Preparing for IVF/FET post COVID-19

[C88M]

Like a lot of people my FET was cancelled just before transfer. So (after a few tears) I’ve decided to take the time to see what I can do naturally to give my body the best chance.

I know a lot of people recommend It starts with the egg but my issues are a very thin, slow to respond lining, even after 2 weeks of double dose oestrogen it was only 4.2mm. I know my lining can get to the right level with more drugs, as it did with IVF (very slowly), but want it give it a better starting point!

Any tips on what I can do, or supplements? Anyone else in a similar position waiting for IVF or FET?
What are you doing with the time?

What a good idea for a thread @C88M thank you for starting.

After months of setbacks, I was finally due to have a FET in April and at the moment my moods vary between tearful and angry!

I would definitely like to get my body in better shape - I eat reasonably well but do very little exercise - so place marking to hear any suggestions!

Sorry that we are in this crap situation but hopefully we can use the time to get ourselves in the best possible place for FET.

Thanks for the post @C88M - I'm not in the same position exactly, but we had egg collection just over a week ago (Friday 20th) and it was all up in the air as to if I would have fresh or FET. Obviously now having FET which is for the best all round. My only issue is the not knowing when we will now get a transfer. This is my 2nd round of IVF and on my first round I was scared to exercise or do anything too strenuous, so during my time at home in between working from my kitchen, I'm going for a long walk everyday and trying to get as many steps in as I can, and doing a workout at home with some weights, not every single day but just trying to get my self fit and healthy while I can. Not putting any pressure on my self. Normally I can never be bothered by the time I finish work and have tea etc, so using this down time to try and get my body a bit healthier. I've also done the odd Yoga session from Youtube, there's fertility ones on there. I'm not sure if it works but I actually enjoyed the stretches etc and for me personally taking deep breaths actually makes me feel less stressed and a bit calmer, I did some before I started this round of IVF too to try and be a bit more chilled.

Hope you're keeping well considering, I know it's a rubbish time right now with the unknown, it's just more acceptance of the situation and working with what we have for the next couple of months that will probably help the most! xx

Great idea for a thread!

For lining issues I have hear pomegranate juice is good.

@elleceedee I’m the opposite I’m good at getting the exercise but have far too many snacks (especially at the moment) I need to get back to using my fitness pal - my weight is definitely one I need to watch.

Exercise wise I’m trying to do one walk a day and also I’m doing a short exercise DVD - I can convince myself i can do something for 30 minutes if it’s an hour I avoid it. T25 or Jillian Michaels kick boxing are my favourite at the moment.

@Dot457 I think yoga is a great idea stress can’t be good for the body I might try adding this in some days - especially if it’s raining and I can’t get out. I will look on YouTube.
How frustrating- at least they did the collection and the drugs weren’t wasted. I’ve come to terms with it now I think I was just sad I won’t get a baby this year, but as you say I wanted to stay positive and use it as an opportunity!

@twinkledag Thank you I don’t think I’ve had that before - I can’t imagine it’s been affected by the panic shopping so i will add to the list.

Great thread, I was due to have another ICSI cycle in Greece before the entire world was turned upside down with the pandemic.
I'm so sad, and anxious about how long this lockdown will last. I feel for all those waiting for fertility treatment, as time is exactly what we don't have to spare!

Anyway, I'm also taking supplements and cutting out sugar, got out my indoor cycle and hoping I can get into better shape during this time.

WRT endometrial lining - I believe Mizan therapy helps increase blood flow to the uterus. Some self massage videos are available on YouTube to follow such as this one:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnq--UA6ptw

Usually good practice from cd1-ovulation.

@Dia12 I was due to go to Cyprus 😓

When do you think we'll be able to travel there?

Sorry to hear you're also delayed @@twinkledag

I'm really hoping that by May we may have relaxed the travel restrictions but I have a sinking feeling I'm being over optimistic.

I'm wondering if the uk clinics will open before travel restrictions are lifted as that would be the only other option.

Oh and the other thing may be that people travelling from UK may have to quarantine themselves for 14days upon arrival!

Hi @Dia12 we have also been looking at treatment in the Uk as an alternative but it's so expensive 😓

Totally agree, the cost is prohibitive and now that I've experienced it abroad, I've realised the level of care and attention is also really poor here (even at the best clinics).
I'm anxiously hoping everyone sits the fuck home and we can manage this awful pandemic quickly!

@Dia12 that looks really interesting thank you I’ve had a look on YouTube and there’s loads of video so I’m going to give it a go. I don’t have the specific oils but I’ll make do for now.

It would be so much easier if we knew when it would be back to normal. I’m on a nhs cycle currently, they have no idea. Are Greece or Cyprus badly affected? Hopefully if they aren’t as bad as places like Spain or Italy maybe flights might recommence sooner.

I wouldn't worry about the oil part, although they do recommend caster oil but the main circulatory benefit is actually from the massage.

Greece and Cyrus aren't as badly affected but uk will probably have restrictions for longer.

Fingers crossed for us all!

Great thread!

I was due to start my next FET tomorrow (I’m currently on my period and would need to take my meds on my 2nd day of my cycle) but I got the phone call last week to say it would no longer be happening. Like you OP, I’m devastated, but I do understand why it had to be that way. I’m just upset, I started my IVF journey last year April. First transfer was a negative and 2nd transfer ended in a MC at 10weeks.

I was so ready for this round, but now I’m going to continue to prep my mind and body whenever transfer day comes!

I’ve been good by cutting out sugar where I could (still need that little treat now and again ). Completely stopped alcohol and trying to be better with my mental health. I find meditating and keeping myself busy has helped.

Have you ladies listened to any fertility podcasts? They’re quite helpful in terms of advice of how to prep and stuff.
xxx

Chai - thanks for the fertility podcast tips, will have a listen.

@ChaiTea1 sorry about your miscarriage - my first IVF ended in a miscarriage at 13 weeks, and then FET stopped due to a global pandemic! We're not getting a lot of luck!

Do you have any good fertility Podcast suggestions?

I'm going to try yoga this afternoon see how it goes!

@twinkledag and to anyone else that this might help. Me and my partner did a lot of research before going private. I didn't particularly feel comfortable going abroad as I'm a really nervous flyer so I really didnt want the added stress. We sat down, did research on IVF clinics in the UK, wrote down the pro's and con's with prices. And ABC IVF came out on top by far. They were only 2.5k, the only other added cost was an extra 1k to freeze our eggs for two years.

I know it's only our 2nd round but I have to say from to start to finish they treat us with so much care and compassion, I actually felt like I wanted to work there once our cycle was done with as all the office staff and nurses were so amazing and just genuinely nice people! I went to the one in Manchester (Wilmslow) as we live in Leeds/Wakefield area.

They are a sister clinic to Create fertility, Create is way more expensive but they offer something called Natural IVF, we didnt really look into it as we qualified for ABC. Their only requirements are that your 37 and under, have a certain BMI range and have a good AMH level.

They dont have targets like the NHS so I was on the injections for as long as my body needed to be, and they upped and downed my dosages as required, this was all scans and medication included in the 2.5k. They have their clinics in different locations in the UK. The only extra we had to pay for was the initial consultation. Worth every penny and would definitely use them again in the future xx

Hi ladies thought I would join you. We were all set to go do IVF had the plan of action . Then boom it was all stopped I was on long protocol plan but when I got to clinic my scan showed I had over 50 folicies that was before any meds. So I felt so down lately I needed a plan. I have got partner proxeed recommend by hospital. I have also spent 100 on clear blue fertility montior I know that alot just need to feel like I am doing something. We been trying for 3 years now . Is there anything else I could be doing. I have already read started with an egg and on vitamins. Xxx

Hi all, some really good tips so far! I've had five transfers to date (two failed, two late first trimester miscarriages and one successful one resulting in my DD!) and tried pomegranate juice and I think Brazil nuts too but I'm not sure if that was for lining or something else! I found the It Starts With the Egg book quite intense so didn't read it all!

I'm going to have a look on YouTube for yoga videos. I've previously done Yoga with Adrienne and found her to be brilliant - really down to earth and a great variety of videos although none specifically for fertility so will see if I can find any others.

Good idea whoever suggested the podcasts, going to have a search now. Will report back! I've just been put into furlough so at least I have time to listen to podcasts/get in shape now

Has anyone heard from their clinics a likely start date? I emailed mine but haven't heard anything.

@elleceedee mine have said check back at the end of April but given the HFEA have said all treatment should stop by 15 April I can't see that anything will have changed by then

Here’s a few podcasts to listen to (they’re all on Spotify btw)

• Big Fat Negative
• Fertility Life Raft by Alice Rose (I also follow her on Instagram, she’s been doing some really good Instagram lives for anyone that’s been impacted due to clinics closing down)
• Let’s talk fertility by Izzy Judd (another good one, but it always makes me emotional whenever I listen back. There’s something about her voice!

Enjoy x

@elleceedee sorry to hear about your journey 😔. Who is your clinic?

@Dot457 - I’m with ABC too! I agree they are a good clinic!

@C88M - I know, it’s heartbreak going through a miscarriage and then being mentally prepared to start another round only for it to be cancelled. Well I hope the tips on this thread will help us all so we can go on and have our rainbow babies xx

Thanks @C88M for the thread idea.
Pomegranate juice is actually very nice!

Sorry that some of you have had so much sadness along the way.
@Dia12
We chatted ages ago about karyotype testing.

I had my flights and accommodation booked for egg collection in Spain for 19th March so obviously that didn't happen.
Have been on meds for months really, using testosterone since November except when stimming, had one egg collection in November and one early Feb and was all set to get my biggest haul of eggs yet.

I'm giving my body a break for a while, nothing else I can do. Keeping taking my supplements and DH is doing the same.
I don't think I've ever been fitter in my adult life, we eat well and hardly drink alcohol. Though will have some wine in lockdown.

I don't expect to be able to start again until September if I'm lucky.
It's a good idea to explore UK options but I've already paid for a 3 cycle package so will have to sit tight a little bit longer.
Unfortunately too old and low AMH to use ABC or I might have been tempted!

Can I issue a word of caution about the Big Fat Negative podcast? Not to offend anyone but some friends on this have said how insensitive they are so I have avoided them.

I think the best thing I'd like my body to do is have a pause button so I don't get older while I'm waiting!

Waves 👋🏼 @JeNeBaguetteRien - sorry your treatment has also been delayed. Ditto with the pause button. But a few more months shouldn't make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

Did you have back to back stimulation/egg collection?
It might be a small blessing to give your egg reserve a break and a chance to refuel, so to speak, and get some better quality eggs 🤞🏼

My daily vitamin regime is:
-Provceive max
-ubiquinol 300mg
-myoinositol 4g
-folic acid 5mg
-dhea 75mg
-melatonin 3mg (from cd 1 - ovulation)

Low sugar/low carb diet.

@Dia12 just been told by my clinic that the closed borders are being extended to April 10th 😔