First cycle of IVF - buddies please!

[LS2020]

Hi everyone,

Been on the conception boards a fair bit but this is first time on the infertility section.
Bit of background - 28 and been TTC for two years for first child. Had one miscarriage about 10 months ago at 5 weeks. Had all our fertility checks and no major issues have been identified. Consultant suggested IVF for us so we are currently in that process.
Nurse consultation is 2nd July and then hoping it’s not long after then!

Looking for some buddies to keep me going through it all as hate all kinds of hospital things and to stop me over thinking about!

Thanks for taking the time to read 😊

Morning @LS2020

Hope everything gets going quickly for you! It's scary but exciting....

I'm in a similar position, we have another appointment with our consultant on Monday so hoping to get the go ahead for IVF on my next cycle! We have had all the tests over the last couple of months and for us it's male factor infertility. He's suggested IVF with ICSI.

@hmp1 hi! Yes it’s weird, I don’t know how much to read in to everything as ignorance is bliss?!
Oh I hope so, we got our nurses appointment call about a week and a half after our consultation so it doesn’t take long for them to get you in.
Have you seen the videos of how they do ICSI? Amazing what technology they have.

Morning I'm in a similar boat to you both! We've been TTC for 2.5 years with no luck. Just waiting for my period to start today or tomorrow and then we will have the nurses appointment over the next week or so before starting Norethisterone on day 19.

My husband has low morphology but high motility and count so we've been told we also need ICSI.

Does anyone else go from really excited to absolute dread?!

Hey there! I am hoping to start my first IVF at the end of July, fingers crossed. You'll be a few weeks ahead of me, but I'm here to cheer you on!

@MrsLA88 hi! Ooh what’s norethisterone?
What was your morphology? My OHs was 3% which is a bit low but they haven’t seem bothered because count etc was so high.
But YES! I flip between bad ass, I’ve got this in the bag and can deal with a months injecting etc to deep diving IVF instagrams near tears about the bruises on people’s stomachs and my own fear of needles 😬

Hi @Bryterlayter1 we might be about the same time. My nurses appointment is the 2nd July but next cycle is 7th so don’t think I’ll be able to get in til my next period which will be start of august too so you might end up ahead of me! Have you had your nurses consult?

@LS2020 norethisterone is the pill so they can bring on my period to start injections! I'm regular so was a bit confused but at my clinic they do this just so everything starts when they want it to.

Husbands morphology was 2% then 1% have no idea how it got worse! That was about a year ago and we've been better with diet and vitamins etc so hopefully it's better now. The consultant said they haven't found any issues with me and because his count was so high there is still a chance it could happen naturally but after 2.5 years we can have IVF so we're going for it.

I hate needles as well so my husband is going to do them for me! Instagram is great but when you read stories of failed cycles it does bring home reality 😩 x

@LS2020 no haven't had nurse appoint yet, but cycle due to start very end of July (haven't had June cycle yet), so should be ok, but it's not the end of the world if we have to wait until August. I was corresponding with nurses last week and signed and returned a mountain of forms. Hope to get the nurses for around 2nd week of July.

When I had my mid cycle scan with Dr in mid June, he felt optimistic we could start soon, as everything looked good.

Back ground I'm 40, first IVF. In a same sex couple (hence fertility treatment) using donor sperm. We've had our counselling session (required if using donor gametes). Still need to have the virology blood tests, but didn't want to book those until I knew it was a realistic prospect that we could go ahead, as they need to be within 3 months of egg retrieval.

@MrsLA88 ah just typed out a full message and lost it!
That’s interesting - I’m regular as well and just assumed I would start on my cycle but maybe not.

It’s good your OH has had two tests. I’m a bit convinced issue is with OH and we were both surprised when his came out semi “fine” but I guess if we need to do ICSI then they’ll suggest on the day.

Is it really bad I’m not sure I trust my OH to do it?! He’s pretty confident on the injections and it’s deffo more my fear but I’m not sure if I’ll be less nervous sticking myself?!

I’m honestly convinced the first round of IVF will do the trick and I need to wake up about it probably won’t after 2 years of trying but I read so many others stories who have x,y and z against them so have to hope I get to be the annoying stat of the 28 year old with no issues!

@Bryterlayter1 so exciting! Think we will end up being same time. The hospital said they’d send forms and we still haven’t had any :/ the appointment won’t happen unless we sign so going to give them til Wednesday I think and then gives us a week to do.

What does the virology check for?

@LS2020 The virology test is just the blood test for HIV, Hepititus and siphilis, gonnoreah and chlamydia that the HFEA require all people going through IVF (so you and your DH) to have before starting treatment. Really simple but has to be done within 3 months of the egg collection. If 3 months lapse, you need a new one.

Good evening all,

I am also starting IVF soon. I had my nurse's appointment and I'm waiting for some test results. Hoping to start stims by mid July.

@MrsLA88 my clinic is also making me take the pill ahead of treatment. They said it was so they could take over my cycle and schedule everything better. I'm waiting for my period next week to start microgynon. Did they tell you how long you would stay in the pill before starting stims? I was only told 12 days minimum.

@LS2020 i go from being super excited to panicking I'll mess up the injections or forget about them and completely ruin the cycle. Are you planning on doing your own injections? My DP can't even look at needles so I'll have to brave it myself.

@Bryterlayter1 I'm also in a same sex relationship using donor sperm. 35, first ivf cycle. We had our implications counselling last year but then covid happened and we couldn't start treatment sooner.

@Bryterlayter1 hmm that’s odd, no ones mentioned about getting that booked in to us, maybe the nurse will mention. They have said they’ll do bloods on me but nothing about OH needing to do. Hoping when we get the forms through it’ll explain a little more. I’ve had all the gonorrhoea and chlamydia swaps but don’t think they’ve tested via blood.

Good luck @Novavee! How long was it between your nurses appointment and starting treatment?
I’m going to see what it looks like - anything that’s like diabetic pen, I’ll probably do myself but the main muscle needles I might have to get OH to do. The one you have to do in a 10 minute window I’m very tempted to ask if they’ll do that as don’t want to have a freak out about! I’m hoping there’s not too many pills as even worse is I prefer injections to swallowing tablets so this whole process is daunting to me!!

@LS2020 it's so hard isn't it you're just having to trust that they know what you need! Are you NHS or self funded? We're NHS and get 1 round in our area which I'm so grateful for hopefully it's all we need.

@Novavee I'm not 100% how long I take it for I think it will be confirmed in our nurses appointment (I'm sure I was told but have forgotten) We've had our bloods now still waiting for AF then our nurses appointment so stims should start in July.

Do you know when you'll be starting?

@MrsLA88 we’re NHS funded and luckily get 3 rounds so hoping it’s enough! I think it’s insane that it’s different literally depending on postcode 😔

Hello everyone..
I'm also about to start my first cycle of ICSI, just waiting on AF starting (should be around 30th june) then I am to ring the clinic and get started.

I'm 30 and my partner is 31, no issues with me, slightly high AMH at 34.1 and AFC was 32 at last count. We have male factor, 2% morphology and 2% motility (which has decreased from 10% previously) so not great!

I'm on short protocol of Rekovelle. I am also lucky enough to get 3 rounds on the nhs but obviously hoping it works first time.

For those who are waiting on their final appointment before treatment, I had mine at the beginning of this month, first 'implications' with the nurse which was to go over my protocol, how it works etc and then the final appointment was with the doctor to sign consent forms and ask final questions etc. So it goes pretty quickly from there! Now I'm just waiting for AF and that's when I'll go to collect my injections etc and be shown how to use them.

I don't know how to feel about it. I'm not excited.. not scared.. I think a bit numb, it's surreal isn't it?!

Thanks @LS2020
I had my nurse's appointment 14th May. It was too close to my May cycle to start so i have to wait until my June cycle. All going well, it should be 6 weeks between the appointment and starting microgynon. I'm counting on 12 days on the pill, then waiting for a bleed, so around 8 weeks from nurse's appointment to starting stims.
Which ones do you have to do in a 10 min window? I will be on gonal f, which is a pen and cetrotide which i will have to mix but that’s all I know about them. I haven't been told about the schedule yet. I tried asking the nurse and she just said not to worry about it now and that all would be explained on my pill scan. Obviously I am worrying about it.

@MrsLA88
If all goes to plan i should start stims around 10 or 12 July, but only if they don't keep me longer on the pill. Last I heard they were still waiting from some paperwork from my GP and liaising with the sperm bank so until they receive the sample and it's safely with the clinic I can't start stims.

Welcome @dogmam
It's terrible how nhs treatment entitlement varies so much. We need to self fund 6 iuis and up to 2 ivf cycles before we can even consider an nhs cycle.

@dogmam i meant to add, it's great that you have 3 rounds. Are they all fresh or 1 fresh and 2 frozen?

Hi @dogmam exciting not long for you now!
I didn’t realise they did AMH tests on NHS. I’m not expecting it to be an issue but don’t think they’ve tested mine.
Hopefully ICSI will help you overcome your sperm issues and that should get you both sorted!
We do our consent forms with nurse and had sign off from doctor so hope for us that’s the last stage! I feel on one hand it’s gone so quick but on the other even waiting 2 weeks for this nurses appointment is draggginggggg.
It’s very surreal, I’m deffo flip flopping between.

@Novavee weird how you get inconsistent information between places - we’ve been told all about the process but nothing on anything pertaining to me, ie protocols or drugs etc. The 10 minute one is the one you get to make you get ready to release the eggs before you go in for your egg retrieval. I think it’s a muscle one so it’s a proper injection. I’m sure they’ll get you everything you need to know. I keep forgetting little bits like can’t have nail polish etc on when doing egg retrieval and I love my gel nails so deffo going to forget!

@LS2020 I had to go and take a look at all the paperwork I received from the clinic to see if it mentioned the timings of the trigger and the location, but no luck. It just says I have to have it from 9pm with EC 33 to 39 hours later. It's also the only medication missing on my list but that's probably because they will change it depending on how I respond to treatment.

@Novavee yeah it's so unfair, I do feel really lucky to get the 3 rounds but also terrible that it's not the same for others. I can't believe you have to pay for 6 IUI and 2 IVF cycles before you get help, that's shocking!
I get 3 full fresh rounds which includes any that are frozen. I feel bad even typing that. Although I am at risk of over stimulating so they did mention it might be an all freeze round.
How are you feeling about going on the pill?

@LS2020 I didn't know that about gel nails! I just done mine yestersay so guess this is my last set I know about not wearing deodorant or perfumes as that was in the paperwork but nothing about nails.. I wonder if no makeup should be worn either then? Actually I listen to BFN podcast and I think I remember it being mentioned on that.
Yeah to be honest I hardly got any tests, it seems as soon as they saw my partners SA results, they immediately put us forward for ICSI. All I have had is a scan and bloods like 21 day, thyroid and AMH.

Are you girls doing anything to prepare? I've stopped drinking as of last weekend and making sure I eat fruit and veg every day which I do anyway as I'm a vegetarian but other than that I don't know what else to do!

Hi all! My first time posting! Me and my hubby are already going through our first ivf/icsi round. Its day 6 of the cycle, just stared the morning Cetrotide shots. It's nice to see that we are not alone, cause all of our friends are super fertile and we are the only ones who need help.
We're super cam tbh. Not hiding it from anyone, not even our neighbours. It feels liberating to say it out loud and move on with your day 

Hello @momo32 how are you feeling so far? My protocol will also include Cetrotide from day 5 or 6. What protocol are you on?
It's great that you're feeling so calm and that it's out in the open. That's one thing I am struggling with, how to tell people. I want to tell my mam but don't know how.
When is your egg collection? Hope you continue to feel well.

@Novavee maybe it depends on which one it is. This was from a video on Leeds fertility’s website but I did remark to OH that it’s weird you have to have the injection in a 10 minute window but you can be waiting up to 2 hours for egg retrieval?? Can’t be that sensitive can it?!

Also would like to add that is shocking that you’ve had to pay for so much I agree. I get the 3 rounds as @dogmam does including using all my eggs. Guess there’s nothing to be done but I would double check your CCG file just in case they’ve missold you something.

@dogmam I think it’s something to do with them taking your blood oxygen levels. I had it in hospital 2 years ago and they had to remove my nail varnish to get a decent read. Make up is less of an issue, now I’m wfh don’t think I’ve had any on in a year 😂

I’m losing weight ahead of mine but that’s as my BMI is close to 30 and that stops treatment. I’ve also cut out alcohol and pretty much no caffeine but imagine may have a drink or two in run up.
I’ve started on Ubiquinol and upped my Vit D as I was low on my test and doctor said I was 68 and a study had shown that if you’re 50-75, there’s like a 28% chance IVF is successful but if you’re above 75 it’s 37% so overdosing massively on that it’s probably going to hinder my chances 😂

Welcome @Momo32! We’ve started to tell people now we’re doing IVF and it’s so liberating! It’s nice to be able to talk to people and also will help with getting the time off at work. @dogmam if it helps, I kinda left it vague like there was an issue and we were getting IVF to help, rather than admit we’ve been trying and getting no luck. I’ve had pelvic issues before (re my hospital comment) so it’s been easier to just allude to that.
Hope your egg collection goes well!

Hey ladies! Thought I'd join in as it's official we'll be going down the IVF ICSI route! I'll be starting with my next cycle, due 9th July, so the countdown begins!

A bit about me, I'm quite similar to @dogmam actually. 28y/o TTC #1, no issues with me, AMH 40.5. Been trying for 8 months but DH has low sperm count so decided having some reproductive assistance would be better sooner rather than later. We're with abc Fertility but I've also been in touch with my GP to get things started on the NHS just in case!

I'll be having my treatment consultation next Thursday and hoping they'll factor in my potential for OHSS as I'm really hoping for a fresh transfer!

dogmam I haven't stopped drinking yet 🙈 still have a few cans of cider in the fridge so I hope my body will bounce back before my IVF cycle begins (wishful thinking 😂)

@Momo32 how are you finding the injections. I'm worried I'll do it all wrong! Sucks when everyone is super fertile! I ovulated two eggs last cycle and I was so disappointed that not even a single egg fertilised or implanted or whatever! Have you told your work place? I'm hoping to get two weeks off without mentioning IVF.

Hey @momo21 and @dogmam. It's good to have people a bit further along in the process who can share their experiences.

I haven't told many people. The only person in my family who knows is my sister. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up (there is nothing in this world my father loves more than his grandkids, if he knew we were going through IVF he'd probably call for daily updates!).

Hi 👋
I’m starting my cycle mid -July - excited but also extremely nervous. Done all my baseline tests & bloods & will be receiving my protocol this week so I can start next month.

I’m 40+ was due to start my IVF cycle in Jan, but I got delayed as my NHS fertility investigations highlighted a few issues on the fertility front & after an open abdominal surgery to remove a giant 😬 ovarian cyst, I’m now fully recovered enough to start.
Hoping for less bumps in the road this time!!