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

@Hoping4baby21 great news on your transfer! Those are good embryo grades and fingers crossed the other two will make it to freezing as well. Wishing you a peaceful two week wait (as much as it ever can be!).

EC is tomorrow and I’m feeling pretty nervous about it - not so much the procedure as I’ll be asleep but how many eggs we’ll get and how bad I might feel physically afterwards. But I’m looking forward to having this part over and doing a few normal things while I wait for my FET cycle, which I was told should be fine to start on my period after the withdrawal bleed, so July hopefully.

@kittyfantastico21 I totally get that. EC is the most nerve wrecking part. I hope you don't feel too bad. You have a lot of follicles so I am sure you will be fine and most of those will have an egg.

@kittyfantastico21 that's fantastic it's all worked out and everything is looking good, hope your trigger went smoothly and wishing you all the best for tomorrow! Totally natural to be nervous, EC is a big day, but I'm sure all will go well - take it easy afterwards and enjoy your time getting back to normal and preparing for your ET in July. I hope your recovery goes well, it will definitely help that you had the buserelin

@Hoping4baby21 great to hear from you! I was worried you'd had bad news, so a lovely surprise to hear that you have two good embryos with one on board! Totally understand you going offline for a bit, it can definitely feel overwhelming at times. Hope you have a relaxing 2WW, and I have my fingers crossed for your other two making it to blasts tomorrow.

I'm feeling ok thanks, been a little down though because I have a big feeling it will be a negative. Knowing my embryo was a low grade, and not having felt any symptoms at all, I'm just struggling to stay upbeat - I'm pretty sure my OHSS should have come back by now if I was pregnant. And also worrying about our next steps if it fails, with none in the freezer. Yep, you're right the OTD has come round quickly though! I'm also on holiday, so I agreed with the clinic to do my home test on the OTD (Friday - though I'm going to do it Thursday...), email them the result, and go in on Monday for the confirmation bloods. Which will be pretty depressing if it's negative...I'm a little concerned about going from this lovely sunny holiday with my family to a negative result and being back at work with a load of stuff piled up on Monday. Anyway, I know I just need to wait and see what happens with the test and go from there, no point to all this negativity at this stage! Just hard to snap out of it

@Jh2019 I really hope your sticky embryo proves you wrong and you get your positive result this week! Best of luck for Thursday 🤞🏽🤞🏽! It's so hard because some people get no symptoms and some do so either way you can't tell. Try to just take one day at a time as much as you can. I know easier said than done. Great shout with the holiday and look at this wonderful weather you must be having.

@Jh2019 I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling down, the TWW must be so difficult. I’m crossing my fingers for your test day tomorrow and hoping that your embryo sticks! ABC seem to test quite early compared to other clinics based on test days that I’ve seen others mention, so it’s possible that you just don’t have symptoms yet. What a lovely week for your holiday, glad you’re getting to enjoy some sunshine and I hope you can enjoy the last few days of it!

@Hoping4baby21 hope you’re doing okay and the TWW isn’t getting to you too much! Hope you can enjoy the sunshine - have you got some time off work?

EC went really well and we got 14 eggs so I’m really pleased! I can’t believe I did it! Everyone was absolutely lovely and I was looked after so well. I’m a bit sore and crampy now so tucked up in bed and planning a nice afternoon of reading and Netflix. Due to OHSS risk I have to do 5 more cetrotide and 5 blood thinner injections (to prevent blood clots). Nooooo! Just when I thought I’d seen the back of the sharps bin! But worth it obviously to avoid serious OHSS symptoms. Fingers crossed for the fertilisation update tomorrow, I’m trying not to think about it for now.

@kittyfantastico21 well done that is awesome 14 eggs! I hope you feel better soon and the OHSS symptoms don't get too intense. I feel you on more injections, you definitely get over it but like you said it's for the best.

Fingers crossed for your fertilisation report tomorrow. I do have time off I work part time anyway so I'm not back until 14th June. It's the right choice for me. Not too preoccupied with the TWW at the moment hopefully it stays that way.

That’s wonderful news @kittyfantastico21, so pleased all went well and a lovely number of eggs! Sorry you have to keep on with the injections, hope they’re not too bad and you can get it over with soon. Hope you’ve had a great chilled afternoon and recovering nicely, keeping fingers crossed for you on the fertilisation report.

Good shout with the time off @Hoping4baby21, enjoy relaxing and hope it goes as quickly for you as it has for me.

Yep have been loving this gorgeous weather, though did get caught out in a massive rain shower with my chips at the seaside today! Will let you know my result tomorrow, may not be straight away depending on how I’m feeling x

@Hoping4baby21 time off work sounds like a good plan, I already wish I wasn’t going back on Monday - hope you’re enjoying it and doing lots of nice things with the time.

@Jh2019 thinking of you today and sending you good wishes and support.

13 of my eggs fertilised! I’m so surprised and pleased, though I know there’s still a long way to go to get embryos good enough to freeze. But it feels like one hurdle cleared, at least. They said as it’s a freeze all they’ll freeze the best one on day 3 (I guess in case none make it to day 5?) so should get an update on Saturday. I had a very uncomfortable night as the only comfy position was sitting up straight so I had to try to sleep like that, propped up by pillows! But I feel much better today than I did yesterday, although still not great. Hopefully symptoms will continue to improve and I’ll be back to normal in a few days.

I'm still following ladies! Just wanted to drop in and say good luck to you all!

@kittyfantastico21 congrats on that amazing fertilisation rate. I really hope that most of them also reach embryo stage! I also hope the additional injections aren't too troublesome for you. Good luck with your recovery and hopefully this cycle flies by for you!

@Hoping4baby21 So excited! You only have one week before you test! I'm sure you can't wait! How are you feeling? Have you started feeling anything yet?

@Jh2019 my thoughts are with you and we're all here for you whenever you're ready 💕💕 I have my fingers crossed for you 🤞

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Tomorrow I have my baseline scan so hopefully I meet all the criteria 😆

@unCliche good luck for your scan today! I hope you get good results. Which clinic are you going with? (Sorry if you’ve already said - I don’t remember). The injections aren’t too bad - the blood thinner one is Clexane, which I’ve read can really hurt so I was dreading it but I did my first one last night and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be so that’s good! Or maybe I’m just doing it wrong... I was able to sleep on my back and side without pain last night so I think that’s a good sign that I’m getting better and hopefully will avoid OHSS.

@Jh2019 no way caught in the rain with your chips! It's always at the worst time!

I hope you are ok as your OTD was a few days ago now, still have all my fingers and toes crossed and thinking of you x

@kittyfantastico21 that is great news that so many fertilised that is excellent those extra days of stims must have helped, I reckon a few of mine were mature enough yet as I triggered earlier than expected originally!

That is good they freeze the best one ok day 3 as there is always a risk. But I'm sure you will get plenty on day 5 with your numbers. Fingers crossed for you. So glad your feeling better!

@unCliche good luck for your baseline scan let us know how it goes!

well I'm not sure because everything could be something but also absolutley nothing. I have been feeling a little crampy on and off the last few days and some sharp pangs yesterday evening and this morning. But I have heard that some people say the progesterone makes them cramp so honeslty 🤷🏽‍♀️! Staying positive though and we shall see! Trying not to think of test day, just one step at a time but it is gunna be here before we know it!

Thanks everyone, unfortunately it was a negative I kind of expected it but still devastated, I’m finding it really hard knowing we don’t have any frozen and it’s back to square one. Going to take some time to let it sink in and decide where we go from here.

So pleased to hear your good news @kittyfantastico21, that’s a brilliant number. Sorry you’ve been finding it a bit of a painful recovery, hoping you continue to get better and get some more sleep.

@unCliche nice to hear from you again and all the best for your baseline scan! Let us know how it goes

@Hoping4baby21 glad you’re managing to keep positive and keeping my fingers crossed for you

@Jh2019 I'm so sorry, take all the time you need and if you do come off the boards completely and I don't get to speak with you again, I wish you all the best in the future. Sending virtual hugs. Time to treat yourself and undertake some major self care I think x

@Jh2019 i’m so sorry it was negative. I hope you have lots of support from your partner and that you can take good care of yourself while you plan a way forward. Sending hugs x

Oh @Jh2019 I'm so sorry to hear that! Definitely take all the time you need to process this and if you choose to go for another round, we'll be right here to support you. Take time to look after yourself and when the time is right, I'm sure you and your other half will make the best decision for yourselves. Sending you big hugs and lots of well wishes.

@kittyfantastico21 I did my scan at the Oxford clinic but when it comes to EC and ET I'd have to decide between Birmingham, Bristol or London. I'm leaning towards Bristol but London is just as close so I guess it'll come down to which will have less traffic going into it so that pretty much rules out London. Glad to hear you're feeling better and I'm sure a good night's sleep has helped loads. When do you find out about your embryos?

@Hoping4baby21 sounds like things are happening! I'll be thinking positive right alongside you! I hope these few days do fly by and you get good news at the end of it.

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I've just returned from my scan and I had 10 follicles in each ovary. Everything looks pretty normal in there and abc are happy to have me. Found out I also ovulated from both ovaries. I was having pain on both sides but wasn't sure but when the nurse confirmed it I laughed because I somewhat knew it! Fingers crossed that despite DH's low sperm count at least one of the eggs will fertilise, if not, abc ivf it is!

@unCliche wow! That could mean that twins could be possible for your if you naturally ovulate form both ovaries! Great update from the baseline scan and you meet the criteria.

I would do Bristol if I were you. Parking isn't great in London plus congestion charge and we were almost late because of traffic 🤦🏽‍♀️. Not impossible there's parking at London Wall which is a short walk away and if I remember correctly it was £8. I was fine to do the walk after retrieval (albeit verrry slowly) because you cannot stop outside Create even for pick up. For transfer we got public transport which actually worked out to be less stressful. Best of luck and fingers crossed for this cycle for you because you never know!!

@unCliche sounds like your scan went very well! Fingers crossed this will be your month naturally though! I should get an update on embryos tomorrow (day 3). Eeeek!

@Hoping4baby21 glad to hear you’re staying positive! Are you planning to test ahead of OTD or hold out? You could well be right on the extra day of stims for me, I resented the extra injections at the time but now I’m glad I had them.

@kittyfantastico21 yay update tomorrow! It's a little nerve wrecking waiting isn't it, but they are so lovely (the embryologist I found were more matter of fact though!). Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Arghh I dunno thinking of testing makes me anxious lol! So on one hand I want to surprise my husband if it is good news instead of finding out together through someone else BUT I cannot abide another negative pregnancy test, so I literally have no idea. I think I need to see how I feel closer to the time with symptoms although I don't want to symptom spot lol. It's a bit of a mind game really!

We will be away as well so would be a lovely end to our trip or could put a mega dampener on it so I'm finding at impossible.

What do you think you will do?

@Hoping4baby21 Yeah it’s difficult to know what to do with testing! My plan all along has been to test at home on the morning of the blood test so that at least my wife and I can find out together rather than waiting for a phone call later, when she’ll inevitably be in a meeting and I’ll have to wait ages to tell her the outcome. I’m determined not to test early because I’m scared of testing too early and getting a false result - though I guess at least there’s no chance of a false positive with a FET as there’ll be no trigger in my system. But I think I’ll probably still wait until test day so I can live in hope as long as possible and not second guess the result.

Embryo update was good! We still have 13 though the embryologist said some looked like they were going a bit too fast and he expected we would get 5 or 6 to freeze, which I’d be happy with! Now to try and forget about it until the final update on Monday/Tuesday...

Hope you’re all having a lovely sunny Saturday!

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support, it means a lot. I spoke to the clinic and they will be discussing our case with the consultants on Wednesday, so we're going to see what they say and take it from there. I'm interested to know if there's anything they might do differently on another try - everything went so well until the day 5 update, so it seems it might be a quality issue of some kind, which I know isn't easy to fix. My coping strategy for now is getting out and about in the sun, enjoying a drink or two and trying to distract myself (easier said than done but the sunshine is helping).

I still want to see how you all get on though so will definitely check in every so often. It sounds like things are going well on all fronts which is great

Just one quick contribution at this stage in case it is helpful @unCliche - we went for Bristol for the main procedures (we live in south west Oxfordshire so was more convenient than London for us) and found it a good experience. There is a convenient car park a 5-min walk away and you can also pull up outisde - in fact they made sure I rang my husband to do that after the EC. Still was a bit stressful driving into quite a central area, but I guess easier than London would have been. One thing to be aware of though is that they aren't open on Sundays, so if one of the key days (collection/day 3 update/transfer) falls on that day you will have to have London as a back-up option

@kittyfantastico21 that sounds like a good plan to find out together. Great news on your update 13 is amazing, it's interesting too slow or too fast can not be ideal. But 5-6 to freeze is great. I found my updates to be quite informative and reassuring but you do have to ask questions they don't seem to offer up extra information.

Fingers crossed for your next update.

@Jh2019 I'm glad you are treating yourself and making the most of this sunshine, you deserve it. I hope that the meeting with the clinic gives you some answers and helps you make some plans moving forward.

Been feeling more crampy, even woke me up last night at 4:30am I was not impressed. Managed to get back to sleep at some point. Apparently the progesterone can cause cramps so again it doesn't necessarily mean anything. No other "symptoms" Finding it harder to keep my mind off of thinking about it especially with these on and off cramps. But had fun at crazy golf today in the sun which was a nice distraction.

@kittyfantastico21 Wooow! Amazing news!! You must be over the moon! I'd be so chuffed with your results. Good luck with your final results today/tomorrow, I'm sure it will be really positive news. Which clinic are you with again?

@Jh2019 The weather has been amazing this weekend so I'm glad you've made the most of it. I hope you're feeling a bit better and optimistic for whatever's next for you. I'm sure the consultation on Wednesday should give you some answers and guide you towards your next steps. I look forward to hearing how you get on, hopefully with some good news in the not too far away future 😄

@Hoping4baby21 Haha I'd love twins! I'd never have to think about TTC again! I'm hoping for super sperm this cycle but I won't be holding my breath. How are you feeling lovely?

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Thanks for the suggestions ladies. Knowing my luck, EC would end up being on a Sunday and I'd have to go into London anyway! 😂My DH doesn't drive so I'd have to drive myself back - lucky me! I have my initial consultation tomorrow. Not sure what to expect but I think everything I need to know was mentioned during my scan anyway. I'm thinking about waiting until the end of this cycle before putting the deposit down just in case I conceive naturally but at the same time, the fertility gods don't like me - so it's maybe just wishful thinking on my part 😆

@unCliche good luck for tomorrow! It's all pretty straight forward so I don't think you will have have any surprises.

I'm not sure my positive mental attitude is wavering at the moment. I'm not crampy any more but this morning I had brown discharge on the applicator which I know is better than red blood but I can't lie is worrying. I never spot, I also had brown stringy discharge on 4DPT. These last few days are going to be looooonng!
On a more positive note we are off on our country break today and the weather is set to be nice.

Hope everyone has a good week!

@Jh2019 I hope you're doing okay and the distractions are helping. Hopefully the clinic will have some advice and answers as to how things could be improved next time if you decide to try again.

@Hoping4baby21 the spotting could be implantation bleeding maybe? 4dp sounds like it could be the right timing for that? Hope you have a fabulous holiday - how lucky with the weather!

@unCliche I'm at the Wimbledon clinic but would have had to go to St Paul's if EC was on a Sunday - luckily it wasn't. I don't think you'd be allowed to drive after EC because of the sedation... maybe you could stay at a hotel for the night if it does end up being on a Sunday, and travel back the next day. But it's only a 1/7th chance of it falling that way so more likely to be one of the other six days!

We have 10 embryos to freeze, plus the day 3 one already frozen! I'm so happy and relieved (and really surprised to get so many after 5 or 6 was predicted - thank you thank you donor sperm!). I'll get sent the grading tomorrow but the embryologist said there was a mix of top quality, good and average so that sounds promising. My withdrawal bleed started yesterday so now I'm on the countdown to my next period to get started on the frozen cycle. Last injection this evening and then I'll be free of drugs for a few weeks! I've booked a (very much needed!) haircut this week to treat myself for getting this far.

Hello. I hope you don’t mind me joining this thread. I have been on it before while I was going through egg collection. I am now about to have a FET on Day 22 of my cycle (Thursday) and wondering if anyone has ever had a transfer close to the next cycle starting? My cycle was very long last month and my cycles tend to come early if the previous month they are late so I think it could come from day 26 onwards. I didn’t get the reassurance I needed at my last scan and I am feeling very anxious going into it. We have 4 embryos frozen and don’t want to waste any. Xx