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?

Thanks everyone for answers, sounds like it is hard to predict whether day 3 or day 5!

We had some bad news yesterday and I'm feeling a little fragile today. My partner had to give a semen sample to freeze as they are worried about the quality and wanted a back up for EC on Wednesday.

Worryingly, the quality has reduced to about 5-10% of what it was back in May when we had analysis done. He previously had a couple of million sperm, but now it's almost zero and they didn't see any normal sperm at all in the sample.

I'm really worried for tomorrow now that there just won't be any good sperm, and this is really affecting his mental health too (which I feel like could be a cycle and have a knock on impact on his sperm as well!)

:(

All we can do is push forwards as we don't really have any control over this but it's just so hard. Trying to keep positive but I am worried that this might have all been for nothing.

@Frenchie86 thank you! It’s so hard because like you said you’re use to the disappointment but got to keep pushing forward and stay as positive as you can! Hope you’re well.

@want2bemum aww I am so sorry to hear that! I know it’s hard not to stress and worry and everything is so unknown! But I hope it all works out!

@PositiveeVibes exactly! And it's that viscous cycle of thinking that if you're too negative/stressed it won't work, which is silly. Feeling ok thank you, no really symptoms so far apart from sore boobs, trying not to feel anxious, I just want to fast forward to week 12 or 20 to know for sure everything's ok. Honestly the worrying never stops!

@want2bemum I'm so sorry to hear that, it must be stressful for the both of you. Fingers crossed for some better news tomorrow.

@want2bemum I'm sorry to hear that. I hope everything works out for you both tomorrow 🤞

@wanttobemum so sorry you had bad news it is so difficult this whole process and sometimes we forget the toll it takes on our partners too as we are so caught up in all the things we have to do. Try and take some time for yourselves and do something nice together to take your mind off it if you can although easier said than done. X

@want2bemum I'm so sorry to hear that, hopefully there will be some on EC he only needs the amount to match your eggs not a million ❤️

Thank you all x

@heasmanne Yes that's so true, very important to remember that. If I have 10 eggs then we only need 10 sperm (or really only one if it actually works!)

@Tiger86 Thanks, it really does. My partner was really upset yesterday, it was so hard comforting him and trying to alleviate his guilt about his sperm, whilst also trying to deal with my own emotions about it all.

Just trying to stay hopeful. I bought myself some flowers haha I'm meant to be working today but struggling. I just want to curl up and put a movie on!

Hope you are all doing ok today x

[quote Reefy]@want2bemum I'm sorry to hear that. I hope everything works out for you both tomorrow 🤞 [/quote]
Thanks, and for you too! xx

@want2bemum thank you ☺️

Hello all,

Hello back KatRee sorry you’ve got a pesky cyst in the way. It’s all such a delicate process isn’t it? Let us know how your scan goes tomorrow, I hope you’re able to go ahead with your cycle this month.

want2 I’m sorry you’ve had some bad news - that sounds really tough on you both. I’m the one with the issues in our case so know how guilty he must be feeling but it really isn’t his, or anyone’s fault. Life is just unfair sometimes. Well done for getting the flowers - do anything that brings a little bit of pleasure or comfort. You deserve it.

Reefy I can’t believe you have to supply your own drink and snacks! How tight! Will think of you and want2 tomorrow and hope that all goes well with both of your egg collections. Hopefully the fullness feeling will ease off but sounds like you’ve grown a good amount of eggs!

Frenchie We haven’t even started IVF yet and I can already imagine the anxiety of actually being pregnant! Easy to say but I hope you’re able to enjoy the pregnancy too.

Tiger Exciting times, keep us updated on your scan next week.

Sorry if I’ve missed anyone, the thread is moving quickly.

We had our first appt by phone today. I’ll be on buserelin for downregulation. Stimulation will be Gonal-F - they’re using 225 based on my low AMH and endometriosis. Apparently I may also be put on the contraceptive pill to help with scheduling as they only do egg collection on certain days. Awaiting a scan to check the access to my ovaries due to the endo. Next step is to email them on day 1 of my next AF.

Feel a mix of excitement and fear. She did mention the success rate will be lower than is usual in my age range due to my AMH and endo. But also said they’re hoping my age will help with the egg quality as I’m ‘so young’ - I don’t feel it . She would be ‘very happy’ if they get 7-8 eggs from me, usually they like to get 10-12.

Can’t believe I’m going to be jabbing myself with needles, I have to turn away for blood tests, will have to woman up!

Fingers crossed for everyone with egg collection in the next few days 🤞💓

@GodspeedJune I know it is tight! Not even a cuppa tea 😂😂 I've put snacks in my bag ready. I think it's the actual thought of doing the injections but when doing them just think why! Gonal-f isn't too bad as it's the pre filled pens & I find the needles are quite thin on them.
Best of luck for when you start.

Thank you @GodspeedJune, and best of luck to you. This is just my experience but I found the injections a lot easier than I was expecting. The needles are small and you will get very clear instructions. I rarely even felt them at all, and I have finished my first round without a single bruise on me. I just have a few tiny prick marks which will heal in no time. I have been lucky with that at least.

One tip for you - if they say you are allowed to get them out of the fridge and keep them out, then do so, so they are not cold when you are injecting! I had Gonal-F and Menopur and once they are open you can just keep them out of the fridge so they are room temperature.

@Reefy I've got Maltesers in my bag for after Got to have a little joy in all this right!

@want2bemum what a good idea! Enjoy them!

It’s so naughty Reefy ! I think the only things that brought me round from my laparoscopy a few weeks ago was the hot cuppa and biscuits! Definitely take alllll the snacks. You have earned them!

Thanks want2 I’m glad you’re both saying that type of injection isn’t too bad, and you managed them well. I’ll definitely ask them about keeping them out of the fridge, anything to make it a little less sore would be great.

Wishing you both all the luck in the world for tomorrow 🍀

@Tiger86 I'm just getting started too- are you on short protocol?

@Shaj123 I'd say you've got a very good chance of getting some good eggs amongst your 5 at your age. I can imagine it must be a shock to find yourself going down this route when you didn't have any difficulty a few years ago. 'Unexplained' infertility is always so frustrating

@Frenchie86 4 viable embryos out of 7 is a great result. I know lots of people are disappointed if they get a relatively small number of eggs to begin with, but there were quite a few ladies on the thread I was on in August who didn't get many but seemed to prove its quality that counts with BFPs and Frosties on top!
Apparently this cyst I have could potentially spew out estradiol if it gets too big and that stops the stims from working. Had a blood test yesterday which showed estradiol levels not too high at this point, really hoping they stay that way!

@want2bemum Sorry to read your news. It does seem semen parameters can vary quite a lot and change quite quickly. I have heard that if the worse happens and they can't get a good sample on the day, they will freeze the eggs and fertilise them later. I hope it doesn't come to that, but don't think it will all be for nothing x

@GodspeedJune excited your getting started - you will be a pro at jabbing needles in yourself in no time!

@KatRee yes it’s definitely a quality vs quantity thing. Sorry to hear that but fingers crossed your levels stay in check x

@KatRee sorry to hear that! I hope your scan goes well and you can continue!

@Tiger86 that’s good news I have my scan tomorrow to hopefully start stims!

@GodspeedJune aww honestly it’s not as bad as you think I hate blood tests and I’ve surprised myself at how I’ve just got on with it like it’s normal! Wish you all the best!

Hope everyone is doing okay! Sounds like we are all getting that little bit closer!! 🤞

@Katree yes I'm on short protocol. Just looking forward to getting to egg collection day now that things have started. Just done my first injection and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Hope your scan goes well and you can get started too x

@shaj123 I'm in the same as you had my son 4 years ago and fell first month trying and now been trying 3 years for another. I'm 35 and really hoping this works out for us x

Thanks everyone.

Got the Day 3 call from the embryologist and there are 2 which are Grade 1 and 3 which are Grade 2.

1 embryo with 9 cells, 1 embryo with 8 cells, 2 with 7 cells and 1 with 3 cells. They think the one with 3 cells won’t go to Blastocyst but they will give it to 6 days maximum and then see if it can frozen.

Transfer in 2 days, feeling nervous about it all!

I hope everyone gets their good news soon x

@PositiveeVibes good luck for your scan tomorrow.

@Tiger86 glad to hear the first injection went well tonight.

@Shaj123 glad to hear you have embryos that are doing ok & hope you get some to freeze. Good luck for transfer in a few days.

@Tiger86 glad your first injection went okay!

@Shaj123 that’s good news hope they make it and you have a successful transfer!

@Reefy thank you! Hopefully I’ll be starting stims!🤞 good luck to you and @want2bemum tomorrow fingers crossed it all goes well for you! X

@heasmanne how are you doing? Did you test again? Is your OTD today? I've been bleeding quite badly and in pain since first thing Monday morning, test was BFN this morning as expected. I actually feel like I've had AF, even though am still on progesterone! I hope you got some good news 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

So 13 eggs today, was hoping for a few more but I guess it only takes one. I was awake before I was even in recovery today 😂. On my way to McDonald's for chips!

@want2bemum hope it's gone well for you.

@PositiveeVibes hope your scan went well.