Starting IVF

[LouisaPipSqueak]

Been through all the tests, sperm frozen.. now my turn so officially starting my IVF process on the 18th. I appreciate it’s a long road but I’m so so hopeful that I’ll be pregnant in potentially 6/8 weeks (maybe I need to rein this in a bit to avoid any disappointments) I’ve read so much online and I was wondering if there is anything you wish you were told or any advice you can give me to get through this, any positive stories from first times, how to get through the 2 week wait or avoid being heartbroken?

FYI - Going though long protocol due to low sperm count so I’m hopeful all will be ok with me?

Hey, I see you’ve had no replies yet. I am ahead of you, just had transfer today so test date will be 20/12.

My journey started with 2 years ttc, following 8 years of horrendous periods which turned out to be endo, adeno and cysts.

I’ll be open and honest with you, but just remember why you are doing this. It’s not all bad days. I did long protocol so 3 weeks of down reg using Syranel sniffer and I guess I was lucky no really bad symptoms. Next came the stims, I ended up doing 11 days ( don’t be surprised if you end up having more than 2 scans) I was a little slow to respond so needed a few extra days. Egg collection I didn’t really suffer apart for some cramps when I cam round for the rest of the day.

My only regret was going for egg transfer on my own as my husband couldn’t get out of work. After all the appts and emotion of it all I ended up devastated he wasn’t there and was an emotional wreck.

We haven’t been given the best odds of success, had 2 embryos transferred as both were low quality and we are expecting a call tomorrow to let us know if the other 2 made it but they don’t think they will.

Be kind to yourself through this process, cry if you need to and treat yourself. Just remember to keep drinking plenty of water and fresh foods. I ended up constipated for a few days which was horrible.

Best of luck to you xx

I'd advise you to see IVF as a long game. If you don't prepare for the possibility of multiple transfers or cycles, you run the risk of being heartbroken. I hope you are one of the lucky ones who gets pregnant on their first go, and I totally believe in maintaining a positive mental attitude, but you also have to prepare mentally for it not to happen for you straight off the bat.

I am just out of my second failed cycle. First was a fresh single blastocyst transfer in July (BFN), second was a double frozen blastocyst transfer in Nov (chemical). Still hopeful but clearly it's going to be a process for us and a positive outcome is not guaranteed.

As per the PP's recommendation, drink shitloads of water during your stim cycle, and prepare to not feel like yourself for much of it – the hormones will mess with your body and your head, so go really easy on yourself – and prepare your DP that you'll most likely need a lot of extra support.

The 2ww on an IVF transfer is an absolute killer – way worse than on a natural cycle. Decide in advance if you want to test early or not, and stick to your plan. Many women avoid it because of the pain of seeing negatives or watching a BFP eventually turn to a BFN. In my case it gave me hope to know I'd conceived even though it didn't stick, but if I hadn't prepared myself for that possibility, it would have been more painful than it was.

Also, be careful who you tell re your exact transfer and official test day dates: well-intentioned people asking the outcome before you're ready to talk about it can make you feel really crap.

Good luck!

x

also good luck to you @HK2509 x

I'd like to jump on this thread if possible. My partner and I are doing IVF with ICSI due to my OH low sperm count.

I'm currently taking the contraceptive pill ready to start Buserilin stims on Xmas Eve!

First time ICSI, never been pregnant before. I'm 33 and my DP is 29.

So excited and scared! lol

We're also doing long protocol.

@LouisaPipSqueak what drugs will you be on and when do you start stimming hun?

Sorry I meant down reg not stims! 🤦‍♀️ lol still getting to grips with all the different steps in the process 😂