General

Thursday 17 August 2017

FET #3

I could not sleep the night before.  Wasn't thinking a lot about the transfer but was nervous since IVF #1 ended in FET #1 on 29 January 2015 which was not a success. FET #2 on 18 August 2015 was a success with the birth of our princess on 29 April 2016.
We woke up early and were at the hospital before 8am. The routine 3 cups of water and a full bladder before the transfer was a must. My embryologist received us at the counselling room and explained to both DH and me about the 3 final embryos we have.

Grade 1 - 10cells 0% fragmentation
Grade 2 - 9cells 5% fragmentation
Grade 3 - 7cells 15% fragmentation
Then I was wheeled in with DH by my side.

I stayed in hospital from Thursday 10/8 (1dp3dt) until Sunday 13/8 (4dp3dt). I couldn't remember the precautions and care required, so this was a good opportunity for me to learn again.

Monday 14/8 (5dp3dt) was not easy for me. Cramping and feeling bloated was really irritating me. I felt the day crawl by the second. Tuesday 15/8 (6dp3dt) was slightly better. But towards the evening around 6pm, I had very severe cramping like AF pain and lower backache. Unbearable pain that i just slept throughout the pain.  I was extremely scared thinking AF was on her way.  My embryologist texted me "Dont worry now is the time for your implantation of embryo. Sometimes implantation period ..some people will feel this."
Wednesday 16/8 (7dp3dt) was such a dull day. Suddenly all symptoms have seized to exist. I feel terrible, hoping for a BFP. I don't want to kill myself over these symptoms. Googled the whole day and decided to give it a break around 11pm. I'm calling it a day. 

*Small things that matter*

Thursday 29 January 2015

FET #1

FET stands for frozen embryo transfer. Embryo implantation after frozen blastocyst (embryo)transfers can be slightly delayed compared to that seen with fresh blastocyst transfer. This is sometimes referred to as "late implantation", or delayed implantation.

After months of LH testing, which we alternated between natural cycles and medicated cycles, on 16th January 2015, the first mild sign of positive appeared ... we were finally getting a positive on the LH test kit. A snap sent to my embrologist, Nurul, came back with a request to go in for a blood test.

This snapshot and blood test lasted for 5 days. I had needles stuck into the vein of my left arm for five days. The results on the 21st January brought us great news. News that made us very happy. News of a scheduled FET on Friday, 23rd January 2015.

The day finally arrived. I was up by 6am. I had asked both mum and MIL to follow us to hospital for the fet. Excited and nervous... I couldn't wait to reach the hospital.

It was a fast transition from the lift to the ward to the procedure room. After filling my bladder, I was wheeled into the procedure room. My knight stood by my side, holding my hand, as we looked into the ultrasound screen. We saw the syringe in my uterus and a whitish fluid float into my uterus. That marked the insertion of our 2 embryos into our world. It followed by a jab of HuCoG 5000iu and insertion of Cyclogest 400mg pessary.

I was then wheeled back to the ward, and had to roll onto my bed from the stretcher. I was forbidden to sit up, walk our even lie on my sides. I had to hold my bladder for a minimum of 2 hours.

My knight decided that I should stay in hospital on complete bed rest till 4DPT. The stay at the hospital taught me well how to care for myself during this crucial time. After my second HuCoG jab, I decided to continue my 2ww at mum's.

Today, 29th January 2015, I'm 6DPT ... no symptoms as yet. But fingers are crossed...

However, the embryo implantation process is not different enough to warrant changing the timing of the blood pregnancy test. Frozen blastocyst transfers should have hatching and the beginning of implantation by about 1-3 days after the FET. Early pregnancy detection following blastocyst transfer is possible with a sensitive blood assay for HCG hormone by about 9 days after a fresh or frozen blastocyst transfer.

A urine HPT (home pregnancy test) can be done by 10 to 12 days after blastocyst transfer (fresh or frozen), if it is a sensitive, high quality test kit.

12DPT  ... small things that matter!!!

Thursday 26 June 2014

IVF#1

After Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the IVF cycle, we were scheduled for the OPU (ovum pick up). Check up on Friday (13th June 2014) went on smoothly. Dr Tee told me to come back at 9pm the next day for the HCG shot. Apparently, it is this jab that calls the shot on when the eggs can be picked up. Everything went on as scheduled, after the HCG shot, we even managed to catch a movie together, practically having the entire theater for ourselves. We watched "How To Train Your Dragon 2" to give me a tinge of relaxation.

We were asked to return for the OPU at 7am. Both our mothers escorted us to the hospital, while my knight and I were trying to keep our emotions at ease. As soon as we reached the hospital, we went straight to the ward, and got myself admitted into an open ward. It was a breezy process and everything was going on as we were told. While waiting to be taken to the operation theater, I was chatting with mum and MIL. My knight was very quiet but I knew he had a million questions running through his mind.

At around 8.30am, a nurse came to my bed and told us that it was time. I was wheeled to the operation theater. Just before the door closed, my knight gave me a light peck on my forehead and told me "All will be ok". Then the door closed behind him. Now it was only me and my embryologist, Nurul. I met my anesthetist and she was a comforting mother-like figure in the operating theater. The only thing I remember seeing before slipping into "deep sleep" is the leg-rest where I knew they were going to tie my legs during the procedure.

I woke up to intense abdominal pain a few hours later. I kept slipping back into long hours "naps" in between. But the pain brought me back most of the time. I am grateful mum and my knight was with me throughout the ordeal. I could not bear the discomfort and had requested for pain killer. At around 3.30pm, I was discharged and allowed to go home. 

Now, my ova and my knight's sperms will be subjected to ICSI and we were soon going to have babies! A fertilized egg cell normally continues to develop further into an embryo. On the 2nd day, respectively 48 hours after the fertilization, embryos find themselves in a multi-cell state for the first time. Differences can already be observed: some embryos contain two cells, some four or five. Furthermore, some embryos show cells completely constant in size whilst in other embryos these cells vary in terms of size and characteristics (e.g. grains are visible alongside the cell). This different development of embryos indicates that some embryos are more likely to result in a pregnancy than others.

Mistake that I should have avoided


I went back to work on Tuesday knowing that I was going for the ET (embryo transfer) the next morning. This is a mistake I will live to regret. Everything seemed to be fine in the morning. As soon as I reached office, I started to experience irritation in the throat and started to wheeze after a few hours. It slowly became a full blown cough and I was going down with asthma. I tried to shake it off thinking everything will be fine. After work, at around 6.30pm, my temperature shot up to 39.4 degrees. That was when I knew something was really wrong. My head felt heavy and I had to unbutton my pants as I had bloated to approximately 2 times my waist line. My knight rushed me to hospital. Although I took paracetamol before 7pm, when Dr Tee examined me, my fever had not subsided. He had an awful silence that killed me.

After a few minutes of silence, he said "We will postpone the ET for another day" ... stating that a fever can easily take the success rate to 0%. I felt very upset and was really hoping to recover. I was prescribed antibiotics and was told to go home and rest. That night, my fever escalated and I developed a sore throat, flu, cough and bad headaches. My tummy was still bloated and painful. I could not use the washroom due to this pain. Something was really wrong!

Anyway, the next day, we went back to hospital and got prepared for the ET. After lying down and gathering myself, a nurse came to take my temperature and pressure. She did not looked pleased and uttered silence before leaving us. My knight and I were sure something was wrong. We waited...

2 hours later, I was wheeled not to the operating theater for the ET, instead I was taken to Dr Tee's clinic. When I entered his room, his displeased facial expression told me everything I needed to know. He diagnosed me with Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication from some forms of fertility medication, particularly those of ovarian hyperstimulation. Most cases are mild, but a small proportion are severe. Mild symptoms include abdominal bloating and feeling of fullness, nausea, diarrhea, and slight weight gain... which I was experiencing. In this circumstances, the ET has to be postponed.

Our embryos will be frozen and a FET will be carried on the next cycle. RM3000 will be refunded to us, out of which, RM1500 was used to pay for the freezing of the embryos. We have 9 frozen embryos waiting to be transfered. I am extremely upset but I am hoping for the best with FET  ... small things that matter!!!


Thursday 22 May 2014

Preparations for A New Edition

A woman who is under 35 has a 32% chance of getting pregnant while for women who are over 44, the average success rate stands at just 2.5%... I read this today from "My personal experience of IVF by Kate Brian, author of Precious Babies".

A new edition to the family has been on our minds since we tied the knot in November 2012. We have been patiently waiting for the second indicator on the pregnancy strip to show, but it is now 18 months since.

Like most couples, we never opted for IVF to get pregnant. But by the time the doctors referred us to IVF, we have been through so many procedures, tests, delays, frustrations and let downs over and over again.

Firstly IVF is not a taboo. It is not illegal or wrong to opt for IVF. It is very important for people to understand and provide support for couples who opt for this treatment. IVF is known as 'test-tube-baby', as the fertilization takes place outside the body (inside a test tube). The indications of IVF include:
1. tubal factors (tubal blockage or dysfunction)
2. endometriosis
3. male factors infertility
4. immunological infertility (antisperm antibodies)
5. repeated unsuccessful IUI
6. unexplained infertility
7. sperm/ egg/ embryo donation
8. surrogacy

I wanted to document and share my experience of IVF. God willing, I will document my feelings as days go by. We decided to start our treatment at METRO IVF KLANG under the watchful eye of Dr Tee Swi Peng. 

Phase 1 - Morning Injections


(First Injection: 17th May 2014 @ 8am)
And so, the injections have started. This is Phase 1 of the IVF cycle. Suprefact 20ml per day injected under the skin of the lower abdomen. Approximately 3cm from the navel to the left (or right) and 3cm from the navel down. Thanks to the existing scars from the laporoscopy the other day, they are marks of guidance now.

It has been 6 days since the morning injections have started. My knight has been my pillar of strength and has been putting the injections for me, taking a lot of care in ensuring the least pain is inflicted... probably he should have studied Medicine! There were clear and strict instructions given to us by my gynaecologist, Dr Elizabeth Thomas from Metro IVF, Klang.

These instructions include:

  1. Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water
  2. Using an alcohol swab, clean the rubber cap of the vial.
  3. Draw 20ml of liquid and ensure it is air-bubbles-free.
  4. Swab the spot on the tummy with an alcohol swab.
  5. Pinch the skin of the tummy to gather a lump.
  6. At an angle, insert the needle under the skin and inject.
  7. Count slowly from 1 -3.
  8. Release the pinch and then withdraw the needle from my tummy.

Side effects

One of the biggest and drastic changes I felt after starting the jabs is hot-flush. A sudden rush of heat and sweat will make you feel extremely uncomfortable and irritated. Sitting in an air conditioned room just does not help. The feeling of having an ice-water bath is overwhelming. But definitely not practical. 

The other side effect I am facing is weight gain. It was a massive 3kg increase in weight within the first 4 days of the injections. Hence, I have taken measures to stick to protein diet. Only lean meat or fish.

Thus far, my diet included eggs in the morning, chicken or tuna in the afternoon and milk at night. I've managed to keep my weight at a balance.

Phase 2 - Night Injections

(First Injection: 4th June 2014 @ 8pm)
We were told to return for a check-up on Day 2 of menstrual cycle. A transvaginal ultrasound was done to check the number follicles. I had 5 - 3 on the right and 2 on the left. It was not great news but we were glad to hear that we will be progressing to Phase 2 of IVF.
We were introduced to the night jabs - Gonal F of 225iu. I was given a window to inject myself (6pm to 10pm). Thus far, both of us have been keeping the 8pm schedule on track, mostly done by my Knight.

After 6 days, we were scheduled for yet another transvaginal ultrasound. This time, Dr Tee intended to measure each follicle and see if the dosage of the night injections were sufficient. Good news... 17 follicles in total. 12 on the right and 5 on the left. We were extremely happy.

Weight gain is still there, but I think I am trying to cope with it positively. Thus far, I have gained a total of 2.8kgs ... measuring 53.8kgs. Our next appointment has been scheduled this Friday.

Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it ... small things that matter!!!


Wednesday 20 February 2013

1Malaysia Student Discount Card (Kad Diskaun Siswa 1Malaysia, KADS1M)

Student Discount Card 1Malaysia (KADS1M) was established by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (Ministry) with the objective to help reduce the cost of living students of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in public and private sectors nationwide discount is offered for purchases of goods and selected services subject to the rates, terms and conditions set by the companies that participated. KADS1M given free to undergraduates pursuing a citizen of Malaysia long-term time period of 1 year and above. KADS1M first phase was carried out (distributed) to the IPT in mid-September 2012.


Student Discount Card 1Malaysia (KADS1M) established by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (Ministry) with the objective to help ease the expense of students in higher education institutions (HEIs) across the public and private sectors.

KADS1M given free to undergraduates who meet the following criteria:
  • Pursuing a long-term time period of 1 year and above (certificate, diploma, degree and above);
  • Full-time study, and
  • Citizens of Malaysia 

Discounts offered by the companies that took part on the purchase of selected goods and services subject to the rates, terms and conditions set by their respective companies. Specific discount rates offered by participating merchants are only for selected products and services according to the terms the conditions set by the respective merchants.

  • Desa Water Park: 15% Discount on Ticket
  • Bukit Merah Laketown Resort: 10% discount for waterpark, watereco & waterpark combo
  • The Lost World of Tambun: 10% discount on up to 6 entrance tickets per card
  • i-City: 10% discount at Snowalk & Water World
  • Clara International Beauty: 10% discount
  • KLIA Transit: 30% discount on one way ticket
  • Malaysia Airline System (MAS): 10% to 25% discount on Economy market fares, additional 10kg baggage allowance, parent to get 10% discount from applicable Economy market fares to parents of student for Induction and Graduation ceremonies
  • FireFly: 50% discounts on Y class fare, 20kg complementary checked baggage, complementary refreshment on board
  • Rapid KL: Student RapidPass 50% discount for bus 33% discount for bus, LRT and Monorail
  • A&W: 50% discount on regular and large root beers
  • Daily Fresh: 10% discount
  • KFC: 5% discount for transaction below RM20
  • Little Taiwan: 10% discount on minimum RM30 purchase from ala carte menu
  • Marrybrown: 10% discount on total amount in a single receipt
  • Station One Cafe: 5% discount
  • The Chicken Rice Shop: Special student meal @ RM9.90nett
  • Focus Point: 20% to 50% discounts on selected frames and sunglasses
  • Optical 88: 5% to 10% discount
  • Kinokuniya Book Stores: 10% discount on normal price book
  • Koperasi Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka Malaysia Berhad: 5% - 15% discount
  • MPH Bookstores: 10% discount on normal price book and stationery
  • Times Bookstore: 10% discount on normal-priced books, 5% discount on stationery and magazines
  • Metro Driving Academy: RM200 Discount for New Driving License Class B2 (Motorcycle below 250cc) and D (Car)
  • Mydin: Special price on selected non-food items


All information 1Malaysia Student Discount Card (KADS1M) will be provided free to students Malaysian citizens who are pursuing full-time provided that the period of study is one year (minimum) and above. For more information, please visit http://www.1pengguna.com . Besides sir / madam is recommended in order to expose your KADS1M grants to students under the supervision sir / madam.  Recommendation Student Information Form can be downloaded below .

Download Forms:  Eligible Student Acknowledgement Form Information KADS1M

Applications are open until there are changes to be made ​​in due course. Completed application forms in Microsoft excel format must be returned to the Department by email to norlida@mohr.gov.my or syarumiefizal@mohr.gov.my or eleas@mohr.gov.my   and signed form must be sent by post to address:  

Planning, Research and Development,
Department of Skills Development
Level 7, Block D4, Parcel D,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62530.

Lists of other selected merchants:

1. BOOKS / STATIONERY
- MPH BOOKSTORES
- IMLAQ BOOK CENTRE
- BORDERS
- RONA
- KIANG TRADING
- KOPERASI DEWAN BAHASA DAN PUSTAKA MALAYSIA BERHAD
- KOPERASI KEDAI BUKU UNIVERSITI MALAYA BERHAD
- KOPERASI UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA BERHAD

2. SPORTS / ATTIRES
- BATA
- KOPERASI KELUARGA DATO' HAJI HASHIM MAMAT KUALA TERENGGANU BERHAD
- TEXLINE LINO

3. MEDICAL / CLINIC / OPTOMETRICS / OPTICAL
- POLIKLINIK AN-NISA'
- QUALITAS HEALTH
- FOCUS POINT
- MENARA OPTOMETRY

4. FOOD AND BEVERAGE
- KFC
- DAILY FRESH
- A&W
- COFFEE BERRY
- THE CHICKEN RICE SHOP
- RESTORAN KENNY CRAB
- SWEET CHAT
- LEGEND’S CLAYPOT BRIYANI HOUSE
- DUBU DUBU SEOUL FOOD
- MY JAVA COFFEE
- PANCAKE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL
- STATION ONE PRODUCT
- GLORIA JEAN’S COFFEES
- BANGI KOPITIAM

5. ACCOMODATION
- ANCASA HOTELS & RESORTS
- ANCASA HOTEL & SPA KUALA LUMPUR
- ANCASA ALLSUITES RESORT & SPA PORT DICKSON
- JEREJAK RAINFOREST RESORT PENANG
- ANCASA EXPRESS PUDU
- TUNE HOTELS REGIONAL SERVICES SDN BHD
- LEO EXPRESS HOTEL
- KOPERASI AL-TAQWA KAMPUNG KISAP LANGKAWI BERHAD
- KOPERASI GURU-GURU MELAYU KEDAH BERHAD
- KOPERASI MAJLIS GURU UGAMA MENENGAH BERHAD
- KOPERASI MELAYU BERJAWATAN KERAJAAN NEGERI SEMBILAN BERHAD
- RAKYAT TRAVEL SDN. BHD.

6. SALOON / BEAUTY CENTRES
- FOOT MASTER
- PARIS HILL
- PROACTIV
- CLARA
- KOPERASI PUTRI TERBILANG MALAYSIA BERHAD

7. IT PRODUCTS
- KOPERASI CELCOM BERHAD
- KOPERASI PEGAWAI-PEGAWAI DEWAN BANDARAYA KUALA LUMPUR BERHAD
- IFAMILY

8. MISCELLANEOUS
- BKZ BIKERZ
- ROLLER STAR ARENA
- DOUBLE SITE
- KOPERASI KAKITANGAN MAKTAB KERJASAMA MALAYSIA BERHAD
- KOPERASI KOLEJ KEMAHIRAN TINGGI BALIK PULAU BERHAD
- MYDIN
- DESA WATER PARK