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

Welcome @Marmite83 and @Tipi10. So sorry to hear what you have both been through. Best of luck with everything. I am also a newbie to IVF. Finding it really helps to share the experience and hear how everyone is getting on. xx

@Deeny83 that's a great result. Will keep my fingers crossed for you for tomorrow. 🤞

@DaisyMay25 Good luck with your egg collection tomorrow. xx

Thanks for the welcome, I'm not quite caught up with where everyone is at, it's like learning a new language 😂. Everyone seems so positive, I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for you all. Good luck for tomorrow @Daisymay25 hope everything goes well xx

So had my egg retrieval today.

6 eggs in total, only 3 Mature! Feeling really down about it considering what we all have to go through!!

Anyway I will update tomorrow as clinic will tell us in the morning regarding their status.

Lu x

I know it's disappointing but try not to be too despondent, @Lucindaa. On our last cycle we had 6 eggs, 4 mature, 3 fertilised normally and all three got to blast. Some women with lots of eggs end up with the same or lower number at day 5. Keep the faith and rooting for your three! Xx

Hello everyone, please can I join?

Bit of history - my husband has azoospermia so we always needed a donor. Two years ago we had our first IUI and got pregnant first go. Then missed miscarriage at 10 weeks. Since then we have done:
3 more IUI
3 IVF with ICSI - each time i got just two or three eggs and each time they didnt fertilise so no transfer at all.
We have also done informal donation - catching a wide variety of jazz in a cup and my husband having to suck it up with a syringe - so SEXY!!!!

Now we are on our way to an FET for a donor embryo in the Czech Republic. I've been put on lots of meds- no injectables this time but i cannot stop crying, it's awful. I am so frightened. And now my sister in law who has two teen kids has just announced she is pregnant too. I have watched 18 friends have their first child. I am 40 now and so scared this won't work out. It has put a terrible strain on my marriage and friendships. Can we all hold hands and have a big squeeze? My FET is 20th April in Prague.

Thanks for all the well wishes, 22 eggs collected! No idea how many mature, now gotta be monitor for OHSS but hopefully ET on Monday

Big hug @mumsey2b, best of luck with this round!!

@daisymay25 well done you!! Fingers crossed you won't have ohss xx

@daisymay25 that's a great number, so rest up now.
@lucindaa how are you today - any news?

@deeny83 thanks love.

Horrid day for us! We had our second scan and the nurse thinks we'll get 4 eggs. It gets worse every cycle. Did a big cry in the meeting and they're getting me back tomorrow for a re-scan. I think this is more because of my emotional breakdown as opposed to needing to.

No matter any reassurances IVF Jody leaves you feeling burned.

Wishing everyone a positive day x x

@DaisyMay25 that's great news, hope you feel ok after it all and maybe a bit more empty?

@FingersXssd83 sorry you've had a rough day, hopefully they can still get some good eggs.

@mumsey2be I'm doing a FET also. I'm only on Buserelin so far and waiting for AF before the baseline scan and then oestrogen patches. Good luck. I'm sorry you've had so many people in your life get pregnant, it's so unfair.

I had a pregnant work colleague today stood next to my desk, I was sitting down, she lifted up her jumper to us her bump (practically in my face), then went on and on about how she misses getting drunk, but it's ok because she can still one! I've hardly had a bloody drink in 2 years, I take a millions of vitamins a day, I eat well, and still nothing FFS! Sorry rant over.

@LillyLeaf I'm obviously still a little tender but far less bloated! Just gotta wait for tomorrow's phone call to tell me how many have fertilised.

She showed you her bump? I find that a little weird tbh!! Hopefully your AF shows her face on time so you can keep the call rolling

@lilyLeaf it is so hard to hold it together - because you know they are experiencing something huge and life changing and you should be happy and join in the fun but you feel like someone has just punched you in the stomach and stabbed you in the eye! I feel you! I have even been scolded by pregnant friends for not being sympathetic enough to their challenges! Look we both have challenges, this isn't a bloody pain-off!
@fingers wanted to say my heart goes out for you - i know the big boo hoos -i only ever got 2 or 3 eggs and not a single one fertilised properly through ICSI. you do just need one good one though. You are a long way from done xx

This is also the same work colleague that announced her Pg in a work meeting in a meeting room a week after my miscarriage (she obviously didn't know) but I was trapped in this room sat opposite her trying not to breakdown. It's not her fault but I know I would never do that, you never know what other people are going through. But I think unless you have experienced what we have it would never cross someone's mind.

Sorry everyone I might sound weird, but I have never felt bad when people announced their pregnancies, I honestly feel happy and feel it's a sign that my turn is next. Is it unfair? I know ladies my age who struggle with cancer and cannot even think about becoming parents yet. We all deal with unfairness in our lives. Back 60 years ago our situation would be a game over. Now we've got medical sciences to give us a chance and we should be grateful for it. I do understand that we are allowed to feel bad and sorry for ourselves, obviously. However when I started my infertility journey I didn't know how I am supposed to feel about things.. my point is that it's also fine to be happy for other people. I believe our subconscious then accounted pregnancy with positive thoughts not with negative which might help us feeling calmer when we need to. I know it's safe space to wind out our feelings. Not sure what I'm trying to say here. Don't hate me for it. I was in a realm of being sensitive about the whole IVF thing but finally realized I'm actually not and being happy for others helped me overcome IVF blues.

@Lucindaa and @FingersXssd83 You only need the one healthy one to work and you will get your BFP. Keep positive, u both have every chance of it working this cycle. Rooting 4 u both. xx

@mumsey2b Good luck, I really hope this is the cycle for u, u have been through so much already. Life can be so cruel. I found out last year that my husband has a chronic disease and then while he was in hospital, I got pains and had an early scan to find out my pregnancy was ectopic. Since then, I have found out my tubes r blocked and hence ivf. My husband is fine, but lots of hospital appointments and monitoring. A girl at work had her baby a month after mine would have been due and has been in the office about 4 times passing the baby round. She knew about the ectopic pg. Astounds me how insensitive and self involved some people can b. I just try to stay positive and hope that everything will work out ok. We have worked hard all through our 20s to plan for a family and get a lovely family home, so then to deal with the unexpected feels so unfair when most people don't plan and life is just a walk in the park.

@DaisyMay25 OMG. No wonder u were so uncomfortable...that is a lot of eggs! 😊 Hopefully no OHSS. Enjiy lots of R&R. x

@Viletta I agree with you, im really trying to feel positive about all pregnancy and although it hurts when people get pregnant with out even trying im just trying to be open about my ivf and happy for pregnant people and people who want to moan about the kid. Even though id give anything just to have a kid to moan about its not there fault im struggling.
I know everyone copes differently and hope you are doing ok. I respect everyone with infertility just holding your shit together day I know day life can feel like a struggle so good luck to everyone x

I totally get you all. One of my good friends is in labour as we speak and our watsap group is pinging away with bets of weight, time etc. My sister also gave birth on Thursday, she was 9 weeks pregnant when we had our most recent ectopic. Little one is gorgeous, but she hasn't shut up about how awful it was being pregnant and how she's glad it's over. Not going to lie I had a little cry on the way to visit her in hospital, but would never say anything as I want them both to enjoy their new babies. Xx

@Viletta I agree with everything u have said.Friends and family have worried about announcing pregnancies to me, but i am always pleased for everyone. I only struggle when j find that people know your situation and r not sensitive to that. I think going through infertility can actually make u treasure what a gift pregnancy is and so appreciate how special it is for people experiencing that.

Also agree that being positive for other people can only help your own frame of mind. I have periods when j feel sorry for myself, but only briefly and I manage to snap out of it quickly.

This forum is a great help as it makes u realise that u r not the only one going through it.

Hi everyone - I'll join you, if that's okay? I see some familiar 'faces' 😁

I had an embryo transferred today so I'm now in the dreaded 2WW. I say 'dreaded' but actually I feel very lucky to have had a transfer at all - it's been a scary few days, I didn't think we'd end up with an embryo.

This is our 4th donor egg cycle and the stakes feel very high. OTD is 23rd April but there's no way on earth I'll hold out that long; I'll probably do a FRER 5dp5dt which will be Monday 15th.

Good luck everyone - looking forward to sharing experiences and support.

Hi @RedPandaFluff glad you got your transfer in the end. So pleased for you!! That's a long wait to test! I'm due for transfer on Monday and blood test on 25th to see if it's worked. Fx for you! How was the transfer?

Hi @DaisyMay25 - I was euphoric during transfer purely because I was so happy to be getting a chance! I'm mildly crampy now but it's not even as bad as a period pain. Is this your first ET?

@FingersXssd83 how are you? It's so stressful, not having as many eggs as you'd hoped. Here's hoping they're 4 good ones, right? 💐

@RedPandaFluff I saw your other thread, so pleased you got to transfer, fingers crossed for you.

@FingersXssd83 / @mumsey2be Thank you, just catching up with my replies as about to post an update on Day 1 progress! Really bloated and constipated :-(

@DaisyMay25 I'm really pleased for you and I hope tomorrow you get some good news!! Big number and sending my best to you x

@FingersXssd83 Sending you virtual hugs x

@Todey84 Exactly!! I have trawled these forums and time and again there are so many inspirational stories.

Day 1 - Update

All 3 of my mature eggs have fertilised
2/3 non-mature eggs have fertilised

So ET Friday or Sunday!!

So to all you girls out there keep positive, we have been trying to a kid for 14 years and on our 1st round of IVF.

Lu x