Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me.

[Shellster52]

After 3 full failed IVF's last year, I am about to embark on my second last attempt. I started an IVF thread during my last IVF, and everyone got pregnant but me. So I swore I wouldn't do that again this time. But I find myself wanting to chat with people going through what I am, so I am starting the thread again. Join me as I seem to be a BFP magnet!

Hi everyone, Just going to jump back in, I needed a few weeks away to clear my head before the next attempt so sorry to have missed where everyone is up too. I had a great week away in Cyprus last week and am feeling positive again now. Dates are all booked in, have another scratch and start Downreg Thurs/fri next week, egg collection around 18th August. Please, please let me get that far this time...
Hows things going Shellster/Purple? Ive had a skim read and you are both going again now too, have everything crossed for you x

Hey Carrie - great to have you back. Glad to hear you've had a lovely holiday and you're back in a good frame of mind for this. Sending positive thoughts your way.
I've got my next scan tomorrow and if all is going to plan my FET will be next Wednesday. I think Shellster's on holiday at the moment...all a bit quiet on this thread.

Hi all - it has gone rather quiet on here hasn't it! Carriebella great to hear you are starting again next week, and that you're feeling positive. Purple - what will the scan tell you? I'm not familiar with the FET process. Good luck anyway!

I'm waiting for AF to arrive. As soon as it does I need to go for a scan on day 2 or 3, then hopefully I'll be able to get started again soon. I'd love to start downregging this month but I think it's going to be August now. I've been reading about all sorts of crackpot things to 'induce menstruation' - parsley tea? Ginger tea? Parsley up your vagajayjay?! I wish it would hurry up.

Hello Blue - good to hear from you again.
So, I had my scan today. Just to determine whether the lining of my uterus is thick enough to proceed with FET next week. Needed to be at least 8 mm and it's 8.8 so all good to go.
Had one of those moments at work today - had been planning to take Tuesday onwards off work to concentrate on IVF and I realised that my whole team is off at the same time. And then thought "stuff that, IVF's way more important". It was very liberating.
I'm really tired at the moment - had a horrible cold last week, and a work conference and down-reg. NOt sure which it is that's making me feel so rubbish - probably a combination of the three - but I'm going to have to rest up I think.

I lost my first IVF baby in February at 21 weeks. I was utterly heartbroken.

Last week I had an embryo transfer and will find out on Friday if we are pregnant again. Going insane!

I have a blog about everything which you may want to check out: wwww.wakeupsurvivesleep.com

Wishing you all good luck, positive thoughts and happy endings xx

Welcome DRS - and so sorry to hear about your baby. Pregnancy loss is always a tragedy, but so very cruel when you've waited and hoped for so long. Thank you for your good wishes to all of us - and keeping everything crossed for you too x

Thanks purplemeggie. Good luck for your ET. Will be hoping all our prayers are answered. Xxx

Hello all. Yes still on holidays Purple which was a bit of a nice distraction but I still thought about IVF as I considered every meal choice - and get stressed as I watch the amount of crap my husband is eating (nothing new - no suprise he has dud sperm). I can imagine a FET feels slower. With IVF you get new updates all the time as to follicle growth and numbers - this time you have been waiting for ages already knowing it's just one precious frosty. So when will you know if the 'un-freeze' process is a success - Wed morn?

Carrie, thanks for thinking of me. Expecting period tomorrow or next day, then having scan on day 2 to see if I have enough follicles to go ahead... PLEASE LET ME HAVE ENOUGH! can you remind me why you didn't make it to egg collection last time?

Welcome DRS. I echo Purples words. Pregnancy loss is cruel at the best of times, let alone after waiting so long and enduring IVF, and then let alone at 21 weeks! Is it too personal to ask what happened. My husband has me paranoid that I am increasing the odds of having an 'abnormal' baby because I am pushing IVF so your story has me wondering. Ignore this post if you would rather forget it. And I hope Friday brings all the joy you deserve.

Yup - so when they freeze the embryo, they remove all the liquid first. If it survives the freeze/thaw, it absorbs liquid from the dish its in, so they can tell immediately if it's survived because it "plumps up". They'll call me to confirm mid-morning and all being well, we'll pop in for the transfer late morning/early afternoon.

Shellster - I got anxious about this and questioned my clinic at the outset. I was assured that it isn't that there is a greater likelihood of things going wrong with IVF, it's just that the women who have it tend to be older so the DNA in our eggs is less new and shiny. xxx

I will be thinking of you Wednesday Purple. It seems like it's been such a long build up to this day.

For my update, my cycles are usually short - can be as short as 24 days. So this cycle, I took progesterone after ovulation until yesterday so that the estrogen I started on day 20 would have enough time to take effect. But now today is CD28 and still no period in sight. I hope it arrives tomorrow and I haven't mucked up my body and my IVF cycle! It's going to be a long day.

Oh no, Shellster - if it's not too short it's too long - really not fair.

I'm feeling a bit teary this evening. My SIL is about to drop no. 2 - their son was born on the due date of the baby we lost and, while delighted for them, that was hard. I'm now struggling with the fact that they're having another one and we're still no further forward. One of those things I struggle with - I know she didn't take my place in the queue, but I just want it to be my turn now .

I'll tell you what though, this IVF malarky is quite an interesting experiment in the effects of different hormones, isn't it? I've said before that I quite like the down-reg thing (although I had quite a few headaches this time) - it makes me feel quite calm and serene, and I was fine on the stims, but the oestrogen that I'm taking to thicken up my endometrium is making me quite emotional and pmt-ish.

And tonight the bum bullets start....is it just me, or is this absolutely the worst bit of IVF? I don't mind the needles (69 injections to date - I counted them last night) and I don't mind the prodding, poking and indignity of all the scans and procedures, but I really hate stuffing pessaries up the chocolate starfish! Sorry....

Wow. All my progesterone pessaries go up the front hole - not the back! Are we using different medications?? I use Endometrin or Crinone. I personally havent found any of the drugs to cause side effects. Maybe I am just not focused on it because I am too busy stressing if it will work.

And I am in similar shoes to you in that my BILs partner conceived her 1st, had him and is now pregnant with her 2nd while all the time I have been struggling with my imainary baby!

Please let this be our turn. My period is now on its way. The only reason I worry about the length of this cycle is that I stopped Aspirin on day 21 so its out of my system when I start injections. I need the Aspirin for a higher starting follicle count and worry I stopped it too soon and will hardly have any follicles again this IVF. I guess thats the nature of IVF... overcome one hurdle only to stress about the next. Having day 2 scan on Tuesday and will see how many follies I will actually start with.

Sorry for long rant. I can just feel the emotions of it all as I start again and nice to let it out.

Erm yes Purple, just like Shellster mine go up the front way too! They are pretty awful. Worst part about IVF for me though is the mood swings - I was a grumpy monster for most of April/May.

Good luck Shellster, try not to get too worked up about your scan. It's out of your hands - there's nothing you can do at this point apart from think positive. It must be really hard for you though, after trying so many times before. Sending you some good vibes!

I'm still waiting for my period to start. Few days overdue now - so annoying. I'm like clockwork usually, IVF has messed me up. Irritated!

Oh dear - this is a bit TMI, isn't it?! I have a choice of orifice, as it were, for my cyclogest, but I found I had more, ahem, seepage, when using the front door, as it were. Insertion is worse with the alternative (and DH finds my complaints most amusing - he's sympathetic really, but it's one of those things you just can't do anything about, so he has a chuckle instead), but once they're in place, there's less mess.

Fingers crossed that it's our turn this time....

The elegance of IVF - you get the choice of holes! As long as we all have it right. Yes, they do make a mess don't they.

So close now Purple. I will be sending vibes for this little embryo to co-operate on Wednesday after all this build up.

You are right Blue, it's out of my hands. Nothing I can do but be positive. Breathe... Are you starting IVF this cycle again already Blue when your period starts? I have lost track.

Can I ask a Q for those who had the scratch. I had it done a couple of weeks ago and my usually already light period is now lighter than ever. Was that your experience they period after the scratch?

Tee hee. And thank you....my biggest worry this time is that the frosty won't survive the thaw...about a 2/3 chance that it will, so please send warm and plumping-up vibes on Wednesday morning

I had a scratch this cycle too. I spotted for a few days after the scratch, stopped for a few days before my period, which was pretty normal. I spotted for quite a while at the end of it, though.

Are you doing anything to help you with the stress and anxiety, Shellster? Not surprising you feel anxious when you've thrown as much into this as you have for such a long time, but I wonder about something a bit self-indulgent like some reflexology or acupuncture? They might just boost your chances of success, too, but the biggest benefit would, I think, be giving you a bit of peace in that busy head of yours. I have regular acupuncture and for me, that's the primary benefit. It got me out of my very dark place last year, that's for sure. Also, homeopathic remedy sepia helps me to feel calmer. I'm sure it's your turn this time, lovely. You'll get there xxx

Blue - what happened about that drug trial? Did they accept you? x

Hi guys - my period started on Saturday (woo hoo) and I had a scan to count follicles this morning. Just waiting for all my blood test results to come back, then I should know if I've been selected for the trial. Fingers crossed! I should know in the next few days hopefully.

Whatever happens, we'll start our next cycle around 1st August, ie, around day 21. Sounds as though I have 5 small follicles on the right ovary and a couple of small ones on the left...basically the same as last time.

Sending you some positive mental energy Purple and Shellster!

All looking busy this week. Sending positive thoughts for your transfer on weds purple, get those little frosties back where they belong.
Shellster, I had the scratch but it was followed by a quite heavy bleed, I was down-regging though so I think it was hormonal. To answer your earlier question I was cancelled last time as I never produced enough follies, only 6 and my AMH is good so they wanted more was very upsetting at the time but we all get used to that. They were meant to have upped my menopur dosage but ive just had my drugs delivery and theyve switched me to Gonal-f? Which has a lower iu? Does anyone know why they would do that? I am in on friday for a repeat scra
tch so will ask them then. Also had a little bleed yesterday and am feeling af cramps, I dont think my body has recovered from the last cycle yet, im only on day 18, I hope af doesnt show properly and delay me again...
Good luck at the follicle count tomorrow Shellster. It sounds like things are going to go to plan this time!
Blue - Has af shown? Fingers crossed for you

Sorry for the monologue. My phone doesnt like paragraphs?!

Ooh missed your post blue. Thats great. How long do the blood tests take? Good to know its happening eitherway.

Purple. You are so right about the relaxing factor. My holiday was so relaxing and has made me see how hectic my work life is now that I am back at work and can compare it to how relaxed I felt on holidays. Going to ring my boss and take days off to be relaxed and put my IVF first despite them being short staffed.

Blue, I didn't realise you are doing a drug trial. Missed that post. Does that mean you will get something funded? Either way, it must be nice to have your period and your dates booked so that you can know the wheels are in motion.

Carrie. I remember exactly now that your remind me of your story. So what you are saying is that you are taking a lower dose of Gonal than you were of Menopur? Could this be because Menopur is only 50% FSH (the other 50% is LH), where as Gonal is 100% FSH. So you need to take less of the Gonal to still get a higher dose of FSH. Glad you will have the opportunity to ask and put your mind at ease.

I had my day 3 scan today. 19 starting follicles. Really shows that all the research I have read and things I have done have paid off. My first IVFs last year started with day 2/3 counts of 5 to 8. My last IVF day 2 count was 14 and today it was 19! It all means nothing though until I get a BFP. Still many things that can go wrong but todays scan was a promising start.

Wow. Fantastic news Shellster. You really do know what you are doing and could teach the drs a thing or two.Whens the next scan? Thanks for the info on gonal-f I wasnt sure on the exact variation and youve put my mind at rest til I go in on friday.

Shellster! 19 follicles! I am doing a happy dance from across the world! That's fantastic news - amazing what a holiday and some self-indulgent me-time can do, huh? This is a good omen, I'm sure of it. Now, start drinking that vanilla-infused milk and think big fat thoughts .

I think you're absolutely right about work. I don't know how you feel about your job - I'm lucky in that I really enjoy mine on a day-to-day basis, but I'm under no illusion that it's going to be something I do for a few years (either that, or until someone notices my creative genius and signs me up for a lucrative publishing deal ). When you're old and looking back, you're never going to wish that you worked harder, but your family is likely to be the most important thing you ever did, so I think you have to prioritise it now.

Thanks Blue - and back atcha

I need to phone the clinic today and find out what time my transfer's scheduled for tomorrow. And just praying that our one lonely little Frosty is strong and healthy and makes it out of the freezer.