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

Hi all,
@Bluemeadowbaby congrats on your news! So glad you can go ahead :)
Welcome @Gardenlady543 @starkid @hopefulhel … Gardenlady, wow what a journey you have had, sending buckets of luck! Starkid all the best for your transfer :) and hopefulhel hope you are holding up ok in your 2ww!
I have had my breast scan, a benign tumour was found but will not stop treatment and have had my bloods this morning. Control pelvic scan next week then start meds from day 2 June cycle. From looking at dates, it would seem my transfer is likely to be 28/29/30 June! Sadly my FIL passed away this week so timing is not ideal … but it is being suggested that my cycle could be successful based on "one door closes, another one opens" so hoping my FIL will help bless us from heaven xx

Hi all, hoping I can join. I'm hoping to have a natural FET in June. This will be my 4th transfer (fresh transfer unsuccessful, 2nd transfer gave me my daughter, 3rd transfer ended in a miscarriage at 12 weeks in April)

Thanks @firefly37 I had pushed to stop and do all these tests, normally they need 4-5 unsuccessful transfers before investigating and I had to really push for the EMMA ALICE, I'm so glad I did, I wonder how many more unsuccessful cycles I would have faced had I not.

It sounds like you've been having a really hard time, you are definitely due some good luck

Hi @somethingfunny I'm sorry to hear about your recent miscarriage, were your cycles natural FET previously? I liked the idea of it but I've had lining issues so I'm stuck with medicated.

Hi @Gardenlady543, I remember you from the Jan/Feb thread :) yes, the last two transfers were both natural FETs. The clinic have said as I got pregnant each time there's no reason to change the protocol. Both times I found it so much easier than the fresh cycle (for me, it felt like I was working with my body rather than against it), but you obviously need to do whatever gives you the best chance of success.

@firefly37 thanks so much 💕 seems our timings for transfer may be very similar.
I'm so sorry to hear about you FIL, sending you lots of love and healing in this difficult time. I am certain he will be sending all the positivity your way on your cycle ♥️💐

@somethingfunny welcome!! It sounds like you've had quite the journey! Sending big hugs, I know things will of felt not very nice for you with your miscarriage and hoping you are keeping okay 💕 may I ask, what is the difference with a natural FET? I'm yet to have my protocol which will be next Friday but just wondering if that was a choice you were given or something the clinic decided to do for you? Also interested in how that works meds etc. X

@somethingfunny Gosh it seems like so long since that Jan/feb thread. It seemed like so many people ended up with BFP, I'm sorry for how things turned out for you. I hope things work out much better for you this time around.

@firefly37 Sorry for your loss, but best of luck on cycle for you.

@somethingfunny I'm sorry for your loss too, that must have been very difficult. I'm curious about your natural cycle too, and how they know when to do the transfer, do they base it off ovulation prediction?

Thanks all, the miscarriage was horrific and took us completely by surprise as we'd made it to 12 weeks and thought that meant everything would be ok, especially having seen the heartbeat at the early scan. However, it wasn't meant to be, and I'm doing my best to look forwards.

A natural cycle is basically an FET with no medication (I know some clinics to give progesterone, but mine doesn't), based off your natural cycle. I'll have a scan on day 10 to check my lining, then use OPKs and have another scan 2 days after first detecting the LH surge to confirm ovulation. Transfer will be 4 days after ovulation (they used to transfer 5 days after ovulation but found higher success rates with a slightly earlier transfer), so it mirrors the "conventional" way of conceiving.
I had the choice between a natural and medicated FET, and as the chance of success is the same I opted for natural. You need to have predictable cycles and be reliably ovulating, but I found it far less stressful than the fresh cycle.

@firefly37 I'm so sorry, that was very rude of me to not mention the breast scan 🤦🏻‍♀️ I replied to that part in my head 🤦🏻‍♀️ may I ask, was the scan part of your ivf or was it separate? Hope you're feeling okay about that x

@Gardenlady543 im interested to know what the EMMA ALICE is that you mention. I'm always interested in peoples journeys as I like to feel under a little understanding so I can support in anyway but also for my own knowledge of the fertility journey. Everyone's journey is so unique isn't it x

@somethingfunny ah I see! That is very interesting, thanks for posting about this. I'm wondering if it may be an option for myself however I think maybe not as I'm not sure when I'm ovulating due to being on progesterone only pill for so long after my little boy. Period pending end of next week so let's see what this body is up to! 🙈 sounds much less invasive though, time wise...did you find there were many appointments to attend? I'm trying not to reveal too much to work, I'm fairly private around my personal life and it saddens me a little I have to share (if I really have to) even though work were so supportive last time. I just wish I could think hey I'd love another baby let's just try in our own home but I guess the world had other ideas for me 🙂 x

@Bluemeadowbaby my clinic told me I had to have a breast scan this time round … it was due to medication apparently. I didn't have one on any other cycle, but I did as I was told! I am a little upset though as I felt a lump and had pain so a couple of months ago my GP referred me to our local breast unit who stated they didn't find anything but then my private scan has … luckily its benign but still scary the first clinic may have missed it!

Hi everyone.
Hope you are all ok!
I have just started a short protocol cycle - got 1st lining scan on fri to check drugs doing their thing.
What are you all doing to keep sane?
X

@firefly37 it's so frustrating when things are missed but I'm glad they found it for you and that it is benign, however it is scary. Hoping you're having a little you time now 💐 x

@Pingupp welcome to the group! Keep us posted with how it goes on Friday! Are you on a FET cycle? What's your protocol looking like? Now things are opening back up again I'm trying to plan little day trips and outings to keep me sane, we're still being cautious at keeping distance but we have a little weekend away booked next weekend which I'm really looking forward to ☺️ our life is quite busy as it is with my little boy so the days pass fairly quickly and I'm going to try and not think too much as best I can 🤞🏼 how about you? X

@Bluemeadowbaby the EMMA and ALICE is done at the same time as an ERA. You have a mock medicated FET and on the day they would do a transfer they take a sample of the endometrium using suction. That sample goes off the a company that does all the tests. It is useful in people that have had several unsuccessful cycles and I'd also recommend it for women with a DOR who have limited embryos.

The ERA says whether the endometrium is receptive, 1 in 3 women have a transfer window out of sync with the protocol usually used, I was one of those, so I got told to be on progesterone for 145 hours rather than the standard 120.

The ALICE looks for bacteria that cause chronic endometritis.

The EMMA looks at the percentages of bacteria, good bacteria (lactobacillus) and various types of dysbiotic bacteria.

This study https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.09.075 separated women with more than 90% lactobacillus vs those with less than 90% lactobacillus, the outcomes were statistically significant:
Implantation 60.7% vs 23.1%
Pregnancy 70.6% vs 33.3%
Ongoing pregnancy 58.8% vs 13.3%
Live birth 58.8% vs 6.7%

In my case I had 0.00% lactobacillus so I'm hoping this explains why I've never had a BFP. I have had thin lining in my natural cycles, light periods, my specialist said there was no lining there when she was taking my sample and said it looked strange on the screen on the day of the biopsy and also in my FET. I'm hoping this microflora explains the lining issues, but I just don't know.

@somethingfunny That's really interesting. I'm on a medicated cycle for FET, but my cycle length can vary quite a bit, so I can kind of see why a natural FET is not something that's really been discussed for me. Thanks for sharing :)

@firefly37 That must feel frustrating feeling that something could have been missed.

@Pingupp I'm busy completing a pile of marking ready to relax when AF arrives and the cycle gets going! I wouldn't say marking keeps you sane though!

@somethingfunny @Pingupp .. welcome! Sorry to hear about your loss somethingfunny … sending you both lots of luck!
@2mumlife … in the words of my 4 year old "I'm so cross" … when I get a minute I plan on making a written complaint as although I am ok seemingly, I am worried that others could be missed who may not be so lucky :(
@Pingupp … there is no sane for me! My little family are crazy and with working 80% hours in a stressful job and being a mum to two serious live wires, I have no time to dwell or worry. Poor little baby number 3 (should I be so lucky) … they have no idea of the chaos they are destined for! lol … :'-D x

Hi everyone wanted to join the thread as I'll be going through my first IVF cycle may/June and have NO clue what to expect! But I do definately know I'll be dreading the injections too

We've been TTC for 3 years and have had 1 miscarriage last year. I have severe endo, low AMH, 1 swollen tube and adenomyosis (ALOT of gynae issues ) but I'm still hopeful! We are 29 so we have a plus on our side!

I've been told I'll be doing 2 rounds back to back then will need surgery to clean things up before they will transfer so I'll have a bit of a wait between EC and transfer day!

I am excited, scared, wary and everything else in between. I know it's going to be a roller-coaster of emotions but is it weird that I'm excited to experience it all?! Lool

Look forward to being on this journey with you all!

I've already started on the norethisterone which I have had to take for 10 days, I believe it to match up my cycle with others in the clinic? Supposed to stop taking them on the 18th and wait for my cycle to begin (hopefully 3-7 days later) and I believe that's when the real roller-coaster starts!

@Bluemeadowbaby
Hi - my cycle is oestrogen tablets and gel for 2 weeks ( various amounts ) then if lining good on 2nd scan I start the progesterone pessaries, Lubion injections and steroids ( under active thyroid).
Feeling ok so far but terrible insomnia. Not sure of that is drugs or my brain!!

Weekend away sounds lovely. I am trying to get as many dinners in this week and next with friends as I'll be isolating as soon as I start my steroids :-(
@2mumlife ahh the joys of marking. I have lots of teacher friends - I can imagine you are busy!!
@firefly37 sounds manic but perfect - no time to think at all ;-) I am working but thankfully still at home. Was going to take a few days off around transfer to try and chill....

Ladies - any tips for this cycle? Lots of people having acupuncture.... would you recommend? X

@Pingupp Yes marking is a joy! (not). I've never tried accupuncture. Only things I'm doing different this cycle is the Mindful IVF app which has helped a load and more time off work to relax. I've already made various diet changes like cutting out caffeinated coffee that I just keep going with even between cycles. I have a very good diet anyway, but I've been trying to increase my protein intake a bit as I realised mine is often a bit lower with not eating red meat, so I'm making a bit more of an effort to make sure I'm I'm getting enough and will be keeping that up during cycle.

@Gardenlady543 It's very interesting hearing how your results turned out. How you found out much about how the body naturally maintains good bacteria in the uterus? Is it diet controlled or what? Will you take probiotics every cycle now?

@Pingupp I do have a bag of brazil nuts I've been saving for post transfer - they are high in selenium which is meant to help support implantation. It's in your pregnancy vitamins anyway, but I like a Brazil nut

Hi @UHAMK it sounds like you've been through a lot, I agree your age is definitely a plus, your rates of euploid embryos should be high It sounds like you have a few months of treatment ahead of you, but in some ways it's good knowing that from the start. When I had my fresh cycle in November, I thought that would be it and it's hard to have to then keep facing more cycles, I had my FET in Jan/Feb then a mock cycle in March/April and now I'm due to start my next FET in 1 weeks time.

Hi @2mumlife how are you doing? Nobody really knows what causes the microflora to get like this. They think it can be linked to surgery, IVF procedures and IUD, I had the IUD and I suspect that did it for me. What's really shocking is that I eat so much probiotic food, but I guess the dysbiotic bacteria had taken over so badly that the lactobacillus I ate couldn't compete. Hopefully the antibiotics have sent the bad stuff packing!

@2mumlife - Brazil nits have been added to my shopping list - thanks!
I cut caffeine out a few years ago- cut red meat out and generally being as healthy as I can. I need to get some dark chocolate as need a chocolate fix! I tried Becks Blue at the weekend and that was ok actually. It's a shock to the system not to have my usual cheeky g&t on a Friday! My partner bought me some Nosecco from Tesco to try! Oh I also got some pomegranate juice - as that is meant to good for lining ( I think )
There is so much info out there- it's a lot to take in!

@Gardenlady543 Not to bad thanks, just waiting for AF to get next cycle going. Does make you think how many women who have 'unexplianed infertility' might have microflora issues.

@Pingupp I moved to the non-alc beers quite a while ago too, they're totally fine. You can get the alc free botanical stuff too if you like a G&T. IVF is stressful enough though, so I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself making a load of dietry changes if you overall eat pretyy healthily

Brew dog ‘nanny state’ beer (no alcohol) is actively nice to drink. Let us know how to nosecco is!

Hello ladies! Can I join? I’ve just had my first injection of Gonal F. This is actually to thicken my lining rather than for EC, as I am doing a FET. It will be my 6th transfer (1st one resulted in my daughter and other ones led to 2 chemicals and 2 BFN), but my first one with a PGS tested embryo so hopefully that will finally do it...My main issue isn’t egg quality though, it is thin lining. Without Gonal F I struggle to get beyond 5-6mm. So the priority for me now is to grow my lining. Next scan booked for Friday. In the meantime, I will be drinking raspberry leaf tea and pom juice, eating Brazil nuts and flax seed and taking ubiquinone, l-arginine, fish oil and a multivitamin (7 pills in total!).

I look forward to following all of your journeys on here!