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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

IVF Cycle Buddies August/September?

952 replies

meadowlark3 · 02/08/2017 19:21

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

OP posts:
meadowlark3 · 19/09/2017 09:34

All of the ikea trips sound fab!

I had some period pains the first days (I'm only on day 4 of cyclogest) but defo having constipation from it, no proper period pains today.
Everything crossed for you for Thurs!!!

OP posts:
Scotslass01 · 19/09/2017 15:54

Hi all,

Sorry I've missed loads of chat. Not been in a great place. My emotions are all over the place. To make it worse my wee cat is poorly and things are not looking good. I'm utterly devastated and overwhelmed with my emotions.
I've spent the last 2 days crying. Dealing with the cat is hard enough but with my heightened emotions I'm a mess. Cannot keep it together.
I'm so bloody nervous about my scan on Friday as well.

Ging - nearly there! How are you feeling?

Meadow - what have you been advised re: the constipation? I'm curious because my ibs is already playing up and it will only get worse with the drugs.

fox - how is DH? I hope you have managed to avoid the cold.

BeHere- glad to hear you are feeling a bit more relaxed.

Hugs to all x

Fox23 · 19/09/2017 17:45

Back from another day at work... and although it's ideal distraction, it's also real reality check. I'm glad my assistant knows so every time he sees that I'm about to lift anything, he just stops me! That's great but also troubling how I keep forgetting. My hubby is feeling better and after 2 nights being in separate rooms, I may have escaped his bug. I have gained so much weight since starting injections! Is anybody else experiencing this? I'm hoping it's water, but not too sure.

Meadows- how are you feeling? It's day 8 and it's getting more real!!!! Scaryyyy. it's day 8-10 that are important ones. I also got urine test. They gave me 2 to test next Wednesday and then if negative, to test week later. Did you also get 2?
Beherenow- is your test tomorrow or Thursday? Fingers crossed 🤞 positive thoughts x
Ging- I know you've said many times, but when is your test day? Is it this week? I'm sorry for forgetting, but my memory and concentration levels are literally halved to what it used to be!
Scots- how are you keeping up? I also had weird twinges and pains and aches... but it's all good! Means something is happening, right? 😃 Not long till your scan!
Xxx

Ging78 · 19/09/2017 20:32

Hello ladies

Hope you're all good 😀.

Fox rotten luck with your dhs cold. Fingers crossed you avoid it. The date they gave me to test is Monday 25th. But actually if my af is due 2 weeks after ec that'll be Friday so I might know sooner. 12 days is a lot. Still almost a week to go.

Be here now the pain could be anything. I'm sure it's not period pain try not to worry. Try to think positive.

Meadowlark I know I've Googled so much. And the end of the day there is nothing we can do but wait. It's frustrating. Ikea definitely cheered me up. I got little bit and made decisions about our new kitchen.

Scotslass I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. I hope it's OK. With regards the ivf stuff youll definitely feel better after your scan on Friday. The constipaton seems to come and go. You should up your fibre intake before ec. My advice from my clinic says I can use glycerin suppositories.

With regards getting intimate with your ohs? What advice did you get? I've read a lot that says we should abstain. It seems really tough to abstain as this has be stressful and it would be nice to connect. If the advice is to abstain fair enough. Whatever it takes x

Ging

meadowlark3 · 19/09/2017 21:45

Oh Scots, I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. Sending you a big hug.
Pet sickness is never easy but this seems especially rubbish for you emotionally now Sad I've forgotten are you off work this week, or is it after the ET? I haven't done anything special for the constipation, just drinking loads, eating lots of fruit and veg and avoiding anything that worsens it (massive plate of white rice with curry was a horrible idea!)

Behere, Just two more days-got everything crossed for you! How are you getting on?

Fox, I forgot about the lifting today also, how strict are you being? I think I picked up maybe a 10kg box! Had a little period cramp today but it was before I picked it up so hopefully no damage done. I was massively bloated up until this weekend, but haven't noticed a change in my clothes fitting...maybe I'm bulking up a bit because of all of the protein? I got 2 urine tests too.

Ging, fab that you made some kitchen decisions, nice to have a distraction! I was wondering about intimacy too. It has been too long for us as I was so uncomfortable with stims and absolutely knackered when DR, so we're quite off of our normal routine Blush My clinic said sex is fine and since starting the pessaries my libido has been massive (anyone else??), but sex also seems quite messy with all of the wax discharge, so I'm not all that keen. I was also a bit worried that the hormones would get on DH's penis and affect him Hmm I think we will probably wait until we test anyway because if the cycle doesn't work I'll blame everything that I think I could have done wrong.

I've not had much happening today. Had a little cramp that I wondered might be implantation but trying not to obsess and symptom spot. Actually felt somewhat calm and happy today, so enjoying it now before my next mood swing comes!

Sending you all lots of good thoughts xx

OP posts:
BeHereNow31 · 19/09/2017 22:32

Scots- sorry to hear about stress added on top of this ivf stress. Hope there's things that you can do to try relax. Is there anything which helps you feel better?

Fox- hope you've managed to stay germ free 🙃

Ging- honestly, I'm too paranoid about getting intimate! Lol. Our hospital said that "some patients choose not to have sex, although there is no evidence to suggest that it affects the outcome". But then I think why did they even mention it then!!!?

Meadows- I'm ok.... I feel fine until I feel any pain. But I think I am being very sensitive to everything. Do you feel the same?

Xx

Scotslass01 · 19/09/2017 23:22

Hello all,
Fox - well done on avoiding the cold. That would be the last thing you needed. Cant say ive noticed any weight gain to be honest I'm still early on with it all though.

Ging - Monday will be here before you know it. I'm so excited but nervous for you. Fingers crossed.
It was never going to be a good time for Hamish to get sick but it there was the worst time this is it 😞
I'm go from thinking Friday will be ok to convincing myself they will tell me game is a bogey and I'm not responding to the stims.
Are the suppositories helping? I'm dreading all that. My ibs can be an absolute nightmare.
Re: intimacy I haven't asked. It's been ages for us because I had to get my MMR injection the month before we started and we didn't want to risk anything as you are not allowed to conceive for 4 weeks (I know wishful thinking ha). I'm kind of thinking I will abstain. I don't want to give myself any reason to think it was my fault if we are unsuccessful because of something I done.

Meadow - I know it's so hard to deal with. It's all just magnified a million times as well.
I'm still at work. It's after ET I'm off. Also got a few days off after EC.
Hahahaha definitely enjoy the times when your not feeling up and down.

BeHere - I'm totally rooting for you. Lots of PMA.
Exercise helps me to relax but I've reduced that a lot as don't want to put to much strain on my. Let. Oh and a few glasses of vino hahaha.

Xx

Bbyg81 · 20/09/2017 10:41

Hi ladies hope I'm ok to join conversation as Iv been reading each story trying to gain confidence, I'm new to mumnet so to highlight my story so far ... I had IVF treatment April which I was due to have EC on 29th but this was cancelled as I over stimulated and was high risk OHSS and I was very swallow and in pain with size of eggs but still under 16mm. So I started again this month started my first Injection on 14th gonal f and started cetrotide on 18th Monday gone I'm due to have a scan in the morning and I'm feeling abit uncomfortable and feel twinges in my stomach feeli g ok emotional tbh better than before as I'm on gonal f now now which seems to work better , I feel abit unsure what they will say tomorrow as it's my 1st scan since starting v to see where I am but before I did start I was already showing 8 on my right and 6 on my left. Is all this normal ? I hope I get to the right measure tomorrow to have EC Monday I'm trying to stay relaxed but it's hard can anyone recommend foods drinks etc Excited to hear all your outcomes wishes happy thoughts and good luck to you all xx

BeHereNow31 · 20/09/2017 12:51

Thank everyone. Going to try and stay off google - looking up sysmtoms etc 🙈 And I will be in touch tomorrow.
All the best xx

Fox23 · 20/09/2017 17:05

Bbyg81 - welcome! I also joined this thread half way. I was on Augustvthread, but my cycle got delayed by a month, and my EC was rescheduled for Sep.
What you are saying sounds about the same as mine. When I had my scan less than a week before EC I was showing similar number of follicles. After collections when they called to say they got 16 I have no idea where they got them from lol. And they also said that it's normal when one ovary is more active then other. I'm sure you will be ok, as sounds like youEC will definitely be early next week. And to be emotional- aren't we all on this thread 😜 It's like riding mad rollercoaster. I'm glad you ave joined us 🙂
Scots- how are you feeling? Is Hampshire feeling any better? I'm sure your scan on Friday will be just fine, probably will get scheduled for next week. 🤞Don't get too worried about suppositories, as it is all just part of our journey and when we get told to do something, we do, and none of it is actually as bad as we imagine it. I was worried about going under anaesthetic, but I actually enjoyed it- zip, and I'm asleep. After I woke up I decided to tell one of the nurses that she is my favourite 🙂. She really is great, just never would have said that to her if I wasn't drugged up 😂
Beherenow- test day is nearly here!!! You must be so excited and terrified! I know I would be!
Ging- your big day is almost here as well! Regarding being intimate... I read some pros and cons, and also decided that I wouldn't risk, as I would blame that if it's negative. I don't mind waiting, neither my DH.
Meadow- we are half way! Today I've been feeling cramps and twinges and pulls and tugs.... not painful, but definitely it's not just in my head. What about you?
Love you all xxx

Bbyg81 · 20/09/2017 17:59

Fox23 thank you for your comfortable words it's scary going through this as we all feel this just hope I can get a early night and then scan in the morning Eeekk 🙈Let's see what they say il update you tomorrow, good luck to those who are just waiting to test for all my body crossed for you hope everyone thanks for letting me join the conversation loads of love xx

Fox23 · 20/09/2017 18:04

Scots- I meant to say Hamish, I'm so sorry. This silly spellscheck!
Xxx

Emma1199 · 20/09/2017 20:39

Hi ladies - been a terrible few days on my end - I was admitted to hospital with moderate to severe OHSS. Back home now, but will be having regular hospital check ins for the next couple of days. Managing the pain much better now (I was on morphine at one stage), and just planning to take it easy as best as I can. Was really glad they recommended we freeze our embryos in the end, I was simply not well enough to entertain transferring them. They froze 14 embryos - 5 being top grade, and the plan is to hopefully transfer one in a months' time. Scots - sending you lots of positivity - the emotions can really be a rollercoaster. Ging, Meadow, Fox - fingers crossed - have you had any symptoms etc so far? You all must be so excited - I can't imagine how I will cope during the two week wait period - we are having building works at home, so hopefully that will keep me occupied! Bbyg81 - welcome! xx

Ging78 · 20/09/2017 21:10

Hi ladies

Hope you're all well.

Good luck tomorrow behere. Fingers crossed for a good result with your test xx

Meadowlark no increase in libido as far as I can tell just felt the urge to be close to him after all this. Didn't even think about the effect of the progesterone on him. How is the 2ww going. It'll be all done this time next week.

Fox you'll also know this time next week. Exciting. I read more negative than positive about the intimacy and we were so freaked by the bad we didn't. It's hard not the be able to connect with all the stuff going on.

Scots I can't wait for your scan I'm rrally sure it will reassure you. It seems mean to make you wait so long.

Bbyg welcome. 24 follicles sounds like a great start. Hope the injections continue to go well.

Emma hope you feel better you poor thing. Definitely good to wait until next month.

Xxx

Serend1pity · 20/09/2017 21:24

Hi All, I hope you don't mind me joining at this late stage. I've been lurking quietly too scared to write (I'm also new to forums) and I have taken so much comfort from your updates. It's nice to hear from others who are going through the same thing. My OH works away 12 days out of 14 so I turned here for some support and sharing. I hope that's ok :)

Bbyg81 - thanks for inspiring me to join in too :)

Beherenow - Good luck for your test. How are you feeling? x

Scots - sound like you've had a tough time. Sending positive vibes your way :). Good luck for your scan x

Emma - so sorry to hear you've been poorly. I hope you feel better soon. It's good you've got some time to recover before egg transfer.

I've had my egg transfer today so I can totally relate to all of you who are currently waiting to do your tests. They put two eggs back and we have none left to freeze so keeping our fingers firmly crossed as all of our eggs are firmly in the proverbial basket. I'm currently debating whether I am ok to use a hot water bottle or not. Have any of you had any advice on this?

Take care all :)

meadowlark3 · 20/09/2017 21:37

BeHereNow google break is brill. Got everything crossed for you and sending loads of good thoughts for tomorrow! Please let us know!

Scots I'm so sorry to hear about Hamish. How are you feeling today? I had exactly the same fears about the stims not working, my mind/body playing tricks, etc. Not sure if this helps but I tried to talk myself down a bit, by thinking that the stress wouldn't help the process so tried to just acknowledge that it may or may not work this go, but we can try again if it doesn't. Sending you a big hug and lots of good thoughts for Fri.

Bby welcome and thank you for sharing your introduction. 14 follicles sounds like a great number! I don't have any recommendations for food or drinks, I have just tried to be healthy-water, high protein, fresh fruit/veg, milk, no alcohol. Fingers crossed for your scan tomorrow, please let us know you get on!

Fox I had some medium period cramps and quite thirsty (think I've had 4+litres Shock) but trying not to overanalyse. Defo noticed a cramp after I ran for the bus-frightened me a bit but it went away after a few minutes. It's hard for me to take it easy, how are you finding it?

Ging yes, I quite miss that special intimacy! I found this research about progesterone effects on men from sex, it says they can absorb it and sex might interfere with woman's body absorbing it? How are you feeling otherwise?

Although we do not yet know the clinical significance of decreased vaginal progesterone as a result of intercourse, important conclusions regarding progesterone absorption for both women and men may be drawn from this novel randomized controlled study. The significantly decreased absorption of progesterone in women with intercourse may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes for those undergoing ART and women with short cervix using vaginal progesterone to prevent preterm labor. Increased absorption in men after intercourse with women using vaginal progesterone gel, while not directly known, may have adverse effects on libido. These observations are especially troubling since there are only two progesterone formulations approved by the FDA, and both require vaginal administration. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of decreased vaginal progesterone on ART outcomes and on premature delivery rates in women with short cervix as well as on male response to increased progesterone.

Emma, brill that you've got 5 high quality frosties! Glad you're feeling better, but so sorry that you've had such a rough go this round. When is your next hospital check? Have you got any special requirements for food and drink?

No real news from me today, mostly still feeling cheerful (Shock) and a bit tired so trying to enjoy this good humour before it turns again.

Sending you all loads of good thoughts xxx

OP posts:
Emma1199 · 21/09/2017 09:11

Thanks for your well wishes, ladies. Feeling much more at peace that waiting a month was the right thing to do. Next hospital check is later this afternoon, Meadow - no special food requirements - although doctor said avoid caffeine and avoid eating lots of fruit. I am also extremely thirsty, but have been told to "drink to thirst", rather than having 2+ litres of water (drinking lots of water was making my symptoms worse at one stage).

I agree with the comments about just wanting to be close to my hubby during this experience - I feel so lucky to have him.

Serend1pity, congrats on your egg transfer - how are you feeling post transfer? Bby - all the best for your scan today!

xx

BeHereNow31 · 21/09/2017 13:17

This round failed for us again. 😓 Try again next year. So will have a break for now.
Good luck to you all and thanks for the support x

Ging78 · 21/09/2017 14:11

Beherenow 9 days is still really early. Is it possibly a false negative? Xx

BeHereNow31 · 21/09/2017 14:16

Ging, it was a blood test at the hospital, and they said a definite negative. They retest if unsure. Xx

Scotslass01 · 21/09/2017 16:46

Awww BeHere I'm really sorry to hear that. What a shame. I hope you are ok (stupid thing to say cos of course your not). I don't know what to say I know you must be totally gutted. Big hugs xx

Fox23 · 21/09/2017 17:59

Beherenow-I'm so sorry to hear you news, no words will comfort you, but believe me, we all here are with you. If you need to "just let it all out" remember, we are here and listening. Big hugs. xxx

BeHereNow31 · 21/09/2017 18:34

Yeah, completely devastated. Thanks for your kind words.

Not sure whether to just relax... or go all out, and buy an ivf book and follow every detail to see if that helps 🙈 Has anyone read any ivf books?

Hope you're all doing ok xx

Serend1pity · 21/09/2017 18:50

Behere - so sorry to hear your news. Just remember to be kind to yourself. Sending big hugs x

Meadows - interesting re. Progesterone. Have you got a gel? I've got suppositories. Nurse advised me to take them rectally otherwise would have to lie down for 30 mins if I took them vaginally. I can't stay still that long :). I hope the good humour has persisted :)

Emma - thanks for the good wishes. Emotionally - I don't really know how to feel if I'm honest. Wish my OH was home :( at least he's home on the 1st October when we do our test. Physically - I feel ok just trying not to overanalyse every twinge :). I'm pleased you've got yourself to a good place about the months wait :)

Scots - how are you today? Sending positive vibes for tomorrow x

Bbyg- How did your scan go?

Ging78 · 21/09/2017 19:38

Be here now I'm so very very sorry. I'm glad you're going to try again in next year. You poor thing xx

Meadowlark that makes sense. We read more stuff about not and got freaked and just didn't. I'm feeling OK. Work is actually a good distraction. Both my boss and my oh are thrilled i turn into a hormone driven loon. Today I feel a bit weepy. Think I feel something on one side and am felling aches and cramps. Might be imagining it or could be nothing. How are you feeling?are you doing OK with the 2ww?

Fox how are you today? How is the 2ww? Xx

Scotslass what time tomorrow? Fingers crossed for you xx

Emma hope you're feeling better again today.xx

I called the clinic today. Actually they had us down for Sunday for the test. So we lost a days torture. She said I shouldn't get my af while I'm taking the progesterone. Have any of you heard that?it kind of makes sense