IVF/ICSI Support Group

Ladies is it just me or is anyone else who is at KKIVF feels the following...

I feel as if some nurse are trying to rush things. My first appointment at the centre, the nurse was explaining things so fast to me. Didnt even give me a chance to ask questions. Luckily I have you ladies here to clarify my doubts. N it also upsets me a little that I cant start my cycle immediately in Oct/Nov just bcoz they are closing for a week. Hmmm...

Well, Oct is already coming to an end... I am okay now. I have waited for almost 4 years what is another 2 months right...

tintedsky - go ahead with the blood test if you are worried. It is always good to know so that it can keep your mind at ease. then you can concentrate on resting and being well for the sake of your baby. Hope to hear more updates from you.
 


hi sorry to bombard another question...

Anyone who is at KKIVF, is the clinic open 7 days a week? Coz after calculation, i realise my 1st day falls on a Friday, can i do my hormonal blood test on the Saturday?

What is the opening/closing time of the clinic?
 
hi bliss, up to my ears in work lor... So busy... Lucky thing is, my job does not need a lot of manual work.. Just sit at my desk and shout into the phone.. Haha...

Haven't had 2nd appt yet, it's next Friday... What abt you?? How's your MS? I've been having okie days, sometimes bad... But nights are always bad.. Only lucky thing is, I think I eat so little that I digest faster than I puke.. Haha...
 
Ros..kkivf opens from 8.30am to 4.30pm..mon to fri only.

Ponytail- good that u have 10 follicles in total. By the way are u still on superfact?.The nurse told me to continue with the lucrin n puregon..my scan is on this fri. I keep having cramps on the left and rigt side. Called the nurse today she aid its normal..it means the follicle growing therefore im having pain..my pain is constantly there..hopefully i have many follicles with good quality eggs. By the way u mention abt the lining..isnt the gonal/puregon suppose to thicken the lining too??
 
Oh oh... then how? How to do my hormonal blood test on the 2nd or 3rd day of my cycle? I guess I will just have to call the clinic on Day 1 of my cycle and see how it goes from there. Crossing my fingers.
 
happyever and mel,

Thank you for responding to my queries. In fact, this morning I emailed to both KKIVF and CAre@Paragon. And I was heartened to get the call from Angela regarding my queries and she followed up with an even heartening email (brought me to tears actually). She also asked me some details that I did not mention in the email. I find her to be reassuring and patient in answering my questions.

Mel, if you don't mind, can you remember the total costs for ER and ET including medications since I know medications are normally not included in final bill, right? You pay as you visit, right? Just want to compare with what I am paying. I am actually at Mt E and does the ET and ER at Mt E Fertility Centre since they have their own lab there.

I am actually deciding between pte and govt. But hearing some reviews abt KKH, long waiting time and scans not done by gynae him/herself, I am not comfortable with that. No matter how experience the nurse is. I still want my gynae to do everything.

KKIVF have not responded to my email. Will just wait and see how long they take to respond to my email. Btw, how old is Dr PT? Actually I would prefer female gynae, but if the best is the male, then I don't mind. Anyway I was once under a male gynae before too.

Another consideration I need to factor in is the flexibility of making appointments. Since I am teaching, I have yet to decide if I want to take up am or pm session next year. So it would help if I know they are quite flexible with appointments etc.

Thanks in advance for answering my queries, ok?
 
happyever,

I hope your allergy is gone now. Good that they made you stay behind to monitor. I think your DH is right. When you start on new medication, it's better to have someone around, coz we may not know of the allergies we might get.

I agree with you that I think I also need to get my body to be in tip-top condition. I have already made an agreement with DH to do brisk walking and light jogging every Saturday. I am looking forward to this Sat. Actually my place is very ideal as there is this very huge field and every Sat parents will bring kids there to jog and fly kites. Sad to say, ever since I moved in to the estate, I have never even taken a walk around that huge field. Guess I should do now, before they start building flats etc that will obstruct the currently good view.
 
Dear Mystyy,
If NUH is not too far for you, I'd recommend NUH. There, my gynae, Prof PC Wong does ultrasound at his clinic. The rest of the IVF procedures are done next door at CHR (Centre for Human Repro.) The staff there are very detailed and they really made sure that I am well taken care of. Waiting time is at most 1/2h, if your appt is between 8am-9.30am. If you are teaching, request for pm session next year. Cos Prof Wong's appointments are in the mornings.

Hope these help you..
happy.gif
 
Hi GraceBb,

Prof PC Wong was my first gynae when I did 5 failed IUIs. Upon my 2nd and 3rd I asked if I can do IVF, he said I am still young (28, that time). I was not even told that there is such thing as SO-IUI, until I recently joined this forum. However, I do like the staff at CHR. They are very warm, nice and accomodating. Does PC Wong offer to tell you things or you have to ask him? Coz when I was under him, he never say anything unless I ask. And since that time, I do not know of anyone doing IUI/IVF, thus I have little qns, except for basic ones which I already know the answers.
 
Mystyy,
Good that you'll be starting to do a bit of exercise. I know wat you mean, after a whole day in school, you wouldn;t want to step out of your house and go for brisk walking anymore.

CARE is quite flexible with appointments. But I'm not sure about Dr PT. You can email Angela and ask for more details. It you prefer a lady doctor, Dr Chua is a female doctor. You can keep these for your consideration. The Tricky part for Dr Chua is tat you'll have to go to Thomson and Paragon at differnt days for the cycle.

I'm not sure about Dr PT, I heard he'll come and see his IVF patient at CARE early in the morning.
 
sunflower,
I'm no longer on Lucrin this time round. Lucrin doesn;t work for me. But don't worry la, my body is those very minority type who react different to drugs.

I'm now at stage 2 Gonal-F stage. My allergy yesterday was due to another suppression drug called cetrotide.
 
Bliss and Mel,
I'm Ok, just feeling angry with myself. Why does my body always reacting differently? Can't my IVF cycle be more smooth?

I'm going to try another drug tomorrow. I'm worried, can't sleep now. Scolded my husband just now for some small issue. Becoming snappy again. Guessed it is bec I feel uneasy. Wat if the medication don't work on me. What will happen to my cycle? Will I be forced to stop again......

Bliss,
Thanks for praying for me. I really need the extra support.
 
Ponytail,
My doctor just measure my lining and didn't say much. She just say ok. Think like wat you said, as long as it is in the normal range, they'll not say too much.

Hope&Faith,
Are you also in Stage 2 gonal-F. I only have slight cramp. But I think it is normal to have cramppy feeling. This means the stimulation is working.

So sue, ponytail, Hope&faith and happyever, We all must jia you!
 
hihi ladies

posted earlier but gotten no replies, perhaps this thread moves too fast.

This will be our 2nd fresh IVF, after more than 6 cycles of clomid, 2 IUIs, 1 IVF and 2 FET. I would have thought that it gets easier knowing the procedures as been through it before...but somehow all the to-dos and not-to-dos seem to blur together in one huge mess, i have only vague memory abt what shd be done or shd not be done in a fresh cycle...can anyone help to refresh/update the following issues.


1) TCM
when should one start to see a TCM for accupunture? - purpose for implantation. I have no issues with stimulation - but the embryos cannot implant leading to miscariage or BFN.

2) What foods to avoid and when to avoid them?

3) When to start eating protein? during stimulation stage or the day before ER or after ER ...for how long and what is the quantity? and how should the egg whites be prepared for best effect?

there's a mind your body supplement in tosays' newspspers about TCM at raffles hospital. anyone here did the IVF booster package in raffles hospital? - what was the waiting time like?
 
Hi tintedsky,
my previous try of fresh cycle, beta blood test was around 160. Then kk nurse ask me to return on alternate days for testing and when i reached 300 plus range they stopped, also saying within the acceptable range. It was only when i had spotting then i went back to test and found the level drop.

I agree with your decision to continue going to Gleneagles for more test. Not sure if kk will let you take BT. I guess the nurse will keep insisting that you are within acceptable range.
 
Mel,
my next appt is tomorrow. Have been getting slight cramps these few days and I couldnt sleep well at night, woke up 6 to 7 times.
sad.gif

I really look forward to seeing my baby tomorrow, cant wait to know if baby is growing well.

Happy,
must think positively, ok?
Tell yourself that you will respond well to the new medication this time, you will definitely have lots of good eggs and ER, ET will smoothly take place. Think of all these. Your body will listen.
happy.gif
 
Lina,
yes, doc will give a pic of baby. I got one during my first scan, it is really cute though the image of baby(just a blur white patch)is not clear at that time. I always look at the pic at home. Heehee...
happy.gif

Hope to have a clearer pic tomorrow.
happy.gif
 
Bliss,
Thanks for the comforting words, I'll think positiveely. Feeling very nervous now. Woke up and start doing some housework so that I can keep my mind off those terrible thoughts. Yes, must tell my body, everything will be smooth, don't worry.

Lina,
Are you waiting to start a new cycle or FET?
 
Babymaking,

I’m not so experience but I’ll try to answer some of your questions, maybe the other sisters can help add on.

1) TCM
when should one start to see a TCM for accupunture? - purpose for implantation. I have no issues with stimulation - but the embryos cannot implant leading to miscariage or BFN.
----------you can start TCM asap but it would be good if you talk to your doctor first. Some doctors are not really for the idea of IVF patient taking TCM. Some doctors find it a good support. As for acupuncture, many of the ladies are doing it, especially before ET and after ET. I’m not doing acupuncture but I read that it helps increase the rate of implantation. So far, frequently mentioned names of TCM doctor and acupuncture are Dr Zou at AMK, Dr Zhong at EYS and Dr Jin at Raffles.

2) What foods to avoid and when to avoid them?
-----------There is no magic formula. I’m just doing a summary of what was discussed here:
a) food to avoid during cycle and 2ww and even pregnancy—Longan, young coconut juice, sugar cane juice, cooling food, cold drinks, bananas etc
b) food to take--- broccoli, spinach, brazil nuts etc


3) When to start eating protein? during stimulation stage or the day before ER or after ER ...for how long and what is the quantity? and how should the egg whites be prepared for best effect?

-------I was told by my doctor to eat egg whites (as raw as possible) when I started my stimulation. This is to avoid OHSS. The nurse told me to put the 2 egg whites in my Milo drink. Some of the ladies here are taking high protein milk like Ensure, complan etc.


there's a mind your body supplement in tosays' newspspers about TCM at raffles hospital. anyone here did the IVF booster package in raffles hospital? - what was the waiting time like?
 
Hi bliss,
oh yes, though blur image but a very precious one.

happyever,
Now i am on progynova 5th day, hope my 2 frozen eggs can thaw properly and should be able to transfer next week. Hope you stay positive. My hubby also get scolding from me ever since i started ivf. I told him to forgive me as i will be more 'fierce' during this period.
 
happyever
I am doing raffles ivf booster package now. price is $350 for 5 sessions. I normally don't have to wait very long for my turn, guess if u keep to appt time at most wait for 15mins. But the accupunture session is about 1hr.
 
Hi babymaking,
For the eating protein, you can start before ER. As i cannot accept raw eggs, so i take half boiled egg white instead, around 4 per day.
 
Hi All,

Had anyone did their TCM & accupunture @ Clementi? How long must wait to see the doc? How long is the procedure? How much per accupunture & TCM?
 
Hi ladies,
i have been reading this thread for some time and decided to join in - to share and to learn more.

I have just completed my ER and ET and m now in the 2WW. I heard that complete bedrest is important. Does that mean that i need to rest and position myself horizontally all the time?

Also, during 2WW, how do you "kill" time - since i was told that it's better to move around at home and don't go out.

As I can work partially from home for the time being, I am concerned if sitting for hours will not be too good.

Also, my doc is DR Cheng at TMC, and i am also complementing my treatment by going to DR Jin at Raffles Hospital. Just like to share that accupuncture does help IVF process. Also, taking red dates water is good as it will help to "bu" the blood and help more blood flow to uterus.
 
dear happyever,

thks for your input.

i'm now undecided between Dr Zou and Raffles TCM - went to Dr Zou before and made an appt with raffles TCM for tomorrow - will update more.

tassa,
may i know at which point of you cycle did you start on TCM, and does it include taking chinese medicine besides accupunture?

Lina,
when did you start the egg whites? - when you first start the stimulation stage? or just before ER or after ER? and how long you continued to take?

My first fresh IVF cycle, i started two days before the ER and thru out the 2www till blood test - in the end was warded for 2 days after ER as i bloated quite badly and was in pain. but SF Loh said it was not OHSS - but just pain from the procedure.

so wondering if bloatedness is not OHSS, then what is OHSS?

starzy,
CRIB (complete rest in bed) means exactly that, cannot let the feet touch the ground, not even to go loo. ihad a friend who CRIB due to very severe morning sickness & other issues.

For the 2www, no need CRIB, just do not carry heavy things (anything above 3kg) and try not to stretch (hanging laundry etc), and avoid causing the womb to cramp or contract..like orgasm etc. it's better to move than remain on the bed totally, so as to improve blood circulation to the womb.

mentally and emotionally, also better to be occupied by light hearted things rather than stressed by work.

you mentioned that you did accupunture at raffles hospital, how do you think it helped your IVF process? do you know if it did increase the no of follicles or improve the womb lining?
do you still have to go back for follow up during this 2www?
 
hi Tassa,
when u do ur raffles ivf booster package, when do u start. i will start my lucrin only in mid nov. will they give medicine too.

how many sessions must we go?
 
Hi Babymaking,
the accu helped me to relax alot. I am the type who get stressed and tensed easily. Each session at the accu helped me to relax. Also, before the ER, i went for a session which the Dr helped with the accu points to ensure that the retrieval is easier, and also not much pain. True enough, after the ET, i only felt minimal cramps, and was ok, after 2 days.

As for the number of follicles, i m not sure if it did helped... but i think it helped in the quality. Though i have 7 retrieved, but 4 was fertilised. I too have PCOS, but luckily, i did not suffer from OHSS.

Prior to retrieval, I took average of 8-12 egg whites, and also drank Ensure to ensure no OHSS.

After the ET, I continue with my egg whites (about 4 -6 a day). Also, i need to go for another accu session immediately after ET, and another one a few days later, close to the implant period.

Was your first IVF like that?
 
Hi Babymaking,
the accu helped me to relax alot. I am the type who get stressed and tensed easily. Each session at the accu helped me to relax. Also, before the ER, i went for a session which the Dr helped with the accu points to ensure that the retrieval is easier, and also not much pain. True enough, after the ET, i only felt minimal cramps, and was ok, after 2 days.

As for the number of follicles, i m not sure if it did helped... but i think it helped in the quality. Though i have 7 retrieved, but 4 was fertilised. I too have PCOS, but luckily, i did not suffer from OHSS.

Prior to retrieval, I took average of 8-12 egg whites, and also drank Ensure to ensure no OHSS.

After the ET, I continue with my egg whites (about 4 -6 a day). Also, i need to go for another accu session immediately after ET, and another one a few days later, close to the implant period.

Was your first IVF like that?
 
Hi babymaking,
i took egg whites just before ER and just like Starzy, i continue with the egg white after ET until about mid of 2WW.
 
Hi Mystyy

I'm so sorry to hear your news. I really do hope you pull through & stay on strong. I am currently with Dr SF Loh of KKIVF. So far, my first cycle with him is a success.

To the other ladies out there,

It's been a while since I has put up a post here. Threads are going very fast here!!
An update - Went for my scan yesterday at The Private Suite in KK and Dr Loh detected 2 heartbeats! Yes, we are expecting twins and I am in my Week 6. So far, I have no symptoms of morning sickness, although I have giddy spells after 5pm almost everyday.

To those who are still managing the cycles, keep on going strong and have faith, ok. Hope to see your names amongst the graduates list.
 
Dwi,
great to hear you are carrying twins!
happy.gif
So nice. It is good not to have MS so early and hopefully not much in days too. You must rest and eat well.
Have a smooth and happy 9 months ahead!
happy.gif
 
dwi

congrats!
my 6 week's scan is scheduled on 5th nov. Can i find out if i can request to see the doc and do scan at private suite instead of amc scan and clinic d to see doc?
 
Bliss,
Hubby and I came back from CARE this afternoon after trying the new medication.

Angela was there for 1/2 hr observing if there is any allergy after the Nurse Ning injected for me. We went down for lunch and waited till 1hr plus before we leave Paragon just to make sure that there is no allergy. I'm so happy that my body is taking the drug well. Can take the heavy stone off my chest and sleep properly tonight. Thanks for praying for me.

Tomorrow, we’ll be going to see Dr Chua for the third US scan.
 
Babyaking, Alyssa
I start the acupuncture abt a week before suppression. the IVF booster is to complement IVF cycle. they have saparate treatment for infertility. she recommend 2 session/week during cycle and 3days after ET. She did not prescribe medicine for me.
 
Dwi - congrats!! Eat well and stay happy..

Mystyy - yeah, you are right... The medication and jabs are separate... As I was Dr PT, patient, I did my pre-ER scannings at his clinic, but he does scan his IVF patients at CARE.. I will go back and look through my bills and let you know all the costs... My only advise for you will be to go with which ever you feel comfy with..
happy.gif
my thoughts are with you...

Happy - great!! You found a drug that you can take!! All the best...

Bliss - happy scanning tomorrow!!

All in 2ww.. Happy sticky baby dust!! Have happy thoughts!!
 
Mag - I am doing/starting my fresh cycle at KKIVF in late November. My pick up should be around 18 Dec and the transfer about 3 days later. Dr Sadhana will be on leave from 21st Dec onwards but nurse didnt ask me to stop or try the following month. But they did mention they do have other doctor to do the transfer provided I do not mind.
 
Try Again - My apologies dear. i totally forgot about it. I might either have missed the post or I have lost track. I AM TRULY SORRY. So you are doing the FET in Dec is it? Don't think negatively ok. SOmetimes you never know what is store for you. Just think positive, take care of your body and rest well.
 
happy,
glad to hear that!
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All the best for your ER and ET soon!
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Tintesky,
yes, you can request to switch to private suite. I went to AMC for scan and clinic D for my first appt. Then Dr Sadhana mentioned to me that I can change to private suite to have shorter waiting time. So I have changed and my 2nd appt which is tomorrow will be at the private suite.
 
Dwi congrats on having twins!

Sue and ponytail how are ur jabs coming along?..any crampy feelings?.Today i do not have the crampy feelings unlike the past 4 days..but i got worried..hahaha..when i had the pains i was complaining and worried..n when i dnt have the pain im also worried and complaining..hahaha..my hubby says if there is a list of the most kancheong patient..my name will be at the top!!..Tmrw morning im having my first US..hopefully good news.
 
Mel,

Thanks for the info.Will just wait for your updates. I am thinking of meeting up with Angela sometime in early or mid-nov. So that I know the schedule/days doc will be in coz I need to determine which session best suits me for next year.

Dwi,
Congratulations on having twins! Take care too!

Try Again,
Sorry I missed out your queries earlier. I'm 32. I actually am not aware that there is assisted hatching as when I talked to embryologists and gynae, they never say anything. But I suppose after my first failed cycle, due to failure of implantation, that could be the reason why this time, they thought assisted hatching might help. Coz if you were to read on implantation failure, one of the causes could be the embryo had difficulty hatching itself from the hard shell. Actually implantation failure has sort of lots of 'trial and error' - can't really determine what may cause it, coz there are several causes one of which is the hatching problem.
 
Dwi - congrats! double happiness. hope to join you too. did you take complete bed rest during 2WW ? i'm in stage 2 now and anything special i should do or eat ? trying not to get too stressed at work and let my follicles grow...
happy.gif


hopefaith - jabs are ok. no cramps so far (touch wood). hows your US today ? hope you get a good no. of follicles


sue - hows your scan today ? i'm going for 2nd scan tomoro morning.
 



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