Anyone just started/about to start IVF? Join me for support.

[Shellster52]

Tomorrow will be day one of my cycle and I will start IVF for the third time.

I know there are already IVF threads, but there are so many people and it moves so fast. So I thought I would start one for women who just started IVF or are just about to start, so there is a smaller group and messages do not get overlooked. Hopefully this will help us feel supported and remain sane (and hopefully a bit calmer to help our odds?!)

About me: TTC just over two long years. Found out hubby has 100% abnormal sperm morphology. Move on to IVF. First IVF I discovered I am a poor responder and only had two mature follicles and one egg retrieved (they forgot the other!!!!). Embryo disintegrated before day two transfer. IVF 2 I did the estrogen priming protocol after reading it was good for poor responders, along with higher dose of injections. Got 5 eggs, 4 were mature and injected with sperm, 3 fertilised but one was abnormal. The reamining two embryos were at two cell stage on day two, but they like to see them at four cell stage by day two. Both transferred at day two. I read many stories of women having success with day two embryos still at two cell stage but BFN for me.

Have since been taking Aspirin in the hope that I get more eggs this round. Have also been taking DHEA in the hope that the embryo quality is improved, but with hubbys sperm issue and junk food habits, I wonder if he is largely responsible for poor embryo quality.

[Shellster52]

Well I had my egg retrieval yesterday. They got 6 eggs. I just received a phone call that my transfer is going ahead tomorrow so that means that at least one of my eggs has fertilised and made it to now. When I go for my appointment tomorrow, I will find out exactly how many fertilised and the quality of them.

Still don't feel out of the woods yet. I got to this stage last cycle and when I went in for transfer, was told embryo quality was not great and got a BFN. So I won't breathe a sigh of relief until I see doctor tomorrow and find out about embryo quality.

Moggle, how did your first appointment go? What is the next step for you from here?

Elvista, how did your egg retrieval go?

Eurochick you are probably in hospital right now having egg collection! Hope all goes well. Let us know.

And good luck for you tomorrow Olive. Hope your 6 follicles have all grown. You are in the same boat as me and going for quality over quantity. If you are in need of some inspiration despite your disheartening scan, I started a thread asking for success IVF stories despite low AMH. I got many replies about women with not many eggs retrieved and they had success and it really showed that it doesn't matter how many eggs, as long as one is good.

Olive, not sure how your funding system works over there. Can I ask how many IVF's you get funded under the NHS?

[elvista]

6 is very positive so fingers crossed for tomorrow Shellster. Good luck for tomorrow Olive. Best of luck Eurochick.

Not long back from egg collection. They got 8, so quite hopeful. Although it is all about quality. Waiting to hear tomorrow to find out how many get to the next stage. Egg collection was ok. A bit sore now but ok. Going to have a lazy day.

Best wishes everybody!

[tak1ngchances]

Hi all! Can I please join in? I am due to start IVF in January...although my cycle has to start after 4th January or the clinic will still be on Christmas break .

Am currently crossing my legs to stop AF arriving for the next 2 days so I'm in with a chance of hitting the post-4th Jan timings.

It will be our first round of IVF after 2 years of trying to conceive without even a sniff of a BFP. We found out after lots of tests and investigations that DH has very low motility. So we are going for IVF with ICSI.

My main question now is, am I allowed a drink??? It's all Christmas parties and mulled wine around here...

[Olive324]

Hi Takingchances. Glad you can join us. I think you can still have a few drinks over Christmas. Don't worry.. It won't hurt. I'm now not drinking at all as I have egg collection tomorrow but until I started on the drugs I was still having a few drinks a week. I've even read that a glass of red can help with implantation but I don't know how true this is!!? If anyone can verify this I'd be happy to give it a go!

[Shellster52]

Hi *tak1ngchances. Welcome! Has your period held off?

Glad to hear all went well for egg retrieval Elvista. When will you next get word on what is happening with them?

I am currently sitting in the hospital waiting for my embryo transfer. The doctor will give me the details of how many of the 6 eggs fertilised and what the quality is like. Last IVF, the embryo's were only at two cell stage on day 2 and the doc said they should be at 4 cells by now - and then I got a BFN. So if my best embryo is still at 2 cells, I am going to feel like this transfer won't work either and leave the hospital very dishertened.

Anxiously waiting for my name to be called...

[elvista]

Hey Shellster, how did it go? Everything crossed for you. I know you know this, but every cycle is different, so try to stay positive-although that is bloody hard at times! And remember we're all here for support. Hope it goes well.

I find out this morning & then they watch. Transfer will be Saturday, Sunday or Tuesday. Hoping for Sunday. Not sure why as it they'll do what is medically best. Maybe aiming for a day in my head helps me to feel a bit in control?

[tak1ngchances]

So far period has held off thank goodness! Thanks for welcoming me to the fold. Sending positive thoughts and support to everyone this morning.

[Olive324]

Egg retrieval today. 5 eggs. We are doing 3 IVF and 2 ICSI. Not that many eggs but still holding out hope. Just hope they are goon ones. I have bled quite a bit. Anyone else? Is this normal?

[elvista]

Olive - Congratulations on the 5! I think bleeding is normal. I had retrieval yesterday and the nurses/doctors told me to expect bleeding. I haven't but have been really uncomfortable, which the clinic told me was normal. If in doubt give them a call - it's what they're there for and will put your mind at rest, especially given that it's the weekend. In the meantime rest and plan nice things for the weekend.

[Shellster52]

Well, of my 6 eggs collected, only 3 were mature and had ICSI performed on them. Of those 3, only one fertilised! At least this one is better quality than the two I had transferred last cycle. Last cycle, the two embryo's were still at the 2-cell stage on day two and the doctor said a good quality embryo should be at 4 cells. This time, my one embryo was at 4 cell stage on day two when it was transferred.... so now the wait begins!

Waiting to hear your initial report Elvista - so they don't have a set day for transfer hey - just depends on the quality and amount of embryos? Sounds like they are trying to do what is best for your individual circumstances which sounds promising.

I didn't bleed either Olive, but I did have a sore abdomen and my next bowel movement was excruciating. I too was told bleeding would be normal though. So when will you get more news?

Thanks for you positive wishes chances - glad to hear your period is co-operating!

[Olive324]

Hi shellster, glad you got a high quality egg. It sounds really positive and am keeping my FX for you.
I got a phone call this morning to say 4 out of the 5 had fertilised( 2 IVF and 2 ICSI ). Got a provisional transfer day of Wednesday but this could change depending on how things go in the next few days. Bleeding has stopped and am using the progesterone pesseries ( had to watch a U tube video on how to administer them as they came without instructions! -:)
Best of luck to everyone on here at whatever stage you are at.

[moggle]

Our consultation went very well, we both came out feeling positive. My AMH is still low (9.6) but not nearly as low as last time (3.8) so that's good; also my follicle count is almost normal so I won't be started on the max dose. My FSH has also dropped from 9.8 to 6.5 which I'm pleased about too. I'll be having long protocol and starting on my cycle which begins around jan 5th. We're on holiday 11-18th and I'll be starting down regulation the week or so after that. Feeling positive for the first time in ages and actually looking forward to Christmas with family and friends and their kids. Hope this feeling lasts for a little while at least!!

I went to see one of my best friends this week, who has been struggling with TTC, her DH has a v low sperm count and they had a consultation about ICSI booked for 2 wks time. She's 8 wks pregnant! I don't think she can believe it. I'm so happy for her and now even more wishing our first IVF go works so we can be pg at the same time.

shellster that sounds promising that your embryo is where it is supposed to be. olive good fertilisation rates, I hope you continue to get good news from the embryologist. elvista your fingers must be shredded. Can't believe how much waiting there is in this whole process! Thinking of all of you going through this.

[eurochick]

That sounds positive shellster and olive.

I had my EC on Thursday. They collected 4 eggs (and tried lots of the other follies but the eggs were not mature enough to come out). I got the call yesterday to say that 3 out of the 4 had fertilised. The clinic was supposed to call today with an update but didn't! Transfer is tomorrow.

[elvista]

Best wishes for tomorrow eurochick.

I may be having the transfer tomorrow. They'll call in the morning. They got 8 eggs and 5 fertilised, so we'll see what tomorrow brings. Generally quite calm about the whole thing but starting to get nervy about tomorrow.

moggle glad your consultation went well. It is just one big waiting game. I'd really recommend meditation, it's great for just stilling your mind, especially on the days when it all gets a bit much.

Fingers crossed for you Olive.

Shellster - best of luck. Sending positive thoughts.

[Shellster52]

Sounds like everyone had a great fertilisation rate since I last checked in here! Mine was the suckiest with only one embryo making it!

Glad your feeling positive moggle and feel Christmas gatherings will be easier to get through - our family gatherings will be a struggle if we don't get one big fat BFP for Christmas.

I am just a little ahead of you all Olive, Euro and Elvista and will be checking in to see what happens at this crucial nail biting time. This 2ww is a killer now that I know I am in with a real chance. Feels like forever and it has only been 1 1/2 days since the transfer!

I woke up this morning and can feel very mild period type cramping. The embryo is only four days old so I know it can't have implanted yet, but I have read that the embryo emits something to make the mothers immune system low so that the uterus doesn't reject it. Maybe my body is preparing for pregnancy - or maybe it is just me imagining things and over analyzing every little feeling - maybe I just need to have a bowel movement!?!?

[Olive324]

All 4 embryos achieved 4 cell stage ( day2?) but 2 doing a little better than the others. This is like child's first few days at school I expect! Getting updates as to how they are doing.

[Shellster52]

You must be so relieved Olive after you were first disheartened by your scan showing not too many follicles - at least the ones you do have are growing well! So still no set date for a transfer?

I guess at least while everyone elses embryo's are still outside the body in a petri dish, you can get updates and know what is going on. Once they are back inside like mine is - you have no idea if it is growing well or if it has disintegrated and it is a killer.

[Olive324]

Think positive shellster. Your embryo was a good one . I can't comment on the cramps as I have not got to that point yet but I'm keeping everything crossed for you. I've been given a provisional date of Wednesday for transfer ( they are hoping they get to 5 day blastocyst phase) but they say this might change depending on the daily updates. Just got to be ready to go in whenever.

[elvista]

Good news olive. Hoping for good news for you. Shellster-how are you feeling. Hi to everyone!

Clinic called this morning. Of the 5 that fertilized, 4 made it through to day 3. We have one grade 1, two grade 2's and another one which wasn't doing very much. This is a great position to be in.

However, we had to take the decision of a 3 or 5 day transfer! Whenever I asked the embryologist what was best she fudged. Lots of you could go for day 5 but you could do day 3. I ended up being a bit blunt with her as I thought it wasn't fair to ask us given that she is the expert. Also thought it was a bit weird as she kept talking about how we are all a team when in experience nothing else in the process has been left up to us to decide. I was quite upset-I mean how do you make that decision. She was very apologetic-didn't realise this would be upsetting.

Anyway had 5 mins to discuss with DH. We settled on a Day 3 (today) transfer and transfered our grade 1 and have frozen our 2 grade 2's. So, having calmed down so this mornings Acupuncture appointment wasn't a complete waste of time we went in. She was full of apologies again and I was very firm that this was not up for discussion, that I didn't want to be upset again at this moment. To be fair I do get why she explained both sides I just expected it to be a strong 'this is the best thing to do' rather than being vague about it.

The transfer itself was fine and I feel quite positive about it. The important thing is that we are happy & don't regret it. We felt if we waited for day 5 and they'd all gone we would have regrets. So in the absence of a strong medical opinion this was the best course of action and now we wait...

Sorry this is so long! It's actually quite therapeutic to get it out there.

[Shellster52]

No need to apologise for you long rant. That's why I started this thread,
so that we could have a place to vent because it really is therapetic.

Sorry you had such a stressful day elvista. Sounds like you feel at peace with the decision you made. If it is any more comforting, here is a tidbit from a website I found:

"Embryos will even develop better in the uterine environment (one step removed from the Fallopian tube) than in our most advanced, well controlled culture system. ... There is indirect data, collected at IRMS and elsewhere, that shows convincingly that a portion of embryos that arrest in vitro after Day 3 would not have arrested had they been transferred on Day 3. Specific classes of embryos that develop to normal blastocysts at a very low rate when held in vitro were studied. When embryos of these classes were transferred on Day 3, the proportion that implanted and contributed to term pregnancies was greater than the percentage that developed to blastocyst in the group that was held in vitro until Day 5."

www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=&id=245

So it seems if you have lots of great quality embryo's, then it is best to let them grow to day 5 so only the fittest survive and you can choose the most elite embryo. But if there is only one or two good embryo's, and research indicates they will do better inside us than in a petri dish, it is better to have an earlier transfer.

So now like me, you are playing the waiting game!

So the two grade 2 embryo's were frozen at day 3? Just wondering how the different places work because my spare embryo's are grown on to day 5 before being frozen (but unfortunately I had none that made it the distance).

Another question, did they do an ultrasound on you while they inserted the embryo? My clinic did not but I have a friend in America who had ultrasound so just curious.

[elvista]

Thanks shellster. We are happy with the decision we made and in the absence of a strong medical opinion we felt it was important that we made the decision we are at peace with. Now just have the 2 week wait...

They did use the ultra sound to guide the transfer. Not pleasant with a full bladder! It seems pretty standard here (UK) from what I've heard. They are very good and try to show you when the embryo passes through although it's just a tiny blur!

Trying to get ready for Christmas. House needs cleaned and decorations need to go up. Last year I wanted to cancel the holidays. This year I feel I need to make more of an effort.also the more I get done in the next 2 weeks the better! We've also planned a few quiet days for ourselves over the holidays in case its not good news. How's everyone else's preparations going?

[eurochick]

Hi all.

I had my 3 day transfer yesterday. When we got to the clinic it was not good news. 2 of the trio had failed to divide normally and the other was slow (again - all of our embies have been slow). Only 5 cell, but it made it to 6 just before transfer.

The embryologist pointed the finger at it being an egg issue and mentioned donor eggs. I'm very sad. We will change clinics and throw everything at one last cycle next year, but I think we are near the end of the road.

All 4 of my transfers have been under ultrasound guidance (in the UK). It is very uncomfortable - the speculum is pushing up on to your bladder, and the ultrasound thingy is pushing down. It takes a lot of willpower not to pee in the gynae's face...

[Shellster52]

That made me laugh euro! Need a laugh in amongst all this stress! Euro, I have had some embryo quality improvement each time. I try to be guided by the studies which show statistically that they improve embryo quality. Don't want to go on a long rant here about it all in case you are not interested at this point in time. But if you are, let me know or PM me. Might help you to feel like you have a back up plan so you don't come crashing down if this IVF fails.

So you've done this before Euro - any tips on hurrying up the 2ww. It is only 3 1/2 days for me and every hour is torture!

[eurochick]

Keeping busy is all I can suggest! I try to throw myself into work, see friends, and at the moment I have Xmas stuff to deal with too. This time I am more relaxed than on the previous 3 cycles. I am frankly a bit bored of the whole thing!

I might well PM you re: the embryo quality info if this round doesn't work out.

[Shellster52]

No worries Euro - feel free to PM me when and if you feel the need.

This is my fourth cycle too. But each cycle things get a little better so I can't help but desperately hope this time is it.
Cycle 1 - embryo disintegrated before it made it two day two transfer
Cycle 2 - cancelled because I forgot to take injection one night!
Cycle 3 - two embryo's available at day two transfer but both only two cells instead of four with some fragmentation
Cycle 4 - embryo is at four cells with minor fragmentation at day two transfer.

So each time, my embryo quality gets a little better. I have a list on the fridge with what should be happening with my embryo each day. Today it should finish hatching and begin implantation for the next four days. No doubt I am going to be paying attention to every little twinge! I wish I could just forget it because I worry I am going to come crashing down harder when this fails. At least with each cycle improving, it gives me hope to continue on.

Sorry for the rant - just need to get it off my chest.