Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the next chapter

[Tinkerbell098]

I have created a new thread as the previous one is about to fill up. I've tagged some of us here, but apologies if I have missed anyone.

The thread is for anyone who has started/ about to start fertility investigations or treatment. Come join us, we are a lovely bunch :)

@tillybabs
@thislittlebird
@kay00
@jeaniej
@PurpleUnicorn01
@paintfairy
@dogmam
@flutterby8
@Ughmaybenot
@dancingfairydreams
@beckycarlos
@jkjellyhead
@juno231
@decaffe
@bumble44
@BritinNZ
@tinkerbell098
@pinkginpls
@thedaydreambelievers
@everymumday
@wanderlust16
@lori23ttc
@Gracie2021
@Sofasogood1
@99pctpractice
@magnoliasinbloom

Hi everyone, hope it’s ok to join! Myself and my husband have just decided to go private for our first round of ivf and have been told that we’ll probably be waiting about 4 months. Started doing some research about the process and medications etc. Any tips for what to do (or not to do) for the next few months would be really appreciated!

Wishing you all the best of luck on your journeys!

@99pctpractice Have been thinking about you. How was the call? I hope you had some good news.

@thislittlebird Are you still Covid free? I'm testing strong negative so heading for my embryo transfer tomorrow all being well.

@RubyRainbows Welcome! No tips really but now is a good time to start supplements (you could try those in It Starts With An Egg), slow down on the booze and quit anything fun. Joking. Kind of. Maybe do some things you can't do pregnant or during IVF - get a tattoo, go sky diving, visit a theme park, whatever. Have a holiday!

Speaking of booze, anyone else struggled not to drink this weekend?! I love a drink - definitely too much I know - and a long sunny bank holiday weekend has been HARD!!!

Hello! Thanks @Sofasogood1 @Gracie2021 @Tillybabs @thislittlebird

No good news for me, alas, the embryo didn't make it in the end. They gave it until the 7th day but to be honest we knew on the 6th day that even if it made it we wouldn't send it for pgt because it just didn't sound like it was progressing the right way....

The embryologist did have some suggestion for things that they could do differently in the lab next time. So I'm seeing the consultant for my scan tomorrow and I'll talk through them with her. I think this will be our last ivf with my own eggs, so we might as well throw as much science at it as possible, and then at least we'll know we have done everything we can! I had a really good acupuncture session on Sunday (she did lots of facial massage which was lovely) and have found some peace (slightly sad peace, but nonetheless peace) with the knowledge that we could come out of this next round with no blastocysts as well.

I'm on day 6 of the second round of stims now and a lot more relaxed than I was for the first leg and got lots more sleep over the weekend so that's a positive at least :o) @Sofasogood1 I'm totally with you on really wanting even just a teenie g&t in the sunshine this weekend!!

@RubyRainbows welcome and I should ask. what are you in for? No great tips, just get used to the waiting, it’s the worst. And supplements like sofasogood said, but you may well been on a ton already.

@99pctpractice I’m sorry to hear the news about your blast, but I’m glad you found some peace, and a good head massage always helps. So is this your duostim round?

@Sofasogood1 I’m ok yeah, we’ve kept very separate since Wednesday really, when he got sick. I’m hoping I’m in the clear but some days to go yet 🙃. My biggest issue this weekend has been annoyance at having to do everything in the house, and hayfever. Oh and I got some sort of heat rash in the middle of the night last night! Fun times. I got some sun when I was gardening but then my skin was incredibly red and displeased. Can’t win.

@RubyRainbows welcome! I would just say limit drinking and take supplements such as vitamin D, folic acid and coenzyme Q10.

I wouldn't say cut out alcohol completely, apart from of course when you start treatment.

I know experts say not to drink but it's a stressful time and I don't think the odd drink hurts tbh. That's just my opinion anyway.

I was ok this weekend alcohol wise. I even went to the FA cup semi-final and managed to not drink so did well lol.

@Sofasogood1 Thats great news that you're still testing negative. I hope all goes well tomorrow x

@99pctpractice I'm so sorry. You sound a bit more positive after speaking to them. I hope the next round for you is the one x

@99pctpractice I'm so sorry to hear about your day 5 blasts. I'm sure the clinic will do everything they can to tweak the process in your favour next time. I hope it works for you 🤞🤞🤞

I'm in my count down before I start norethisterone on CD21... and it comes when my social calendar is at the busiest it has been in years... so I have been drinking alcohol fairly frequently 😝 I haven't been getting drunk, but have had glasses of wine, cocktails and pints of cider here and there. I hope it doesn't effect anything (I'm not stimmimg yet) but I'm feeling relaxed and having fun, which is good for my soul at least 😇😆

Today all to women in my family are off for a few days at a Spa in West Wales, I will of course be joining them, having massages and the odd glass of vino 🍷 😁😁😁

@Kay00 what cycle day is it now for you?ngl that sounds really fun, I’m jealous! I really wanted to book a place with a hot tub somewhere and because the process of being near to ivf has been ongoing for ages we couldn’t. I guess we could now, but we’ve gone from dh not being able to use one to me (potentially) not being able to. Also the last massage I had was awful. I’ve got acupuncture tomorrow night, but she doesn’t do massage at the same time, which is a shame. I should probably book one and hope it’s better than my last one.

We’re sort of isolated from people other than each other living where we do, stuck in this process. It was hard this long week especially with him not able to do or touch anything and me doing everything and being on it with the constant hand washing and surface cleaning, it all kinda came to a head. I’ve never seen him so upset before. This process really is horrible.

@Sofasogood1 good luck today, what time are you in?

@Sofasogood1 good luck today x

@Kay00 that sounds lovely, have a fab time. I'm sure it's fine and the main thing is you are relaxed and enjoying yourself which is good for your mind and body.

@thislittlebird fingers crossed you will continue to stay in the clear. I take it you are hoping to carry on with the FET as scheduled? How do you find your acupuncturist? I changed mine and my new one is so good, it's amazing what she picks up on from my pulse.

@Tillybabs @thislittlebird thanks both. In mid afternoon. On my way to acupuncture (which is not relaxing and I'm not convinced this guy knows what he's doing!) and then a blood test before the appointment. Hoping I can squeeze in a nice lunch first! Priorities

@Tillybabs yeah, I’m hoping to, all being well. Husband is banished to the spare room and I’m working in the living room now.

Wrt acupuncturist hmmm...hard to say. Only ever been to one, I really like her, it’s nice to be able to talk and better than the NHS ivf therapist so far (who I haven’t mentioned but just seems to agree and say “that’s understandable” and I’m thinking ‘yes???? I know it is’) when it comes to feeling like you’re able to offload a weight. The acupuncture itself is fairly repetitive but relaxing, I’ve been seeing her over a year now. And I do think it helped sort out my hormone/period issues, but when I hear people say they get massage and stuff too I am envious. That’s what I was expecting probably, like a small amount of massage mixed in. Maybe I’m delusional lol. I’m seeing her tomorrow night for the first time in weeks.

@Sofasogood1 let us know how it goes. I think I’d be scared to eat beforehand lol

Got loads to catch up on here, sorry I've been offline most of Easter. But wanted to say good luck @Sofasogood1 for today. Keep us posted xx

@sofasogood1 good luck today and enjoy your lunch 😊

@thislittlebird I'm on CD11 so not a lot going on here. Although I had some spotting today which is unusual 🤔 I'm not tracking/temping and not taking all the supplements I would usually take which is quite liberating, but I also have no idea what's going on 😅 I suppose it doesn't matter if/when I ovulate as I start the norethisterone on CD21 anyway 😊

@Kay00 I'm only taking vitamin D and folic acid right now, mostly because I went away and was having an IVF gap. It's nice not to be taking a million supplements like a loon. So if you're taking norethisterone, does that mean you're downregging too?

Omg clinic want me to have someone with me on Thursday because they’re giving me Diazepam. Ughhhh now I have to go round asking people last minute if they’re free to come to an IVF clinic with me, this is ridiculous. Or I’ll have to just forego the meds.

@thislittlebird remind me what you're in for on Thursday? For full sedation during egg collection I just signed a waiver saying I was happy to leave on my own etc etc not the clinics fault if I faint in the middle of the road etc. What if you say you don't have anyone? Or your person is waiting outside in the car? Is diazepam really that big of a deal? Ask them what your options are.

I'm back home. All was fine. Weird seeing the embryo pop in there! Embryologist doc really emphasised putting my feet up which I was surprised about. I'm WFH which is good but she was saying no unnecessary walks, no lifting etc, both of which are fairly essential with the dog. No standing for too long. Anyway I'm going to follow her advice! McDonald's fries for dinner I think!

@Sofasogood1 I’m in for a FET. I freaked out last time so they said they’d give me something to relax, maybe I can sign a waiver too?

No unnecessary walks? Seems harsh. I was hoping to do some walks lol. Glad you got the fries.

@Sofasogood1 sounds like it went well today! That does sound quite extreme - I would have thought dog walks should be ok!! Enjoy those fries!!!!

@thislittlebird oh no! Have you had diazepam before? I had it when I had a back pain thing and they said no driving but I was definitely still ok to take myself home etc hope you find someone or they let you sign a waiver...hope you and your oh are ok. It's bad enough going through ivf but throwing covid on top of that really sucks. Hopefully he tests negative soon so you can have a good hug.

@Kay00 a spa sounds amazing. I could totally do with that right now. Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!

I have had two acupuncturists : the first one does massage while the pins are in, but she went away for 3 months to India, so when I had my mmc I went to another one to try to move things along and the second one was much more just stick the pins in then leave you alone for a bit. I'm not wholly convinced it does that much more than relax me, so I'm going to stick with the first one and get a massage out of it as well :o)

Had my scan today - follicles on both ovaries this time, but only 6 in total....for some reason I thought I'd have more for the second stims. Not sure if it's a reflection on declining amh or just the process. They're growing super fast though, so looking at egg collection on Monday already! I have a really important meeting at work in the afternoon which I have to host so fingers crossed the procedure is early in the day and I feel ok after the process because there's really no way I can get out of it. Oof!!

@thislittlebird I would definitely ask. You should be fine after valium. If not, lie - unless of course you can find someone to help.

I just broke the no lifting rule by grabbing what I thought was a small 1kg bag of dishwasher salt out the bottom cupboard and straining on realising it was a much bigger bag. Obviously I've ruined everything now and the embryo has definitely dislodged and is winging its way out of me as I speak. This two week wait paranoia is going to be fun!!!

@sofasogood1 those rules ate pretty strict, im sure they are much stricter than other clinics post egg transfer... congrats by the way! Remember it's like a grain of sand in peanut butter, so unlikely to work its way out xx

@thislittlebird yes maybe check if you can sign a waiver. It's not anaesthetic so I'm not sure why you need someone really.

@99pctpractice is the meeting from home? If so you should be ok but everyone is different. I was in horrible pain after my EC but others in the ward were fine.

@Sofasogood1 glad it went well. Funny enough I was going to ask you what they said you can and can't do. I googled it earlier and came across one site that said you must have complete bed rest on day 1 and day 2, modified bed rest. So you can only get up to have a 1 minute shower and eat 😂🤣. I thought this was the norm but then read other sites saying different things

@99pctpractice i haven’t, but I know loads of people who have taken it and never heard of anyone collapsing! I’m going in today for a prescription, will ask if I can sign a waiver. Yeah ngl, Covid is making this extra shit. Sad we can’t hug post FET. It’s all very lonely.

I have to say, I’m tempted to try to find one that does the massage bit. Sticking pins in and leaving me to the music is fine, and I do nod off, but feels like there could be more from this for the money. The prices have just increased too.

That’s six follicles you didn’t have last week thought so think of it that way. Hopefully you can get the EC done and get back feeling fine. I don’t think I’d have been good at work post sedation, it’s all a blur.

@Sofasogood1 I’m really hoping they’ll be ok with a waiver. Ugh that sounds annoying, I’ve never had a tww of this magnitude, I bet it’s hard not to overthink everything.

@Tillybabs yeah it’s annoying tbh. They never mentioned this and we’ve been discussing it since February! She said “gentle reminder to bring someone along” and I’m thinking ????reminder???? no one ever mentioned this before!

don’t know how I feel about this new mumsnet font and set up yet, it’s new so I’m still adjusting!

@thislittlebird just wanted to wish you good luck for tomorrow while I remember! Hope all goes well, the valium helps and you can get home after ok.

Hi there’s a lot to catch up on but my husband and I have gone through lots of tests so far and I have an x ray then if that’s clear then I think letrozole was discussed in the hope that it manages to make me ovulate as I don’t naturally do it. Any experiences gratefully received and I wish you all the best and luck for your treatments ❤

@Alexis7890 I'm on letrozole 👋

Letrozole 2.5 mg didn't work - confirmed today CD28. Planning 5mg next cycle. If next cycle hasn't started by CD40, clinic will do a progesterone challenge to induce one.

Onwards and upwards I guess...