IVF / ICSI July / August / September 2019

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Hi all

I'm new to mumsnet, and also at the start of the whole IVF journey, but having made the decision to start only last week, we are going for it straight away at the end of this month! No time like the present and all that.

Although my doc said we could potentially conceive naturally, she has also said that it might be good to crack on.

I've been advised to go for short protocol on gonal F, straight on to a dose of 450 (which I think might be the maximum...!?) She isn't taking any chances it seems, which I'm totally down with. I think I'll start some time at the end of next week depending on cycle.

Interestingly, my doc doesn't do any fresh embryo transfer preferring to freeze all, wait a cycle, then do a FET next cycle when she has 'prepared the lining' (the mind boggles).

I have no idea what to expect, and because we are leaping straight in haven't done any prep with supplements, diet, etc. I'm kind of taking the view that if it works- AMAZING... if it doesn't, hopefully we find out some stuff to put us in a better position next time. Either way, better to be in the game.

Sorry for all the info but thought I'd get the conversation going with all my details in one go so that others can share / compare notes. Looking fwd to hearing from anyone in the same boat! X

This post was edited at OP's request.

I’m triggering tonight for EC on Monday. Have hyperstimulated so feeling tired and uncomfortable. Heading for a “freeze all” as a result, so really hoping we get decent enough embryos

@Happydayzz hope the follicles catch up over the weekend for you. If the nerves are just kicking in now, you’re doing super well. Mine have been there from the start! I thought second cycle would be easier mentally, in some ways it is but the anxiety is higher for me.

@Anaesthetist83 sorry to hear you’re so uncomfortable, just a couple of days to go though and then I hope you’ll start to feel better after collection. What time have you got to trigger later?
How are you feeling about having to FET?

8.30 on Monday for me.

Initially (well, still!) disappointed and worried that may not have any to freeze. However, my oestradiol is >18000 so am high risk so don’t really have any choice. I guess you have to deal with whatever is thrown at you, so will get over the waiting!

Hope you are both ok too

My consultant did say “I’m not really sure what to do with you” in a semi light hearted way when deciding upon the protocol, so was obviously correct!!!

Wow that sounds high, I guess in some ways at least there is no choice but to freeze and the decision is taken out of your hands. If you’re high risk that hopefully means you’ll get lots of eggs and therefore chances of having some freeze will be good.

Total rollercoaster this process, I always feel like I never know what to expect at each stage. Hope you can plan some down time and treats for yourself after egg collection so you have something to look forward to.

Ohhh
Lots of luck to you all with EC tomorrow and next week🤞🏽 Im almost a week into my downreg and havent felt too bad, bit headachy and tired but thats it really.
Dont understand how i get one injection ans thats my downreg and others have to inject every day for2 weeks ? 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Anaesthetist83 Wishing you all the best for your EC tomorrow and hoping it's all good news x.

@Brambles7 I dont think the anxiety ever leaves you, however I think the meditation this time round has definitely helped. With the first cycle I felt like a deer in head lights, whereas I feel better prepared this time round. Little follicles seem to be catching up today and they want me in for another scan tomorrow.

@YogaPants4 - are you on the short protocol? A friend of mine did the short protocol and didn't have to do down reg. She was luckly and had a baby with her first cycel.

@YogaPants4 - I was also down regulated with just one injection and was all fine on the down regulation scan. Lining was at 11mm on last scan before EC.

I’m back and feeling ok. In the end, 16 eggs retrieved (count had been 24 on Friday but some of the smaller ones hadn’t done much). As oestrogen was less than 20000 on Friday (just!), providing I’m well, they are happy to transfer. Let’s hope we are lucky enough to have some decent blastocysts!!!

Good luck to everyone else also

Wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought and have managed so far with just paracetamol

Hi @anaesthetist83 glad it went well! Great number. I had OHSS, make sure this week you keep really hydrated and take fibregel (that's only laxitives nurses said I was allowed) so you don't get constipated, I wish I had known how important this info was before transfer day. Fingers crossed for you on the Blastocysts! Xxx

Thank you!!!

@Anaesthetist83 16s a great number and hurrah for your levels not being high enough so you can do a transfer after all! Everything crossed for a blastocyst or two for you.

@Happydayzz how did your scan go today?

I had a scan this morning and got a good amount of follicles, but they want some of the smaller ones to catch up. 1 more dose of menopur tonight and then trigger tomorrow for EC on Thursday.
I’d booked Wednesday off and I think I’m still going to keep that - I’m so tired!

@brambles7. That sounds positive!

@Anaesthetist83 that's such a good result with 16 eggs. Have you had any futher update as to how their all doing?

@DawnK77 thanks for that little piece of info! Will definitely keep that in mind.

@Brambles7 I hope your feeling a little less tired today and great idea to take the day off and rest up if you feel its needed.

I had another scan this morning and final count is 14 follicles. Trigger tonight and EC on Thursday. Hopefully this will be a good week for us all xx

@happydayzz no worries! Good luck for egg collection on Thursday!
I had transfer yesterday so time is now stood still!

Good news is that of the 16 eggs retrieved, 15 were mature. 12 have fertilised...... so fingers crossed that as many as possible make it to Saturday! Will next get an update on Friday.

Without wishing to panic those of you have EC later in the week, I’ve had a rough 24 hours. Thought I was being a complete wuss as had really severe pain and peritonism overnight yet kept reading “most people fit to go back to work the next day”. Anyway, asked the embryologist what I should be like when she phoned first thing this morning, and was asked to go in for a scan. Free fluid ? Blood on scan which would account for my peritonism. I am just about at a point where my pain isn’t too bad.

Great numbers there!
Sorry your feeling so rough, hopefully a good night's sleep tonight, only go to work if feeling okay, take it easy xxxx

@DawnK77 - how are you doing? Are you finding ways to keep yourself busy?

@Anaesthetist83 You have some great numbers there. How is the latest update? I'm sorry to hear you felt rough after EC. Same went for me too. I had felt fine all the way up until 48 hours after EC. I suffered from migraines all day, upset tummy and was literally confined to bed for 24 hours.

@Brambles7 - How did EC go? I hope good news for you!

I had my EC done on Thursday. 9 eggs collected, 7 mature, 2 fertilised however only one of the Embies made it past day 2. It was a little touch and go as we needed to be at 6 cell on day 3 in order to transfer and as it was a little bit slow to respond so I really didn't know if it would get there! I had my ET done yesterday so this is the furthest I have gotten in the past 3 years whilst ttc. I'm praying this will work for me and you ladies as well. Happy monday ladies!

Hiya @happpydayzzz how are you feeling after transfer? I have actually had nothing to do for the past 2 days, I am even looking forward to work tomorrow lol. Xx

Sadly I am in intensive care as a result of OHSS

@anaesthetist83 oh no, poor you, that sounds awful!! I hope you are being well looked after and have a short time before they can get you well enough to be at home.

@Happydayzz EC went well thanks, I got 14 eggs and 11fertilised but sadly none of them were amazing quality again so I didn’t get any to blastocyst stage. I had 2 put back on day 2 that were looking ahead of the rest so am hoping they develop still and get nice and snug!

That’s good your embryo made it to transfer as well. Everything crossed that this is a good resolving embryo for you! Do you have a test date?

@DawnK77 time is standing so still isn’t it! I too am glad to go back to work tomorrow to distract myself.

@DawnK77 I'm feeling much better after ET thanks. It was quite surreal when they handed me the image of my 6-cell blob. It definitely picked me up after having felt so low the past few days. I cant believe you are itching to go back to work? LOL... I have taken the week off so I can relax. Was way overdue for a little vacay time anyways. Can't wait to get knocked up and give up the corporate grind. :)

@Anaesthetist83 Blimey darling. I hope you are on your way to a speedy recovery! How long are they keeping you in the hospital for? Hopefully all your little embryos are doing well so it will all be worth it. Hang in there! xx

@Brambles7 That's wonderful news... double the chancces! I was sooooo hoping for two and a frostie however I'll be happy with just the one at this stage. Maybe they will split and I'll get twins? My test date is the 8th of September. Assuming yours is a day before? It feels like an age away..... grrrrr

@Happydayzz I was hoping for a frostie too, still at least we’ve both got embryos on board!
My test date is the 9th because my clinic isn’t open on a Saturday. I didn’t cave at all last time but I might actually test on the 7th or 8th this round because I don’t really want to find out on my dads birthday. So here’s hoping for a positive result for us both on the 8th!

Hi!

@anaesthetist83 I'm sorry to hear that! Have they said how long they will think your in for?

@brambles7 great news with 2 in board! Fingers crossed for you! Yep at a total stand still and I cannot sleep. So I'm going to be really useful at work today lol!!

@happydayzz glad your feeling better. I was like that with my little photo, kept checking the photo, no idea what for though lol! I'm 7/8 days after transfer now, test date is Sunday. Let's hope for a quick week!

Not sure exactly how long but kidneys are starting to work. Hopefully should then start to shift the massive abdo fluid.