Thank you for the tips!! This will help a lot of women!

Hi Andria! We did ICSI for all three rounds of our IVF and I'm happy we chose to do that. As with everything, there are risks associated with doing ICSI: the embryo not developing fully (due to damage to the egg or embryo), risks of multiples (which carries with it a whole other set of risks), and birth defects (though studies show that this risk is the same as if you got pregnant naturally). (I got this info from https://attainfertility.com/understanding-fertility/treatment-options/icsi/icsi-benefits-and-risks/ if you'd like to read more.) These risks didn't deter us from choosing to do ICSI because if one of our embryos didn't make it, it's more likely due to the fact that the egg was not viable or the sperm DNA integrity was not adequate, most likely not the process of ICSI itself. To us the benefits outweighed the risks: increased fertilization rates (50-80%) and pregnancy rates if you're dealing with issues with sperm. This is just what we decided on, I hope it helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Hey you girls, Simi is my cousin and she’s such a beautiful, amazing person!!

Simi, @Kelsi@Thewallacechronicles_ttc and @Jean - @lovingadeline are two AMAZING women. I am so happy you’re connecting with them! ❤️

Thanks Kristin!!

Thank you, Lindsey!

Thank you Jessica ❤️

Since I responded, I had a phone call with a reproductive immunologist who i had blood work done with. He suspects I have endo due to a gene I have that predisposes me to it - along with certain symptoms I’ve had. I’m having a lap done next week to diagnose it so that would be a huge step for you and I pray you can get in somewhere soon. He also told me I should be on an anti-inflammatory diet which can help women with endo get pregnant naturally. If you google it, you can find loads of information on it!

That makes so much sense!!

@Jean - @lovingadeline I can relate to that! I've little to no control over any of the stuff that has happened to us, so if I can make sure things are clean and tidy, at least theres that! I understand you not wanting to get attached. Listen to your gut. I'm so excited for the possibility that it WILL work for you guys!

This is so egggggciting! We did a natural transfer for our last transfer and out of all the protocols I’ve been on, I preferred it the most. They had me notify them when I started my period and had me start letrozole day 3 (I took an antibiotic and a steroid as well). They monitored my lining and ovaries to measure follicle growth. Once my blood work and scans indicated that I was about to ovulate, they had me ovulate naturally and timed transfer based on the day I ovulated - I also started progesterone the day I ovulated. Your dr may have you trigger to ovulate, which mine was going to do but I ovulated on my own and it was too late for that. I don’t think that led to the failure of my cycle because of the recent discoveries about my autoimmune issues and possible endo. We do know now the sex of our remaining embryos, and have known the sex of the ones we lost. First, I’m a control freak and a planner so I had to know and second, I knew that if it didn’t work, I’d have a comfort in knowing the gender so they weren’t just an “it.” As as far as prep goes, I’d just say to not plan anything. Do things that make you feel relaxed and chilled. Clean your house and change your sheets before transfer so you have a clean, peaceful place to lounge around afterwards. Maybe even meal prep. Hopefully you’re already taking a prenatal with a good amount of folate, etc. Let me know now if you have any other questions!!

What a beautiful perspective! Thank you for sharing, Manda!

@Brittany Have you ever tried a medicated or monitored cycle with your doctor? That might be something you should look into if You haven’t already. They have good ways of manipulating things so you can try to get pregnant.

Hi Brittany, I can imagine how frustrated you must be with the unpredictability of your cycles. Have you gotten any answers from a doctor about why your cycles are inconsistent?

Here is a response from one of my Instagram followers

@Sarah UGH! That sounds so good. I can't wait to have more space!

That’s a great idea! We try to go to the gym together sometimes but we have weird schedules and it’s difficult to do it consistently together. I can’t wait to have a house again! Having a home gym would be amazing! when we had our old house, I had a treadmill that I used frequently. So convenient.

Haha OK. We are not those sort of people but I'm sure others may enjoy your suggestions!

That's so funny that you mentioned video games... my husband recently bought a Nintendo Switch and we played it one night over Christmas break and I actually had so much fun! We also have a Raspberry Pie (or Pi?) and I love playing that too.