IVF buddies April/May

[ChristmasJumpers]

Sorry if there's already an April/May thread, I can't find it!

All of our tests have been completed (last August) and we were advised to call the clinic on day one of my cycle in April. AF arrived early for the first time in forever so I chanced ringing yesterday and we're good to go!!

Just waiting on a call back from the clinic with official dates and protocol but I know I'll be taking Norethisterone pills first so won't be dealing with injections for a good few weeks yet.

Is anyone else about to get started? It would be great to have some buddies along the way

I'm 30, DH 27. TTC over 3 years and delayed getting tests due to Covid.
We're at Care Fertility Chester and this is out first ever round (we only get one NHS funded - thanks postcode lottery)

Hi @ChristmasJumpers I’m starting my 1st injection tonight, I’m on cd2. I’m doing a short cycle as i have an AMH of 34.
Im 34 and OH is 36 this is our first round of ivf. We only get one round on the nhs to. We’ve been trying for 4yrs with no luck. No medical reason for either of us other than me having long cycles. I also have an under active thyroid so had to get that sorted before we could start ivf.

Hey @ChristmasJumpers I had my nurse consultation today and booked in some
dates. I have unfortunately had a missed miscarriage, a chemical and then my last transfer in December ended in another miscarriage so has been a rough ride for me (hopefully won't be for you!) This will be my 6th transfer and 3rd fresh cycle so I have booked in a scratch for this time round(even though it didn't help last time) this is my last cycle on nhs so just throwing everything at it. My period is due to start on the 19th so hopefully will come on time. It normally does. I'll be happy to help with any questions you have as I feel like I'm a veteran at this all now haha.

Hi,

I'm hopefully about to start a fresh cycle imminently!

I'm 38, DH is 41. 1 dd aged 13, 2 unexplained ectopics 2018 & 2020.

We were set to start on Tuesday 2nd day of my cycle but they said my lining was too thick at 9m so booked for a rescan tomorrow. I know it's only a couple of days delay but I was a little bit gutted. If I'd have known they wanted a 5m lining I'd have suggested going in on my 3rd or 4th day as I've seen in other scans ( outside of ivf) how thick it usually is! Anyway I'm hoping we will be set to start tomorrow.

We are with Care, its our first and only cycle privately funded - our ages and savings bringing us to this decision.

I'm on short protocol due to start injecting with menopur after scan if all is ok.

Very nervous about the injections, but also can't wait to get started! It's been a long journey to get to this point.

Hi all, was literally looking to start a thread for May/June time then saw this in the last second!
I'm having biopsies on my womb on Monday (3 weeks later than I'd hoped) so if I'm lucky I could fall into May for FET, but knowing my luck with timings it'll probably be June! On a dummy run of FET meds for the biopsies so it gives me an idea of what's to come.

I'm 39 (40 in august) with care in Liverpool, had only one funded nhs round at chester (heartbreaking when you hear a lot of people getting 3!) which ended up with only 2 eggs giving us 1 embryo at day 5 which was transferred and failed.

Had 2 more paid cycles but changed to Liverpool and put on maximum stims, collected 17 eggs which gave 6 very good embryos...1 back in on day 5 which failed again, and the other 5 PGT-A tested giving us only 2 euploid embryos to freeze. Then 16 eggs collected next round but only 2 embryos viable for PGT-A testing, which gave us 1 euploid embryo. So currently got 3 good Frosties, then after the biopsies will find out a little bit more about the womb environment! My body is definitely seeming to be resistant to normal levels of hormones, they don't appear to work which was why our nhs cycle was a whitewash!

This is our last chance saloon at starting a family so throwing everything at it, although finding out it would have been so much cheaper abroad!

@ChristmasJumpers thanks for starting this thread. Who is your consultant at Chester? I've been on norithisterone for all 3 cycles, anywhere between 2-3 weeks and had a lot of bloating, it just didn't agree with me. But I think they start you on them on day 16 or 17 if I remember correctly.

@Suki2020 I hope your first injection went okay! So nerve wracking but exciting all at the same time!

@Alexm06 I think we have been on previous threads together, really hoping for the best outcome for you this round! Have your clinic mentioned the ALICE/EMMA/ERA tests? May be something to think about with the previous miscarriages. After my 2 fails my clinic suggested it so we don't waste the euploid embryos.

@LouiseD2018 sounds like a rough few years for you. Exciting that you will be starting your injections imminently! Really nice to see more people with care too!

@Aim2912 this is the April/May thread on case you want to jump on 🥰

@Suki2020 How did your first injection go? I'm dreading it, I'm really not good with needles at all. My husband has to come with me for blood tests and cover my eyes while I cry through the whole thing like a baby
We also got "unexplained infertility" but our consultant at the clinic is sure I must have PCOS due to my AMH levels being so high. He's recommended a short protocol because of this and warned we're likely to need a freeze all.

@Alexm06 I'm so sorry you've been through so much. It all seems so unfair sometimes doesn't it. I'm glad you get 3 cycles though, positive thoughts for this one being the one! I might well be back for advice along the way as this is all completely new to me!!

@LouiseD2018 Sorry to hear about your ectopic pregnancies, it's such a minefield. I had no idea your lining could be too thick at what point do they scan your lining, is it the first day of your cycle? I've really got no clue what's about to happen despite lots of research online! I hope you're all set after today's scan, good luck!

@Coops0406 Good luck with the biopsy, I hope they can get you in for May, waiting has to be the worst part of this whole thing! I'm still waiting for a call with my dates, it's like they're prepping me for the rest of the process I think I'm under Dr Wood (really unsure as I've only spoken to nurses and Mr Haddad so far, who I think only does the initial consultations).
I've been trying to lose weight to give myself the best possible chance (BMI 25 so I am well within the requirements but want to know I've given it my best shot) so looking forward to that all being pointless when the bloat comes
It really is so heartbreaking getting one NHS round, if it's worthy of being on the NHS at all then everyone should be getting the same chance. I'm really worried about the expectation that I'll overstimulate, what if they overcompensate and I hardly get any eggs. Mind on overdrive!!!

@ChristmasJumpers I had mr haddad for my initial consultation and then the review meeting after failed transfer...we didn't really click with him or find him empathetic, very matter of fact which was so hard.
However, after a change to Prof Kingsland in Liverpool, and on the right meds we felt so much better. Also, Dr Wood did my 2 most recent ECs where the scan had only shown 4-5 follicles at the right size but he got 17 and 16 eggs out of me! He is so lovely! You'll be in good hands with him! 😊
Haha! I'm trying to drop the extra stone I have put on since last May when we started ivf! I gave myself the excuse when it started that just walking is best so completely stopped all exercise! Am gradually picking it back up again though now but my eating is so erratic!

Hi @ChristmasJumpers it went ok thank you. I was really nervous but now I’ve done one I’m hoping tonight’s will be easier. I didn’t hurt it was just the thought of doing it. What is your AMH level? I’m 34 and on a short protocol.

@Coops0406 yeah oh went ok thank you. Good luck with your biopsy hope it all goes ok. Fingers crossed you can start in may, waiting around is horrible. I have been waiting to start ivf for almost a year as my thyroid has been all over the place.

@ChristmasJumpers I didn't know either!
It's not logged anywhere, I found out just as I sat down ' we need to check your lining is nice and thin' I said it won't be on my 2nd day of cycle! She said it's for visibility to check nothing is wrong that might hinder the cycle, it looked clear but they wanted to be sure. I hope it's good enough now.

I did have a scan mid cycle last month as part of my preassessment to decide which protocol, they counted 9 follicles.

I'm sat outside now with my decaf coffee taking deep breaths and bracing myself.

@Coops0406 yess I believe we have been. Sorry to see you here again. I don't think they have. To be honest they aren't the best but because that's what I've been with for the NHS I've just stayed as I think it would be too complicated to move to another one. Fingers crossed you can get started on your may cycle. I found FET a bit better then my stims cycle. Are you transferring one or two?

@ChristmasJumpers yeah this whole journey just sucks! My friend is also doing it and has had 3 fresh cycles and all failed. Yeah I was planning on moving clinics but then the CCG changed in November last year meaning I got another fresh cycle which I only found out I was allowed after my miscarriage so that made me feel a bit better then having to pay. Have the clinic got back to you with dates yet?

@LouiseD2018 how did the scan go?

@Alexm06 it went well, down from 9mm to 3.6.

Just done our first injection, ice, fee deep breaths and all done!!

Our pencilled dates are egg collection 11th, transfer back 16th. All subject to change but hoping for the best!

Hi, hope everyone is doing well. I'm on my first round of IVF after 3 failed IUI's. I am recovering from egg collection the other day but will be doing FET next month due to OHSS.
Good luck to you all

@Okdaisy hi, oh so sorry, I hope you are OK, did they expect ohss in your case? I hope you recover quickly, I've heard it's a nightmare!

@LouiseD2018 sorry that should have said risk of OHSS! The plan was to freeze all as I'm at high risk. I was ridiculously bloated as we got over 40 eggs, but fortunately managed to dodge anything more severe.

Is this your first IVF? How are you finding the injections? I got used to them surprisingly quickly.

@Okdaisy ah I see, 40 eggs wow!! That's a huge amount, are they being frozen right away or developing embryos first?

Yes first and only cycle of IVF for us, really truly praying for our miracle! My first injection yesterday was fine, today it stung for quite a while, not the injection just the surrounding area afterwards. I had used numbing cream yesterday maybe it made more of a difference than I thought.

@LouiseD2018 how you feeling? Have you got any side effects? I’m on 3rd injection tonight and start doing morning and evening injections tomorrow. We are cycle buddies as I’m on a short protocol as well

@Suki2020 a yes we are!! I start my second injection on Saturday so a day behind you 😊

No side effects yet aside from the injection burning tonight. The nurse said bloating might start by the weekend.

How are you feeling?

@LouiseD2018 yeah I’m ok, slight headache this afternoon. When do you have your scan booked for? I go Monday morning

@Suki2020 next Wednesday is the first count / measure, then next Friday before hopeful collection on 11th

@LouiseD2018 yes they are developing I to embryos, will find our tomorrow how many we will have to freeze.
Yeah numbing cream is a good shout!

@Suki2020 Glad to hear it went well and you're feeling okay so far, Good luck for your scan on Monday! My AMH was 61.8 when tested in August last year. I'm so torn between not wanting to risk OHSS but not wanting to risk under stimulating either!

@Coops0406 I so hope we have Dr Wood for egg collection! He sounds fab! I quite liked Mr Haddad but I just wanted someone to tell it to me straight which he really did. It was good to finally hear someone tell me I do have PCOS, which I have always suspected.

@LouiseD2018 So glad to hear your lining was okay and you were able to start injections! I'm really interested to know how you get on with and without numbing cream as I've been considering using it myself.

@Alexm06 great news that you can have another funded cycle! I got the call with our dates this afternoon . Norethisterone from 12th April, provisional egg collection on Friday 13th May

I had a bit of a wobble yesterday as it sank in that we're officially having to have IVF, no more "one last try naturally" as we've been instructed to use contraception from now. I'm feeling so much better now that I have my dates, it helps me to feel like I've got some level of control over my situation.

@Okdaisy wow 40 eggs!!! That's amazing, were they all mature? It's so reassuring to see that people get used to the injections quickly, did you do your own? I'm probably going to have my husband do them as I'd spend too long psyching myself out as the needle got close

@ChristmasJumpers Great that you've got your dates. I found it much easier once we were getting on with it, the months of waiting to start was awful.
My husband did the injection prep but then I'd do the injection. Think I'd have kicked him or something if id let him try to do it for me! I found having music/tv on a good distraction so I had something else to focus on while I was doing it. The first one was the worst! I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't overthink it!

Yeah we were really lucky, they were all mature. 34 fertilised but am assuming there'll be a big drop off by tomorrow, but hopefully we'll still be left with a good number.

@Okdaisy that is honestly incredible! And you're not feeling any symptoms of OHSS so far? Great tips with the TV and music. I'm looking at the positives and thinking perhaps this could cure me of my needle fear

@ChristmasJumpers so great you have your dates!! I felt the same relief.
I know there are no certainties and for my age odds are not great but I am still on a bit of a high! How long that'll last I don't know 😁

@Okdaisy that's great, hopefully will result in a good number to freeze keeping my fingers crossed for you