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!

Thank you @Flamingo. I definitely want to celebrate each happy stage but as a step towards each next milestone with caution as you say. Gosh, you're 25 weeks already. That's fantastic! What are next upcoming things for you? Any scans or tests? Are you still not finding out babies gender?

@HWF4 I also had bruising with only some of my injections. I found that sometimes if I hit a small blood vessel it would bleed when I pulled out the injection, and that little area would bruise up after. But not everytime. I did get quite tender towards end of injections too. It's a lot for one's tummy to have to handles being poked with needles multiples times an evening. You're nearly through this part now.

@BeePositive that's such fantastic news you finally got your BFP! As you say though it's still early days and I'm praying that everything goes smoothly from now for you. Sending you lots of positive vibes. Congratulations :-)

It's weird, the first 2 weeks of Buserelin were fine but ever since I started the Menopur the Buserelin jabs have started to really sting and bruise. The Menopur ones have bled a couple of times even though they are a small needle - very odd! I'm powering through and hoping that I only have a week left of them... I have the end goal in sight now and looking forward to the next part. I can't actually quite believe how quick it's going. @Flamingo44, that's a good point about squeezing the skin too hard, I'll be a bit more mindful of this tonight and see if that makes any difference! x

@HWF4 thanks so much for the positive vibes!

I was the same. The Buserelin seemed a breeze, but by the time I started the Menopur, my skin felt more sensitve, I also got the bleeding and bruising, and just overall tenderness. Not nice. As Flamingo44 says, try not squeezing so hard and hopefully it will ease the whole pain. And yes, think about keeping strong through this phase you're nearly through it. Good luck.

@BeePositive that’s amazing! Huge congratulations on your BFP! It must have been so amazing to see that line! I will have everything crossed for you that things continue to progress well, am sure they will do.

@HWF4 I was exactly the same as well, bruising and more stinging once I started the menopur. I tended to find injecting below my belly button (as opposed to on one side or the other) helped towards the end, for some reason, probably because I hadn’t used that spot before. This stage will be over soon and you’ll be able to give your tummy a break!

Congratulations @BeePositive that's amazing news!! What did you do different this time - I've forgotten!!
Welcome @SP33 - always good to meet new people going through the process at VW. I'm geeup - I'll start downregging for my third cycle (but first FET) in just over a week.

Thanks and welcome back @geeup. Hope you had a happy and relaxing holiday away. And yes, now to get focused and ready for your third cycle. As it's FET, will be less complicated than fresh cycle with no stims or EC this time.

What did I do differently this time?... I started taking Maca Powder (Seven Hills brand, 2 teaspoons in smoothie or milk each morning). I also had scratch (very unpleasant, but I'd recommend it and personally I'd do again if I have to cross that bridge again) and we used/paid for Embryogen. I continued to take my Zita West VitalDHA capsules, Solgar Folate (throughout) and 75mg baby aspirin (only after ET). I also took CoQ10 capsules in the run up to the egg collection. It didn't seem to increase my number of embies collected, but seems the quality MAY have been improved compared to my first fresh cycle. They only transferred one embie back. I have 2 frozen, but due to my personal circumstances, couldn't have 2 put back. What are you thinking about doing or adding this time? Best of luck!

That's really interesting. I was doing the co-q capsules before my last egg collection so hopefully they helped then. I'm having the scratch and will carry on the Zita west vitafem and omega capsules as you did, plus I'll do the aspirin again. Basically exactly the same as you except we weren't allowed the embryogen! I'll also have two out back.
God I hope it works this time.

Ps will order the maca powder too!!

Yes, sounds like we both thinking same things @geeup. Know we chatted about scratch and Embryogen previously. Why aren't you allowed Embryogen? I had to pay for it, not free on NHS.

Worth a try of the Maca powder too, yes.

Sending lots of positive vibes your way for 3rd time lucky too!!!

At my clinic they won't let me have it (even pay for it) until third fresh cycle. I was a bit as I don't see why I can't try everything to help it work - why wait to confirm that I need help with implantation but never mind it's done now - have 4 Frosties without embryogen to help them so will just hope for the best!

I don't think I realised you weren't at Victoria Wing @geeup? Sorry. I know what you mean how frustrating it is when you can't do everything to try help after you've researched and looked into it and it's an option you want to try for. It was the same for us wanting to do the PGS genetic screening testing. It was not an option for us.

Brilliant you have 4 frosties in waiting! You just need of of those lovelies to stick, and I'm sure they will.

I am at the Victoria wing!! I started this thread haha. Does that mean they let you have embryogen for you second round?

Yes, that's what I thought @geeup, that you were also at VW like me. When you said your clinic wouldn't let you, I thought maybe you changed clinic not that VW wouldn't allow it for a specific round.

So right, I had fresh cycle then 2nd round was FET, and this was my 3rd and fresh cycle with it only. So I didn't have it for my first fresh cycle, obviously my embies were frozen already without it for 2nd, and they recommended it for this 3rd cycle (as 2nd fresh round). You think they only allow it after a certain amount of attempts then?

Ah maybe - that probably makes sense. I had two fresh consecutively - maybe if I'd had a fresh then frozen, they'd have let me have embryogen for my third cycle (but second fresh). It's tricky when they have these "rules".
Well I'll try everything else and hope for the best...

Hi everyone, how are you all?

@geeup I hope you had a lovely relaxing holiday ready for your FET! Do you have to do any injections/ take meds for a frozen cycle?

@BeePositive how are you feeling? Did you have any symptoms in the lead up to your positive test?

@SP33 how are you holding up? Not long until your test!

I had my first progress scan today and they could see 15 good size follicles which I am very happy about. Next scan on Friday... looks like I could be on track for EC next Wednesday as scheduled! Off to acupuncture tonight.. looking forward to a bit of R&R!

Great number @HWF4 you must be so pleased to see the positive progress and I'm sure a few more will be getting nice and fat in time for Friday's scan and then your EC next week. Did they discuss potential for OHSS and to give you some Cabergolin tablets in case you need them? This is usually just precautionary if you have large numbers, don't want you being over-stimulated. But really sounding like you're responding well to the stims.

To answer your question on my symptoms... I had some mild cramping before my OTD, and actually thought it was AF coming. One night in particular I had quite bad cramps during the night, and I was convinced it was bad. I still have slight cramps every now and then. And itchy nipples WTF?!

Nice you are continuing to do your acupuncture. Enjoy! Update us on Friday.

@HWF4, congrats, that’s such a good response. Sounds like you’re doing really well and nicely in track for EC next week.

I’m doing fine thanks, trying not to over analyse every symptom as am well aware it could mean anything so am just going to hold out to OTD (easier said than done)!

I found accupuncture really helpful, especially before and after the ET.

Good luck and hope all continues to progress well.

Hi everyone! How are your weekends going?
My scan on Friday was good- they could see 2 more follicles so I’m hoping tomorrow’s scan brings good news and EC will be on Wednesday! I’ve started to feel very bloated and gassy the past few days and I can’t wait to finish these injections now! They didn’t discuss potential OHSS with me though... I’ll ask tomorrow.

@BeePositive how are you feeling? Thanks for sharing your symptoms! I’ve heard itchy nipples can be a sign too! When is your viability scan scheduled for?

@SP33 it’s your test day today isn’t it? I’m crossing everything for you xx

Any news @SP33 - really hope it's good news!
@HWF4 great news re your follies. I'm ok thanks - still on hols and having a lovely time eating and drinking far too much wine but enjoying every minute. Wish I could stay in this bubble till the transfer in Jan!!

@HWF4 - great news and I have everything crossed for lots of mature eggs this week.

@geeup - holiday sounds amazing, hope you continue to feel so relaxed when you get back.

So, I tested and it was positive! Couldn’t believe it and like @beepostive also went and got a Clear Blue to be sure! It hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest and am very conscious from previous experience it may not work out but am really happy and grateful to have got this far.

My symptoms were v similar to beepositive - a lot of cramping (which continues and last night woke me up - felt like a ripping sensation!). Sore and much bigger boobs and specifically nipples, more veins (although I’m v fair skinned so not everyone would even notice this I don’t think). The only other thing was that I had a cold during the entire 2WW. It started 2 days after ET and is only just clearing up now.

Will call VW today to get more progesterone and to book in for a scan.

I hope everyone has a good week and will be thinking of you @HWF4 and @beepositive for your EC and scan.

Fantastic news @SP33 - remind me was this your first go? Completely forgotten!

@geeup yes this was my first go. We’ve been TTC for 3 years with one pregnancy that was an empty sac (so a very early missed miscarriage) at a 7 week scan. Feeling v fortunate to have got this far on the first go.

I have a v stressful job and took 4 weeks off to focus on the treatment, which may have made a difference. I also drank 1L of whole milk a day as my protein intake is naturally low and I heard that it does help. I think our main issue is probably my DH’s low count, but it’s hard to know for sure.

Well that's brilliant. Congratulations and hope it's plain sailing for you from here!

Hi everyone, I'm new to this. I am at vw. Just failed our second fresh IVF, but have 5 frozen.
Everything went so well this time from day 1 so when AF arrived yesterday morning and our BFN this morning it's all gone to shit - for now.
I'm reading about the scratch, the macs powder and other supplements - all news to me!!
Any positive words etc would be most welcome

Such brilliant news @SP33. Congratulations! Seems like our symptoms were so similar and happily the same positive result. Sounds like you really focused on your treatment and all the extras to try ensure you did the very best. Well done. Now another 2WW with the joy of progesterone sup's Let us know your viability scan date?

@geeup - sounds like you're having the best time on hol's enjoying every chilled minute and plenty drinkies! You'll be relaxed and ready for your next cycle when you're back, I'm sure x

@HWF4 - excellent update on even more follies! Fingers crossed for a smooth EC this Wednesday. Keep drinking lots water, even if you are feeling bloated - helps flush your system. Will be thinking of you. Keep us posted.

I'm good. One day no symptoms at all. Another day I have mild cramps. And the itchy nipples and slightly bigger/more 'solid' boobs persist ?! My viability scan is next Tuesday afternoon. I will need to leave an offsite workshop early and hope no-one suspects anything. Way to early to mention anything to work, but it's on my mind constantly. I'm so excited but nervous for the scan at the same time.

Hope everyone has a good week ahead. Keep warm x