Cycled/cycling with Victoria Wing Nuffield Woking for IVF - come join us!

[geeup]

Hello. Looking for other ladies (or men!) who are IVF cycling with the Victoria Wing at Nuffield Woking either privately or NHS to share what happens, how it's going, any tips (what's the car parking like?!), to support one another and success stories of course. My stats:
Geeup
Aged 34
Ttc #1 for 22 cycles so far (4 with Clomid)
OH has low morphology MFI (but it's varied)
NHS cycle - first appt 31st Jan with Dr Riddle
One question to get us going, anyone know what the policy is about having 2 embryos put in on first cycle? Thanks!

Just catching up.
Geeup I'm so sorry it's not worked this time.
Glad you have a plan and feel a little better for it.
Do be kind to yourself and allow yourself to grieve xx

Hi all. Called the clinic to confirm my BFN and they said they'll let me know next week if we can do another fresh cycle next or if we have to use our one frostie but should be cycling again in May.

Hi Geeup, great news you start so soon.
I spoke to my consultant last week and she will write a letter to NHS to request another funding explaining to them that I responded really well and we have had good chance if that bacteria was discovered by someone sooner. They also said this may be the reason why I am not getting pregnant so my husband had this antibiotics treatment and we will try naturally for a few months. I am hopeful maybe NHS will give us another chance ?
We will tes my husbands sample in about 4 weeks time to make sure bacteria has gone.

I am more positive now if didn't try ifv we wouldn't know that my husband had this bacteria so I'm happy he was treated, now I understand everything is for a reason 😀

Happy Easter all Xxx

Hope you're doing better geeup and now focussed on May cycle. Do you have implications meeting scheduled and know what your plan will likely look like?

I have 2 frosties banked, and plan is to thaw one tomorrow for ET and save the other, all going well. If unsuccessful this round, I plan to have another fresh cycle (as I'm on NHS, and have 4 rounds possible, 2 fresh, 2 frozen). So would look to bank another fresh cycle as soon as possible. I'm 40 next July, so the clock is ticking on my eligibility to be covered.

Oh good luck bee thats exciting. No plan yet. Haven't heard back from the clinic since I called on good Friday to say about the negative. Have emailed them today so hoping someone calls me. Worried otherwise a cycle will slip by with no plan!

Ps bee is it your choice to only defrost one tomorrow or could you do 2 if you wanted? I have the same funding as you - 2 fresh 2 frozen - and am hoping they let me go straight to my second fresh as I only have one frostie banked and would want two if I was to do a frozen cycle. As my first round of ivf was unsuccessful with a perfect 5 day blast, I want to push for 2 in whatever happens next as just feel like the odds feel stacked against me. I'm convinced I'm having implantation problems but don't know what to do to improve our odds just so hard not knowing why it didn't work.

I know geeup, I'm feeling let down by the implantation process my side too, as everything in my first cycle, and so far in this cycle has progressed really well through each stage. But I feel that I cannot control or understand why implantation wasn't successful.

To answer your questions... I have agreed to only defrost one of my 2 for ET tomorrow and keep the other in the freezer (unless the one doesn't survive the defrosting, they will try with the 2nd frostie straight away - they defrost in half an hour apparently). But I was encouraged to only transfer one embryo as they are trying to bring down the possibility of twin births as I understand.

If this FET is not successful, I will need to be re-assessed by Dr Chandra and see if any changes or adjustments need to be made, and then likely progress with another fresh cycle, to have more embryo's to work with, but still have the other on ice. And then one more frozen cycle would be possible as my 4th. Although I pray it doesn't get to that, as I haven't a plan beyond that.

I really feel your pain on the frustration of not knowing why it hasn't worked before, as you want to actually DO or CHANGE something the next time to have a better chance.

I hope you hear back from them soon to plan next steps.

Hello Geeup and Beepositive,
Perhaps I can give you both a little info. I also had nhs treatment -2 fresh and 2 frozen- on my first fresh I had one embryo transferred and 4 frozen, that was bfn so I Went straight to frozen and had one put back, bfn, then did another frozen but had two put back -chemical pregnancy. Then did the second fresh- 2 put back -bfn. I've had a couple of reviews where they suggested an endo scratch, have had 2 of those-first time have me a chemical second one bfn. One review where they tested me for blood clotting issues which all came back negative apart from mthfr so for that I take aspirin, high dose folic acid, b6 and after transfer fragmin which is a blood thinner. That hasn't worked either. I too think I must have implantation issues but mr c said he doesn't think so and that it's likely to be the embryo. He said that studies all show the embryo to be the cause of implantation failure. I'm not sure I'm totally in agreement but Woking Nuffield are dead against immune testing and treatment. I'm not sure which way to go now. I know there isn't enough evidence to show immune testing and drugs work but I'm wondering whethe going to a different clinic that offer this would be my next step. However, I love the clinic and do trust them-they genuinely want what's best for you and aren't completely focussed cashing in. so I'm in a bit of a quandary. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you're both a long way from coming to the conclusion that you have implantation issues if you've had one failed cycle. A frozen round is so much easier and less stressful so I'd say do a frozen first if you have the choice. Jusy trying to be helpful, if you have any questions just shout.

Thanks blueiris. Really helpful to hear your story and sorry you've had such a hard journey.

Thanks so much for taking the time with all those details blueiris. Sorry to hear the complicated cycles you've had to date & continuing to work through. Yes fair point that implantation issues isn't a conclusion to my unsuccessfulness (is that a word?!). I totally agree I've felt confident at Nuffield with their support and advice. But it is concerning that more testing isn't encouraged to help route out individual specific issues.

Keep us posted with your thoughts on your next steps. Good luck

Thanks ladies. Xx
I totally understand what you mean Beepositive, especially when you feel you're up against the clock, you just want to have all the answers asap. Hopefully you won't have to worry about any additional testing, but if you do have to do another cycle, maybe push for the endo scratch and basic immune blood tests-both are quite cheap and easy. Will be thinking of you tomorrow.

Good suggestions blueiris thanks. I will definitively keep in my mind. Thanks for thoughts for tomorrow too.

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a nice long weekend.

Beepositive good luck for tomorrow.

Blueiris sounds like you've had a tough time, but thank you for sharing all of your experience.

Geeup hope you get your next dates sorted out soon.

You guys are lucky that you get a few goes on the NHS. Ours is just 1 fresh cycle so we've got a lot riding on it!!

Had our first consultation today with Dr Riddle. Seems like we'll be starting with the down regging injections mid-May so may be a similar time to some of you?!

Flamingo-so unfair you only get one fresh cycle-why? Is it because of your PCT? Mr riddle has done both of my egg collections and a couple of transfers-such a nice man. Best of luck with down regulation if you have any questions feel free to ask or pm. Top tip drink loads of water!

Thanks Blueiris that's really kind, I will be sure to post any questions.

Not sure what PCT is but I think the funding is all a bit of a postcode lottery...clearly I live in the wrong place!! I'm also lucky I'm young(ish) as there's no funding at all if you're over 35 where I live. It is all quite unfair...but then in some places there's no funding at all for any age so we have to be grateful for what we get! And keep our fingers crossed it works!!

Hi Bluelris, Bepositive, just caught up with your stories , I haven't spoken to any of you before, welcome to the thread. So long and various journeys we are on! Nice to read your stories. X

Flamingo, I also only had one NHS funding which failed as you know the semen had a bacteria in it so embryos got contaminated.-this is such unique turn that whole clinic knows us never happened before :(

Dr Chandra will try to request another funding not sure how successful this will be as in my area they only provide one funding but she will try to request another one explaining it was all a vaste as this bacteria was not discovered by anyone and I have responded well to treatment. Now I'm waiting for the response fingers crossed .

Geeup I'm happy you feel better I can tell you are more positive time definitely helps, I am better as well :)

Hi Kimmy I have followed your story, and feel for you so much. I will also keep my fingers crossed for you that the NHS will provide another round of funding! Or even better that you fall naturally without even needing it! x

Thanks Flamingo you are really nice Xxx

Will keep you updated I'm excited you start in May you need to tell us every step !

Hi all, somehow this thread fell off my watched threads so I haven't been on in ages.
Geeup I'm so sorry you got a BFN but it is definitely good to have the next step planned, it has always made me feel better! I too would err to the side of using that frozen one before taking the step of another fresh, but I can see why you are thinking about a fresh especially if you have NHS funding (I can't remember if you do though sorry!)
Kimmy glad you are feeling more positive and hope Dr Chandra's letter does the job, I will be keeping everything crossed for you.
BlueIris - yes I'm not sure the Nuffield is the best place to be for more complex issues or the more experimental treatments or where standard transfers are failing more than probabilities would dictate. Some of the London hospitals certainly seem to do more tests but then it is all adds up cost wise. Mr Riddle is certainly (rightly) skeptical of most of the 'extra' treatments but then most of us would give our right hands to have a baby so sometimes you feel you've got to take a gamble. So hard to know what to do.
Beepositive I hope your transfer went fine last week and you're feeling OK xxx

Nothing interesting to report here! Had my baseline scan yesterday and all fine so started progynova tablets and have the progress scan a week on Friday. Then we've got a mon-fri holiday in Wales and the transfer is scheduled for monday 15th if everything continues going to plan, it always has done for every other cycle I'm very predictable! Unfortunately this means test date will be a few days before my birthday, fingers crossed it will be a cautious celebration this year ...

Exciting you're getting going moggle. My fingers will be crossed for you. Hope it's your lucky cycle - will this be third time lucky? Sorry if you said before - am on my phone so hard to scroll back!
We have agreed with nuffield I'll do another fresh cycle straight away. It was my choice. I just don't want to put myself through everything incase my only little embie didn't defrost. Plus if I was lucky enough to get a bfp from the fresh round I'd still have one in the freezer (in a dream world I'd have more than one) for a sibling if we needed it.

Hi guys,

We finally got our appointments through! Analysis appointment is 23rd May for hubby and initial consultation is 5th June. Bit of a wait but will be worth it!

I can book a holiday now!

We're meeting with Nicholas Brook, has anyone else met with him?

Hope everyone is well x

Mr Brook did my ET. Only met him for about 90 seconds (ET is much quicker than you'd imagine). He seemed very matter of fact, straight talking. I'd imagine his consultations are considered, clear and informative if you have any questions. Wasn't quite as warm and reassuring as perhaps other consultants I've met (I'm a talker so would have enjoyed more descriptions of what was going on) but not much I can go on to be honest! They're all very good there so you can be assured of that I'm sure :)

Mr Riddle did my ET last Wednesday 19th - so I'm in last part of the awful 2ww. My OTD is Monday 1st, and even though holiday, the nurses assured me they would be in when I call with my results.

Geeup, who is your consultant? Mine is Dr Chandra.

Good luck starting the IVF journey NorthSouth. I find everyone at Nuffield really friendly and professional, so I'm sure you will be in good hands.

Hope you're getting on ok with the progynova tablets Moggy & all the best with upcoming scans in run up to ET.

Kimmy, here's hoping that Dr Chandra's letter helps progress things for you.

You're waiting for down-reg meds to start Flamingo in another couple of weeks?

Have got everything crossed for you Beepositive the 2WW when PUPO must be like torture!

I have my implications and treatment planning appointment next Thursday 4th and think I will be starting down regging injections on the 15th May. Then it's going to all feel very real

NorthSouth that's good you have the dates now. I'm sure you'll be able to get started as soon as possible once you've had that initial consultation.

Geeup do you have any dates for your next fresh cycle yet?