IVF/ICSI Hand holding

[Pinkforboys]

The old thread seems to have run out of room... I'm hoping this works as a continuation...

Hi All, I'm back at home after a very long morning in the hospital. In for 8am but not in the surgery until 12.20. Very thirsty!
They only got 8 eggs so I'm feeling a little disappointed. They're talking ICSI which in my view isn't great, but I don't know all that much about it. Everything is crossed now that a good number fertilise tomorrow....
blacktreacle have you called your nurses? You may just be having a reaction to the drugs, but it's worth checking to find out.
I'm off to bond with the sofa & an episode of Glee before DH returns with DS.
x

Hello Witherhills, 15 sounds like a good number, but you're right, it is size that matters! He shouldn't have been irritated though, as it's only natural that you should ask about your own body. I also didn't think AMH level changed. Mine was 7, but my wonderful surgeon told me he's got people preggers with a level of 0.1, so as ever, it age that counts most of all, as that affects the egg quality. After all, it only takes one good one! I guess see what the new person says but take no prisoners and ask as many things as you like!

Fishfinger, hope you're doing ok today. I was on stims (Gonal F) for about 10 days at a high dose and did ok, but it wasn't till the final boost plus the Ovitrelle trigger that things really sprouted enough to do a collection (Last Fri). So I guess keep taking the drugs and they'll advise what the next stage should be . They might need to tweak things a bit to give your ovaries a bit of a boost. Fingers crossed for you!

My news is that I had my transfer yesterday. Out of the five that were fertilised, three were left yesterday. Of those, one wasn't good enough to freeze which was a shame, but the other two were "text book perfect grade one" blastos which was amazing. And which my embryologist advised I had put back in for the best possible chance. So that's what I did. Yikes! I cried all the way through the procedure, was so emotional and overcome, but it was all very quick and gentle really (apart from the full bladder and horrible speculum bit). Lots of confirming and re-confirming which I liked, then it was all over. They even gave me a print out to keep. Amazing really. Went home, had (mint) tea with my friend and mother in law, and generally had a chilled night. Am also taking it easy today and pottering. So fingers crossed...eekk! Will keep you posted but very excited and can't believe after everything, I made it this far. Am wishing you all lots of luck in your respective journeys too! Sorry for long post . xx

mrsmiggins thats great news 2 littleuns keeping warm. Happy impalnting and sticky vibes. Glad you are getting a relax. hope you have got things to keep you distracted fingers crossed.

witherhills not sure re AMH have heard others say they have done things and got an increase. I decided as it was over 6 months since last one and an oldie to do it again incase they wanted to change my protocol was surprised that it went up. But they have not changed my protocol!! And I did nothing except eat a few brazil nuts I like them and dropped cafeine. Cons at open evening according to friend who went said they use amh to tell them how much to stimulate a person and follicle count to indicate how likely there will be a response. So I would expect you to be on high doses but count is good. Another friend who had ivf folicle count was 3 and they did not want to continue but she had had a DD with poor follicle count so did now has another dd. Agree ask all the questions you want write them down you may forget.

I wasn't very clear, but also meant to add that AMH (Anti Mullerian Hormone) is a very good indication of your ovarian reserve (but is by no means a final definite answer). IE, my chap knew that mine was 7 and adjusted my Gonal F stimming drug accordingly (quite high as it turns out). But as I've said, it only takes one good eggy, as it's quality not quantity! Good luck! And thanks for the sticky vibes x

Hi everyone, sorry been absent for a while. Thought I would let you know I had 7 and a half week scan this week and one little embie with good heartbeat seen. Was freaking out before hand and cried but was all ok in the end. Have midwives appt in two weeks and hopefully 12 week scan at start of Jan so fingers firmly crossed. We had SET too so I suppose that is evidence it can work for those considering it.

cloclo that is great news so very pleased for you. Hope the next 7-8 months go swimmingly
mrsmiggins how much gonal-f were you on? I am on 150 and 225 of menopur repeat scan tomorrow. Feels well hope ovaries are doing their job

Congratulations CloClo, great news, and am really pleased for you. May the next few weeks go along easily for you.

Bugsy, I was on 300 for Gonal-F, and 150 buserelin. Felt like a lot of liquid to be squirting in each night, but otherwise fine. I also had mininal side effects too, which was good.

Feeling tired today and bit achy. Went for a very gentle but long stroll today (rather by accident as it was lovely in the park nd got sidetracked by the beautiful deer) but hope I've not overdone it by walking too far. Eeek. Off to bedfordshire now, night all!

Morning all, fingers crossed for those of you getting to the exciting/scary stages! I hope you all get the results you're hoping for!

Just to warn you that this will be a long post as I've had some bad news and need to get a few things off my chest and hoefully draw some positives from those of you that may have been in a similar position...

Our ICSI cycle was cancelled yesterday due to my lack of response to the Menopur. On my right ovary I only had one follicle at 16mm, the rest were 10mm or less. Yet again, my left ovary went into hiding so I have no idea how many follicles there could have been, but they said that even if they went for EC, it would be too risky to try and poke about to find it.
They also found 'something' on my right ovary and they couldn't determine what 'it' is, even after asking a few other doctors. They guess that this 'something' is about 5cm big but they weren't able to see it properly.
Off I went for a couple of blood tests (one for renal function and one to check certain proteins in my blood, ie, to check if this thing is something bad) and I'm also waiting for an appointment for an abdominal MRI scan.
They also passed comment that I seemed to have slightly less eggs than I should have for someone my age (32) - why did they not mention this sooner??!!

So......to say we're gutted is an understatement. The reason we were having ICSI was due to DH's sperm results so I (selfishly, naively) assumed that I was absolutely fine and now we know that I'm not.

They have said that this is not the end of the road and that should we decide to try again that they will have me on a higher dose of Menopur from the start. However, I was on the high dose (4 ampules) for a week on this cycle and only got one follicle so what difference will it make having the high dose for another few days on the next?
Should we be thinking about going elsewhere for treatment as we just went with where our GP referred us to, but as we are paying for it all then we have the freedom to choose where we go, right?
What if we have to go down the donor egg route? I don't know how I'd feel about that......although I'd give anything to experience being pregnant and give us the child that we want to complete our family (DH already has 3 kids)....but then would it be in the back of my head that part of the child isn't mine? Would that matter?

As you can see, I have a lot of questions but I just want to get over the hurdle of this growth they've found and take it from there.
If any of you can offer any words of wisdom they would be much appreciated as at the moment I just can't stop crying.....

Fishfinger- I'm sorry your cycle has been cancelled, that must be so upsetting. Could the "thing" be a cyst? Stims drugs can often cause cysts I think. If you are unhappy with your clinic and you are paying you are free to go elsewhere. The hfea website is good for success rates. Fertility friends is good as well.
Cloclo- great news on your scan- seeing the heartbeat is such a relief and your risk of mc drops loads once you've seen it. Good luck for your nuchal scan.
Mrsmiggins- fingers crossed for a stress free 2ww and a positive outcome
Bugsy- hope your cycle is going well
Hi to all
9+2 now, had another scan on Thursday, all ok. Getting nervous about the nuchal on 22/12, that is where it all went wrong last time as with an 11mm nuchal the baby was too poorly...

Hi blacktreacle, thanks for the reassurance, I will be 8 weeks tomorrow so will prob have my 12 week at the very start of Jan. Did you pay for your extra scan privately? I would quite like another scan in a week or two but DH doesn't want to bother as he says there is nothing we can actually do at this stage even in there is something wrong.
I don't know much about the nuchal fold scan, what does this do? Was that also after an ICSI cycle?

Fishfinger I'm really sorry to hear about your cancelled treatment, but won't you get another go on the NhS because it was cancelled before EC? We were told that we would.

Hope everyone else is ok x

Hi cloclo
No I conceived using clomid last time. All went ok until the nuchal scan. This measures the thickness of the fold at the back of the baby's neck. Normal is under 3.5mm. An increased measurement can indicate chromosomal abnormalities like trisomy 21 or heart problems. Our baby had trisomy 21.
Because of this I'm under the care of a consultant in fetal medicine who is looking after me very carefully including extra scans. Plus I had a bleed so she wanted to check me again.

Hi Everyone, not been on here for ages! We were called in for FET on Fri 25th, they had thawed our 4 embryos and managed to get one to blastocyst which was transferred. We were obviously very positive especially because I had no drugs swimming around my system like last time. Today I tested and got a BFN...and still no period! Devastated!! This was our 1st cycle, but we've had a failed fresh and now a failed frozen! I'm at such a low point now....gutted!!
Great news for all of you who have BFP and those who are having scans...fingers crossed you have a great next few months. xx :(

Hello all,

Just a wee one to say hope everyone is doing well. BlackTreacle? How are you? And Cloclo? All ok? I'm one week off from OTD and trying to keep busy. Feel v tired at night, and bit crampy/pulling/twingy sort of feeling. And v emotional today as just found out my (younger) sister has just given birth to her (second) child, a little girl. Am totally thrilled for them all, but very teary too. Am hoping her good luck comes my way too in a week. Anyhoo, just thought I'd check in and send some good wishes to you all xx

just wrote a big long post and lost it, how annoying
bugsy and mrsmiggins, thanks for your help last week, still getting to grips with all the terms, had letter from clinic this morning, confirming results from hycosy, so back on google looking things up

not sure we will be going forward with any treatment, but still want a proper diagnosis, and to understand it.

fingers crossed mrsmiggins, and all those in varying stages!!

Hi MrsMiggins, twinges/pulling/cramps are all normal - I was suffering serious bloating at your stage so cramps pretty much par for the course! I'm ok, 8+2 today and praying everything still ok in there, boobs have got a lot less sore over the last couple of days but have felt nauseous since last night so swapping one symptom for another! Midwife appt a week tomorrow so will find out about my 12 week scan hopefully then.

Thanks Clo. Eeek, hope they're all good signs as am trying not to obsess about every little thing. Good luck with your midwife appointment, and exciting to be getting ever nearer the next BIG hurdle! x

cloclo* 8+3 thats great news I am sure everything is just ticking along nicely. Symptoms vary so very much try not to focus on them easier said than done. If you would feel better having a scan and can afford it go for it there are loads of places that do them. It may just let you relax for over the festive period. At the 12 week scan it can either be just that also called dating scan or alot of places have started doing nucal thickness and blood test replacing the 16+ week blood test for abnormalities. It is to get a diagnosis to ladies earlier in prenancy if anything is wrong. It is optional your midwife should discuss it with you if it is available in your area.
mrsmiggins ((((hugs)))) at this stressful time
blacktreacle glad the scan went well, no words of wisom to offer but thinking of you and good luck for the 22nd
sassygirl so sorry about your BFN hope you have got some time out. have a good cry rant and rave, be kind to yourself and DH. Take it one day at a time
arnie thinking of you at this really sad time
witherhills hope you have got the info you wanted what was the result?

out of the 8 eggs they could use 7 fertilised so am happy so far more info later today I hope

Oooh, good luck Bugsy! I had 7 fertilise too, so go eggies go! Let us know how you get on. Less emotional today, but is pouring with rain and howling wind, so staying inside with my puppy. Mum is coming to (maybe) visit later if the weather isn't too bad which will be nice. And might ask her to do the hoovering so I don't pull myself about too much... .

Hope everyone else is ok and looking after themselves and families.

Soooo, I've just done five (!) tests as today is my OTD and they all popped up with a BFP instantly! Am a bit stunned and burst into tears, but very happy so far. Praying for them to stick well in and bed down for the next few months.

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Christmas. Sticky hugs to all xxx

Oh mrsmiggins, that is wonderful news, so so happy for you!

mrsmiggins CONGRATULATIONS that is such very good news. Heres to positive good sticky vibes.

I test on the 23rd should be 24th but they are shut as xmas eve. But have started to get spots and boobs gone soft!!! message to self do not look at symptoms. Am feeling bit glum have tonsilitis, and also my back is really painful cannot sleep diff to walk turn etc guess must be due to the lovely position they out you in. Had it bad a couple of days after ec then settling and now worse again after ET. We had 2 grade 2 blastocytes transfered

Ah, yay, thank you all for nice wishes! It's still sinking in but we're so happy. Early scan is booked in for 5th Jan and we'll go from there. DH is so excited and happy, it's lovely to see and long may it last!

I'm also convinced my puppy knows, as she's very cuddly and wants to snuggle onto my tummy all the time. Very odd but nice to have her affectionate and not chewing for once.

Take care all and hope symptoms ease off a bit for you Bugsy. xx

MrsMiggins, great to hear your happy news :) here's to a happy 9 months for you.
Fingers crossed for you Bugsy, hope it's good news too.

I'm 10+2 today and yesterday managed to find baby's heartbeat on a handheld Doppler. So reassuring, I hope little bean keeps doing well in there. Haven't got a date for my 12 week scan yet but pretty certain it'll be in the first week of Jan. Supposed to be having nuchal scan too, though not sure I really want to know :/

Hi all, just to let you know that I have it on reliable authority that GardenPixie (who started these threads and gave everyone much support, then vanished) is in fact 19 weeks pregnant! :) thought everyone might like to share that happy news.

That's lovely news clo thanks for sharing. Feel all Christmassy and fuzzy

Hope all is well with you, am 8+2 here so just a little bit behind you. Counting the days until 12 weeks though!

Belated congrats to MrsM and Christmas ((hugs)) to everyone else xx.

Hey ladies, just wanted to say I know what you're all going through, I'm sitting here with my 4 month old girl asleep in my arms and this time last year found out I was pregnant after 2nd icsi transfer of frozen 5 day blast (my last one) it's amazing the difference a year can make (tears to my eyes!) and just want to say that always believing it will happen for us through it! My little icsi baby is always doing things ahead aswell and we think icsi babies are definately special as they're the best egg and best sperm! Good luck ladies xxx