IVF/FET Jan/Feb 2022

[Juno231]

I know I'm a bit early but knowing that I get to start in January I think I'll go mad just twiddling my thumbs until then.

With Christmas clinic closures I think there's a fair few of us around waiting for Jan to start, so hopefully we can gather here for support in the mean time?

About me - 33 years old (although I turn 34 in Jan!), TTC#1 for two years with unexplained infertility. Am due to start my first ever round of IVF in January (NHS). I've been told I'll do short protocol and in terms of next steps I've got a trial embryo transfer in two weeks' time, and both OH and I have to get blood tests done in Dec. I can order my meds from the pharmacy in Dec as well so got that to look forward to ha.

I'm currently predicted to start my cycle on the 31st of Dec which would mean having to wait a whole cycle due to the new year bank holiday getting in the way. My cycle can vary by a few days though so I'm really hoping CD1 actually comes a day or two later!

@HJen22 it does seem to drag on a bit doesn't it, waiting for this or that. Irregular cycles are so frustrating. Im on clomid at the moment which makes them really predictable, but the consultant said if I wanted to come off it they would give me something to induce a bleed if push came to shove. Im sure they'll do the same for you if it drags on too long.

Oh amazing. So glad you got some support. My clinic said they offer 2 sessions which doesn't seem enough?? so I'm hoping to squeeze a few more out of them.

Yeh I think as long as work isn't mentally stressful I think I'll keep working too.

@Lotusflower1990000 thank you. I work from home too so it's easier to make yourself comfortable and have some privacy. Have they offered you any investigations as to why it wasn't successful first time? No worries if you would prefer not to talk about it of course xx

@seathistle they haven’t no I think it’s because it’s via the nhs so they don’t offer anything different except to up my progesterone as I started bleeding 7 days after transfer I have also a asked them to take my blood levels on the day of transfer to make sure my levels are were they should be If this fails we will have to pay for our next round and more then likely a little more investigation and testing xxx

@Lotusflower1990000 yeah I think it's so easy to be hard on ourselves, I find myself apologising for crying and being sad when really; it's pretty normal in the circumstances. It's just not something you ever imagine happening is it, so can be so hard to get your head around and try to accept it, for me anyway.

Did you find it ok doing them yourself? I'm not sure if I'd rather that instead of putting the pressure on my partner and holding my breathe waiting for him to do it!

Aw lovely, how far from London? So much to do and see down there! A visit to Scotland is def with a visit, lots of beautiful places, weather a bit crazy though haha.

I'd hoped to have still been wfh for treatment too but back to the office in 2 weeks! Hoping that I can be a bit flexible with working around appointments though.

@seathistle oh that's good to know that they can do that! My cycles are just so random now, to add to the stress. We're your cycles quite irregular before clomid? Xx

@Lotusflower1990000 fingers crossed you won't need to have any more tests and this is the one 🙏🏼

@HJen22 no my cycles were a total nightmare! Came off the pill and didn't have a period for a year. Then when they were anywhere between 36-50 days long, usually 50 days. This paired with having a lot of follicles on my ovaries makes them think I have PCOS. So I totally get the frustration. I felt such a huge burden of responsibility trying to track my cycles and figure out what was going on. Now I've kind of accepted that we are just not going to conceive naturally (for us I think it really would be a miracle) so just taking a step back and trying to go with the flow has been a bit of a release. Are yours long or different lengths? Have they offered you clomid?

@seathistle gosh that must be so hard having such long cycles and trying to time and track! I've accepted it's very unlikely we will conceive naturally too, taken the pressure off DTD and tracking I guess. My period came back a few weeks after coming off the pill but they've been light and short and my cycles have been on the short side. They've not offered me Clomid as they think I do ovulate but just not with high enough quality eggs. My ovarian reserve is low. My sister was diagnosed with pcos when she was trying and fell pregnant on clomid. And then conceived her next naturally! So it can happen 🤞🏻 but I know what you mean, even though my Dr had said it's not impossible but very unlikely I've just kinda taken that as it won't. How long have you been on clomid for? Xxx

Hello there.

I would like to join in on the chit chat I'm not sure if my cycle will be Jan or Feb but I do t think there is one set up for April

Weve had our first cycle of ICSI which was unsuccessful. Devastated to say the least

I'm 40, and we were told we should receive one cycle on nhs bc of my age. After the unsuccessful cycle we have now been told it will be April. That's longer than we had to wait for this go. I've spoke to my GP today who has put in a funding request for another go on nhs, we don't have a follow up until beginning December my gp has said if we can go private start to put things in place. So ive made contact with a centre in Darlington. Has anyone used it ? I'm hoping to get a nhs funded but potentially I could have a private cycle before then does anyone know if I go private will that jeopardise a nhs cycle if we got the funding ? Just incase we need a third go

We have said that we wouldn't do more than 3 as this is what's offered, be it either bhs or privately funded.

@Justawannabemam I'm so sorry to hear your transfer wasn't successful 💔 I really can't even begin to comprehend how hard that is. I really hope you do get another funded cycle through the NHS. Sorry I'm just starting out so don't have any experience with private.

How is everyone? Update from me today, have received the date for our initial consultation for 3rd December and our consent forms through. Quite a shock to reach the top of the list as I was told I'd not receive an appointment until January. The nurses appointment and treatment date still won't be until after 17th January with the festive closure but at least that should cut off some wait time having the initial consultation done. It's all feeling very real now! Xx

Hi @HJen22

Thank you for your message.

I bet you are excited to be starting. Like I said in my previous message we waited months forna start date . Trust me once you begin your cycle it will fly in .

We got good news today . My GP got confirmation back that we are approved for 2 more nhs cycles.

We are going to hold on until 3rd December before making any decisions about going private. I think if they can see us again before April we will likely hold on. I can't get out of my head what my GP said in that every month my eggs are deteriorating. I'm still waiting for a natural cycle so nothing would happen before that anyhow

Where are you having your treatment at ?

It's exciting and worrying.

I have told myself I will not get so confident 2nd time. It really broke my heart when I started to bleed.

BUT that's gone now . So I have to focus on the future.

@seathistle I know I hope so if not I will defo be asking for investigations I spoke to clinic and said they don’t do investigations until you have 3 or 4 failed implantation they said the first one may of also been due to all the hormones for stimulation injections so a frozen may be a lot better I have pcos too I was on clomid And ovulated but it failed for me xx

@Justawannabemam I’m so sorry about your failed cycle I also had a failed icsi in September It’s heartbreaking you may need to check with you gp as different ccg ivf funding have different rules and polices I know with ours if we pay this affects the nhs funding April feels so far away so I completely understand why you would want to go private xxx

@HJen22 I know it’s so hard but it’s so much better to have a cry and let it all out the injections became 2nd nature to me after the 3rd night it’s so strange honestly you will be so surprised at how quickly you forget your injecting lol just make sure you pinch enough skin and it will hurt way less

Great news on your dates! You must be so excited ❤️❤️It makes it that much more real We were told the same so I’m so surprised to have a transfer just after Xmas Xxx

@Justawannabemam just read your last message great news you have 2 more cycles funded it’s so hard because you don’t want to waste time but money wise it’s a lot to think about if you can get the funding sending you a virtual hug xxx

Hello, hope I can join in! I'm 34 and been trying for 2 years with unexplained infertility.

Was added to waiting list last month for IVF at Aberdeen Fertility (antagonist protocol). Had letter to say appointment in February with treatment to start thereafter, but seeing @HJen22 progress quicker than expected I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to top of list quicker too 🤞 for now it's just a waiting game!

@Justawannabemam that's fantastic that they approved another 2 rounds! Hopefully they get you back in way before April. Are you taking any ubiquinol to help with the egg quality at all? I'm sorry your last transfer didn't take, was that the only embryo you had from that egg retrieval so the next round will be the full gambit again?

I'm in London btw so will be using a local NHS clinic. In my area you only get one fresh and one frozen transfer.

@HJen22 exciting news about the initial consultation! Mine was weirdly last month, incl meeting the nurse. It's funny how all the clinics seem to have their own ways of doing things.

@Autumn245 welcome! We have very similar stats :) Fingers crossed for a Jan starting date!

So weirdly my CD1 on Monday turned out to be super light and yday was just spotting - whereas today was full flow and cramps so I'm going to adjust my tracking and count today as CD1. If true and I don't get any more spanners in the works then CD1 in Jan is on the 3rd now so I could be starting stims the next day if lucky!

@Juno231
We got 4 matured 2 fertilised. So we put both back in.

No ive been taking Pregnecare. I've not heard of ubiquinol ? Is it something that's recommended. I will try anything .!

@Justawannabemam aw that's wonderful news you're approved for 2 more cycles, so happy for you. That must be such a weight lifted off. And now you have some time to decide about private too. Have they given any indication as to when it could be with NHS?

Thank you, it's very overwhelming as I wasn't quite mentally prepared for the appointment yet. Definitely not complaining though! My treatment is with Aberdeen Fertility Clinic.

@Lotusflower1990000 thank you, that makes me feel so much better you saying it just becomes like second nature once you begin. I hope I manage to take it in my stride and not stress out too much. I was relatively relaxed and chill before all of this! Would not use those words to describe me now!! 😂

@Autumn245 hi fellow Scot 👋🏻 I'm sorry to hear you're on the IVF list too. I really hope you get an appointment before they have said too! I'd originally been told 4-6 months and I assumed it would be into 2022 given Xmas and NY was right in the middle of that. Then a few weeks after our referral at the clinic we got a letter saying 4-5 months and we'd get a letter through in January for our initial consultation. So I was not expecting an appointment in December at all!

@Juno231 ah Dr and nurse same day? Everyone does it different don't they! Postcode lottery for a lot of areas it seems! I had thought our consult was going to be in person too but again it's just over video. That's great that hopefully your dates have moved for a better date in January! Everything crossed!!! Xxx

@HJen22 April at the latest. There hoping to increase cycle numbers and they were halved from covid

We will probably keep our money incase we need it for another go or if we need a donar as I don't think thats including in the funding . Plus if we go private we loose the funding from NHS

Hi there. We’ll be starting our first ivf cycle in jan/feb too. Have our nurse planning appt on 12 jan and hope to start next cycle

I’m 39 and my partner is 33 and we have unexplained infertility.
I have a high AMH at 39 so having a gentle protocol then freeze all to limit risk of OHSS.

This will be our first round of ivf. Currently working through all our videos and consent forms online and still finding it all a bit overwhelming!! Will be good to have people going through it all at the same time!

How is everyone doing? I thought that putting it all off until after Christmas would be a welcome break, but I can't stop thinking about it 🙈

What do you guys do to distract yourself? I'm thinking of getting a switch and playing animal crossing. 😅

When I started mine they didn't have to wait for CD1, basically we started anytime as the Burselin does its stuff and takes over.

We're focusing on out meeting 3rd and taking it from there. Hoping we can get in before April will be out focus. Was thinking of a holiday but knowing our luck that will be when we start so we're holding off. Instead I've just ripped my staircase to bits lols

@LT103 hi there 👋🏻 nice to have others to chat too!

I have been kept busy with all the consent forms! Wow there are a lot aren't there! Other than that I've started listening to BFN podcast from the start and I really like it! It's worth a listen and funny. And I've been colouring in again, I find it quite therapeutic and a distracting from sitting on my phone.

How is everyone else doing? Xx

@LT103 welcome!

@seathistle I play on my ps5 😅. We're planning some major houseworks for next year so could be planning for that too but honestly I always seem too busy!

Got my trial embryo transfer tomorrow so at least I'm feeling slightly productive this week from an IVF point of view lol. It's mid morning but I'm also meant to be at a conference then so my boss will hopefully not notice 😅

Hi ladies 👋

Can I join? Fellow Scot here also at Aberdeen fertility clinic.

I am 35 and been trying for 3 years now for DC#2. Had a call last week saying that we will be in full flow of the process in January!

What is with the break over christmas? Something about a computer system change 🙈

We were told in May when I had hycosy it would be July or august start so just getting more and more frustrated, although having our dates now puts me at ease a bit more.

You will have to explain a few things - what's the different protocols? We are self funded. Another couple with unexplained infertility - all results are fine from both of us.

Hi @WhiteLily86 I am Aberdeen too!! That's great new you had a call last week! Have you already had your Dr consultation and they given you your nurses appointment? We have our Dr consult in December. I have just finished all of my consent forms this week.

Oh I know, must be no new treatment in December due to Xmas and NY and then a 3 week closure too! Annoying we're over this time of year as had it been any other month would have been less of a wait wouldn't have it!

I'm sorry you've had some delays since you first got told, that must have been very frustrating!

@Juno231 all the luck for your trial tomorrow!!! How are you feeling about it? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, what is involved in a trial embryo transfer? I don't think I have ever read anything about it xx

@HJen22

Hi fellow AFC patient!

Yeah we had what felt like so many appointments but nothing seemed to take us any further in the process. I don't understand it, especially when the doctor said 2 months for self-funded. Anyway, we had appointment about the forms in October and then our nurses appointment a couple weeks ago, that's what set out our dates. All dependent on my December period then starting the drugs in January then hopefully end Jan for the actual in hospital piece (provisional dates only until date of dec period is confirmed).

Just all so stressful, but trying not to think about it. I saw the colouring suggestion - great idea!!

@WhiteLily86 it's a lot to take in isn't it! I just watched the 37 minute video online and along with the consents my head is fried!

I was wondering about the period thing and cycles. So on their video it says you get the pill to take for them to control your period. Does that depend on when Decembers is to know when to take it the following month? So confusing! My cycles are all over the place just now, to add to the stress!

Must be a relief to be getting closer to getting dates in. I couldn't help but be annoyed with the January closure too! We got referred in august and we're told 4-6 months and I'd assumed it would be into next year given December being right in that! Then we got a letter in September saying 5 and we'd get our consultation January. So I was mega shocked when we got the email last week for our Dr call in a few weeks.

I also hadn't realised until today the nurses app could be over video? Was yours? I'm super apprehensive about the injections, as I'm sure most of us are!

I'd def recommend colouring in, I really enjoy it. Just time to sit quietly xxx

Yeah so we had:

• bloods etc all done before end 2020 by local doctor
• added to waitlist for fertility team
• hycosy in early May - no issues so was put on waitlist for SF IVF. Advised 2 month waitlist.
• July another call with doctor for seemingly no reason, said videos and forms will be through in 2 weeks and it starts v quick thereafter. Assumed Sept latest.
• august another call with doctor, saying it is now a 2 month wait, so assumed October
• End sept I think we received forms
• October another call with someone, but just to run through forms
• early Nov - nurses appointment.

I would just keep asking for nurses appointment, we seemed to lose months and months in between with all these appointments coming through post but none of them actually progressed anything.

Yeah so period is due mid dec, then they count 21 days from that for starting drugs I think (not injections?). Then from there they control the periods. I don't know I get so confused with it all.

Problem is the videos feel like ages ago, so I need to go back and re-watch them!