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.

Hi Grimbles

This will all depend on your hormone levels and AFC count on day 1/2/3 of your cycle. Once the consultant has these then they will recommend medications for you and the length of time on these medications to suppress your cycle - usually about 12 days, during this time you will be required to have some more TV scans, you will then be given medication to help mature your eggs - again depends on your hormone levels, then will come your egg collection and blastocyst development and implantation.

I know it’s not a definitive answer but all our bodies are different

Depends if long protocol or short, and also varies from clinic to clinic to some extent.

As an example, mine is long protocol and lasts around 8 weeks. It begins with 3 weeks of downregulation injections (nasal spray was an option but I get hayfever and nosebleeds so no good for me). Then, assuming all ok I will have roughly 10 days of stimulation injections (with scans during that time to check on progress) before trigger shot and then egg collection 36 hrs later. Then transfer after 3 or 5 days. All of this is just the plan - it may have to shift depending on how I respond to the medication, so it’s important to be flexible. Best to talk to your clinic as there are parts of the cycle when you will need to be monitored carefully so will need to be around for that. Good luck!

Hi all, hope everyone is ok.

Grumbles I second what's already been said, you've also got to take into account your cycle as it's your Cycle Days that can also determine things.

I triggered last night, I have EC on Friday. Excited and scared, it's becoming a reality now. So close and yet so far to final goal. Trying to remain calm and relaxed. X

Thanks all. I have emailed the clinic to as all this too, but I find that other people who have done it are more 'honest' with their answers.

I was hoping to have a cycle between my trips, but as there is only 6 weeks in between I guess that's going to be unlikely :/

Good luck to you csds :)

Hi!

Ive been lurking for a little while. Hope you all don’t mind! I finished 6 months of clomid in december which was unsuccessful and I have my next appointment in a couple of weeks which will likely end up with IVF referral. I was told at my last appt if clomid didn’t work then next stage for us would be IVF.

Just trying to get my head round it a bit and prepare myself for what’s involved. I’ve found reading your experiences on this thread really helpful and I’m wishing you all all the luck in the world!

csds Wishing you oodles of luck, hope you get a good bunch of juicy eggs and can relax over the weekend

penguin welcome! I have found online forums such a help too. This time last year the idea of IVF was petrifying to me, but finding out more about it and realising that it’s daunting for anyone has made me feel loads better. I’m the biggest wuss going and I’m managing ok so far, so if I can do it then anyone can!

@Grimbles , do you know what protocol you'll be on? On short protocol 6 weeks (depending on how your cycle falls) is enough.

I'm on short and my cycle started 28 Jan and transfer will be done by 14-16 Feb so that's 3 weeks of needing to be about to go back and forth from the hospital.

Hi @pickupapenguin2, welcome aboard. I've yet to have EC but so far so good with IVF. One you get past the first few injections you just get on with it. I was expecting to feel groggy, bloated, heavy, uncomfortable but I've been fine (or very lucky) I've been feeling a little tired but not a lot so it's just meant earlier bed time for me. The unknown was initially scary for me, although I've tried to remain positive throughout. But from my expos far, it's been ok and has actually gone quite quick once the cycle starts.

I've got a nice stew cooking in the slow cooker, some hearty and healthy food (I've put so much veg in it). Then I'll get myself sorted for tomorrow.i think I have 6 eggs I just hope for 2 good ones to allow for transfer and freeze.

@terryandthechocolateorange, how are you getting on?

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'll keep you posted x

The clinic have just sent me an email and given a schedule. I am going to be on long protocol. From the schedule they have given I would need to have a scan on the day before I am due to leave the country for a week. That's assuming my period isn't late, which is bound to happen! I've emailed back asking if there is any leeway, surely there must be!?!

If I miss this cycle then I will have to wait until June

Definitely speak to your clinic. Hope you can work it in

My clinic have asked for a 3D gynae scan before they can recommend either long or short. Having one done in March and then will know which way I will be going.

Thanks all for the advice, trying to be positive about the next steps. I’m ready to get the ball rolling now. Although I’m much further behind you all I’ll keep following the thread and keep everything crossed for successful cycles for everyone!

EC wasn't to bad at all. 6 follicles but only two eggs they can use. I’m a little gutted we don’t have 3, I’m just hoping they are a good grade and that they fertilise.
We will get a call to let us know tomorrow or Sunday.

Other than that I feel fine, just a little tired. I might feel differently once the anaesthetic wears off xx

Well done csds! Hope they are two little beauties and you have a nice, smooth recovery. Take it easy

Fingers crossed csds!

I'm still waiting to hear from the clinic about timings, but I've been doing a bit of google-fu. The scan I am due is to see if down-reg has completed and then I'll go on to stimulating. I've read a couple of things that seem to say that you can keep taking the down-reg drugs for as long as you need/ want to, a couple of people were taking them for 3-4 weeks so they could be scheduled in for egg collection.

Does anyone know if this is true? If so, this means that it might not be a massive problem if my period comes late as I can take the drugs for an extra week and have the scan when i get back?

Glad your EC went okay today csds FX for you!

Is anyone having their IVF at Manchester?! That’s where we’ll be referred if all goes to plan on the 22nd.

Grimbles it totally depends on your clinic. At my clinic they start everyone on downreg on a Monday, irrespective of where in your cycle you are, and you have 3 weeks, then a scan, and they say that around 1 in 6 will need further downreg. Other clinics seem to have quite different ways of working. It is indeed often about scheduling. My clinic only does egg collection on certain days and is completely closed on Sundays, for example. Hope you get to speak to your clinic soon and know what’s what

We have an embryo!! Due to language barrier I don't know if both eggs fertilised or just one. But we go in for transfer on Monday so I'll ask questions then.

So relieved that we have one 🤞🤞x

That’s fantastic news csds so pleased for you!!!!

Yay, csds! Another hurdle cleared

It's getting scary now. I've text my boss and said I won't be in work until Thursday. I plan to completely chill Tuesday and Wednesday.

How's everyone else doing? X

Well done @csds! Whoop whoop!!! Where in Belgium are you? I speak French so could help? 😜. Rest and smile because the ET is totally pain free, quick and magical!!! Well done!!! 🍀🙏🏻❤️🌟😘

@Grimbles yes it is true, as it depends on how the different bodies react to the meds. So I would not worry and wait to see what comes out of that scan sweetie. I know women who have been down reging for 6weeks +. You will be fine ✨🌟💫😘.

What are the news with the other girls?

I got my prescription and now waiting for my menstruation which should be on the 26th of Feb. On the 27th I will start injecting. On a short protocol. Went to my Acupuncture session yesterday evening and it was lovely!

Wasn’t somebody on a 2WW already? Can’t remember who it is!! I hope all ok sweetie? 🙏🏻💕😘

Lots of love to all of you and remember we can do this!

XXX

Don’t be scared @csds your embie is going back home! Where it belonged!!! I promise you it is very quick and very special! After my first transfer I needed a wee and was so scared to lose them that way! ( 2 were transferred). Enjoy this magical moment! Lots of women say that pipeapple and beetroot are really good for implantation. I am not sure but why not hey? My Acupuncturist did say to me yesterday that beetroot helps a lot for the lining. 🍀💕🌟✨😘😘😘😘😘😍😍😍

Hey all! So lots has happened since I last posted. We had egg collection on Monday, 8 eggs! We were booked in for embryo transfer on the following Thursday but due to 6 of the eggs fertilising, they decided to push to blastocyst. We had our transfer today with a strong high grade blastocyst, we also have a potential blastocyst for the freezer which they will inform us about tomorrow!

So now for the wait! Not quite two weeks as we can test from Monday the 19th!

Hope everyone is doing well with their cycles. X

That’s brilliant, terry! Hope you are feeling well and have some good things to keep your mind off the wait. Everything crossed for you!

I’m on day 13 of downreg now and have another 10 days til my baseline scan. Had a bleed from day 6-12, which was similar to normal AF for me except a bit more intense and painful on the first day. Once that day was over I felt ok and I’d even say I feel really good the last few days. Half expecting to feel awful at any moment! Looking forward to my scan and hopefully the start of stims.