ABC IVF thread continued

[StarryHannah]

Our other thread is now full so thought I would start this one to continue the chat.

@Beaglemum91 I'm waiting for my period so I can start meds for FET so that is really helpful information about the embryo transfer process. Thank you. Did you have your partner on Facetime or anything for it?

@Icsi2021 so excited for you xxx

Thanks for the support yesterday managed to get through it. AF rewarded me by showing first thing meaning day 2 is tomorrow and injections finally start. I was expecting day 2 to be Tuesday.

Had a nice bath today with some essential oils, the mindful ivf app meditation to feel more zen.

@kittyfantastico21 almost your time to start now, how are you feeling?

@Prayingforabubba good luck for your scan tomorrow!

@Prayingforabubba I'm feeling pretty good about starting soon, mostly excited but every now and then I get some nervousness about the injections. Mostly I'm worried about doing it wrong and somehow causing my follicles to not grow at all or something. Good luck for your scan today - fingers crossed for good growth!

@Jh2019 glad to hear you've got the hang of it now! Good luck for your scan today, hope you get good news.

@Hoping4baby21 hooray, you get to start today! Good luck for your first injection - let us know how it goes!

My period is due tomorrow so at least this waiting part of the process is almost over. I think it will (hopefully!) feel good to finally be actually doing something towards getting pregnant.

@Hoping4baby21 how exciting! Good luck with your first injection today x

@kittyfantastico21 don't be nervous, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I've been having nightmares about follicles not growing etc but all been okay so far

@Jh2019 hope you had a good scan today.

Mine went well. 22 follicles. 13 15mm a couple around 10mm and a few less than that. Another scan on Wednesday and possible egg collection on Friday. X

Thanks all, had my scan today and unexpectedly they have decided I should trigger with ovitrelle today for collection on Wednesday . Biggest follicle was 20mm and a few others a similar size, she says she would estimate around 12 of them will produce eggs. It was a toss up between today or tomorrow, but she was worried I might be pushed towards hyperstimulation and more chance of a freeze-all situation if we wait until tomorrow. Hoping it's the right time and will all be ok!

@Hoping4baby21 that's great, best of luck for the first injection! I've just started using the mindful ivf app too, definitely helps me to relax - I find his voice very soothing

@kittyfantastico21 hoping AF is on time for you, and all the best for getting started! Definitely feels better after the first injection, and try not to worry too much - despite my mini panics that I'd done it wrong and my cetrotide mishap all turned out fine so far, I'm sure it will be the same for you

@Prayingforabubba those are great numbers, really pleased to hear it! Sounds like you are following a very similar timetable to me, would that be day 12 for your egg collection if it goes ahead on Friday?

@Prayingforabubba when do you find out for sure if EC will be on Friday?

@Jh2019 exciting and sounds like good follicle numbers and progress so I'm sure your in for a great EC!

I was finding it hard to stick to using the app but it does help. Gunna keep listening in the bath especially before EC as we can't have them afterwards 😔

Done my first injection, going in was fine but the area feels a little achy now and had a tiny little bleed after my husband pulled it out. Wasn't as bad as I thought although he didn't let me think to long before he did it, was defiantly start to wimp out a bit. Feels good to get started and glad he's doing them for me!

My instruction video says to hold the needle in for 10 seconds after dose is released? That felt the most uncomfortable for me- is everyone else doing the same, seems a little excessive or maybe he was counting too slow.

@Prayingforabubba that’s a great update! Sounds like good progress.

@Jh2019 oh wow, how exciting! Good luck for your trigger. Nice to be finished with injections sooner too. 12 eggs sounds great, fingers crossed!

@Hoping4baby21 well done on getting the first injection over with! Hopefully they’ll get easier/better as you get used to them.

@Jh2019 wow that must have been a shocker! I'm sure it was the best decision! Can't believe how similar we are, they suspect 12-13 mature follicles for me so far too. Best to avoid OHSS 🙏🏼 I'm so excited for you, have you got a day off injections then today? If mine goes ahead on Friday, it should by day 13 in my cycle x

@Hoping4baby21 I find out for sure in my scan tomorrow . I was hoping egg collection would be on a Saturday but you cant plan these things 🤣 I e also started to have a little bleed in the injection site too! Hubby leaves it in for about 5 seconds and I agree that bit is the most uncomfortable. I have had a bit of the solution come out today, hoping it's okay 🙏🏼 I keep worrying I'm going to ovulate.

@Prayingforabubba ahh thane makes me feel a little better that we aren't doing something wrong. Gunna reduce the time I re read the manual and it looks like 10 secs from pressing the button not 10 seconds after that. Also gunna try icing before today. Still felt achy going to bed.

Good luck in your scan today let us know how it goes!

@kittyfantastico21 hope AF has shown up for you, you are expecting her today right?

@Hoping4baby21 it's weird, last night I had cramps to the extent that I got out of bed and put a pad in, convinced it would come overnight so today would be able to count as CD1, but this morning, nothing! Not even cramps anymore! So who knows. I'm hoping it should still come today but feels more likely that it will be afternoon/evening now so tomorrow will be CD1.

@Jh2019 hope you enjoy your injection-free day!

Thanks all! I've definitely enjoyed the day off injections. The Ovitrelle trigger was all fine last night, easiest one yet so that was good. Just trying to get myself chilled and in the zone for the big day tomorrow - will let you know how I get on!

@Hoping4baby21 sorry to hear you've been a bit achy, hope that gets better for you - might just have been a delicate spot, I found some hurt/bruised more than others, and I got a little drop of blood some times but not others. I also just counted to 5 rather than 10 and that seems to have gone fine.

@Prayingforabubba ah funny we are so similar! Good luck with the scan tomorrow and fingers crossed you can get the egg collection booked in, look forward to hearing how it goes for you.

@kittyfantastico21 that's so annoying and typical for AF to play games! I've had that before too where cramps come and then mysteriously disappear. Has it started yet? Hoping so, and that you'll get your CD1 for sure tomorrow if it's not quite panned out for today

@Jh2019 good to hear Ovitrelle was easy! How are you feeling about EC tomorrow? I hope it goes well and am wishing you loads and loads of luck!

Still no period, or any sign of it - so frustrating! Hopefully tomorrow...

@Jh2019 best of luck for tomorrow!!

Second injection went better, I iced it before so no achy feeling but pinched a little more going in but no big deal. Still bled a little. Getting the hang of it.

@kittyfantastico21 ahh I'm sorry that is annoying she will come I hope it is sooner rather than later!

Thanks everyone, egg collection done - 21 eggs! A lot more than I was expecting. My initial reaction was tinged with a bit of disappointment that it would mean a freeze all, as I'd been told that anything over 15 would...but then the doctor said fine to go ahead with a fresh transfer (assuming we get embryos), he's not concerned at all

The whole procedure was fine, I actually quite enjoyed being sent off into a deep sleep for a bit. Pain only minimal when I came round, and already feeling pretty well recovered a few hours later - just a bit nauseous. Taking it easy though of course Now just the anxious wait for a phone call about sperm and egg quality...

@kittyfantastico21 any sign of AF for you yet? Hope she's showed!

@Hoping4baby21 glad the second injection was better and you're getting the hang of it, keep it up!

@Prayingforabubba hope your scan was ok?

@Jh2019 ahhh well done that is amazing! Do you have a high AFC or AMH? And so good you could continue with a fresh cycle.

Glad the procedure was fine for you aswell. Rest up and enjoy this down time!

@Jh2019 wow, what a great result! I'm glad it went well and that the procedure wasn't bad. Hope you enjoy your rest time and feel fully recovered soon. Fingers crossed for a good update on the quality.

@Hoping4baby21 sounds good that you're getting the hang of the injections. When is your first scan?

@Prayingforabubba hope your scan went well today!

I've finally had a tiny bit of spotting in the last hour or so and feel mildly crampy so I'm hoping full flow will come later today/tomorrow morning and I can finally get going on Friday.

@kittyfantastico21 ahhh so glad AF is looking like she is about to make an appearance. I have my first scan on Friday so will see how we are progressing! Also taking my virology bloods on Friday aswell.

Those already on stims when did you start to feel different/symptoms?

@Hoping4baby21 I didn't get any symptoms if I'm honest! I suffered a few days with migraines but I've also had a sinitus flare up so think it's that.

@kittyfantastico21 fingers crossed AF makes an appearance soon!

@Jh2019 21 eggs! 😍 that's amazing! I hope you get a fab fertilisation report tomorrow and yay for fresh transfer! I hope you're getting lots of rest x

My scan went well today. 27 follicles seen. I've got 1 at 19, 3 at 18, 2 at 17 and 4 at 16. The rest are less than 15. My hormone levels came back 7811 and she said if they were 8000, it would be a freeze all 😩 she also said if they get 15 at collection, it would be a freeze all which I'm expecting with these levels!

Egg collections booked for 9:15 on Friday at the Wimbledon clinic. @Jh2019 where did you have yours? I'm nervous but excited. I've not had any bloating this whole time but today I was ravenous and ate two bowls of pasta! I now look like a whale 🤣

@Prayingforabubba wow! That is great so many follicles! What were your meds again? I assume you had a high AFC?

Yes after the first injection I had a headache and 2nd one, today seems fine. But I feel twinges in my ovaries and I'm surprised I can feel anything so soon really.

Exciting that it is in two days, so your trigger shot is today? What clinic were you at Harley Street? Best of luck for Friday!

@Jh2019 what clinic were you at? Just curious at you got 21 eggs with a fresh but I guess it might be due to the higher estrogen levels.

Omg brought some pomegranate juice trying all the things to boost these eggs and it is VILE! I had to dilute it and even then it isn't nice lol 🤦🏽‍♀️

@Hoping4baby21 yep I have relatively high AFC and AMH - around 30 for both. Still, they used a relatively low dose and told me to expect around 12 eggs, so 21 was a shock! I was at Bristol for my EC. Perhaps it's the overall picture that meant they are ok with me doing fresh - my oestrogen never got overly high (about 5000 on day of trigger) and I've not shown any signs of hyperstimulation, either in how I feel or on what they could see during EC. Re symptoms, I just looked/felt slightly bloated really, but that might just be because I was hyper-aware - I would say I didn't actually feel that different on the whole.

@Prayingforabubba that's fantastic, so many follicles! Hope the trigger went well, did they go for buserelin given your oestrogen levels? Fingers crossed for you that you end up being allowed a fresh too, it's possible some of those smaller ones might not give up any eggs. Sending you all good wishes for your big day tomorrow! Haha I actually felt less hungry than usual during the stims, but then yesterday when I knew I wasn't allowed breakfast I was absolutely starving. The tea and biscuit when I came round was the best thing I ever tasted!

@kittyfantastico21 hope your full flow comes properly today!

Morning guys! Hope you're all doing well, just wanted to wish you all the best in your journeys!
I won't be continuing with ABC in the meantime as with the recent weather we've come into some roof troubles which will set us back at least £7000 so we won't be able to afford ivf at the moment 😭 it's sad but I've been in contact with my GP to start the process on the NHS. I'll keep an eye on your progress. I hope it's good news for all of you! Good luck!!

@Jh2019 if you don't mind me asking what was your dose?

Well glad it worked out for you that you were able to have your fresh transfer, every body is so different so like you said must be your individual scans, tests, symptoms etc. My clinic hasn't said what the cut off point is.

Hope you get more good news today.

@kittyfantastico21 how is AF? It's funny we are all on period watch for you 😂

@unCliche I'm so sorry to hear that - the roof stuff sounds like a nightmare in and of itself but even worse when it comes at the cost of IVF. I hope the GP can get things going on the NHS soon for you so you don't have to wait too much longer. Hope you can take good care of yourself at the moment and do lots of nice things in the time before your treatment on the NHS starts.

@Hoping4baby21 haha, I'm on period watch too! Still spotting but definitely getting towards full flow and have proper cramps now. So it should be today. Am I right that if it comes before 12 today counts as day 1? Or is it just if it's first thing in the morning? Oh dear, good luck with the pomegranate juice, sounds horrible. I'm not trying any of the 'wonder' foods for IVF really, just eating more protein and fewer crisps/biscuits etc - and have cut out alcohol and caffeine. I'm getting very bored of nuts as a snack!

@Prayingforabubba those are great numbers! How did your trigger go? So exciting that EC is tomorrow - that's come around so quickly! Fingers crossed you can stay under the threshold for a fresh transfer.

@Jh2019 hope you get good news on your eggs today!

@unCliche I'm so sorry! That sucks, I hope you can get the roof sorted ASAP and that the GP moves fast for you 🤞🏽.

@kittyfantastico21 excellent, glad she is making progress, full bright red flow before 12pm and then it counts as cycle day 1. Of after 12pm then next day is cycle day 1 and you start the day after. Yes with diet trying to eat more whole foods, cut down sugar, caffeine and I don't drink anyway so that is easy. But must admit I am doing a few things like Brazil nuts, this Pom juice (so grim) supplements like Coq10, omegas, etc and some other bits - now I think of it is quite a few things lol 🤦🏽‍♀️. I figured it can't hurt but I'm also not being super super strict because that also gets depressing. I think it is mainly what you do the majority of the time that counts most.

@Hoping4baby21 I'm with Harley street bdw so was surprised that they told me to go to Wimbledon. Apparently at Paul's don't do collections on a Friday. I haven't had my Amh checked but my AFC on two prior scans have been 20 and 25. So normal ish? I had my trigger last night. Felt strange not to do any more injections. Fingers crossed I won't have to again. I feel really guilty that I haven't been doing too much related to healthy eating 😩 I've been struggling with drinking 2 L but have forced myself! My dose was 150 Bemfola.

@Jh2019 hope you had a great fertilisation report today. Lots of follicles are small so I'm sure even if they get the 27 follicles, not all will be mature. I'm hoping for 8 🙏🏼 we would love just one or two healthy embryos from this cycle ❤️ did they give you a gown there yesterday? I know I need to pick a robe.

@unCliche oh no! That sucks. Hope you're okay.

@kittyfantastico21 she's been keeping you on your toes! Excited to hear how you get on with your injections tomorrow

I'm feeling sad at the thought of a freeze all. I really doubt I will have a fresh cycle with these levels which I suspect have increased. I'm hoping that whatever is meant to be will be the best for us. After ttc for so long, I just feel impatient now!

@Prayingforabubba don't feel guilty, like I said it's what you do majority of the time. You just try your best, this process is hard enough without add more. And look how many eggs you got! So you must be doing something right!

Ok my AFC was 25 as well and I'm on 150 of ovaleap same drug different brand. They said that was high for my age, I'm 30, they told you it was normal? When I looked it up it's ok the higher side of normal but still in normal range so was confused why they made such a big deal. My acupuncturist also told me I have soooo many! I started forcing myself to drink 2 litres everyday ages ago and you honestly get used to it. In the end I'm now so used to it I HAVE to drink that much lol!

Yes they said to me depending on day of collection will be St Paul's or Wimbledon. If all goes to plan mine would be on a Wednesday but don't know if St Paul's do collections then and if it is just Friday they don't do. I'm sure your in excellent hands either way. I assume they transfer your eggs from St. Paul's then if your retrieval was at St. Paul's?

I'm sure it's hard to adjust now to the freeze all cycle and feeling sad or disappointed is normal. Try and focus on the fact that if that is what you have to do then it's to make sure your body is in the optimal position to house the embryo which is what you want. Best of luck and keep us updated 🙂