IVF graduates due Summer 2021

[SpyroC]

A place for those of us finally moving on from the infertility boards to share feelings, questions, tmi and to generally support each other.

That's good to know - thanks @ivfjourney5 😊

@ivfjourney5 that’s good to know 👍 yes - far too long, agreed.

@SamoyedFan123 @TheGlitterFairy probably worth mentioning that if baby is in an awkward position and they can't see the gender they might not be able to offer for you to go away and have a fizzy drink and come back if it's booked as a reassurance scan like they would with a gender scan 😕

Good point @ivfjourney5. Haven't decided yet whether to book one - I've got 7 weeks to wait for my 20 week scan so I'll see how anxious I get by the time I reach 17 weeks or so.

Thank you ladies!
@SamoyedFan123 I’m glad you got over the worst of the illness! I’m sorry you had to go through it but it’s reassuring that covid never affected your pregnancy! Did you have any symptoms related to pregnancy when it was at its peak? I wouldn’t worry about catching it again - you are pretty much immune to the relative strain with your bodies antibodies. The vaccine for me is still undetermined whether it protects from the new strains which maybe likely but it’s still early!
@ivfjourney5 aww thank you for thinking of me :)🥰 I just didn’t want to unburden my stresses amongst this lovely group! I’ve been waking up at 2-3am everyday with vomiting and nausea. Really hoping next week it settle down but it’s been tough.

I am actually still on lubion until week 12 with 6mg of progynova and 800mg of cyclogest! I think it’s ott until week 12 but my clinic insisted and said that I shouldn’t wean off either, just a drop stop. Is anyone here on this dose? I think it’s adding to my nausea! Lol

@ChicaXS thanks for the reassurance - I'm really going ill have some immunity now but read a few threads on MN where people have had it multiple times during their pregnancies so I'm quite anxious. It's extremely prevalent in my area (about 950 cases per 100000 as of yesterday). When I can't down with it I was still suffering from MS too, which was thoroughly miserable, but that was at 10.5 weeks and a week later the Ms started to ease off. I've now got horrible silent reflux instead, it's so bad that I spoke to the GP this morning and she said that this is apparently being reported a lot with covid and she thinks that's what has triggered it so early in pregnancy 😭
I was on similar doses to you - lubion once per day, 6mg progynova and 600 of utrogestan pessaries. They said I could stop the lubion at 11 weeks, but to carry on the with 600 utrogestan until 12 then to wean off it. I did 400 weeks 12 to 13 and am now just doing 200 until this weekend when I will stop it. I've also arranged off the progynova in the same way. I think it's a little OTT too as many clinics stop everything at 9 weeks or so, but each clinic has their own protocols I guess.

Sorry for all the typos in that one 😂

@ChicaXS and @SamoyedFan123 it's nice to hear your clinics are OTT and cover all bases. I'm only just 8 weeks today and I've already stopped my Lubion, and guess what, spotting has got worse and I woke up from pain in the middle of the night. I was really scared it was too early to stop but the clinic wouldn't give me any more, just kept me on cyclogest which obviously isn't as good!! EPU have even advised I should go back on Lubion for longer but they can't prescribe it 😩 so I've left a message with the clinic but I doubt they will give me any as they've been the least helpful the last few months 😭

@ivfjourney5 @SamoyedFan123 in america a lot of clinics stop progesterone at week 8 which I found really early! I agree that we should be on it longer .
@ivfjourney5 if your clinic is unhelpful and you have extra pessaries double up on the pessaries (so take three a day as opposed to two if your prescribed two a day) then request more. That’s ridiculous they won’t help but the spotting could just be standard ivf spotting so don’t panic. The EPU and hopefully your gp can give you a prescription too!
I hope it it’s gets better soon xxx

@samoyed - your gp sounds amazing, I can never get hold of mine! 😂

@ivfjourney5 oh goodness that sounds so stressful for you - i how they get back to you soon. If that a private clinic or NHS clinic? Tbh, my private clinic are happy to give me whatever I ask for as long as I'm willing to pay for it! I can't imagine why they wouldn't give you more lubion - it can't do any harm and makes then money (assuming you're private that is). Could you maybe use an extra progesterone pessary instead in the meantime?

Sorry just saw that @ChicaXS had given you the same advice.

Thanks ladies. Clinic rang back, no chance of them prescribing any more 😭 they assured me that the cyclogest is enough despite EPU recommending to go back on lubion. It's a private clinic but I'm a NHS patient, I honestly don't think offering to pay would change their minds. They've done so many ridiculous things the last few months I have zero capability in them! And I literally only have the exact amount of cyclogest to take me up to 10 weeks so I can't take extra. Off on a search to try and get hold of some myself 😂 I managed to get hold of estrogen patches after the clinic refusing them and they are whats led to this being successful after the clinic wanting to cancel the transfer!

@ivfjourney5 sounds like the NHS being tight! I hope you manage to get some, you could probably get more cyclogest at least from your GP if you're able to get hold of them! Doubt you'll get lubion prescribed by anyone other than a fertility consultant though. How is the spotting and pain now?
I also had to argue for oestrogen patches after a cancelled transfer due Fri or lining

Oops posted too soon - was saying I had a frozen transfer cancelled due to poor lining (have lining issues in natural cycles too), had to argue hard for patches, clinic gave in since I'm paying for them, and two transfers with perfect linings (first embryo didn't stick though). Weirdly they told me to stop the patches after OTD but to carry on with the progynova until 12 weeks even though the patches were 100mg every other day and the progynova is just 6mg per day. I was also bleeding at that time but they still told me to stop the patches and put me on lubion instead. Turned out to be a little haematoma causing the bleeding so I didn't need the lubion after all, but had started it at that point so they said best stick with it until close to 12 weeks.

@SamoyedFan123 I totally agree it’s sounds like NHSS Budgeting!
@ivfjourney5 the only way you will get lubion is forums such as these as some women have spares and never used them up. The lifetime is pretty extensive to you might get lucky with someone giving it to you. The cyclogest is really easy - the EPU or gp should prescribe them - make a notion then you don’t have enough and need more and your clinic has been unresponsive.

Also yours was a FET or fresh? (I can’t remember) but I do remember you pushing for the transfer despite your embryologist wishes and you got pregnant! Your clinic in short sounds shambolic. I would call them back and push for a complaint after requesting you speak to a doctor. Say your mental well-being is being affected and the very least you should be prescribed more cyclogest, at your own cost until week 12. If they say no - put forward a complaint officially and with HFEA. Trust me they’ll shake.

Just to say re progesterone, my clinic originally told me I'd stay on it until 12 weeks but when I went in for my scan I was told their policy had changed to 8 weeks. I stopped completely that day.

I was worried, but they reassured me that all the evidenced demonstrated that the body will have taken over by that point. I had no problems at all, & I'm now 19 weeks. My knickers were very grateful to stop with the pessaries!!

I was a fresh transfer though so I don't know if that makes any difference

Wow there's been lots of action on here! I'll attempt a catch up. I had a midwife appointment this afternoon so I've finished work early and actually have time to check in. Work has been crazy busy-people that reckon teachers are having a chill because the schools are closed are clueless!

Congratulations on the last lubion! @TheGlitterFairy and @ivfjourney5 I was so glad to stop.

Sorry to hear you had a scare @tikha I saw nhs pregnant ladies can have the vaccine. I hope you're able to get it soon!

Congratulations on the scan @ivfjourney5 that would've made me cry too. I feel so deeply for anyone going through infertility. I was really glad that I had the 10w scan.

Congratulations on the scan @BonTon

Glad I'm not the only one @MGee123 😂 I'm teaching most of my normal timetable online but at least I can go off camera and snack on ginger biscuits when I feel sick 😂. My ms eased a little just before 10w too. Remember my chart? It's on track so don't worry. My diet is still pretty limited though.

I'm glad to here everything is ok @ChicaXS and sorry to hear you've had a bit of a scary time. I was a bit worried about you too! I was extremely worried about covid before they closed the schools. I don't see the vaccine coming my way for some time yet. I actually have some concerns about the effect it may have on future fertility given I already have issues. I need to do further reading I think.

@SamoyedFan123 similar happened during last lockdown to what @ivfjourney5 said. Some places were still doing things like 4d scans though so I guess it depends where you go.

@ivfjourney5 I think I'd phone up clearly upset/anxious and if they still don't budge offer to pay (you have to pay for progesterone support in my ccg regardless 😬) it's stupid they won't let you have it as it doesn't hurt. You could also try the epu as they will have Dr that can prescribe too.

Sorry if I've missed anyone-my brain is constantly frazzled at the moment! It was nice getting to see my midwife in person today.

@TheGlitterFairy @ivfjourney5 I finish my pessaries at week 12. @ivfjourney5 maybe if you postvon fertility group someone has spare or you could ask your gp. Congratulations to your scan. Congratulations @BonTon on your scan as well.
Have a day off so checking in. I thought my nausea had subsided but its back on my day off.
@ChicaXS sorry to hear that you are having such bad nausea. @SamoyedFan123 glad covid didn't affect you.
Am a bit biased as I only see people who have bad covid. So a bit worried how it will affect me if I get it.
@SpyroC The vaccine does not affect future fertility. That is a myth that has been debunked. Animal studies show its safe. Am trying to find evidence of people taking it in first trimester but not much info available. The rcog still not recommending it due to lack if evidence but you day have it if vulnerable. Jcvi says you can have it. Unfortunately the hospitals are not willing to give it. Its all a bit of a mess.

Oh gosh @tikha it does sound a mess indeed! I mentioned it to my midwife and she was quite surprised she said she hoped it was good but worried they'd then get people to work on the frontline still after 28weeks. I thought that was a good point to consider if you do eventually get the choice. I didn't realise it was a myth from the anti-vac squad. I do not look at that stuff, it was just a thought I had from my understanding of how it works combined with what I know about reading up extensively on my condition whilst going through ivf. It's probably something they've clocked too and have obviously decided it's fact 🙄. I will make up my own mind if it comes my way.

@SamoyedFan123 they are definitely being tight! I mean giving me another 2 weeks of Lubion will be far cheaper than me needing another transfer, but luckily I'm not in a panic mindset yet as things have calmed down so I'm just doing very regular knicker checks to monitor it. Sorry to hear you had a fight for patches aswell, I've already had 2 cancelled FETs due to poor lining but they just kept upping my progynova dose 😡 that's why I took matters into my own hands when they wanted to cancel this one aswell! Yikes I've stayed on my patches (I've still not told the clinic that I'm using them) I was planning to ease off them the same time as the tablets

@ChicaXS mine was a FET so progesterone is more essential than on a fresh 😩 I think most woman like to use up their spares to ease off them gradually 😬 but who can blame them! Its such a tough situation as I can't just ask for spares either as it's actually illegal to sell or give away extra fertility medication, and if I ask I'm likely to get banned from Facebook groups and the likes and I need them for support! I was so lucky to be able to get the patches from a kind lady, I think Lubion is going to be out the question though. Ooh I logged a complaint after transfer with how they dealt with my husband not being allowed in, but I've already got a huge list of things I plan to complain about but I plan to wait a few more weeks into this pregnancy first

Thanks @Mackie2020 unfortunately it is different for fresh and frozen, as with fresh your body produces its own progesterone as well, whereas in frozen it doesn't so it's completely dependent on the drugs. It must have been a worry for you to have such a different message on the day and then stop completely!

@SpyroC I hope the appointment went well, sorry I can't remember was it your booking in appointment? I have mine next week and I've dug out my medical history notes that I gathered together before starting ivf. Are you having to do live lessons with the children? I can imagine that's pretty stressful and so much harder to see if they are understanding. I tried to make myself cry on the phone, the amount I've cried the last few months I was quite annoyed at myself that I couldn't 😂

@tikha I hope you've had a relaxed day off despite the nausea? How annoying that it decided to see its face again! I unfortunately can't outright ask as it's illegal to sell or give away fertility medication that has been prescribed to you 😬

I'm going to get myself a warm bath (I'd been planning to get a bath thermometer to check it's not too hot but annoyingly didn't get round to ordering it yet) and try and just chill ❤️
I hope everyone has a good evening

@ivfjourney5 oh wow I didn’t know it was illegal! Obviously women would just give it away, not sell? That’s a shame! I really hope you get the cyclogest at the very least so you can up your dose. Can you ask your clinic at the very least to give you a progesterone blood test? If it’s under 30 then they are o lives to up your dose? I still think you should insist in speaking to a doctor xx

Obliged*

@ivfjourney5 you could get a second opinion at a private GP or another clinic. All you need is a private prescription.