IVF/FET October/November 21

[2021babyhope]

I think I'm a bit early on some of the other threads so starting one for October/November 😊

1st fresh cycle in august ended in CP.

Booked for follow up consultation 30th September so hopefully I'll be able to transfer late October early November 🤞🏼

5 frozen blasts. Hoping to transfer 2 this time round but I'm not sure they'll let me 😬

Hey everyone 🙂 need to go back and read everyone's updates!

Finally had my consultation, we're doing a medicated FET so a bit of a longer processes.

I'll be started day 21 of my next cycle, 2 weeks injections to shut my ovaries off, 10-14 days of oestrogen tablets and then 6 days after that I'll transfer.

They're upping my progesterone for this cycle.

And they said we can decide if we want to transfer two 😬

Hi all

@VenusStarr I completely know what you mean about feeling left out. I'm older (42) and friends are all on 2/3 kids who are much older and like you I hear the 'I'm so glad I'm past all that' comments about babies. They don't know about IVF so they're not meaning to be hurtful but it's hard to sit and say nothing. I'm sure having a baby is immensely challenging sometimes but I still long for the chance to find that out for myself!

@Gensola I do find this a problem with clinics, they seem to be content to keep 'trying again' rather than run tests. I understand to some degree but as a patient every embryo is so precious and the result of so much effort (and money!) that you want to give yourself the absolute best chance for it to work. Every failure is another few months 'lost', at my age from an already tiny window of possibility. So I empathise with your frustration. I hope this next double transfer works for you.

@TheSnufflet well, that makes it pretty clear!! That's a lot of pressure. The only possible silver lining I can think of is that the foods which are recommended for IVF are compatible with a low-calorie diet (so fish, veg, whole grains etc) so hopefully any negatives of weight loss are countered by the nutrition you are getting? But I am no expert.

I've found the limbo period between my cycle / doing tests / waiting for results so hard @TheSnufflet I really could do with trying to lose some weight but I really struggle to get motivated and having been on steroids on and off this last year has really impacted my metabolism. The criteria for your bmi is very strict, seems an unnecessary pressure ❤️

Great news @2021babyhope good to have a plan.

My FET is officially started, cycle day 1 today. I have got my first scan next Thursday morning. Feeling a bit excited now, starting progynova tomorrow. We haven't told anyone in real life this time.

Hope everyone is doing OK xx

Is anyone doing acupuncture? I'd booked in with my lady next week and she's just called me to say she's taking 6 weeks off! 😩🤯 I've just managed to find someone else but I don't know them and not sure whether I even need it. Argh. Just pissed off, I know it can't be helped but it's just stress I'd rather not have.

@TheSnufflet the weight thing is an issue for me my BMI is 29.3 currently, but I only have to look at food and I put weight on. I’m having around 1,200 calories a day plus doing a Les Mils exercise class which isn’t enough. I know I can’t keep that up ones my injections start so trying to start bringing that back up with more protein snacks.

@VenusStarr I’ve had all the NHS blood tests and a hysteroscopy. There’s apparently nothing wrong! The recurrent miscarriage clinic basically said take folic acid and vitamin D and ring us if you get pregnant. To be honest they weren’t helpful she didn’t even have my notes.
I had acupuncture with one cycle but not the others, not sure how much of a difference it makes. I did find it relaxing.

@Gensola fingers crossed for us! I saw a lovely rainbow today, I’m not superstitious at all but rainbows do make me smile and feel lucky I don’t know why.

My drugs arrive Thursday. Clinic forgot to retest my AMH so got to go back in for that. Then hopefully start the northisterone next week.

My boss at work now is different, it used to be a woman who I was friends with but now it’s a man who is nice enough but not a friend. So got to work out how to handle my egg collection and time off. I can get away with the last minute holidays for bloods etc. I might just say surgery.

Hi ladies

I’m a newbie to the IVF world & have no idea what to expect. I wasted 8 months waiting for an NHS referral only to be told in August I don’t qualify as I’m 42 (you need to be between 41-42) I then contacted Guys privately for the scan & AMH test (9.6) & they’ve suggested the long down regulation protocol.
Should I be concerned they’ve not run additional/more recent tests when my last day 3 & day 21 tests were from Dec/Jan?
Also has anyone’s clinic provided certain advice in preparation for IVF? As when I asked they just said to eat healthily! Whilst TTC, I’ve been taking 300mg Ubiquinol & Proceive prenatal vitamins to boost egg quality.
My sleep quality is quite dire so plan to start taking 3mg melatonin (ordered online).

Any other advice & tips gratefully received, thanks.

@Ladybug06 key ones my clinic said were vitamin d and folic acid. I have to sign forms to say I’ll take them (either separate or as a good preconception multivitamin). They’re probably covered as part of your multivitamin.

I think the AMH is the key one for the level of drugs you will need to take so if they’ve got that that’s good.

I’ve seen guidance to up your protein for egg growth, some people also do acupuncture.

Good luck!!

Thanks @Mancbear88 for sharing advice on supplements and increasing protein intake.

I’m going to look into acupuncture locally as I’d be interested in giving that try. Was debating whether to get an acupressure mat too.

Hi all

@VenusStarr I haven't had acupuncture for any fresh cycles or FETs so can't comment, but hope your new lady is good!

@Ladybug06 welcome! I'm 42, I had two fresh cycles at 41 (between them resulting in three BFNs, one chemical, one embryo which didn't survive the thaw & I have one still in the freezer). Your AMH sounds good! I am not sure whether more recent tests would be useful but if it gives any reassurance, I've just started my third fresh cycle and my last tests were a whole year ago but the clinic haven't suggested repeats.

I'm on a long protocol also. I took a prenatal and CoQ10 before both previous cycles (only for about 4 weeks before the first and about 8 before the second). For this round I'm chucking everything (not quite) at it. I've already been taking Proceive, Zita West Vital DHA, and using a Vit D spray for about 6 months. Since the end of August when I knew I was going for another fresh round I've added 400mg Ubiquinol, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Vit E, Vit C, and R-Alpha Lypoic Acid. It's a lot, and not cheap, but we'll see if it makes any difference. I get good egg numbers and on my second cycle 5 blasts, but the assumption is they've been aneuploid because of my age. You may hear people mention DHEA too, which I've not taken as you need to be tested to know if you need it. Happy to answer questions if you have any and there's also an 'Anyone doing IVF at 40+' thread if it could be useful for you.

My update is that I've started Norethisterone & Buserlin so it's the wait now for the baseline scan in a few weeks... Anyone else underway with a fresh cycle?

Hi all hope you don’t mind me joining I had a failed fresh transfer 2 weeks ago I have one frozen so hoping it’s the one! I’m hoping to start November and have a follow up consultation next week I really don’t no what to expect so following to hear about any experiences and how you are all doing xxx

@lucymills1234 my drugs arrived today for my fresh cycle. Alas my positive lateral flow yesterday has put a spanner in the works!! Im glad it wasn’t in cycle but I need a negative test before I can start.

Sorry to hear that @Mancbear88 🤞 for a negative soon!

Thank you @lucymills1234 she was ok, she wants me to go gluten free though and I just don't think I can do it. Plus I'm already cd10 of my FET, so how much of a difference it would make I don't know. She put some little ear seeds in, got to remove them tomorrow, but I do feel a bit calmer.

Had my first lining scan on Thursday, was 6.2mm, so back on Monday and hoping it's there and we can book transfer the following week🤞 I do feel more detached with this FET, trying to not analyse it and trust the process.

How's everyone getting on?

hey, just catching up as had a few weeks with my parents, followed by a week in Italy with DP. My old Dad is so ill, and I am desperate for him to meet our baby, if IVF ever works, but even if it works the first time, I doubt he will realistically. It's so sad and so hard. Have eaten far too much pasta, plus had some wine, although we did walk the Amalfi Coast, about 25 - 30k steps a day, so maybe it averages out? I hope. I haven't dared to weigh myself, but promising to be super careful from tomorrow, and do lots of walking. My hillwalking friend is taking me on hikes on our days off.

My period is due 15th or 16th, so when down regging I really need to take it seriously, although I keep thinking, what if my Dad becomes really ill half way through and I have to abandon ship and go home? Part of me believes something will happen to ruin this.

Lots of neighbours in my parents small village were also very negative about IVF, and felt inclined to tell me so, which was amazingly bloody rude and upsetting.

Why does your acupuncturist want you to give up Gluten @VenusStarr ? If it makes a difference I guess it's worth it. I feel happy and sad seeing your name because I remember in the days of one of my old user names how we were on the conception board together. Do you know your exact FET date yet, I see you started drugs, but I don't know how long it is after that.

I have a lovely acupuncturist in Edinburgh, and I trust her so much. She's kind and gentle and you can tell she cares. During lockdown I had a video consultation with another acupuncturist who kept trying to upsell me lots of things I didn't need, which was really offputting.

@Mancbear88 that really sucks, I'm so sorry. The weight thing is a struggle for me too, it didn't used to be, but infertility plus lockdown induced agoraphobia really did a number on me, and my BMI is around 27 or 28 - not weighed myself for a while though. Planning on doing lots of walking, which I hope I can keep doing through Stims? How about you?

@lucymills1234 sorry you've been through so much. I keep hearing about euploid, and aneuploid, and don't fully understand it. We're both 36 and my AMH is only 8.04 and DP has confused sperm, so scared this means we will make aneuploid ones. Does anyone know the percentage of euploid? I'm so gutted at my low AMH.

@2021babyhope hello, that does sound pretty long. When do you think you'll do the transfer? I hope it's worth the wait. There's so much uncertainty, it's so hard.

@Giraffe971 how are you? I might join you in low carb soon but just for a month or so. I did it a few years ago to be a bridesmaid and the results were incredible

Hey, just gonna pop in here. We had our first fresh round aug/sept, that ended in a BFN test and the longest period known to man! Planning to start our first FET, this month. Awaiting AF, due yesterday.
Crazy ironic how we spend so long hoping our period doesn't arrive and now we hope it arrives so we can start the next bit of the cycle! We have 2 frosties in the freezer and we are only allowed to put one in this round. I'm 35 and we have funding for 4 more transfers.

I recognise a couple of names from previous posts, I'm sorry to hear everyones stories didn't work out for the positive. Fingers crossed, lots of love and hugs for all! 🍍❤

Hi I hope you don’t mind if I join. Im hoping to start a FET this month my period arrived today so juts waiting in a phone call from the clinic. I had a failed fresh transfer last month, that was my first Cycle. Just wondering for anyone been through a FET previously if they could give me an idea of how long it takes? My clinic said I need to wait to say 21 of this cycle before I can start any medication which is completely different from what I did on my fresh. Xxx

@theotherfossilsister yep hoping the weather holds up so can walk. Not sure when I’ll be able to start Covid dependant. Main one for me is controlling my diet.

@lauradxoxo with my FET it’s been 2-3 weeks of oestrogen (my lining is slow but I think most here are 2 weeks). Scan to check the lining - 5 days progesterone (I believe this is the number of days the embryo is, I.e. mine were frozen at 5 days) then transfer on day 5.

I'm sorry to hear about your dad @theotherfossilsister ❤️ I'm glad you've managed to spend some time together. You'll have to message me your previous name from when we were on the conception board... Its been a long journey here hasn't it?
I haven't managed to go gluten free yet, went to pizza express for lunch (🤦🏻‍♀️) as a little celebration as my lining is good, so they booked transfer for next Monday. Starting progesterone on Wednesday. Feeling really detached but pleased we're going onto the next step.

I'm sorry about your fresh cycle @lauradxoxo my fresh in May ended in a chemical. I'm doing a short protocol so started on cd2 with estrogen. I can see @Mancbear88 has given you an overview :)

Hi @Nerdalert hope af arrives soon 🤞 we've got 2 frosties too, only putting one back this time.

Hello everyone - hope it’s ok to join.

I’m a week into my third IVF round (second FET) and hoping for a late October/early November transfer. Got my scan on 19th to hopefully be told my lining is ready and given a date!
Progynova is kicking my arse this time round, I feel like rubbish! Anyone else have differing experiences/side effects each round?
Positive vibes to everyone :)

Hi @theivfnewgirl I'm just a bit ahead of you, fingers crossed for your scan next week. I did a mock cycle in August and progynova really kicked me about. But this time I didn't think I was too bad (dh disagrees 🤔) but my sleep has been awful, feel like I'm not getting any, definitely don't feel rested. I'm adding in steroids tomorrow, so that's not going to help. I tried to nap yesterday as I felt exhausted but was too restless but then couldn't sleep at night either.

@lauradxoxo I’m in the same boat as you I had a failed transfer 2 weeks ago and have one frozen so hoping to start my cycle I have a follow up consultation on the 15th did you have to wait for one full period before you started it were you allowed to start medicine on day 21 after your period on the fresh? Xxx

@Lotusflower1990000 I have still not heard from the clinic about a follow up consultation they said I would get a letter in the post but still not had anything and I got my BFN 4 weeks ago now. So I had a withdrawal bleed then I had to wait for my period to come this month. It just arrived yesterday so I called the clinic and I’m just waiting on them calling me back to see it all is ok to start on day 21.

Thinking of you all who are started keep us posted how you are all getting on! The waiting is the worst isn’t it! X

Welcome to new people been a little quiet on here just seeing how first cycle went but has anyone experienced a cancelled cycle? Had my 10day scan to check follicles on Monday and basically sounded like they are all too small and meds haven't worked. Wasn't really prepared for this potential, I thought if anything they would up the dose. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Feeling a bit delated not getting very far hoping that it is dose being too low and not my body not responding.

@Newbee33 I hope you are okay. I had similar where we had been told to expect a lot and maybe get OHSS but we had 3 just over the size they needed so went for EC. I too thought they'd just keep me I stims longer but they said it wasn't going to bring any others to the right size. We just went through the motions but as it happened we got 1 blast and nothing left to freeze...but alas we're here again. It was rubbish to hear the my body didn't respond to the meds that "most" people's bodies responded to. AMH was rechecked and still high so they said must have particularly stubborn follicles. They have made a few tweaks including double the dose for this round and I'm on day 3 of stims today. Sometimes the first round is unfortunately just a bit of trial and error, which is horrible when stims seem to be working for everyone, but persevere, they will know so much more about your body for your next round and will hopefully get it right to push those follicles out 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

@Coops0406 Thanks for your message. I think they put me on a low dose as same they were worried about OHSS but just didnt expect it to be cancelled. I do understand its the right thing to do and start again on higher dose as the nurse said it wont count towards funding just feels like a set back. Sorry you are here again your right it does feel like trial end error I guess everyone just responds differently. Good luck with your stims 🤞 for more follicles this time round. Let me know how you get on.

@Newbee33 thank you 😊 and let us know what they say when they review things for you.

Good luck to all of you in the build up to your FETs, really looking forward to hearing some positive stories and sending lots of sticky baby dust your direction 🥰