Abc IVF

[computersaysso]

Has anyone recently had IVF with abc IVF? They have approved me for a frozen cycle only at the moment.
Do you know if they are only doing frozen cycles in light of the pandemic.
We have mainly chosen them due to low cost. I appreciate that the low cost means cut backs in certain areas, but I'm often waiting for 1-1.5 hours on the phone to speak to a central phone line for all branches.
It's tricky as I know that IVF is really down to the individuals body response, but I still feel that decisions made by doctors about medication doses etc are important.
Keen to hear about others experiences.

@Luckfor2021 how are you getting on? I have my first injection tonight and rather nervous. DH is going to be doing it, but he had a go with an orange last night and bent the needle! I'm sure he will be more gentle with me though! I have my first scan booked Wednesday and it all feels so real and like it's happening so fast now.
Interesting that you're on 100 as they're starting me on 150. I guess as I had a lower AFC of 12 on my initial scan?

Hi @Beaglemum91!!! All good here :) I’ve had 2 injections already. My husband did the first one and because it looked so easy and it really didn’t hurt at all I decided to do it last night. I was a bit nervous the first day but really there’s no need to be, you can barely feel anything! :) I have my scan booked tomorrow, so I’m really excited to see how things are going. My initial AFC count was 17 (6 on my right and 11 on my left) so it could be the reason of my lower dose. I think they also consider other things like weight, age, etc. I’m about to make a chickpea soup as they recommended to eat a lot of protein. Let me know how it goes with your injections and I’ll update you tomorrow after my scan!!! Let’s try to be relaxed and positive! :)

@Beaglemum91 and @Luckfor2021 - Following your updates excitedly! I got my delivery of meds before the new year, waiting for my period to arrive in the next two days...
I'd be interested to hear about any symptoms you experience when taking injections - fatigue, headaches, weight gain? I'm fearing the worst!

Hope your scans this week go well!

@Luckfor2021 hope the scan goes well today! First injection wasn't too bad at all,felt a bit funny, but didn't hurt too much so I feel a lot better about it now!

@edibletreats how exciting, you're not too far behind us either! No symptoms but will keep you posted!

Thanks!

I'd also be interested in if anyone was given any guidance on exercising while in the cycle? I am by no means a fitness freak but have got into the habit of exercising 30mins 4-5 times a week (exercise bike or kettle bell workouts). Should I take break or just continue - perhaps at a slower pace?

Hi @edibletreats! Exciting to have someone starting a cycle at a similar time. They mentioned to me that low impact exercise was good. I think it’s best if you send them an email and see what they think about your sort of activities.
@Beaglemum91 I’m glad the injection went well! I was sure you would be fine!
I just came out of my first scan, it looks like I am responding well to bemfola and have 4 follicules growing quickly and 3 others not far behind. They said they’re obviously not sure how they will continue to respond but that so far it’s looking ok. They told me to start today the cetrotide injections already and go back for another scan on Wednesday.
Waiting to hear from you ladies soon!

@edibletreats, I've not had any guidance but I think exercise is generally good. I had 2 dogs I walk at lunchtime everyday and I will continue to do that. I also do some yoga/Pilates classes online but they have pregnancy options that are less strenuous so I'm going to stick to that for the time being to not over-do it.

@Luckfor2021 So glad it went well and you're responding! Such good news! Do you take that one in the evening as well then? I heard some people say it's recommended to take it in the mornings so wasn't sure how they would do it.

Hi @Beaglemum91 yes cetrotide is supposed to be taken in the morning but she told me to intake it as soon as I get home today and later in the evening take bemfola. Then tomorrow I will start with cetrotide in the morning. She said she wants to put the brakes on some of my follicules so she’s no increasing my dose... are you going to Harley street as well? Let’s us know how it goes on Wednesday!

Sorry for all the typos!!!

@Luckfor2021 I see! Looks like they're pretty good with the doses then so fingers crossed mines about right. If I do that I may have to do it and inject myself which I would be very nervous about! DH is at work on Wednesday. We're at Manchester. Technically our nearest but still an hour and a half away for scans etc :(

@Beaglemum91
@Luckfor2021
@edibletreats

I am going to be following you all so closely! I have my baseline scan on Wednesday. Pretty excited! X

@StarryHannah good luck for Wednesday! :) We will all have some news on Wednesday then! How exciting! I have to say this group is so helpful.
Well I had my first cetrotide injection today and I’m afraid it stings! I understand why they recommend to ice the area before injecting...I had a red hot and itchy area on my tummy for about 2 hours! I’ve read this is quite common and that it should get better... Xx

@Beaglemum91 I think that they start with a dose they think will work best for you and then they adjust if needed depending on how your body responds. I’m about an hour away from the london branch and have to take a train so I do understand the pain!
Don’t worry about the cetrotide injection i think you can wait until the evening if you want your husband to do it! Take one day at a time, I’m sure they’ll find a solution!

I hope it's okay for me to join in... I just joined mumsnet and found this thread. I had my baseline scan at abc earlier today, and have consultation next Monday. Quite nervous but excited to get started too. I really like the idea of sharing the experience with others too :)

@HopingForRainbow2021
I've had a scan summer last year but in a different clinic. We have moved to ABC for the price and as all our results were good.

What can I expect tomorrow? I like to know in my head what is going to happen in advance as it puts me at ease.

Do they tell you anything? Is it just the scan or do they do other things like weigh you?? Have you got anything else booked in yet apart from the online appt?
Sorry for so many questions!

It's lovely to have this little group to talk to x

@StarryHannah I know what you mean - it definitely helps to have some idea of what to expect. My appointment was at 11, and I got there about 10 to. Its 4 flights of stairs up and I walked it - but regretted it when I remembered they take your temperature on arrival! Luckily was okay. You fill out a little COVID form at reception, then get told to go and empty bladder, then wait in waiting room.

There was absolutely no waiting around at all. I was straight in at 11 for the scan. There was a brief chat and weigh in before (boots and all!) and then the scan itself. It took about 20 minutes and seemed really thorough. The nurse talked through all the findings as she went. I had a MMC in November, so she had a proper look to make sure all was okay. Then she checked ovaries, and counted and measured all the follicles. She confirmed there and then that the criteria had been met, which was good to hear. The only downside was that she sort of threw in that we would need ICSI as we are using frozen sperm... I wasn't anticipating that and have emailed asking for a bit more clarity.

I just have the zoom appointment booked at the moment - I guess there will be a plan made at that point.

Will be great to hear how you get on tomorrow!

@HopingForRainbow2021 you are an absolute star! oh no about the weight ... I'm literally on the cusp of 30 (without clothes I'm 29.8!). I'm going to be wearing the lightest clothes possible in that case! I put on a stone and half over lockdown. Managed to lose 11 pounds since middle of December so hopefully that's enough. I'm also 5 ft 1 and a half so hopefully they don't round me down to 5 ft 1! Crazy how we overthink everything eh. Xxx

@starryHannah Agh that is a bit frustrating. I know this is going to sound mad but maybe wear something really light and a nice big warm coat that you can take off. They don't measure height, they just ask you.... so I think it's actually fine to round up! I put on a stone in lockdown too. Emotional eating after miscarriage and then losing our dog :'(

@HopingForRainbow2021 Well believe it or not I made my husband stand on and off scales just now for me testing the different weights in my dresses and shoes 😂 he thought as was mad when I burst in on him in the bath with my arms full of dresses saying when he gets out he is to dry then get on and off scales to compare the weight 😂 I'll tell the nurse I'm just under 5 foot 2 then 😊

I'm so sorry to hear about the horrific time you've had. I'm sending you lots of love

@starryHannah hehe good for you! I am sure you will be fine. You have done incredibly to have lost 11lb in a few weeks. Let me know how you get on tomorrow!

Aw thank you. We just keep thinking 2021 has got to be a bit kinder! My husband was diagnosed with leukaemia 2 and a bit years ago - which is why we are having IVF - we can't safely conceive naturally while he is on long term medication (life long). He had a treatment break late last Summer which is when we managed to conceive naturally (though miscarried) and got sperm frozen, but had to go back on meds as deteriorated fast. He isn't allowed another break for at least 3 years. I'm just going to keep hoping! :D xxx

@HopingForRainbow2021 awww my goodness. I am so sorry you've been through so much you and your husband. I'm going to be rooting for you both so much through this process. I love your positivity ... you both so deserve your rainbow so so much

Welcome @HopingForRainbow2021! It is great to have people to share the journey with. Sorry about everything that happened in 2020, but we've all got our finger crossed for a better 2021! I wouldn't worry too much about ICSI, although I know it is an extra cost, I always believe its better than paying for another round because the first didnt work when you really needed ICSI. We're having it our we have MFI.

@StarryHannah fingers crossed for you, I'm sure it will be fine. At my scan they didn't even weigh me, they just asked me, but I was on the low side of BMI so I think they just didnt feel it mattered too much to check. Just try to relax as its the start of your journey! They make each appointment at or just after your current appointment, so after your zoom consultation they will call tou to arrange your treatment consultation (mine was literally an hour after).

DH is giving me my injections and got a shock today! We decided we'd gone left and right of my belly button so we would go below. Well I don't think he will be doing it again as when he took the needle out it bled! It was only a bit and was over as quick as it started but he was worried it was his fault bless him. I just said we'd stick to the sides from now on as maybe I have less fat below.

So nice to have an ever growing group of people to speak to!

I am just trying to plan a little for next week while I wait (im)patiently for AF to arrive..! Due to lockdown, childcare arrangements for my daughter are a littler trickier.

If I was to start injections on Friday for instance, would I likely be going in for scans Mon, Weds and Fri next week? Are the timings early or mid morning (I'm at Harley st). I am also assuming my husband does not need to come to the scans with me?

Hi everyone! Great to have new people join the group! @HopingForRainbow2021 welcome! I hope your scan goes well today. It sounds like you went through a lot and I hope it all works out for you.

@edibletreats I started my injections on a Friday and as you said I went on Mon, Wed and I actually don’t have to go this Friday because they just decided this morning to do egg collection on Saturday. My appointments were at 10:30 and 9:30. This was the earliest I could get them at Harley street. I’m not sure about the afternoon appointments I’m afraid as I never asked.
It looks like only my right ovary is responding and have 4 big follicules they want to get an egg from so that means a trigger shot tomorrow and to hope the best for Saturday. It doesn’t look like my numbers are great but they told me they’re not bad and that it’s their approach to get less with mild stimulation. So it looks like everything is going much faster than expected.
Waiting to hear from all of your appointments today too! @Beaglemum91 and @StarryHannah

@edibletreats I think it would be Monday depending on what they think. I started injections on Sunday and have had my first scan this morning. All of mine are morning appointments and no your husband doesn't need to go (I know my clinic said they can't go so there isn't even the choice).

My scan this morning went so well, they said I'm responding as planned and have 5 follicles on one side and 8 on the other so I'm over the moon as I'd talk myself into being happy if I at least had 5! She said to keep going, see them Friday and start ceteotide tomorrow evening with my bemfola.