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!

Thank you @itsmschanandlerbong — and your username made me laugh!

@girljulian so sorry to hear this news. How are you bearing up. Absolutely gutted for you.

We had a review with the consultant earlier this week and he suggested taking DHEA. I’ve seen this mentioned on a few IVF sites. Has anyone on here used it before? I just can’t seem to find it online with a reputable company in the UK.

Hi @Purplemichelle thank you, it’s been a bit of a headf* — far easier just to get a negative as other people have said. Now part of me is still thinking “could they be false negatives?” while I wait for the blood test results, although I know they aren’t.

Did anyone else who’s had a chemical have, weirdly, more symptoms during the body getting rid of it? I had none at all until I tested positive, then I started having little needling cramps, and needing to wee constantly. I wonder if it’s my body trying to flush the hcg out of my system.

@girljulian I can’t imagine how this is for you at the moment, even waiting for the bloods still has that element of hope. Make sure you take care of yourself.

@girljulian sorry for what your going through x

Just an update after egg collection yesterday. From ~17 follicles, 9 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilised with ICSI. This isa typical fertilisation rate for us. But with the usual drop off we have in cycles between now and day 5 we aren't expecting any to make it to blastocyst stage 😢. Not convinced the change of protocol or meds have had any influence in this cycle.

@Reefy how did you get on with egg collection?

@Purplemichelle I've been on DHEA for a while now. The first time I took it for about 9 weeks and my testosterone and DHEA levels went from bottom of range to over the top so I stopped. My current clinic are less interested in testing - they just say to keep taking it unless I get negative side effects. It's not legal off prescription in this country so your Dr will need to prescribe it or you can buy it from American websites but it's best to get micronised which you get generally on prescription. An unexpected positive side effect is that my hair (which had gone horridly thin) has thickened out again.

@Helene2019 sorry that you are disappointed with the results. I guess there is no way to know for sure until you get to Day 5. Just have to hope they're good ones

@Alexm06 sorry you've not had a positive result. This process is really hard sometimes. Sending lots of love

@girljulian I can't really remember much about physical symptoms from my chemical I'm afraid. When I had my later miscarriage my pregnancy symptoms just disappeared overnight but I know other women who've still had symptoms. I think it is a very individual thing. Good luck with the results. Hoping for a miracle for you xxx

Thanks @Janefx40. I queried the availability of DHEA and my consultant said it was available online. He’s given me a recommended amount to take. Boivea keeps coming up in searches. It is an American website with mixed reviews. I’m a bit stuck!

If your consultant wants you to take it, s/he should test your levels of testosterone/DHEA first because if your levels aren't low it can mess things up worse. S/he should really then prescribe it. If they won't then personally I would get it checked myself on Medichecks or similar (you are checking Free Testosterone and DHEA-S). I did buy from Biovea actually because my prescription was going to take ages to arrive so I have taken that one and also the prescription brands too x

@Purplemichelle here is a link from the fertility guru about it

itstartswiththeegg.com/faq/dhea-and-egg-health/

@Janefx40 thanks for this. I’ll get checked and then order. Are you in the UK? Are biovea trustworthy?

The consultant also recommended COQ10
And vitamin D which I’ve seen mentioned online and in that book you’ve just sent a link to. X

@Helene2019 yes it went well. They got 9 eggs & called yesterday to say 6 had fertilised so have booked us in for transfer on Wednesday but will call Monday to update & said if 1 looks stronger & the others not so good they will get me in on Monday. I've got everything crossed for you that they make it to day 5 🤞.
I didn't feel to bad on Friday just some mild cramping & nausea but Saturday I had really bad cramping/pain in my right side & no painkillers have helped or hot water bottle, I've barely slept & it's still there now.

@Reefy great result! Congrats. Maybe worth calling the clinic if your cramps continue in case you have OHSS. Hope it eases up soon x

@Purplemichelle I hate to say it because it stressed me at the time but you should really get and read It Starts with The Egg if you are looking into diet and supplements. She will tell you which quantities to take according to your broad situation. Coq10 needs to be in the pure form (kaneka trademark). I pay about £60 per month on Amazon. It is bloody expensive. Vitamin D you can get anywhere. I felt the same about Biovea. The stuff did arrive tho and seems to have worked although it isn't micronised. I took mostly prescription stuff but when it ran out just carried on with the Biovea and it has worked for me (in terms of DHEA levels - don't know if it helped my fertility). I would push the clinic for tests and a prescription. I would query a consultant who recommends something but won't do either? Unless it is NHS because these are add ons? X

Thanks @Janefx40.

@Reefy that's great news, and a high fertilisation rate. The clinics I've been at only ever do 5 day transfers - so now it's a waiting game. I'm still really bloated and uncomfortable - been keeping hot water bottle with me.

@Janefx40 thanks for the advice. I will order the book. We are private patients. My consultant has advised to try supplements even though they are proven to help with fertility.

We aren’t going for another round straight away. Everything is a bit raw. I’m just at the initial stages of making lifestyle changes to see if it helps with fertility and the supplements will be additional to that.

This road is so complicated. X

@Janefx40 thank you!
Yes I will see how It goes, they aren't open today but if it's still like this is the morning I will definitely call them.

@Helene2019 yes the embryologist said it was a good result.
🥚🥚🥚🤞🤞🤞
I hope it that feeling passes soon.

Caved and tested today at 5dp5dt and think it's a BFN. Theres the SLIGHTEST line I can see but i don't know if it's just the indent shadow.

@2021babyhope oooh exciting. I've heard people say a line is a line and it's very early to test so could be good news 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@Reefy great numbers - all the best for transfer!

OTD today for me and still BFN sadly. It's a weird feeling when you psyche yourself up to be pregnant and then aren't. On the plus side I get to stop the cyclogest 😊

@Bobtat it's deff a hold it up and look at a certain angle line but keeping my hopes up!

I'm starting to think a second line is a myth 😅

@2021babyhope if there is a squinted hopefully it will make itself more apparent for you over the coming days....

Out of interest, has anyone been super impressed with their clinic in terms of professionalism, communication, different approaches etc?

@Bobtat thank you.
Sorry to hear that result 😢