IVF&FET June/July cycle buddies

[Lemongrass1]

Hi, we are starting a FET this month after a bit of back and forth with the clinic. Start downreg on Fri with ET hopefully first week of July. Wondering if anyone else cycling around the same time? X

@Parkandride wishing you all the best for your transfer tomorrow. Fingers crossed for that little embryo.

@Parkandride best of luck tomorrow!

@Rovera12 I'm relatively ok thank you! I'm 5DP3DT today, and the anxiety is starting to ramp up as we tiptoe towards OTD on Monday. How are you feeling at the mo?

@SpyroC I appreciate that it is too early for a scan, but surely under those circumstances it's possible for the clinic to do a blood test to ascertain whether your HCG is rising and therefore whether a pregnancy of unknown location is a risk for you? What is your clinic's protocol on OTD after IVF? Do they not test you at all until a scan date? It doesn't seem right that you're (understandably) up in the air and that they don't seem to be helping you to find any answers. I hope you're ok. X

Thank you all for such a lovely welcome 😊

I’m feeling alright, work is keeping my mind occupied which is helpful at the minute. I alway worry that if you don’t get any spotting during the first week that its not worked. Have everything crossed. Fresh cycles play with my mind as your body is going through so much, never know what is you just recovering from all the drugs.

@ Rovera12 how are you feeling? Are you doing a fresh or frozen cycle? Is it your first time?

Best of luck to everyone at all your differenf stages

My OTD is 13th August

The bleeding has been much less today but this is pretty standard for the 4th day of my period. My clinic don't do beta blood tests and tbh I was glad as it it seems to cause a lot of stress. However, given the circumstances you'd think they would wouldn't you. @Glitterandunicorns I am worried about an ectopic even though that, in theory, should also stop a period. With the amount of blood I've lost it surely can't be in my womb still. They just say it's too early for an ectopic to cause harm but surely the earlier it's detected the better. I think I'm going to give my gp a ring in the morning and see what they think.

@Rovera12 Asda charged me £83 for 8 vials! I went there because they promise not to profit from fertility drugs. But clearly it can be sourced cheaper! I don't know what to do about meds as I have a prescription for another 6 weeks worth but it seems stupid to buy it when it's not clear whether or not I'm actually pregnant. 😕

Good luck for tomorrow @Parkandride xx

@SpyroC I'm sorry. That sounds so stressful. Contacting your GP sounds like a good idea. hug

@SpyroC sorry things are so stressful for you. Definitely talk to your GP. They may order hcg tests for you. The EPU won't scan until 6 weeks I don't think. The amazing thing is that you had a strong positive test - and that happened and got stronger while you were bleeding so take heart from that.

@Rovera12 I tried Pharmasure but they only work with certain clinics not including mine! Asda have quoted me £56 for 7 vials which is a good price but as you say, I will have to see what happens when I go in. I'm on 3 a day tho so any saving makes quite a difference.

Can I have a tiny whinge please? I'm feeling really down as I've been having some light cramps today and feel like this isn't a good sign. I'm 5DP3DT and my OTD is Monday.

My husband has been amazing and so supportive, but I don't really want to tell him that I'm worrying constantly that this hasn't worked, as I don't want to worry him, and there's nothing we can do about it anyway.

I know that all this is silly because as I've just said, there's nothing I can do now to influence the outcome one way or another. My logical brain also knows that these feelings are probably just down to the progesterone or something. Yesterday I laughed lots at a funny thing then immediately burst into tears for absolutely no reason. This whole process is so much more emotionally draining and stressful than I ever thought it would be.

Whinge over. I'm going to go and watch some trashy TV and have a biscuit to take my mind off things. Thanks for listening/ reading!

Oh and also I have a question for those ladies who have previously had IVF resulting in a BFN. Can I ask, did you just get your period as normal? I'm not sure how the progesterone suppositories affect your period if you get a BFN. I thought it was probably best to know what to expect just in case.

@Glitterandunicorns I'm sorry you feel this way but worrying is totally normal. We've invested a lot emotionally (and sometimes financially) into IVF and it's hard not to analyse every twinge. It's different for men as it's not in their body.

I can only speak for myself but in my experience being pregnant feels almost identical to getting a period so there really is no way of knowing for me other than a test. Cramps can mean pregnant or getting a period. It drives you mad not knowing.

Can't tell you about periods on meds I'm afraid as my failed cycle I also had a chemical.

Xxx

@Janefx40 thank you so much for this. You've been so supportive and I'm so grateful. X

Good morning lovely ladies!

Back to work this morning, which is good so I can keep my mind occupied- I really needed this break though!

@SpyroC I’m really sorry that you are experiencing all this uncertainty. I think, in the circumstances, I would do a blood test. I have read many stories of ladies bleeding in the beginning but went on to have a healthy pregnancy, especially when more than 1 embryo was transferred. I m really hoping this is the case for you xxx

@Glitterandunicorns Given how much we want this to succeed and everything we went through to get to this point, it is only natural that we will find issues to worry about-I certainly do! Yesterday I was all fine, (Tmi alert) I went to the bathroom and all of a sudden because I was slightly constipated, started worrying that I may have reduced the chances of implantation😑 my partner noticed the immediate change in attitude but I was too embarrassed to explain what was going through my mind!

I’m having a few symptoms which I know can be from the progesterone ( or I’m just imagining them!) and will definitely be devastated if this doesn’t succeed 😞 But I know that if this happens, we just have to keep on pushing forward to a new cycle.

@SpyroC during this uncertain time you could only purchase what you need from your prescription. I did this. The pharmacy logs what you have had and keeps the prescription for if and when you need to order rest. That worked well for me.

@Glitterandunicorns hope the trashy TV and biscuits have perked you up. And whinge away, we are all here all here to support.

I'm feeling very in limbo at moment. So technically 8 weeks tomorrow. And last scan was good despite the huge amounts of bleeding. But I started bleeding again last night, my husband is such a positive person so doesn't feel same about my worries. Ivf clinic have discharged me following positive scan and local team won't call for at least another week. Don't feel unwell enough for doctor so just riding it our again. Have felt sick for 2 weeks solid which is also taking it's toll. Trying to be grateful to have gotten this far but just feel sick, tired and waves of worry it's all going to end.

@Bestofyou1982 I'm sorry to hear you're having some bleeding again. Are you having any pain with it? It's bound to be worrying, after everything you've been through already. I'm sorry you've been feeling sick too.

I don't really know what to say to help, so I'll offer a hug. It's absolutely normal to feel worried, and i also know that it can be really difficult to try to focus on the positives in all this, especially when you're tired and run down.

I really hope things settle down for you soon so you're able to enjoy your pregnancy. X

@Janefx40 @Rovera12 what is with Asda and it's variable lubion quotes!

@Glitterandunicorns the 2nd half of the tww is really tough. How you are feeling is totally normal. I'd say try not to read too much in to, it as it really can go either way, but In reality I know it's impossible. Men tend to be more positive as their bodies aren't giving them constant reminders. Hold on in there, I have everything crossed for you! Oh and period wise it seems to go both ways, for some women it comes whilst still on meds and for others when they stop. X

@Bestofyou1982 thanks for that tip, I will do just that. I'm sorry to hear you are bleeding again. It's so cruel after all we've been through it would be nice to have an easy first trimester at least. Hopefully it's just standard early pregnancy bleeding but I totally understand the anxiety this must cause. I feel exhausted too, I don't think it's anything to do with the possible pregnancy it's just emotionally draining. I really hope everything is ok. Stay strong. X

Thank you all so much for your kind words. Today's Asda test is again darker but still not as dark as the control (17dp5dt). I didn't bother with a frer as they are as dark as it gets. I spoke to the clinic and gp as last night my left ovary started twinging like crazy fuelling the ectopic fear. Fortunately the right one has also been twinging this morning. Both said it's probably my ovaries settling after ec. It did happen last time too. I have had my hcg beta taken today. Given the light Asda test I know it's going to come back as low so I'm dreading that call but at least I'll know. They'll test again on Friday. Gp said I could go for a scan but it's highly unlikely they'll see anything before 6 weeks so I declined.

Sorry for the long post-so much going on! Sending strength to all xx

@SpyroC good luck with the hcg test. My FRERs were never that dark but my blood results were really strong in that first week. So sounds like you have nothing to worry about.

@Bestofyou1982 I'm sorry you have more bleeding. It must be scary. Why don't you get a referral to the EPU for a scan if you think that would reassure you? That is what they're there for

Xxx

That's good to gear @Janefx40 thank you. Hopefully I'll be the same and the Asda tests are just a light batch. X

Sorry @SpyroC didn't mean that to sound dismissive - it's totally natural for you to be worried when you are bleeding. I just meant hopefully the dark tests are a good sign 🤞🏼

It didn't sound dismissive at all, it's nice to hear. X

@SpyroC I'm pleased to hear they've doing some HCG tests for you. At least they'll provide some clarity for you. I'm crossing my fingers for you.

I just had a call from one of the nurses at my hospital just to do a welfare check. She was so very kind and explained that everything I'm feeling is normal, so I'm feeling a bit better now. These mood swings are something else! I'm not usually that bad PMS-wise, so it's been pretty weird!

My beta came back at 418 which they class as pregnant. She didn't mention, but I know this is on the low side which I fully expected. I also know from my extensive googling that it's the doubling that is most important so I just have to wait and see what Saturday brings. 🤞🏻🤪

@Glitterandunicorns i'm glad the nurse was able to reassure you. I'm all over the place but I think it's the unknown making me crazy more than the hormones.

@SpyroC good to get a result but frustrating that there is yet more waiting! Hope Saturday brings good news.

What is reassuring is that you have been pregnant and remained pregnant throughout all this bleeding. And also remember that we already know this embie was a bit of a slow starter because you didn't get a clear positive until 15dp5dt so bearing that in mind, logically this number has to be an increase from then. That doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong.

I've learnt a lot about hcg over the past couple of weeks and it is a very weird thing. There are huge variations in levels and in the rate of increase between women and, despite what the Internet says, it doesn't always mean a negative outcome.

When is your scan date? X

@SpyroC congratulations! That's great news. As you say, it's the doubling that's important, so I really hope there will be good news for you on Saturday.

Yesterday afternoon and earlier this morning, I had some more cramping and lower back pain (I'm 7dp3dt today- how has it been a week since transfer?!) which freaked me out a bit as it felt like impending period. In saying that, I know it could be due to the progesterone, implantation stuff or period related, so I'm just trying to put it out of my mind!

In other news, I have been weeing a lot more than usual today. I'd say sorry for the TMI, but I feel like we're past that point! 😂
In my previous 3 pregnancies, that has been the first sign that I should POAS, but I kind of wonder whether it's possible that I know that is a sign for me, so my brain is somehow playing tricks on me. I haven't had more to drink than usual.

On that note, I hope you're all having a lovely Thursday!

@Bestofyou1982 how are you doing today?

@Glitterandunicorns officially 8 weeks today. Feel really nauseous which is really making me miserable and very unproductive. Still spotting so just seeing how things go. Bless you for asking.

I hope you aren't doing too much symptom spotting, it really drives you nuts.

@SpyroC it sounds good at this point, fingers crossed for next year. I've got everything crossed for you.

@Bestofyou1982 I'm sorry you're still feeling nauseous and that the spotting hasn't stopped. That sounds a bit rough. I hope you feel better soon.
Try not to worry about not being productive. You're growing a person! That is about as productive as you can be. X