IVF March/April

[Hopingforbabyd]

Hi ladies
I’m hoping to find a cycle buddy or anyone who has been through IVF before. We are due to have our appointment for our plan at the end of next week and I just wanted to hear any stories/advice anyone may have as my mind is very busy with questions.
A little background from me, I’m 28 and been trying to conceive for 3 years now. Last year I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis which sadly affected both of my tubes. I’ve had them removed in November and all endo has been removed. We have been told the chances of conception are against us due to the severity of my condition but I’m holding onto hope. Are there any ladies who have similar stories who can give me a little encouragement? I’m quite nervous to start IVF but excited at the idea this could be our chance!
Thanks 😊💛 xx

@Hopingforbabyd glad af arrived for you! Now the countdown begins!

@mouse1234567 I know what you mean, it's difficult to not get my hopes up.

The annoying thing is if all is on schedule it looks like my test day will be on my birthday...

I just want to say to those just starting try not to worry. Easier said than done but I had two rounds and both COMPLETELY different. So have hope!

That’s just how I feel too @mouse1234567 I wish (hope) it does work first time but I know deep down due to the endo it can take a few cycles. Bless you, I had an endometrioma too but it has started to come back which I’m a bit nervous about. I wanted to down reg too as I told my consultant I was worried about the endo growing back- from speaking with other ladies with endo they said some stims can encourage it to grow again?... but he seemed happy to put me on short protocol with no down reg. Did your consultant put you on a down reg cycle because of your endo? Have you ever used down regging before (prostap or zoladex to halt endo growth before/after surgery) or is this your first time? I’m surprised I got put on a short protocol with no down reg I keep wondering if my consultants got the right person lol he keeps forgetting I needed my tubes removed because of the endo, I’ve had this done and he keeps talking about the risk of an ectopic and putting it in my letters 🤦🏻‍♀️ x

@DaisyMay25 are you an April baby too? If so hello from a little Aries over here! 😄 it’s strange you say your test day will be your birthday...if timings well, stims will start on my birthday 🙈 it’s very bittersweet isn’t it lol x

@hopingforbabyd. So have you had both tubes removed? That must have been difficult for you.

I have always had painful heavy period and some pain with sex -though not all the time-so always been suspicious. Got diagnosed when I started at the fertility clinics last summer.

I haven’t really been told why I’m downregging-just know I am! So are you going to be stimming in the next few days then?

I have never been on zoladex or anything. They removed the endometrioma and some in pelvis and left some near the rectum (apparently hard to remove and doesn’t cause infertilit-annoyingly still caused very painful period tho!) and that was that for treating the endo. I have heard that IVF is really good for endo so fingers crossed!

Thank you for the tip @Ginandtonic31 I’m getting quite nervous and excited, from your experience what would you advise during a cycle?

@mouse1234567 yea, sadly they had to remove both my tubes. It honestly was the toughest thing to digest. I felt embarrassed in some way that I had been so naive each month of ttc that actually those bloody tubes were stopping everything. They were hydrosalpinx so filled with toxic fluid and it’s really common with endo but taking that in was hard, I didn’t want to have them out at first as I felt like it made me less of a woman. I had them removed as the fluid could leak into my uterus and be toxic to an embryo and also they’re likely to cause ectopics, we wanted the best chance and chose to get rid. As soon as I had that op I felt so much better 😊 they caused severe abdominal pain and spotting between my cycles it just made me so sad to know the endo had ruined so much I’m just praying it hasn’t ruined the most important bit which baby needs.
I’m just watching One Born Every Minute and it’s about ladies who have struggled to conceive - always find these episodes so comforting and This Time Next Year when the couple walk through the door with their little bab x

Echoing what @Ginandtonic31 said I am about to start cycle five and there're nothing to worry about it's all totally doable and I agree that every cycle has been very different. Sadly no luck for me yet but hopefully this will be the one.

@Hopingforbabyd I'm a Taurus! My DH is an Aries though! Exciting April to us then!

Morning ladies - last day of norethisterone for me! I'm so glad, have felt so grumpy on it this time round! Fingers crossed AF shows up in 3 days like last time in time for my baseline on Tuesday. Hope you are all ok! xx

Update from the embryologist this morning;

• 16 eggs collected
• 16 mature
• 15 embryos
• 4 currently at Grade 3 and above

Transfer planned for Saturday 😬🤞

That’s a wonderful outcome @Twiglet2353, you must be over the moon at this stage!

@twiglet2353 that’s amazing!! Come on embies!! 😁😍 x

Thanks @Hopingforbabyd @WhatWouldPennyDo 🤞🍀

@Twiglet2353 fantastic numbers! Only three days to wait!

Hi all,

I'm due to start my treatment in April and this is all new to me as it's our first time so thought this might be a good thread to join. I've been reading through and it's so good to be able to see how other people are getting on.

I had blocked tubes which were removed 3 weeks ago, and I had the call yesterday from the fertility unit to go in next Thursday for our treatment plan to start IVF and they confirmed we will be on the long protocol. It's tough, as I'm so excited that things are progressing but at the same time I'm trying to manage expectations! We are having our treatment on the NHS, but they've set up a new fertility unit where I live and the wait has been very short, so we've been very lucky.

How have people found the injections? I'm apprehensive, as a friend has ICSI a few years back and she said all the drugs turned her into a living nightmare - so don't really know what expect?!

I saw some chat earlier on in the thread about time off for appointments etc, and I don't know if it's relevant to any of you, but if any of you do work for the nhs, they have an IVF policy. I'm really lucky in that my
Boss went through 3 rounds of IVF for her second child, so she's super understanding.

I hope you're all doing well, and wishing you all the luck in the world for success on your journeys xxx

Painful scan today, and not great results. 4 follies growing, but all still under 10mm on day 8. Back on Friday, as planned, but EC on Monday unlikely. Will have to monitor and hope they grow. Feeling a bit glum.

@Hopingforbabyd just reading some of your posts. My AF is due tomorrow so the clinic want me in next week for treatment plan ready to start injections on 21 day of my
Cycle - which will be the first week of April - sounds like we may be starting at approx the same time - 3 weeks away!

Hi @sl85 I'm also on long protocol for nhs, I'm doing ICSI
I'm a week into my injections and so far it's all fine, I started putting ice on the area for a few minutes before to ease the pain. Hormone wise I'm up and down (nothing new though haha)
April will be here before you know it!

@WhatWouldPennyDo I'm sorry the scan didn't go well and that it was painful, are they changing your dose?

@DaisyMay25 - already on the highest dose. Nothing else to change!

@WhatWouldPennyDo hopefully you get some better news on Friday, look after yourself today though

@DaisyMay25 ah I'm glad to hear it's going ok for you! Do you inject in leg or stomach? Itching for my appt next week just to get all the details. I bought a book about the IVF process so think I have a fairly good idea of what to expect but I still think the appt will be more informative again!

@sl85 I think it sounds like we will be going through things at the same time and it’s nice to meet someone who is in the same situation as well 😊 How are you feeling? I’m nervous and excited all at the same time, feels like it’s taken forever but we’re nearly there! I rang the clinic today to let them know AF was properly here and they’re sending a letter out for us to sign consent form at a meeting and to start treatment in 3 weeks time 😁 I’m nervous about the injections too I keep thinking about them and about being a pain to live with but I guess it’s only for a short time and then our babes will be nearly here 🤞🏼✨ x

@sl85 in the stomach, I alternate sides each day. It's all done so quickly for me, just hoping the next two/three weeks go just as quick! Let us know how you get on at your first appointment. For my scan the had to tip me backwards to find my left ovary! I ended up having to push it down, hopefully I don't have to do that every time!

Fingers crossed your next scan @WhatWouldPennyDo - next week is a long way away yet. I only had 4 follies on my fresh round (max dose menopour due to low AMH) but that resulted in 2 top grade embies. Less eggs can sometimes mean better quality xx