Appointment ~ Looking for the answer

30 October 2010
A week after our end-of-first ivf journey, we had our appointment with Dr Prashant.
Our mission for today was to look for the answer for our failed ivf and moving forward plan for our Frozen Embryo Transfer. 
Unlike our previous appointment, this time we were not the first patient. By the time we reached the clinic at around 10.30 am, the sofas were almost fully occupied. We're lucky because there were 2 more vacant seats left for the two of us. While waiting for our turn, i just sat there, did a quick browsing of the Elle magazine. There was this one time, i overheard the telephone conversion between the nurse with a patient.
At the end of conversion, the nurse sounded so excited and congratulate the patient for the positive urine pregnancy test. I guess the patient might have done the IUI or FET.. Errmm.. suddenly i felt a bit jealous for her positive result....sigh..anyway.. i hope that the lady will make it until 9 months and get a beautiful healthy baby ;|


The waiting time was a bit longer than usual. Our name were finally called by the nurse.
When i stepped into the doctor's room, i pause a moment. I saw a lady was sitting at a corner of his room. When the nurse saw my puzzled face, she just asked me to go in. Dr Prashant then introduced the lady as a doctor from UKM.. (but my husband said.. from UK).. erm.. whatever it was.. i guess she was there to make some study / research/coaching on the ivf.. maybe.
We sat on the Balinese wooden chairs in front of the doctor. Then our "Looking for the answer" session begins.


Dr P: How are you?
Me: OK


Dr.P: Do you feel frustrated for the negative result?
Me: Yes.. a bit <of course la>


Dr.P: Well..you shouldn't be.. you have another 4 embryo.. we can do Frozen Embryo
          Transfer..maybe after 1 or 2 cycle of your period....when we transfered the 
          2 embryos last time, it was very hard for me to choose which were the best 2
         because all are equally good quality embryos. 
         You still have good quality embryos for the FET. So i'am confident.. you'll pregnant..
         <he smile>
Me:   Oooo <Now i really feel better hearing his confident explanation>. 


Me:    Doctor.. what usually cause the IVF to fail?
Dr.P:  When the eggs got fertilized, we can only see the cell of the embryo and its quality, 
           but an embryo consists of so many chromosome and genes that we cannot see. One 
           of the reason that usually cause an ivf to fail might be due to chromosome issue with 
           the embryo.
Me and hubby: Ooo <Now we know>


Me: My house is a bit far from the clinic. Right after the Embryo Transfer, we straight 
        away went home. Could the long distance travelling would be the cause that my ivf 
        failed?
Dr.P: Based on study, there is no evidence that shows that travelling would cause an ivf to
           fail. Once the embryo is transfered into the uterus, the cervix/opening to the uterus 
          will closed. The embryo will not slip out of the uterus. However, two things that you
          should avoid after the embryo is transfered is one, don't do any strenuous exercise 
          and number two, no sexual intercourse. The contraction of the uterus may have 
          some effect on the embryo implantation. 
Me and hubby : Ooo.. <again..hehe.. so mane Oooo today>


Me:   Can you explain on the Frozen Embryo Transfer procedure.
Dr.P: Since your embryo is a 3-Days embryo, FET will be done 3 days after you ovulate on
           you natural cycle. That means no medication or injection like you did in your fresh 
           ivf. You will only be given some medications after the FET. The transfer of embryo 
           procedure will be the same as before. This time, on Day-12 of your cycle, we will do a 
           scan on your uterus to determine whether you will ovulate or not. So, whenever you 
           are ready, just call the clinic on any day of your menstrual to set the Day-12 
           appointment . If from the scan, everything is okay, you will need to start monitor 
           your ovulation using ovulation test kit. Once ovulating, the transfer will be done 
           3 days after. Two weeks after the transfer, if your menstrual don't come, 
           do a pregnancy home test on your own. 
           If it is positive, you will need to come to this clinic. Actually
           you can do your FET after 1 cycle.. maybe in December. 


Me: Well.. we planned to do it next year.. February maybe.
Dr P: It's up to you. Just call the clinic to make appointment whenever you are ready, ok. 


Me:  Any particular or recommended brand for the the ovulation test kit?
Dr.P: Usually we recommend ClearBlue. Just do the test once in the morning until the test
           shows that you are ovulating. 


Me:   Is there any possibility that the frozen embryo will not survive the thawing process
          (ie de-frost)?
Dr.P: During the thawing, 90% of the embryo will survive. So don't worry. 


Me:   What if the transfer falls on weekend? 
Dr.P: If you ovulate on Friday, the transfer will be done on Monday. But if you ovulate on 
           Thursday, the transfer will be done even though it falls on Sunday. So unlucky for 
           me, i need to come to work on Sunday <smile and laughing a bit >
Me:    Ooh..Ok .. <Relief to hear it. Before this i though if it falls on Sunday, we need to 
           postpone the FET to next cycle)


Me:    Any supplement to be taken to increase the chance when do FET?
Dr.P:  Just take the folic acid. 
Me:    How about the this pregnancy multivitamin? <I show him the Blackmores
            Pregnancy formula>
Dr.P : This is a good. Yes..you can take it. 


That was part of our conversion.  In all, the session was a good one. We managed to get a comprehensive and good answer for all our questions and curiosity. On top of that, i felt somehow a bit better to hear the doctor's explanation especially the cause of the failed ivf. I thought, my ivf failed because i did not do my best to take care of myself during the 2ww (eg.. move a lot.. don't get enough rest... do household chores even when my friends tell me not to)


Oh ya.. since the appointment was 2 weeks ago, i could not recall the exact conversation and explanation by the doctor. I might be incorrectly write some of the facts (If i do, please accept my apology and you are most welcome to share your opinion)


Note: 
The cost for the Frozen Embryo Transfer is less than RM3000 (as what have been told to me during our first appointment at KLFertility)
Juz me... jams.