The dreaded 2WW - support and suggestions welcome

[Dia12]

Hi guys, I’m 38, with MFI and going through first round of ICSI. I had a single 5day blast transferred yesterday and so my dreaded 2WW begins. I’m trying to distract myself but so far not doing a great job.
I’ve read lots around what you should/shouldn’t be doing this time but I think there are no conclusive instructions.
Common suggestions are to:
-Rest for 24-48 hours
-Gentle exercise
-Eat a balanced diet avoiding processed and high sugar foods (specific foods like pineapple and raspberry tea are nonsense!)
-Avoid sexual intercourse until pregnancy established as this can cause disruptive contractions of the uterus.
-Avoid hot baths, sauna and steam room.

Following these instructions seems like the easy part, the hard bit is trying not to symptom-spot. The scariest part is that any symptom could be just as much a sign of unsuccessful pregnancy as it could be a sign for successful pregnancy!!
For the record, I’ve not experienced any symptoms so far. I was however curious about what the little blast was up to in there and I found this really helpful guide:

www.drmalpani.com/knowledge-center/articles/ivf-egg-implantation-procedure-what-happens-after-embryo-transfer

I thought others perhaps might find it useful. Would also be great to hear from others going through the same anxious wait.
Wishing everyone the best of luck x

Just checking in, how is everyone doing? Are you feeling a bit better @beherenow32?

I’ve just been out in garden all day now keeping busy and just had a snooze. Feeling a little nervous about the upcoming OTD. I have zero symptoms, other than somehow managing to what feels like pull my right ovary when I twisted the other night. I’m sure it’s not possible but that area feels a bit sore.
I think I’ll be taking a HPT tomorrow as it should be accurate enough as I’ll be 11dp5dt and it’s all I can think about right now. It’s the 2nd day AF has kept at bay, but I know that could be just because of the progesterone pessaries. Can’t wait to be rid of that unpleasant part of the treatment.

@crittertamer, you must be feeling anxious too - how are you keeping?

@Dia12 - pretty much in the same boat - struggling to decide whether to test tomorrow or wait til OTD. In my heart I feel sure it’s not been successful - had loads of positive symptoms up until 2 days ago but now almost nothing except lots of watery CM still, and lack of AF, which is now 4 days later than normal, but that’s most likely just the hormone supplementation as you say. Then yesterday afternoon had an incredible spasm of pain in my uterus which I’m pretty sure can’t have been anything good! I’ll probably test tomorrow just to get the BFN over with and at least not have to then face going into work straight after.

@Dia12 @CritterTamer think I’m feeling the same as you 2. Although I’m just getting an ache. Had a nice day today, after feeling emotional this morning. Speaking to family today though, and they all said that they didn’t feel pregnant straight away. It’s takes quite a few weeks for symptoms.
But spasms and pulling sounds very positive!! Mines is more a dull ache. ☹️ Xx

Hi ladies... I know I am terrible.. but I tested yesterday I had the very faintest line you would have to really look hard to see it... I couldn't resist so I tested again today 6dp5dt and the line is still very faint but slightly easier to see more pink, I used First Response... unsure if it could still be my trigger but somehow it's made me feel more positive I was feeling quite low before this... I don't think I will be able to stop now... HELP!!!

@Beherenow32 I also have this constant dull ache and random headaches coming on.. I just feel like AF is going to start any minute

@WindsorNewbie 😯 good news about the positive!!! When is your official test day? Fx this is a BFP for you, but it’s looking good so far xx

@Beherenow32 otd is on the 4th July so next Wednesday... I may be too early testing :(

@WindsorNewbie mine is the 6th. I won’t test early (DH doesn’t let me lol). But I am feeling a tiny ache which worries me 😖
Hope you manage to relax a little the last few days! X

@Charmers1 - really sorry to hear your news. as the others have said before me your response is inspirational and I wish you all the best xx

@Beherenow - congrats on your two frosties but fingers crossed you won't need them

My news - after a long walk today, I returned home to find a bleed. Small but significant I think. I wish I could be as magnanimous as others but right now I just feel pretty shitty. 9 years of trying and month after month of disappointment.

@Dia12 and @CritterTamer and @Beherenow32 - I've taken so much comfort from your posts and though I am going to bow out now, I send you all much love and wish it works out for you (and everyone) this time around xox

@NotLateInTheMorning oh no 😣 I’m sorry. Did you tell your clinic? Sending you lots of love!

Tbh, I think I should maybe take a break too. I’m finding myself on here too much, and starting to look up symptoms. I’ll give it a few days, then come back.

Hope everyone is looking after themselves! Xx

I’m so sorry @notlateinthemorning, we all share your pain. It’s gut-wrenching devastation but you will eventually get through it.
If things change (I’m scared to say it, but ppl still get a BFP after a bleed) then do let us know. Hope you can get some insight from the consultants too. Sending you lots of love and do hope you do get that happy ending 🙏

We all have a different path to follow but how do you come to terms with it? All I tell myself is that I’m resolved to find all the happy moments I can with my partner as that’s all I actually have for sure right now.

All I’ve done during this 2WW is google symptoms and embryonic development @beherenow32! I’m none the wiser but it did provide some strange satisfaction that I wasn’t feeling anything unusual and the signs weren’t bad. You might find a break refreshing.

@crittertamer your cm symptoms sound very promising. It’s not too long now if you’re testing tomorrow. I’ve got everything crossed for you and me too!!!

Congrats @windsornewbie! You are brave testing so early but sounds like excellent news. I think the 6500iu trigger remains in the system for 8-10 days and you should be past that point by now. Either way, tentatively excited for you!

Unfortunately a resounding BFN for me. Feel a bit numb but trying to suppress the gut wrenching feeling right now. Had planned a day out with friends (with their little kids ) who don’t know anything about our ICSI treatment so I guess it’ll keep our minds off the sad news.

Anyway, the idea is to follow what I said in my earlier post about finding happiness in what I have right now, which is still an amazing life with an amazing partner.

All the best @crittertamer for when you do take your test, really hope it’s good for you. Good luck for the other ladies too xx

@Dia12 I’m so sorry it was a BFN. Your OTD was Tuesday though right? I have decided not to test until Tuesday: I’ve read so many stories of those who had BFN right up until test OTD that I think if I test today and get a BFN (which I am fully expecting) I won’t get any closure and will still keep hoping and wondering until Tuesday, just with even less positivity and hope than now. I really think you should test again on Tuesday just to be sure - they gave us that OTD for a reason! In the meantime I hope you and your DH can find lovely things to do to try to ease your pain xxx

@Windsornewbie - congrats, that’s great news 😊

After 2 failed IVF, today I got faint second line first time every in my life! I guess having the scratch, steroids and extra progesterone injections helped! Hopefully the line will get stronger in time so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. It's my OTD today.

I hope my story will give you strength and hope ladies. I still can't believe and keep looking at my faint line!

@Filipinam - congrats! Must be a wonderful feeling after 2 failed rounds 😊 if your line is still faint on OTD then it goes to show it’s better to wait to test!

Do you think the scratch helped? I’m considering it for my next cycle but is going to add even more to our already very hefty IVF bill! Also I heard that it’s very painful?

@Notlateinthemorning - how are you doing today. I hope your bleeding stopped. Did your clinic have any advice?

Thanks @CritterTamer! Well with my 2 failed cycles everything leading to the transfer day was a typical textbook as my consultant said, so it was then clear after second failed one that I had issues with implantation hence the scratch was offered straightaway with steroids to address my killer cells. Apparently the uterus is much more receptive of embryos after scratch so I highly recommend it if you were/are in the same boat! It did not hurt badly nothing you can't stand and it was and I mean it literally 3 -5 seconds of bad period cramping pain!

I am still not sure how this faint line will progress but to me this is a huge success as I have never ever had even the faintest line!

Good luck and do what you can! OHH I also have weekly 100ml progesterone on top of my twice daily cyglogest pessaries.

Fingers crossed.

Thank you @crittertamer for your kind words. I know I still need to test again on my OTD but have no hope. Especially since the test I used is quite sensitive and measures hcg of 20mIU or more. DH was saying that he uses them at his surgery and a real pregnancy shows up on that pretty immediately even when AF’s only a couple of days late. Hearing that kind of sealed the deal for me. So not expecting any changes but will test again as clinic has instructed.....and perhaps plan the next round of ICSI.

@Dia12 I am so so sorry. Take time out for yourself and your DH. It’s so hard.

I’m turning crazy anxious now. Convinced I had symptoms this morning. Now they have gone. I’m just not sure how I am going to cope with Friday. Xx

@Dia12 - i'm really sorry it didn't work out for you this time. You are right to focus on what you have now (a great OH to make and share a life with)xx @Beherenow32 - hits the nail on the head - it is hard. We knew it would be. Focusing on the next round is a good place to focus energies xx

@CritterTamer - I didn't stop bleeding - it got progressively heavier. I have no doubt it is AF. The nurse at the clinic told me I still needed to test officially on Wednesday, but she said it was up to me whether I continued to take the pessaries.

Congratulations @Windsornewbie and @Filipinam - enjoy your wonderful news and the very best with your pregnancies xx

A question not relevant for this thread, but any advice welcome - how soon can I start the next round? I've read different things, from 3 bleeds to 6, but given my age and my health I would rather do it straight away.

@NotLateInTheMorning with me, I was told they like to wait for 3 bleeds. I think that may include the one you have straight after the files cycle. Hope you’re doing ok. Will they look into your progesterone levels? Could that have made you bleed earlier? Xx

That’s interesting - my clinic said they usually like to allow at least one natural cycle between rounds, but if your ovaries are very quiet it
is possible to go again straight away.

@Notlateinthemorning - I feel the same about wanting to get started again straightaway as I feel like I don’t have time to waste - do you m8nd if I ask how old you are?

@CritterTamer every where seem to do different things. But I’m wondering if that was because I was with the nhs and there was a few month waiting list. Might be different self funded. Xx