#2 IVF 9 Weeks & 12 Weeks Update (FTS & NT results)

 Hey ladies,

I would like to apologies on the long missed out on updating this page.

I have been very very very busy with work and also the symptoms that I had during my pregnancy.

It was a rough start but everything seems to be better now!

I will try my best to recall my appointment dates.

9 Weeks - 12 Weeks Gestational

We had the FTS package done. Which is known as FIRST TRIMESTER SCREENING... It's consist of 2 things. A blood test & a detailed scan.

I had my blood drawn during my 9 weeks pregnancy & my scan at 12 weeks 6 days. I was feeling anxious.. I shouldn't have google nor view details on NT (Nuchal Translucency) scanning.. I read up that if the NT range is above 2.5mm, baby has a high chance of Down Syndrome or other chromosome issues.

I lay down, and had the sonographer checked on me while Mountain Bear is awaiting outside. Everything looks good! Baby has a Nose Bridge (NB present) both arms and legs, eye sockets, mouth, brain etc.. But when it was time to scan for the NT, I notice the NT was alil thick.. My heart instantly crushed.. I tried not to show the sonographer that I knew what was going on.. And I saw the measurement she did, 3 times..

It was 3.0mm.  

I tried to stay calm.. Seeing the lil bean sleeping soundly, really slept like Mountain Bear! With the arms over the face and crossed legs.. So the sonographer called for Mountain Bear, he came in and was amazed, seeing lil one doing well in my womb.. "Subhanallah" were the words he said when seeing the lil one moved upon hearing his voice.. I tried to smile it out and pretend that everything is fine (well, it was fine... Just the NT is thick). I got cleaned up, sonographer print some image of lil bean and hand it to Mountain Bear.. We sat outside, my heart felt heavy.. I kept rubbing my belly.. How much I love the lil one. Mountain bear notice I was being quiet which is clearly not me and asked why.. I told him, 

"Lil one's NT is slightly thicker.. They wanted it to be 2.5mm and below for this gestational period, but the result shows 3.0mm"

Mountain Bear just hold my hand and say, "It's going to be all fine, insyallah!"

I sat down, closed my eyes and tried to calm myself, not to cry.. 

About 15 minutes later, we were called to consult with the Dr.. 

"Scan for baby physical looks good! The NB is present, the arms, legs, spines, brain, kidney, stomach, bladder are present.."

I smiled and nodded..

"But we want to let you know that the NT is on a thicker side.. we wanted to see a 2.5mm on a pregnancy this long but yours is 3.0mm"

My group age risk for Down Syndrome is 1:519

My results stated risk for Down Syndrome is 1:860

Which clearly, should make me feel better, right? But they suggested that I am still at the mid risk.

So they refer me to a counselor who will help decide with us on the next steps. I couldn't speak much. I told them thank you and was told to proceed to the main level and see the counselor.. While we were sitting outside of the room, I saw a lady, well in her late 30's, sobbing while her husband stand beside her, rubbing her head.. I could see her belly were formed. Like well in 30 weeks gestational. And I heard their risk was 1:8... My heart crushed badly upon hearing that.. I hold Mountain Bear hands tight.. No matter what happen, lil bean will be in our lives.. I will never go for a termination of any sort if there isn't any life threatening risks involved.. 

Our number came up and we went in. The counselor asked if we wanted to get a Harmony Test done.

Saying it cost slightly more ($760 before subsidy) but it shows a 99% accuracy on Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21 & also shows the gender of the fetus, and abnormalities on the chromosomes. The results will be out in 2 weeks, just nice for our next review with the Drs.

I initially didn't want to get this done. Same goes to Mountain Bear. But I know that, if I didn't do this, I will cry and be worried unnecessarily and my pregnancy might be affected by it (emotionally & mentally).

So I decide to have it done. The counselor smiled and sent me to the next room to have my blood done. It was quick and professionally done, we head home.. 

No, we went to go for a walk.. Mountain Bear wanted to bring me out for a short walk & shopping to hopefully put this matter away for the moment as worrying on it now, it has no solution. In 2 weeks, we will know..

So I read up that taking in additional 1 more tablet of Folic Acid can help reduce the risk of Down Syndrome in early pregnancy. And I did that, just as I got home.

I was clearly still upset, I cried in the shower as I rub my belly and telling the lil one that I love you dearly and will never do anything to harm or hurt them.. Got out of the shower, saw Mountain Bear arranging lil bean scan photo in his workshop nicely.. And he told me this, "this child is here to help & save us in hereafter, we will still love & care for the child no matter what.." He clearly made me feel that I am not alone in this battle.. I was indeed blessed.

So yes, I will return to share with you on Week 14 on the outcome and hopefully everything goes well.. Thank you for reading this and I hope you ladies are doing well..

Take Care & Lots of love!

#2 IVF - 6 weeks 4 days Scan (BAD DAY TOO)

 Morning ladies!

So today it's the 4th November 2020, and we just completed a long day list of stuffs done at the fertility department! I am extremely tired.

At 5 weeks diagram

So, today is out 1st ever scan to see the gestational sac via ultrasound! We were told to proceed to the Antenatal Monitoring Center (AMC) and register. Please make sure you register on the self registration kiosk before proceeding to the AMC counter staff. Once registration done, proceed to the counter and hand them your scan form. They will take your sticky label & paste it on their logbook and ask you to wait outside for your number to be call.

The weather was bad and we arrived 30mins late. So we need to wait slightly longer compared to those who made it on time. Which was fair. Plus we were engross with the US ELECTION going on. LOL!

So roughly about 50mins - 1 hour later, our number was shown on the screen with the ROOM 2 stated. We went in. Mountain Bear was worried that he could not be part of it to see, but husband are allow to accompany into the scan room.

I was greeted by the Sonographer who checked my identity before reading out other details. I agreed and confirmed my details. So she mentioned that we will be doing a scan

- Transvaginal View

- Pelvic/Abdomen View

So, feeling awkward, lol! I strip down in front of Mountain Bear who was raising his eye brows and he took my pants away and a cloth was given to cover up. I lay down on the bed and waited for the sonographer to do her thing.

So some questions were asked before we start:

- What is your current weight?

- Any bleedings from the vaginal?

- Any extreme cramping on both side of the pelvis/abdomen

I had no issue with the questions posted, so here we go.

So we looked on the screen which was facing right in front of me nearing to the ceiling. I was anxious. I didn't drink alot! But seems that, it was still possible to see! So she squeeze some warm/hot ultrasound gel over my lower abdomen which was layered with a thick tissue paper and she start pressing.. 

In my heart, I honestly feared, that I couldn't see anything on it.. She started from the middle then slight to the left...

THERE....... I saw a shape... Not a perfect oval shape...

"That's the Gestational Sac" she said. 

"Wow...." I whispered... Looking over to Mountain Bear... He was fixated on the screen.

Then she press slightly harder.... THERE.... We saw something in the gestation sac...

"This...." moving her cursor over "That's your baby......"

Allahuakbar.... Alhamdulilah..... We saw our little one... Mountain Bear gave out a whisper chuckle when he saw that...

And then, we saw a flickering right in between our baby... "See that flickering fast moving action? That's the baby heart...." She gently said as she measure it out...

I look over to Mountain Bear, I could see him smiling behind the mask.. I was over the moon and very caution as well.. Then once all the photos were captured, we proceed to Transvaginal scan.

Here, I wasn't sure what they wanted to look out for but she mentioned that they are looking out on the ovaries, the cervix and the linings.. 

"Done!" she said and I slowly got up and wipe all the gels away.. Mountain Bear pass to my my pants and I wore them quickly.. 

"Here are the photos of the baby for you..." she said...

"Thank you so much dear!" I replied and leave the room.

Walked out and pass the photo of our lil bean to Mountain Bear... That look he gave.. admiring what we have made together.. LOL!! 

So now, we are heading to the other clinic for a consult with our Dr. We waited for about 40minutes & our number was called.

Went in and was attended by the team Dr from my Dr in charge Group. She was away performing a procedure. So here are the list of things that I need to go through...

- Diabetic Eye & Foot Screening at Polyclinic (Selected Area)

- Diabetic Food Intake Monitoring / Glucose Monitoring

- 9 weeks scan at AMC

- Aspirin Tablet at 12 weeks pregnancy

- Increase Metformin to 3 times a day on next review

- Add on another 6 weeks of Progesterone Tablet 2 times a day (1st trimester)

The awesome news is, I can still continue taking my METFORMIN 500MG during my pregnancy as it's safe, which also confirmed by the Dr. She is just worried on the spike in the sugar during my pregnancy. And if it's not controlled, I might need to start on Insulin, which I clearly not interested to do. I don't think I could do Insulin or any other poking on my abdomen.. And I salute on those ladies who has to go through Insulin injection in their lives.. Be it pregnancy related or Type 1 Diabetes..

So I did ask in regards to taking HL to rest, but the Dr mentioned that she can not issue HL, and only 3 days MC max.. So I decide to take just 1 day MC and return work the next day. Besides, I was able to tolerate my nausea now.. Just that I am easily tired.

So we waited again to get my Blood pressure & urine test at the ROUTINE TEST/ECG area. Sigh.

We had some issue with one of the staff. She is not a staff nurse based on her uniform. Senior lady but seems unfriendly looking. She was asking around if anyone needed a routine test, which I needed as I raise my hand, she ignored me. *Shocked* And when Mountain Bear asked her gently as she walked away "excuse me.. Hello... excuse me...." waving his huge arm to her, right in front of her face, she seems "blind" and walked away.. I was afraid if Mountain Bear will turn hulk there.. Which he almost did when I saw his expression. So we decided to wait and keen to know her name. When she came again, she called again if anyone needed a routine test, Mountain Bear raised his voice slightly, "She needed one since just now I waved at you 15 minutes ago!" She looked shaken and look at me, I got up, followed her in and realized she wasn't wearing any name tag on her. But when she was on her computer, saw her log in her account, her name was displayed hugely on the screen. C S K. She tried her best to reverse the situation but I wasn't having it.. I wasn't really in a good mood. So initially she checked my blood pressure, it was 172/89. It was damn high! And she asked me if I had any hypertension, I mentioned No.. The 2nd reading, it was 142/82. Still, I know it's not my reading. I told her I am having headache right now, waited toooooooo long and can't stand the crowd. She told me to go pee on a stick and come back. The test on the stick was normal and she took another machine and test my blood pressure, 121/68. And she express to me "the machines not synchronized laa" then I told her off "Then you didn't any maintenance? It's your machine, not mine. How to know which one is right?" she kept quite.

So I left the room and went to the Pharmacy to collect my meds.. Waited another hour there... Urgh.... Finally my number was called and we collected it.. Total spent for today is $80.90.

I don't know.. What is going on actually. Maybe just one of the bad days? So we left, decide to get our Breakfast & Lunch together at 2pm. Yes, from 9am we didn't manage to get anything to munch on. Had our meal at Geylang Market and went home straight from there.

Once I reached home, I had a quick shower and fall asleep on the living room sofa with Mountain Bear by my side as he was watching TV.. I was super exhausted.. Oh well... 

Hope the following days will get better! :)

Here's a good tip! Write down numbers behind your progesterone tablet to track if you had your tablet for the day or not.. I tend to forget taking them, but this really helps! Especially if I wanna recall if I had taken them or not.

Alright ladies! Nights!

CD36 19DPO - #2 IVF - BETA BLOOD TEST RESULT (21st Oct 2020)

 Morning ladies!!

So today is a beautiful day and an amazing day for me!

I am currently 19dpo (days post ovulations) or 14dp5dt (days post 5 day transfer)

I was told to come to IVF dept to get my blood drawn at 7.30am but I decide to come at 9am as I was super nervous on the outcome.

But before we get to the outcome, let's go back a week before.

So roughly on 6dp5dt (13th October 2020), I started testing my pregnancy test kit for fun as I realized that I had a whole cabinet of different kinds of test kit that I purchase during my trying to conceive naturally period. And when I did the test, I saw a faint line.. I tried 3 other types of brand, and true enough, it's still a visible faint line. I wasn't hoping not feeling excited as I know it's too early & it reminded me of my miscarriage back in November 2019 when the line was constantly faint for few days. Also, I assume that the Trigger Shot was still in my system, had it injected on 1st Oct, now it's 13th October, it should be out of my system by today.. Did a Clearblue Digital, it's negative... Oh well, I couldn't care for now. So threw the test and forgotten about that.

7dp5dt (14th October 2020) Did another test (3 different brand with different sensitivity) I started seeing a line!! Faint but darker than yesterday.. I got distracted. Am I pregnant?? I was using my First Morning Urine (FMU) and I tried again using my evening urine.. The line were darker... I was very cautious with showing this to Mountain Bear.. I didn't want him to get upset if it fails.. So I kept to myself..

10dp5dt (17th October 2020) First Morning Urine, I knew it will still be faint.. And I was ready to get upset if it does and knew that it was a fail cycle. I started having cramps and my boobs were aching.. I had diarrhea and then constipated. Just like my pre menstrual symptoms.. I knew I will be due for my period tomorrow or the following day. So I just pee again and wait 3 minutes for the test to shown. I really hold my breath during those period as I continue showering. 3 minutes has pass.. I fear on looking at the test.. My heart wanted it to be darker, but my brain told me to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the worst.

There were 2 lines ladies, a really solid not a faint kind lines... a really 2 lines! I finally get to see 2 lines on a pregnancy test from my own urine and not from my patients when I did their tests.. It was from my own urine! I cried.. I really cried in the shower.. I was so thankful to God and prayed hard it's a sticky bean! I clean myself up and waited for mountain bear to get home.

He got home, greet him as usual and off he went for a shower. I made for him his favourite drink and had it place on the dining table. Once he's all dress up and sat on the couch comfortably, I showed him the test from 7dpt5dt which was the faint ones.. He told me, "My love, don't torture yourself with these alright? It's still faint dear... We will just wait for the blood test alright?" I clearly understood what he meant. He didn't want me to get upset with it.. I nodded and smile and showed him the test I did this morning 10dp5dt.. And I told him, compare both test, can you see 2 lines? He looked carefully and nodded, without saying anything.. I knew that He didn't want me to get my hopes high up and yet he wanted it to be real. I knew he wanted that.. So I told him, I will do another test the morning of the BETA BLOOD TEST. He nodded smiling.. 

The night before the blood test 13dp5dt, I took another test.. LOL!! I couldn't wait.. LOL!! Mountain Bear patiently waiting outside of my toilet to see if I did another test. I did and I showed him.. That cheeky smile he shown to me.. That amazing hugs I always gotten from him, I knew he knows that it's official.. I am pregnant from the Home Pregnancy Test (HPT) But we still want to know how long are we in this gestational. So the blood test is the final answer.

13dp5dt evening urine test

BLOOD TEST DAY

So Mountain Bear was not able to accompany me to the blood test, and I went on my own. Arrived at 9.16am, I waited till 10.22am for my number to be call. I was attended by my favourite Nurse Beh. I also brought some goodies I made for the frontliners. So I sat down and greet Nurse Beh happily! She remembered me! I took out my Beta Request Lab Form and hand it to her. At the same time, I showed her a pregnancy test I did in the morning which was blazing red positive. She smile and hold my hand, "Let's Pray It A Positive Outcome alright?" And I smiled to her too, nodding!

She told me, "Still, I will need to see the Beta results.. It needs to be above 250iu/L to be confirmed alright? If it's a borderline, we need to repeat another 2 days" I nodded and pray hard it will be a great outcome. So she use the Butterfly needle and with 1 poke, she managed to get my blood! Had it sent as urgent blood, I decide to hang around the hospital. I was told by a member from a forum group that she waited for her blood test and was confirmed pregnant, she needed to collect more medications and forms for the next follow up. So I told her that I will be off for early lunch and return by noon. So my blood was sent out at 10.30am, I went to eat some chicken rice from the stalls and head back to the clinic at 11.45am. I sat down and listen to my music. Saw about 2-3 ladies waiting for their blood test as well. I sat down quietly at the corner and waited for the nurse to call me.

While waiting, the time shows 12.15am.. No one approached me yet and I was keen to know my test results.. Then I recalled, Health Hub App, which I could trace to see my blood test results.. So I went through the app and singpass login, clicked on Personal Health - Lab Test Results and there, I saw today's date. 21st October 2020 - Beta Serum Results.. I took a deep breath and kept chanting to myself.. Please let it be above 250iu/L, at least a 500iu/L I will be happy.. I was trying to delay scrolling to see the results for few minutes then I decide to click open to see the results..

My heart dropped..

The results came back at

1117.7iu/L

I am pregnant.. Alhamdulilah.... I am pregnant!!

I felt super emotional at the corner and hoping no one saw me teared up.

10 minutes later, I received a call from IVF dept and I told the nurse I was outside at the waiting area.

She came out and meet me

"Congratulation Dear, your blood test is positive! We will arrange an appointment for an ultrasound for your 6 weeks 3 days." I hold her hand and thank her so much! She smiled and pass my folder to another staff who will do the arrangement. Then from far I saw Nurse Beh! She saw me and I waved at her! She came to me and I showed her my Beta results, she smiled and hold my hand!! "Congratulation dear!! So happy for you! You must take care alright? We will see you around okies!"

And pat my shoulder and hold my hands like a caring mum. My heart felt amazing....I quickly message Mountain Bear..

I was soo happy!! So I was called by the staff and the arrangements were made. She asked me to collect my medication before heading home. Collected the medications from Pharmacy and I went home by 3pm.

Beta Blood Test - $60

Progesterone Tablet + Folic Acid (1 Month Supply) - $8

Indeed, I felt happy this cycle! I didn't have any bloatness like #1 Cycle IVF. No issue peeing or pooping.. It was worth it after all.. All the pain, the fear that I had during the injections and scans and procedures.. Allah has answered our wish and prayers.. Syukur Alhamdulilah!!

The Injections

The number of Pregnancy Kit I took before a Positive

And I prayed that these will be a smooth 9 months sailing for us & our 1st child...

Will update soonest! Lot of love from us!! 

CD22 - EGG TRANSFER DAY - 7th October 2020

Hello My Beautiful ladies! 

On 5th October 2020, I received a call from my IVF Department Team that our lil eggies are growing well and the transfer will be made on the Day 5 or known as the Blastocyst stage! And they wanted me to come to the department at 10.20am. But before that, at 7.45am, I need to do a blood test for Full Blood Count. They just want to make sure that my White Blood Cells are not raise badly. But of course, after the Egg Retrieval day, we are bound to have a raise in WBC as it's an invasive procedure. That's why I was told to take my antibiotics a day before the procedure to reduce the chance of developing any infection or fever.

Alhamdulilah! I updated Mountain Bear on the news and we were estatic! So Mountain Bear took off for the egg transfer date and now, we wait! Hehehe!

TIPS: WARM YOUR WOMBS 2 DAYS BEFORE THE EGG TRANSFER. Embryo loves warm womb when they are being transferred. Also, it helps more blood circulations to the womb region. Stop doing it once the embryo has been transferred. Use thick socks and jacket to warm up. Continue taking in Pregnancy Milk & Warm Water or red date. No cold water until Beta blood test day.

7th October 2020, Wednesday, 7.30am

We reached our IVF Department and I went to queue for my blood work.. As the crowd gets bigger, Mountain Bear decide to wait in the other room. My number was next and I went in to get my blood taken. Nurse Beh is amazing! I just love her! Especially when she did those stim injections on my belly! No pain at all! I am amaze by her skills! LOL! So today, after 2 tries, I manage to get my blood drawn by her on the 3rd. Mind you, my veins are extremely difficult to find and I didn't blame her for the multiple injections. So I thank her and was told the results will be out in 2 hours as she had place my sample as urgent. And I was told to have a breakfast before proceeding to the IVF Level 3 for the Egg Transfer. So we went to grab some quick breakfast and I wanted to drink Mr Bean Hot Soya Milk badly. Drank that and head to Level 3 at around 9.30am.

10am, Wednesday @ IVF LEVEL 3

My Bladder is almost bursting.. LOL!! They needed my bladder to be full to allow the a smooth and uneventful transfer. Roughly 10mins later, I was called by the Nurse to change.. Nurse Adeline assisted Dr Liu in my transfer. Mountain Bear also gown up in PPE and I had to de-gown before proceeding to the Transfer room. So I lay down and Nurse Adeline did a quick scan over my abdomen. Yep, Very full bladder.. LOL!

10.20am, TRANSFER ROOM 7 (PROCEDURE ROOM)

Dr Liu arrived! So I was excited to know how our eggies are doing! So she open up the file and update me on the details.

Dr Liu: Alright dear, we collected 24 eggs, that's a lot of eggs.. 17 fertilized, the rest are unusable due to their sizes. 8 eggs we used IVF method, 9 we use ICSI method. We got 12 Blastocysts growing and 2 of them were the best and well expanded blastocyst, which will be transferred today. So now, we know what we should do. The eggs are growing well and we will transfer the best 1 to your womb and 1 will be freeze today. Sounds good?

Me: Awesome! Thank you Dr Liu!

Dr Liu: Sure, ok, so let me have a look at your womb first. *moving the ultrasound device over my abdomen* Alright, as of today, there is no free fluids in the womb. We are good to go!

So, she started gowning up and they lay the huge sterile green drape over my legs. Dr Liu start inserting the speculum into me and did some cleaning. Felt a lil discomfort but wasn't bad. 

So I was told to see the screen as the Embryologist put up my details and the blastocyst on the monitor.. Subhanallah.. I felt in love with my blastocyst. It looked beautiful! So after verifying my details, the embryologist gently suck the blastocyst into a very thin straw like tube and bring it over to our room. As I see over the ultrasound screen, I could see the tube being inserted into my womb and saw a white dot at the upper region of my womb. My lil blastocyst is here.. In me..

Done! So Dr Liu gently remove the speculum and clean me up. She got up and wish us all the best before proceeding to another case to attend. I lay there for about 10mins before the embryologist came out with a photo of our beautiful Blastocyst and explained to us on the counting. She mentioned that they will continue to monitor the rest of the embryos and update us in the next 2 days on the number of Blastocyst to be frozen. So I got up, clean myself and keep admiring our blastocyst.. I felt at ease seeing it.. It was totally different from my previous cycle, It really looked full and expanded, ready to hatch anytime.. So we got into the car and head home.. I could feel a sharp pinch almost to my left pelvic area. But it was a 1 time sensation. After that, nothing!

So got home, I continue laying down with my thick socks and warm water. So today is considered 0dp5dt (0 days post 5 day transfer) 0 Days means the blastocyst just transferred to my womb, 5 day transfer means the embryo day, in this case a Blastocyst.

eg. 3dp4dt means it's 3 days post 4 days embryo (morula) transferred.

For the next 5 days, I am not suppose to do any pregnancy test as my Ovidrel Trigger Shot is still in my system. only on 6dp5dt, I can start checking using a sensitive test to find out the outcome.

PREGANANCY TEST KIT LIST

✓ My Favourite Choice

Fairhaven BFP - 20miu ✓

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Point Of Care - 10miu

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HCG Cassette - 10miu ✓

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Clear & Simple - 20miu ✓

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First Response - 6miu

[URL unfurl="true"]https://s.lazada.sg/s.wiGC[/URL]

Clearblue Digital - 25miu ✓

[URL unfurl="true"]https://s.lazada.sg/s.wSVq[/URL]

Here are a list of Pregnancy test kit that you can try! They are my favourite! LOL! Plus, they are cheaper than retail and I am please with the test when I used them.

So what to do during these Two Weeks Wait?

- Continue taking in your PREGNANCY MILK FORMULA 2 TIMES DAILY

- FOLIC ACID x 1 every morning

- STOP ANY OTHER SUPPLEMENTS NOT SUPPLIED BY THE DR

- Insert CRINONE GEL vaginally 2 times daily and MUST WALK 10 MINS to allow absorption and avoid black or dark brown discharges when peeing or washing

- AVOID HEAVY LIFTING

- AVOID HOT SHOWER/ BATHS - to avoid infection and drastic raise body temperature

- EAT FRUITS & SPINACH SOUPS

- Continue wearing SOCK every night to bed. 

- Pee Frequently, DO NOT STORE YOUR URINE TOO MUCH, this will cause pain when peeing.

- AVOID SODA, CAFFINES DRINKS FOR THE PERIOD

- KEEP WELL HYDRATED WITH WARM WATER

- DRINK RED DATES OR GINGER DRINKS

So that's for now ladies! I will update you on the outcome soon ya! To those who are going through IVF, all the best and do not give up!

CD17 - #2 IVF Fresh Cycle - EGG RETRIEVAL DAY (2nd Oct 2020)

 Hi ladies!

So this cycle, is a little big longer on the stim duration.

I started the injections on 17th September 2020

And the last injections was on 30th September 2020

Roughly about 13 days of injections.

I must say, this cycle with 3 needles to be poked daily, really had me emotionally.

I was ready to give up due to the stressful thoughts of getting 3 injections everyday.

Mountain Bear was really really helpful with me on this.. He was right beside me every single time I had to get injected in the morning.

And every time after scanning my eggs, I prayed that I do not need to inject anymore.. But sadly, I had too!

Here are the timeline on my scans results!

25th September 2020, Friday @ 8.10am - 2nd Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD10

Left Ovary - 10.5mm, 11mm, 10mm, 10mm, 9.5mm, 8mm, 8mm

Right Ovary - 10.5mm, 10mm, 11mm, 9mm, 9mm, 8mm, 8.5mm

Uterus Lining - 8.5mm

Still, it's not big enough. So needed to come again on following Monday.

28th September 2020, Monday @ 8.10am -3rd Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD13

Left Ovary - 15mm, 14mm, 13mm, 13mm, 11mm, 9.5mm, 9.5mm

Right Ovary - 15mm, 15mm, 14mm, 10mm, 10mm, 11mm, 9mm

Uterus Lining - 9.3mm

It's growing but slowly.. Tried my best to boost my egg quality with the proper meals.. LOL!

I was afraid it won't grow as fast as my 1st cycle!

29th September 2020, Tuesday @ 7.45am - 4th Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD14

Left Ovary - 15.5mm, 17mm, 17mm, 17.5mm, 14mm, 14mm, 14mm, 13mm

Right Ovary - 18.5mm, 16mm, 15.5mm, 15mm, 13mm, 12mm, 12mm, 14mm, 11.5mm

Uterus Lining - 9.7mm

They found some fluid in my womb.. I really hope it's not anything serious. I was really nervous and hope that this will be the last one, but no, I need to come back again tomorrow for another scan and blood test. They are worried that I am having OHSS.

30th September 2020, Wednesday @ 7.45am - 5th Scan

Transvaginal Scan, CD15

Left Ovary - 18.5mm, 18mm, 17.5mm, 17.5mm, 14mm, 13mm, 14mm, 13mm

Right Ovary - 20.5mm, 18.5mm, 18mm, 17.5mm, 17mm, 15mm, 15mm, 16.5mm, 16mm

Uterus Lining - 10.1mm

Alhamdulilah!!! My eggs are growing amazingly well and big! The Dr was worried on the amount they found in my ovaries. They wanted to ensure that I was not having any OHSS after the Egg retrieval. 

So, confirmed! Egg retrieval will be arranged on FRIDAY, 2nd OCTOBER 2020 at 2pm. My blood test didn't show any raise progesterone level nor any infections going on. So, the same steps as the 1st cycle, I went off to the pharmacy to collect my medications & gotten the yellow bottle for Mountain Bear sample.

Antibiotic - Azithromycin x 4 tabs (To be consume on 30th September 2020, Wednesday - dinner time)

Ovidrel 250mcg - Pre Filled Pen. (to be injected on 1st October, Thursday at 2am)

Everything went alright, I wasn't feeling sick or bloated. I was anxious and excited at the same time for the Egg retrieval.

EGG RETRIEVAL DAY CD17

1pm, Friday, 2nd October 2020 - We arrived to the IVF department level 3. I registered my details and was called to counter 1 while Mountain Bear proceed to submit his sample to the Embryologist Dept, few steps away from the counter which I was at. I had fasted since 2am which is clearly I am almost fasting for 12 hours and maybe more after the procedure ends.

Was attended by anesthetist Rajive who was amazing! SN Stephanie was there too!! She is amazing! So had my Hypocount checked, 5.6mmol/L and a plug successfully set on my left hand.

2pm - Went in to the operating theatre, I started having these panic attack thought.. LOL!! I was so scared of not waking up but then I trusted the team to keep me safe and alive.. LOL!! So I was helped up to the bed with my legs apart, lay down and they started doing their work.. Saw my Dr Liu came in and clarified my details before we start the procedure.. I recalled feeling a warm sensation passing through my veins and POOFFF!! I was gone..

RECOVERY ROOM

Woke up at 2.30pm in the recovery room. That was fast! I recalled as if I woke up mid way in the theatre when I felt Dr Liu poking my ovaries which was, PAINFUL! But maybe I was dreaming.. LOL! So anyway, I was only allow to leave the recovery room at 4.30pm after few episodes of low blood pressure with readings of

90/64

87/61

96/68

But it came back to normal after a full pint was empty into me. I was given a cup of Milo and warm water with a yummy cracker! Managed to eat without any issue nor vomiting. But the ladies in the next cubicles have been vomiting after coming out from the operating room. I was determine to quickly go home and sleep! Lol! 

4.30pm - I left the recovery room and was escort to the changing room by Stephanie. Love her to bits! Then I was escorted by Nurse Sara to a room while she fetch mountain bear for me, asking me to verified if this is the right man she brought in.. LOL! 

There, we found out how many eggs collected.

24 EGGS

Oh my god....... 24 Eggs ladies!! And Nurse Sara was worried for the OHSS to set in.. But she explained to me what I needed to do and hoping that the OHSS won't crawl to me this cycle! So went to collect the rest of the medications before heading off. So collected another sets of

Crinone Gel PV x 30 tube (Progesterone Cream)

Folic Acid x 30 Tabs

Cabergoline Tablet x 4 tabs (To reduce bloatness/OHSS)

I was feeling alright, slight pain over the ovaries but that's expected. So told Mountain Bear, let's go and have a meal at Al Ameen before heading home.. He was concern if I'm able to walk after the procedur, but I assure him that I'm alright. HAHAHA!! So I enjoyed myself with a cup of Halia O or Hot Ginger Drink & a plate of Fried Kway Teow Thai Style while Mountain Bear enjoyed his Al Ameen Special and Ice Limau. After that we head home and I slept! I also had the rubber pack over my abdomen and sleep.. I reminded myself not to make the same mistake I made during my 1st Cycle back in May 2020.

What I did differently for this cycle?

- NO COLD DRINKS - SODAS, ICE LEMON TEA

- NO ICE CREAMS, SWEETS, CHOCOLATE

- STRICTLY WARM OR HOT DRINKS - WARM WATER & RED DATES OR GINGER

- STARTED TAKING IN PREGNANCY FORMULA MILK ONCE/TWICE DAILY

- REDUCE SPICY FOOD

- TOOK BLACKMORE'S CONCEIVE WELL TABLET FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE 2nd CYCLE

- UNSALTED ROASTED ALMONDS 3-5 NUTS DAILY

- AVOID SEAFOODS & FOODS I'M ALLERGIC TO

- WEAR SOCKS & JACKET TO KEEP MY LEGS & BOBY WARM

I was also given 20 days HL to rest & will be doing my BETA BLOOD TEST on 21st October 2020 to know the outcome! But before that, we will need to wait for the embryologist to call us for the transfer!

So that's all for now! I will update you ladies in the next post! Take care!