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!

@Hufflepuff1 meant to say no I wasn't tried on that medicine. Just buserelin injections, metformin, progynova and cyclogest.

Morning how is everyone getting on?

Better news for me this morning in that now have between 5 follicles 14mm+ and another 6 between 11mm-13mm so looks like changing my drugs has done the trick. It's interesting when comparing my cycles that I'm still getting the same number of follicles even though I've reduced from 225ml bemfola to 75ml so hopefully this continues to improve egg quality x

Morning everyone, glad to hear your updates. We've made it to Feb!

Good news on the follicles @itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted. It's amazing what can happen in a few days. Let's hope they keep growing at a steady pace. If I remember correctly, I think they wanted my follicles to be at least 16mm, and to not have any single one or two shooting off ahead of the others. Not 100% sure of that though. Has EC been scheduled in for you?

@jodesxx Did you find out about what sorts of exercises you can do? I found my clinic info letter that basically just says to take it easy and not exert myself too much, but that exercise is good. All a bit vague on the details though. I'm sort of just doing what I feel is ok but definitely much less than I'd normally do (but that's just me being cautious).

@sometimesalways Thank you for the reassurance! Three days to go, and am preparing myself just in case it's all gone wrong somehow. I have to say, IVF has made me a real cynic, even though I do try and be positive normally. Perhaps it's just easier to cope that way.

@Hufflepuff1 Welcome to the board and good luck for potential DC2! I had Fyremadal, I think that's the one that stops you ovulating early. It's a bit stingy but was fine actually. I think I took one of those a day for maybe 5-7 days before EC. Are you taking other injections too?

@KE2017 Your cramping sounds like good news. Sorry to hear you had hyperemesis though, yikes. Hopefully this time it'll be different. Halfway through the wait, not long to go now.

@mincedpea
Looks like collection will be Friday 🤞🤞
Not we are into February at least now I can say I transfer NEXT month after my final egg collection

Thanks @mincedpea 15:30 this time next week is the appointment time at the hospital to be tested there (hospital policy and it's still a urine test not a blood test). Last time husband and I tested at home in the morning of the hospitals test day so we had an idea before we went in. I feel like I want to do a test daily now. 😬

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted all sounds very promising! Great news. Have you fixed the date for EC yet?

Good luck @Hufflepuff1 I had exactly the same concerns as you when we started trying for a second child. Same batch as my DS and also under active thyroid. And sadly my first and second tries from that batch didn't work this time round (bfn and mc). But we are going for round 3 now, it ain't over till it's over! We have 4 embryos left so 🤞🤞🤞 one will take. I know where you are coming from, it's nerve wracking..

I have been pretty low this week ahead of starting next cycle, suddenly all the mc feelings crept up on me and I have been wondering what's the point of it all, perhaps I wasn't meant to have a second DC. I know logically this is rubbish but still it makes me anxious that DS just happened immediately with first try while now we are having all the bad luck... I also feel like comfort eating a lot and my acupuncturist has recommended to cut down sugar so I can't even enjoy that without feeling bad! Ugh sorry about the whinge

@sometimesalways
I think it will be Friday at the moment

I've also been thinking whether I'm actually supposed to have another DC - maybe DD is it for us. In 3 years I will have had 5 miscarriages 2 ruptured ectopics and 5 rounds of IVF - no one can say we haven't given it everything but at the moment it's hard to stay positive and imagine actually having another baby. We just seem to have rotten luck. I cringe when I see the 1 in 4 miscarriage statistic - god knows what the odds of someone having had my luck is!

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted oh you have had more than your fair share of bad luck! I remember when you told me about your ectopics on the other thread... I can imagine it must be hard to stay positive. But one has to take this one day at a time with ivf, right? (That's what i m telling myself at least, but it's not always working!) there's every reason to be hopeful. And we re here for you! Negative feelings need to come out some times too and that's why I find these threads so useful.

@mincedpea I forgot to ask them yesterday! I'm not doing as much as feeling quite tired and when I have gone it's been a lesser intensity.

Had another scan yesterday and things are moving although a bit slow. I have one at 15-16, 1 at 11 and a couple still under 10. They've increased my dose to 225mg and started cetronide last night which wasn't very nice! We got in a bit of a muddle as the needle got stuck on the syringe so ended up wasting that one and starting over. Just a bit worried what the clinic will say as we will need another one now

@jodesxx
Don't worry they'll just make you buy another one unfortunately - most clinics keep spares of medications

It happened to me once when one of my overly helpful cats thought he'd help me and
Nearly ended up getting the needle in his bum!

@jodesxx Ditto the above, I think a lot of people have some sort of need for back up meds so just let your clinic know and they'll advise. Hope the adjustments improve your follicle and lining growth.

@sometimesalways Sorry you're feeling down at the moment. It's really hard not to get a bit fatalistic about IVF, especially when it seems so under control and out of control at the same time. Taking it one day at a time is the way forward. We can only try after all, and travel in hope. Fingers crossed you feel a bit more positive soon. Have you tried dried mango? I think of it as OK sugar so I gobble those quite a lot.

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted Being reminded of the challenges you've had to go through makes me realise just how strong you, and all of us, can be when we have to be. Bags and bags of luck for Friday.

@KE2017 Put the tests away! The one on the morning, before your official test, is the only one I can sanction. The rest are forbidden! You are nearly there, keep going!

@mincedpea temptation got the most of me. A very inconclusive test. There was a very faint if existent line but it is way to early for it to mean anything either way. So I feel no differently for it.

@KE2017
That definitely looks like a line to me (and I'm not one of those people who says they can see something when there clearly isn't or it looks like an evap!)

@KE2017 that does look like a line  try a frer tomorrow??

Thank you for the mango tip @mincedpea I got some from Pret on my way into work this morning and it's doing the trick I think! Doesn't help that I am feeling bloated and irritable atm. PMS for sure, so I now try not to take my moodiness too seriously

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted @mincedpea I'm nhs - will I still be charged? They didn't seem too concerned but it was just to see if they can get a few more. They are looking at collection either Monday or Wednesday next week

@jodesxx Hmm I'm not sure, but possibly not if you're NHS. Did you have to pay for your other meds? If not, then hopefully they'll give you a spare one for free.

@KE2017 You tested! How many days to OTD? I have to say, that does look like a line to me too. Now we need more results! FRER tomorrow?

@sometimesalways Pret mango is delicious! Unfortunately I often pick up a Love Bar as well, which I can't really count as healthy at all. Oh well, eating for two and all that, haha. I am also incredibly bloated at the moment, it's ghastly, and no signs of it ending.

Someone at work today asked if I'm expecting... wait for it... because my coat looked a bit snug! I cracked a joke about having just gained some 'winter insulation'. I was not the slightest bit impressed. The real reason being that I'm just really bloated from the meds.

Not going to test tomorrow. Whether I'll still have the willpower to wait is another matter. Might let myself do one on Thursday. OTD is 10th.

Has anyone else done a sneaky test yet or am I the only one that's misbehaved?

@KE2017
I've had a mixed day - 2 people asked if I'd lost weight and 1 person asked if I was pregnant 🤦‍♀️

Glad it wasn't just me. People can be a pain sometimes. 😬

How are you all feeling now? Xx

Honestly what are people thinking some times @itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted @KE2017
The 'best' comment I had so far was 'how come you're not onto your second one yet' or along the lines, at our office Xmas party in Dec, while I was in and out of hospital scans for mc and/or (at the time) suspected ectopic. I just smiled and said something vague like, you know one day, if we re lucky etc. It was well meaning but still

Any official test days this week? X

Oh my goodness, people can be so forward! I wouldn't dream of saying any of those things to anyone. A vague smile and ignore seems the way to deal with it, although one day I am sure I'll snap and start a massive IVF rant, at which point they'll regret commenting on how I look or asking when we will have children.

In a new hormonal low today I burst into tears on the tube after a man accidentally clattered into me when the train set off. Anything can set me off, including those sodding black horses in the Lloyd's bank advert. It's like playing crazy girl roulette.

Not had the best of days today. Had my scan and they aren't happy with how many follicles I have as there is only really one and I am on cycle day 12 now. No real improvement since upping my dose. They've recommended that we stop this cycle as they think I need a higher dose to get more follicles so will restart after next period. They'll start me on 300mg this time in the home they grow more. But gutted tbh but it's better stopping now than having an unsuccessful egg collection I suppose. Won't forget our NHS entitlement either which is good. They dint think there will be an issue but I'm having an AMH test tomorrow. Fingers crossed for next time I suppose.

Hope all goes well for the rest of you this cycle xx

Hello ladies

I hope you're all well and feeling positive. I keep meaning to get on here to catch up with you all. Finally got a chance.

@jodesxx So sorry to hear they're stopping your cycle. Hopefully that just means it'll go smoothly on the next one.

@mincedpea ah those hormones! Look after yourself and do what you need to do.

@KE2017 that test looks good. Fingers crossed for the next 1, tomorrow right?

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted great news that those follicles are looking better.

@sometimesalways I'm full of doubts this time too. It's just part of it i reckon!

So we transferred yesterday. A 5ab embryo that thawed with 95% in tact. So now we wait. The last time i tested at 12 days as instructed. This time I'd be out of the country on Saturday 15th. I don't want to test on Valentine's day before getting on s plane with my 18 month old dd. Thursday 13th i have to rush to work... so would Wednesday 12th be too soon? 8 days after a transfer of a hatching embryo? I have oodles of frer tests bought up in anticipation!

I hate this part. I'm sooo scared to hope!

@Ging78 I got a positive (very faint) on the Sunday following a transfer on the Monday (6 days). That was a day 5 transfer in a fresh cycle, not sure if it’s different for a frozen. That was with internet cheapies I bought about 60 online for £6, the digital test was negative till my official test day. Although if you get a negative it doesn’t mean it’s not worked that early (I was just so impatient!!!)