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!

@Sarab2020 great news that you've had your transfer. Hoping you are feeling well in yourself? x

Well done @Sarahb2020 good luck! Are you an early tester? or do you usually prefer to wait for OTD? How are you feeling?

I am trying to calculate how my cycle will go and I suspect, unless there's any surprises, I should be able to do ET on the last week of Feb. Anyone else with a similar timeline?

@Bestofyou1982 I’m feeling ok, trying to be positive and sending little wishes to our blobs as I’m calling them! How are you feeling?

@sometimesalways we tested early with each IUI we had trying to hold out this time but also tempted to test on 2nd Feb

Glad you are feeling well @Sarab2020.
I went back to work yesterday and it was a bonkers day. Stressful and long day and not a minute. Not the calm day I had wanted. Took the decision to take today off as unpaid leave. Work were fine about it, stresses me out a bit not being in but less stressful that the day would have been no doubt. I'm actually currently working on laptop but in quiet of my house at my own pace with no interuption or hassles. Hopefully stand me in good stead for next week.
I've had cramping since transfer, hoping it's a positive sign sonething is happening.

@sometimesalways think I'm testing in 2nd too. If can wait that long. Not bought a test so can't be tempted to do it any earlier.

Good luck! What are your official test days @Bestofyou1982 @Sarab2020 ?
Some people get bfps even from 6dp5dt but it would only work with early implantation. Waiting a bit longer is probably best for peace of mind. I usually prefer to wait a bit but of course it's down to personal preference 🤞🤞 for you

@Bestofyou1982 luckily work hasn’t been too stressful for me, I’ve had occasional cramping but only more so when I’ve nothing else to focus on. Glad to hear work are ok and you’ve found a quiet corner in your house.

@sometimesalways my official test day is 4th Feb trying to hold off but it’s hard not to think about it

Cycle day 1 had come early for me today! - took me by surprise as not due for at least 4 more days!
Start tamoxifen and low dose Bemfola on cycle day 3 - egg collection will probably Be next Thursday or Friday

How is everyone else's getting on? X

Ah great @itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted
One step closer to the goal!
How are you feeling? Fingers crossed for some top quality eggs

Here all good. My goal for this cycle is to try and feel as normal and relaxed as I can before we plunge into ivf madness again with the next period. I have the flashing smiley again today, so things are progressing. hope it only sticks around for a couple of days at most this time! It should do. Hopefully. Aargh

@sometimesalways
I feel ok - it's strange doing egg collections where you know you definitely aren't transferring for a while - got some protein drinks from Boots today so going to see if the extra protein has any effect!

Anyone else taking royal jelly tablets and ubquinol - I cant decide whether they make me feel dizzy/woozy/more exhausted - but I guess I've only got another few more weeks on them - two more egg collections and then we are done for good

Hi ladies
Hope i can join the thread. I have enjoyed reading all of your stories and where you are up to on your cycle. Fingers crossed for you all. You are all such pros!

Bit of background
I am 30 and it’s taken 4 long depressing years to get to this point but we finally start IVF long protocol on my next period. I am due Sunday (although i am concerned i’ll be early knowing my luck) I have a low AMH and my dh has a low sperm count so we are going for ICSI. Unfortunately we only get one free go on the NHS so fingers crossed for us. I've read a lot everywhere that your first go is like a trail run whilst they get your levels and medication correct.

A little apprehensive for the process and we haven’t told anybody, so glad we can all talk on this little forum.

Im concerned about everything throughout this process , i’m worried about how often the scans are because of getting out of work (the hospital is an hour away) and also worried that i should have booked a day off after EC as a lot of other forums say it’s horrendous. I’ve been told i have to have blood tests every other day which i have arranged my work around so hopefully the scans will be at a similar time. Just small things which are stressing me out. Fingers crossed i respond well and get lots of frosties as i’m worried my time is running out.

Wishing everyone all the luck in the world!

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted yes I can imagine it's strange - but at the same time it might be more relaxed (ha as if anything about ivf is even remotely relaxed) that doing transfers straight away - and especially back to back? I like your approach.

@luby89k welcome! Easier said than done but try not to overthink it (this comes from a huge over thinker haha). My son was born after my first ever bfp and first ever ivf try. Of course everyone is different but goes to show that you only need one! Good luck

Afm ladies, we finally have ovulation. So counting down 2 weeks to period and starting my next natural FET cycle.
where are you with your cycle @Russkispy ?

@sometimesalways Oooh exciting times knowing you have 2 weeks till you can start again. Are there any major differences with frozen or fresh egg transfer? Or is it basically the same procedure but they defrost them just before?

Will try and stay calm. Trying acupuncture this week 🤞🏼

xx

@luby89k it's exactly the same in terms of steps, but only half of the process for me if that makes sense. I have frozen embryos from a previous cycle and we are using those defrosted, instead of doing a new fresh egg collection. I am also doing a 'natural' cycle (no downregging and fewer meds) which I think the NHS doesn't offer but it feels right for me right now. DS was conceived in fully medicated long protocol cycle through nhs. I didn't find EC too bad actually but it's also cheaper the way I am doing it now and I don't think I could afford a full new fresh medicated cycle any more not to mention my eggs are much older now.

I am doing acupuncture too, I find it very helpful - if nothing else it helps me relax!

@sometimesalways thanks for asking. Just back from reflexology, fell asleep as usual AF should be here this week and start semi-medicated cycle. Injecting Gonal cd5-cd9, scan on cd10, trigger will be based on that scan and then flying for transfer. Hope all goes to plan this time!
Glad your AF will be here soon! When will be your transfer day then?

@Russkispy I almost fell asleep at acupuncture too! 😂

I suspect that ET will be last week of Feb for me, if all goes well. Sounds like we will be about a week apart?

Not a chance sleeping at acupuncture as she likes to talk @sometimesalways haha
I think my ET will be 17-19 February if AF turns up on Wednesday-Friday 🤞🏻
Not exactly cycle buddies but it's nice to have ET same month

Hello ladies!

I've been reading but wanted to find time to reply fully!

@sometimesalways great news about ovulation and good that you were happy to wait until your next cycle.

@Sarab2020 how is the 2 ww going? You sound very calm.

@Bestofyou1982 how are you finding your 2 ww. The 2nd will be here before you know it!

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted you must be delighted to have started. Yippee for early cycle. Mine was a few days early too! I'm not great at waiting!

@luby89k you must be happy to have started. I'm doing acupuncture too. I did it with the same lady for my sucessful fet with my daughter.

So I've been on progynova for a week. I'm going for another scan on Wednesday. Am hoping I'll get an idea about my transfer date. Need to get my head around injecting lubion but all good! Not loving the prognova effects but all good other than that!

@Ging78 same here been reading but finding it difficult on a phone to keep up. I’m doing ok had a bit of a melt down yesterday when I had tummy pains, fingers crossed it’s good ones though. My OH helped distract me by clearing out the kitchen which was fully therapeutic. No tummy pains today but really wanting to do a test even though we’re only 5dpt

Good luck for Wednesday!

@luby89k this is our first cycle of IVF after 4 years of waiting lists and IUIs. We’ve been lucky enough to be NHS funded but like you we only have one try with IVF we were lucky enough to have 28 eggs taken on EC and get 11 frozen embryos. I’ve just turned 30 and although I know there’s loads of time it also feels like our only chance. We’re really hoping this is meant to be our year.
I found the EC tough and needed to go back to the emergency gynae ward the next day but everyone is different. It’s really exciting to get started though

Fingers crossed for @sometimesalways @Russkispy 🤞🏻

@sometimesalways thanks for the info. I'm a complete novice. Wonder y the NHS doesn't offer a more natural cycle. Would seem like a cheaper option for them. Yeh no point putting your body through EC again when you have the expense, older eggs and some lovely frosties waiting for you really looking forward to the acupuncture!

@Russkispy My reflexology lady loves to chat 🤣 no sleep for me!

@Ging78 Yes sooo happy to be finally getting somewhere. It seems like everything throughout the process has gone wrong. I'm feeling so positive now. Glad your feeling ok through yours. What side effects are you struggling with?

@Sarab2020 Do you have a good egg count? 28 eggs is crazy! You must have been so impressed!
Do you feel IUIs have prepared you for IVF? I haven't done anything like that so everything is totally new to me. I'm constantly asking dr google everything 🤣

The worst thing is I don't think the wait list for my hospital is that long they just kept messing things up. It's been a nightmare. Now iv finally met my consultant i'm feeling a lot more confident.

Just a quick reply @Ging78 to say that as my work also have no idea, I didn’t book the day off for egg collection. I said I had to have some fillings in the morning, and then I worked from about 12.39. from home admittedly, but it was totally fine. I had mild cramping but no worse than the preceding days and just sat on the sofa tapping out emails while my DH ran around making me tea and lunch. My work never noticed a thing. Not sure if WFH is an option for you but thought I’d share to try and reassure! 😀

@luby89k the IUIs didn’t really prepare us for IVF, it did help to get used to the environment as it was all done in the same theatre room and ward.
I’ve got PCOS which meant I over stimulated with the drugs, a good thing as far as IVF is concerned.
I do wish there was more information as like you we google everything, my OH has started taking my phone off me to stop me googling 😂

Great news on your transfer
@Sarab2020 when is test day?

Welcome @luby89k I know starting ivf can be so daunting - the planning and scheduling of appointments and meds and booking time off can seem overwhelming but I've found groups like this are super helpful. Lots of support so any questions ask away, we're all in this together after all

@sometimesalways we are also doing natural cycle (this will be our second). Fingers crossed for us both

I had ET today. It all happened so quickly. The consultant, nurse and embryologist all wishing us good luck at the end which was lovely. I had today off and taking tomorrow too. Dreaded 2ww now...

@Cisco2 my OTD is 4th Feb, what about you? How are you feeling?

Morning everyone

Cycle day 4 here so had first follicle scan this morning - only started tamoxifen tablets and first Bemfola yesterday but have a good number of follicles growing - 1 big one at 9mm on my right which hopefully won't grow too big too quick 😬 the rest are 5-7mm

Only stimming every other day so we ll see why Friday brings at next scan

How is everyone else doing? X

Hello everyone,

Just been reading and catching up on all your news.

Well done on the transfer @Cisco2! How's it going so far?

Getting closer to the end of the TWW for you both @Sarab2020 @Bestofyou1982, fingers crossed and hope you're finding it ok!

@sometimesalways Good to hear your updates and glad you're already counting down to AF. It'll be FET for you before you know it!

@luby89k Welcome to the board, I very much sympathise with all your worries and concerns. I thought a lot about all those things too, but it was ok in the end, much smoother and easier than I thought it would be. I also found that all the different stages meant that it kept feeling like we were making progress bit by bit, which really helped me, rather than thinking about it all as one big thing.

@Ging78 Hope things are going ok for you too, any update on your transfer date?

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted Good luck for the scan on Friday. Sounds like your follicles are growing well already.

As for me, so far so good, and one week to my early scan so just waiting for that and trying to keep myself busy. No major symptoms so far apart from sore boobs and being very tired (sleeping 9+ hours a night and a nap in the day when I'm WFH) but those I can deal with.

Sorry if I've missed anyone, hope you're all doing well!