Lots to Think About

Well, I've got my surgery set for January 28th. That means we'll get to start our IVF cycle on March 28. I can't wait!!

My husband and I were discussing last night whether a single embryo transfer (SET) is the best option for us. SET has only a 40% chance of taking compared to 70% with 2 embryos. Clearly, we do not want to carry twins in a half uterus, so if both took, selective reduction would be a serious consideration. I wonder if selective reduction (SR) increases risk of miscarriage in the one baby left? The chief of obstetrics that we met with the other day, said if SR is done early enough, it is safe for the remaining baby, but it still makes me nervous. It's something to think about and discuss with the doctor.

I found out that my clinic does vitrify their embryos to freeze!! I'm so thrilled that most of my frozens will make it through. On my first antral follicle count (small ovarian follicle at the beginning of cycle that could develop eggs) I had 26 follicles. If I could get a similar # during IVF and get them all to mature, we could maybe have 10 or so embryos to freeze.... trying not to get my hopes too high, but it seems realistic. Once we have our 2 babies, we plan to donate the remaining embryos to couples in need. :). (Update 10/18/13:  how hopeful i was back then!  I cannot believe I was talking about donating embryos.  I was so naive!)

I haven't received the results back from the pre-IVF tests. Here's hoping we don't have HIV! Other hormones levels received: FSH: 6.5, LH: 7.5, Estradoil: 32. Doc says all hormones are normal.

That's all I've got to update for now. Will post as things develop.

MRI Results and More

My MRI results are in! I have both kidneys and a possible rudimentary horn. A rudimentary horn occurs when the second mullerian duct begins to form the uterus and tube, but for some reason stops. Basically it is the other half of my uterus, but very small. At this point, they do not plan to remove the rudimentary horn

Tomorrow we have an appointment with a the chief of obstetrics to discuss the risks of pregnancy. I still need to schedule my salpingectomy, but am hoping to have it in February.

I was reading last night about vitrification for freezing embryos - the survival rate of the embryos is 95% compared to the usual freezing where only 50% of the embryos survive thawing. I really hope my clinic uses this technique, I'm gonna find out tomorrow. Also, I've been doing a bit of reading on whether to transfer embryos (day 3) or blastocysts (day 5). It seems like the blastocyst is the way to go. They're able to monitor the embryo two additional days, which is a big deal. Since I am having SET (single embryo transfer), I want to make sure I get the best quality possible! Will be discussing this with the doc tomorrow as well.

Having more blood drawn today and tomorrow....today is LH, FSH, and estradoil. Tomorrow my husband and I will be doing our pre-IVF blood tests (HIV, Hep B and C, Rubella, VLDR?, and blood type). I hate needles, so what a fun two days this will be!

Follow Up with RE

I had a follow-up with my reproductive endocrinologist regarding the results of my HSG. Our plan as of now is to remove the hydrosalpinx via salpingectomy, recover for 2 months, then start IVF. Once the salpingectomy is completed, I will have no fallopian tubes left, thus no chance of natural conception. It's upsetting, but I am happy to at least have a plan and some answers. Luckily, our insurance will actually cover most of one IVF cycle. We will only owe $400 for the whole cycle. I can't believe that insurance will cover any part of IVF! Hopefully the first IVF will be a charm, but if not, I'm hoping to get lots of embys to freeze. An FET is only about $3000 compared to $13000 for IVF. My RE will only put one embryo back per IVF / FET due to my unicornuate uterus and the risk of carrying multiples.
I'm going in for an MRI today to confirm whether I have two kidneys, and to see if a rudimentary horn is present with my unicornuate uterus.