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

Hey ladies, I've commented a few times on this thread during my first IVF cycle back in May which was not successful and I've been silently keeping up with all of your stories and rooting for you all since. I was hoping as some of you seem to be great sources of knowledge about this process you'd be able to help me a little?

I have started my FET cycle (day 2 of meds/ CD3) but went in for a scan today and they found a follicle on my left ovary it's small at 12mm and they think it's just left over from the fresh cycle. They took bloods to find out if it's a functional cyst (releasing hormones). They said I can continue on and then if it continues to grow they will give me a trigger shot to get it to rupture and treat it like a egg bearing follicle, rest of the cycle would go as planned. But they said if it starts to behave erratically then they may advise we abandon the cycle. Bloods won't be back until tomorrow so I'm in limbo for another day 🤦🏽‍♀️.

I'm not sure what's best - she said if we don't feel comfortable we can cancel now and try again next month. Their recommendation is to keep going as it will likely be fine. I'd hate to have to cancel and lose out on money. I'm hoping they call me tomorrow and confirm that my oestrogen is low so it isn't functional and we can ignore it. But if they say it is functional but they reckon it will be fine to continue and we will trigger you, Do I risk continuing on with the risk it all goes hay wire and we have to cancel?

I feel like I have heard ladies say that they have had cycles cancelled due to functional cysts so I'm a little confused as to why they are ok with me continuing?

Does a cyst functioning or not, negatively affect my chances of implantation? I guess what happens if they try and trigger it but it doesn't rupture or something! It can't be impossible as it didn't rupture last time or this cycle gone when I ovulated.

Has anyone had an experience like this before with a cyst? @MaggieMoo86 it seems like you might be going through the same thing right now as well! What did you clinic say to you if you don't mind me asking?

I also don't really want to delay if I don't have to but don't want to mess up our chances either! Nothing about this process is plain and simple!

Thanks in advance any one who can help or shed any light on what might be going on! 😊

It does sound as though we are going through the same thing!
I’m doing a natural FET (this is the plan, anyway) so a transfer will be timed for 7 days after my LH surge. What my clinic have said is that they will monitor it for a week and see what it does. If it grows slowly, it is likely to be just my dominant follicle for this month and should continue as normal. The risk with medicated cycles is that the follicle will grow too much and could rupture/ disrupt other growth. They’ve said to me that it shouldn’t make a difference to my cycle because it’s unmedicated but if it was medicated it would be a different conversation.
I’m really thrown for a loop to be honest because I am so regular normally and I do feel a bit out of whack.

@MaggieMoo86 oh I see! That makes sense with your cycle being natural. I am medicated and that was my concern to the meds would make it bigger or a problem.

They took my bloods so i guess I'll see. I know that for a medicated cycle they don't trigger you so I wonder if they would be swapping me over to a natural FET and then trigger me? Because I'm not meant to ovulate on a medicated cycle.

I think I'm leaning towards waiting. I have two embryos frozen and the next one is my last top quality one. I don't want to use it when we have lower chances of success.

My period started exactly on time so I'm wondering if it could be releasing much hormones anyway. Gosh I hate all this unknown.

Good luck to you I hope it goes well.

So our first FET got pushed to July. Happened on 2nd. Positive test today (4 tests and counting so far) as instructed. all a bit surreal. I hope, as this is baby #2, that this means our journey has a sequel.

Hi @MaggieMoo86 that's interesting that you got a really light period after a BFN. I've had two previous BFNs and got a pretty normal period after both, yet after this chemical I've barely bled at all. I don't get it! I've not had any review or scan since the chemical result, I'm waiting for an appointment with my consultant.

The clinic say wait and see and maybe I'll get a 'full' bleed. One thing they said they could do is give me a week of Norethisterone to induce a bleed - might be one for you to ask about? It would mean a bit of a delay for you but could give you reassurance that you'd shed the old lining?

If I don't get a proper bleed, I'm not sure where that leaves me with arranging a scratch/FET. I find the delay frustrating as I'm 42 and time is one thing I don't have.

I also do natural FETs and see your clinic do FET 7 days after LH surge. Mine does 5 days after - I didn't know that varied by clinic! Mine do a scan when you get a surge on a home kit, start you on progesterone 48 hours after and then transfer 5 days after surge.

@Hoping4baby21 a cyst was picked up on a scan during my first fresh cycle. I had the same bloods taken and it wasn't releasing hormones so I was cleared to go ahead. That same cyst is still there, not really changing in size (they're now thinking it may be an endometrioma) and it doesn't appear to have impacted two fresh cycles of IVF or three transfers (one fresh, two FET). Everyone is different, but a cyst doesn't have to be a major problem.

Hi everyone. I just took a couple of days out after Fridays result. I have been thinking of you all, and really hope you are all doing okay. My tests stayed positive until yesterday, so now just waiting for bleed - kind of want it over with and kind of dreading it too. @Pingupp I'm definitely going to take your advice - chocolate and wine sounds like a plan. I really hope we all mett again with good news too. I have found this group so supportive x
@Mack262308 thank you for your kind words.
@lucymills1234 @Mancbear88 I can't believe how many of us have been through it on this thread :( x

@Pingupp We were in Ireland seeing DP's family, so not really a holiday. We're not planning to leave country for holidays for quite awhile, just not worth the risk, and so much hassle getting PCR tests etc. We've got a mini-break booked in October. Hopefuly you'll get your next FET confirmed. I feel quite anxious about doing an EC again when we had such a bad outcome the first time, so I'm hoping I might get some reassurances that they're going to manage this EC round a lot better than the first one....

@Mancbear88 @lucymills1234 I stopped meds from evening of 24th and decided on my next day 1 as being on the 29th. I had some brown discharge though before that. I found my period started off with brown discharge (just like my implantation bleed ) to begin, but it did turn to fresh bleed after. It wasn't heavier, but was longer than usual, and had worse cramp than usual.

@2mumlife oh nice - my family are from ireland. Nice that you got a break.
Fingers crossed the next EC will go smoother for you. Are you sticking with same clinic?
My clinic called on Fri to check how I was - which I was shocked at as they haven't been the best at handling it. But I felt a bit of love so that was nice.
Yes I hope we can get a plan ready on 19th and something to work towards.
The bloody midwife rang today to book my scans in - awkward conversation or what. :-(

Another kick in the nuts - constant reminders. She was very apologetic - it's the new stupid system we have in Hampshire - a online portal. She is asking to see if they can add a section where you can cancel your referral so this doesn't happen to other ladies....
Hopefully it will help others.
Xx

The suspected cyst/follicle is a follicle after all releasing hormones and they had a plan if it continued to grow as my dominant cycle this month. I was tracking with OPK as I just had a feeling there was no way I was going to make it to Monday without ovulating. As expected my OPKs have gotten darker and I would say the one this afternoon is a smidge lighter than the control so fairly certain my LH surge was today around 1pm -2pm. I called the clinic and they said because I have the OPK and a fairly good idea of when the surge took place if my lining is also thick enough they can plan treatment around that. But I mean I stopped bleeding only 2 days ago how could it possible be thick enough at this point. So in my mind cycle will be cancelled and I'm preparing for that. Anything else is a bonus. What a roller coaster! I've never ovulated this early before my last cycle was normal 28 days.

I'm just worried if going it early if my lining is thick enough doesn't give me as good chances?

Is it really a pipe dream to think my lining could be over 7mm on day 7 of my cycle? On day 6 in my fresh cycle I was at 7.3mm but I imagine that's the stims and the progynova will have a different impact.

@Hoping4baby21 I have to be honest - I don't understand much of your post as I have no eggs and we used a donor so she would have gone through the nasty EC for us. But how long is your protocol? Mine was a short one - about 18 days I think and in that time it does get thick.
Surely they wouldn't start you off if you weren't in the right place? Ask again if you are in any doubt though.
This process is so complicated.....
Xx

@Pingupp I'm not doing stims im doing a frozen embryo transfer. I'm on estrogen tablets and then they will tell me to start progesterone once my lining is thick enough. The issue is the pesky follicle - the estrogen should prevent my ovaries from producing a follicle but that didn't happen. Now I'm at risk of ovulating and if they miss that ovulation then I have to cancel it or even if they catch it but my lining isn't thick enough (because it's only had 2.5 days to grow after I stopped bleeding) then it is cancelled as well. Got my scan soon so will find out. Preparing myself for a cancellation though as it's highly likely.

Your right it is so complicated and our bodies just do what they want lol. Never ovulated this early before but I guess the meds are messing things up a little.

Ladies, how are you all getting on? I'm still doing my estrogen patches at the moment but today I'm feeling so deflated as I know I'm probably going to have my cycle cancelled 🤦🏻‍♀️ my partner did a lateral flow today and it's one positive I pray we never get and we got it! 😞 I'm going to have to call the clinic Monday to see what they say but I have a feeling they will abandon this cycle and I'm worried how that will leave us financially. Am I just worrying for no reason? Am I sounding completely selfish? I just don't know where to vent this with no judgment but I'm just going to vent it out anyway. Of course I am very concerned for our health, my partner and particularly my little boy. Ahhh 🤦🏻‍♀️ x

@Bluemeadowbaby oh no! I'm so sorry! What if you test negative and were able to isolate if that is even possible?

When I was worried my cycle would be cancelled they said I would just pay for the scans I had had up to that point and the money already paid goes towards the next attempt. Hopefully it is the same for you so it isn't a big burden. Still not ideal though 🤞🏽

@Hoping4baby21 thank you for the thought and positive thinking 💕 but I'm not able to do that sadly. Keeping my fingers crossed everything will be okay. I sound so incredibly selfish worrying about a bloomin cycle when my other half has covid 🤦🏻‍♀️ I've had a good think about what I wrote before and feel a bit cringe I'm worrying about this 😳🙈 we've just got to face whatever head on and keep strong x

@bluemeadowbaby oh no, I hope everyone stays well. Such a stressful time anyway, and now this extra worry. Just wanted to say at my clinic if the cycle is cancelled because of covid or needing to self isolate then there's no charge for the abandoned cycle. Check with your clinic - hopefully any financial consequences won't be too severe

@Bluemeadowbaby I don't think it's selfish at all. You and your partner have invested a lot into this cycle and there is a lot of hope and other things riding on the success not to mention the money. Of course you would worry about it. I really hope it works out for the best for you. Perhaps he can isolate in a room in the house, deep clean? They might accept that if you are regularly testing? 🤞🏽🤞🏽

@Bluemeadowbaby - it costs a lot if money, so of course you are entitled to feel like that!
can you just do tests everyday? Hopefully the clinic will accept thats
Sorry that your partner has it too :-(
Are the symptoms bad?

@Hoping4baby21 I hope it isn't cancelled honey. Hope scan goes well x

@Pingupp thanks for checking in, it was a bit of a rollercoaster but I got my LH surge on Thursday, scan on Friday showed it hadn't ovulated yet but hadn't Grown. They took bloods which confirmed my LH surge and so I'm booked in for transfer next week Thursday! Started progesterone on Saturday. So it's all come around super quick. At the scan on Friday my lining was 9.4mm I think so it was ready. I wonder if it's my body trying to get back o schedule after the fresh cycle so it was determined to do what it needed to do as per its natural rhythm! 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Pingupp how are you doing?

@Hoping4baby21 oh wow! That's good news. I shall keep fingers and toes crossed for you.
I am ok - had a fab weekend with friends, enjoying life. We are off to Majorca on Thursday which I am nervous about but also excited about!
We have our consultant appointment tomorrow so hopefully will get dates and a plan for us to get going with the next cycle..... x

@Pingupp @Hoping4baby21 @somethingfunny thanks for your replies ladies. Ive calmed down a bit now lol. I'm going to ring them tomorrow as he got a text saying he tested positive and then another two texts to say it was not a clear result 🤔 so I'm not sure where that leaves us. I'm needing to isolate anyway as my little boy was in close contact with his key worker at nursery who tested positive on a lateral flow that day...baffles me why she did it on the evening and not the morning but anyway... His symptoms are very mild, he can't taste or smell, hot flushes last night and a bit tired - is he pregnant?! 😄 I shouldn't joke but I have to make light of a shit situation. So I'm hoping it's something of nothing 🤞🏼
How are you all today?
Thanks so much for keeping me upbeat 💕

@Pingupp thank you! oh that is good that you will have a plan in place soon. Ahhh I'm dying for a holiday that will be lovely I'm sure, you deserve it!

@Bluemeadowbaby how confusing hopefully you get some good news tomorrow!

Do any of you do acupuncture? I have done acupuncture before and did it for my fresh cycle and during this FET. But I just stumbled upon a study that is a meta analysis of studies from 2009-2017 and found that acupuncture on day of ET reduces risk of clinical pregnancy! 😳 I know it is just one study but as it reviewed data from 6 large studies that met the criteria it feels pretty legit. I was planning on doing it but now I'm rethinking. I know the data was mixed but more mixed between no affect and positive affect. I don't want to look back and wish I hadn't done it. Urgh I'm probably overthinking it.

I'm having an appointment tomorrow but I might just not do the before and after. I was thinking this before just to minimise the travelling back and forth honestly.

Here's the study if anyone is interested: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6210608/

Hi ladies. Bloody Covid. My brother has tested positive - my parents were in close contact with him on Thurs. They have had to go for their pcr test today. It's a nightmare as my dad has COPD. Praying he hasn't got it. Thankfully they are double jabbed but still a worry... my brother is also double jabbed and sounds awful :-(
My anxiety has gone through the roof today......

On a positive note - we had our consultation today and got next lining scan on 30th July - fingers crossed transfer will be mid August.....

So over Covid now....

Hope you are all having a slightly better day than me ;-) xx

So ladies...I've tested positive. Not the positive I wished for 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ So this cycle will be cancelled if my PCR comes back confirming tomorrow and then the wait begins for AF and start all over again. I feel so frustrated! But...I'll be back!! Wishing you all so much luck and @Pingupp its great to hear you have your scan coming up and transfer not long away! Hoping your family stay safe and well and you too of course x