Continued chat of all things IVF, FET & to feel sane...cycle buddies August/September -

[Bluemeadowbaby]

Hey ladies ☺️

A new thread to continue the one we've maxed out from the FET cycle buddies May/June. Anyone wishing to join no matter what stage you're at we're here to support you along the way.

A little background around me - I have a little boy who's 16mo from my second IVF round in 2019. I'm just embarking (restarting after covid setback) on my first FET cycle with the embryos I have in storage in the hope for baby #2 🤞🏼
I have severe endometriosis, hydrosalpinx tubes which have been removed so my only hope is for IVF to work again. It's been a long old journey but if I can give any hope, faith and a tonne of support to anyone who needs it I'm happy to share my story, updates on my cycle and be there to have a general chin wag ☺️

We've got this! ✨ x

@firefly37 hey! Thanks for checking in. I'm on estrodil (everol) patches - spelling?? - they're bloody rubbish this batch but I'm able to use the ones I had from last time and I have the lovely sticky residue left from the last one so they're much better 😄 I'm feeling surprisingly okay! I feel very collected this time round I'm not sure why, my body seems to be back how it was pre baby ie no spotting and just feeling pretty good so I'll just go with that. I feel a little overwhelmed with work...in a good way! They honestly are going above and beyond to ensure I'm kept safe with covid, I voiced to them my concerns around moving to plan A with covid - I'm in a customer facing role and even though masks are mandatory still in my line of work, there will always be one customer who won't play ball. I asked if I could do appointments over the phone and that was rejected due to the legalities of my role however they have referred me to occupational health on the day of my transfer. They said that given my situation and location I live I will more than likely be classed as "red/amber" which means I won't be able to do my role but could look at another role working from home - current role still being secure no matter what - I would then need to "leave" the business for the 2ww and if all works out I will leave for protection...full pay 9 months then another full pay mat 6 months and 3 months stat. I feel so blessed to be in the position I'm in but also a little wary of not keeping busy with work. I can't complain really I just feel there's a catch 😂 ever the pessimist 🤣 x

@firefly37 sorry...I sent too soon. It's good to hear you have a plan! How are you feeling about it? I'm hoping all goes well for you I really do x

Morning,
@Bluemeadowbaby ... I never did patches, the differences in protocol and meds is so interesting! Your work situation and pay sounds great! I'm a police officer so not bad but not as great as the private sector ... my direct line supervisors are very supportive though with all I have to do, time off etc. Honestly, I am really anxious about the next cycle :( I was so shocked that I didnt respond last time. My AFC is ok and my AMH is the same as it was when I had my DD! I am desperately hoping that was just a crap month. I am still surprised that my clinic wont entertain a long protocol, bearing in mind that I was successful twice before on the long. I can only believe that they are convinced because of my hormone results and age that this absolutely will not work as obviously the easiest thing to do would be to mirror the previous protocol. I feel good about having the FSH test before stimms as if that is good, we are giving ourselves the best shot rather than going in blindly and wasting more money. I am really glad to read that you are feeling good :) .. remind me, you are due for transfer around the same time as me aren't you?! If we are both successful and live not too far away, we have to meet up with our miracles! lol ... xx
@Francesmalin ... I really really hope things work out this time for you and dont forget that I only xx
@Bluehawaii29 ... great news re your scan, its always good to know that things are looking as they should be. I was a bit annoyed that I had to pay out for a Hysterocopy ... but knowing that even after two c sections, everything is looking great and embryo friendly was worth it xx

@firefly37 thanks for your message. Glad to hear you have a plan. I feel really strange today. Had night sweats last night and feel like af is due but app says not due for another 8 days. Wondering if it’s going to come early and getting freaked out if it does as it means I literally have to start the meds now! Not sure how ready I am for it all again. Am going to be on oestrogen 2mg tabs theee time a day, do these cause many side effects? Also 7 days femadryl inj from 1st day of period. Then baseline scan 10 days in. I’ve called the nurses today and waiting for a call back just to put my mind at ease for the recap in case it happens at the weekend!

Just wanted to add an update. Had long chat with embryologist today. Have been feeling very anxious about the idea of putting 2 good quality day 5 embryos back on our first FET cycle. We are also using embryo glue. The idea came about after we chatted to the consultant but I think my gut feeling says no and after our chat today it made sense for us to go with one back this time with the glue and then at least the pressure will be off a bit knowing we still have 3 potentially good ones left. It’s strangely a huge relief to know that only 1 is being put back. Maybe deep down I don’t think I’ll cope with twins?? Just very confused at the mo but I think we’ve done the right thing

@firefly37 it's very interesting how different clinics do things so differently indeed! May I ask, what is your replacement instead of the patches? I don't mind the patches but the boost of estrogen with the tablets I'm due to take after the lining scan really does make me feel so terrible and plays havoc on my endometriosis. The only thing that disappoints me with the clinic is that I mention this and the flare it gives me but they kind of look past it to get to the end goal which I know is just their way of the protocol but it seems they have nothing suitable based on my medical history. I didn't have to take the tablets with my fresh cycle so it really baffles me lol. I'm with you on the protocol, it seems strange they won't go with the longer one given the previous outcomes 🤨 but I too would feel the same as you in having the FSH test and it being good it's nice to feel that little bit more in control that you're doing everything possible to ensure all bases are covered before starting stimms.
Fingers crossed, I'm due to have my transfer w/c 21st feb! It's really coming round so quickly I feel I haven't quite had chance to think about it - I had a moment earlier where I was like shit...this is so soon! And this is my last shot! Please please work! I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't. I don't think I've quite prepared myself for that bit just yet.
I'm glad your direct line supervisors are being supportive, it must be hard especially in the line of work you have but having that support will mean so much I know.
Ahh that would be so lovely! I've always wanted to meet with my fellow members on these boards! X

@Bluehawaii29 sorry lovely, I think I missed your message from before. I hope you're feeling a bit better this evening, night sweats are bloomin horrible! Are you on any meds to time your cycle? The only side effects I had from those tablets is feeling really quite sick, especially if I took them and hadn't eaten. My nurse advised to take them when I eat and space them through the day accordingly. Other than that I was okay, oh and lots of water to go with it. I swear these meds dry us out and that's what makes us feel gross 🤣 I think that sounds like a good plan, especially if you have good embryos. Not that it's a waste, I don't mean it that way, but I guess by starting with one - if, and I hope not! But if it didn't happen this cycle and you used 2 it'd be sad to be in that situation as there could be the possibility of changing a protocol/meds and having 2 further chances instead of just one. But I'm keeping the faith you don't go down that route and it works first time! I too have opted in for the embryo glue just to give that little bit of extra sticky dust x

@Bluemeadowbaby aww thanks for your message my lovely yes it definitely helps take the pressure off knowing the glue will just be used on one for now and also hope the same as you obviously that we don’t have to do it after this one but it will feel less hard hopefully knowing we didn’t lose 2 if it doesn’t work x
Also was told by the embryologist that pregnancy rates tend to go up with cumulative tries including both fresh and frozen cycles which was good to know as I thought cumulative was just referring to repeated fresh cycles.
I also hate the night sweats and feeling so dry, that’s a good tip to know about timing the oestrogen tabs with meals and will definitely try and set my phone alarms around those times. also will keep a bottle of water by my side as much as possible haha
I’m not taking anything to time my cycle as far as I know, they are just letting me have my period and then I’ll take the femadryl injections for 7 days straight from day 1. She said they should do my baseline scan ideally day 12 of the cycle in the hope the lining will be ready for transfer by then and then I’m meant to take the dreaded cyclogest a few days before transfer and the Lubion injection start transfer day onwards. She said they don’t give me that till nearer the time as they are more expensive apparently. It was interesting as well when I asked how long does it take to thaw an embryo she said it only takes 10 mins! Have to be in awe of how they do things. I just find the whole thing fascinating

@Bluemeadowbaby I think your transfer day sounds like it might be quite close to mine, I think mine could be end of feb/ first week of March and totally feel the same as you regarding feeling like it’s all coming round so quick. I downloaded an app called mindful ivf today and been listening to that, finding it help calm my mind a bit so going to try and keep up with that. It can all be so overwhelming though but try not to focus on the end result before you begin, just breath and take one step at a time xx

@Bluehawaii29 I really like that last part of your message, try not to focus on the result before you begin, I take so much from these boards and even though I've done this before those kind of words are so empowering 💕 thank you 💕
It's amazing isn't it how quickly they take to thaw, I watched a video recently about thawing - if you ever have 5 mins take a look on YouTube it's really quite incredible all the "washing" they go through bless their little hearts!
Here's hoping for a lucky streak for us both!
I like the sound of your protocol, is it classed as a natural FET? (Not needing to down regulate?) I know my FET is the same length as last time but this just feels so much shorter and I'm really happy about that. Last time I think I started my meds on day 10 of my cycle but this is now day 3! So I'm hoping that means only good things 🥰 x

@Bluemeadowbaby I will have to take a look at that you tube vid, sounds interesting! I was also not sure what to call this FET, I guess it’s not quite natural? Still giving me meds and kind of controlling the transfer time but have been told day 12 is hopefully when lining will be ready so fingers crossed not too many scans this time! woke up this morning feeling a lot lighter, I think the tall with her yesterday really helped so now I can just focus my energy on that one embryo. Hope it’s a good cycle for us both xxx

@Bluehawaii29 Glad you got excused from jury service :) Exciting you'll be getting started soon! I think you've made the right choice just putting back 1 - a twin pregnancy puts you all at much greater risk of complications. The mindful IVF app is great.

@Francesmalin Hope partner is feeling ok, and you're doing on with isolating. Keeping everything crossed this cycle works for you.

@firefly37 When are your FSH tests due? Keeping everything crossed it all come sback good this time. All is good here - got date for 12 week scan now, which will be on the 1st March so just before I hit 13 weeks. I think 1st March is also when I finish taking all my meds! I start widning down from the 17th, and looking forward to starting to reduce the regime. The first trimester seems to be taking forever!

Just popping back in to send excellent luck to everyone who’s cycling and a GREAT BIG MASSIVE congrats and continued-good-luck to @2mumlife

I’m still pretty mashed up from our two failed goes. Think our one remaining embryo will be our last shot and I just can’t seem to decide when we think about transfer. Not for a bit still, I think. @Bluemeadowbaby will this FET be your last go did i see? How did you decide it was time, and do you have a plan for coping after if things don’t go your way? I’m finding it so hard to think about our family looking different to what I expected, which sounds silly in writing but there we are.

@2mumlife thank you glad you are doing well and let the good times roll xx
I am due to start meds for this cycle now this week eek! Can’t believe how quick it’s come round. The last 2WW seems like yesterday still but going to try and do things differently this time including staying more distracted and no early testing even though I’m not doing a trigger shot this time. Been having migraines all weekend so I think AF may be a matter of a few days away, both exciting but also anxiety provoking haha still trying to practice my daily meditation. Yeah I sometimes do feel a bit impatient and just want two this time round to ‘experiment’ with how that might go but I think our final decision is to do one this time and then we will go for two next time should this not work. Trying to stay positive as can be though xx

@Verbena87 Thank you lovely. I think it must be really hard to get down to a last embryo and be having to make those decisions about what to do next. Actually DP and I have started talking about future a bit already - we have 2 embryos in the freezer, and all being well with this pregnancy, would like a sibling. We're trying to decide how many embryos we might need for a sibling, and it's really hard. I've sort of said to DP I'm done with egg collections myself. DP is 36 and has no interest in carrying a child, but we've been talking about whether she should be doing an egg collection and freeze all the embryos this year, that I'd then do future FET attempts with when we're ready. We made first move this week and DP had.bloods taken for AMH to at least see what the options might be. Not sure if we are crazy though, or sensible given DPs age. It's hard not knowing how many embryos you might need in the future to complete a family.

@Bluehawaii29 Best advise I can give is to try not to stress :) (easier said than done!)

@2mumlife this sounds like a good plan, loads of planning but it makes sense to plan ahead. Is the plan for your partner to do the collection and then you'll carry the baby?

I love that this group has continued over the course of the last few months. And this months most of us are doing egg collections or FET again!

@2mumlife that sounds a good potential plan to me, can fully empathise with not wanting to go through more egg collection than necessary.

I think it will be end of the road for us. The PGD was £10k a pop when we got ours nhs funded in 2016 so god knows now, and that’s with no guarantee of a useable embryo at the end. Fertility wise we don’t need ivf so to do it without would be pointless (DH has a genetic condition we’d rather not pass on) - don’t want to just try naturally either because it feels terribly unethical to give one kid a guarantee of avoiding his dad’s wonky death gene and then just not bother for the next. So yes. I think last one is our last one. But i can’t face the finality so just keep putting it off (I’m the same age as your wife and don’t want to wait forever though). Ugh!

Anyway, wishing you the healthiest of pregnancies. It really is a little boost of hope knowing it’s worked for you.

@2mumlife glad to hear from you as always :) so pleased your pregnancy is thriving and you deserve it thoroughly xx
Turns out my period came earlier than expected and I’m already 3 days in to my FET with my baseline scan booked next fri! We’ve committed to doing a one embryo transfer now with the glue and I’ve been doing my daily injections and oestrogen tabs three times a day since Monday. Was quite hectic on Monday as wasn’t expecting it to be so soon and didn’t quite feel real but I’ve had time to get in to the swing of things now and working on positive thoughts each day x

@Francesmalin Yeah DP doesn't want to carry a baby or any of the related materinity leave etc! and also has some medical things that would make it more challenging physically for her during a pregnancy to be honest. I respond so poorly to egg collections, and find the emotional part of it just too much to do it again, so it seems like the best plan to go make some embryos now while DP is younger, and then we can just get on with doing FETs when we're ready. Her cycles are like clockwork (unlike mine!) so hoping things come back normal.

@Verbena87 There is at least reassurance that your frostie has been tested which is good :) It must be such a hard call when its something genetic. Hopefully this is the frostie thats been waiting for you 🤞🤞🤞

@Bluehawaii29 Its great to be getting started! Hopefully this is the time for you, and you'll soon be sick to death of the estradiol tablets (I get to start weaning myself off mine a week today!)

@2mumlife haha funny you should mention the oestrogen tabs, I’m already struggling with them. Making me so drowsy and tired, how did you survive for so long on these??

@Bluehawaii29 I got increased from 3 to 4 a day to give my lining an extra boost after first lining scan. I found them ok, but hell its not been fun with nausea to swallow them all. Embrace the exhuastion - if your little bean sticks it will be your new permanent state in my experience

@2mumlife haha that’s a great way of looking at the tiredness lol yeah I think this is it now for me. Just don’t feel myself anymore lol
What was your lining scan number do you remember how thick it was when you had the tabs upped? X

@firefly37 how are you getting on? Have you started your cycle?

Hi All,
Thanks for asking @Francesmalin and @2mumlife ... so I had my cycle day 2 bloods today and just got the results back ... my clinic advised to start stimms if my FSH was under 12 ... results are FSH 10.7, Oestradiol 76 and LH 5.1. So I guess I will be starting stimms in an hour or so when I finish work. I am disappointed that FSH was over 10 but should be grateful that its at a "normal-ish" level to work with. My Oestradiol is a little low but my clinic said they were not too concerned about that at the mo. I am on a "flare" protocol this time round, so 0.1 decapeptyl daily and 350 pergoveris. I am so anxious as we really have to call it quits after this cycle as we simply don't have the money to continue if it fails :(
I hope everyone is doing ok and I will catch up shortly xx

@Bluehawaii29 I think I was sitting at about 7mm when they upped the estradiol. Tomorrow I start reducing - I know others get nervous about reducing meds but I actually can't wait!

@firefly37 Keep focussed on the positive - the numbers look good and you can give this cycle everything you've got. Sending positive thoughts your way and keeping everything crossed for some juicy follicules! When is your first scan?

Thanks @2mumlife ... I am feeling terrible after only two shots!! I assume its the "fsh flare" but I am so tired and have the worst headache. I have a scan on Monday and really really hope I have some progress. I hope that you are feeling well and keeping relaxed x