Thoughts After IVF Orientation
DH and I went to the IVF Orientation last Wednesday.
What I liked about it are:
1. They described (albeit briefly) the 4 drug protocols they use for the IVF Stimulation and had timeline schematics that described how each one differed. The timeline differences was clarified for visual-me.
2. That was the perfect opportunity that DH had to get the big IVF picture aside from the information that I have been sharing with him. He did say that the info are pieced together well and he understands the IVF process better now.
What I did not like was that our clinic does not offer CGH yet. Since they do offer PGS and test of 9 chromosomes only, I assume that they ask their provider labs to do FISH. We talked briefly to the embryologist and he said that CGH was “interesting, but it is still very new”. I guess they are more conservative in adopting newer technologies. DrB did actually mention a couple of times that there is a tendency of “let’s not change this since it is apparently working anyway”.
Since we do want to do the egg CGH, this may mean out-of-state IVF treatment. I can think of 2 challenges for going that route. I am sure there are more but these are what we could potentially be facing sooner:
1. Finding a local physician who is willing and able to collaborate with the out-of-state physician. I could go back to DrH but I am not comfortable with it right now. (She’s nice but I do not know how she will react to our potential plans. I will probably have to think about this more later, if we do proceed out-of-state.) Meanwhile, I have scheduled to go see 2 OB/GYNEs to check them out.
For those of you who are doing/planning out-of-state, what has been your selection experience for a local physician?
2. DH’s paid-time off are already spoken for for almost the rest of the year - 5 days in New York this month (woo hoo vacation!!!) and 3 days forced vacation due to facility shutdown. He seems to get the idea that he cannot do unpaid-time off… He has the assignment to check out if and how FMLA can be used.
For those of you who are doing/planning out-of-state, how does FMLA, if at all, figure into the treatment schedule planning?
3 comments
Hey lady,
So … we are doing out of town (as you know) and we have had two offers from our local clinics to do the local monitoring … basically, I had an appt w/my (then) current RE and told her why (morally) we want to do CGH on eggs and I asked her if she offered that, she said no. She offered me PGD on embryos (so like you mentioned testing of 9-13 chromosomes … but on embryos) and I told her we were not able to do that morally. I then told her I needed to start going to another clinic.
She was hurt at first, then I gave her some space, then I called up and asked if they’d be willing to help w/local monitoring and they were delighted to!
When I went to Stan.ford w/Dr. Mil.ki for the consult … he offered to be the local monitoring doctor - I think he likes the idea of working w/CCRM.
I just stumbled across your blog this evening. I am so sorry for all you have been through, but want to aplaud you on remaining to have faith in God through it all. We lived in Austin and saw Dr S at TFC. As a pro life Christian, the idea of IVF can be very hard to swallow. When it was first discussed with us, I had no idea what to think. While we did not end up having to go that route, we did have to metal with the decision and the “what ifs” and we know that it might be in our future if we want more children. I think the egg testing is really interesting. I had not heard of that before. It does seem a little easier to digest morally I’m sure. For us, we knew we had to make a decision we could live with in the long run. The good thing is, is that you can find a dr who will do what you feel is best for you as far as your morals are concerned. I certainly do not judge anyone for their decisions when it comes to IF, but I had to figure out what was right for us. I’ll pray that you will be able to do the same, and find God’s plan through it all. We have decided that if we ever do IVF in the future, we would likely want to fertilize few enough eggs, that we could transfer all embryos. I have read of this in a Christian IF book. Do find inspiration in the story if Hannah; I certainly did and now claim that prayer for our son and his life. Also, while reading through some of your recent post I saw where you spoke of the hug. It is important. I’ll never forget crying, while sitting half naked on the exam table and dr s gave me a hug. It made him more human. It showed he cared about me, and understood our desire for children and wanted it for us too. God bless
Polly - thanks for sharing your experience on your current RE. I like Dr Milki though for his frankness. BTW, we did the consult with the famous Dr S of your previous clinic and we were remarkably impressed by his thoroughness. 1 more consult to go!!!
Molly - thank you for sharing your story… what a miracle you have in your son!!! I have Polly to thank for writing about the egg testing - had I not come across her blog, I would have probably missed that option when looking at the clinics’ “official” websites!
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