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?

Hello everyone,
Permission to join. I acknowledge how hard the lock down must be for everyone, more so for those of us in our 40s

@twinkledag, I see u are with team miracle, they share the same hospital with kolan British I gather. I planned for fresh ivf with kolan to start in May but I guess that will be put on hold. I pray the border closure will be lifted soon enough.

Welcome to the thread @Goldenfleece22 - sorry you're here too.

I feel almost certain that clinics or at least flights won't be in operation again until May at the earliest. Praying I'm wrong. Hang on in there @twinkledag

Ive been taking people’s tips. I’ve subscribed to Izzy Judes podcast - that’s going to be the first one I try. I’ve also bought her book for the kindle. I’ve also done fertility yoga yesterday and today - if nothing else it’s very relaxing.

I‘ve also tried the self massage - not sure I’ve quite got the hang of it but practice makes perfect.
@Goldenfleece22 welcome I can imagine in 40s any wait is stressful! I still can’t believe the whole thing is happening!

Fingers crossed for us all going abroad 🤞🤞🤞🤞

Hope you don't mind me joining!

Had a freeze all cycle in Feb and ended up with 2 embryos. Was due to have a FET at my next period. I have PCOS and my OH is a CF carrier and has azoospermia so no chance of conceiving naturally. I've lost quite a bit of weight over the last year and BMI is 27. I'm taking folic acid still and eating semi healthy but am enjoying having a couple of drinks at the moment! Not sure how is best to spend the next couple months as I'd like to get myself healthier and more prepared when we do restart.

We are NHS and not expecting to start for 6 months, maybe longer. So hard to tell!

Does anyone know if low iron affects fertility xxx

@Hoping1 I don’t know a lot about it but I believe there is some research that suggests that low iron can affect fertility. I think a lot of the pre conception drugs have iron In

Been taking proceive which has 10mg in of iron . I always had bad iron and since been trying my periods are so heavy. Before trying they give me pills to stop periods because of iron. So this morning was giving iron Tablets take 600mg a day of iron as I passed out with it yesterday. When i looked it say can affect fertility was wondering if any one know more xxxx

Hi @jodesxx and welcome to the thread. I don't blame you for enjoying a few drinks, when I can actually get out to the supermarket (self isolation at the moment!) I think I'm going to be buying some gin - haven't had a drink in ages as I wanted to prepare for FET but don't have to worry about that now

Hi @Hoping1 I don't know much about iron and fertility, hope you get some answers.

I have found today really difficult. Watching the news and just feeling that there's going to be no end to this and that clinics are going to be closed for much longer than originally thought - hopefully I'm wrong but I feel so sad and empty.

@elleceedee it's so hard to know how long they will be as nobody knows. I'm hoping six months so September as if you look at China they are three months in and are coming out of it. Maybe I'm being too optimistic though. I'm just trying to keep myself busy through all of this as it's felt one thing after another recently xx

@elleceedee I’m struggling with the uncertainty too. My husband is unrelentingly positive, but I just can’t see it resuming quickly. Then when it does I still need a hysteroscopy to see why my womb lining wasn’t thickening.

Fingers crossed for all of us that it’s sooner rather than later!

I’m struggling with the uncertainty too! I’m just wondering how the clinics are going to prioritise the list of people waiting to be seen. There will be a backlog I’m guessing?
These are just the little things that run through my mind!

@ChaiTea1 I thought it might restart in order but I’m not sure if that would be fairest. My FET was stopped 5 days before ET so I would be early on in that case. But thinking about it that might not be fair there’s some people in a lot more time critical place.

I think private clinics will restart a while before NHS

When my NHS clinic rang me they said it be in order xx

Ah, I didn’t ask my clinic that question! I was about to start my FET but got the phone call to tell me not to start my meds.

How’s everyone doing otherwise?x

@Hoping1 interesting I should be one of of early ones in that case.

@Chaitea1 I was really struggling over the last few days, but I think it may have been a bit (a lot) hormonal! I cried quite a lot and felt very negative but I feel better today.

I’m furloughed from work. So I’ve been trying do things for me. I’ve been going for a walk each day and doing an exercise DVD, reading, doing fertility yoga and fertility massage. Plus listening to Izzy Judes podcast. To be honest I’m not sure how I’m going to fit in going back to work!

Hope everyone else is doing ok!

Joining you as waiting too. I heard LWC in London is looking at opening in July but it depends on HHEA. I am going for egg donation as my results are too low. I hope there will not be much of a back log. Any ideas on how to reduce stress and keep positive?

@Leala20 I’ve been trying to avoid watching the news a lot as it stresses me out. I’ve also been doing yoga and walking for an hour a day.

I feel less stressed if I’m doing something positive!

HFEA have put out an update but it doesn’t really say much
www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/covid-19-and-fertility-treatment/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-professionals/

Thanks for posting the HFEA update @C88M

To me that sounds like clinics reopening is a looong way off - maybe the autumn at the earliest?

Hope everyone doing ok. I'm trying to do some exercise each day and eat as healthily as possible. Feeling a bit more like myself again now and getting out of the initial upset/anger at my treatment being cancelled.

Hi all can I please join.

My timeline sort of:
After 12 months of weight loss I had reached my goal and had the consultation to refer to IVF waiting list back in October. ( IVF sperm donation due to zero sperm)

Jan had counselling session.
March 4th had phone call for group meeting a week later and start of April for iVF. I asked for it to be put back as my dad was in intensive care.

New date for meeting 3rd of April with start date in may. Sadly my dad don't make it. Not covid 19 related.

Obviously this has been quite a time for me and my family.

Waiting for IVF to start is hard I need to get weight down a bit again as I put on when dad was ill.

I too had clinic ring to say it we will start where we left off asap.

Some days are good some are quite bad.

Morning @thefishthatcouldwish sorry to hear about your dad. Hope you’re as ok as possible.

Congratulations on getting your weight down. What are you doing to lose the last bit? I need to get my weight back down too - I’m doing well with the exercise but I need to stop eating...

Well I'm someone when I decide to stop I have to stop eating no treats or crap in house. Then fruit for breakfast salad for lunch and healthy for tea. Boring but hopefully worth it.

Sorry @thefishthatcouldwish sounds like you have had a hard time recently. Fingers crossed treatment gets moving soon.

Did anyone else see this article from the weekend? The line "if it remains in place for 12 months..." made my heart sink. 12 months?!

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/12/thousands-lose-last-hope-of-having-a-baby-as-lockdown-closes-ivf-clinics

Hi @thefishthatcouldwish and welcome to the thread. Sorry to hear about your dad, what am awful situation. Well done on your weight loss. Hopefully we'll all be able to start again soon.