July/August IVF/ICSI/FET

[TinyPaws]

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd start a thread for those of us undergoing fertility treatment in July/August.

I'm (hopefully) having a FET late July/early August, anyone else want to hop on this thread for the ride?

Phew, got my day 6 update today. We ended up with 6 blastocysts total suitable for testing and freezing, which is more than expected! Really hoping now we've got some genetically normal ones in the bunch. Test results not back for two weeks now so we can relax for a bit.

Transfer done! I got three in the end, so one inside and two for the freezer. There’s one more that may make a late comeback, but they aren’t that hopeful. Still, two in the freezer is a huge, huge relief.

Now the 2WW begins! I know it’s gonna be difficult, but weirdly right now I just feel a bit excited. Like... I HAVE AN EMBRYO IN ME!!! Such a weird feeling.

I popped in on page 1 and now just trying to catch up.

Had FET on 1st August and also on the dreaded 2WW.

Good luck everybody with whichever stage of this journey you are at ❤️

Sorry if I’ve missed this, just wondering if anyone was/is taking antidepressants? I’m currently cold turkeying 100mg of Sertraline and feeling on another planet at times. Anyone doing this/have experience? Any tips for staying positive?

@Caityprice oh fantastic, good luck! I am almost a week into my TWW now and just trying to stop myself from testing every day. I held out and only tested on day 14 on my fresh cycle 3-4 years ago but that was because I had a trigger shot back then and thought there's no point testing as it might give false positive. But now I haven't had one so I guess any hCG prob means bfp? Aaargh it's so hard - and I am on holiday now so have lots of things around the distract me, but still...
One moment I am thinking it's worked, the next I am convinced it has not.

@Celledora So sorry, no tips regarding antidepressants I am afraid, but wanted to say well done for cold turkey and good luck on your TWW! It's tough and what you are doing is amazing. Try and take it easy, binge watch some comedies. and I hope someone comes along with more advice for you...

@orangefolly - 6 is great! Everything crossed for testing.
@sometimesalways - testing is the worst! Even though I always said to my husband (pre-IVF) “I won’t get upset if it’s negative” when I tested early, I then would cry every time! Glad you’re on holiday, but it’s a killer.

@Celledora - sorry. Not had that experience. Are you into yoga at all? The only thing I could recommend is some specific meditations (I’m a certified kundalini yoga teacher), but it may or may not be your thing :)

@celladorra I’m on 50mg of sertralin and don’t plan on coming off of it. My depressions is hormone related and actually cleared up when I was pregnant with my son. However, after he was born I really struggled so I’m just going to stay on a low dose. Have you been advised to come off?

I’m suffering with the worst fatigue today. I’m really hoping this will shift after my EC tomorrow. My hands are shaking I’m so tired. No chance of resting though as it’s my sons birthday today.

Well done @caityprice. Exciting times! 🤞🤞🤞

@Caityprice congratulations that's great news

@orangefolly good news on the embryos and @Peanut1980 that's great too. Best of luck for the trigger shot

@Celledora sorry no experience but definitely speak to the clinic for their advice and don't forget to put yourself first. This whole thing is tough enough as it is without a change in meds

@sometimesalways I didn't know that it was a thing with an early positive and the trigger shot? How long does that take to leave your system? My OTD is Monday 13th, but I brought the early detection tests and was going to test early, perhaps on Saturday morning, namely so that I can have a bit of time to get over a bad result before I go to work on Monday morning, but obviously a false positive would be the horrid

Thanks @sometimesalways, @Caityprice and @Peanut1980

I've been on 25, 50 then 100mg since giving up breastfeeding at 9 months in (DS, also via IVF) so been on them for 3 years.

Have tried to reduce, cold water swimming and yoga but to be fair, not with any gusto and I have been pretty terrified of relapsing into the depression I had so was content to stay on medication.

I have only just decided to stop after reading about some increased risks of heart defects (0.3% I think, though I realise this presents a very very low risk)- I know my decision making might be a bit impaired by the 'anything to make this pregnancy work' fog! I will get an appointment ASAP to discuss.

I'm really interested to hear that your depression is hormone related, @Peanut. This relates to my own experience but I've never had a GP who is interested in discussing the possibility. How was this evidenced?

@Caityprice, your recommendations would be gratefully received! (Am a definite but enthusiastic beginner!) I'm looking for pregnancy yoga classes but trying not to tempt fate by planning too far ahead!

@celledora - maybe take a look at this video and see how you find it?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=UH7ATSiP2y4

If it doesn’t feel right for you, let me know what you don’t like and I’ll try to suggest something else :)

@confused107 I was told quite emphatically by my consultant during my fresh cycle not to test early as it might not be accurate. They didn't specify why. I (of course!) immediately googled and read that if you test early after trigger injection (which contains hCG) the test might pick up the trigger injection dose rather than a genuine increase in hCG from pregnancy. I found most of this online though so it could be wrong. It did scare me off testing early during my fresh cycle though as I thought a false positive would be a very bad experience... but I am not sure if this counts for FET with no trigger

@confused107 oh and no idea how long it stays in your system.. I think it might depend on how big a dose it was. Sorry! I am no help there

@confused107 I believe it takes 7 to 10 days for the trigger to get out your system. I tested early work my last pregnancy. Got a BFP but then spent the rest of the time worrying whether it was actually from the trigger. If you’re going to test early you’re best testing daily from trigger until you test out the trigger hormones.

Thanks @Peanut1980

This morning I have some light spotting and a headache that I normally get just before AF arrives. Official test day isn't until Monday 13th, but the signs don't look good for me

Hang in there @confused107, I've got everything crossed for you.

Could be implantation bleeding @confused107? I had that a week into my tww last time x

@Peanut1980 I suppose it's not impossible. TMI but it's not like a period yet, just dark pink and a bit brown mucus when I wipe. The aftercare sheet from the clinic said that bleeding could be expected anytime between day 5-14 and just to keep tacking the pessaries and to test as normal. It's the familiar headache that is bothering me

It's just been a shitty week with my mom in hospital and a other family things. I'm feeling more glass half empty about the whole thing Trying to keep my chin up x

Oh I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a tough week @confused107. Don’t lose hope! Are you working? If not, can you go to bed and watch a film that makes you laugh/feel good? Sending some positive vibes your way xxx

I’m at the clinic rocking my gown. Due for egg collection at 09:30. Gagging for a cup of tea right now!

Yes at work, better than being at home overthinking!

Best of luck today @Peanut1980 I hope it goes really well for you. Make sure you get a good rest when you get home

Good luck @Peanut1980 hope they get some good eggs 🥚

@Confused107 sorry love that must be so worrying. But could be implantation bleeding 🤞 Headache could just be the progesterone too.

15 eggs collected this morning. Just hope there’s a couple of good quality ones in there 🤞🤞🤞 Im going back home to bed now x

@confused107 - I was thinking the same as @orangefolly - your headache could be the hormones? Eg. They go up before your period and obviously also if you are pregnant. Keep hoping until your test fingers crossed

@peanut1980 15 is amazing! That’s 6 more than me, and I made it to one fresh and two frozen. So here’s hoping you have some tip top quality ones in the batch.

Meanwhile I’m going mad googling foods I should and shouldn’t eat if I am (potentially sort of) pregnant. Like my tea cupboard just had a clear out because I drink loads of herbal tea and turns out half of them are a no! Then I had some celery and peanut butter as a snack, and my husband was like “isn’t celery bad if you’re pregnant?!” Turns out it’s a diuretic, so it’s fine but you have to drink more water. Yes. More water. Says the person who is drinking 3 litres a day.

I miss the simple days where all I had to do was inject myself.

Heavy period, came home from work and currently eating a massive bar of chocolate in bed. Hoping for the best for everyone here, and to be back trying again sometime soon x

@Celledora I'm so sorry. Glad you were able to go home. Be kind to yourself today. Take care

@orangefolly and @Caityprice, it isn't getting any worse yet so here's hoping you are right. I have no idea what my body is doing, and it's hard knowing that there is nothing I can do now to influence the outcome. The food thing is so confusing. I'm just trying to eat healthy, though all I want is wine and chocolate to be honest!

@Peanut1980 15 is bloody amazing. Well done. Enjoy your rest you deserve it

@Celledora - I am so, so sad for you. Good luck for whatever is next, and I hope you have someone to look after you today.

@confused107 - everything crossed! I know what you mean about the wine and chocolate. I’m consoling myself with hot water with fresh lemon and ginger - not quite the kick I want right now!