IVF May/June Cycle Buddies

[Mrbay]

Hi

Couldn't see a thread for May/June - hoping that I'm not on my own for this cycle as its our 2nd cycle and feeling worried that I won't get to transfer.

Would be great to share the ups and downs with others, I'm starting buserelin next Wednesday (27th May).

It’s so hard to make the right choice isn’t it @ivfgottostaypositive? On the one hand though I didn’t get many eggs at ABC the blast we froze is 5AA and the one in me was the best quality it could be on day 3. But on the other hand IVF is a numbers game and maybe I should just try to get as many eggs as I can and be less worried about quality? Though of course there’s no guarantee that I would even get more eggs at a different clinic.

I also have in the back of my mind that we’ll need donor eggs, so I don’t know if I should do another cheap round at ABC and then save money for donor or have faith in my own eggs and throw everything at a round somewhere like the Lister. Ugh!

@Dbrook

To get 2 such good quality blastocysts from one cycle is actually pretty good considering the low egg numbers. I've had friends on long protocol who got the same/less. The fact they are such good quality would suggest to me it's not egg quality that is the issue?

I'd transfer the 5AA if you need to and then take stock? Such a good blastocyst should have a 50% chance of implanting - if it doesn't then maybe see about implantation failure factors before doing more

I wouldn't move to donor eggs just yet? Maybe try a 3 cycle package of something like natural modified? (Ours including ICSI X3 and all drugs was £13k)

@ivfgottostaypositive Sorry totally pressed send without finishing now i havent looked into any others i was told by the consultant that our best changes was ivf with ICSI due to age and AMH i havent looked into create as i was happy with our clinic. But we have no more funds available and all family have helped too. So we promised this was the last our 3rd ivf and then we draw a line under it we have had many loses over the years and i dont think i can take it anymore xx

@ivfgottostaypositive I guess what I’m worried about is even if an embryo looks good in the lab, as far as I’m aware that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be chromosomally normal / euploid? I’ll be 38 in December so I thought it would be best to do another egg collection as soon as I can and try to bank one or two more embryos to freeze. It’s a lot of pressure on that little blast otherwise.

Afternoon Ladies

lots to catch up with so sorry if I've not directly replied but I have read everyone's messages.

@ivfgottostaypositive - that's great numbers! I didn't know an eptopic would continue to have the HCG levels rise - fingers crossed this is in the perfect place.

@MrsLouB - I hope you are ok

@Pattaz2711 @Everhopeful35 - I think it's totally normal to have cramping and checking every symptom!

Sorry had to read each page and then type an update.

@HJF84 & @Dbrook - how are you feeling? Do you think you'll hold out until test day?

Had my scan today, everything is responding as it should, over hurdle one! I've got 5 follicles I think (maybe 6 or 7) one is at 19mm and the rest at 14mm.
My lining was unable to be measure as my fibroid has doubled in size, going to EC on Tuesday but it may be a freeze all if there is anything to collection/freeze. Last time, 100% got to day-5 but didn't take so can only hope that the odds are in our favour.

Spent the day with my pregnant friend who was showing my everything she had for her little girl and I had to fight back the tears. I'm not jealous but just a little empty that my DH & I may never have that excitement.

I'm really sorry but I cannot remember the username of my scan buddy - hopefully you'll update us later :)

@MrsLouB - I read your posts after my first post, I really do hope that you and DP are ok

@Mrbay Keep your chin up! I personally think you're really brave and a much better person than me to spend time with your pregnant friend! After all our losses in the last year, I've had to unfollow all pregnant friends and people with kids on social media, and have avoided doing video calls with them during lockdown... Please don't feel guilty for being down. You're only human! Well done in your scan. Fingers crossed for the next stage xx

Also, can anyone tell me their experiences on cyclogest please? Any bad side effect? It seems to really be upsetting my stomach - lots of bloating and (sorry TMI) wind. I also have stomach cramps - some low down and some sharper and in the middle, near my belly button. Would love to believe it's implantation but think most likely a cyclogest side effect.

@Everhopeful35

I haven't really had any symptoms on cyclogest and I'm on x3 a day. I did have an upset stomach the first couple of days but that settled down before transfer and I get sore boobs for a couple hours after taking one but I find doing them the back way equals a lot less side effects - no cramping etc

I know they are being absorbed as I had my progesterone levels checked before going in for my transfer and the result came back at 140 which the clinic said was the highest they'd ever had (they like it to be at least over 45)

@MrsLouB I'm sorry you're having a tough time. It's so unfair. I'm thinking of you, hope you are able to do something nice for yourself today and I'm still keeping everything crossed for you for tomorrow.

@Mrbay I'm in awe that you got through a day with your pregnant friend! I've been avoiding mine. I feel terrible but she got pregnant first try and I can't help but be a bit bitter about it - I seem to know so many people who fall first time! I've been messaging her a bit and supposed to be seeing her for a friends birthday in a few weeks, which I'm worried about as obviously we don't know how things are going to go.

I had my scan this morning. Still absolutely loads of follicles, I'm waiting for blood results to see which trigger shot drug I'll be using and whether we'll be able to do a fresh transfer or have to freeze all. I'm expecting to have to freeze which is disappointing as it means more waiting. That's presuming we're lucky enough to get some decent embryos of course! Either way I'm triggering Saturday night for egg collection Monday morning.

@Everhopeful35 @Eggling - we got pregnant within the same week as each other, but unfortunately I lost mine - otherwise it would have been amazing to have been due within 2-days of each other!
I don't think I'm brave, I just figure I don't avoid her as she is living my perfect life - lives in the countryside with miles of dog walking space! Plus her fella can cook, mine cannot!! But those aspects of her life does not change the aspects of my life that I love or doesn't reduce the chances of me having a family. If I can't have my own, I'll be the cool auntie friend to her daughter!
Plus I am her naughty food sneaker, so I have to see her alot!

@eggling -fantastic news about your scan, you'll be a day ahead of me! Enjoy your injection free Sunday!!

@everhopeful - if I remember rightly, it activated my bowl quite a bit!!!

@MrsLouB I’m in a similar position to you regarding donor eggs and whether to go down that route. I’m already using donor sperm, and again because of my age have gone down the IVF ICSI route twice. First time got 3 Frosties but all failed to implant and then second round didn’t get anything. Dreading this round in case that happens again. So natural to put all the blame on ourselves. I’m still keeping everything crossed for tomorrow for you.

@Mrbay the one positive of lockdown is I’ve managed to stay away from my pregnant friends... still seem to be able to spot pregnant women from 3 miles away though.

@ivfgottostaypositive how early did you start testing?

Or anyway actually cx

@Mrbay i am sorry darling keep your chin up i know how hard it all is and all i can say is i am wishing you all the luck in the world xx i am doing ok have kept myself busy looking at holidays that we may or may not be able to go on for after lockdown and for my 40th in september ( we wont go till next year) but just dreaming on the sun and frozen cocktails.

@Everhopeful35 the cycolgest i only got wind and cramps when i took them the back way and the clinic said it can have that effect. if this a fresh or frozen cycle ? as on my fresh i had bad bad trapped wind and pains around my belly button like that too

@HT2101 you are a brave lady going through it that many times, i have had the fresh and 2 frosties but i dont think i could go through it again well i cannot becos of the cost i dont have another £10k in the bank at the moment. But i guess these are options i need to face with age and eggs reserve x it is hard i have everything crossed you get some good results from this round xxxxx

@Eggling thank you i have been working all day but looking forward to a Friday night of eating what i want and relaxing with DH, i will be please when i can have a bath again ( well not please its a bfn) but just to know 100%

Does anyone remember of maybe just me on my fresh cycle i am sure when i got a bfn on 11dpt that i was told to wait a few more days and to test again had this happened to anyone else or maybe i imagined it, the clinic only do home urine tests and no bloods.

@MrsLouB yes my last clinic wouldn't accept a HPT result either way before 14dp5dt

@MrsLouB yes I was told to test again after a BFN on day 11. Treat yourself to something nice for dinner tonight and let’s see what tomorrow brings as that’s OTD isn’t it? Fingers and eyes crossed for you my lovely xxx

@MrsLouB my OTD was today which is 14dp4dt and my clinic won't accept earlier tests, same as @Wesstywoo

@Mrbay you've done so well seeing your friend, I wish I had your zen attitude! I'm fortunate that none of my friends are pregnant but that's mostly because they've already had 2 kids! Glad your scan went well today

Booked in for my viability scan on 10 July today, it seems forever away!

@HT2101 thanks darling i will i really fancy a currey but dh doesn't want one boo
@Westywoo and @takingthistooseriously thanks ladies my OTD is 11dpt so hopefully they will be ok i just remember them saying wait a few days more and test again

i find it very strange how each clinic have a different OTD for the at home urine tests some 9 some 11 and so 14 or even 16 i have seen all for 5 day embryos too xxx

Just didnt want to get my hopes up for that glass of wine in the fridge tomorrow xxx

@takingthistooseriously yeah on the scan it does seem an age away but it will be hear before you know it. Only feels like yesterday i started this process again xx

@HT2101 - I felt her bump yesterday, so weird! neither of us can get our heads around pregnancy and to be honest, I'm still freaked out about it all. But there seems to be masses of pregnant peeps wondering around and announcing it on facebook - I can see what the lack of travel did for some peeps!

@MrsLouB - honestly, I'm at peace with whatever happens, I've lost the excitement of each stage (f**king massive hurdles), If this cycle doesn't pan out, I think I am done too. The drugs are hard work on your body and mind and the side effects are pretty unwanted! I think DH would like me to go for the next cycle but I'm not so sure, we'll just have to wait and see, try not to get ahead of ourselves.
Plus you still aren't out until you are out.
I get want you mean about a bath, after all my failed transfers, I just wanted to stop the drugs and move forward.

I was told to test again in 48-hrs after each negative test result.

@takingthistooseriously - No point getting stressed, plus I've gotten over the avoid preggers people now, too stressful and once I had done the first meeting, it really wasn't that bad.

Exciting, is DH allowed to join? Got ahead of myself and thought if i get to 6-weeks, I am going to facetime DH at the scan!

Anyone else think how weird it is that you have a full on conversation with the nurse whilst they've got the lovely plastic probe up your lady bits??

Sorry, very long update!

@takingthistooseriously

I booked in for mine too today. I'm a patient at my hospitals recurrent miscarriage clinic but they said they aren't doing any scans at all due to covid but with having 2 previous ectopics I managed to get them to agree to a scan booked for the 6th July and then the viability one with Create on the 13th July

I'm Not so High risk for ectopic anymore since I've had both tubes removed but the surgeon said a c section ectopic was still possible (that would just be my bloody luck) and also having an ectopic in the stumps of my tubes that were left behind

@Mrbay right then here’s some Friday afternoon positivity for us all.... my friend in the US had 14 (yes 14) IVF cycles. Finally popped out one when she was 44. Then you guessed it, she’s just popped out number 2 completely natural at the grand old age of 47, her DH husband is 48. They didn’t tell anyone for months as think they were both in shock

I know we all tend to roll our eyes at these stories but hopefully it will give some of you hope. I don’t have the luxury of ‘it just happening naturally’ but for those that aren’t completely out the game, don’t give up xxx

@Mrbay hi i am the cycle buddy! I gave an update earlier but basically my day 9 scan said I have 8 follicles on my right ovary - 5 are a decent size. They couldn’t find my left ovary so not sure about that one. I am booked in for another scan on Sunday morning with an estimate of a Tuesday EC.

I am pleased so far as my AFC before stims was 2/3 per ovary so to have 8 on one feels good.

@Mrbay oh and no measurement of lining they just said it looked ‘nice’.

Your numbers are looking good! Glad you feel good about it and the scan went well.

@HT2101 - I bet that was a bit of a shock for your friend! I've not given up hope, it's just tiring and I've got endo so periods are not fun!

@babysweet85 - that's really great news, fingers crossed for lot of good eggs.
One tip, make sure you have a good poo before your next scan as the bowel can get in the way.

@Mrbay thanks for the tip!!!

I've just had the call and I'm going to be a freeze all cycle so no chance of a BFP anytime soon. Does anyone know roughly how long it usually is until FET? I'm really disappointed tbh, I was so hoping to get a fresh one in.