What IVF dose and how many eggs did you get?

[Hyppyb]

Hey,

It's my second cycle if ivf, I'm on Bemfola 225 iu and it's day 4 of my cycle. Last time I was on Gonal F 150iu. Was wondering if it will produce more eggs now.

Just wanted to ask anyones dosage, the name of their ivf medication and the egg result, home many were retrieved?

@Hyppyb I'm really happy to have 3 good embabies waiting, although the 2 implanted last month were both better quality and failed, its so hard not to be disheartened and positive about it all when you just keep getting knocked back time after time. I really have to do my best to keep positive :)
I'm hoping the bloods pick up something little, to keep hearing its unexplained and everything looks fine is annoying when there is clearly an issue here. I think I will feel better going into this round knowing more investigations have been done. The 12th April will be hear before I know it.
As you say, on the plus side, I did get pregnant, I just want that feeling again.
You should be extremely excited about your next time, there is nothing going against you for it not to happen and the baby must have been strong to hang on for so long. When you say you will be monitored asap on your next pregnancy, will you be offered scans before the viability scan to see if baby's in the correct location etc?
How did todays scan go? Wishing you all the best, you deserve some good news :) x

@SH998 At the stage of an embryo transfer, my understanding from a doctor is the most likely reason for the implantation failure isn't you or your womb, it's the actual embryo. Of course there are exceptions but the part of the point of the scans is checking your womb lining and blood tests for your hormones that the embryo will be welcomed, again making it unlikely that the failure is your body.

Good graded embryos get their grades superficially, a beauty contest, ìts like saying a symmetrical juicy looking apple will taste better or last longer than a less attractive apple. No one knows just by looking. But the chances are theyre more likely to implant if better graded. Embryos usually don't implant because chromosomally and or genetically there's something wrong so they arrest and they cant tell by just looking. So don't worry too much if they don't find a problem with you. Grade Bs have around a 50% chance of not implanting.

I've only ever had one blastocyst transfer and got pregnant. My prior transfer was just an 8 cell embryo that probably didn't make it to blastocyst and arrested inside me. Yeah it's hard when you have all your hopes up and then to get a negative. I've been there 5 times with IUI also. It's a tough process.

When you have an etopic pregnancy the NHS tell you to call the early pregnancy unit to make an appointment for scans and blood tests to start monitoring hcg and the embryo the moment you get the positive on a test to catch an etopic pregnancy early. Usually your first nhs scan is 12 weeks. I would still have the 6 week viability scan with the ivf clinic not that I would need to with the nhs scanning early.

So had my scan, nothings really changed, they saw the 3 lines in my womb lining which is good. I had a TSH blood test for fibroid will find out in the follow up on Thursday. They did my BMI which is annoying but I think it was OK. I've gained weight from stress but nothing too bad. The doc I saw was the one who did the collection and transfer. I bumped into one of the nurses who was present at the transfer, she was sweet.

Overall went OK. Hope the doc on Thursday gives the green light to proceed.

@SH998 **THS blood test is for thyroid activity not fibroids.

@SH998 so had my follow up phone consultation appointment. It went well. The nurse consultant was like they're positive in me getting pregnant again, they understand I've been through a tough time and they're here to support me. She went over my embryos said they were good that 3BB is slightly better and that will be put inside me and said its a 40% chance success which I read its a 42.3% of pregnancy and 50.3 chance of a live birth. She gave me the option between the natural vs medicated FET. As a clinic they recommend medicated. Natural cycles are more likely cancelled. I had a medicated before, the hormones were not great but i want the best results.

Next step is waiting for the prescription in the post, arranging a treatment phone consultation to go over the meds and go ahead with the FET cycle in April.

I did ivf 2021 and under responded to medication for the follicle stimulation.

i had more on my base line scan and only 2 after medication. I can’t remember exact numbers but I was in the second highest dose (out of 4 levels I think )
they had a meeting to decide if it was worth going ahead and decided to proceed (I guess being 40 with low AMH levels they didn’t think I’d do much better then that anyway…)
anyway when it came to egg collection they said one didn’t look good so it wasn’t worth to use :/
so we only had one egg!
we used ICSI method where they injected the sperm straight into egg.
over the next 5 days the embryo went downhill. They said it would likely not make it but on day 5 they called and said they’ve never seen such a remarkable change and we had a beautiful wee blastocyst. At this point back up to a grade B. So they said hurry on in and we’ll do the transfer.
anyway I didn’t really have high hopes, we had already been told we would need at least two cycles and this was only our first try.
my consultant said 1 good egg is better than 20 terrible ones, but of course couldn’t make any promise it would work. We had already been told our chances were so low.
Well that little B egg is currently sleeping on my lap. :)
wish you all luck. Hope it works out for you all.

@Lexi41 wow that's amazing. Thank you for sharing your story. It's definitely disheartening when you're told your embryo isn't doing great but this shows that embryos can improve and that it only takes one egg.

Yes - embryologist has said that there was fragmentation - something about as the cells split into two some cells don’t recapture and just kinda get her in the middles somewhere and can reduce chance of implantation. But it worked out the end!
the clinic sent the time lapse video of our embryo and we can see where the fragmentation happened on days 3 & 4 - all the cells kinda seemed to gather at one side but in the last day it had evened out again… and it’s so surreal to see it.

@Hyppyb I'm so glad all scans/appointments went well, your going in the right direction. Hopefully an April date will be given soon. Did they indicate any sort of start dates yet?
Also even better news you will be monitored more regularly, hopefully that will put your mind at ease from the start, you really do deserve a smooth run this time :)
Well it would have been my baby's due date today! I thought I would have been OK but keep thinking of what could have been and start filling up. I said after the miscarriage as long as I'm pregnant by the due date ill manage just fine, well that hasn't happened so not great. Onwards and upwards I suppose!

Sorry to reply so late to this but I’m having this issue right now.

150 Gonal F = 15 eggs, 12 mature
150/225 Gonal F = 12 eggs, 6 mature
225 Gonal F = 4 days in I only have one follicle growing, it just seems ridiculous at this stage that they keep ploughing on with higher doses. I’ve emailed to flag this but I know they just think pump more drugs in 🙄

@SH998 hope you're doing OK today. I know what you mean about hoping to be pregnant before your due date so that it takes some of the pain away. It's definitely hard. We see all these stories of women going through pregnancy loss then having rainbow babies so that's what we have to hold on to. 🙏

So I have my treatment consultation tomorrow to go over my meds should be quick, will be told to take eostrogen pills and then vaginal pessaries, take pregnancy test at home.My start date is when my period comes, so I expect it next Tuesday, then my first scan to see lining is cycle day 8 to 10 and then day 17 to 19 I have the transfer.

It feels very weird trying after a loss compared to before. Now it feels real like trying for an actual baby before it was just trying but future baby didnt feel real. I feel doubtful when I think about how we're told embryos are more likely to be abnormal than normal and they can't see from just looking under a microscope but have to be positive.

You have you're follow up next week so that's good.

@thislittlebird so for you low dosage of gonal f produce more eggs but your clinic ignore this and keep increasing the dosage. Have you spoken to them and asked why? I was given low dosage and produced no blastocyst only an 8 cell, next cycle they were going to do the same low dosage i was like no you have to increase it, they did and I got 4 blastocyst. So you definitely should say this to the clinic.

@Hyppyb they say it’s because all the research says high dose is what will work, and probably my age (40 next month) but I’m really not convinced it’s the answer for me. I find it so strange how they don’t respond based on what they can see, and weird they want to keep yours the same when it didn’t work.

If it’s still a poor response later this week we will abandon and cut our losses, it’s ridiculous ploughing ahead with such poor numbers for no good reason.

@thislittlebird I'm sorry you're having to consider cancelling your cycle. When you were on 150 gonal F your results were so good. I don't get why the clinic wouldn't focus on how your body responded last time and repeat the process than changing it to just what the research says. I'm 40, my last egg collection I was 39 and 11 months. I respond better to high doses than low doses but everyone is different. The clinic should look at that.

@Hyppyb how are you getting on? Did your period come on time and able to star the meds? What meds did they give you to begin this time? My last FET was a complete waste of time so I'm not looking forward to this time and have no positive thoughts towards it.
How are you feeling about it all? Trying again after a loss I think is harder than previous attempts as you know it can work and you have higher expectations. Hope this runs smoothly for you and you get your rainbow baby :)
I'm waiting on a face to face appointment to go through my treatment plan, been advised this should be within the next 2 weeks.

@SH998 Hey, how have you been? Hope you're trying to be positive. Is the treatment plan over a video call or is it in the clinic? Treatment plan? Hope that goes well. I know you wanted to do more tests and then FET. I understand your thoughts on FET. Would you consider a natural FET, no hormones, I think it's just the trigger shot? Natural vs Medicated FET there's no vast success to either but clinics do recommend medicated because they're more in control of your cycle and you won't ovulate prematurely, if that happened then the cycle will be cancelled.

I'm OK, thanks. So my full flow period was on Tuesday, yesterday I started 2mg of Estradiol 3 times a day, will keep doing that now, have my scan on the 20th to check my lining. I think the threshold is pretty high at my clinic like 8.5, when i had a 3 day embro FET my lining was like 8 and they were like you need more days and it got to 10.

I'm feeling a bit rough...my period is extremely heavy because I have fibroids, that I don't want to remove as most are in the lining of my womb, so it'd be like removing chunks of a wall in a house...it would jeopardise the house.

I have decided if I have another etopic pregnancy that I'm definitely going to opt for surgery rather than injection especially if it's the same tube, that way it's less likely to happen again, I won't bleed for 12 weeks and the pain will just be flesh wounds rather than womb contracting for 10 weeks. Saying all that I read less etopic pregnancies happen with frozen transfers. I've also decided if it doesn't work out next time to transfer 2 of my 4CB embryos at the same time, it's very unlikely to get twins from that. Then at least that saves time so I know if they will implant.

Trying to keep positive.

@SH998 hey, hope you're OK. Have you had a specific date for your treatment plan appointment. I know you said within 2 weeks so that should be soon. Have you chosen if it will be natural or medicated?

I thought I'd share had my 1st scan day 10 to check my lining. It was 6.7mm they would prefer 7.5mm or above so have to come back for another scan on Monday. Eostrogen seems to be keeping ovaries dormant so that's good. She didn't mention taking 1 x 75mg asprin like last time so in reading I've decided to use my initiative and take them every night from today as she advised that last transfer and my womb went from 7 to 10mms back then.

So my only concern is she said my transfer might be the 3rd which is day 23 of my cycle when I have a 26 day cycle. I only do transfers under sedation and the anesthetist is only in Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat. The 1st she thinks they might not be available because of bank holiday so that leaves the 3rd.

I was like are you sure that's OK sounds so late, she said it's fine it's day 17 to 22, as long as I've had 5 days of progesterone. I've looked online and up to day 24 is fine but I would imagine that's for women with longer cycles like 28 days. If bank holiday is a no go I will say my worry. She is the doctor I guess so should know more than me.

@Hyppyb its been a nightmare, my appointment is on Wednesday but 2 lots of bloods are still outstanding so they want to cancel my appointment and rearrange when received. My issue is with this is, we have waited 6 weeks for this appointment, we have both booked time off work and if the results come back negative then we have lost out for no reason, they cant fit us in again for another 6 weeks so I'm pushing for the appointment to continue so they can go through my plan and give me the meds, that way only a virtual appointment will be needed to discuss the results. I'm currently waiting a call back on this!!
How was todays scan, I hope the lining was the thickness needed?
Can I ask why they do sedation for the transfer? I could understand with the collection but the transfer is relatively pain free and a quick process? I suppose all clinics have their own protocols and must be good reasoning behind this.
As you say, the Doctors should know best so if they say its OK then it should be. How are you feeling this time around?

@SH998 hey, sorry to hear you're having problems with your clinic. Are they a really small clinic? Not a chain of clinics. My clinic is a chain theyre all over and getting appointments is very easy and quick. You can pop in whenever for blood tests as they have nurses in all day. If its not because they're a small clinic then that's not acceptable. 6 weeks for an appointment isn't OK, then to have to cancel it and wait another 6 weeks.

Don't you have a patient co ordinator whose sole job is to ensure everything goes to plan with appointments? I hope you can get it resolved soon. Timing is so important with fertility treatments your clinic should know that. Let me know if you have any luck from the call back.

So before I did my IUIs I watched women getting it done online and they were in extreme discomfort so i decided to be sedated for it. It's very light sedation it's not the same level given as the egg collection. I feel relaxed and chilled when I do it so that's the main thing. The clinic don't mind either way it's whatever the patient feels comfortable with. They have anaesthetist there throughout the week like every other day, so it's not a big deal at all.

Went for my second scan. Had a doctor who throughout the scan said nothing. I sat down, she said nothing whilst typing her notes for like 3 mins. I thought oh no, then she said your transfers on Saturday, take progesterone now. So all good... my lining is 9.7mm. Same growth as last time. 3mm.

I feel OK. Hoping its successful. Especially as its my second blastocyst transfer and the first was successful obviously ended not great. There is anxiety that it won't work or it will be another pregnancy loss but have to push through that as you know too well. Will see.

Have you thought about doing a natural FET instead of a medicated? Do you think that could make your FET go better? The eostrogen does make me feel funny at times.

@Hyppyb I heard back and the appointment was cancelled as my bloods were not back in time. Virtual appointment now booked for 10th May then a face to face appointment will be made to discuss my treatment plan. My period is end of May/early June so might even miss that and have to go with July transfer. Welcome to the NHS lol, long waiting times and not many going above and beyond for patients. Up until now I've not had a bad word to say about them but I'm really not happy about the delay this time, unfortunately there's nothing I can do about it.
There is no patient coordinator, only contact is via email and the nurses reply, in all fairness they reply quickly but as they are so busy I don't suppose they have enough time to go around chasing up results.
I want to say a massive good luck for tomorrows transfer, how are you feeling about it all? What time are you going in? Did you say you have a 3BB to use? Please keep me updated on how you get on, I have everything crossed for you :)
I've had 3 transfers with no pain relief (its not something my clinic offers) and each time I felt absolutely nothing at all. The most uncomfortable part is when they are pushing down on your very full bladder and your trying not to wee lol. As long as your happy to be slightly sedated then go ahead.
What meds have you been taking for this FET? Mine was months ago so cant really remember what I was given.
Could you explain what the difference between medicated and natural FET is, I've tried googling it and its still not clear to me. Did you have medicated both times?

@SH998 Hey, hope you are trying to enjoy your Bank holiday weekend. It's so annoying and frustrating that your clinic is so slow, which delays you from trying to conceive again. The one positive is you do have your embabies that are frozen and are not getting older, if one of them is going to be your baby then waiting a few weeks isn't too bad. Saying all that you shouldn't have to wait. It's the principle of the thing. 😒. I didn't realise nhs ivf patients were treated worst than ivf patients who directly pay. We're all having the same treatment and issues so it's unacceptable that they would do that.

So natural FET is where you take no meds initially, you are monitored to watch your lining thicken and your eggs, once the optimal size, then you have the trigger shot for ovulation, then according to the age of your embabies they will do the transfer, you also take the progesterone pessaries. The negative is you could ovulate naturally too soon, positive is if estrogen pills didn't agree with you it's perfect. It's also as successful as medicated FET. I only mentioned it as you said last time medicated didn't agree with you. Same here. I did medicated both times only because I didn't want to run the risk of cancellation. Cancellation can happen with medicated too if your lining isn't thick enough or if your follicles grow to big, but it's less likely.

Thank you! 😊 So Saturday arrived at clinic with full bladder at 11am, told to go early as app was 12pm incase my bladder wasnt full enough would have IV drip, didnt need it i was bursting, embryologist said embryo was still fine, was sedated which was lovely, then had biscuits and hot chocolate in the recovery bay. 😊 Had chips for dinner not McDonald's but you know the IVF tradition?.

So I am one day past. I'm trying not to look out for symptoms, but I have had twinges and slight cramps in my left side which is where my etopic was. It's so early though, embryo normally implants day 2 and onwards. I do have a fibroid on my left side so it could be just the eostrogen messing with my fibroid thats causing sensation there, which in theory should mellow with the progesterone. It is nerve wracking but I feel in control of any nerves. Such a shame when it's all tainted by pregnancy loss.

Day 2 of cycle started 3 x 2mg eostrogen, then day 14 started 3 x progesterone pessary. That's it. Still taking them. I did take asprin to get my lining thick enough but stopped once it was pre tansfer. Last time I got the faintest positive day 4 post transfer so may test from then on.

Really hope your clinic gets their act together and you can try again soon. 🙏

@SH998 and yes it was my 3Bb embryo. Clinics will always use the best looking embryo first. It survived the thawing. So hopefully it's the one.🤙

@Hyppyb so how are you feeling 2 days after the transfer? Its so difficult not to symptom spot each time, I was an absolute nightmare on my last transfer comparing all symptoms, aches and pains against my positive test. I did actually write it all down to refer to in future (although it was a negative I think it will help me compare going forward, I really wish I had done it on my positive).
Wow a faint positive on day 4, that's early. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to do it so early lol. My positive didn't show until day 7 and then it was so faint I had to squint to see it, however I knew it was a positive as I've had years of negatives and have never seen even a glimmer of a faint line.
I'm so excited for you and keeping everything crossed. You really deserve this after the awful few months you've had.
How are you finding the meds this time around?
I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go natural, I would be devastated if the cycle was cancelled last minute. The meds have never caused me any issues such as bad side affects, the reason I say they didn't agree with me is that the day of the last FET I knew my period was trying to come even at that early stage. I'm convinced the meds weren't strong enough to hold it off so hoping this changes this time around with a slight change of meds. They have upped my progesterone suppositories and added an injection this time (I did get that much from the clinic when they cancelled my last appointment). Virtual follow up call next Wednesday to discuss my blood results, then a face to face for treatment plan. I think ill miss Junes period too so start date could be July!!
And a McDonalds is always required after the transfer ha ha :)

@SH998 Hey, I'm feeling OK. I'm 4dpt. I'm feeling cramps, twinges in my hips, light tummy ache had shooting pain in ny boob, very windy, its been going on for 3 days non stop. I think it's the eostrogen. I don't know I don't think its to do with pregnancy symptoms. Last time with my FET i was on eostrogen longer because it was a 3day embabie, can't remember cramps this early or twinges but i do remember when my period was due feeling tense, frustrated, my body felt intense stopped pills and had a major release once I got my period. With the fresh transfer I wasn't on eostrogen so it was easier to spot pregnancy like implantation cramps I knew it was that for sure.

I took a pregnancy test today 4dpt it was negative. Last time I took a test at 4dpt it was negative but 2 days later as that same test dried there was a line. I agree that the eostrogen pills are full on. Fresh transfers are better in that regards. I would be surprised if I'm pregnant just the symptoms are so full on so early that I really feel its the eostrogen. Won't take a FRER test again until 6dpt but will with cheapies.

Thanks you've not been unscathed either losing a pregnancy is hard and im wishing you every success too. Hope your Wednesday app comes soon and your not waiting 2 months. They need to get their act together.

@Hyppyb it is really difficult to tell whether these are pregnancy symptoms or the meds, I honestly can’t remember if I had symptoms at 4dpt on my positive. I certainly had a strange feeling in my tummy, a feeling I had never experienced behind so I knew it was a pregnancy but this was after the test showed positive so after 7dpt.
The symptoms do sound extremely positive though, don’t be disheartened with a negative at 4 days, this is extremely early to test. Try to stay positive.

@Hyppyb I’ve just read my notes and none of the negatives showed any of your symptoms. I was pretty much symptomless after both fresh and frozen transfer so I really do think your signs are a huge positive towards pregnancy.
I have heard that the estrogen can mimic pregnancy symptoms so I can understand why you wouldn’t want to get excited at this stage but again 4 days is very early to test, my day 7 positive was so faint, I honestly don’t think it would have shown a positive at 4 days x