IVF consult, and the results of my loss

Yesterday afternoon was huge, but we got everything done so we are now clear to start IVF.

We had our counselling appointment. This counsellor was so much better than the last one. She was respectful and understanding that we have done 9 cycles of infertility treatment, we have had a loss and we are realistic. We know what is coming, and we are both a little anxious (as I am so horrid when I am on the drugs - as I have written about before). But it was good to hear what my husband had to say, and we are on the same page, which helps.

We then spoke to a co-ordinator, and my husband scored a pen. It was his highlight! It had egg and sperm in it floating about- he thought it was hilarious!! So we got that crossed off.

I then saw my specialist, and he worked out my schedule. I am not the best responder, so we are going in hard and heavy.
- First off I will be on a FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), like I was with IUI. On IUI we got 1 follicle on 100ug. On IVF they start you at a dose of 150ug, with a max of 450 ug. We are starting at 300 ug! 3 time the dose I have been on, and double the starting dose. Let's hope this is enough to get me going. I am lucky we know this already from my IUI.
- They will then monitor me (with scans and blood tests), and once I reach a 12mm follicle, they will put me on an antagonistic injection (there is  a spray as well), to stop me from ovulating early.
- They will then wait till the follicles get to 20mm, and they hope to get about 10 follicles/eggs. They say to do egg retrieval for 3 eggs or more, but my doctor wants to cancel if we don't get about 5 (we don't pay till we do an ER), and try again with a higher dose.
- You then trigger with a HCG injection (as you do in IUI), to start the ovulation process.
- the ER is then done under light sedation (24 hours off work), and husband does his thing. Egg and sperm are then left to do their kinky thing!
- They transfer 5 day blastocysts - so transfer would be 5 days later. Just like an IUI with a guided catheter into the uterus. But with your embryo and no sperm. Hubby will be with me, and we will be able to watch the whole thing!
- Then the dreaded two week wait!

We did ask about transferring two. Legally we are in our right to transfer two, but my doctor said for someone with a proven reproductive past (that made me smile!! some positive words!), he would recommend one only at the first transfer - so that is what we will do.

Oh and statistics. For 36 year old - it is about a 40% live birth rate (not pregnancy, that is a take home baby), and 35% for a 37 year old. As I am about to turn 37 - he is giving me 37%. As each IUI was a 20% chance of a pregnancy (not live birth rate), these odds have me super hopeful, and better than I thought. 1% chance of a twin pregnancy with a single transfer, and 30% with a double.

I am about to ovulate (yay!), so I expect to start in about two weeks!

I finally had the nerve to ask my doctor as well what the test results were on our loss. Sadly, there was no testing done :( I am gutted - I thought we would have some answers, but knowing they either just didn't do the test (even though it was requested), or there was not enough material (how that could be at a 13 week loss I dont know), just hit me so so hard.  A year later, and I thought I could really close this chapter. Still not sure how I will go with the ER - it is in the same hospital as my loss. Having said that my friend gave birth to her daughter in the same hospital after losing and birthing her 17 week twin sons. So I really should suck it up, and realise others have been through much worse and still came through it!

Will keep you updated!