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).

@takingthistooseriously Yay! Great news. That's a good amount of eggs. I'm sending good wishes and hope you have lots of lovely blastos. I love the sleep - it's my fave part of the whole experience

@mrbay Mojito flavoured protein shakes? Tell me more! Where did you get them from? That sounds right up my street!

@MrsLouB I had some issues with Create, not quite the same but I had some issues with a couple of decisions they made. I kicked up a fuss, and spoke to the doctor who made the decision, and I discovered that they made them for the best reasons, and apologised to me for not explaining it to me properly. I would write a letter or an email and explain your grievances and ask for an appt with someone to explain. I hope that you get a suitable explanation.

I'm on the train on my way to my second scan. I'm hoping some of my follicles have managed to catch up, but I know it's unlikely. I'm fully expecting to be told to trigger tonight or tomorrow night.

@MrsLouB yes I would certainly raise it. I felt there were gaps in my care at my previous clinic which I did raise however I felt like they brushed off my concerns so I moved clinics completely!

@MrsLouB, I've been awake since before 4 today and yesterday too.
Not feeling very positive about the outcome of this round, and the progesterone gives me night sweats so all a bit grumpy here too this morning! Just echoing the others here - I would write them an email outlining all your concerns and ask for someone to follow up with you and talk you through exactly what happened and why. Also remember you can move clinics if you're not happy. Hope your scan goes well today (if i have read that right!)

@HJF84 also hope your scan goes well this morning.

@Mrbay I'd also like to hear about these protein shakes! You'll have to teach us all the period dance as well!

@takingthistooseriously woohoo, that's a great amount of eggs. Fx for you for the next few days, I remember all to clearly how nervous a wait it is. Are you having a fresh transfer this cycle? I'm feeling pretty rubbish to be honest! Lots of heartburn and not sleeping well, and very sore boobs (which doesn't help when I'm a front sleeper). Also managed to sleep weirdly sun night and hurt my shoulder (which of course is making me paranoid about ectopic - but I know symptoms wouldn't show this early). Am in a massive grump haha - DH is just overjoyed I'm WFH today!! Just want Thurs to come - I'm not feeling positive so would just rather know it's not worked.

@HJF84 good luck with your scan i have faith that some more have grown for you.
@MorgenMuffel oh bless you welcome to the club i think that is pretty normal the progesterone does that to be too, but i would say the FET i got my BFP i didnt have anything going on.

Thanks everyone i think i will raise it but we are now nearly at our last FET so moving now is not an option plus there are not many clinics round here unless i go into london.

Yes i have my scan at 10am today to see how it is going is reminding me that last time we took longer to get where it needed to be x

Scan done. My 13mm is now 15.5mm, so not as big as they want it to be. I have another that's currently at 12mm but they're not hopeful that it will make it in time. I'm booked in for another scan tomorrow morning, with possible EC on Friday. I'm going to book it off work just in case, although a Saturday EC would be perfect!

@HJF84 good luck tomorrow! Have you told work? I haven't and I'm finding cycle planning a bit more difficult this time as it's going to be a bit more difficult to get leave at short notice at the moment

Morning!

@MrsLouB - i am so sorry to read that, I wouldn't be happy if my clinic was like that, but in your consultations, don't be afraid to ask why and if they do not explain it clearly ask again! It's very energy sapping as it is without the clinic making you upset. Good luck with your scan.

Sorry to say ladies looks like the mojito has sold out :( but I have Mango and orange to try today so I will report back later - here is the link in case @HJF84 & @MorgenMuffel want to check them out - www.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/clear-whey-isolate/12081395.html - but do check the comments/reviews as there are a few discount codes listed. Aldi also do 25g yogurts - got to find tasty ways to get the protein!

Regarding the period dance - its just a little bum wiggle! Normally, my period waits until the very last moment to show its face - without drugs its so regular even down to the hour!

@hjf84 - OMG, exciting!! This is when I find my mind starts to race and wonder.

Does anyone get IVF leave from work? I'm trying to work out when is best to use it this time, I get 5-days to use as I see fit but is it best to use them straight after collection or transfer? I'm currently WFH so its not a massive concern but would be nice to not have to act busy for a week!

@Mrbay I don't know if I do but I've never asked, this will be my 4th cycle and I've used annual leave for the whole lot!

If I had 5 days I'd use 2 for egg collection, 1 for day 3 update (worst part for me!) and one for transfer. And then maybe the last one for day after transfer if it was going spare

@Mrbay

My company is bringing in IVF leave at the end of this year - too late for me after juggling 5 rounds with work! If I had had it I would have taken a day for egg collection and a day for transfer and then 3 days post transfer I think. I HAVE to keep busy 3-5 days post collection as the stress just makes me a complete mess!

@hjf84

It's good your large one has got over 14mm - thats usually the size they want them to be on trigger day. It's possible your 12mm might have a last minute catch up. My 12mm on previous cycles the day BEFORE trigger all contained viable eggs by collection day which is about where you are

@MrsLouB

I would certainly ask for a review after this next cycle. Be prepared with a list of questions that you'd like answering? Be aware though they'll most likely get a bit defensive and have an answer for everything as at the end of the day they'll be trying to avoid any sniff of a medical negligence claim

As for me I feel really emotional today - sat at my computer trying not to cry 😭 . Really feeling the pressure of our last ever egg collection - worried in case the follicles haven't grown since yesterday, worried about fluid in uterus may mean another freeze all. Just really struggling today. I'm always like this on Bemfola/cetrotide/luveris though so just got to hope the next couple of days pass quickly. Having looked at my spreadsheets 🤣 I think I'll trigger on Friday (cycle day 12) for a Sunday collection (cycle day 14) which will be the latest I've had over 5 collections

thanks @ivfgottostaypositive sorry your are not feeling great today the pressure gets to us all and you are not alone xx it has to be right and we have to remain positive even though it is hard ( im the worst for that)

I have had my scan at we are at 8mm! 8mm on day 12 that is amazing news for me i was only at 6.5 on day 14 last time doing the same protocol so it looks like we are all go for next Tuesday x

@HJF84 glad things are looking a little more positive and exciting that you'll be at egg collection by the end of the week! Hope the scan goes well tomorrow.

@MrsLouB that's great news! And thanks - I think I just need to hide the conception/pregnancy boards as I keep seeing all the line eyes threads and people falling on their first try and shouting expletives in my head at them! I am officially cracking up....

@mrbray my office allocates 5 days of "IVF leave" per year (it falls under paid wellbeing leave). I've only actually taken half a day so far, for our initial consultation and tests at the start of the year. I had a couple of days of annual leave to use up before April otherwise I would lose them, so I used them to cover EC and the day after, otherwise I would have used some of my IVF leave. I also wanted to be mindful of not using them all up on my first cycle, as I know this isn't a quick fix!

I am pretty lucky as my office is fairly flexible, and we can take 2hrs on any one day to attend medical appointments, although I usually try and arrange scans for early so I can go on my way to work and not start too late and not feel too guilty about having to keep disappearing!

Thanks for the link to the protein shakes too. And LOVE that the period dance is a bum wiggle!

@ivfgottostaypositive sorry to hear you are having an emotional day - completely understandable though as the process is such a rollercoaster and you've already gone through so much. Hope you can take a bit of time for yourself today - easier said than done I know, but remember that you can't do anything to change what your body is doing so try not to get too worried about it. I didn't get to EC until day 16 last time, so I wouldn't worry about being a bit later than normal.

Hi everyone, lots of good news to catch up on this morning - @takingthistooseriously that's a great number of eggs - brilliant! Fingers crossed you get lots of them to day 5!

And well done @MrsLouB for getting to 8mm! With regards to the previous transfer where you don't think your lining was thick enough, that's something I would definitely raise with your consultant. We out so much faith in them and their knowledge, they really should be able to talk you through all their decisions etc clearly.

@LongtermTTC has your period arrived yet?

@MorgenMuffel I hate the side effects of progesterone! Sorry you were up so early, hope you can get a good nap in later on or an early night! You are sooo close now, not long to wait until you can test, hold in there!

@RosettaR how are you feeling? Any side effects?

@UncleBrynsfishingtrip great news your cycle has started. How are you feeling? The buddy system at your clinic sounds like a great idea!

@ivfgottostaypositive sorry to hear you're feeling a bit emotional about this cycle. It's understandable as it's a very stressful time and I find that every cycle just brings back memories of failed cycles and losses which doesn't help either. I constantly question myself whether I can put myself through all of it again but the only alternative is to stop and that's too heart breaking to contemplate. Stay strong! By the way, you mentioning your spreadsheets made me smile love to be organised!

@Mrbay I think I need to start doing a period dance to encourage mine to start! That's great that your company offers paid leave for IVF. I would take 1 day for collection, 1 day for transfer, 2 days immediately after transfer and then 1 day for the test day!

@Ails826 try not to let the stats get you down. You are still young so chances are your egg quality is good.

@HJF84 hope your follicles have another growth spurt, fingers crossed for you.

Nothing to report from me, I just seem to be surrounded by pregnant people at the moment (not literally - we are in lockdown after all ) either friends or family sending me pregnancy updates or bump pics and it's all getting a bit much! Definitely feeling the pressure for this cycle to work and it hasn't even started yet! Waiting for AF still ....

@MrsLouB glad you have had some good news at your scan!

@ivfgottostaypositive sorry to hear you are struggling today. Really impressed that you have spreadsheets!

@elleceedee bump pics are the absolute worst I'm sorry you feel surrounded at the moment.

@HJF84 yes to the boobs thing! I am loving my stims induced cleavage hope your scan tomorrow brings you good news. There is still a bit of time to grow until you trigger if EC would be Friday or Saturday so fingers crossed for you

@MorgenMuffel not to make your symptom spotting worse but sore boobs and heartburn sound like really positive ones to me!! Yep we are having a fresh transfer and ET is Friday afternoon. They called this morning and 10 of the 12 have fertilized normally so I'm really relieved, I have been so anxious at each stage. They said that they have changed their policy about disturbing the embryos to provide updates so now my next update won't be until Friday morning argh! got to distract myself for the rest of the week now!

@takingthistooseriously whooop 10/12 is amazing. Should hopefully get a nice lot through to day 5. I have everything crossed for your ET on Friday. It's the bit about the process I hate the most, feels so undignified, but it'll be worth it when it works :) I know what you mean about distracting yourself - I've not been too bad in the day with work to keep my mind of things, but got some films lined up as well as some facemasks etc - a bit of a pamper always helps me feel better.

@HJF84 I'm fairly busty so can't say I've really noticed much change, but I know DH will be very pleased if they are haha.

@UncleBrynsfishingtrip I've not heard of the buddy system before, sounds good though - although I kind of view you all as my buddies :D

@elleceedee my best friend is pregnant at the moment which can be challenging at times - it only took them 3 months so obviously a lot of conflicting feelings here. Sooo over the moon for them but at the same time sad it couldn't have worked like that for us. She has been great though, told me in a really sensitive way and doesn't share unless I ask (which I do a lot - she must get fed up with me). I would just so love to share a bit of pregnancy with her.

Lockdown has helped in a way, as we don't live that close so I have not actually seen her in person - hopefully will do before baby arrives though! She is within a day trip and near my parents so thinking we might try and combine a garden visit with them in about a month or so for my birthday.

@elleceedee no side effects really. I'm hoping I'm getting the right dose because my nose always really runs after sniffing. In a way some side effects would be reassuring. I am getting the horrible taste at the back of my throat so hopefully that means it's being absorbed!

I know what you mean about all the pregnant people. I had two baby bombs within a few days just among my cousins. It always gets me so upset, I know i should be happy for them but I really struggle. It just feels so unfair that it can't just happen for me and my DH.

@Mrbay yes I'm feeling better today, still tired. I am looking forward to the cooler weather we're forecast tomorrow though, I'm hoping I'll sleep better and hay fever won't be so bad!

I don't get ivf leave but I have tonnes of holiday to use up due to covid 19 and not being able to go anywhere, so I'll use some of that. I was going to take 2 weeks but I'm so busy at the moment that I think I will just have to take odd days. It is hard not being able to plan it. I have a very supportive boss but lots of meetings. Thanks everyone for the info on when's best to use them. I'll do my best to take the day of EC and ET plus a few days after each.

@ivfgottostaypositive sorry you're feeling rubbish today. Do be kind to yourself. It feels like pressure but really it's 90% down to the drugs is what I've been told.

Congratulations @MrsLouB I'm so glad your lining is looking good!

@takingthistooseriously that's wonderful that so many fertilised, you must be really relieved. I hope you're able to relax a bit and think about other things until Friday, it must be so hard!

@elleceedee i know what you mean about everyone around you being pregnant ive sent 5 pregnancy announcements from people i know all due oct november time which would of been me

@RosettaR thanks

@takingthistooseriously congratulations 10-12 is an amazing number!

@MorgenMuffel i know i see have a look on those boards to there are a lot of people who fail but a lot who succeed there is so much information out there. I think its one of the reasons by clinic actually tell you to stay of the boards!

So i will say something to the clinic but i was talking to the fertility/midwife who did my scan and asked who was doing the transfers and she said did i want someone specific or not being the case and i said yes without me saying she said DR Yun! Yes and i said given he didnt check my lining the first time etc she said no its the head Consultant Mr Dabbis who did our last FET which takes it longer as he likes to get it just right! Perfect for me. But goes to show if she knew who i didnt want without me saying that i am not the only one that has asked and said that.

@RosettaR hope you managed to get a bit more sleep. I made it to 5am today which I was pretty pleased with! Hoping that I can make it a bit longer tomorrow as I don't really want to be testing at 5am.

@ivfgottostaypositive how are you doing today?

@MrsLouB glad you've got someone different for your transfer this time

Hope all goes well for everyone with tests, scans and drugs today x

Thanks @MorgenMuffel yeah its the same dr who did our second transfer where we got our bfp but not the idiot who did our first and ET.

Hope you are well today and good luck to everyone who has follow ups today x

morning all

Sorry the buserelin blues hit me yesterday - I just hate that it has the ability to pull you down to your lowest, I don't suffer from low moods normally so its always such a shock for me. DH had to deal with lots of tears last night, one outburst was over the puppy looking too cute whilst sleeping!

Period dance was short lived, its gone! It was my last pill today so hopefully it'll do its thing over the next few days.

Ref IVF leave, I think I'll use today for EC and then the take the week off post transfer, thats if I get that far!! Tempted to take Friday off this week for a self-care day, AKA go and eat lots of desserts and macdonalds!

Pregnancy announcements seems to be on the rise on my social media too - just need to remember others getting pregnant doesn't reduce your ability to get pregnant.

Our in-laws haven't been successful with their IVF but they have been approved to adopt which is fantastic news but it has got my DH asking if I would start the process if this round fails. I can tell that he just wants to be a father but I am not ready to talk about the what ifs at the moment.

Sorry to hear you’ve had problems with your clinic @MrsLouB . IVF is stressful enough without adding that on top of it! Though sounds like your scan went great.

I’m on my way in to my first scan now. Hope something is happening in there! Guess I’ll find out soon.

So many updates!

@MrsLouB Congrats on making it to 8mm! You must be so relieved. And that's interesting you say that about the consultant. You're right, I bet there have been a fair few others who have insisted the same thing

@MorgenMuffel I was exactly the same with previous cycles. Night sweats and waking up at every hour. Damn the progesterone! Only one more day! Do you go to your clinic for bloods or do you take a test at home. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼

@takingthingstooseriously 10 is a great number to have fertilised. It's annoying that that we can't get daily updates but it's totally understandable

@ivfgottobepositive I'm with you on the emotional day. I had a melt down yesterday, got totally emotional for no reason, but I know it's the cetrotide. It always makes me completely unreasonable. I hope you're feeling better today. Am I right in thinking you have a scan today? Good luck!

@dbrook Good luck for your scan today

I don't get IVF leave - what an amazing benefit. I'm just using annual leave. I was worried about how much leave I would need, and whether I would have enough if we wanted to take a summer holiday! Fat chance of that happening! Just at my clinic again for another scan - two in two days! I'm sure I'll be told to trigger for EC on Friday.

I had a look at my treatment plan last night and realised it will be a 3-day transfer. I had a 5 day transfer for my last fresh cycle. I'll ask the nurse about it.

Morning everyone

So still one follicle outgrowing the others - 18mm and then 13mm, 12mm, 11mm, 10mm, 10mm and the rest 8mm or lower. Feeling bit crappy. At the moment I'm tentatively booked in for egg collection on Friday but will get confirmation tonight whether to trigger this evening. They've also given me more drugs so I can stim tonight as well as trigger which I've never done before in the hope it gives the 12&13mm a bit of a push.

Look back at my spreadsheets I've only ever got mature eggs from follicles 14mm + on day of trigger so I'm not confidant that's we ll get more than the one.

I got 7 eggs last cycle only 3 months ago so just feel like maybe this is my body saying it's time to stop messing with it. I'm also wondering why I bothered with stims at all and should have just gone for fully natural IVF with no drugs If I was only going to get the one egg - lots of shoulda/woulda/couldas today x

Think I’m in a similar boat @ivfgottostaypositive. Had my scan and only 4 follicles are growing and the rest are catching up. She didn’t seem positive at all. I asked if we should cancel the cycle and she said they wouldn’t do that at my age as ‘fertility crashes at 37, didn’t you know? You should google it’. I mean obviously I’m aware of that, why do they think I’m there. Why even treat older women if we’re such a lost cause.

I have to hold it together for a zoom meeting later but want to just lay on my bed and cry.

@Dbrook so sorry you are feeling down. That was a pretty insensitive comment, I also would not see 37 as an older woman! Harsh! Do you have another scan lined up and can they alter your meds in the mean time?

@ivfgottostaypositive I hope the last minute stims do the job for you. Sorry to hear you are feeling crappy, what a rough ride

@HJF84 how did your scan go?

@RosettaR hope you are still symptom free and all going well

@MorgenMuffel any more symptoms to report?!

@MrsLouB that's really good news that you have the consultant that led to your BFP

It's great that some people get leave, I am self employed which gives me some flexibility but clients only have so much patience! I am feeling lightheaded and yuk today and reeeally hoping it isn't the start of ohss as I so want my transfer on Friday!