1st IVF mid April

[strawberrysummer19]

Hi

Thought it would be nice to start a thread for anyone starting IVF next month

My period is due mid April

Just finishing off getting last few swabs and bloods done ✅

We've got a prescription so will be getting our drugs.

Then we are all set !

Anyone else ? For me it's my 1st cycle ivf
38yrs
Unexplained fertility with 1 previous child ( she's 9yrs)

Feeling excited to start this journey x

@Kamiros that's good. I've told both mums - sister and aunt etc - we have a very small family so just figured it was easier to say rather than keep a secret.
Lockdown makes it easier if I'm honest, my friends haven't really been that great over lockdown and I've kind of given up on them! Just making an effort to keep stress levels down, concentrate on us and already have a lo so keeping her happy. If friends happen to be supportive great but if not I'm just going to concentrate on us. They all have kids, seem to live in their own bubble and even just before lockdown notice how self absorbed they seem
To be in their own life's and quite bitchy about each other. Old school friends that I can't really be bothered with wasting my time and energy on. Going through this process I think changes you in a way. Sad but I've accepted that it's the way. X

@strawberrysummer yes very lucky that my first cycle worked. I think we are in the same boat regarding work. I may take what you said and say theres a gynae issue too. Trouble is I only work mornings so cant really offer to work extra hours. It should be the last thing on my mind but like you it's a new job and I just feel a bit awkward.

@Veex21 I totally get how you feel. I was so unnerved at the thought...but now I know it's happening next month I'm really trying to put things into perspective. They are people, human beings at the end of the day - maybe even been through it themselves, and I've figured I'm not going to stress about it.
The nurse said to say I have a cyst that they are keeping an eye on and will need some scans on different days etc and then a procedure that I'm having but I'm not even going to go into detail. I'll say what days I'll need off etc and only if they get really funny then I've decided to say I'm having a round of ivf and confirm it won't affect my work moving forward etc ( but confident it won't get that much into conversation!) if it isn't successful which I bloody hope not then I won't even be leaving....when people leave to go on mat leave all the time or even leave jobs
I think as long as your record is good, you work hard then that's how I'm thinking of it

Worse things happened and have done IMO

X

@strawberrysummer19 Sorry to hear about your friend. You're right though just focus on the important stuff. I have a really big family who can't help but gossip with each other, not in a mean way but still, so keeping it quiet for now. I also have a cousin who just gave birth last week, we're really close but I haven't told her any of this as I didn't want her feeling awkward while pregnant.

Hello everyone !
Hoping to join this thread. I have just started stimulation meds and will hopefully be transferring in April if we get to that stage.
About us- I'm 25, partner 34. Ttc for 18 months now. PCOS and MFI. We have tried 4 rounds I've letrozole which resulted in no pregnancy (although it did make me ovulate).
First round of IVF and will be on a short protocol. So started injections on day 2 of period. X

@swirls3468 Hi. How are you getting on with stims? You're about a week ahead of me, I finish norethisterone tomorrow and start injections on Friday all going well.

Hi all!👋

I hope you are all doing ok with your ivf journeys. I just came across this group and thought I'd join in as i don't know anyone personally who's gone through it before.

We're having our 1st round of ivf.. have had a short stint on norethisterone, due to start stims on Wednesday, and the first follicle check scan in just under 2 weeks.
Never experienced such a huge mix of emotions all at one time before.. it's consuming.. all whilst trying to stay calm and not stress over it 🤪

How's everyone finding it?

X

Hi @swirls3468 welcome and hoping this will be a positive journey for you

Hi @Millie029 that's exciting and yes I know what you mean
I was laying bed last night thinking am I really going through this? So many emotions
I'm just waiting for my natural cycle so I can start stims. Around 14th April for me which doesn't seem real then I look at the calendar and think that's not long away at all!
I have no scans booked in - for me it's call up on day 1 then I get my baseline scan day 2 or 3 so have no idea when my scans care which doesn't make it feel real!
I'm 38 and AMH isn't great and ok thinking should I really be putting myself through this?
But also want to at least try 2 times so i know we've given it our best and won't look back
But then I find myself working what if it does work and how life will change ?! I have a little one 9yrs and life was very different with a previous partner and I really struggled with newborn stage and finances etc
This time round I have no secure job so I feel slightly apprehensive
I felt so care free when TTC the 1st time round!!

@strawberrysummer19
Me too! Which is how i ended up on mumsnet at silly o'clock 😄
I'm 33, no children, trying for just short of 3 years. We waited until we felt super ready to try and it was so exciting and empowering making that choice together.. whereas now it's been so long and so much has happened in that time that I've been feeling like it's a sign that we aren't the right people to have children! Are we mad to be having IVF during a pandemic?!
But we feel the same as you - that we need go through this process to know that we've really tried.. i never imagined we'd have to go through this, and that we may never have our own children. The way i see it.. is if we're willing to go through all we have to in the ivf process, it's the right decision. If it didn't feel right, we would be crazy to put ourselves through it!

Husbands SA was normal, my hormone checks were normal except for high AMH at 71. Checked me for PCOS but that came back clear and said I'm at high risk of OHSS due to the AMH level. I had a hycosy scan which was inconclusive so i might have blocked fallopian tubes - which could be our cause!

I had to call on the first day of my cycle to book the scan. The plan they've put me on is first stim injection starts on the 7th cycle day, a second injection starts on the 6th day of stims. 10th day of stims is the follicle check scan. Then depending on that scan, next may be more scans/stims or egg collection - all dependent on how i respond to the stims! Do you know what stims you're having?
Definitely feel like it's a waiting game, totally out of control of what's happening, and always waiting for the next stage and the next bit of information.

Sorry for the long post! X

@Millie029 ah I'm sorry to hear that. I hope this brings you much luck and happiness.

I know what you mean, but you are right we have to go through it and I feel your pain.

Trying to take each step as it comes which is hard but that's life I suppose.

I'm on menopur 1200 iu but no idea when to inject as they said they go through with me at the baseline scan. It says daily for 10 days on my prescription then I have fyremadel which says daily for 6 days then a vaginal capsule which says daily for 21 days ?! And there's 3 boxes so that's 3 a day ? Seems a lot?

X

@Millie029 also first cycle for me. I ll finish norethisterone on the 2nd of April and should start Menopur (450 dose) on Tuesday the 7th and Fyremadel on the 11th (5th day of stimulation) so a bit longer stimulation than yours.
Might be due to my age (almost 41). AFC at last scan was 11 and AMH 6.9 so possibly i guess no risk at OHSS for me.
Hugs

@strawberrysummer19 @Kamiros
I'm on Menopur too. It won't be 1200 units, it's a multi use drug. I'm on 150 units each evening. My AMH is 72.8 so they were worried about Me over stimulating but had a scan yesterday after 4 evenings of stims and not really much is happening. Their are plenty of follicles just growing slowly. I think they'll increase the dose when I go back for a scan tomorrow.
Is this everyone first round?
I feel exactly the same as some of you. Never imagined myself here! But now I can just never picture me being pregnant which is sad. When you've been trying so long it's hard to believe it's ever going to happen. But trying to stay positive and the clinic I'm at had a 56% pregnancy rate in under 35s per embryo transfer. Any questions just ask! It's so nice to have some support.
I don't know anyone in this situation and not many people in my life even know we are trying for a baby, let alone doing IVF. I do like it that way though it kinda keeps the pressure off x

@Kamiros The stims aren't bad to be honest. Once I did the first injection, the rest got easier. I felt rough for the first few days and had migraines but was also on my period so it could've just been that! I'm Day 6 today and will have another scan in the morning to see how things are progressing. I try not to think about it too much. Which is IMPOSSIBLE x

@swirls3468 ok so looking at my prescription it reads

'Menopur 1200iu multidose vial
To administer 450iu sc daily for 10 days
So does that mean I'm on 450 a day? Where does the 1200 ui come into it? Can't seem to work it out?!

So if I'm due on 14th April, when do I start injections or likely to and when do I stop and is there a rough time I'd go for ec? I've a pregnancy tracker app and just trying to work out if I would be due on the same time ? I'm usually a 26 day cycle
Just curious really. I suppose it depends on how my body responds I guess ?

I've told people as we felt less pressure but I've a small family and with lockdown I find it pretty easy. But each to their own I get why people don't tell anyone but for us I feel our mums have been a great support. I don't mind the questions.

Yes I know what you mean I was TTC for my 1st 10 hrs ago and that took 18 cycles I remember feeling it was never going to happen! But then it did so I'm trying to be positive as apart from low AMH although it's 5.6 with 9 follicles trying to be positive x

@strawberrysummer19
So basically there is a vial with powder in of menopur and you mix the solvent that comes with it (2 syringes). There is then 1200ui in the vial of menopur.
Each evening you will get a new syringe and draw out 450 units if that's what you are prescribed. So you will keep using the medication until it's all gone. Probably won't last you that long as you are on a high dose.
With me I went for a scan on day 2 of period and blood tests. They told me to start on that evening. Then I went for another scan on day 5 to see how things are progressing. Not very much by the looks of things but they said it's all fine and go back Monday. I think I need a higher dose tbh. So they will scan me every other day. And then when the follicles look big enough they tell you when your egg collection is gonna be.
I think you have to administer the "trigger shot" 36 hours before egg collection. This is what matures all those eggs.
Are you on a short protocol? This is what I'm on so could be different for you?
But they said I'll do up to 10 days of stims.
Xxxx

@swirls3468 ohhh I seeee thank you for explaining that makes so much sense. I thought I'd have a chance to ask the clinic but I feel I've asked so many questions! So that's really helpful. I actually have x4 on my prescription so that makes a bit more sense as I will then have 4 times the amount.
Yeah it's quite a high dose isn't it. I'm on a short protocol x

@swirls3486 Glad you're getting on OK with the injections.

Agree with you all, its so hard to focus on anything else just now. Last day of norethisterone today for me, looking forward to getting on to the next part.

I tried to make a post but no response. Wondered if anyone has answers in here?

I was on progynova and was supposed to have a bleed 2/3 days after. It has been 6 days since I took my last tablet and still no bleeding.

I have been on my injections for 4 days now. I have a scan Thursday.

I have had 3 negative pregnancy tests but I should have had a bleed.
Just worried that it will be cancelled. I dont know how important that bleed is as my womb lining is still thick.

@strawberrysummer19 Thank you, and same to you too - wishing lots of luck and happiness to all on here.
I find our clinic only tells you what you need to know as you come to each stage.
We got given a big bag of meds all at once to keep us going until the first folicle check scan. Started with gonal-f and will have 4 lots of fyremadel too before then scan. Yes i had something similar. They gave me loads of progesterone pessaries, which i believe are to be taken after the embryo transfer (3 a day!) Until the pregnancy test. Then to continue if the test is positive.
We did our first injection last night - did anyone else get incredibly nervous? We could barely contain ourselves!
I can understand wanting to tell people and also keeping it quiet.. We've been selective about who we've told - as the support has been very much needed. Had to tell work too because of covid and our ivf clinic have told us to isolate as much as possible.
X

@Millie029 oh wow that's exciting! How did you find the injection?

We collected the rest of our drugs tonight so it's all ready - just waiting for my period to start. Around day 14 for me so not too long.

I'm glad we have this thread

That's interesting what the clinic said. Yeah I've found that with our clinic, it's like having to find out information as you go along

X

@CyclingMumKent ooh yes a bit longer. I believe I'm on lower doses and a shorter time on stims because of the OHSS.. I just hope it's enough for my body to respond! I didn't have a baseline folicle check.. quite curious why!! Hugs back x

Happy Easter weekend all! X

@Millie029 I have my first injection tomorrow and yes I'm very nervous- also really excited to get going though.

@strawberrysummer19
It was actually fine.. the anticipation was worse! I'm terrible with needles, but feel fortunate that this lot of gonal f is in a pen form so it's not quite as daunting 😊 No bruising or soreness thankfully.
Ooo how are you feeling about it? I've never wanted a period to happen so much before.
Yeah, i wonder if it's to help with reducing the chance of being overwhelmed with information?
I'm curious if anyone else has been advised the same about isolating? We've had to sign a covid code of conduct x

@Kamiros
I can understand that.. It's such a mix of emotions isn't it.

@Millie029 that's good then. I have menopur but not sure what they are liked as they are boxed up in my fridge !
I'm excited so much I wish it was tomorrow
Just guess I want it done with - all this prep I just feel ready now x