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.

@Janefx40

Hi. Thanks for your messages. I’m also at CRGH. I’m going there tomorrow for a scan. I’m really hoping things improve. It’s my first time on short protocol.

Thanks for your last message. I think I need to do two back to back cycles after Christmas as it might give me better results. Do you know what estrogen tablet you were prescribed? Did you take estrogen before you started the injections? I might have to take dhea next time even though my levels are within normal range. I’m a bit worried about having to have frequent blood tests to check dhea levels if I take it.

Thanks for your advice. I was a bit upset last time I was at the clinic as I’m feeling like my body is not doing so well this time.

Saltash is not far from Plymouth. I really like Cornwall in the summer.

@IslandStars

Hi. How are you getting on? I’m not sure if you’ve had your retrieval. It’s difficult keeping track of all the messages at times.

I’m due to have my retrieval next Thursday hopefully.

@2021ivfagain I was on progynova. I can't quite remember when I took it but I think it was before my period. Does that make sense?

@2021ivfagain Thanks, I’ve just had a day 3 transfer. EC went fine with 8 eggs collected, but then went rapidly downhill with just 3 eggs fertilised! Been my worst round by far, but just have to hope this is the lucky one which sticks. I might get one to freeze, but I’m not sure the grade would be great if so. I was planning to PGS if I had 2 or more to freeze, but that luxury has been taken away from me I think!

Hope you collection goes well. How many follicles do you have at the moment?

@Janefx40 Glad your results are back and generally good. Christmas closures are such a pain, just adds more stress with the timing of everything, so I hope this enforced break does your body good anyway.

@Janefx40

Hi. Thanks for your help. Yes that makes sense. I went for a scan today and it looks like I’ve got 12 follicles now so happier about that.

Good luck guys. Keeps us updated.

I Can't wait to start my last cycle in about 9 days, so I can finally have a transfer.

@IslandStars congrats on being PUPO. It sounds like this round was a disappointment but let's just hope you got 3 good ones. Did you have a single transfer?

@2021ivfagain great that you now have 12 and are feeling happier

Xxx

@IslandStars

Happy PUPO and congratulations on your transfer. I’m sorry the cycle did not go as expected. Each cycle is different. When I had my fresh transfer nearly two years ago, I had two day 5 blastocysts and nothing to freeze. I became pregnant and one stuck. After retrieval, I was told by the clinic to eat a lot more protein. I don’t know if this helped with implantation. I also avoided cold drinks and cold food. I drank a lot of warm/hot water.

I had a scan yesterday (day 9) and I had 12 follicles. I was so upset on day 6 as things were not as good. It seems like my left ovary is working harder than my right.

IVF is such a rollercoaster of emotions. There are so many steps for one outcome.

Just remember anything can happen. It only takes one good egg to stick.

Thanks @Janefx40 it was just one put back. The other two were not really suitable on day 3, so am hoping 1 catches up. We never discussed double transfer, my clinic are really not keen on it.

@2021ivfagain Thanks for the tips. It’s my first day 3 transfer and whilst it’s not ideal, I’m hoping the embryo might prefer being back home rather than in the lab

Glad your round is going well, 12 follicles is great as you don’t want loads as that can affect quality sometimes. You’re right, the ups and downs of a cycle are awful to deal with.

@Janefx40
Thank you. I’ve got my last clinic visit tomorrow before retrieval. I hope to get more mature eggs as that tends to be an issue. They said that I might need to have my retrieval a day earlier, but hoping it will still be Thursday.

Are you planning your transfer in January?

@2021ivfagain good luck tomorrow and with your egg collection. It's always an anxious wait to see how many fertilise.

@IslandStars good luck for your day 5 news which must be tomorrow? Hope those little ones powered on through

The clinic's first baseline scans are 30th Dec and my consultant says I can be scanned days 1-4. So I'll be aiming for that. I should come on then anyway but if it looks like I may ovulate early I will take noresthisterone. So transfer should be mid-Jan x

@ janefx40
Hi.

Thanks for your message. It sounds like you have a good plan ahead. Are you doing a medicated or natural FET transfer?

I went to the clinic yesterday and now have 15 follicles, but not so many are mature at present. However, apparently I’m doing better so far than last time! I really hope I get enough mature eggs. Feeling exhausted from all the travelling back and forth! I had a phone call to come up again today for a blood test as they don’t want me to trigger too early. How long did you stim for? They said my estradiol is in the 4000s! I’m not sure when retrieval will be now.

@Ivfhoper

Hi. How are you getting on? Your retrieval is coming up soon. I’m hoping I get enough mature eggs. Having to go to clinic for a blood test! I have 15 follicles now but I need more mature eggs. My retrieval date has not yet been confirmed. Are you doing dual trigger?

@2021ivfagain sounds like it is all going well. 15 is great! I usually trigger on Day 11 but I have short cycles generally. I think everyone is different but I don't think it makes a difference to the outcomes as long as you trigger at the right time for you. Keep us posted x

Thanks @Janefx40 sadly my other 2 didn't make it, so all resting on this day 3 transfer now.

Hello @IslandStars. Sorry for delay but I’ve been having to travel up to London for more blood tests and trying to survive on 4 hours sleep!

I’m sorry to hear that you’re disappointed. However, that one 3 day transfer could be your lucky egg. I remember how I felt last time when I had nothing to freeze, but then pleased that one stuck. Keep us posted and all the best.

@SarahK2000, @Ivfhoper and @Janefx40

Hello. Hope you’re also all ok. I had my retrieval today and although I had 15 follicles, I had 10 eggs retrieved, but one was too small so it ended up being 9 eggs. My issue is egg maturity, so I’m praying that I get more mature eggs having taken the dual trigger this time. My clinic was great today and really made me feel at ease.

There’s only one issue that worries me. I needed to book a follow-up consultation and my drugs need to be booked ASAP due to potential stock delays. However, I called today and my consultant is on annual leave the end of this week and fully booked next week. Therefore, I’ve been booked in for provisionally 14th December which is too late. I need to start taking some meds this month. I’ve asked if I can book a 10 minute call with my consultant as I was not warned of this previously. Or I might have to have a one-off consultation with another consultant which I’m not happy about as I like the continuity of having my consultant who first worked with my treatment plan 2 years ago. What do you think?

Have a good weekend. Good luck with all your preparation so far.

@2021ivfagain - sorry my emails from mumsnet ended up in the junk email folder. I am okay. Will find out my trigger time and date after a scan and bloods tomorrow.

How are you faring?

@Ivfhoper good luck with your retrieval.

I had 15 follicles but had 10 eggs removed but one was too small so ended up with 9. My issue is egg maturity and my husband’s morphology so I’m apprehensive about tomorrow’s call. I did, however, end up with 9 eggs retrieved two years ago and one resulted in my son. However, my husband and myself were younger then so really hope this is a good round.

I’m anxious about having to wait a long time for my follow-up consultation due to needing more time to order medication.

Anyway good luck tomorrow. Keep us posted. All the best

@2021ivfagain I just read your update. 9 eggs are a great result. I will pray for the eggs to fertilise perfectly.

I am also concerned about my follow up with my consultant at CRGH, a time and date hasn't been diarised and at this time of the year people are always off. This is something I will need to sort out tomorrow.

It might be a good idea to have a one-off consultation with one of the other consultants, I would not recommend Dr Saab, he has a terrible bedside manner but I know Dr Serhal and Dr Seshadri are great. Good luck!

@2021ivfagain congrats on your egg retrieval! That is a good result. We always want more but 9 is a good number. How come there is a wait for meds? It's usually very prompt?

I would email the consultant's secretary and say that you can wait for the consultation but the meds need to be ordered sooner due to delays. They would either sign off the meds before the consultation or book you in with someone else. I have also insisted on having my case reviewed by someone else when my consultant was unavailable and it was fine. I have Mr Theodorou and I really like him if that's any help.

@Ivfhoper good luck with the Scan and with triggering

@IslandStars I'm sorry not to have responded sooner and I'm sorry about the other embryos. It always feels like there's safety in numbers I know. When is your test day? I have everything crossed for your day 3 xxx

Thanks ladies

@2021ivfagain good luck for today’s call, it’s such an anxious week. Agree with Jane, admin should be able to get the ball rolling with meds, just need a consultant to sign them off. I wouldn’t worry too much about who does the review, since time is important.

@Janefx40 My OTD is Wednesday. Not sure when to test beforehand as I’m in the office all week and bad news is just going to extend me having to put a brave face on. I normally like to test the day before to prepare myself.

@IslandStars these last few days is always tough! Hang in there. Nearly at the next stage. I usually test the day before so I'm prepared personally x

@IslandStars

Good luck for Wednesday. I know how difficult the waiting can be.

I was able to make an appointment with my consultant for the end of November. I’m so relieved about that but the prescription cannot be arranged until I’ve signed more forms and had a nurse consultation. It should be ok though.

@Ivfhoper

Good luck with your retrieval. I’m not sure if it is today or tomorrow but all the best.

@Janefx40

Thanks for your messages. I had my update yesterday and 9 eggs retrieved, 8 mature and 7 fertilised so I’m happy with that so far. I’m a bit nervous about tomorrow’s update. Hope your preparation time is going well.

@2021ivfagain 7 fertilised of 9 is fantastic. Great start.

@Ivfhoper good luck for your EC if that is today or tomorrow xxx

@2021ivfagain Well done, that’s a great result, hope that’s a good sign for the week ahead. Nurse consultations can usually be arranged quite quickly at my clinic, so hopefully you can get everything signed off.