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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Original poster

IVF October/November 2021

895 replies

TheSnufflet · 08/09/2021 16:49

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 Sad

Anyone else on the same sort of timeframe?

OP posts:
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16
Frenchie86 · 25/10/2021 07:41

@firefly37 I was on a short protocol, ovaleap then the second injection I can’t remember the name of, with the final trigger shot after about 10 days.

A bit of news my end. Today was my test day and we got a BFP, over the moon but equally terrified that something bad will happen again after our loss earlier this year, but need to take it a step at a time, this is a good start at least x

firefly37 · 25/10/2021 07:48

@Frenchie86... Congratulations and everything crossed for continued successful pregnancy xxx

PositiveeVibes · 25/10/2021 08:05

@firefly37 fingers crossed this cycle is a success too!
I am on long protocol so been on Buserelin for 12 days so far, scan booked in for Thursday to hopefully start stims on Menopur!

PositiveeVibes · 25/10/2021 08:06

@Frenchie86 congratulations!!! Wishing you all the best! Xx

want2bemum · 25/10/2021 08:48

Hey everyone, I'm doing IVF this month too. I started the stims 3 days ago, first time ever doing it. Just wanted to say hello!

Egg collection first week of November. I'm nervous about how painful it will be. I find the scans quite painful sometimes when they are poking around your ovaries, does anyone else feel the same? Has anyone had an egg collection already and how was it?

I've been relieved at how easy the injections are (for me) - pleasantly surprised that it's not painful and I am capable of doing it myself and didn't have to ask my partner. Thankful for these small things at the moment.

Good luck to everyone and congrats to @Frenchie86!! Everything crossed for you.

Reefy · 25/10/2021 08:59

@Frenchie86 congratulations!

Reefy · 25/10/2021 09:03

@want2bemum welcome. Is this your first cycle? I am also 3 days into stims (my second cycle) I'm also have egg collection first week of November so we will be around the same time. I was really nervous about my first egg collection & mentioned it on another thread & they said it will be fine & it really was they asked me about a holiday then the next thing I was in recovery! I had a bit of pain come on the next day but it's to be expected just have a restful couple of days if you can. I don't find the scans too bad only if they have to press on my stomach as my left ovary likes to hide away so they do they to make it move 😂.

Frenchie86 · 25/10/2021 09:19

Thank you so much everyone! Wishing you all the best in your cycles too, will visit to see how you’ve all getting on x

PositiveeVibes · 25/10/2021 10:39

@want2bemum hello and welcome! I find the scans very uncomfortable (I’m such a wimp!) ha ha! Egg collection I was so nervous.. but was completely asleep and felt nothing! Was in a bit of pain afterwards but paracetamol and rest helped!

onelittlefrog · 25/10/2021 10:45

Thank you, so glad to hear it wasn't too big of a deal for you both!

@Reefy yes it's my first cycle so really feels like going into the unknown. My left ovary hides as well haha.

We had lots of drama as well as it was almost cancelled - literally an hour before I started my injections - due to my partner thinking he had a urine infection. The clinic strongly advised against us going ahead, and I'd just psyched myself up for everything. It was such a roller coaster.

He went and had tests done the next day, all was clear and so we started after all and I had to re-psyche myself all over again for the needles!

I have heard people say physically it's not too bad but the emotional side really does you in and I am experiencing that already. My partner doesn't have age on his side so I worry about how long it might all take :(

@PositiveeVibes Thank you, so good to hear that you were just asleep and felt nothing. I've booked 2 days off work after so hopefully can rest!

want2bemum · 25/10/2021 10:46

Haha posted under my other name woops! :) Above is me x

PositiveeVibes · 25/10/2021 11:10

@want2bemum aww wow glad you were able to go ahead and start! yeah I think the emotional side is harder! That’s good that you’ve booked time off to rest 😊 x

GodspeedJune · 25/10/2021 11:52

Hello ladies, do you mind if I join? I’m currently recovering from a laparoscopy last month. Have been referred for IVF as I have blocked tubes (both), endometriosis and low AMH - lucky me, hey?!

We were expecting to start next year but were taken by surprise and have been told it will be my next cycle or the following one. Very scary and daunting!

I’m reading through the thread not having a clue about the different meds you’re all talking about. Hoping it will come clear when we have our appt next week for a treatment plan.

Hope that everyone who is going through their treatment at the moment is holding up ok!

GodspeedJune · 25/10/2021 11:57

For those worried about egg collection - I haven’t had it done before so maybe can’t be trusted Grin but… I had sedation before the general anaesthetic for my laparoscopy as I was quite anxious. The sedation made me feel all woozy within seconds, I don’t even remember them putting the GA in so must have been out of it very quickly. Please try not to worry as you’ll be unaware before you know it.

PositiveeVibes · 25/10/2021 12:08

@GodspeedJune hello! Aww hope you’re recovering okay. It is very daunting when you’re about to start because it’s all the unknown. But when you have your appointment it will become much clearer and they will give you all the information! First cycle I had zero idea about anything and just went with it.
Yeah I was sooo nervous for egg retrieval but kind of remember coming round and talking absolute rubbish and nurses were laughing at me ha ha!

Reefy · 25/10/2021 12:09

@GodspeedJune welcome! Hope the recovery is going well. I was the same 2 blocked tubes which they couldn't unblock so nearly 2 years later due to covid I had them removed last November & was also told I have endometriosis! I was then told December last year I needed to lose weight to be referred for IVF so I went & smashed that out as was determined to get there & on the 1st March the consultant was so happy I had done it so referred me. I had my first cycle in august but it failed so I'm just on my second cycle now with egg collection beginning of November. Yes you are right about the egg collection I didn't feel anything! They were talking to me about a holiday then the next thing I was in recovery! That's good you can start on your next cycle & yes the meds will make sense after you have had the appointment, I was like that too! Good luck 🤞

GodspeedJune · 25/10/2021 12:34

Thanks @PositiveeVibes and hello back! I’m sure you’re right and once we’ve got a plan it won’t seem so overwhelming. Hoping I can just go with it as well, my usual approach is to research everything but going to try not to.

Hope your scan goes well on Thursday. I find them really uncomfortable too, the things we go through! Will that be your first scan this cycle or do you have to have a few throughout?

Thanks and hi Reefy I’m doing quite well just some lingering tenderness around one of the incisions. Gosh 2 years is such a long time to wait, and bloody well done on the weight loss in such a short period of time! They’ve left my tubes in situ, apparently they look normal from the outside but they couldn’t get any dye through either of them. I did wonder if they need to be clipped or removed but no one has said so. Was the endometriosis diagnosis a surprise or have you suffered with bad periods too? Did they say what was blocking your tubes - the endo? Fingers crossed for this being the successful cycle for you! Best of luck with your egg collection, I’m glad it was pain free last time too. Will your partner/ husband be allowed to accompany you?

PositiveeVibes · 25/10/2021 12:56

@GodspeedJune yes I’m usually the same and I’m trying not to google everything but I overthink everything convinced myself a couple of times I didn’t do injections right which is so silly ha ha! Thank you I’m hoping all is good! This one will be my first this cycle to check my down regulation. And if everything is good I will start stims hopefully! And then have a few scans before egg retrieval! I use to hate blood tests too but it took them 4 attempts once ha ha! They wanted to leave it but I know how important they are so kept going ha ha!

want2bemum · 25/10/2021 13:12

@PositiveeVibes If there's one thing this process does it helps you get over your fear of any medical procedures like blood tests and needles doesn't it?! I used to hate blood tests too but now I just go in and roll up my sleeve and don't even think about it!

@GodspeedJune Don't worry, the meds will all become clearer and personally I am finding it best to just take it one step at a time.
At my clinic they have an app which tells me what meds to take each day. I just look at that for the day and do what it tells me and I don't worry about the next med along because I know if I do I'll get overwhelmed.

I'd also say I know it's hard but try not to Google things, because if there's one thing I've learned so far it's that everyone is so different. Before I started my injections I was reading about how bruised people were getting and how much it hurt and how hard it was... and then for me so far it's been a breeze. I got myself into a flap over what turned out for me to be nothing at all.

Take it a day at a time, the hardest thing is not knowing but only time will tell how you will get on, hope is important, good luck xx

Reefy · 25/10/2021 13:13

@GodspeedJune of course it's to be expected but you will get used to it. Yes 2 years waiting for that & it's been a 6 years TTC so definitely a long time! Thank you I carried on & lost 2 stone by May so was really pleased with that!
I was told mine would need to be removed before IVF due to hydrosalpinx (fluid in the tubes) it could leak out & damage the embryo. I was told in 2018 they suspected I had endo but did an operation to try & unblock the tubes & do the dye test but wasn't successful but said no endo & then it was on my discharge letter last year. I've always suspected I've had it & I see something on the scans at the clinic. I think the tubes is due to my previous surgery, when I was just 17 I got rushed into hospital for an emergency operation as my bowel was twisted & nearly burst (1-2 days more I wouldn't of survived) so they had to removed over half the ride side so it's constantly been a long battle! Thank you. Yes my clinic seem to really good & as long as we covid test before he is allowed in till I go down then they take him for his bit & then he leaves then comes back later & we both see the embryologist together & he was allowed in for transfer too.

GodspeedJune · 25/10/2021 13:13

@PositiveeVibes There’s so much information out there that I think it makes sense to step away from google. We could drive ourselves mad otherwise! Grin Takes a lot to avoid the temptation though!

I’m sure you’re doing the injections perfectly but it’s so much pressure it’s no wonder you doubt yourself. Hope it all goes well and you can move on to stims! Gah, blood tests are horrid too, you’ve got stronger nerves than me to get through 4 attempts… ouch! If it all works out we’ll soon forget about being poked and prodded hopefully Smile

want2bemum · 25/10/2021 13:18

@Reefy huge congrats on your weight loss. I had the same and I have lost a load of weight over the past year to bring my BMI down in preparation for this. Just hoping I don't pile it all back on again now that I've started treatment! Are you managing to maintain OK? I'm feeling hormonal and hungry with the meds!!!

Reefy · 25/10/2021 13:22

@want2bemum thank you. Well done of your weight loss! It isn't easy but when you have something you are determined for you just keep going at it. Well I was last weighed in August at egg collection & I was still the same & I haven't been on the scales since & can still fit in the smaller clothes with the bigger size falling off me 😂. No I don't feel too bad & not eating anymore then normal!

GodspeedJune · 25/10/2021 13:25

Gosh Reefy you’ve really been through the mill. What a strong lady you are. Must have been so frightening to go through that at any age, let alone 17. Then to face 6 years of TTC.

Definitely be proud of the weight loss, that’s an amazing amount to lose.

I haven’t had a great experience with my consultant. He said unblocking the tubes would leave too high a risk of ectopic pregnancy but to have my family and come back in a couple of years then he would try. If I’ve finished having my family why would I need them unblocking Confused

Anyway… I’m really pleased they’re letting him be with you. Our clinic letter says I’ll need to be dropped off and ideally his sample dropped off too. Hoping it may just be the usual covid bumf and maybe not so strict now. Great that you can see the embryologist as a couple and be together for the transfer too. Sounds like you have a good supportive clinic.

want2bemum · 25/10/2021 13:27

[quote Reefy]@want2bemum thank you. Well done of your weight loss! It isn't easy but when you have something you are determined for you just keep going at it. Well I was last weighed in August at egg collection & I was still the same & I haven't been on the scales since & can still fit in the smaller clothes with the bigger size falling off me 😂. No I don't feel too bad & not eating anymore then normal! [/quote]
Amazing! :)

And ooooh gosh they weigh you at egg collection?.. I'll have to keep being careful then haha... I am only just under the BMI for treatment and don't want to tip it back over!

It's hard cos it just adds an additional complication to the whole thing, but it's all for a good reason I guess :)