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?

@GodspeedJune hey, so I have attached my treatment plan from Bourn norwich, as you can see there were a few more scans than you have booked.... I would defo ask, and possibly push for more, it may save the disappointment of stims being extended.... I was actually very lucky, mine EC was brought forward by 2 days. They know what they are doing, but they don't communicate very well, so you really do have to chase them- and don't give up until you get what you want! Is this your first round? X

Thank you @ExhaustedPigeon1988 MNet has reduced the quality of your screenshot but I think I can make out three scans on your plan? Baseline then two during stims? I’m just booked in for the one.

I sent an email to the nurse and she said the doctor hadn’t requested any additional ones for me. I’ve asked for it to be passed on to a dr for review now. They also found two cysts in my ovary a few weeks ago so surprised they aren’t doing a baseline scan to check those. Don’t want to be a pushy patient, but I’d rather have more scans than need more drugs because I haven’t been checked enough.

It’s my first round ever so all very new x

Oh no, lol was hoping it would be helpful, but glad you managed to squint through it lol. Yeah 3 scans in total, I think it's really bad you have to ask for more! Don't worry about being pushy, and hey are well and truly fed up with me lol. Even this week, today is OTD, been lucky enough to get positives all week :) but am low on drugs, as emailed asking for the full 8 weeks worth (I run my own salon, so will be extremely busy this side of Xmas, then obviously there is Xmas) as was more convenient, they only wanted to give me enough to last u til my next pregnancy test 23rd December- what the hell do I do over Xmas? So I threw a bit of a strop, and I'm collecting 8 weeks worth today! I'm self funded so it's no skin off their noses, just being bloody difficult! Don't ever give up if there is something you are not happy with x

Morning! Sorry I took a few days out to try and relax! After being told only one embryo had developed, we ended up with two high grades blastos come ET!! Its the first positive in this whole journey for us, a 5AB has now been transferred and I'm 3dp5dt. I feel nothing! But I am quite cramps, which I know is normal but did anyone find it alot worse at night??
@GodspeedJune I was only booked for one scan initially, then booked for a second..then a third! So it could be you'll get more they just don't know when yet...but push for info!! @ExhaustedPigeon1988 is right! Happy OTD too EP!

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 Congratulations on your BFP! That’s amazing news! That’s so silly about letting you run out of drugs just before Christmas. It’s a good job you’re organised and on the ball, but what about women who aren’t? IVF is stressful enough without feeling like you need to be double checking everything the clinic say.

They’ve emailed me back to say they’ve passed my request to the Dr. I don’t want to be a pest as I really need their help but you’re spurring me on to stand up for myself x

@LivingonaPrayerandGin That’s brilliant news! Did they keep you up to date each day or was it just a great surprise when you went for ET? Do you think you’ll be able to wait until OTD? Best of luck to you that your little one settles in for the long haul x

Interesting that you were also only booked for one scan. Did you not have a baseline scan before starting stims either? Do you mind me asking which day of stims your first scan was? X

Hey everyone, could really do with some help (will catch up with the thread later today when I have alittle more time- sorry ladies)

So Bourn won't give me progynova as there is a national shortage, they have given me solo, which they claim is the same but a different brand. I'm having major anxiety over this, as last cycle failed on solo and this cycle on progynova has worked. I know that's probably nothing, but n my head I really don't want to change.... if anyone has any spare from old cycles I would be so very grateful, happy to pay postage and toward meds too....

Please help a girl out 🥰

@GodspeedJune I'm sure they hate me, as I have been asking loads of questions and stuff all the way through/ I like to know everything and feel mentally prepared- something they don't seem to understand. So honestly, at EVERY stage question them- it needs to be right for you!

@LivingonaPrayerandGin I was crampy/heavy feeling from the second of the transfer until a day or 2 ago constantly, now it's every now and then, rather than constantly. So sounds very promising :)

Feeling super stressed, as cannot get the progynova anywhere, have tried fertility2u, and some online pharmacies, so now I guess I will have to take the solo and trust they are right, I'm really unhappy about it though, but feel I have no choice and yet again I have to trust them rather than feeling I can trust them. They didn't even bother to tell my partner the meds were different, I noticed when he returned to the car with them. We confirmed they were ready to collect via the phone this morning, again nothing was mentioned. Their attitude and customer service is bollox!!!! Sorry for the rant, but I'm fuming! X

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 that's shit! I know I'd be the exact same but we just have to trust the professionals even when we really really don't want to. Have you spoken to your local pharmacies? Asda are also sometimes able to get meds the smaller pharmacies aren't so could be worth a shot??
Thanks for your symptom update, I just find it odd the nights are worse and worried its how I'm lying!
@GodspeedJune I only got told about the second embryo at my 5 day update, not announced in a big banner just started updating me on how it was progressing!! I had to stop them to say they'd the wrong records as I only had one, and they said oh no ot caught up 🙄 like it was no big massive deal! No baseline scan either than I thought was strange that I thought they'd want to look at my lining too... i had a day 7 scan although they said the norm is day 9, so I had that too and then needed a day 11 one!
I think I'll hold firm with testing, I've learnt to be restrained after years!! My OTD is Sunday 19th and I'll probably test 18th...

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 I don’t blame you for not wanting to change. It’s really bad they didn’t even forewarn you that it was a different medication. Just basic communication, surely?! I hadn’t heard of either drug but just googled and it seems they’re both oestrogen? Hopefully it’s the same dosage just from a different manufacturer. A stress you don’t need though.

I’m definitely the same as you about knowing the details and wanting to be part of the decision making. They’ve come back to me now and the doctor has said it would be sensible to have an earlier scan before the day 9 of stims one. That’s booked now so thank you for spurring me on x

@LivingonaPrayerandGin
Great news that the second one caught up, but communication sounds really poor again. Even if they deal with this stuff day in, day out, the personal touch shouldn’t be lost. It’s a huge deal for us to go through.

Yeah it’s odd that they miss out a baseline scan. I’m booked for a day 6 and day 9 scan now but no baseline. The 18th/19th isn’t too far off at all, hope the time flys by for you x

@LivingonaPrayerandGin thanks for the idea, have checked Asda out and they don't stock it :( waiting on a pharmacy getting back to me tomorrow, so fingers crossed :-/

@GodspeedJune amazing news, really pleased you got the extra scan- I do think it could make all the difference, and even if it doesn't, it may atleast put your mind at ease- which is sometimes all you need x

How is everyone? 👀👀

Need some advise ladies. Double transfer 29th, strong positive 4th. Had mega breakdown yesterday. Worlds worst period pains, and loads of bleeding, including a fair amount of tissue. It started brown. But got more and more red. Went to bed convinced I had lost the baby(ies). I know it's a really tiny chance, but I'm still slightly optimistic.... am I completely stupid? So the bleeding has slowed, and it's now deep red and brown with no tissue, not enough to make it to my pad over night, just there when I wipe. I have tested this morning, and the tests are stronger than yesterdays.... wtf is going on? I'm booked for a private early scan 22nd- am going to have gone mad by then! Emailed the clinic yesterday when I started bleeding, was told to continue meds and they would see me for my planned 8 week scan (3 weeks away). Which just makes me mega angry they won't even do a blood test or anything to see if HCG is where is should be.

@Exhaustedpigeon1988 so sorry to hear you are going through such a rough time. I also can't believe your clinic is not doing anything!!! That is awful just to leave you not knowing what is going on. There is always hope as bleeding can happen in early pregnancy. What about phoning your local early pregnancy unit at the hospital. They are usually so helpful and I am sure they will see you sooner than 3 weeks time which is ridiculous! How far on are you? I'm 6 weeks today so think you are around the same time as me? At 6 weeks they would be able to see something on a scan and know if it is a viable pregnancy please phone your local EPU and ask for their advice. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out for you 🤞🤞 xx

Thanks @Tiger86 I'm only 5 weeks today, so not sure much would show on a scan. My private one is booked a week today, have no idea how I'm meant to last that long. Still bleeding fairly bad this morning too :( really do think I'm out, but the tests are stronger than ever, it makes no sense to me :( x

@Exhaustedpigeon1988 so sorry that your still bleeding. Tests show up positive for a while after a miscarriage. When I had my missed miscarriage a couple of years ago a test was still showing a faint positive even 2 months later as I thought I might have been pregnant again and took a test. The hcg stays around for a while. It is hard not knowing and I'm sorry after such a journey you having to go through this. There could be a possibility with 2 embryos transferred that one embryo is lost and the other is ok but I know it is hard to keep that hope. It will be a long week for you until your 6 week scan next week. Take care of yourself xx

Thanks @Tiger86 with these bad cramps and bleeding I can't see any hope tbh, but the tests are stronger today than yesterday so I'm so messed up and confused :( would have expected it to be the same or even slightly weaker!

@Tiger86 have you had any symptoms yet xx

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 so sorry to hear you are cramping/bleeding. I had a scare last week and started bleeding it was quite heavy but same as you not enough to make it to a pad over night. The early pregnancy unit were amazing I went at 9pm got seen about 12pm and they said my cervix was still closed and couldn’t see any reason for the bleeding. They booked me in for a scan two days later (I was 5 weeks then) we could only see a yolk sac and slight tiny little mark that the nurse said could be the baby but it’s just really early to tell at 5 weeks. They have booked me in for a follow up scan two weeks after my last so 23rd Dec and can tell then if there has been growth or will determine a miscarriage. I haven’t had no bleeding since and got sore boobs etc but don’t know if that is the meds playing mind games again. I have a private scan booked today at 6 weeks so not sure what I’ll see and my DH is worried this might make me more anxious as I’ve read that not many see much at 6 weeks. Have you tried ringing your EPU? I rang the clinic and told them all this and they said that’s good they are seeing you we could only see you when your scan is due with us on the 29th thanks for calling… I was floored! Praying for both us 🤞🏻

@Reevalyneete I truly hope all has gone well for you. I am 99% sure it's over for us, I have had a lot of bleeding with clots. The dr I spoken to over the phone has tried to reassure me, and I am now booked for a scan 11.30 tomorrow. But tbh I believe this will only confirm what I already know :( I'm glad yours has stopped, how long were you bleeding for? Mines been over 24 hours now, and it's not getting any lighter :( x

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 I had bleeding on Wed night for about two hours (not very heavy) it stopped all day Thursday then bled again Friday night for about few hours heavy and then light throughout the night into Saturday. If it gives you any reassurance I have just seen a teeny tiny heartbeat on my scan! I read so much that bleeding can be common in early pregnancy but we know our own bodies best and it’s hard to say what our outcomes will be. I’m so happy you have a scan tomorrow is either way I didn’t want to wait and feel left in limbo. I will be thinking of you and hope your scan goes well tomorrow ❤️

@Reevalyneete that's amazing news, super pleased for you. You bleeding sounds different to mine. It's been constantly since 1pm yesterday, with clots and bad cramps. I really hope I am lucky as you, wishing you a super pregnancy and healthy baby :) x

@exhaustedpigeon1988 glad the dr ha listened to you and you have a scan booked it. Hopefully it will be able to give you some answers x

@Reevalyneete glad all is well after your scare and so happy you saw a heartbeat. I can't wait to get to next week for my scan and just hoping I see heartbeat!!

@Ivf1sttime had some symptoms on and off. Definitely tiredness is one feeling exhausted most days even after 9 hours sleep. Some days feel a bit nauseous but not actual sick and then next day feel fine and so hungry I want to eat everything! Then just sore boobs on and off. With my son I never had symptoms and felt fine most days so I don't think not having symptoms is anything to worry about x

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 So sorry you’re having bleeding. I don’t want to give false hope, but my cousin had heavy bleeding in early pregnancy (not IVF). We assumed the worst but a scan showed the pregnancy was ‘intact’, they did say the bleeding could have been a twin. Her pregnancy was fine after that episode. I don’t want to build your hopes up, but there’s a chance you could be experiencing the same, especially with a double transfer. Sending you best wishes for tomorrow. If the news isn’t good, you need to know that too rather than be left in limbo x

@GodspeedJune I'm struggling to be even remotely hopeful tbh. Bleeding has now basically stopped, and lines are still very positive, but I am aware none of that means anything. I haven't had any pregnancy symptoms throughout, and again I know this is a bad sign. Just want today over now :( x