February / March 2019 IVF / ICSI

[Thund4rcat]

Hi all, starting a new thread for those of us who are starting IVF treatment in February.

This will be my second round of ICSI, I start buserelin injections on 17th February. We have MFI (low sperm count) and after our first cycle ended in a chemical pregnancy, I demanded a laparoscopy because I have always had painful periods. The lap discovered I have mild endometriosis and mild adenomyosis but the surgeon said it was mild enough to not affect my fertility.

I am continuing with the NHS, doing a second fresh cycle. We have 3 frozen embryos from the first round as backup if this one doesn't work...

Would be good to have some cycle buddies to share support over the next couple of months...

Hello everyone! Hope I'm ok to join you. I'm hoping to start a FET in March. Have my next appointment on 16th feb to sort my protocol. I'm ttc number 2, I had 3 cycles of ICSI back in 2013-2014 which resulted in my DS . I've done 1 fresh cycle and 2 FETs this time around and am gearing up for FET 3. I'm using access fertility too and have had no problems at all. First cycle was nearly 18 months ago so have got my monies worth so to speak

Hi hoping to join. I am 41 and my OH is 45 (nearly 46). Teenage sweethearts so no children. Always thought pregnancy would happen naturally and panicked when turning 40. We’ve completed all the tests and been approved for IVF and have our pre treatment appt end of this month, when I expect we will find out possible dates going forward. Consultant seemed to think they would start quite quickly. Got told I’ve got a good egg reserve (for my age) which can only be positive, but also don’t want to get my hopes up. Very nervous as whilst done my research not sure what to expect. Very few people know as don’t want the pressure of questions, but also recognise will need the support. Goodluck everyone xx

Can I join in?
After 4 years TTC, I start my Gonal-F injections tomorrow. We will be having ICSI, with egg collection currently scheduled for 25th February.
I feel mixture of tremendous excitement and mind-numbing fear!
Fingers crossed for everyone here

Hello ladies, can I join you, please.
I'm from the board of November/December IVF/ICSI. Sadly it was BFN. Only had 1 egg fertilised out of 3 and it made to blast but didn't implant 
Anyway,
Me 42 (43 in April) am I the oldest on here? Totally ancient 
DD almost 20 months, conceived with IUI
TTC #2 since May'18 - IUI and BFP
MMC June'18
2 failed IUIs last October and November
1 failed IVF last December . No frosties
All my fertility treatments were done abroad.

We TTC naturally this month and never had any symptoms while in 2ww. (AF or possible pregnancy symptoms), took a HPT this morning and it's BFN. I didn't track OV and no idea how many dpo I'm now. CD29 today and I'm sure it won't be BFP this cycle. Last cycle I had only 26 days. Anyway, just waiting for AF then starting injections for a fresh round of IVF. I was on short protocol before and this round will be too.
Will be flying home for EC and ET. Providing all going well.
Back to reflexology and acupuncture next week. And continue with all supplements

Hi all!

I haven't posted for a long time but thought I'd hop back on here for some support this cycle, and to help others if I can, too.

We're a little way through our first short cycle (ICSI). Our last four cycles were unsuccessful so our consultant wanted to see if trying short rather than a long protocol would help. He also upped my Gonal F to try and get a better egg response. Fingers crossed!

I'm on day 7 of Gonal F, day 2 of Cetrotide. This whole mixing the powder with the water is so weird! It's like a mini science experiment before I can even inject! I was a bit worried but getting the hang of it now.

We've been through so much and after four unexplained failures I feel like we should be considering stopping, and that's making me really sad.

Christmas was really difficult as my cousin announced, and we got back from that to see our neighbour wearing a fresh new baby on board badge (I ran into the house before she could stop to chat). It really does feel like we're the only ones sometimes, since no one we know has been through anything like this.

Anyway, I'm going to try not to spread too much negativity! I thought it would help to go through it with other people in the same situation this time.

Good luck everyone! xx

Hi Ladies,

I'm looking to start a fresh short protocol at the beginning of March when my next period starts. I've had 3 failed transfers of good grade day 5 blasts last year so have had extra blood tests today to see if there's anything in my bloods that show a problem with implantation and I've also been offered the endometrial scratch as an extra. Does anyone have any advice on the scratch? The clinic have said that the research shows that it neither helps nor harms but I can have it if I want. I'm not sure what to do!

I'll be calling up the clinic in the morning to book in the session to sign off the paperwork and order the medication. Can't believe I'm back on this merry go round but there you go 🙄😂

Went in for scan today and egg collection booked for Monday, eek! There are 5-6 good-sized follies and a few bringing up the rear. I don't think that's a great number but is usual for me. They've also grown quicker this time from being on the short protocol and higher dose of stims (normally we would have to go back again).

I'm interested to see if writing all this here will help or not emotionally. At the moment I feel a bit like I'm jinxing myself!

I hope everyone else's processes are going okay.

Good luck @Meownow9! And there's still tome for more before Monday!

I'm supposed to start stimming on Friday but no sign of my period yet! I've been on the pill to regulate my periods and was told to finish my last pill on Sunday, which I did. However, last month I had a break longer than 7 days so that I would start on a Monday and finish on the Sunday without having to break into a new pack for a couple of days at the end of this pack. Now I am worried I might not have a bleed because I ran my break longer than 7 days last time, even though I've taken 28 tablets. Although I think 2.5 days could still be too early for a period. Probably 3/4 days after last pill is more realistic.

Hey everyone, welcome to everyone who has joined the thread and good luck.

I just picked up my medication and got my schedule from the clinic. Actually start Buserelin injections on 19th Feb. It feels a bit odd, but I'm really looking forward to starting the injections! Will feel like I'm just that bit closer to getting what we want.

In related news, my sister-in-law just had her third baby, I have to visit them soon, and it's going to be hard to appear happy for them when I am just so jealous. I also have zero sympathy when they complain about lack of sleep etc. from having too many babies. Like, STFU, seriously.

CD32 today and still no AF and tested BFN this morning (started testing from Sunday!). Last night was feeling a bit sick and this morning passed. My doctor suggested a scan to check ovaries for cysts etc Booked for Friday unless AF arrives between now and then. and I received my IVF meds to start injections this week! I have no idea what's happening here! Last cycle I was only 26 days. I didn't use OV sticks so no idea when ovulated. It's a mystery! And annoying and frustrating!

Thanks @Ginandtonic31 I wasn't put on the pill so difficult to comment, but a few more days sounds about right based on when I used to take it. I hope it comes soon for you.

@Thund4rcat I totally know what you mean with your sister-in-law. It's so hard, and with family you can't really make excuses! Do they know what's going on with you? I found it helped to be a bit more open about how it feels as sometimes it's difficult for people to understand. But that's obviously quite a personal thing.

@Russkispy funnily (not funny at all) enough, the cycle waiting to start IVF have always been my longest. 43 days before the first, never had a cycle beyond 33 days before in my life. It's hard not to feel like my ovaries are out to get me 🙄

@Thund4rcat it's always worse when it's a baby in the family. My husbands ex has just had her 4th. I cried buying a little sleep suit for him, I'm so jealous it hurts.

I only feel slightly better when planning another IVF cycle as I have a tiny bit of hope that this is our one 🤞

Good luck @Meownow9!

@Thund4rcat know what you mean about wanting to get started! I'm doing short protocol and start Northisterone on 24th Feb.

@MrsC18 so frustrating when your body decides to just throw you a curveball and go all out of whack!

@MrsC18 I only had this long a cycle after missed miscarriage last summer. I failed first round of IVF in December and even then I was regular. So not sure what's happening right now! I'll go for a scan as advised by my doctor and check things out. Big sigh

Hi everyone,

I got my appointment! 5th March. AF is due 1st April, will I wait until then in order to go on the pill?

Hold up no that's a short protocol. I shouldn't take all my information from one YouTube video!

Day 21 Injections then? So thinking maybe mid April egg collection.... Christmas baby (My approach is to be hopeful and deal with the disappointment if/when it happens).

@Russkispy hope it arrives ASAP for you!

@AliceAbsolum it depends on your clinic, mine you have to have a session with the nurse to be shown how to do the injections which is booked on your next cycle so you start the cycle after that as they need to do the pre op for the egg collection and you need to sign all of the HFEA paperwork. Annoying as I have to do that session EVERY time. I'm reasonably sure I could do that session for them now tbh! Also, do you know you're on the long or short protocol?

Ok that's helpful. The first appt is 2 hours long and they do everything in that one. Apparently.
I'm assuming I'll be on long as I have 28 day cycles. But yeah I guess it's all still uncertain. I just like certainty.... best try to let that go as IVF isn't going to be in anyway predictable.

@AliceAbsolum that's great, so it saves you keep going back to the clinic and should mean you start on the next cycle. Everyone here gets it, it's so hard having zero control or input over something so important! I'm on the short protocol, we are unexplained so not everyone just gets put on the long these days. I guess it will all be clearer for you in March

@AliceAbsolum great news on getting your appointment through. Mine is on 26th Feb with the nurses and a mock embryo transfer. Not sure how long I'll be on northisterone before starting stimulation injections (?a week) but I'm doing short protocol. If you're on long protocol do you always go on the pill then? Is northisterone just for short protocols or does it just differ from clinic to clinic?

@MrsC18 Ah that's interesting. How're you finding it so far? Do you have regular cycles?

@Twiglet2353 Mock embryo transfer! Whyyyyy?
I have no answers to any of your questions sorry!

@AliceAbsolum standard protocol apparently to assess what length catheter they'll need on the day

@AliceAbsolum a bit like a wedding rehearsal dinner 😂

I've never had a mock and I've always gone straight onto stims on day 2-3 of my period, so it does seem to differ greatly from clinic to clinic