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 fingers crossed 🤞🏻 ah I see, sorry I'm terrible for just assuming every clinic is the same! Seems they are so different even in Scotland! Do you have your potential date for egg collection?

@HJen22 I'm just hoping to make it to egg collection this time. First time I was 10 days and second I was cancelled after 12 days. So probably some time wc 7th March all going well. I can't wait to get through it now.

@Kamiros I really hope you do! That must have been so hard having it cancelled. I'm so sorry 😞 Have they changed your protocol a lot this try? I have a fear of it not going so well with my low AMH and AFC, I'm going to be on the highest dose of menopur they offer. But trying to remain positive x

@HJen22 They haven't changed it at all. My amh is 0.4 so almost nothing. First cycle I only had 2 follicles and 1 egg. They don't think changing anything will do any more for me. However the upside is that we got an A grade blast from round 1 and that's why they're willing to try one more time. You just have to try to keep positive, there are so many success stories from low chance situations

@Kamiros sorry yes I went back and read what you said about your previous cycles. That's great you got a Grade A first time and I really hope you get another good one this time 🤞🏻 can I ask how long you have been having treatment? Yes, as they say, it only takes one. Sometimes the "single figure percentage chance" the Dr said to me pops into my head but it is better to be hopeful x

@Kamiros sorry I'm away to be a total pain and ask, did you take one of the finance and refund packages? My OH and I have discussed private and I'd be interested to know what they can offer with low AMH at GRCM xx

@HJen22 No don't be sorry, always ask - so we took a 2 cycle package with Access. We didn't qualify for the refund one with my age and AMH. It covers any FETs too and the cycle only counts when you get to egg collection, that's why we have a third one. In theory if we don't make it to egg collection again we'd get another try but we've decided not to do that and move on to donor eggs.
Started ivf last March but trying for 4 years now. 1 natural pregnancy 18 months ago but miscarried at 6 weeks. Happy to PM you more info on Access if you need it at some point x

@Kamiros thank you so much, that helps a lot. I find it so overwhelming when you start to look at websites with all the options and packages, some of which I know have certain criteria. Although not a refund that's really good that they won't class it as a full cycle used if you don't make it to egg collection. Are they quite open and straightforward with what they can offer you for personal circumstances? I think if need be i'd like to try private as close to home as possible. Looking abroad seems like a hell of a lot of research and organisation and not sure how I'd cope with that!

I'm so sorry you had a miscarriage 😞 I cannot imagine how heartbreaking that is. We've been TTC 2 years next month and I've really struggled so 4 years cannot be easy x

Hi all. I'm due to start injections tomorrow but as yet my period hasn't started and no sign of it. Has anyone had this happen and what was the outcome? I'll obviously call the clinic in the morning but I'm stressing a bit.

Hi all,

I've been away (from thinking about IVF) for a few weeks but back now and absolutely delighted to hear of the safe arrival of baby @Scirocco !! I'm sure we all appreciate you updating us in such a sensitive way, I'm delighted for you.

@Kamiros sorry, not much help. Have you been able to get GCRM on the phone? When I did my egg freezing cycles (that went badly) they said to call them of I'd not had a bleed - have you had your prostap yet? Sorry, I've just skimmed last few posts.

@LouScot Due to take Prostap tonight. They've said to call back at 3 if still nothing, might need to delay a day which isn't the end of the world. Glad you've had a wee break.

Ah @Kamiros, do you do prostap at home now? I think I had it in the clinic, but not sure? That's the one in your bum??

Fingers crossed something appears before 3 x

@Louscot - I've done it at home each time, just in my thigh. Maybe it's different depending on your protocol though.

@Kamiros Oh my! I did Prostap at the clinic - thats a big ass needle to do at home! Hope bleed starts soon so you can get going

@LouScot What are your next steps?

@2mumlife I know. I have a big lump from it, don't remember having that before so hopefully it's OK. Period started at 5 to 3 so my body is just being a twisted witch. At least that's us on track now.

@Kamiros did you get to start your injections?

I was wondering how people deal with work when going through a cycle? My boss is understanding and knows what's going on. I have wanted to talk to her just about support and not wanting to get too stressed but I feel like she is very like "do what you need to do etc" and that's good but it doesn't really give me a chance to explain you know? I think she doesn't want me to feel like I have to explain so very much cuts me off whenever I kind of try to speak about it. I sent her a list of my appointments and she was just like thanks, we will work round these. Maybe I am overthinking things. I just have quite a stressful deadline orientated job that can be super last minute with us finishing things xx

@HJen22 Yes started last night, so relieved. Next one for me is tomorrow.

I have to say I'm really lucky with work. I work from home and my boss has been through this about 6 years ago. She was 15 years trying so she really gets it. I think some people, although they are supportive, are just not very comfortable or confident talking about it. It's one thing as a society we're still rubbish about in workplaces. It's good you've got the support to take the time you need though, try not to stress- this is more important.

@Kamiros that's great, so glad it all worked out time wise with AF. Typical when you want it to arrive, sure I'll be the same when I stop norethisterone. Which I can't wait as the side effects haven't been so fun 😂

That's so good, it makes all the difference doesn't it and must be so comforting that she's been through it and understands the emotional and physical demand of it. I work from home too just now, I think you're right, I think she just thinks she doesn't need to know details so I shouldn't feel like I have to tell her everything. But I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and I think I'd prefer it if I could talk a little more openly to her. I guess i just need to take it as it comes and deal with it as I can! At least I'm not in the office having to deal with people face to face all day long! Xx

@HJen22 How are you doing? That's me had 2 days of stims now - really bloated and headaches already which feels very very early but hoping its a good sign.

@Kamiros hello 👋🏻 I'm doing ok thanks, took the last of my norethisterone pills yesterday thank goodness, they were making me loopier than usual!

Oh ouch that doesn't sound pleasant at all! Hopefully it settles a bit. Was it later on that you had symptoms last time? I start Tuesday all going well with baseline scan Monday. I can't actually believe the time is finally here!!! Any tips for injections? Do you recommend icing first? Xx

@HJen22 So I had the exact same symptoms the first round but not until around day 5 or 6, I remember feeling like this going to my day 6 scan. Second round I had nothing at all, not one symptom and I bled around day 6. I knew fairly quickly that it wasn't working. I've not had anything this early before.

I honestly don't fine the injections that bad, though I think everyone is different. I do ice for a couple of minutes before but I'm not sure how much difference it makes as I've never done it without. My DH does them for me which probably helps. Monday won't be long in coming round - not that I'm wishing the weekend away x

@Kamiros easier said than done but try and not worry. Our bodies sadly aren't very predictable and it may just be that you have different symptoms this time to the previous cycles. Rest and be kind to yourself 🥰

Yeah to be honest I'm ok with needles usually, I'm more concerned we have to do them and not a nurse haha. My OH will also be doing them for me, but I might attempt myself as well just to see if I am able to! I've got a wee ice pack thing so will try that!

I'm in isolation mode now, after a Covid scare! I had a kids party last weekend and of course someone then ended up testing positive. I'm negative but it's scared me, I'd planned to isolate from stims anyway but I've started early! It was way too much of a stress. This whole time I've managed to avoid any close contact with Covid; until a week before I go to hospital; typical!

@HJen22 My DP did all my injections :D definitenly the way to do it, as meant no faffing with ice packs etc. You get used to the injections to be honest.

@Kamiros Glad bleed came and you've got started with injections! Hope this round goes more smoothly

@2mumlife yeah I'm going to hope OH is good at them! Did you not use ice packs at all?

My nurse had said not to worry if my period hasn't come by scan day (Monday), it's not here yet. Will that mean I won't be able to start stims the following day though?

Got some paint to do our bathroom and inside a cupboard to keep myself busy tomorrow and hopefully take my mind off things! How are you getting on and feeling? Xx

@2mumlife how are you keeping? Hope things going well. I'm trying to find a donor, using ESB and everytime I settle on one they become unavailable. It's so tricky as hardly any to pick from stock wise. I can't remember, that's where you used, yes? Did you pick one with previous pregnancies?