Today is Cycle Day 5 of our 2nd IVF cycle. For those of you who are new to my blog, I previously had a chemical pregnancy with my first IVF cycle and our frozen cycle in May failed.
You may also remember that the last time I went to the RE’s office (for my beta), we ended up having to go elsewhere for the beta because my RE showed up at his office very ill. I went in yesterday for my first monitoring appointment and was happy to see that he has fully recovered.
Our protocol this cycle is the same as my first fresh cycle with Follistim, Menopur, and Prednisone right now. My RE has also added Heparin shots and baby aspirin to help prevent early miscarriage. Later on in the cycle, we’ll add antibiotics, Climara patches, Endometrin inserts, Ganirelix, and PIO. I’m supposed to trigger with Ovidrel, but last time we ended up switching to a Lupron trigger to prevent OHSS. We’ll see what happens this time.
I’m also taking prescription pre-natal vitamins. They have iron in them and last cycle I had some… ahem… issues…. with constipation. It caused me major stress, and I actually ended up on the floor crying from the pain last cycle. I thought about not taking them again, but I know how important it is. So I’m taking them two days in a row and then on the third day, I’m taking an over-the-counter pre-natal with no iron. This is something I decided to do myself and I haven’t run it by the RE, but I feel okay about it.
Aside from a headache after my first night of stims, I haven’t had any major side effects yet. I’m doing weekly acupuncture and feeling very relaxed since I’m currently on my summer vacation from work.
I’ve been doing pretty good on keeping gluten and caffeine-free. I did cheat once last week and had a piece of bread while out to lunch with my mother. (Come on, you can’t have soup without bread!) The hardest thing for me is not cutting out certain things, but adding healthy variety like leafy greens and vegetables.
Thanks so much for all the support and prayers! I’ll do another update next week.
*** Looking for tips on surviving IVF? Check out my post, 10 Practical Ways to Prepare for IVF ***
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Glad to hear things are moving along. Praying this is *the one*.
Here is my anti constipation regiment: 3-4 prunes per day (inindividually are great) + 2-4 liters of water per day + 300 mg colace (just the stool softener – not the one with the added laxative). Still not great, but keeps it manageable. Good luck!
I hate prunes but I may have to buck up and eat them. I don’t want a repeat of last time!
I agree with taking Colace stool softner, it helped me greatly. That and drinking plenty of water. I haven’t tried prunes, I think that would be my last resort. haha
Praying for you Lisa!!!!!!
Thanks, Caroline!
I hate prenatal vitamins and I totally recommend these http://www.rainbowlight.com/multivitamins-prenatal-one-multivitamin.aspx I don’t have an endorsement deal or anything, they are just great and the gentlest on my system of all I tried (although not cheap). If you hate prunes (and I do), try raisins or dried apricots, they really help as does a good stool softener (not one with a laxative). Good luck with your cycle!
Thanks for the vitamin recommendation, Kris. Raisins or apricots are a good idea. I hate prunes, too!
I HATED prenatals. They did the same thing to me! I took mine kind of like the way you are / planning to do – except I was more or less just taking them every other day-ish. My dr. was like I should scold you but you pee most of the stuff out anyways! HAHA. However, if you are really worried about the vitamins in them don’t eat fiber (I know right…) because the vitamins bind to the fiber and they leave you in the bathroom!
Good luck! Found you on The life of Faith and going to follow on bloglovin. I LOVE stories with happy endings =).
Thinking of you and praying that this cycle ends with a BFP!!! I’ll be looking for updates! 🙂
Thanks, Jessica!
Good luck!! Good luck! Good luck!
Thanks, Katelyn!