To live without HOPE is to cease to live

After taking the big decision and discussing it with Dr. Rashmi Yogish, she scheduled the 4th IVF Stimulation/ OPU in Aug' 16. All preparations were done, mentally, physically, financially and spiritually; the wait was for a miracle to happen soon.

Although, 17 oocytes were obtained after the stimulation, only 5 blastocysts (all Grade A) were cryopreserved. Dr. Rashmi swore that all my blastocysts were EXCELLENT (as perfect as a textbook diagram) and that these would definitely bear fruit, a baby.

In the consecutive month, 2 Day-5 Blastocysts (Expanded and Hatching) were trasnferred under Frozen Embryo Transfer. But as the fate was pre-decided, none of my beans attached to my womb.

Me and my DH have gotten used to this struggle, pain, disappointment and much more, but I really wonder how it would be when I conceive and deliver. I really want to see a flower bloom in the desert. Hope, someday it does.

We are still not losing hope!!!

Laparoscopic Myomectomy, HRTs and OPU under Dr. Rashmi Yogish at Nova Bangalore

It was May’15 when I met Dr. Rashmi Yogish (Clinical Director & Consultant, Nova IVI Fertility Clinic, Koramangala, Bangalore). After reading my entire infertility history, she suggested that removing the Subserosal Fibroid might make a difference. It didn’t sound like a hunch as she backed it up with logic and explanation.

At that point in my life, I could have possibly said a “Yes” to “Anything” but Dr. Rashmi sounded like “she knows her stuff really well” and that gave me a lot of confidence. My DH agreed to go ahead with the surgery ONLY after understanding all the pros and cons, logics, scientific facts, etc.

In June’15, I underwent Laparoscopic Myomectomy for the removal of my not-so-big Subserosal Fibroid at Malathi Manipal, Jayanagar (one of the other few hospitals Dr. Rashmi is associated with). The surgery went well with not much of pain but looking at my sutures was a disturbing sight. I was on a month-long rest.

The action started after I got my July periods. I was on HRT-1 (1^st month of Hormone Replacement Treatment) for the month of July’15. Basically, taking Tablet Progynova 2mg and Tablet Meprate 10mg for specified number of days. Accidentally, I skipped a dose and got untimely periods. Anyhow, HRT-1 restarted after the bleeding got over. Then Aug’15, HRT-2 followed. At the end of each HRT, there were specific blood tests to be done on few specific days only.

During HRT-2, on a specific day of the cycle, a Mock Embryo Transfer (Mock ET) was performed. Things were smooth and went as expected. My Oocyte Pick-Up (OPU) was planned in the cycle following HRT-2.

Bidding Goodbye to Nova Delhi after 2 more failed Day-5 Blastocyst Transfer

After the failed Fresh Embryo Transfer (ET), Dr. Nalini Mahajan planned a Day-5 Blastocyst Transfer in the next cycle, under the same conditions as that of ERA.

There was a delay between ERA and next transfer because of two reasons: 1) OHSS and 2) either skipping a single dose of Estrogen substitute tablet on my behalf or a malfunction of some medicine, which caused untimely bleeding.

Also, during the Stimulation Process for Oocyte Pick-Up (OPU), I felt I had OHSS symptoms. Although, nobody at Nova Delhi agreed to me, but the internet said it all. I agree that not all information on internet is 100% correct but feeling like a bloated lower abdominal area made me look pregnant and the fullness inside gave me the idea how carrying a baby inside would be like.

Ovarian HyperStimulation Syndrome (OHSS) occurs only after the eggs are released from the ovary (either after ovulation or by receiving a shot of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)).

So, the body needed time to get back to normal before proceeding with the next transfer.

Two Day-5 Blastocysts were transferred in Mar'15, but even that didn't work in our favour. A Blastocyst transfer is supposed to have better Success Rates than Fresh or Frozen Embryo transfers. I was waiting to get lucky with my next cycle then, last cycle at Nova Delhi as I was left with just Two more Day-5 Blastocysts. Trust me, all of them were mostly Grade-A, and few were Grade-B. I guess, what matters is "The Right Time". At that point in time, mine seemed far away. We were losing hope with each failed cycle.

The next cycle (3rd transfer at Nova Delhi, under Dr. Nalini Mahajan) was also a Two Day-5 Blastocysts transfer. This was done in the consecutive month, Apr'15, sadly, my beans didn't stick this time also.

I didn't want to start afresh and try another IVF cycle at Nova Delhi, even though Dr. Mahajan was quite experienced and knowledgeable. Somehow, I felt something was missing. That pushed me to get back to Bangalore and try my luck with Nova Bangalore.

I had read a lot about Nova's Success Rates being exceptionally good, hence the decision to visit Nova Bangalore.

All this might seem pretty casual but trust me, when you are going through all this, your body takes a lot of foreign particles inside and your brain works overtime. All you need to do is keep your cool and stay happy... because if mind isn't healthy, body can never be healthy. My DH gave his best in keeping me away from worries, tensions, tears and fears.

A fresh ET & ERA at Nova Delhi

After we met Dr. Nalini Mahajan (Nova IVI Fertility, New Delhi), my DH also felt the positivity in her approach. We went ahead with our treatment with her.

In Oct’14, I had my OPU (Oocyte Pick-Up) and 17 oocytes were retrieved. I was on Injection Menopur 450UI from CD6 and OPU was done on CD13. But before the OPU, she had me change my hypertension medicines. 

Earlier I was taking a combination of Tablet Newtel 40 and Newtel-H 40. According to her, Telmisartian Hydroclorothazide was not pregnancy-friendly, so she changed my medicines to Methyldopa 500 thrice a day.

Three days after OPU, a fresh ET was done, which didn’t succeed. A failed fresh ET and 2 failed IUIs in the past were enough for her to conduct a test on me called Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA). It is kind of a biopsy of the endometrium done under specific conditions, HRT (P+5) to be precise and the procedure is carried out just like IUI. HRT (P+5) means Hormone Replacement Therapy and P+5 means intake of Progesterone (Injections and/or Capsules) +5 days. 

The report took 10-15 days to be published and sent back to the clinic. Thankfully, mine was Receptive. The preparation, procedure and publishing of report happened during Dec’14 and Jan’15.

Seeing the ERA Report, Dr. Mahajan made some changes in her plan for the next cycle.