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!

[Pigeon84]

Urgh, ive had an awful afternoon...

My husband has had an accident at work, luckily no injuries but its probable that he is going to lose his job. Currently suspended 😓

[siananigans]

I've just done my first stims injection! Wasn't nearly as bad as I thought houghy it was going to be. I'm lucky in that I'm on Gonal F so it's a pre-loaded epi-pen type set up.
I was still scared and made DH do it with it being the first one, but I honestly barely felt it.

@Pigeon84 sorry to hear about hubby's accident, hope he is OK. Fingers crossed he doesnt lose his job, added stress is not required right now.

[Pigeon84]

@siananigans oh yay! All systems go. So you have a scan on Monday then?
Weirdly i look forward to the injections as it feel like im doing something.
It was 5 years ago yesterday when i did my 1st injection for my DS.

Ah, its really not looking good for my hubby. Its standard procedure in this line of work if they have an accident like this that they suspend, but i really think they will sack him.
I cant even take a U turn on the treatment as ive already bought the drugs and ive messed the clinic about in the past.
When it rains, it pours 😭

[NS05]

So sorry to hear that @Pigeon84 that's such a shame! I hope everything works out for you. @siananigans that's so exciting! I just ovulated yesterday so 2 weeks until I can start mine. So happy to hear they weren't that bad, I'm going to make my husband do them too!

[Pigeon84]

@NS05 we are going to be so close at cycling. Im expecting to ovulate today!

[NS05]

Woohoo let's hope October is a lucky one for both of us @Pigeon84

[siananigans]

@Pigeon84 my first scan is on Wednesday, then Friday, then possible egg collection on the Monday or another scan with collection on weds or friday.

Such a weird feeling, I'm really excited, but having waited so long this part seems very quick!

[NS05]

Guys are any of you doing PGS testing? It was mentioned by my doctor and not sure whether to do it. My husbands sperm morphology and motility are ok it is just the count that is low so I am not sure it's worth doing? Is it usually the egg or sperm that more effects the quality of the embryo?

[Thund4rcat]

Hi folks, hope I can join you. I just started buserelin today for a FET expected to happen mid October. I have 5 frozen embryos after two fresh cycles. First cycle was a chemical pregnancy. Second cycle I had a MMC at 8.5 weeks after 3 weeks of hyperemesis which was horrific.


I am 37 and my partner has MFI so we did ICSI. After the first cycle I demanded a laparoscopy and they found I have endometriosis and adenomyosis too.


This is our last NHS funded transfer so I've already started thinking about private plans as only have 21% chance of this transfer working. After having hyperemesis last time, I have 80% chance of getting it again if I am lucky to get pregnant again. So I am generally terrified of whatever the result will be.


Good luck everyone!

[siananigans]

So today will be my 5th injection, I expected to feel somewhat different by now but I just feel the same other than being really hungry today! Those of you who've done this before, what should I expect?

[impatientmammy]

Hi ladies I'm looking at starting ivf on my next cycle which is estimated to start 21st of October so transfer will be start of November. Hope you don't mind me joining I'm really excited. We've been ttc 2 years unexplained secondary infertility, I have a slightly high thyroid stimulating hormone and we're awaiting seaman test results to determine if ICSI will be needed or not x

[Thund4rcat]

@siananigans in my first fresh cycle I had zero side effects from the treatment. In my second I was very emotional and weepy but hard to tell if that was because the first hadn't worked or because of the drug side effects. Different drugs in second cycle though (can't remember what). Buserelin in both gave no side effects.

[siananigans]

@Thund4rcat that's really interesting to know. I feel like the nurses prepare you for the worst, which I understand. But it's making me anxious that I don't feel any different!

Same when I was down regulating, I was ready for full on menopause symptoms, and I had nothing. I was convinced the drugs weren't working. Then I had my scan last week and all was good ready to start stims.

[siananigans]

Just had my second scan since starting stims.
My previous scan on Wednesday there was lots of nice looking follicles, a few were still smaller than they'd like so they upped my stims.
Today those little ones are catching up size wise and womb lining is thickening well. I've to have another scan Monday and egg collection will likely be Wednesday!
How's everyone else getting on?

[NS05]

Ah amazing @siananigans - I'm waiting to start my period which should be on Thursday so I can get going so am a couple of weeks behind you. Starting to feel really anxious about everything but I know it will all be worth it in the end!

[Thund4rcat]

Has anyone else been dreaming loads since starting treatment? I rarely remember my dreams normally but the past week I've been woken up by nightmares almost every night.

[Youngatheart00]

Can I join in? I was about to start a new thread and then came across this one.

I start down regging drugs next week (at least I’m supposed to - they haven’t arrived yet....hmm should I be worried?!) which will be day 21 of my cycle. I think it’s called the “Short Protocol” and we’re NHS funded.

Been feeling very anxious / out of sorts, it’s our first cycle and the only funded cycle we’ll get, so I feel like there’s a lot of pressure riding on it.

We’ve been on a waiting list for so long I definitely feel ready to just get started, even though I’m nervous about the side effects of the drugs and also hate needles, just going to have to employ mind over matter (but there’s no chance I’m letting DH do them! I think I’d end up screaming at him!)

[7Magpies]

Hi ladies. Hoping its OK to jump on this thread. I only just signed up.
@Thund4rcat I've been having bonkers dreams since starting stims! Every night.

I'm on day 8 of Menopur. Had my first scan today and it wasn't brill. 2 follicles on side 17mm and 20mm and then 1 on the other at 15mm and 2 small ones. Cried when I came out but trying to think quality over quantity and stay positive.

Anyone had any experience of low number follicles?

Xxx

[7Magpies]

@youngatheart00 My drugs were delivered about 4 days before I started.
My injections haven't been bad at all really. Had to psych myself up for the first one but all good after that. Just take your time. My side effects were worse in the first 4 days... Super nauseous, tired, uncomfortable. But eased off now (day 8). I'm just uncomfortable now, feels like constant trapped wind 🤦🏻‍♀️😂x

[GreyC]

@7magpies

I had 4 mature eggs retrieved on Thursday and 2 fertilised. I find out tomorrow how they are doing ready for transfer Tuesday. I am literally going crazy myself with worry about have them made it and continue to grow. It’s MFI but due to historical early menopause at 30 in my family we decided to crack on at 25 and I’m 28 now. So only had 5 follicles as my right ovary ignored the stims! Thank goodness we did!
It’s our only funded round so I’m praying 🙏 they have survived. I’m thankful my two strong embryos fertilised and are obviously strong enough for that.

[Youngatheart00]

@greyC everything crossed for your call tomorrow

[7Magpies]

@GreyC

Thanks for answering. I totally understand why you're worrying, it's horrible having low numbers isn't it but it's really good that 2 of your 4 fertilised. I really hope they continue to grow for you and you're all set for Tues 🤞🏻
Were your first scan numbers similar to mine then?
The nurse questioned me about whether I'd been doing the injections properly which made me second guess myself but I know it's not that.
Just have to keep positive that the ones we have are good ones xx

[GreyC]

Thanks @Youngatheart00 and @7Magpies

I just hope they are doing as they are told and enjoying them growing haha!
I have 450 gonal f for 9 days then scanned and had 5 good ones on my left - then 3 more days of stimming and one on my right and they really grew in those three days. So 4 out of 5 (don’t count my right as it was just fluid!) I was so happy with. So happy 2 fertilised as we had ICSI so must be a good sperm in each of those and good eggs.
I’m all ready for Tuesday anyway so let’s hope I get there. My uterus is apparently perfect at 14mm which is double the recommendation so here’s hoping

[7Magpies]

@GreyC Keeping everything crossed for you. Let us know how you get on when they call xx

[siananigans]

@Youngatheart00 I was really worried about the injections before I started, but they've honestly been fine. I had my hubby do the first one as I was hesitating too much, but I've done some myself since. The first few days I hardly felt it at all, the past few days have been a little stingy, days 9-11, after my dose was increased, but nurse said that's normal and the hormones just make you more sensitive as you go on.

@7Magpies Ive been lucky to not really have much by way of side effects, apart from feeling REALLY hungry since stimming! I sympathise with you on the feeling windy front, I've felt so bloated these past few days and actually this morning the nurses were struggling to count/measure the follicles due to "bowl gas" in the way making it shadowy! 🙄

Good luck @GreyC I'm keeping everything crossed for you!

I had another scan and blood test this morning, I've to do my trigger tonight, egg collection at 8am Wednesday! Not looking forward to that early morning, it means leaving home at about 6am, but hopefully it'll be worth it.