September/October IVF

[WineWinner]

Hey,

I've had my appointment through finally to start my first round of IVF. Our consultation is September and hoping if we start on CD21 (no idea if we will, just what I'm presuming from research) then we will be good to start just after the middle of the month. Anyone else the tentatively waiting for a September start?

[HappyHedgehog247]

Hello. Please can I join? Just gearing up for cycle 3 with target egg collection in mid Oct. Look forward to reading the thread!

[BeaCat]

Hello, we've got our first appointment at the clinic next week. Excited about getting the ball rolling and just trying to stay positive- probably being naively hopeful @Botanica!
My issue is both tubes are blocked, but as far as I know everything else is ok. Is anyone else in this situation (if you don't mind saying)?

[WineWinner]

Ooh glad we have quite a few of us all in it together and nice to have some at different stages so some will know what to expect etc. I've just had my FSH back as 7.1 (not really sure what that means but she said it's fine) and my thyroid is ok too so we should be good to go!
Hedgehog are you doing anything different this cycle? My collection should be around the same time!
Bea I have a friend who had blocked tubes but everything else fine and she fell first time with IVF so fingers crossed!
Guio I agree with calling and asking! Hope you've managed to get some answers?

[Guio]

Hi WineWinner and Botanica I have not called back.my next app is in September and it last a couple of hours so I guess they will explain everything.I really new in this and I don't know what to expect

[CritterTamer]

Hi all, mind if I join you?
I’m getting ready to start my second IVF cycle late September and I think I read somewhere earlier in this thread that someone was trying to recapture the naive hopefulness of their first cycle - that’s exactly how I feel and could use some ladies in the same boat to share the journey with - struggling to feel hopeful about this second go 😔

First cycle was in June and seemed to go very well at all stages and had 2 5 day embies transferred but was ultimately unsuccessful. They are giving me a protocol with testogel this time to improve egg quality - has anyone else had this? I don’t really like the thought of taking testosterone much. Also having an endo scratch this time around. Impatient to get started now as natural cycles have been a bit odd since the IVF cycle.

[WineWinner]

Don't worry Guio, I'm sure they will go over everything with you in detail then!
Hey critter, welcome aboard! I haven't had a cycle yet so can't give any advice but I'm sure some of the other lovey ladies will! Hopefully you'll get some great embryos again!

[BeaCat]

@WineWinner that's good news about your friend, thank you for sharing!
I actually don't have any friends who have had IVF ( the odd acquaintance but no one I feel really comfortable talking to) so feel totally like I'm going into unknown territory! It's good to have places like this you can come to for advice and support 😊

[AniSL]

Welcome to all who have joined.

I have my blood tests next week to get the provisional go ahead with treatment start in September, Happyhedgehog247 it looks like we are cycle buddies again

My 2nd round and was devastated the first time when no embies made it to day 5, but I was relatively calm last cycle and was fortunate to have no side effects to the meds and egg collection was surprisingly simple with no after effects either. Hope that I get embies to freeze this time and will go back after first natural AF for transfer.

[WineWinner]

@BeaCat yeh it's a friend of a friend so I haven't actually spoke to her but my friend said everything went really smoothly for her! I've been hiding out at home this week obsessed with researching! There's some great fertility podcasts, some Netflix documentaries and been reading the Zita West books but they seem a bit like we'd have to sit down and schedule every day from now until starting haha! It's such a minefield!

[smith1986]

Hi ladies hope you don't mind me jumping on ( not used this forum before) im due to start long protocol on day 23 of next cycle so roughly 16th sept, eekk so excited. i had one failed NHS go last april . saved for the past year and just been accepted for 3 cycle refund package :-)
wishing you all the best of luck on your cycles xx

[Guio]

Hi @smith1986 what is 3 cycle refunding pack?is that in the NHS?

[smith1986]

hi @Guio
no its not with the nhs, its private with access fertility but my treatment will be at manchester fertility. there is many different cycles you can pick, you have to meet a criteria to be accepted. its 3 fresh cycles ( all frozen embroys have to be used before next fresh) if you get pregnant the first time you lose the other 2 goes which is the downfall. ( but price im willing to pay). the good points for me are not having to worry about finding money for more cycles, if no live birth happens the we get half of the money back

[smith1986]

sorry about half a post clicked the wrong button :-D
it also does not include medication.
bet you cant wait to get started, its your first time isn't it?
are you funded any nhs cycles ? xx

[Guio]

I heard of access fertility but I didn't know about the refund program!I would rather not start but I guess I don't have a choice...did you only get one in the NHS?

[smith1986]

yeah only the one, i'm grateful for that its such a shame how its worked out, some people none and others 3, i think it should be the same in all areas. will you be on the long or short protocol ?
i was on short last time, so this cycle will be new to me x

[Guio]

I don't know about the protocol yet I will find out in September but I have the feeling that long due to my age and amh level.yea it is a lottery very unfair.I get 2 and as you said grateful I can have them.

[BeaCat]

Did you watch One More Shot on Netflix @winewinner? Ive searched for it but couldn't find it, I'd quite like to see it. Ive also been listening to some podcasts, trying to get tips on eating healthy etc. just in case it makes a difference!

Has anyone tried acupuncture? I'm considering but just don't know if it'll be worth the expense.

I get one funded cycle on the NHS so kind of want to give it everything!

[Peanut1980]

@beacat I would personally use accupuncture but only because it’s been rest helpful with anxiety and stress. Plus when I’ve gone in to have it done before I’ve had a headache or sore throat which they also worked on and it miraculously disappeared. I think it’s amazing x

[WineWinner]

Beacat yeh I've watched it about 5 times! I'm a glutton for punishment. I've also watched Vegas baby and some documentaries on YouTube. I haven't tried acupuncture, I'm tempted to do a few but I don't know if you still get the benefits if it's only a couple and I'm a little nervy about the amount of needles haha! Suppose I should get used to that... I'm normally totally fine but had bloods last Monday and my arm is still all bruised!

[Guio]

Hi @BeaCat I go to acupuncture before ovulation so just once a month but I will go when IVF weekly in line with the process.Personally I don't enjoy and it doesn't help me to relax but I give it a go as it is meant to help...

[Guio]

@BeaCat I understand that you want to maximize your chances if you only get 1 round on the NHS.where are you based?I get 2 in Sussex but they only put you back an embryo if any.Are all the NHS clinics use the same approach?I have read many stories where women can have more than 1 so the success are higher.do you need to go private for it?

[BeaCat]

@Guio I live in North Yorkshire and in my area unfortunately it's just one cycle. The cycle includes one fresh transfer and four frozen I think so you do get a few chances but I guess if you didn't get enough embryos that would be it. If that didn't work I think I would have another go privately.
I think I will have a consultation at least with the acupuncturist. I don't think I could afford to go every week so I might ask if it's effective to go every few weeks instead. What you are doing sounds like a good way to do it.

[kelou75]

Wow welcome to everyone who’s joined since I was last on, wishing everyone a successful journey xxx
@guio the PCT I’m under on nhs will only put back more than one if your over a certain age (I think it’s 38) could be wrong or if you’ve had several unsuccessful attempts ( by then I’d self funding) but the main reason they don’t put back more than one embryo is to limit multiple pregnancy as this carries a higher risk of miscarriage, health complications for the mother and premature births etc. Also the consultant I spoke to said if they were to put two embr/ blys back n there was a problem with lining or implantation then neither would respond whereas if one is put back the remaining can be frozen if there are any suitable for freezing and they can adjust treatment and that’s still within that round. I think this is also set out in the NICE guidelines, seems care trusts stick to this advice but not the bit where it recommends 3 rounds of nhs funded treatment, I appreciate they have budgets etc but it’s such a lottery to what, if you get any funding. If we lived two miles on we would have got 3 rounds funding and I’m super greatful we get a go at all, as my friends trust now don’t fund at all!
N’ways I digress! I have been looking into overseas treatment if my nhs doesn’t work out and from what I can see some clinics do put back 2 more frequently.
Got my appointment next Tuesday to learn how to do the injections 😬, I’m fine with needles when someone else administers n I don’t look...I’m sure I’ll be fine, if not my OH seems very happy at the prospect of administering the meds!🤦🏻‍♀️

[kelou75]

...Apologies for the grammar looks like I’ve said all that in one breath! 😂 was trying to type n post before I went through a tunnel on the (delayed) train I’m packed onto!

[Guio]

@kelou75 good luck to you!😉 Sorry I am quite new in the thread but is this your first go? I heard about the risk of putting more than one but I thought that the chances could be better but maybe no with the risk of miscarriage.one fresh and 4 frozen?it is strange.does this mean that if one of the frozen works you can use the remaining ones if available?