FET cycle buddies May/June

[Bluemeadowbaby]

Hi ☺️
Just starting up a little thread if anyone wants to join me on their FET journey for May/June. I've never had a FET cycle before and wondered if anyone was or is on their way with this journey to offer support and guidance x

Hello,
I have my first (hopefully only) IVF cycle May/June.
Exciting but i am also really scared! Not looking forward to the injections. Is FET frozen embryo? We will be having a fresh embryo but all being well we might get some to freeze.

I've just had my first failed fet. Haven't spoken to the doctor yet but I'm guessing I need to have a natural cycle before trying again, so I think I'll be good to go again by June (hopefully)
I have 8 embryos left in the freezer. I had lining issues and had fet cancelled before due my lining not responding.
I will pop back nearer the time 😊

@Needahaircut81 firstly...I love your name 😄 I'm too needing a haircut haha! Wishing you lots of luck on your ivf journey! I can talk you through it if you ever need any support. I have a little boy who is 1 who we conceived through IVF so sending lots of solidarity your way! Yes FET is frozen embryo transfer, we were very lucky to get 2 to freeze from my boys cycle. I feel times not quite on my side as I have severe endometriosis and if I had the choice I would've waited a while but the storage fees are so high and I kinda think shall we just give it a go, hope for the best and if not we still have the remaining 1 embryo in storage until next year before we decide what to do 🤔 x

@elsaesmeralda wow!! 8 embryos! That is amazing!! Well done you! 💕 I'm so sorry to hear your FET cycle failed this time round I really am. May I ask how you got to get stage? Was this after fresh? Also, what is the process with FET? I feel a bit in the dark with it all, I know it's not as invasive as fresh but it seems to be moving pretty fast and not sure if that's because we're funding ourselves or the fact FET is just quicker anyway? Sending you so much support during this tough time, I had a failed fresh cycle the first time round so I can completely related to the feeling of disappointment. Always remember, greater the storm brighter the rainbow x

I'm so sorry your fresh cycle failed it really is devastating. I started bleeding and caved and tested, I had a vvv faint line but then proceeded to pass large clots, I've tested since and it's negative. Otd isn't til tomorrow but just want it over with so I can get going again! I already have a ds conceived naturally 6 years ago. Been ttc the last 4 years and I was diagnosed with pcos.

My clinic does freeze all as standard. First try I just started taking the oestrogen tablets to build up my lining, took them for a couple of weeks then on day 12 went for a scan to check lining. Obviously it didn't work and cycle was cancelled.
This time I down regulated before starting the oestrogen, so this completely shut my ovaries off, injected about two weeks and had a period in that time, the drug was called 'buserelin' it's like a kind of menopausal state! Then go for a scan to check lining is thin enough and if so start the oestrogen again, this time I also had patches. Again go for a scan around day 12 to check lining is okay, if it is you then start progesterone pessaries (or injections depending on your clinics choice) transfer is booked in for five days later and that's it ! Some clinics can do a natural fet if you definitely ovulate on your own. Hope that's makes sense !
Fets are faster than a fresh because you're not stimming beforehand, you already have your eggs ! Great you've got your little boy 💕
When are you due to start ? Do you know what your protocol is ?

Hi All,
I am hoping to travel to my clinic in the Czech Repub for a FET in June so thought I would join this thread :)
This will be my fourth round, but my second FET … my first fresh resulted in my DS aged 4, my first FET was a BFN and my second fresh (Czech Repub) resulted in my DD now 18 months! I have two frosties, one hatching blast and one expanded blast … I am shocked that we had any to freeze as they only retrieved three mature eggs but all have grown well.
I have my protocol and meds ready to go … just waiting on a blood test and scan in my May cycle and then hopefully good to go.
Sending lots of luck to all and looking forward to seeing some BFPs! x

Hi everyone,
I hope it's ok that I join.
I have my first FET in around 3/4 weeks.
Had egg retrieval on the 15th and have 6 frozen embryos. Feeling excited, apprehensive and impatient for the FET!
This is my first IVF cycle
x

@firefly37 wishing you lots of luck on your journey! Congratulations on your little 18 month old! Do you know what grades your Frosties are? X

@coffeewithmilk wow 6!! That's amazing! Wishing you lots of luck! How are you feeling? X

We've got this ladies! We just have to hang in there - I made a thread for my ivf cycle from my little boy and found it so supportive. I hope I can support you all along the way 💕

Just a question, so I have been on the mini pill since my boy was born as I have severe endometriosis and I didn't want it to grow back. It's progesterone only - estrogen feeds endo - and my clinic advised me to stop my pill last week which I did then contact them on my bleed. My bleed was barely anything and has disappeared now. They want me to start norethisterone on cd21 for cycle but I feel like this is somewhat wrong 🤔 I mean, I'm all for going ahead ASAP but they seem to think this is right but from my understanding it would need to be my true period not my withdrawal bleed? Anyone else had similar? X

@Bluemeadowbaby thank you so much! Was so surprised with the 6! I'm feeling good, currently on my medicated cycle in prep for FET. The nurses said expect transfer week of the 17th.. so still a while to go yet!
How are you feeling? x

Hey! Hope it is ok if I join! I'm not having a FET but should be starting our first IVF cycle mid May. Just have a final consultation tomorrow and the ball should be rolling!

I'm mostly excited to be making progress after this intense and not fun TTC journey - 0/10 do not recommend! I know a lot of people have had a much harder time TTC than us but why does no one prepare you for this s**t show??!

Anyway, my husband and I are unexplained fertility and I was really hoping to have find a support group of people going through it at the same time as I don't know anyone who has struggled to conceive two of my friends basically weren't trying and were on first attempt (screams into a void!) but so happy for them of course.

I've been doing a lot of research on IVF but sometimes I can go overboard on it so I'm trying to find a balance - surely I'm not the only one.

Best of luck everyone!

@Bluemeadowbaby thank you! People think we are crazy going for miracle baby number 3... But I absolutely cannot bring myself to just abandon my little frosties who deserve a chance! I just looked at my report and it shows the grades as hatching (HB) and blast (B)... From memory I'm sure they don't grade frozens as the grade can change on thaw... I'm sure I've heard that before. My little girl was a grade 1 fresh... The doctor said it was a perfect blast... So lucky! :) although she's a menace now!!! Xx

@Hoping4baby21
Our "bedroom activity" has never fully recovered from the 3 years of trying to force conception! ... But neither of us care! Good luck for your first cycle xx

@coffeewithmilk so glad you're feeling okay! Not long now to go it will whizz by...she says 😅 but with things lifting now and life getting a little busier I hope it passes quickly for you. May I ask what meds you're on for your medicated cycle? X

@Hoping4baby21 welcome! Of course you can join! 💕 the more the merrier in my eyes! I completely agree with you there, it really is a sh*# show and when you feel you've been dealt that hand it can be really hard to deal with. But when things do go the way you want them too you kind of see why in a weird way, you'll feel so many strengths that not many will understand.
Even now that I have my little boy through ivf I am beyond thankful we have the science out there to help us but I too feel that ounce of jealousy that people can just breathe around a bloke and fall pregnant - I had to have both my tubes removed due to endometriosis and it really is the most frustrating thing I think I had to deal with rather than the endo itself.
Head into your journey knowing you can do this! I found ivf rather joyful in a strange way because I felt I had some sort of control around it.
So very exciting for your start date! It really does come around so fast and once you're in the swing of it EC will be here before you know it!
Do you know what protocol you're having?
Here if you need any advice & support x

@firefly37 I totally agree! I feel just the same about my embies. Someone said to me recently are you sure you want 2 under 2? And I was like are you sure you don't want a fat lip? 😂 i joke...but yes I agree, they're still our babies and we need to give them a chance. The way I see it is they were special enough to make it to freezing so why stop them there?! I was toying with the idea as I wasn't sure how life would be with 2 but at the same time I thought hell!...if we're going to do it let's do it! Let's do it for our babies! I'm absolutely praying it works. I can't stop thinking about it and really trying not to get my hopes up.
Thanks for the tip on the grades! That makes a lot of sense. My boy was a 5BA and classed as excellent. My other 2 are 3BA and 2BA so classed as good to freeze but not sure what that meant on the thaw 🤔 but I guess we will just have to wait and see. I think the thing I'm most nervous about is if they thaw and then the embie isn't viable for transfer/something goes wrong (ever the pessimistic 😂)
Haha I love a little menace! My little boy has just turned 1 and is an absolute treasure, he's got such a funny little character and makes me laugh every day. Today when I changed his bum I lifted his legs to put his nappy on and he trumped right in my face, it cracked me up and he now thinks they're very funny 🙈😂 I truly believe he is my little ray of sunshine after a stormy time x

@Bluemeadowbaby it'll be the longest 3 weeks waiting!! And then I'll have to wait another 2 after transfer 😅
I'm taking fematab at the moment. I started it on day 1 of bleeding, and I'll continue to take that. Have a scan on day 12 and the nurses will advise me when to start progesterone pessaries.
The doctor offered if I wanted to do a natural cycle but my periods have been very unpredictable since my ectopic pregnancies so thought it would be better to do medicated!
When are you doing your FET?
X

@coffeewithmilk haha yes it will be 🙈 but let's hope for some lovely weather to bask in whilst we wait haha. I'm so sorry to hear about your ectopics that must've been so hard for you sending a big hug! I'm due for a scan and bloods on Wednesday then due to start norethisterone around 18th may and I'm assuming I'll then start down reg or some form of it on 1st day of period. So lots of waiting yet (lots of sunshine please! 😄) they said transfer may be wc 21st June but will see, I know how much of a wait game it is so just going in with an open mind 🤔 x

@firefly37 oh don't get me started on times intercourse argghh! At one point I never wanted to do it again.
Congrats on your 18 month old and best wishes for this cycle 🙂

@Bluemeadowbaby thank you for the lovely and encouraging message. I think you absolutely hit the nail on the head I feel better now we have made this decision I like to be in control and TTC is the complete opposite. Going for IVF feels like it is somewhat out of my hands and in the professionals' hands. I can relax now (although that will go out of the window once I start I'm sure). We now have a plan because "just keep trying" felt like pi**ing in the wind.

I think I always expected this not to go smoothly for me so it wasn't a big surprise or shock, it felt inevitable. I feel like I always "knew" I would struggle to get pregnant. I completely agree we will know a strength that others don't at the end of this. I also feel like it has brought my husband and I closer which I'm grateful for. And the love we will have for our baby once they decide to join us, we will never take that for granted.

Congrats on your little boy and best of luck with this cycle.

So I'm going to do mild IVF but once I have final consultation tomorrow morning we will know more details and i can update you all. I'm sure once we get going I'll have tons of questions so will take you up on that!

@Bluemeadowbaby
Im curious about your embryos... Ur lovely little boy was a day 5? But your frosties are they day 2 and day 3? I get confused with these grades! My little boy was a 4BB which I thought was odd as he was transferred on day 5!

Are you all UK clinics? :)
My first was NHS funded at Bourn Hall but due to cost we went to a great clinic in Czech Republic for number 2 (and hopefully number 3!!) xx

Hiya, can I join please?

We did ivf with pgd in 2016 as my husband has a genetic condition we want to avoid passing on. Was super lucky to get 4 unaffected blastocysts from the process and the one we transferred then resulted in our son (born 2017).

Now planning to transfer one of the others mid/late June (just waiting for my period, then will start buserelin day 21 of that cycle). I’m torn between thinking “it worked before, it can work again” and “I used up all my luck getting pregnant on our first go”.

Have also got myself into a right tizzy because I’ve got a dark spot appeared on the white of my eye and obviously googled it and decided I have imminently-fatal eye cancer which will kill me and more importantly delay my cycle - off to the opticians later to hopefully be told it’s contact lense irritation: kind thoughts welcome (and yes, I am ridiculous. Anyone else doing this with anxiety?! Have been doing really well with cbt but as treatment gets closer I’m finding it harder staying level headed!)

@firefly37 i will be at a UK clinic, will be self funded as the NHS wait times are no joke and time is of the essence.

Small update: consultation went well and we can move forward. Just waiting for the call where they run through the treatment and costs, take our money and book the treatment consultation etc. Hoping they will get to me today but she said today or tomorrow is likely.

I also need to get my TSH redone (it was fine before but last test was Aug 2020. Also have to send proof of normal smear and MMR vaccine. I have already called my GP to email these over so once I have then will be in a good spot.

2 weeks till we start all going well

@Hoping4baby21 you're most welcome, I completely know how you feel with the whole knowing something might not be quite smooth sailing but in a way take it as a strange comfort that you know your body well and you know what it needs 💕
I'm so glad today went well for you, did you get the call in the end? It's very quick once you get going and I'm wishing you all the luck in the world. Be easy on yourself when you're doing your stims - lots of you time and enjoy the process. It is hard but if you make light of it I promise it does make it easier. I'm glad it's bought you and hubby closer together, my hubby and I have always been close but going on a journey together no matter the outcome is honestly so rewarding. It's strange because when we were in the stick of it to get my boy he took to it how I didn't expect, he's quite reserved but just knowing he was there and knew the feels I felt were the same as his were a blessing and now were out the other side but going back into it those strengths to pull together never disappear. It can feel like you have the weight on your shoulders going through it but partners really do feel it too so being kind to yourselves throughout this journey is so important. Watch crappy tele together curled up with popcorn or even just going on a walk together and embracing that it's just you too is so wonderful - you'll know what I mean by that bit soon 🥰 x

@Verbena87 firstly, welcome! Secondly huge congratulations on your little boy 💙 thirdly...I'm with you fully on anxiety! I have found it seems to be common more so with people who have experienced infertility (genuinely thought I was going mad!) but having reached out on here I have found comfort that I'm not the only one. I suffered terrible PNA after having my boy last year and had CBT to help. It came to light that I wasn't given the support of consultation/therapy along the way during surgeries and ivf and I kinda just went along the journey as a check list.
Endo removed ✅
Tubes out ✅
Ivf done ✅
Ivf failed ✅
Ivf done again ✅
Pregnant ✅
Baby ✅
Pandemic ✅

And tbh I was quite cross that I allowed myself to deal with it alone but I know now that reaching out for support whether it be on threads, friends & family or professionals it's so important to talk. I am here if you ever need reassurance I'll help as best I can.
Anxiety is so very crippling but if there's one piece of advice I sternly tell myself the same as I did in my journey is I am NOT anxiety. The same as where I am NOT infertility. I am me & I am a better version of myself than I was yesterday (even if sometimes I don't feel that way).
I hope that brings you some comfort 💕

I feel exactly the same as you! In fact I tell myself so much "if it doesn't work" when I shouldn't do that. But I guess it's just our way of protecting ourselves from hurt isn't it.
I can't quite believe we got so lucky despite the odds and I have struggled to accept this is my life and I have a beautiful little boy. But this IS our lives and what's to say we can't do it again!...we've got this! Right here every step of the way! X

@firefly37 I'm uk based 🙋🏻‍♀️ did you choose to go to CR for your treatment? I'd love to hear your story.
Thank you so much, he was a day 5 blast graded 5BA I think the grade of number is based on the time of transfer for how far expanded. So in my clinic a grade 5 is ready to hatch and the letter grade is to do with cell quality. So my other embies are both day 5 and grade 3BA and 2BA - hope that makes sense 😄 I'm just wondering if they thaw a grade 3 does that mean it stays at grade 3 and transfer or do they wait for expansion 🤔 I shouldn't focus too much on the grade I guess. The previous grade before my boy was 3CC which was classed as good but that failed so just a bit concerned x

@bluemeadowbaby thanks - I can’t imagine being a new mum during the pandemic, just too hard. This isn’t my first go with therapy, have had doses of anxiety and depression since my twenties (am now 34) and usually am good at self-managing but massive yes to getting help when you need it - U.K. based here too and just lucky to live in an area with brilliant nhs mental health support so I know I’ll be ok in the end.

And the eye thing is a freckle, and nothing to worry about. Am going to try and knock the panic on the head now otherwise I’ll delay my period and have dates delayed before I even start.

@Bluemeadowbaby I'm loving the PM, encouragement and support your messages are so sweet ☺️.

Yes the patient coordinator called back and went through everything. When it came to booking my consultation I said I wanted to start next cycle and she wasn't sure they would fit me in! I was bracing for the disappointment of having to wait until the next cycle but she found a slot next week!!! So that is all book, deposit is paid and by mid next week meds will be ordered etc!

That is so true, it was our 2 year anniversary earlier this month and hubby built us a fort in the living room and we watched four wedding film etc. Now it's become a regular thing and how we now watch movies or tv shows in the evening. It's my new favourite thing! So we will definitely be doing more of that and cherishing this time just us. I hope very soon there will be another one of us to join in.

My husband isn't much of a talker so I'll have to be sure to check on him also otherwise he seems like he's fine but there's a lot going on under the surface.

It sounds like you have had quite the journey which I'm sure was intense. Glad you managed to get the right support in the end and come out the other side. I'm currently having CBT as well for anxiety feeling quite good at the moment, in the back of my mind I'm bracing myself for it flaring up in the thick of treatment but enjoying how I fee about all know and knowing I have some tools to use should it flare up.

@Verbena87 glad you managed to get confirmation the eye thing wasn't something to worry about. Good to get that settled before you start so it isn't on your mind. Congrats on your previous success and I wish you all the best with this cycle.

I do the "luck" thing all the time and it so unhelpful but a persistent thought nonetheless. Just know that you deserve to have another little one and you will. Whatever you believe in I'm sure the universe doesn't dish out finite amounts of "luck" or "goodwill" to certain people and then forget about us. You got this!

@Verbena87 it's been really tough but then coming out the other side I feel it's made me a bit tougher too 💪🏼 I just can't wait now to show my boy the world!
I'm so sorry to hear you've struggled for such a long time but glad to hear you know how to self-manage it's really good that you have that trait because anxiety is a crippler! And SO glad to hear the patch is a freckle...who'd of thought you can get freckles in your eyes! A sign of uniqueness 😉 you sound a lot like me with the preparing for bad news but we've just got to listen to the little good voice that's cheering us on otherwise we wouldn't be going through the process again eh lol x