Oct/Nov IVF, ICSI & FET - Let's do this!

[Marmite83]

Hi all

I recently had a mmc from my first IVF cycle and am waiting for AF to appear (probably 3-4 weeks away) so we can do FET. I think we'll probably go for a natural cycle but am waiting for some information from my clinic to make a final decision. Had follow up consultation yesterday and will be having nurse consultation in the next couple of weeks hopefully. If anyone is happy to share their FET experiences I'd love to hear them. A little worried that a natural cycle might be the wrong choice. Anyway, if anyone fancies joining me for some support then join the thread.

@ginandtonicformeplease maybe it's best not to think about it! I just pray it's worked for you this time

@Lillyleaf I know this is stupid but I kind of expected scans to be included in the cost of the FET, until they emailed me today with their post-BFP price list

The costs go up quickly don't they! Very glad we decided to go with Access Fertility. Luckily I've only needed Crinone and a couple of Gonasi this time so it's been about £500 in total I think. That could still go up with scans etc. I'm hoping my first scan following bfp is included. My gp has said if everything's ok at that one, she'll send me for a follow up one a couple of weeks later which will save £150 plus travel on doing it with the IVF clinic.

@Marmite83 I'm with Access Fertility and my first viability scan is included but that's it. When I had my last MC the nurse at the EPU said next time I'm pregnant I can go in for scans if I feel anxious. But it's always such a long wait in there. It's so much easier to go to my clinic but I think it's around £125 per scan! I think it's either paying for drugs or scans, and I need the drugs!

Anyone had constipation after egg collection? Uncomfortable! Maybe it's the pessaries? Is there anything we can safely take before embryo transfer? xx

@Roobles79
Maybe lots of prune juice 🥤

@Roobles79 fybogel worked for me, I was horrendously blocked up after EC

@LillyLeaf, my epu haven't offered me that after either of my miscarriages but I'm lucky to have a gp that seems to understand and has said she'll refer me. The wait is always long though, as you say, but then it's a 3 hour round trip to my clinic so I guess it's still quicker in reality.

I know this is ridiculous but I arrived at work today to discover that the girl I share the office with has just had her baby, a couple of weeks early. She's been going through a pretty horrendous time lately so I'm incredibly happy for her that he's here safe and sound but it's also made me really teary. I feel like such a cow feeling this way.

Hope you're ok @sometimesalways

Oh thank you @Marmite83 I am ok, had my scan and thankfully they couldn't find anything wrong. They actually couldn't see anything at all (with hCG at 64 it was prob unlikely that they would have) but looked for anything unusual or fluid and all seems quiet and normal. So most likely we will never find out what happened. Could have been regular mc or mc of ectopic. Either way I think I am out of the danger zone for ectopic at least. We are still monitoring my hCG to make sure there is a drop - it is still high, my body clearly still thinks it's kinda pregnant. I also need to know when this ends to work out what we do next and when...

On top of all this we had family stuff and an incredibly packed and stressful week at work so I am physically, but mostly emotionally, knackered... I find this aspect of ivf especially difficult, that we are going through this rollercoaster and have to largely act breezy and like it's all fine and normal. Or perhaps I am doing it wrong...

@Marmite83 did you test again? Is hCG rising?

Thank you to all who asked after and sent thoughts and wishes!

@Russkispy have you spoken to your clinic again, do you have a plan in place?

Glad to hear the scan went ok @sometimesalways, it's so hard to just act like everything's normal isn't it. I really hope you're out of your limbo soon so you can plan what to do next. I got a 3+ on the Clearblue digital yesterday so hopefully that's a good sign. My gp didn't ring in the end with my hcg blood results yesterday so hopefully she'll ring today.

@Marmite83 definitely a good sign! If the results are GP and not private, they do take their time sometimes...
When is your 12 week mark?

I haven't really let myself think as far as 12 weeks @sometimesalways, I guess it would be early to mid-January. NHS definitely always takes longer but she did say she'd ring me yesterday, she probably either forgot or didn't have time. Very glad I did the Clearblue in the meantime!

@Marmite83 I'm tempted to do a clear blue digital, maybe I should wait until Sunday when I'll be 5 weeks? Or is that too early for 3+?

I'm glad the scan went ok @sometimesalways. I totally agree with you on the trying to keep things normal, it adds another layer of stress. There's nothing normal about it is there. I'm at home today not sure what to do with myself, there's nothing good on telly, let me know if there's any good profs u recommend? should go for a walk but it's pissing down with rain. Yesterday I watched two documentaries on ivf, and was googling constantly. So much for trying to distract myself lol!@marmite83 that's really good news make sure you celebrate a bit on the positive test and congratulate your body, but understand why you want to be a bit cautious I think I would too XX

@LillyLeaf, I did one at 4+1 and got a 2-3, then I did one at 5+1 and it still said 2-3 which stressed me out a bit. It went up to 3+ at 5+3. Have you done one at all yet? I realise it doesn't necessarily mean things will work out (they didn't for me last time) but I feel better for knowing that my hcg levels are rising as they should be. Don't you wish you could just hit fast forward sometimes. Shouldn't wish our lives away though!

@Marmite83 I totally get that. I'd be the same. And yes in that case I am sure they will ring soon. So is the 6 week scan the next landmark?🤞

@LillyLeaf I think it all depends on your initial hCG. You can roughly calculate when you'd be due to reach the 3+ point by doubling your initial number every couple of days and see where your hCG might be today. But not sure that is a very accurate method and might bring more stress! Hard to resist though I know!

Thank you @Roobles79
Ha not sure watching ivf documentaries counts as a distraction
Have you started the Crown yet? Its the one everyone is talking about now

It's a BFP for me! I can't believe it, I really can't.

I feel like I've spent half the morning on the phone organising stuff now - blood test tomorrow, intralipids next week, more medication, cancel my yoga membership as the teachers don't like you there before 12 weeks.

But I can't help but think that this might all be for nothing - I've arranged my seven week scan but both my losses were in week 8, so picked up at the 9 week scan. @Marmite83 I know what you mean about fast forwarding a bit - I'd give anything to just fast forward to 12 weeks!

What does everyone's clinics say about exercise? I really don't want to stop doing it completely, so was thinking I could perhaps do some gentle exercise like swimming instead of my usual body pump!

Congratulations!! @ginandtonicformeplease (no gin and tonic for you!) My clinic hasn't given me advise re. exercise. I think swimming would be fine though as would other gentle exercise. I've stopped my usual Clubbercise class since transfer and am missing it but I've been trying to get out walking the dog and doing other gentle exercise since.

@sometimesalways, my gp just rang and said my level was 2515 on Wednesday so it probably went up a little bit more by Thursday to get the 3+ result. She was happy with the level and said it's exactly where it should be (sorry, I know this might be a little sensitive for you). Yes, scan is the next landmark, next Friday when I should be 6+4.

@ginandtonicformeplease oh congratulations!! That's super news.
My clinic recommends nothing strenuous and I'd just be doing nice long walks really - I stopped everything apart from that when I was pregnant with my son. But I am always overcautious.

@Marmite83 I am not bothered in the slightest don't worry! Somehow other people getting their bfps or babies doesn't really affect me much. If anything it gives me hope if it's people who have been trying for a while. The more happy people in the world, the better.
But I appreciate of course that it might be a sensitive subject for others so thank you for saying that.

Thanks both. My clinic recommends just walks, but I've followed that the last two times and still lost them. When I say swimming, I'm definitely not the type to charge up and down the pool - think more like an old lady doing ten lengths of breaststroke!

@sometimesalways I'm the same - other people's BFPs or babies don't upset me, I'm generally just pleased for them, especially, as you say, if they've been trying for a long time.

@LillyLeaf @Marmite83 @ginandtonicformeplease congratulations on your bfps!

I’m just catching up on the thread after a couple of weeks offline to try and stem my anxiety. I had a scan this morning at 9+1 and I finally feel like I’m starting to relax. I found the first few weeks so slow too but they do start to move quicker.

Re exercise, I’ve been trying to walk most days. I’m keen to start pregnancy yoga in the new year (need to be over 12 weeks at mine too). I think swimming is a good one too as it’s non impact so might try that.

@Marmite83 I've only done 2 FRERs, I might do a FRER tomorrow and hold out for the digital until 5+3. I hate this bit, I'm so anxious. I can't concentrate at work and I'm knackered, awake at 3.30am again.

@sometimesalways I don't know what the HCG levels were apart from 'great' (I didn't want the actual number in case I started googling like crazy). I hope you're doing ok.

@ginandtonicformeplease congratulations, that's fantastic news. My clinic hasn't mentioned exercise. I've stopped cycling at the weekends which is annoying but I might hold out until 12wks (if I make it that far).

@Betsyboo87 how to you get through the first few weeks? I'm really not coping today. I can't even imagine getting to 9weeks.

@LillyLeaf Weeks 6 and 7 were my hardest. I struggled to concentrate at work, let the house work slide and I was googling symptoms at 3am. I found a routine though and that really helped. A 30 min walk each day, at least one house chore and then bath and early to bed with a book. I’m not sure I’ve seen past 10pm for weeks. Take it one day at a time and the weeks will start to speed up.

Evening ladies, sorry this may be a little bit too much information but did anyone have yellowish discharge a couple of days after embryo transfer? X