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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

abc IVF experience sharing - 2021/2022

208 replies

Millymillymillymillymilly · 17/11/2021 12:58

Hey everyone,

I've benefited so much from the last 2 abc ivf threads that I thought I'd start a new one and hopefully can contribute back to the community.

I'm 33 years old, AFC around 24 (based on the initial treatment scan) and the reason we are doing IVF is due to male infertility issues (morphology lower than 4%) and irregular ovulation. We are undergoing treatment at the Harley Street branch.

Here's my treatment timeline so far:

09/11 Tue - Bemfola injection 125
10/11 Wed - Bemfola injection 125
11/11 Thu - Bemfola injection 125
12/11 Fri - Bemfola injection 125 + 1st scan
13/11 Sat - Bemfola injection 125
14/11 Sun - Bemfola injection 125 + Cetrotide injection
15/11 Mon - Bemfola injection 125 + Cetrotide injection +2nd scan
16/11 Tue - Bemfola injection 125 + Cetrotide injection
17/11 Wed - Cetrotide injection + 3rd scan + Ovitrelle injection (exact timing TBC)

After my 3rd scan today, the nurse said I didn't have to do anymore injections apart from morning Cetrotide shot and the Ovitrelle which someone from the Create clinic will call and let me know when to inject as it needs to fit into their egg retrieval appointments (I still haven't received the call and my scan was at 08.30 this morning).

My follicles' growth was as below:

1st scan
11 < 6mm
10 10 mm

2nd scan
2 < 6mm
12

OP posts:
anditgoesonandon · 27/01/2022 15:28

Wow that's great news @Millymillymillymillymilly it looks like this new cycle worked out for you!

Yes I had a great result in my first cycle, 12 eggs, all were still around at day 3 and by day 5 I had 9 blasts.

In the recent protocol 16 eggs were collected, 10 were mature, we were down to 8 by day 3, then at day 5 I was beyond shocked to get just 1 x day 5 blast, it was at the expanded stage. By day 6 there were 2 more that could be frozen, not great grading though.

So the cycles are just worlds apart, I'm having huge trouble finding somewhere to have a cycle that will replicate the protocol that worked for me. I'm hoping to go abroad as UK prices are so high but can't get an answer on if the protocol can be replicated.

Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 27/01/2022 15:15

@anditgoesonandon it seems like you had a very good response and had a high number of embryos (if you mean that 75% of your eggs made it to embryos as only 25% dropped off). Definitely have a chat as they will best to advise you on this.

I just got the call from the embryologist and 5 out of the 8 are suitable for freezing so they are now frozen. The remaining 3 are going to be kept in the culture for an extra day to see if they can catch up but it’s most likely not going to happen. I’m really chuffed as it’s definitely way higher than expected!

OP posts:
anditgoesonandon · 27/01/2022 07:34

@Millymillymillymillymilly thankyou for the reply. That's really interesting, abc seem to offer a FSH only protocol, my original protocol was similar to your NHS one- menopur (a mixture of fsh and lh). I'm keen to hear how many blasts you get. I had virtually no drop off on this protocol, we only lost 25% from the amount of eggs collected, compared to an 81% drop off.

I have my scan booked in with abc, I should think they'll accept me since my AFC is 30 and I meet the other criteria. I would have had my recent collection 2 weeks ago so I'm hoping my AFC is back at baseline, still waiting for my period.

Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 26/01/2022 23:47

@TheBirdintheCave

I don’t have PCOS but do show symptoms of it (not sure how exactly it works). From my understanding, women with PCOS have a higher risk of getting more eggs because they have a lot of follicles to start with so a frozen transfer might often be suggested due to the risk of OHSS.

abc will definitely tailor the dosage to your body accordingly and will be monitoring every other day once you start stimming to make sure your progress is as expected.

Have you had a baseline scan with them yet? Might be worth having the scan and then the consultation if you are in their criteria.

OP posts:
Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 26/01/2022 23:40

@anditgoesonandon

I think the reason why abc is so much cheaper than other clinics is due to the shoebox approach and the medication they give tend to be more or less the same for everyone.

I totally understand your concern since you’ve had a good and a bad result and obviously you will want to go with what you know works.

I’d suggest talking to abc and see what they can do but my hunch is that they probably might not give you medication that they don’t already give to their patients.

I just finished a cycle with NHS (UCLH/GRCH) and the drugs I was on were a lot more than what I was on at abc. (refer to my previous posts if you want to know what drugs I’ve taken in the different cycles). And the outcome was pretty similar

abc
11 eggs collected
9 mature and 9 fertilised
8 made it to D3
1 fresh transfer (BFN) + 2 remaining embryos frozen

nhs
12 eggs collected
11 mature and 8 fertilised
8 made it to D3
TBC the final results as tomorrow will be D5

I’m assuming we’d get roughly the same number of embryos that we can use this round (but you never know! None of them might be suitable for freezing or we might have more than expected!) Embryologist say normally 30-40% of D3 embryos make it to D5 blastocyst.

So based on the results, I think abc has done a really good job for the amount of money they charge.

Good luck!

OP posts:
TheBirdintheCave · 26/01/2022 12:24

Sorry to intrude ladies but I was wondering if anyone had gone through the ABC process with polycystic ovaries and how ABC adapted your medications in light of that?

We were pre IVF with the NHS in 2020 as we'd been told we couldn't conceive naturally due to my husband's low sperm motility. However the day before I was due to start the first round we got a miracle BFP. We're now hoping for a second miracle but are preparing for the more realistic idea that we'll have to do IVF this time round.

waitingmyturn · 24/01/2022 18:24

@star2022 I think I've found this bit the hardest part, just trying to manage expectations. They've told me to do a home urine test on the 30th and then if it's positive they'll book be in for a blood test to confirm, I'm not sure what I want to do, some days I think I'll give it a few days and just test but I'm so scared of seeing the result I don't know what to do, I think I'll be the same on the 30th too though

Awe I know what you mean, it's hard to accept at first isn't it? Im really happy with how abc have been, it hasn't been anywhere near as scary or complicated as I had first thought, and it all goes by so quickly, (well except this last bit!)

Thank you, I appreciate it, and I'll keep you posted! I'm looking forward to following your journey too 😊

star2022 · 24/01/2022 17:47

@waitingmyturn I can imagine! 2ww is bad enough let alone during this process! Do they do a blood test or would it be a urine sample? And are you holding out testing until they tell you the results?

I'm okay thank you, can't help but think I can't believe I'm having to go down this road never in a million years did I think I would be here waiting to start ivf, i'm so healthy, exercise 4 times a week, literally no medical conditions, but hey here we are. Unexplained infertility sucks!

Wishing you all the best for the 30th will be thinking of you! 🙏

anditgoesonandon · 24/01/2022 17:22

Hello everyone

I have booked a scan at abc for consideration with them.

I had Ivf elsewhere with menopur 187.5iu daily, from day 6 I started fyremadel 0.25mg daily in addition and got a great result.

I just travelled abroad and had terrible outcome with a completely different protocol.

I read that abc only do mild IVF, would they be able to put me on menopur and fyremadel? I'm happy to pay more if needed.

waitingmyturn · 24/01/2022 17:17

@star2022 I'm doing ok thank you, hope you are too? It's a nerve racking but exciting time! yes still in tww, test date is the 30th, trying my best to stay away from Google, the wait is killing me haha!

star2022 · 24/01/2022 16:47

@Millymillymillymillymilly that's amazing, fingers crossed for you keep us posted!

@waitingmyturn Thank you! I was just thinking about you..How are you getting on? Are you still in your 2ww?

waitingmyturn · 24/01/2022 16:31

Good luck @star2022, keep us posted!

That's a really good number fertilised @Millymillymillymillymilly , glad it's all gone well for you 😊

Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 24/01/2022 13:38

@Akter1984 - I think it maycome a week after the transfer? You can always call abc? I remember them letting me know what’s the next steps.

@star2022 - So exciting! I think once you start, it will feel even more real! Egg collection went well thanks. We managed to get 11 eggs and 8 have fertilised. Aiming for a frozen transfer this cycle so it won’t be until end of Feb/early March when the transfer will happen!

OP posts:
star2022 · 24/01/2022 11:01

Sorry to hear your news @Akter1984 what will be your next step?

@Millymillymillymillymilly hope your egg collection went okay?

I just had my treatment consultation - again really really thorough and useful. I will be starting on Bemfola 150, just waiting for period to arrive now which is due on Monday next week. I will get meds delivered on Friday this week. Will keep you all updated! Feeling nervous now as it feels so real...

Akter1984 · 22/01/2022 20:25

Hi everyone.
Does anyone know when I can expect my period after my failed FET transfer? Will it be like normal period? Or heavier? It's been 3 days since my BETA result came through as neg. Still no sign of periodBlush

Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 22/01/2022 07:47

@Akter1984, it was a fresh transfer that failed. I still have 2 frozen embryos that I can use for FET. I was going to rest for two months and then try again but then NHS funding came through so I’m currently on a full cycle with another clinic. The plan is to hopefully keep the abc stored embryos for later use if the NHS route fails. How about you? What’s your next step?

OP posts:
Akter1984 · 21/01/2022 22:31

@Millymillymillymillymilly
How far are you on the process? Since your failed FET?

Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 21/01/2022 22:05

@star2022 Best of luck! I think you are in good hands with abc! And I’m glad the consultation went so smoothly. It does help when things start off on a smooth note! If you have any questions, feel free to ask, always happy to help :)

@Akter1984 Of course! Welcome! I’m really sorry to hear you had a failed FET. It just doesn’t get easy does it? I myself had a failed transfer with abc end of last year and even though I knew there was a chance it won’t work, it still felt that I lost something… We can only persevere and keep trying right?

OP posts:
Akter1984 · 21/01/2022 21:44

Hi everyone. I would also like to Jon this thread if it's ok. I just recently had a failed FET. I'm so devastated and getting emotional at times when I think about it.

star2022 · 21/01/2022 19:46

Just to update in case anyone is considering abc.

I had my initial zoom consultation yesterday which was actually really good. Wasn't expecting it to be a Dr thought it would be a nurse but he was happy to give us the go ahead with ivf. @Mazzaroo2022 luckily he didn't ask us to repeat OH semen analysis even though it was last done in May 2021. The only thing he did ask was that if when it comes to OH providing his sample and they don't get a good sample, are we okay to do ICSI to which we said yes. It was a little disheartening to hear that the chances of success is only around 35% but I'm trying to remain hopeful. All in all he answered all our questions really well and was really friendly and sympathetic which was nice.

He requested we both have blood tests done to check for infections and for myself to check rubella antibodies (even though I have been MMR jabbed already) It was still necessary.

Straight after the call I had the patient coordinator ring me, who booked us both in for blood tests for this morning (so quick!) and she booked my treatment consultation for Monday (again so quick!). She was really thorough with all the prices, and very up front and honest about any costs we could encounter along the way e.g. if we need icsi, or freezing any embryos, or if for any reason they need to do a frozen transfer.

So just to update anyone following my journey, i'll have my treatment consultation on Monday with the nurse and meds will be ordered Tuesday which is great and means I can start the process when my next period arrives which is around the 1st Feb. Feeling anxious but excited!

star2022 · 21/01/2022 19:35

@Mazzaroo2022 thank you for all that information it really helped!

@Cutedolly massive congratulations to you! You must be over the moon! So happy for you knowing you've had a long 4 years of ttc just goes to show it can just happen naturally after so long too. Wishing you all the best going forward! Please do keep us updated!

@waitingmyturn i'm so sorry you're feeling deflated but honestly please don't give up hope! A friend of mine didn't respond to any of her medication last year, literally nothing went as planned and she didn't even get to freeze any - they just had one to transfer which wasn't ideal but she has had her little miracle just fine! So you really never know. Hope that gives you some hope, hang in there.

@Sazles99 I am so sorry to hear this news. I can't imagine how you must be feeling, please get as much rest as possible, we're all here for you xx

@Millymillymillymillymilly i have my fingers crossed for you!! Thank you for updating us, even with your nhs cycle it really does help as i'm sure some of us are on the waiting list so it definitely helps!

Original poster
Millymillymillymillymilly · 21/01/2022 12:37

@Sazles99 I’m so so so sorry to hear that. I know it must be so hard for you right now. I just hope with time you will start to feel a bit better. Rest up and just gotta keep going because we will all get there someday, just gotta hang on! with the NHS, you go with whatever hospital/clinic they have funding with in your area. For me it was UCLH/CRGH so I do all my scans and checks at the hospital but all the egg collection and transfer happens at the CRGH clinic.

@waitingmyturn I waited for a bleed to happen and then started my NHS round on the period after.

With the NHS round, I definitely took way more drugs. Norethisterone for 16 days, then period comes 3-4 days after the drug and then they do a baseline scan on day 1, 2 or 3 to check everything is in order, then it was 75 menopur, 75 bemfola plus an addition of 1 pill of dexamethasone per day. Starting from day 5 of stimulation, I had to start cetrotide and 1 doxycycline everyday.

Had my trigger shot last night which was 1ml of Buserelin and 1500iu of Gonasi. Tomorrow is egg collection day and I have no idea how many eggs they will be able to collect. However, I had the consultant call me yesterday saying that even though my lining was thick and it’s got the 3 line appearance, it did get thinner potentially due to all the drugs I’m taking and even though it’s thick enough, the fact that it got thinner during the stim process, it may suggest the womb lining is not ideal for implantation so they suggested we don’t do a fresh transfer this round (to be honest, I’m surprised I even get an option - I thought they’d just say no we are not doing a fresh transfer this instance)

Looking back at my abc notes, it did seem like my lining went from 16.6 to 12.6 during my last couple days of stimming. So I was wondering whether or not this was why my abc transfer wasn’t successful…

Let’s all try and stay strong and carry on! All we can do is trust the professionals and our body and hope that what we will all soon get what we desire the most :)

OP posts:
waitingmyturn · 21/01/2022 12:01

@Sazles99 I'm so so sorry to hear your news, you must be heartbroken. I'm devastated for you.

Thank you for thinking of me, even with your own things going on xx

Sazles99 · 21/01/2022 10:19

Hi all, sorry again for the radio silence.. thank you all for your lovely messages, and my husband was allows into the scan with me.. but unfortunately that's where the good news ends :(

At the early pregnancy scan, we saw the baby and a heartbeat, but were told the baby was measuring quite small and the heartbeat was a bit slower than it should have been. We were referred from ABC to our local Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) and told to go for another scan a week later.

We can our scan at the EPU on Tuesday and they confirmed I had had a missed miscarriage during that week as there was no heartbeat.. I don't really have any words that can describe the rollercoaster it has been..

I had no signs/symptoms physically and chose to go down the surgical management of the miscarriage which I had yesterday. I already feel like a part of me is missing :(

@Millymillymillymillymilly did you have the option to go with ABC for your NHS round or do you just have to go with where you are offered it? Please do keep us posted on your journey.

@waitingmyturn stay positive until you have reason not to be.. it only takes one and that might just be the one you had implanted xx

waitingmyturn · 21/01/2022 08:32

Thank you @Millymillymillymillymilly, I had the summary through yesterday and unfortunately as I expected none of the 5 embryos made it to being frozen, the one they transferred was 5 cell when they expect them to be between 6-8 on day 3, although it was a grade 2 and from what I can see I don't think that's too bad so I'm holding out hope.

Would definitely be interested in seeing your results from your cycle if you're happy to share, do you mind me asking how long you had to wait between cycles to try again?

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