Panda's Fertility Journey

We have decided to go for IVF after our 2nd attempt with Clomid treatment failed.

29 June 2009
D3 of period: Went to see Dr Surinder @ TMC Fertility Center. Decided to start IVF. Was given Microgynon 30 (contraceptive pills) for 21 days. 1 pill per day. Next appointment is on 18 July 2009.

Dr quoted RM16k for whole process.
Cost for today: RM50
18 July 2009
Continue contraceptive pills for another 10 days. Took back 5 packets of Gonal-F. To inject 225 iu starting 2nd August. 1 pen of Gonal-F has 375iu so the staff nurse asked me to bring back the used pen so that they can retrieve the remaining fluid. I need to inject total 10 injections but since we will be using the remainers from the first 5 pens, so I think I will only need about 8 pens in total only.Total Cost for today: RM7,180.70 (RM4,000 IVF Deposit, Gonal F- RM540 per injection = RM2,700, RM480.70 miscellaneous)






1 August 2009
I read in My Fertility Diary that Gonal-F should be injected during 2nd day of period. I was a bit worried last night because I am supposed to start injection on 2nd August. But till last night no sign of period is seen.

However, what a lucky me! This morning when I went to the loo, I sensed something flowing out! Hurray! Meaning I'm still on the right track of the process. Hubby supposed to go outstation for his project but he decided to stay back. Not sure whether he wants to support me during my injection period because he pretended like nothing happened. Well I guess men are like that.

2 Aug 2009 - 6 Aug 2009
At 7.30am every morning, inject 225iu of Gonal-F.

6 Aug 2009
Appointment with Dr Yong as Dr Surinder is on leave.
Vaginal scan: Both left & right ovary >10 follicles.

Continue Gonal-F but reduce to 187iu for 7 Aug & 8 Aug, 150iu for 9 Aug. This means that I don't have to buy new Gonal-F since I can use the remainders from the initial 5 pens. And I still have more than enough.

Start new injection together with Gonal-F. It's called Cetrotide.

Charges today: RM680 for 4 Cetrotide (RM170 x 4) + RM120 consultation & scanning.

10 Aug 2009
Appointment with Dr Surinder at 11.15am.
Vaginal scan: each side has 18 follicles. Good progress.
To continue Cetrotide for one more day - 11 Aug 2009
Egg retrieval scheduled on 13 Aug 2009 and embryo transfer on 15 Aug 2009.Total cost for today: RM497
*While waiting for my turn to see Dr, there were 2 couples whom the wives had got pregnant. The 'baby dust' bell were rang and everybody clapped their hands.

11 Aug 2009
Morning: Inject Cetrotide
Night : Inject Ovidrel (for eggs maturing)

12 Aug 2009
Need to take 2 pills for flushing my bowel the next day.
No food after 11pm. Need to fast till egg retrieval.

13 Aug 2009
Reached TMC at 8am. Hubby went to produce sperm at 9am. Egg retrieval scheduled at 9.45am. I was put on anesthesia, I can only remember the first moment that when I got my consciousness, I heard Dr saying "OK, done".

Felt pain in the lower abdomen while resting at the day care room in TMC. I can hardly moved. Quantity of eggs retrieved: 26

Feeling pain and bloatedness in my tummy the next day. Had to take Panadol for pain relief.
Total cost for today: RM4,080 (Balance from IVF) + RM30 (2 x Cyclogest)
15 Aug 2009
Supposed to do Embryo Transfer today. Reached TMC at 12noon but was told that I have very good quality embryos that can survive until blastocyst level. Rescheduled ET to 18 Aug 09. Confirmed that my uncomfortable feelings are OHSS - Ovarian Hyperstimulating Syndrome.

16 Aug 2009
Had difficulty in breathing in the morning. Hubby sent me to TMC and I was admitted.
Had 2 albumin drips during hospital stay.


17 Aug 2009
I wanted to go home so badly. I was so bored in the hospital and didn't have a good sleep due to breathing difficulties. I requested to discharge eventhough I was still so bloated and looked like a 5-month-pregnant lady.
Asked Dr Surinder whether I am still good for ET tomorrow. Dr decided to carry on with the ET. He said my symptoms would disappear in few days time.

18 Aug 2009
Reached TMC at 12noon. ET starts at 1.30pm. I had to have a full blader during the transfer. ET done at 2pm and I had to rest on the bed for 1 hour before I can walk.Total cost for today: RM2500 (ICSI) + RM1800 (ET) + RM600 (Medicine) + RM2300 (Embryo Freezing - Sep - Dec 2009) + RM1,800 (Blastocyst Culture)
I have to insert a pessary called Cyclogest twice daily, 11am and 11pm. For the 11am ones I will have to insert into anus because I am not able to lie down for 2 hours after insertion, while the 11pm ones I will insert into vagina and then go to sleep right after that.

I was also given 3 ampoules of Proluton (progestrone) for luteal support. Since I was developing OHSS, my body was full of estrogen already so I don't need a hCG shot. I have to find a nearby clinic to help me with the Proluton shots.
I was given 2 weeks MC till 1st Sep. That will be my beta blood test day!

21 Aug 2009
Went to a nearby clinic for Prolution injection.
Charges for today: RM10
Through out the week, I didn't have a good sleep due to breathing difficulties, vomitting and diarrhea. The first 2 nights after ET I woke up every hour to vomit, and I had mild diarrhea too! I woke up at 4am to have breakfast because I was so hungry eventhough bloated.
I was sensitive to smell and when hubby sprayed perfume I almost can't breathe. I think because of the sky high estrogen level in my body that makes me having pregnancy symptoms.
Towards the end of the week, I started to pee almost every hour eventhough I did not drink a lot of water. I felt weird. On 22 Aug 09 my tummy had shrinked down.


24 Aug 2009
Back to work today. I was able to drive and walked 10 minutes from parking lot to office. I had nice breakfast and lunch too!


1 September 2009
Went to TMC in the morning for blood test. Got my result at 11.30am.
IT'S A POSITIVE!!!!