IVF July/August 2018

[Sunny1984]

Hey,

So like the title says really is anyone about to start an IVF cycle in July or August?

This is my first cycle and I’m excited/petrified!!! I would love to have some cycle buddies to chat to and for support. It’s all self funded as due to the postcode lottery we get no NHS cycles.

Just a little background. I’m 34, have been TTC for 2 and a bit years now, initial diagnosis PCOS and I had 7 cycles of Clomid which resulted in me falling pregnant in December but sadly I had a MMC at 11 weeks. I have since been diagnosed with endometriosis following an unexpectedly low AMH result. My right ovary is has a significant cyst.

I have an endometrial scratch on Monday and will begin down reg on Monday night. I’m a nurse so have no fear of needles but not sure how I’ll manage with injecting myself.

Really hope to have some company on this journey xxx

I’m going for my final scan today so I’m totally going to ask about this, if it isn’t mentioned before that!

The nurses at my hospital are quite dismissive of my questions I find though. One even once said “oh no, you don’t read all those forums do you? It’s all scaremongering on there.”. Another time I asked a question about PCOS (since I was literally just diagnosed) perhaps linked to my miscarriages and also risk of it happening with IVF because I’d read about reduced egg quality and she just stared at me like I had two heads! Apart from that they’re lovely...

@Springb0ks i feel you with the 5"3 im an inch shorter. Maybe take a flat pair with you to be prepared if you feel you cant handle heels??
I didnt do it on my own yesterday, but had to today as hubby started work very early. It wasnt too bad. Found the bemfola pen the hardest to push down. But i did it! Im proud of myself. I even cried a little after haha.

Hi all

Busy but fun weekend, think I've just about recovered from it. . Must say that this time around the downregging is making me tired. I've pretty much been out for the count by 9.30 these past few nights.

Here's hoping that you have some late bloomers egg wise @Sunny1984 and you have better results at your next scan.

I didn't know about the no washing either! My clinic never mentioned anything about that. They had a no deodorant and perfumes rule on EC/ET days but it was for keeping the treatment room sterile as far as I understood.

I know that everybody is different, but on my first cycle I had my embryo transfer and went straight back to work.

Thank you @CupcakeVampire I’m really hoping so! I spoke to a friend last night who was surprised they said about cancelling as she only had 4 follicles and it still went ahead so that made me feel a bit better! It’s just you hear about everyone else having so many it freaked me out!!

Let us know how your scans gon@Elaydee @Springb0ks @35counting hope you all have some good news!

Well done @aandre26 the first one is the worst! I cried before and after so you did better than me!!

Just had my final scan and confirmed for EC at 10am Friday.

From 23 follicles the nurse thinks 8 will have an ok egg. She told me a woman this morning also with PCOS has 33 follicles in each ovary with zero responding properly! So just shows quality over quantity!!! All you need is a couple!

Trigger tonight at 11pm! Can’t believe it’s almost here!

Hi all, we were at the hospital for ages this morning, never seen the clinic so busy but we are on for EC on Friday! Don’t know if the hot water bottle has done the trick but I have 3 measuring over 20 now and a fair few catching up, no wonder I’m so uncomfortable. I really don’t know how people who have loads manage! I’m anxious about EC and the sedation, pressure is on to find a nightie now too!

@Elaydee I’ve found the nurses the same, they don’t really answer questions and brush off concerns, they are very nice too though.

@aandre26 I said exactly the same thing about the bemfola pens, they are so difficult to administer on your own, you need a third hand!

@35counting how exciting!! You have more than me... I have two at 20. Will be thinking of you on Friday.

Hi girls, I’ve been very quiet for a week so have just spent an hour catching up on everyone’s stories! Congratulations @ginger I’m delighted for you - hope all is going well 💕

The day has finally arrived for our very first consultation so as before I have absolutely no idea what’s ahead but I’d imagine by 8pm I will...and I’m terrified!!

Some of you from away back the thread will know that I’ve been struggling with getting my weight down - so I’ve spent a few weeks blasting the gym and almost killing myself at every class under the sun whilst following Slimming World but I’m still infuriatingly 0.7 away from the BMI expected 😢😢 feeling so worried they’ll kick me out until I get a grip of it. Hopefully they’ll see the effort and understand that in another week I could have it down. Is anyone else in my boat??

Anyway, I love this thread - it really is great to hear everyone’s stories! Oh and the TMI parts actually are even more helpful because they’re the real bits aren’t they?!

Will check in tonight after our appointment 💕

@Elaydee how exciting your already at trigger shot stage, its gone so fast. Will be thinking of you on Friday and @35counting
xx

So, I was very lucky to have lots and lots of good sized follicles and the doctor was confident that based on the size she can see some of them becoming eggs and estimated about 15-20 to collect. Not sure if she meant follicles or eggs though? My clinic will call me tomorrow with when to come in for egg collection. I'm under no illusion though, quantity doesn't always mean quality. EC was originally meant to be today before DR got extended and I am guessing it will be next Wednesday. I'm really hoping for Monday though as I am sooo uncomfortable, sore and bloated. I can actually feel my ovaries when I stand, sit, walk, lie down. Urgh. They mentioned my womb lining was 7.4, is this good?

Pleased for you @elaydee and @35counting. Good luck for the trigger- keep us all updated!

@springb0ks Did You ask for individual sizes each follicles? That should give you a good indication. The whole time I’ve had 23 follicles but they need to be over 16/17mm each for them to be happy. I’ve attached my count for today. The ones you see sitting at 11 probably sadly don’t have time to catch up over the next few day... unless they grow quite a bit.

My lining was 9.1mm on day 10 but I was told anything over 7 was what they wanted to see.

Just goes to show how different we all respond and there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’

Good luck @SparklyShelle, sure you will be fine with all the effort you’re putting in!

Thank you @PositiveThinkingRainbow!

I’m surprised at them leaving you so long with so many large follicles @Springb0ks, isn’t that dangerous? No wonder you’re uncomfortable, I feel your pain and doesn’t sound like I have anywhere near as many as you! I am so bloated too, finding a dress for an awards dinner I have tonight is going to be difficult!

You’re getting a lot more detail than me @Elaydee, we’ve been counting mine on our fingers as they read them out! I had two at around 23/24 so I’m taking it they’re fairly large from your chart. I also haven’t been told anything about lining! It seems to vary so much between clinics.

What time is your trigger @Elaydee? Mine is 12:15 which means we’ll either have to have a v late night (for us) or go to bed and then get up again!

@35counting 11pm so we are really close together!

Yes, sounds like you’ve got some big ones there! To be honest, I’m really surprised mine are so small and spread out in size. The nurse was too... I think most of them should be above 15 by now. Boo. I’m assuming my risk of OHSS is why they haven’t upped my dose?

I’m just really nosy and ask these questions specifically. I like to then obsess and google when I get home haha!

@35counting, I didn't have any above the magic number yet but a few are close. The doctor was confident that they will grow as my scan was an early one, but who knows? I think I'm just so uncomfortable as I'm quite dramatic small. You are a superhero for going off to an awards dinner tonight!
@elaydee, glad I'm not the only obsessive googler. I'm finding the whole process quite scary but also quite fascinating. I was watching a video of Izzy Judd (Mcfly wife) talking about her IVF experience and she summed it up as "magical"- I think that's fairly accurate! If anyone hasn't read her book I thoroughly recommend it.

Amazing news on the scans! Makes my 4 seem very pathetic!!! Lefts hope they contain some magic eggs if we do carry on 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Good luck for triggering tonight @Elaydee and @35counting

Well tonight’s appointment was very positive!! A 100% confirmation for ICSI and not a knock back for being 0.7 over the BMI requirement! The consultant was amazing and the nurse was fabulous - I cried uncontrollably a little 🤦🏽‍♀️ which I was mad at myself for but I knew it was coming - had built it up to be a ‘NO!’ all day! The staff were lovely - handed me some tissues and made jokes which helped 😂🤦🏽‍♀️ All this first consultation entailed was a medical history, a blood test and 2 swabs which I had to do myself so nothing too scary (for those at the start of their journey like I am).

Anyway...even going private has us waiting for 6 weeks with a huge backlog so as much as I’m mad about the wait, it means that some other lovely ladies who are facing the same issues hopefully get their BFP before it’ll be our turn. I’ll keep an eye on this thread as it has been such a support already, will check in and out but everything you girls described from down regging to injections and EC were all mentioned today so I felt very well informed! Thank you to you all and wishing you the best of luck!! This is a long long road that none of us set out to be on - however we’re on it now so may as well go forth together and remain as optimistic as we can 💖⭐️⭐️💖 xx

Excellent news @SparklyShelle, wishing you the best of luck!

My midnight trigger was relatively uneventful, much like the suprecur needle so no surprises. I did however have a dreadful night’s sleep afterwards, randomly developed a sore throat/cough immediately after the trigger (which has now gone) which kept me awake and it feels like I had about 3 hours sleep in total! 😴

At least I get a lie in tomorrow before EC!

@sparklyshelle, so glad your appointment went well- you're gonna rock ICSI. The very best of luck to you on your journey, hope those six weeks of waiting fly by!

Thats great news @sparkyshelly! Best of luck!!

Good luck with the egg collection @35counting and @elaydee

@springb0ks sorry that you are so uncomfortable!! Try taking it easy for the next few days.

As for me today is day four of my stimulation injections. I have to go for estrogen blood test and scan tomorrow. Hopefully they find my ovaries easier this time compared to the initial scan!

@elaydee and @Springb0ks I am also glad I'm not the only obsessive googler!!!!

@35counting did you find a dress? Good luck for the EC tomorrow, look forward to hearing how you get on.

I have listened to the podcast with Izzy Judd talking about her experience and I felt very positive and encouraged afterwards.

I did thank you @Positivethinkingrainbow, had a skater style number with a fairly high waist and A-line skirt in thick material which meant the bloat and swollen ovaries were suitably covered!

I love Izzy Judd on insta but have not listened to any podcasts or read the book, one to add to the list I think, thanks for the recommendation.

TMI post sorry girls but has anyone experienced particularly heavy discharge after the trigger shot/prior to EC? I just felt a gush and had to dash to the loo and it appears just to be normal discharge. Bit bizarre but the nurse did say yesterday that she could see quite a bit of mucus in the cervix which he scan may dislodge. Is this something I should be worried about/call the clinic about do you think?

@35counting have had loads of the stuff! Not just after trigger, but the last week all week! Wouldn’t worry I don’t think...?

@35counting glad you found a dress that you felt comfortable in!!

Yes the podcast is great, she talks about how to be excited by the process of IVF, how we should try to relax and in a strange way enjoy it because after so long with no answers you finally have a real chance. She thinks trying to be positive and believe in yourself that it is going to happen is the best thing you can do!!!

I will make a note of the increase in discharge, oh its such a glamours experience! ;) I am so excited for you for tomorrow @35counting!!!!! Keeping everything crossed for the best news on your eggs.

and @elaydee bring on the trigger shot!!!! xxx