WANTED- cycle buddies who are ttc#1 and planning a FET in April/May

[RoseBud2016]

I'm in need of some buddies!

A long story short is that I have been ttc#1 for 19 months now. I have severe PCOS and don't ov or cycle naturally.
Last year I was told that DH and I would only have a chance of conceiving through IVF, after numerous other fertility treatments failed.

In February this year we had our first ISCI IVF cycle at Reprofit in the Czech Republic (DH has 2 DDs so we are not eligible for treatment on the NHS) We got 12 eggs, 8 fertilised and 6 made it to blasts! We had one transferred and fell pregnant! But at 4+4 blood tests confirmed that the pregnancy wasn't viable and at 5 weeks we had a very early mc (I hate the phrase CP as I think it trivialises it)

The last few weeks have been such a struggle physically and mentally but we are keen to try again so are planning another trip to Reprofit to be reunited with one of our Frosties!

Scared and excited in equal measures and would love some buddies to share in this new and unknown part of the 'journey' with. X

God I hope so rose!

And yes of course I've checked out my edd in amongst all the other mental things I've been doing over the past fortnight It's NYE, so if little stealthini makes it s/he will be a party boy or girl! Has totally RUINED my Christmas skiing plans, I tells ya

That's great that your school has a policy on fertility treatment. I am wondering whether I should be writing one for my company (I'm the boss so I get to set the rules!)

Stealth Lets hope little Stealthini stays nice and snug for a view extra days so you can enjoy your last NYE as a couple with a cup of tea and an early night Fab start to the new year though!

We are very lucky that we both have employers with fertility policies. Mine says "a reasonable amount of time off for fertility treatment" So far I've had 6 days this academic year and will be having (hopefully if AF arrives today) another 4/5 soon towards the end of the month.
DH gets 12 days off per year specifically for fertility treatment (including just accompanying me) which is completely separate from his holiday allowance.
It certainly takes some of the stress out of this process, especially when we are travelling abroad for treatment- it would be impossible as a teacher otherwise!

So AF is definitely brewing! Cramps are getting really strong so I'm praying it will start today as it suits our dates perfectly! Fingers crossed! May take a pregnancy test, wear my best white undies and 'forget' my tampons just to invoke the law of sod

Hi All, I'm new to this group. I am 4 hours away from fet, wish me luck. Feeling a bit nervous at the moment.

Hi Simmy
It's a nerve wrecking time but try not to worry. Good luck!!! Let us know how it goes!
What's your story? X

simmy good luck! Fx for your transfer, you'll be pupo this afternoon! It is a horrible nerve wracking time so take care of yourself.

rose hurrah for AF! Get those white knickers on!

That's great about the fertility policies, I hadn't thought about the complexities of doing it in an education setting. You'd basically never be able to have IVF at all without it, i suppose.

Hi simmy, hope it all went well today. What sort of protocol are you on? We're all different here which is confusing interesting.

Also hadn't thought about how those in education find the time for fertility treatment- fab that your school have a policy, Rose. Hope AF plays ball for once and shows her face soon!

Stealth in case you're interested, my company's IVF policy is that they essentially treat any appointments the same as they would antenatal stuff- so time off for treatment is given outside standard hols/sickness leave and they allow flexibility re appointment timings as long as you try your best not to constantly dash off in the middle of the working day.** Which I think is fair enough and it's nice to be treated the same as the not-barrens.
Saying that, so far have kept all my IVF stuff on the down-low as was angling for promotion at the time (now achieved) and also had no manager till Feb therefore v little accountability as to my ins and outs after Xmas.
If I cycle again though I'll def take advantage a bit more.

What a cool due date for stealthini- and also loving the name, btw. Hope all goes well at the next beta.

Fx for a juicy lining vixx!

Xx

Simmy Hope you've had a restful afternoon and your transfer went well?

Still no AF despite really bad cramps Flight prices have doubled for our dates in 24 hours
Typical!

Grrrr rose. Did you try clearing all your cookies and searching the flights again? Most of the websites now have little widgets that drive up the price when you revisit a site to make you panic and book. Naughty! So sometimes if you clear your cookies you will get the normal price again.

Stealth OMG I knew that was a thing but didn't think to try it, but I just did and ........... You are right! It's gone back down again now! Those sneaky little sods

Thanks for the heads up I feel a bit better now This stupid process is expensive enough without paying double for flights unnecessarily

Ha! Money sucking thieves! Glad it worked. You can spend the "saving" on something nice for you instead

Morning everyone.

How is everyone today?

Rose I am willing for your AF to start! Ironic eh.

Hi All, my FET went well yesterday thanks?
Currently at home trying to relax on the after with my legs up. Not use to this level of relaxation though, keep thinking I could be doing some gardening or putting away my two racks of washed clothes or hoovering.
Can anyone advice on the level of cramps I should me experiencing at this stage? My last FET in 2013, I remembered experiencing bad ramps at day 3 then felt nothing in my tummy day 4/5. I knew at that point that I had mis-carriaged, this time round I am more positive though.

Simmy So glad it went well. I'm rubbish at relaxing too- I get bored too easily! For my last (and first ever) transfer I started getting cramping and pulling sensations 3/4dp5dt. I got a BFP from 6dp5dt and knew it would be positive before I took it. That pulling feeling is nothing like I've ever felt before!

But I know not everyone necessarily gets that feeling but still get a BFP so I don't think there's a hard and fast rule.

Vixx Still no f@@king AF!! So bloody typical

Stealth How did your beta go today? X

Hi Grumpel,
I'm not sure if I'm answering your questioning correctly. I have had 2 previous failed embryo transfer cycle the 2nd (an FET) was a frozen cycle at beginning of 2014.

Hi Rose,
Well, I had my first IVF in 2013 - a fresh cycle on the NHS after trying to conceive for over 2 yrs. My 2nd IVF cycle (FET) was rushed through 2 months after the 1st (at age 40 on the NHS) but I mis-carriaged on day 3. The specialists couldn't give a concrete reason for the 2 failed cycles, they simply said it could be low progesterone levels no advice was given around diet or alternative therapy. I also knew that I would have to self fund any future FET using my remaining 6 frozen embryos so i did my own research around alternative therapy, green fertility and diets and spent the past 2 years preparing my body using health detox, acupuncture, herbs and healthy eating. Had other medical issues which delayed my 3rd attempt.

Found out 3 months ago that one of my tubes were part blocked, was a bit emotional but the specialist said that I was only a big issue if i was looking to get pregnant naturally - fat chance of that since my husband is not in a hurry to seek help for his fertility problems. The Hospital also confirmed that I had a small foibroids, my alternative Medicine specialist confirmed this 2 yrs ago using electronic testing methods when it was large so I am glad I was able to shrink it - it is outside my womb so not deemed a problem at the moment.

This has taken over my life for the past 2 yrs so like yourself and the other ladies on this forum I would be the happiest women living if I won't have to think about all this again.
I have no kids of my own.

I had 3 frozen embryos put in this time round and 3 remaining.

Hi,
You can tell I'm bored - can't put my phone down
I am new to all the acronyms been used - BETA, BFT, AF etc. Anyone know where can I can find a list of definitions

Hi all, quick update as running between meetings and work dinner but beta was ok - hcg was great at 11974, progesterone slightly up at 31.

Baffled as to why I am not absorbing more progesterone but seems to be "good enough" so will try to hang out for the scan and hope for good news.

Back later for personals x

Hey simmy, know the feeling well of trying to rest but instead just sitting on your phone! Blimey you've had a hard time of it. And three put back yesterday! That's exciting. Really hope it goes well for you.
I think there's a list of common MN abbreviations on the site but us infertiles do have a lot of our own, so just ask! AF is Aunt Flo, aka your period, BFP is a big fat positive on a preg test, PUPO is pregnant until proven otherwise- there are more but suddenly can't think of a single one...

Great news from your beta, stealth! That's a pleasingly big HCG number and good to hear the prog has gone up again. Did you book a scan date?

Argh, still no AF Rose?! She is such a tricksy cow! Inevitably it'll happen at an inopportune moment at work or similar. Fx you can still get your dates to work though.

How are things, vixx? You now on the pomegranate?

As for me, still nada going on. Approx two weeks left till AF and getting on the blower to the clinic. Am filling my days in the meantime with fun things such as booking in my overdue smear test. Yeah!

Hi all - phew, yesterday was a killer! Am going to sleep well tonight!

simmy it sounds like you have had a long & tough road. Fx that this is a big step along it. I had absolutely no symptoms for the first 4 days (read earlier in this thread and you can see me stressing about it), then late on day 4 nausea and cramps kicked in and I got my BFP on day 5 pt.

rose come ooooooon AF!

vixx hope you're ok. You must have started on the progesterone by now, hope you're not finding it too yuck.

grumpel yes the hcg seems quite good - right where it should be in terms of doubling every 48ish hours. I really don't understand why my progesterone is not shifting v much, I am going to ring the clinic today and ask if I should be shifting to injections. But hopefully it is enough. Will book scan today as well (got my beta results by email as i was in back to back meetings pretty much all day) but they've said it will be week 7 which is any time from 14 May onwards. So we shall see! Not long for you now, enjoy the break whilst you can!

mrschris thinking of you. Hope you're ok.

Just a quick update - scan booked for 20 May, and am going to start on Lubion progesterone injections (subcutaneous). Not thrilled to be stabbing again but happy we're going to play it safe on the progesterone. Let's see!

Simmy You have had a long wait and a rough ride. I really really hope at least one of your little embies sticks! How old were the embryos you had transferred? A 5dt is a 5 day transfer so the embryos are 5 days old when they are transferred. I assume yours were younger than that? Are you in the UK?

Grumpel Oh the joy! When we aren't opening our legs to have our ovaries sucked dry or our embryos returned to us; we are having HyCoSys and smear tests..... I don't know why we ever bother to put on pants back on quite frankly!

Stealth Amazing number! Must be starting to sink in by now? And not long until your scan now either. I'm very excited for you.

AFM- Still no AF and now all the cramps have gone. I give up!!!! Someone somewhere is definitely telling me this isn't mean't to be...... GRRRRRRR~!

Things must be getting desperate- I've just resorted to some vigorous exercise by mowing our lawn (there's a lot of lawn!) in the hope it would bring on AF. Have booked an hours full body massage tomorrow morn and if it still doesn't come then I really do give up!

Happy weekend everyone! Looks like it's going to be gorgeous!

Lol rose

Might have to get out the white jeans and really tempt fate!

Have a fabulous weekend.

Hi Grumpel, thanks for pointing out where to find list of abbreviations.
I ask for 3 embryos this time round in order to increase my chances. The Hospital agreed to it because I am over 40.

Thanks Stealth, the cramps have become less but still feal that pulling feeling so I know there is still something there.

Good to hear that a date has been booked for your scan.

Hi Rose, I live in London.
How old are my My embryos, mmmmm ?? Well, they have been in storage since end of 2013 and they were inserted on day 7 following scan.
I am willing your AF to come this weekend.

Has anyone had occupuncture during the two weeks wait following previous fet. Been reading conflicting info, one health specialist recommended having two sessions - on day 5 and day 10 following fet to relax womb, reduce stress and increase blood flow. Tomorrow will be day 5 for me and I am toying with the idea.

Simmy how are you feeling? Did you decide to have some acupuncture in the end? I'm considering having it before transfer but I'm not about having it afterwards- I can't decide!

Did everyone have a nice weekend in the sun?

AF is still AWOL for me! It's getting beyond a joke and I'm beginning to wonder if it will come at all.
I am have reflexology tonight so maybe this will do something?! Even if it just relaxes me a little, that's got to be a good thing I figure.