Dec/ Jan IVF support

[Chooklass]

Hi all,

I can't see a thread for Dec/ Jan yet - maybe because a lot of clinics shut over the holidays - but mine doesn't! Anyone else out there starting in December and want to support each other? This will be my first round so I'm pretty nervous! X

Hiya 👋 I might be starting December/janruary
It’s an nhs round and my first also.
Think my clinic shuts a few days over Christmas so just waiting and seeing now.
I’m also quite nervous 😬 are you going to be short or long protocol?

Hi!

I think I will be starting IVF in January too, depending on funding. This will also be my first round. I am probably going to do short protocol. What about you?

Hi ladies,
Can I join please. Hoping for December/January too.
Had my AMH and pelvic assessment scan and we are meeting the consultant next week. Our clinic closes for a bit over Xmas so it will prob be delayed a bit. Just want to get going now!

Hi all, can I join. I'm also hoping to start first round in December/jan. Seeing the consultant next Monday so am hoping to know more then.

I don't know if this is the same for others, but I'm quite surprised by the lack of testing before being referred for ivf. I guess cause we have male factor issues they have no reason to do too much testing on me.

How's everyone feeling about it? Seems there are a few other first timers.

Had my first clinic appointment today, treatment planning appointment on 19th November with the plan to start January. (Clinic closes for 2 weeks at Christmas)

Hope we all have lots of success!

Hi everyone! Glad there are a few of us (but sorry you're all having to go through this too). I'm not sure what protocol I'll be on yet - got appointment next week to discuss that so should know soon. How do they decide that? Based on my AMH results? (They just did that test last week - not got results yet).

@duckling3 I don't feel like I've had much testing either. I guess the NHS can only afford to do a certain amount before IVF becomes a more effective option? We are 'unexplained'.

@Fredsgirl19 Sounds like we are on a very similar schedule! I just got my AMH and scan last wk too. Back in next wk for results and OHs semen analysis. Annoyingly, his test day is when I'm ovulating - think I can ask for it back?! 😂😂 Since IVF has come closer I've got a renewed enthusiasm for trying to get pregnant naturally before then ... totally ridiculous notion after 3 yrs of nothing but worth a shot!!

@Chooklass very similar time scales apart from semen analysis as my husbands was frozen before chemo so we skip that bit.

It is annoying that Xmas is going to get in the way but ivf is all about waiting isn’t it!

@Fredsgirl19 Really sorry to hear you and your OH have had to cope with chemo as well as this. You must have been though a tough time - hopefully some IVF luck coming your way soon x

@Chooklass thank you. It’s definitely been one hell of a rollercoaster but onwards and upwards. To be honest, cancer aside, all of us have had to experience the hell of infertility for whatever it’s cause might be and we all deserve our happy endings!

Can I join?
We are looking to do IVF in January with ABC. Sadly not eligible for NHS as I had a miscarriage in January this year.
DH has anti-sperm antibodies so we have been recommended ICSI. Feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment and the cost is painful, but excited to finally have an end to the aimless TTCing.

Hi @FlapJackered 👋! I feel your pain regarding cost - we're self funding this round through NHS. Sorry about your miscarriage - I didn't realise that made you ineligible for funded IVF ☹️. The whole IVF funding thing seems so variable and unfair.

@FlapJackered that is terrible re the miscarriage. I’m sorry the post code lottery can be so unfair.

What’s everyone doing to prepare their bodies?? I’m trying to go to the gym 4 days a week and eat more protein less sugar and carbs. I’m starving 😂

Thanks @Chooklass @Fredsgirl19 it's really frustrating as they hardly looked at my DH's results (which basically give us a 1% chance of getting pregnant naturally again) and said if I got pregnant once I will get pregnant again! After 2 years ttc its not overly helpful to hear 🤦🏼‍♀️
@Chooklass what is the next step for you? Or are you all ready to go?

@Fredsgirl19 we are trying to eat healthy and avoid alcohol but Christmas is going to be a difficult one, right before we start!
I have also been told by the consultant I need to put on weight so not to exercise which I am finding quite tough, also not sure lack of exercise is great for ivf prep either 🤷🏼‍♀️
Do you find getting the protein in hard? Particularly breakfast is a real challenge without eating meat constantly. 🥩

@Fredsgirl19 We have semen analysis and discussion next week, presumably chatting about results of AMH test last week too. I'm a bit nervous about the AMH results as I'm 38. All being well we're booked to start treatment as soon as I get my December period, which will be around 15th-18th so it's all going to be happening over Christmas.

How are you all hiding it from family? Or have you told people? While Christmas hols make it easier to hide from work, it's more tricky with family. Just been saying we're having a quiet one and trying to avoid plans!

@FlapJackered I'm taking general pre-conception vits and coQ10, exercising more and trying to be nice to myself. I'm making a mental note of anything which makes me stressed so I can avoid during treatment!

Sorry - got replies to each of your questions the wrong way round @FlapJackered and @Fredsgirl19 !

@Chooklass that is very exciting, it will come around quickly now!
My family knows, I am quite open about it with family and friends as my sister has just gone through it all too. My husband's side of the family doesn't know though and they think my DH isn't drinking because I want him to lose weight 🙈😂.
We are spending Christmas with his family so that will be interesting!
Good luck with the appointment and fingers crossed for the AMH!

I’ve just recently told my other half’s mom and my dad.
Very nerve racking for me as it’s felt
Like a secret for so long (years) and now only decided to tell anyone. Bit worried incase they get their hopes up and it doesn’t work but one of the reasons we haven’t told our whole families is because we don’t want extra pressure/questions all the time.
Have you ladies had to pay for your amh test? I had to pay for mine and got my results a few weeks ago, glad I did as now my protocol can be tailored to me as it wasn’t what I thought it wasn’t going to be. It was 15 and I’m 28 so just a little on the low side so my dose is going to be upped a little so it was worth having it done.
Lot of male factors on this board too! We are also having ivf because of male factor, I also have a few minor issues.
I haven’t been exercising much lately as I’ve been too tired after work, but is it really important to exercise before ivf? I could do with losing a good few pounds tbh! X

@Millie20202 We haven't told anyone either at work or family/friends, so I'm hoping we can get away with keeping it secret!
We didn't have to pay for the AMH test, it was done at our first NHS appointment.
We also have male factor! I feel like I've had an awful lot of tests whilst my husband has had barely anything!

@Fredsgirl19 I am also trying to eat high protein and cut down on carbs . If you havent already I would recommend reading 'it starts with the egg' for advice on which supplements to take and which ones to avoid- i found it really useful. In terms of excercise, we were told that mild or moderate excercise was good but anything more than that was to be avoided for both of us, especially hardcore cycling for the men!

@Millie20202 I'm just trying to stay generally healthy, more because I feel more positive and calm if I exercise rather than trying to lose weight or anything. I do high-impact aerobics twice a week which I really love, but will have to stop during treatment and do something gentler instead.

We were originally referred for male factor issues too but his results improved loads with vitamins and no cycling! They also found cysts on my ovaries and a fibroid in my uterus, but I ovulate regularly and have clear tubes etc, so we're in the unexplained category.

I am having a new round this month, really hope it will be successful.

Btw, as my doctor changed my medication, I have one unopened box of follitropin left, 900 IU red pen.

Any one of you know where I can sell it? Quite expensive, don't want to waste the money as the treatment was so expensive already : (

Can I join? I started a down reg FET cycle on Weds. Just did my injection on my own and need a hand hold.

This is my third cycle and will be my fourth transfer (embryos 6&7).

First two cycles failed. Had a third retrieval and they thought I had an endometrioma so did a freeze all. Turned it it wasn't an endometrioma, so transferred 2 embies in July And had another BFN.

We were in the unexplained camp and weren't satisfied why it wasn't working so had a lap and excision in Sept and discovered that have a blocked tube and stage 2 endo.

I'll be testing a few days before Christmas. What a bloody year.

Welcome @FingersXssd83 - sounds like you've had a tough year - hope this round is your lucky one

It's always in the back of my mind that we shouldn't just settle for 'unexplained', but so difficult to know what to ask for?

Thanks @Chooklass

Have you had a HSG or the other one? I didn't get one of them and that would have pointed to endo due to having a blocked tube. Aside from the lap. Ive had immune and level 1 bloods tested after my third fail. Might do an ERA before any future retrievals if this cycle doesn't work.

Wishing you the best of luck sweetheart, it's probably worth doing a cycle or two before looking at further tests 💖