IVF cycle buddies June/July

[Hobbes39]

Hi! I'm hoping that this is 3rd time lucky for us... due to start process for my first Frozen transfer in June, with the actual transfer being in July... anyone want to join me on the journey? We have 2 unsuccessful fresh cycles behind us, and I have this one single little embryo from the last cycle sitting in the freezer waiting for me. It's a 3BB and all my hopes are pinned on it being the one!
We have unexplained secondary infertility, have a DS who will be 4 in August, and I've just turned 40, so time isn't on our side... so I'm now waiting for my period to start (due in about 10-14 days, although my cycles are mucked up since our ivf failed in April)... but once it comes i will be down regged to them do transfer early July I think! Fingers crossed we get lucky this time...!

[79Karen]

Aww Gee, that looks pretty positive to me

[LoPl]

So much to catch up on...

Pyjamas - how are you holding up? It is really shit, so do give yourself some time to heal. And Nigel - are you on the mend now?

Wow geeup - a second line, fantastic news. Hope it all is smooth sailing from here. And Hobbes so pleased your embryo survived the thaw and is now tucked up inside you. Fingers crossed.

I also tried counselling for the first time last week. I found it good to just vocalise my feelings ... and be listened to. I also appreciated how she was able to find ways to describe how I was feeling - when I was struggling to explain it. Wasn't convinced by everything, but overall I'd recommend it. (and definitely if you get it free).

Otherwise I'm feeling completely shit on hormones, and my skin has broken out. But I have 3-6 follicles in the running this cycle, so I'm willing them on. Did someone on this thread mention an app/podcast thing for visualizsation? I'd like something to do as I fall asleep - otherwise I just worry. Can you give me the name?

[geeup]

LoPI - I bought the Zita West visualisation tracks on iTunes. There's one for pre transfer and one for post and one for anytime really. I found them good. There's also a free one on Spotify by a lady called Bree Taylor something (Aussie) called Hypnosis for IVF. Voice irritates me a bit but I liked it.

[LoPl]

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of geeup - thanks!

[geeup]

CM has gone pinky/red so am preparing for the worst :(

[Pyjamas81]

Oh god the worry must be immense gee - when is your OTD?

[geeup]

Not till Sunday officially. Clinic did say not to test before then but even if I lose it, I'll be glad I knew it happened.

[Nigeltufnellover]

Try not to worry if you can gee, although much easier said than done, sorry if you've already said, but how many days after transfer are you?

How are you getting on pyjamas? Did you get counselling sorted?

Thanks for the good wishes everyone. Still feel like a nauseous balloon and can't move very much. The good news is that it turns out I got late onset OHSS because I'm pregnant. Got my BFP this morning.
It's a weird one, I'm obviously over the moon as in four years of TTC I have literally never had a positive test, but don't feel like I can celebrate just yet at all. Feels like a long way to actually having a baby... I wonder when you can start to relax and enjoy it if you're infertile...
I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm not happy, I am, I can't believe it, it's just strange. I hope to god it sticks.

[geeup]

I understand Nigel. Im definitely not able to celebrate. But congratulations to you that's brilliant news.
I'm 6 days post transfer but very early I know.

[Hobbes39]

Oh Geeup - that's so hard - why does this all have to be so flipping hard. I will keep everything crossed for you - I know you know this, but try to remember there are a multitude of reasons for spotting, so I'm not giving up on you yet!
Nigel - that's brilliant news! I do understand though that getting too excited is so difficult as we are all too aware of how precarious it all is. I honestly think that if we do get a BFP then I'm unlikely to feel relaxed about it until I have a baby in my arms, as I'm now so used to things not working out... I'm sure it will get easier each milestone you reach though and will keep fingers crossed for a happy & healthy 9 months for you! X

[geeup]

I'm afraid the bleeding got a lot worse. Had a day of proper red blood and cramps so pretty sure it's all over I'm afraid. Won't know till Saturday though when I can test again but think I'm out 

[Hobbes39]

Oh gee I'm so sorry. I know there's nothing I can say, but am thinking of you. Xx

[Glamm]

So sorry gee... cant begin to imagine what you must be going through... nothing we can say thats gonna make you feel any differently but stay strong.. thinking of you dear x

Great news nigel... congratulations to you.. wishing you a happy and successful journey ahead...

As for myself, I am going for egg collection tomorrow.. got over 14 follicles bigger than 16mm so its all looking good there. However, progesterone levels at 8 and high amh levels at 32, hence, hyperstimulating so plan is to go ahead for a frozen embryo transfer.. a bit annoyed since the wait is just killing me already and to wait another 2periods plus 7weeks to prep my body again for transfer seems like forever before I can finally see some results.. keeping my fingers crossed though

Anything you ladies can advice for tomorrows EC would be really helpful 😘

[Nigeltufnellover]

Oh gee, sending lots of love x

[LoPl]

Oh gee lots of hugs. Can't really say anything that will help, but thinking of you lots

And Nigel - that's great news but I can imagine that you are in that funny place of being hesitantly hopeful. Wishing you a smooth ride from here on in.

AFM, scan this morning and everything on course for EC early next week - 5-8 follicles in the running. But given I had similar numbers last time and only one unfertilised egg to show for it.... I'm so wary.... and as of today I am now out of 35-37 bracket... emotions all over the place to say the least...

[Hobbes39]

LoPI - happy birthday! Although I know in going through this process birthdays aren't that welcome (I hated when I changed from the 38-39 bracket, still hate it!) Hope you can have a good celebration though .
Good luck with your follicles - I can understand why you are so hesitant to get hopes up, you went thru hell last time, so I'm hoping that it was just freak bad luck and now you are due some good luck! Xx

[geeup]

Happy birthday lopi!! And good luck. My second cycle I ended up with the same number of eggs but presumably better quality as had more blasts by the end - you might surprise yourself!!

[Glamm]

Hi ladies.. I had my EC yesterday and they were able to retrieve 17eggs which I was happy with, however, got a call this morning that only 9 of them have fertilised. I am so disappointed. Still have to wait 5days to know how many make it to blastocyst. What should I be expecting? Is it normal? 9 out of 17 really broke my heart :( I am gonna have to take it as it comes now but whats a good number of frozen embryos?

[Glamm]

I m so sorry if I am sounding ungrateful but I keep reading that some women get 17eggs retrieved and like 15-16 of them fertilise and so they have a rather bigger number that makes to blast. With my 9 out of 17, I just am really worried about how many will make to blast and how many will I have in my frozen reserve. I dont have my tubes so this is my only hope.

[Nigeltufnellover]

Hey Glamm, that's a really good number, 9 fertilised embryos is brilliant. as everyone here says though, it really just takes one good one.
We had amazing numbers 15 fertilised, 14 made it to blast, and we got a good one to put in, but none of the others were good enough to freeze.
Others on here didn't have as many blasts but had some to freeze, so while the numbers help your chances, it's definitely not the be all and end all.
It's so nerve wracking though, you have my total sympathy. It's the waiting to find stuff out that i found really stressful in this whole thing.
Look after yourself, you've done really well to get this far xx

[LoPl]

Thanks for the positive vibes Hobbes and Geeup. Really needed them, and really appreciate them. Hugs.

Glamm - those numbers sound good. I think once your over about 15 follicles the likelihood of any containing mature eggs reduces (they'll be over mature or immature). So 9 remains a really good number. It is horrible when the news isn't as what you hoped - but getting past each stage is massive in itself. Try not to think too far ahead. Hugs.

[Nigeltufnellover]

How you doing today LoPl?

[Glamm]

Thanks Nigel.. i think reading up too much on google etc makes one really anxious.. the journey is a massive roller coaster in itself and one cant help but jump ahead of each step.. I tried a lot not to but the phone call this morning had me all over the place... its my first IVF cycle and I keep reading unsuccessful stories with these numbers of the first go which is why I am so worried. I will try n keep positive and yes the more I read, the more I am convinced that its the quality that matters and I shouldnt worry about quanity so much so keeping my fingers crossed - thanks for ur advice 😘

Happy Birthday LoPI and all the very best with EC next week... hope it all goes well. Keeping my fingers crossed for u 😘

[LoPl]

Doing better today - thanks Nigel. My counsellor described this whole process as riding a wave (i.e you can't stop or fix it or heal like you can with other issues) which kinda helps me make sense of my ups and downs.

[geeup]

Glamm my clinic said only
10% of people have anything to freeze so please don't put pressure on yourself to expect that. It's an incredible bonus if you do but as everyone says just take one step at a time (easy said that done especially when in the 2ww!)