October IVF

[Dinky06]

Hi ladies, I’ve been through all of my fertility screening tests etc and am due to start my first and hopefully only round of IVF (positive vibes ) soon. I’m looking to share my hopes, experiences and tips and provide support to anyone else expecting to start a cycle soon. The more the merrier!

Hi everyone hope you are all well!!i have to trigger tonight😬😬

@Mrsmch123 well done! The advice I got was to set an alarm, and take it out of the fridge 10 mins before you do it...
EC on Friday for you then?

@Sunbird24 ohh thank you for the tip!!yeh I'm in at 9:45 on Friday.

@unknownscot I think each stage is harder, the tww is the hardest for me. Good luck for Friday's call. X

@Tara8 8 is still decent. The most I've had is 7 and I've had 5 embryos still going by day 5 across 2 cycles. I had more follicles both times too. I'm trying a double trigger this time to see if this improves.

Good news on lots of scans, triggers and imminent collections. 🤞🏻 for you all.

I started DR today so I'm way behind all of you. Ive had some twinging today which I e not had in my previous cycles. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Tara8 hopefully you’ll have a good result from the 8. I’m glad to hear the procedure was ok as I’m getting quite nervous about mine in the morning. I kind of feel like it’s a lot to put myself through when realistically the best result will be one egg being collected.

How is everyone feeling that’s had their collection already? I know it’s fairly common to suffer with bloating afterwards.

@mayihavesomecakeplease it sounds like you’re on track for a good result. Hopefully you’re not too uncomfortable leading up to the collection.

Wow some big updates today!

@Mrsmch123 good luck for this evening!! That's so exciting :)

@Tara8 awwww yay! What a good update! So glad the procedure went well and 8 is a good haul. Hope all goes well with the update tomorrow.

@mayihavesomecakeplease wow! That does sound uncomfortable but hopefully positions you really well. Next week will come round super quickly for you I'm sure.

I got a call from the clinic and based on both my scan and blood test results they've confirmed EC for Saturday so I'm guessing trigger at some time on Thursday night. I still feel very up and down since the sonographer's comments about how in her opinion waiting an extra day would be good for follicle growth but I'm guessing my bloods mean not. I do feel like I'm starting to doubt myself a bit but as @unknownscot said they know best! Am just trying to trust the process. If anyone has any great techniques for switching off from the mental whirring of IVF then do let me know!! Xx

Well, I’m triggered now... it’s out of my hands! I’m getting paranoid that I’ve misunderstood and that I should be taking injections tomorrow I’m positive that there are none at all tomorrow - if this sounds wrong please someone correct me!

I’m waaaay behind you all. First day of AF today so Meriofert starts tomorrow eve and I have my first appointment on Friday. Still feeling totally overwhelmed - never spared a thought before for people who go through this, it’s only when you’re in it that you realise what an emotional and physical rollercoaster it is. Just want to say, you’re all incredibly brave and I hope every one of you gets that special little something at the end of this process 🙏🏼

@ThePurpleFairy Congrats! Fingers crossed for you and no, being positive not having to inject yourself is totally normal and acceptable (I’m dreading starting mine tomorrow). Hope all goes well for you xxx

@ThePurpleFairy enjoy your jab-free day today and good luck for collection tomorrow!

@Lindyloolou good luck! One step at a time, honestly once you start injecting it goes so fast. If you’re finding the injections daunting you can buy over the counter in a pharmacy a cream called EMLA, it’s a bit of a faff as you have to put it on 60-90 mins before you want to inject and cover it with cling film, but I’ve done this for all of mine and it has really taken the stress away, and of course, no pain. Also, it was perhaps my poor choice of words, I’m absolutely thrilled that there’s no injections today, I was more doubting myself that I had it wrong and that I’m going to end up not doing any when I should be, if that makes sense!

@Sunbird24 thank you very much, I hope that you’re recovering well

@Lightningrain wishing you the best of luck today!! Hope all goes well xx

@ThePurpleFairy I totally get what you mean. I've just taken my last morning Cetrotide shot (hurrah!) and am still a bit bewildered about no evening shots and when / how to do my trigger.

@Lindyloolou good luck for today! I know it sounds like a cliche but once you're past the first injection, it's easier to do.

Hope everyone is recovering OK. Out of interest, how long did EC take? I think I'm booked in for EC at 13.00 on Saturday but no real idea of what to expect.

@Lindyloolou honestly the thought of the injections is worse than the reality, and it feels kind of never-ending to start with but the final one will come around so quickly. Plus you’ve now got a support squad here for any time you feel like you’re struggling!

@Dinky06 I had to arrive at 0800 for an EC at 0900, and was out the door to go home at 1100. The EC itself didn’t take very long, but they’ll keep you there for a while to make sure you drink plenty of water, feed you tea and biscuits (hopefully) and make sure you’ve recovered from the sedation, had a wee, and aren’t bleeding too badly. (Expect spotting, that’s normal. You could take a pad with you but my clinic provided them)
They’ll send you home with a ‘what to do next’ sheet, a list of symptoms of OHSS to watch out for, and a sheet detailing treatment that if you do get OHSS you should give to the doctor.

@Sunbird24 thanks that's super helpful. I'm gluten intolerant so going to pack my own post treatment snacks then! Did they allow your partner to be with you for any of it?

@Dinky06 I don’t have one, so can’t help with that, sorry! Give them a call this morning and ask? Sure it should be allowed for the pre and post bits...

@Dinky06 I’m arriving at 10am tomorrow for a 10:30am egg collection. The sheet of paper I’ve been sent says my partner must come in with me and I was also told this over the phone. I’ve not questioned it and I’m just taking him with me! I checked the date and the sheet I was sent was last edited in June 2020, so I’ve taken that as comfort that they would have put in a message not to if he shouldn’t

Just had my call from the clinic, got 14 of 16 fertilised! I’m stunned, because in my dream last night the guy was adamant that it was 8. Transfer on Monday provided I remain clear of OHSS symptoms. All emotional now...

@Dinky06 my husband came with me as he had to go and do "his bit" first. He said once he made his deposit he had to ring a bell and then a hatch opened and he passed it through! He then went shopping for a few hours and got himself a coffee. I text him when I was recovering with my tea and biscuits and he made his way back to pick me up. The actual procedure was only 15 mins but the whole thing was probably just under 3 hours. You will be absolutely fine!

@Sunbird24 that's incredible, what a great response. That must be a good feeling for you going into the weekend!

I'm waiting to hear on my little 8...

Great news @Sunbird24!

@Lightningrain best of luck to you for today! Sorry I keep missing messages, there's just so much activity on here...which is great!

And @ThePurpleFairy keeping everything crossed for you too!

@Mrsmch123 are you in for EC this morning too? Good luck!

@Dinky06 My sister was allowed into the clinic, she waited in the recovery room with me before I went into theatre and stayed there until I was back.

I was in at 07:30, EC at about 08:40, home for 11

I felt fine on day 1, a little tender last night but overall I feel okay. A bit more sore when I pee.

@Sunbird24 great results! You must be really pleased!

@Tara8 thank you

I’m just starting to pack my bags now for the 200+ mile drive down to London. My trigger shot has bruised so I don’t look forward to 4 hours wearing a seatbelt!

Hope it goes well for you @ThePurpleFairy!

Just got the call, 5 of 8 have fertilised so transfer booked for 3pm on Monday but they'll ring before Saturday if any change! It's my birthday Saturday so hopefully only good news!