abc IVF experience sharing - 2021/2022

Thank you @Mazzaroo2022. I'm feeling quite deflated today, I know nothings guaranteed but was hoping to have some options after having 6 fertilised and now it's all riding on the one they transferred, fingers crossed it's growing nicely and I'm worried over nothing.

I think today is the first day I've actually fully accepted that this might not work this time.

@waitingmyturn I'm so sorry you got this news especially as you must have been feeling so positive with such a great number of embryos. I have everything crossed for you that you will get better news tomorrow. Don't give up hope that the implanted one won't result in a bfp though... People have got pregnant after really low quality embryos have been implanted so it's really possible it will stick. Be very gentle with yourself over the next few weeks. This is all very tough on you x

Thank you for the well wishes @Mazzaroo2022 and @star2022, really appreciate it.

Bit of disappointing news this morning, the embryologist phoned and none of the 5 embryos we had left are going to be suitable for freezing, she said even though they'd developed and 'tried hard' they hadn't quite reached where they wanted them to be, she's going to let me know if there are any positive changes as they will give them until tomorrow but I can't help but feel like there's not much hope there, and I felt like she thought the same.

It's also making me less hopeful about the one they've transferred but they've assured me that inside it's natural environment is where it will do best so I'm trying to hold on to that as best I can.

I wish you all the positive energy ...thanks alot...It's been a long five years but am glad it ended without the IVF...wish you the best of luck as well..let me know how it goes...cheers

@waitingmyturn you're nearly there now! Everything crossed for you 🤞

@star2022 I needed a blood test to check for rubella antibodies, a thyroid function test and they ask if your smears are up to date They also want a sperm analysis that's been within the last 3 months so my oh has that booked in for next week. The nurse said the treatment consultation would need to be 2-3 weeks before your period, but when I called the other day to make mine the receptionist said it only needed to be 1-2 weeks before 🤷🏻‍♀️ So you may well be ok. I didn't have a thyroid function test at all so your one might be enough.

@Cutedolly Congratulations!! That's really great news. I'm secretly praying for a BFP this cycle so I don't have to go through with it... But I know the odds are slim to none. As you said though, we'll all get there 🤞

I will keep you guys updated as the journey proceeds...

Hi guys..I have got news..Tested this morning and I got a BFP...am so speechless..just when I have up to go in for IVF...I wish everyone all the best in Thier journey. We will all smile at the end..cheers guys

Welcome @Cutedolly !

Got my fingers crossed for you @waitingmyturn glad you're feeling ok! I can imagine the waiting being a nightmare!! I have read resting and taking it easy in 2ww but also still being active (going for a walk) to help blood flow to be helpful.

Glad your consultation went well @Mazzaroo2022 did they ask you for your test results or did they need you to do any other tests after? I know what you mean about being realistic, i've kind of told myself to be prepared for it to not work first time but at the same time feeling excited and hopeful too.

My consultation is on Thursday this week! Just wondering whether i'll be able to start on my next cycle which is 31st Jan or if i'd need to do anything between. I had my thyroid blood test results printed from my GP but didn't realise it was over 12 months ago - would this need to be done again from anyones experience?

Hope you're all getting on okay!

Welcome @Cutedolly 😊

Thank you @Mazzaroo2022, it must be frustrating having to push it back, I agree the waiting is quite difficult - probably the worst bit for me!

I went ahead with egg collection Friday and 3 day embryo transfer yesterday, feeling ok in myself but back to the waiting again now

Hi all, sorry not been on here in a while.

Had my consultation on the 5th. The nurse was really thorough and covered all of our questions. She also reassured me about the endometrial lining (thanks @star2022, you were right!). However, part of her job is to set realistic expectations. Obvs I know there is a risk with IVF that it might not work, but I guess I hadn't entertained that thought until now. So at the end of the call I felt quite done about it. My husband however, felt really excited post call so maybe it was just me.

I'm away for a few days in February and as af came late this month (just for fun 😩) it clashes with the IVF cycle. So I'm going to start at the end of Feb now instead. So @star2022 we won't be the same time anymore 😔

@waitingmyturn hope everything has gone ok with egg retrieval. Have been thinking of you!

@cutedolly welcome to the group! I found the last few weeks between initial consultation and waiting on test results the most nerve racking so far. I had myself convinced there would be a problem and we wouldn't be able to proceed. Silly really, but know the wait will be over soon x

Hi..I am also trying the ABC ivf in Manchester..I have done the initial scan and it came back all ok..I just did my screening bloods and am awaiting the results..fingers crossed all comes back good..Hubby's sperm has been collected as well...we are waiting results before we can proceed..I am anxious really...I hope it all comes back ohk..we have been trying for over 4 years now...I hope I get support from TTC women as well...good luck to everyone

Thank you @star2022, everything went well with the scan today, follicles frowning nicely, they were going to do egg retrieval on Wednesday but after my blood test results came back my estrogen levels weren't quite high enough so going to carry on with the injections, re scan Wednesday and go from there 😊

In all honesty, my experience has been positive, everyone I've spoken to (scans, consultations etc) have been wonderfully kind and able to answer any questions or concerns I've had, I am anxious about each next bit (if that makes sense), I was anxious about the injections but they were absolutely fine (OH has to do them for me but that's because of my needle phobia), then the scans which were completely fine and now currently anxious about the egg retrieval but I know like everything else this will probably be just fine too, it's all the unknown so I think it's to be expected. I still feel like I'm early in the process but I'm happy with everything that I've been through 😊

Thank you so much @waitingmyturn and @Millymillymillymillymilly That's super helpful! I think he's trying to get out of going so hopefully all should be ok! I know my friend had injections and pessaries during her 2ww so I was worried ours would be the same. Glad its not!

How are you finding the process so far @waitingmyturn ? Fingers crossed for your second scan today!!

Hey @star2022 ,

I'm currently stimming at the moment I'm using Bemfola (FSH) and Cetrotide (suppress LH) and for the trigger shot I've got Ovitrelle. After that I don't have any more injections (that I'm aware of- second scan tomorrow), I have Utrogestan capsules for after transfer and until pregnancy test.

They may differ from person to person and cycle to cycle (this is my first cycle), but I hope this helps!

Hey everyone, I hope you're all getting on okay! @Mazzaroo2022 hope your consultation went ok!

Could someone please tell me which medication is used at abc? More so after the trigger shot, what do they give during 2ww?

Hubby is potentially having to going away for a few days at the end of the month I start the process and I'm worried if there are any injections involved after the transfer is done and if he's going to be needed for anything. It's literally the last week of the month he may be away :/

Thank you for your thoughts everyone, that's so helpful. It just feels such a minefield all the options and uncertainties... Good luck on all of your journeys xxx

@Mazzaroo2022 I just wanted to highlight the lining does depend on where you are in your cycle, so for me I was at cycle day 25 (nearing AF) so understandably it would be thick. You may have been a different time in your cycle during yours so don't worry too much about that! I'm pretty sure when I had my first ultrasound with nhs during ovulation it was around 7mm so don't forget it changes as you go further in your cycle. Good luck tomorrow x

@star2022 Sorry to hear you were unwell, but so glad your scan went well too! An endometrial lining of 11mm is great. My lining was only 6.7mm. She said it wasn't bad but need to be 7mm but they have drugs for that and reassured me. It's only on researching now that I'm wondering if this was our issue all along! Nervous but excited about the consultation tomorrow.

@Sazles99 Have everything crossed for you that you can bring your husband in!

@waitingmyturn Thanks for wishing me luck for tomorrow. Glad the injections weren't as bad as you thought. I'm also dreading them and pretty confident I will need my oh to do it for me. I had to do an antibody test for covid the other day which is only a finger prick and I couldn't even manage that! Hopefully it will get easier over time but at least it makes him feel involved.

@CurlewCalls I think more complicated cases sometimes mean mild IVF isn't suited, and you have to go down the conventional route. For me I didn't want to take drugs to suppress my cycle and have menopause symptoms if I could help it. The less drugs the better. ABC are also very reasonably priced and we signed up to a free webinar where they answered questions which helped. There's one every few weeks usually listed on their website. Also these forums are great for info so you're in the right place! Good luck x

Hope all goes well tomorrow for you! @Mazzaroo2022

@CurlewCalls I'm yet to start the process (only had the ultrasound scan) but I'm guessing they advise what they recommend at the consultation, so we don't really get to choose. (Girls correct me if I'm wrong!)

As far as I'm aware, they need the ultrasound done and any previous tests we've had done and then they will let us know what they think we need, whether that's ivf/mild/icsi etc at the consultation.

But don't quote me on this as I'm yet to have the consultation, I just didn't want to read and run. I don't know yet what I will need but have had to begin the process by booking the scan and consultation if that helps.

Hi everyone, it's lovely to see your stories. I'm considering starting IVF with ABC IVF as we meet their criteria and they're so reasonably priced. I understand that abc do mild IVF, and I'm trying to understand how to make the decision between mild and conventional IVF. I have an AMH of 12.6 and my partner has low morphology -we're both 37. I wondered what made you ladies choose abc and the mild IVF?

Hope all goes ok with the consultation tomorrow @Mazzaroo2022!

@Sazles99 I'm hoping your husband can attend your scan with you, it's all part of the experience and although I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine if you do have to do it on your own I really hope he is able to attend with you!

I started my Bemfola injections last night and have my scan booked for Friday, I was pleasantly surprised how little it hurt/stung (I'm not very good with needles as a rule so I probably built it up in my head to be far worse than it was ever going to be), I was completely unable to do it myself though, it was like I had stage fright, i rewatched the videos about 3 times and I just couldn't do it, my husband had to do it for me, I'm hoping I can get over this as it would be much easier for me to do it myself 🙈

Wow thank you ladies, @LondonladyTTC @Mazzaroo2022 @waitingmyturn @Millymillymillymillymilly ❤

I've been there, and I know how tough it can be hear of others' success stories, but it was something that really gave me hope and I pray that it does the same for you all!

As I mentioned previously, I'm still very anxious about it all and I'm still trying not to think of myself as 'pregnant' which is pretty tough because all I want to do is celebrate it! I have my scan next week and although I know it's still early, I think it'll make me feel more relaxed.

Can anyone who has had appointments recently let me know if their partners have been able to come to appointments with you given the COVID situation? I was lucky that my husband was able to attend all of my appointments and scans, but he unfortunately wasn't allowed in when they did the transfer. Given my worries, I really hope he can come in for the scan next week 🤞