IVF at Guy's & St. Thomas' & general process/timeline part 3

[HereToLearnAndShare]

This is a continuation from the thread "IVF at Guy's & St. Thomas' & general process/timeline discussion" /part 2

@Sarah2328 super exciting, at least they'll give you a scan date so you've got something to look forward to!
I think I did 4 in total- I did the weeks ones the day after my BFP & got 2-3 at first, then a FRER a couple of days later & then got a 3+ weeks at like 5+3 I think & haven't tested since then, I'd drive myself mad otherwise!
Awww exciting, my DP is a June baby & we always have a huge BBQ for his birthday as generally the weather is decent!
Lol I dunno if I can but I'm going to have to 😂 unless I can convince DP to have another private scan (doubtful haha!!)

@Etonmess20 yeah I don't think I will go
Mad with the tests, like you say I will drive
Myself mad 🤣

My partner has soo many birthdays in June, his two sisters and mother, haha and now our one to hopefully join 🤣

By any chance when you went for a scan so they do your bloods too? Xx

@Sarah2328 the weeks ones were nice but they're a minefield in themselves 🤷🏼‍♀️
Nope they didn't do any bloods when I went for my scan, literally just the scan. I needed some more pessaries too so don't forget to ask if you're running low. I took them until 8 weeks & was strangely used to them by the time I needed to stop!

@Etonmess20

They said they have ordered me some more progesterone, got my scan booked for the 4/11 so that will be 7 weeks.

Eek onto the next journey now of praying my positive stays 😍 xx

@Sarah2328 that's the day after my 12 week scan so at least we can do the agonising wait together 😂

@Etonmess20 yay, we can do this 🙈🥰 xx

Happy Monday ladies! How is everyone?

@morganablue sending lots of luck for tomorrow x

@Etonmess20 aw thank you for thinking about me, much appreciated! Wish I had better news, testing day is tomorrow, but we tested earlier today and unfortunately, it was another negative.
This is our last embryo, so we now have to start the whole process again (and this time paid for, as fresh and FET were under NHS funding).

I actually wanted to know if any of you guys are under self-funded or personalised care and what are your thoughts?

We are trying to wrap our head around it, as ideally we would rather crack on and start a round before Xmas time, rather than take a break. Also, we had a lovely counselling session with Guy's (with Katie), I so much recommend it as the whole process is so overwhelming.

@morganablue oh that's really sad news, I'm so sorry to hear that.
I don't have any experience of personal funding but can fully understand why you would want to get cracking again before Christmas
Sending lots of love ❤️ x

@morganablue so sorry you got another negative. I don’t know if this helps, but I enquired recently about doing a private round with them to speed things up and they said it’s the same waiting list for self funded and nhs. So there’s no point in joining it now, in October, when I’ve already been added to it in August.

They’ve told me I won’t be seen until the new year basically, so my only option this side of Christmas is to pay a non-NHS clinic for a private round. They also cut off treatment from Nov 30th.

ah @morganablue I am so sorry to hear that 😟 I totally understand you dont to wait and start the next round asap. Did they explain what is the potential reason for the unseen transfer?

I know private is quite expensive and I was wondering if its posible to use some of the medications left from the previous round (if the same are prescribed again) I keep mine as I still dont know what the outcome of this cycle will be, so I thought I could save some money if I need to go private 😶

Also, someone in the group shared an idea to change address registration to an area where NHS funds more than one cycle, not sure if its a real option but perhaps worth checking.

Hi guys, i really appreciate your support, thank you. We are absolutely shattered, but trying to think logically and look at options.

I have booked my follow up with a senior doctor(8/11, typical 3 weeks wait) and enquired for private care, so sharing this in case it is useful for anyone:

Self-Funded
Next available consultant
Medication – £500-£800
Bloods and Scans Additional Cost
Wait Time – 3-4 Months
Weekdays Appointment

Personalised Care
Personal Consultant
Medication – £500-£800
Bloods and scans – Additional Cost
No wait Time
Weekdays and Weekend apt

I am actually unsure of what to do, as staying at Guy's would be good for continuity and it is easy to reach, but once you are paying for a very expensive round and compare rates across London, their success rates are quite low. In my case, for under 35 (there is not female factor and we did ICSi for the low morphology|) it is only 31%, where other clinics much higher rates.

feeling like I am back to square one of having to research, send wine :)

Also, the enraging list of miscommunciatiosn.

After being sent this, I have asked what it means for starting time and even if personalised care, it's 3 months wait.

Also the guy kept on sending me the prices for the FET, even when I told him I have no frozen embryo left to transfer.

Do I want to pay Guy's 7 plus K? Ehm, Maybe not :)

@morganablue I mentioned it previously, but I had these conversations with Guys, ultimately if you don’t want to wait 4 months for the next round you’ll need to find a non-nhs private clinic that you’re happy with. Maybe take a month or so to do some research, have a couple of consultations, attend their online events, to try to work out which consultant and clinic you want to handover the money to.

I’m still waiting for my first round and have to decide whether to go ahead with a private round in November or wait for Guys in the new year. I don’t know what to do. It’s an impossible decision right now and I’m worried covid + winter will throw another spanner in the works.

I do think at the very least it’s a good opportunity to see what changes different doctors would make to your treatment, what options there are out there. The comms should be better too.

@thislittlebird thank you for this. I am in the same situation and not really sure if with want to wait for Guy's or try to go for a non NHS clinic. We have started researching but It feels quite overwhelming.
Also looking at the calendar, I do not even know how realistic is to start a cycle before Xmas, as even private seems to have (from FAQ) a waiting list. Will defo book a few consultation and see how it goes.

Also, period is still not arriving, which is getting me a bit nervous as I stopped all meds on Monday and last time got my period in 24 hours.
Waiting patiently to be over with this soon, but having terrible nausea and a light head.

@Vparisi was thinking about you, how is it going?

@morganablue I think at this point we might wait for Guys and try a couple more medicated ovulation induction cycles. But it’s hard to choose, my worry is Guys will be delayed further still.

Private will have a small waiting list, possibly, depends on the clinic. But the key will be your cycle timing, the wait for consultations and Christmas closures start kick in at the end of November in some clinics. It might be easier to plan for January and find a good clinic, get the consultations done and choose who to start with after Christmas.

Hopefully the meds are just taking a little while to get out of your system.

Hey @morganablue thanks for thinking of me!! Have been super super busy with work. Had my 3 frosties unthawed today, 2 survived and whatever survives til day 3 will be transferred 11am this Sunday but it doesn't look great. Cross your fingers. So far I've been ok with the meds, had to move up to 6 a day because my lining wasn't ready last week. Now they are just making me a little emotional and super frisky haha. So so so sorry to read about your negative test. Whatever the next step is for you we will be here. I am already sick of it after my first go. Hope you're feeling ok and trying to keep as happy as can be.

@HereToLearnAndShare how are you?? Have been thinking of you.

@Sarah2328 congratulations!!! Amazing news for you!! How are you feeling?

@Etonmess20 how many weeks are you now and how is it going? Have been thinking of you lots even if i haven't been on here xx

@Vparisi been thinking about you all week as I thought your FET should be imminent. I have absolutely everything crossed for those two little frosties, I really really hope you can have both transferred Sunday morning! Even DP has been asking how it's going for you!
Glad the meds arent making you feel too rubbish & sounds like works been keeping your mind off things a bit, which isn't always a bad thing!
How are you feeling about it all?

I'm 11 weeks today & just waiting for my 12 week scan on 3rd but we had a private scan last Saturday & everything was good. I've been really well tbh so nothing much to report here, just plodding along (literally cus I'm bloody huge - never lost the IVF bloat, just added to it!)

@HereToLearnAndShare how's things with you? You can't be far away now either!

@Sarah2328 sending lots of love, hope you're doing well

@Vparisi hey, I hope your well, just read your post, I have all My toes and fingers crossed for Sunday for you 😘

I have been feeling fine apart from very tender breasts/nips. I have my first scan with guys on 4/11 which will be 7 weeks

I'm finding myself still doing HCG tests every other day just to make sure that line is staying strong, which luckily it has, just hope it stays that way 🤞🏻

X

@Etonmess20 I'm doing well thank you, just waiting for my first scan on 4/11 which will be 7 weeks.

Finding myself doing HCG tests every other day just making sure that line is still strong.

11 weeks wow, so happy for you 😘 xx

@Sarah2328 glad you're doing well! Not long for us now, this time next week it'll be less than a week!!! Good that you're finding the tests reassuring too, you've got to do what you've got to do to cope!
Thank you, you'll get there I'm sure of it xx

@Vparisi I have everything crossed for you! Hope both frosties gonna make it till Sun! 🙏💕

I had my scan on tuesday and I was ready to go (10 mm lining) but they booked for Wed next week... It exciting to have a date penciled in tho! I look forward to it 😊

@Etonmess20 I am glad you are feeling we well, cant believe its been 11 weeks! is it count from first cycle date of last period or from the transfer date? its a bit confusing for me

@HereToLearnAndShare hope the meds have been treating you ok too & really exciting that you have a date pencilled in!
It's crazy isn't it? In a way time has gone quick but also slow. Normal pregnancies are dated from 1st day of your last period but they do it a bit different with IVF. I went on an IVF due date calculator that I found on Google & then you put in there the date & whether you had 3 or 5 day transfer & then it gives you your due date. Must be accurate as that was also the date Guys confirmed to me when I went for my scan!

@Etonmess20 Thank you for the info. I plan to spend the Christmas holidays back home, so I was trying to predict scans (in case the cycle is successful) Meds have been ok for now, thanks

@Vparisi Thinking about you! Hope for the best outcome tomorrow! Good luck hun

Thanks all for the support!
@Etonmess20 thanks so much to you and DP for thinking of me. Honestly a little bit neutral and detached from the experience which is probably why I also haven't been on here much. They did say Friday if they were pretty good quality they would hold off til Tuesday for a day 5 transfer but no call or anything so I assume it is still tomorrow. Just the communication is so bad you know.. hopefully I still have 2 for tomorrow but have no idea really. Cannot believe you're 11 weeks now!! Has gone so fast and you can tell everyone at work soon! Don't worry about the weight, this is your time!!

@HereToLearnAndShare thank you soo much. So exciting about Wednesday, crossing all my fingers for you xx

@Sarah2328 thanks so much! Hope that HCG stays strong xxx