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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

First time trying IVF... anyone want to keep me company?!

113 replies

loulamay · 11/05/2020 13:40

Hi all,

Few quick facts - partner and I are both just into our 40s, have been TTC for a year with no luck. He has a slightly low sperm count at just under 16 million and I have a past history of PCOS, although according to my Dr, am producing an amazing number of eggs for a woman my age (in fact interestingly he talked to me about recent studies that may show that women with PCOS may have a delayed reduction in fertility in line with age: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4447787/).

We have had one unsuccessful IUI and have decided to move onto IVF to try and take advantage of the fact that my ovarian reserve still looks good. I also froze my eggs when I was 36, before I met DP, so we will probably fertilise them at the same time as only that we collect from this cycle.

Feeling a huge mixture of nervousness and excitement, especially during these crazy COVID times, and wondered if anyone was in the same boat and starting IVF now? I am on day 2 of my cycle and had my first Gonal F 300 injection this morning - 5 more days of that and my Dr wants to see me for my first scan.

L

OP posts:
Whilstwewait · 02/07/2020 15:32

@Eggling @loulamay how are you both getting on? I was brave today and made first steps for initial consultation I feel so much stronger and ready for it compared to last month. We have official hit the 12 months of TTC now x

Gabbbbbbby · 22/06/2020 18:56

@loulamay it's good it's all going smoothly so far! @Eggling that's really positive! 21 is a good number and that's great about your husband's sperm too. Let us know how fertilisation goes!

Fingers crossed for both of you - I'll be thinking of you both! X

Eggling · 22/06/2020 17:50

Oh wow that all seems to be going really smoothly @loulamay fingers crossed it continues to go well for you!

I had egg collection today, they got 21 eggs and DH's sperm results were all in the normal range which was a surprise as his previous tests have had 0% morphology. I'm not too sore, and feel a bit less bloated than last night which was nice. Just have to see how things go with fertilisation and development this week, plus clarify the plan moving forwards as it's definitely freeze all for us.

Original poster
loulamay · 22/06/2020 16:35

If your egg collection was today @Eggling then I hope all went well and you've got your feet up!

Had my last scan today - without having to do injections, this has been a walk in the park. Dr is happy with my endometrium thickness and because I tend to ovulate late into my cycle, he has given me a trigger shot to do tonight and then FET next Monday just so we're a bit more in control. Also starting back on estrogen and progesterone tablets from Wednesday onwards.

Just a little update from me!

OP posts:
Gabbbbbbby · 19/06/2020 22:08

That sounds perfect! Really got to give your body the chance to recover. I over stimulated with the IVF and they collected 33 eggs I think. I looked more pregnant then than I did when I was 12 weeks along! How are you feeling?

Yes, my husband understands now and we're on the same page! My baby is only 8months, so I think I'll probably start thinking about FET cycle in the spring. I'm keen to have them close together!

Original poster
loulamay · 19/06/2020 18:23

Ah, did you manage to convince hubby? Good for you!

So far compared to the egg retrieval process it's been a breeze - no injections, just the follicle boost with the Femera tablets and one scan. I realise I am lucky though with the fact that I do produce eggs and ovulate.

I almost wonder (and have read some studies on this) if the freeze-all thing is the way to go so that you get a break from all the hormones and stress of the IVF before embryo transfer. My bloating and fatigue after the egg retrieval was horrible. But I'm no Doctor Wink

When are you thinking of getting started?

OP posts:
Gabbbbbbby · 19/06/2020 18:08

Glad it's all getting going again @loulamay and that you didn't have to wait too long to try again. I'll be following your journey with interest because next time I will be doing FET too and I'm not really sure what that involves! Sounds like you're doing it as naturally as possible which sounds good.

Original poster
loulamay · 19/06/2020 16:43

Oooh getting close! OHSS can be tricky but in my mind at least that means potentially lots of eggs!

No injections so far - I ovulate on my own and haven't had any problems with thickness of endometrium so Dr said we could do it as naturally as possible. After doing some reading I'm actually glad about that, I think I might have had slight OHSS and they say it can put a stress on the body and potentially hamper implantation so if you do end up doing a freeze-all then that's no bad thing. I definitely feel like my body needed some time to recover!

Also discussed single or double embryo transfer with him and we are going for another single this time round.

OP posts:
Eggling · 19/06/2020 16:35

@loulamay it's great you can get going again so soon! Yes, I'm on day 9 of injections today, trigger shot Saturday night and egg collection Monday. Waiting for a call with my blood test results to see if we can do a fresh transfer or will need to freeze as my ovaries are reacting a bit too enthusiastically so they're worried about OHSS. The injections haven't been too bad though to be honest, although I'll enjoy a day off being stabbed on Sunday!

Are you doing any injections then this this time around (except maybe the trigger)? I'm not sure how FET works, will have to do some reading as that might be the way we're headed!

Original poster
loulamay · 19/06/2020 15:26

How are you doing ladies? I am getting ready for our next attempt - was on Femera (not sure if the brand name will be the same in the UK) for 5 days after my period (which was so heavy) and got a second scan tomorrow to check endo lining and follicles. I wasn't sure how it would work but with the 5 day embryos they basically wait for you to ovulate (we're going to see if I will ovulate naturally, if not, do a trigger injection) and then transfer will be 5 days later.

I feel like I've been totally doing everything wrong since the first failure - drinking too much wine with friends and not enough water or exercise! Oh well!

@Eggling have you started your injections yet?

OP posts:
Whilstwewait · 05/06/2020 17:10

@loulamay aw sorry to hear that but as you say you have plenty of embryos left and not too long until your next go. Xxx

Gabbbbbbby · 05/06/2020 14:13

I'm so sorry to hear that @loulamay. It sounds like you're dealing with it really well, and it's positive that you've got so many tries left.

Enjoy that wine, you definitely deserve it!

MD78 · 05/06/2020 13:46

I meant endometritis instead of endometriosis

MD78 · 05/06/2020 13:40

I am so sorry to hear that loulamay but its positive you have embryos for your next attempt.I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Regarding your question following my first failed IVF I had hysteroscopy diagnosed with endometriosis , treated with antibiotics and also immunological and haematological tests which came clear.
The difference in our last and successful cycle was that they used a technique called MACS at the laboratory when producing our blastocysts so the quality was excellent AA we did not have PGS testing.

Gabbbbbbby · 05/06/2020 13:27

Oh I'm really sorry to hear that! But it's great that you're still feeling positive and you've got lots more chances, so fingers crossed for next cycle.
Enjoy the wine 😁

Eggling · 05/06/2020 12:50

Ah sorry to hear that. Definitely positive that you have many more goes and don't have to wait to try again! Enjoy the wine tonight 🍷

Original poster
loulamay · 05/06/2020 10:46

Ah, no luck on the first embryo attempt! We knew this was a possibility though. Feel disappointed (was hoping to just get it done!!) but relieved that we have 7 more attempts and Dr has said we can try on the next cycle, which will be in a few weeks. C'est la vie! WINE tonight!!!!!

@MD78 congratulations and thank you for sharing! Do you mind if I ask about your first three cycles? Did they know what was going wrong or do any other tests? I have queried the need for PGS testing of our embryos (although have read mixed studies and reviews) and also any kind of immunological factors on my side.

OP posts:
Eggling · 03/06/2020 13:49

Good luck @loulamay!! Sending you lots of positive thoughts for tomorrow. It's definitely true that early pregnancy symptoms and period symptoms can be the same - I've spent so much time on google over the past couple of years checking what a cramp or feeling might mean 😂 just one of nature's cruel tricks.

Keeping everything crossed you get positive news very soon 🤞🤞🤞

Gabbbbbbby · 03/06/2020 13:31

Good luck @loulamay!! I've been thinking of you and sending loads of positive vibes your way! It's so hard but just try not to read too much into early symptoms. That could well be implantation pains...

MD78 · 03/06/2020 13:30

Good luck loulamay hope you have BFP HCG result tomorrow
I think minor cramping is a positive sign
Had 4 rounds of IVF . For the first 3 experienced no symptoms during 2WW and resulted in BFN. Fourth round had period like cramping and some bleeding and thought it was all over but I got my BFP.

Original poster
loulamay · 03/06/2020 13:19

Hoping for AF for you @Eggling!

Feeling slightly less calm today as I've got cramping that feels like my period - annoyingly after a bit of Dr Google it seems like early pregnancy symptoms would be identical, so there's no way of knowing what it is! No spotting though, which I would ordinarily get before cramps. Argh.

Roll on tomorrow and my beta test. Wish me luck ladies!

OP posts:
Eggling · 02/06/2020 15:03

Oh that's not so long to wait @loulamay 😊 glad you're feeling calm!

I just had my phone call with the consultant and I can start treatment this cycle so just need AF to make her appearance now! I think for the first time ever I'm willing it to come ASAP 😂 I'm going to start on a lower dose of FSH as I've got added risk of OHSS so I feel a bit better about that too.

Whilstwewait · 01/06/2020 16:06

Lovely to hear all the positive stories Smile

Not long till your first blood test @loulamay then. Glad to hear your feeling calm xx

Original poster
loulamay · 01/06/2020 15:43

It's funny - I also feel quite calm about everything, despite the ttc and the not knowing how things will work out.

My clinic want a beta blood test a week after transfer and then another one two days later if it's positive. It seems very early to me but there we go!

OP posts:
Gabbbbbbby · 01/06/2020 14:37

@loulamay - yes exactly, you've done all you can! Definitely a good idea to relax, a glass of wine won't do any harm Smile
My clinic told me to do a test at home and then come in the next day for a blood test, I think they also tested progesterone then. I remember waking up at about 5am on the test day and rushing to the loo to do the test! But I was really glad I waited the full two weeks, I felt pretty confident as soon as I saw it. My natural pregnancies, all of which have ended v early, I've always had a slight anxious feeling that they wouldn't work out. But the IVF one I felt really calm about.