TTC History

Here is our TTC history with the most recent events first.

  • Our boys ("AJ" and "MJ") were born via c-section on January 19, 2012, at 34w1d gestation.  (They had to be delivered early due to my worsening severe preeclampsia.)  Fortunately, both boys did, and continue to do, well despite their prematurity.  They weighed 5# 5oz and 5# 6oz at birth, respectively.  AJ spent 11 days in the hospital post-partum for feeding issues, and MJ spent 7 days in the hospital post-partum for feeding issues. 

  • I got pregnant as a result of our first DE IVF cycle!  Egg retrieval was on June 8, and I had a 5-day blastocyst transfer on June 13.  First beta hCG on June 24: 546.  Second beta hCG on June 28: 3649.  First ultrasound on July 11 (at 6w5d) showed a viable twin pregnancy.  NT scan negative.  Anatomy scan on October 7 showed two (apparently) healthy boys.

• April 16, 2011: pre-cycle testing revealed that, though his count and motility were normal, MM's morphology was only 4% (14% is considered normal).  Looking back, his morphology was 10% in March 2009, although local RE told us at the time that that result was "fine."  According to Dr. Dumbledore, low morphology probably contributed to our lack of success TTC, but should not adversely affect our DE IVF cycle, as ICSI will be used on all the eggs retrieved from the donor.  (In fact, all 13 of the mature eggs retrieved fertilized with ICSI.)

• March 29, 2011: started uterine evaluation ("mock") cycle, committed to a donor.

• June 2010 to March 2011: 28th through 40th cycles TTC. Took a break from treatment, still TTC on our own (for all the good that did).  Turned 40 in March 2011.

• May/June 2010: 27th cycle TTC. Clomid + Gonal-F + hCG + IUI #4 on 6/6. BFN.

• April 2010: 26th cycle TTC. Clomid + Follisim + hCG + IUI #3.1 on 5/8. BFN.

• December 2009 to April 2010: Took an indefinite break from intervention. Turned 39 in March 2010.  No miracle BFPs. 

• November/December 2009: 20th cycle TTC. Clomid + Follistim + hCG + IUI #3 planned. Mid-cycle u/s on 11/29 showed one mature follicle. Converted to timed intercourse. BFN

• October/November 2009: 19th cycle TTC. Clomid + Follistim + hCG + IUI #2 on 10/30. BFN.

• September/October 2009: 18th cycle TTC. AF arrived on 9/19. No treatment due to starting AF while away on vacation.

• July/August 2009: 17th cycle TTC. Taking a break due to conflict with work commitments, so no treatment. First-ever BFP: chemical pregnancy.

• June 2009: 16th cycle TTC. Clomid + hCG + timed intercourse. Mid-cycle u/s showed a 19-mm and 21-mm follicle. No IUI due to scheduling conflict. BFN on 6/29; AF arrived on 7/3.

• May 2009: 15th cycle TTC. BFN on 5/1 for cycle #14, and AF finally arrived on 5/6. Taking a break due to not getting Clomid in time to start this cycle, but still TTC on our own. BFN

• April 2009: 14th cycle TTC. Clomid + hCG + IUI #1 on 4/17. BFN

• March 2009: 13th cycle TTC, turned 38 during cycle. MM's repeat S/A to follow up on mildly elevated "round cells" normal, "super" sperm per RE. BFN

• February 2009: 12th cycle TTC, stopped charting & using OPKs/CBEFM. BFN

• January 2009: 11th cycle TTC, BBT charting & using CBEFM, CD 3 b/w, u/s normal, HSG--all clear. Follow up with RE to discuss "plan" at end of month. BFN

• December 2008: 10th cycle TTC, still taking a break from charting, MM's first semen analysis (S/A) normal. BFN

• November 2008: 9th cycle TTC, took a break from charting & CBEFM, went to Maui for wedding/honeymoon. BFN (so much for "just relax")

• October 2008: 8th cycle TTC, took a break from charting, still using CBEFM, initial consultation with local RE. BFN

• September 2008: 6th and 7th cycle TTC, still charting, using CBEFM. BFNs

• August 2008: 5th cycle TTC, still charting & using OPKs, added Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor (CBEFM). BFN

• July 2008: 4th cycle TTC, still charting & using OPKs. BFN

• June 2008: 3rd cycle TTC, continued BBT charting & added ovulation predictor kits (OPKs). BFN

• May 2008: 2nd cycle TTC, continued BBT charting. BFN

• April 2008: stopped BCPs, 1st cycle TTC, started basal body temperature (BBT) charting. BFN