Thursday, April 11, 2013

2 Days Down, What Feels Like a Century to Go!

How many days left until the pregnancy blood draw? A whole week you say?? I don't think I will make it...already going crazy waiting and wondering! Even though my RE doesn't require strict bed rest following the embryo transfer, I've definitely been taking it easy. If I had to describe my state the past couple days it would be "movie watching and laziness to the extreme." Hubby even unloaded the dishwasher, swept after dinner, and boiled water for his tea last night. Gasp! haha! Speaking of hubby; What a sweetheart. He surprised me last night with a card that make me bawl and these...

From my sweet hubby. :)

Seriously though, it's weird not doing chores or anything that involves lifting and core strength, but I've been really careful just to be on the safe side. I have read stories from women who didn't even shower for 3 days following their transfer, staying on complete bed rest, but that is a little beyond what I personally think is necessary in order to achieve a state of rest....no offense to anyone who has adopted that regimen. I just think the mental state of taking it that far would outweigh any physical benefit in my case, but that's just me. Instead, I'm just keeping my pace at a mosy, while still continuing to cook, eat, drink, and bathe as normal. No gym time whatsoever either of course.

I'll venture out into the real world again tomorrow for my volunteer shift downtown. I'm also taking a lot of time to just meditate, listen to soft music, and trying to envision what amazing things could be going on inside of me right now. I was actually having a little trouble even knowing what should be going on in there in the days following an embryo transfer until I found this cool little chart...

Source: NYU Fertility Center @ http://www.nyufertilitycenter.org/ivf/embryo_transfer

So, now instead of just picturing something random, I have a little more direction on some specific visualizations. Seeing this also got me a little antsy to want to do some HPT's at home, before the actual pregnancy blood draw. I am not a Pee-On-A-Stick-aholic by any means. I actually detest taking HPT's at home, because seeing a negative result just affects me in such a bad way. Major mood killer! However, I also know that a pregnancy could be detectable days before the RE has me scheduled to do the blood draw.

After my 2nd and most recent pregnancy loss, I was made aware through more extensive testing that I happen to have 4 blood clotting/autoimmune disorders, which absolutely have the potential to cause miscarriages. That is why I already have a prescription sitting here from my hematologist for Lovenox, ready to be filled the moment I found out I'm pregnant. I have been ordered to take these daily blood thinner injections (in addition to the daily baby aspirin I'm already taking) once I am pregnant next time around. This will help to prevent my blood from clotting and causing any complications. It's for that reason, that I really do want to find out if I am pregnant ASAP.

I went ahead and ordered some Wondfo HPT's last night. They should arrive tomorrow, which means I can begin testing on Saturday morning. By then I will be 5dp5dt (5 days past 5 day transfer). I have never used an hCG trigger shot before either, and now I'm thinking I should have started testing sooner to truly "test out the trigger." For anyone who doesn't know, you can get a false positive pregnancy test if you've used the Ovidrel trigger shot and hCG from it is still in your system, so what many women do is take a pregnancy test every day following an IUI or IVF transfer and watch the pregnancy tests go from + to - first. This confirms that the trigger shot is out of your system completely. Then if any subsequent tests return to a +, you know it's the real deal. Sounds like a lot work, but really it only requires about 2 minutes each morning to pee in a cup and dip a stick for 5 seconds.

I've never tested out a trigger. Will it be too late to even do that if I don't start testing until 5dp5dt? I am thinking I should have started this whole testing process much earlier now unfortunately! I guess if it's negative, I'll know the trigger is out of my system for sure. However, if it's + can I assume it's still the trigger or is it possibly the real deal? I am already confused and haven't even started testing yet! ha! Any advice or feedback on when a trigger shot should leave your system is welcome!

32 comments:

  1. Hi Emily! Your husband sounds like such a sweetie. So glad he's spoiling you a little during your week of rest. :)

    I've tested out the trigger a few times and typically 8 days past trigger it's pretty much out of my system or REALLY light. Sometimes it can be out of your system earlier or later, I think it can differ from person to person.

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    1. Hmmm, well I guess I'll be taking the first HPT 12 days past the time I took the trigger then. I wonder if anyone's trigger stays in their system that long? I wish I would have started testing earlier to truly watch the trigger come and go, but I didn't think of it until last night. I was NOT going to test, but then I started thinking about the whole Lovenox thing, which made me change my mind, darnit!

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  2. Hi Emily! I'm a serial lurker on your blog... I've been checking everyday to see how things are going. :-)

    I did some research on this after my last IUI. From what I understand the amount of Ovidrel you took dictates how long it stays in your system. If you triggered twice, it will take longer to get out of your system. I think it also depends on how fast your body metabilizes, so it's different for everyone. Someone even actually posted some sort of mathematical equation about how long it should take! Now that's dedication.

    FWIW, I looked back at my calendar at my last IUI cycle. I triggered on the evening of January 2 and did IUI on January 4. Bought HPTs the January 10. Tested January 11, which was about nine days post trigger. I got a negative -- not even a hint of a line. At that time I weighed between 115-118 pounds. I'm petite -- barely 5'2".

    I hope that helps! I'll be continuing to check in... I wish you all the best!

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    1. Thanks for lurking Danielle! Your comment is very helpful!

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    2. Oh, and I also used the 250 mcg pre-filled Ovidrel syringe. :-)

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  3. i had a 5000 unit trigger the first time and a 10000 unit trigger the second time... for me i think it was out about 4dpo on the first one and about 6dpo on the second one. some people never experience a full negative before it starts to go darker again, so the important thing is really the day to day trend. good luck!

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    1. Yeah, I have a feeling this is going to drive me a little nutso...unless it's just stark white and stays that way. No guessing in that scenario. In that case, I'm hoping there is just a damn line, and I'll have to figure it out with any increases in darkness hopefully.

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  4. I never tested out my trigger, but all the research I did told me that it would definitely be out of my system by 10 days past injection. That's with a 10,000 unit trigger. Hope that helps some!

    Praying daily for you and those sticky embabies :-)

    Hugs,
    Kara

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    1. Thanks Kara! I am happy to have your prayer power on my side!

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  5. I used Ovidrel 250 mcg. I am thinking I would be on the shorter end of the days it would take to leave, because I drink about 100 oz.-1 gal of water every day...just seems logical that the liver and kidneys would filter things out pretty fast with so much guzzling. Totally guessing here of course! I wish I would have started testing earlier to do this the right way! Way to change my mind last minute.:s

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  6. Beautiful flowers... what a guy!! :)

    I found that chart about embryo development, too, and have become attached to it after every single one of my transfers! The earliest I've ever tested was 5dp5dt, so 10ish days past the trigger and it was definitely a stark white negative. Boo!

    Thinking of you!! xoxo

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    1. Isn't that chart great? I like being able to know some specifics about the biology of what's actually happening day to day...or at least what can be happening.

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  7. How sweet of your hubby to bring you flowers, awww... I'm glad you are taking it easy. This time is so exciting and nerve wracking at the same time!! I'm not a tester, so I have no clue about testing the trigger. I'm just hoping you'll get a big beta number in a week. Fingers crossed!

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    1. I feel you. There is a reason I'm not an at home tester that much either. I usually wait until the day of or day before I'm supposed to get bloodwork if anything, but with Lovenox in play now, I'm so freaking scared I'm going to lose a pregnancy if I don't get on that stuff stat next time.

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  8. Aw, you're adorable! OK, at 5dp5dt you definitely won't have any leftover HCG in your system -- it's early to test, so if you get a negative, don't worry, but if it's positive at all I would be feeling pretty celebratory! Keep distracting yourself and thinking positive...

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    1. Thanks for the reassurance! I have been reading some freak instances of people still having the trigger in their system for a really long time like 13 days after administration, then ending up not pregnant, so hopefully I won't psyche myself out for no reason if I see something. Distracting thyself away over here...

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  9. Hi Emily! I don't know about trigger shots myself because I don't have experience with them but I am very envious of your sweet husband. He sounds like a real keeper!! Good luck and I will be thinking lots of happy baby thoughts for you.

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    1. Thanks Becca! He IS a keeper for sure. I'm very blessed!

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  10. Hey Em, I tested out my trigger shot on my first IUI and it was out of my system 9dptrigger. It was definitely light starting 7dpt. This last time I didnt bother to test it out. I am sure it should be almost gone or gone by the time you test. Goodluck! Your hubs is a keeper always thinking of you.

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    1. I think I am free and clear of the trigger as of this morning...dug out an FRER this morning. Now let's just hope another line shows up!

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  11. Gorgeous roses! Your hubby sounds so supportive. I can't wait for your beta. I'm on pins and needles. Hoping so much for your BFP!

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    1. Thanks for being so excited for us! Hoping I'llhave good news to report!

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  13. Was your trigger 600IU? If so, that can stay in your system for up to 6 days. If you know how much visit their website and it will tell you how long it stays in your system. Don't bother testing it out, just focus on testing at this point. A lot of women get their BFP at 5DP5DT. I'm praying you will be one of them!
    My ER for last week was cancelled due to poor response. So, I'm back to the drawing board, I have to start from scratch this cycle. I'm very disappointed but at least I have another chance for my follicles to mature this time around. I'm just a slow responder. But, enough about me. I'm praying this is your time, Emily. I will be thinking about you and praying for a successful cycle.

    I still follow your TTC journey. I may not always post but I follow because I'm in the same boat you're in. We will succeed! :)

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    1. Thanks so much for the ongoing support Kelly! I am sorry to hear your response wasn't ideal. I hope they can use what they learned to formulate a better protocol for you if/when you try again! ((Hugs girlie))

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  14. Ohhh the waiting game, and the stress of deciding whether or not to test!! It is so tough! I plan to test Tuesday morning which will be 9dp5dt.

    Good luck with your test, I am sending you tons of good vibes! oh and p.s. those flowers are gorgeous!!

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    1. I know! I would not even test if I didn't have blood clotting factors. Blahhhhhhh

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    2. Oh, and GOOD LUCK TO YOU on Tuesday chica!!! Routing for you to have good news also! :)

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  15. Gorgeous, gorgeous flowers!! I know your beta seems forever away! Heck, I am antsy for it. I'm glad you're testing out the trigger so once you see that BFP you'll know it's real. I am praying and sending you all the sticky baby dust I can! *hugs* girl! I believe it's gonna happen!

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    1. Yep, my Wondfo's came in today and backed up with an FRER. Trigger is def OUT! Now I just need an extra line to show up on these suckers from here on out.

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  16. Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for you! Beautiful flowers as well...way to go hubby! :)

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    1. Thanks M. Hope your pregnancy is going well my dear!

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