Anyone doing ivf at 40+

[lucieloos]

We're considering doing a couple more rounds of ivf at 40.5 years old. We have 2 children already but still feel someone is missing.

Is anyone else starting or already having treatment at 40+ and would like to share the journey?

@Anxiousbuthopeful that’s excellent news long may it continue!!

Congratulations @Anxiousbuthopeful

Sorry @Anxiousbuthopeful that I've only just seen this - big congratulations! Such good news. When is your next beta? Hope you're feeling well?

@IslandStars is your procedure this week?

I am now on 5dp5dt. Can't say I am feeling hopeful, a mix of having had such a negative transfer day and wondering over my lining being suitable. No symptoms to speak of - no cramps or sign of any implantation bleed, though I know symptoms/lack of don't mean much. Not planning to test until my OTD but already convinced I'm out. Same merry-go-round!

Hello @lucymills1234. Next beta is today, so stressful. Thinking positive thoughts for you.

Thanks @Anxiousbuthopeful - will have fingers crossed for you that the beta shows good progression :)

@lucymills1234 It’s next week. Feeling a bit anxious now, it’s just been such a long build up and now within the next month it’s all go again with the procedure and hopefully FET.

I can imagine you’re not feeling in the most positive frame of mind after everything last week, but it won’t impact on this embryo implanting. Hope it goes quickly until OTD.

@Anxiousbuthopeful Hope you’ve had some progression with bloods today.

Hello everyone. So I got my Beta results. Last Friday (13 DPO) they were 165. Today (+3 days) they are over 700. Different labs and tested this pm rather than am like Friday but …. Isn’t it too quick? Doc says she isn’t worried but has asked me to get another blood test weds. Does anyone have any experience of this? What could it be?

@IslandStars not long to wait now then! This is always the way with IVF, isn't it - you're always wanting time to speed up or slow down. Do you have to do anything to prep for next week?

@Anxiousbuthopeful Well, that's definitely a developing pregnancy so congratulations! I've not heard of it being a problem if hCG levels rise rapidly, but then I've never had a need to look into it. All I know is they're meant to double every 48 hours or so. I know it is way way way easier said than done but if the Dr isn't worried then I think you can only take their cue. I'd stay away from Google if you can (again, really tough!) because you could go down all kinds of rabbit holes you don't need to.

For now, try and take today as a win - you've had further confirmation of pregnancy. One day at a time, and congrats again!

@lucymills1234 Prep will be similar to EC in that I can’t eat 6 hours before and stop fluids 2 hours before (something like that, feels like ages since I’ve done an EC!) as they’re using the same sedation.

@Anxiousbuthopeful I think that’s great news, I wouldn’t worry as I’ve heard hog levels can vary widely, the important thing is that they at least double. Maybe you were not that far along in terms of implantation for your first beta. I’m not sure what hcg levels are for twins, but I’d presume that 165 on your first reading may rule that out. Either way, I’m sure it’s going well considering the alternative of decreasing hcg.

@IslandStars fingers crossed it all goes smoothly - presumably it's an outpatient procedure?

@Anxiousbuthopeful how are you feeling about it all now you've had 24 hours to let the news sink in? More optimistic or still worried?

6dp5dt now. I've had some mild stomach cramps today - but not much of anything to be fair. I can't remember at what point last time (when it was a chemical) I noticed anything different, but I'm not sure it would be useful even if I did.

@lucymills1234 Thank you, it’s just an outpatient appointment at the clinic, might be in there a couple of hours afterwards to recover from sedation, but should be fine.

I seem to remember you felt tired during last 2ww and had some cramps. I think getting them at 6dp could be a good sign as implantation generally takes 5 days ish depending on time of your transfer. I had a few twinges with my BFN, but in hindsight was probably not ‘cramp’ worthy!

@IslandStars thanks - last time I had the strongest cramps just before (and on) test days which speaking to my consultant later, was probably my body losing the embryo again so that's not a sign I want again!

Cramps might be a bit of a strong word for most of what I had yesterday, I was just sensitive to it. I did have one sharper pain lower down (no doubt random). It's not as if I never get odd aches and pains at other times, so I shouldn't assign meaning to them just because I'm in the 2WW. I think with the chemical I started feeling really tired about 8dp, but lately I'm feeling tired a lot so I really shouldn't try to symptom spot!

@Anxiousbuthopeful how was your beta yesterday?

Hello. So it was 1316 up from 709 in 46 hours. According to the calculator that’s a doubling time of 51.5 hours. Almost right? But also a massive slow down from the previous rate of increase (doubling in 31 hours). Not sure what to think to be honest.

@Anxiousbuthopeful Glad it's still rising. How many days past transfer are you now? I really don't know much about betas, but from what i have seen, they vary quite a lot from person to person. Can your clinic give you any feedback on normal ranges etc? I guess the most important thing now it to get to your first scan date.

@lucymills1234 8 days past for your now? Getting closer.

First scan Monday 30th. And yes @lucymills1234 - not long to go now!

@Anxiousbuthopeful the great news is that your hcG is going up, which is the right direction! I also don't know much about betas but wouldn't think it's a problem that the increase isn't a straight line. So many of our body's processes vary day by day.

Yes @IslandStars I'm 8dp5dt now. Weirdly, I wrote on another thread this morning that I had no symptoms. Then went to the loo and noticed some light brown discharge. Sorry for the detail, but it's the stretchy CM type rather than pessary gunge. Not a lot, only noticable after wiping, but day 8 definitely seems too late for implantation bleeding. Hoping it's not a sign that my period is on the way. Clinic say monitor and call back if it turns fresh or if I get cramping.

@lucymills1234 I hope it’s nothing. I suppose implantation bleeding is earlier generally, but it’s hard to definitively know anything with IVF. Hopefully it doesn’t turn fresh.

Dear @lucymills1234 - please let us know! It needn’t be anything in particular. When do you test?

Thanks @IslandStars @Anxiousbuthopeful

Nothing more since, but I also now have that heavy feeling in my lower stomach similar to before a period. I had both the brown discharge and this feeling after my very first (fresh) transfer, around day 9/10 I think, and though I didn't bleed before OTD, it was a BFN. So not the highest hopes.

Oh @Anxiousbuthopeful I test on Sunday! I think this thread is almost at the limit, I should try to set up a pt 2 with anyone who's commented in the last few months... I think it's been going on so long it's no longer relevant for all...