IVF first timers - June 2021 Protocol

[Luan82]

Hello 👋🏼!! About to embark on the absolutely terrifying process of IVF in June (once my next cycle finishes) and though it might be nice to get chatting to some people going through the same? Meds due tomorrow and bloods booked in for Saturday - Let me know if you are in the same boat would be great to get some support from some fellow infertility warriors ❤️x

[2021babyhope]

Hi Luna 😊

We should be starting in July after my June cycle. I read a book called Get A Life: His and Hers Survival Guide To IVF and it was amazing. Goes through the whole process and what to expected from both sides.

You could probably skip a few chapters that go through the tests but I would highly recommend it!

Hope you're feeling good about this cycle 😊

[Luan82]

@2021babyhope - I am slightly nervous now but excited too!! I've got low AMH unfortunately so I'm more concerned about my ovaries response than I am about any procedure or injection! x

[Luan82]

@2021babyhope - thanks for the book recommendation I will check it out, don't really know anyone that's gone through it so will be good to do my research!

[Cat028]

Hi ladies, hope you don't mind me joining. I'm due to start in June, it's also my first cycle of IVF and I'm nervous and excited!! I'm just waiting for my period to tell my clinic so they can arrange medication and my start date!!

How are you both feeling about it all? Xx

[firefly37]

Hi FirstTimers,
I thought I would drop you all a message as, I guess, a relatively experienced IVFer! I am 41, have low AMH and my partner has morphology issues. We had our first cycle in 2016 which was successful with my little boy … had two frozen blasts. Second cycle with the frozen in 2018 was unsuccessful. Another fresh cycle in 2019 in the Czech Republic resulted in my little girl and two frozen! I have just started the process to have a frozen transfer in June :)
I got very ill with PND after my first cycle which was mainly bought on by extreme anxiety in my pregnancy … it was an awful experience and one I wouldn't want to go through again but my second pregnancy was much better.
I would advise firstly to try and stay calm and accept that there isn't anything you can do to influence any results!
Carry on doing the things you enjoy!
I didn't eat anything special etc to "improve" my chances!
Remember that IVF miracles happen with a variety of AMH levels, embryo grades so don't read too much into them!
Be kind to yourself and your partner and don't lose faith!
Sending you loads and loads of luck xx

[Luan82]

@Cat028 we went to the clinic today - it's my first cycle too so very nervous, we went for bloods and I received my planner was quite a shock to see all the meds they are suggesting !!! I'm on a short antagonist protocol so think that translates to short and lots of drugs ! I'm in the same boat I.e waiting for this cycle to end before starting the protocol - eeeeek! x

[Luan82]

@firefly37 oh my goodness you are defo the right person to speak to you have experience! It's lovely to hear about your success with IVF and I'm sorry to hear about your issues with PND, having suffered what I'm fairly sure is symptomatic of PTSD after my ectopic pregnancy I can sympathise - you are totally correct about things being outside our control, there comes a point where you have to put your faith in the doctors and accept whatever will be will be - think positive! 🌈🙏🏼❤️x

[firefly37]

@Luan82 I cant believe some days that I have my little miracles, I love them so much! People think I am crazy going for number 3 (especially as a geriatric mum!) but I am super excited and really hoping my luck holds out :) … PND was the worst thing I have ever experienced and would never wish on anyone. I learnt that its so important to take care of your self, use positive self talk, meditation and kindness … I would urge if anyone ever felt like there mental health was suffering, get help straight away as I was in denial for a while. Sorry to hear about your ectopic but you seem to have a great attitude and I really hope it works out for you :) xx

[Luan82]

@firefly37 - thanks so much! That's so kind of you to say, it's lovely to hear such positive stories - especially those with low amh, which I've been diagnosed with too, I'm also classed as a 'geriatric' pregnancy (at 38) - but hey age is just a number !! got my planner today so things are getting pretty real, I really hope you get your third little miracle too - three is a good number ! ❤️❤️❤️xx

[Cat028]

@flyfire37 thank you for sharing your experience and advice. My AMH is normal for my age but DP has morphology issues too. Congratulations on your two little miracles. Sorry to hear about your PND. You sound like you are in a good place now. I hope that's the case anyway. Fingers crossed we'll be joining you soon. 🤞🏻 All the best for your frozen transfer. Where will you be having it?

I definitely need to remember to be kind to my DP. I feel so wrapped up with what's coming for me and so terrified that I often forget he's going through it too. 😔

@Luan82 what meds have they told you you'll be on. I'm due on this week I'm sure it'll drag! Then they will send through my meds and planner. We also had bloods on Thursday so providing all is well we'll be good to go. Do you have approximate dates booked for EC? Xx

[Luan82]

@Cat028 I'm right in the middle of my final cycle - I have a feeling this is going to be the worst 2WW ever!! And plus even more nervous that my body can be such a B*h that it's soda law this cycle I actually manage to get a positive test for the first time in nearly two years!! I've got the diary and there are four different meds on there including menapur I'll dig out the paperwork - my next cycle is due 29th and they have pencilled EC for around the 14th I think!! It's all very confusing !! 😂x

[Cat028]

@Luan82 I know what you mean. I gave up on natural cycles a few months back and now I knew IVF was coming it seemed to calm me and my cycles have gone back to normal, instead of being 4-6 days late for no reason!! 😔

Take each step as it comes if you do get a positive great! 2WW is the worst!!! We have had 1 positive in 5 years so I'm feeling like our ship has sailed.

I came on on Monday so they have brought my egg collection forward a bit. I am due to start norethisterone on 6th June. Xx

[Luan82]

@Cat028 wow, five years - that must have been really hard for you, ❤️ I'm coming up to two and it feels like I can't remember a time when infertility didn't rule my life ! Do you mind me asking if you have been given a diagnosis? I haven't officially been given a diagnosis but I'm told my consultant still feels I can conceive naturally, but the results from my tests show DOR and possibly endometriosis so think it's a combination of things for me x

[Luan82]

@Cat028 just having a little look at my diary now - menofert every day from day one of cycle fyremadal from day 6 , dalacin cream for five days then day nine scan and following that arrange EC and trigger before - the final medication is cyclogest but that seems to be taken at EC x

[Cat028]

@Luan82 it really does take over. We were at 3 and 1/2 years and halfway through our investigations when covid hit. It's been devastating! I'm feeling so positive to finally have dates in to get started though.

We haven't officially been given a diagnosis but they have said I have slightly low progesterone and my DP is on the low side of normal for morphology. They still think we could fall naturally but it's taken so long. We fell pregnant last year but I miscarried at 9 weeks. I'm sure it could happen again but I'm not prepared to wait another 4/5 years for that to happen.

What is DOR? Are you on a different protocol for IVF due to possible endometriosis?

I have been told I'll start with norethisterone. I will be on an antagonist cycle but don't know what my injection drugs are called. They will be calling me sometime next week to discuss. They have brought my EC forward a week so I feel like time is really speeding up now. Xx

[Luan82]

@Cat028 - I fully understand that, it took me seven months to conceive my first which was ectopic and following that we've not been successful since a little over a year later. DOR is diminished ovarian reserve, my AMH came back very low and my mum went through menopause at 42 so it's highly likely I will too. With diminished ovarian reserve not only do you possibly not release an egg every month but it's also not as high quality. I'm on my NHS funded cycle and because the y haven't confirmed endo via laparoscopic surgery (which can be worse for low amh) I don't think they are really taking into account all this, I get the impression I'm just being rushed through the system for my 'one funded cycle' - I was pretty shocked that I've not even had an internal scan before I start the meds! That's great news that they are speeding things up tho xx

[Cat028]

@Luan82 it really sucks doesn't it! I'm sorry to hear about your ectopic pregnancy. Did you have to have surgery for it?

Ah I see! How old are you if you don't mind me asking? I'm sorry you feel like you are being rushed through. Have you asked to be tested further?

I am excited about it being sooner. I'm with a private clinic and they have been fantastic so far.

[Luan82]

@Cat028 not at all- I'm 38 will be 39 in December this year so like you I'm really happy that they are pushing on with treatment just a bit shocked how little ive been into the clinic before starting the medication! If this first cycle doesn't go to plan then we have decided to go straight to 2 cycles privately at another clinic where I've also had some tests done x

[Luan82]

The ectopic was managed with mexotrethate so although it means no surgery it also means unfortunately you have to take a break from ttc for three months to let your folic acid levels return to normal - was a bit of a nightmare knowing we couldn't try and that time had become such a factor !

[Cat028]

@Luan82 definitely it's good that they aren't hanging around. I feel the same. I've only been in twice before starting medication. Maybe things were different pre covid.

We haven't had an NHS round we have only just got on the waiting list after a year and a half of tests. It's been a long and frustrating wait so we have gone private. My mental health cannot take the almost 2 year wait they quoted us back in Jan.

That must have been tough to wait. We were the same after our miscarriage. We didn't wait as suggested but we didn't catch anyway.

When do you start meds? Xx

[Luan82]

@Cat028 currently 8dpo and I think my period is due Saturday - recently my cycles have been shorter from 28 days to 26 so meds will start first day of period/new cycle -eeeeeeek! 🤞🏼😬😬 what about you ? Xx

[Ofpalestsilver]

Hey there - I’m a first timer (3 x cycles of failed IUI) and I just started meds today so I guess I’m a little bit ahead. Wishing everyone good luck.

[Coops0406]

Hi all, just thought I'd join as this is my first ivf cycle. I have PCOS and after a year of going round the houses I finally got to gynae to get diagnosed and was on clomid for 6 months, which didn't work.

Am waiting for AF this week then about to start injections on 29th May which has been a long time coming after 3 weeks of norithisterone!

I noticed someone had mentioned how little they had been to their clinic...I have had one video appointment, one telephone appointment then one for a swab and bloods where OH wasn't allowed in and I didn't get to speak to anyone! It was the same when I was on clomid, one telephone appointment and left to it. Had to push to get the dose increased as I didn't think I was ovulating, which if they'd have done their checks in my first month rather than my last month they would have known!

I think it is just how it has been with covid but am just putting my trust and faith in that they know exactly what they're doing.

[Coops0406]

@Ofpalestsilver what meds are you on? How are the injections going?

[Kemqueen]

Hi everyone. It’s my first time here and am so happy with what I’ve read so far. It’s good to know am not the only one going through all this. Am starting my ivf soon as well. My medication has been ordered and will start injection second day of my period which is in June!