Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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

Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the journey continues

991 replies

Gracie2021 · 09/12/2021 07:45

New thread for us to continue our fertility clinic appointment progress...

Some of us are waiting for initial appointments, some are having tests and some are starting treatment!

@tillybabs
@thislittlebird
@kay00
@jeaniej
@PurpleUnicorn01
@paintfairy
@dogmam
@flutterby8
@Ughmaybenot
@dancingfairydreams
@beckycarlos
@jkjellyhead
@juno231
@decaffe
@bumble44
@BritinNZ
@tinkerbell098
@pinkginpls
@thedaydreambelievers
@everymumday
@wanderlust16
@lori23ttc

OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
PurpleUnicorn01 · 14/03/2022 15:29

@kay00 thank you. Pretty certain il do a test tmrw lol. Acupuncture makes you so relaxed. I don't even know how. How are you getting on

beckyCarlos · 14/03/2022 15:27

@kay00 I've never been one for a 'relaxing' massage, I like elbows and thumbs in my back 🤣 (like is maybe too strong a word, but I do feel like I've got a new body after). Acupuncture is supposed to balance energy through the body, reduce stress, and promote healthy gut and uterus function (blood flow, digestion etc). Its not for everyone, but I love my sessions, I feel lighter and brighter after, and my sleep has been better since I've been going. My periods have also become more regular and 'better' (less clotty, more bright red blood flow etc). Its worth a go, then at least you'll know if its your thing 😊

Kay00 · 14/03/2022 15:13

@Gracie2021 Woop!! For your embryo... it really is a good day! xx

Kay00 · 14/03/2022 15:12

@PurpleUnicorn01 hello my dear, its lovely to hear from you, although I am sad to hear about your 4 embryos that didn't survive the thaw. I am going to be keeping everything crossed that your faint line is something very special... you deserve it xx

It sounds like you are all doing (and recommend) acupuncture... I have never really fancied it, but would do it if it would help. Does it really help? If it just helps relax you then would a massage be equally beneficial? I think I quite like the idea of a weekly massage Grin

Tinkerbell098 · 14/03/2022 14:26

@PurpleUnicorn01 I've only just been referred to IVF last week, so waiting for a letter from the clinic for an appointment. I was told this can take about 3 months. So, got about 3 months to try naturally, although hasn't worked for the past 16 cycles, so zero hope!

PurpleUnicorn01 · 14/03/2022 14:08

@Tinkerbell098 @beckycarlos

Yes only 3 more days to go. I think il survive just about. Acupuncture is great for stress if not anything else.

What stage are you ladies at?

beckyCarlos · 14/03/2022 14:03

@tinkerbell098 my booklet says 14 days, but theyre keeping me on it for 18 because that fits better for their schedule (no complaint from me, it was this or wait another month!)
@purpleunicorn01 Hey! How are you (apart from very likely pregnant!!!) I dropped acupuncture to fortnightly because I was 'optimised' (lol, never been optimal for anything else in life!) But will be back weekly for the next month I think. Have everything crossed for you!!

Tinkerbell098 · 14/03/2022 13:59

@PurpleUnicorn01 Thursday isn't that long to wait, but completely understand why you'd want to test earlier than that. But so far looking good if you already had a faint line. I'm keeping everything crossed for you. Good luck xx

PurpleUnicorn01 · 14/03/2022 13:07

@beckyCarlos @Tinkerbell098 im 6dpt.

I have low AMH too and I had weekly acupuncture would definitely recommend. Also the day before and say after embryo transfer.

I did do a sneaky test earlier it had a faint line. I lobbed it in the bin in disbelief almost think i was imagining it. Going to do another test on Wednesday. My official test is Thursday. Ive given up hope given the miscarriage, and all but 1 embryo dying. I won't believe it until I do at least 3 more tests. Think ive gone stark crazy. I can't cope with anymore heart break and disappointment.

Tinkerbell098 · 14/03/2022 12:43

@beckyCarlos thanks for that, really helpful. How long do they downregulate usually? Is it about a month and then use the following cycle to stimulate?

@PurpleUnicorn01 fingers crossed for this transfer. When would you find out?

beckyCarlos · 14/03/2022 12:30

Sorry @gracie2021 apparently I'm not able to reply properly on the drugs 🤣 my acupuncture has been once a fortnight, but for stims they like to see you at the start (day 1/2) and towards the end (day 7/8) and then before and after transfer too :)

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 14/03/2022 12:21

@beckyCarlos that's such a good explanation and makes complete sense.

@PurpleUnicorn01 I'm so so sorry about your four embryos. Really hope you're doing ok? Fingers crossed for this transfer. How many days post transfer are you now?

@Tinkerbell098 we're embryo banking as my AMH is dropping drastically so trying to collect and freeze as many embryos as we need now before we move to transfer so any we get in this and successive rounds will be frozen. I hope choosing between embryos for transplant will be something we have to consider but not even letting the mind go there yet. Transfer is probably a fair bit away for us for now.

OP posts:
beckyCarlos · 14/03/2022 11:09

@gracie2021 woooo! Go embryo, protein shakes for the win haha

@tinkerbell098 my acupuncturist said (and I assume this is true for clinics across the country lol) that not many people get downregged anymore because "normal" people with a sensible AMH/FSH/AFC have loads of follicles waiting to be recruited and that will respond well to stims. People like me who only have 4 folicles on the regular dont respond to stims as well because were used to such high levels generally, and it can mean that only one folicle grows big. The downreg puts ovaries in a state of temporary menopause in the hope that when stims start, more folicles are shocked into responding rather than just one dominant one :)

PurpleUnicorn01 · 14/03/2022 10:55

Hi All, i hope you're well. How are you all doing? So i had 5 embryos 4 died on thaw. I had a mcc last october. Had my embryo transfer so anxiously waiting on my last hope.

How are you all? ☺

Tinkerbell098 · 14/03/2022 10:49

@Gracie2021 woo! That's amazing, so pleased for you! Would they wait for the next round of stims to be completed and then decide which one to transfer? Hope the protein boost will help with the next round. You're doing great!

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 14/03/2022 10:32

We have one embryo! 🤯🤯🤯🙌🙌🙌 graded B out of A-D. Not perfect but her exact words were "really really good". The relief! Today is a good day.

@Tinkerbell098 thanks a mil. I'm actually Irish based so no funded treatment and all private and out of pocket unfortunately. The upside is things tend to move quicker but downside obviously is the financials.... I think for those of us with poor response/poor ovarian reserve/low AMH etc they tend to downreg less as there's a chance our ovaries won't wake back up again in time but for those with normal response I believbuts used to reset and make sure you're starting from nil to avoid any dominant follicles running ahead etc. other than that mot sure why they pick it for some people and not for others.

So excited for you @beckyCarlos and sounds like you have a good plan in place. When are you scheduling your acupuncture apps? I just do mine weekly and don't try to schedule around treatment too specifically but it's definitely my one thing that's for me more than for fertility. I love it for clearing my heads and it feels like a treat.

I'm adding protein smoothies to the diet from today too. Hate them but had to be done. The amount of eggs I'm eating is unreal too 😂😂 I'm definitely being less enthusiastic and less strict with each round though. Probably not a good thing but don't think diet is going to be the thing that makes it breaks it for me. That said will do my best to eat clean but yeah definitely putting less pressure on myself with each round.

OP posts:
Tinkerbell098 · 14/03/2022 10:17

@Gracie2021 good news about your embryo! Great you're taking next month off as it sounds like you've been through a lot in the past few months. Well done for getting through it all in one piece! Thanks for the tip on asking for the first morning appointments, I'll keep that in mind. Are you having IVF privately or through NHS?

Just a general question - how do they decide if you need down regulation or if they can go straight into stims? Is it default to be put on the down regs? Sorry, I have no clue how it works!

beckyCarlos · 13/03/2022 21:01

@mochii @gracie2021 isnt soren a maltloaf brand?! 🤣

@gracie2021 I'll be joining you stiming on Thurs! Woo! I'm excited to (hopefully) feel less tired with less buserelin, being asleep by 9pm is so not me, I'm a night owl! I'm a bit in disbelief that its actually happening. I've've just sat and planned meals for the week to make sure I'm getting enough protein in, I've booked onto a Zita West guided actualisation session (a bit woo even for me, but every little helps!) And making my acupuncture bookings tomorrow to line up, so trying to keep that excitement and optimism going.

We've talked about if this doesnt work, donor eggs etc. And its always been no question for me, I'm 100% for donor eggs. Hopefully both of us will succeed with our own but its good to know theres another option x

Kay00 · 13/03/2022 20:45

😂😂 Soren analysis. Haha, I was wondering what that was 😅

Welcome @mochii 👋

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 13/03/2022 20:42

Omg so sorry @Mochii 😂😂 I need to reread my messages 🙈

OP posts:
Mochii · 13/03/2022 20:18

@Gracie2021 I’ve been Googling soren analysis 😂😂😂😂

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 13/03/2022 20:11

@Mochii sorry my autocorrect is giving trouble. That was sperm not soren 😂🙈 my bad!!!

@thislittlebird actually feel better now that I have a plan b. Had a chat with the doctor on Friday and no matter how this round goes we'll be taking April off for a break as it's ten months of medicated cycles/IUI/IVF with no break now. Then more than likely we'll do another collection in may. Think at that point if we haven't seen more progress we'll look at donor eggs. Having accepted that we would go that route has actually really helped my mindset as the worst bit for me is fear of never having a baby/children. The genetics funnily enough don't bother me as much.

My vit D was low when it was tested last autumn so went on 5000iu. Now I'm slightly high as of two weeks ago so down to 2000iu.

OP posts:
thislittlebird · 13/03/2022 20:04

@Gracie2021 how are you feeling now? Fingers firmly crossed for that embryo to make it.

I should probably get my Vitamin D tested because I’ve never done it, I’m on a fairly high dose though because of my skin issues, but should probably check it.

Mochii · 13/03/2022 20:04

@Gracie2021 exciting that your embryo made it to day 3! Good luck tomorrow, hope they call you early on.

I’ve definitely not had soren analysis as I’ve never heard of it, so another route for me to explore. Thank you!

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 13/03/2022 19:45

Hi @Mochii good to see you here but sorry you're having to revisit things. I was on the IVF thread too but tbh couldn't keep up as there's so many on it. Afraid im not much help for the Uk based advice. In terms of tests we've had done bloods (including AMH, Vitamin D, thyroid, testosterone (not supplementing with testosterone gel)), HSG, Soren analysis, currently waiting on dna frag.

@beckyCarlos so thrilled for you that your scan went well. The start of a really good round hopefully. How are you feeling about starting?

@Tinkerbell098 I ask for the first morning app and my clinic facilitates that as much as they can so that really helps with balancing it with work.

Stims day one here, just about to kick off my injections for this round so will see how it goes. In the meantime am trying to mentally prepare for if this round goes as badly as the first two and get my contingency plan in place. Basically trying to get our heads around donor eggs and deciding if this is an Avenue we'd pursue. We also hear about our embryo tomorrow, it made it to day 3 on Friday so hoping it makes freezing tomorrow 🤞

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread