Jan/Feb IVF/ICSI/FET here we go...

[sometimesalways]

Hello, starting a new thread for those of us starting a new cycle after the holidays.

My background: one successful round of ivf a few years back resulted in my lovely DS and now trying for a second. We are about to go for round 3, following 1 bfn and 1 mc.

At the moment I am waiting for af to appear. Seem to be about to ovulate according to opk. So guessing should expect af in about 2 weeks time.

Going for natural FET with progesterone support. The question for me is whether to add steroids too. A little scared of long terms risks so we will see...

@Russkispy @itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted @Christabelle89
I remember from previous threads you were doing, or thinking of doing another round in Jan?

Everybody welcome to join, wherever you are on your journey. It's a tough business, keeping company helps. Good luck!

Aha I understand. Personally I found the collection extremely traumatic (mild OHSS resulting in freeze all, plus 20 eggs collected - the procedure took a long time). If I can get away with not having to do that again, so much the better!!

Hope it all goes well @Hatawa83 did you get your bloods back?

@BettySwoll0cks you too! How are you feeling?

@sometimesalways I feel weirdly ok. I instinctively knew that this blast wouldn't stick when I was still getting -ve FRERs 7 & 8dpt so I'm not surprised my line has pretty much gone. Waiting for the beta hCG results then I'll stop taking my meds and hope for a bleed to clear everything through. I'm just desperate not to get stuck with a non viable pregnancy that the nhs refuses to treat 'just in case', only to miscarry at the end of the first trimester. I'm so over that!!!

@BettySwoll0cks I soooo understand you there. I’d much rather bother pregnant or have it end early then go through another miscarriage at a later date (mine are usually 8weeks) it’s just so tough having that hope and being crushed again.

@sometimesalways yes bloods were fine so should be doing EC Friday though I will be having a scan before EC to ensure it’s worth doing. It’s good to know we can abandon the round if things aren’t looking good. Feel in limbo waiting for something that may not happen or that may not have the outcome we want. Trying to think positively though so I’ll update Friday.

*not get pregnant...bloody typos! 😂

I know exactly what you mean re: not getting pregnant @Hatawa83 @BettySwoll0cks
My last mc took some 2 months to get fully resolved and one more for my period to properly return. It would have saved a lot of time (and money, and worry) if it were a clear cut bfn... but is anything ever straightforward with ivf.

I have one more scan today and guessing ovulation should be imminent. Today or tomorrow, let's see. Lining is nice and thick already so all go. Almost too thick if that's a thing, apparently 17mm which I never had before! Is this normal? (Obvs now I am worried it is too thick and means something is off)
I wonder if it's because of the recent miscarriage, maybe my body is super charged or something. So weird.

@sometimesalways
My doctor last week said he wouldn't transfer if lining was over 11mm on collection day but I don't know how much they expect the lining to thicken up between collection and transfer x

@sometimesalways I remember from the previous board, you didn't get an answer for ages. They suspected an ectopic for a while didn't they?

I got my beta hCG result from Monday's test. That would've been 11dp5dt and the level was 92 (very low, from what I can see from online charts). We did a second beta today so I should get those results Friday. Assuming it's still a slow rise I'll stop taking the meds then and hope for the best.

@BettySwoll0cks yes exactly. It took a long time and eventually a biopsy to confirm the pregnancy was in the right place... it was super stressful. Won't deny it. At least the biopsy put our minds to rest in the end.i remember my hCG back then was about 60 at 15dp5dt, which was "on the lower side of the scale but within normal" apparently. I think yours could actually be ok, seems better? But then again I totally get why you are being cautious.

@Hatawa83 Dr didn't seem concerned but let's see what happens today. Scan coming up shortly. Perhaps it makes a difference that I have no egg collection (it's FET) and I am on no meds at the moment. Or perhaps different clinics have different thresholds? 🤔

@sometimesalways if it’s too thick they’ll tell you I think. Pretty sure that’s what happened when I had OHSS so if they are going ahead it should be fine. Fingers crossed!
Triggering at 11pm tonight. Eeeeek!

Thanks @sometimesalways. What I wouldn't give to be 'normal' or (shock horror) on the positive side of the curve?! Anyway nothing I can do except keep taking the meds and see what happens. At least I'm not stressed about it, because in my head I'm already resigned to it not working 😂

Although I have a raging thirst today, which I do remember from when I was pg with DS 🤷‍♀️

Good luck @Hatawa83 .... how exciting. I'll be thinking of you!

@Hatawa83 I am SUCH an idiot. Just had my scan and I totally misheard last time and the lining is actually 9mm which is perfect. 17 (now 20) is in fact the follicle size. Argh 🤦‍♀️ haha Sorry. I am loosing it slowly. All good though, ovulation seems to be coming up tomorrow as the follicle was almost ready to pop.
Exciting about your trigger! Yay

@BettySwoll0cks let's see still keeping fingers crossed for you!

@BettySwoll0cks aw thanks Hun and crossing everything for you!!!!
@sometimesalways lol well that’s a happy mistake! When is the transfer?

Hey all sorry for disappearing! Hope you're all doing as well as can be.

@Ging78 I'm not liking the lubion injections, they were ok at first but now have started to make my stomach sore and tender and sometimes the oil form a lump at the top of my skin, not sure if this is normal.

@sometimesalways at my scan my lining was 10.2 but as other posters have said if it's too thick at the time of transfer I presume they will abandon the cycle. Having said that I will definitely mention it at the time of my transfer as TMI but I have been getting extra discharge, I don't know if its good or bad,does anyone know?

@BettySwoll0cks I hear you with getting on with it, how many do you have left in the freezer?

I am soo nervous as if this doesn't work its dream over.

@Hatawa83 haha yes indeed phew
We need to confirm ovulation tomorrow (so one more scan coming up in the morning) and if so, then transfer is Tuesday

@Hufflepuff1 I remember getting those little lumps too, I think they are fine. I used to get bruises from lubion but it was not the med, it was the needle. I then swapped to thinner needles and then I didn't bruise as much. Worth asking about it?
I think extra discharge is fine as long as lining is ok. Prob a good sign?

Eek @sometimesalways you are only a few days after me, my transfer is on Friday.
I don't have any bruises yet, the needle itself is fine, it's just really sore and tender but I suppose what else should I expect, a pain free ivf? 😂😂

@sometimesalways glad it's all good with the lining! Hope the scan is good tomorrow and ready for transfer ext week.

@Hatawa83 good luck with trigger 

@BettySwoll0cks thinking of you 🤞🏻

@Hufflepuff1 cycle twin buddy 🤞🏻hope you're ok, and all calm!

AFM, just back from acupuncture. Got some seeds pinned in my ears! Ouch! Stimulating and keeping them till Friday. Flying out tomorrow afternoon. And ready for transfer! Let's do this, girls! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Thanks @Russkispy - 🤞 for you too

@Hufflepuff1 I have 3 more blasts in the freezer. 2 good quality 5-dayers, one that looks ok apparently but took an extra day to catch up. Not long now for you, sending you positive vibes!

Hi guys, hope it’s ok for me to join... brief history - had icsi Dec 2018 homerton NHS and ended up with 3 embryos, 2 higher quality than third. Had to wait and have frozen transfer due to high hormone levels. First embryo took but we lost the baby at 14 weeks due to really rare heart condition. Next round cancelled due to failure to respond to meds. Now have had second embryo transferred 2 weeks ago, got a massive migraine on day of transfer, did a home test today and bfn :( blood test to confirm tomorrow just can’t even face going. Felt so confident ahead of this one totally gutted now!! Seeking any experience on why embryos don’t take? Any advice on private clinics also as thats looking like my next step! So worried about quality of third embryo also.

Wishing you all the luck in the world for your cycles! Xxx

Welcome @Bee369 and I am so sorry for your loss. And sorry about the bfn! Be kind to yourself and take it easy, ivf if such a difficult process. It's emotionally (and financially!) draining. I think (and from what my consultant says) most embryos that don't take just weren't meant to be. That happens in nature all the time and from a batch of embryos a number would be non viable ones and which ones those are can't be determined ahead of the transfer unfortunately (you can do genetic testing to narrow things down but I am not sure it is 100% reliable). It was probably just bad luck, unless there is an underlying reason to do with egg/sperm quality perhaps? I am not a medical professional though! I think a follow up with your doctor will probably give you a better idea about best next steps.

I think it's worth researching and visiting a few clinics before deciding on the one you will go for, as there's different approaches as I understand it (some give more meds, other take a more natural approach for example). Although what you need and what is right for you might also depend on the reason for your infertility. I am at a private London one which worked with the nhs clinic that helped me get pregnant with my son, so I took that as a good sign and went with them for example.

Thanks so much @sometimesalways, really appreciate you taking the time to reply! Hope all going well for you wherever you are in the journey.

Draining is definitely a great way to explain it! I had to dig deep to get through work today and have a funeral to go to after blood test tomorrow (great timing!)

Thanks so much for the pointers on embryos and clinic hunting. I am worried about embryo quality - we had icsi in the first place as hub had v low sperm x

@BettySwoll0cks thankfully you have some in the freezer and hopefully one of them takes 🤞🤞
And thanks I'm absolutely pooing myself!!

@Bee369 sorry to hear what you've gone through, you aren't alone remember that. The important thing is to find out answers from your consultant, they should have a good idea on what to do next. If you have any specific issues then I'd suggest looking at clinics or doctors that specialise in that.
Sometimes there's just no reason and that's the worst of all as you may never have an answer but I hope you get there soon 💜

Thank you @Hufflepuff1 great idea re specialist clinics! Will see if any specialise in icsi due to low sperm x

Ugh ovulation still imminent according to scan but still hasn't happened so I need to go back again tomorrow, and transfer prob Wednesday next week now...

@Russkispy @Hufflepuff1 good luck! How exciting, transfer day is almost here! Sending all the positive vibes. We can do this!

@Hatawa83 I suppose they will confirm your transfer date after EC, right? Good luck tomorrow to you too!

How's everyone else doing?