Looks like I'm putting on my patience panties yet again this cycle, as today's lining check for our upcoming FET was less than stellar @ 7.4 mm. Someone que the deflating balloon to whiz across the computer screen. This is exactly how I feel when I get not-so-great news at these darn appointments...
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I do realize that an endometrial lining of 7 mm is "acceptable" for many doctors out there (especially if the lining is trilaminar in appearance) and that technically I am just over the cut-off point. However, if my lining had been .5 mm less they would have told me to wait another full week to re-assess the lining before moving forward with the embryo transfer. Have you ever looked at 1/2 mm on a ruler? Actually, I think it's so tiny it doesn't even appear on a ruler!
After discussing with hubby, we decided that 1/2 of a millimeter is not enough of a cushion to satisfy the nagging voices in my head that will surely remain if we moved forward with a 7.4. Being that my stubborn lining has been an ongoing issue since the beginning of time, I had already adjusted about half of the estradiol doses to be taken vaginally (instead of orally) this cycle in order to hopefully thicken it up a bit more. Clearly it wasn't enough, even with weekly acupuncture in the mix. Seriously, what's a girl gotta do for a decent lining?!
We were given the option to give it another week for the lining to possibly grow, and we've decided to go that route, even though it requires more waiting. There is a very small 5% chance of cycle cancellation (if I somehow ovulate on my own in the meantime), but it is highly unlikely that will happen. So, wait we will. I'm switching ALL doses of estradiol to be taken vaginally and beginning to do warm castor oil compresses daily leading up the the next lining check. I will of course continue acupuncture as well.
It's times like these I'm thankful I don't have a job, because I'll need to lay down for each of the above mentioned things. Praise God for the fact that I have the flexibility for all the appointments and to spend half of my life horizontally! For that I am truly grateful.
I did ask my RE about other meds to help thicken the lining, such as delestrogen shots, Vivelle dot patches and Viagra. I happen to know these are meds used by other doctors to help thicken the lining. My guy, Dr. Vaughn, contends that Viagra has given them lackluster results in the past and that the delestrogen and Vivelle should have no advantage over taking estradiol vaginally 3 times per day. Alright then, if you say so. Let's hope you are right.
Even if my lining doesn't thicken one iota from this week to next, I will have the peace of mind that I've done EVERYTHING to try to get it there.
I've updated our FET Calendar, and here we go again for the next week...
-estradiol vaginally 3 x's/day
-warm castor oil compress daily
-acupuncture weekly
Next lining check is 8/28. It sure would be nice if we could reach 9 mm+ like we did during our fresh cycle. It's happened before, so I know it's possible! It looks like our transfer will now be pushed back to the first week of September. Until then, I'll be sporting these...
![]()
I do realize that an endometrial lining of 7 mm is "acceptable" for many doctors out there (especially if the lining is trilaminar in appearance) and that technically I am just over the cut-off point. However, if my lining had been .5 mm less they would have told me to wait another full week to re-assess the lining before moving forward with the embryo transfer. Have you ever looked at 1/2 mm on a ruler? Actually, I think it's so tiny it doesn't even appear on a ruler!
After discussing with hubby, we decided that 1/2 of a millimeter is not enough of a cushion to satisfy the nagging voices in my head that will surely remain if we moved forward with a 7.4. Being that my stubborn lining has been an ongoing issue since the beginning of time, I had already adjusted about half of the estradiol doses to be taken vaginally (instead of orally) this cycle in order to hopefully thicken it up a bit more. Clearly it wasn't enough, even with weekly acupuncture in the mix. Seriously, what's a girl gotta do for a decent lining?!
We were given the option to give it another week for the lining to possibly grow, and we've decided to go that route, even though it requires more waiting. There is a very small 5% chance of cycle cancellation (if I somehow ovulate on my own in the meantime), but it is highly unlikely that will happen. So, wait we will. I'm switching ALL doses of estradiol to be taken vaginally and beginning to do warm castor oil compresses daily leading up the the next lining check. I will of course continue acupuncture as well.
It's times like these I'm thankful I don't have a job, because I'll need to lay down for each of the above mentioned things. Praise God for the fact that I have the flexibility for all the appointments and to spend half of my life horizontally! For that I am truly grateful.
I did ask my RE about other meds to help thicken the lining, such as delestrogen shots, Vivelle dot patches and Viagra. I happen to know these are meds used by other doctors to help thicken the lining. My guy, Dr. Vaughn, contends that Viagra has given them lackluster results in the past and that the delestrogen and Vivelle should have no advantage over taking estradiol vaginally 3 times per day. Alright then, if you say so. Let's hope you are right.
Even if my lining doesn't thicken one iota from this week to next, I will have the peace of mind that I've done EVERYTHING to try to get it there.
I've updated our FET Calendar, and here we go again for the next week...
-estradiol vaginally 3 x's/day
-warm castor oil compress daily
-acupuncture weekly
Next lining check is 8/28. It sure would be nice if we could reach 9 mm+ like we did during our fresh cycle. It's happened before, so I know it's possible! It looks like our transfer will now be pushed back to the first week of September. Until then, I'll be sporting these...
