Sunday, October 17, 2010

FET #1: Beta #1: 9dp5dt: We couldn't wait!


We decided not to wait until tomorrow.

My husband Will thought of a creative way for me to get my beta drawn today at the hospital that didn't involve the ER. So we decided to give his idea a go. Ultimately, if you can believe it, Will ended up drawing my blood himself (he was on call) and hand delivering it to the central lab. Despite me not being an inpatient, they graciously ran the results. I was a little nervous that Will doing the venipuncture could turn into a train wreck with the combination of me having chemo-scarred veins that make me a difficult stick plus being on lovenox and Will not drawing blood all that often (or really, at all since his residency), but he did great and got a vein on the first try. Go Will!

So we have the results. And you guys were right, there was a second line. I am (a little bit) pregnant!

The numbers are lowish, which is not unexpected given the faintness of the lines.

My beta is 26.8

progesterone is 4.87

I'm taking steps immediately to remedy the low progesterone - upping my suppositories and adding oral progesterone until tomorrow, when I'll be picking up PIO (progesterone in ethyl oleate) for an every other day injection.

I spoke to the nurse in Denver and she said they like to see the HCG at 50 at this point, so 26.8 is lower than optimal. We will recheck beta on Tuesday morning, which will be off a bit in timing, since today's beta wasn't drawn until about 3:00PM. But we'll see where we are at at that point.

I asked the nurse if a number like this ever turns out ok and she said she has seen betas as low as 12 turn out to be real live babies, so that was good to hear.

Honestly, I was expecting a lower number than we got, so I was pleasantly surprised. (I guess there is a silver lining for having rock bottom expectations?) I even thought I might have imagined the lines, or that they were evaporation lines, so was half expecting the beta to be 0. In that context, 26.8 sounds pretty good!

We know that whatever embryo took is chromosomally normal (can't imagine there is more than one with a number like this). We also know they biopsied the trophectoderm (which forms the placenta) to do the FISH and microarray analysis. So I'm imagining that there were many fewer cells there maybe to form this connection to my blood supply and that there is a lot of catch up hopefully going on now and in the next little while. Plus FETs are slower, according to you guys. These are my optimistic thoughts at least.

Grow little embryo, grow and firmly attach!

Oh, God, here's hoping.

Would love to hear specific low beta success stories at this point. Got one to share? I'm all ears.

Mo

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75 comments:

  1. AH!!!!! I am SO excited for you. Praying hard that your beta on Tuesday will be more on track. Like you said, this is a little guy who's been through a lot already, and probably has a lot of growing to do. But I believe in him (or her)! And I am so, so hopeful that this is going to turn out with a live baby in your arms next summer.

    No low-beta success stories on my end (I had twins, though, so... That wouldn't make much sense), but hopefully some others will have them to share to put your mind at ease.

    Again, congratulations! I will be thinking of you on Tuesday morning.

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  2. I have to say that I am feeling very positive about this...seriously. I just have a good feeling. I am sending all of my good vibes your way. So glad that hope has reentered the building!

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  3. Not sure if you read Nancy or not, but check out: http://thenewlifeofnancy.blogspot.com/. Her last FET had a beta of 15 and her son is now 21 months.

    Hoping for the best for you and Will!

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  4. My bfp that actually ended with a live baby had a first beta of 40. Worst beta I ever had... And she's 13 months old. I was on p4 until 17 weeks into the pregnancy. Glad you're upping the dose. Hang in there. All hope is not lost!

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  5. As I mentioned to you earlier today, I had a beta of 50, with the second beta of 75 and a third of 134 (not exactly optimum numbers)... Well, those numbers gave me a 28 month old, which is running around all day long and driving me crazy at times!

    Good luck... You are pregnant and yes there is hope!!!

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  6. So glad you got the number to go with the picture! Fingers crossed for a good second beta. You're in my thoughts.

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  7. Yay!!!! Soooooo many sticky prayers coming your way!! Can't wait to hear the Tuesday beta results!!

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  8. I've definitely seen quite a few stories where betas were low worked out. I had a beta of 41 @ 14dpo for one of my pregnancies. We saw a strong heartbeat at 7wks. We lost the baby at 9wks but that was b/c it was monosomyX. You know yours is chromosomally normal, so I think you have a great chance! Hoping for doubling numbers for you on Tuesday!

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  9. Woohooo! BFP and a beta to confirm it-and hey, no squinting needed for those lines, I could see'em! So glad Will was able to draw the blood (without having to go to the ER!) and the number is good...I had one RE tell me he had two different pts with a beta of ten yield a healthy baby nine months later--hang in there!!! looking forward to your Tuesday number...

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  10. I am so happy for you! I am crossing everything and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you the best!

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  11. YAY! I, too, just have a "good feeling" about this one for some reason...also MAD PROPS TO WILL for hitting your tricky vein, YOU DA MAN, WILL! I think your theory about this embryo's trophoblast being down a chunk from the biopsy makes good sense...grow, embryo, grow!

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  12. What amazing news! I can't wait to hear the numbers on Tuesday...

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  13. OMG! I am so glad I checked my reader again today. Such, such good news.

    Glad you are immediately upping the P4.

    Keeping everything crossed for you!

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  14. Hooray! I am so excited for you--I wouldn't have been able to wait to test either! Fingers crossed for all "three" of you.

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  15. I have been following your blog for a while but I have never commented. I am so happy for you guys! You deserve this so much! I am going to pray pray pray for your little one(s) to grow!

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  16. Oh Yay!!!! I know this is going to work out. I just know it.

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  17. Oh yay! I am SO super excited for you! Glad you are jumping on the P4 issue & can't wait to hear about your next beta!

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  18. 9dp5dt, and I had a beta of 30.1. Babel will be 28 weeks in my belly tomorrow. I FREAKED at the low starting beta since we had already had 3 chemicals, but everything is carrying along wonderfully. Babel and I always measure "big".

    XOXOXO You have all my wishes for a doubling beta. All you have to do is double, wee one! One day at a time (even though these days are the hardest).

    Will be thinking of you!

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  19. Fingers & toes are all crossed for you! : )

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  20. My first beta with my son was higher than that (though still low) and the second beta showed > 72 hr doubling time. It seemed like he took forever to get above 1,000, but I had a smooth, smooth pregnancy and perfect baby at the end.

    Best of luck!

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  21. J.J at reproductive jeans had a beta of 35 at 8 dp5dt and now has a sweet little real live boy! Hoping for happy news for you too.

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  22. Catch up, little one, catch up! Grow, grow!

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  23. You just totally made my day! SUPER AWESOME CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! I love that you all figured out how to work around the system. Sometimes there are definite perks that come with the job. GROW LITTLE EMBRYO GROW!!!!!!!!!!!

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  24. So excited for you both! EVERYTHING crossed for you!

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  25. I believe that with Chase we were 9dp3dt and my BETA was 39. This was BEFORE we lost his twin, so that was a twin BETA. Low numbers turn out just fine. Also, google, "the yellow room Kelley... or Kelly, not sure). She has a healthy baby girl that started from a low BETA. It happens! Sending prayers your way from TX!!!!

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  26. Wahooo! Will keep holding lots of hope for you and look forward to the next update.

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  27. At this point, everything and anything is possible! Hoping the betas continue to rise, rise, rise!!!

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  28. Magnificent!

    A line is a line, Momma. What fabulous news. A such a sturdy little embryo - so proven at such a young age!

    Breathe deeply and take it day by day. Tuesday will be here before you know it.

    I am delighted for you guys.

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  29. Mo, I was on a message board with a woman whose beta was only 16 at 13dpo. I'm still in contact with her and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in June.

    Here's one of her threads: http://forums.ivillage.com/t5/Two-Week-Wait-Test-Results/Beta-2-Still-need-your-prayers-please/m-p/27782027

    Best, best, best of luck.

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  30. YES!! I don't have a low beta story (but I had quads, so of course I don't!) but I have heard many and am SO hopeful for you. Cheering you on! Grow little embie, grow!

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  31. Hey Mo - I've been praying for you a while and will continue to do so! No low beta story - but the ones I've read on here are making me very hopeful for you!

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  32. So excited for you I can't even remember my goodle password!! Woohoo. This is awesome news:)
    Mary

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  33. Good point about the biopsy, etc. This is really good news. I'll be on pins and needles until Tues. Rock on with the good blood draw, Will. Sorry you have to hit the PIO again, but I'm so glad you checked for that, too. Hang tight, girl, and dig deep, little Denver embie. Mommy and Daddy want to meet you.

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  34. Congratulations!!! I have read that FETs just naturally have lower betas--don't know why but they do. Fingers crossed!

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  35. I think this picture of Brooklyn Girl's Boy says it all in regards to the possibility of happy stories with low initial betas: http://brooklyngirl.typepad.com/photos/the_boy/dscn08910731.JPG

    More details here: http://brooklyngirl.typepad.com/brooklyngirl/2005/12/beta_day_one_ye.html

    Sending double-double-double vibes your way.

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  36. Long time reader, first time commenter. My betas for a fresh cycle were 40.1 at 10dp3dt, 54.3 at 11dp3dt, and 129 at 15dp3dt. Low and not doubling - the worst case, I thought. But my RE was unconcerned, and said that implantation is sometimes late and the betas are sometimes slow to rise, but we would treat it as a pregnancy. We saw a heartbeat at 6w4d, and I had a perfect pregnancy from there on out. I was on progesterone supplements, plus some other hormonal supplements (different protocol because I'm in a different country) until 12 weeks. Our son is now 7 months old and is huge, active, and gorgeous!

    Having the low beta is so so hard because you are walking the line between hope and despair and there is nothing you can do. Hang in there and know that you have cheerleaders and supporters around the globe ...

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  37. ohmygosh Mo!! I'm so pleased you chose the hope box over the fear. Hope rocks our worlds and your result certainly has hope. You are an old hat at all of this but you know whats most important is that it doubles, not so much what the actual number is so for now I'm going to celebrate on your behalf. And although I dont have a low beta success story I know there are LOTS around so theres every chance that you could be one of them too. xx

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  38. Crossing all my fingers and toes for you Mo! You absolutely deserve this...:)

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  39. Great news!
    http://rockedbyfaith.blogspot.com/ had a beta of 113 at 12dp5dt, freash cycle, which is in line with your beta. She's got a healthy girl.
    I'm full of hope for you.

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  40. I had beta number of 80 14dp3dt, which seems to be similar to your beta number. I had faint lines on home pregnancy test at 12dp3dt, I saw them but DH not.

    I now have a healthy beautiful 2 month old baby girl which is taking a nap right now.

    I did not have additional beta tests than the one at 14dp3dt. So I don´t know how it turned out.

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  41. oh wow! I know nothing - NOTHING - about beta numbers, but am SO GLAD you've got a line! Congrats on ticking that big box marked 'hope'.

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  42. Will have everything crossed for you. I was going to mention Brooklyn Girl's low beta which turned out to be a gorgeous baby, but someone got there first. My memory is that her's was only about 17 at the start.

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  43. No low beta stories here, but obviously they are out there--and hopefully yours will be next to add to the mix! Grow embryo grow!!!

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  44. Horray! Yay for hope. I shared my low beta story when I griped at the FRER a few comments back. My 48 beta is kicking along right now at 22 weeks, so no baby yet, but all signs indicated that baby will be here in February...

    PS-- my confirmation word is sings-- so true, my heart is singing for you!

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  45. Hooray! I knew something was cooking in there! I don't have a low beta story, but know many that have. My fingers and toes remain crossed til Tuesday.

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  46. oh my gosh, this is such great news....keeping all fingers and toes crossed for your next beta check!!

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  47. Oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please."

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  48. check out inconceivable journey's blog. her first beta was earlier than yours, but it was a FOUR. i've heard beta's from FET's are much lower than in fresh cycles. will keep everything crossed for you!!

    http://theinconceivablejourney.blogspot.com/

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  49. Traci at If Optimist pretty much said it:

    please please please indeed

    Here's for HOPE!!!
    XOXOX
    (go Will, by the way-- big woot for the blood draw and good for BOTH OF YOU for not waiting)

    Kate

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  50. I'm still on the Hope Boat! This is good news as far as I'm concerned. I read through all the comments with the low betas and I'm feeling very optimistic for you guys. Snuggle in, little embryo! We need a strong number tomorrow so your parents can take a breath.

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  51. i am crossing everything for you and your beta on tuesday! hoping for rising numbers...

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  52. I'm so happy for you and praying for this little miracle to grow grow grow! A story for you.....my friend's initial beta was 15. She went on to have a healthy baby girl 9 months later :).

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  53. I know people on normal, natural cycles that only got betas of 20's and 30's at 14 and 15dpo! In every case....it was a girl...tee hee...of course it was a full term real live baby girl....so...I say 26.5 is fine....hang in there. I didn't have my beta until 12 days past 5day transfer and it was only in the 70's....so that means 2 days before (if we go by doubling standards) I would have only been about 35ish....AND...yes...I am having a GIRL....and it was an FET....so I am in the HOPE category with you. Can't wait to see Tuesday's numbers...just get that progesterone up....I did PIO daily...the suppositories and pills never worked for me...only the injections...

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  54. Hey - you're pregnant!!! yay! Clearly the next few days are critical but very doable. You are early remember so with the rate these doubel in teh early stages the hr you take it can make a difference!

    Dad2

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  55. Oh Mo and Will! My heart is full of such hope and joy for you! That makes so much sense, about the cells they removed to biopsy, and that it would take longer for the embryo to implant and start sending hcg. I love your creative solution to getting a beta too! I'm thinking of you guys and sending positive thoughts of doubling and growing you way!

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  56. No low beta stories from here - but LOTS o' joy, hope, and prayers!!

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  57. CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am praying for you! I don't have any low beta stories for you but I am sending prayers your way and hope that this little boy or girl sticks!

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  58. Hang in there. We did FET in August with 2 embryos. I'm 11w3d with a singleton after beta hell:
    14d - 30
    16d - 38
    18d - 52
    21d - 214
    We still have a ways to go but so far we have a strong, growing baby. I'm cheering for you guys and wishing you all the best!

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  59. my friend had a beta of just 12 at what would be the same dpt as you. She has a daughter from that ivf cycle! I am so hoping for you, the key (as you know) is rising numbers. Fingers crossed!

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  60. I actually know someone who was in beta hell, with both low and slow-rising numbers similar to yours. Suddenly, around 20 or 21 dpo her numbers really took off and guess what--twins! Coincidentally, that was also an FET.

    Congratulations!! Here's hoping Tuesday's numbers are even more reassuring.

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  61. I'm a fellow CCRM'er and have been following your blog and praying for you. A friend of mine (also a CCRM patient) started off with a first beta of 20. She's 7 months pregnant now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

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  62. Yay, you are pregnant! Hoping, wishing, & praying for strong beta tomorrow. FETS take longer to get going, keep the faith and hope. I know so many women who started out with low betas and have live babies. Did you test today, did the line get darker?

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  63. You're pregnant! Awesome! Grow little embryo!

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  64. Fingers Crossed that those numbers keep rising!

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  65. Here's a link to a blog of a woman whose first beta was 16. She now has baby girl! She went through IVF hell and then some.

    http://themcconathys.blogspot.com/

    Here's a link to her beta numbers in the beginning.

    http://www.fertilethoughts.com/forums/beta-board/588211-can-betas-rise-too-fast.html

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  66. Oh wow! I've been away from my computer over the whole weekend, and am thrilled to come back to this good news. I will be crossing everything for your beta to increase and that embie to keep growing strong! Hooray!

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  67. So happy for your Higher-than-you-expected-beta! Fingers crossed for good news on Tues:)

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  68. My first beta from my IVF cycle was a whopping 14. The next day it was 19. The doctors were telling me it was most likely a chemical pregnancy. My daughter proved them wrong and just turned 2 last week. My beta numbers started out way low but always doubled....thats what matters.

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  69. Good luck tomorrow.
    Thinking of you over here. Sending hope for a great number. If wishes could make that number increase, it will for sure.
    xo

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  70. Hooray!! My beta at 17 days past 3 day transfer was 150. That beta became my healthy 11 month old. I have high hopes for you!

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  71. I am the blogger formerly known as BrooklynGirl who was mentioned above. My beta of 14.3 at 10dp3dt celebrated his 5th birthday this August. It still takes my breath away.

    (I had low progesterone too and continued PIO through the first trimester and then was treated with weekly 17P progesterone injections weekly from 17 weeks to about 35 weeks.)

    Best of luck to you. I'll be thinking my most doubling thoughts.

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  72. Thinking of you right now
    wondering if the blood has been drawn
    and hoping that the numbers are totally reassuring.
    Holy crap Mo, you are pregnant!
    (best news ever)
    XOXO
    kate

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  73. I am delurking to say I am so happy for you and Will. I have a good feeling about this little one!!

    My beta was a bit low with my son and it was a FET as well. He is now 19 months :) My beta with my daughter was just above average, and doubled faster than it did with my son (she was a fresh cycle IVF baby.)

    Sending lots of prayers!

    Kelley

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  74. I'm so nervous for you today! Hoping hard for at least a 60. But my 2 cents is to stay on the meds as long as it's rising. xoxo

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