Embryo Banking Support Thread / PGS wait

[ForeverAintEnough]

Hi all, I’ve just name changed but I’ve been on here loads and chatting to many of you under different user names ( irrational fear of being outed!). I wondered if there was interest in a ‘no transfer happening’ group? So those doing embryo banking or PGS or whatever.

I’ve just done one round of embryo banking and found the normal threads difficult with discussion of hoping for a Christmas pregnancies etc.

We are unfortunately taking the long way round with 3 rounds and no transfer. It looks like my first transfer might not be until June 2021.

If anyone wants to jump on feel free!

About us: Me 34, DH 36, TTC 3 years. Both male and female issues. x3 rounds of IVF all failed. Moved clinic to Lister for 3 rounds of embryo banking and PGS. One round of embryo banking just finished with x3 blasts sent off for PGS testing.

I’m with Mr Thum at the Lister. Who are you with @ForeverAintEnough3?

@Longgame21 I’m with Dr Kemball or ‘Gav’ as myself & Dh call him 😂😂 he’s lovely!

@SarahK2000 thank you Sarah, for the welcome and sharing that! I feel like after the last round, I just needed a bit of reassurance from the consultant that rounds can be different and so you need to keep trying, but she didn’t really give me that, unfortunately. It’s so helpful to hear real stories of that being the case though, thank you 🙏.

Are you still embryo banking at the moment? Good to hear that you’ve had a good experience with CRGH, I’ve read that they’ve got great success rates!

@Tryingtobeanembryobanker glad to be able to share my experience. I stopped the banking after the last round and managed to get 7 blastocysts to PGS testing, of which 3 luckily came back normal. Next week I am heading into my first transfer cycle with the transfer possibly towards the end of the month. it’s all very nerve wracking, sad news has been around too with a close friend using CRGH just finding out their baby didn’t have a heartbeat at 12 weeks and another friend having her 3rd failed transfer! I turn 41 in September so it feels like a last chance at all this. Fingers crossed the transfer works, the uncertainty of the last year has been pretty exhausting but am still very relieved to have got this far. My advice is to hang in there.

@SarahK2000 thank you so much, it’s definitely hard to keep plodding on sometimes, but it’s fantastic that you’ve ended up with 7 blastocysts overall and 3 PGS normal. I’ll be sending all the sticky and positive vibes your way for your transfer.

It is always difficult to hear sad news, but you are in your own swim lane... something I find very difficult to remind myself of though, to be honest! And you have done brilliantly!

Please keep us posted xx

@Sophfr17 How are you doing? Hope symptoms haven’t been too bad, are you due a scan this week?

Hi @IslandStars I was thinking about you all yesterday! I am alright thanks, i had a scan 2 weeks ago and last week and another one on Friday this week. I am almost 9 weeks, and both had a good size and heartbeat last week. I am slowly adjusting to the twin situation, which is not that easy, but it will be fine. Mood is improving a little. And all doctors are on board and ready, so hopefully it will be fine. Progesterone is still hard on me, I hope my Dr will allow me to stop on Friday. I am so slow, tired, constant migraine and have no appetite. But again, it may be easier when I reduce the progesterone injection and pessaries.
So, so far so good. I don't know if this pregnancy will go through, but if it does, it will be due to anything but egg quality. Without PGS, i would have continued miscarrying for sure. PGS would have been our only chance in our situation.
We are considering moving back to France next year. Earlier than expected but it is not that bad after all.
How are you? Are you slowly getting ready to the next steps :) ?
Take care :) I will let you know how the next scan goes!
Xx
S.

That's nice, we had the same thought :-) 9 weeks already wow, i don't know if it's been dragging for you, but that sounds so quick. I guess you just really want to get to 12 weeks at least, but am so glad things are going well, good luck for Friday.

I remember just during 2ww i felt awful on progesterone, had a terrible migraine for days. Can't imagine how i'd feel if had to stay on it for 10-12 weeks. Let's just hope it's doing some good though and keeping your twins well...it must be quite daunting thinking about 2 babies and all that entails in future. You could have quite an eventful year in 2022 with a possible move back home too!

I'm ok thanks, had a scan last week to check the polyps are still there...they are unfortunately, so will have the hysteroscopy middle of August. I will have a natural FET hopefully early September (plus my implantation meds) as Dr agrees estrogen probably did cause the polyps x

I will be fine, hormones are never easy but, if that is needed then we have no choice... How brave women are! I am basically staying at home, working or sleeping ^^ yeah the 12 week scan will come soon, and i am not looking forward to this one.... The 12w scan on our first baby was an horrible experience, endless list of anomalies, so it is going to be a very important step.
I am glad you are starting to see the end of it @IslandStars. I actually thought about the cause of your polyps before, I am not surprised about the oestrogen. Luckily with a natural FET, you will only have prog (less than me if you can) on top of your other meds!
Xxx

@Sophfr17 I am so glad that the pregnancy is coming along alright 😊 Wishing you the best and hope you see the back of the injections and pessaries. How long were they originally expecting you to take them? And what form does the injection take? Is it in the stomach and do you self administer it? Just wondered as my husband needs to make a trip abroad soon and if I do end up pregnant, am worried about any injections.

@IslandStars sorry to hear you need to go through the procedure. Hope it all goes well and you can get back into next steps.

I had a slight scare with a cyst at baseline scan yesterday but still got the ok to proceed following a blood tests. Am currently on cetrotide injections for a few more days and progynova and Evorel patches until the week after next. Let’s see how the lining looks then and whether they proceed with adding in progesterone etc.

@Tryingtobeanembryobanker thank you for the advice on staying in you own swim lane.

Wishing you all the best as usual.

Keep us posted how you get on @SarahK2000. I’m just in the middle of stims now. Egg collection looking like next weekend - back on the rollercoaster again 😬😬😬

Hope you are all doing ok xx

Hi!
The scan went well yesterday, 9 weeks, both identical size, next step in 3 weeks at the Fetal Medicine Unit for the official scan....
@SarahK2000, I started Lubion injection twice daily and cyclogest pessaries twice daily 5 days before the transfer. I must take Lubion for one more week and cyclogest for 3 more weeks. I am not very happy^^ The injection is in the belly, as this is progesterone in water. Although I am seen at UCLH, I think CRGH uses the same medications, so i hope you will have this one too. It is completely painless, as the needle is so thin. I use an icepack to numb skin 1min before, as I have other injection. You pinch the skin, put the needle in and inject slowly. Completely painless, compared with the heparin I also have. My bf does it, but I did it myself too, and I found seating while doing it easier. I promise once you have done it once, it is nothing. I also had a cyst once, but if bloods are ok there is nothing to worry about. You must be excited now, not so long to wait now!!!
Good luck on the stimulation @Longgame21! I hope you are doing ok :)
Thinking of you all xxx

@Longgame21 good luck with the egg collection. Not long now!!
@Sophfr17 brilliant news on the 9 week scan, Hope the 12 week gives you even more peace of mind 😊 thanks so much for the very helpful information. I will try self injecting from when the progesterone hopefully sets in in a week or so. My husband is a doctor so it’s very convenient having him do it lol Looking at the stock of medicines I also have the heparin! 😞

And @Sophfr17 I just checked and they have given me lentogest rather than lubion which is an injection in the buttock! Eww lol

Ah sorry @SarahK2000, yeah those should be injected in muscle. Never tried before. I honestly don't know why there are so many forms or progesterone..... at least your belly will be only for heparin then! Very easy too the heparin, small volume. I have these twice daily until the, hopefully, end of pregnancy! You will get used to these too if you need them for the entire pregnancy. You must be counting the days now! Xx

Hi ladies, hope you're all well. I've had a lovely holiday away in Dorset and a little break from fertility matters! Tried to forget about IVF as much as reasonably possible and the change of scenery was a good distraction. Work is vey busy, so hopefully the time will pass quickly, i have my hysteroscopy in a few weeks, then should be back onto FET in early September.

@Sophfr17 Is your 12 week scan this week? Will be thinking of you and the little ones!

@SarahK2000 @Longgame21 How are your cycles going? Hope you've had some luck.

@IslandStars, nice to hear from you! I am glad holidays were good and allowed you to a have a break from ivf. The procedure and the FET are coming soon! Work helps keeping the mind busy too, we still haven't taken any break since last Christmas lol August maybe, if travel rules are not too bad and Drs allow it. I am in my 12th week indeed, and my scan will be Thursday next week, at 12w+6. We are looking forward to it, but are also anxious. We hope the same scenario as 1st pg wont happen again, but we are trying to stay positive :) I am also feeling so much better since I stopped Lubion! I only have cyclogest twice daily for progesterone, very well tolerated. Headaches almost gone and I can eat again ^^
How was the procedure @Longgame21? Hope you are fine and had good results.
@SarahK2000, has your FET happened already? Or it shouldn't be long I think, right?
Take care everyone!

@Sophfr17 That’s great, glad you’re feeling better, must be a relief to get rid of those headaches. I know it’s an anxious time too, but hopefully scan will put your mind at rest.

Maybe you will get a holiday soon if Covid cases keep coming down, but you have a lot more to consider than me with 2 on board! The timing fell right for me to take a break now before more treatment. It’s so hard to plan everything otherwise. Hope this week passes quickly for you, then you can get the scan out of the way.

Thanks @IslandStars for checking. Hope September comes round quickly for you to a successful outcome. @Sophfr17 good luck with the 12 week scan, can imagine how nerve wracking it must be (is it with NHS now or still CRGH?). Sending you loads of positive wishes. I had my transfer yesterday. The grade apparently of the blastocyst was a day 5 - 6 B+B+. The transfer went smoothly and apparently they had easy access (if I can get past the many people in the room talking to each other for a good 10 minutes whilst we waited for the consultant with me in stirrups - the strangeness of IVF lol), I had it under sedation so can’t remember anything which was great. I do really love the clinic as they make everything so easy and positive. Have taken time off work for a bit but feel a bit lost as to what to do with myself and the balance of taking it easy and normal stuff. Also have been dieting for the best part of a year (lost 15kg as was quite obese) so am now having to be conscious of eating a little more properly. The progesterone (I think) is making very lightheaded so that’s a little tricky. Have found the vaginal gel a bit of the pain but managed to give myself the heparin easily (you were right Sophie). The lentogest 3 says a week in the buttock a little harder so my husband is injecting so far. But all in all seem to be feeling ok and relaxed about any outcome. Let’s see how the coming weeks go. Wishing you all the best as always.

@SarahK2000 Good luck for the 2WW! Glad transfer went well and embryo is very good quality. It is so weird having lots of people in the room when your legs & bits are exposed everywhere lol, strange how we just get used to all this stuff. No chance of us being embarrassed when it comes to the birth after all this!

Well done for losing so much weight, not easy with the stress of IVF. As long as you're eating healthy, you'll be fine. The extra fruit and veg can help with constipation too, as sedation and progesterone can cause that.

I got the phone call from the clinic that my progesterone levels are too low. They have added lubion injections on top of the crinone, lentogest and utrogestan. Not the best of starts but let’s see.

@SarahK2000 It's good they're monitoring it, my clinic don't take bloods after transfer, which i find quite annoying, they basically leave it to chance which seems crazy given all the meds and prep leading up to this stage.

You are right @IslandStars, with two on board and additional medical issues, i was told this pregnancy will be a marathon, and advised to not get excited until i have them in my arms. My Dr really told me that.... Regular appointments will be every two weeks, with midwife and with Drs for various scans. Plus the additional appointments for the other issues. I will continue working from home, as i live very close to UCLH. I will see about the holidays next month :)

I am happy that your transfer went smoothly @SarahK2000! I agree with you, there are lots of people in the room over there during the procedure^^ but i found them very professional and reassuring. I am glad the injections are ok, despite progesterone side effects. Adding Lubion will be very beneficial, just one more injection in the belly. Trust them, they know what they are doing. You will adjust to the progesterone; i did after some weeks, even though i was still suffering from headaches and absence of appetite. At least my mood improved gradually, which was the most important for me. And eat what you feel like eating for now. Just make sure you add folic acid and vitamin D3. And a sachet of Macrogol/movicol/laxido if you get constipated despite fruit/vegetables. Regarding my medical follow-up, i am seen at UCLH only, at the Fetal Medicine Unit, The Hematology Clinic and the Endocrinology team. Your embryo is good quality and it is PGS tested, remember that! Good luck to you, the next two weeks will be worrying of course, but you will know soon enough. And in the worst case scenario, you can try again very quickly!
xxx

Hey everyone. Thought I should share an update. I gave in today and did the First Response Early Pregancy Test and got a clear negative result. Not even the faintest second line was visible. The transfer was on Monday morning last week so technically it’s 7dp5dt and I know it was a little too early to test but I still have a bad feeling this is accurate as I have had no symptoms either. I will continue to test this week and see how it goes. I am back to work on the official pregnancy test day of 9 Aug so atleast this will mentally prepare me to face things before that. I will move onto the next transfer and try and speak to my consultant (my progesterone was too low so don’t know if that is a factor). I am worried about how much all this is impacting my work and personal life. I have a senior role and have gone from being a top performer to really under performing this whole year. I feel I am turning the life I actually have upside down for something that may never work. Sorry for the down tone in this message. Just the rawness of the IVF journey and I know I have experienced a lot less than many others who have shown far greater resilience. We didn’t even try IVF until 15 years after marriage and have never been pregnant (male factor is the reason) - this was my first FET following 4 egg collections cycles. Statistically it’s luck if it works or not and I know that. I hope you are all doing well. @Sophfr17 I think your 12 week scan is due this week. I am sending you loads of positive wishes for your twins 🤗 I hope the rest of you are all ok too. Best wishes, Sarah.

@SarahK2000 Sorry it's negative so far. It is still a little early, but FRER are normally quite accurate by 7 days. I've definitely heard of ladies getting later BFPs though, but i know how you feel from when i got my BFN from my first euploid transfer, so i don't want to get your hopes up too much. Keep testing, it's not completely over yet.

It's good you've still got 2 more normal embryos left. Sometimes we just fall on the unlucky side, as hard as that is to take after all we do to prepare.

Don't be too hard on yourself about work, we can't be perfect at everything with this amount of stress. I know what you mean about turning your life upside for what is essentially a gamble, i've really felt like this recently, but we just have to keep going whilst we have good embyos left. Take care x