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

@TheDaydreamBelievers oh no I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope the higher dose will work for you!! Do you mind if I ask why you needed it? They’re recommending it for me as I don’t have a natural cycle and rely on provera every 3 months to induce a cycle

@Alexis7890 nae ovulating! Cycles 40-161 days, usually 70+

No natural cycle means youre sadly in the same boat. Have you had assessments done? Eg AMH, a scan, hycosy?

@TheDaydreamBelievers im the same, natural cycles 90 days plus! I’ve had bloods and ultrasounds all saying egg count is good and everything looks okay lots of follicles and definite PCOS (which was diagnosed years ago anyway). Hycosy after this cycle of provera then if that’s clear then good to start letrozole.

how about you?

@Alexis7890 Bloods show not ovulating, hycosy all clear. AMH sky high (45). Not quite enough follicles for PCOS criteria. That's my story so far - just hoping letrozole works. Its been a long 2 yrs already TTC

Thanks for your advice @sofasogood1 @thislittlebird @tillybabs I will look into some more supplements that may be helpful - especially coenzyme Q10 as I’ve read about this a few times! I have been taking prenatal supplements since starting ttc but have been worried about starting anything new just in case anything messed with my regular cycles.. but I’m definitely ready and willing to try any ones that may help!

@sofasogood1 I’m glad that things have gone well for you so far! Limited walking sounds a bit difficult and not something I’ve heard of before. I hope you don’t find that too hard and manage to take it easy!

@99pctpractice sorry to read your news. It sounds positive that the embryologist has some suggestions for next time so I hope this helps!

@thislittlebird I’ve been ttc for around 18 months and went for some private tests including a HSG. I have 1 completely blocked tube and 1 partially blocked so have just decided to go ahead with ivf. I hope it all goes well for you tomorrow and you manage to get back safely!

@tillybabs Think I’m going to stay off alcohol as this helps my DH with cutting down (or cutting out), have had a couple of drinks over the bank holiday weekend but thinking that’ll be the last for a while at least! You did well not drinking at the FA cup semi-final - sounds a challenge!!

@kay00 Hope you have a great time at the spa break!! Very jealous!

@thislittlebird just wanted to say good luck for today!!! All fingers crossed for a smooth FET for you, especially after the ride you’ve had to get here.

@TheDaydreamBelievers oh no sorry to hear that, that’s so frustrating! I hope your new cycle comes quickly.

@thislittlebird good luck today xx

My acupuncturist does a little massage. She’s really good at picking things up. One session she said my lung was congested (I did have a bit of a chesty cough before I went into the session). Other things as well like my eating habits she picked up on and digestion issues.

So I’m still on buserelin and oestrogen and I’m so tired! Anyone else experience this? I have my lining scan tomorrow.

@TheDaydreamBelievers i hope the higher letrozole dose works for you, wishing you so much luck!

@thislittlebird wishing you tons of luck for your FET today!! Hope you found someone to go in with you? xx

@Alexis7890 I also have PCOS and took letrazole 5mg for 4 cycles. The first 3 cycles were unmonitored with day 23 progesterone tests to confirm ovulation/non ovulation. I found it was luck of the draw on how I would respond and I ovulated cycles 1 and 4 but didn't cycles 2 and 3. I took a 2 month break between cycles 3 and 4 and did the fourth cycle with monitoring scans, IUI and progesterone pessaries from the IUI and I think all those things really made the difference for me. I was fourth time lucky and am 11 weeks pregnant now. Lots of luck and happy to answer any questions.

@beckyCarlos how are you going in the 2WW? Hope you're feeling okay xx

Sorry I’ve been so quiet everyone, had a packed Easter weekend and have been doing everything I can to keep my mind off test day tomorrow, everyime I looked at the app for some reason I got anxious and felt like I needed to protect my heart a bit (from what I don’t know!)

@thislittlebird Fingers (toes, nose etc) crossed for you at your FET today! I hope it goes well and that you have a good experience, and that your partner tests negative soon so you can go back to supporting each other x x x

@tillybabs when I was on buserelin for downreg I was falling asleep at 8.30/9pm, not like me at all, I’m a night owl!

@magnoliasinbloom so far, apart from being tired and crying at everything (no change from the past 8 weeks or so haha), haven’t had any symptoms. I normally have sore boobs and some spotting pre period, so perhaps the progesterone pessaries are actually my friend (could do without the waxiness in the morning thought lol)

@sofasogood1 can’t believe I missed your transfer! Hope it went ok! The wee after transfer was the hardest wee I’ve ever had to do in my life. It just didn’t want to come out! I know you can’t wee the embryo out by my god trying telling my brain that at the time lol. The advice on bed rest/exercise does sound very strict! They said to me don’t run or lift or anything, but gentle walking is fine (almost encouraged). If your dogs are good on the lead I’d definitely be taking them around the block at least (it’s good for your soul as well as your body to get out!)

@99pctpractice I’m so sorry to read about your first egg collection/development situation. I hope you’re doing ok. Your 6 folicles for the second round sounds really promising, keeping everything crossed for you x x x

@gracie2021 such good news that you now have two excellent sounding blasts! Hope you’re still doing well!

Thanks @Sofasogood1 @RubyRainbows @99pctpractice @Tillybabs @magnoliasinbloom

Can’t quite believe I got to this point tbh. Spent the whole week assuming it wouldn’t happen! When I got there they said there’s amazing news, our embryo defrosted 100% in tact and continued developing which is apparently not that common? So that was good news. She used a smaller speculum and it was a bit uncomfortable but it was over and done really quickly, and the doctor came over especially from the other hospital to do the transfer for me because I’d met her before. Honestly couldn’t fault them. They didn’t even mention needing an escort on the day! I came in alone and left alone and no one said anything, and I feel fine. DH is picking me up from the station.

I’ve got a photo of the embryo dot to show DH which I’m sure he’ll be thrilled by lol. OTD is 2/5 and I’m sure I’ll wait until then, I’m not a keen tester.

thanks @beckyCarlos . I think protecting yourself is a good thing, this is a really difficult place to be at times when you’re finding it all hard.

@thislittlebird Ah excellent glad all went well! Everything crossed for you!
I didn't get given an OTD but my hospital said to test 14/16 days after transfer which would make it the day after yours, minimum! I'll try and last until next Friday, which would be 10 days ish

@Sofasogood1 interesting! They gave me two tests, a photo of the embryo dot, and a piece of paper with instructions to test on May 2nd. I’ll be ignoring that date and trying not to obsess but...yeah, seems unlikely. How did you feel after? I’m relieved it’s done, we’ve been doing this nonsense for months and started ttc in October 2019, a long road to get to having our best chance to date.

@thislittlebird I got a pic of the embryo and the dot in there too. Mad seeing it going in isn't it?! Science! I'm pleased you had a tolerable experience. Have to say mine was excellent too. Hope you have some fries?!
I've felt ok, bit crampy that day and yesterday, morning after. But generally fine. Boobs really sore but I understand that's the progesterone?? Am trying to take it easy, very conscious that if it implants it'll be the first few days that it does so before bedding down. I'm full of hope that it'll 100% implant but also knowing the chance is so slim it definitely won't... It's a strange place to be mentally isn't it.

Have you got painkillers? My doc said paracetamol would be fine and the clinic gave me a pessary to do just before and six hours after.

I think you'll be fine. Some cramping is normal and if you don't get it that'll be normal too. Everyone is different.

@thislittlebird they gave you tests and everything!?! I took myself off to boots and had to refrain from buying one of everything on the shelf 🤣
Im jealous of yours and @sofasogood1 pictures, we didnt get one (although I didnt ask tbf)
@sofasogood1 its such a weird place mentally, you want to be positive but you also want to be realistic(?) And protect yourself. My acupuncturist said when I explained how I felt, that she understood, but wasnt sure how much 'protecting' actually helps the pain if it doesnt happen for you, and I have to say I've spent a lot of time thinking about that! But equally I'm still my realistic optimist self, I cant be all rainbows and butterflies yet 🤣

@Sofasogood1 I’m going to get the fries!!!! And a cheeseburger, mostly as an excuse to eat McDonald’s lol. My dh is going to be perplexed when I announce I’m ordering a McDs. 🤣

Yeah it will be the progesterone! I feel fine, will see how the day goes but I don’t generally suffer from cramps or sore boobs, even when on high doses of progesterone, my body just ain’t about that life for some reason lol.

The doctor said to me it’s 50/50 chance now, so that’s good I suppose. I know the likelihood of a first time success is slim though, trying to keep my expectations realistic.

You had painkillers and a pessary for FET? They didn’t mention that to me at all.

@beckyCarlos I’ve had similar thoughts myself. I’m so scared of thinking about things like baby names, and I know I’ll be grateful for any healthy baby at this stage but I avoid thinking how much I always wanted a girl knowing I’m unlikely to have more than one, if any???, at 39 nearly. But someone said (maybe on here) that I won’t be any less upset if it doesn’t work and I’ve thought about all that stuff, but still, feels like making it real if I think about names or a house for a family etc.

I’m seeing the acupuncturist again tomorrow lunchtime for a quick post-transfer session.

@Sofasogood1 your date is much later than mine, wonder why? 🤔 different clinics doing their own thing.

@beckyCarlos you’re not missing out on much with the picture of a dot lol. There’s not a lot to see. And yeah, they gave me two tests and a sample pot 🤣. How generous of them!

@beckyCarlos wishing you good luck for tomorrow. Protect yourself as much as you need. @Sofasogood1 @thislittlebird good luck to all!

@magnoliasinbloom - this is helpful, thank you 😊

@beckyCarlos good luck for tomorrow!! It feels like it's come around so soon but it probably doesn't feel that way at all for you!

@thislittlebird so glad all went well. All fingers crossed for you!

Well. I had a scan and my follicles had gone insane. There weren't many of them so I think all the oestrogen that was being pumped in just made the bigger ones grow at a crazy rate, so some of them were over 20mm already. The consultant was on holiday so I couldn't chat with her about the changes we wanted to make for the lab process and the nurse was saying that we would be planning on ec on Monday which I just thought was not going to work if we only had 3 large enough follicles and they would likely be over mature by then.

So the consultant called me and suggested that we cancel this phase of the duostim. In theory because there were less follicles than we had expected, but to be honest, I'm not sure if it's because she didn't want to have to do an EC at the weekend. So there we are. I'm more relieved than disappointed at this stage if I'm honest. I think we'll have a break, do some other stuff, take some time to heal and then regroup in June and see if we try again.

@thislittlebird a sample pot 🤣 first class service youre getting there! I know what you mean, I asked my husband when he thinks it might be 'sensible' to get excited (we're 100% not in excitement territory yet) and we think maaaaybe 7 weeks, but we'll see!

@99pctpractice oh wow, thats a lot to take in! Hope you're ok! Its good to know how your body has responded to this particular regime :) x

@beckyCarlos so test day is tomorrow, right? I’m not sure I could relax until 12. Or ever lol.

ugh so I feel like I’ve already buggered it up. I thought they gave you progesterone as standard even in the cycles without oestrogen. It only occurred to me today that they hadn’t mentioned it, so I asked when I’m supposed to take it and they said there was nothing on my notes that I needed it and it’s not standard in a natural cycle 😩. I explained that I needed to avoid oestrogen, not progesterone, I need that because I’ve had low progesterone in the past. So I’m starting it tonight, but obviously I’m now worried that’s too late and my womb lining will have vanished into thin air 😞. what fun this all is! It’s only five days since I ovulated, I hope that’s ok :/

@thislittlebird hopefully nothings buggered, but if it is its them not you! If it helps with a tiny bit of piece of mond, when I was in for my EC, there were ladies there from other clinics who just go to Leeds for EC, their clinics tell them to start progesterone between 3 and 5 days after EC!

Test day is indeed tomorrow 😬 haha I know what you mean, i like to kid myself that I'll relax after tomorrow, or 7 week, or 9 weeks, or 12...but in reality I feel like the anxiety albatross will always be low key there. X

@thislittlebird glad it went so well yesterday :) I'm sure it will be okay starting progesterone now but I understand the feeling of as soon as one thing to stress about is resolved, our brain needs something new to stress about! We don't know how to just be anymore.

@beckyCarlos I imagine you've tested by now and I'm crossing my fingers and toes it was a positive result for you xx