Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis-Baby's Beginning

My experiences of concieving our first child using preimplantation genetic diagnosis

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Plan NA - Natural Again

So, here's the new plan (if you're counting, this would technically be Plan C now...): We taking a 3 month break to let my body recuperate after all those drugs and procedures. For the first 2 months we're going to prevent, then the 3rd month not prevent but not actively try. We're going to try naturally for 2 years. If I have another miscarriage or termination, then we'll try the PGD again. If I don't get pregnant after 2 years, then we'll also try the PGD again, since that would be the point at which I'd start taking medications to help conceive. If I have to take medications, I might as well do the PGD again. So that's the plan.

I'm determined to have my children. One day, I will realize my dream of becoming a mother. I just really hope it doesn't take too long...I'm going to be more aggressive with our methods this time, while trying naturally, so hopefully it won't take a year and a half again. I'll keep updating this blog with our insurance reimbursement information so you can know how that turns out.

11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi PGDMom, I came across your blog for the first time today and although I am a complete stranger wanted to say how sorry I was that the PGD didn't work out. I have IP, and conceived my son in early 2004 by the "flip the coin" method, as PGD was not available for IP at that time (to be honest, after a lifetime of thinking I couldn't have children, I was very grateful / relieved at the prospect of a test in the early stages of pregnancy). The first few months of pregnancy are hard (in my case more so because they got the dating scan wrong and I ended up having a latish amnio rather than CVS, followed by problems with maternal blood contamination of the sample - tests had to be re-run and results only available at about 23-24 weeks). I will keep checking back in case you find yourself in that situation and need some support.

Monday, April 07, 2008 6:01:00 a.m.  
Blogger PGDMom said...

Thank you so much. I'm so sorry they got the dating scan wrong and missed the CVS window! How nerve wrecking! :( And then contamination... Can I ask how it turned out? Hopefully I won't have the dating problem since I'm keeping track of my cycles, so I always know my date of ovulation exactly. I remembered when I had my CVS I was very worried about contamination, but luckily it didn't happen...I hope it doesn't happen this next time!

Also, if you're interested, there is an IP support group I'm a member of that you're welcome to join - http://groups.msn.com/TheIPFriendsandFamilyConnection .

Monday, April 07, 2008 9:41:00 a.m.  
Blogger PGDMom said...

Whoops, I just saw it didn't put the whole address in there, must have been too long - the last part is
TheIPFriendsandFamilyConnection .

Monday, April 07, 2008 9:43:00 a.m.  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, I am so sorry to hear that your PGD treatment was unsuccessful. I have a balanced translocation and have had a few miscarriages in the past 2 years. I have been on the waiting list for the PGD treatment for about a year but they arent holding out much hope that it will work as there is a family history of multiple miscarriages. I hope that when you do start trying again it all works out.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:58:00 a.m.  
Blogger Mary said...

Hi. I've been reading your blog for a bit now because my husband and I are getting ready to do PGD. I have myotonic muscular dystrophy. I do want to say I'm so sorry things didn't work out. But I also want to thank you. You are helping so many people with all the information you're making available. Just knowing that someone else is going through the same thing is comforting. Thank you for being willing to open up your life to strangers.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008 12:22:00 p.m.  
Blogger PGDMom said...

Anon - I really hope your PGD works! Are you going to do the chromosome testing as well? I'd really recommend it, since you have the family miscarriages history. I don't see any reason why it won't work for you though - the reason you have so many miscarriages in your family will probably be tested-out with the PGD, so I think you have a good chance :) Best wishes!

Mary - I'm glad my blog is helpful. Good luck with your PGD! :)

Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:38:00 a.m.  
Blogger Adrienne said...

Hi PGDMom,

I also want to add my thanks here. I've really appreciated reading your personal expericne with PGD. I have Hereditary Angioedema, which is a rare condition that can be quite dangerous and life changing. I'm like you where I have I a mild version of it, but my children (who have a 50% chance of getting it) could end up with a much more difficult version to manage. Unlike IP, HAE will not necessarily kill, but does quite negatively affect those who suffer from it (it causes swelling due to physical and/or emotional stress.. this can happen anywhere, including in your throat, which can lead to death... it can also prevent people from living anything close to a normal life due to weekly attacks).

So my husband and I are currently considering PGD. We are considering many of the same questions that you have, such as what if they have a milder version of the illness too? What about multiples (eek!)? What about the stress on me and my body? But everything is so hard to predict.

So it really comes down to: what can we do with the information that we have?? I'm also quite afraid of how hard it is to do PGD... did you find the hormone regiment difficult in your daily life? Did it affect your emotions strongly and did all those appointments keep you from getting other life things done?

Thanks again for a well written, and thoughtful account of your experiences! I am sorry to hear that your PGD didn't work out, I hope that you are able to conceive soon, as you obviously care so much already about this baby!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:11:00 p.m.  
Blogger PGDMom said...

Adrienne -
I'm glad my blog is helpful :) . Yes, there are a lot of hard decisions to make for those of us with genetic disorders like ours. Whatever you decide though, make sure it's what only you and your husband decide. Don't let friends or family who aren't in your shoes affect your decisions. As you know, we decided to terminate even if the baby tested positive and was a girl, in which case there was a chance that she might be totally unaffected like me, also like in your case. However, that chance wasn't big enough in our opinion to risk having a child with neurological problems. It's a hard decision only you can make.

After having had both a miscarriage and a PGD, I would say they're about the same as far as both physical and emotional stress on the body and mind. Trying to conceive with a genetic disorder is just plain hard, whether you try it natural or assisted or like us, a combo of both! I tried not to write too many emotion-filled posts, since there are way too many blogs like that already. I wanted to give information more than type-cry, but I will be honest - whether you try naturally or go through the PGD, trying to conceive is reallly hard, and if you don't get lucky right away, you'll have bucket-fulls of tears before you're done. It's very stressful. The best you can do is just be prepared to keep trying, no matter what. I'd recommend telling at least one close friend/sister/mom what you're going through, so you have a broader support system besides just your hubby. Watch only comedies, don't be afraid to use chocolate and sex to relax, and take up meditation and relaxation exercises!

As far as the PGD hormones being hard on your system - emotionally I felt similar to when I was pregnant. Yes, it caused some mood swings and things, but no worse than pregnancy. Physically, I felt tired, my ovaries were somewhat tender, and my stomach was bigger and bloated kind of like I was pregnant. The steroid, Medrol, that I had to take for implantation really made me feel..."funny". I felt very uncomfortable, like my blood pressure was high or something, but it wasn't...The PGD doesn't feel as natural as a miscarriage does, you do kind of feel like your messing with your body, but like I said, everything considered, I think they're about even.

Yes, taking the hormones was very hard on my daily life. However, it only lasts a few weeks. I was tired, I couldn't work out, I was uncomfortable, my poor belly was full of puncture marks...Once I started stimulation, we didn't go out or do much. I had to take something or other 3 times a day, so it's very consuming. I think for those couple weeks, you just have to forget about getting much else done.

From what you've told me of HAE, I'd recommend doing the same plan as me - try naturally first, then switch back and forth between PGD and natural for as long as it takes. However, if you decide that you won't terminate and don't want to risk having a child with the disorder, then PGD is really your only option.

I really hope you get lucky the first time and get pregnant with a healthy, genetic-disorder-free baby! Babydust

Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:34:00 p.m.  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi PDGMom: My husband and I are 31 and 32 respectively, and we're beginning the journey of PGD this year as well. My new patient appointment is next month and we will begin to create a plan.

I came across your Blog when doing a search for 'angioedema' and 'PGD'. My husband has HAE, the same as Adrienne who posted on your blog in April. My brother-in-law died at age 37 at Thanksgiving last year due to complications with the HAE. Therefore I'm doing my research on what our options will be for starting a family.

I'm very interested in your journey and experiences, since no one can really understand how scared I am. Thank you for starting this blog and for opening up to all of us.

I'd also be interested in keeping in touch with Adrienne that posted on 4/16/08, since I don't know anyone else that's done PGD for HAE.

All my best to you and your husband.

Monday, July 07, 2008 5:55:00 p.m.  
Blogger PGDMom said...

JMiller -
Best of luck with your PGD! I know it's hard, but I hope your outcome will be good :).

I clicked on Adrienne's profile, but she doesn't have any information up, as it seems you don't either. If either of you are checking these comments, feel free to leave your email/IM so you can get in touch with each other! :)

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:02:00 p.m.  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

PGDMom and Adrienne - we met with our reproductive endocrinologist yesterday. From all the research he's done, he wasn't able to find anyone with angioedema that had a pregnancy w/ PGD. I would very much like to keep in touch with Adrienne if she is still checking this blog. Please email me at jimnahs@yahoo.com

Saturday, August 02, 2008 8:34:00 a.m.  

Post a Comment

<< Home

Website Traffic Statistics
ShoeBuy Coupons Com