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

@sunny that’s the first time I’m hearing about injectable progesterone. Did you ask the reason why they recommend this? Don’t want to make you question it more but it always helps to understand the rationale behind your med dosage being different from the rest. I always thought the luteal phase was more consistent amongst women.

@star I’m so grateful for the detailed, enlightening and entertaining post! ❤️❤️ Now I have a good picture of what to expect on the day. My transfer is booked in for Wednesday!

Welcome to all the new ladies on the group. Lovely to have more company on this journey.

@ginger all the best!! Hope it goes as smoothly as it can. xxx

Welcome new posters, great to have you on board!

@Tigergreen hope you get cracking soon. Do you mind me asking why only 2 cycles of IVF? I think we’ve pretty much made the same choice but seems most people go for three. I understand if you’d rather not share.

Eek @CupcakeVampire as if everything else wasn’t enough you had a catheter too!

I’m pleased to report my egg collection went really smoothly and I was sedated and fully under for the whole procedure. Had a lovely relaxed nap whilst coming round, then very mild period type pain for about 10mins and, so far, that’s about it. The cannula was the worst bit!
We got 9 eggs so just waiting for a phone call today for details on quality/fertilisation etc.

@Cobblestones good luck with transfer on weds! It's a such a good feeling to be on the final straight.

@gingergnome don't worry at all for asking. All these decisions are so personal (and difficult to make) but we just felt that we don't want to spend more than we can afford (financially and emotionally) on something with such an uncertain outcome.

We've been very open to adoption from the start and basically just feel that's the right next step for us. X

Hi girls, I am 4w5d pregnant through ICSI and I just wanted to tell you that I have changed my lifestyle dramatically. I was a bit overweight last year, but still in within healthy BMI when we had our 1st ICSI. This was BFN. Since then I started to eat healthy, I was cycling or working on the cross trainer every other day together with weights excersise, etc. I lost a lot of weight and now I am on the lower edge of healthy BMI. I stopped using chemicals in my house 6 months prior 2nd ICSI. I clean with baking soda and vinegar. I use natural soap to wash myself. I started to eat porridge with omega 3 seeds every morning, also bee pollen and cannabis oil without THC, which you can normally buy in Holland & Barrett in the UK. It will make you relax and it helped with my endometriosis symptoms and migraines. I also stopped taking any painkillers prior to down regulation. I only had 4 eggs collected, 3 fertilized and I had 2 day transfer with 2 fourcells embryos. I tested on 9dp2dt and it was positive. Maybe it is important to mention that the clinic advised me not to wash myself for 2 days after ET. I didn't wash for 4 days as I was at home, not moving from the bed. And it helped!! We have our first scan on 7th August!
I hope you all get your BFPs this time!!! I know how hard it is to go through IVF, but it will be so worth it in the end. Love to all of you xx

@ginger that’s a good number of eggs! And so pleased it went smoothly for you

@tiger it’s great you have it worked out! I’m so indecisive when it comes to decisions such as this. It took me ages to take the plunge and pursue ivf. And now I have no idea how many cycles to plan for. Or whether or not to think far ahead. Each day is a new battle.

@mamicka thanks for the helpful post. I’ve been dwelling on whether to stay home and rest after transfer. I’m off work for a few weeks in any case but I don’t sit still easy. If I’m home I’m constantly finding things to do round the house. I know the clinic says just to lead a normal life. I wish there was more research on this topic.

Hi girls,
Katiemcnic you and I sound exactly the same, however I’m slightly behind you. I have my first private appointment on 8th August after missing the BMI requirements and facing a 2 year waiting list.
I have absolutely no idea what to look for but know that DH SA was low mobility and low count so at our NHS consultation we were told that everything else looked good for ICSI. We’ve been TTC now for over 4 years, I’m 35 and need to get my BMI down but I’m working on that at the moment.

Thank you for sharing your stories, this is such a confusing time... ✨

Keeping everything crossed for you (and all of us) @gingergnome and @cobblestones.

I had a breakthrough on Saturday @Sunny1984 and plucked up the courage to inject myself. My friend had gestational diabetes and had to inject them so she talked psyched me up. It was fine, I didn’t even feel it. We seem to have found the “best” place for injections now so I don’t feel it but still get the rash for a while afterwards. Also getting more headaches, continued joint pain and still shattered. I’ve also become a compulsive spender, think I can blame that on the drugs?!

We have our scan on Friday to check down regging has worked then hopefully move onto the stims. After reading all your stories I think I’m going to have to factor in some time off/working from home at time of EC, I had no idea it had such an effect.

Struggling with the exercise ban, I’m trying to walk at least an hour a day or swim in the mornings but have already started putting on weight. My diet is so restrictive anyway that I can’t cut anything else out or it would be unhealthy so not exercising is so frustrating. I also find it a stress reliever so am missing it on that front too! Apparently the buserelin can cause weight gain too so I’m fighting a losing battle I think!

Hope you all have a good week.

Great work on the injections @35counting Hope scan on Friday goes well. Gentle exercise is fine, do you know how you're expected to respond? Exercise is most problematic for people with large numbers of eggs I think because of the risk of contortion.

@SparklyShelle I think we might end up on pretty similar schedule. We've just decided to defer my another month. So I'll start down regging around 31 August. I've been pretty er indulgent (read too much booze) over the last few months and just want to give myself a good clear run of health before we go for it.

@Cobblestones as you can see from above not wholly decisive!

Huge luck to all approaching collection and transfer and to those in the final wait! Will keep an eye on here even if I don't post very much x

Hi ladies, found out today at my consultation that I'll be starting my short antagonist protocol (thanks to PCOS) as soon as I'm on CD 1... this weekend! I can't believe how quickly this is happening. I feel like I've waited forever to get here and all of a sudden it's happening now, now, NOW!

Is anyone here doing the same protocol or have experience with it? I have a high AMH so on a lower dose of 150. xx

Thanks @Tigergreen, no idea how I’m expected to respond although didn’t have any low test results so assume it should be on the high side. Nurse told me no exercise other than walking or swimming due to OHSS risk.

I have given up alcohol and caffeine and am on a v strict diet, not due to advice but experience as, just before our first call for ivf, I did fall pregnant and that was just after I’d given up everything for lent so it may have some benefit for me. Sadly I miscarried after 8 (long) weeks but the clinic were great at honouring the call up and got me in as soon as possible afterwards.

I was in a terrible mood last night and put that down as a side effect of the buserelin too as it’s unlike me. I’m coming to the end of AF now I think but have been bleeding for over 3 weeks so hopefully the womb lining is nearly all gone. Only had cramps for 2 days so not too bad. Have you had anything out of the norm on that front @Sunny1984?

Hi all

Had my scan and the good news is that I got the all clear to go ahead with a frostie cycle. However the clinic are worried that what was showing up in the last scan was small hormonal polyps caused by the estrogen tablets I was taking during the abandoned cycle. If that is what they were then they’ve shrunk away since I’ve been off the estrogen and become more balanced hormone wise.

What this means is if I go for a short natural FET then I risk this happening again when I restart the estrogen. So I’m now going to be on a different cycle next that will involve down regging first in a bid to reduce the chances of it reoccurring. I don’t fancy abandoning another cycle.

So I start down regging again at the start of August. If all goes to plan then ET would be at the beginning of September. But seeing as most of the treatment falls in August I shall loiter here meantime.

I’ve started to cut out a lot of the carbs from my diet to see if it makes me feel more energetic as I lack energy most days and been feeling bloated. I’ve also drastically cut back on my caffeine intake. I have one cup of coffee in the morning and then if I want tea later on the day then it’s caffeine free teabags. So far, so good .

Glad you got the go ahead @cupcake.

@elaydee I was on the antagonist protocol due to PCOS in May this year and now on a FET.

@35counting hope you had a better day today. I felt like I had mood swings and headaches for the first few days after starting cyclogest (has anyone experienced this?) but it’s been better since.

Morning lovelies,
Sorry I’ve been off line, I’ve been feeling really unwell the last few days. At first I thought it was just the side effects of the Suprecur but I think I must have picked up a virus.

Hope I’ve got this right have you got your transfer today @Cobblestones? Really hope it goes well.

Amazing @35counting for self injecting, I’m finding doing them music easier than expected. Still just get the stingy and rash sometimes. Have had quite a lot of headaches and night sweats (that might just be the heat though!!) and was very emotional on Monday!! I haven’t had any cramps and AF came when expected. When are you due to start Stimming?

Good news you’ve got the all clear to start FET @CupcakeVampire.

Hi everyone - sorry I went underground for a few days but have been lurking and sending you all good thoughts!

Only 3/9 of my eggs were mature. Of those, 2 fertilised which was awesome but from the off, the clinic were making us wait for a 5 day transfer (I still don’t understand this) so I didn’t have high hopes. Anyway ... turns out we have one top grade blast and one good enough to freeze. I’m over the moon not to mention relieved!!

I wanted to share that for anyone else who only gets a few eggs. Please remember you only need one to do the business; quality over quantity and all that! I kept telling myself this over the last few days and it did help.

@35counting big congrats on taking the leap and injecting yourself! Where would we be without our support crew coaching us through all these obstacles?! 😅 Sorry you are not feeling so good but Yes! To retail therapy!

@cobblestones I’ve had the ‘Go’ for a transfer today as well. Sending you sticky wishes!! Keeping everything crossed for us on our 2WW!🤞😬

I’ve had persistent-ish mild cramps with cyclogest. What dose are you on? I normally get quite bad PMT incl. headaches/mood swings but I see cyclogest can be used to help PMT in none IVFers so wonder if I’m just ‘lucky’ and it’s balancing me out somehow but unbalancing you maybe?? I’m on 400mg.

So happy you’re getting ready for your FET, @CupcakeVampire! Are you taking vitamins? Alongside FA & D, I took Iron and C (I couldn’t stand the pregnacare multivits 🤢). I also cut quite a lot (but not all) carbs. Kept to a balanced diet otherwise with one caffeinated drink per day. This has been over the last 12-18 months while we’ve been having all our IVF tests and stuff. I’ve definitely felt the benefits health wise.

@Elayde I don’t know what short antagonist protocol is? I did regular short protocol and, if it’s similar, definitely empathise about the Now, Now, Now! Everything moves so fast once you start and simultaneously interminably slow!!! Good luck & keep us posted!

Oh that was looonnnng. Sorry! ☺️

Yep, taking the conception multi-vits and also an extra folic acid tablet which I started taking after my MC because I 'm paranoid that the foetus didn't develop because I didn't have enough FA. Probably not needed, but makes me feel like I'm doing something different this time around.

I've been cooking lots of veg filled meals so hopefully getting more vitamins from there. I started taking co-q 10 last year as I had read it was good for egg quality. I still take it even though technically I don't need it as I'm not doing egg collection this cycle.

@sunny thanks! Yes it was today! I’ve just had it. Hope you feel better and hope the virus isn’t too rough on you.

@ginger. You’re so right. Quality over quantity any day. I started out with 15 eggs and had only 2 blasts and 1 avg quality day 6 in the freezer. Sadly today I found out that the first one they tried to thaw didn’t make it so they thawed a second one and that’s now inside me. I wasn’t expecting that at all as they said only 5% don’t make the thaw process.

In any case I need to move on and stay positive and just focus on the one that’s inside me now. 🤞 it’s the one.

Good luck for the transfer! @ginger and to everyone else on down regging / stimming

Hi ladies,
I’m finding this feed really useful, thank you all, it’s reassuring and terrifying at the same time! Are there any other feeds on the ICSI private clinic front that anyone could steer me towards at all as well?

All of these abbreviations are confusing since I’m a newbie - I’m googling every other word 😂 I’m sure they’ll all be second nature once the call starts rolling for me too 😂

2 weeks exactly until first consultation, anyone else attending GCRM?

Wishing you all lots of luck and as you say ‘sticky wishes’ 💕

@Cobblestones and @gingergnome wooop woop! That's fantastic news and you're totally right re quality not quantity. Its impossible to prep for the mental impact of the unexpected tho so all power to you both for remaining positive.

I've also been high protein low carb for close to two years now and it's changed the way I eat completely, feel much better for it, whatever happens.

Re: supplements I take DHEA, coq10, melatonin, omega 3 and a prenatal but I'm affirmatively barren and have a super low AMH.

Loving the positivity of this thread so far. I feel like I'm moving from nervous to excited for next round too, which is great. X

Morning ladies, I can’t tell you how comforting/reassuring I find your posts so thank you! It’s so good to be able to share experiences and ‘talk’ to others going through similar ones.

@Sunny1984 so sorry you’ve not been well, it’s the last thing you need when you’re going through this process. Hope you feel better soon. Should start stimming after scan on Friday, all being well. I’m on a 350 dose, not sure if that is high or not from others comments? It wasn’t explained to me.

So pleased you got a good one @gingergnome, how did the transfer go? I’ve also been taking a multivit on top of the folic acid and loads of supplements whilst TTC including CoQ10 (isn’t that one expensive?!), soy isoflavones and bee pollen for egg quality. I wasn’t sure how compatible they were with the IVF drugs but reassuring to hear you, @CupcakeVampire and @Tigergreen are taking them too. I looked into DHEA but couldn’t see that it’s readily available. Where do you get yours from @Tigergreen?

Good luck @cobblestones, keeping everything crossed for you! How was your transfer?

I think we’ll be ICSI too @SparklyShelle due to low motility but we’re NHS at the mo. I’m also new to all the terms and still don’t understand some, why is your other half DH for example? Not figured that one out yet!

Hi @35counting - dh is dear husband haha yehh the acronyms are a bit random. I think there might be a list somewhere on mumsnet but I wouldn’t know where to look I’ve been around on this forum for nearly 5 years!

Transfer went well minus the news about one embryo not making it. It was over quite quickly. It was very similar to how someone earlier described it. (Not very good with remembering names) I was excited before the transfer but now just a bit numb I’m not sure could be that I’m overwhelmed. You do everything (planning, injections, scans, vits, diet etc) to get to this point and then all of a sudden its out of your control and simply down to luck if it all works out.

I came in here to give an update which might be helpful to some. The clinic tested my progesterone level yest after ET and it came back as slightly low. So I’m due to start progesterone injections from this evening. Unlike stims this one needs to go straight on the bum and is expected to hurt! Yikes! I thought in a FET I was clear of injections but no. Still some more to go. I think someone had mentioned earlier on this thread that they would be taking these too?

@ginger do let us know how things are with you.

All - Any tips on how to get through the 2ww? I’m off work so need something to keep the mind occupied like a good book. Something light but engaging. Recommendations very welcome.

I’m not sure on all the abbreviations either @Sparklyshelle I Google OTD recently cos that seemed important. Turns out its ‘official test date’, so yeah, pretty big deal!

I’m curious what eg. 9dp 5dt, means - any ideas anyone?

Is it your scan tomorrow @35counting?

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of CoQ10. What is it?

I know this might not be everyone’s PoView but I feel sure some things are just meant to be - I really, really hope that’s why you’ve got this particular embryo @Cobblestones 🤞
Good luck with the bum jabs 🍑

My transfer went really well, I guess. I mean it all seemed to go smoothly and nothing went wrong but then they just sort of let me potter out. Just a cheery ‘you can go and have a pee now’, and ‘good luck’. I was expecting some sort of de-brief. Also, would a fan-fare and streamers be too much to ask for after all this build up?!

Back at work today and things seem fine. Although I’m walking slow and at the back of my mind worry when bending in case I’m squishing or dislodging it! 😂

When’s your OTD Cobblestones? I’m on 2nd Aug. Great minds - I have three books prepared: Marian Keyes The Break, Sophie Kinsella Surprise me, and that Olivia Oliaphiant is just fine, one. I meant to start them last week but just obsessively Googled stuff and read my IVF book - must try harder this week to distract myself!

Ha, fanfare and streamers @gingergnome, it’s the least i’d expect! . Glad it went ok, I’ve not planned any time off for EC or ET yet and not sure whether I should take leave or not. What would those that have done it before recommend?

Maybe 5dp is 5 days pregnant and 5dt 5 days since test? I am just guessing though!

Yes scan first thing, hope the deregging has all gone to plan and we can get on with stims. I had to do my own injection again today as DH was on a train. Wasn’t too bad but sore afterwards. Have also had a bad headache all afternoon but really trying not to take anything unnecessary.

CoQ10 (Co-enzyme Q10) is an antioxidant that prevents cell damage, supposed to be good for cell development and also give you energy. For any decent strength ones they’re fairly expensive. Boots do a chewable version which is strong, it doesn’t last long and is £25. We started using it as it’s recommended to help male fertility issues. I’m not sure whether any of these things actually work but it’s worth a shot!

I think what 9dp 5dt means is 9 days post 5 day transfer ie 9 days after the transfer of a blast. It’s the day of the OTD like mentioned above. My test date is next Friday.

Aaah thanks for those recommendations! I was thinking of trying the Sophie kinsella one. I downloaded Adam kay’s This is going to hurt but despite being an entertaining read, I don’t think it’s right for this phase in our lives what with full of tales of patients and some medic screw ups!!

@ginger I agree with you about the viewpoint that perhaps this is the one that’s meant to be..
And yes some fanfare would have been justified!! Btw did they test for your progesterone?

@35counting all the best for your scan and for the next phase ahead!

@35counting, I had the week before EC off and in hindsight probably didn’t need to. I did then have the weekend and took the time off up to transfer and actually I think that was right for me. I was emotionally tired and having some mild side-effects from EC. Put it one way: despite laying around doing not much for around 10 days I’ve not had any problems getting to sleep in this heat this week.

Boo for your side effects. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Let us know!

Agree about the supplements. They might help and it probably won’t harm so definitely worth a shot. If we need another round I will look into all of these!

@Cobblestones aahhh that would make sense about 9dp5dt, thanks.
I thought about This Is Going To Hurt as well and rejected it for the same reasons! Also considered The Tattooist of Auschwitz but thought anything too emotional might not be good with the hormones! Sophie Kinsella usually has me in stitches and is a very easy read, so figured it was a good bet.

No, they’ve not tested me for anything! I’ve read of other people having various hormone checks and stuff afterwards. I’ve got nothing! Bit worrying . What are you progesterone levels normally like? Mine were in the normal range so maybe that’s why?!