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.

Hello everyone 👋🏻

I'm about to start IVF again for the second time with my frozen embryos. I had IVF in January 2009 and had a bad case of OHSS after 28 eggs were retrieved and resulted in 15 embryos. All were frozen to allow me time to recover. I went back in June 2009 for a FET with one 3 day old embryo and was successful and had my gorgeous now 9yr old DD.
So my remaining 11 embryos are ready and waiting for me to start later this month... I'm so nervous after such a long time (over ten years) and just feel I was so lucky last time with all the eggs, embryos and then my gorgeous girl, that I won't be so lucky this time. This will be my third DC I also have a 16yr old DS.
I know my circumstances are unusual but have been browsing the boards as everything seems to have changed since I did it last!

Welcome @candycornlover. That's a huge number of embryos, no wonder you had OHSS but how lovely to have so many chances in the freezer. I'd imagine things have changed a little in the last decade but hopefully only for the better. I'm waiting to do my first FET, just waiting for af to appear. We're going for a natural cycle.

@candycornlover welcome! That’s an amazing number you have on ice.

@Marmite83 I hope ovulation comes soon. The waiting is so frustrating. Even when I was doing stims it was easier as I felt I was actually doing something.

I finally have one embryo onboard! It was all pretty quick and painless. I was really anxious this morning over whether it would defrost so it was a relief when they called to say it was all good. Now we just need to relax for the next 10 days and keep our fingers crossed. Easier said than done!

That's great news @Betsyboo87, hope you've got some things planned to distract you until OTD.

Has anyone on here tried fertility acupuncture? What's the average cost of a session? Not really sure we can afford it as I think I'd probably be best to have a few sessions but have started looking into it.

Hi @Marmite83 I had it last time it costs me £40, you can find someone local on the Zita West website. I think it helped last time and it helps me staying focused/stress management. I get on well with the lady that does it too so it is quite nice to have another perspective from someone unrelated.

I had a day 7 scan today and was still small 4/6mm bit worried about it, they'll hopefully increase my menopur, I am on 375 atm but was on 450 last time and responded really well (triggered on day 9). Keeping fingers cross they don't cancel.

I have had it and and actually the two times I did it I got a BFP (didn't keep me pregnant though 😢)

Can I join in? We have had our planning appointment/blood tests and nurse appointment today and are ready to start our FET on day 1. My period is due anytime between tomorrow and two weeks away so not sure when that will be (stupid body!). We won't down reg, just progynova then progesterone.

We have our daughter from our first cycle and two frosties left from that cycle. Consultant suggested just transferring one as they are good quality embryos which I'm a bit disappointed with but think it's probably sensible!

Hi @justtheonethen it seems our cycles might be similar. Also expecting period some time later this week (or later) and then straight into progesterone for FET. good luck! Aaaahh I am so fed up of this waiting already though

@Marmite83 I am doing acupuncture for this cycle. If anything seems to calm me - even if it is just placebo! Apparently it works/helps and I thought since I don't have all the meds wth this cycle, I might as well try other natural boosters.. I am at £55 per session in London. Not cheap, but cheaper than a new cycle, if it does end up making a difference!

@sometimesalways that will be nice to go through it together

Any vitamins I should be taking for a FET? I took all the things for our fresh cycle but I'm not sure what I should be taking for this as they were geared towards egg development (which was a shambles as I got 4 ) .

I do acupuncture, I really like it. I've done 2 egg retrievals and 2 transfers both were bfp (both MC) so I'm doing it again. But absolutely go to a fertility specialist. My acupuncturist is extremely knowledgeable about fertility and IVF, in fact more so then some doctors I've spoken to.

I got my FET drugs protocol and I'll be on a lot of meds this time, mostly to help with recurrent miscarriages so I'm pleased we're doing this probably and throwing everything at it (but it's going to cost a fortune).

@candycornlover I would imagine it has changed a bit but maybe not so much with a FET?

@Betsyboo87 good luck with the relaxing, you'll need it.

@justtheonethen I'm always tempted to put 2 back in but I only have one normal one now so at least that option is not there. Probably for the best. I follow an IVF journey You Tuber and her twin pregnancy has put me right off. It was awful.

@LillyLeaf
Did you decide to go straight to transfer rather than doing another collection?

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted yeah we went around in circles trying to decide what to do, in the end there was no right answer so the money did play a part in the decision. The cost of a retrieval cycle plus pgs plus drugs then a FET transfer was so much, with no guarantee of anymore normal embryos. This FET is already part of the program I've paid for. I feel like we did the right thing for us now. Also if this FET doesn't work we still have another cycle left as part of our package.

@LillyLeaf I had HG last time so I think even more of a reason not to actively try for twins!

@Betsyboo87 Great news about the embryo on board! How was the transfer? Hope things are going well and you're not going mad yet. I reckon I'll do backdoor too, I have never done them before but they sound very messy!

@candycornlover Welcome! I'm also doing a FET at the end of the month, and taking the standard pre-conception vitamins with Vit D and folic acid.

Ooops meant to tag you in the previous post @justtheonethen! What vitamins are you taking?

My understanding is that the luteal phase length stays the same each cycle and it's the timing of ovulation that changes but I'm not sure if that's still true when you're on IVF meds @sometimesalways

@mincedpea I am taking
Vitamin c
Coenzyme q 10
Vitamin d
Vitamin e
Folic acid

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF
Have you given in and decided to test??? 🤞🤞x

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted yes and it was bfn for us xx

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF I'm so sorry. Could it just be too early?

@justtheonethen thank you! Yes possibly but going on my last fet I had a bfp at 6dp5dt and this one is 7dp5dt! Blood test is Friday and I’m sure I’ll be testing from now to them but don’t feel very hopeful at this stage

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF I know what you mean. I had a positive at 5dp5dt last time so I know I'm going to struggle not to test from then this time. Will keep everything crossed it's just too early.

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF so sorry, I really hope it's too early and changes for you.

I'm still probably a month away from transfer and time is moving so slow although I should be pleased as I'm incredibly busy at the moment but can't stop constantly thinking about this cycle, I wish I could shut my mind off for a month (I'm not very good at all this waiting).

@FinallytakingtheplungewithIVF
Oh no! But wasn't yours a day 3/4 if it was frozen before it got to blast so actually you could still be pretty early? X

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted no they didn’t make it this was a frozen on day day and was a blastocyst!

@LillyLeaf thank you