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 😊

@Bryterlayter1 @Jkjellyhead oh, I am so sorry to read your news. This process trully is brutal. Sending lots of strength and virtual hugs. xx

@Bryterlayter1 @Jkjellyhead I am just so sorry. There are no words really although I think even though it makes the hope fade temporarily, it definetly make you more determined x

Unfortunately for me following my BFPs it seems I am having a very early miscarriage (hate the term 'chemical pregnancy'). After my positive tests very slightly got darker, yesterday it didn't change, I went to the clinic for bloods and they finally got back to me this afternoon to say my hcg level is just 16. To me this isn't a viable pregnancy as levels should be way higher now yet they are making me go back in a weeks time for a repeat blood test. I have to continue on eastrogen and progesterone which I'm upset about as to be honest I just want this to end now and my period to come so that I can move on, but feel like it's cruel being kept in this limbo when we know what the outcome will be. That's not me being negative, I just knew as soon as we tested on 9dpt that it wasn't right and when my clinic told me congratulations it didn't feel right. Still getting positive tests but just going to stop testing and I guess wait until next week

@dogmam I'm so sorry to hear this. Sounds like a familiar battle between heart & mind. It's amazing how in tune we are with our bodies to just know the truth, no matter what the science is saying. I think you're right to stop testing & just take every day as it comes. Sending you strength x

@dogmam i am so sorry, lovely. It's heartbreaking and terribly unfair. I'm sorry your clinic is making you wait until next week. Please be kind to yourself. We're here if you need to talk or if you need time away, it's totally understandable.

@Dogmam. I am truly so sorry. This whole process is just so stressful, I hope you have good support mechanisms in place to help you through this awful time.

@dogmam I’m so sorry to hear your update too. It’s a horrible feeling, especially after seeing those lines and all the plans and thoughts you make in your head. Please make sure you mourn your loss and do whatever you need to grieve and heal. Hope your OH is taking good care of you.
Tough for the clinic to be drawing out this process. Will be thinking of you.

@Jkjellyhead did you have any frozen embryos? Could be worth it as imagine it’s a cheaper cycle to do - just make sure it doesn’t change any of your NHS funding. Frustrating that you can’t get through to anyone.

Thinking of you and @Bryterlayter1 still - hope you’re both healing too.

@Novavee how are you feeling post cycle?

@LS2020 i'm ok, thanks. It was a rough couple of days after EC but I finally feel I am back to normal. We have 3 frosties, which is more than we dared to hope after our day 3 update, so we're really pleased about it.

@Novavee 3 is great! I read on another thread that most clinic realistically only expect to get 2-3 ish good blasts per cycle. Of course there are the women who get 10, but they are not the norm. This seems accurate to me, if you look at all the thread on here, the vast majority of women get 1-3 embryos per go. So I'd say 3 is great! You're still under 35 right? Statistically most, if not all, should be euploid.

@Bryterlayter1, I'm 35. From what I was told, 50% should be euploid. If that gives me one good one and we nail the implantation window, we have a chance. The grades are not the best, but if they were good enough to freeze, they are good enough for me.

On day 3 they were expecting one to make it, two at most, so having three was a very happy surprise.

I have my review on Monday and one of the things I'll ask them about is if we will monitor closely my progesterone levels to avoid what happened this time, when my eggs were not ready yet but my lining was. My withdrawal bleed started exactly when I would have had a transfer, so it would have definitely been a waste of embryo.

I still have to read more on late follicular progesterone elevation and if can happen also on frozen cycles but at least we are aware of it.

How are you holding up?

@Novavee so pleased you got 3 to freeze, you must be so pleased! Any idea when you'll be doing your first FET? Hope you feel a bit more relaxed knowing you have 3 safe in the freezer. Do you know what drugs you'll be on for your FET? There's been a recent study comparing ladies who have progesterone pessaries vs progestorone injections and or a combination of both, there's a huge increase on live birth rate when having progestorone support from injections or combination, compared with pessaries alone. Maybe mention this to your clinic, I certainly will be for my next FET.

@Bryterlayter1 @Jkjellyhead I hope you are both ok xx

@dogmam I had my FET consultation today and we'll be doing a natural FET. The only medication involved will likely be a trigger and the pessaries, but we'll keep an eye on the progesterone just in case.

I will start on my next cycle, so in about 3 weeks.

How about you? What are the next steps? Are you going straight to your next FET?

@Novavee congratulations 3 is amazing!

My friend had a failed first round & successful second round with additional progesterone injections. Makes you wonder why they don’t just do that in the first place!

@dogmam we’re doing okay. Trying to call them again today as apparently doctors review notes on a Wednesday to determine your next protocol & I want to make sure we’re on this list for review.

@LS2020 we’ve got one in the freezer which is hopeful. In my head there’s something about having another attempt this year so I really hope they can transfer before Christmas

@Bryterlayter1 how are you? X

Hi all, wanted to update that we had our 12 week scan today and all was good.

Hope you are all keeping well on your journeys and that you’ve got scheduled in for your next FETs ❤️

@LS2020Congratulations that’s such amazing news! How do you feel?

We’re getting ready for our FET, starting 8th November & hoping ET will be end of November / start of December.

Has anyone had an FET?
How’s everyone else doing?

@LS2020 so happy for you haven't been on this chat for a while
I'm currently almost 19 weeks now I'm so happy for you

Good luck to anybody having transfers soon

Stay positive it will happen

@LS2020 Congratulations! Wonderful news! I'm so happy for you.

I've officially started my FET cycle. I have my first lining scan on Monday and we should discuss the rest of the dates then.

Very exciting times ahead @Jkjellyhead

@Jkjellyhead I’m still really nervous somethings going to happen but everyone who I’ve told said that worry never goes away as a parent, there’s always something to be concerned about so I need to get used to it 😂 seem to be coming out the worst of the first trimester and looking forward to being productive again!
Good luck for your round - hope it al goes well :) glad they got you in pre January too!

@tmc2021 wow 19 weeks that’s insane! Have you got your 20 week scan coming up?

@Novavee so exciting - hope it all goes really well. Are you still doing a natural cycle?

@LS2020 yes waiting for app I had 16 week gender scan am having a girl

I was paying for private scans constantly until my 16 week one

I have a 13 year old am your right the worry never goes away xx

@tmc2021 that’s so exciting! We want the surprise and was dead set on that pre pregnancy but now they’re there, I really want to know but OH won’t budge 😂
I’m really tempted to pay for a 16 week one to bridge the time difference but struggling to find one that it’s a gender scan so maybe not to be!

Hey how's everyone doing! @LS2020 how's bump coming along?

I'm almost 24 weeks now I feel like I been pregnant forever haha xx

@tmc2021 they’ve just popped out in last week or so, not felt any kicks or anything but keep getting ooh maybe moments so hope it’s not much longer!
Please don’t say that, it feels like it’s taken forever to get here 🤦‍♀️ I’m trying to tell myself it’s two weeks on Tuesday to my 20 week scan and then I’m half way and that’s not that bad length of time….
Does it feel anymore reassuring to be 24 weeks? I thought relief would come at 12 weeks but my brain seems focussed on getting to 22 weeks when odds start to improve for a baby born.

Hope everyone else is doing well and you’re getting to start your FET rounds ❤️

@LS2020 once you feel movement it much easier to relax as you can feel them. I have a 13 year old and the worry doesn't stop haha

How I been feeling in yourself av been shattered past few days xx

@LS2020 so excited for you! Especially at this time of year, makes it all the more special.

I was due my FET today but unfortunately my oestrogen levels are too low meaning my endometrium lining is too thin. I’ll have to wait for a medicated transfer now. And the clinic have informed me they’re closed for refurbishment until February so it will be a long wait…

Has anyone else had experience like this?

@Jkjellyhead how annoying bet you do angry inside, can't you just take extra progesterone to increase lining x

@tmc2021 not sure if in my head but definitely feeling some bubbley flutters the last day or so. Deffo could be gas but hopeful some of them are baby. We did a private scan yesterday as a treat as my sister came for a visit and got a video of them having a wiggle, stretch and a kick and totally in love 😍
I sleep all the time now, loads better than first trimester sleep at least though.

@Jkjellyhead oh no had your oestrogen been fine in other tests before? How frustrating. Can you at least start your meds in January so you’re ready to go in Feb?