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 think I'm fine now there is a plan in place and I know the treatment is going to start, but my Mum has said she is concerned that if it doesn't work it will send me in to a complete breakdown as I do get very upset each month when AF arrives, so she thinks it maybe good to speak to someone to try and deal with the fact it may not work first time

That sounds like a good plan to have something in place. I also joined a lot of Facebook groups and things to chat to people going through the same thing, but sometimes that can be terrifying, seeing what everyone is going through!

@Bojangles33 I have only joined this tonight and I am really glad to read that there are other people in the same or similar situations as me and people to offer me advice etc as it's really hard for people to understand how you feel when they aren't going through what you are so thank you for the advice x

KJackson As other people have said it sounds like a good idea to try counselling - they might have some good suggestions for coping strategies. I have booked a session myself with the counsellor at my fertility unit. Unfortunately there wasn’t a slot til April, but I’ve booked it in case I need it by then if my cycle fails.

Remember that you’re not alone and it is really normal to find this whole situation really hard. I’ve found comfort in chatting to others who are in the same boat and also listening to The Fertility Podcast (google it if you haven’t discovered it already), as it has helped me feel kinda part of a community (albeit one I didn’t want to join!) and accept the situation somehow. Also I’m trying some hypnotherapy tracks to help me keep my anxiety at bay.

Hope you manage to get a counselling session - if you get any good tips do share!

Tryingto, I'm going to google that podcast for myself.

Kjackson, at the end of the day you have to do what is right for you. If you're unsure you could at least look at it like.... what's it going to hurt to at least look into it? Be aware of where one is etc. I've always had it at the back of my mind but not sure it's for me. I might feel differently when on my third cycle lol.

For me threads like this help, I vent and chat to people in the same boat, people
Who understand every up and down I have, people who hate being told from friends who are Mother's 'one day it will happen'.

It's a natural thing to have a cry and feel upset and beaten every time AF shows. So don't feel like it's not and that you may be getting over emotional about it. X

Hello ladies!

Do you mind if I join? I am on another great thread since November as I went through the short protocol already. I am 44, they got 8 eggs, they transferred 2 embies, BFP with twins and then miscarried before the New Year. Not bad hey? Never been pregnant before as never tried but we have a male infertility issue, he is 10 years younger, so although there is the age factor don’t worry about it, plenty get pregnant to terms at 40+. Yes I miscarried but it happens at any age ! Like many of you I never been under never had an operation and was worried but EC but I promise you it was absolutely painless!!!! Quick and nothing to worry about! Now I am waiting for my AF and next month 2 nd day of my cycle I will start my second short protocol. I am not given up and very positive about it all and so you should all be! Hop! Believe!!!

Any questions are welcome!

X

Hi Starlum,

Thanks for sharing, Sorry to hear about your miscarriage, I can't imagine the heartbreak that would have caused you.

Pressed post to soon in error! 😊

Nice to know that EC might not be so bad. I've booked myself in for fertility accupuncture, I have a session on Monday. I'm still waiting for AF, it should show (hopefully) in the next 3 days. X

EC was absolutely fine for me too. I don't remember any of it! They collected 20 eggs and I thought I would be sore after but I was fine.

Bojangles, wow 20 eggs, how many fertilised?

I've read that some people get to see the embryos before transfer, is that a standard thing? X

19 fertilised, 6 made it to day 5 blastos. We had one out back but had a chemical pregnancy and the remaining 5 were frozen. Currently 21 weeks after the first frozen transfer.

We got to see the embryo on screen both times before they put it back, at our clinic they have your details on the slide that they put the embryo on to check it before putting it in, so they put it on the screen to ask you to confirm the details are correct. First time DH left his phone in the other room as we didn't realise we could take it in but second time he took it in and took a photo of the screen. Some places print you off a pic like with a scan but ours don't do that so get your partner to keep phone in their pocket if you want to keep a pic!

Bojangles, sorry to hear about your chemical, fantastic news that you're now 21 weeks.

I hope we get to see ours, I'll make sure hubby has his phone (which is usually glued to him). Would be even better we got a print out. X

Hi all, I'm new here too. First time Post!

I started IVF for the first time a week ago, currently on Gonal F and starting Cetrotide tonight. Struggling with the extreme fatigue and headaches, is anyone else feeling totally blindsided by these??

Also grappling with guilt about not feeling up to exercise, I know I should get my arse moving but I'm just so overly exhausted. Google is not being helpful in this scenario as there seems to be arguments both for and against exercise once stims start.

Anyway, thanks everyone for being so honest and chatting away about this process, sometimes ivf feels very isolating!

Awww Terry, Sorry you’re feeling so wiped out. I haven’t started meds yet so I’m sure I have all this to come!

I’m sure not being able to exercise for such a short time is no drama, and it’s usually a good thing in general life to listen to your body. I suggest stepping away from Dr Google! Are you able to go for a short walk each day? Even that might make you feel a bit better and boost your circulation. Don’t beat yourself up though if you’re feeling rubbish - be kind to yourself and talk to your clinic if you’re concerned, they might have some advice or at least some encouraging words like “this is normal and you’re doing fine”?

Hope you soon start to feel better

Whoop whoop whoop! AF is here, so it's the hospital tomorrow for bloods and scan then hopefully start meds in the evening. Can't believe it's here 🤗🎉 I've never been so excited about a period before. (Sorry, had to get that out of my system)

Welcome Terry,
How have you got on with taking 2 injections now (first time was last night wasn't it?)

I'm expecting to feel very tired. I was tired when doing IUI. Are you drinking enough water?

As for exercise, like tryingto said, this is a time when you have to listen to your body, but your conscious that exercise is good for you. Stating the same, go for walks, it will also be good for you to get some air.
I exercise 3 times a week, but if I'm not up to it once I've started my injections it's just going to be a lot of walking for me. Lunchtime walks at work, evening walk at home.

Ivf is very isolating, it's lovely having you guys to talk to.

I've downloaded an app called mindfulness ivf, there's prep days and pre and post ivf on it. So far I've enjoyed it, it relaxes me and it has encouraged me to feel excited and remain positive about ivf.

We took a drive to the beach yesterday and had a lovely walk, the air had its expected effects and we both slept like a log and were out like a light last nigh. So was the dog! X

@csds 😂😂😂😂 you cracked me up, but yes you are right I the attitude you are having, celebrate every positive milestones!!! Bless you so glad for you yeah!!! Mine shouldn’t be long either now,but you never know after a miscarriage. Then next month is my turn again! What protocol are you on?

@Terry I was on Gonal F and Menopur in the evenings and a few days in I added Cetrotide in the morning. I did not run or go to the gym as I wanted to take it easy and did not know how I would react to the meds. The only thing that I felt is tiredness, so I understand you completely! I walked a lot and it did help. However when I start again my short protocol in Feb I will go to the gym because I did not like not going, I felt awful in the end like a sac of potato even if it is only to walk I will go!!! Of giu

Sorry press

Sorry pressed twice before finishing!!!

Well I was saying I will be listening to my body but will help it to stay fit. To be honest do what is best for you and trust your body. I have Fertility Reflexology and I swear by it!! It helps so much and sleep all the time. I was coming out of it so light. I still do it it is so good!! What protocol are you on? If you have done a week you shouldn’t too fat of your EC?

@Bojangles congrats on your 21 weeks how fabulous bless you!! 🌟😍

Ladies we ca do this and we will!!

Happy Sunday! 😘🌟✨

Starlumier ha ha, This journey is sole destroying so I'm determined to keep my sanity and hopefully it won't break me. Im staying happy happy happy 😆.

I will be on short protocol, I'll be taking bemfola and cetrotide. Will they put you onto short? X

@csds yes I will be on short protocol. They want to do exactly what they did back in November as it worked, so hopefully all will go well but like you I am positive and happy happy happy 😂😜😂😂😘

Csds - Injections are going OK, second day on cetrotide now. I feel like a totally different person today, I have my energy back and managed to get myself to the gym for an hour of cardio. I've missed it! I think I was suffering because I simply wasn't drinking enough for the first few days of Gonal F. I'm trying to maintain at least 3 litres a day which is proving a challenge but its definitely having a positive effect. Back for more bloods and scan tomorrow, I'm hoping they can give me an estimated day for egg collection!

Glad you're at the starting blocks @csds

Good luck everyone. Got my latest bfn today so all set to start the pill as soon as af arrives. Not something I've been looking forward to since TTC but now just want to her going!

Did my first ever injection! I’m a massive needlephobe and had therapy for it two years ago, which did help a bit, but I still struggle and have to lie down for blood tests etc. So this was v nerve wracking for me and I feared I wouldn’t manage. But it was fine. Didn’t feel the needle go in at all, then my hands started shaking loads so it was hard to depress the plunger, but I managed it and it’s all done. I’m sure I’ll be less shaky by the end of the week. Quite an adrenaline rush before brekkie! I sucked a sherbet lemon while doing it and listened to some loud music on my headphones to distract me as well. Good luck everyone else!

well done @Tryingtostayrational you'll be an expert by the end of this!

Terry, glad you have your energy back and feel good. It's hard drinking that much water but keep at it. How's did you bloods/Scan go?

Happyhedgehog, sorry you've had a BFN,

Tryingto, we'll done on overcoming the needle. It's scary having a needle, to put a needle in yourself is a different ballgame.

I had my bloods and scan today, I've started my injections, 225 of bemfola, only thing was one needle only has 150 so I've had to have 2 injections (there's dosage selections on them). Feeling excited to have started.
I've also been to accupuncture. Had the pins in some strange places (well to me they were) but all is good. Having another next week. X