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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me.

999 replies

Shellster52 · 06/03/2014 03:35

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!

OP posts:
inconceivableme · 08/10/2014 12:51

Blue - I love Robert Winstone too! Great Q&A! I'd not heard of his research trust before. Thanks for sharing!

I have a scan on Friday to check my lining and ET is provisionally planned for Tuesday 21 October. How about you GoOrange?

Emma, I know, 3 blasts is a good number. Hopefully at least one will be good to transfer, based on the stats. Fingers crossed!

purplemeggie · 08/10/2014 21:18

I'm starting an experiment today. When I had ds, my sister gave me a bag of lovely toiletries to take into hospital with me. They had a very distinctive citrusy smell that I associate very strongly with having just had a baby. I've never had that brand of shower gel/handcream again and when I came across the dregs of a pot of it recently and opened and sniffed it, it reminded me really strongly of that time.

So I've just bought myself some more and I'm going to use it for the next two weeks in the hope that the associations work their magic. Smile

GoBigOrange · 09/10/2014 08:16

Really happy to hear that transfers are happening and things are looking hopeful for you Purple and Annie - Excellent news.

Hi inconceivableme - Good luck to you too. Here's hoping the frosties defrost eh? I'm worrying myself silly that neither of mine will (I've opted to transfer both) even though I know statistically at least one of them should make it through the thaw. You're a bit ahead of me with your cycle, I think my transfer is most likely going to be the 28th/29th - dependent on lining of course.

Hi Emma - Thank you for the good wishes. inconceivableme looks like she is going to have her transfer about a week ahead of me, assuming my lining does what it is supposed to... and I've had to have some uterine polyps removed recently, so it is clearly not entirely to be trusted to perform as expected!

I'm sorry to hear your embryo's didn't do well. I didn't lose as many as you, but it really makes you so heartsick, having the clinic calling and updating you that the numbers are dwindling and dwindling... :(

Are you cycling again soon?

AnnieHoo · 09/10/2014 11:08

That's it done. 2 x 8 cell embryos.
What a relief to be heading home after 2 weeks away. I can't wait to see my wee doggy. Smile

purplemeggie · 09/10/2014 14:18

Great news, Annie. Safe journey, may the 2ww pass swiftly and may there be happy news at the end of it x

purplemeggie · 09/10/2014 14:22

Forgot to ask: were you able to freeze any? x

AnnieHoo · 09/10/2014 14:39

Thanks purple I really hope we both have good news in 2 weeks.

There are 2 embryos that have potential to be frozen so the embryologists are going to keep and eye on them and let is know.

purplemeggie · 09/10/2014 15:18

Hope they can...it definitely helps take the pressure off to know that you've got an extra go. x

Betsyboo1 · 09/10/2014 18:01

Hi just curious if any 1 on here has had a successful pregnancy due to ivf I'm on my second round as my 1st go Neva worked just had my egg collection wich was VERY painfully this time I had no pain at all 1st time but only 2 eggs matured enough to be fertilised this time I'm expecting a call in 2days to let me no if transfer is goin a head on day 3 or 5 I'm terrified it won't work again but trying to stay hopefull through this pain

purplemeggie · 09/10/2014 19:08

Hi Betsy. One of the women on this thread got pregnant through IVF (Happilymarried) and one got pregnant naturally after a failed cycle, but neither of them have been active on the thread for a while.

This was my second full cycle and my egg collection was more uncomfortable this time. I wondered if it was because I had more follicles this time (10 as opposed to 5 last time - but only 4 of them contained eggs this time, all of them did last time). I had a day 2 transfer on Wednesday, but my ovaries are still feeling quite tender from the egg collection.

Good luck - waiting for results/answers/tests/AF is the worst bit of all this, isn't it? How many eggs did you get?

Shellster52 · 09/10/2014 19:56

I have disappeared for a bit as I try to find other things to do to try and pass my time til my Dec IVF... it's going to go very slow if every minute is consumed by IVF thoughts. I tried studying nursing but found that my mind was still consumed by IVF and I didn't have the energy to study. So now I have re-joined an acting agency that I was a member of many moons ago. I am also writing a screenplay. Probably won't get me anywhere but I am really enjoying it and it's distracting me so that's great. Just want to give a heads up in case I am not on here every day like I used to be. But I will still be checking in as I am super curious how you get on PUrple and Annie and want to support all those on here who have been so supportive of me.

So I've caught up on the posts but lost track of time.
Was that a day 3 transfer for both of you Annie and Purple?
And how many cells were they at when they actually went back in?
I can't believe Purple that you had 10 follicles but 4 eggs!
Out of my 14 mature eggs, I have had only 6 fertilise normally, so at least you have a great fertilisation rate to make up for it.

My sister had her baby on 8th Oct.
Had to pay my dues and visit yesterday which was confronting.
She had some issues and baby was in a humidicrib so couldn't be picked up.
I was relieved as I thought I would have to hold and look and and fake 'gooing and gaahing' at her little man which would be too painful.

OP posts:
purplemeggie · 10/10/2014 09:52

Sending you a big hug, Shellster - well done for getting the visit out of the way. Writing sounds exciting! That's always my escape, too. Good luck with that - and wherever it takes you, hope you have fun.

It was a day 2 transfer for me. We'd decided to transfer up to 3, given my history, and the fact that this is likely to be our last go. And then, we only got 4 eggs (I know, I know - I cannot tell you how disappointed I was when I came round. The embryologist kept saying to me "but they look good - you wouldn't believe how many women I speak to who would be absolutely delighted with 4" - but I'd had 8 good size follicles and 2 small ones, and in my head, the only "what if" was if there would be 8 or 10 eggs, having had 5/5 last time, so yes, I was gutted, especially since the whole point of short protocol was more eggs, of better quality. But then, I'm six months older, aren't I?). One of the 4 didn't divide, so we only had 3 left, and we had decided to transfer 3, so they suggested there was no point in waiting.

2 of the 3 had divided a lot for day 3 - 6 and 7 cells, which apparently is not good: they can burn out if they start off too quickly, so that was another good reason for getting them back inside me asap. The other one was 4-cells, which was right for the timeframe. They were all grade 2-3 apparently.

On the writing theme, I've taken the time off work since my transfer, going back on Monday, and I'm going to spend today researching literary agents and sending out emails. I write children's stories as a hobby and it's time I tried to something with them. It's been a lifelong ambition and I'm 41....if it's going to happen, I need to make it happen!

Smidge001 · 10/10/2014 13:54

Hi purple, I was interested to hear you say you understood short protocol to be better for more better quality eggs, as I was under the impression the opposite was the case. I am just starting downregging injections for my 2nd round of IVF. My first IVF was short protocol and although they got 10 eggs, of which 8 fertilised normally, only 1 made it to blastocyst for transfer. I got a BFN. My Dr was not happy with the progression of my embryos and has now put me on long protocol under the theory that this will give me a better chance of getting better quality eggs. I think her reasoning for this was that under short protocol my LH still started to rise so they had to do EC a little earlier than she'd hoped (so perhaps my eggs weren't as mature?). She feels the long protocol using different (agonist vs antagonist) drugs will prevent my LH rising this time around.

I'm 38 and been ttc for 2yrs btw. Unexplained. Having a lap on Monday while downregging, to see if endo is a problem. Due to start the FSH in roughly a week.

purplemeggie · 10/10/2014 15:03

Hi Smidge. For completeness, I should say that the conversation went "in older women, we find that short protocol can give more, better quality eggs..." - I am on my way to being 42, so it may be that you're still young in IVF terms. They definitely tailor your protocol based on how you've responded in the past, too, so it may well be the way that your body reacted to the drugs.
Good luck...exciting times, but dreadful on the nerves. Wishing you all the best.

AnnieHoo · 10/10/2014 19:55

purple I got 4 embryos too in the end Smile. I'm 41 too and would love to illustrate children's books. I've just been asked to do a collaboration with a friend who is a writer but haven't even replied because my head is bursting with embryology factoidsShock!

Shellster drama sounds like a perfect in-the-moment distraction. I'm in a choir and the practice is wonderful escapism. I has worked wonders on my happiness. Here is the very detailed lowdown from my embryos sorry it's so long winded - (this is why I could never be a writer!!!)...

Of 8 cells collected, 6 fertilised normally.

The embryologist said that on day 3 post insemination they would expect embryos to be between 6 and 10 cells but they were aiming for between 7 and 9 cell embryos. I had:

1 x 9 cell embryo
3 x 8 cell embryos
1 x 7 cell embryo
1 x 4 cell embryo

On day 2 some embryos exhibited developmental abnormalities.

The 4 cell embryo arose from the embryo that showed a multinucleated cell on day 2.

One embryo appeared to go on to 5 cells on Day 2 and went back to 4 cells. That was an 8 cell on Day 3 so he said they tend to rule those ones out because they don't really know what they are doing.

So that left:

A 9 cell embryo grade 3
An 8 cell embryo grade 3-4
An 8 cell embryo grade 3
A 7 cell embryo grade 3-4

I opted for DET because of my age and history too. The decision was made to transfer the 8 cell grade 3-4 and the 8 cell grade 3.

The 7 cell grade 3-4 was looking good but should ideally have been at 8 cell stage.

The 9 cell one's last cell had been sitting there for the last 14 hours and hadn't done anything so he didn't think it would so well.

They are going to keep an eye on those 2 embryos up to day 5 or 6 and if they make good blastocysts they'll freeze them.

purplemeggie · 10/10/2014 20:53

That all sounds very promising, and with luck you'll get some frosties, too. What is DET?

I have had a lovely and productive day, today. Completely self-indulgent: I did research agents and publishers and sent off a story to an agent. I am attempting to illustrate one of my stories myself, with applique and felt textile-based pictures and I had a big break-through today, which turned out exactly the way I hoped Smile. All in all, it was quite good for taking my mind off things.

Hope everyone else is doing okay x

AnnieHoo · 10/10/2014 22:29

Oo that sounds lovely purple. Children love appliqué illustrations.

Double Embryo Transfer.

purplemeggie · 10/10/2014 23:50

Ahh - of course. So that makes mine a TET....not heard that before. I'm just praying that one sticks. Two would be fabulous. Three would be - a challenge Smile

Shellster52 · 11/10/2014 02:19

Absolutely no need to apologise Annie for the long details. I love them. You will have to keep us informed how the last two go. The 7 cell one sounds promising to freeze. And two 8 cells transferred sounds promising as well.

Purple, if it's any reassurance, during my second last IVF, my day 3 embryo was 10 cells. I had heard this crazy thought that if they grow to fast it's bad (I thought it would mean they are stronger). So I did my usual obsessive research. Read that while these do have a higher rate of not making it to blast, those that do are actually the most likely to implant of all embryos. Wish I could remember where I read it to provide you the link. So hopefully yours are now in the best environment possible to enable them to continue growing and dividing.

But I do wonder what in the world happened to have 8 follicles but 4 eggs?!?! Got me worried since I am following in your footsteps of starting on FSH and then adding LH. How could 4 mature follicles not contain an egg?

Well turns out there are a few creative people on here. I have absolutely no idea where I would send my screen play to. But I have only written a few pages out of about 120 that I need to write - a lot longer writing a film than a childrens book! When will you hear back about the story you sent Purple?

OP posts:
purplemeggie · 11/10/2014 15:33

Thanks for that, Shellster - that's a fantastic piece of news, thank you so much for sharing Thanks - made me feel much better.

Don't know at all what happened to all those follicles. When I get to talk to the consultant again - and haven't just come round from general anaesthetic! - I will ask how that happened and also what my oestradial reading was and whether it was indicative of a small number of eggs. Does seem odd, doesn't it?

I should hear back with 6 weeks, but I'm thinking of approaching some other agents at the same time - there's no rule that you have to approach one at a time.

Happilymarried155 · 12/10/2014 12:41

Just read through the thread, wanted to pop in and see how you are all doing. I think of you all regularly and hope that you are all ok, hoping to see some bfp soon.xxx

Shellster52 · 12/10/2014 13:52

Purple, does that mean you have a scheduled follow up meeting with your consultant whatever the outcome? Or does that mean you plan to soldier on with treatment as a back up plan to this current one? No pressure, just wondering what your plan is. I know you said 'two and that's it' and I am really thinking that my next one being my 9th is ridiculous so I am really trying to learn from you how to let go after this one.

Well I thought I was doing well with my 'forget and relax' theory. But my sister now has a 4 day old baby and today we went to visit people I haven't seen in a year who also had a 4 day old baby to show me!!!! Makes this situation hard to forget!!!! I have lost track of my cycle day for the first time since trying for this baby but I know I am somewhere mid cycle and my saliva kit shows that my cells are kinda in the ferning about to ovulate pattern so I made and effort to have sex twice today. Anyway, can't sleep so I thought a vent here might help. Okay, back to bed.

Hello Happily. As you can tell from my rant, still no luck from me. Hope all is well with you on the other side of this nightmare.

OP posts:
AnnieHoo · 12/10/2014 16:17

shellster and purple just reading through your posts about the empty follicle situation.

After I had around 8 follicles on Day 9 scan I went for the Day 13 scan and I didn't count how many I had.

It wasn't until I went back to see the nurse the next day to pick up more meds that I found out there were 15.

So 7 of my follicles didn't contain an egg but I was warned that it would be unlikely that all follicles would contain eggs so I was expecting about half to contain eggs... Not sure where I got those expectations from? Maybe some were not mature enough, some were over mature and some just didn't have an egg..?? I should have asked how many were empty.

I still don't know what happened to my embryos back in Edinburgh. I missed the call from the embryologist this morning! He left a message saying he's going to call back tomorrow. I was going to call them anyway tomorrow because I wasn't sure if they'd ring me or not. Today would be Day 6 for them if either of them made it.

On another note, the progesterone suppositories have turned me into a moany faced grumpy old git with no sense of humour!!!Blush

AnnieHoo · 12/10/2014 16:20

Oops sorry that wasn't v clear just typed that without reading back. I don't know that 7 were empty or if any were empty as I don't have that info.

purplemeggie · 12/10/2014 16:34

Hi Happily - lovely to hear from you. Hope all is going well.

Shellster - we had a "debrief" with our consultant after the failed FET. We are sticking to our "two and that's it" with my own eggs - especially with the disappointment of only having 4 eggs this time. (Perhaps I got complacent last time - 5 out of 5 contained eggs, 5 out of 5 fertilised...not that it got me anywhere!!) - I think I am just too old for this. I think we would at least like to explore and discuss the options relating to donor eggs. We had an offer from a young cousin of mine. I'm not sure how serious it was, and whether she really understands the implications, but it may be something to consider. Yes, I think I'm doing the plan-for-failure-and-protect-yourself thing, aren't I?

Annie - yy to moany faced grumpy old git with no sense of humour....I've definitely turned into one of those, too! It is absolutely the worst bit of IVF from my point of view. It also makes me really achy in bed - does that happen to you, too? I'm fine during the day, but as soon as I stop moving I stiffen right up and turning over in bed is really painful.

I've made myself a meds chart because everything's at different times of day now - the steroids have to be in the morning so they don't interfere with sleep, vits in the morning, the progesterone is at both ends of the day, heparin and aspirin in the evening...I was bound to forget something. And the only way I can keep up with the liquid intake is to cross them off on the chart. I know that I let my water intake slide after egg collection both previous times and it was something I was specifically told to keep up this time....