapple which may cause uterine contractions
• Avoid dairy foods esp. if you hv phlegm-damp constitution (see http://www.maryzhang.com/food_function.htm)*
• No unpasteurised milk which causes risk of listeria infection
• Avoid eating mould-ripened soft cheese, e.g. brie and camembert, and blue-veined varieties, such as stilton or Danish blue, etc as these are usually made with unpasteurised milk.
• Limit soy foods (GMO corn crops very prevalent in soy foods; also very high in phytoestrogen so higher risk of excess)*
• Avoid seafoods high in mercury, e.g. mackeral, shark
• Avoid spicy stuff esp. even more so for those with poor digestion
• Avoid caffeine - no coffee, tea, chocolate (caffeine is not good for blood flow and may restrict absorption of nutrients)
• Avoid alcohol - may affect kidney function and hence metabolization of meds, affects fetal growth & health.
• NO soaking in hot baths, no sauna, no massage, no spa.
• Avoid smokey/hazardous areas.
• If red spotting or bleeding during 2ww, no need to panic, just call clinic & follow advice.
• In case of constipation, can take some prune juices along with daily intake of vegetables, fruits and lots of water. If no improvement, check with clinic/ doc for advice and before taking any OTC laxatives.
• Keep feet warm - can wear house slipper / socks
• Laugh a lot!
• If in doubt, take the path of least regret.
• Breathe, be positive and hang in there.

* It is ok to have a bit of milk or tofu sometimes. We don't usually eat these excessively so it will be fine. The key is overall healthy balance diet, adequate hydration and rest so that our bodies function optimally.

SMH Forum WhatsApp Group

One lady in the Singapore Motherhood forum suggested starting a WhatsApp group chat for IVF-ers cycling this month. When I saw her post in the forum, I wanted to join but was rather hesitant. What if I meet someone I know in the chat group? It's the same fear that I'll bump into someone I know whenever I visit KKH. I sat on it and pondered. In the end, I still decided to join. When I was added to the group, the first thing I did was to check through the list of participant. It was a great relieve that they are all strangers.

Post IVF Fresh #1

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.