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!

@Aprilia123 yes, I'm doing long and had no idea how short works! thanks for the explanation :) glad the double injections were fine

@Janefx40 sorry to see you here too!

@Lotusflower1990000 you're most welcome xx will you start around CD21 with down regulation? My clinic has me start around then with Buserelin for 2-3 weeks, and then I start stimming if everything is OK at the baseline scan (scheduled for 17 Aug). Or maybe they'll give you the timetable when you let them know your period has come :)

@beachbum85 No worries - I have no clue how long works other than it’s longer and has tablets too…

Could I join in here?

I was on the April/May thread, I think.

I had my first EC in late April. 12 eggs collected, 10 mature, only 4 fertilised and only 2 made it to day 5. We’re having PGD to avoid passing on my genetic neurological condition. My condition is de novo, and rare, so they told us they would have to get 2 embryos with my condition in order to create a control sample to confirm that any that don’t have my condition really don’t have it. I’ve signed so much paperwork to this effect. I’ve had it reiterated at every appointment for 3 years of waiting. We were pleased to have two embryos to freeze but understood we’d have to go through EC again to get enough to confirm the genetic testing and have something to transfer.

So imagine my surprise yesterday when I had a phone call to say both embryos are good quality and clear of my condition and the hospital are happy to proceed with transfer! I queried it, and the embryologist went to find out more info. Apparently they kept the two which failed before day 5, both of which tested positive and provided enough genetic material to get the comparison!!

I can’t quite believe it.

I don’t really dare to believe it until my satellite clinic confirms we can go ahead.

I know there’s so much that could still go wrong, but to have two chances when we thought for certain it would be straight back for EC again… I used my TOIL to take today off work just to sort my brain out as I’m absolutely overwhelmed!

Hi, please can I join?
I had egg colllection years ago, with 1 blastocyst transfer that resulted in my daughter (I know, I count my blessings every single day) and three frozen - after a couple of months of travelling 100s of miles back and forth to my clinic (as we moved in the interim), altering medication, disappointing scans followed by more positive scans, I'm now in a position where I'm booked in for FET next week. Seems very surreal! Not sure how positive I'm feeling especially as we were so lucky previously.

Hello Ladies,

I remember most of you from previous threads :)
I had my first IVF earlier this year with FET in May. It didn't work unfortunately, and we had only 1 embryo.
We got on the waiting list again, looking at early 2022 pfff, but we have no more funding anyway (self funded £5000). Thinking about moving to a better funded postcode...
Anyway if we move we probably will have a choice between Homerton and Guys. With Homerton atm. All tips are welcome.

I have a very recent experience of FET @Bethpalmer20, and very happy to share.
I started progynova on CD2, had a lining scan 10days later, started Cyclogest 2 days later, then FET 5 days after that.
I was on Progynova (3), Cyclogest (2) and Lubion injections (2) during the 2ww.

The FET is quick and straight forward, no pain, nothing. And I felt so happy and complete from the minute I left the hospital. I loved that feeling and can't wait to feel that way again :)
If you have any questions, I am happy to help if I can.

Good luck to all of you! I hope it will be the round of your success.

Hi everyone! I am OK to join please?

We are about to start our 2nd IVF cycle in mid July, fingers crossed! Just sorting out funding, going with access fertility I think.

We had our first cycle in October 2020. No embryos made it to day 5 but we had 2 put back on day 3 but the cycle failed unfortunately. I've been on coq10 since so fingers crossed the quality has improved!!

I joined a group last time and found it really helpful to have each others support!

Good morning! may I join please?

I will be starting my second fresh IVF cycle in two weeks.

I was also in the March/April IVF thread! @Bethpalmer20 @beachbum85 @ForeverHopeful17 That cycle itself was successful but ended up in a very early miscarriage at 5.6 week :(

No embryos frozen now so we have to start from the scratch.

A bit of background about myself: I am 38 years old and my husband is 40, we do not have any children and have been trying to conceive for 2.5 years!

Our first IVF cycle was scheduled for January 2021 but we miraculously fell pregnant over Christmas with our angel baby that passed away at 9 weeks :( . Then we started IVF in March and you know the rest of the story :)

We are doing ICSI as my husband has a low sperm count.

Fingers crossed for all of us!

Hey everyone who has joined recently welcome!

I had a pretty tough day yesterday with my friend announcing her pregnancy (she knows what we are going through and tried her best to be sensitive) but it f**king sucks! So that makes all bar one of my close friends getting pregnant first time or on "accident". You can't make this shit up. I feel like the universe is playing a real cruel trick on me. I mean SERIOUSLY!

Anyway need to get my prescription fulfilled today and then I should start my period next week at the hen do of my newly pregnant friend also with her heavily pregnant sister! I want the ground to swallow me whole 🤦🏽‍♀️

Hope everyone had a better weekend than me.

Hi

I hope it’s ok to join this thread. I am on day 7 of stimulation drugs for IVF. First scan tomorrow to check on follicle progress. This is my first IVF attempt. It’s quite lonely going through this process and daily injections do rule each day.

Has anyone had cycles with ovaleap, Menopur and Fyremadel? I’m getting cramps like I’m about to start my period every evening until I do the evening injections and then so bloated until morning!

Would be nice to chat with you guys about your experiences.

Can I join you please? About to have my first FET. It's a long cycle protocol, so I'm not sure of the dates, but I think due to start down reg middle of July. Our first fresh transfer was successful, so this will be our second (and sadly last - we can't afford anymore) transfer. I'm a bit petrified!

@Purplemichelle I had my cycle using ovaleap only. I had no symptoms except for obvious slight discomfort just before trigger. The clinic also said they are seeing people respond quicker on it and needing less meds before ready to trigger.y does was low though at only 150iu.

Haven't used menopur.

@SerendipitySunshine that's great that your fresh was successful! I've not heard of long protocol FET. How does that work? Is there a particular reason you are on that protocol?

@Cinnabun18 thanks for your message. I have been put on 300iu ovaleap, 150iu Menopur and 0.25mg Fyremadel. Fyremadel is the stingy one!!! My AMH is very low so I guess that’s why I have slightly higher doses, just hope it’s doing it’s thing!!!

It sucks @Hoping4baby21 I think every one of my close friends has had a baby in the time we have been ttc, some have had 2! It's so hard and I feel so guilty as I'm really happy for them all but it's still a painful reminder of what we so desperately want and also of how easy it is for so many people....stay strong and look after yourself ❤

Hi @The3rdWatermelon welcome and congratulations. What a rollercoaster and how amazing to find that your embryos are all good. When will you transfer?

@heywhatswrongwitu really exciting to be starting your FET. Are you starting the process next week or having the actual transfer? Absolutely no reason why you can't have a good result twice so fingers crossed x

@Orsh sorry your cycle didn't work out. I had a cycle at Guys and wouldn't recommend them personally however I'm sure there are others who would say the opposite and I don't know how Homerton compares. Best of luck whatever you decide

@Lolly2020 Hello! Sorry about your failed cycle and fingers crossed for this time around. I had a similar result last time with an earlier transfer not working. Let's hope this time is different.

@AnitaB83 welcome and I'm so sorry for your losses 💐

@Hoping4baby21I'm sorry you've had such a rough day. It can be so hard watching other people get pregnant around you. I find the concept of getting pregnant by accident so bizarre - it's just so far away from my experience. Hope the hen party isn't too awful

@Purplemichelle welcome and best of luck with your scan. Let us know how you get on. I only used Menopur once years ago so I can't remember I'm afraid. There is a lot going on in there though so cramping can be normal. Hopefully someone else has more advice

@SerendipitySunshine congrats on your precious success and best of luck for this FET

We had our follow up on Friday (while I was at Wimbledon - had to leave the court to take the call! Bizarre but nice to be out!). He's going to change a few things from last time so we shall see if things go better.

Best of luck everyone

@Janefx40 thanks for your reply. I’m panicking now as had some brown discharge and more cramping. I’m really hoping this is all normal. Will update you after the scan tomorrow.

Good luck everyone

Welcome new people!

@Purplemichelle I was on menopur and fryemadel and I was a bit crampy but I wasn't concerned as I put it down to my follicles growing. I think all our bodies act different and I have seen a lot of ladies say they were bloated.

@Hoping4baby21 it's horrible I hate that I'm so jealous of my friends. One of them we are still trying to get the friendship back on track as she got pregnant 2 months after my miscarriage and yeah I didn't take it too well. My friend and her partner were not even together when we started trying so they just makes it even more harder. None of my other friends understand and I feel I get a lot of them blame me for the friendship distancing but yeah I'm just trying to get by at the moment. Its sucks but it will be your time soon.

Have my scratch this morning at 11 I'm
now starting to get a bit nervous as I've seen a lot of people say it's not nice. Has anyone here had to have one? Please tell me it's not too bad!!

@Purplemichelle I was on Menopur and Fyremadel and I felt uncomfortable by the first or second scan. Then this feeling increased until the EC. I felt a big pressure in my ovaries and it triggered some hips pain in the last couple of days (and I didn't even have too many follicles). I can't remember cramps as such at that stage, however we all are responding differently.
All the hormones we take, the high(er) number of follicles growing, these are a huge pressure on our body (and mind).
Good luck with your scan!

@Purplemichelle I’ve done menopur and fyramedel twice and the first time my ovaries were definitely sore and ‘bubbly’ feeling. Second time is now and I’m not responding as well, and feeling nothing - so it could always be a good sign.

I’ve got my third and possibly final scan today. Second scan wasn’t great, not many follicles, so kind of just hoping they decide to trigger today so I can get collection over with.

[quote Cinnabun18]@Purplemichelle I had my cycle using ovaleap only. I had no symptoms except for obvious slight discomfort just before trigger. The clinic also said they are seeing people respond quicker on it and needing less meds before ready to trigger.y does was low though at only 150iu.

Haven't used menopur.

@SerendipitySunshine that's great that your fresh was successful! I've not heard of long protocol FET. How does that work? Is there a particular reason you are on that protocol?[/quote]
Thanks so much. I'm not quite sure - they said a medicated cycle would be better as my ovulation was hit and miss, so I have to start with down-reg. Last time, for my fresh cycle I did short protocol with no down-reg, so it's going to be a new experience.
This embryo is our only one, and I'm now over 40, so it's our only realistic chance of a sibling, so I'll go with whatever they suggest to maximise the chances.
I do feel as though we were so lucky last time I can't imagine it happening again, but I know that we have a similar chance to last time so I should try to think positive!

Welcome @the3rdwatermelon what amazing news for you! Science really is incredible!

Hello @orsh I remember you from a previous thread, sorry you are still here. Thank you for all the info, it seems a much more straight forward process than my fresh cycle.

Welcome @lolly2020 and @anitab83

@anitab83 sounds like we are unfortunately in a very similar situation. I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage, it's such a hard journey and just when you finally think you've made it, the worst happens. We are also doing icsi for the same reasons. We were told to try and look at the miscarriage as a positive that we can definitely get pregnant and hopefully it was just a case of being unlucky.. Best of luck to you for this cycle!

@hoping4baby21 I feel your frustration, it really does feel like the world is against you sometimes. A close family member of mine got pregnant through ivf at the same time as us, unfortunately ours ended in miscarriage. It's hard to see them posting their milestones and scans. One of my close friends also recently announced her pregnancy, that was hard. I desperately want to be happy for people, and I am, but it does feel unfair.

Welcome @purplemichelle and @serendipitysunshine wishing you the best of luck for your cycles and hopefully this thread can provide some support for you❤️

Hi @Bethpalmer20,

Sorry to hear about your recent miscarriage, but it sounds like you're in as good a place as you can be for your upcoming FET. I agree it's very hard trying to stay in a positive mindset when you know how easily it can be taken away and with all the uncertainty that fertility treatment brings.

I'm also expecting to have my FET towards the end of this month. It'll be a medicated FET with an euploid blastocyst. I'm expecting to start downregulation and estrogen tablets this week. It's a relief to finally be starting this cycle, but the worry about it not working has weighed heavily on my mind these last couple of months.

This my first FET cycle, so I don't have any tried and tested tips. I've been taking supplements (folate and vitamin D, which is recommended by my clinic, plus other supplements too). I'm also trying to eat well, doing yoga when I can and will be cutting down on caffeine and not drinking alcohol in the run up to it. I've also been having acupuncture roughly every 2 weeks.

Hello to everyone else on here.

Hey everyone so the cramping and discharge is normal apparently.

My scan showed 4 follicles on the right, 2 on the left. I had a tube removed from the left hand side so I think this explains the result here. I’ve been on the max dose of meds for 7 days and the dominant follicles on the right ovary are measuring around 7mm. They have a lot of growing to do and I may need to have more drugs into next week. I’m thinking on the positive side as didn’t even expect 4 follicles in total due to my very low AMH. Does anyone have any experience of follicles growing quickly after the first scan?

Thanks for the lovely message @mudra85 it is hard to stay consistently positive, I think the worry is always there at the back of your mind. Wishing you the best of luck for your cycle, it sounds like your body is in the best form it can possibly be in which is great. I've also started taking folate and vitamin D so hoping that will help!

Hey @purplemichelle I don't have any personal experience as my situation on my 1st round was different to yours. However there were many ladies I have chatted to on previous threads whose follicles caught up in growth after their first scan. Your clinic will up your medication dose if they feel you are not responding as well as they'd hoped so try not to stress yourself out about it and trust that your body is doing what it needs to do ❤️

@Bethpalmer20 thank you ❤️ it’s such a minefield!! I’m trying to chill out as much as possible. It’s hard when you have a full time job.

How’s everyone doing today?

Hey everyone! Welcome @heywhatswrongwitu @Lolly2020 @SerendipitySunshine @Mudra85 sorry to hear you find yourselves here as well...

@Aprilia123 I have no tablets, but I have about 3 weeks of down regulating injections that kind of 'turn everything off' before stimming, in the hopes of recruiting more follicles (I have low AMH) so I guess that's the main difference between long and short? How was your scan today? I hope it's looking better for you xx

Hi again @The3rdWatermelon - I remember you from a previous thread and I'm so happy for you! What amazing news :)

Hi again @Orsh and very sorry to hear that you had an unsuccessful cycle and have to start EC again too... Thanks for your well wishes and best of luck to you too! I hope you manage to sort out the clinic and the funding soon xx

Hi again @AnitaB83 - so sorry for your losses :( I hope you get another BFP this cycle and it all works out well! xx

@Hoping4baby21 that sounds really tough! I'm sorry you had such a shit weekend :( I hope you're feeling better... I have an event next weekend where I'll be meeting a friend who got pregnant first time round and I'm dreading it too, so I can imagine the double frustration in your case!!

@Alexm06 how was your scratch? Hope it wasn't too bad...

@Purplemichelle my follicles grew quite significantly from the first scan! I had 4 tiny ones on the left ovary first time round (blocked tube too) and just 2 days later one was at 12mm and 2 were at 11mm (and those 3 were mature when collected). I know it's hard not to worry - I couldn't think of anything else - but things can move quite a bit in a short period of time! Keep us posted :)