IVF / ICSI in April / May

[orangefolly]

Hi all, I'm starting a thread for anyone expecting to start a new IVF cycle in April or May. I've been keeping an eye out for one, but realised I could just start it myself!

I'm 37 and about to start my second stimming cycle. I've had two FETs from my last cycle, both of which sadly ended in miscarriage, so we'll be PGS testing this batch if we hopefully get some good enough to test and freeze. On higher doses this time around, so a bit worried about side effects. Found it fine last time though (except the interminable waiting).

Anyway, please come and introduce yourself if you're in a similar boat

@mumsey2be thx hun Tues 23rd, blood test at 7:30! Work is going to be a nightmare....DH wants me to test earlier as he is driving me round the bend! x

@kels290700 I'm really sorry to hear that! Time to pamper yourself and hopefully you will get that BFP soon!!! x

@Deeny83 I was planning to get myself into the garden after an early lunch but then just felt so sleepy I went to bed for 4 hours and just woke up! I really hope by the sound of your pains this is your time!! x

@LennyFitz Count yourself lucky, we tried and failed to get NHS funded treatment. Welcome to the party x

@Ginandtonic31 I know exactly how you feel but went straight in on my first round with 1 fresh Blast and I'm on anxiety overload right now! All these drugs have messed with our heads I swear.....we are resilient and strong women who just want to start a family and be a mum!

@DaisyMay25 can you describe what that cramp feeling is? Was it centrally or to one side? I felt something too but wasn't sure how to describe it.

So apart from the obvious waiting the bloating seems to be coming down. Every night hot flushes and now I've got lower back pain with intense sleepyness

@Lucindaa I had like period cramps before it comes but for about 15 minutes I had this intense sharp shooting pain on my right side, right where I think my ovary is. It could just be it settling down. I'm sorry you're having a hard time at the minute, are you managing to get much sleep?

@DaisyMay25 I had a shorter feeling on my left and was wondering if anything was going to happen it would feel like it was a bit more central.

Sleeping like a log, went to bed last night at 10:30, woke up at 5am with the daily hot flashes then and woke up at 8 feeling good! DH made me breakie, had a bit of lunch and loads of water then was out for the count!

How about you, feeling tired?

@Lucindaa it might just be your poor ovaries then. I have a feeling they'll be making all sorts of funny twinges and pains for a few more weeks yet.
That's good then, I think all the medication just exhausts our bodies out. I wonder why you keep getting hot flashes though, maybe it's just all the hormones?
I'm always wiped out, slept for 12 hours the other night! Just counting the days til test day now

@DaisyMay25 could the pessaries......

@Lucindaa that's very true! Hadn't thought about that

Hi, can I join? We’re part way through our first cycle due to unexplained secondary infertility. I had egg collection on Wednesday and they got 9 mature eggs, 8 fertilised (although one doesn’t have a shell so probably won’t go the full way). Had a call this morning to say 8 are still developing and of them 5 are looking good. Now waiting until the next call on Monday. We’re hoping to do a freeze all and then a natural cycle transfer as that’s what the embryologist recommended to give us the best odds. I found the injections bit okay but I’m finding this part waiting really hard as you know each time they ring to update you the chances are the numbers will go down and down.

Feel like my heads a bit all over the place and struggling to keep the names of everyone on this thread in order so a general fingers crossed for everyone!

Hello everyone, ooo had to do a big catch up read there - will write properly when off plane.

Had my donor embryo transferred today, sobbed and sobbed so relieved we are finally pregnant till proven otherwise for the first time in 2 years. So with this little squirt onboard our TWW begins.

Sending hearts to you @kel.
Sending positive vibes to all those waiting at the moment.
@gin - i really hear you it is very distressing the toll this take on mental and emotional health. It has really changed me as a person, no doubt. I recommend the Samaritans or some in person counselling. Just to take the edge of with someone who can understand has been very ehelpful for me. Sending love to everyone. Will say more from Italy when we arrive home.

Ah @mumsey2be, congrats on your ET and welcome to the 2ww :-)

Anyone else on crinone gel? Im finding im quite short of breath today, could be down to the warm weather though, cramps haven't happened today so its one thing for another lol!!

Hi again everyone. I just wanted to come back and apologise for wading in last week and for your kind words and advice. I feel sort of a bit better now so thought I would come back and just fill you all in on my 'journey' and try and catch up with the rest of your stories.

We are having ivf with PGD due to a genetic condition my husband has the gene for. We've never tried to conceive and we're just thrown into the ivf route so it has been strange! We've been on this journey for 5 years whilst they tried to identify the gene in his family. We had our first round of ivf in June last year which only resulted in 4 eggs (my dose probably too low and just never really got going) from that one made it to blastocyst and PGD testing. It was frozen and we waited just over 2 months for the test for our condition to be built and the embryo tested. Unfortunately the one was affected with the gene. We started round two in February this year. Completely different round and I had 27 eggs with 15 making it to day 5 and the freezer. 11 of these don't have the gene and are sitting in the freezer waiting for us.

So we've just had a Holiday, have another in May so decided not to do anything yet. Looking at starting in May with a frozen transfer but my anxiety has been sky high about it all, years every day etc. And worried we've just left it too late as my husband would be 46 when a baby is born if this round works. And I have to be honest the meds to prepare for a frozen transfer seem awfully gruelling!

I will have a read back and get to know you all.

I wish you all the luck. On the positive side. We failed all IVFs/ICSI and I found out I was pregnant a month after the last IVF - apparently naturally. We were about to give up after 7 years of trying. The day after seeing a consultant discharging us as no further funding was available, I have learned I am pregnant.

Lovely news congratulations x

@MamaTuska congratulations! This is a dream come true! Can I ask you what diagnosis you had?

Sorry, I should've mentioned that this happened a year ago and my DD is 13 months now. We both had fertility issues. My DH LSC and myself lupus anticoagulant.

@MamaTuska what a lovely story and congrats to you. What an ordeal!

@Lucindaaaa - 24 hours now!!!!! How you feeling?

@ginandtonic31Sounds like you had a nice strong start with the eggs etc. Feel free to ask any questions or for any support you might need.I've had 3 failed ICSI with donor sperm and now in 2ww with donor embryo. Dont worry about hubby age - i think kids keep us young - I hope so as my husband is 60!

@MamaTuska Congrats!! x

@mumsey2be tested this morning with Clearblue was negative. Official blood test tomorrow however I just could not wait! x

@lucindaaa I hope that turns round tomorrow. You are in my thoughts either way x

Thanks for the encouragement @mumsey2be. I'm feeling much better about it all today. How old are you if you don't mind me asking?

I'm just dreading the drugs for transfer and I start them the day after getting back from America so jet lag too!

Hi all,
Just thought I’d jump onto the thread me and my partner are going to be going through Isci soon! I think I start the needles on the third day of my period which will be around may 6th but who knows as my periods are all over as I’m not ovulating and my parter has low sperm we see the nurse this thursday to show me the needles how to inject myself etc I’m nervous as this is our first time going through all this!

@lucindaa so sorry to hear that, hopefully the blood test tomorrow will say something different! Xx

@JLW14 welcome!! You'll be fine, injections aren't as bad as you think, and once you've done the first one yourself it will be no bother to you!

@mamtuska what a story, glad you got a positive outcome after everything

@JLW14 welcome! I found injections quite painless, the first couple were quite scary. I prefer stabbing myself and let my DH cook the mix:) good luck!

@ginandtonic31 I am 40.5 now, been trying to conceive since 37 years old - who knew that was too late and at the point my eggs would be rubbish along with the hubbies non existent spermies!

@mumsey2be that's the thing isn't it, you enjoy life then wham it's too late. I feel like life was great then by the time we got through 5 years of waiting for IVF we had left it too late and I've panicked about his age. It's good to talk to people who are in a relationship with an age gap too as too many people have been vocal to me recently about my husband being 14 years older and having a baby!

@JLW14 I found the actual injections a breeze! I became a pro! I was only affected by everything mentally and then tortured myself that we had left it too late. I'm still recovering from the mental side of it but most people don't get any of that!

@mumsey2be Congratulations on the ET, sending u the best of luck.

@Lucindaa Sorry to hear your news, sending u big hugs and hoping it turns around tomorrow. 🤞

Welcome to all the newbies. Good luck with everything. 👍

Nervous for egg collection Wed. Having sedation. Do u recommend heavy or light sedation. Don't want to suffer, but don't want to be drugged too much if not necessary. Not too many follicles, so shouldn't take too long??

@MicroVic How r u getting on? U still having your EC Wed?

@Ginandtonic31 Try not to worry about the age thing. My dad was 58 when I was born, my mum was 40 On the other hand, I'm early 30s and still can't conceive