Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me (2)

[purplemeggie]

I see we've filled up the thread and thought I'd better start another one. How's everyone doing?

Shellster somehow missed your post when I wrote my last comment - 6 eggs is great! 6 out of 7 follicles seems like a really good result to me. I know you are nervous about the next few days but I'm sure all your hard work with diet and exercise is going to pay off with improved quality this time around. I know you are aiming to get to day 5 blasts so I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I'm sure you must be on tenterhooks - the waiting is just awful.

Not sure why my PM didn't send but all it basically said was GOOD LUCK and thinking of you! You are well overdue some good luck.

x

Blue - I think it was your celebrity crush whose article I read - something my mother put under my nose a couple of months back.

I'm hoping you won't need to know about the Czech clinic because things will work out for you before then, but I'll keep you posted. We've been impressed so far - they got straight in touch after we enquired to say that they've got availability in January to kick things off, and they sent a detailed questionnaire - I guess they do a lot of things on paper that you'd normally do face to face in an initial consultation. The other thing I really like is that they have an online database with their donors on - just details like age, physical characteristics, blood group and educational level - and you get to choose your donor.

Shellster - 6 follicles sounds great to me...I never managed that many! Keeping everything crossed that they do their bit and you have enough to transfer xxx

Haha, I need to get my head around Robert Winston as a celebrity crush!!

Thanks blue, hope you managed to cram your gonal f pen into your clutch bag and have a lovely time tonight at black tie do! Good luck for scan tomorrow x

Hi inconcievableme, how are you doing?

Hi emma how are you getting on with tests? Are u going for it naturally this month too?

anroga hello! Yes Clomid really is the pits!! It was ok for me at first but this is my 6th go on it and it's been terrible - never again. Not long no until your injections start : )

shellster 6 eggs is good, a good solid number at this point. I'm so pleased to hear the clinicians are listening to you. I hope the formula is kind to you and your numbers come up this time. xx

Purple yes, you're right, it makes such a difference being a little bit in control. I'm paying that clinic so I tell them when my treatment will be not the other way round to fit in with their timetable! So good to hear the Czech clinic are more flexible and able to start you off in January. That's quite soon : ) x

Seems like a very efficient clinic Purple. Sorry I seem like I'm not commenting much but I just know nothing about this so I can't contribute anything but I am reading eagerly and happy for you that you seem happy with everything.

Makes perfect sense annie that we are the ones paying them so we tell them what we would like and not the other way around!

I was told I would receive a call between 1-2pm today with my fertilisation results. My phone was flat so I started charging it and turned it on at 10.40, then saw that I missed a call from them just a few minutes earlier! I had a message to call back between 1-2pm today. Being on a knifes edge and wanting to know, I tried calling earlier but there is a message saying the phones are only open between 1-2pm today. So I have to call back then. It's 11.45 here now. I am so nervous!

Okay, of the 6 eggs, only 3 were mature. Of those 3, 2 fertilised. So with only 2 embryos, I am having a day 3 transfer. I am a bit frustrated that the follicles were larger in size yet the eggs weren't mature. Wonder if this Pregnyl trigger doesn't suit me? Anyway, I will hear back if something the transfer is to be cancelled so no news is good news. Statistically, only about 30% of embryos make it to blast, and then at my age of 37, there are a good percentage of genetically abnormal embryos. So with only two, I won't be surprised (albeit, still devastated) if things go wrong. I suppose they will only call if the two die, so I might still go in Monday to find out that only one is still going. The waiting game continues...

Will check back later to see how you went at your scan blue

OoohShellster - just logged in to see if there was any news from you. Keeping everything crossed that those two little chaps hang in there. Sending lots of love xxx

shellster, sending love and hope to you for your 2 embryos xxx

Shellster stay hopeful - you've done everything you possibly can to make sure those two embryos are great quality. I'm sure it's going to be a stressful wait for you, sending you some good vibes from across the world!

My scan went ok this morning, lining is 10mm and all 4 follicles looking good (I didn't ask how big....I've decided to live in ignorance this cycle). Trigger shot tonight and EC scheduled for Mon morning. I'm hoping for 2 eggs. I've been really lucky in my last 2 cycles and managed to get to 5 days each time...just got a sinking feeling that my luck may have run out this time around. Wish I felt a bit more optimistic. Anyway, determined to stay positive. Roll on Monday!

Thank you all for your well wishes. I really hope this works out otherwise I think I will be annoyed that the trigger shot didn't work more than anything. I found a website with average HCG levels post trigger injection. I had my blood taken the day after my trigger so today I shall ask the lab to test HCG levels from that sample and I can see if they were optimal or not. At the moment, I can't bear the thought of doing this again, but in case it works out that way, it might be helpful to prove to my IVF Dr the trigger isn't working. This is the second time in a row.

Anyway, hopefully I feel better tomorrow when I get good news about my embryos at the transfer. Have had a few real junky days after my months of deprivation. Time to get back on track today in prep for tomorrow.

Blue, your stimming seems to have gone so fast. What trigger shot do you use? You seem to make top quality embryos and I can't see how your body could change too much from one cycle to the next so I am hopeful for you.

Blue sending you some optimism as I seem to have some to spare at the moment xxx

Shellster that's interesting about testing post trigger HCG levels, I haven't heard of that before. Makes sense though. I used Ovitrelle last night, same with the other two cycles. I really hope you get some good news from the clinic today.

Thanks purple, I think the drugs are messing with my emotions a bit. I'm not usually like this. Need to have a large portion of PMA for breakfast this morning!

Hang in there Blue, keep those eggs cosy and keep drinking the water. Hope it goes well for you tomorrow at EC xx

Hope you're OK Shellster, any news from the clinic today? X

I've used Ovidrelle previously Blue with no issues. All my issues have come with the very fiddly to mix up Pregnyl trigger. So you don't have to worry.

I am okay thanks Purple. Yes I haven't posted on here for two whole days now. Must be a record for me! So I have just come back from having two transferred. One was 11 cells and one was 14 cells and already starting to compact to become a morula. I immediately thought of you Purple and your fast growing embryos. I commented to the embryologist that these were faster dividing than normal to see her comments and she said yes it is faster than normal but still withing their normal range. She didn't mention grading so I asked about that. She said they don't really mention about grading (maybe they don't find it has that bigger impact on embryo viability and don't want us going home stressing and googling!) but mine happened to be an A & B which she said is excellent.

Oh, and on Saturday I was told 2 of 3 fertilised. Today I was told the 3rd fertilised late and is 5 cells. Embryologist gave option of freezing today or waiting to day 5 to see if it becomes a blast. Hard to make a decision like that on the spot, but I chose freeze today. I thought I remembered reading that embryos have higher survival rate if defrosted at day 3 rather than day 5. Also can't afford any more IVF and just seemed comforting knowing I have one embryo as back up.... even though it's probably actually better to know now if this embryo is viable than get my hopes up again for another cycle.

Was told it needs to be 6 cells as min requirement for day 3 freeze but it could be by end of today as it was checked to be 5 cells at 7am this morning. If it doesn't reach 6 cells by today, they will then grow on to day 5 to see if it becomes blast... but if it doesn't divide any more today, then I know it's game over for that embryo.

Do they keep you lying down for a few minutes post transfer Blue or do you get straight back up? Thinking of you and will definitely check in Monday to see how you went.

So very happy for you Purple that you are feeling full of positivity. You seem very happy with the decision you have made and I am so so happy for you.

Shellster that is GREAT! Really pleased you made it to transfer... and with (hopefully) a frostie too. I know you've still got a long way to go but this is really good news. I'm chuffed for you.

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone... I'm on the train to the hospital. Will send an update later.

Shellster that is GREAT! Really pleased you made it to transfer... and with (hopefully) a frostie too. I know you've still got a long way to go but this is really good news. I'm chuffed for you.

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone... I'm on the train to the hospital. Will send an update later.

Shellster that is GREAT! Really pleased you made it to transfer... and with (hopefully) a frostie too. I know you've still got a long way to go but this is really good news. I'm chuffed for you.

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone... I'm on the train to the hospital. Will send an update later.

Hooray! Delighted for you, Shellster and keeping my fingers crossed that you get your frostie too - would be a good sign, I think xxx

Good luck Blue, thinking of you today, too x

I'm back... 5 eggs collected! Highly unexpected result given that I only had 4 big follicles. Apparently all of those follicles had eggs, plus there was a smaller one. I'm really pleased, I was hoping for 2 at best.

Anyway still got a long way to go and they may not all be mature of course. I'll get a phone call tomorrow. Another unexpected thing happened in that my DH s sperm sample was only 14 million (it has previously been fine) so we will do ICSI for the first time. The doctor reckons that the fertilisation rate is just as good with iICSI so I guess we'll find out.

Anyway bit of a roller coaster morning... I'm really tired. Definitely in need of a nana nap now.

Double Brilliant!!!

Extra good news for both of you shellster and blue. Xx

Fab news, Blue, congratulations. I was told the same thing re fertilisation rates being the same with ICSI vs IVF.

so hoping for some happy Christmas news from you two

Shell thats great news !

blue CONGRATULATIONS. Must be a huge sigh of relief for you. I know that 14 million is a lower sperm count than normal, and I can understand why this might matter for natural conception where a lot die on the journey and travel the wrong way, but I wonder why this matters when it is IVF... pouring 14 million sperm into a petri dish to fertilise 5 eggs seems plenty even if it is less than normal. Anyway, we do ICSI due to morphology issues and we had 3 of 3 fertilise this cycle and 1 of 1 last cycle if that's any reassurance to get you through blue

Oh Blue, still wondering if they keep you lying down post transfer or if they get you straight back up. Also, does your clinic make any suggestions re sex in the 2ww? Just curious as you seem to be getting them to implant (although sadly I now this means nothing when they don't stick around) but because you've had two implant, I am very happy to follow your 2ww protocol!

Yes, would love to have a frosty Purple. Seems like a dream as ths is my 9th IVF attempt yet only my 3rd transfer and I have never in my life been so lucky to have a frosty... albeit this one was slower and considered to be not doing so well so I don't hold out too much hope for it. Will call this afternoon and get an update on it.

Hello lovely Annie :) Thanks for cheering us on!

Oops, meant to say waves to naty as well. How did your scan go? I am so glad you had a day 3 transfer as I really wanted day 5, but the fact that you had success at day 3 is still fresh in my mind and giving me a glimmer of hope. Oh nat, perhaps you can answer the two questions I asked blue in my last post about lying down after transfer and sex in 2ww. Happy to follow instructions from any of you BFPers!

Hi Shellster I wasn't told/allowed to lie down after the ET.... it was straight out of the door and back to work for me. I asked the doctors loads of times if I should take time off, or go home and lie down, and the answer was always 'no'. Apparently there is no evidence to support bed rest part transfer (which I guess makes sense if you consider natural conception).

The only recommendation is no heavy lifting and no vigorous exercise. What have you heard about sex? I'm already on progesterone pessaries 3 x per day. If that isn't a passion killer then I don't know what is....!

Thanks for all the good wishes Shellster , Annie, purple, Naty and everyone else. I should get a call today to see how many fertilised. I don't mind about ICSI aside from the extra ££££. If it works then it's worth it of course.

Blue and Shellster, ace news abounds!! I've got all fingers crossed.

Purple, excellent information re: CR IVFing. This could well be very useful.

Inconceivable, hallo! I haven't seen you in ages. How are you?

Naty, where are you in all this now?

Anniehoo, I'm so sorry you've been feeling so down, but you aren't wrong about this group. It's definitely kept me sane over the last few months. I'm TTC naturally this month, too -- I should be nearing implantation, if we managed to create anything strong enough to do it. I sneaked in a progesterone bullet the other day to give myself a bit of a boost. Will do again tonight. I'm not sure if it will do much good, but if my problem is that I'm not producing enough of it on my own (and I suspect it is), then it could help?

Farfella, I'm so sorry to hear it didn't work. My thoughts go out to you.