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

[35counting]

Not me with the BFP (unfortunately) @Positivethinkingrainbow but I have finally (and coincidentally) just had a call from the clinic regarding my last round. They’ve approved me for the next round but changed everything, short protocol, different drugs, higher dose.

They offered me a follow up appointment first but I don’t want to delay things any further and would rather get straight back into it so have opted for a treatment planning app instead.

Good luck with your app next week @positivethinkingrainbow. How is everyone else getting on?

[Aksg]

Please sign this petition
www.change.org/p/scream4ivf-to-support-greater-funding-of-free-ivf-treatment-and-equality-across-the-uk-and-all-ccgs

[Elaydee]

@posititvethinkingrainbow how did your appointment go?

How is everyone else going?

All good here. I’m 10.5 weeks now! Had the NIFTY test last Saturday and had a scan with it. First abdominal one ever! Should get my results early next week for any genetic red flags and also I can find out if it’s a boy or girl 😱

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

Hello Ladies,

How is everyone?

I had a good appointment on the 9th, my OHSS cysts had gone and my ovaries are now back to their normal size which meant I could move forward to a FET on my current cycle which I was thrilled with.

I started Buserelin injections last Saturday, then have an appointment on 29th Oct for scan to see if my ovaries are going to sleep apparently. Feels so long winded after short protocol.

@35Counting so sorry I must of got mixed up, but lets its premonition of whats to come! I so know what you mean about just wanting to get going on to the next cycle, the waiting feels endless sometimes in this game! How are things progressing for you?

@Elaydee 10.5 weeks that is AMAZING NEWS you really do give me hope, we so need to hear the positive from one of our own!
How are you feeling?
I hope your results come back with good news and wow.... I can not wait to hear the sex!!!!! Do you have a feeling to what it could be?

xxx

[Elaydee]

Hey @positivethinkingrainbow so do you mind explaining what you need to do with a FET? I’m curious as I’ll be doing one in the future probably I’m sure, but I thought you didn’t need to do injections anymore. Boo! Then again, I didn’t find them bad at all. Can’t they just put the embryo back in at the right time or do they have to control your cycle again? Haha I must sound so silly. How are you feeling apart from that? I bet you’re ready to just get this show on the road already!

I’m now 11.5 weeks and can’t believe it! Got my results yesterday. Low risk for all trisomy and negative for any sex chromosome abnormality which is great news and it’s a boy 💙 Absolutely thrilled! If you have the spare money I highly recommend doing this test, mainly for the chromosomal testing. I can’t imagine going on another 10 weeks to find there is an issue like Edwards Syndrome 😔

I did think it could be a boy. A few old wives tales match me, like almost no nausea and craving salty foods and dark hairs on my belly. Also someone did a poll on a forum and for a 4AA blastocyst most women voted that they had a boy. I assume they grow quicker? Haven’t told my husband yet. Planning on telling him on his birthday next week. He has six nieces so this will be the first boy of his family!

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

@Elaydee congratulations a boy, so lovely that your going to surprise him on his birthday, that will truly be the best present ever!!! So lovely to have a boy joining the gang on your partners side also.
Its so lovely to hear such positiveness and excitement.
I have not heard of those test before but will defiantly make a note!

So the FET feels so long winded after a short protocol, I am currently doing injections every day for 4 weeks!!! xxx

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

I know the struggles with getting time off work etc!!!

What is everyone doing or have done in the past about time of after transfer??

Is it best to book 3 days off to relax etc???

Some say bed rest and no sleeping on your sides as it increases the chances of ectopic?
Some say keep moving as it helps blood flow???

Does anyone take aspirin to help?

Ahhhhh what to do???

Would love to hear what others think or have done?

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

@elaydee this is my FET cycle plan to give you an idea xx

[Elaydee]

@positivethinkingrainbow I had the test done at This Is My in London. They have one in Manchester and Leeds also I think. It was £350 (outrageous I know) but I wanted to know everything I could right away. I’m almost 35 and don’t want to take any chances.

My transfer was on a Wednesday and didn’t feel I needed any time off but I worked from home the rest of the week, which is normal for my job anyway. We had guests that weekend and I was running around after them, so I don’t think you need to book time off to lie down or anything. Drink plenty of water. I wouldn’t take aspirin unless I was told to. I’ve read it can prevent implantation... again only a professional can tell you.

I’ve had two ectopics and I really don’t think lying on my side had anything to do with them... The guy who did my transfer said the egg will go where it wants to and sometimes can float around for a few days and go up a tube and back out again. It’s such a small chance, I wouldn’t worry about sleeping a certain way at all! If anyone was get given proven medical advice about ectopics it would have been me as I was given a 15% chance for a third ectopic with IVF. They told me that there is nothing to avoid it. I even asked if they could transfer it lower down so it didn’t float up to my tubes, and he laughed. Haha!

You’re almost there! How exciting!!!!!!!! X

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

@Elaydee So worth knowing about the test, if anything you can not put a price on being able to relax about one less thing!

I know half of those things are old wives tales, to much time googling!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do have holiday to use, the transfer should be fingers crossed if all goes to plan on Monday 19th Nov, so I have just booked off the Monday till Wednesday.
I figured one day for the clinic visit, as unlike with a fresh transfer you do no know exact times till the day as they have to defrost your eggs etc. Then two days to relax and chill, I think I will probably already be emotionally drained by then!!!

I am so excited, feels like this transfer has taken a life time....!!!!! xxx

[SparklyShelle]

Hi girls, I was on here away back when the thread began...things were slow for me at first but now I’m on day 3 of injections (Bemfola) and feel like there’s finally light at the end of this long, and at times, dark tunnel!

So happy to have read about the successes along the way and a shout out to those of you who aren’t quite there yet - you’ll get there

Back to clinic next Fri (2nd) for scans and could be as quick as the next day for egg retrieval so from all quiet to what feels like a race track in a matter of weeks! Exciting times ahead but nerve wracking as hell!!

Good luck to all the newbies and the longer members x

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

Hello Ladies, finally have transfer date in sight. Go in for scan on Monday to check my lining then fingers crossed FET on Monday 19th.

How's everyone doing?

@Elaydee you must be starting to show now? Xx

[SparklyShelle]

Hi ladies,

@positivethinkingrainbow that’s great news! You’re so close!

Me too! I actually go in tomorrow for EC and am terrified!! At my scan on Tuesday I had 13 follicles in my left ovary which causes quite a lot of excitement as they were all a good size - my right a little less. It explains the discomfort and slight stabbing pain though but at least I know the injections worked and everything is as it should be for tomorrow...

Hopefully will be back in between Sunday and Tuesday to have the transfer all going well...terrified, excited, emotional and exhausted al at the same time!

Positive thoughts to everyone 💙💖 x

[Elaydee]

Hey @positivethinkingrainbow! I think I’m showing just a little now... I feel like it has looked and felt like just bloat for the last couple of weeks but I’m 14.5 now so need to accept that it could be a positive sign that something is happening in there. Still haven’t told work yet and I face my first work event tomorrow with lots of heavy drinking. Wish me luck that no one notices I’m holding the same glass of wine all night!
All the very best for your EC and transfer. The end is in sight! Not long to go! I have everything crossed for you and sending all the positive vibes I can!!! Xxx

@Sparklyshelle I didn’t find the EC too bad at all. I know everyone is different but I definitely needed that afternoon off to relax and felt mostly fine from the next day. Sitting on the loo (just the sitting action) was tender but that’s it really. I had been reading online and watching YouTube about what to expect and felt like I was prepared for much worse! That said, I was on a short protocol and also had two A&E visits for ectopics late last year so was used to cannulas going in etc. TBH I quite enjoyed the sedative they gave me. The doctor explained it like having a few glasses of wine and she was right. Kicked in as a lovely warm wave over me and I remember saying she was right and next thing I was waking up! Good luck and keeping my fingers crossed you get some good eggs that fertalise. Drink water, eat lots of protein x

[SparklyShelle]

Thank you so much @elaydee! That genuinely makes me feel a little less nervous...a little :-)

Very exciting for you - 14.5 weeks on - you’re the inspiration for us all, despite the hurdles you faced beforehand 💖

Hope you manage to avoid any onlookers tomorrow whilst nursing your wee glass. Hopefully they’ll all get drunk quickly! Take care xx

[AmyK18]

Morning all
Just signed up to mumsnet, please may I join in the convo?

My stats:
Nearly 33
Currently on cycle 2 of stimulation, egg collection booked in for Tuesday
No transfers attempted yet
Only 2 frozen eggs in the bank from the first time (hence why we are going again before attempting any transfers, I want to do a 2-embryo transfer). 8 eggs fertilised but only 2 survived to day 5.

Had 3 early miscarriages earlier in the year which prompted testing, they found that I had a uterine septum which I had 50% surgically removed in July, also have been told i have PCOS - feel very unlucky with all this.

My dr suggested that we have PGS testing any blacstocysts that we get from next weeks collection as I have had so many miscarriages.
I am in two minds with whether to do this or not, has anyone had this?

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend x

[Elaydee]

Hi @AmyK18 I’m a little further down the journey now at 16 weeks pregnant (I still get the email alerts for comments) but I’m sure someone will be around as a cycle buddy.

I know the feeling of having bad luck with it all. I had two early MCs and two ectopics in six months. Lost my tube and function of the other thanks to ectopics and then through IVF found out I have PCOS - I’m 34 and couldn’t believe I’ve only found out now! That all said, IVF worked for me so stay positive.

I don’t know much about PGS testing apart from it’s quite expensive and if you aren’t an NHS patient it’s another huge cost on top of a very expensive process. I was lucky and NHS funded as I’m now naturally ‘infertile’ and they didn’t suggest any testing but if you trust your clinic that they aren’t adding on expensive suggestions for the sake of it, then your peace of mind will be the most important thing :-) I know the feeling of wanting to minimise all chances of something else going wrong! You kind of get used to bad news, don’t you!

Good luck xx

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

@Elaydee well I'm as of last Monday I'm officially PUPO. Our embroy thawed fine so that was a big relief, so I've been off this week so far just relaxing, watching Christmas films to keep that mind positive. Only 3 days past transfer now. Not feeling any different yet but keeping everything crossed this embroy sticks so I can join your club.
Hope things are still progressing nicely with your bump, when are you planning on telling work? I completely understand why you want to keep it to yourself xxx
Are you Instagram?

How's everyone else's getting on?

I've very interested in the genetic testing. Seems very common practice is america, but my doctor didn't even mention it? Not sure of the costs?

[Elaydee]

Keeping my fingers crossed @positivethinkingrainbow - it is such a journey to get this far!! You deserve this! When will you test?

Will tell work next week I think. I’ll be 17.5 weeks 🙈 I just took a promotion on and that with the nerves of something going wrong mean I’ve just been burying my head in the sand.

All is ok. Can’t feel any movement yet and every scan I’ve had (4 since week 10 where you can see the shape) he is just... still. So that has me worried reading other women where they are wriggling around. I guess it never stops!

Thinking of you over the next few days!

Insta - @lauradavies

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

@Elaydee
My Insta is Couzens.sarah main picture is my lab, try requesting me xx

[SparklyShelle]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been quiet on here since EC on the 8th Nov. For those who haven’t gone through that part yet, it really was much much better than I’d worked myself up for!! Thanks @elaydee for your advice! The sedation was strangely fabulous - Before I knew it, I was groggily waking up asking how many eggs they’d collected and being fed tea and toast! They managed to collect 8 eggs which we were over the moon with! There was a fair bit of abdominal pain after the procedure but nothing some painkillers and rest couldn’t sort out. The following day I had to call the clinic to see how many eggs managed to fertilise and we were told that 7 out of the 8 had made it!

Next on the agenda was another trip to clinic for the implantation procedure to go ahead. Again, this was a nerve wracking time but was also a really amazing time! We got to go in to theatre together and saw our beautiful embryo on screen before it then was placed carefully inside me via a long thin catheter type of tube - we got to see this on the ultrasound and watched a teeny white pinprick bounce onto the lining at the side and settle down nicely - it was amazing!

So after this the pessaries started morning and night time. I was really bad at this at first - it kept kind of slipping out and I just felt like I was getting it all wrong. I worried about this for the first few days but then got the hang of it, realising that it would be best to lie down for an hour after putting it in or doing it right before bed - all was fine after that! These had to last for the next 10 days up to test day...

Symptoms I’ve been experiencing are mild abdominal cramps on and off, a real need for a Cadbury’s Whispa (so I bought a 9 pack!!), really painful boobs and I’m so so so tired all the time! Also, I keep forgetting things!

Test day was set for tomorrow (23/11).

...but we couldn’t wait (bad I know but we both work dead early) and so tested tonight around 9pm fully expecting it not to work BUT we couldn’t believe it when our very first EVER positive line appeared!!!! A POSITIVE!!!!!!!!! We cried for 10 minutes then laughed and cried again over and over!!!

I know we’re not out of the woods yet by any manner of means but after 6 very long and frustrating years, this hopefully is the beginning of our happily ever after!!

I know things are hard throughout this crazy ivf journey and I suppose that’s the reason we’ve sought each other out on this forum. A few of you who joined around summer time with me have really given me advice and belief throughout as I followed your journeys so thank you!!

I think I’ll stress over every little twinge over the next 4 weeks before the scan but my god I’m pregnant and I feel on top of the world!!

Positive vibes and happy thoughts to everyone! xxx

[Elaydee]

@sparklyshelle Congratulations! That is fantastic news... am thrilled for you x

[SparklyShelle]

Thank you @elaydee

[PostiveThinkingRainbow]

@SparklyShelle

OMG SOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! AMAZING NEWS! :)

Just read your update and by the end I had tears in my eyes for you, its been such a long journey for all of us and when your hear positive news it lifts us all!!

I am so happy for you and your partner!! Enjoy every moment xx

We test on the 30th November, this FRIDAY!!! I am really trying to hold back on the testing but it is soooo hard!!! I do not feel like I have had any symptoms though so I am also a bit afraid to test.

@elaydee how are you getting on?

[SparklyShelle]

Thank you @positivethinkingrainbow I still feel like I’m living on a cloud!

Oh how exciting for you too then - we’re a week apart! I’ll be crossing everything for you for Friday!! Like I said in my post, we work early mornings so decided to give it a go late on the Thursday - I know they advise you not to but I’m so glad we did! We got to digest it together and for the first time in a long time, we actually let our shoulders relax a little!

I’ve tested twice since (to make sure ) and also because I talk myself in and out of experiencing symptoms!! Every twinge I’m on red alert and god only knows what my search histories are!! However we can all relate to that since the crazy mad journey brings on panic and stress from all sides.

@positivethinkingrainbow keep us updated - we’re right behind you

@elaydee hope you’re experiencing some amazing things now that you’re further along?

@AmyK18 hope alls going well for you too. Xx