IVF August/September cycle buddies

[foodiefil]

Starting this thread early!

We've just booked for our second round to start August 2nd with egg collection September 8th.

I was on the Jan/Feb thread earlier this year.

Come join me :)

Hi @beachbum85 Thanks so much for your advice. I have downloaded the app and feeling much more prepared armed with a few questions

@JCttc21 - yes, it all made sense when consultant first explained what ivf actually meant to me, but didn't touch in how there were so many variables in the treatment at that point- keep seeing all this talk of protocols and didn't even know what was meant by long and short protocol until yesterday! It's certainly a learning experience - I was totally shocked and overwhelmed when I realised we were headed down this path, but dealing with it bit by bit and support of other women who are also going through it is invaluable for keeping me sane!

@Hansoo - sounds like we are on a very similar timeline- I also have first nurses consultation tomorrow

@limesoda Bad luck with your ankle- another good reason to put your feet up and take care of yourself over the next few weeks

Can I ask if everyone had test for rubella antibodies before starting treatment? I was initially referred to NHS clinic who were going to test for them, but have gone private for now due to delays and the clinic I'm with say they don't routinely test for them... I'm wondering if this is normal nowadays?

Hi katree. What a great thing. I must be honest I feel like I have read so much my mind is exploding. Good luck for your appointment.

@beachbum85 are you starting down regulation today? Have they modified your protocol?

@singlemomattc29 have they kept all the same with your dates?

We have our second review meeting for the failed cycle now we have the second AMH test result so hopefully we can see what their plans are for our next cycle and when we can start! I'm itching to get going again! Feels like ages since we got the BFN! And I'm definitely armed with more questions than last time!

Hi to everyone who has joined the thread, I have been useless at being on here, mainly as nothing has been going on recently and it's been quite a lot of waiting! I found one of these threads a huge support on my last cycle and can't wait to see more about everyone's progress 😊

@KatRee I did get tested for rubella and I know my sister in law did a few years ago and then had to have the jab. I would just ring your nhs gynae contact or GP and ask if they can push a blood test through for you if you want it checking

@Coops0406 I'm still waiting for the transfer of the sperm samples from one clinic to another.. Until then they won't confirm my treatment... I'll start either way the pill when my period arrives in August...

@KatRee yes, is one of the mandatory tests. I've been having them through the GP.. If you tell them what is for they will help you with that.

@limesoda glad to hear that excitement :) welcome! These threads are a lifesaver! I'm sorry to hear about your ankle though... I hope it's not too painful

@Hansoo and @KatRee good luck for your appointments!
I was tested for rubella on the NHS before starting too.

@Coops0406 very glad to hear you have your second review meeting coming up - when's that? I'm sure things will fly by quickly now you have the new results and are setting up the plan :)
I start down regulation tomorrow! My protocol is the same so far as they told me they work off AFC at the baseline scan more than AMH, but they'll keep it in mind once they confirm my stims dose.

Hi ladies!

Can I join you please . Meds being delivered this Thursday and I should start injecting about the 20th August if my period arrives later this week.. EC late Sept.

2nd cycle for me. Sadly my 1st ended in miscarriage at 10.5 weeks. I turned 41 a few days ago, and am hoping this cycle will yield a better result. I have DOR, and only got 3 eggs last time, 2 fertilised. I think I'll end up with similar numbers, just have to keep reminding myself it only takes one.

Very nervous/worried etc as I am sure you all are too! At least we can talk about it together, which is just so nice and incredibly helpful.

Thank you @Coops0406 @singlemomattc29 @beachbum85 - I think I'll try the GP

Hi @Goldilocks2528 - I've just joined too- due to start first cycle in mid August. So sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Good luck for this time around

Had my nurses consultation- apparently I will be on an antagonist protocol (Googling exactly what that means now). Feels good to know a bit more about what's in store, but I did tear up a bit when she was showing us the needles and explaining the injections. It's not that I'm particularly scared of needles, it was just so much information and idea of injecting myself is so alien to me and just felt really overwhelming. It really helps having this forum and hearing from people who've gone through it before.
I'm just hoping we are all successful and don't have to put ourselves through it too many more times x

Hi everyone. I am antagonist too. Looking like I'm going to be starting between 2nd and 7th Aug. Depends when period comes. They have just told me to get some vitamin.D and follic acid. So just off to do that now. They didn't have time to go through the injections with me and plan to do it when I go for baseline scan.
Had bloods taken and signed my name about 20 times.

Hi everyone just reading through everyone’s messages so nice to hear we are all on very similar dates I have my provisional egg collection on the 15th September and I am starting my injections on the long protocol on the 12th august is anyone around the same dates? Xx

@Hansoo not looking forward to all the forms we've got coming our way! Can I ask what dosage of vitamin D they recommended for you?

Hi @Lotusflower1990000 I'm due to start 12th August too, but mine will be short protocol x

It was odd. They just asked if I was taking them and I said no. I nipped to tesco earlier. There was no folic acid. But sevenseas do a combo of folic acid and vitamin d and iron. I purchased that.

@KatRee even after one failed cycle I still have no idea what protocol I was on! But I had to take norithisterone for 3 weeks to delay my period to fall in with schedules! I couldn't even do a pin prick in my finger for a blood test so hubby did all the injections for me, I just prepared them as a slight control freak! Once you do the first you will be fine. We didn't get explained how to do them but had videos to watch...I'm with care fertility and they gave videos on you tube I think, we had it in whilst doing the first one.

We had our second review from our failed cycle yesterday and it was a much better meeting...came out having asked all we needed to and with a better understanding of things. Just waiting for a call to see when we can start...AF due very soon so hoping they can get me through and started...I think I'll be on norithisterone again so really injections will start in September cycle (if things go as I hope 🤞🏾) so could be at a similar time @Lotusflower1990000

@Hansoo I had been on pregnacare conception for quite a while and then before ivf started the consultant said I just needed folic acid, vitamin d3 and ubiquinol (which is ridiculously expensive). Then yesterday a different consultant told me that there was no evidence to suggest ubiquinol actually does anything! But that folic acid and vitamin d3 are musts...he also said probiotics are very good for the good bacteria in your endometrium as well as your gut so I will be getting those in me too!

@Goldilocks2528 Sorry to hear about your miscarriage, ivf is so many hurdles to get through, it must have been heartbreaking. I really hope this cycle goes well for you. I have high AMH for my age but only got 4 follicles and 2 eggs last cycle, unfortunately the one that made it and put back in didn't stick. But another lady with DOR ended up with 2 eggs, 1 back in and it has stuck, so like you say, it only takes 1 💕

Happy Down Regulation Day @beachbum85 !! Hope the first jab went smoothly.

Hi @Coops0406. Sounds like we are in a very similar situation, and that's a lovely positive story. Thanks for sharing x

Hi @KatRee, thank you. I hate needles, as in, I am terrified of them. Because we did our first round in covid we didn't even have an injection teach with a nurse, we were sent a youtube video! My other half was brilliant and did them for me, the first was very traumatic for the both of us but it got better. You'll be fine x

Hi again, glad to see you joined, and thank you @Goldilocks2528!! Tbh it wasn't as easy as I remembered from last time, but I think it's just that my partner is out of practice and I look forward to feeling nothing at all, like last time round - as you say it's the first and then it'll be fine :)

@KatRee I can totally understand the overwhelm... I had a long cry when they scheduled us in the first time, and my partner thought I had lost it as we'd really been waiting for that call. But I think it hit me when I realised everything we were going to have to do. In the end, though, I thought the first cycle was a lot easier than I expected and things just seem to fall into place once you get started. I know you'll be fine and we're here if/when you need an outlet xx

@Coops0406 I'm glad you had a good meeting and I hope they call you soon! I've been taking probiotics too so thanks for confirming that the consultant thought it was a good idea :)

@Lotusflower1990000 I'm also on long protocol with EC tentatively the week of 30 Aug, so just a couple of weeks off xx

@Hansoo very glad to hear you've got a plan and dates - that's very soon! Your comment about signatures made me smile... I never signed my name as many times as the day of EC, including once they had already stuck the sedation thing in my hand because they had forgotten one

Hope all goes OK today @beachbum85

I might do some supplement shopping. I've managed to minimise my painkillers even if my ankle is agony as a result, and anecdotally wonder if some kind of probiotic would help with the ill effects of all that morphine, the general anesthetic and even just the stress of the last few weeks.

@Lotusflower1990000 and @KatRee I think we'll be around the same dates!

Hi Ladies,

Hope you don't mind if I join you all, I'm currently awaiting my baseline scan on 9th August (unless AF decides to come early!) & have today received my short protocol medication.
My DP (35) & I (28) have been TTC for almost 3 years and have never had a BFP and have been identified as unexplained, qualifying for NHS treatment. We're currently both taking Proceive in advance of our treatment.
I was really excited to get started but now the over riding feeling is nerves, which I'm sure you can all understand!!

Hi @Etonmess20, welcome and totally understand. It is a very emotional and anxious thing to go through. I kept trying to take it one day at a time in my first cycle, and they kept me sane.. until the dreaded 2ww which I found far far more difficult than I had anticipated. I'm going to try and do the same this time. Plus I kept an IVF diary, which I think helped keep me organised and was a bit of an outlet. Etsy have some nice ones if you think it may help. That's where I bought mine from last time, and again this time.

@Goldilocks2528 I kept a diary too!! I made it myself and didn't think I'd fill it...but it's full and I'm ready for a new one!! Such a good outlet and you can look back and see all the things that you forget! Plus, I'm thinking at some point hubby can read it to see exactly what went on in my head 🤣

@Etonmess20 after trying for so long and always seeing a BFN, the start of the ivf journey gives you hope, and of course nerves are only natural. The journey is hard, so many ups and downs in a short space of time, but will all be worth it in the end 😊 just have to always try to remain positive and don't keep things locked up inside.

@beachbum85 so exciting you have a tentative date for EC! What are your injections now?

@Coops0406 @Goldilocks2528 thanks ladies, really appreciate the support & the ideas around the journal! Possibly a little cringey but I've seen some his & hers IVF bracelets on Etsy that I thought I may order to give one to DP on the day of course baseline scan

@Etonmess20 welcome and sorry you find yourself here too - there's lots of emotions to balance and nerves are obviously normal but things will fall into place once you start, I'm sure. I found these groups really helpful too as we're not alone... We're also unexplained, have never had a BFP, and on the NHS xx

Thank you @limesoda and @Coops0406 :)
I'm on a long protocol (agonist) so before stimulation I have a few weeks of down regulating injections - my consultant had described it as turning ovulation off so the ovaries can hopefully recruit a few more follicles before we stimulate them, as I have low AMH.

@Coops0406 your diary is lovely!!
@Goldilocks2528 I kept one too :) it's just an ordinary notebook that my girl friends gave me as a gift when we were referred, along with a weekly planner, but it's definitely good to be able to write anything down, even things I might not want to tell anyone I'm feeling...

Oh @Coops0406 your diary is gorgeous! Really lovely. I haven't looked through the one from my first cycle yet, haven't felt like I've been able to yet. I am sure I will though.

@beachbum85 that's so nice. My best friend lives about a 4 hour drive away, and I don't really have any close friends where I live now. I do miss that a lot.

I got a bit carried away when I was about 8 weeks pregnant and ordered a diary from through to birth, because I liked writing the IVF one and thought it would be a nice record. Obviously that then wasn't needed. I have no idea where it is now, my OH hid that and all baby related stuff when I miscarried so we didn't have to see it.

@Etonmess20 I think that's a lovely idea.

@Coops0406 The nurse actually recommended I watch the care fertility videos on YouTube as she said they were really good

@Goldilocks2528 Thank you-it actually really helps to hear from people who are scared of needles and managed to conquer the fear and get it done, it inspires me!

@beachbum85 Thank you too, that's really reassuring
What kind of probiotics are you taking? Are they in pill form?

On the topic of supplements, I've been taking a bunch since March when I was just throwing everything at trying naturally. I upped my dosage of ubiquinol and added in r alpha lipoic acid early June and anecdotally really feel like it's had a positive effect on my cycle. Super expensive though

Hi @Etonmess20 I'm flip-flopping between excited and terrified right now. I'm really grateful for this group- only joined a few days ago and have had so much help and support already

Hello everyone 🙋‍♀️

I’m not an august/September ivfer, I’m September/October (most likely October) and I started a thread looking for similar timeline friends and no one joined 🙈 so hopefully it’s ok to join this one? I don’t know how these monthly threads work, I’m likely a little behind everyone else here.

I’m a first timer and would love to learn from others here who have done all this before. I already know @KatRee @beachbum85
and @Etonmess20