IVF / ICSI - everyone welcome for questions, hand holding, and waggle dancing

[Gardenpixie]

Ladies, we ran out of space on the old thread so here is a sparkly new one with dedicated areas for waggle dancing, hormonal outbreaks of bonkersness, sniffing, injecting and progesterone pessary related fartiness.

For anyone thinking about starting IVF / ICSI or going through it at the moment, do come and say hello. These wonderful ladies have kept me sane through the last few months and are a source of all knowledge concerning tests, down-regging, ov stimulating, DIY injections and much more so if you need any info or just some company, do join us.

So here's a welcome for everyone and an enormous waggle dance for many many more BFPs to come

Big respect to ellan and nocake on your eggs haul!

Bodeccia just wanted to second what others said - it's only day 2 and embryo development can change vastly overnight. Also, have been googling lots of success stories with grade 3 embryos and there are lots out there. Remember this is just 2 or 3 days out of a whole nine months so there is plenty of time for catch-up xx.

Checklist:

Marvin Gaye's "Let's get it on" playing?
Candles?
Dimmed lights?

Well in that case .... (a la Paddy McGuiness from "Take me out" ) ..... Let the sperm meet the egg!

Well done to the EC crew, didn't you all do well! Sorry Ellan to hear that you're feeling a bit sore, I hope you've got effective pain relief and that it's working well. Another jumbo collection from you so I guess there's more disturbance to the ovaries? Anyway I hope you're being well looked after and wake up feeling much better.

Nocake just wanted to reassure you re using frozen - we also used frozen as it was our only option and was something I was a little worried about too but didn't turn out to be a problem. The only thing with us is it meant ICSI rather than straight IVF as the motility had been really good but had deteriorated from the freeze (I'm not sure if this is typical though). I'm ok thanks, and no, it's not really sunk in yet!

xxx

Thank you all for your best wishes. Unfortunately it is not great news - out of the 16 mature eggs, only 4 have fertilised normally. And while I know it only takes one I am very a bit disappointed that we probably wont have any to freeze if this cycle doesn't work. I am also a bit concerned as to the quality of the 4 that have fertilised now and am worried that we wont have anything to transfer tomorrow. I realise I am feeling very sorry for myself and being self indulgent, especially as we are so lucky to have our lovely DS. I'm also still feeling quite sore so I'm sure I will feel better and more positive when that eases too.

Anyway, I'm sending lots of positive thoughts to Bodeccia, ellan and teds.

Hope you are hanging in there too kool - one more sleep down :)

Hello to everyone else and apologies for the me me post! xx

Morning!

zeebee I called on Day 1 of my cycle which was the day after our first appointment when I had the scans and DH and I both had more blood tests (hopefully the final ones for a while!). We'd both already had various tests so that may have saved us time. If you've not had any appointments and/or assessments it might be best to wait, although if your 'day 21' (sniffing start date!) is AFTER your appointment on 5 Sept, I can't see why you shouldn't call them on your next Day 1 (you're in their system after all). The first appointment is also when the doc will determine which level of drugs you're likely to need, so should all be OK.

Nocake, I'm learning NOT to leave it to them to drive things at this stage! I was trying to stress to the nurse I eventually spoke to yesterday that while this is very 'everyday' for them, so they're pretty relaxed, it's quite different for us, so we're likely to hang on to every word said, 'promise' made and reassurance given!

(((((( nocake )))))

I know exactly how you're feeling. We only had 4 fertilise, you suddenly go from feeling cautiously optimistic to feeling all that slip away. I would also say that it is too early to know about the quality of the eggs, please try not to worry about that until you speak to your embryologist tomorrow. You just never know what is going to happen. Yesterday, our embryos were little runties, I have no idea what they're like today: they may be alphas, they may still be little runts. Can we freeze them? Is it better for us to have 2 transferred if they are still too small? I just don't know.

If I were you, I would have some quality sofa time with DS (and DH if he's around today), get the DVDs on and relax. I would also mention that a bit of walking helped me, if you can get out of the house later on for a walk around a park/to the shops it might do you some good.

ellan and teds: any news? Sending you the vibes

I'm off for ET today, will report back later.

Hi all,

Sorry for not being around for ages, have now finished enormous work stint

Am just going to do a quick post and catch up properly later...

Nocake please don't be downhearted lovely. You have four - that's amazing! And the whole point of ivf is to select the best so I know it must be disappointing but try not to think of how many eggs you started off with, just focus on the four embies you have. Big hugs and am waggling for your cupcakes xxx

bodeccia I think the grading is a bit tricky really as it can only tell you what they are doing now rather than what they will do over the next 6 or 12 or even 24hrs. It might be that they are a few hours behind because they took their time during the speed dating to find just the right swimmer to go home with but now they've got going, they're full steam ahead

teds woo hoo and how exciting that you now have three tedlets busily growing. Ace news lovely xxx

Welcome to marmite and fru !

highheels and flick helloooooo ladies, great to see you! Thanks for popping in xxx

Big hello to everyone else, I'll catch up later properly, promise!

I had a scan on Sunday which showed that all of your stern looks have worked so do keep them coming! Instead of 50/60, I now have 35 follicles. One was at 13mm and there were lots at around 10mm ish. Which is way better than last time when there were millions at 8mm. I have another scan tomorrow to see how they are cooking.

Stims are going well and I feel so much better than last cycle, quite normal in fact. I think it's because I'm not doing the down regs. I have also totally cut out caffeine and booze so I am spending quite a bit of time polishing my halo!

The one thing that was a bit eeeek was that yesterday I started another
bunch of injections which suppress ovulation and they are ones you have to mix yourself from a phial. That was a bit tricky but I think I have the hand of it now!

Anyway, off to catch up properly now xxxxx

Hello everyone,
First to bodeccia go runties! Have got my pom poms out!
nocake clearly those 4 are the strong ones chin up and look forward to tomorrow!
teds hope no news is good news.
Of our 15 eggs, 11 were able to be injected, and 9 have fertilised, so I am provisionally booked in for Thursday transfer, but they'll look on thursday and see if it's appropriate to take them onto blasto as we were hoping for. Meanwhile I am in a hotel room all on my lonesome!! Has anyone else got really bloated after EC? Last night I was in a lot of pain, i actually fainted, but DH phoned up on call Dr and they weren't concerned about OHSS as I only had 15 eggs. I look about 5 months pregnant though (oh the irony!)
Good news for you Garden, I can see your halo from here!
Thanks to all for the 'lurve' vibes and sexy music, and waves and waggles to everyone xx

Ellan you poor thing! I hope you are feelingr a bit better. 9 is great though, well done you and Mr Ellan. Take care of yourself and I hope the bloating sorts itself out xxx

So much happening here!
just a quick message for nocake We had 4 fertilise, 3 went to blast stage, one returned and 2 good enough for the freezer and then a bfp, so there's definitely hope with just 4. Quality not quantity...
Congratulations for the bfp's and successful EC's. Will have to read in more detail later!

Ladies am still shaking a little bit but there are two little Tedlets growing nicely in their petri dish complete with disco ball

Am booked for ET on Thursday and there is an outside possibility of Saturday. Yesterday Guys were very happy with us transferring two but now seem to be saying only one so am a bit but right now am just absolutely delighted that one is even an option! Thanks for all your lovely, lovely comments, it feels so nice to have all the support and wise words... and waggles and pom poms too

Welcome to fru we waited an age for the karotyping tests but in the end it passed relatively quickly. Welcome to marmite too - am so far really happy with Guys but am on my NHS 'go' so might be tempted to look more widely if I was having to pay. I found EC was fine. I took the day off and it was about 10.15am when I went under. Left Guys about an hour later and chillaxed all afternoon. I could have gone to work but I think it's pretty emotionally draining so wouldn't recommend. Started feeling a little bit sore about 7.00pm last night but was fine again when I woke up this morning.

cloclo as fru says you might be waiting for karotyping results? These take about six weeks but in the end Guys were happy for us to start the drugs without the results -as we had already waited for six weeks and the results still weren't back. It might be worth seeing if you can get your appointment booked for six weeks after the blood tests? Sorry if this is too late to be helpful.

luck hope all is well in the snuggly luck baby box and you are not mentalling too much about tomorrow xxx

jumping glad you got the appointment! If it reassures you my appointment was in on the Weds (Day 19) and then I received and started the drugs on the Friday - actually too late for the morning sniff. Also the nurses were relaxed about me starting on day 22 - the Saturday - if the drugs didn't arrive on time.

bodeccia hope all has gone well with ET. Whatever decision you make about one or two will be the right one for you, am sure. Also, can I have those cat insurance details please!

nocake four is still fabulous and it's still very likely that you could still have some to freeze. I figure that the four are just as likely to be excellent wonderful quality as not, especially after all the luurve they are getting from us and Mr Barry White x.

ellan not wanting to worry you but fainting doesn't sound good. Drink lots of water and definitely phone the Dr again if you're not feeling better. I'm a little bloated today. Look after yourself xx.

GP so glad that you are feeling better this cycle and that your ovaries are behaving themselves. I've had a naughty cup of coffee today so muchos respect to your halo.

I had this song in my head all night because of the line 'trying to make a move just to stay in the game'

Aaaaaaaawwww Teds-your news made me well up-am so pleased

Ellan very good news-you must be very happy-hope youre not too sore and being looked after

Nocake 4 is still good-Please take advise from Boddecia and Owl As garden says-they are the strong ones and it is still possible to freeze some.

Gardenglad the meds are going well.

At work so just a quickie, Lots of love to all

Thanks for all your kind messages, they do really mean a lot. However after coming to terms with the low fertilisation it now looks as though I may have OHSS again. I have similar symptoms to last time (although not quite as severe as I remember) and they want me to come in for a scan tomorrow morning. This cycle is going exactly the way of the first fresh cycle. I know we got DS from the resulting FET last time but then we had a lot more embryos to choose from then. I?m also worried if we do another fresh cycle it?s just going to happen again, especially as I was on cabergoline this time and it looks like I still have it again :(. Feeling very despondent today, but I am sure I will snap out of it soon. And I never forget how lucky I already am.

Teds ? I am over the moon for you and your two little fighters. Wishing you all the best for ET

Bodeccia ? thank you for your lovely message. It brought tears to my eyes, but in a good way. I will keep everything crossed that your 4 stay strong for transfer. Can?t wait to hear how you get on at ET. DS is back from nursery on a little bit, so will take your advice and have a lovely afternoon snuggled on the sofa ?trying to stop him elbowing my poor sore tummy--

Gardenpixie ? really glad the scan went well and your follicles are behaving themselves this time! Give that halo a polish from me!

ellan - fantastic news about your 9 fertilised eggs :), that sound very promising. Sorry to hear you are still sore. I don?t want to scare you as I?m sure it is just from all the rummaging yesterday, but I had around the same number of eggs on both cycles and definitely on the last cycle I ended with OHSS. I really don?t think it will happen to you but please be cautious as the side effects are really horrible and can be very serious.

owl - thank you, that is really encouraging to hear. Congratulations on your bfp, you must be over the moon :)

Hello to Skitoo, Cloclo, fru, kool, jumping, pumkin, caramel and everyone I have missed x

Just quickly checking in.

nocake, I think you're allowed to be a little self-indulgent, but you do need to remember you have 4 embies there! Please stay positive and remember we're all sending you good vibes (and waggling like loons for you!).

Teds, that's reassuring, they made a whole hoo-ha about the precise timings at the PIE, it's hard to relax and think it will all just fit in! Guess I need to chill a bit! Sure that will happen when I get going - or maybe not given the side-effects!

ellan, hope you're feeling better soon - where are you in your hotel?

garden, glad the stims are going well! Is it usual to have to mix your own injections? That's the bit I'm least looking forward to (at least with the EC I'll be knocked-out!)! Kudos for kicking the caffeine!

Hi ladies

It's been a hive of activity! Teds, brilliant news about your embies, well done that woman! We were so chuffed to even get any embies, it's amazing the milestones we reach, isn't it?

ellan, fantastic amount of embies!! I'm sorry you're sore - I was sore and achy for 3 - 4 days afterwards. I hope you're not too bored in your hotel room - the Art Gallery on the Headrow is free and has some amazing art in there, plus a great cafe, je recommend! And if you're anywhere near the Corn Exchange there are some lovely foodie shops in there.

nocake a big (((()))) to you. Stay steady sweetie, I hope the scan goes OK tomorrow. If they find you have got OHSS, will they freeze the embies?

bodeccia how did you get on?! Thinking about you.x

garden, hurrah that your ovaries are behaving!! Here is another stern look to keep them focused. I hated mixing the menopur - I made DH do it. Well, don't forget, he did inject a cow once, as he so charmingly reminded me...

Welcome to marmite and fru! And hello to everyone else [waves] .

I am less mental today. Partly because acupuncture yesterday afternoon really sorted me out and made me feel a lot calmer, partly because I've been to see my friend's adorable baby girl this morning and had lunch with DH, and mainly because the house move is definitely on next week YAAAYY! Plus three different friends are having a very rough time at the moment, and it kind of puts everything into perspective. Obviously I can't stop thinking about The Test, but have got all sorts of other stuff to think about right now, so am distracted.

Ladies, this is one of the toughest things we are ever going to do in our lives, so may I just say: yay for us! Yay for being strong enough to do it and yay for being on this thread to support each other. Group hug! ((()))

xx

Ooh, I'm feeling a group hug coming on, we're all going through so much at the moment

((((((((( waggle dancers ))))))))))

That's better :o

Delighted that this round is normal for you garden, what a relief! Will stay on "stare duty" until EC. Gotta keep the little blighters in check! I'm thinking I need to do the same re: caffine. As always I'll start tomorrow :)

I hope you're OK ellan, I don't like the sound of your (future pregnant) belly. And I don't like that you're on your own either . I have totally rediscovered how BRILLERS puzzle books are on this journey. Man, how did I get to my mid-30s without them? They really help pass the time. Let us know how you progress, I hope you get better soon.

Teds: waggling for your superteds, wait and see what they embryologist says on Thursday, you may be able to transfer 2. Fabulous news for one strong one :) Great song choice too!

cake: erf! Don't like the sound of your OHSS symptoms either. I'm glad you're going in for a scan, it sounds like you're in good hands, and they'll be able to tell you more tomorrow. Its so hard not worrying about all this, let us know what they say. I'm sending you and ellan anti-OHSS vibes.

Did ET today. I saw a picture of two runties that have managed to hold on - talk about weird! Strangely intriguing. DH said he could see the resemblance already... So, on the advice of the clinic we've had the only two left transferred, they're hopeful that at least one will work. They were grade 3/3 (I guess grade 4/4 is the best), we didn't have the option to freeze any so we just used 'em up! The embryologist said that it would be unlikely that we would have twins based on the quality, but you never know.

So I'm willing these little runties to bury in and hold on. I keep sending them little messages (already!). Wasn't it luck who did that?

yep, it is indeed me, I have been talking to my embryo - as has my mother, who made me hold the phone to my stomach the other day!

Brilliant news that they've transferred them both! C'mon runties, get stuck in!! Sending you loads of cosy, snuggly vibes

xxx

That's so funny luck! That's the kind of thing my mum would make me do :)

Thanks for the vibes :)

xXx

Hello everyone. bodeccia well done on your transfer! I'll send the runties messages too if it helps!!
luck good luck tomorrow for your test, and thanks for the tips on what to do while I'm here. Shame I'm too broke and bloated to go shopping Might treat myself to a haircut and manicure to pass some time though...
jumping I'm in Leeds, Dh had to go home to look after our DS, who I miss like crazy. I almost want a 3 day transfer now, just so I can go home sooner and see them both So no pumpkin not being looked after, except by you lot of course!
teds I am so pleased for your little tedlets, bring on Thursday so that they can get snuggling in!
nocake I have been to get checked out today, and they took some measurements and blood so they can keep an eye on me. The doctor said sometimes you can get a bit of air stuck inside after the procedure, and that's why I've been having diaphragm and rib pain. As for the bloating, I'll wait and see if it gets worse I suppose, oh joy! I have got everything crossed for you that if you do have OHSS it's only mild, and they can transfer as planned.

bodeccia good luck to your runties. I'm sending them postive vibes as well!
luck good luck for your test tomorrow.
ellangirl I definitely had trapped wind after EC, also had a pretty bad cough which made the pain worse. I was worried I had OHSS but luckily not.
fingers crossed for everyone

Sorry no time for a proper post but just wanted to send huge warm hugs to Ellan, Nocake and Teds, you're doing amazing ladies, stay strong .

Congrats Bodeccia, I hope your 2 little embies are snuggling down and getting comfy.

xx

sending love to all - so much happening for everyone...
jumping thanks for your comment earlier - which I read out to DH - good idea!
Sorry to be brief - off to bed before another Manchester work trip becons tomorrow...
ZB

Hi everyone,
Bodeccia Hug back :) Good news with your ET - I wish you the very best over the next two weeks and hope your little ones snuggle in tight :)
luck All the VERY best for your test tomorrow - have everything crossed for you.
ellan hos' the bloating today? Hope you feel better and have a smooth ET.
nocake join the group with the sending you anti-ohss vibes - is your scan today?
garden very very glad the scan went well and you're good with your medication.
Welcome to jumping, fru and marmite - have added you to our list below.

Updated ellan's list:
So, waiting to start: cloclo blacktreacle? fatima, zeebee1, marmitemad, jumpingjackhash, frustratedchick,

Down regging/stimming we have garden, HKP, jumping, skitoo

Ready for EC

Disco Ball: Ellangirl, nocake, Teds

Waiting to test Luck, Bodeccia

Whispering BFPs- Bugsy, Louise, Womanly

Update from me - I am taking things a day at a time. The spotting has stopped. My clinic have asked me to test again in a week and my scan is on 31 Aug - 2 weeks from today. They said there is no need for a blood test or a scan to rule out ectopic etc...(my gp's suggestions).
I am also scheduled for a cervical screening test - I think we do this every 4-5 years... not sure if I need to go now.. have asked the clinic. Any of you know? My GP was like - ask your clinic folks. :)
One day at a time and small milestones - it's hard to do but I have the support of all you lovely ladies.

Hi all, just to clarify, my test is tomorrow ie Thurs. Although I'm itching to POAS today! But will distract myself by visiting my sister and 2.5 yr old nephew

womanly good news that they say you don't need a test for ectopic and also exciting re: your scan! Sorry I don't know for definite re: cervical screening, but I'd have thought not while you're PG, surely?

xxx

Hi ladies!

Wow this thread moves so quickly!

Sorry I've not posted much really, feeling a bit rubbish really; the nausea kicked in big time, my boobs are in agony and I've now got a water infection as I've felt so sick I haven't been drinking my usual 2 litres. Anyway, enough of my moaning!!!

Good luck Luck thinking of you today and will be checking the thread regularly!!

Lovely news re Teds sending you cosy vibes!

Ellan the corn exchange is nice for a walk round in Leeds hope you are ok?

Bodeccia lovely news re transfer! Also sending you cosy vibes!

Garden hope the stimms are going well?

Nocake big hug to you hun and hope the scan goes well, keep us posted. It does only take 1 little fighter and these embryologist's are fantastic, its incredible what they can do xxx

Sorry its quite a short post hoping to feel better soon xxxx

luck I was convinced Thursday was today so was just logging on to check out the result Your powers of resistance are impressive!

womanly I think cervical screening isn't recommended during pregnancy because you can get abnormal results - not because it isn't safe. If you are very out of date with your tests then probably your GP should advise you what's best to do. If you aren't very out of date then I would think it was your call. Really glad that the spotting has stopped and that the clinic doesn't think this needs a blood test. Makes me realise that the bfp is just the start of another journey of worry and uncertainty! And the chances of me ever letting my teenage daughter out of the house are probably limited

Bodeccia glad that you have the mini Icenis on board - I'm presuming it's just their Roman overloads who are referring to them as 'runty' and they will soon learn the error of their ways...

To my EC buddies nocake and ellan so sorry that you are having a tough time of it. ellan glad the Drs are keeping an eye on you. nocake have fingers and toes crossed that the scan gives you the all clear this morning or than OHSS is very mild and ET can go ahead.