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!

[siananigans]

@youngatheart00 yes, pessaries 3 times a day, so definitely could be that.

@NS05 I wouldnt worry, I didn't feel any different at the 4 day mark either. It was around day 6/7 I started feeling really heavy.

[Youngatheart00]

My massive box of medications has just arrived! Feel quite anxious / tearful as I think the magnitude of it all has dawned on me, opening the box and seeing it all.

Not surprising as NHS but no numbing gel or sharps bin provided. Do you think the GP would be able to provide?

[Youngatheart00]

@siananigans sending very very positive vibes (and cake) 🍰

[impatientmammy]

@Youngatheart00 they will definitely give you a sharps bin but from what I've seen people have been using ice cubes or cold packs for numbing x

[siananigans]

@youngatheart00 I got a sharps bin, and a little purple case to carry it in if out and about 😂
Honestly though, numbing not necessary, I used an ice cube the first time and the last 2/3 times as I'd got more sensitive and my dose was higher, but the rest I didn't use anything to numb the area.

[Naughtyboob]

Oh siananigans I'm sorry to hear that but fingers crossed the one inside is the one!! I just got my Call, 10 of my 20 made it and have been frozen, I wasn't expecting that many to make it as I didn't think they would be good quality. I'm sat here crying with joy and eating my pizza coz I can't get hold of my husband he's in work

[Youngatheart00]

Thanks @siananigans I’ll stick with ice, I’m sure the apprehension is worse than the task itself! Re sharps bin I only start down reg tonight so perhaps I can get one from my clinic when I go for a scan - that’ll be before I start injections.

@naughtyboob TEN! That’s amazing. As they’re being frozen will you not be having your transfer right away?

[Naughtyboob]

@Youngatheart00 no I was told early on I was a freeze all due to high risk OHSS, a fresh transfer wasn't even an option for me. They have said I can have a transfer in about 6 weeks once my hormones are back to normal.
And i would say ice is the best option. I had cream but found it too messy and inconvenient having to put it on 1-5 hours before injection! 10 mins of ice worked just as well!!

[NS05]

Such amazing news @Naughtyboob you must be so happy! Fingers crossed for you! I also have mild pcos so scared of OHSS - I had 30 follicles last week but they said they are going to monitor me very closely!

[Naughtyboob]

@NS05 I had over 60 follicles but was monitored really close and they reduced my meds but keeps me on them for longer to get all the eggs to catch up, then I was given an alternative trigger shot that reduces the OHSS risk and I have felt a but shitty in general but didn't get OHSS so happy with That! Will you be having a fresh transfer? We have been trying for a baby for 6 years so im happy to wait a few more weeks!! And yes I am so happy thank you, was so scared we would loose them with there being so many!

[NS05]

She's just told me that I may need to freeze all and have the transfer next month- I know it's only a few more weeks but really had my heart set on doing something this month! I am going to prob have to reduce stims as my follicles were already growing quite fast- it's just annoying when different doctors tell you different things! Do you think you just need to take one day off for the transfer? I'm so scared about all the time I'm taking off I've said I had a cyst and had booked off what I thought would be egg collection day to the transfer day!

[Anaesthetist83]

eurgh. Well my egg collection was Aug 20th. OHSS so freeze all. Had a withdrawal bleed and still waiting for my period to be able to start the transfer process. I was given a rather optimistic "6 weeks" until can transfer.... in reality it is going to be ages.

[NS05]

What a nightmare @Anaesthetist83 it's so frustrating when you just want to get going! It's also going to cost an extra 2k as well!

[Naughtyboob]

I got my period this morning, it's a really bad one, I had to come home from work at lunch. I googled it and apparently thats normal after all the hormones.
I've been reading up loads on frozen transfers and they have really good success rates, I know you have to wait a little longer @NS05 but it will be worth it if you fall pregnant and don't have OHSS for 12 weeks!! Thats the way im looking at it! I'm hoping to have had a transfer and know if its worked or not before Christmas [santa]

[NS05]

Ye I guess your right @Naughtyboob it's just costing so much more than I thought! They don't really explain all the extras! Do you think it's usually 6 weeks from egg collection then to the transfer if it's frozen? How many weeks is yours in total going to be from the egg collection to transfer?

[Naughtyboob]

I assumed it was 6 weeks from egg collection @NS05 but not really sure how it works from here. I assume that my cycle has to be involved somehow, and as I don't ovulate I will need some sort of hormone medication, I have an appointment on 25th October so will find out then but I'm starting to think it will be longer than the 6 weeks now. I'm really lucky to be NHS so hadn't thought about the cost implications!

[EarlGreyT]

@jemimafuddleduck
Good luck. Hope you’ve had your transfer as planned and that the 2ww isn’t too torturous.

[Youngatheart00]

Having a down day today. A couple of days into taking Progynova and I’ve been up both nights with an upset stomach, still queasy now and it’s tough at work. First scan appt is next Weds so actually willing that on (and start of stims) to at least move to the next stage of the process.

How is everyone else today?

[Naughtyboob]

Keep drinking plenty of water, keep yourself hydrated or you will feel worse!
I felt ill towards the end of stims but think that's coz my ovaries got so big! I'm just impatiently waiting now to find out when I can have my transfer!!

[Youngatheart00]

Thanks @Naughtyboob been sipping all day. Just don’t like this feeling of being kicked in the stomach! Oh well.....

Do you have to carry on taking any drugs while you wait for your transfer, or do you get to give your body a rest? I’ve actually read that the delayed transfers from frozen embryos have better success rates!

[Naughtyboob]

@youngatheart00 I'm not taking anything at the moment, I do have pesseries which I need for the transfer but not sure yet when I use them...i had to go get more last week one of my pugs got to them and chewed through 5!! I was so embarrassed!!
I have read that about frozen transfers too, so as impatient as I feel now I'm quite glad I have to wait!
Hope your feeling better soon, it will all be worth it, that's what I kept telling myself!!

[Violet180]

Hi October cycle buddies,
I would like to join.

I am starting my 3rd try at IVF after 2 failed rounds with PGS testing all Aneuploid embryos.
This time we are doing no PGS testing in hopes to finally give Embryo transfer a try.

Starting stims meds gonal-F tomorrow.

[NS05]

Welcome! Just had a scan today egg collection should be Tuesday! I have almost 40 eggs so I definitely am not going to transfer this month so should be transferring mid November! How is everyone getting on

[Naughtyboob]

@NS05 aww we might be transferring around the same time!! 40 is really good fingers crossed!!
Hi @violet180

[NS05]

@Naughtyboob can't wait to get them out feel so heavy! Yes he said hopefully around 15th nov so fingers crossed! He said the frozen cycle should be much more straightforward mostly oestrogen tablets and just a few injections so hopefully we won't have to go through too much more!