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 all! Period finally started this morning 4 days late because of buserelin injections. (This morning was my 12th injection.) I called the clinic when they opened and they told me to come in for a scan this morning. They wanted to get me in before the weekend, which is what I was hoping for. Scan was ok, then they sent me for a blood test to check hormone levels. The nurse said she will call me later today with instructions for my meds. Once I start my stims that should be roughly 2 weeks until egg collection, apparently, so towards the end of Aug.

For my first round (on my second now) which was with nhs, during the consultation they said I could transfer 2 embryos because of my age (was 41 then, 42 now) but on the transfer day they actually said I could put back 3, which I was not expecting, so I said to do 2 because I didn't have time to think or talk to DH. I only had 3 viable embryos by day 3 (out of 5 collected and fertilised), and the chances of success are not great at this age, so they were transferred on day 3 instead of waiting to see it any made it to day 5, but they didn't stick. 3rd didn't make it to freeze. This time they are planning on throwing all the drugs at me to try to get more eggs. I'll find out soon enough what that means!

@Misty84 it really is a rollercoaster isn't it? And it's impossible to be prepared for every twist and turn, but you're doing amazingly- I hope you're feeling ok as can be today

@beachbum85 I feel exactly the same - trying to harness the power of positive thinking, but also not get carried away and keep expectations in check so it's not a complete shock if things don't work out. Really don't feel I'll ever be well-prepared for that though.

Hoping for positive results for everyone here!

Period started this morning. 7 days late.
Scan booked in for tomorrow morning and they said to expect to have to return Monday as well. I asked if I could just wait until Monday but they said not. Quite frustrated about that.

So should get prescription for meds tomorrow I expect so will order a prepay certificate I think.

@ngy21 I have read a lot of posts where the clinic has asked to ring them once there period starts but I haven’t had this in my plan I might ring them to find out why. everyone’s plans are so different !

I was shaking a little bit once I injected I felt like I could keep going lol my husband had to look away he hates needles! I feel a little under the weather today I look forward to following your journey xx

@beachbum85 thank you! I may have missed this but when is ur egg collection date? It must be close? Xxxx

@Lotusflower1990000 well done on first injection!

It's happening! Period arrived today, I've had my baseline scan and will start injections tomorrow evening- eek! Now won't have another scan until Wednesday- day 6- is this normal? I feel like that's a lot of days of meds without getting an idea of the effect they're having

@KatRee I had my scans on Day 4, 6, 8, 9.
Not sure if that’s helpful?!
All new for me too…x

Thank you @Misty84 - sounds like it's normal to do most of the tests a few days in once the meds have had time to take effect. My scans will be scheduled similarly, just 1st one was day 1 rather than day 4 ( and it may make more sense to do day 4 as they told me they wanted to see if the lining had broken down, but obviously couldn't because my period had only just started so it was pretty much as thick as it gets...) Guess I just have to let go of trying to control it all and just trust the clinic.
Hope you are doing ok x

All this talk of scans got me thinking. In my first round I had one down regulation scan to check the buserelin had done it’s job, and then a final scan after 10 days of Gonal f. Then egg collection and transfer.

I thought the lack of scans was either because it was an NHS cycle, or due to COVID but this cycle is paid for and COVID isn’t as bad, but that’s all I have to do again. Seems like others have a lot more scans and tests… does my lack of medical appointments sound weird to anybody else?

@Goldilocks2528 mine is exactly the same! Only 2 or 3 scans I am finding my plan so odd after reading everyone else’s scanning times. I started injections yesterday 3 weeks then a scan then il start on gonal then a scan 9 days later xx

@KatRee thank you :) are u on the long or short protocol ? Xx

I wasn't expecting all of this to happen on day 1. Writing it out like this makes it seem a little nuts! 5:30 period starts (4 days late), 8:00 call clinic, 9:00 buserelin injection, 10:00 scan, 11:00 blood test, 16:30 nurse calls to tell me to start FSH meds tonight, 20:00 fostimon injection (the max recommended dose). From tomorrow my morning buserelin will be a smaller dose than what I've had up until today. And continue this until my next scan on Wed morning to check on progress. (Whew!)

Last time (different clinic, short protocol) my timeline went like this: I called clinic on day 1, scan on day 3, meds delivery and start FSH on day 4. Scans on day 11 and 15. EC on day 17, ET on day 20 - but didn't work out and now I'm trying round 2. It will be interesting to see how I respond to the stronger meds this time around.

@Goldilocks2528 I only have 1 tracking scan booked on my schedule, its 2 days before (hopefully) trigger day! I asked the same questions as I didn't get a baseline scan etc. But I'm going to trust the clinic know what they're doing! Its all new to me!

I'm on long protocol, been on buserelin since end of July and start stims (gonal) tomorrow!

Hope everyone is having a nice relaxing weekend! Hubby's birthday meal was lovely! It was really nice to get out and dress up, even feeling rather bloated after AF was very late! 😁

@Lotusflower1990000 I am on short protocol- it's my first cycle, so not really got anything to compare it to

Sorry to worry everyone about the scans- when I'd been looking into how much time I might need off work beforehand, I'd got the impression that I would be in for scans every couple of days, but actually it sounds like there are as many scanning schedules as there are different medicines.

Maybe if on short protocol you have more scans? I don’t know why that would be the case…

Anyway it’s all happening for me now girls, triggering tonight and egg collection is on Monday. Eeeeek! I have 4 good sized follicles and 1 that is too small x

@Misty84
Amazing news! Got everything crossed for you ❤

@Misty84 Exciting news! Seems to have come around quickly. 4 good follicles sounds promising too x

@beachbum85 hopefully everything will speed up! I'm just glad we have this thread to go through our TTC together :)

@Bluebonnet3 best of luck!

@Lotusflower1990000 yea it seems all clinics work differently?! I can't believe today will be my day 5 of injections... it's kinda long but at the same time gone quite quick! Have you had any side effects yet? Yesterday after my injection i felt a bit sick and got a bit of a headache. Nothing that can't be managed tho, but just makes me wonder if it will only get worse

@KatRee ooo I think that may be way I guess with short protocol the drugs take effect quicker and u need more scans to see how you are reacting with long protocol I guess it takes a while before we need scans as it takes a little longer to kick in. Xx

@Misty84 oooo how exciting! Baby dust to you! Xx

@ngy21 I know it’s crazy I am on my third tonight and I feel like I’m a pro already lol I’m normally always cold but I’m have been really warm since the injections I haven’t had any headaches yet but been feeling nauseous too I know what u mean I’m a little worried too hopefully after a week our bodies adjust :) xxx

Well done everyone base line scan today. Medication starts tomorrow. Next scan is next Monday

@Hansoo aww how did it go? I don’t even know what to expect from the baseline mine is in the next few weeks what medication are you starting? Xx

Hello hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread. We've just had our 5 day transfer (donor eggs) on Monday so am now in the two week wait, pretty sure I've got a positive test this evening so will test again tomorrow! Good luck everyone! X

@Lotusflower1990000
I will check for you and get back. I am a little confused as I have 3 types of injections. Two types are pens but 6 needles of one strength and 9 needles of double strength, plus general needles that need to be mixed.
They never informed me of any difference between the pens and the strength of the medication. I took the least strength one, but I hope I did right.
The unit is closed today but I'm going to ring first thing in the morning and confirm what I should be doing.

I found the experience of injecting myself quite difficult to overcome. I am by no means scared of needles but there is a difference between someone else doing it or doing it to yourself. DH is afraid of needles and I think he would panic doing it to me. I found it hard to hold the needle still while I was letting the pen click down so that was very awkward- any tips?
It did not hurt when I did it, but I have some soreness afterwards.

Next scan is next morning

I mean next Monday morning

The soreness is actually bruising. Must have been as a result of moving around the needle while trying to depress the plunger.

Can I join? I recognise some names here from previous IVF threads.
I’m about to start stims in my second cycle of ISCI IVF. First cycle wasn’t great - 25 eggs but only 2 embryos. OHSS so had two FETs after a break and neither stuck.
I will be on Menopur and Fyremadel from any day now -just waiting for my period.
The clinic have said that as both embryos in our first round were good quality and didn’t take that I can have two put back at once this time if I want. I am surprised by that (I’m 35) and nervous about it.

Best of luck today @Misty84, let us know how you get on and take it easy after x