Anyone about to start IVF

[csds]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone is about to start IVF. Would be good to go through this journey with someone/people. Share experiences etc.

I’m due to start long protocol on 29th Jan. First cycle for me, am v nervous. I’m 35, ttc#1 for two years, unexplained. When do you start?

Good luck Hun!!! Wish you all the luck in the world!! It will all be worth it in the end xx

Oh wow, I'm due to start (hopefully) around 28th Jan, I'm in short protocol. This week I've had a pre-op appointment and an appointment with the Anaesthetist.

I too am 35, 36 in March, I've been ttc for 3 years now. I've had 3 attempts at IUI, we are unexplained fertility x

Hubby and I are just starting out with blood tests next week and hubbys Sperm analysis too! Exciting times! Good luck everyone!

We are ttc#4 for me and #1 for hubby x

Meant to say that I’m 35 and hubby is 42! I have clipped tubes x

I'm probably a bit far behind you guys. I've had first consultation and we have the consent/planning appointment on Tues. Hoping I understand it a bit more after that! How long has it taken from signing all the paperwork to getting going?

Hi all,

Everyone's welcome whatever stage your at. I just started this as I feel I'm getting to the scary stage.

It's always useful to find out what others have gone through or how things work or to try and get an idea of how long things take. But I think it depends on the route your taking private/nhs and the good old postcode lottery, as some areas have huge waiting lists and high volumes of people and others don't so they seem to get seen to quicker.

Ask these questions on Tuesday when you have your appointment as they should be able to give you a rough estimate. Let us know how you get on x

So this is my final countdown week. AF due anytime between Thurs-Sun Eeeek, I'm excited and nervous.

I really hope AF isn't late, want to get this started. But the thought of starting the cycle is a little daunting. X

Thanks @csds and wishing you the best for getting started!

Happy hedgehog hope your appointment goes well, don't be scared of asking questions x

Thanks for starting this thread @csds.

So I'm waiting for the meds to arrive. 1st injections start on 5th Feb. Eek, it's feeling real (and exciting).

37 and ttc for two years. One IUI, without meds. Unexplained infertility with diminished ovarian reserve.

Good luck to us all on this journey!

Koru what meds will you be on? Are you doing long or short protocol?

My first injection all depends.. on first day of AF I call the hospital, I then have bloods and scan in CD2 and hopefully get the ok to start my meds in the evening. X

@csds Good luck with the wait. I'm on a Centrotide cycle, so will start taking progynova on day 21. Ooh, just checked and they're tablets. Then it's Centrotide and FSH injections. This all takes so long! Am still 7 weeks away from embryo transfer (all going to plan!).
How about you? It sounds like yours might be more speedy.

Hello

I had my consent consultation today. I don't think I asked nearly enough questions - he told me my chance is 7% at age 42 with AMH off 9-11 (two tests and they have varied) and think I was a bit stunned as it is much lower than the HFEA stats suggest (perhaps because they are not broken down by age).

My first step is to go on the pill at the start of my next cycle to stop my natural cycle and then injection. I didn't ask the name of any of the drugs but it will be the short protocol.Apparently a nurse is going to call and take me through the protocol. Feeling excited!

Picked up my meds today ready to start long protocol on Monday. 3 weeks of injections before baseline scan, so all being well my egg collection would be early March and I’ll have my beta test two days before my 36th Birthday. Eek. Feeling ok at the moment, seems a bit surreal.

That would be a wonderful birthday present. Good luck @tryingtostayrational

Morning All,

Koru, wow do you know the exact date for transfer? I will be on injections, bemfola from CD2 (providing my bloods and scan is ok) then i start taking Cetrotide as well from CD7 until they say stop. I'm getting the impression this could be around CD14? I'll be taking Ovitrelle as my trigger shot.

Happy, don't be put off by %, yes they are stats but everyone is different so don't be disheartened, half of the battle is staying positive - mind and body and all that. There's a lot of information to take in at these consultations, I've got wallets and wallets of paperwork. Glad you're feeling excited.

Tryingto, what meds are you taking? Oh wow you'll be in a similar position to me, I'll be finding out about a week before my 36th.

Yes it is surreal, Feels like I've been waiting ages to start IVF (it's been 2 months since last failed IUI) and now I'm days away from hopefully starting. I'm excited but trying to remain realistic as fact is this might not work first time, so I'm trying to mentally prepare for that. That said, this could work and without going mental I want to do everything I can to increase my chances. I've stopped booze (was never a heavy drinker but now not even socially). I have 4 types of veg everyday for my evening meal, stopped drinking caffeine drinks and I'm starting to get ready to incubate ha ha! I have read (and a few ladies comment on other - unfriendly sites) that it's important to have good circulation, keep blood pumping round the body and uterus. So keep those feet warm and covered (I'm usually a bear foot lass) forget raw veg, get the warm meals down you, stews, cooked veg and meat. And drink warm drinks, hot water and lemon in the morning, decaf tea etc. Last night I bizarrely ordered a haramaki, for £10 I though what the hell, what have I got to lose? Women had commented that it will help keep your uterus warm. Might not work and if it doesn't, fine. But keeping the body toasty seems to be a contributing factor....... maybe I'm just gullible and insane 😜

Thanks, Hedgehog - good luck to you too! You’ll probably have similar timings to me if you’re on a short protocol, so it’ll be here before you know it!

csds I’m on Buserelin to begin with, then have a scan after three weeks to see if I’m ready to start on stims. Then it will be Merionel and trigger looks like Pregnyl. I haven’t really looked into all the drugs as I know I will only scare myself, so just hoping the clinic know what they are doing I suppose!

I’m always a hot blooded person so hopefully keeping warm won’t be too difficult. I’m more worried about hot flushes!

Koru sounds like our transfers will be similar time too, all being well.

My biggest worries are egg collection (am total wuss and never had any operations or anything) and OHSS (my AMH is high end of normal so my risk is a bit higher than average). I’m hoping once I get into things I’ll feel a bit less worried.

Hi all,

@TryingToStayRational Sounds like a good idea to not look too much into the drugs. I've found Google quite anxiety-fuelling. Initially, it felt like I had some kind of control if I knew what was going on. But now it's quiet a relief to hand things over to the Drs completely. Yes, I'm looking at a mid-March transfer (all going well!) .

And re egg collection, I'm pretty sure that total wusses don't sign up for IVF! You're likely much stronger than you think. I've been in tears multiple times already after various appointments, even when they gave me good news! Bah, this is one emotional ride.

@csds A haramaki?! I just copied you and bought one too. Add me to the gullible club I've tried it all -- fertility yoga, maca powder, DHEA, Ubiquinol, acupuncture, meditation, luteal phase diets. Basically, if any random study says it may increase chances, I've given it a try. But now, for the most part, I'm just trying to stay positive.

@HappyHedgehog247 Totally don't worry about that stat. My AMH levels are much lower than yours and I have high FSH (not a pretty graph to see!). The Drs wouldn't have suggested ivf for any of us unless they thought there was a chance. Best piece of advice the Dr gave me was "It only takes one egg and one sperm".

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help me I'm due to start IVF middle of Feb and i know that there is a big chance it won't work 1st time but how do you deal with that as at the moment every time AF arrives I have an absolute breakdown, has anyone been to see a councillor whilst going through the IVF? To help deal with your emotions? X

@koru thanks that is helpful
@karigan my doctor offered me counselling and there are therapists who specialise in fertility support-I think it's a great idea

@koru thanks that is helpful
@karigan my doctor offered me counselling and there are therapists who specialise in fertility support-I think it's a great idea

Kjackson are you on NHS? Our clinic had a special counsellor there if we wanted to talk to them. Ask your clinic and see what they offer.

@Bojangles33 No we are paying privately, I will see if they have one, has anyone been to one? I have never been before

I've not been to one but I know a lady who went to see a counsellor when having IUI treatment as she was struggling to deal with the emotional rollercoaster ride. She spoke with her hospital who was able to recommend a fertility counsellor and she said she found it useful. X