thread 2... TTC bubba #1

[xoJellybean]

Thread #2... TTC our first!

@Lebe14 yes the nurse on Friday was keen for the biggest ones to grow, and not all the others! The nurse this morning wasn't so sure, she checked against my stats from cycle 1 and clearly thought lowering our dose was the wrong call 🙄 Anyway they're still growing well, and I've had another blood test to decide tonight's dose. She was suggesting either egg collection on Friday or wait til Monday in the hope of getting more, but that would probably mean doing a freeze all. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for Friday! I suspect the dose will be back to 150 tonight but I'll wait and see...

@Lebe14 so have you changed medication to something new, in hopes of collecting more eggs? It's good they can try something different, but yeah it's worrying when you don't know what to expect and it's all an experiment.

@taytay2020 that’s good that the 10 are still growing well! It’s so difficult as I reckon nurses and consultants all have differing views of what works well based on their experiences - there is no science to say that you should give X amount to people with X AMH and it will definitely work. So many factors involved. How many did you get last time and how many reached blast for transfer? Ahh really hoping you do get to have a fresh transfer. We’re really aiming for this this cycle, although we had day 6 blasts last time so not soooo hopeful.

Yeah change in meds is to see if we can get more - only got 4 last time and 2 were mature. Aim is to get more, get them better quality, and day 5s. I’m more than happy with 4 but just want them to be mature and reach blast on day 5. Will just have to wait and see. We have 1 more cycle in our multi cycle package after this. Xx

@Lebe14 we got 11 eggs last time but only 1 fertilised even though we were doing ICSI. We're doing PICSI this time to be more selective with the sperm used but I'm really worried that they just won't be suitable and that's that. I don't want to go down the donor route. So we're just keeping everything crossed that something fertilises!!!
I know so many people would be thrilled with 11 eggs but it turns out that isn't always enough! If you can get 4 but have better chances of fertilisation that's really good.

@taytay2020 oh yes I remember now. So disheartening to get a great number but only 1 fertilise 😔 do they know if it was due to sperm or egg quality? Or really unable to determine? Fingers crossed this cycle all 11 can be retrieved and you get a really great number fertilised. 5 or 6 out of 11 would be so amazing to give you a few chances, but even if it’s less, you still have a great chance. It’s hard having to go back into another cycle after just 1 transfer, which is the situ we’re both in. BUT the odds of success increase for the 2nd cycle, so hopefully it’ll be good news for us both xx

@taytay2020 sorry - forgot to ask something. After your first FET withdrawal bleed, was your next period on time or a bit delayed? Trying to work out in my mind when my next cycle might start and if all goes well, when the EC might take place. Thanks so much xx

@Lebe14 The clinic seems to think it was sperm quality that meant they didn't fertilise, given that their solution was to do PICSI. But we're also using Calcium Ionophore this time to give the fertilised eggs more energy to turn into blastocysts too - I don't know if that's in case the eggs are also poor?!

I've only done a fresh transfer so can't help on timelines, sorry. My withdrawal bleed arrived 2 days after my OTD.

After today's blood test, we've been told to do 150 tonight and 75 tomorrow, with egg collection probably Friday. I'm quite surprised they're keeping to the low dose actually. But what do I know?! 😂

@taytay2020 ahh that makes sense. Really hope the PICSI works well for you. I've not heard of calcium ionophore....might read up a little on that.

Good news everything is still set for Friday!! X

@Lebe14 sorry I just realised what you were asking about the withdrawal bleed! I had the usual approx 30 days between my post-cycle withdrawal bleed and my next period. So my cycles have kept to approx the same time each month, for absolutely ages. I know it can vary but hopefully you won't have to wait much longer!

It's so annoying trying to guess when things will happen, isn't it?! I'm self-employed and have basically resigned myself to taking 2 months off this summer to allow time for another cycle if we need one. I'm getting work requests now and I'm either having to put them off for a few weeks until I know whether this cycle worked, or outright decline them. This is going to be expensive!

Only got 4 jabs left now, woop woop!

@taytay2020 no worries!! My first period after the freeze all collection was 5-6 days late. I'm CD17 today and looking close to ovulation - I haven't tracked ovulation for probably nearly a year - but think I used to ovulate around day 14. So reckon my cycle will likely be around 5 days out and could start around 11/12th March, which isn't too long to wait.

That's great you can have the flexibility to take some time out for your cycles! Albeit expensive not working. Still great to have a couple of months off completely to concentrate on the IVF only. I'm employed and I get up to 5 days paid leave per IVF cycle and can attend all the appointments whenever without having to take the time back. Would much rather not be working though haha!!

Yay for 4 jabs left to go!!! When is your next scan? X

@Lebe14 Next scan is tomorrow. Just did my evening stims but accidentally did 150 not 75 - whoops! Will have to fess up at the scan tomorrow. Maybe they'll ask us to do 75 tomorrow instead? I don't know if my bloods were too high and that's why they were taking it easy on dosage, or if it's purely to control follicle size before Friday, but hopefully it won't matter too much. It's all guesswork right?!

@Lebe14 ok so I'm doing my trigger tonight, EC on Friday.

They actually gave us a couple of doses of buserelin trigger to take home (one as a spare) due to the risk of OHSS. Last time I took ovitrelle cos my bloods were fine.

I had another blood test today so now I'm awaiting confirmation of 1) my final meriofert dose, 2) which trigger to take, and c) what time to take it.

She found 32 follicles today, the very biggest being 21mm and about half of them in the useful range. It's looking more likely we'll have to do a freeze-all but I have to remember that more eggs is a good thing! Even though I'm impatient and want to do a transfer asap 😂

@taytay2020 that's great news the collection is definitely going ahead on Friday - woohoo!! And wow - 32 follicles - that's amazing!

That's interesting that they change the trigger depending on bloods. I actually didn't have any bloods during stims last time and haven't got any planned this time I don't think. Is that to test for OHSS mostly? Or anything else?

It would be so nice to be able to do a fresh transfer, but if it's not possible then it's not the end of the world - your body can relax for a bit and then transfer. Like you said, more eggs and a frozen transfer is better than little eggs and a fresh transfer!

All my meds arrived today - looks like a lot this time around 😂😂

Good luck for Friday!!! Xx

@Lebe14 ooh exciting that you have your meds! (/Scary?!) Bet it feels more real now!

Just had the call from the nurse.... I'm taking the ovitrelle trigger tonight after all! 😀 Sounds like my bloods were ok! I think they're checking for estrogen? E2? Don't quote me on that, I really don't know. But if whatever it is gets too high it's not great for OHSS I think.

@taytay2020 woohoo good luck with the trigger. I remember finding that one stressful as there's only one haha although Ovitrelle is nice and easy. Feels sooo good to do the trigger. That's good your oestrogen isn't too high..... maybe you will be able to do a fresh transfer?? Fingers crossed anyway!!

I'm oddly looking forward to starting. I don't mind the injections and actually enjoy doing something - I hate the waiting around.

Enjoy the injection free days after tonight before your collection! Xx

@Lebe14 I tried to enjoy a nice lie in today, as once I start cyclogest I won't get a full night's sleep for weeks! But nope, I've basically been wide awake since 6am 😀

The trigger was fine. Well, I made the mistake of looking at it cos it was more complicated than the other jabs and I wanted to help, but all I did was gross myself out! But it went in on time so I call that a success! I'm so glad the injections are over. Thanks for suggesting ice all those months ago, it definitely helped.

EC is first thing tomorrow then we'll have the stressful wait to find out if fertilisation is any better this time 😩 But yes if we get any blasts I'm feeling optimistic about a fresh transfer - as long as I keep eating pork pies and drinking lots 😂

Fingers crossed AF arrives for you soon! Have you enjoyed a cheeky glass of wine (or ten) in your month off?

@taytay2020 so glad your trigger went well and that the ice trick has helped!! And congrats with finishing the injections - feels like a good milestone! Ah good old Cyclogest - the progesterone actually made me feel the opposite, I was so tired once it was in my system. Did you find it tricky to sleep when on it?

I've had a tiny bit of alcohol but not much - I'm actually not really a drinker in normal circumstances. I've enjoyed eating anything I want though and not feeling bad about it. I've also had a bit of caffeine during the last month, but definitely not as much as I would usually have pre giving up.

I wish you the best of luck for tomorrow - hope it all goes well!! Xxx

@lebe14 thanks!

@lebe14 17 eggs! Just waiting for DH to come and entertain me before I can go home.

@taytay2020 17 is amazing!!! Such good numbers. Bet you're so pleased. Hope you're now relaxing at home and being looked after xx

@taytay2020 how are you feeling and how did your call go to confirm fertilisation? Fingers crossed for good news.

I've had a shock this morning with what I think is my period starting! I wasn't expecting it until 11th March at the very earliest. I'm really hoping it is so I can get this cycle started! Xx

@lebe14 Thanks, I'm recovering well. Seem to have got off lightly again, just a twisty feeling in my belly on Friday as everything moved back to normal positions after the little bags of marbles had been drained!
I'm expecting The Call from the embryologists this morning. Feel quite sick - I don't know what we'll do if it's bad news again.
I've heard your cycles can get messed about after treatment so I'm glad yours is early not late! Exciting. Will you start your stims tonight then?

@Lebe14 We have 8 embryos!! 🥳 I'm so, so relieved. Obviously it's too early to know about blastocysts but hopefully the Calcium Ionophore will help some of them make it. We can breathe easier until Wednesday now.
How's AF going? False alarm or the real thing?

@taytay2020 8 embryos is amazing - congrats!!!! So pleased for you. You've got passed what was the difficult part last time - really hope Weds brings some equally positive news for you.

Early AF wasn't a false alarm - truly here!! I've emailed my clinic to get a baseline scan booked in for Monday. I won't hear until Monday but I'm sure they'll be able to get me in. Then I imagine I'll start the stims tomorrow night!

Xx

@taytay2020 forgot to ask - are your clinic planning for a fresh transfer next week or are you freezing everything? X