Cycle buddies Oct/Nov 16

[Hope2409]

Hello,

Is anyone else about to start a cycle?
I start down regulating on Sunday, estimated embryo transfer week beginning 21st Nov, this will be my first round of IVF/ICSI after 3.5 years trying to concieve.

Mixture of emotions, excited to be starting after waiting so long to get here, nervous about side effects of drugs and injecting and terrified it wont work! The joys of infertility!

Xxx

Thanks custard I will wait and see how I feel

Ekam good luck for EC! Hope they get some good quality eggs!

Glass hope the scan goes ok and you have lots of lovely big follicles!

Blue hope the scratch goes ok!

Liberte sorry forgot to ask, did your meds turn up on Tuesday?

So my clinic did nicely call back, and I managed to miss the call, but the nurse left me information to confirm how much estrogen I should be taking. They really are very nice here.

Feeling very fat I must say. I'm wearing my fat work trousers, and at the end of the day even they are feeling firm. I had hoped to squeeze in some acupunture today, but no time sadly, and such a busy weekend ahead of me I won't find time. I'll just have to go to bed early and relax.

Ekam - hope the EC goes well. Will be thinking of you. Do they give you a general? Re this being your only go, you may find you change your mind after. My DH wasn't keen at all, but once we got started he enjoyed it in a weird way. Watching the embryo being put back, and taking a little photo of that very first scan during the ET made it more real for him. We still have that printout - all you can see is a slightly lighter dot, which turned into our baby. It's amazing.

glass thinking big fat follie thoughts for you!
Blue hope the scratch goes well. I've had one on both cycles, so a 50% success rate. I didn't get it done this cycle.

I haven't had a scratch before, this was my first time. I was slightly puzzled, as its recommended when good or excellent embryos fail to implant - but that isn't my problem. I've had mostly bad embryos, and the 2 good embryos transferred last cycle did implant. (Lost one at 5wks so possibly not such a good embryo, the other was my son.) I cynically thought it might have been suggested just to charge me more! Still, I'm not going to refuse anything that might help.

I was expecting it to be painful, the scratch wasn't but the speculum really hurt. I found the saline scan thing two weeks ago painful for the same reason. I've never found speculums painful before during smear tests or ET, so perhaps my pain threshold has reduced or I'm just loads more sensitive down there after giving birth.

I'm treating myself to pizza as pain relief 😋

Kmmr that's good the clinic got in touch, are you on progesterone too?

Happy Friday everyone!

Hello ladies,

Just got back from EC and still feeling alittle drowsy. I keep passing out for 5 mins at the time. Apart from that it wasn't too bad. It was painful but not as bad as I thought. kmnr they gave me painkillers and sedative through my vein, and local shot to the little miss down there. Apparently the drugged up me was babbling about this is party season at work and I can't drink but that's ok because I love mocktail and good food ... DH (acronym like a pro, yeah!) was well disappointed he didn't get a more extreme reaction from me 😀.

They had 8 eggs. No-one told me how the eggs are. They said they'll give me a call tomorrow then transfer will happen either on Monday or Wednesday. 8 is a little low, right?

Good luck with the scan glass, and hope your scratch goed well *blue"

kmnr that does sounds magical :). Sending lots of good vibes to fill up your 2 weeks wait

kez, hope whoa thanks so much for all the info. I feel much better. My embryologist today was really young, she looks 22 max. In fact, the whole team was young. Im a little nervous that they don't have enough experience... I know I shouldn't make assumption based on age/look but can't help having a little nervous thought.

8 eggs is fine ekam, it's quality not quantity that counts. You'll find out how they are when they call you tomorrow. Relax tonight and over the weekend.

I've only ever met young looking embryologists...but they work in labs, probably don't get out much

(Hope I didn't offend anyone with that flippant comment, might be some scientists on here for all I know)

Blue My one embryo from last time was described as good so I was fully expecting them to suggest a scratch this time, I suppose it's something to think about if I need further treatments. Pizza sounds like good pain relief!

Ekam its quality not quantity that counts, fingers crossed for good fertilisation over night, take care of yourself today.

Custard does your clinic do scratches? Could you request one? Or have one privately? Sounds like you'd be an ideal candidate from my limited knowledge.

Ekam glad the EC went well! As others have said its not about the quantity of eggs but the quality . You would rather a few good ones then lots and lots of bad ones. (Knowing me I'll get around 30 duds) ha but keeping positive!
Just rest and relax now and look forward to tomorrow mornings call about how your little eggs are doing!

Blue glad the scratch went ok - and pizza definitely sounds like awesome pain relief!

Glass - hope your little follicles grew today?

Hope all you other ladies are doing ok aswell. X

Blue yes my clinic does do them but my consultant said she wouldn't recommend it for me yet (maybe because I've only had one failed transfer?) think I might request one if this attempt doesn't work though!

Ekam glad your EC went well fingers crossed they fertilise well tonight, take care of yourself!

Blue glad the scratch went well, sorry to hear the speculum has become painful for u, enjoy that pizza u deserve it!

Glass i hope today went ok and there was some more growth and your doing ok.

I'm feeling quite proud of myself today, i braved it and went to visit a friend who had her baby at the beginning of September. I havent felt up to seeing her all cosy with her new arrival as i was preparing to start my cycle, i felt jealous and bitter which is silly but i couldnt help it. After avoiding her so far i thought it was time i man up and visit!
It wasnt so bad and was great to see her and catch up, since getting home tho i feel a little sad as it brings home how much i want that too.
Must be the drugs making me all emotional

Well done on visiting your friend Hope I know it's hard sometimes it's such a mix of emotions and you're right the drugs do make it worse!

Well done hope. I find I was always more jealous of the pregnancies than the babies!

Far too busy a day here, with lots of lifting a squirming 12 kg toddler around. I worry I should be relaxing a bit more but I've got too much going on. I always seem to have lots on after a transfer, maybe subconsciously I organise things to distract myself, forgetting how tired the whole process can make me.

Yep - I'm on progesterone too. I am on progynova to control my cycle, as I had to time the transfer for last Wednesday. I have a 'problem' cervix, so the transfer had to be done under a general, and they prefer to do them on Weekdays. Now I think about it, I was on estrogen tablets last sucessful time, so perhaps it will help.

Lots of symptoms now. Which my head knows are all from the progesterone supplements, but... well... can't shut up my brain!

Well done hope. I find sometimes the fear of something is worse than the reality, so I'll get worked up and then it's ok, and then equally sometimes I won't think about things too much beforehand and really struggle at the time. Yesterday I had 2 surprise encounters with babies - once in the waiting room of the fertility clinic (seriously?!) and secondly at a friend's pre-wedding gathering where the chief bridesmaid (who knew why I didn't go to the hen) literally only spoke to me while cooing over her little girl at the same time. I know it's my problem and I have to deal with it but sometimes it's hard. The weddings tomorrow and I'm prepared for it to be tough so hopefully it will be ok?

I'm feeling the effects of down regging, constantly thirsty, my lips are chapped and my legs are scaly Hope & Custard how are you finding it?

Ekam any update from the embryologists? Fx for you x

Kmmr good idea to keep your yourself distracted x

Glass hope you're doing ok x

Well done hope I'm glad you enjoy your time with the friend and her baby.

Blue do enjoy the wedding. I try to stay neutral when I see baby knowing it has nothing to do with our situation just different people different life. But I know it's easier said than done.

kmmr all the best to you. It's good to be distracted but do look after yourself.

The embryologist just called. She has 4 fertilised and looking normal, 1 is unconfirmed, and the other 3 are abnormal (she said they have more than 2 genetic codes so it was likrly that more than 1 sperm penetrated). She booked me in provisionally for ET on Monday but will confirm Monday morning. I guess there's nothing to do but wait now. I'm trying not to google stats and possibility... Bloody hard!

Hope all of you are doing well xx

Thanks everyone!

Blue sorry to hear about your suprised encounters yesterday, seems like no where is safe anymore, u turn a corner and there is a pregnant lady or a baby. But in the fertility clinic really? Thats not on! There r no babies or children allowed in our fertility clinic i thought everywhere would be the same!
Try and enjoy the wedding, be strong, i'm not going to say it wont be tough as i know it always is but u will be ok.
We will all get our chance soon!

I am feeling the effects of down regging too, been tired and achy all week, not been able to sleep properly, some headaches and a little snappy at times, i thought it was just me but the skin on my legs has been flakey too! Oh and past two days started getting spots on my face not impressed, not sure if thats the drugs or because i'm due my withdrawal bleed, guess its both!!!

Ekam that sounds positive that they have still booked u in for ET and that 4 have fertilised, fingers crossed all is well for u to go ahead monday. No googling stats that wont help, rest and treat yourself!

Hope everyone else is well xxx

Kmmr don't beat yourself up about being busy, being distracted is probably best anyway!

Blue my clinic allow babies as well and it took me by surprise the first time! Hopefully if you're prepared for it to be tough tomorrow you'll be ok x

I currently have a cold so I'm not sure how much is the drugs and what is the cold, but I'm tired and I'm not sleeping well, really thirsty, dry lips, I have a headache and DH has been getting it in the neck all day!

Ekam stay away from Google! It all sounds quite positive x

Hello ladies
Ekam - all sounds very positive!! But yes keep away from google!

Blue - my clinic allows babies and children too which I admit I was a little surprised about.
My last visit to the clinic though did upset a few ladies and men! The TV in the waiting room was showing Doctors, and there was a lady deliberately trying to give herself a miscarriage because she found out she was pregnant and didn't want the baby. One of the men had to get up and go to the reception desk & get them to change the channel!

Hope - well done on biting the bullet and going to visit your friend. It's tough, as you're happy for them but secretly wishing deep down that it was your baby you're holding.
Between my 2 sisters and 2 sisters-in-law there's been 5 babies in 3 years, with my next niece due on Christmas Day! It doesn't get any bloody easier.
I keep hoping the next baby in the family will be mine!

Kmmr - hope the 2ww is treating you well, it's definitely good to keep busy as the time will fly by, but maybe not that busy!

Custard, Liberte, Glass hope you ladies are doing ok X

Hope & Custard so it's not just me feeling the DR drugs. I just feel so parched all the time. Due a bleed too so yes that doesn't help.

Ekam I know it's hard but try to relax before Monday.

Kez entirely inappropriate waiting room TV viewing! Oops.

I'm just a bit oversensitive at the moment (due date approaching etc) Can't say I've ever noticed babies in the waiting room but it wouldn't have bothered me so much before.

No your not alone with the effects of DR Blue i feel your pain! I haven't felt parched tho are u drinking enough? I've been told to drink 3 litres a day but i'm trying to drink at least 4! I have a drink bottle that holds 700mls i take it with me everywhere so i drink all the time and try and drink 6 bottles a day and haven't felt thirsty at all. I am in and out of the loo lots mind! I'm just so tired!
You have every right to be sensitive right now you have a lot to deal with, its easy for me to say but do try and look after yourself

Kez i feel for you that is alot of babies and it is really tough when its family. Your turn will come and it will be so special when it does xx
Ive had my sister in law and 5 friends have babies since we started TTC, one of them has had 2 babies in that time! I'm now the only one in our group who is childless!

That was very inappropriate TV for yr clinic waiting room!

In our waiting room there is a viewing window where u can see in to the lab!
Xxx

Blue you have every reason to feel like that now, with the date approaching, but as Hope said, try and look after yourself . Not long till your first scan now! 27th if I remember?!
2 days after me . We can be scan buddies!

Hope - I work in a busy supermarket with over 200 employees (mostly women). Been there for 8 years and plenty of women have left to have a baby, come back, and left again for more babies! That I could handle, but with it being my sisters, is a bit more to take.
I'm happy for them, course I am. My youngest sister already has a 2 year old son with her ex husband, been with her new partner 8 months and is now 7 months pregnant with her second! (The one that's due Xmas day). She's pretty insensitive too, whenever we're with family and they try and ask me about treatment and what's happening, she'll jump in with 'oh dad look what I've bought the baby!' Or 'oh mum feel the baby kicking!'

I must sound like such a bitch but it's like Helloooo infertile big sister over here!! How about listening to me for a change?!
I'm just so worried about how I'm going to feel if this cycle is unsuccessful and my niece is due on Christmas Day... It's going to be a toughie.
Phew that felt good getting it off my chest!

Oh Kez thats awful that your younger sister is insensitive, ok so there's no denying she's pregnant and she's allowed to talk about it but she could at least be more aware of your situation and let u share your news too.
I've come to the conclusion that people just dont get it, my sister in law spends her time rubbing her daughter in my face at every available opportunity and my mum bless her just doesnt, she checks how i am and stuff but then says things like im sure its not that bad you'll be fine and i had no trouble concieving u and yr brother i fell pregnant straight away both times! I'm there like mmmm yes thats great thanks!
And what a joke i work in the baby room in a childrens day care nursery

I'm not even sure what to suggest about getting through Christmas i'm sorry, just keep positive that this cycle works for u so u dont have to face the alternative and if u do it will be tough but u will get through it and we will help u xxx

Blue it's not surprising you feel sensitive at the moment, be kind to yourself over the next few weeks.

Kez your sister sounds annoyingly insensitive and yes Christmas might be tough, but we're a long way off yet and you might be pregnant by then

Hope & Blue. Thanks ladies for the reassurance

Xx

Hello, how is everyone doing? Hope u have all had a nice weekend!

Question, has anyone had really sore boobs whilst down regging? Im 8 days in and they r really sore, just walking about hurts!

Xx