IVF/ICSI May/June

[Cauliflower82]

Hi everyone

I’m creating a new thread with the hope of finding people with similar dates to me. I am due to start medication on May 13th with the hope egg collection will be June 19th. I’m 34, female factor fertility.

Anyone else out there with similar dates?

@KittyKatSmile 😂 I feel like that with Love Island. I know they're all actually dicks but to look I'm like oooo and then realise they are 20/21 and I'm 32 😂

How much do they tell you about the donor?

@Ginandtonic31 strangely it varies between donors. Whoever wrote the spiel about this guy was totally in lust with him; I imagine some 50 year old woman in a brown cardigan dribbling over him! But you get the basics such as hair colour, eye colour, ethnicity etc which I used to choose someone who looks as much like me as possible (narcissist, me?!). In the US you get photos of them which I am not at all cool with (refer fact they are probably all under 25!)

@Zest11 Happy 2nd Stim day! Keep positive about the AMH xx I too have a low AMH and have not responded particularly well however it only takes 1!! Had better news at my scan today, I now have 3 follicles YAY!! Also one more in the background that is 14mm...hopefully it will grow to 18mm by Monday. On stims for 2 more days and have my HCG trigger tomorrow night with my egg collection planned for Monday at 9.30am eeekkk!!

@Spongebob79 I'm really sorry to hear about your journey, I think you are a very brave lady and an inspiration xx

@Helene2019 I hope you are feeling a bit better today on the stims, I found that day 2-4 were the hardest as the bloating was insane!! It does settle down, just make sure to drink plenty of water and get as much protein and salt in you as possible...and chocolate - -that helps a LOT!

@Welshpugmomma I hope you have a fantastic time at Spice Girls tonight :-) and the injection in the car wasn't too bad! Yes the things we do!! I have done them all sorts of places over the last 9 days!

@KittyKatSmile good luck for your egg transfer. Sending lots of positive vibes to your blasto's!

@Cauliflower82 sorry to hear the first stim didn't go well, they do get easier when you get used to all the faff! I hope today/tonight goes better for you :-)

Quick question to the ladies that have done this before, have any of you experienced weird reactions to the stims? Mine created two pouches of fluid either side of my belly and the left side has gone all the way round to my bum and down my leg!? Also what were the pesseries like? The nurse told me today that they have to you into your bum....I was like excuse me!?

@BellaD85 welcome to the 'front or back door' debate! I personally much prefer back as the front is very messy and gross and ruins your underwear. You are also supposed to lie down for 30mns after putting them in that way. Which is fine for nighttime ones, slightly tricky for a 10am insertion

Once you get over the weirdness of sticking things up your bum, it really is fine! And I find it strangely satisfying. I'll deny saying this if anyone ever claims I did.

@KittyKatSmile tee-hee that made me laugh :-) I now have visions of me trying to do the 10am insertion in the first aid room at work and then walking around like John Wayne! I initially opted for the injections but they are a bit reluctant because of the reaction I've had to the stims. My OH thinks there's more "value for money" in the pesseries so I said if we go for them he needs to stick things up his bum 3 times a day then....he's really come round to the injections!! Thanks for the advice on the "front and back", I have to use them on Monday so i'll give it a go and see if I can be converted! I'll also report back on the satisfying thing! Did your clinic tell you that if you get a BFP then you have to insert then for another 8 weeks?

@KittyKatSmile I find America a bit odd with stuff like this. I'm on a PGD group as we are having ivf so we don't carry a gene on. In this country it isn't allowed for gender selection which I agree with. However in America they tell them the gender when they have the embryo tested! I've read so many debates about all our good embryos are boys and one is a girl, we really want a girl, should we have another egg collection to make sure we have more girls? Wtf?! So wrong.

@BellaD85 my nurse has recommended up the back. I'm dreading it really tbh!

@Ginandtonic31 me too! I forgot to ask her how big they are...I assume they are small!? They must be if you have to put 2 in there in one go! Did they tell you what they are like? We can be "back buddies" ....not sure many people will have that claim to fame tee-hee!

@KittyKatSmile are you up to anything nice over the weekend before et? I’m glad your embryos are growing nicely :)

@mouse1234567 totally agree - teaching is stressful. I’ve asked for a few days off if we’re lucky enough to get to ec. I’m hoping we will but don’t want to take a good amh level for granted. I’m not sure how reliable they are.

@zest11 great advice and you’re absolutely right. I’m secondary too but for some reason the workload is still very high. Are you feeling bloated at all? I now have two bruises 😂 I was doing so well with injections but I appear to have lost my spark. I have no more space left on my belly! My husband sorts out the needles too - it’s his contribution. It’s not enough 😆.

Welcome @BellaD85 have faith that the follicle will grow over the weekend. My bloating was due to mild OHSS after egg retrieval. Bloating has reduced by 1 inch on my belly so is slowly going down. I still have a bit of pain though and just incredibly tired. Bloods were ok again today (I'm 2dp5dt).

Re the pessaries I alternate back in the morning and front at night just before going to bed so it stays in long enough to dissolve. I also wear pantyliners to prevent mess from going everywhere - I often wonder if the whole dose is actually being dissolved by me or not!

This is my first round of IVF and I was just wondering if there's any symptoms to look out for that indicate it hasn't been successful?

@BellaD85 hi :) I’ve just been reading your comments about stimming. My second day and I am so bloated! Relieved to see it’s normal, although still horrid. Good news about the extra follicle. Please let me know what the trigger shot is like - it terrifies me. Everything terrifies me.

@Ginandtonic31 completely agree with the gender selection comments - like wtf!

Hello all, I’ve been following this thread but not sure what to post, as everyone seems so much further along their journey than I am. I had my planning appointment this morning and due to start a short protocol with menopur injections next week.

I have a quick question if it’s ok to ask - for those who have had EC recently, what time have you needed to be in clinic for? Having a panic about how to make it work with childcare (I’ve got 2 children from a previous relationship) and work (I work for the NHS and my manager isn’t being great about the lack of notice for appointments and procedures 🙄)

@Helene2019 Thank you :-) I was so deflated on Wednesday when I found out that I only had 2...sounds totally bat sh*t crazy but I talked to my belly all day Thursday and this morning willing the rest on! I'm hopeful that the little 14mm will make it! Sorry to hear about your OHSS I hope you are starting to feel better now, take it easy.

Did you find out the day after about your eggs and the date for transfer? I'm not very good with the abbreviations yet...does that mean you are Day 5 Blasto transfer? Please keep me updated on how you get on, will be wishing and hoping for you!

Thanks for the tip on the pessaries!

I feel a bit I the dark about the rest of the process as my clinic are just telling us about the stages that are happening at the time, it's also my first go. I hop you get your answers though, try not to worry too much.

@Cauliflower82 Hello :-) I hope you manage to get comfortable with your bloating, it's tough in the first few days but does get easier. I settled a bit by day 6. I had a reaction to the Menopur so ended up with pockets of fluid either side of my belly and the right has gone round onto my bum and down my leg....very rare though apparently - I think i'm just a bit of a weirdo!

I had a practice of the trigger at the clinic today and it seems pretty easy - the needle is the same size as the Fyremadel - have you got those yet? You will be fine I promise! Are you doing your own injections?

Hello @AliciaWhiskers welcome! I only joined yesterday :-) Wishing you luck with the start of your cycle! I haven't had EC yet but it's planned for Monday at 9.30am so I have to be there at 8.30am. The procedure takes 10 minutes and they check you for about an hour after you come out. You can't be on your own or drive for 24 hours after - I hope that helps :-)

@BellaD85 I've got the pessaries at home so will look when I get in and take a photo! I would say non-applicator tampon size. But up my back freaks me.

Hm. I'm now looking at the pessaries, my finger and thinking about tampons... I would say they are about the size of a fingertip but maybe slimmer  They are fine, honestly. Front is easier but the mess is bleurgh. Back is weirder but seem to just get swallowed up (that is disgusting tmi, hope I'm not catching anyone mid eating )

@Cauliflower82. Trigger is fine lovely, especially for our injection queen. It sounds big and scary but it's no different to any of the others really. Going to a fair with friend and her 2 year old son (who I babysat last weekend) and will probably have a final glass of wine and maybe some sushi before Monday

@AliciaWhiskers Welcome. Regarding EC, it will depend really as they space people out throughout the morning (it has to be morning as you need to take the trigger exactly 36 hours before your EC). I don't see why you couldn't ask to be later, I'd imagine 11am is probably the latest most places do.

I went in at 9:30am for a 10am procedure. Went in a little after that, would say 10:15am. First thing I asked when I came round was 'what time is it?' and it was 11:05am (I don't think it took that long, I was just having a lovely sleep. Honestly it's the best sleep ever.) I was ready to leave by midday.

@Ginandtonic31 Agree. That stuff is just wrong and I completely disagree with it.

@Helene2019 I think with all the drugs we are on, it's very difficult to see any signs of it going either way. I think it's probably just a waiting game. Sigh.

I've just looked and actually they are smaller than a tampon. I will attach a pic.

A lot of people probably don't agree with what we are doing but at least we are stopping a child from having a disease and ending it in the family line. Choosing gender is a bit odd and Americans go mad for it. If I was given a choice I wouldn't have a clue what sex to put back in adding to the stress!

@Cauliflower82 I think Menopur was the most complicated injection for me. It required so much coordination to mix the powders etc. I managed to smash a liquid vial trying to break the top off with the special cutter thing. My trigger one was pre filled and was just like an insulin pen. It was the easiest of the lot to do and the needle was the thinnest so didn't even feel it go in.

@BellaD85 I started symptoms of OHSS just after egg collection, though just assumed tummy pain and bloating were normal for the procedure as it was my first time. By day 2 post EC everything was getting worse (stomach expanded overnight by 3 inches, felt heavy and very painful, I couldn't physically fit into any trousers I owned and most tops and I had constant upset stomach and nausea) so went into clinic and they examined me and took bloods and said it was mild ohss. I also had a high temperature and really low blood pressure. I think if in doubt ring the clinic, better they examine you and you know it is safe for ET. Also re your smaller follicle, my clinic extracted from follicles >15mm - so I think it will get there!

@Ginandtonic31 re the US gender option - I wouldn't care what gender my embryo was, I would ask the embryologist to make a judgement on the single best embryo (anything to increase the probability!). Re: the pessaries, they are a lot easier than the injecting, they are quite small (smaller than little finger) and are shaped to go in easier. I think a man must have designed them - a woman would have designed a disposible applicator to facilitate getting them in....

@BellaD85 2pd5dt - so many IVF acronyms I had to Google some of them. It's 2 days post 5 day (blastocyst) transfer.

I also think I'm going to try and have the willpower not to test early.

@mouse1234567 and @Spongebob79 I am so sorry and have no words but sending lots of love.

@AliciaWhiskers I'm not sure what the latest time is. This time I'm at 8 and last time I think I was 10 or 10:30.

@Cauliflower82 sorry you are having trouble with the menopur. I have the pre-filled injections which are much easier. Did your clinic give you the plastic covers? I have one as a top up last time and I was to afraid to snap the bottle but the clinic had plastic covers you put over the bottle and made it a lot easier and no fear of cutting myself.

@BellaD85 We are cycle buddies! I'm egg collection on Monday too.

I had my last scan yesterday and all ready earlier than planned. I have my trigger this evening and then collection 8am on Monday. Feeling a bit nervous now after last time but I know there are a lot more big follicles this time - I can definitely feel them. Given they will be growing until Monday and grow faster in the last few days I think I'll be glad to be harvested.

I’ve been doing pessaries for 3 days now in the front and honestly they are fine. The first one is a bit gross but if you kind of go down into a squat it’s much easier! We are having FET on Tuesday morning. Hoping they survive the thaw 🤞🏻

I almost don't want to post this as I know some of you are having a really hard time but it's good to hear positive stories too (I hope!) official test date today and I am pregnant. In absolute shock! Seriously didn't think we stood a chance with only 4eggs, 1fertilising and 2day transfer. Obviously it's early days but seriously, if we can get a positive anyone can! At the time when people were saying it only takes 1 I genuinely wanted to punch them, but that is now my mantra!!! I just don't know how I'll ever sleep again! Hopefully it's a sticky bean. Love to you all xxx

@KittyKatSmile and @Ginandtonic31 thank you for the info on the pessaries! Feel a bit more at ease about them now! @Becsharry thanks for the tip on the squat and i'm routing for your thaw.

@Ginandtonic31 I hope the transfer goes well, make sue you rest up and do lot's of positive things! I also agree the American gender thing is just a tad too far! I'm sure many of us are just happy to get a baby never mind what sex it is!

@Helene2019 be kind to yourself and relax lots! I hope your OHSS eases up. I'm not at risk due to low volume ovaries, I wish they had told me sooner as I drowned myself in water and ate so much salt and I hate the stuff! Thanks for the acronyms too :-) I know it will be hard but try not to test early. I have a test in my hand bag and have decided that I will save it for when I finally get a BFP and keep it as a momento.

@CornishMaid1Hi there EC buddy :-) Good luck for Monday!! Do let me know how you get on! I hope your bloating also eases! I feel a tad less full today which is good, I can actually bend down which is the first time in days! 100% share the same feeling of ready to be harvester...good luck to both our follicles! I hope the trigger goes well tonight....i'm a bit daunted by having to do 3 injections tonight as I've run out of space now.

@Weenumpty AMAZING NEWS! And of course you should post! This is the sort of news that gets us through. I am so, so happy for you. Praying for a sticky bean indeed. Big kitty Kat love xx

@Weenumpty CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! That's fantastic news :-) It's always so nice to hear a success story!! Good luck to you x

@CornishMaid1 thank you. I just took a blood test -urine tests now saying positive again so need a conclusive answer. Will find out later this aft -in town trying to shop and do pretty much anything to distract myself while I wait. It’s horrible! Best of luck for Monday -hope you can have a nice relaxing day today and tomorrow.

@Becsharry best of luck for your FET

@Weenumpty that’s fabulous news! And like you say really good for people to hear it only takes one. Enjoy your day. And well done for waiting for OTD! I admire you!!

@Ginandtonic31 I know what you mean -choosing sex seems so strange to us here doesn’t it. A healthy baby is all we want. I have heard rumours of some rich people doing IVf when they don’t need to just to choose gender of child?!