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?

Thanks both. Trying to figure out what he meant by the killer cell reading of 62%. Dr google isn't helping so might ask when they call with the results of my AMH re-test, which might also influence our decision

@Marmite83 that's interesting. I will bear this in mind. I completely understand your reasons for not using them. This is our last go with the last of our money. While I'm not convinced the result will be that different at any clinic, I feel we need to be 100% confident in our choice so that we have no regrets

Yep @Anaesthetist83 I'm at nurture in burton/Nottingham. I have nowhere to compare it to as only had one go but I think they have been very kind and open which is important to me

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/scientific-impact-papers/sip_53.pdf

This is the best info I can find. Sorry, it’s pretty heavy going but the interpretations and summaries are useful.

In summary, there really isn’t much conclusive evidence in terms of the importance of NK cells or evidence in support of IVIG or steroids.

How were your NK cells measured? Blood or endometrial biopsy? Looks like the 2 don’t necessarily correlate. Also looks like the levels fluctuate throughout the cycle, so I don’t know the relevance of a single measurement.

Thanks @Anaesthetist83 its really helpful. I will have a good read tonight with a cup of (decaf) tea! The sample was taken during an endo scratch, but as with anything fertility wise it's all a bit inconclusive 🤷‍♀️

@confused107 glad to hear you felt your consultation was helpful. if it's your last financial go maybe consider changing clinic

I agree with @Marmite83 comment about create. they had mass open days to get as many ladies into their system as possible. when i attended i asked a couple of question politely and i was open and friendly when i said i had low AMH and that i did IVF before they kind of snubbed me off. I also asked about which consultant i'll be seeing if i booked an appointment they said you only see registrars ( i’m sure they r good) but basically i'm paying to see the specialist not to train the SPR ( again with all respect) anyway they then emailed back and said no consultants ... they were keen on the young ladies for 1st cycle. if you are a little more complex i would not recommend them but i appreciate they are slightly cheaper for that reason.

@confused i have low AMH and had failed cycles. so i had a short protocol so less drugs and more focus on nurturing the eggs to improve their quality ( quality not quantity). i don't know where you are based? i only know about the london area.

Sorry @confused107 I mentioned it in the other thread but missed this one. I had a confirmed BFN yesterday. "Funny" enough I had a massive congratulations flower bouquet delivered this morning from my brother. I guess I don't need to tell you how deeply painful it was to get that.

Good luck to everyone in your journeys. I really hope that there's only BFP's coming your way.

@Onisa7 that must have been really hard, what was your brother thinking?! Hope you're being kind to yourself

@facevalue thank you I'm in the midlands. Your BFP gives me hope

@Marmite83 thank you

@Onisa7 so so sorry. I wish I knew what to say to make it better. Be kind to yourself

@confused107 it sounds like your meeting went well. I think it is always positive when they feel there are things they could still try and improve. If any helpful, I have decided to go through natural cycle next time - but my previous cycles were medicated so I don't really have experience to compare. I just went for it thinking that result levels seem to be similar and I really hated the drugs too. So let's see what happens. My clinic does a tweaked natural anyway - they still give progesterone in the luteal phase and blood thinners to improve implantation chances. But you just don't have to do the down reg or any oestrogen I believe.

I am in London - where are you?

Bad news for us today, the heartbeat has gone. I'm booked for surgery on Monday. Feel so numb.

Waiting for the clinic to call back to find out the procedure for an FET. I'm guessing they'll want us to wait until I've had a period following the miscarriage, does anyone know?

Oh @Marmite83 I’m so sorry. I think they will want a normal period before starting. Look after yourself.

@Marmite83 😢😢😢😢 i have no wise words. i'm tearful just reading your update. absolutely heart breaking

i'm so sorry x virtual hug

I wish I knew what to say @Marmite83. It's so so sad. Big hugs being sent your way. Be kind to yourself xx

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been away for a few days.

@Marmite83 I'm so so sorry, that's the worst news. I've been through similar and it was just horrible. My clinic wanted me to wait for a natural period before starting again, which took a couple of months. I hope you're being really well looked after. Get lots of rest, eat good food and don't go back to work before you're ready. x

@Onisa7 So sorry it was a BFN. Seconding whoever asked what your brother was thinking?!?

@Brambles7 Tentative congratulations! How are things?

@Peanut1980 I think it's important you seek some clarification because, as you said, it's important to have confidence in your clinic. I did read a couple of studies that suggested a high protein/low carb diet improved IVF outcomes in some women. It wasn't great evidence but I'm one of those crazy ladies that will literally try anything to get this to work.

@facevalue Mega congratulations on the BFP!

@Anaesthetist83 It's hard when reality doesn't live up to expectations. I was disappointed when "only" 7 eggs were collected, this isn't bad but I had loads of follicles so was expecting more. 3 blastocysts is actually a great result, the majority of people don't get anything to freeze.

@Passionfruit20 How did your scan go?

@confused107 I'm on steroids this cycle, I think that's what's made the difference between previous cycles which have resulted in early losses and this one which is so far successful. Evidence is limited but there is some evidence in women with autoimmune issues and recurrent miscarriage/recurrent implantation failure. Levels do fluctuated from cycle to cycle also. I went to an open evening at Create but ultimately didn't go with them as I felt their mild IVF approach wasn't right for me, they were also more expensive than other clinics for the same services and the consultant we met didn't inspire as much confidence as a couple of the others we met at different clinics (he wasn't bad, just less good than the alternatives).

Just got back from a camping trip. We had our scan on Monday at 8+1, baby measured 8+0 and had a heartbeat. I've been referred to midwives and have my next scan on 24th September at 10+2 (I'm trying to wean myself off frequent scans. Still feeling really anxious but thankful every day for this pregnancy.

@TinyPaws thank you. and congratulations to you if i didn't already.

So who decides to keep scanning you? do you have to keep paying for these? i think my clinic does just the one at 6-7 weeks then they just tell you to speak to your GP and just follow the usual local protocol and get registered and a 12 weeks booking scan etc..

Oh @Marmite83 I am so so very sorry, it is heartbreaking to hear this news, I am sorry, hugs for you

@TinyPaws all sounds great yay
And hang in there, the first trimester is always a strange one (without ivf too - with ivf even more so), things relax a bit after that in my experience. You are doing so great!

@facevalue My clinic does 2 scans at 6 and 8 weeks, because of my miscarriage history I can also get weekly scans at the recurrent miscarriage clinic from 6-12 weeks. I'm trying not to rely on these too much otherwise it will be a shock when I'm discharged to standard maternity care at 12 weeks (assuming I make it that far), hence opting not to have a 9 week scan.

@Marmite83 - my heart is absolutely broken for you. I’m so sorry. I hope you have people looking after you. Biggest, biggest hugs.

@TinyPaws - great news about your scan! I had my scan Thursday and was bang on 8 weeks, saw a heartbeat, and they were happy with how everything looked. Pretty emotional moment. Now discharged from the clinic and just waiting for the usual 12 week scan with everything crossed.

@Marmite83 I’m so sorry to hear your news. I’ve also been there. There is no glossing it over, it’s fucking devastating. Look after yourself pet.

I’ve been avoiding this board a little for a while. We are going to wait until December to do a FET cycle. We have a few important things coming up like the holiday of a lifetime, and felt it better to leave it until after.

Hi everyone, I’ve not been on here for a while as DD has had some health issues that we are trying to get to the bottom of and then in the middle of worrying about that we had to have our lovely dog put down. It’s been a horrible couple of months. Think we might wait a while to go ahead with our next FET.

@Marmite83 so sad to see your update. How devastating. Sending love and strength for the next few days - it’s tough. We are here to support you if you need but hopefully you have people around you to give to TLC too. I know for my previous miscarriages the clinic has wanted at least one “proper” period before a FET. It definitely took a couple of months after my ERPC for a normal period to come back and I definitely needed a few months to grieve and feel like I could try again.

Congratulations to those of you with recent BFPs and lovely scan news - so good to hear and gives me hope!

@elleceedee hi. i'm sorry to hear that your daughter hadn't been well. how is she now?

i'm so sorry about your friend- i went through that in the past and i was broken for weeks x sorry for your loss

i can completely understand your decision to wait and recover first . it's important to be as emotionally ready as possible x goodluck

@Marmite83 I’m so so so sorry. Devastating news. I hope you and your OH are looking after each other. Sorry there’s nothing to say that makes that any better.

@elleceedee sorry to hear your DD has been unwell and you’ve had such a rough few months. Completely understand taking some time to make sure you’re in the right frame of mind for another round.

@TinyPaws so glad there’s a heartbeat!! That’s fab news.

@facevalue how are you doing?

I’ve had a rollercoaster week feeling everything from elation to fear and feeling nauseous already, cue more worrying, and then this afternoon came home from some singing thing to find brown discharge going on and still going now. I’m happy it’s not red but freaked myself right out that it’s not going to work now.

@Marmite83 i'm so sorry. today will be tough and i just want to reiterate what all the ladies said above - we are absolutely sad and hope it be quick and that you get all the support you need

@Brambles7 i'm ok thanks. the usual fear every time i wipe.. i had MC last time so i'm not sure if i can ever be happy before a 12 weeks then 20 weeks scans. i'm anxious all the time. Remember, some ladies get spotting and discharge which i'm sure is stressful for obvious reasons and go on to have uneventful pregnancy but i hope your clinic can reassure you more. keep us posted x

Thanks @facevalue and everyone else for your lovely messages. I'm sitting in the hospital waiting room desperate for it to be over but also not wanting to feel utterly empty like I did last time once it was all over.

@Brambles7 I had a massive bleed with my dd, a little spotting with my first mmc and nothing with this mmc. I don't think there's any way to know for sure until you have a scan but brown is supposed to be better than red and is very common in lots of healthy pregnancies. I have everything crossed for you that all is ok!

@Marmite83 I hope today goes quickly for you. So sorry you’re having to go through this.

@facevalue can totally understand the anxiety, mine is sky high too. Everything crossed for you that this is the sticky one.

Thank you both for your reassuring words. It’s stayed brown and light so trying not to worry. I had a few pains with it last night but nothing since so don’t feel like bothering my clinic atm unless it gets worse.
And I still feel super sick, so hopefully that’s a good sign.

I watched ‘The Notebook’ after the first time, with a roll of toilet roll beside me to mop up my tears. It was a good release. Thinking of you today @Marmite83