January/ February IVF/ICSI

[Justwaitingforaline]

Starting a new thread for all of us going through IVF/ICSI in January/February!

First round of ICSI for us. I’m on the last week of my birth control pill before starting Gonal F injections on the 18th Jan, with the hope of egg collection on the 30th and transfer on the 4th Feb! I’m egg sharing so have been on the pill a while to sync my cycle with the woman recovering half of my eggs .

Is anyone else at a simile stage?

@Realitysucks - that's rubbish you haven't seen the same person. I have the same dr overseeing me then the same two nurse for scans etc. I wouldn't give up now there is still plenty of time to respond. Hmm no idea on those drugs unfortunately I'm sure others on here will be 😀 have they talked about other supplementary treatment? My clinic told me to maximise my protein intake and drink a tonne of water so from today I'm having only high protein foods and drinking stupid amounts that my bladder feels permanently full! X

Oh this journey is so hard. I feel so sad for those with failed attempts. I’m actually in tears this evening. It’s so tough when we all hoped pregnancy would be a simple process and then this. Just don’t give up and don’t lose hope. I was speaking to a friend today who had 7 ivf attempts. I don’t know how she found the strength to do that and admire her for never losing HOPE. It seems the only thing you can cling onto in this process. So take some time out to heal your heart and body, dust yourself off and get back in the game.

Good luck to those that are having EC or ET. I know we’ll be having some good news in this group soon.

Big hugs to everyone.

(Sorry for the emosh post)

@CornishMaid1 I'm so sorry to hear that: take some time to regroup and recover - be kind to yourself!

@Realitysucks I think they can change the drugs for the next cycle if you don't respond to those - there seem to be quite a few different ones that the can use.

@Peanut1980 I don't know how your friend managed to get through 7 cycles. Each try just seems to take another little bit of me and I'm not sure how much more I can take.

I went for my Day 12 scan today to check the lining before the FET. It's only 6.3mm, whereas they want it to be at least 8mm. I'm already on 12mg of progynova a day, so they can't really go up with that at all. Instead they've put me on Sildenafil - also known as Viagra! Apparently it gets the blood flowing . A rare moment of light relief in this whole process.

Pretty soon I'm going to be rattling when I walk - I'm on so many medications I'm losing count. It looks like the FET will be next Tuesday or Wednesday, depending how I react to the Sildenafil - I've got to go back on Thursday for another scan.

ginandtonicformeplease a bit of light relief sounds a good thing throughout all of this! Hope it works for your lining! Hope your scan goes well on Thursday.

CornishMaid1 so sorry to hear about your cycle. It’s so hard when that happens. My last cycle ended with nothing being collected at the EC. Take some time and be kind to yourself and then see where you’re at with things.

boboelephant 13 of the 16 is fantastic news! Hope there’s more good news tomorrow with your update. Are you planning for a day 3 or 5 transfer?

realitysucks I tend to be a slow starter with stims too - tend to go for 18 days or so....good idea to carry on for a couple more days and see where you’re at then.

intrigued2018 great to hear we’re at the same stage! Hope you’re feeling ok with the meds! Fantastic you have 10 at your first scan too - am hoping I may have a couple more as have had a few twinges today. Good luck for your scan tomorrow!! 🙏🤞

@Intrigued2018 and @TheGlitterFairy thank you!! We are booked in for a 5 day transfer on Saturday. The embryologist said they like to disturb them as little as possible so because they looked really good yesterday and they are confident some will last, they are going to leave them today and give me a day 3 update tomorrow. Feeling so nervous now that I can't do anything! (Except the pessaries and I really wish I didn't have to do them ☺)

@boboelephant good luck for transfer x
@intrigued2018 I too am on 2 litres of fluid per day and more protein. My understanding of the drugs is that Gonal F is slightly different than Meriofert as it is just fsh but Meriofert contain fsh and LH hormones. Interestingly I have been still doing oPKs I had an oestrogen surge today which is bang on where I should be for my normal ovulation on days 18/19. Clinic says ovulation is likely to be later this month but I’m hoping we can get them to give me a trigger injection next week and then me and DH can dtd everyday after trigger in the hope I have a really good mature egg. Not sure how he is gonna manage everyday 😬 we are struggling with every 4 days at the moment. He did go and get some viagra though in the hope it helps !

@peanut1980 I too am feeling pretty emotional. We spend most of our lives trying not to ge pregnant then when we want to it ends up like this. I literally am just moping around now till Friday. DH is being so laid back about it I’m sure we are gonna have a row tonight 😞 he is like it’s not all bad, it’s fine we can just try naturally. I just feel like I’m on my own as he will be off skiing a week on Saturday with not a care in the world 😡

@bobelepant are you doing injections and pessary? My clinic give you the option of injection intramuscular in your bum or pessary and injection in tummy. I’ve heard the single shot is a nightmare, oil based, really painful and hard to get in! I’ll take a pessary any day!! My sister said it’s best to do them the other way 😬 tends to be less messy and stays in better!!!

@Realitysucks thank you. I'm sorry you are in this stage of unknowing. It must be really hard and doesn't help when you feel you are more invested than DH. They can be so much more relaxed can't they! Whereas it consumes our every thought. I hope you get a good outcome. Ooh I didn't know you could have a shot. Now I feel I shouldn't complain! Mine is just a pessary to be taken as a suppository. Actually not as terrible as the lead up but it feels bit weird to be thinking twice a day, 'ok it's butt time!' 😬

Sorry to be late to the party. Sorry to those with bad news and good luck to all still on their journeys. Is anyone in the 2ww?

I find that men tend to be more positive in general and take things as they come - my OH is the same. I don't think it's that they don't care I just think they have a different outlook.

So I'm meant to be starting stimms on Friday. My period hasn't arrived and I have a stinking cold :( I'm really willing it to start today but just think it will. I'm on the pill as well so it really should be like clockwork, but I changed it a bit at the beginning of the packet I've just finished and started it 4 days later than normal so it wouldn't finish on the right day without the need to run a couple of packs together. Now I don't know if I've messed it up :(

@Boboelephant - good luck for Sunday! So pleased to hear things are going well.

@Realitysucks - fingers crossed for Friday, hopefully you have started responding and you'll have a pleasant surprise.

@TheGlitterFairy - how did your scan go this morning? I have one little rogue follicle which is at 16mm then 5 between 10-12mm and another 6/7 below 10mm. They are thinking of upping my gonal-f but are confirming later. My lining has grown nearly 3mm since Monday which is a relief as in the 7mm now. Back on Friday morning for another scan, they'll decide then whether to do EC on Monday or Wednesday next week. X

Hi intrigued2018 - good to hear that your scan went well and you've got a good number there! I hate all the waiting for a call to see what's going to happen next.

Great news on the growth of your lining too - that really is excellent news and a relief I'm sure. What dose of gonal f are you on currently? Hopefully if they increase this a little then it'll give you a nice boost for a couple of days!

My scan was interesting....I still only have 4 which I'm a bit disappointed with - was hoping to coax out a couple more. The lead one is now 19mm, then 14, 11 and 7. So basically - not ideal.

Got a call to say they want me to carry on with the meds and go for another scan on Friday - I think with a view to triggering on Sat, then looking to collect on Monday. Bit shocked with it all really as the lead one seems to have gone mad.....also, on my previous 3 rounds, I've stimmed for about 18 days - so no idea why this has happened so quickly this time. It's basically about a week ahead of where I expected it all to be, which is not necessarily a bad thing but I just wasn't expecting it to be next week. Not sure what to do with work now - whether to take time off "sick" or just put in for a couple of holiday days. I've done a mixture of both previously!

So - you're back on Friday too - excellent news! Hope that they call you soon with the info on your meds! x

@TheGlitterFairy - that's good news though they are developing quick and you have some large follicles - fingers crossed. I wouldn't feel disappointed as you still have some good size follicles, remember it only takes one!

The clinic decided to leave my gonal-f at 225 and will see Friday. I'm kind of glad as was hoping that the EC will be from next Wednesday as I have a couple of big deadlines at work where I can't hand over the work 🙈 I've prepared work by saying I have to go into hospital for urgent tests and waiting for a cancellation slot, for once having ongoing health concerns has worked in my favour. My appointment is at 8am Friday so will hopefully know a little more then. I'm feeling fine in myself just a little grumpy from being on steroids as feel like my body has ballooned, and my belly is a lovely patchwork of colours from the injections and being on aspirin. 😀

How are you feeling? Are you also on gonal-f? Xxx

I went for a rescan this morning. The lining is still only 7.1mm, so too thin still. The nurse does the scan, so she's got to consult with the dr to see what changes to meds he wants to make and will call me later. I may have to go back for another scan on Saturday as well.

Just getting a bit down about the whole thing today. I'm at work now trying to take my mind off it but not succeeding (hence being on MN!).

@ginandtonicformeplease - I hope the clinic get back to you quickly, try to look at the plus side your lining has grown nearly 1mm in two days in another 2days you could well be at 8mm. MN is a great distraction! It's so hard not to fret over things during the process but try to look at the positive. Fingers crossed your lining improves soon x

@whatdoyouwantfromme Hey girl!

I'm in the TWW and thankfully had a blastocyst on ET day so hoping it to be good news and try and contain my feelings. People get obsessed with early signs of pregnancy and I am one of those so it's really hard! How you feeling?

Anyone else in the TWW?

Hi ladies, I got my day 3 update today and all 13 of my little embabies are going strong and are grade 1. I'm so happy. I know that the drop off rate between day 3 and 5 can be extreme so trying to manage my expectations but for now feel so relieved. I forgot what it felt like to feel positive about something fertility related- the past 2.5 years have been such a shit show. It feels really nice!

@Ginandtonic31 have you had an update if you're still starting stims tomorrow? Has your period started?

@intrigued2018 good to hear your lining is thickening and those follicles are growing. Good luck for your scan tomorrow.

@TheGlitterFairy sorry you were disappointed but good news you have a few strong ones! Hopefully tomorrow's scan will show a few more. Good luck!

@ginandtonicformeplease sorry it wasn't better news about your lining but hopefully they'll be able to adjust a few things and you have good growth by Saturday.

@Boboelephant I can’t believe you have so many. That’s amazing. I can only dream of big numbers after 4 eggs last time!

I’ve not really been in touch with the nurse but my period is trying to start so just hope the flow gets heavier today. I’m on at 8 tomorrow.

@Ginandtonic31 thank you! Long may it last! This is my first cycle so still learning but I've heard it can change hugely from one cycle to the next so hopefully this one will produce lots of lovely eggs for you. Fingers crossed your flow starts properly soon too!!

@intrigued2018 thank you! You're right - they are a good size and it does only take one - am trying to stay positive ahead of tomorrow's scan!

225 is still a good dose so I'm sure that the scan will show more tomorrow. Good to have it so early too! Seems a reasonable story for work if you've had a few things going on anyway. I think I'm going to book the 2 days next week as I've a few to spare then don't need to explain anything. Give I've had 3 appts this week, it's been hard enough to juggle that with work too!!

I'm on a short antagonist protocol - 300 bemfola and 150 menopur plus 0.25 ganirelix/ day! Quite the concoction. If we manage to get anywhere near ET, then I'll be on Lubion - injectable progesterone (thankfully subcutaneously) PLUS a pessary too. They're throwing everything they can at me. I'm feeling ok thanks - bit tired but nothing too awful. Are you feeling ok generally? I've a couple of bruises on my stomach at the moment too! x

@Boboelephant - great news on the embies - they're doing well! Fingers crossed for your transfer on Saturday - hope all goes well!

@ginandtonicformeplease - you're almost there! As others have said, your lining is still growing so hold on for Saturday.

@Boboelephant Does your clinic call you on Day 4? Ours didn't and that day passed so slowly while we were waiting to hear how many made it! Congratulations on the 13!

The clinic called, and they want to wait until Monday for the next scan. I'm a bit confused by the dates though - usually FET take place between day 17-21 of a cycle. Monday will be day 18 and I won't even have started taking the progesterone - you have to take that for 5 days before the transfer. I couldn't really quiz the nurse when she called though as I'm at work and was trying hard not for anyone to overhear and work out what I was talking about!

She did utter the words "the viagra is working its magic" which made me

@TheGlitterFairy thank you!

@ginandtonicformeplease no, there is no update on day 4. My understanding is that they don't usually update as day 4 is when the embryos are changing to blastocysts and are hard to grade so they rather leave them in the incubator. It will feel long but I didn't get an update on day 2 so I know I can do it. Will have to keep reminding myself this! I'm booked at 10am Sat so I guess I won't get an update until then. Hope it's worth the wait.
Sounds like they are just trying to give you some more time so your uterine lining is in the best possible condition for your embryo. Hope you see a big improvement on Monday. If you're worried I'd just call the nurses back.

I feel like everything is against me for tomorrow. Weak period and a stinking cold! Knowing my luck she will say I’m too ill to proceed or something!

I had another call from the clinic - they got my blood results back and now I've got to slap on oestrogen patches. I'm just getting very despondent about the chances of this actually working.

@TheGlitterFairy - good luck with your scan in the morning, one more sleep to go to find out how things have progressed. Sounds like they are keeping you well and truly dosed up 😀 I'm feeling excited to find out what's happening tomorrow but nervous.

I'm feeling okay, have days of feeling shattered which today is one of those. The worst was when I was just in buserelin, the last day before they reduced the dose was horrendous! I don't know how I got through the day. The steroids help to pick me up. My stomach feels tender during the ultrasounds also x