IVF Buddies: the next chapter

[RunningOnHope]

Hi everyone, thought I'd try making us a second thread now the old one is done -

Tagging @Triselly @lemons44 @CR7 @Flowerlover010 @pongom @WholeZebra @TheBirdintheCave @SarahShorty - will go back to the thread and see if there's anyone else to add in, but do tag those I've missed!

I can relate to the point about the internet. The cruel irony here is that I now know far more about fertility and the human reproductive system than I ever wanted to know, only to ultimately learn that getting pregnant is pure luck. Seconding @Triselly with the venting. This road is very rocky and we all need all the support we can get.

I feel like that sometimes. Knowing how much chance and luck there is involved and worrying when I was younger about getting accidentally pregnant and now here I am. I think as well until you start this journey you don't realise how many other people have gone through IVF as well.

@DopeyS yep. Infertilty or fertility woes are still seemingly a taboo subject. I can understand it on the basis that nobody likes to talk about their struggles because it's just too painful, the side of effect of that is that newcomers feel very isolated and lost. Infertility does need to be talked about more because I do think it's going to get worse in the coming years. My in-laws had their children very quickly and with no issues (that they're aware of) at all, I consider them today to be the exception to the rule. Almost nobody gets pregnant fast and carries to term now and those that look like they have, likely struggled for years or had help.

My husband has spoken to a few people at his work and there are about three others that he's worked with in the past year that have been through IVF. I've not talked much about it. We haven't told anyone about the transfer yet. Both of our mums would be asking about testing and things and I just don't want to talk about it. Some of the people at my work know but they don't ask. It's difficult I think with parents as they obviously want to be grandparents but I think sometimes that clouds things a little for them.

Did you guys watch save our sperm on channel four a couple of weeks ago? Eye opening xx

@cr7 I didn't, my DH did. He told me there's nothing in it that he didn't already know. By the sounds of it, the overall message didn't address the cause of low sperm, it just explained some things that can be done to help improve numbers and quality by a tiny margin. I believe they know why sperm counts have dropped, they just can't say it.

@CR7 I tagged the wrong CR7. cr7 Please disregard!

As if there are two @SarahShorty haha

It did make a substantial difference to each of the men but they were all quite extreme in the bad habit they highlighted.

I reckon for an average Joe sat at home watching it was very interesting. We obviously know more than most due to our journeys xx

OTD for me and the line is half as dark again as two days ago basically back to the same shade as our first positive at 5dp5dt. I'm SO cross that we have to report it to the clinic as they've threatened to make me go all the way into London for a blood test. I will get my husband to fight with them though as I think that's grossly unfair.

I'm sad. So far all of the people on the July FET thread I was on have got strong positives. Why do I have to be the one with the chemical? 😭 I am happy for them of course but when is it my turn? Will I ever get pregnant and get to keep it again?

So sorry to hear it @TheBirdintheCave. I was really hoping it would work out for you. OTD is tomorrow for me but definitely period. It is sad and I can't help seeing the thousands of pounds going down the loo...

Very much agree with you about knowing far more about fertility than I ever wanted to know haha. And getting very frustrated with the misinformation and inaccuracies out there also!

I’m so sorry, @TheBirdintheCave and @RunningOnHope , what a huge disappointment. Thinking of you both today xx

@RunningOnHope I really thought that statistically it would work out for at least one of us this cycle! (Out of you me and Char) I'm so sorry you've got your period already. I guess mine will come in the next few days when the HCG finally goes? 🤷🏻‍♀️

What are the next steps for you now?

@TheBirdintheCave Some HCG will still remain in your system. This is how I found out about my first chemical pregnancy early last year. I was still learning how to track LH and I saw what looked like a very early peak, it was 10 days into a new cycle. Since LH and HCG are so similar, both can appear on an LH test. Suffice to say when I figured out what had happened, I was devastated. Once progesterone drops, bleeding will start. I'm so sorry xx

@SarahShorty It's ok, I've accepted it now :) Hopefully we're luckier on the next try! At least I don't seem to have any issues with implantation. It's just the embryo quality that worries me 😕

@TheBirdintheCave my fingers are cross for your next try xx Embryo quality can be a factor, as most embryos that humans produce are chromosomally abnormal, ie too many or too few chromosomes, or wrongly-placed chromosomes. If it's any consolation, I've had some very, very light and dull cramps today, which is probably the lining getting heavy and looking to shed. I'm 12DPO. I 100% think it's over, but it's not over until it's over.

@SarahShorty I really, really hope it's not the end for you! Have you tested at all or are you waiting it out?

@TheBirdintheCave Thank you xx I'm waiting it out. I'm done with early testing, so so done with it.

@SarahShorty how long have you got to wait xx

@CR7 (tagged the right one this time 😁) According to the app I'm 12DPO, but according to the chart on the app, my period is due tomorrow. My LP is always 14 days, so I'm going to assume it's start either Thursday or Friday.

We all have our fingers crossed for you xx

@CR7 I didn’t watch the show about sperm but I’m now intrigued as to what the bad habit was?

If you do FET does your period not start until you stop taking medication. I'm taking tablets and pessaries. If I hadn't done the transfer my period would be due in 4 days but I don't really know if the tablets would delay it or not.

@KG96 it's things like smoking, too much sugar, extra strong hair regrowth formula, heat (think stand-up comedian with stage lights beaming down on you for hours), and tight fitting trousers/jeans.

@DopeyS your period will start a day or two after you stop taking the progesterone medication.