IVF October/November 2021

[TheSnufflet]

I can't see that anyone else has started one yet, so I thought I may as well!

Just got my calendar through today and will be downregging in three weeks time, starting stims in late October, with EC provisionally in early November. This is my second round, which will now be ICSI-only after my last one ended up with a total fertilisation failure

Anyone else on the same sort of timeframe?

@PositiveeVibes @ChocolateinBrugges I always seem to lose a bit of any new med the first time I take it - I even managed to shoot the first pessary I opened out the pack and across the room last cycle!

I'm sorry it's officially BFN @Coops0406 It's great you have most chances in your Frosties, but this bit always hits hard and the heavy bleeding doesn't help at all x

@ChocolateinBrugges Sorry the scan today was disappointing. Was this the first check? Sometimes you can get more. I started with 12 last time and had 17 by EC

No such luck this time though- it's gone down from 11/12 at baseline to 6 today and they are all different sizes. Some might not catch up and I reckon the big ones will be overripe- one was 8mm at baseline and they originally thought it might be a cyst. I think it's crowded the others out on that ovary as all but one other has 'involuted' apparently. I think I'm going to plough on as anyway as we have trips planned over the next couple of months, so probably wouldn't be able to start another cycle until February and I'm not getting any younger. It's disappointing though when things went so well during the stimming phase last time. Just got to hope it really is quality over quantity but I also feels like maybe I have to try and ready myself for not getting any embryos because we had a really big drop off rate last time even though I started with a good number

@Shaj123 I'm so sorry your other embryos didn't make it to freeze and really hope the one they transferred makes it x

@want2bemum so glad transfer is going ahead for you and hope this is the one

@ChocolateinBrugges It’s hard isn’t it when you can’t fix the issue! But like you said at least you’re trying and not just hoping each month that it’ll work naturally!

@KatRee oh that did make me laugh I am definitely not looking forward to start the pessaries again!!
So sorry to hear that though it’s hard to deal with and especially when you compare to last time! I really hope you have some little embryos after all this! When your next scan?

@PositiveeVibes They're annoying aren't they? Next scan is Monday morning. Clinic usually do them every couple of days from cd 6 onwards but not over the weekends

Hope everyone's got nice plans over the weekend. We are being a bit careful because we need to get a negative COVID test to go ahead with EC next week, so going to go check the weather now and see if we might be ok for some outdoor activities!

Hey everyone, hope you're all having a good start to the weekend.
My transfer went ahead and it all went fine.
It was a grade A embryo which feels reassuring - it had 6 cells on day 2 so it was growing fast, but it is such early days.
I have heard that the egg is more responsible for growth in the first three days and then the sperm comes in more after that, so that's the worrying part (as our issue is male factor). I hope it makes it, but all was looking as good as it could be.
We were both really pleased just to get to that stage and now all we can do is wait!

@want2bemum I'm glad it all went well. That's good with the amount of cells. I've got everything crossed for you.

@ChocolateinBrugges sorry about your first scan but 7 isn't bad at all. I think I had that in my first one, then 5 at the right size in my second one then 17 at EC! Stay positive, so hard i know, but lots can change.

@Shaj123 so sorry to hear that but try to look after yourself. I had the same last cycle with one embryo in and nothing to freeze. This one might just be the lucky one 🤞🏾

@KatRee stay positive, you've still got some time. Good luck for your scan on Monday and have a restful weekend.

@want2bemum glad you got the transfer, how are you feeling? I hope you can try and stay stress free these next 2 weeks.

My bleeding has nearly gone but more importantly the pain went yesterday and I felt like a new person! And emotionally we've come to terms with everything over the week.

We got the results from the PGT-A and 2 are euploid out of the 5 that were frozen...so the 3 that weren't genetically good are now being used for training or research, whichever we consented to. So hard to have what they say were 6 good embryos for only 2 to actually be genetically stable! But I haven't got age on my side and it matches the stats of only 30% being genetically stable at my age!

@want2bemum Wonderful that you've got your embryo on board. I know it's hard to stop worrying and wondering what everything could mean, but all we can do is wait and see. (she says after spending a good chunk of yesterday googling to find what results other women's have had on my protocol) I hope you have some nice stuff planned over the next couple of weeks x

@Coops0406 Glad the bleeding and pain has stopped. It's also great that you have 2 euploid embryos. Attrition rates are always hard and it's disappointing when there's a drop off at any stage, but I think 2 euploid embryos from one cycle is a great result!

Hoping my ovaries will magic up some more eggs for me like yours did!

Hi there, I’d like to join, if that’s ok? I recognise some names on here from previous threads.
I’m medicating towards a FET on 15 Nov, I have my progress scan tomorrow morning to check lining etc. I have had two cycles of IVF and three transfers all of which failed. This is going to be a double embryo transfer of our last two embryos, so it’s a bit of a make or break moment.
If this doesn’t work we will go abroad to Czech Republic for a final cycle.

Welcome @Gensola 🙂

Thanks all for your advice on initial follicle scans girls. It really is helpful. This thread was the first place I came to for advice when I left the scan room. Another scan tomorrow so we will see.

@KatRee My clinic advocates quality over quantity too so I’m hoping if my numbers do stay relatively low that there is truth in this! My clinic also doesn’t do scans over the weekend so I have my second one tomorrow. Enough time should have passed to hopefully see a decent change.

We are trying to be careful too and sticking to outdoor activities because I think EC should be next weekend/early next week.

@want2bemum I’m rooting for you, keeping fingers and toes crossed x

@Coops0406
Great news you have two euploid embryos. That sounds like an excellent result from one cycle.

Coops0406 Really sorry this transfer didn’t work out But glad you are out of pain and feeling a bit better emotionally about it all. It’s great that you have 2 left to transfer now.

KatRee I really would hold out hope for the quality vs quantity approach. Hopefully your scan tomorrow will show they’re all developing well. Definitely worth being super cautious with covid and EC.

want2 So pleased your transfer went well and fingers crossed it settles in for the long haul now!

Reefy how are you feeling? Do you have a plan for what will be happening this week?

PositiveeVibes Hope your injections are going well and EC will be here before you know it.

I went for a scan at the clinic on Friday as dr wanted to check the access to my ovaries due to the endo. Left ovary was fine and had 7 follicles. Right ovary, the sonographer had to hunt around for and needed me to press on my abdomen to help her visualise it. She couldn’t see any follicles on that side, but there were two corpus luteum cysts, which she said may be squashing the follicles. I had ovulated 2 days before so not sure if that’s the cause or these cysts are a problem. Apparently access to both ovaries looked ok so that’s good.

They said to contact them on my next period, which is in around 1.5 weeks. She said they usually use the contraceptive pill to schedule you which I’m a bit worried about with an already low AMH. Don’t want my ovaries to go completely shut off. I imagine that’s going to drag the process out a bit too. I’ll get a schedule made for me when my period begins but does anyone think I may be looking at early next year before egg collection?

@GodspeedJune It probably depends what protocol you are on. With mine I was on norothisterone when I started my period (which I think does a similar thing to the contraceptive pill) for about 2 weeks, then I started stims, then egg collection something like 10 days after that (could have been 12-14 depending how it was all developing).

So if you're anything like me you may be looking at mid December :)

Thank you all for the encouragement.

Had an eventful morning today as I think I developed mild/moderate OHSS. One of my ovaries is super swollen so we knew it was a risk.
I went to A&E but luckily I had mostly recovered by then and they discharged me to talk to my clinic on Monday.

Still a bit of a strange turn and not how I wanted to spend my Sunday morning!!

Make sure you all drink lots of water after your trigger shot/ egg collections, it's so important, I think I underestimated it. I'm taking dioralyte now to replace fluids! xxx

Hey everyone, hope you don't mind me joining, am in another thread too. Had my first IVF cycle in august that failed, have 3 frozen, having 2 returned 29th November, on world longest protocol atm, how's everyone getting on, this thread is super long have had a little read through, but would love to here your stories x

@KatRee thank you...I feel so much better that there are 2 euploid. I just need to get back on that healthy train and looking after myself to give us the best possible chance.
I hope the scan goes well tomorrow...our second scan was rubbish! But EC was a completely different story so whatever they say, there is still time for more eggs 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

@Gensola I hope your scan looks good tomorrow and everything going in the right direction for your transfer date 😍

@ChocolateinBrugges I hope the scan is good, but again, things can change so much for the better by the time you get to EC.

@GodspeedJune thank you. We are just going to try to forget the whole ivf for a few weeks and remember what enjoying life is about! You can get so wrapped up in it all that you forget to actually try and enjoy life!
In both my cycles, I told them day 1 then on day 16 I started norithisterone. Mine was for 3 weeks so really long but from what I hear the maximum other people have had is 10 days. Then a bleed then injections usually during your bleed (about 6-7 days after you stop norithisterone). Don't know if that may be similar for you but may help you look at dates and timings.

@want2bemum I hope you are okay! Sounds traumatic! Make sure you get some rest!

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 how are you feeling? What does your medicated cycle involve? Is putting 2 in your request/choice or have they advised it?

Hi @Gensola - I remember you from the August thread. Funnily enough I was just thinking of you yesterday and wondering how you were getting on, because I was wondering if we might be offered a double transfer this time if they recommend day 3 rather than day 5 transfer (getting mikes ahead of myself, as don't even know if we will get any eggs yet!' I have my fingers crossed for you for this one

Good luck for scan tomorrow @ChocolateinBrugges - hopefully things will be starting to move in the right direction

@GodspeedJune Good that ovary access looks ok. I've only done short protocols so far, so don't know about timelines for anything else, but hope you can get started and be on your way soon!

@want2bemum - sorry you got hit with the OHSS- glad it seems to be mild and to have passed now. Good reminder about the water- I find it's easy to forget stuff like that or get complacent if you're not considered high risk. I hope you're feeling ok now

Welcome @ExhaustedPigeon1988 I'm sorry about your previous fresh transfer. I also had a failed one on my first cycle in August and it hurts. Fingers crossed for you this time around

@Coops0406 Glad you are feeling better and making some fun plans- enjoy yourself!

Hi everyone! I’ve been reading your stories and would love to join to have people to share the ups and downs with!
My story - my son is 4 and we’ve been trying for baby no 2 for 3 years.
Miscarriage @ 6weeks Dec 2019
Missed miscarriage of twins June 2020 - found out at my 12 week scan💔
IVF Nov 2021 - Started down regulation meds last week.

@Gensola welcome! Sorry to hear about your failed cycles! Wishing you all the best on this journey!

@GodspeedJune yes injections are going good thank you! EC will be here before I know it!! Glad the access to your ovaries are good! Not sure with timescales unfortunately! But hope it isn’t too long for you!

@want2bemum sorry to hear that! That must have been awful! Hope you feel better soon!

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 hello sorry to hear about your failed cycle and wishing you all the best on this journey! I had a failed cycle last year, now currently on second cycle and a few days into stims!

@Smile1234 so sorry to hear about your miscarriages that must have been heartbreaking! Good luck with your down regulation!

@Coops0406 hey, mine feels like it's so long! So I started buserelin on 19th October, I add progynova from 9th November, then transfer is 29th November. Have had a headache for 2 weeks solid, odd hour of relief but pretty much permanent, plus mild sickness and upset tummy, on and off depression and tears too, it's doing me in! It sucks im only half way through buserelin too!! After our single fail last time I was determined to have a double, I was expecting to have to fight it, but the clinic have been really relaxed about it.

@PositiveeVibes and @KatRee hey, yeah it's really hard isn't it, tbh I'm not even sure I have fully accepted it yet, I was just so determined to push for a FET asap, it's been all I can concentrate on, it really feels like this has taken over my thoughts and the whole of my life, it's hard to remember there are other things going on around me. How are you doing with stims, I actually loved it, I loved feeling the follicles growing as I could feel them when I touched my tummy! It felt so exciting, even though I was terrified of the whole process lol

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 yeah it can really take over everything going on around you! I have tried to not let it take over but I think it is subconsciously. Doing well so far thank you! Yeah I can feel the twinges but like you I feel so nervous and always think is this how it’s meant to be ha ha. And now I’m comparing to my first cycle and I hate that!!

@PositiveeVibes I print out my treatment plan and use it as a diary. So it has all my work hours, and social events on, it sits in my living room table and I inspect it atleast twice a day... counting days down til the next med change or appointment, I literally drive myself crazy, I know I shouldn't be so obsessive but I really can't help myself. I think I will be the same after transfer, although I don't think there will be much to compare as I didn't feel anything at all after transfer other than a couple of days later I was so emotional and depressed, and it didn't really change, I'm not sure it has even changed now tbh, the negative result just topped it off lol. I am already talking about the next FET and when I think that will be, my other half keeps telling me it may not be needed and to think positive with this one first, but I can't get my head round it, not excited like I was first time, just feel I'm awaiting the inevitable :-/

@KatRee that’s so kind of you I wish you all the best too - I gather you’re stimming again then?
Initially I was nervous about having two back but my clinic are so cautious I conclude that they think there’s a much greater chance of it not working than there is of twins 😵‍💫
Now I’d be delighted with twins even though we can’t really afford it without major lifestyle changes, but I think not having a child at all would be very hard for me to accept.

Hi everyone.

@want2bemum I hope you're resting, awful experience to go through.

@Smile1234 so sorry to hear about your miscarriage and I hope this cycle goes well for you.

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 Hi, I hope this cycle goes well for you. I know exactly how you feel, it can be so hard to feel positive and trying to get out of that rut.

I am on Day 4 past my 5day transfer. Just been feeling crampy and bloated which is probably due to the progesterone. My period is due on Saturday 14th but I have my blood test booked on Monday 15th November. If my period starts then I don't see any point going to the blood test, why have it confirmed if I know I'm not pregnant.

@Shaj123 really hoping you get your positive!

Thank you @PositiveeVibes.

I keep watching videos of women who have tested 5/6/7 days past 5 day transfer and have tested positive on the First Response tests.

Tempted to start testing tomorrow but I know I will get so disheartened.

@Shaj123 it’s so hard isn’t it and you find yourself comparing to others! It’s such a hard process!