IVF/ICSI December 2021

[Cayandsimit]

Hi everyone,
I didn't see a thread for December so I created one. If it is repetitive please let me know. I can delete this one.

This is gonna be my second ICSI. We started due to male factor (Teratozoospermia) and along the way "discovered" mildly elevated NK, coagulation issues as well as subclinical hypothyroidism 😂😂 Hopefully the list ends here!

My period started later than expected so I started my stims 4 days ago. Retrieval/transfer will probably be early December. Is there anyone here in the same timeline?

Hi, I was looking for a Dec thread too! I started stims yesterday. My first cycle so getting the hang of it all. My baseline scan showed a good amount of follicles for my ages (39) so hopeful beginnings.

I am worried that for me the issue is egg quality as I’ve had several mcs and lots of chemicals in the last two years. But we are getting genetic screening done so I am doing what I can for egg quality now and hoping for a couple of good ones.

My other issue is raised NK cells and a slightly under-active thyroid. I actually have higher TSH after taking levothyroxine than I did before but they have just doubled my dose so hoping that helps!

My period was delayed before stims too, it’s almost like it knew

@Phrenologistsfinger I know right?! Once they label you with thyroid issue it gets worse...
I was overdosed with L-thyroxine and it turned into over-active for a while instead 😬 Now hopefully back on track. My TSH was 1.83 two weeks ago. Today it was 3.4 but doctor told me that it is expected due to stims. So if yours also increases slightly due to stims, do not worry :)

It is true that statistics say egg quality drops with aging. Since I am 35, it is also one of my concerns. However I try to remind myself that there are plenty of people who had healthy children around our age. My mother had me when she was 38 and my sister when she was 41 (without IVF, lucky woman! 🙄) So fingers crossed for both of us 🍀

Are you gonna get Intralipid or Omegaven infusion for NK?

Hey I hope you don't mind me joining. I have just had my scan today to start my FET cycle. I'm hoping my transfer maybe around the 2nd week of December but I know from my previous cycle it may not be the case. How are you guys getting on with the injections? X

Welcome @Alexm06
I hope your FET goes as planned and you will get a little Christmas miracle this year 🤞🎄

So far everything is good. Thanks for asking. I will have my 5th injection today. This time I am having slightly higher doses of Pergoveris. I got my first scan today. Doctor saw 10-11 follicles (varying from 6mm to 12mm) which is similar to my last ICSI. I was hoping for a little more but we will see. Hormone levels are also good. My next scan is on Monday 🤞

@Cayandsimit oh that sounds like it's looking good hopefully some more will grow for your next scan!

@Alexm06 how are you feeling about your FET? Will you be taking any medication to prepare?

Hi all hope you don’t mind me joining to I have a transfer booked for the 30th of December so I am too early for nov/dec group and too late for the jan/feb group I had a failed transfer in September and have one frostie hope this is the one xxx

Hi All,
Hope you don't mind me also joining! Started stims yesterday and transfer is expected somewhere between 11th and 13th of Dec depending on scans starting next week! First cycle of ICSI so very nervous/excited!

@Cayandsimit I'm worrying a bit. My last cycle I didn't transfer till cycle day 31! Which was very stressful so I'm hoping my lining gets thicker quicker this time. Yes I'm on a medicated cycle so on progynova and a low dose steroid then when I'm ready will be on cyclogest and lubion.

@Lotusflower1990000 I hope this is the one, fingers crossed! Do you know the quality of your frostie?

@cherrytreecottage how are you getting on with the injections? Feel free to vent if you get overwhelmed. Most of us has been there at least once ☺️

@Alexm06 I also used estradiol (not progynova) before my last FET because my lining was not so good. It really helped to get it thicker. I am sure you will also benefit from it. Do you usually have long cycles or last time was just stress related?

@Cayandsimit yeah I was on progynova for my last 2 FETs but I don't feel it helps me really. They upped my dose after my 3rd scan last time but yeah it didn't increase my
Lining to much to quick but I think it was an off cycle. Hopefully will be better this time. No my cycles are normally fine so yeah was just a weird one.

@Alexm06 Also all this stress definitely not helping...
What do you guys do to distract yourselves nowadays? Any hobbies, self care tips? I bought Playdough yesterday to play with in the evenings lol

@Cayandsimit not too bad thanks, fortunately haven't had too many side effects from the DR injections but early days on the stims!

Have you all been through cycles before? X

@cherrytreecottage that is good to hear. I hope it stays that way 🤞
I only had one ICSI. I hope I get pregnant this round and never have to go through this again 😅 Not that it was physically challenging. The emotional aspect of it is really hard for me.

[quote Cayandsimit]@cherrytreecottage that is good to hear. I hope it stays that way 🤞
I only had one ICSI. I hope I get pregnant this round and never have to go through this again 😅 Not that it was physically challenging. The emotional aspect of it is really hard for me.[/quote]
I feel a little naive from that perspective at the moment; as it's first cycle I can't help but get my hopes up. Sometimes have to remind myself that it's really not a given and have to be prepared in the event of a BFN.

Have you got a "pencilled in" date for transfer or are they still going scan by scan?

Hi there,

I am also jumping in. I am supposed to have a FET in two weeks if lining is ok. This would be my 3rd and my last frostie after 1 CP and 1 negative.
It has been a very stressful year and I hope for a miracle.
Good luck everyone! 🍀

@cherrytreecottage I think there is nothing wrong with getting your hopes up. I was extremely anxious and negative in my first round and I am sure it had an adverse effect on the outcome. But if you are an optimistic person, I say go for it :) I saw that plenty of first timers got pregnant in the IVF November 2021 thread so hopefully you will also get some baby dust in your first round 🧚

I don't have a set date yet. My second scan will be on Monday. Last time it took 12 days to reach the egg retrieval. Since this cycle looks similar to the last one, I am expecting the egg retrieval to be on the Dec 1st and hopefully fresh embryo(s) transfer the 6th.
My only concern is that my doctor was extremely sick last Wednesday. The clinic was full of patients waiting. I hope she gets better until the egg retrieval 😬

@Cayandsimit that’s good to know.

We are doing PGT-A testing so not sure when transfer will happen, guessing in January. I have been using prednisolone pre-ivf (trying naturally under consultant) so suspect that will be part of my transfer protocol. I think we are waiting to see what the embryos look like before discussing next steps though.

Day 3 - I am noticing that my boobs feel massive, I am up and down emotionally and I think I feel a bit tender in the ovary area, but surely that is too soon?

In the last 12 months I have had two miscarriages and 7 chemicals so really don’t feel confident this can work. Feel better if I view this cycle as information gathering!

*trying naturally, that is.

@Yuliaaa I am so sorry for your previous rounds. I hope this round you will have your little miracle. Fingers crossed! 🍀

@Phrenologistsfinger Do you mean you are on the 3rd day of your stims? If so I think it is normal to feel tender in the ovary area. I was also feeling really emotional in the first 3 days of my injections but after the scan I guess I got relaxed so I am back to normal again. When is your scan?
Elevated prolactin might cause breast tenderness. Did you recently get your prolactin levels checked?

@Phrenologistsfinger

In the last 12 months I have had two miscarriages and 7 chemicals so really don’t feel confident this can work. Feel better if I view this cycle as information gathering!

Now I saw your comment. I am so sorry for what you have been through... It must have been terrible to go through all these in one year... I hope 2022 will bring you good luck. I am sure steroids and thyroid medicine will help to prevent miscarriages.

Hi All, I'm on day 4 of stims (overleap) and have started bleeding. Can't seem to find info on this and the clinic is shut until Monday. Has anyone had this before? Is it normal?

@Yuliaaa I am the same! Well it should be 2 weeks but who knows with my lining. My third FET with my last frozen embryo 1 chemical and 1 failed and then I've had 2 fresh 1 failed and 1 missed miscarriage.
Hope you get better luck this time!