CharlieGirl
07-11-2006, 07:20 AM
Hi Everyone,
I've just unsuccessfully completed my second IVF cycle. I've been through quite a bit. Unfortunately, I had some major errors happen and I'm hoping that I might at least be able to help some other women out there prevent them from happening to them. I believe these errors could have been avoided had we had just known better. :confused:
On our first round of IVF we were the victim of a poor semen sample on the day of the retrieval even though DH's previous sample was fine. I later found out that many clinics ask the men to stay near a phone in case the sample isn't very good for a second try. I guess the stress of the moment can actually have a great impact on the sperm quality and sample amount. Our sample was so bad that out of 11 eggs we ended up with only one "C grade" blast to tranfer. So frustrating! The doctor was visibly angry and acted as though it was my DH's fault! All they would have had to do was call and ask for one more sample but that was beyond their effort level.
On our second round we decided to do an early semen sample, have it tested and frozen as a back up. Turned out we didn't need it. ($500 for that service) If I were to do it again, I would tell the lab technician on the day of retrieval that we want a call as soon as the sample is checked and if it isn't good enough we would bring in another. For this reason, I don't recommend doing your retrieval on a Friday because most clinics are closed on the weekend and you can guarentee that no one will call you!
On my second round of IVF we were quite hopeful because the semen sample was great and we ended up with 4 Grade "A", 6-8 cell blasts to transfer. Unfortunately, there was an error in my meds on this round that likely had an negative impact. The nurse who wrote up my instruction sheet wrote down that I should take the estrogen suppliments (Femtrace) ORALLY. When I went in during my second week to test my hormonal levels they called quickly and told me to bump up my estrogen from 1 to 4 daily, VAGINALLY! I told the nurse that I had been taking them orally and she said I wasn't supposed to be. She really was kind of rude, as if I were an idiot for following instructions! I explained that I was following my instruction sheet that they provided me and she basically blew me off.
I later learned how important your estrogen level is at that point of the game. I learned that when the egg retrieval is done and the follicle is removed, the cells that tell the body to produce the natural hormones (progesterone and estrogen) needed to sustain a pregnancy are also removed along with the follicles. So, hormonal suppliments are vital! I was basically only recieving a small portion of the suppliment I needed because taking these meds orally have a significantly smaller absorbtion rate. This all could have been avoided if I had MADE my physician sit down and go through my meds one by one and varify that they were correct.
When we went in for our Beta later that week the doctor was standing right there. He is usually quite friendly with a big, bright smile. This time he ignored us. Didn't even look up. Even the nurses were cold and unfriendly. I had such a bad feeling in my gut. No one said goodbye or good luck. Just, "We'll call you later." Waiting was pure hell, because I already knew what the answer would be.
I gotta tell ya, I feel jinxed in this whole process! Here we are a good 35,000 dollars later and all I am left with is a feeling of being taken advantage of. I'm somewhere between angry, hurt and really sad. After what I have been through I'm starting to think that each woman who goes into a major proceedure like IVF should have a specialist/advocate by her side each step of the way to protect her rights and to keep the doctor and staff in line.
Take for instance this. On my first round of IVF my estrogen levels were great. I was using Estrace vaginally and it worked great. But on my second round the doctor switched me to a new drug called Femtrace (which my instruction sheet said to take it orally). Why would he switch it? All I can surmise is that he may get kickbacks for promoting a new drug or he was using me as a guinea pig. Who knows? Why didn't I ask????
Initially, I wondered why my previous pill was taken vaginally and the new one was taken orally, so I looked up the two pilled online. Sure enough, in the manufacturer's instructions, Femtrace said it is only to be taken orally and the Estrace could be taken both ways. So I didn't question it. When I later spoke with the nurse who scolded me, I ask her why then did the manufacturer's list it as oral drug? She said, "that's because it is a new drug and they don't yet have it listed for IVF uses."
You know, you do your best to be responsible and follow the instructions and still,.......
Anyhow, I don't mean to ramble on. But if I can help just one person avoid the mistakes that I encountered it would all be worth it. My best advice is to ask alot of questions. If you are feeling brushed off, dig in your heels and insist! If they need to be reminded how much you are paying for their services, than do so! If you don't feel comfortable being firm with them, then bring someone with you who is really strong, protective and is not afraid to ask alot of questions. Even though doctors are there as a service, their first agenda is almost always going to be to get more clients, make more money and protect themselves. They so often overbook themselves to the point that they don't allow enough time for questions and double checking their staff's work. That's why you must be diligent and firm or they will walk all over you....
Wishing you all so much luck and beautiful babies!
Charliegirl.
I've just unsuccessfully completed my second IVF cycle. I've been through quite a bit. Unfortunately, I had some major errors happen and I'm hoping that I might at least be able to help some other women out there prevent them from happening to them. I believe these errors could have been avoided had we had just known better. :confused:
On our first round of IVF we were the victim of a poor semen sample on the day of the retrieval even though DH's previous sample was fine. I later found out that many clinics ask the men to stay near a phone in case the sample isn't very good for a second try. I guess the stress of the moment can actually have a great impact on the sperm quality and sample amount. Our sample was so bad that out of 11 eggs we ended up with only one "C grade" blast to tranfer. So frustrating! The doctor was visibly angry and acted as though it was my DH's fault! All they would have had to do was call and ask for one more sample but that was beyond their effort level.
On our second round we decided to do an early semen sample, have it tested and frozen as a back up. Turned out we didn't need it. ($500 for that service) If I were to do it again, I would tell the lab technician on the day of retrieval that we want a call as soon as the sample is checked and if it isn't good enough we would bring in another. For this reason, I don't recommend doing your retrieval on a Friday because most clinics are closed on the weekend and you can guarentee that no one will call you!
On my second round of IVF we were quite hopeful because the semen sample was great and we ended up with 4 Grade "A", 6-8 cell blasts to transfer. Unfortunately, there was an error in my meds on this round that likely had an negative impact. The nurse who wrote up my instruction sheet wrote down that I should take the estrogen suppliments (Femtrace) ORALLY. When I went in during my second week to test my hormonal levels they called quickly and told me to bump up my estrogen from 1 to 4 daily, VAGINALLY! I told the nurse that I had been taking them orally and she said I wasn't supposed to be. She really was kind of rude, as if I were an idiot for following instructions! I explained that I was following my instruction sheet that they provided me and she basically blew me off.
I later learned how important your estrogen level is at that point of the game. I learned that when the egg retrieval is done and the follicle is removed, the cells that tell the body to produce the natural hormones (progesterone and estrogen) needed to sustain a pregnancy are also removed along with the follicles. So, hormonal suppliments are vital! I was basically only recieving a small portion of the suppliment I needed because taking these meds orally have a significantly smaller absorbtion rate. This all could have been avoided if I had MADE my physician sit down and go through my meds one by one and varify that they were correct.
When we went in for our Beta later that week the doctor was standing right there. He is usually quite friendly with a big, bright smile. This time he ignored us. Didn't even look up. Even the nurses were cold and unfriendly. I had such a bad feeling in my gut. No one said goodbye or good luck. Just, "We'll call you later." Waiting was pure hell, because I already knew what the answer would be.
I gotta tell ya, I feel jinxed in this whole process! Here we are a good 35,000 dollars later and all I am left with is a feeling of being taken advantage of. I'm somewhere between angry, hurt and really sad. After what I have been through I'm starting to think that each woman who goes into a major proceedure like IVF should have a specialist/advocate by her side each step of the way to protect her rights and to keep the doctor and staff in line.
Take for instance this. On my first round of IVF my estrogen levels were great. I was using Estrace vaginally and it worked great. But on my second round the doctor switched me to a new drug called Femtrace (which my instruction sheet said to take it orally). Why would he switch it? All I can surmise is that he may get kickbacks for promoting a new drug or he was using me as a guinea pig. Who knows? Why didn't I ask????
Initially, I wondered why my previous pill was taken vaginally and the new one was taken orally, so I looked up the two pilled online. Sure enough, in the manufacturer's instructions, Femtrace said it is only to be taken orally and the Estrace could be taken both ways. So I didn't question it. When I later spoke with the nurse who scolded me, I ask her why then did the manufacturer's list it as oral drug? She said, "that's because it is a new drug and they don't yet have it listed for IVF uses."
You know, you do your best to be responsible and follow the instructions and still,.......
Anyhow, I don't mean to ramble on. But if I can help just one person avoid the mistakes that I encountered it would all be worth it. My best advice is to ask alot of questions. If you are feeling brushed off, dig in your heels and insist! If they need to be reminded how much you are paying for their services, than do so! If you don't feel comfortable being firm with them, then bring someone with you who is really strong, protective and is not afraid to ask alot of questions. Even though doctors are there as a service, their first agenda is almost always going to be to get more clients, make more money and protect themselves. They so often overbook themselves to the point that they don't allow enough time for questions and double checking their staff's work. That's why you must be diligent and firm or they will walk all over you....
Wishing you all so much luck and beautiful babies!
Charliegirl.