IVF April 2023 - looking for buddies!

[Triselly]

Anyone out there starting/continuing IVF treatment next month (April 2023)?

I’m 36, first time everything, and due to start stims early April. Wondering if there are others who might like a thread to chat/vent?

If you’re out there and in a similar position, let me know!

I'm starting this April as well!! Preparation month this month. I'm turning 37 this year.

How long have you been trying for? I managed to get pregnant over 2 years ago now which sadly ended up in miscarriage. It took me a while to deal with it but I'm strong again. It is exciting but also very scary for me. I try not to keep my hopes up but easier said than done.

Not starting but have been through it. Really hope it goes well for you. X

I'm not currently ready to start ivf but I was wondering if i could join your thread for some insight as im hoping to be starting ivf later in the year

Hi, I justreplied on your other thread, but realise I was the only one and this thread had replies, so will post here too 😁

I'm starting IVF for the first time in April too! I'm 32, and pretty nervous about it all..!

I've been on norethisterone for the last couple of weeks, and due to come off it on Thursday to enable a bleed over next weekend. First scan 4th April and starting stims from there. Is that similar timings to you? Are you doing it alone or with a partner? Hope you've got a relaxing couple of weeks ahead before it all gets going...!

It’s so lovely to wake up to messages! I don’t know anyone else who’s going through it so it’s been a bit lonely so far.

@BandyButter83 I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage - I can’t imagine how difficult that must be 💐Was that an IVF pregnancy too?

We’ve been trying for about 18 months, and first went to the clinic about 6 months ago. Been waiting to start since then, and finally got the go ahead from the dr to start stims next month! Been trying to prep too - what does your preparation month look like?

@Iamagenius and @MK85 Thank you - lovely to have you!

@RunningOnHope Ah we are probably going to line up! I am due to start stims about the 6th April or so - kind of nervous about the injections but I’ve been waiting so long to start I’m mainly just excited to get things rolling now!

I’m doing it with my husband - how about you? Have you got anything fun planned to help with the de-stressing?

@Triselly thank so much for starting this thread. I think I needed it to feel less alone. Thank you and yes, it was a natural pregnancy that I lost. In a way doing it through IVF makes me feel better since they will give progesterone to prevent miscarriage.

In term if preparation I'm only given provera medication and obviously taking other vitamins, not drinking coffee, alcohol, drinking more milk but apart from that just carrying on as usual. After so many disappointments I'm just trying not to make a big deal out of it and carry on as normal. But i suppose it is just my way of coping. What is your approach and are you doing anything different?

@RunningOnHope I'm pleased to know we are all starting at the same time. I'm expecting my base scan around the 6th of April (+/- 2 days depending how my body reacts to provera). I'm doing it with my husband but he is not that much involved. Do you have anything planned?

I'm just carrying on as normal. But can't help myself and keep on looking at baby clothes at the shops and checking various articles online. Which I shouldn't! I keep on convincing to take each day at the time instead of building expectation.

But well done us! We are brave and strong and will get through this 🌷

@MK85 and @Iamagenius - hopefully you will get some useful infor out of this chat!

Moved over to here as requested

I'm starting my third FET in April. Just taken my prostap yesterday to start my down reg (buserelin isn't currently available.) I've had three egg collections, two transfers and a Hysteroscopy and EndemeTRIO so I'm almost an expert. Any questions let me know xx

Been in this road now for a few years with my husband.

Good luck to you all

@BandyButter83 Do you have any other children? Yes I can understand, despite the enormous hassle of IVF, the fact that it’s so regimented kind of gives me a sense of control.

I tried cutting out caffeine and wine but have to admit I caved after a particularly stressful week last week and had a couple of glasses 😅I did start going to acupuncture, as I’ve heard so many women recommend it for IVF and I thought it might be a good way to tackle my needle fear!

@CR7 Thank you so much for replying, how have you found it all so far? When is your next FET date?

@BandyButter83 Yes, maybe a bit like your looking at baby clothes, I find myself doing things like checking out baby name sites, I need something other than invasive medical procedures to look forward to… Even if it is a bit premature. Does anyone else have any fully-jumping-the-gun stuff that they do?

Please let me know how all your scans and plans go! 💐

Hello

Jumping on board. I have my drugs and I'm waiting for my cycle to start, my app is saying next Friday/Saturday ish. Then I'll start my injections (watched videos this on weekend and I'm freaking out a bit about prodding myself NGL)

I'm on the journey with my husband who's tying to get involved (but isn't great bless him). So Ive hopped on here in search of some buddies who understand so we can support one another

@Triselly so I've just started down reg for two weeks then I have a down reg scan on Easter Saturday and if all is well I will start my patches and oestrogen and two weeks later will do my transfer.

Last month I did a mock cycle (so I've done three rounds but only two with a transfer) and had a Hysteroscopy and endemetrio on the day we would have done the transfer to assess my implantation window and biome to make sure everything is as it should be on transfer day. Have had half the results back so far and all looking good.

Incase you don't know what an endemetrio is, it's basically like doing a house survey before you buy. But on your insides before you transfer

The ERA test evaluates the receptivity of the endometrium to determine if, at the time of biopsy, the uterine lining is receptive to embryo implantation. This information allows us to determine the ideal time for a personalised embryo transfer (pET).

@BandyButter83 I also take two types of vita west supplements and vitamin d

@charja100 Hey! Thank you so much for jumping on board! Yeah that bit’s freaking me out too - how about getting your husband to do the injections? Then you don’t have to look 😅That’s my plan anyway. And to try and numb the area out with ice beforehand? But I guess you’ve probably seen that tip already.

Is this your first (child and/or IVF cycle)?

@charja100 @Triselly

I got my husband to do them. Much easier haha. But then he was working late one night and I had to do it myself. After that I actually found it easier to do it myself once I had got over the initial fear. You'll be absolutely great at it once you've done it the first time xx

@cr7 I think i'm too much of a control freak to let him jab me.  It will be okay I'm sure I just need to put my big girl pants on!

@Triselly Numbing the area is a great shout. I hadn't remembered that, I've made a mental note!

I'm also first time everything. We have no children, and this is the beginning of our IVF journey. We've been TTC for 2.5 years. I've just turned 38.

If there's any questions you have, I've probably had them myself so just @ me and I'll get back to you.

He probably wants to feel involved. It can be tough on the men folk x

@charja100 forgot to tag you in that comment!

Aw wish you luck ladies. (I’m not currently doing ivf but I did so already at 40. just saw this thread and want to wish you all good luck. )
FYI the injections are not so bad!

@CR7 thank you so much. I have a feeling there'll be plenty of questions coming your way!

@charja100 anytime xx

@CR7 Thank you - how did your egg collections go? That’s the bit that’s scaring me quite a lot - did you have it under GA or just sedation?

@Bree82 Thank you for the nice message! ❤

Yes me :) This current final natural cycle ends in the 20something of April and I'll be starting stims then.

Heya! ☺️
I’ll be having a FET end of April (hopefully) so if you’re doing fresh transfer form your cycle will be about the same time transfer wise :)
I had my first round of ICSI last month but over reacted to the stims so had a freeze all cycle so just riding out this cycle in between to let me body get back to normal then I’m hoping to do a natural FET next cycle :)

@HopefulHead I'm nervous I might overstimulated and need to freeze all. Do you mind sharing how you knew / they discovered that you had overstimulated?
Was it painful?

@Triselly they were probably the easiest part!
Sedated and don't remember a thing. Only downside was a few days constipation afterwards each and every time (very common) so stock up on prunes

@charja100
Of course not! I know how much the y known is a killer 😭
My bloods showed that my levels of progesterone and estradiol were too high and the doctor said they were happy to do egg collection but I had to start some tablets for a week prior to EC to lower my hormone levels and they said they wouldn’t be prepared to do a transfer as it wouldn’t work with such high levels and I was at risk of OHSS.
To be totally honest, I was happy with a freeze all, I think a lot of people would be disappointed but after doing the stims for 2 weeks then the stress of my hormones being too high and them telling me I was at risk of ovulating before getting to EC then being poorly after it I have really enjoyed just having this month out to let my body get back to normal and also to get my head and emotions settled again as it’s such a hard journey and I think if I’d had the stress of transfer within a week of EC my emotions would have been at breaking point.
I was pretty poorly after EC but only for about a week and managed it at home, and it is quite rare OHSS is so bad you’re hospitalised, I believe most women get it to some degree with IVF