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?

Hey, I’m so pleased to hear from you :) how are you feeling? Managing to stay positive?

journey wise, first ivf got 4 eggs, 1 transferred bfn, 2&3 was the twin loss, 4th bfn. Next ivf round went completely wrong, the idea was to collect eggs, transfer the lowest grade and save the best for a natural round after. But there was really only 1 that had a slight chance of getting to blast, I transfer the 2 under that at day 3 as they didn’t think they would make it to day 5. Bfn. I literally had 1 left, it was only a 3CB when frozen, but I’m currently 8 weeks pregnant🥰

so 5 transfers and 6 embryos and we seem to have made it- although it’s still early days! Our first round was august 21, our last round was august 22

i haven’t really been on many threads as towards the end I was really struggling and kind of shut down. This last embryo was a very unexpected blessing! It’s taken this long to feel strong enough to reconnect with all the amazing people that have helped in the journey. The only thing I have come to realised, it’s literally pot luck. This was the lowest grade embryo out of the 6, I had no faith at all, sometimes it’s not the best that matters after all. I pushed to do as many rounds as quickly as possible, for me it’s what kept me sane (ish), you just have to be kind to yourself and do what works. But you may just be surprised on your next round- I think when you lose the faith it kind of helps alittle, you aren’t so stressed about it working. That’s what I found on each round anyway x

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 I could not be more happy for you. I'm so glad that you have a positive outcome you could not deserve it more! I really wish you all the best a healthy 7 more months. I am definitely more relaxed going into this cycle. I have went part-time at work and changed my role a little and just feeling more like myself again recently. My son just started school too which has given me more time to myself and feel my mental health is in a much better place going forward. It has really made me happy hearing your good news. Just hope one day I can join you with the good news too. Just have to keep that little hope alive and you have certainly done that for me tonight so thank you so much for getting in touch and sharing. I can imagine you have been on such tender hooks the last few weeks and I hope the next few weeks pass quick and you are feeling a little more relaxed now and can enjoy the next few weeks waiting for your 12 week scan. Honestly could not be more pleased for you ❤

@Tiger86 thank you so much. Please do keep in touch when you feel able to. I know for me sometimes the forum helps and other times it’s difficult and I need a break. I have kept myself offline as much as possible the last few months.

im so pleased you are feeling strong and positive, when I first started ivf I was so naive, I honestly expected the first round to work- the 2 people I knew had been to my clinic both had success on their very first transfer. If we do make it to having a baby, I already know I would love a sibling (I was an only child), atleast if/when I go through all this madness again I will be more prepared for a long term commitment lol.

do you know when your next cycle will be? Will this be your first natural cycle? This was a natural cycle, I didn’t ovulate when they wanted, and really had to fight to get the transfer, it was only because I was tracking my ovulation that they let me continue- even though they recommended I didn’t do the transfer. I guess what I’m saying is push for what feels right to you, I really hope this is your cycle :) x

Yea I have kept offline recently too since before our last frozen cycle. Trying to just be as relaxed as I can be. This is the second natural cycle for me although the first one just didn't seem right as I ovulated really early going into the transfer and then my periods were all over the place after that cycle didn't work. Last couple of months things have settled again and on my usual 28 day cycle so I at least feel better going forward with this one. I just hate the transfers I find them quite painful but maybe that is just me. It is definitely a long process which I was not prepared for at first but now in a much better place. It is also the cost of everything isn't easy with each frozen cycle too. X

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 sorry forgot to tag you in last post 😀

@Tiger86 I have everything crossed for you! I didn’t realise how much easier the natural rounds were on the body, compared to the crazy amount of meds on a normal FET. My clinic don’t really like doing natural, so had to really push for it this time!

I think sometimes our boats are just screaming for a break- maybe that’s why your cycles have been off, and it’s ready for implantation this time :)

I was always fairly lucky with transfers, more like mild period pains during and after. It was the egg collections I struggled with- like some sort of torture, my first was the worst, 2nd wasn’t great but I was more mentally prepared lol x

ExhaustedPigeon1988 This thread has come up in my threads I’m on, I can’t remember if we chatted here or in another thread, but I’m so thrilled to read your happy news and just wanted to say congratulations! Wishing you all the best for the next few months. 🥰

Tiger86 Sending you best wishes and lots of luck too.

@GodspeedJune hey, so good to hear from you, I have lost track of all the threads, but I believe this was one of the main ones, it’s been so nice to hear from everyone. How have you been? X

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 I’m well thank you! I think we were both BH patients too? I may not have updated at the time because I went into a bit of a dark patch during IVF but we had success, with a baby due the end of next month. Some stressful times during pregnancy too but also obviously thrilled, and very much still pinching myself.

I hope you’re able to enjoy the next few weeks and months ahead, as you really do deserve to!

Oh @GodspeedJune im so so happy for you! Yes I have also had some really dark miserable times during our journey. I’m gobsmacked this round seems to have worked as was in the worst place mentally and physically out of any of the rounds, plus it was the lowest grade embryo out of all of them too. But I guess what’s meant to be is meant to be and all that lol. Yes you are right I am a BH patient, they got better over time, but when we first started with them they really weren’t very good at all!

wishing you a speedy month, and an easy birth, and of course a magical healthy bubba :)

Our embryo wasn’t our best either 🙂 just goes to show all the worrying we do about grades and it doesn’t always mean much!

Glad they got better with you over time! Without wanting to be greedy, I’d like a sibling for baby in the future and not sure I’d use them again but will face that when the times comes.

Thank you! All the best to you and your little one too!

@GodspeedJune me too, I’m an only child and I have always said I would want to have 2 children rather than just the one. Like you I wouldn’t be keen on BH again, but for convenience I would probably stay as they are much more local than any other clinics- plus as we know what worked this time I would like to think they would use the same protocol next time! X

@EExhaustedPigeon1988 just wanted to check in to see that things were all going well? We have just been for our 7 week ultrasound and had such positive news with a baby and a strong heartbeat. I'm really wanting to be excited but there is still that voice in my head saying don't get too ahead of yourself! So advice needed to get through the next 5 weeks until the next scan date!!! I am having symptoms and definitely feel pregnant this time so the sickness although making me feel awful is strangely comforting and I would honestly settle for feeling sick this whole pregnancy. Any advice for getting through this next bit and keeping my nerves under wraps? 🙂

Hey, that’s amazing news. Tbh, I’m not really sure how I got through, I did go for fortnightly scans, and lived day by day to get to the next one. I had spotting from 11 1/2 weeks for about 10 days, which scared the living hell out of me, but that seems to have passed and I’m having another check up scan tomorrow- I’m now 14+4. I just slowly got more and more confident (until the spotting started). It also passes surprisingly quickly, although at the same time every day drags, it’s all alittle crazy. I had no symptoms at all other than exhaustion, so found that worrying too- try relax alittle, I found this datayze.com/miscarriage-chart very helpful too, I checked it daily and celebrated every day. You may find it helpful, it shows the probability of NOT having a miscarriage, and remember when you see the heartbeat you have got past the worst. Best of luck :) keep in touch x

Hey @TheSnufflet @GodspeedJune @Tiger86 @firefly37 and everyone else, how are you all doing? X

Hey @ExhaustedPigeon1988 lovely to hear from you! How is pregnancy treating you? You must be on the final stretch now?

My DD is 3 months old now. I’m still on cloud nine, in disbelief that she’s here - cliche but it really does feel like a miracle with all the bad news I was given. I don’t know if this is how all parents feel, or whether it’s the shadow of infertility, but I’m so utterly grateful to have her in my life to love.

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 Hello good to hear from you. I'm well thanks. Now 22 weeks so just over half way through! You must be nearly there now for your little one to arrive or have they arrived already? Still can't believe we are at this point but definitely more relaxed now I can feel baby move and growing a bump. Found out we are having a girl so we are all very excited especially my son who really wanted a sister ❤

@GodspeedJune congratulations on the arrival of your little girl I hope you are enjoying mummy hood and managing to get some sleep through it all 🙂

I’m so pleased for you both @GodspeedJune @Tiger86 :) I’ve been pretty lucky with pregnancy really- no dreaded sickness :) but I’ve had awful heartburn, and my belly is super sore and stretched, but I’m guessing most of this is pretty normal, and really it’s not so bad is it- we’ve all worked so hard to get to this stage you have to enjoy it all as much as you can :)

im at 29 weeks tomorrow :) love all the movements, but struggling with my bump as I feel huge- but lucky enough to be well enough to be very active still.

hope birth went well for you @GodspeedJune? we are planning a home birth :) not cliche at all, all babies are miracles, but ivf are special miracles 🥰

we are having a boy, which I think my partner wanted really, but both of us were happy with either as we have no previous children- I’m really hoping to be able to get a sister for him at some point in the future, 1 of each would be perfect. Although that sounds greedy, as can’t help but think of all the people still trying for that first baby- but I really wanted more than 1, being an only child myself. The other half keeps telling me not to get too far ahead of myself lol.

have you had a noticeable bump for long @Tiger86? I could notice mine at 18 weeks, although I could hid it at work until about 24 weeks, now there is no hiding it- I work in a salon, and see 100s of people, some of which I could do without having baby convo lol, hence the hiding the bump lol. Are you all set? I have been going alittle mad- as soon as we got past 13 weeks we bought half of everything, and once we hit 20 weeks we got the other half lol. Love to both of you and bubs x

@ExhaustedPigeon1988 definitely had a more noticeable bump earlier this time round as this is my second baby so definitely feeling bigger at this stage than I remember being with my first. I managed to hide it from the kids at work as I teach until at least 7 months last time this time they already noticed when I was only around 16 weeks! Definitely felt movement earlier this time round as well but I find it very reassuring now. I'm really enjoying this stage of pregnancy actually apart from trying to sleep now as I keep waking up or can't get comfy.

I can imagine it probably is annoying having to have the same conversations with all your clients at your work though. I will have to remember this if my hairdresser is ever pregnant that this is probably the 100th person to ask her about her pregnancy.

29 weeks though you don't have long to go. Really hope you manage to have your home birth and all goes well for you. I think I'm going to end up with a planned section this time but still debating it as had an emergency section last time. Would probably just rather have it all planned out this time rather than it end up an emergency again. Definitely forgotten about the pain and recovery as I don't remember it now all a blur those first few weeks. Can't wait to do it all again though 🙂

Wow- no way I could hid the bump til 7 months lol. Yeah st all slightly uncomfortable, but so so worth it- and really it’s only minor discomfort. I do have to pee a lot during the night, and the heartburn kicks in more at night, but milk has saved me almost every time.
you are so right, the movement is the reassurance, it’s the weirdest feeling, but I think it’s the best part so far :)
thank you, I’m so determined to birth at home, I’m not good in controlled situations, and c sections scare the hell out of me- you are super brave! But it’s what works to individuals, I guess it would be so nice to know the exact day bubs is going to arrive- knowing my luck the bugger is going to be late lol.
can’t believe there are only 11ish weeks left, although it feels like forever ago I was at the clinic for treatment, it also feels like yesterday! X