IVF February/March 2021

[Alexm06]

Hi

I’m due to start IVF mid February depending on when my period in January starts.
Had a fresh cycle end of august which sadly ended in a missed miscarriage in October.
I only had that one embryo so will be starting a new fresh cycle.

Would love to chat to any ladies starting then as I found the chats really helpful during my first round.

@motherofkittens28 I've had my dose changed twice. My clinic scans at day 6 to check you've started responding to drugs and then I think both times they've changed the dose it's been on day 8 following the scan and a blood test.

@thepurplefairy don't forget it's only for 12 weeks if you do get pregnant, and by that point you'll be so grateful to be pregnant that you're happy to keep paying for it! It's a lot of money though, we had the same wobble over paying for it.

@blessing12 I've got my first scan tomorrow too, cycle day 6, day 5 of Menopur and first day of Cyclogest. Also feeling nervous that I don't know what my body has been doing for the last few days, hope it's been doing what it's supposed to!

@MrTumbleTumble yes that was my concern too - what if my body hasn't responded at all - so I was pleasantly surprised at the follicles. I also haven't had any side effects or twinges, so really didn't know if my body was doing anything.

@Blessing12 I think my next scan will be Thursday, but the clinic should confirm when I hear later today (after they've looked at my blood test too)

Hello all- this is my first post and first go at IVF. EC is on Friday so my last injection of Ovaleap today- I’m feeling so tired and bloated, I was convinced (last night) that I had OHSS... until I read it doesn’t kick in until after the trigger! Fingers crossed it all works and I don’t have to repeat this bit!

@MrTumbleTumble that is very true. I’m still on the fence but I have been leaning towards sticking with 3 pessaries. This is my first transfer and as far as I’m aware I have no fertility issues (I’m doing PGT-M). I may change my mind yet, have a few days to try and research. I’m just kind of frustrated that I’ve been left to Dr Google by my clinic 😂

Good luck to everyone with scans coming up this week.

@CLP20 how was the trigger?

@Anjenla I suffered with really bad bloating too, it's a common side effect. Drink lots of water (but not too much) my doctor said the aim is for pale urine every 2 hours rather than clear.

We found out 11 of our eggs fertilised this morning so very happy! I was so anxious as we switched to standard ivf at the last minute rather than ICSI but all worked out ok. Really hope we get some good quality embryos. 🤞

Hi all,
@thetallgirl your sizes look great for this stage. I have my next scan tomorrow & will ask for numbers & sizes too.

@Blessing12 good luck for your scan tomorrow, you will feel much better after it. I had Covid Qs too, Im now paranoid of catching it as the cycle would be cancelled! I have another Covid test (plus husband) on Fri.

@ThePurpleFairy when you’ve been tested for Progesterone in the past, what where your numbers? I believe anything over 30 is good. 3 pessaries per day is a lot & good (“standard” is 2 per day Ive been told). What is difference in dosage of pessary vs injections. Ive taken pessaries before & would certainly prefer them over more injections especially if you don't even have low progesterone. I guess its just annoying that they cannot make decision for you. Either way if you have injections, cannot be a bad thing even if you dont need it.

@Kitttycatt great news re 11 embryos, that must be reassuring. How are you feeling after EC? Do you know if they will do 3 or 5 day transfer or is it just a waiting game to see how they develop?

@Anjenla welcome & good luck for EC.

@Anjenla welcome!

@RichmondLady1981 I think anything higher than what you were expecting is a good thing. And like others have said - you only need one!

@Kitttycatt Great news about your fertilisation! How are you feeling today? My trigger was fine - much easier than the Fyremadel.

Feeing sick with nerves about EC tomorrow!

This is my first time posting on a forum.
I’m currently on day 4 of norethisterone in preparation for stim injections starting in 2 days. My moods have been so bad! I’m not sure if it’s the overwhelming feeling of IVF/pandemic/working in nhs or if it’s the medication.
Has anyone else gone abit loopy on norethisterone? Constantly crying and hungry but not fancying any food.

Thanks

@MrTumbleTumble Good luck tomorrow, my fingers are crossed that we all get some good news tomorrow, its a big day for many on here I think.

@GingerBrummie Thank you, you to.

@kitttycatt Thats fantastic new so pleased for you, what a wonderful number at fertilisation.

@clp20 Good luck with EC.

Welcome @FirstTimeIVFers Good luck with your cycle, i think its normal to feel like that iv been all over the place, i think it's worse when you don't get the best news and your hanging in suspense, my husband only has to talk and I want to scream at him.

@FirstTimeIVFers hi! I absolutely hated Norethisterone. I would snap at my husband for the most ridiculous things and bless him -he’d not really done anything wrong. I was also wanting to eat high calorific foods all of the time - so not like me. So in summary try not to worry. It seemed to pass a day or two after stopping the meds for me. I found going out for runs or long walks really helped. I started my injection on Friday which was really weird. It’s also my first IVF experience too. Once you’ve got your head around the injections you’ll be fine. Good luck x

Thank you @CLP20

I really feel like I’m feeling some side affects of the stims today. Anyone else feeling tired and drowsy? Also been feeling a bit headachey. Hopefully my reflexology this eve will help. 🙏🏼

@ThePurpleFairy bless you. Yes it does seem like a long time to do injections doesn’t it and if your fella is struggling to I can see why you’re contemplating avoiding them. X

@RichmondLady1981, im also feeling really tired, kind of bone weary and a bit light-headed. Also one of my ears has been blocked for two days now, like when you go on a plane but nothing I do is unblocking it! I can't imagine that could be caused by the stims though, must just be a coincidence.

Hi all, sorry to hear about the side effects.

And good luck for EC tomorrow @CLP20

@Kitttycatt once EC is done are you only on the progesterone pessaries? Will feel strange not injecting myself daily, i might miss it! 😂

Good luck for all the scans tomorrow X

Thanks ladies @GingerBrummie @Blessing12 @CLP20 my stomach is still bloated (it's been building up since down regulation though). And it's very tender down there. Although, I've noticed a big improvement since yesterday evening when the pain meds must of worn off. I went for a walk today and was tired but managed ok. I've been taking paracetamol but haven't needed any since this morning.

@GingerBrummie yes I only take the two pessaries, no injections! After 5 weeks of injections it feels odd, like I'm forgetting to do something.

@CLP20 best of luck for tomorrow x

@Kitttycatt great news! Hope you’re feeling better.

@RichmondLady1981 sounds positive 🤞 for you.

Good luck for those with scans tomorrow and welcome @FirstTimeIVFers and @Anjenla

@ThePurpleFairy so it sounds like the pessaries are no better than the injections in terms of effectiveness but you have to pay to avoid the injections? I think the pessaries are more common - £700 sounds like a lot? I have 8 weeks worth and just checked it’s £156 are you NHS? I think If you can get a prescription you can shop around?

I’ve been really ill. I have had hot flushes/temperature, exhaustion, headache and aching body and a bit of a sore throat yesterday, I have just had a Covid test as I’m so paranoid about my treatment being cancelled and wasting the money and stress. My baseline scan is on Thursday. Did anyone else feel fine for the first week -10 days on buserelin and then have all the side effects? I am fairly sure it won’t be Covid as apart from a weekly supermarket trip I don’t see anyone!

Hey @39andabit I defo had the same with buserelin my first cycle. First week felt on top of the world and then second to third week was all those symptoms you've described! So much so that I've taken a few days 0ff work as hokiday this time round in prep!

@CLP20 all the best for tomorrow. Xxx

@GingerBrummie I know what you mean! It becomes such a routine, will be weird not doing anything. I add another injection tomorrow so that will be fun trying to hide that from my 21 month in the morning. He follows me everywhere... even to the loo! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thanks @39andabita trying to stay positive with such a few number of follicles. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. Hopefully you’ll pick up soon. I had a cough and a temp last week. Am extra paranoid as my son is in nursery. Had a test immediately as like you, didn’t want to put anyone at risk or wasting loads of money on treatment for nothing. The progesterone pill for down reg made me feel awful. I had hot sweats and high temp with a bit of a cough. All gone now.

@Rachae and @RichmondLady1981 thanks so much. That makes me feel more confident it’s just rubbish side effects not the dreaded Covid!

@Richmondlady1981 that must be so tricky with a small one!

I’m hoping I’ll feel better for a few days when I start the sims.

@CLP20 good luck for egg collection tomorrow.

@thetallgirl - that's fantastic news!

@Blessing12 - as long as you have at least one, they will go ahead. On my first cycle they only saw one lead follicle, so thought about cancelling, but they didn't I had a few more days of stims, then an additional scan and at collection got 3 eggs and ending up with 3 blastos so its all about quality.

@ThePurpleFairy - have you had a ET before? Just seen this is your first transfer. Like said above if your progesterone is a normal level, you should be fine with 3 pessaries, but if you can get over it, the backdoor is the best place to put them!

@Anjenla - welcome and good luck :) just make sure you talk through the process, it can get pretty stressful.

@Kitttycatt - bloody fantastic numbers - I bet you are both chuffed!

@CLP20 - good luck for tomorrow - it will be fine plus you should get a nice coffee and biscuits afterwards and then treat yourself whilst your eggs are doing their thing! treat yourself to nice hot baths until ET

@FirstTimeIVFers - good luck! IVF has screwed with my hunger, I am 2 stone heavier than when I started this process!

@39andabit - What drugs are you on? As that sounds like side effects, rather than covid

@RichmondLady1981 - sorry I missed your scan update, what did they say?

Not sure if anyone would be interested but I listened to a hypnotherapist at lunch, she advertised a free online session - www.thefertilitycoach.net/audio-resources

I am going to give it ago this week and if it relaxes me, then I'll buy the fertility one for £10 - I mean I can easily spend that on junk so if it doesn't help it's not a massive outlay.

To be fair, I've been tempted to try it to help with weight loss.

@Mrbay

I only had 6 follicles at my baseline and they said today 5 are responding with 3 clear leaders. One of two things will happen, three will continue to lead and will be the ones to collect, or the others will catch up. Let’s see.

@Mrbay I’m on the 12th day of buserelin. I was fine last week just a bit tired but have been feeling so rough since Sunday night.
Thanks for the link I’ll check it out, I downloaded the mindful IVF app, none of these things are my usual thing but I just think why not! My friend swears by hypo birthing.

@Kitttycatt that’s a really good fertilisation rate! Fingers crossed for your next update

@GingerBrummie so I’ve only ever had it tested on day 2 of my cycle I think and that was 2.3 nmol/L. I’m getting loose answers on Google telling me this is ok for this stage in the cycle but I’ve no idea! The nurse said the Dr I am under is very pro progesterone which is why he’s added in another pessary to make it 3 total. I think if I add in the Lubion it would be that on top of the pessaries.

@CLP20 good luck for tomorrow!

@FirstTimeIVFers I don’t have any experience with norethisterone but I do hope that you feel better soon

@RichmondLady1981 sorry that you’re feeling a bit under the weather with the drugs, I hope you also feel better soon

@39andabit I am NHS yes, the pessaries are free and included in my treatment, basically they’ve told me to decide if I want extra injections on top of the pessaries. There is a horrendous sounding intramuscular version, which I’ve immediately ruled out (those would be free though), or there’s one that’s easier to take but not covered by NHS so would be in the region of £700 for 12 weeks worth of them. I didn’t do Buserelin but the drugs can make you feel really crappy so don’t panic and immediately assume covid, you’ve done the right things though and fingers crossed you feel a bit more yourself soon

@Mrbay yes first ET! I’ve no idea how decent my progesterone levels are but both my husband and mum think I should give first one a go with just pessaries and if it doesn’t work out buy the injections next time. I don’t like this way of thinking but I do agree with them it’s probably sensible (though I yo-yo back and forth). I’ve had so many say to me put them in the back, I’m waiting for conversation with the nurse because I’m just like... it sounds so simple, but I feel like I’m going to try and get away with just gently popping them in either way and they’re going to be too low if that makes sense 😅 what a delight!

@ThePurpleFairy oh I see the dilemma. That’s really difficult especially if the clinic aren’t really giving advice. I can understand where your partner and mum are coming from but it’s a tricky decision. I wish I could advise, I did research as I have low progesterone too and I think the injections are better but might be unnecessary, I have been taking high dose of vitamin C as that is supposed to help but not sure if it’s recommended in pregnancy.

I’m not looking forward to the shoving it up anywhere stage as much as I am hoping to get that far!!

@RichmondLady1981 - that's really good, don't forget that there can be multiple eggs in each follicles.

@39andabit sounds like me the last time I was on it but fingers crossed for a neg covid test.
Yeah I figure anything that relaxes you, cannot be a bad thing.

@thepurplefairy - are you having a fresh or frozen transfer?
It's hard, as given the option I would always use lubion but then I've bled early on every fresh transfer. On a FT the clinic gives 2 pessaries and then a lubion every other day to top you up.
It's less messy going the back way! Plus it doesn't hurt and once its half way in, your body takes it all the way up! Lol!