IVF first timers - June 2021 Protocol

[Luan82]

Hello 👋🏼!! About to embark on the absolutely terrifying process of IVF in June (once my next cycle finishes) and though it might be nice to get chatting to some people going through the same? Meds due tomorrow and bloods booked in for Saturday - Let me know if you are in the same boat would be great to get some support from some fellow infertility warriors ❤️x

@Coops0406 that's so lovely !!! My sister bought me this for the Medication - it's so lovely but defo designed by someone who's never gone though ivf !! Nothing will fit in there !! 😂

@Ofpalestsilver exactly - working from home so sometimes a bit of distraction at work is a good thing- keeps you from overthinking.... and testing early in my case!! 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ xx

@Ofpalestsilver my appetite has been on overdrive...no wonder I've been so bloated on the norithisterone. I say treat yourself to the sugar when those cravings kick in, better than being stressed!!

@Luan82 🤣🤣🤣 so sweet...but yeah the box is bloody huge with all the meds 🤣

My best friend and sister in law went through ivf at the same time a few years ago so they know what you need 😍 they have both got toddlers who are currently in the tantrum stage...it made me rethink all this for a split second 🤣

@Coops0406 that's just around the corner! So exciting! What is PGT-A. What's the reason for not having a fresh cycle? The 1 year under 35/6 months over 35 tripped us up too. It's really frustrating isn't it! OMGOSH!! That survival package is the sweetest! It's so lovely that you've got a best friend so kind and thoughtful!

@Ofpalestsilver the delays and waiting is the worst isn't it. You managed to get a good few cycles in those months though. I've heard good things about IUI but when I've researched into it the odds seem to be much lower.
Hindsight is a lovely thing isn't it. We are the same. I would have liked to started our investigations earlier but we were already at 3 and a half years of trying when covid hit had to redo tests and only last month ended up on the NHS waiting list!

@Luan82 Wow! That is fast! I feel like I'll be miles behind you all! 14th June is your EC? Aw that's good you are used to it. I think I'd find working from home distracting. The children in my class definitely keep me on my toes. I'll be working from home in the lead up to treatment and a day or so after transfer. I'll have to go back to work after transfer but they are taking me out of class for the final week to be safe due to the behaviours in my class. Post transfer is definitely the time to relax!
Happy anniversary for tomorrow and happy meds day!! So exciting!!
That is such a sweet bag. 100% get what you mean about people making things they have never been through. I have seen so many things online that I think that'd never work!

@Cat028 PGT-A is the genetic tests we've paid for to see whether the embryos are euploid or aneuploid (not genetically stable and therefore will likely not take or lead to miscarriage). Because my AMH is apparently high for my age (it's 28 and I'm 38) so likely I'll produce a lot of follicles, and at my age only about 30% genetically stable, they said it was worth doing so they could find the bests ones. If none are suitable then none will get put back in and that's the cycle done. In a way it's great as it saves endless heartache of putting ones in that won't make it but then a bit gutting if you find out none are good.
So frozen transfer because they have to do the tests, wait for the results then discuss with you. Also, if they are not strong enough to survive the freezing process then they may have to do a fresh transfer!
It's all so complicated!! Who knew when you were young that it would be this difficult to get pregnant!!

@Coops0406 that all sounds so complicated. You sound like you have a handle on it all though. That's so clever they can check that. Fi gers crossed for a good number of embryos for you! 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Like you say it's good they are able to avoid the heartache of an embryo not taking as it should.

100%, they make it sound like a sure thing. You will get pregnant if you have sex. So frustrating!! I think I was so naive coming into all this. I'm so over others getting pregnant so easily. Everyone seems to be pregnant at the moment too. 😭

@Coops0406 it's so nice to hear reassuring stories of those that have had ivf and been successful - I think my last consultant stared me a little with the percentage of success (I'm guessing for my age and low ovarian reserve) xx

@Cat028 - absolutely !! Week commencing the 14th I think they only do the egg collections on a Wednesday Thursday or something like that and I guess it also depends how my ovaries respond 😳 are you a teacher ? That's so lovely that you work with children but yes definitely need to be resting and off your feet post transfer esp if that's your profession !! I'll be taking a few days off myself and then working at home for the rest of the TWW xx

@Cat028 - to be honest I wanted to go straight into IVF but I was put off IVF because I'm a bit of a chunky lady! Of course, I went through the three cycles and I am the exact same weight as I was when I started IUI and they're 100% fine to do IVF now. It was worth a punt I guess. I don't ovulate so perhaps it could have worked but I could have saved myself a bit of time (and money!) Though to be honest, I'm not sure I'd have been fit for it during the long, miserable lockdown winter. I'm ready for it now.

@Cat028 When are you due to start your cycle?

@Luan82 ah I see! It all seems to be approximate doesn't it. Hopefully it'll all go smoothly. My clinic tell me it could be 10-14 I'm on injections. 3-5 days between ec and transfer. I'm praying my body responds well to it.

Yeah, I'm a special needs teacher so I also deal with challenging behaviours daily so I'm going to try my best to slow down and take a step back. I have to look after myself for now.

@Ofpalestsilver did they tell you you couldn't go straight to IVF? They didn't give us IUI as an option and referred us straight to IVF. 100% you have to give it a go. A friend in work had IUI and it was successful. Aw the wait sounds like it's done you good. Sometimes it's better to take time and give yourself a chance to catch up. I feel ready for this now too. It's been a super rough year and I didn't think we'd get here after our miscarriage last year. I'm glad I took time before starting IVF. Lockdown was the worst! I'm glad things are slowly getting back to normal now. I start norethisterone on 6th June. When is your EC booked for?

@Cat028 no date for my EC. Will just have to see how my follicles grow I guess. Should have a clearer sense on Friday.

@Luan82 the first embryo didn't work for both of them but the second one did and they both have one still frozen. And then my sister in law conceived naturally last year too after her ivf a few years ago! So it does give you hope.

I don't really have any expectations for the first go, obviously i would be gutted if it didn't work but I have in my head that it will eventually work from someone we spoke to who is high up in genetics and made thousands of ivf babies!

In other news, I started spotting last night so really hoping AF comes today or tomorrow or I can't start my injections 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

@Cat028 that's my plan, also went to my acupuncturist and she really wants to see me before transfer to prepare my uterus so I'll be making sure I book in an emergency appointment after EC! She said leeds usually try to transfer 5 day embryos if at all possible
@Ofpalestsilver it's very exciting!! - have you got a scan booked on Friday? X

@Coops0406 that is reassuring to hear!! I think that's why I've resigned myself to more than one cycle, even though I want to stay positive I feel it's important I'm also a realist about my poor response prognosis, and I'm conscious that three cycles puts the success rate percentage up to a much higher number ! I'm also on a chat group for ladies with low amh and what's lovely is quite a few of them are pregnant after their first transfer!! 🤗 xx

@Cat028 I was thinking exactly the same, everywhere you look someone is pregnant! Stay off reading the daily Mail showbiz news as every story is someone getting pregnant! I don't know if we're just more tuned to it or if there has just been a lot of lockdown pregnancies! It definitely seems that way!!

@Luan82 it's good to read through some of the other chats as I think you get a more realistic view of things...some happening first time, some not, and some finally getting their happy news after quite a few rounds.

AF arrived!! So it's all go for the injections to start on Saturday 😊

@Coops0406 wonderful news!! Isn't it so weird actually being happy to see AF!! 🥴
@Cat028 I think it's lockdown boredom - definitely more pregnancies than even before, actually quite pleased we are going into this now as lockdown eases - I've been told that the maternity wards are super busy so hopefully by the time we're in there people will have gone back to work and there won't be as many pregnancies !!! 😂😂😂

@Coops0406 Yasssssssssssssss! Amazing news. You're on the way. How exciting. :)

@Luan82 Yep, I have a scan first thing tomorrow. I have everything crossed that a) my follies are growing and b) I have more than seven! Although I know it's quality not quantity but even so.

Last night my injection site was quite sore after the injection. I mean, it was fine but still tingly. First time I had that. Other than that I don't feel bloated or anything so all good!

Also, I have really struggled hearing about pregnancies. I couldn't sleep last night and I was driving myself crazy looking at people I know with kids. sighs I had a miscarriage eight years ago and I feel like it hurts ever since.

Oh and to add, my friend did IVF two years ago and got pregnant first time so I went into my IUI feeling like it was gonna work perfectly for me. A bit of a crashing disappointment that first time round, ha! I've become more of a realist but I am hopeful!

@Ofpalestsilver - I'm so sorry to hear that, pregnancy loss is just so devastating, I'm coming up to a year (next week) since the ectopic pregnancy so I can relate 💔
I'm guessing as the follicles grow they are like cyst structure so a little tenderness is hopefully a good sign!! I'll be keeping my fingers 🤞🏼 for you for good news tomorrow!! The whole quality over quantity thing i agree with but also quantity does increase your odds - it's still a bit of a numbers game !! Great hearing the positive stories about IVF first timers too 🍀xx

@Luan82 It really is. It took a while for that pain to ease I have to say. So sorry to hear about the ectopic pregnancy. Did it affect your tubes at all or did you catch it early enough?

@Ofpalestsilver @Luan82 I think you have to remain hopeful always, but realistic, and things will happen at the right time. Technology is amazing these days and it will happen 😍

Yes, so excited for AF to arrive for the first time ever!!! But bizarrely no pms symptoms at all so that is even better!

@Ofpalestsilver luckily we caught it early but I needed medication unfortunately as the pregnancy kept growing - the one time I release a viable egg and it sticks in the wrong place ! 🤦🏻‍♀️ it meant that our ttc plans were put on hold for three months give my folic acid levels chance to build up to normal again x

@Coops0406 exactly - there have been a few months I've convinced myself 'this is the month' and I've been devastated when it hasn't happened, but you're so right - we are all now talking the right steps, accepting medical intervention and trusting the specialists ! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🌈🌈🌈x

Mine is arriving next week. Am a little bit anxious