IVF stress

[Georgina125]

At 33, I've just undergone my first IVF cycle (I've fallen pregnant naturally once but sadly ended in neonatal death, then found out I have severe endometriosis and can't conceive naturally following surgery). It all went so much better than expected and we got one good embryo (5 days) transferred back and one frozen. I rested up for two days after the transfer, then went about my normal business.

On Day 4, I started spotting a little. Yesterday, Day 5, this turned into a light pink flow, watery at times and other times quite red. Today I am getting off and on bleeding, sometimes old blood and sometimes new, plus a couple of small clots. Light cramping and back pain too. My clinic says this could be implantation but I'm fair sure it is my period on the way.

I think what is hurting the most is that I saw that lovely blastocyst on the screen less than a week ago and I feel they never had a chance. How could they ever implant if I shed my lining so quickly?

Has anyone had a similar problem and had a baby in the end? I want a living child more than anything but my mental health is in shreds after everything I've been through and I need to know I'm not wasting my time here.

@Georgina125 I am so sorry to hear about your loss and what you are currently going through.

No success to share yet (currently between cycles) but I started spotting and ultimately bleeding after my first cycle and my BFP was lost shortly after OTD. What luteal support did they give you and have they checked your progesterone levels? Long story short but they never checked my levels the first time. Subequent cycle I did get them to check and pessaries are not enough for me, I need progesterone injections to get it to the right level.

@Northeast55 Thank you for replying. I am on 2 x 400mg cyclogest per day and I definitely don't think that is enough. They haven't tested my bloods and are still saying I could have a BFP so I need to just wait and see. I wasn't happy with this so I have e-mailed in and said I want a consultant to confirm that they can give more luteal phase support in the future. I'm trying to regain the positivity I felt when the egg collection went so well.

@Georgina125 So so sorry for your loss, such a tragedy. Sounds like you are having an incredibly stressful time at the moment. I would second what the pp said about progesterone levels, can your clinic not check this during this cycle? If they are low then they can still up your progesterone now and they will know that you would need extra progesterone support if you had any future cycles. I have also had low progesterone levels with pessaries alone and needed Lubion injections in addition.

@Lemongrass1 I'm not sure why they haven't offered to check the progesterone now but I have kicked up a bit of a fuss and a clinician should be calling me to discuss what has happened. I'm going to say that I don't think the progesterone has been enough and see what they say. I really want to be reassured that I have a good chance once this issue is sorted. I keep reading that I should have a decent chance because I was pregnant once before but I worry that I am deluding myself.

@Georgina125 that was the same dose at me. A progesterone blood test is only about £30 - perhaps push them to test now so you have a conclusive answer? Good luck

@Northeast55 I got a call from the doctor at the clinic and they have given me some progesterone injections and some oestrogen patches. For every other day apparently, starting tonight. I guess we will see if the bleeding is improved. I suppose there is a small chance that an embryo could be trying to hold on there so this could help. Even if it doesn't help with that, I will be interested to see if the bleeding stops because that will help inform how the next cycle is dealt with. I really hope it helps because it will give me more hope for the future.

Ok, so husband had to do the progesterone injection (backside!). It actually really didn't hurt very much. My husband is insanely proud of himself now.

Are they the ones with the really long needle? They aren't so bad, just make sure you move away from the same injection site each time as otherwise it can get a bit sore! Good luck - hope it does the trick

@Georgina125 I’m glad to hear you were given some extra progesterone and oestrogen support. 🤞 it does a good job! And well done to your OH for doing the first injection 😁 X

hope the bleeding is settling down x

@Northeast55 Yeah it's a very long needle so I was a bit scared but I barely felt it. I do have a lot of padding though.

@Lemongrass1 I think it's made a difference already. Less bleeding and cramping. I doubt it will be in time for any embryo but now I know what is needed in the future. I'm hoping we will stand a real chance now. Frozen transfer hopefully is the next step.

I've got to test on Sunday but I think it will likely be a BFN this time, as there wasn't quite enough luteal phase support early on. I have a frozen embryo so the next plan is to transfer this as soon as the clinic allows it.

My concern now is how to prevent regrowth of my endometriosis between cycles. Originally I was on Zoladex and was prescribed 3 months worth of these. I used two months worth before this IVF cycle so I have one month's worth left which I will schedule as soon as I get the official BFN. My NHS consultant has indicated he would not prescribe any more of these injections but is insisting I schedule a telephone appointment to discuss an alternative. The catch is that there is several months wait for a telephone consultation and I can't let the endometriosis eat away at my fertility whilst I wait. I will either kick up a fuss with the GP to say I need an alternative to the Zoladex to treat the pain and preserve fertility or I will see if my IVF clinic will arrange a call with my consultant (who happens to be one of their directors).

@Georgina125 how are you doing?

@Northeast55 there is still bleeding but it is less and it looks like old stuff so I think the extra medication is working. I will still test on Sunday to be sure this cycle didn't work but, assuming it is a BFN, there are still positives. 1) we know what drugs would work better in the future and 2) we have our little frosty embryo waiting for us. I've heard FET can work better sometimes because there is more focus on the uterus lining.

First cycle is a bit trial and error but good that you can now insist on the injections for next time. FET is a much easier process and there is evidence that it can be better. Good luck for Sunday

@Northeast55 I'm not looking forward to tomorrow at all. I know deep down it will be a BFN but it will still hurt to see. I guess there's nothing to say that IVF won't work for us in the end so I'm trying to think of this as more of a trial run.

Once the BFN is confirmed, I will send my email telling the clinic and ask how soon the FET can be done. And ask how I manage my endometriosis between cycles to best assist the process.

Negative test. Ridiculously, I'm upset even though I knew it would happen because of the bleeding. I'm trying to tell myself that it could work next time or one of the times after that, that one failed round is not the end but my mind keeps saying "what if it is only ever negative test results". I'm glad I did the test on a weekend.

@Georgina125 I'm sorry to hear this, it is not ridiculous be upset, a BFN is always difficult

A failed cycle is certainly not the end, it could work next time and you can take the knowledge from this cycle with you. Take care of yourself today xx

@Northeast55 you are absolutely right. At least we know what went wrong and it is fixable. Not necessarily a guarantee of success but it must help to keep the uterus lining intact!

The clinic called today to offer me a doctor's review and allowed me to choose which one!!! I asked for the consultant who did my laparoscopy in March, thinking he would be too high up to see me (he is one of the founders of the clinic) but he has a slot in two weeks time. On a day that I happen to be off anyway. I figure that he knows more than anyone about my condition (he has literally had eyes on my nasty scarred insides). I've decided to take my final Zoladex injection tomorrow and e-mailed the GP begging for another 3 months (package insert says it is safe for 6 months in endometriosis) . Unfortunately. they've forwarded the request to my consultant (same one again) who feels the benefits of the Zoladex do not outweigh the cost so I expect a firm no to that but he can hopefully recommend an alternative.

@Georgina125 it should definitely keep your lining in place for next time. Hopefully they will say yes but could the consultant do you a private prescription for the Zoladex if you don't have any luck with via NHS route?