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

@Aim2912 have you had your baseline scan yet? How would it work in a natural cycle? Is ET a few days after ovulation?

@Luz192 I was on the suppositories, last one in an hour or so as I'll do my "official" test first thing in the morning then won't have to do another one! Do they just do a blood test to measure the progesterone at transfer?
Are your clinic open to transferring 2? I seem to get the impression that mine isn't!

@Luan82 that's great news! You are proof that it only takes one 😍

I'm still bleeding, every time I think it's petering off it comes back full flow! The main issue I have at the moment is all the bloating and discomfort...I'm struggling to eat anything decent, just want to keep picking at things (chocolate, crisps, pot noodles!) I feel like I have no room and everything moves with every step I take! Hoping it all subsides once I stop the progesterone!

@Coops0406 my baseline is booked for Saturday, as they counted today as my day one. then as soon as ovulation is detected i need to start the progesterone, they will do the transfer after 5 days of progesterone.

hope all the discomfort eases soon, it will after you stop the progesterone. x

@Aim2912 that's great! Good luck with it all! Please keep us updated, keeping everything crossed for you 🤞🏾

@Aim2912 how was the scan?

@Luz192 I just found out that we have 2 euploid embryos out of the 5. The nurse has also suggested ERA and Alice/Emma tests too! I feel like we are almost in sync! My review is the 1st December so I may miss that cycle for the testing dues to xmas closures so I think all the tests will be done in the January cycle, if we go for it, but I think we will. They have explained it will be like having a medicated cycle but without the embryo transfer, instead having the biopsies. I'm thinking that with only 2 euploid embryos we would hate for there to be anything wrong with me that might waste them.

@Coops0406 that good results on the euploids. Makes sense to put the embryos in the best environment and getting the test done, if costs aren't an issue.

My scan was ok. The fluid issue is still there. So they will continue checking from day 8. But if it's still there this cycle will be cancelled too. Not that optimistic of the fluid going anywhere! So need to think about what to do next. I'm considering a laparoscopy, as only that will truly be able to tell where the fluid is coming from. It mean stopping any fertility treatmeants for 2/3 of months after a lap. The other alternative is the wait and watch, which is what my consultant is suggesting.

@Aim2912 I agree...I'm 39 now and time isn't on my side. And whilst we're paying for a cycle just need to add it on and forget about the extra cost.

It's strange to have this fluid. Is he suggesting to wait and watch as he has seen it before as a result if ivf treatment? I really hope this fluid shifts for you soon...it must be hard each time getting yourself excited for ET prep then having to postpone...fingers crossed the fluid goes 🥰

@Coops0406 well he doesn't know why its their for me, as its not typical with someone who does not have blocked tubes or any gyno surgery in the past. so he think he could have been the meds, if its still their this cycle it means it not the meds but something else. i feel like time is getting away from me too. will be 36 in jan. :S

i hope the tests help you and gets you the ideal transfer time. x

@Aim2912 how is everything going? Has the fluid subsided?

@Luz192 how are you getting on?

We had our review meeting today and he seemed really pleased that we had 2 euploids...but I threw in a curveball and have asked if we can run a separate cycle and go through egg collection again to do some embryo banking. I am panicking as I know that if we were lucky enough for only one of these embryos to work and we decide to try again in a few years that I will be too old for ivf. So I think we are going to do that first then do the tests on the womb ready for a transfer in a few months! Massive decision but I know if we don't do it we'll regret it!

@Coops0406 hey girl - thanks for checking in! I think your decision is great! Embryo banking sounds like a good plan, as well as doing additional tests before your transfer. It'll mean you've as prepared as can be, and hopefully you end up with extra embryos that you can use in the future. Do you know when you'll likely do another round of stims - will it be after Xmas now?

@Aim2912 how have things been going for you - did they understand any more about the fluid?

I had my consultation a couple of wks ago. They will allow me to transfer 2 next time. But tbh, I have not been focused on TTC at all - our flat renovation is stressful and extremely time consuming, so I have decided to wait a few months. I would have likely had to wait until end January for another transfer anyway (as I am still waiting for a nurse appt to be scheduled after our consultation, and I don't think that will happen until after Xmas now), but I think I will ask to push the IVF until possibly March or even April time. There's too much on my mind at the moment, and I don't feel relaxed at all. I want to go into it in the best frame of mind, and knowing that I'm properly taking care of my body, etc. So a bit of a delay, but it is what it is. Maybe we'll transfer around the same time now Coops! :)

@Luz192 thanks...I feel like it definitely is right for us. I know it's more cost but when I look at the total, people spend more than that on a kitchen and I know what's more important to us!!
So as soon as AF arrives they'll do my protocol, have been expecting it for a few days but as per usual when you want it, it is always late! Then day 16 start norithisterone then stims sometime in January 😍
You've got to be in the right mind for it as it's stressful enough on it's own so you do right giving yourself a break from it. Would be probably April or so when we get to transfer so could be very similar timelines!

@Coops0406 I'm doing ok, hope your well. my last cycle got cancelled again. The fluid had mostly gone but this time it was cancelled as I had not ovulated and at day 17 they cancelled it. But I do think I ovulated later on day 21. I did explain to them that I sometimes ovulate really late, but they said it's too late. So now waiting for af to start. Should be in the next few days. Will try another natural cycle in jan hopefully! I have a consultation tomorrow, so will see what he says. After they cancelled my last cycle I just tried to switch off for a couple of weeks and we went a way which was nice. I think I needed to not think about it for a bit.

Embryo banking is a good idea. To give you more options in the future. Hope your af comes along soon and you can start.

@Luz192 hope your doing ok. Maybe a break will help. It was something I was considering too as Feb and March work wise are the most stressful for me. But will try get one transfer in, in jan. If that is cancelled too I will wait till April. In the mean time you can still try naturally , you never know. I always (maybe naively) think it may just work one day naturally. Hope the flat renovations go well.

@Aim2912 AF arrived Saturday! 🥳 just waiting for the nurse to get all the dates sorted then I can get my protocol...but I imagine I'll be on norithisterone for 2-3 weeks again!

Would you not do a medicated cycle for FET? I think my place only do medicated cycles to fit into their scheduling!

@Coops0406 that's great...hope this new cycle proves fruitful!

I did the medicated cycle initially, that when I had the fluid issue. The consultant thinks its the medication causing the fluid. I think he is right as the fluid went away eventually with no medication. Spoke to him today and the plan is to try one more natural cycle in jan. If that doesn't work then one low dose medicated cycle....so bit a bit more waiting.

@Aim2912 @Coops0406 How are things going for you both?! Aim, did you go with the natural cycle in January? Coops, did you do your banking cycle?

I'm still on a break/pause at the moment myself

@Luz192 how odd I logged into my account today after not being on here since December to see if there was any updates from you guys!

Well my cycle in january became a very very long one and I ended up ovulating on day 28, lining and everything was fine so went ahead with the transfer which was yesterday! So one on board for now. Though the timing couldn't have been worse for me work wise. It the busiest time of the year. But hope the work will direct me during my two week wait.

How have you been? Did you do the further testing? Hope the break has helped. Are you look to start up soon?

@Coops0406 how did the last round go for you? Hope your well x

@Aim2912 congrats on being PUPO!! So glad the fluid went and you are here now! When is OTD?

@Luz192 how are you doing? When are you thinking of going again? Do you need to do a full cycle? I hope you've managed to get through the busy few months and take some time out for yourself.

We have literally just arrived back from a long weekend in Paris! 🇫🇷 It was amazing, so much walking, sightseeing, a bit of vino and then went to the moulin rouge last night for the show with a 3 course meal! Crash bang back to the reality of work and fertility!!!

We did our 3rd cycle in January and started off with what seemed like another great cycle as they got 16 eggs, 7 of which fertilised. By day 5 we had 5 early blastocysts but they needed them to be fully expanded up to do the biopsies for PGT-A and so on day 6 we only had 2 viable for testing which was disappointing. But miraculously, one of those came back as euploid! We were completely shocked as we'd written it off! So now 3 euploids frozen, should get AF around the beginning of March and start meds for the dummy run FET where they will do the womb biopsies, which I think will fall around the second half of March. I'm guessing after that and any issues looked at, we will be a May or June transfer. Just so glad we have had these days away with each other with time to forget the crap of the last 2 and a half years and just enjoy life! It has been the best thing ever!

@Coops0406 thank you! it's good to hear from you,

glad you got that most needed break before it all starts again. It's hard to switch all the fertility stuff!

Great news about the euploids! The success rates with transferring an euploid are very high, that combined with the endometrium tests will sure soon enough get you to motherhood.

Hope the testing all goes smoothly for you and your ready soon to transfer one of you em-babys back.x

Hoping to be back on here next week with some positive news. But this 2ww is bringing out all sorts of emotions!

@Aim2912 oh thoughts are with you these next few days!!! It’s a really tough time. Praying for positive news.

@Coops0406 3 euploids is a good scenario, I think you definitely did the right thing by banking them. And with the additional tests, that will give you the best chance. Plus that time away with your hubby sounds bliss..

I think I need to do something similar. It’s just been quite stressful with renovation and feels a bit like we need to have some fun times before we jump back into it. I was even thinking to take summer ‘off’ and then try again on Sept/Oct. It’s weird.. this time last year I was so ready and wanted things to progress really quickly, but it’s been a tough few months and I feel I need to get back to a good space first.

@Aim2912 thank you so much 🥰 I really hope so. The break did us the absolute world of good...but then either holiday blues and/or PMT kicked in...mood swings galore!
How are you? Have you tested yet? I hope things are going well 🤞🏾

@Luz192 I'm so glad we did, just to get that additional euploid. The good thing to come from all of this is that knowing that I definitely have the eggs, just not many of great quality. I also kicked myself a bit as I did eat a lot of rubbish in the last cycle and I keep wondering if that's why only 2 made it for testing this time rather than 5 the time before!

I definitely think you have to be in the right mindset to get yourself going again. The main thing is maybe just to have a plan...give yourself a complete break, enjoy life, get yourself healthy and start back.

unfortunately this cycle failed, again with no definitive reason why. just taking me a some time to process everything this time. feel so numb and empty

I'm taking a 1or 2 month gap, so nothing in march, in April or may i will do some endometrial testing, and a scratch and look to try another transfer following that. OH wants to transfer two next time. i have 4 embryos left, we plan to use them and if all 4 don't work we plan to stop all treatment, and continue naturally, as all this is affecting OH mental health.

@Coops0406 hope your testing goes well this month, think my consultants has recommended similar test, but need to look in to them abit more and see which ones i want to do.

@Luz192 best to be mentally and physically ready, i regret doing this cycle as i feel i was way to stressed. hopefully when your renovations are done and you had a nice trip away you can come back more mentally ready.x

@Aim2912 so sorry to hear this, sending you lots of love 🥰
I think it's important to get yourself back to feeling mentally healthy before you try again, give yourself time to heal. Are you able to get your embryos tested now that they are frozen? Do you have a review meeting coming up? Hopefully they can give you some good advice for moving ahead when you are ready

I'm on my oestrogen tablets with a scan booked next Friday then biopsies the weeks after that, so end of March.

@Coops0406 hope you well, how did your biopsies go? im assuming you did the trio test ERA, emma and alice?.

my consultant has advised those for me plus the nk cells test. all can be done with one biopsy, and you get the endometrial scratch at the same time to help implantation.

i can thaw my embryos and get them tested too, but i have decided not to do that as each time they are thawed i risk loosing/ damaging them. statistically 50 % of embryos for a women my age should be normal so out of the 5 i froze 2 or 3 should be fine, so we will try the remaining 4 after my endometrial testing. we have decided to put 2 back next time as well.

hope your results for biopsy's are helpful for you. x

@Aim2912 they are on Monday! About 3 weeks delayed, firstly AF was later than I'd hoped for, then after 13 days on oestrogen the scan showed it hadn't done anything to the lining so I had to up the dose and carry on for another week...the scan last Friday showed it was ready but they couldn't do the biopsy until next Monday! I was really hoping I'd have the results by then!

Good that they have mentioned those tests. I did ask about the nk test but because I haven't miscarried they said there was no need 🤷🏾‍♀️

Makes sense not to test the embryos, like you say, if 2-3 will be good then that's all you need! And lucky that you can have 2 put back in, my clinic won't do it!

So when will you start the process for the biopsies?

@Aim2912 there is another thread for April/May, I'll tag you in it so you can jump on there when you're ready

@Coops0406 thanks for the tag, i didnt end up joining as i was not ready/ cycling in those months.

hope all is well for you...did you get you results for the biopsies? i recently had mine so now just waiting for results.

managed to fit in a short holiday as well, think it was needed. :)

Was wondering what they do if the results are abnormal interms of my transfer scheduled for next month.

did you decide to have the transfer straight after?

@Luz192 hope all is well with you too.x