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?

Hi all! Just back from my first scan and good to go! Stims start tonight- DH is away so hope I dont mess this up! She said it's too early to tell as there is no way of telling if they'll respond but I had a good number of follicles present so hopefully they grow!

@Realitysucks I know lots of people who have had healthy twin pregnancies so fingers crossed! Also great news about your nephew. 😀

@CornishMaid1 how did your scan go yesterday? Did you start your stims?

@Justwaitingforaline good luck for your EC tomorrow. Hope you're feeling ok about a freeze all cycle.

@Rememberallball how was your blood test? Hope the hcg is rising well! Sorry about the MS but great sign!

@FingersXssd83 I'm so sorry you feel so low. Are you sure you are out? Lots of people who get a bfp say it felt exactly like AF was coming. When is your OTD? It is such a cruel journey this. I still have my fingers crossed for you x

Hello @Boboelephant, my blood test appointment not until 5:20pm so not sure I’ll get the results today or if (more likely) I’ll have to wait till tomorrow for them. Thankfully, Thursday’s blood test is at 9:20am so I should get the result the same day.

The MS doesn’t seem to be about this morning which I’m pleased about. DH and I went down to the barn at the end of our property (our storage space and the end of a long 165 year old building so thick walls and uneven floors) which is still full of stuff from when we moved in back in November. Found the bags of stuff we bought at the Baby Show a couple of years back so have started getting bits and pieces out to check they’re still ok after being in storage for the last couple of years. So far all looks good!!

@FingersXssd83, sorry you’re feeling despondent - dealing with IVF and the wait is difficult enough without factoring in the loss of your DFiL at the same time. As Bobo says, you’re not definitely out till AF actually arrives or you get a negative blood test at 12dpt. Fingers crossed for you xx

Hi ladies, jut checking in on everyone. @FingersXssd83 I'm so sorry to hear all your troubles. It's truly a devastating time when you've been struggling for so long. I hope you get the family you want very soon.

I'm currently over halfway through the TWW and still taking progesterone gels every night before bed. I get lots of stabby pains and cramping, and yesterday morning there was a smear of blood on my toilet paper. Nothing else since. It's all very nerve wracking and I'm trying to keep positive. And googling far too much.

@FingersXssd83 you’re definitely not out till a negative test at 12 dpt. The waiting is so difficult. Everything crossed for you!

@bobelephant yaah your good to go! Did they say how many follicles you had? Am just interested to know! Good luck with first injection let me know how you get on 🤣 and if it hurts 😱😱😱

@Ylangho1 good luck on tww, it is nerve wracking I’m definitely going to need some hand holding when I get there !

Hello all

Sorry for being quiet but I had a few problems after my endoscopy on Friday and ended up at A&E in the evening and back to London Bridge Hospital on Saturday. We thought for a moment that we might need to cancel the IVF if there were complications from the endoscopy but as it turns out everything was ok but I have far too much acid which was causing even more pain post the endoscopy.

I am now on omeprazole and started the steroids as well today and the omeprazole will help with the steroids' gastrointestinal side effects especially as I already have acid reflux.

Injections went ok.. Had to take them for two more days (total 12 days). Just had my last Gonal-F and at 22:30 I am having the triggering. I didn't have to increase or change the dosage of the Gonal-F and had around 4 scans/blood tests to date (even on Saturday) and I am having Egg Collection on Thursday. It is a bummer that I can not have my doctor and it is only the doctor in duty that will perform the Egg Collection.

I have to admit that although I knew that I do not have many follicles (last year a gynaecologist counted approximately 11-12) due to my age of course as I am 42, when they told me yesterday (last scan) that I have 12 follicles fully grown and just waiting for some medium ones to kick in, I felt sad and that I don't have much chances..

I wish I knew all these things earlier.

@FingersXssd83 I know how you feel. I am only having IVF because my partner has antisperm antibodies and can't conceive naturally and to be honest he is really not even too much bothered about it as he already has two kids from another relationship. I can conceive naturally (as I had conceived 6 years ago but foolishly I had an abortion on month 3).. so I am paying a fortune (as I am the one paying) and putting my body under this ordeal for him... So I wonder sometimes if I should even stay around if he is not taking this so seriously as he has his two kids.. I feel though that in your case there is a strong bond between the two of you and if not now (although you still don't know, it may be a positive ) I am sure it will happen and will even reconsider adoption etc. Give it time.. If there is love anything can happen so stay positive please .. 🤞🤞 My thoughts are with you... As I understand how you feel.. But I know everything will go well at the end as your love is strong!

@Justwaitingforaline good luck for your EC tomorrow.. I cross my fingers for you.

@Rememberallball I am so glad for your news.. That is truly amazing news and gives me hope too... I am thinking in the future if this cycle (my first actually) does not work to go back home and try having IVF in Greece or Cyprus. I was talking to a friend GP and she told me that in Greece/Cyprus I will have far more attention and possible even speaking to same people/consultants most of the time and wouldn't feel so impersonal as it feels now. Enjoy your cruise!!!!

@Boboelephant all ok with the first injection? Is this your first cycle? Warm thoughts.. and let me know anything you want about bubbles.. I had an extra session with a nurse and taught me all sort of tricks. :)

@Rememberallball hope tomorrow brings good news. Great that the baby clothes are ready.

@Ylangho1 that's exciting that you're well into the tww! Fingers crossed they are all good signs!

@Realitysucks thank you! She said that it might not mean anything as just having the follicles doesn't mean they'll respond to the meds but apparently they want to ideally see about 5 on each ovary at this stage. I had 12 on my right and minimum 6 on my left but she said she couldn't get a proper look at it to see. So at least 18 which is good. I survived the injection and it was ok. Took about 30 min as I was mixing it alongside the video as I was terrified I'd miss a step or snap a needle. The needle is small so wasn't too bad. I had to push it in harder than I thought but that didn't hurt. It burns a bit when you are pushing the fluid in and was a bit tender after but compared to other pain I've had in this ttc journey it was fine.

@NV42 sorry to hear about your A&E admission. How scary. Hope you are feeling better now. I can't believe you are at trigger stage already! Good luck for Thursday, I think 12 sounds like a great number! Just try and stay positive. Thank you, it went ok. Yep first cycle so it's all new to me. I have a 3 yr old who was conceived easily and then experienced an ectopic and then a MMC and now unexplained infertility so there is no rhyme or reason to this! I didn't have a problem with bubbles tonight but would love to hear your tricks regardless!

Sat in a hospital bed, waiting for egg collection! I’m second on the list apparently so should get going around 9.15ish!

The hardest bit currently is not being allowed a tea. DH has just been whipped away to the andrology department to do his bit...

@Justwaitingforaline - best of luck for today! I hope all goes well x

Hi everyone, I've been following the thread but haven't been contributing (as nothing much to say yet!).

I'm finding it difficult to get my head into it this time round, almost as though I'm keeping my distance if that makes sense? Yesterday I had my first intralipids infusion - no idea if that will help or not but it can't hurt.

This time round for the FET I've got to take low dose aspirin, prednisone and clexane as well as the regular progynova and progesterone. It just seems so much - waiting for AF to start then all systems go. I've started back at acupuncture as well. Even eternally optimistic DH isn't optimistic about this so I'm wondering whether it would be better to cut our losses and just accept it'll just be the two of us. Sorry if I'm bringing the mood of the board down!

@Justwaitingforaline I had a freeze all EC. I'd been told to expect that right from the first scan though as so many follicles. I actually found it good to do it that way as I had time to recover from EC before putting my body through ET - I can recommend drinking coconut water and lucozade to fight off OHSS! Good luck

Good luck today justwaiting - hope all went well this morning...

All is it possible to ovulate before egg collection so then there are no eggs to be collected?

The last couple of days I had all the symptoms I get when I ovulate and I just took an ovulation test and it shows that I ovulate!!

I am freaking out a bit that if indeed I ovulate there will be no eggs to be collected tomorrow at the egg collection.

and even more so, loose £6000 as they do not refund you the IVF if there are no eggs to be collected.... I am really freaking out now as I have all the symptoms.. It is not just the kit test I did. I did the kit test because I had the symptoms..

@NV42 - I would give you clinic a call and speak with them see what they say. Keep on with the ovulation tests first and last thing of the day, this is what my clinic told me to do with ovulation induction and said if it showed to call them on their emergency number for advice. Fingers crossed all is okay. When is your EC due? X

Afternoon all! Just on my way home the hospital now, feeling a little battered and bruised but other than that, all is well! Egg collection took 40 minutes which is a lot longer than usual but understandable given how many follicles I had.

I’m very pleased to announce that they collected 28 eggs . I’m going to go home now, drink my McDonald’s milkshake and watch crap TV.

@NV42 Call your clinic, I thought I'd ovulated the day before EC and they got me in early for a scan. Turns out I hadn't ovulated and I believe it's uncommon but if it's looking like you will then they might be able to retrieve your eggs sooner xxx

That's a great number Justwaiting. Hope you feel okay and get plenty of rest.

Bobo we are on par then for stimming.

My scan went fine on Monday. One of my ovaries decided to hide (two nurses and neither could get a clean shot!) but they said that should sort out when they get weighed down with follicles. 10 follicles in the right to start which is apparently good.

They said to start yesterday, so I've only had one set of injections so far and number 2 tonight. They weren't too bad (thanks to Mum's injecting skills) and I'm feeling okay bar a really bad taste in my mouth which I am putting down to the meds and some twinges, so hopefully the drugs are starting to work already.

A little Update from the clinic.
14 have been given to my recipient, maturity will be checked etc then she can use those. The other 14 ( of which 12 are mature and usable) will be fertilised later today 😊

@Justwaitingforaline that's brilliant news! Well done! I forgot you were a donor too, doubly amazing that you produced so many eggs. Is it still a freeze all or will they transfer?

@ginandtonicformeplease good luck and I hope all goes well. I find the mindful IVF really helpful when I'm feeling hopeless about it all. Might be worth a try?

@NV42 did you call the clinic? What did they say?

@CornishMaid1 hey, nice to have a stimming buddy! Hope we both get good news soon! I'm looking forward to DH coming home tomorrow so he can take over the administering!

Still a freeze all for us, bobo and I’m actually quite happy about it. It means I can have stronger painkillers if I need them, no need to go back in on Friday to be internally scanned to check lining, no pessaries to contend with and Dh and I have managed to squeeze in a weekend away before FET

@Justwaitingforaline sounds fab! When will your FET be?

bobo the consultant said I’m likely to get a period in the next week or so and then I’m to call the first day or the one after that so hopefully in about 5 weeks. She said it would definitely be within two months

@nv42 sorry to hear you’ve had some complications. I hope you’re in the mend now. Don’t feel down about 12! That’s a great number. I had 12 (9 on right and 3 on left. My left ovary is a lazy cow!) I managed to get 2 embryos to day 5. One was transferred and resulted in BFP but sadly miscarried. My other embryo is currently on ice. Did you call the clinic to discuss your ovulation test?

@fingersxssd83 oh hun I’m so sorry to hear you’re feeling down especially at this tough time. Please be kind to yourself and to your husband. Don’t let this process come between you. The process stirs so many emotions. It’s not easy but you’re not out yet. My friend fell pregnant on her 7th IVF cycle!! I don’t know if I could personally go through that but just don’t give up hope. You’re not out yet. Sending you a huge hug and strength to get your through the next few days.

Phone call this morning from the embryologist :
Of the 13 we kept, 10 were mature and 9 have fertilised!!!

@Justwaitingforaline congratulations! Great result!