Fertility Clinic Appointments and Beyond..

[dogmam]

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!

@Kay00 I’m hoping they won’t be too big by Monday, but I’m going first thing which is good. You’re on or about to start cycle three?

@Juno231 it’s so annoying they don’t listen, but hey ho. Well, I think I get three transfers. How is yours worded? It says one fresh ICSI cycle (I assume that includes a fresh transfer), embryo freezing/storage, and two frozen transfers. I asked the doctor if I could have all frozen if I need a freeze all and she seemed to think that was fine? But I’m also not convinced she was listening, it was all very fast. I’m hoping they won’t be funny about it if I do get three overall, it’s not my fault I have high AMH. Obviously it all depends on getting three 🙃

Hi Ladies.

Sorry to jump in but looking for some help. Unfortunately, my day 5 transfer did not happen today but the hospital will give benefit of doubt and see if tomorrow (day 6) embryo progresses.

Just want to know, if you don't mind sharing what your experience was. I've been told not to hold any hopes, which broke my heart.

@thislittlebird I'm 12dpo so about to start cycle 3. It will be my first unmonitored cycle on Clomid.

Welcome @everymumday! Sorry I can't help with your question as I haven't been down the IVF route (yet!).

@Kay00 are you testing? I’m very annoyed still they wouldn’t let me have fewer scans. I’ll get over it soon, but first I have to go for another scan. I responded on exactly the same time schedule each month ugh.

@EveryMumDay I’m sorry, I’ve not started ivf yet so I’m not much help I’m afraid.

Thank you both @Kay00 and @thislittlebird for responding. Unfortunately, my embryo day 6 (today) did not survive despite doing IVF ICSI and IMSI. So, now maybe going onto cycle 2 with maybe a shorter protocol, as during egg collection it seemed that I ovulated earlier and my body rejected the ferymedal injection. Resulting in only one egg collected which was mature and survived upto day 3 (last week Friday). Thank you again 🙂

Hi all, I think I did an intro on this chat ages ago but then got shy entering a new group and have just been reading along in the background. Seeing a few familiar faces and hoping you won’t mind me joining the chats here too.

A small summary just in case my memorynn bmis off and I hadn’t posted before. Just about to start CD1 of my 6th Medicated cycle and had our first consult with an IVF clinic this morning and probably looking at February 2022 to start next steps. In the meantime continuing medicated cycles (have been through 4xletrozole and 1xtamoxifen so far) but adding baby aspirin and low dose prednisolone due to some auto immune blood markers. Currently unexplained and trying 17 months.

Anyway hope you don’t mind me joining the chats and hopefully I can be of some support to those of you starting out with the medicated cycles as they’re business as usual here at this point.

@EveryMumDay I just saw your update and wanted to say how sorry I am that it didn’t work out for you as you wished. Really hope the new protocol works better. I’ve heard it said before that the first egg collection can often be the trial run for the doctors to see what works for your body but can’t imagine that is any consolation and how hard this is for you this moment. Sending virtual hugs.

Thank you @Gracie2021 for your kind words.

Yes, agree with the trial run but I would have thought it wouldn't be too off the point especially as I had one month of medication monitoring cycle which led to a second MMC. Oh well, cross fingers and praying hard that cycle 2 is the one?

Hope you are doing well and good to hear your plan is on schedule. Sending lots of love and hugs to you and all the ladies on this thread to get their happy ending every soon 🙏🏼🤞🏼

@EveryMumDay hugs xx I will keep everything crossed for your second cycle xx

@thislittlebird I tested today at 13DPO and had a BFN on a FRER, so unless there is a miracle, I'm out. I think this cycle I will have a slightly longer LP, as I was already light bleeding by this point last month, and I currently have zero PMS/spotting.

@Gracie2021 Welcome!! Can you remind me why your clinic moved you to Tamoxifen after your first four Letrozole?

A friend from school announced today that she is pregnant with her second. I'm super pleased for her... but today I am finding the news crushing

@EveryMumDay I hadn’t seen that you had done another medicated cycle. Can I ask was that pills or injectables? Did you get much feedback from your doctors about this cycle or do you have a follow up appointment coming soon? So sorry you’ve had such a rough start to the IVF process.

@Kay00 I have a slightly thin lining and my last monitoring on Letrozole only had it at 6mm hence the move to tamoxifen. It also means I’m not a good candidate for clomid so likely be sticking with either of the other two right up to IVF.

Sorry you got caught with another announcement. Such a contradiction of emotions, delighted for them, gutted for you. I’m waiting for word that a work friend has given birth and am so thrilled for her but dreading the hit for me already. But our time will come!!!!

@Gracie2021 hi, welcome back. Glad they’re trying something new for you with the tamoxifen. I know clomid famously impacts lining, I’m on Letrozole cycle three but this is our last try. It’s private and we know the chances are low because dh has low motility. So we’re having December off and then it’s ivf.

@EveryMumDay sorry to hear your update. Fingers crossed the next round is the one for you.

@Kay00 we can start the failed interventions club 😩

I had my final Letrozole cycle scan today, my two lead follicles were fine at 21mm and 20mm so I’m going to trigger when I get home today. I had EWCM today so I think it’s in line with natural ovulation this month which might be a good thing? Who knows.

@thislittlebird those sound very promising! Much better than my monster 27mm follicle ! Lets hope all of your ducks line up, and at least one of those follies gets fertilised!

Haha - Failed Interventions Club - I like it

@thislittlebird well done, two follicles = double the chance and they’re great sizes. I’ve only ever managed a single one each time. And hopefully bodes we’ll for IVF for you too just in case you end up going there. Sounds like a few of us might be doing it around the same time in the spring so. Will be good to have the company but I’m also hoping some of us drop off along the way too 😂👍

@Kay00 love the name but hope we don’t live up to it too!!!

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the support.

@Gracie2021 the medicated cycle took place in June 2021 and I was on the following medication:
Letrozole 5mg/OD 5 day course of taking 2 tablets each day.
Ovitrelle injection 250mg 0.5ml.
One cyclogest pessary 400mg tablet evening before bed.

I'm 35 years old (been TTC since last year Feb 2021 and got one child aged 6), got a low amh (

I’ve got our 2nd infertility clinic appointment on the phone today. A little bit nervous. The first one just checked our weights and lifestyle and asked me to go and get a smear test so I’m not really sure what to expect today! I hope this forum is an ok place to post this, it can be quickly a lonely journey!

@Kay00 the only problem when things go seemingly well is you have more hope 😩

@Gracie2021 I had two last month as well and it didn’t make a difference, I think the motility is too big an issue to overcome 😩.
What does of letrozole were you on? I was on 5mg. First month I had one, second and third two follicles. I do seem to respond well, but it’s always the left ovary 🤨

@Wanderlust16 I’m not sure what the second one is for, but I wouldn’t worry about it, I’m sure it’s fine.

@Wanderlust16 if it’s anything like ours possible that you’ll have an ultrasound scan on the day. Just to say I’ve found them absolutely fine. About 5% as daunting as a smear, if even so don’t be worrying about it at all and fascinating to see the ovaries on the screen too. If you’ve had bloodwork done I imagine you’ll be getting results and setting out a plan of action, if any. I found it useful to bring a notebook and pen. I bring to all my apps and jot things down while they’re fresh in my head. Have found it handy for reference since. Hope that’s some help.

@thislittlebird I’ve been on 2.5mg of Letrozole and tamoxifen and ovulate one dominant follicle on that. Since it’s ‘working’ my doctor doesn’t see any need to ply with the dose. Obviously working in terms of ovulation and a follicle but nothin else!

@EveryMumDay fingers crossed for you that they’re able to tweak the medications for you. Hope you have support around you right now x

Hey everyone,

How are you all navigating work with your treatments plans? My workplace doesn't have a policy in place, but last week I had a chat with my manager and hr about my upcoming lap and potential IVF. They have said they'll be supportive and flexible with me, but I'm still a bit worried that we have no policies in place.
How's everyone else doing with this?

xxx

@Gracie2021 yeah, same here. It’s ‘working’

@JeanieJ my work have no policy either, but I told them because there was no way I could keep disappearing to all these clinic appointments and say nothing. I told my manager and also the overrall manager of our area when we were talking about returning to the office and my covid concerns. They did an occupational health referral for me for my ongoing eczema/immune system issue and the IVF so that, in the event of a restructure/role change and a new manager, it’s in writing that I need some flexibility.

They’ve been good so far and hopefully will continue to be. I’m taking the egg collection and transfer as leave, but everything else I’ve been able to flex my hours for.

Most places don’t have a policy afaik, but it’s a good start they said they’ll be flexible.

@thislittlebird that's good they are accommodating for you.
I think I'll set some days aside in case we end up needing IVF.
I did get an email from my HR manager saying that she had IVF (successful), so it helps knowing at least one person in management understands the pressure fertility stuff puts us under.

xx

@JeanieJ yes definitely set aside some days. That’s what I’ve done. Nice that they understand. My boss seems to think it works first time which is all a bit odd, she asked me if we were decorating a nursery when I mentioned decorating the spare room 😬

@thislittlebird 🤦🏻 oh my god that's so weird, but my boss did start talking how my mat leave would work, but thankfully HR was like 'errr, one step at a time'...
It just shows how much education is needed around fertility.
xx

@JeanieJ I know, I was like erm...😬

there might not be a baby, why would I decorate a nursery 🙃. Much education is needed.

@thislittlebird hope you did something nice with your spare room though 🙂
I had nursery plans for mine, but recently turned it into a sewing room. Felt really nice to take a bit of control, because the empty room was just reminding me of fertility stuff every day - like being haunted 😂
Xx