IVF / FET March/April 2022

[AliceAbsolum]

Thought I'd start a thread for those starting rounds in the next few months.

I'm 36. TTC for 6 years. This will be my 4th transfer. It's a double embryo FET in Cyprus.

Welcome welcome 😁

@CentaurChiron Yes, I understand the assisted hatching/biopsy etc as have done PGTA both rounds. Last round had several 4BBs though, so with my lab the ones that have been biopsied are not necessarily graded hatching or hatched as when they froze still had 4 for expansion! I also have a biopsied embryo that was frozen at 3AC. So did you do banking and then will do the endometrial etc tests before transferring anything further?

@Coops0406 Ah that's really interesting they do totally their own thing with grading! My clinic also won't freeze something that doesn't have a chance, but the studies I've seen with Gardner system rank euploids with C in the grading about 33% chance tops, whereas the 4AAs and 5AAs euploid have 75%ish chance. Obviously 33% is nothing to sniff at, but also dramatically difference to 75!

@CentaurChiron I am unfortunately still bleeding and having tons of cramps for half of the day. Just praying my Zoladex injection on Monday calms it all down.
I had a wonderful experience going abroad and it's so much cheaper. I hope your new clinic in Spain is amazing!! I can't imagine how difficult it must be not only going through IVF, but then having to test and try to find an euploid.

@Coops0406 it's insane how some of these Dr's whose job is to talk to patients have zero tact.
I'm right there with the weight loss, dieting is so hard for me. I've only lost a few lbs in the last few weeks, however when you're on such a restrictive diet, a few lbs doesn't seem worth it. I think I need to tighten up and drop my carb count even lower

@ginandtonicformeplease it's so hard to find a good clinic and you pour money into testing and anything they suggest might help. I hope your new clinic will be much better.

@Hopeful199 I'm sorry to hear that your last transfer was negative. We had a bfn this summer and also have 4 in the freezer. So hopefully our next transfer will be the one.

@HJen22 I'm a big worrier too, but trying everything I can at the moment to stay relaxed!!

@Coops0406 Sorry I missed your question on NK cells with all my self-pity! There are two ways of testing basically: most clinics do what they call the Chicago test - a blood test that they then have to courier to the US for analysis. It was about £550 the last time I had it done (2019). Then the other method is through a biopsy on your lining - there's a Professor in Coventry who specialises in that, but I can't remember her(?) name I'm afraid.

You might find the long-running pred threads on the Conception boards helpful for more information - part of the treatment is prednisone, a steroid, hence the name.

@tulipsandsnow every clinic is so different. I wish they'd just follow the exact same grading system as it can be very confusing. We had one IVF cycle with the NHS, where we got our euploid and low level mosaic, so weren't able to batch because you have to use any transferable embryos first (excluding the mosaic because our clinic would only recommend transferring that as a last resort). Now we've gone private I'm keen to batch a couple of euploid embryos before moving onto transfers. Our clinic is recommending that I have the endometrial tests before transferring given I had a chemical with our one euploid, which I think is a sensible approach despite the extra time and expense.

@TommieNC I hope the Zoladex does the job. Bleeding and cramps must be so unpleasant, especially when you don't know when it'll stop.
If you don't mind me asking, where did you go abroad and what clinic were you at? We've been very pleased with our clinic in Spain so far. We've had far more tests and I was shocked at how reasonable those were in terms of cost. As we're having both PGT-M and PGT-A genetic testing it's still quite expensive for us, but it's still a few grand cheaper than the UK and we're getting more bang for our buck. Waiting for genetic testing results is pretty brutal, but last time it felt like we were putting all our eggs in one basket (excuse the unintended pun) whereas this time we know we can go straight into another round of IVF if we don't get the desired outcome.

I think it's great more people are doing genetic and womb environment testing. Good quality embryos in a good quality environment make babies and if either one isn't great then you can waste an incredible amount of time effort money and emotional energy.
My friend had an nhs clinic put 4x excellent quality embryos in over 4 transfers. Went private abroad, they found hydrisalpinx, removed her tubes, she got pregnant first transfer after that. Says she dreads thinking about what would have happened if she just kept on with that uk clinic.

@hjen22 How're you feeling on the noristerone? (can't spell that).

@AliceAbsolum hello! How are you? Ok thanks, Thursday I felt really nauseous but since then I have made sure to take them after eating and I feel better. A bit tired but that's pretty standard for me 😂

How is everyone and what is on this weekend? We're looking after our nephews this afternoon and I've to nip to a kids birthday party just with gifts, far too many people going to be hanging about as being careful with Covid xx

@hjen22 Ah glad it's not too bad for you.

Good idea to stay away from lots of kids.
I'm worried about getting covid for the week we are back in the UK. Or indeed any time before transfer as you need a negative test to get across the Cyprus border.

@AliceAbsolum when are you back in the UK? The Covid thing is just such an added worry isn't it, I really wish it wasn't going on with everything else.

Had another little party thing today which I was feeling so anxious about. A 40th where lots of kids were there (a very laid back gathering in a wee pub) and I just felt so lost. Like I amen't young and living the child free life holidaying and partying, but I also don't have children. It's very much limbo and wanting to be part of the club with kids. Not sure if it was just my anxiety but feel like I don't really fit in anywhere right now. Does anyone else feel like that?

Infertility is such a lonely place, the people who know don't know what to say and can't make it any better, and those that don't know just don't know at all what's going on or why I am the way I am. It's so very isolating x

@HJen22 I totally get what you're saying. I feel this way often too. Feels like you're in some kind of limbo and there's no way of knowing when or if it'll ever end. It can be incredibly isolating and so frustrating as it can feel like life is indefinitely on hold.

@CentaurChiron I'm sorry you feel that way too, but it makes me feel a little better knowing it's normal. Wasn't sure if I was just being very over sensitive on this pill! It really is limbo isn't it. And I don't want everyone knowing but at the same time I feel like because they don't know it's hard. It really is so frustrating isn't it 😞 sorry, not very positive vibes for a Sunday night! Xx

@HJen22 it's definitely totally normal to feel that way. I find I have good and bad days (cliche I know). Some days I feel more sensitive about things than others. I'm not sure what pill you're currently on, but I'm on the BCP at the moment and I find it definitely heightens emotions. I just let myself feel it as I find pretending I don't puts me ill at ease and it passes more quickly when I don't try and fight it, so please don't worry about not always being positive
I also totally get the whole thing of not wanting everyone to know, but then them not knowing making it more difficult.
I'm sorry it's been a challenging day, but please know that you're not alone in feeling this way, there are others who totally get how hard it can be. Xx

@CentaurChiron thank you so much for your kind words. It really helps knowing I'm not alone ❤️ I'm on norethisterone which is a synthetic progesterone, does the same job as the birth control as it stops my period coming (I read the other day it tricks your body into thinking it's pregnant, how ironic?!?) so it could be playing a part.

Yeah there are some days that aren't as bad, I think just cos I've had stuff on where I'm normally pretty quiet and not seeing all that many people it was a bit overwhelming. I have counselling tomorrow so can chat to her too as she always has words of wisdom. She has the same view, allow the bad days, don't feel bad for feeling bad.

How has your weekend been? And when do you start stims again? Xx

@HJen22 I know exactly how you feel! I know its not helpful as such but you are def not alone x

@tulipsandsnow thank you, and it is helpful. It's so nice to have you ladies that understand to talk to ❤️ how are you doing? Xx

@HJen22 I'm ok I guess. Had FET yesterday so counting the seconds until start testing (Wednesday) :/

@HJen22 I took norethisterone for my first IVF and FET cycles. It definitely affected my mood and also my sleep which probably made the mood even worse. It's so ironic that some of the things we take as part of the IVF process are designed to not get us pregnant when the aim of the game is to have a baby.

I can understand why today might have been a little overwhelming. I hope your counselling session goes well tomorrow. A good counsellor can often frame things in entirely new ways.

I've had a pretty boring weekend, as the weather has been pretty awful here. We normally like to get out for a walk on the weekends, but it's rained all weekend (as it probably has across most of the UK). Although we did manage to have a look around a town close to us and grab a coffee out, which was nice.

I'm hoping to start stims on the 1st March, which I think is the same date as you're expecting to start. I have a baseline scan on the 1st so it all depends on how that goes (fingers crossed). Xx

@tulipsandsnow all the very best for your FET. I hope the wait goes as quickly and easily as can be, although I know the waiting can be agonising.

@tulipsandsnow ah did you, I hope it went smoothly and you are feeling ok? I have everything crossed for you for a successful cycle ❤️🤞🏻 and I hope the next few days/week pass by really quickly! Rest up and look after yourself!

@CentaurChiron yeah it's effecting my sleep too, hence the early reply! I find if I wake up I really struggle to get back to sleep, mind is in overdrive! I know it's so strange isn't it!

Aw I'm glad you managed to get out a walk! We seemed to have missed the worst of the weather up here in Scotland but a few storms ago we had a complete power cut all day, no phone signal or anything! There was some snow the other day too but not much where we are.

So you are, I went back and refreshed my memory of where you are at! Yes I've got my baseline scan a week today with the aim to starting stims first of March too. I'm beginning to get pretty nervous now. I really hope you start stims 1st too and that your ovaries are suppressed enough and ready to go! Are you going to try and isolate going forward? I'd planned to from the 28th then realised it's not just egg collection (the only time I get Covid tested) I need to be careful as if I caught it now I'd also not even be able to go to scans xxx

@HJen22 It did the exact same to me. I'd wake up at about 4 / 5am and then would struggle for hours to get back to sleep. It's very strange!

It sounds like you've already had your fill of storms. It's been stormy here this past week but no where near as bad as leaving us without power or phone signal. I'm glad it's not been too bad up there for you most recently.

Both my baseline scans after taking northisterone for my previous cycles were fine. I did have a small cyst at one of them which I worried would lead to a cancelled cycle but my hormone levels were low which meant I could proceed. I hope it's the same for you and you can go ahead as planned but I can well understand you being nervous. I always feel anxious before my scans as I just don't know what to expect. I think we'll have to isolate soon as we'll have to show negative covid tests to our clinic before I can have my egg retrieval. It's a pain, but I really don't want covid delaying things any further. xxx

@CentaurChiron it's so annoying isn't it, I woke up at 4.30am today and didn't get back to sleep. I online shopped instead 😂 I'm so tired though and it meant I was crying by 7am cos I'm so emotional too, not a great start to the week!

Yes thankfully the power came back late afternoon but it was a cold long day before it did! It sounds worse down in England just now! We'll be at the end of the alphabet before we know it!

Thank you, I hope so! It is nerve wracking and yeah it's the unknown and all the possible hurdles! Yeah same, I've realised that really I've run out of time for having Covid to be ok! Really if I was going to have it, needed to be before now! I'd always planned as soon as scan/starting stims to isolate as much as possible but now I'm thinking I should be extra careful this week too. To be honest I do very little and still WFH but all of the people over the weekend stressed me out a little!

Are you WFH? And what do you plan to do with work? I'm hoping to take a day or two after collection and transfer, I'm hoping my boss actually says not to use holidays but never know xx

Hello, please can I join you? I'm on my first cycle and currently on down regulation injections. I've got a scan next Monday so hoping they give me the go ahead to start stims.
I completely agree about feeling like your life in on hold and not really belonging in either camp. Things have been up on the air for such a long time.

@wholemeal121 welcome and of course ❤️ how are you getting on with your down regulation injections?

It does just feel like time has slowed down doesn't it 😞 I really miss my old care free life sometimes. I know it will all be worth it in the end but I wish I could fast forward this bit xx

@HJen22 Thank you . I nearly passed out after the first one but once the first one was over I've generally been ok! Also no real side effects so far so I think I've been lucky, which is fortunate as I'll have been on it over three weeks by the time I have my scan.

@CentaurChiron hiya, the storms have been crazy the last few days!!

We went to IVF Zlin, in the far East of the Czech Republic near Slovakia. It’s been great and they are really good with communication. The affordability is also a huge plus!!

What city is your clinic in in Spain?