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...

All 7 eggs that were fertilised are still growing. Transfer on Monday, fingers crossed

That's good both :)

They don't tell us about progress or quality until we get there on transfer day (tomorrow), so feeling quite nervous today. The time before last we also got eight embryos and when we got there we only had one left and it was rubbish quality. Hoping this won't be a repeat!

I never find out quality or how many either. I just get a call on day 5 telling me how many have been biopsied and frozen then have to wait 2 weeks to find out the PGD outcome.

Thank you ladies! Going to re-join you after all! Blood tests results came in and it's negative which I've suspected. So this is my AF after all. It's a hard blow I won't lie but good to know that we managed to conceive naturally even if only for a short while. My doc agreed to start stimulation tomorrow. I'm on a short protocol. Reflexology and acupuncture are booked in the meantime. Onwards and upwards! This is not over yet! Thank you so much for all your support!!

I'm so sorry @Russkispy. That must be so gutting. I hope you start your stims okay - keep us updated with how you're getting on xx

@Meownow9 thank you! It's rubbish but nothing I can do. So moving on! All set for tomorrow morning with first injections and all scans are booked for next week.
Good luck with scans and transfers! Very excited for you!

@Russkispy - sorry to hear the bloods came back negative, fingers crossed for you this IVF cycle!

@Meownow9 - wow I thought it was standard to get daily updates as we even get a call on Sunday's for updates - the process between clinics varies so much it surprises me! Good luck with transfer tomorrow!

Xxx

@russkispy

My mood of the day....

Went in for our transfer today and had two embryos transferred (4AB and 4AC). No spares to freeze yet, but they're keeping an eye on them.

I'm really grateful we had something to put back, but a bit disappointed that the quality is the same as the last round. I do find the grading a bit confusing though to be honest!

Hi ladies@russkispy I love the resilience quote need it every day, they ended up proceeding with egg collection and got 5 eggs heard today only one fertilized and they are transferring on day 3... no idea of grade etc we also did ICSI so the results are pretty disappointing tbh though thank god we have one embie at least.

Good luck @Evie8010!

Has anyone taking Gonal F had really sore nipples? I’m on day 10 and they’re hurting! I don’t mind but worrying now that I’m ovulating or something!

Good luck @Evie8010 and @Meownow9!

Can anyone clarify whether you get signed off after the EC or the ET? I remember my consultant saying I'd be signed off for two weeks but can't remember when. Just trying to get a rough estimate of when that'll be for work planning

@Twiglet2353 I've never been signed off and my clinic has always recommended that you carry on with normal life with the exception of strenuous exercise. Each to their own, and you'll see how you when you get there, but there's no need to plan sick leave. You may find that you welcome the distraction in the TWW, it's a long and lonely time!

Hmm interesting @MrsC18. I wonder if it's related to my job and my risk of OHSS then.

I do agree about the welcome distraction though!

@Ginandtonic31 I had really sore boobs for most of the time. I wouldn't worry.

@Twiglet2353 I've never heard of being signed off for two weeks for any part of it, but maybe your clinic is different. I was told at least 24 hours rest after EC and I had to have someone with me for 24 hours. After that it's a bit dependent on the individual (I wish I'd taken two days off planned sick instead of one as was in a lot of discomfort this time).

I'm really struggling the last few days. Husband and I had a complete meltdown yesterday. We found out no frosties, which we'd anticipated anyway, but it just made us so frustrated that trying the short protocol has made zero difference to our embryo numbers/quality. I feel like our consultant is just stabbing in the dark instead of doing any actual investigations.

I can't believe this is our fifth go at this and feel like it's going to fail already, and my husband's so sad it's tearing me up 😞

@Evie8010 - good luck with ET, is day 3 today?

@Twiglet2353 - like others have said I've never heard anyone being signed off. I took the day of EC and after off and taking day of ET and after off just to rest & make sure I'm not getting stressed through work. But I'm just pulling a sicky. Then back work just taking it easy with my days in the office but I'm lucky I can work at home 2days a week.

@Ginandtonic31 - when is EC scheduled for? My boobs have hurt throughout this process so I wouldn't worry. If you want piece of mind about ovulation the 4-5days before EC I started doing OPKs just to rule out another thing I was worrying about.

@Meownow9 - sorry to hear there are no Frosties, but great news on ET! Did the embryologist explain the grading to you? I'll find out today if anything to transfer and if we have Frosties. Just remember you still have two lovely embryos transferred, try to keep thinking positive vibes as there is nothing to say that this time it won't work! 😘😘 x

@Ginandtonic31 everything was sensitive if I remember - it all settles down for a few days after EC and before the TWW twinges and phantom symptoms start in full force!

@Twiglet2353 I'm an A&E nurse so on my feet a lot, and came very close to OHSS in the fresh cycle and took the day of and day after of EC off as annual leave so think your consultant's just cautious maybe? My clinic has always told me to be careful and listen to my body, the embryologist cautioned me that a lot of studies are now showing that women with high stress markers in their blood do not have the same chances of pregnancy as those with lower levels. However, I felt and still feel that me being alone with my own thoughts for 2 weeks is likely far more damaging to me than anything that could happen at work!! That is however, my decision and because I've been relatively well. On the frozen cycles, I've only taken the day of transfer off and been straight back in the following day, which was great for my mental health as the whole process was much less all consuming.

@Meownow9 I think it's just hard to have the same level of optimism a few cycles in. I've been much more fatalistic this one (my 4th transfer) and as much as I'm hoping beyond hope that this one's our chance, a large part of me doesn't believe we'll get a positive test regardless of how they all say we have as much chance as anyone. Funnily enough, I was upset this time as our consultant isn't changing anything and I can't understand why - it's not worked 3 times, surely there's something wrong?! Have you had any additional testing at all?

Thank you @intrigued2018, I needed that. I think I just need to pull my silly self together!

They sort of explained the grading but I desperately needed to empty my full bladder(!) so kind of left quickly thinking I'd look it up later. But it seems to vary a bit.

As I understand it - the number is the stage of growth, first letter is inside quality and second letter is outside, right? I'm just not sure how 'good' a 4AB is, but I guess it's partly opinion/luck.

Tightly crossing my fingers that you get good news today xx

@MrsC18 I don’t get the TWW just yet! I’m PGD so anything we get is frozen then I’ve a couple of Holiday April and May and hoping there will something to go back in once back. Just at another scan appointment but don’t think anything has grown since Friday.

@Ginandtonic31 ahhh, fingers crossed you get lots of embryos in that case

@MrsC18 I totally relate to that. You end up being way more jaded than the first few goes, huh!

While our consultant changes little things (FET instead of fresh, though that was happening anyway! And then short cycle on higher stims) it just seems random - he said himself that none of these changes are better than before, 'but you never know'. So I don't feel like he's really changing much either.

I know it can be a numbers game, but I also don't want to throw money and hope at 'you never know'.

The only new test I've had since is a hysterosonography to check my womb cavity which, as he expected, was fine. They're not big on extra tests at Guy's as they feel it's generally a waste of money and none of them are necessary. But I have a list of things to ask about next time which is keeping me sane.

@Meownow9 - fingers crossed for you and your dreams coming true! If things don't work out I'd still push, before starting my consultant did a tonne of tests as I have pre-existing medical conditions to check my natural killers cells etc etc so they've put me on aspirin, steroids, intralipid infusions, Clexane injections. Whilst time will tell if it works I'd rather throw the kitchen sink at the process and know everything possible is being done. Are you NHS or private funded if you don't mind me asking? I find NHS hold back whereas private don't - although private I always wonder how much is much for money. But then it is costs an extra bit to understand my situation I'm happy to pay (maybe more fool me 😀) x

Hi everyone, my first time posting here. Today is day 5 of stim for me, my partner and I are doing ‘Shared Motherhood’ or whatever else it is labelled. Hoping she can carry my egg as she has had 2 failed ivf’s herself. I had my first follicle scan today and after a lot of searching for my ovaries she could see 7 follicles at 10mm. Hoping everything works this time as the drugs make me crazy emotional. 😆😭🥴
It’s nice to connect with others going through it all at the same time.

@intrigued2018 @Meownow9 I'm NHS and they've only advised I have blood tests to check for implantation issues and have said that I can have an endo scratch if I want but they don't advise that it works. They advised that I look at the HFEA website for the add ons to see for myself what the evidence base is for treatments. My husband asked her if she would have the endo scratch if she was in our position and she said no. I've not made my mind up, but will probably realistically consider it if this next transfer doesn't work. I've had acupuncture through each of the failed cycles, took all manner of supplements, had the mindfulness app and all to no avail yet. I truly believe it's luck and chance that makes some cycles work and others not