IVF - egg collection June (starting down regulation in May)

[Luz192]

Hi ladies, would be great to chat to anyone who is about to start down regulation, in prep for stims later in the month and egg collection early June.

I start Norethisterone tomorrow. Will be at UCLH/CRGH, first ever IVF. We have MFI.

Mostly terrified of the needles! I have this irrational fear that I could puncture an organ - someone tell me that's not possible?! lol

Hi luz192
I'm expecting to start this month at crgh. I've done all pre cycle tests. And have my follow up on Tuesday. I had told the consultant I wanted to start this month, but no one told me that I might need down regulation. @Luz192 what day of you cycle are you starting norethistorine? I'm on cycle day 13 on Tuesday. So hoping I can still start. I did the short protocol in my first cycle. Good luck with down regs.

Sorry forgot to say the needles look more scary then they are. After you get over the first one you will be ok. If you pinch you stomach to get a bit if fat you don't feeling so much. :)

@Luz192 🙋🏻‍♀️ Me!! Well slightly later, my current cycle ends start of June and I'll be taking meds then, they have told me they might put me on birth control to slow my period as they want me to start taking the meds on a specific day, it's all very confusing !!! I'm extremely nervous because I've been diagnosed with DOR so the pressure if on my little ovaries to perform !! Really hope that it all goes well for you!! Xx

@Aim2912 I started northistorine on Day 14, so hopefully you just are able to make it if you're day 13 today! Good with for your appointment. Let me know if you're able to start :) What's your history?

And thanks re: reassurance on needles!

@Luan82 June will come around so soon! Yes, the birth control helps them start your period at a convenient time for them lol, to do scheduling of the various appointments. It is a bit confusing, for sure. I am sure the docs have given you an appropriate procotol to help overcome the DOR, so don't worry too much. Think positive - it will work! :)

@Luz192 thank you - you're right, it's all about the positive vibes !! 🌈🙏🏼❤️ They are putting me on a short protocol which is good - not too much waiting around, my egg collection is scheduled for around the 14th - Are you doing ICSI? x

@Luz192 the consultation went well, just waiting for a nurse to call me to arrange starting Norethisterone.

interms of my history i have been trying for 3 year,. had one miscarriage (natural conception) and one failed implantation. :(. previously i had a lowish amh and OR, and DH has low mobility but with my results from CRGH, they all came out good for both of us. to the extent we dont need ICSI. so very happy.

how about you?

@Luan82 i think my egg collection will be similar time to you, but i will have to freeze all of mine and do transfer later i was told today, as they want to put me on a high dose of drugs and don't want to stress about over stimulation as i have a high number of follicles on one of my ovaries. soo more waiting around.... all for the best i hope for all of us.

@Aim2912 thanks so much for the background it's always good to hear people's journeys 🌈- I'll give you ladies mine: 38, 2 years ttc, six months after trying I had an ectopic managed by meds (suspected endometriosis) - subsequently I did a lot of researching took enzymes to break down scar tissues, castor oil then had a HyCoSy to check my tubes (which were clear thankfully) however during the routine tests they also found that my amh was very low (4.6) it may well be lower now as that was end of last year, and my AFC was low too at 7. OH is absolutely fine so we are thinking that the issues are now purely down to my age and DOR, my mum went through the menopause early at 42. I believe that I had a chemical pregnancy last cycle with a very faint positive that went away quickly and then an early painful and heavy period but due to the time factor I'm just oh so happy that we are finally pushing forward with treatment - at this point i literally feel older every single month staring at that one single line!! Xx

@Aim2912 I'm so sorry to read about your miscarriage and failed implantation, btw- never fails to amaze me how strong so many women are when it comes to ttc 🙌🏼👏🏼🌸x

@Luan82 thank you for your kind words. I fully get how you feel, I'm the same every month I get my period. A Mizan therapist told me about caster oil packs. So I tried it this month, But not sure if we can do it while stimulation, they help blood flow. The positive is you still have eggs so hopefully this month is your one! X

@Aim2912 it would just be so typical if after a year of trying after my ectopic I fell pregnant naturally the month before I start meds!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ they don't seem to know why it isn't happening for me, diagnosis of unexplained infertility which is super frustrating especially for a control freak like me!! The only thing I can put it down to is quality of eggs diminishing - just not releasing a good quality one every month - I've been doing lots of charting and opks and everything points to ovulation actually happening every month just doesn't seem to implant 🤷‍♀️ please keep in touch and let me know how things go for you, it's nice to speak to other girlies on the same stage of their journey who understand what we're going through ! Wishing you both the very best in the next few weeks!! ❤️x

Hi @Luz192 Hope the first ever IVF went well! Sending you lots of positive vibes on the baby journey🤗
May I ask how your experience with CRGH was?
I had a few consultations with them, but started having second thoughts as I feel a bit excluded from the decision making process, this is our second IVF and I wanna make sure that it goes as smoothly as possible. I'd be grateful for your feedback🙏🙏x

@GreenMerlin Thannks - I just started stims on Monday, so I'm still in the process. My treatment is with UCLH and CRGH both - I just had my first scan today at UCLH and CRGH will call me later today after they've reviewed my blood test results. UCLH are expecting me to have to increase my dose, and CRGH will confirm that later. In terms of decision making process, I imagine most clinics have their ways and don't like to shift too much from that.. e.g. UCLH put me on norethisterone and wouldn't really entertain a discussion about not taking it (but it's an NHS cycle, so I knew there's probably little wiggle room).

I'll keep you updated on how I find CRGH. I think my next scan will be there, as it's on the weekend and UCLH are closed.

Hi ladies
Hope ur all well and ur journeys are going ok! I started stims last night after a month of buserelin injections. Just wondering if anyone has any hints/advice on how to make the best out of stims? Any supplements, diet, exercise advice? There is so much conflicting information online x

@ivf2021 good luck! I'm trying to just eat healthy, and high protein. And drinking lots of water. I'm still walking daily, but not doing any high intensity exercise.

@ivf2021 i think trying to stay stress free (harder said then done) and eating healthy is key- so i go for walks and do acupuncture, this also helps with blood circulation too.

in terms of supplements i think they are best starting 3 months before the ivf cycle, with the usual folic acid, vit D, pre conception vits, co enzyme q10, omega 3. im no expert but thats what i have been taking and my consultants just told me to continue with those.

hope that helps, all the best

Thanks ladies!
I've been taking before conception tablets for about 3 years 🙈🤣 hoping for the best! Fab so lots of fluid protein and nice long walks. And trying to stay stress free (defo hard for me too) Is anyone doing yoga? Hot water bottles? Brazil nuts? X

@Luz192 I started norithisterone on 3rd May which was CD16 and was on the tablets for 3 weeks. Had horrific bloating and put on 2kg in the first week then a further kg in the second week. 3rd week my weight was still the same but the bloating had finally calmed down. Just got my withdrawal bleed today and starting injections on Saturday 29th May!
How have you found the norithisterone? Are you still on the tablets? Have you started your injections?

Hello! I’ve been prepping myself with healthy eating & walks but aside from that nothing else. I know a few people who have tried reflexology and acupuncture but not for me. I would find going to the appointments more stressful I think. Now I’m injecting I’m having a wee freddo bar each day haha!

@Coops0406 Oh no, that is annoying but I'm glad the bloating has now calmed down. The norethisterone seemed ok for me actually. I haven't taken any form of birth control ever, and so I was a bit against wanting take it.. but it's for such a short period in the grand scheme of things.

Are you excited for starting stims?! I started the injections on Monday (day 3 after I got my bleed after stopping norethisterone). I had my first scan today, three days in, and I hadn't responded as well as they had hoped, so they've doubled my dose. They had started me on quite a low dose (150 menopur) because I have PCO and a good AMH, so I think they were being conservative in case I overstimulate. I just did the first 300 dose of menopur, and have my next scan on Saturday, so let's hope that kicks things into gear!

@ivf2021 How have you found the injections so far?
I've heard mixed things about hot water bottles. Some people swear by it, but I've heard others say ovaries are best at body temperature. I haven't done it just because it's been fairly warm the last few days, so I don't really feel like putting something so warm next to me! I eat brazil nuts here and there whenever I remember, but that's to help with thyroid. I won't be doing the pom juice though - too much sugar. I'd rather eat a pomegranate.

I am doing acupuncture, and going in tomorrow. Have thought about yoga but I need to find a suitable one for IVF first.. if you mind one, let us know :)

@Luz192 I think we are similar...I'm 38 with an AMH at 28 which is slightly high for my age. I too have polycycstic ovaries. I'll be on 225 meriofert (not sure if that's low or high) then adding in fyremadel on day 5, with my first scan on day 6. When are you due for EC? I'm pencilled in for 9th june all being well.
Did I read that you are freezing all before transfer?

There is a fertility yoga on the fertility network every Thursday at 6.30pm...I haven't ever done a session but am thinking I need to do something. My only exercise is walking the dog and my eating habits at the moment are so bad when they need to be good!

@Coops0406 I think 225 is quite common/average - but that's just based on what I've seen on forums! I see 225 and 300 quite a lot. I think 450 would be quite a high dose, and 150 (what I was on originally) is quite low.

I am estimated EC on 7th June, so just a bit earlier than you are.. but I guess will depend if my follicles decide to play catch up from here on out! :)

And thank you - I will look up the fertility network!

@Luz192 when do you have your next scan?
I'm really excited to actually start my stims but so nervous...I keep checking the box and counting the medication to make sure it's all there! I have to mix the meriofert up to get the right dose so that's also making me slightly nervous! I'm sure once I start it'll be fine 🤞🏾

Thanks ladies ❤️
I've heard bettina rae Fertilty yoga on YouTube is good and she has a section for ivf going to give it a go tomorrow! I'll defo give the Fertilty network on a go too! I've took a career break at work for the whole process and have to self isolate from next week so thinking of productive things too do to stop overthinking!
Injections are going ok! Only thing I'd say is I can really feel it going in unlike the buserelin. It's so exciting when you start them tho! Feels like after weeks of down regulation your finally getting somewhere!
Hope everyone's feeling ok today ❤️ x

@Coops0406 I'm on 225 meriofert too they said that normal then they can up it on day 6 scan if needed. I was a big stress ball last night with the mixing too making sure I got every last drop but was much easier tonight x