Thursday, February 3, 2011

14dp3dt - Has Your IVF Doctor Called You Lately?

I have so much to say that I can't even organize it into a coherent thought!

First of all, beta results.



471!!!!


The husband and I are thrilled with this result! Last year, with the doomed blighted ovum pregnancy, the level at 17dpo (today) was only 136 mIU/ml. I think we're doing much better than that, don't you? Beta #2 is this Saturday with u/s #1 tentatively scheduled for next Saturday, 2/12.

I have to say this and I hope that someone googles my blog or my clinic and sees this:

Fertility Partnership is the best IVF clinic EVER!!!!!!

My doctor called me last night because he'd read my post about the PIO info I'd been given by someone at the clinic. I don't know if you saw this, but he actually commented on that post:

"As Medical Director of Fertility Partnership I would like to say that PIO can not cause a false positive hcg. I would like to know what individual on our staff actually said that to you so that they may be reeducated.

The LH/HCG trigger can give false positives if testing is done very early. We draw the test on the day we do for number of reasons that I will share with you when you come in.

Having said that ......Congratulations.!!!"

February 1, 2011 8:51 PM

When I read that comment my heart dropped. I thought I'd gotten someone in trouble, that they were mad at me, that I'd upset someone, etc. I felt so incredibly bad. But then I remembered why I have this blog: to share, to vent, to document. I re-read my post and realized that I was simply venting and hadn't mentioned this person's name or anything. I am spoiled by my local clinic for early betas because I'm sure they give in due to being sick of hearing me call them all the time! I should have waited and been happy that I wasn't in beta hell all week. But I still felt bad. I didn't even know that my doctor was the one who had commented!

So when he called me last night, he wanted to straighten out the confusion about the PIO shots. He clarified that this was not true, just as he'd said in his post and we talked about why they do betas at 14dp3dt (to have a way to track results across the board, on the same day). He answered all my questions, we shared jokes and he said that he'd seen my pictures and that I was definitely pregnant. He was so congratulatory and helpful and all I almost cried because while I almost felt like I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar, I was so happy that he is such an honest and upfront man who would take time out of his evening just to call me about something like this.

I have had many doctors in my lifetime. None have EVER shown me the care and respect that Dr. Simckes has and I'm beyond grateful for that. His care has been above and beyond that of any physician (or even dentists) that I have come into contact with. If I wasn't "in the closet" about our infertility, I would come "out" online and in public today to proclaim how proud and honored I am to have him as my RE. I wish that I lived closer so he could be my all-time OB/GYN and deliver my baby/babies. I'll tell you what though, if I can get through the first trimester, even past viability: I'm having an official coming out on Facebook. I can't wait to tell others about all of this and to advise anyone who will listen that you don't need to spend $24,000 at the clinic closest to you for a 3 fresh + 3 frozen cycle plan that doesn't include monitoring or labs. You don't have to pay a fee for asking to do local monitoring since you only live an hour away from that expensive clinic. You shouldn't be told you will only be allowed to transfer one embryo, even if you fight for two.

We were involved in every single step of our treatment. I asked questions, I questioned answers, and everything that was happening to me was explained and I was comforted. I got hugs and high fives. I walked out of each appointment knowing that the FP staff cared about me and our future babies.

Our decision to drive back and forth to St. Louis from Northeastern Iowa for this IVF treatment was one of the best we've ever made and we are both elated that thanks to Dr. Simckes and his staff at Fertility Partnership, we are, according to him, "Royally pregnant!!!!"

By the way, he called me HIMSELF to deliver my beta results and discuss where we go from here. Are you kidding me?!?!? Sure, a call from one of their awesome nurses would have sufficed, but he called me himself. How cool is he!?

So congrats to me, congrats to my husband, and congrats to the Fertility Partnership for (so far) another success story!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/fertilitypartnership
www.fertilitypartnership.com/

25 comments:

Amanda said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am beyond excited for you! You have a crazy strong number, and I can't wait to see what happens on Saturday. If we're placing bets, mark me down for twins!!! Holy shit, girl, you need to celebrate. This is huge!

Zula said...

Yahoo. Congrats to you and your husband! It is Wonderful to be Royally Pregnant. Enjoy. So happy for you.

Bridget said...

I'm so happy for you I can't even figure out what to write!!!!

Still A Guest Room said...

Congratulations on your amazing beta!!! I am so, so excited for you!

Do I Have to Be a D.I.N.K.? said...

What a wonderful Beta number!!!! So excited for you!

Amy Schlichter said...

That is incredible! It is so hopefull for us to hear your story, now for the February girls to get on that train as well!! I am so happy for you and I second your comments on Dr. S. He is one of a kind and through 12 yrs of infertility, miscarriage, and dead ends..he has restored our hope and encouraged us to claim success! Keep on my blog also so u can hear my good news in March! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Sarah said...

Congrats! That is a fabulous beta! I'm also really impressed by your RE's personal attentiveness. Yay, for great news!

Anonymous said...

I just stumbled upon your blog two days ago and I couldn't wait to check today and see your beta!! Congrats. I recently got pregnant on my third IVF cycle. My first beta was 15 dpo and my number was low to mid 300s.... I am pregnant with TWINS!! So it will be exciting to see what you have :) I am 11 weeks now!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!! I am so happy for you

Teresa said...

That is so awesome Christa!! Its so cool to hear about great RE's. I would die of shock if mine ever called me personally. You are a lucky girl!

Laura said...

I've been following you for a few weeks and just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!! Can't wait to hear what the next beta is!

Kelly said...

Congrats!! That is an awesome number!!! So very happy for you!

Sarah said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! :) Awesome beta! And wow, I wish I didnt live so far away because Id be going to YOUR clinic :)

Crossing My Fingers said...

Congrats! Sounds like a great doctor.

Anonymous said...

Congrats! I have had 3 IVF babies - all at different times 3 years apart - I am so thankful for wonderful doctors who were honest with me..told me the scoop upfront - did not promise me a rose garden ( if you know what I mean )..however - I know without medical intervention I would not have the three wonderful children I have...So all that to say, my oldest IVF baby is now 14 years old - I just recently told him that he was an IVF baby - I have pictures of him when he was just 4 cells - how exciting it that??? Good doctors are a blessings - I am so happy for you!

Jen said...

Wonderful news! Congrats!

Mr. Thompson and Me said...

Love it - love it - love it! Congrats on finding a doctor that you can feel absolute trust and confidence in. Congrats to a clinic for being able to provide it...and working so hard for its patients.

Most of all, congrats on postive results!!! I couldn't be more happy for you (all of you).

Jen said...

Yay, yay, yay! So happy for you and am over the moon that you are pleased with your MD! Sounds like you are in wonderful, caring hands!

MyTwoLines said...

Hooray!!! Great number!

LisaB said...

WOW WOW WOW! What a great beta! I'm guessing there's at least 2 in there!

Sarah and Jack said...

Hi there. I've just made my way over from the fertility partnerships facebook page. Dr Simckes has been my OB since my first child was born 6 years ago. We have just had our second baby after 2 years of miscarriages and battles with infertility. If there is ONE thing you should know about Simckes it is that he really does want to know what is going with you. If you are feeling anxious or scared or confused by something someone else has said to you, tell him! If you are in doubt or freaking out, tell him! I have called him many a time from a hospital in the midst of a full blow melt down over another medical professional's "opinion" and he always will take the time to offer his thoughts and reassurance.

We saw a ridiculous amount of doctors throughout this journey and there is only one I really trust with my life (and the life of my babies), Simckes.

Good luck to you on this journey. You are in the hardest part right now and I hope it passes quickly and uneventfully.

Anonymous said...

Isn't Dr S *amazing*? He called me at 10 o'clock at night to congratulate me on my beta, even after I'd already gotten the results earlier in the day. He just wanted to congratulate me personally. That was probably the best phone call I've ever gotten in my life. :) Honestly, now that I've graduated to an ob, I miss him and everyone at FP!

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Nigeria IVF Centre said...

Thats a great news to hear... very happy for you

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