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 remind me please which clinic are you at again? Would you recommend?
I am in 2WW trying to be hopeful but was a cavatating morula (stage before blast) that I transferred so also trying to be prepared and I am exploring donor eggs as an option as this has been my 4th round x

@Kamiros wonderful news ❤️ I was just thinking earlier on you must have had your transfer! I hope it was a nice smooth transfer and that sounds like a lovely time afterwards spent on the terrace. You leave tonight don't you? Xx

Thanks @Hopewishprayer and @HJen22.

Transfer was great, no issues. The IVIG was fine too, tiny bit of nausea but otherwise okay. I'm at IVF Spain, I've not had any issues with them, I like that they try something slightly different every time and are realistic about the options. I also love my doctor, he's just really nice.

Yes we fly at 8 tonight, just sorting out meds etc. at the clinic then think we'll just head to the airport. Bit of a wait but we might as well get settled.

@Kamiros that's great news. Safe travels home x

@Kamiros glad transfer went well. Fingers crossed for a nice easy 2ww

We had our 12 week scan today. Measuring a day ahead at 13+4 and everything looking fine. Don’t hear back about bloods unless they are concerned I’m high risk.
boooed in for 20 week scan which sounds terrifying. Can’t believe how quickly it is all going by!

@LT103 That is such lovely news, I'm so happy for you.

@LT103 congratulations 🎉 lovely news x

@HJen22 Thank you! Some how that one egg made it to day 5, so did the transfer yesterday. Still really surprised it made it. Have a 10day wait before testing. 🤞🏻

Thats great you are starting in Jan! Whats a natural IVF treatment, I don’t know much about that. Wishing you luck xxx

Congrats! On you 12 weeks scan! xx

@LT103

@Kitty12345678 thanls and that is amazing news!!! That one little embryo is obviously a fighter!!

@LT103 congrats on your 12 week scan ❤️ how are you keeping?

@Kitty12345678 congrats on being PUPO! Everything crossed! Hope the next wee while goes fast! We've already done a cycle and have the second in January. It's mild ivf we are we doing which is just a lower dose of stims, aiming for quality over quantity. And with 3 embryos in the freezer it for sure gave us a much better result than max dose stims! Hopefully round 2 gives us a couple more 🤞🏻

@Kitty12345678 Congratulations. How are you feeling so far? I think you test the day before me, I'm 13th, I need to wait a little longer as I'm on Ovitrelle until tomorrow.

@LT103 hope so 🤞🏻

@HJen22 Thats great news that you have 3 in the freezer! And more to go! That’s sounds good having a lower dose of the stims. It’s true that quality is more important. I was on the average amount i think for this first cycle, had to stim for 14days and got 9 eggs. Not sure if a more natural cycle would have helped our fertilisation rate. But will ask questions about it if we do another cycle.

@Kamiros thanks! Congratulations with your transfer too 🤞🏻 My test day is the 12th because GCRM are shut at the weekend and my 10th day would fall on the Sat. The wait it’s horrible every little side effect I have I’m thinking am i about to start my AF early or could be implantation. Still a little afraid my AF starts tomorrow as my cycle is like clockwork but because of the longer stims and meds I am hopeful it won’t come only 4days after transfer. How are you feeling? Have you had any side effects? Wishing you all the best during your 2ww and test! 🤞🏻🤍

@Hopewishprayer hope you are okay too in your 2ww. It’s the worst waiting. I think mines wasn’t completely full blastocyst as well but they said that it can be later on day 5 that it will have a bigger cavity. My embryologist said it’s better to transfer than wait if the quality and growth is doing well. I only had one so didn’t have any back up 😞 Sorry the hear you are on your 4th round. I’ve thought about egg donation too. Has your clinic suggested it as option to you? Wishing you the best of luck xx 🤞🏻

@Kitty12345678 I know, its the longest wait. Both my transfers with GCRM my 10 days fell at the weekend so I feel your pain. I've had a bit of cramping, bloating etc. but I know it's probably the progesterone and the ovitrelle. Dreading going to work tomorrow, I have no focus at all.

@Kamiros I feel the same going to work this time of year is really hard to focus and with all the meds.

🤞🏻 the bloating and cramps could be a good sign. 💕

Its a bit frustrating my test date is so late with GCRM, if its not worked I’m sure my AF would have happened before the test.

Can I ask did you clinic test your progesterone levels and suggest taking it or is it just part of that clinics treatment program? I was wasn’t tested or recommend it at GCRM.

@Kitty12345678 On my two fresh cycles I was only given one injection of ovitrelle on transfer day and no other meds - AF came 8dp5dt both times. This cycle and the last have both been FET with donor eggs, the progesterone keeps AF away I think. I was 13dp5dt when I tested negative and didn't bleed for about another week.

GCRM have never tested progesterone despite me asking, I don't think they do it. I need it now given that its a medicated FET with donor eggs but my clinic in Spain test everyone as part of their process, I'll also have it tested on OTD. They want it to be above 30 for transfer. Last time mine was only 22 after being on 6 pessaries a day so they topped me up with injections from transfer but it may have been too late. This time it was 36 so hoping it makes a difference. I'm also overweight and have thyroid issues which is usually linked with low progesterone. GCRM must be confident that its not needed though or I'm sure they'd test.

@Kitty12345678 thank you! I have been having a tough day, I feel no different and so feeling like my hope is fading. Had a lovely afternoon tea with some friends this afternoon so that was a nice distraction.
my clinic have never mentioned DE to me, I am just thinking 10 steps ahead 🙈 I figure over 4 rounds I have only had 3 embryos suitable for transfer, I feel like I could go in and on forever at this rate. I will wait for outcome this week and then rethink next steps.
hope all is well with you and best of luck for your OTD x

@Kamiros oh right that’s not so good that they don’t test for it. I had one dose of ovitrelle after transfer no clue what the dose was as it was measured in 8 clicks 🤷🏼‍♀️. Makes me a little worried as I have a thyroid issue too, it started this summer, although its sub clinical level I’ve been on meds to bring to the TSH down to below 3 before I started the treatment. Would be good to have been tested for progesterone on transfer date. Sorry I’m not so good with acronyms, do you mean 8 days past transfer?

Glad to hear that the Spanish clinic is good at testing as part of their process. I’ve heard that Spanish clinics are so good!

@Kitty12345678 Yes i had the same- 8 clicks. I've had the same this time but 3 lots over the first 5 days. Its supposed to encourage your body to make its own progesterone.

My TSH started at 9 when I first went to the clinic so it was really high. I was also tested for thyroid antibodies and they're very high so I'm on a lot of immune medication for that. Try not to worry, they'll be doing what they think will work best for you.

@Kitty12345678 @Kamiros im gcrm too and asked about this. They told me that if you cycle regularly they prefer a natural cycle so time with ovulation and injection of ovitrelle on day of transfer and no progesterone supplementation and they get better/as good results with that than medicated.
I was dubious as my progesterone levels had always been borderline and I’d convinced myself this was the issue but he said if I got pregnant my body would produce more 🤷🏻‍♀️

I just went with them assuming they know what they’re doing and obv this round for me has worked but I assumed if it hadn’t they’d look into it more??

@LT103 Thanks, that's helpful. I wasn't explaining it very well, other than I'm sure they're doing what they think is best - hopefully that's more reassuring.

I think I've get the medication blues today, not feeling very hopeful. Still 8 days to go so I need to have a word with myself. 🤣

@Hopewishprayer sorry I missed your reply in the thread. Yeah, I know the feeling. It’s hard to feel positive sometimes. Glad you have been able to get out have some time with friends. I’ve been trying to do the same. I can understand why you are thinking the ED route. Hoping for a positive outcome for you xx 🤞🏻

@Kamiros Ah right I didn’t realise that shot helped produce progesterone thought it was just hgc, that makes sense. How did you get tested for thyroid antibodies? Did the NHS offer test and treatment or did you need to go private for it? Seems doctors only test for TSH and nothing else but I hear the antibodies play an important part for implantation. Hope you are doing okay today x🤍

@LT103 Thanks for explaining about the natural cycle. That has put me at ease that you have been through the same process and had a positive outcome 😀I’m trying not to worry myself. Hope you are doing well. xx💕

@Kitty12345678 How are you doing? I'm okay but really sore with bloating/ cramps.

No the NHS were pretty useless with my thyroid to be honest. They'll only test TSH which is a tiny part of the picture. I tested privately as I wanted to know about T3, T4 and antibodies, then I followed up seeing a private endocrinologist in Edinburgh. She sorted out all my meds and wrote to GP telling them what to prescribe. It was the Spanish clinic that insisted on treating the antibodies. There's conflicting views on whether it does anything, HFEA marks the treatment I'm getting as red so not recommended but I'm willing to try anything at this stage.