IVF July/August 2021

[Bethpalmer20]

Hi everyone.

I couldn't find a thread for ivf cycles July/August 2021 so I hope it's OK to start one. I was on the March/April thread for my fresh cycle and it was so nice to have support from others going through the same thing.

My fresh cycle was successful but unfortunately I miscarried at 8 weeks pregnant. We are start a frozen cycle with one of our 2 frozen embryos. Aiming to start tablets around the 10th July with the hope of transfer towards the end of July.

Would love to know if anyone else is in the same boat or has any tips!

Hi all
I had my day 6 blood test today and have been told to reduce my menopur dosage and they have bought forward my scan to Thursday this week

I assume it because my hormone levels may have risen too quickly? Hope this isn’t anything to be concerned about hoping the scan shows everything is progressing well.

@hoping4baby21 Yes, I wasn't sure whether it was because we are NHS funded or because of covid lots of appointments are over the phone or video call, but I've really felt like the detail has been lacking. It was information overload at the start and it was only when I started the meds that I started to understand the informational videos... But for example our nurse consultation started with her saying, "So the doctor will have told you that you have a high AMH level..." Me: "Nope, no one has said anything and I've no idea what that means or when it was even tested!" Everyone has been lovely but I suppose they forget what it's like to not understand any of this stuff and not know what questions to ask.

@xjustagirlx I'm sorry I can't give you any more detail! I have no idea. I had 20 big follicles and 10 small ones, that's all I know, but I am an OHSS risk like you so was automatically put on a freeze-all cycle with conservative meds. I've also found it really hard to find the info online about how long people normally wait between freezing and transfer. I've seen from a cycle later to 3/4 cycles later, perhaps depending on how you react to the drugs. I also have a weird menstrual bleed that needs to be got under control (e.g. I was still bleeding day before EC) so they might make me wait longer. We've waited so long to get to this point, I don't think I mind a few more months. My EC was Friday and I've not heard anything about their plans. I suppose they won't bother discussing transfer until they know they have something to transfer (tomorrow). I never asked any questions of the nurses, though, and I wish I did! Maybe ask at your next scan?

@janefx40 Thank you, got it all crossed! Yes, so many big decisions when it comes to IVF and some of them are so final.

@Purplemichelle Sending you hugs! The waiting is the worst... After 3 years I gave up on natural conception and stopped doing that hopeful waiting after ovulation, but I remember that hell, focusing on every little thing I felt. Not looking forward to being back there again. Look after yourself as best you can! xx

@manny33 it will be either because your estrogen is rising quickly or quicker than they would like or your LH is rising. They want you to get as many follicles before they need to trigger you so that would be why you reduce the stim meds.

@Hoping4baby21

Thank you for explaining we’ll find out on Thursdays at the scan 🤞🏻

@Hoping4baby21 I have my transfer date now. Monday 2nd!!

@Bethpalmer20 how did your transfer go?

Morning everyone! Thanks so much for your good luck messages for my transfer yesterday. It was quite a traumatic experience actually😢 Last time I was in and out within about 3 minutes, barely felt a thing!

When I got to the clinic (with a full bladder) I found out they were running a bit behind. We waiting an hour before we were allowed to go in and of course at this time my bladder was so full I was in pain. When we went in to theatre it was really obvious that the doctor was stressed out after being so far behind that day and was trying to rush to catch up with everything. This gave me anxiety straight away after spending the last 2 weeks calm and relaxed as anything! The doctor couldn't get the catheter in and after about 10 attempts had to clamp my cervix with a tool to stop it spasming. At this point I was in so much pain, was sweating and shaking uncontrollably and crying. About 25 minutes later they finally managed to get it in and complete the transfer.

After such a negative experience I feel really negative about the outcome. I worked myself up desperately trying to stay calm despite being in pain but now I'm worried I wasn't calm enough and that the doctors rushed approach means it's going to fail (although I'm sure they did exactly what they needed to)..

Feeling better this morning. I think it's going to be a very anxious TWW 😢

@Bethpalmer20 sending you lots of love, that's not the experience you want in this highly emotional process.

@Bethpalmer20 oh you poor thing - what a nightmare. This absolutely isn't going to affect your chances of success. As long as the consultant got the embryo in there, that's fine. Women get pregnant under huge stresses and whilst it's a good idea to be relaxed if you can, it isn't going to prevent you getting pregnant if you felt stressed. Very few women manage to do IVF without feeling stressed and yet it still works time and again.

Lots of love to you xxx

Oh @Bethpalmer20 what a terrible experience for your transfer... I'm so sorry you had to go through that :( Ugh that doctor really should have been more sensitive about how their approach would affect you! Sending you a huge hug and lots of love but please try not to worry... your little embryo is in there now xx

@Janefx40 great to have 7 fertilized, very happy for you :) good luck with your decision - it's hard to know what to do but I suppose your gut feeling will tell you what's right for you, and that's the best thing you can do xx

@manny33 good luck for Thursday's scan - I'm sure they know exactly what they're doing and are just adjusting to give you the best chances possible :)

@mrsbttc our cycles are almost synchronised! Started down reg today with EC planned for the week of 30 Aug if all goes well. Also 35 with 1 blocked tube, started TTC in July 2021 and this is our 2nd round, but I have low AMH... I'm sorry you find yourself here as well, but glad we'll be going through it together :) and glad your first injection went well yesterday - mine was a lot more painful than I remember from last time, but I'm going to blame it on my partner being out of practice and hope for better tomorrow!

@CheesyBug hello and good luck for your update later! that is such a great number of embryos to start off with!
@EHK98 good luck for your Day5 update and transfer too... keeping everything crossed for you xx

@53rds I hope you're feeling better today xx

@Bethpalmer20 What an awful experience! I'm sorry you had to go through that . Glad you're feeling better today and hope that TWW flies by. Do you have anything nice planned? Xx

@xjustagirlx just a little update - asked my clinic today and they said they normally advise waiting 2 periods, with the bleed after the stims & egg collection as your first bleed. But that's just my clinic. :)

Hi everyone
How’s it going?
@Bethpalmer20 that sounds really horrible but try to remember that your embryo doesn’t ‘know’ any of what happened and is just happy to be back in its nice warm home!
This 2ww is really dragging for me. I’m on d5 and so far successfully resisting the urge to test. I’m trying to stay positive and hope my little one is snuggled in! I have a lot less ‘symptoms’ than during my last (failed) transfer so don’t know what to make of it.

If you want to be removed or think I should remove someone PM me or message here, but avoid @ them so they aren't tagged and I will take care of it.

If I have your details down wrong or they are incomplete just @ me and let me know.

We are getting to be quite big bunch now! Wishing everyone all the baby dust.

@hoping4baby21 treatment: 1st FET cycle| start date: 10th July | progress: transfer 22nd July officially PUPO

@53rds treatment: Treatment: 1st FET | start date: 26 July | progress started stims

@2021babyhope treatment: fresh cycle | starts date 24th July | progress: started stims first scan soon

@MaggieMoo86 treatment FET | start date 8th July?? | progress transfer 23rd July - officially PUPO

@girljulian treatment: 1st fresh cycle | start date: 9th July | progress: Transferred officially PUPO

@beachbum85 treatment: 2nd fresh cycle | start date: 28th July | progress: meds at home and starting downregulation 28th July

@XjustagirlX treatment: fresh cycle | start date: 23rd July | Progress: started stims

@JeOrdaannnn Treatment: FET | start date: unknown | progress: transfer 8th July in TWW

@Alexm06 Treatment: FET | start date: 12th July | progress: Transfer confirmed 2nd Aug!!!

@Csparkles Treatment: 1st Fresh cycle| start date: 23rd July Progress: started stims

@Bethpalmer20 Treatment: FET | start date: 10th July | Progress: Officially PUPO

@JesHope345 treatment: 1st FET | start date: 30th June | Progress: unknown

@Lotusflower1990000 treatment: 1sr Fresh cycle | Start date: 28th July | progress: awaiting meds

@heywhatswrongwitu treatment: 1st FET | start date: 5th July: progress: awaiting transfer??

@Lolly2020 Treatment: 2nd fresh| start date: mid July? | Progress: unknown

@AnitaB83 Treatment: 2nd fresh | start date: 19th July | Progress triggered, EC on Wed 28th July

@Purplemichelle Treatment: Fresh cycle | start date: 28th June | Progress: transfer 21.07 currently in TWW

@Janefx40 treatment: 2nd embryo banking cycle | start date: 13th July | progress: EC done, awaiting Embryo updates

@mrsbttc treatment: First Fresh | start date: 18th Aug | Progress: awaiting start date

@CheesyBug treatment: fresh cycle | start date: Progress: EC done ohss risk so FET in a few months

@EHK98 Treatment: 2nd fresh | start date ?? | Progress: EC done

@PurpleUnicorn01treatment: fresh cycle | start date: ?? | progress: started stims

@manny33 treatment: 2nd fresh cycle | start date: ?? | Progress: started stims

BFP's:
@cannonball8726
@Itstime1

@Bethpalmer20 I am so sorry that sounds so tough and stressful. But like the other ladies have said your embryo is home now in the perfect place for it. Wishing you a smooth a quick TWW!

@MaggieMoo86 I could have written that post myself. I am 6DP5DT and I am slowly losing it. I cannot focus, I barely did any work yesterday and today is not looking promising either. In some ways, I have less "symptoms" than my failed cycle and in other ways more. My boobs are sore but they were a little sore before the transfer, they feel sorer now but I am putting that down to hormones. I had fewer cramps this time, in the early days, but now at 6DP, I have some strange feelings down there whereas last time everything stopped at 6DP and I knew in my heart it was over. I am also tired but again meds, last time I felt normal. I am not sure what to make of it, because last time I felt things but it didn't work, so I could be feeling things this time and it is be nothing also. But because it is different this time, it gives some hope, but then I think different meds/protocol so of course, I feel different and round and round we go!!

Funnily enough, I almost tested this morning after saying I wouldn't test early, peed in a cup and everything, and then somehow I dropped all my pee when I went to put it down. I actually laughed out loud sat on the toilet at how stupid this whole ordeal was. LMAO! I took that as a sign to stick to my original idea of not testing early!

Thank you for the kind messages everyone ❤️

Feeling better today and just taking it easy. @maggiemoo86 you've really put it into perspective for me, and you're right, my embryo will have no idea of the stressful situation. Definitely made me feel much better❤️

Well done to everyone staying strong in the TWW!

@Bethpalmer20 Im so sorry. That sounds horrendous.

@CheesyBug thanks for asking. I asked my consultant at our initial consultation. But she was of the opinion that they make the derision to delay once EC is done. Ie it isn’t automatic because of AFC or AMH. Im going to look at the nice guidelines now to see how the clinics should make the decision.

@Hoping4baby21 I am on day 9 of stims. I had long protocol, hoping for fresh transfer. Started down regs 1st july, stims 9th July. Possible egg collection Monday.

Had a second scan today ladies. Panic over. They said the follies are growing now. Woohoo.

@bethpalmer20. Sorry to hear what you went through. I agree with the other ladies. The baby doesn't know. Stay positive. Sending you hugs.

Clinic called to say I had four blastocysts already ready and frozen by 9am. I'm so slow at everything I do and my husband is a premier procrastinator, so I have no idea where these 4 are getting their genes from. They're waiting on one more, so final update tomorrow. My husband was the most stressed waiting for the call than I'd seen him the whole time, and I'm back on my period, so we are relaxing tonight with a Chinese. I actually missed the call because they did they would ring in the afternoon, so I went for a morning walk to clear my head! Then had to wait for ages for the embryologist to be free again before she could ring us back. Silly.

@purpleunicorn1 Woo! Glad to hear the follicles are growing. Not the same as your situation but I always had a fear before each scan that I'd go and find they had all disappeared. I never had any symptoms or bloating or anything, so could never tell if anything was working. It wasn't until right just before egg collection as I was sat in my gown waiting because they were late that I started to feel the follicles ready to pop!

Thoughts and hugs to you all! xx

@Bethpalmer20 that sounds really upsetting, I’m sure everyone is right that it won’t affect the baby but make sure to be kind to yourself after going through that.

@CheesyBug - I have a high AMH too so feeling quite encouraged by your experience. Brilliant news on the blastocysts

I’m feeling a bit better today after my wobble yesterday. Got the hang of the injections and trying to relax a bit. Does anyone know what the situation is with baths? I would love a bubble bath and I’ve read conflicting things about whether it’s ok during stims. I asked the nurse but she said something along the lines of ‘it’s a personal choice’ which wasn’t very helpful.

@CheesyBug excellent update!!! I hate missing a clinic call it makes the wait harder!

@PurpleUnicorn01 I'm glad everything is going in the right direction!

@53rds I think take a bath if you know you won't second guess the decision later. If you think you might then avoid. I think I've read that baths are fine before transfer but a no after EC and transfer.

@CheesyBug that’s great news! Did they give you a breakdown of how the number went from 19 fertilised to 4 frozen? I’m intrigued by how each stage happens.

@cheesybug thank you. Trust me im the same.

At what point do they ask you how many embryos you want transferred?

@53rds Thank you! Fingers crossed for you too. I've also only come across specific advice to not bathe after EC because of the risk of infection. I'm not sure what negative effect it's supposed to have before EC, but as @hoping4baby21 says, do it if you think you won't second guess yourself later.

@xjustagirlx I don't know, but I am also fascinated! I've been such a bundle of nervous energy each time I've had a phone call, I've never got my brain together enough to find out more details. But I will tomorrow. The enthusiasm of the Day 1 embryologist compared to the notable lack of enthusiasm of the Day 3 embryologist suggests a lot of them started going wrong at that stage, but that might just be me guessing. And I'd like to whether it was because they stopped growing or if there was fragmentation or other issues with the division, or whatever. The embryologist today seemed to say there were two more on top of the one they are waiting for, but that they already weren't good enough. So looks like only 7/18 made it past Day 3.

As for transfers, I think the advice is quite strict on only one per transfer unless you fulfil particular criteria, which the others will know more about, then you might get the option for more. As an NHS funded patient, like me, I'm pretty sure part of the funding stipulation is that you can only have 1 per transfer too.

@CheesyBug congrats on the Frosties! A nice healthy number.

@PurpleUnicorn01 most clinics will only transfer single embryos unless you are older (I think over 40) at which point you can have 2 or even 3. There may be some other criteria too but age is the main one. @CheesyBug That is the same for NHS and (most) private clinics. My NHS cycle would have transferred 3 but we didn't in the end for other reasons.

@53rds my old clinic recommended no hot baths (so don't boil yourself!!!) during stims and no baths at all for 2 weeks after. This clinic just said none after.
I'm sure it won't matter if you already had one!

Xxx