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.

Hi all, just a question to those of you with the NHS, do you have to pay for your meds? I was thinking no... but not sure? Thanks

@GingerBrummie no you dont

My period showed up this evening,
they said after 5pm to count the next day as day 1, so we start injections on Sunday. Wow.

Thanks @Freya2015

Very exciting @onlyhereforthefood

Me & DH had a chat with our FS & DH asked about success rate... he thought it was almost guaranteed (bless), FS said for me at 38 it was 30% at their hospital. I wish it were higher :(

@onlyhereforthefood good luck

@GingerBrummie and @Freya2015 thank you so much xxx

Ginger, the success rates make me feel quite despondent too, just got to keep everything crossed

@GingerBrummie no we don't, however our nurse advised us to buy a PCC (linked below) depending upon how many prescriptions you will be getting. She told us we will have at least three 1) down reg meds 2) Stims meds and trigger shot 3) progesterone pessaries.
Therefore she advised the 3 month PCC as prescription charges are £9.15/ script so just in case you need a fourth script (such as you down reg longer than anticipated and need a repeat script) it's worth getting the PCC.

I called my GP and asked for some Valium for ET in case I can't be sedated. She was lovely and has advised to play around with some doses over the coming weeks and to call up if I need more.

@GingerBrummie

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs

@kiza can you take valium for embryo transfer?

@Freya2015 my clinic and GP said so. After doing some research it appears to be quite common in America with a few studies on it, the view being that if the uterine cavity is completely relaxed with no flexing at all it aids implantation. Any cortisol, adrenaline in the system or the cervix retracting or uterine cavity and vaginal cavity flexing from anxiety can impact the effectiveness of implantation.
I have vaginismus so literally have a full blown panic attack even at the idea of a speculum going in.

@Kiza so do I it took them 3 attempts for trial embryo transfer and hycosy was another level

Thanks for the info re prescription @Kiza I will certainly look into it.

I saw so many babies & pregnant woman today... so cannot wait to be one of them! Sometimes I think it will be all the more special because of the struggles to get there

@Freya2015 oh love I feel your pain. I'd done a course of hypnotherapy and I felt so confident I thought I could do the hycosy without meds... boy was I wrong! Horrific, just horrific and it took me right back to square one (all the therapy I'd done for years feels out the window).
When I mentioned it to the IVF nurse she said no problem about doing ET under sedation, it's just the anaesthetist is only in 3 days a week so she advised benzos as a back up

Defo speak to your clinic about sedation first and if they say no then get some benzos.
I just think we've come this far I'm not going to let my bloody anxiety and vaginismus mess this up for me!! 😆 I'd smoke a joint if I was allowed! 😆

@Kiza i did speak to the nurse at the embryo transfer and she said no just do some meditation but i defo need drugs

@Freya2015 maybe ask your clinic again for sedation, I said I was willing to pay for it (even though we are having a free cycle via the nhs). Maybe tell them about your diagnosis and reiterate that cortisol and adrenaline in your system is counter productive for successful implantation.
If they still say no then call your GP.

@Kiza yh I have an appt on the 5th January i will ask then

So good to see everything progressing for so many of you! I had my baseline scan last Friday and we were approved as eligible for our clinic! We had our consultation on Tuesday where we went through the process and some additional questions. She thought they may not be able to get us in for our treatment consultation for a few weeks which would make it difficult to start at the beginning of Jan due to the medication supplier closing for 2 weeks over Christmas! When our patient coordinator called later that day she said they could fit us in the following week! So our appointment is on the 3rd and we went in for our bloods this morning. They've said they'll order meds after our treatment consultation and we should be good to go at the start of Jan (af due 1st!) We feel so relieved we can start when planned and everythings moving so well. There was a moment of despair when we found out we may have to wait another month.

@Beaglemum91 i start taking my pill to start my bleed on 4th jan soo excited!!!

@Freya2015 I feel like its going to come around so fast!

Hello everyone!
Can I join in? 🙏🏼
On Monday we have an apptm with the nurse at the fertility clinic and we are starting this Dec. We are having IVF ICSI.
I'm new to this... so no clue what to expect 🙈
Dr was very positive on our chat, but i've heard so many horror stories 😕
If you don't mind me joining, a bit of company of ladies who are going through the same is always good. I don't know anyone in this situation.
Xx

@Sungirl11 welcome to the thread, I'm also having ICSI on the NHS and due to start down reg around 21st Dec.

@Kiza thank you for the reply! How exciting!
We are going to a private clinic. We got tested through the NHS but even thought we can't have kids naturally, my GP thinks I'm too young so keeps ignoring the matter. (I'm 32).
My mother is very very sick with cancer and I would want her to know i'm pregnant before she leaves me... No control about this but I want to try.
Will keep you posted, and read your stories too! I find it helpful to know people in the same situation. Xx

@Sungirl11 sorry to hear about your mum. That's not helpful at all how your GP has responded. If you've been TTC for 2 years you are entitled to 3 rounds of IVF on the NHS. Some CCG's have a cut off age of 35, for some it's 40. So it's worth going to see a 2nd GP and asking for what is rightfully your entitlement.

@kiza not all counties allow 3 rounds on NHS, mine is 1 fresh and 1 frozen round only. But yes they should definitely be entitled to something if been trying 2 years :(

@Kiza i know... I filed a complaint and it's being investigated. Since July 2019 when i first went I've only had the two blood tests for progesterone and oestradiol and my hub 2 sperm tests (second one we just got the results). So that is how caring they are.
Next week we are moving home and we are in another county, so will register with GP there and hopefully they will be a bit more professional.
Even thought we are going private now anyway. Xx