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?

When I first started down the medical route for fertility (9 years ago) I was doing acupuncture. I felt it helped in the beginning but when I had to start injecting it was as if my body just had enough of being prodded and the acupuncture needles began to really hurt though it was the same needles in the same places. I gave up after a while.

I’m sick and tired of bloody injecting and I’m only doing it since Thursday. I have started to get cervical mucus which is always a sign that I have started the ovulation process. I was a bit worried in case I shouldn’t have mucus but dr google seems to tell me it is quite normal. Have any of you experienced that?

@confused107, that's great news, good luck for your egg collection.

@Dlpdep yes, lots of ewcm, I mentioned it to them at my appointment yesterday and they didn't seem concerned.

They rang me after my blood test yesterday and said my LH was quite high so not to take Meriofert last night and to take 100 of Ovaleap instead and to keep taking the Fyremadel. Plus I have to go back for another scan and blood test today. I didn't actually get to speak to them as I was working so they left a voicemail and emailed the instructions. I'm a little worried about what having high LH means, anyone had this before?

Eek good luck for EC @confused107 - that's exciting! Hope you manage to have a chilled day today.

@Brambles7 that's good about scan. I've not had high LH detected before, but I know the reason they monitor it closely is to avoid early ovulation (which I have had). It's good they are keeping an eye on it and I don't think it affects your eggs negatively or anything like that.

My scan went alright. Got 13 follicles that they could see at the moment, but I'm trying not to pay too much attention to that number yet since it always seems to change! Next scan not until Friday, but hope by then we see the end in sight!

I just told work everything - after having had a couple of miscarriages anyway I figured they knew I was hoping to have a baby. I find it a lot easier with them knowing, but I have a very understanding boss and employer - I'm sure not everywhere would be the same.

@confused107 Ec is an excited stage! Amazing! I hope all goes well for you.

I have not told work. I find FET less demanding in terms of appointments than fresh cycle and I can work from home some times so I have managed to keep it quiet and it hasn't affected my job at all (just my levels of stress!) 

I had told my manager when I had my fresh cycle 3.5 years ago, but I had worked with him for years and I know he would be extremely understanding- and he was very supportive. He has now left the company and I don't feel as comfortable with the new person yet.

@TinyPaws is your scan today? Good luck!!

Sounds positive @orangefolly, hopefully the scan on Friday goes well.

I've just been for my scan and bloods, apparently they think my body might be surging which would mean this cycle is a bust. Have to wait for the blood results today but it didn't sound too positive

I've told my boss what we're doing but trying to keep it from everyone else at work. He's been really understanding which is good

Oh no @Marmite83 I really hope not. I've got my fingers crossed for you.

@Dlpdep So, we ended up going to view some puppies on Sunday. They were gorgeous and I've spent the last few days frantically puppy-proofing the house, puppy should be coming home tomorrow evening. I get what you mean about not being able to enjoy early pregnancy - I've been increasingly anxious each time I get pregnant and hardly enjoyed the last one at all because I was so convinced something would go wrong (it did). Getting pregnant is just the start of the journey for me. I found the buserelin sometimes fine and sometimes sore, I think getting the needle in deep and injecting slowly helps.

@Marmite83 That sounds worrying, when will you find out the blood results? What protocol are you on? Fingers crossed this cycle is salvageable for you.

@confused107 Good luck for egg collection tomorrow! Very exciting times.

@sometimesalways Sorry your lining wasn't quite there, when is your next scan?

@WorriedButterfly Hello and welcome! The dose of CoQ10 I've seen most often recommended is 600mg. Have you read "It Starts with the Egg"? There's a helpful reader group on Facebook too.

@orangefolly Glad the scan went well and good luck for tomorrow. Any indication on when egg collection is likely to be?

@Brambles7 I got all my drugs for my previous cycles at boots and ended up with a stupid number of advantage card points (which I then spent mostly on pregnancy tests . When do you start the drugs again?

@Anaesthetist83 Glad you've finally got started and hope you don't find them too bothersome.

@AEL79 Welcome and good luck! Alicante must be absolutely roasting at the moment?!

@Parkandride Hello and welcome. 3 funded cycles is excellent! Hope all goes well for your scan tomorrow. I have told work as there is no way I could hide it and luckily they have been quite supportive. I also have acupuncture every 2 weeks, I find it quite relaxing although it does make me very sleepy.

@Caityprice Welcome and congrats on your first injection!

I went for my scan tomorrow. Lining apparently had a "beautiful" trilaminar appearance was borderline in terms of thickness so I'm do do a couple more days of oestrogen to try and thicken it up a bit before triggering on Friday night (my FET protocol involves a hCG trigger which is a pain as I won't be able to test too early without picking up trigger). I haven't had much egg white cervical mucous so I kind of suspected my lining wouldn't be quite there yet.

Embryo transfer booked for Friday 2nd August, assuming our embryo survives the thaw.

Puppy pick up booked for tomorrow evening.

@TinyPaws thank you! I wouldn't know, not been since January :) The beauty of a donor round, no-one needs me til right at the end. I expect it is really hot though... Congratulations on your beautiful lining and lots of luck for the thaw. Will be right behind you :)

@TinyPaws you’re getting a puppy at the same time as IVF? My hat off to you!! Although I imagine it’s also a welcome distraction.

Does anyone have any tips for bloating during stim? I’ve only done two injections but already starting to boost a bit. Im trying to drink lots of water, does anyone have any other tips? I’ve got PCOS and had 26 follicles before I started injections, so I’m a high risk of OHSS :(

Oops, bloat not boost!!!

@TinyPaws what type of puppy are you getting?? Believe me, there is no such thing as a puppy proof house! While they are soooo cute, NOTHING is safe and they are so quick! Great news about your lining!

My first scan is tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Approx how many days into the stim cycle is the egg transfer? I know it depends on lots of factors but ball park?

@TinyPaws next scan is on Friday morning. Apparently my lining was 'good quality' but thinner than ideal. However, we did our scan a little early, after 10 days of Estrogen instead of 12, so perhaps unsurprising. We were just trying our luck in case lining was ready as we have a holiday booked from the 3rd August (booked way before we decided to do ivf now) and didn't want to have the FET getting too close to that date! Obviously FET is the priority, but hey holidays are important t too

In an ideal world I will start luteal on Friday and FET 31st July. And then spend part of my TWW on a beach. Should I be swimming?? That's a problem for a later stage. Getting ahead of myself already.

Ah i thought they only do hCG shots if there's egg collection involved? Obviously not an expert. I don't even know if I'll be getting one but judging by my meds, I suspect not.

And congrats on the puppy!!

Well I have no idea what's going on with my body currently. My consultant has said he wants a progesterone test done on the blood test I had done today. I should find out tomorrow morning whether we can continue with the cycle or not. In the meantime I need to take another 100 of ovaleap tonight and Fyremadel in the morning.

@Tinypaws hope your pupy settles in nicely, and good luck!

Good luck for tomorrow @Dlpdep

Hope the timing works out for you @sometimesalways, a holiday is exactly what I need but we're spending all our money on IVF instead. Hopefully it'll be worth it!

@Caityprice I think I'm a bit mad but instead of obsessing about IVF 25/7 I'm now obsessing about puppy so it's all good. Re: the stims, lots of water and lots of rest are the only tips I've got!

@Dlpdlp A lurcher pup. I wanted an adult greyhound rescue, my partner wanted a Jack Russell puppy, we compromised! I think it's typical to have 10-12 days of stims, then a trigger shot then egg collection 2 days after the trigger shot.

@sometimesalways Mine was also good quality but a bit on the thin side at bang on 7mm (they want over 7mm). I've only had 8 days of oesterogen though (instead of 10) so was kind of expecting this. A holiday right after FET sounds ideal, relaxing and helps pass the 2WW, the only issue is you might not be able to swim for a few days.

I also thought they only do hCG shots when there's egg collection involved but apparently not! Every clinic seems to have their own preferred protocol and I guess I just have to trust that they know what they're doing.

Sorry @Marmite83 I only saw your messages after I hit "post". Keeping everything crossed that you'll get to continue this cycle.

@TinyPaws yeah I am sure they adjust protocol according to each person's body/needs/response too, so who knows. And as long as it works, who cares! Fingers crossed for our next scan and some 7+ thick lining for us

@Marmite83 oh thank you! ha it sounds like we planned it but if only we were that organised. Either way though, hopefully it will help me relax. Provided it all goes well with FET before that of course. Trying to balance positivity and realism. It's hard one.

Good luck this morning marmite, fingers crossed for you

Lurchers are the best @TinyPaws! If it weren't for the perfect height for snaffling food off the worktop and their sofa hogging they'd be the perfect dogs, do you know what kind of cross he is?

@Marmite83 fingers crossed things are okay with your cycle.

@TinyPaws ah how exciting getting a puppy! That’ll be a lovely distraction for you amongst the IVF. Hope your lining thickens up suitably ready to receive that embryo! Had no idea you’d have to do a trigger shot with a FET as well.

I’ve just started the drugs this morning - long protocol so will be a couple of weeks before stimming. Is nice to finally get going again.

@Caityprice when I got really bloated last cycle lots of water and also lucozade sport really helped. The lucozade has some kind of electrolytes in it which helps hydration and it made me feel better.

@sometimesalways how lovely to have a nice holiday to look forward to. Hopefully the lining will play ball so you can have the transfer just before and then enjoy relaxing on your holiday.

@Dlpdep good luck with the scan today.

Thanks for the good luck wishes @Parkandride @orangefolly @TinyPaws @Brambles7. My clinic just rang and said my progesterone is ok and we can continue. I'm so relieved!

Glad to hear you've started @Brambles7, hope the drugs are kind to you.

Good luck for your scan today @Dlpdep

Oh @Marmite83 that's excellent news! Yay

@Marmite83 that’s great news! Ah you must be so relieved.

Am just chugging back the water in this weather - it’s so hot!

@Marmite83 that's great news

I'm back from my egg collection. They got 6. Obviously I would have liked more, but considering my low AMH at least there is something. Keep telling myself we only need one! My DH managed a good sperm sample, so we are now waiting to hear in the morning how they have done. We have paid for the time lapse monitoring so hopefully that will help. The procedure was not as bad as I thought, and I feel fine, but I'm going to milk it and spend the afternoon on the sofa watching box sets

Hope everyone is doing well and coping ok with this heat

Thank you so much for the electrolyte suggestions! I’m going to get some this afternoon. The heat is a killer today! Glad I’m not even more bloated yet.

Yay @Marmite83 and @confused107 - fingers crossed for you both!!! It’s so weird trying to explain IVF to my friends and family (none of whom have gone through anything like this) and then coming on here and reading your stories makes me tear up a bit - and not just because I’m over-hormoned!! It’s like a whole world of people going through the hardest possible stuff and yet most of us keep it secret or don’t talk about it much. And until I got diagnosed myself I was absolutely clueless about what people go through. Now I just want a magic wand to give everyone healthy babies :)

Ps. Still battling with myself over the inner anger I feel when people complain loudly about accidentally falling pregnant. I know they’re having a totally different journey, but I still have to fight the impulse to yell at them. Anyone else?

@Caityprice completely get the inner anger. There is a lady that sits opposite me that got pregnant 'very quickly' so much so 'she's in shock and completely ready to accept it yet' she is also overweight. I had to take myself to the loo for a little cry when she announced it, I was hormonal as hell and just got to work after a gruelling PT session. I have to tell myself that it's not a right to have children and its not something that anyone 'deserves', just because we are trying so hard. If it doesn't happen to us it's not because we are not good people, wouldn't be good parents. It's just not meant to be. Most of the time I'm ok with this, the other times I'm trying not to cry in the toilets!