Day 1 of IVF treatment - follow my journey

[IVFmumtobe]

Hi,

I wanted to start a blog of my IVF experience to help other women in the same position as me, but also to keep me calm through an unknown experience.

I'm 37, and my husband and I have being trying to conceive for a long time and began investigations with the NHS in February 2016. Today, 20 months later is Day 1 of IVF treatment. Due to my polycystic ovaries I have been placed on a short cycle. This means from day 1 of IVF drugs, my egg collection is approximately 10-14 later. Polysystic ovaries produce more follicles in your ovaries, hence a shorter cycle, but there can be risks of hyper stimulation during this phase (let's hope not!).

I was nervous about self-injecting but let me reassure you that it is very easy, and just feels like a little scratch. I have been advised I may
feel tired and experience bloating from the ovaries growing in size. Baggy pants are ready! I've attached a photo of the drugs which stimulate the follicles in the ovaries and those which stop ovulation.

I'm booked for a follow up scan in 5 days, 7 days and then egg collection in 10 days.

I'm feeling excited, but nervous... sounds about right I suppose?

Follow my posts, and share your thoughts on this experience...

:-)

[Star198]

Thats not far away now. Third time lucky for you i hope. Good luck :) x

[IVFmumtobe]

Just out from my egg collection. Feeling a bit down as only 2 eggs were collected, and although good quality, it is less than they expected (6). I’ll find out tomorrrow if they’ve been fertilised, fingers and toes crossed.

Star198 - how are you feeling and have any of yours fertilised? Hope so for you

[planegazer]

Been following your journey! Keep up the positive thoughts for those 2 wee strong eggs pet xxx

[Star198]

Hi ivfmum. Im not too bad still a bit sore today and our 12 eggs turned into 4 fertilised little embryos. We will know tomorrow what they are graded and when they hope to transfer one so praying one makes it.
2 good eggs are better than none and of your 6 you hoped for you could have had less good ones like we did.
I keep saying to myself we just need one to make it. I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you tomorrow.
How was the egg collection and how are you feeling now?

[IVFmumtobe]

Hi,

Egg collection went well, and feeling okay just a little tired. I’ve got bad wind which is giving me a tummy ache! Think it’s the side effects of the drugs...My dog has sensed I’m upset and keeps hugging me which is sweet. I’ll take the pessary tonight, and tomorrow morning and hope for good news! It’s an emotional journey

[Star198]

Glad it went well. I dont remember mine which im so happy about! Hope youll feel a bit better tomorrow and hope for some good news on your eggs!
It really is emotional! I feel attached to my little embryos now!

[twinkledag]

Rooting for you both here

[Star198]

Thank you twinkledag!

All four of our embies are progressing so well they cant grade them and not one is better than the other. They said they are text book. I cried as was expecting the worst today.

Ivfmum how have you got on xx

[IVFmumtobe]

Star198 that’s amazing news you must be thrilled! I cried yesterday when I woke up from the anaesthetic- no idea why!
We have one egg that has fertilised and due for egg transfer tomorrow on Day 2 as there is only one. The chosen one!
The progesterone tablets are giving me lots of gas and stomach cramps which I hear is normal, albeit embarrassing!

[Star198]

Yes totally shocked!
Thats amazing and it only takes a good one so ill be keeping everything crossed for you tomorrow! Have they been able to grade it yet or will you know tomorrow?
Ive got progesterone pesseries which are giving me cramps too. No fun! Hopefully it will all be worth it :D xx

[Star198]

All the best of luck in the world ivf mum! Hope it goes well and heres to a sticky embryo xx

[IVFmumtobe]

Hi,

Embryo transfer done! It’s like a smear test and I recommend your partner comes in with you for moral support. We were advised our embryo is top quality so here is hoping to it taking! My hubby took a photo of our four cell embryo- make sure you take photos!

[Star198]

Yay!! Fab sounds nice and straightforward! And amazing its top quality! Keeping everything crossed for you and its good to know you've got the best possible chance now! What did they advise after, rest or carry on as normal?
My husbands coming and we will be able to watch our time lapse video i cant wait!
Ours are all still going strong today just cant wait now!

[IVFmumtobe]

Hi,

Yes, take it easy and relax. I do 10kms run every week so won’t be doing them in the next couple of weeks, but lots of nice country walks. Good luck x

[Star198]

Thats great ! So exciting

Hope all goes smoothly and works for you x

[IVFmumtobe]

Star198 - how has your egg transfer gone?

I’m still getting a few aches from my ovaries, and bad constipation from the tablets. Today would be Day 5 so with any luck my embryo has turned into a blastocysts.

[Star198]

Hi ivfmum
Yes went really well thank you we had a top grad blastocyst transferred and 3 for the freezer. Feeling the same so far how about you? Any signs?
When do you think you'll test x

[IVFmumtobe]

Hi,

No signs, think it’s too early although my boobs seems bigger! You are so lucky to have 3 frozen My fear is that this round doesn’t work, and next round produces no eggs then it will all be over ...

[flutterby12]

Oh gosh I've just read this. My sister went through 3 cycles of IVF. The last one they only had one embryo so all hopes were pinned on that. She's now 17 weeks and expecting a little boy! I hope all goes well for you x

[Star198]

Keeping all crossed for you and it just takes one good sticky embryo! Please dont worry about future cycles your body has already done it all so knows what to do and this lucky chosen one will hopefully be the one!

Thats so amazing congrats to your sister flutterby!!! X

[IVFmumtobe]

Thanks ladies, it’s so hard to not over analyse!

[IVFmumtobe]

Star198 (and anyone else) any symptoms yet?...

[Star198]

So... i have been falling asleep really early eating loads had some poky pains and also been feeling shivery and cold.
I caved and did a test thursday and negative.
Did a test this morning and its quite clearly a faint positive. Cannot believe it im in total shock. Wont get too excited until it keeps getting darker. I dont know how to post a picture up but id be happy to share. Im 6dp5dt so its still so so early

How are you getting on and feeling xx

[Rachie1986]

Crossing everything for you xx

[twinkledag]

Good luck star! Sounds promising