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!

(OTD)

Oh dear geeup that's going to drag!
For those of you who have been through IVF, did you take time off work?
If I go with ARGC and need to get to London daily for parts of the cycle, it'll be pretty tricky. Wonder if I need like a month off!!

I have taken two weeks off each time but heard ARGC is very intense so you may need more.
AFM totally negative on frer today. Will obviously give it another couple of days incase of a miracle but think I'm out knowing I had a strongish positive on 5dp5dt with a singleton last time before the chemical and this time was with two.
This process is so tough. I have two lower grade Frosties left and then we're facing giving up which is a scary thought.

@geeup what does 5dp5dt mean?
I'm going to guess that it's a 5 day blastocyst 5 days after transfer? So equivalent to 10dpo? If that's the case, it's SO early!! I wouldn't compare to a previous conception/pregnancy. There's no reason this one would implant at exactly the same time as the last, so it would follow that hcg would be detected at a different point.
Don't lose hope and try not to panic (much easier said than done - I'm bad enough in the 2ww of a natural cycle, I can imagine the intensity of feelings you are going through).
Can you take a nice long walk today, try and clear your mind of the internal chatter? x

Hey everyone! Just checking in as I didn't get any email notifications again!

@geeup that's great you had a positive test but please don't feel too disheartened that you didn't today as it's still so early! It can take up to 6 days for an embryo to attach and then after it does it takes a few days for the HCG to build up to show on a pregnancy test. I know it's so tough as you've waited so long but I would wait until the day they've given you or you if you have to test early at least wait until the weekend! I have everything crossed for you! x

@geeup - I totally agree with *@HWF4, it's such early days, continue to keep positive. You've had such good mindset till now, keep confident in this very much mind f&$ time that is the 2WW.

Hope you're doing well @HWF4? Trust the OHSS is continuing to get better and you can start focusing on your early pregnancy more than dealing with that anymore. When is your next scan?

Hi @BeePositive,

I'm good thank you, the fluid from OHSS has pretty much all gone now but I have a large cyst on my left ovary that Nuffield want to keep an eye on... I'm back for my next scan next Tuesday 16th where I would be 8 weeks 6 days.... My symptoms aren't really there anymore which is worrying me so the scan can't come quick enough.

How are you doing? Have you thought about what you would like your next steps to be? I have been thinking of you x

Thanks for your thoughts @HFW4 it has been a tough time, but my husband and I have discussed and would like to try our final round with final Embryogen embie when consultant thinks advisable in the next couple of months. Until then, we’re just taking it day by day.

So pleased for you that the OHSS has continued to subside and of course good that Victoria Wing are keeping an eye on that cyst. Sending positive vibes. I’m sorry you are feeling worried and I’m sure waiting for the scan is torture. Symptoms or lack-of is a tricky thing. Never full proof & can be misleading. I hope next Tuesday comes around quick x

@beepositive - am also thinking of you and it’s great to hear you’ll try again when you’re. I hope you are recovering ok physically too and you’re starting to feel a bit more normal (if that’s even the right word!)

@HWF4 - agree with beepositive, try if you can not to worry too much about symptoms. I know so many people who’ve barely had any and all had been ok. On the flip side, I unfortunately know people who were throwing up the morning they found out all was not well. I don’t think you can rely on symptoms either way and unfortunately just have to wait for scans. Not long now until your next one, keeping everything crossed for you.

@geeup - how are you holding up? Hope you’re ok. Am thinking of you during this horrendous 2WW.

Hi everyone, how are you all?

@BeePositive that's really great news that you are going to try again. I have everything crossed for you that this last round will be your one!! Until then, take it easy and enjoy some wine and brie :-)

@geeup I have been thinking of you and I really hope you got your positive yesterday!

@SP33 I hope your 12 week scan goes well!! Keep us posted.

I had my scan yesterday at 8 weeks, 6 days and everything looked good. I have been discharged from VW which I have to say I found very sad!! I had my first midwife appointment on Monday and the standard of care just doesn't compare to the VW

I hope everyone is all good! xx

That's great news @HWF4 congratulations. Hope it's plainsailing from here.
I'm afraid I was a bfn as expected but as I'd tested early I'd come to terms with it so feeling ok. I do worry VW will just tell me to try again as they have nothing else to suggest to improve my odds - I already had the scratch etc so not sure what else there is! Any ideas out there?

@SP33 and @HWF4 thank you both for the well wishes, yes lots of lovely wine and naughty cheese being consumed. What new years resolutions?! I have my consultation at VW tomorrow to discuss next steps and take it from there.

@HWF4 Yippee! I'm so pleased your scan went well and you're 9 weeks today then. Good that you are feeling sad as such with moving from VW to 'normal' care, but good for you. Enjoy all the next steps and please keep us posted still x

@geeup So very sad for the negative result. Sounds like you're very pragmatic and doing ok. Don't underestimate having ups and downs, but you are strong and you have us online here too. You've got frosties for next round/s yes?

Hi @geeup, I'm so sorry to hear that.
I'm not entirely sure of your test history, but I am with a Consultant in Epsom who tests for NK Cells etc. I know it's not a widely accepted theory, but he has so much success that I couldn't help but investigate that route. He found my immune system to be overly aggressive. I found a lovely group of ladies on here who are with the same Consultant, most of them now pregnant.
Have you had any miscarriages or just failing to conceive?
I've got an appointment with ARGC on 7th Feb to book in for IVF with immune treatment (steroids/intralipids)
Really hope this happens for you soon xx

Hi @Tee4me yes ive Heard Mr Shehata in Epsom can be good both for miscarriages and recurrent implantation failure. Which thread are you as I'd love to read more about it. I know VW don't agree with his programmes though so I'd have to move clinic which I didn't want to do as @BeePositive is right I have a couple of Frosties left at VW. I'd love to try ARGC but don't think I could afford them. I've heard to expect £20k which is

Well it was the NK/Immune issues thread, but we have mostly moved the chat over to a FB group, but some of the girls still check back on Mumsnet.
Oh my God £20k??!! Jeez we can't afford that, their price list says £3k for IVF plus blood tests & drugs, so I'd assumed around £5k in total?? 😬
I've done all the immune testing with Shehata (a few thousand) and all other standard tests with NHS, so I don't think I'd need to pay them for any of that again, but still £20k??? I wonder where those hidden costs are. Guess I'll find out on 7th.
Makes sense to stick with VW if you have Frosties. They sound like a great unit, the nurse I spoke to certainly made me wonder if I'm wasting my money on this immune stuff 🤦🏼‍♀️ It's so hard to know what to do for the best xx

Ooh will you tell me what kind of price they say on the 7th please? If it's lower maybe we would do it. I paid the £50 to register 2 years ago

Of corse, I'll definitely update you.
Did you hear from a few people £20k ish?
I'll be gutted if this is the case 😞

I think so - I think I got that from the ARGC threads on here but I might be wrong and it might include lots of extras etc - maybe it'll be less (hopefully!).

So been googling and it's looking very varied. Someone said £20k but that included removal of a tube and other complex procedures/treatments. Another said £12k for 3 rounds and lots of meds and another said £8k. Must be so individual. Hoping for a modest quote on 7th! x

That is a lot of variation! Will await to hear back from you!

@Tee4me and @geeup I’d also heard ARGC can be expensive but think it depends on the add ons. You also have to visit the clinic on most days for 2 weeks and inject yourself throughout the pregnancy, but their success rates are amazing.

@geeup imagine it makes sense for you to use your Frosties at VW before moving? Can you start again shortly or do you have to wait? I seem to remember you saying you thought you had an issue with progesterone as you bled quite early post transfer. Was that the same this time or was that better?

@HWF4 congrats on your scan, bet you feel
much more relaxed now. Try to stay off Google and enjoy the next 3 weeks - that would be my advice!

@beepositive glad to hear you’re treating yourself, you deserve it! I have everything crossed for you in 2018

I had my 12 week scan yesterday and everything is great. I feel very lucky to be in this position and over the first 12 weeks, although doubt I’ll ever stop worrying. Now just waiting for the sickness to subside!

Congrats @SP33 that's fantastic. You must be thrilled.
Yes the only upside if this cycle was it showed the Lubion worked for me and kept the bleeding at bay so at least it feels like we had a fair shot. Just not the right embryos I guess...

Hi, I haven't been on for a long time but I have been following your journeys.
I wanted to provide you with some hope. I had 5 transfers 2 fresh and 3 frozen and finally got lucky on my last frozen round with my last embryo. The result is snuggled in my arms right now. Do not give up.
I had a thrombophilia screen which showed I had a mutated gene mthfr so I took low dose aspirin, vitamin b6 high dose folic acid and fragmin. The first time I tried that protocol (fresh) it didn't work but it did the second time. ARGC appears very successful but I think you need to look carefully at the stats. I found VW very honest and they wanted what was best for you and not what's best for their profits. They won't do anything unless there is evidence to back it up.

I'm sorry that so many women are in this situation-it's the absolute pits. But stay strong. The one way of not having a baby is to give up. Sending love and support xxx

Thanks so much for your comments @BlueIris17 that's amazing and very inspiring! A couple of qus if you don't mind?

1. were all your cycles with VW?
2. if so did VW do the tests for you and if not who did the tests for you
3. did VW prescribe the fragmin and folic acid for you? Thanks again!

Yes all cycles with vw and dr Curtis did the tests. On 3rd cycle I had 2 great blasts put back and had a chemical so he suggested the blood tests and prescribed the drugs for future rounds.