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!

Big day here - egg thaw and fertilisation - will get a call later to see how it has all gone - fingers are very, very crossed... more drugs added to the mix so will turn into more of a hormonal mess than I am already!

@Bluebonnet3 so sorry to hear this. It does make a big difference to have someone to take to.
@Vslightlystressy good luck!

@Bluebonnet3 so sorry to hear. But you have one there and now just relax and get yourself ready for your next round 😊

@Vslightlystressy good luck for the fertilisation! Let us know how you get on

@PcosSOS hope the transfer goes okay this afternoon

I just had a call from the embryologist, they actually collected 16 eggs, they told the doctor 15 straightaway but when they checked back there was an extra one there!
14 are mature, 7 have fertilised normally which is great, they are just waiting to see if the other 7 may do too (highly unlikely if they haven’t already but because they are mature eggs they are just going to give them the rest of the day).
Next update is Saturday then Monday.

I’m off work today but luckily it’s just uncomfortable when I move now, the pain has subsided and hopefully the bloating will go down too!

Just heard from the clinic that I’m having a scan on Monday to check that my cyst is not going to impact treatment, then will start the FET process shortly after. Not really sure when or what yet but hopefully that becomes clearer soon!

I think you are all further ahead than me in your cycles but it’s good to understand more about what is to come

@Hopeful199 for my clinic PCR is three calendar days before EC, so if EC on Friday take test no sooner than Tuesday. Then LF on the day but they don't check those just trust you

@MollyVanDer so they are admitting fault but not offering you any sort of discount on next cycle? To me thats shocking and I'd report to HEFA. It's one thing to get bad luck and no clinic can guarantee results or is perfect. It's another thing entirely to take a gamble on triggering late and have it not pay off. It wasn't their money to gamble they should have played it safe as any clinic I've heard of will trigger when the lead(s) are over 18mm if the next batch along is still that small, as there isn't much hope of the smaller ones actually doing anything and in meantime playing with fire with the bigger ones. Somewhat makes sense to want to give 16, 15 and 11 one more day to be more sure the 16/15 would be fruitful and give the 11 somewhat of a chance, but two extra days? Highly risky that in effort to also catch those smaller ones you'd lose the bigger ones that were a 'sure thing' in the meantime, which is exactly what happened :/ From what I understand the 'pushing the leading ones to a bit bigger than you'd like' is only worth it if there are some middle one to guarantee you'll def get some eggs no matter what, and/or if the batch of the big and smallers is closer together.

@Vslightlystressy hope today went ok!

Can anyone help with my query about why some clinics give aspirin after transfer?

@Bluehawaii29 I had aspirin to help blood flow to the placenta as I had low Papp-a. I think other people take it earlier due to age as it helps blood flow. I have blocked out a lot of my first cycle though so it might not be entirely accurate! I remember it was nothing to worry about and the date to stop mine kept changing depending on who I asked.

Oh cool, so it’s not like a standard thing clinics give everyone because I was wondering about that for my first cycle and now upcoming FET consultant didn’t mention anything about needing aspirin

@Bluehawaii29 I'm told to take it due to previous miscarriages as it's a recognised treatment to reduce MC www.crpclinic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PD8-Aspirin.pdf x

@Bluehawaii29 I've never been asked to take aspirin on either fresh or frozen cycle.
@Coops0406 that's a great number.

Thanks for the info @StillTrying10000 sorry to hear about the previous miscarriage. The furthest I’ve gone so far was in December when I was PUPO with my embryo transfer photo but sadly that try wasn’t meant to be x

@Bluehawaii29 I was told to take aspirin, I think it's just routine at my clinic as it's on the information sheet I received after egg collection

@Bec18x that’s interesting, have you had any history of pregnancy before that they maybe basing this on. I wonder what the evidence is for giving it empirically like that

@Bluehawaii29 no this is my 1st round. I just take 75mg in the evening

Thanks for letting me know. I will ask my consultant about this too now that it is coming on to my second go

Is anyone else having any side effects from the progesterone pessaries? I am struggling with pain in my lower back and the skin on my face is awful.

@Jennie154 which ones are you on? I’ve not had symptoms on cyclogest in the past (maybe I will yet?) so you could possibly swap to another brand if it’s causing side effects.

@Bluebonnet3 sorry to hear your update, are you banking?

@tulipsandsnow thank you so much for writing your thoughts. You put it a really interesting way, I like the way you put about gambling on our money.

We had a call from the lead embryologist again today, instead of a post cycle meeting happening next Thursday we have now been recommended to meet with the Medical Director of the clinic. I'm glad they suggested this and they are taking our case seriously. We meet next Wednesday so we will have to see how things go!

@Jennie154 I broke out in 2-3 spots on my face from cyclogest but didn't have a bad back. Hope it gets better for you x

@Bluebonnet3 sorry to read of your update. Baby dust for your next round x

Hope everyone is feeling positive tonight x

@thislittlebird I’m on Cyclogest. I usually get a bad back when when I’m on my period and have read that it can be worse due to the progesterone. I rang to speak to the nurse about it but she was adamant that my back pain must be something totally unrelated and suggested I see my GP.

Good news here - all seven eggs thawed successfully and they did the ICSI and they are as happy as they could be with everything - waiting for a call tomorrow for an update... thoughts with those who have had not such good news today - started the pessaries today - another layer of hormones added...

@Jennie154 I think you’re right and she’s not lol. I get no PMS symptoms, and I didn’t get any on cyclogest either, despite expecting I would. My progesterone is low naturally and I felt nothing, even during ovulation induction where I ovulated two eggs + cyclogest and my progesterone was 108. Still nothing. I wonder if other people find they get symptoms in line with what they normally get. I may end up getting symptoms on the double cyclogest dose, we’ll see.

@womaninkent we're pleased, but we know from the last cycle that my drop of to get euploid embryos is massive so we really need them to keep going 🤞🏾

@Jennie154 progesterone doesn't really agree with me, sore boobs, mood swings, but the bloating for me is the worst part, worse than any bloating I've had from other meds. It does seem to be like pmt symptoms but multiplied by 100! I'm a bit annoyed i'm on them right now as it's a freeze all cycle, but in case the embryos aren't good enough to freeze but may be okay for a fresh transfer I need to take the progesterone to be ready!

@Vslightlystressy great news!! Good luck fit your update tomorrow!

@MollyVanDer glad you have an appointment with those higher up, definitely shows they're taking it seriously. I just hope you can leave that meeting feeling satisfied in what they offer as next steps

@MollyVanDer glad to hear they aren't just totally brushing it off, but I do hope the meeting isn't to just cover their asses and point to fine print about out 1% of the time it happens and you knew that going in! The point isn't that it happens sometimes but rather that their choice might have been a bad one/one other clinics wouldn't have made, it didn't have to happen because your body made those nice large follicles, but the decision making wasted them (sorry can you tell I am mad on your behalf lol)

For me I am waiting on day 6 results tomorrow, there's technically 6 more still going in addition to what they froze today but embryologist says realistically she thinks only 1, at tops 2 that are actually still in game