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 😊

@Luluspies yes it’s important to do what’s right for you! Hope the clomid works. Interesting as I was told as nothing was wrong with us that it was straight to IVF. Tbf I didn’t overly want to do clomid as I thought they were tablets and I’m awful with taking pills. Sadly give me injections any day 😂 yeah I’ve heard it’s day 1 if continuous bleeding before 5pm of that day, if not, your next day is day 1 which doesn’t make any sense as if you’re spotting the bloods already on it’s way down 🤷‍♀️

@Girlwholifts I end up with thrush all the time so I’m hoping that it’s a very similar process to that! Yeah I don’t react well with progesterone. I’m worse the week before AF rather than actual AF because of it! Weirdly I had depo contraception and that’s full progesterone and didn’t have any side effects on that.
It still feels ages away! I’m trying to count it as one more week after this and then it starts 😂 I’m going for my bloods today though which was about half way on waiting so hoping it does go quick.
How are you feeling?

@LS2020 yes well they did say the same to us because of our age they jumped straight to IVF but I said is there absolutely nothing else we can try first as we haven't been trying for a full 2 years that's how we got to clomid so fingers crossed! Hope your good the nice weather helps to stay positive I think 😃

@dogmam thinking about you. I know that's got to be so discouraging but hoping you can get some answers to give you a bit of peace. How are the remaining blastocycsts progressing, if you don't mind my asking? x

@Girlwholifts thanks for the positivity the other day. I had to get my head on straight. I was low stims/mild IVF so shouldn't have expected big numbers! Hope you're doing well in the two week wait. When's test day?!

@LS2020 hope time starts moving at warp speed for you! I found the waiting to start to be much harder than any injection.

@Bryterlayter1 and @Novavee it has to be maddening to project manage this process as you've had to do and all the waiting, calling, chasing, etc. etc.

I've got my last stim + trigger tonight! The stim phase went by in a blink. I've got 3 dominant follicles and a 4th trying to catch up (hence the extra stim tonight). Egg collection Wed.

Hope everyone is enjoying some sunshine and keeping positive.

Plan's now changed of course! They want me to go a bit longer to give my follicles more time to grow. EC now Thurs/Fri.

@LS2020 honestly time will fly by! Me and my DH were only saying the other day how long it felt to get to this stage and then it was over within a blink of an eye. I took loads of videos just so I could remember what it was like haha. I’ve never felt so organised in my life!! Yeh I’m feeling really good. Not feeling to positive but time will tell 🥴 aaaahhhhhhh!!!

@Ally0400 Hey, glad to hear all is going well your end! Yay for trigger injection tonight I bet you guys are well excited! Are you having a fresh transfer?
So, I test on Friday 🥺 and have this gut wrenching feeling it’s a BFN! I don’t know why or what I expected to feel but I think I’m putting up my guard in anticipation of it being negative. Bloody hate this waiting game, knew it would be hard but never thought this hard 😂

Hi ladies, we got our day 5 call on Saturday and we have two embryos that made it to blastocyst and are frozen! A long way off from 19 eggs collected but we are just so greatful to have the two as I really thought after the day 3 call, there was no hope. Apparently they aren't concerned about the fragmentation as the two frozen are great quality. So now it's the slow wait for my next period to start then I ring up to see if we can be fit in to do FET. Honestly what a bloody rollercoaster!! From egg collection last Monday and onwards has been the worst/hardest time ever but when we were told we had two it felt like Christmas morning!!

@ally0400 yeah stims come and go so quickly don't they! I woukd say its definetly quality over quantity so try not to worry avout your follicles. How are you feeling about Wednesday? Is your partner allowed with you?

@luluspies I always have spotting so asked my clinic yesterday as they want me to ring on day 1 for my FET, she said just to ring them as soon as I think I'm about to start so when I'm spotting, it's always an ongoing question in my head every month of when to class day 1 as! They scan you to make sure it's the right time anyway so it'll be fine but I would say earlier rather than later.

@dogmam so pleased for you! What a relief that must be!

Thanks all for advice. The sperm bank emailed on Friday to say they had sent the up to date results to the clinic. I've now been trying to get in touch with the embryologist at the clinic to check that everything is in order and that delivery is being arranged. However, it's now been 2 days of trying to get a hold of the clinic for confirmation and I am feeling really stressed. I spoke to the receptionist at the clinic who was very kind an explained that due to illness there is only 1 embryologist in at the moment, so she is really busy. The not knowing is really stressful, AF due on Friday.

@dogmam what a wonderful update! You must be on cloud nine. So pleased for you that things took a positive turn. Hope you can get some time to put your feet up and relax before FET.

@Girlwholifts chin up! Hang in there. I'm sure time is absolutely dragging for you, but hoping it'll all be worth it come Friday. Are you planning to test early/home test or do it at the clinic?

@Bryterlayter1 I'm sorry the admin side of things has been so hectic. More frustrating even that this is all so time sensitive with your cycle due to start soon. I hope it's all in hand asap.

I had final bloods/scan today and will trigger tonight. Consultants wanted one more day for follicles to grow. EC now Thurs. Planning on a fresh transfer. I'm excited/nervous all at once!

Loving the positive news today 💛

@Ally0400 I was given 2 home testing kits from my clinic which I will use, if it’s positive I will have a blood test a week later I think they said. I won’t test early just because I’m bloody scared to see the result haha!

How exciting for you! It all feels real once that last injection is done! Wishing you all the luck for EC, keep us updated to how it’s goes 🥰

@dogmam AMAZING news! I bet you were overjoyed!! I’m so glad it all worked out and you can carry on with your transfer as planned, I’m sure time will fly by 🤩

Thanks @Ally0400 hope so too!
Good luck for your trigger, and hope egg retrieval goes well Thursday ☺️ What an exciting time!

@Girlwholifts yes stay positive, a lot of women don’t get early symptoms etc and baby is lovely and healthy. Are you planning on testing early? Hope it’s a lovely surprise for you on Friday.

@dogmam what fabulous news after all that anxiety! When’s new cycle due to start?

@Bryterlayter1 based on my experience I would keep trying as when you pester you get prioritised (sadly) but not a great feeling when they’re understaffed I know and counterproductive! Hope it all gets sorted and you can start ASAP 🤞🏻

@Bryterlayter1 thank you! Ah not surprised you're feeling stressed, I hope you get an update soon to put your mind at rest a bit, just keep chasing them.

@ally0400 thank you! Yeah still feeling on cloud 9 knowing we have two little frosties, the closest we've ever been to a baby! How exciting for your collection tomorrow! How are you feeling? I took books and snacks, packed like I was going on holiday and didn't even unzip my bag, so don't overthink it.

@girlwholifts thanks!! How are you feeling?! Omg I bet you don't know what to do with yourself... I'm sending soo much luck your way for Friday's test xxx

@LS2020 thank you! Well my usual cycle would have been about a week away but I actually come on about 4 days after egg collection so think my cycles probably been knocked a bit, which is frustrating because I'm lucky and have a really regular cycle every 28 days give or take a couple of days, hoping it won't be too long and I can get booked in for FET. My clinic is so busy though so I just have to ring on day 1 of my cycle to see if there's space as it's not a guarantee, if there's not it will be waiting until the following cycle! You have all this stuff to come, I bet you can't wait to just get started and be on your way with everything.

Unfortunately, not going to happen for me this month. Looks like around August 20th. Ah well, wasn't meant to be this month

So little update from me, I thought test day was tomorrow looked at paperwork last night and it was this morning! It was a BFN 😢 devastated! I knew deep down something didn’t feel quite right but wanted to continue like all was good and hope to be proved wrong. I haven’t had a bleed so they’ve asked me to continue meds and test again in a few days. Nothing will change I’m sure but I guess they have to double check. DH was way more upset than I thought he would be and has said about the next cycle. Anyone have any advice on how long to leave it between cycles? Obviously we are in no rush but a plan gives us something to focus on. 💛

@Bryterlayter1 Sorry to hear you have to wait but I’m sure that time will fly by!

@Girlwholifts I'm so sorry. I have no advice about wait between cycles, but just wanted to say I was sorry about your BFN.

@Bryterlayter1 Thank you! Everything happens for a reason so they say 💛

@dogmam frustrating they can’t just get you booked in for your next cycle as they would do with a full IVF process. Argh I know, still feels like ages away although day 1 should hopefully be two weeks today at the latest 🤞🏻

@Bryterlayter1 oh no how rubbish! As much as I have been whinging this last couple of weeks have gone by really quickly so it honestly won’t be long. Tbh I’ve enjoyed doing lots of non pregnancy stuff. I’ve drank, gone axe throwing (not at same time), eaten a lot of uncooked cheese etc so would fully recommend.

@Girlwholifts oh darling I am so so sorry.I don’t know anything about next cycles. I can’t see why you couldn’t do a FET the month after this if you had any? They normally like one for the cycle to regulate. They may want to review your meds to see if there’s anything you can do to improve chances - does your clinic do embryoglue?
Hope OH is showering you with cuddles and love and treat yourself to something splurgy this weekend.
I wear a Fitbit and you can track RHR for a BFP and I don’t know whether to wear it or not as think it’ll be more stressful watching it but then I’d want to know if it just wasn’t happening so I can mentally prepare.

@LS2020 we've decided to go glamping next week. and I can go out for dinner with friends at the weekend (wouldn't have been able to if mid-treatment due to isolating). I will defo make the best of the next 4 weeks. August isn't too bad anyway. July and August are my quieter times at work, so it will still be fairly easy to fit in appointments around work.

@Girlwholifts I'm so incredibly sorry. You have such a good mindset about it. Hope you're spoiled with love from everyone around you these next few days. Do you what you need to do to keep your chin up and look after yourself. Will you have the chance to meet with your clinic and talk through the outcome? I imagine they'll advise how long to wait, and that seems down to your protocol from what I understand. I think we both did mild? Guidance from my clinic is a cycle in between. Thinking of you. x

@dogmam and @Bryterlayter1 hang in there! Hopefully you'll not have to wait much longer. Let's hope fortune favours the bold patient!

@LS2020 the fitbit sounds like it'll either give comfort or anxiety depending on your personality. How accurate is it meant to be? You're just waiting for your cycle to get started now, is that right?

Little update from me, egg collection was a bit of a doozy. Procedure itself was fine but had a reaction to the sedation (not a surprise given how I react to codine- but was rough). All good today. Clinic called to say the 3 eggs they collected all fertilised and I'm now due for transfer on Sunday! They'll culture the other 2 and try to get them to blast and freeze.

Thank you lovely ladies for your kind words. Just waiting for Aunt Flo to pay a visit and get it over with. I want my body to catch up with my brain.

@LS2020 I have a Apple Watch but didn’t track anything like that. I own a gym so I’m pretty constant all day and have still had to coach (nothing strenuous) while trying to chill a little.
Unfortunately our 3 other embryos only made blast 3BC grade and they have to be blast 3BB minimum for the freeze apparently so we would have to start from scratch next time.

@Ally0400 So glad all went well with your ER although not the reaction to the sedation that doesn’t sound fun! I bet you can not wait for Sunday now, and fingers crossed for your remaining 2 making it to the freezer 🤞🏼
Yes I was on a mild protocol so no idea what will change the next time. Fingers crossed we should have a follow up appointment in the next week or so once I’ve done another test Monday.

Question for those who were on a short protocol, what CD was your EC? I know if will differ from person to person, but wondering if there is a general average?

@Bryterlayter1 as you say, things always line up in a way they’re supposed to but it can still feel a bit shit along the way so always here if you want to rant! I haven’t started mine but at the minute they’ve told me it’ll be day 13 for mine.

@Ally0400 it’s pretty accurate I think. It’s how I found out about my mc, when I got my BFP it was because of my RHR that I tested. My OH has told me to take it off as I’ll obsess so think that’s what I’ll do.
Good news on your EC but sorry that you had a bad reaction to the sedation. Glad to hear you’re doing better today.

@Girlwholifts have you retested now? Sorry you’re going to have to do a full cycle instead of just a FET, can you do anything like planning some annual leave so you can rest up at home a bit more?

@Girlwholifts sorry just seen you said you’ll retest Monday!

Hi all so took my test last night and got BFP I cannot believe it am in shock.

@Girlwholifts hope you are ok x

How's everyone else doing xx

@Girlwholifts I had another cycle just before this one. I only waited for one period then started again so literally straight back in xx

@tmc2021 HUGE congratulations! Some positive news at last!

Honestly doing ok thanks lovely. Xx