1st IVF/ICSI in Jan 2013: What do we need to know?
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jindc
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17:53....
Congrats! Which RE did you use? Did you use regular ivf or with ICSI? |
Anonymous
| Thank you! We did ICSI. We considered doing half with and half without after hearing about that ICSI study, but our RE advised that ICSI was the only way for us and that the study had a lot of flaws. I'm so glad we listened--definitely listen to and trust your doctor. We used GW. I would highly recommend them. It was a great experience, and not just because it was successful. They really listen to you and since they are an academic (non-profit) medical center they are not all about their stats. They never push you into something you're not comfortable with. They advised us that tranferring one embryo would be best. We were worried because it was day 3 but again, I'm so glad we listened. |
jindc
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Hi PP
I am with GW too....do you mind sending me a note so I can learn about your experience with them? I have been very happy so far but would love to talk to someone wo worked wit them recently. I can post my email here if ou ant send messages. This would be very helpful! Thanks!! |
Anonymous
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One thing to add that hasn't been said is that lots of people start in January because of the way the insurance system works (open season, etc.). We wanted to start in January of this year and it was super hard to get appointments and to get our meds because the various clinics and pharmacies were slammed with new clients. We didn't actually end up with our first cycle until March. I would make sure you have your appointments set now and be prepared to be ON TOP of that pharmacy, especially if you are using Aetna Fed, because they get slammed and things get overlooked. We ended up with about $2,000 in extra meds that we didn't need because we weren't paying more attention. (Those puppies are still sitting in my refrigerator. Ugh.) Also, if you are switching insurance to a company that makes you get a referral, line up that appointment and the subsequent appointment with your RE now.
As for work, my boss and colleagues are awesome and many of them know. I work in science so they are mostly guys. They don't ask awkward questions but they have been super understanding too. It's given me a lot of flexibility and I'm really glad I don't have to lie because I'm a super crappy liar. |
Anonymous
Congrats PP! Just to add a slightly different spin, for our successful cycle, we did end up doing half with ICSI and half without as a diagnostic tool to see about egg and sperm quality. We ended up having equal success with fertilization rates, but the only embryos that made it to transfer were the non-ICSI ones (probably just chance the RE said). It really does depend on your circumstances, so I agree to listen to your RE. |
Anonymous
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OP here -- just following up to say that we did our first IVF-PICSI this January. Thanks SO MUCH for all the tips. It worked, and I'm now 5 weeks preg. Still not out of the woods, but grateful we've gotten to this point. I have to say that the tips and advice I got here were fantastic -- especially about being flexible on time, not stressing over my stress levels, staying on top of the pharmacy to get our meds, trying acupuncture, making the most of the pre-ET days, taking TONS of notes at the orientation, and planning a special treat for if this cycle didn't work...
Thanks again. |
Anonymous
| Congrats OP. Awesome. Thanks for coming back to update us. That cheers me up particularly because I was crying my eyes out just this morning thinking about my situation. Good luck. |
Anonymous
PP -- good luck to you too. Hope you are feeling better. I hate those crying fits...none of this is easy. |