Abc IVF

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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.

@StarryHannah thanks! We had our consultation on Wednesday and blood that Saturday! We booked them at the same time as out PC booked our treatment consultation as we knew we wanted to go ahead. I think the results take a few days to come back but they only contact you if there ends up being an issue. Our treatment consultation was only about a week after so she just confirmed then that they had found no issues. That's the standard non-communicable diseases bloods anyway.

@Luckfor2021 I just checked and saw your last post (we were writing our posts at same time). Woohoo that's fantastic news!

@Beaglemum91 ooohhh so with timescales so quick I may get everything done in time for my next period in just over two weeks... would I be able to do it then (obviously only if everything is done in time) or do they make you wait til the period after? Xxx

@Beaglemum91 thank you so much for replying and being so understanding. I was wondering if I was being unreasonable, but you're absolutely right. We definitely don't need any other stress at the moment! I think I will have a chat to my husband about it if she says anything more - it is tricky as he is quite defensive (I guess lots of us are when it comes to our mums).

@Luckfor2021 Thank you - that's a perfect response, I am going to give that a try! I am glad egg collection went smoothly for you. Will be keeping fingers and toes crossed for you over the next few days.

@StarryHannah Aw thank you so much. I think that is really wise to be honest, not telling too many people. We have been a bit too open about it I think and I'm wishing we had thought it through a bit more. I might start downplaying the time frame a bit to take the heat off when we actually get started. Congrats to your friend! How lovely to have someone close to you that has been through the process and been successful - it is so good to hear about success with IVF. You FIL sounds horribly insensitive! What a thing to say to you! My sister is older than me (she's 43) and never wanted to have children. She was always adamant, even from 17/18 years old. She has had so much grief about it from family and friends over the years. You just can't win!
I really wish families and friends could be a bit more respectful about these issues. It is such a personal thing, and really shouldn't be something that people feel they can casually quiz you about. Fingers crossed for you getting started this month - that is so exciting! We will miss the boat this month I think as AF due just 3 days after consultation tomorrow, but should be ready to go in Feb :)

I hope you are all having a good weekend so far, and that all is going well for you :)

@StarryHannah may be tight, depends on your clinic, we were lucky as ours wasn't too busy. At our consultation after the scan she said it would be 3 weeks to get a treatment consultation, but our clinic had one some available the following week which kept things going. They also don't order meds until you've paid after your treatment consultation and they take about a week to arrive so might be tight. But we had time after our meds ans appointments to relax and take everything in and I feel that helps us be less stressed. Everything was in place and my AF arrived on time just over 2 weeks after we got meds and we could relax knowing it was all in place and we weren't in a rush.

@HopingForRainbow2021 that sounds sensible as it gives you time to have your treatment consultation, bloods, meds etc sorted in time :)

@Luckfor2021 how are you feeling today?

@beaglemum91 that is really helpful to know! Thank you. You have given me a bit of a timeline in my head x

Hi @Beaglemum91! I’m feeling really good today. I had a good night sleep and even went out for a long walk. I got the call from the embryologist this morning and he told us that 4 of our eggs fertilised. We are really pleased as we tried normal IVF this cycle and didn’t want to do ICSI as there was no male factor. The nurse did recommend ICSI to us because it’s been more than 2 years but we really read a lot and they say that when there is no male factor and it’s unexplained only 1 in 33 couples actually benefit from ICSI.
Anyway, now we have to wait until Tuesday to see if they have divided but we are aiming to do a 5 day transfer. Let’s see if this is possible! Thanks to everyone who thought about me and crossed everything :) I’m sure that helped! Xx Hoping to hear from all your scans this week!!

I wanted to share with all of you this website I found super interesting. A very experienced professor of fertility studies at imperial college answers a lot of questions people have and you might find some helpful information. genesisresearchtrust.com/askrobert/questions-and-answers/

@Luckfor2021 that such good news! They do say its all about the quality at abc so that looks like great news! We have severe male factor so have to have have ICSI so I'm really nervous as they eggs have to be good quality and mature for them to do it. Fingers crossed they all keep developing over the next few days!

That link is great by the way!

@Beaglemum91i see what you mean. Yeah in your case it makes sense to go for ICSI then. You never know what eggs your follicles have but if they are above a certain size good chances are that they are mature. You never know it could be that most of them are mature and ready to be fertilised! You can’t control it so for know just think that it’s going well and you’re responding to the medication. Let’s see what they tell you tomorrow and if your trigger day is getting close :) Have a good rest!

Hi all,

@Luckfor2021 that all sounds really positive. Gosh I bet you can't wait for tomorrow. That website looks like it has some really useful information. Probably should wait until after work to have a proper look as can imagine could get quite wrapped up in it!

@Beaglemum91 any news on your EC?

@HopingForRainbow2021
picking this up slightly late but as someone with a frustrating MIL I can totally understand. Sometimes with stuff this personal you don't actually want other people's opinions, you just want them to respect the decisions you are making. We have kept the whole process quiet too. I have told my mum and a friend - oh and I had a slightly awkward conversation with my manager lol! Hope your MIL starts seeing it from your perspective.

@StarryHannah I know it's annoying to wait but the time just flies by!

I had my first scan today and she counted 22 follicles which I am so pleased about. We have been advised to have ICSI due to low sperm morphology. I think it was 3 when it should have been 4. However, given that we have been able to get pregnant before and we are kind of borderline, they said they will review it on the day. Do ABC offer more couples ICSI than your 'average' IVF clinic, do you think?

@edibletreats looks like it will be Friday! I had my scan today, 20 follicles all growing now, which is pretty unexpected and amazing considering my AFC! There is one way ahead that they're ignoring as there is a big group they want to grow a little more before they collect to maximise mature eggs :) so another scan Wednesday then EC Friday!

Sounds like your scan went really well too! I'm not sure if they do more ICSI or if its just what any clinic would do. We have low everything and only just 2% morph so we don't have a choice. I think ICSI often comes down to motility more as if they can't go in the right direction and move to the egg they probably can't fertilise with IVF. Its up to you really but they say if you have good sperm then the chance of fertilisation is the same either way. If I were borderline I would probably veer to ICSI just because I wouldn't want to spend all this money and go through everything and take a risk on it. Its however you feel about it though and I'm sure they'll talk it all through with you if you need to.

@Beaglemum91 that count is really really amazing!!! I’m sure you can’t for this week to just fly!

@edibletreats your count is also great!! What a good first scan. I don’t think that abc tends to do more icsi than any other clinic. In general I believe they do it to avoid the disappointment of having unfertilised eggs. There are some countries that actually only do ICSI, like in Spain. The problem with that is that if you don’t ICSI and you end up needing several rounds of ivf cycles you end up paying for something you actually don’t need...So it depends if this is a risk you are willing to take.
My husband had 2 semen tests before the ivf with the NHS, first one all good except morphology borderline, second one perfect and then on the day of egg collection the embryologist said it was all normal again and that he was happy to go for regular ivf. I think maybe you can wait until collection day and hear what the embryologist has to say if you’re unsure.
Very happy for both of you!!

Wow @Beaglemum91 and @edibletreats fantastic news for you both!

Consultation went well and we would have caught this period but my smear results from the other week aren't back yet. It wasn't due until summer but I thought I would get one in case needed. She said it might still come in time for this period and she can get us in for bloods asap then but if not it'll def be next month.

We only need ivf at the moment but she said if they found an issue when they put sperm and eggs together they may recommend icsi.

I have a very high amh count and follicles and she spent a lot of time explaining extra tablets I will need to try to avoid over stimulation. I'm so impressed with this company. My nurse is lovely and even though ABC is kind of 'no frills' it still feels so personal and we are made to feel valued (not just like a statistic)

Xx

@Luckfor2021 that's great news that 4 of your eggs fertilised! I am so happy for you, and also really loved hearing your story of going without ICSI in spite of them suggesting it. We are thinking of this too. They are leaning towards ICSI for us because of using frozen sperm, but according to the sperm analysis the sample is really good - so we want to stick with IVF without ICSI if possible, but will trust the embryologist on the day for sure. Will continue thinking of you over the next few days and keeping everything crossed!

@edibletreats you are absolutely right! That is exactly it - when the decision has been made we just want her to respect it and be supportive. Continually questioning it is so unhelpful. That is a lovely number of follicles that you have there! I don't know if they are more prone to offering ICSI - but I did wonder that myself as they are steering us in that direction even though sperm was really good (although it is frozen so I guess you never know how it will thaw)

@Beaglemum91 that is brilliant! I am so pleased for you! I really hope they continue to develop nicely and will be thinking of you wednesday - keeping everything crossed for you too!

We had consultation today and may have a spanner in the works. I had an abnormal cervical screen last year (thanks again 2020!) and had to have LLETZ procedure in April. I am still waiting for the follow up screen as it was due after miscarriage and they have to wait at least 6 weeks. It was rescheduled till 11th Feb - just when I was hoping to start IVF cycle.They told me today I have to have a normal screen before starting. So I am trying to beg for a sooner appointment - or may consider trying to get funds together for a private screen :/

@StarryHannah I hadn't seen your post before hitting send - blinking smear tests!

So I've just been called by the nurse and they want me to come in tomorrow to monitoe me again, I guess the bloods came back high? To be fair, they really do look after you which is lovely and I've always have the same nurse since my initial scan.

@StarryHannah so glad things are moving forward and hope the results come in on time!

@HopingForRainbow2021 thats a pain, I hope it doesn't delay things too long for you :(

@HopingForRainbow2021 yeah checking with the embryologist on the day of egg collection sounds like the right thing to do!
@Beaglemum91how did your scan go again today? Any news?
@StarryHannah I hope your smear test comes back fast enough. I know how frustrating it is to wait another month. I had the same problem with my rubella test.

Thanks everyone for thinking about me these days! They’ve called me today for the embryo grading and in looks like all 4 have divided to either 7 or 8 cells and I have 1 grade 1, 2 grade 2 and 1 grade 3. They said they would call me tomorrow to confirm the time for the transfer on Thursday.
Now I just have to keep thinking about them and hoping some of them continue to grow nicely :) I’m trying to stay relaxed but I think I might need another meditation-yoga class today 😂 Xx

@Luckfor2021 That sounds like really good news at this stage. Really hoping they continue growing nicely for you and that Thursday comes around nice and quickly!

I have given into my impatience today and have spent almost all day searching for clinics that offer smear tests with quick results and don't cost the earth. I have found one place about 45 mins from me that will do it for £170 with results within 4 days. It seems a bit mad, but I just know that there will be a big delay if I rely on NHS. My NHS appointment is on 11th - but AF due that day so will end up pushed back - and NHS results take weeks. I think I am just going to go for it.

@Beaglemum91thinking of you and hope all is well x

@Luckfor2021 thats amazing news! How lucky to have them all fertilise and develop! Fingers crossed for Thursday!

@HopingForRainbow2021 I think if you want to go for that its not much in the grand scheme of paying for IVF! If you can afford it then why not go for it and have one less thing to worry about?

I had another scan and bloods today. It seems that due to COVID, the HFEA have issued a revision to their guidelines. The nurse said that normally they can continue with a fresh transfer if your hormone levels are between 8000 and 10000 (oestradiol), but the HFEA have said now you can't and it would have to become a freeze all snd FET to prevent any potential stress on the NHS. So now they're trying to trigger before you get to 8000 to allow fresh transfers. My numbers were over 5000 so they said if they waited until Wednesday they would likely have been over 8000. Normally that would have been fine but not at the moment so that is why they wanted me in today for another scan and bloods so they can catch me before I get there so I still get a fresh transfer! So, I get to have EC on Thursday! I just thought I'd explain it all as others may find themselves in this situation and I don't want anyone worrying like I was when asked for a next day scan and bloods!

@edibletreats you may be in this position too with your count.

@HopingForRainbow2021 its so annoying to factor in other costs but I would do the same and just have it done privately. I know a lot of non essential appts on the NHS are being cancelled at short notice so its even more risky than it normally is

@Luckfor2021 I am SO happy for you. Just goes to show its all about quality not quantity!

@Beaglemum91 Wow, that's really soon -exciting!
Couple of Qs:

• Forgive my ignorance but what do oestradiol levels indicate?
• Does triggering before 8000 have any adverse effects?
• How many days were you on stims then before your egg collection on Thurs?

Do they take bloods at every scan, because I didn't have any taken yesterday...?

@edibletreats so,
I only had bloods taken as my last 2 scans.
The hormone levels rises as the follicles grow. So each follicle will produce the hormone, the bigger the follicle the more it produces. They use it as a marker for OHSS as the more bigger follicles you have, the higher your risk of getting it and the higher the more severe. So if you have lots of follicles that continue to grow your levels will rise. Thats why they don't take blood to test it until they start to get bigger.
It has no adverse effects, its normally only about a day or so before they would normally have done it, they were waiting for a group of follicles to mature it bit more but as there are already a few bigger ones its fine. They know their stuff and make the right decision thats a balance between getting enough eggs and not getting OHSS and having to have a FET under new regulations.
As of tonight when I do my trigger, I'd have had 9 bemfola and 6 cetrotide (I'm taking one tonight before I do the trigger later in the evening).

Hope that helps!

Also, just to add, the trigger is about follicle growth and them being where they need to be on the chart, not hormone level as people with less follicles won't get as high hormone levels. So some people don't get near to 8000, but if you have more follicles that are big its more likely.

@Beaglemum91 that’s very interesting as I didn’t have bloods done at all...probably because I only had 4 follicles so I had very low risk of OHSS? Yay! Egg collection already! The exciting part starts!
@edibletreats aww thank you! I hope that is really true and I get a good blastocyst to transfer! I hope your scan goes well tomorrow.
@HopingForRainbow2021 I would go for it! If you really feel you want to start your cycle ASAP and running out of patience with the NHS then why not.