IVF Dec 2020-Jan 2021-anyone joining me?

[Kiza]

Hi,
After 2 years TTC #1 we are now eventually on the IVF bus! Should have started in June but Covid put a stop to that and after lots of back/forth with our NHS clinic we've got our treatment planning appointment on Friday and will be on the long protocol so probably starting mid- end of December!
Would love to have some ladies join me!
I've been creeping on other IVF threads but haven't been able to fully take part.

Great news on the transfer @Mseddy - welcome to the 2ww! Hope the next couple of weeks pass quickly for you. Totally understand where you are coming from and feel similar about the FET vs the fresh cycle - have felt so messed about with the FET and like my body has resisted it at every stage. Really hoping neither of us has to have more cycles as I too have had that 'what if' thought! Hoping that the need to snack now will counter out the feeling rotten for a bit of successful! Fingers crossed for whenever you decide to test - I'm currently enjoying the PUPO bubble!

Congrats @Mseddy and to all those in this crazy waiting game.

Had my FET today. Shame OH couldn’t be with me - surreal seeing the little air bubble go in. I was scared to pee after but was so desperate - they assured me I didn’t need to lay down and that it wouldn’t fall out 🤣

They’ve said I can test in 10 days which I actually thought was a little soon. I’ve had BFPs naturally 4 times (all MCs before 9 weeks), so convinced I’ll know the signs but now I’m in it, I’m not so sure. Especially as I’m on pessaries pre positive result now. Not sure what I was expecting to feel today but all I can say is I feel normal albeit a little exhausted mentally.

Any tips on waiting out the waiting game welcome.

Congrats @Lindyloolou that's so exciting!

Testing in 10 days is the equivalent of 15dpo so not particularly soon. Loads of clinics make people wait longer - I suppose it gives a much stronger/clearer result if you wait longer but the stress of waiting would be worse from my personal point of view.

I've only ever been pregnant through IVF but I'd imagine the drugs can make a big difference to how you feel.

I have no tips on staying sane. Personally I usually channel my energy into Mumsnet - at least then I am focusing on other peoples' journeys and not just my own. I'm no good at not obsessing I'm afraid.

At least you can relax over Christmas - nothing more you can do and no signs to look out for yet

Xxx

Hi everybody, sorry I have been a bit quiet, I have been following everyone’s journeys so far. Very best of luck to all of you in the 2ww!
We had our EC last week and it was decided we needed to freeze all due to OHSS I had 46 follicles! But I haven’t had any symptoms of it yet I am now 9 days after EC, can it come this late?
We got 15 embryos so we are so pleased, but a lot of them had multinucleation (has anybody had success with embryos with this?) they could tell us they had this due to monitoring using time lapse technology, we paid for this as an add on.
I had my withdrawal bleed 5 days after egg collection, now just waiting for next natural period to start our FET feels like such a long wait! :(
Did anybody have a delayed natural period after a fresh cycle?

@granddesigns yes I hope this is the last cycle for us! Although I'm already convincing myself that this one hasn't worked. I felt lots of cramping and pulling last time which was my chemical bfp. I haven't felt a thing this time! But then again I'm only 2dp5dt so it really is early!! When Is your test day?

@lindyloolou congrats on being PUPO we are only 1 day apart. How are you feeling? I feel nothing.

@Milly86
I'm not sure how long after ohss symptoms can start because I've never had it. Fingers crossed if you've not had any by now that you won't get them though :)

Welcome abroad the 2ww bus @Lindyloolou! It's so strange the variance that clinics give for otd dates! I'm hoping that a quiet but busy Christmas will mean the wait passes quickly but am already frustrated by the symptoms that could be symptoms or just the meds! Certainly feel a bit more tired this time (could just be Christmas and fact that I'm still working when getting everything ready amid plans that change every few days!) but the broken sleep is also back (never knew if that was progesterone or pregnancy last time!)

Oh cross posts @Mseddy - sorry!

Testing day is 31st..... I'm really not sure and trying not to symptom spot but failing miserably! Had lots of cramps etc sat evening and Sunday which have eased off a bit now. No idea! Everything is a symptom of anything and anything is a symptom of everything. I keep thinking I need the loo more but then realise I'm drinking lots more too so that would figure! Lol!

@Mseddy yes fingers crossed :) drinking lots of water incase! Very best of luck this time for you

Thanks @Janefx40 I vowed not to obsess, and here I am obsessing!

@Milly86 I think it’s good to give your body a rest to be honest ahead of transfer. Everyone’s drs say different things but mine along with the nurses said it’s best to recover and be 100pc. My period came 5 days after and then my next one was spot on afterwards - my cycles are longer than average but regular (34 days). hopefully you’ll be back to normal sharpish. I did stress over it as had a bit of spotting a week before which I don’t normally have.

@Mseddy congrats on your transfer. I too feel nothing. I have been pregnant naturally (5 times in 2 years) they just didn’t stick sadly. I had fatigue, insomnia and some cramping in most of those... if I felt that now it therefore wouldn’t mean any assurances in my case I guess. I am on progesterone, steroids, baby asprin, clexane so good knows what this all means for my body. Damned if I do feel anything, damned if I don’t type thing.

@granddesigns Fingers crossed for you. Hopefully they are to do with that little bean bedding in nicely. I too am testing on the 31st.

So, so far I’ve managed to convince myself that it hasn’t worked in just a day 🤦🏽‍♀️ And then I give myself a talking to - it’s way too early... and then I’m googling success stories and next minute I’m trying my hand at meditation to calm myself down. Here I was thinking I’d play it cool. Lol

@Lindyloolou yes that is so true I really need to be patient and give my body a rest after everything this month :)
I’m actually the same as you cycle wise around 34 days so fingers crossed!
Hope you manage stay calm it’s so nerve wracking at every stage isn’t it! I have everything crossed for you! :)

@onlyhereforthefood how is your bloating and uncomfortableness? Has it shifted now and did you find anything helped at all?

@Mseddy
how are you getting on during your TWW? Is the busyness of Christmas helping at all?

@Lindyloolou @granddesigns sounds like your both getting some of the progesterone symptoms but as you say it's so hard to tell what's what?! Thinking of all 3 of you as your test dates drawer closer.

I had my day21 injection lesson today and first down reg injection. I was super proud of myself for getting the needle in my tummy but couldn't plunge the syringe so DP did it. Even though we are NHS our nurse was lovely and let DP in the clinic as she knew I probably wouldn't be able to complete the injection and she couldn't let me leave without evidence of one of us being able to do it!

@Kiza it's finally settled, nothing really helped, but time! Now I'm just peeing constantly as all the fluid has shifted 😂

Well done on the injection!

@Kiza Good work on the injection. I did a natural cycle ahead of this FET so I managed to duck out of any more needles, that said, I’m on clexane injections and I have lots of bruising already - I’ve tried rubbing after the injection, pressing down for a bit etc. Still bruising and I’m running out of space on my tum 🥴 Hope everything goes well for you x

Hi All,

Any good news ?

We have been TTC for a year now had initial tests and further tests and ICSI had been recommended but reading more information before we decide. I’m concerned about the increase risk if cancers, are any of you also concerned about this? Studies seem to have mixed findings.

@Lindyloolou our nurse said we could use the tops of my thighs if my belly got quite sore and bruised... I asked about the upper arm too and she said she wasn't sure but as it's where most vaccines go she would assume it's ok so was going to ask for us. Maybe ask your clinic about other subcutaneous body parts?

@Kev1984 I've not heard/read anything about ICSI and cancer risk?

@kev1984 welcome. Not heard anything about higher risk of cancers in icsi (we are using icsi ourselves). Have heard there is a very small risk of increased abnormalities but that may be down to poorer quality sperm than the procedure itself. I can't see how it would increase the risk of cancer it doesn't make much sense why it would.

I'm sitting here atm praying that after 8 weeks my period doesn't arrive today or tomorrow knowing my luck it will

Thanks for the comments so far. The studies I’ve read link to the hormone injections. Just covering all bases before we decide how to progress. Good luck all on your journeys.

@Kev1984 the hormone injections are the same for IVF or ICSI

Bells3032 yes I am aware of that, just covering all bases before we take the plunge in the new year, it’s something that is worrying me and one of the main reasons we are reluctant to start IVF. It was also mentioned by the consultant so was keen to know if it was a concern for anyone else or if they had more information or opinions on it. Studies seem inconclusive. Many thanks

Hi @Kev1984 it's always worth checking everything out but I've not heard about increased risks of cancer. The best place to check for info on safety is probably the HFEA. They are super cautious (for example they don't recommend lots of treatment add ons that many clinics swear by). They have a page on the health risks.

I'm not sure if what I'm about to say is helpful or not but I do know that starting IVF feels huge so wanted to share in case you feel similar. I remember how daunting IVF sounded before we started and how awful I found the thought of it - all the drugs and injections. I remember saying "this isn't how I want to have my baby". But actually it's ok when you get going. I never had any serious side effects of anything. The trauma of it is mostly the fear it won't work, if it doesn't work etc but for me that was the same with natural conception. In some ways IVF is an utter privilege - most of us have been suffering from infertility of different kinds and suddenly you have a huge team of experts all focused on getting you pregnant.

It is a big decision but don't feel frightened by the thought of it. It's really ok and it can work miracles.

We found out yesterday that my DP is 95% infertile so we won't be starting our cycle next week after all. But we have a DD born from our second cycle - and now we know what we know about his sperm she is an utter miracle - I have no idea how she made it through but we wouldn't have her without ICSI and a lot of luck x

@Kev1984 I was intrigued after your post so did a little online reading and have seen a couple of studies indicating that children born from IVF/ICSI have a slight increased risk of childhood cancers. However those studies are still in their infancy. I wonder if this is why many of us have not heard of it before?

I've always been a very natural person and don't put anything manmade into my body and like @Janefx40 said I never thought this is how I would have a baby.
However I would now do anything to try and conceive and give birth to a child and for me the risks of IVF (including all the additional risks of additional needs etc) far outweigh not proceeding.
It's a very personal choice and one only you and your partner can make. We are all here for the support along this journey if you do decide to proceed.

@Janefx40 and @Kiza really appreciate you taking the time and sending such detailed and encouraging responses. It’s reassuring to know you have also felt overwhelmed. We are still holding on to hope of natural conception but have given ourselves until March then will go back to the clinic. Many thanks both.

Ladies a personal question that we forgot to ask the nurse yesterday... unprotected sex during down reg and stimms?
I'm aware it's not allowed after transfer but for the next month or so we aren't sure?

I think if poss avoid unprotected just in case of infections (although I only seem to get infections with condoms). Bear in mind he will have to abstain for a few days himself.