Hi all
I just wanted to share my experience of undergoing a short IVF protocol in the U.K. with NHS funding. I had about 100 very random questions that I struggled to get answers for, so I wanted to share my IVF protocol to help others.
Me and my husband have been TTC almost 3 years - unexplained infertility. Only “abnormality” is a thinner than normal lining and some very very mild features of PCOS but not enough to be diagnosed. I’ll skip all the pre-tests etc, but all in all, it took exactly 12 months before we started our IVF cycle. Covid didn’t postpone anything for us.
IVF consultation: our Dr explained how IVF works and we said we were happy to proceed. He said he would write a prescription for the meds and they would be delivered to my home address within three weeks. The company was Stork Fertility. The prescription was then sent to Care Fertility where I am having my treatment, who then pass it on to Stork. When Stork receive the prescription, they literally deliver the next day. The Dr decided a short protocol would be suitable for me, as he felt I would respond well to the meds, I had a good AMH, good Antral follicle count and he wanted to avoid OHSS.
CD18: I started Noresthisterone, which is a contraceptive pill. My understanding is that it makes your ovaries “quiet” so that all the follicles shrink down so that they can then ideally grow to at the same rate. I was on this for 10 days. I had extreme bloating and hunger but otherwise I was OK.
After 10 days of Noresthisterone, I got my break through bleed 5 days later. I called my clinic to book in for a CD7 scan.
CD2: First day of stimulation. I was on Menopur, one injection daily to grow my follicles. I did this in the evening. I was very very tired after the first day and lost my appetite, but I soon adjusted.
CD6: I added in a Cetrotide injection. I was told this must be taken at least 1 hour before the Menopur, but really morning would be better.
CD7: Transvaginal ultrasound. Lining 7mm. 9 follicles total, measuring around 9-10mm with a couple at 11-14mm.
CD9: Another ultrasound. Lining 7.25mm. 11 follicles, mainly 12mm -18mm.
CD12: Another ultrasound (would have been CD11 but that was a Sunday). Lining 8.9mm. 13 follicles: 3x 21mm, 1x 20mm, 3x 16mm, 2x 15mm, 2x 14mm, 1x 13mm, 1x 10mm. The nurse thinks 12 of the 13 follicles will contain a mature egg. I was told the criteria to trigger is 4 follicles >17mm and a lining of at least 8mm. I have taken my HCG trigger injection (Gonasi 10,000 IUs) tonight and will be having my egg collection in just under 36hours!
For my lining I have been doing acupuncture for a few months, which I promise you, has helped significantly. This cycle I also drank 150ml of pomegranate juice and 150ml of beetroot juice daily. I have also been doing Moxa every day (as recommended by my acupuncturist.
To promote the follicles to grow, 2-3 litres of water daily is a must. Plenty of protein, eggs and a glass of milk a day was also recommended. I was also told avacado helps but I only had one avacado this last 12 days.
Supplements include Pregnacare conception and a Vitamin D capsule (I’m deficient).
Feel free to ask any questions! 😊 I’ll try my best to help. When I was hunting the internet for answers, I found plenty of information for USA patients, but not for the U.K. I’ve very quickly realised that we do things quite differently.
Baby dust to you all 🎉