IVF Cycle Buddies August/September?

[meadowlark3]

Anyone starting a cycle this month? I know there's a July/August thread, but seems that they've mostly all started on their cycles. I'm due to start DR tomorrow and if all goes well will have EC at the beginning of September.

Have not shared our IVF journey with too many people in IRL so would love to have a bit of company here. This will be our first go at IVF, so quite nervous at the mo!

xx

Hi Emma

You must drink loads of clear liquids especially if you feel bloated and are at increased risk of ohss.

It's the best way to prevent and sort it out.

Hope everyone else is good. Just waiting until we go to the hospital for my transfer. How surreal?

Fox, sorry you're in so much pain, has it gotten any better? Have you tried paracetamol or nurofen? My clinic said that if I had pain beyond a period I should ring them. Thanks for the diet info, seems like a healthy plan, I reckon it can't hurt!

Scots good luck with your scan today and please let us know how you get on! Sending lots of good thoughts!

Ging thinking of you for your transfer today and everything crossed for you! Absolutely surreal and let us know how you get on!! I'm not sure what "fertilised normally" means, it's just what the embryologist said. I found this information on line from a US site but I reckon perhaps what the clinic meant, about the polar bodies? My clinic does ICSI for all cases if the sperm count is low, my DH is around 20K, so we qualified.

Emma yes I felt quite bloated. There was quite a bit of trapped wind and I've walked a bit and been drinking loads of water to help. Something I read online said that if each follicle is 2 cm and we've got 10 or 20, then each ovary is the size of an orange or grapefruit! Or for you with 39, that'd be almost 40 cm on each ovary?? So I reckon there's a bit of air that's in the tummy that's got to come out too?

No news here, I believe our clinic won't call us unless something happens and the embryos stop growing on day 3, so keeping everything crossed until transfer on Saturday. Trying to keep myself occupied but can hardly focus at work and keep searching for statistics on embryo survival and transfer and whatnot I'm doing the progesterone pessaries, anyone else?

Sending you all loads of good thoughts and PMA.

Hi ladies

It sounds like a case of no news is good news meadowlark and the fact they looked good on 1 day is a good indication. The icsI option seems to be a standard part of it now. Isn't medical technology amazing? I'm hoping they keep doing well.

Am using 3 400 mg progesterone pessaries a day. They are messy but I feel I've needed to up my fibre intake.

So today they popped our best embryo back in. They were really pleased with it and it was even hatching all by itself. Then amazingly the other 5 were suitable for freezing. The consultant spoke about it as a baby but we can't do that to ourselves as it could still go horribly wrong. So now we wait... for 12 days. I think this might be the hardest part.

Tonight we are going to watch a funny movie as laughter is supposed to help. I'm taking Bromlein as I've read it is supposed to encourage implantation.

Xx

Evening ladies!
Ging-how did it go?
Emma, hope you are feeling better!
Meadow- how are you feeling? I'm all excited about Saturday. How's your DH feeling?
I'm so glad I took this week off, as although I'm not in pain, I do feel uncomfortable and bloated. And I just can't drink 3l water everyday! I do, but it's much harder than injections and scans together! 💧💧💧😩😩😩
But I suppose me moaning about water keeps my mind of Saturday. Same as you Meadow I keep googling everything relating to ivf- pictures, percentages, foods, blogs etc etc

Ging!!!! That's great!!! You must have posted whilst I was writing!
I'm soooooo pleases for you!!!! 12 days.... yes, that sounds like very very long time! 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Hi all,
Ging - wow absolutely amazing news. I have everything crossed for you. Let's hope the next 12 days goes quickly.

Meadow - I bet Saturday can't come quick enough. Hope your doing ok.

Emma - how are you feeling?

Fox - that's a shame your feeling uncomfortable. Roll on Saturday.

I had my scan, womb lining is nice and thin. They check my ovaries and all looked good apparently. Due to my low AMH levels they could only see 6 follicles. I just hoping and praying they all mature and produce good quality eggs
I start my injections tomorrow morning. I'm so anxious and apprehensive feeling. Not only about the injections but that this stage won't progress how I need it to.
Was totally overwhelmed by what I need to be doing with the injections. I suppose after a few times it will be second nature.
Booked in for next Friday for a scan to see how things are going. It honestly can't come quick enough.

Hugs all x

Hey Scots-
Hope your injections go well! They are not as difficult as you would think and actually do become 2nd nature. Are you on Gonal F? What's your dose?
Funny and truly mind boggling thing is that after my DH did the last injection, we both realised that we will it really miss it in some weird way. I suppose it signaled the end of one journey or as my DH said- it's something we both did together when we woke up and in evening, and he will miss that. Do let us know how it went!
Xxx

Hi Fox,
Thanks. I've been awake since 4.30am absolutely dreading it. The worst thing is DH had to go away this morning on business till tomorrow night. So I'm all on my lonesome and absolutely cacking myself.
Yip Gobal F erm I'm on 300IU twice a day for 2 days then onto 375IU daily. That's injection doesn't seem that bad it's the others on that looks far worse. Eeeeeek. Going to do it at 8am.
Awww I can understand that. It's a massive thing and you are both so invested in it.
I'll keep you posted.
Xx

First injections all done! Have to say although it wasn't nice it wasn't as bad as I'd built it up to be. Mixing the Luveris will take a bit of getting used to.
Sat for ages psyching myself up with the syringe in my hand. Haha x

Congratulations Scots!!!!! That's another milestone!!!! And it will go so quick, I promise! Remember last week were all I injecting, this week we all we do I wait! It's your time to provide us with some action! 😃
Sounds like you are on different dosage than I was. I was on Gonal F 175 every 8 pm and then after scans ok'd it about 4 days later i starter Cetrotide every morning at 5am. (I start work at 6 so had to be this early) and then next thing I knew.... I was told I have to do trigger shot.
I didn't use Luveris, but I think it's just different option. From what I read up on internet, it's the same idea.
I'm up at 5 every day too, although I'm on holiday. Because my DH is going to work and because after 3l water every day I just have to go to loo... every 3 hours....😭😭😭
Xxx

Ging, FAB news, congratulations!!! So thrilled for you. What does it mean that your embryo was hatching? Just 11 days more for you, how are you feeling? Was the transfer painful at all?

Fox are you feeling any better? I've decided I won't do any more googling, it won't change the outcome and only makes me more anxious. Got my phone sat on my desk though waiting for the clinic to call in case our embryos aren't developing and we need to have a transfer today. Is your clinic ringing with updates? I forgot to ask mine if they would give us an update today.

Scots, brilliant!!!! You are so brave to do the injection on your own. My DH had to do mine! Fab that you've got six follicles, keeping everything crossed for them.

I'm doing 2 progesterone 400 mg a day. I've got some daily liners to keep the wax off of my knickers. Has anyone else noticed it falling out when you go to the loo? I'm trying to lay flat for at least 15 minutes after putting it in, hope that is enough time. Can't believe Saturday is just two days away

Is anyone taking aspirin? I heard that can also encourage implantation but nervous to start something not prescribed by the clinic.

xx

Yeah feeling good about starting. I just hope I respond well and all goes well. So anxious.
Ah right so slightly different then but same idea.
Will need to psyc myself again tonight. Got to take the 2nd 12 hours after the first one.

Thankfully I'm working at home today, wanted to make sure I was relaxed this morning.

Gosh 3ltrs is a lot. I'm not looking forward to that.

Roll on next Friday. The not knowing is going to drive me nuts xxx

Scots! So proud of you for being able to injections yourself! I never could. I suppose if my DH wasn't at home one day, I would. I'm glad you have decided to have relaxing morning, this can be stressful. I guess you may start other injections by the weekend. Who knows, you may get booked in for EC by the end of next week.
Meadow- I also forgot to ask clinic if I will get daily updates or not... but as I haven't heard from them since Tuesday, I guess not. Also, I'm not taking aspirin, as I have been on paracetamol due to pain in my tummy. I will read up on that and may get some baby aspirin. That can't do much wrong I suppose. My pessaries are 200g and I have to use them three times a day. Good shout about the panty inserts, as I've been at home and only wearing "granny" knickers I never even cared about it. Gosh, need to get some today. When doc said I need to use them she said I will have to keep using them until 2nd or 3rd month of pregnancy, so I should get used to them. Must say that made me feel very very odd, considering it may not happen, but oddly just for few seconds it felt all so real.
I am feeling sooooo much better today! I feel like my tummy muscles has had some exercise, sort of residual muscle pain. Again full of energy! Yeyyyyyyy
And I know why I was in pain- it's all to do with the food! No heavy carbs- like pizza!
Word of advice, if you don't mind, please be careful of foods... 🍕 Don't wish anybody to be in pain.
Just made light lunch, avocado (apparently very good for this stage of ivf) with little salad. And I keep snacking on pineapple... I actually can't stand pineapple but I read it's very very good to help I implantation.
Lots of love xxx

Hello ladies hope you are all well.

Fox I know right? 12 days seems like a lifetime.

I think my oh missed the injections too. He felt useful and part of it doing them. He offered to help with the pessaries... no help needed there thanks. If you don't like pine apple but want the effect then holland and Barrett do bromlein which is the part you need.

Scots lass amazing work on the injections. You must feel very proud of yourself. We kept waiting for them to get harder and more complicated but they didn't. Did it hurt?

Meadowlark after the blastocyst is formed it breaks out of the outer shell to implant. This usually happens in the uterus. Some of mine were already hatching which apparently is excellent news.

The transfer was uncomfortable. He inserted a metal thing like in a smear test while the nurses scanned my belly. My embryo was passed through from the embrologist and popped in on a catheder. As he did it he spoke about my baby finding a home for the next 6 months which is great that he's so positive but not fair when we are trying to manage our expectations. They book a picture of the embryo setting into my uterus which he handed me.

The best thing is I can tell my oh I need a happy uterus and so he has to be nice to me and it's working.

It felt like a relevant day. Hope yours and foxs go well on Saturday xxx

Hi ladies,

Ging, hope your uterus is plenty happy today and the blasts have hatched and nestled in! I'm surprised the doctor would talk about your "baby"! I understand they want to be positive, but it also seems like a bit of a lead on! Love that you got a pic of the transfer.

Fox, my clinic said that too, about keeping on with the pessaries until I'm eight weeks pregnant. I was a bit as it was only just after my egg collection and we didn't even know if any would fertilise! I would've thought they'd say something like 'if you become pregnant you will continue' but I'll take it as a hopeful sign.

Scots, good luck with your injecting tonight, the first was the worst for me. I'm sure you'll be a pro at mixing in no time!

Hope no news from the clinic today is good news. (If they had all stopped growing I reckon they would ring me to cancel Saturday?) Don't expect we'll hear anything tomorrow either so just getting ready for Sat, trying to think positive thoughts! xx

Hi ladies - not been great following the EC - my ovaries were overstimulated so been very bloated (from yesterday's scan my ovaries are currently over 9cm each)/in pain/sickly/bed ridden since Tuesday. Due to the risks of OHSS during pregnancy, doctors have advised against this Sunday's embryo transfer, and switching to a frozen embryo transfer next month. Was a little disappointed at first, but given how I have felt over the last 48-72 hours, think it's best, I can't imagine dealing with these/further symptoms during pregnancy. We are awaiting the clinic's call this morning to tell us how our embryos are doing - we had 18 that fertilised, so will hear further about their quality etc. (today will be day 3). Ging, congratulations with your transfer - keeping everything crossed for you for the next 2 weeks, and, Scotslass01, well done with your injections (there's no way I could do them without hubby)! Meadow, Fox - hope things are progressing well with your embryos! xxx

Hi ladies,

That makes sense Emma you know. I've read a few times the transfer can be mors successful when you get a month off to recover. Might be the best thing. Hope you feel better soon.

Hope the injections are still going well scotslass.

Meadowlark and fox. Best of luck with your transfers tomorrow. Hope they go well xx

Hi ladies,
Emma- I'm so sorry to hear that ET has been delayed, but it's for the best. Your body is clearly not in a condition for transfer, as annoying as that may be. Doctors only are doing what's best for you and your little blastocysts. Fingers crossed you start feeling better soon!
Ging- how are you keeping up? Did they provide you with some special pregnancy tests at the clinic or you have to buy your own? How do you feel?
Scots- how are the injections going? Your DH must be back from his work trip, will you ask him to do injections for you?
Is your scan today or next Friday?
Meadow- ready for tomorrow??? Im actually getting nervous now! How are you managing 3L of water? For me, that the biggest challenge...

Emma, so sorry to hear you've been poorly but will now have a bit of time to heal. How was the clinic's day 3 update? Sending you and your embryos lots of good thoughts.

Ging, thank you, how are you feeling? Is it 9 days now until your test day? Thinking of you and sending lots of good thoughts.

Fox, yes, 3L feels like a lot! I'm bursting all night, but hoping it helps flush the stims to create a better environment for the embryo transfer tomorrow. I'm quite nervous for tomorrow but know it's out of my hands. I've already told DH I'll need to watch funny films and be stress-free for the TWW. Defo not seeing IT has he wants! Sending you loads of good thoughts for tomorrow, let us know how you get on!

Scots, how are the injections going? Has your DH returned?

Has anyone noticed side effects from the progesterone pessaries? I feel like a grumpy cow, much worse than with DR or stims, but perhaps just nervous for ET tomorrow

Meadow, grumpy cow? I think we all can afford to be grumpy cows considering what we are going through.
No, I haven't noticed any side effects, but wouldn't be surprised it's just nerves.
And guess what, I'm also going to watch comedy! What movie will you watch?
Ging- when you came up with the perfect comedy idea, what movie did you watch? I actually did some research and found out where this idea comes from, and yes, why not 😆😆😆 any little helps :)

Hello all,
Ging - test day is fast approaching, I'm so excited for you. Are you staying fairly active? I think I'd be so tempted to stay still.

Meadow - good luck for tomorrow, the final phase for you. Let us know how you get on. Will be thinking about you. 3ltrs is soooooo much water. Well done you for managing it. Comedy films sound like a plan.

Emma - I'm so sorry to hear you have been feeling poorly. Definitely sounds like it's the best course of action. You need to get your body ready for the next stage to give yourself a fighting chance.
Keep us posted how your embryos are doing. Sending big hugs.

Injections have been going fine. The gonal f is easy peasy, the other one is much more uncomfortable and complicated. I have lost my appetite a wee bit and my lower back is really uncomfortable. Did you ladies have any side effects?
DH is back but I'm happy to get on with doing them myself. I done my 6th injection in 2 days tonight so I'm kind of in the groove with it.

Sending lots of positive thoughts to you all.

X

Now I'm getting nervous... I'm booked in for 11am... Meadow, what time is yours?

Scots, sorry you're having such a rough time with the second injection! Is it quite fiddly? I've read that putting a bag of frozen veg on your skin before and after the injection can help. I did notice side effects: exhausted, loads of discharge, a bit of decreased appetite with nausea and feeling full easily, feeling more emotional and sensitive. Also felt little twinges in by belly fairly early on that became more of a pressure or bloating and fullness closer to collection. Didn't have any back pain though that I recall.

Fox, I can't believe it. I hardly slept at all, was so nervous. Dreamt I was at the clinic and they told us three survived and they wanted to grow them one more day for day 6 transfer. The other had turned into a bit of fish and shark tissue-had to turn and ask DH whether they would still implant it 😂 Also went to the loo about six ties! I'm booked in for 11:30, we really are on exactly the same schedule! Sending you loads of good thoughts and please post and update when you have a mo.

Sending lots of good thoughts to all
Xxx

All the best today ladies. Thinking of you both x