IVF Scotland - thread 4

[2mumlife]

Hi everyone,

Started a new thread for the Scotish ladies

@LouScot
@Scirocco
@MrsTMcB
@florafoxtro
@Hopewishprayer
@ScottishRach
@Kamiros
@LT103
@itsmschanandlerbong
@connal

Please @ anyone I missed!

@Kamiros I'm sorry to hear bleeding had got heavier and you're feeling uncomfortable. At least as you say you will know tomorrow and can go from there. Keeping everything crossed for a positive outcome for you.

@HJen22 Scan was good - they did an abdominal scan (rather than transvaginal) which I wasn't expecting, so I got to have a little look at fetus too, which was fantastic. I've felt a real weight lift since seeing that heartbeat still going - a bit like something has finally clicked that this might actually all work out. My cervix is not so great, measuring in at 31mm, but its completely tight and not showing any signs of opening, and I'm a bit away from the 25mm cut off where they need to do something. So, after a chat with the consultant (who was great) they've decided to keep monitoring me with cervix scans every 2 weeks until 24 weeks, so I'll be getting a lot of reassurance for the next 2 months (and a lot of waiting around at the hospital, but oh well). The main thing is chances are everything will continue to be fine and I wont need a cervical stitch 🤞🤞🤞 but that they'll be keeping an eye on things just in case.

@Kamiros I'm so sorry you're still bleeding and in pain. I really really hope that tomorrow gives you a positive outcome. I can't imagine how hard it is waiting x

@2mumlife aw that's lovely! And I bet a nice change from the internal scan haha! I'm so glad to hear the wee heartbreak is still going strong, and that you can start to feel like it's really real. I can imagine it's a total sense of disbelief after a long time of trying! That's good they are going to continue monitoring you, hopefully as the weeks go on things will continue to be fine and you won't need the stitch. Lots more chances to see the little one, but I can imagine the waiting about and trips to the hospital aren't always convenient x

@Kamiros och, sorry to hear your update. You'll be relieved to test and know one way or the other. Thinking of you.

@2mumlife how lovely, I was hoping you'd update us. Is that you 12 weeks now? Was your partner able to go with you? Hope you enjoy the weekend now.

@2mumlife So glad your scan went well and great to hear they'll be keeping a close eye on you.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the positivity, however I'm having contraction type pains now, it'd be a miracle if there's anything still in there.

@LouScot 16 weeks can you believe. DP can only take paid time off for 2 scans so came to 12 week scan. Luckily our 20 week scan is scheduled for the evening so she doesn't need to take time off for that, so is also attending to come for 28 week growth scan (they check growth with IVF babies as fresh embryos have a tendency to be too small and FET babies are too big). The 28 week appointment is a long one and I need the entertainment as it's also when they are doing my glucose tolerance test (my dad's diabetic) so I'll be in the hospital half the morning, starving because you have to fast before the glucose test and having bloods taken before and after scan and consultant appointment that day. The 16 week scan is only because of my cervix, spying on fetus is just a bonus. I feel the NHS is finally making up for making us pay privately for fertility treatment lol.

@Kamiros Thinking of you this morning

@2mumlife Thank you. As expected I tested negative this morning, not a hint of a line. I'm doing ok, just wishing the bleeding and pains would calm down. So thats the end of this particular journey for us now unfortunately. We will be moving ok to donor eggs which is the best choice for our situation. We gave it 3 good tries and had 2 transfers with an amh of only 0.4 - I think we did all we could. Plan is to get a review appointment in, meet online with the Spanish clinic, get on lists etc then take some time out, have a holiday etc. It's not the route I planned but I feel good about it.

@Kamiros so sorry to hear that, you've given it your all for sure. Hope you look after yourself over the next wee while xx

@Kamiros I'm sorry this time didn't work :( It's hard to change approach, but you've given this pathway you're absolute all. There is an egg out there just waiting to meet you X

@Kamiros I'm so very sorry to hear that it wasn't the outcome we were all really hoping for you. I'm sending you so much love. You really have given it your absolute all, and are so strong. It sounds like you are keeping your chin up and looking to the next steps, a great positive attitude to have. Your time will come, and I believe as @2mumlife says, there is an egg out there waiting to meet you xxx

Thanks everyone. Managed to get an appointment for review this week which is a bit of a miracle, so hopefully we'll be making plans soon.

@Kamiros hope you are doing ok!! That’s good you have your review so soon. At least you will have a plan!

@Kamiros That's great you have a speedy review for helping decide next steps x

Hi all, how is everyone? We have our first meeting with the Spanish clinic on Monday, we will still be doing all our scans etc. with GCRM. We have a load of forms to fill in to get a donor match. They want to know both of our blood types but we have no idea, its not on our records. Tried to sign up to give blood but I can't cos I get regular acupuncture. Any ideas where I can get this done?

@Kamiros if you've had your blood group checked in the past (eg for an operation), it should be on records your GP can access - maybe give them a call and see if they have the information you need? Otherwise, your GP might be able to arrange to do the blood tests for you?

hi @Kamiros, like @scirocco suggested might be worth phoning GP to ask - failing that it might be worth looking for a private test - GCRM might be able to organise? My mum got told all ours when we were babies so I've always known (and double checked when i gave blood years ago, I'm not able to do it either anymore).

Thanks. Unfortunately my GP has been really unhelpful, says its not on my records and they won't do it. I'll speak to GCRM who probably will, was hoping for a cheaper option but it doesn't appear there is one. Really disappointed I can't give blood (though I understand why), though its nowhere near close to someone giving us their eggs it was a little thing I could pay forward. I'll have to do it after all of this is done.

@Kamiros lovely to hear from you, I've been wondering how you have been.

That's great you've got your first appointment with Spain on Monday! Sounds like you've been super proactive and looking forward.

Oh that's annoying your GP haven't been helpful. There are loads of tests and things you can do online now, there is maybe one for blood type?

I didn't know you couldn't give blood if you had acupuncture. I wanted to give blood next time there was a mobile one near us! But I've had acupuncture a few months ago.

I must be good with needles these days after so many, had a replacement filling yesterday and didn't feel a thing. Although super painful afterwards when the anaesthetic had worn off!

We're just waiting for our scheduling for next round. Have a call with the nurse tomorrow. I'm trying not to guess or preempt dates so that I'm not disappointed. OH tested positive with Covid today. I'm negative but probably won't stay that way!

@Kamiros and how have you been? Sorry meant to ask that first! I hope you have taken the time to look after yourself 💕

@HJen22 I'm ok actually thanks. Just moving forward as much as we can. I feel really positive about the donor egg route. I'm 40 in a few weeks so we've gone all out, having huge party then a holiday. I'd really like to set the Spain stuff in motion so I can forgot about things while I wait.

Sorry to hear about the covid, it's really rubbish. Glad to hear things are moving for you too though and hope you're well.

@Kamiros I'm so glad. You sound like you are doing well, and it's great you are moving forward with plans, pleased for you x

Amazing, that's the best idea! Celebrate and have fun and hopefully when things are in motion with Spain plans you can try and put it a bit to the back of your head for a wee while.

It's great you can do scans and things at GRCM. When I was researching private with GRCM I read that I could do scans and bloods at a satellite clinic in Aberdeen which would be handy. I looked at the 2 cycles like what you did.

Thank you, I guess it's better to have it now rather than closer to our second round. He didn't even get tested our first cycle; just me at my last scan. Sadly though my OHs daughter was meant to be coming up for holidays and that might not happen now; depending on when he tests negative.

@Kamiros Great to hear from you and you're able to start looking at next steps. I had no idea what my blood group was either until fee weeks ago. Can I ask if there is a reason you're going to Spain for donor eggs rather than using GCRM? Is it just the waiting time?

@HJen22 hopefully you'll be able to get started soon!

@2mumlife Yes, its mainly the waiting time. We've been on the list now for 18 months and we're still at number 100, they think it's likely to be at least another year, DH is 46 and we don't really want to wait any longer if we can help it. It wasn't an easy decision as I'm still not totally comfortable with the anonymous donor thing but as well as the wait time GCRM told us that Spains success rates are higher and they can get a much closer match- their donors are much younger and there are more of them.

Hi all,
So the Spain appointment went really well. I've to go out within the month and get immunology testing and a hysteroscopy done then 4-6 weeks after that we go out for transfer.......moving so fast.

So those who have had a hysteroscopy - does it hurt and how badly?

Turns out they're doing an ERA too - how about that one? I'm a huge wimp :)

oh wow @Kamiros, that's fast moving. Sorry, can't help with the level of pain, but glad the appointment went well. How are you feeling emotionally about it all? x