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?

@Guio it's perfectly normal to have differing follicle counts on each ovary, and even if you did start with a similar number, for the number of follicles responding to the stimulation to be different too.

From what I remember, in my previous three rounds I've had a fairly equal number and fairly equal levels of stimulation. This time round one ovary has been a lot more responsive than the other.

It's the overall quality of what they produce that counts, ultimately doesn't matter how many you get from one side vs the other.

Hi @AniSL yes it is before stimulation so I guess it can change.my amh was 7 pmol a year ago and I haven't been tested again so I assume it has decreased again...

Thanks @anisl. I’m new to this process so don’t really know what to expect of each appointment. I’m certainly going to raise it at my appointment on Monday. Thanks for letting me know xx

No worried Peanut1980. So my baseline scan involved 3D image of uterus, images and measurements of uterus, endometrium, ovaries and follies and volumes too. My clinic was then able to decide dose of Gonal to get the right level of stimulation for follies and eggs.

Guio my right has less than my left but my right has always been the better responder. Last cycle they had lots of follies in my day 2 scan but only ended up with a few viable follies and 6 eggs.

Evening All! So we had our appointment with our consultant today who has advised we will be going down the ICSI route due to DH sperm mobility. Consultant is going to be working our plan and medication out so hopefully within the next week we should get our appointment with the nurse and will be looking at either an October or November start- I'm thinking it will be more of a November start due to cycles etc.

@Guio if it helps at every AFC scan I have I always have 4 follies on right and 9 on left - same every time. They say it’s fine to have one ovary more active than the other!

Just catching up on everyone's news after a busy week.

Good luck today @botanica, let us know how it goes! I think I'm most nervous about that part of it!

That's great @crazyeyes3, sounds really promising for good results 😊

@notlateinthemorning an advisor at Wild Nutrition just informed me the other day that that I should be on 2000 iu of vitamin D so just bought some tablets. I wish I'd known this earlier as I assumed the amount in the fertility supplement was sufficient. Fingers crossed it's not too late!

@BeaCat On my first cycle the nutritionist told me that most people in the UK are deficient in vitamin D thanks to lack of sun and how important it is for eggs. I'm much more deficient than most apparently, and am on 5000 iu a day!

@Crazyeyes3 I remember that feeling! I also cried when they told me how many had fertilised as I was expecting the worst (eternally optimistic DH told me off then, apparently I'm too pessimistic ).

DH and I are currently enjoying a city break before treatment for the FET starts. Expecting AF next week sometime, although as it's my first one after the miscarriage I'm not sure when exactly. Just keeping my fingers crossed and being liberal with the local wine while I can!

Vitamin D deficiency is very prevalent in women with PCOS too

I just realised my clinic has prescribed me enough Gonal to continue for 16 days, I am going to be left with surplus, what a waste

Also immunity issues = vitamin D is less easily absorbed, leading to deficiency

I was prescribed a loading dose of 4000 iu (once a week over the course of 10 weeks)...was advised to maintain vit D levels after the course and especially over the winter months with an over-the-counter dosage (or the dose in a multi-vitamin)

Too much vitamin D can be a problem for the kidneys (and I think toxic too) so it is advisable to speak to a doctor and check to see if you are deficient and what they would recommend (funny thing is it doesn't matter how much vit D you get from the sun, overdose only becomes an issue in supplement form)

I am into week 4 of the course, so not sure it will make much difference in this cycle...though I was told by the consultant that I would not be able to start this cycle without addressing my vit d deficiency...

this is interesting: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/vitamins-minerals-supplements-pregnant/

I still have left over menapur from the last cycle and my protocol for this time around is fostimon and merinol...

Had a call to say all 11 fertilised eggs are still doing well and I’m booked in for a day 5 transfer on Monday. I’m being realistic that not all will make it and this is my first cycle so unlikely to work but will be so good if there are some to freeze.

@ginandtonicformeplease and @nitlateinthemorning how did you know you were low on vitamin D? Did the clinic test you? Apparently you can get home tests so maybe I'll try that. I've started on the 2000 tablets now anyway so hopefully that'll help.
It's crazy how many supplements you feel like you should be taking! I'm a bit wary though as I don't want to go overboard and do any damage.
Thanks for the link NotLate, inteteresting read.

@crazyeyes3 great the eggs are still doing well, good luck for Monday!

That’s amazing news @crazyeyes3! It would be great if it could work out in your first cycle - so far so good.

How is everyone else getting along?

Thanks for the useful info re: vit D @notlateinthemorning. I’ve learnt so much from conversations here, it’s been invaluable. Quite disappointing that the information from the experts has been so patchy.

I’m having my baseline downreg scan on Tuesday and then hopefully start up stimulation. Excited and petrified.

Crazyeyes3 thats amazing news, here's hoping it works first time for you.

I had a full works blood test done by GP, all levels are as they should be so for me not recommended to take vit D, my mum had naturally excessive levels of vit D and they had to put her on emergency medication to lower this as apparently its extremely dangerous.

Day 2 injecting Gonal yesterday, all good, only one side effect so far which is nausea but I take it just before bed time so no problem for me.

Thank all for the good wishes for the egg collection yesterday. It went quite well but not such good news from the embryologist today.

I'm going to step away for the coming days as it's not making me feel so good hearing about numbers on here in terms of how much everyone has got to start, still in the running, left to freeze etc.

No offence to anyone, wishing you all lots of luck. IVF4 feels like a hard place to be and perhaps I'm just not handling the stress so well.

Hope all goes well for everyone in the coming days and weeks x

@Botanica I'm sorry to hear that; you need to make time for yourself and ensure that you're doing as well as you can.

@BeaCat My clinic gives a consultation with a nutritionist as part of a cycle - we're self funding so I don't know if that makes a difference. I think she then orders blood tests as a matter of course for vitamin D.

@Crazyeyes3 Great news that they're all still doing well - fingers crossed 🤞

Sorry to hear that @botanica. I’ve heard some amazing stories of success from cycles/embryos that they held very little hope for but holding out hope is hard and takes every inch of courage.
I hope things work out for you (and all of us). Xx

Botanica if you are reading this, sorry to hear, I hope that you do get some good news but take time for yourself

@botanica - everyone here is thinking about you and rooting for you. love and hugs xx

Hi @botanica I wish you all the luck and o hope we can hear good news xx

@botanica I’m so sorry to hear you’re feeling so down. I’m wishing you the best of luck and sending positive vibes to your little eggs. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling but you’re so brave in round 4. Don’t give up hope. Remember it only takes one little miracle. We’re all here for you. Don’t shut yourself away. Sending you a massive hug 😘 xxxxxxxx

Good luck for Monday @crazyeyes3 xxxx

@Botanica so sorry to hear things aren't working out as you hoped. I can't imagine what it must be like doing multiple cycles but it must take a lot courage. Thinking of you X

Hi ladies, new to the group. About to do 4th IVF round, frozen.
Good luck all 🙌🏼💥💛
Thanks for the invite @ginandtonicformeplease

Hi ladies, new to the group. About to do 4th IVF round, frozen.
Good luck all 🙌🏼💥💛
Thanks for the invite @ginandtonicformeplease