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.

Hi @MrTumbleTumble every case is entirely different, I know, but just wanted to say try not to feel too despondent. On my last go I had 11 eggs collected but only 4 fertilised normally. I felt really crap about it but then a bit better when all of them were still going on day 3... then on day 5 I ended up with a 5AA fresh transfer and a 4BB frozen. It's always difficult to know whether these stories help or not but I hope it might at least give a back-up to your own experience that these things can happen!

I had my day 8 stims scan yesterday and have responded more quickly this time (I'm on my 2nd cycle). I have 14 follicles on my only hard-working ovary and 11 of them are already 10mm or over. Another scan tomorrow and probably EC on Monday...

@willithappen I completely get where you are coming from, on my last cycle (which was my 1st) I did exactly the same, looking up every scenario as if that would somehow mean I could calculate my own odds.

So I realise that probably makes this the most annoying advice ever but I found I had to get to a point of trying to make peace with the fact that there was nothing I could do, read, think or whatever to know (or change what was going to happen). Wanting control is normal but we have none in these situations.

I switched to focusing on ways to distract myself. One technique I found good is to set yourself a window of time to worry/research etc each day and outside of that, every time you find your thoughts going nuts tell yourself that you'll deal with them during that time. It takes practice and willpower and its DEFINITELY not easy but it's a useful way to manage anxiety and stop the rabbit hole of doom-scrolling.

Thanks ladies

That's exactly what I have done and googled everything. I'm so annoyed at myself for feeling this way now too as I know I'm in a lucky position.
I think the idea of setting aside a time to Google/worth is a good idea and will help me from not doing it all day long! I feel a bit tender when walking so can't even go out for a walk to distract myself. It also weirdly feels like Friday and it's not. I was hoping I'd have the rugby tomorrow to distract me lol

On the upside, I feel totally fine today and I was worrying about the OHSS risks. Other than a slight tender feel when doing a long walk I'm good so fingers crossed next couple days stay the same and I have avoided OHSS

Sorry if I'm annoying anyone with these panicked posts

Hi everyone

Another busy day today! Hard to keep track of everyone but looks like some good fertilisation rates all around.

@GingerBrummie I think I might be the only person in the 2ww on here. My doctor told me there is absolutely nothing I can do to make this work so to carry on as normal (he just said don't sky dive!) so I've been going along as normal, haven't exercised yet as I'm waiting on my swollen ovaries to completely go down. I've just got progesterone symptoms - sore boobs, slight bloating and period cramps every evening! I did buy a pineapple as a sort of gesture but that's it (oh and I had a McDonald's and Accupunture on day of transfer).

@lucymills1234 your second cycle sounds great so far. What are you doing differently this time?

@willithappen I agree with Lucy- it’s impossible to not google al the possible outcomes but it’s a good idea to put a time limit on it. I’m with you with the rugby- devote some time to admiring the view 😉

Good luck to ladies getting updates tomorrow!

I was thinking, surely by now with the technology we have in our lives there should be an app where we can keep an eye on our embryos ... surely? 😁

@RichmondLady1981 omg if there was an app imagine how insane we'd all be with it haha
I'd be checking in on them constantly!

Great news for lots of you ladies and good fertilisation rates. Best of luck for your next steps! @Kitttycatt hey! I am
Also on my tww. Had my transfer yesterday. I had a FET. I have some soreness as well but not too much. Also got pineapple and had acupuncture yesterday. I am resting today at home with my legs up and i am so bored but i feel very tired suddenly! I think its all the adrenaline from before. I would probably go for a short walk either later or tmr! Best of luck to you

@Hopeforsuccess ah good a 2ww buddy! I'm on day 5 and time is going so slowly! I went into the office today and actually it took my mind off it. I'm trying to plan some nice things to do at the weekend (hard at the moment) so I have a focal point that isn't test day! Best of luck to you too x

@Kitttycatt yes indeed! Its good to have a buddy for the waiting! I am also planning to go to work on day 5 as i think i will
Go mental all day home. And planning something for the weekend its agreat idea. Also trying to find things to do! I was thinking of going for a walk around london to relax and calm a bit with my other half! I am very anxious as last time i had bleeding so i am taking it a day at the time now! Also booked a few blood tests for next week just to be occupied hahaha! When is your test day?

Image an app.... no thanks, we would be glued to it day & night! But Im sure in the future there will be! Sometimes I think if they just allowed me to be with them I could talk to them & keep them company, may make them grow more... omg, Im losing the plot!
@Kitttycatt thanks & I will try to do the same, just think of things to take my mind off the waiting. Best of luck @kitttycat @Hopeforsuccess for you test days X

@GingerBrummie thank you so much! Indeed an apo to watch embryos in the lab and in the tww would have been a game changer! And probably i will also talk to them and keep them
Company sooo..... you are not alone!

@RichmondLady1981 Ive had some teaching to do as well, but actually find it's the only thing that fully distracts me!

I'm loving all this McDonalds chat it's the first time I've heard it

That is the issue, we know that we have embryos so I think it is only natural to wonder/worry about next steps.

If it gives anyone a chuckle on our first cycle, my DH was under the impression that the embryo was inserted through the stomach via a cut as going up the other way may lead to it falling out!! Bloody tit!

Lots of activity again with good results, good luck over the coming days for more news on your embryos 🤞🏽

@Mrbay I had my first cyclogest tonight so know what you mean about the lift 🤣

@GingerBrummie im pretty much doing the same as you but I'm also having pomegranate juice, I've been having it for lining but also read it was good for implantation too and watching something funny on Netflix, recommendations welcome. I've not heard about the hot and cold drinks though. I don't know how I'd cope with no hot drink in the morning I'm already struggling with decaf.

@Hop27 ive been tempted to buy something too but I've not yet I've been getting nursery ideas on Pinterest just in case 🤞🏽 it gives that bit of hope I think we need

There’s no ladylike way to ask this question.... but is anyone else quite constipated after EC! ??? 😭

@melissa1983 - mine wouldn't go past the 1st floor tonight 🤣🤣

@RichmondLady1981 - yep!! I've just had a gin and laxative to see if that helps!

@Mrbay 😂. Let me know !

@RichmondLady1981YES it’s been a horrendous week after egg collection. Drink lots of water !

Ladies how is everyone after EC. I'm quiet tender and had to opt for a stronger pain killer yesterday. I'm still so bloated. I had lost weight in preparation for stims I haven't been over indulging but seem to have gained ten lbs in the ten days I was stimming. The embryologist did say the follicles could fill with fluid so am hoping the bloating and pain eases off in the coming days

@hopefulhel sorry to hear that. I also had it pretty bad after egg collection. If you had lots of follicles (I had 23) it usually has more of an effect. I prob did have mild OHSS but i started to feel better on the evening of the third night after EC, so was fine to have the transfer on day 5. Drink loads, I liked coconut water as it has electrolytes. Take paracetamol or codine if it gets bad but let your clinic know how you feel. My pain was like the worst trapped wind that wouldn't come out!! And my stomach was massive!

@Hopeforsuccess my OTD is Monday, 2 weeks after egg collection, you? What day did you experience bleeding? I'm so paranoid every time I go to the loo!!

@Kitttycatt my OTD is 10th March two weeks after transfer. I had some minor spotting day 4 that stopped day 5 and the. Started again day 9 on and off. I am on increased progesterone this time. Dont worry and dont panic. I get your feeling i am the same. They say that some spotting is normal and i read a lot of ladies that had some spotting and were pregnant and went on to have successful pregnancies. Best of luck for MONDAY. Fingers crossed and sending positive vibes. Enjoy the weekend as much as you can! Keep us posted!

I'm surprisingly fine after egg collection which is weird as they had such a strong pressure put on me that I'd be an OHSS risk. I think I maybe got a different trigger that reduced those risks and that's why I'm okay.
Been told to still take it easy for a couple days and over the weekend just in case.

Drink lots of fluid (I had been downing lucozade sport) and get some sodium and protein in. I got myself a bit bag of salted popcorn lol. I'm not sure if I'm in an okay spot because of forcing all that down me to avoid it as it was my main fear, or if I have just been lucky enough at the moment.

@RichmondLady1981 I was so constipated after EC. I cried when I finally went it hurt so much (tmi). Lactolose might help, plus lots of water. I also took a lot of rennies.
There was a few times in the week after my husband nearly called an ambulance I was curled up crying in so much pain then I farted and it got a little better (again tmi )

Thanks for all the advice ladies. I’ve been drinking coffee which isn’t the best idea is it. Codine is really bad for constipation so I’m not taking that.

Am a bit tender but I’m feeling ok. I ran up the stairs yesterday as I was late for a lesson and totally forgot I shouldn’t do that! Although I only had 5 follicles.

I was also told that the dual shot trigger that I took was supposed to reduce the risk of Over stimulation but I wasn’t really at risk anyway. I’m feeling ok apart from the not being able to go! 🚽. We have a TV in our bathroom and I sat watching Kirsty and phil on the loo for half an hour hoping something would happen. Nothing did!

Good luck to ladies getting update today.

@Mrbay did the gin and lax combo work? 😆

I’m currently lying in bed with tiger balm on my tummy to try and reduce the trapped gas