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!

@womaninkent hey welcome to the group! That’s great about your successful ICSI, I also had ICSI in December but was my first failed fresh one with a 5AA embryo. Can I ask what grade embryo you had your success with and when you are planning on doing your second FET? Did they say what might have gone wrong with your first failed FET

@MollyVanDer really sorry hun, take care of yourself and your wife ❤️

I had my day5 update, sadly 2 of the remaining 4 stopped developing yesterday, and the other 2 well they're keeping one more day in to see if any suitable to freeze tomorrow. But embryologist said very unlikely. So we won't have any to freeze.

With the other two which they put back on Monday, having heavy cramps since last night, and TMI sorry but I got some almost black cm patch on my underwear this morning, which I hope its from the ET as it was very painful. Trying to not give up hope

@Bluehawaii29 thanks. I'm sorry to hear about your first round. I think the embryo we were successful with in 2019 was 5AB. In terms of the failed FET, at the time the clinic were very positive and said just one of those things. The new dr is a bit less positive and has raised issues with lining which has been just under 8mm both times. She still said the most likely issue was chromosome abnormalities.

@Dobcaty I think I have had bleeding and cramps after both transfers, don't worry!

@womaninkent thanks for the info, yeah our remaining embryos are all BBs and planning on transferring two of them in the next cycle. We were told may be that 5AA was just an abnormal embryo even though it looked the best but consultant was hopeful the right one is in the bunch somewhere. Just have to find our way to it fingers crossed. Was told on transfer day lining looked very good ?around 8mm but all I know is progesterone at day 10 post transfer could have been higher so this cycle they are giving me Progesterone pessaries as well as injections. Hopefully that way I will feel did the best we could in terms of lining. Have the meds at home ready to start first day of next period now. It’s going to be a long wait though I’m sure!

Had EC this morning, same consultant as last time which put me at ease, and I have no idea where he found them but he got 15 eggs out this time! Again, such a contrast to the numbers in the last scan and we are over the moon. The sedation was amazing again, wish it lasted longer! In a bit of pain still and pretty uncomfortable, mainly on the right hand side so not sure if that's anything to do with the cyst in my right ovary. Also struggling to stomach any food, got a burger sat here and can't face it! Had a few chips on had to give the rest to OH! Now the wait until tomorrow!

@Coops0406

Had EC this morning, same consultant as last time which put me at ease, and I have no idea where he found them but he got 15 eggs out this time! Again, such a contrast to the numbers in the last scan and we are over the moon. The sedation was amazing again, wish it lasted longer! In a bit of pain still and pretty uncomfortable, mainly on the right hand side so not sure if that's anything to do with the cyst in my right ovary. Also struggling to stomach any food, got a burger sat here and can't face it! Had a few chips on had to give the rest to OH! Now the wait until tomorrow!

What a great number!

Hope you are feeling ok and manage to relax and recover well!

@Coops0406 15 is great news, well done!

I went for my second scan, still only 4 good size follicles, she said 2 tiny ones. I've been feeling sad, but hopefully they can find a couple more when I get to egg collection.

@Coops0406 amazing news! Hope you don't feel too bad.

I had my day 3 update today and out of the 11 fertilised we still have 10 going strong! Transfer is booked for Friday 🤞🏻

@Bec18x amazing stuff, best of luck for Friday! When are you booked in for? Mine is tomorrow afternoon and I’m so anxious for the time to just speed up already!

@Coops0406 that’s amazing! I loved the anaesthetic too abs had the best sleep the day after. Take it easy today and eat when you can. X

@MollyVanDer I should also add that though I had my clinics policy is to have 3 leading follicles over 18mm (which is when I was booked in for EC and told to trigger the next day) most of mine were around 13mm on the last scan so it still can vary wildly. They were sure whether I’d do the trigger that night or the following but ultimately decided to have one more day stims. I did 12 days in total.

@WhiteLily86 thank you! Currently on the sofa with doggy cuddles 🥰

@Aimz40 thanks! We were so shocked again! On my way in he said that the paperwork said there were 6 follicles (although my last scan said 4 at the right size and 4 under size) and then he got 15 eggs...so all I can say is to try and remain positive, they may just find more by the time it comes to EC 🤞🏾

@Bec18x thank you 😊 what about amazing update! Just the news you want and keeps you in that positive mindset ready for transfer on Friday.

@PcosSOS oh that sleep is something else!! Good luck for tomorrow!! Is that a day 5 transfer for you?

Hi all. I have a question for those in the group who have taken Suprecur/ buserelin for down reg.
I did my first injection of Suprecur last night and today I feel absolutely exhausted. I felt like I'd been drugged or something this morning. I've had to have two naps today (thank God it wasn't a work day) and I can barely bring myself to get off the sofa.
Did anyone else feel this way?

@Glitterandunicorns what dose are you on ? Im starting to feel tired but ive been on it for around 2 weeks now. Embrace it! I love a good nana nap. X I wouldnt worry about it . See how u feel over the next few days . I think fatigue is a side effect thou .

@Dobcaty sorry to hear this round wasn't successful. Hopefully there is useful insight they can take forward into the next one. Hope you are resting and OK.

@Coops0406 fantastic news on your EC! fingers crossed they all progress well and you are able to stomach something delicious soon

@Aimz40 I only have 2 on 1 side and 3 on the other. There are lots of stories where people get more later on and seem to get some out of nowhere at EC. I just keep reminding myself that it only takes 1. Keep the faith!

@PcosSOS good luck for tomorrow! enjoy the sedation and everything crossed for the TWW!

@Glitterandunicorns I have been on Buserelin for pretty much a month now due to extended down regulation. I had a lot of bloating and headaches to begin with but they subsided after the first week. I am really tired today.... but think that is just because it is cold and dark outside :)

I had a follow up scan today after having a second bleed on buserelin (freaked me out but apparently it can happen!?) and finally have the go ahead to start stims tonight! woo hoo! I have never been so excited about an injection before! My follicle numbers dont look great but i figure at least they monitor and adjust so that is a better chance that i have naturally. Trying to remain zen.... which is a challenge! ha!

For those having gone through EC..... when did you have to do the PCR test? this is my next worry! don't want to get this far the cancel due to covid!!

Good luck all x

@Glitterandunicorns I'm on day 6 of Buserilin. I've had some pain on my right ovary area for the past couple of days although not sure if that's a side effect. Also got that feeling when AF is close and a bit bloated.

@Hopeful199 thanks. Im glad your headaches subsided after the first week. My nurse told me some ladies do bleed on bureselin and not to worry about that.
That is exciting that you can start stims!

@NaomiNatNat sorry to hear you've had some pain. I hope that goes quickly.

@Justawannabemam I'm on 0.5ml each day. I did read that fatigue is a side effect. Think I'm going to be mainlining decaf coffee and hoping it somehow psychosomatically wakes me up when I'm back at work tomorrow!

@Glitterandunicorns I'm on day 18 of Buseralin and had a bit of mild cramps this morning, also not sure if it is side effect. I had my period last week so it can't be that so bit puzzled.
Has anyone had similar?

@Hopeful199 thank you! Had half a sausage roll! And a hot chocolate!
Regards the pcr, I had to have proof of a negative lateral flow 3 days before EC, so I had to send results in on Sunday. I also isolated from then. Hope all goes well with the injections! Always exciting to get the first one done, it starts the countdown to EC!

@PcosSOS I've been told to get there for 1pm.
Good luck for tomorrow!

I had my review today after egg collection and the doctor was literally trying to find a problem with me. He said after getting 36 eggs collected he would expect me to have some OHSS symptoms but I literally have none! My scan showed that my ovaries were slightly bigger but he said that's normal from the egg collection. He was pushing my tummy and I had no pain and he turned round and said no seriously you need to be honest with me. I had a liver scan and internal scan and all was good!
The only thing I done after egg collection is drink 2 Lucozade sports a day and make sure I've been having good protein. I feel reassured after it and hoping that everything stays ok for Friday 🤞🏻

Good luck for tomorrow @Bec18x @PcosSOS.

Great EC results @Coops0406!

I'm keeping hope for you @Dobcaty hope you're ok.

I've got a debrief tomorrow with the lead embryologist. We seem to have experienced a mistake in judgement from the clinic on when to trigger egg collection.

On my second scan I was showing 6 follicles; 19, 18, 16, 15, 11, 9.

Instead of triggering the nurse advised we go two more days of stims. On my final scan I was showing 8 follicles, four were 20-24mm and the other four were 11, 8, 7, 5mm.

On EC they collect four eggs all proved immature. We think the 20-24 grew too large and ovulated and they collected the four smaller ones.

We are 1.5% of cases in 497 that haven't gone to embryo transfer. And of the 1.5% people have known issues eg AMH less than 1.

I feel absolutely robbed of the £7,500 we spent on this cycle with extra meds, embryoscope and sperm donor.

I really don't know how to talk to the clinic further about this - any advice appreciated

@MollyVanDer thanks, we're pleased but know it's a long road.

I would be really annoyed in your shoes. On our first round we were on 10 days of stims and only checked on day 6, so by day 10 they had to go with what was there and they ended up being over mature. I think in your case there was a point where they could/should have made the decision to stop stims and trigger that night but they pushed it further, and not even just by a day but two. When paying out so much I would really push for some sort of compensation from them or gesture of goodwill for moving forward. Errors can be made but that's a pretty expensive one, especially when people save/take loans just to be able to have treatment! Plus the emotional impact! I know you have to trust your clinic and consultants but you should be able to question them and them give you the answers you need

Thanks you @Coops0406, really good advice which I will probably follow tomorrow however hard it is to have these difficult conversations

@MollyVanDer to be honest, I struggle to get my words out face to face and end up crying out of frustration! I tried to have a serious conversation with my nhs consultant about misdiagnosis of pcos and what a waste of time my nhs round was but it didn't really get me anywhere! But you have to try or you'll be mad at yourself too. Just make some notes and bullet points so you don't get lost with what you want to say to them. Hope it goes well 🥰

@MollyVanDer I agree make notes. If you aren't happy with the response you can complain in writing to the clinic then on to the HFEA. Good luck.

My day 7 update from the embryologist wasn't good news. Neither of the 2 early blasts developed enough for biopsy or freezing. So i have one frosty from this round. (And we didn't do a transfer.) Onwards and upwards. I have my next stims scan on Fri. Hopefully there will be some likely looking follicles.

I went round to a friend's for dinner tonight. Great to vent and have some non-dh companionship. So nice to have a good friend a 5 minute walk away!