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!

@ThePurpleFairy well done to you as well. Yeh I was told the same re paracetamol.

@Lightningrain I had much the same experience as @ThePurpleFairy. Remember them putting in the cannula, holding my hand, my head went funny like when your drunk and the room spins🙊....then that was me until I was in recovery. Got a fright when I woke up as I forgot were I was and didn't recognise the nurse lol!

Had some toast, tea and had to pee then my husband was able to come get me.

They have said I will get a call around 12 tomorrow to let us know how many have fertilised

Congratulations @Mrsmch123 and @ThePurpleFairy

@Lightningrain first time around zero discomfort at all, I was amazed tbh! I literally hopped straight up not long after waking. 2nd time some slight discomfort so I took paracetamol when I got home but that was it. I think have been lucky though. It sounds as though something didn't go to plan for you, it's annoying you have to wait so long!

Happy weekend everyone! Xx 🙌🏻

@Dinky06 good luck for today! And to anyone else having EC if I’ve missed the post somewhere.

Happy weekend to everyone else, anyone waiting for updates I hope it’s the news you’re hoping for x

@ThePurpleFairy awwww thank you! On the way to the clinic. I don't think I realised how nerve wracking it feel!!

Happy Saturday all and a special shout out to those with birthdays 🥳 Enjoy xxx

Good luck @Dinky06!!

My scan was OK yesterday. I need to go back on Monday for another scan as the follicles are small at the moment. Its my birthday on Monday so hoping for some good news! 🤞

Good luck to everyone waiting to hear news 💕

Good luck @ThePurpleFairy and everyone else. Hope it goes well.

I’m on day 3 of stims and had my first scan yesterday - no cysts, lining all ok and at least 10 follicles in each, but too early to say whether there are eggs in them of course. Hadn’t been too concerned about this part as we get pregnant easily naturally - they just don’t stick around 😞 - 5MCs in a year and a half including identical twin boys who were chromosomally fine. But with all these appointments I find it does make me nervous and question every stage (even the early stages).

We are going with IMSI because OH sperm dna fragmentation is poor and possibly testing (if we get enough quality embryos). IVF also allows me to take steroids in advance to suppress my immune system as there’s a theory about natural killer cells and I have elevated numbers.

I’ve perhaps gone off on a tangent here but I guess what I’m trying to say is, whilst I get nervous at each stage, it also feels positive to be in a little more in control and we are ultimately giving ourselves the best possible chance.

Whilst everyone’s journey is different, we are ALL giving ourselves greater odds which is incredible. Amazed by the community here - so many brave, incredible people. Wishing everyone success x

Goodluck @Dinky06 it will all be over before you know it! You've got this!

I've just had a call from our clinic, of the 8 retrieved and 5 fertilised only 1 has done anything so they're going to transfer that 1 today at midday (day 3 transfer). I don't know why but I feel devastated. I don't know much about it but always thought day 5 was best.

Very groggy so will write more later. 17 eggs retrieved. Such a relief. DP leaving his sample now and then in the hands of the ICSI gods.

@Tara8 it's positive that they are transferring today. Remember they're giving you the best possible chance they can. See it as another step forward and try not to worry. Sending love and hugs ❤️

Good luck @Tara8 hope the transfer goes well.

@Dinky06 17 eggs is brilliant. Well done. Rest up now ❤

Just had the clinic on the phone...out of the 10 eggs all 10 were mature. From that 6 fertilised normally🥳🥳Aiming for Wednesday transfer!good luck all!!

Great results @Mrsmch123 I also had a call not long ago, out of 17 eggs, 13 were mature and 10 fertilised. I won’t get a call until Thursday now for them to tell me how many made it to day 5 and were biopsied and frozen

Excellent haul @Dinky06 rest up now! Good luck for your transfer today @Tara8

Thanks all. Definitely going to rest up now! The procedure was fine. I remember being in the theatre right at the start and then I woke up back in my bay. Think I was lucky at how smoothly it went.

Slightly dreading more injections starting from tomorrow though including IM ones! The highs and lows of IVF...

@ThePurpleFairy that's such great news. Am sure time will fly quickly between now and Thursday. Keep us updated.

@Mrsmch123 hurrah! That's awesome! Excited for you :)

@Lolly2020 sounds like good steady progress. It's amazing how quickly follicles can develop once they start going!

@Lindyloolou awwww you've been through so much, sorry to hear that. But it does sound like you're getting a good level of medical attention with a lot more understanding and hopefully the right treatment for you now. My DP has high sperm DNA fragmentation too and we only found out right before we started treatment which I guess was good timing. I had no idea what ICSI was before then.
I love your upbeat, positive message! 🙏🏽Thank you and wishing the same to everyone xxx ❤️

Well done @Dinky06 and @Mrsmch123 you've both done very well! Try and relax over the next few days until the next stage.

Just had my transfer of my one little Grade B embryo (7 cells, 3/3) and now frantically trying to find Day 3 Grade B success stories...oh dear! 😅 They gave us a photo of the embryo and also a scan, I feel so protective of it already, poor little thing!

@lindyloolou sorry just saw your message at the top of the page and I'm sorry for what you have been through. I feel like yours and others positivity keeps us all going! You are so right, everyone here is brave and incredible and it's so great to have these groups and people to reach out. Everyone here has been so kind and always takes the time to reply and offer advice. Well done everyone and thank you!

@Mrsmch123 and @ThePurpleFairy that's great news!

Glad the transfer went well @Tara8. I bet its lovely to have a photo. ❤

More great results - well done everyone Amazing that some of you will probably get some to freeze as well.

@Tara8 fingers crossed for you!

@Tara8 Grade B embryo is very good! And think of it this way, your uterus a far better incubator for the little embryo than in a lab 😊

@Lindyloolou it's definitely best to take it one step at a time and so far so good. The steroids work for many people so 🤞🏻. Will you have to self isolate after embryo transfer?

@Tara8 some clinics prefer to do day 5 as they know it has at least got that far and stands a better chance. Some like to put them in on day 3 to give it a go anyway. There's no reason why yours won't go on to become a sticky bean 🤞🏻my low AMH mantra to myself is "it only takes one". I understand the disappointment though, I've felt it both rounds but once that embie is back in I pull myself round with that mantra and regains hope. X

@Dinky06 congratulations, rest up tonight x

Thanks @Tara8 @Dinky06 @SpyroC

@Tara8 I’m not sure if I’ll definitely have a transfer. I’m being treated as though I will (start steroids, asprin, clexane etc) in case we only have a little number pull through (they advise not testing if there aren’t many to ‘play’ with as they can be damaged in the process). If we manage to get a decent selection survive 5 days then we will likely get them tested. They said this can take 3 weeks which will likely mean I’ll miss the following months cycle in November, then the one after that will be xmas week 😞 so I’d then be looking at January (providing covid hasn’t gone crazy). If I do have a transfer then yes, I’ll have to be very cautious so regards to being out because my immune system will be suppressed (I had to sign a waiver). I obviously want lots to survive but the wait is pretty annoying. Got to go what’s best though right 💁🏽‍♀️

Is anyone else opting for genetic testing and know whether it’s possible to get it turned around quick enough for ET ti happen the following month?

@Tara8 keeping everything crossed for you 🤞

For anyone anxious or interested in meditation to relax, there’s a free app called Insight Timer which I find pretty good. There are some specific ‘prepping for pregnancy’ ones on there too. Xx

Just to add onto @Lindyloolou's suggestion of meditation, I've used Mindful IVF which is split up into the different stages of the process

There’s a whole series of pregnancy related meditations on the Headspace app as well, though I always fall asleep a couple of minutes in so can’t confirm if they’re any good.

Morning ladies, loving the mindfulness recommendations.

Like @Lindyloolou I've used Insight Timer. You can search for so many types of medications. Also if you want a general teacher to follow Henny Flynn is a good friend and overall lovely lady so check her out.

@Sunbird24 I use the sleep soundscapes on Headspace to fall asleep too :)

Got my first embryology update. Of the 17 eggs, 13 fertilised. Next call on Tuesday. My dad died from Covid back in April and a truck crashed into my garden in June and then IVF (or actually ICSI in my case) kicked in and it's just been the most inordinately stressful year ever. So it's the first time in a long time that I've actually felt a small wave of joy. Just need to keep the inner demons in check and try not to obsess over the next few days and enjoy good news for what it is even if things change.

Hope everyone is keeping well today. So glad we have each other at this time xxx

@Dinky06 that’s a great result, so pleased for you. You deserve some joy after all that

@Dinky06 Great news and yes, you deserve to embrace the joy after the year you’ve had - do it! Xx