October ICSI/IVF

[NS05]

Hi all,

I have never written a post on here but thought it may be nice to get a thread going for anyone about to start ICSI/IVF. I am 28 and have been ttc for almost a year and have recently found out my husband has a very low sperm count (2 million) and ICSI is our only option. I was sure for so long something must be wrong with me so to find out it was him was a complete shock and I think we are both still adjusting. Fortunately we are able to go private and have my appointment to get the ball rolling on Wednesday. I have had a (all clear) and all of the bloods already so hoping we can get cracking next month so I am eager to get started. Everything is apparently fine with me apart from very mild pcos which I have been told shouldn’t effect my chances! I am still very anxious about the whole situation and just praying that the process will be successful.

If anyone has any tips or is in the same boat feel free to join!

Thanks @Naughtyboob it was actually really cool! Went up easily so they were happy and my embryo defrosted perfectly. Mine was on day 20 of my cycle but yours may be earlier- I always ovulate between day 18-21 so I knew my lining wouldn't be ready until slightly later!

Glad it went well @NS05. Have you got any plans for the 2WW? Xxx

Glad you’re all done @NS05 and hope you’re relaxing now

Settle in to the 2WW, hope you have some nice ( read distracting) plans. I’m halfway through the wait now....but it’s crawling!

I know I'm off work until weds just gonna chill with the hubby and watch funny films!

@NS05 ah I don't ovulate so No idea then lol...will just leave it up to them!
Did you get to see the embryo being put in then? I've heard some places give you a picture of it!!

Yes I did @Naughtyboob was so cool and they gave me a pic haha but I don't wana get too attached!

@NS05 glad it went well! My clinic don't show the bit where the embryo goes in which is a shame but did get a nice picture.
Let's hope yours is making a nice little home now! Take it easy :-)

Thanks @LucyLucyT hope you are feeling ok! X

Worried / down today (7DP5DT)

Had some very minor brown spotting / discharge yesterday - got quite excited thinking it might be implantation bleeding.

This morning I went for a no2 (sorry TMI) and due to the cyclogest I’ve been a bit constipated. Suddenly there was red blood dripping into the toilet bowl, terrified me. It’s stopped immediately (just back to a bit of brown discharge) but I’ve put a pad on just in case.

I have been diagnosed with cervical erosion/ectropian in the past when on the pill, I was told it was the hormones. Is there any chance the build up of progesterone is causing the same effect and the pressure of the BM caused the bleeding?

Has anyone experienced anything similar and/or have any words of reassurance?

Don’t want it to all be over 😞

Hi @Youngatheart00 try not to stress it could be implantation bleeding! I think it would be way too early to start bleeding otherwise. Some people do also have small amounts of red blood with implantation. As you said the red bleeding may also just be due to a BM! Maybe tell your clinic just incase as they told me they may check my progesterone level if I start spotting as they can always up your dose. I know it's hard but try and stay positive as it could be a good thing!

I’m going to see how things go for the rest of the weekend and make a decision on contacting clinic. I think I only have the option of the nurses answer phones which prob won’t be picked up until Monday or the emergency on call, and I don’t consider this an emergency (just a bit puzzling / worrying).

The bleeding was definitely vaginal but I have had similar situations with a sensitive cervix before, and that is when I was on the pill so the hormonal link is there.

I’ve gone from wanting to test early to wanting to hold off until my OTD (next Sat) just to stay in the ‘bubble of hope’ as long as possible!

Hope everyone else is doing ok this weekend

@Youngatheart00 it might be from your back passage. I have been passing fresh blood at times when it's really hard to "go"! Due to being very overweight in the past I have a small haemorrhoid and at the moment it's very painful!
Sorry to others who don't wanna read this!

I don't blame you @Youngatheart00 I want to hold off testing as long as possible!

@LucyLucyT poor you - the things we have to go through! Bleeding was definitely vaginal though but I’m hoping just cervical rather than uterine. It was very very bright, light red drippy blood and then nothing more. Comfort needed for the rest of the weekend I think, then there’s just a working week to get through before OTD. At least I know if I test then, what will be will be.

@Youngatheart00 really hope it's implantation bleeding!! Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you xxx

@Youngatheart00 i hope you are ok and will keep fingers crossed it is implantation bleeding! Take care of yourself and try and relax if you can (i know its easier said than done). xxx

Thanks all. According to my fertility app I’m now on cycle day 33 (and I’m normally 28 days sharp) so it would be no surprise if AF is trying to come. My clinic didn’t down reg me either.

This 2WW is already driving me crazy! Day 2 and haven't felt any different and am already being so negative. If symptoms were to start does anyone know when they would? I need to stay off google 🙈

@NS05 I think it’s very hard to symptom spot as the additional progesterone (have you doubled your dose since ET?) can cause some of the same.

Aside from that, I think there are symptoms broadly related to implantation (cramping / twinges, maybe small amount of bleeding) and then early pregnancy symptoms (sore boobs, nausea etc) which are unlikely to be until week 2 of the 2WW at the earliest as they relate to HCG which isn’t secreted until implantation is complete.

So it’s completely normal for you to not feel any different now, and I believe some women feel nothing at all!

I agree though, it really is the most frustrating time!

Thanks @Youngatheart00 think I'm going to go out today as staying in is driving me crazy! You're right I doubt I would feel anything until implantation which may still be a couple of days away! This def is the hardest bit! Hope you are doing ok!!

Good idea - me too! Keeping busy definitely a good idea, if only to interrupt the constant “it’s definitely worked / it definitely HASNT worked” thoughts on repeat in my mind!

I got a phone call from the embryologist today, got my scan on 26th and FET on 3rd December!!
How is everyone else doing today? @youngatheart00 how are feeling? @NS05 you keeping occupied? Xx

Ah amazing @Naughtyboob that will come so quick! Yes I'm ok some times I feel so positive then other times really negative! It's such a waiting game and I need to remind myself that I'm not supposed to be feeling something every minute!

Just catching up on everyone's updates here, good to see everyone's progress! Great news on getting a date for your ET @Naughtyboob, day before my birthday, got to be a good omen!
@NS05 don't worry about not feeling any symptoms yet, it's early early days. I only started to feel any different half way through week 2 and that was mainly from the ohss!
@youngatheart00 how are you doing? It must have been a worry to have that bleed, did you speak to a nurse today?
@LucyLucyT how are things for you? I'm not feeling quite as nauseous now which is good, still super tired. I went for a nap on Saturday afternoon and woke up 4.5hrs later!!
@PotatoJam I've lost track of where everyone is, what's the latest with you?

I had my booking appointment with the midwife on Thursday last week, that went well I think, just going through all the paperwork and notes. I have a date through for my 12 week scan, it's on the 12th Dec at 8am. I always seem to get these early morning appointments for some reason! All my ivf ones were 8.50 and the clinic is an hour drive away for me. I'm so not a morning person! 12th dec feels like such a long way off, but like everything else I'm sure it'll come round quick!

@siananigans nice to get an update from you :-) glad things seem to be alright, you must be a about 8/9 weeks now? I'm doing okay, haven't done another test since over a week ago, sort of frightened to but at the same time hate the uncertainty on whether everything is still progressing okay! My viability scan isn't until 8 weeks which is later than most clinics so still two weeks to go, argh!
Main issues are constipation 🙈 and like you afternoon tiredness, which is interesting at work now I'm back! Oh and I could eat a horse, appetite never been an issue but at the moment I just want carbs and cheese!
My OHSS symptoms calmed down about a week ago but still tender in the ovary area if I laugh or twist in the wrong way so guessing they are still on the large size, which if anything is reassuring! Sometimes after walking for a while my abdomen feels a bit tight still.
Want to get back to doing more exercise but don't feel up to it yet and if I'm honest I'm a bit nervous! Managed to do a few bits at the gym last week otherwise sticking to going for walks.
@NS05 @Youngatheart00 the two week wait is so tricky but you are both getting there, not toooo much longer x