IVF / FET March/April 2022 Thread 2

[AliceAbsolum]

Shiny new thread as we filled up the last one.

(I live in France, that sounds a bit weird in English, but I mean something like... "good luck, you can do it!")

@AliceAbsolum how nerve wracking, I completely understand the anxiety and overanalysing every symptom..let us know how it goes?

I just had my scan today and you guys I am feeling incredibly disheartened and confused.
They told me that the ideal time for me to transfer is Saturday, but because of Easter, they aren’t going to do it until Tuesday. The nurse said it doesn’t matter since I’m on estrogen and will be on progesterone, but I feel like…that might not be true…? I don’t know enough to be sure but surely it’s not arbitrary when to set the transfer date. Basically I’m disappointed having to wait a whole more week but also kind of feeling like I am wasting an embryo because they want to rush me through a cycle. Very frustrated right now.

Sorry ladies trying to catch up, been away for a week from the boards so I've missed loads! Will try reply to everyone later today.

Had my baseline scan last Monday. 17 follicles on right side, 20 on left. Started stims on the Tuesday which have been going well up until I added cetrorelix on Saturday....wow that one hurts! Had my first stims scan today and they could only see about 10 follicles at measurable size. Biggest being 14mm and smaller ones at 10-12mm. Is it normal to see such a big drop off between scans? The strange thing is the left ovary which had most follicles last week, the nurse said isn't really doing much at all and there was only 2 to measure on that side. I was also told my left ovary is quite high up but that it may drop down before egg collection once the follicles start growing a bit. I'm feeling a bit deflated tbh as I was expecting more of the 37 follicles to be growing, I'm on the lowest dose of drugs as they were worried I had so many and now they don't seem to be doing much 😔

Sorry for your disappointing scan @Autumn245. A drop off is normal I think. It sounds like the same thing happened to your left ovary that happened to my right, it’s like one or two follicles “eat up” most of the meds and cause the rest to stop growing.
If you need a next time they might up your dose of meds, but it’s still likely you’ll have a good number of follicles retrieved I think.

@Autumn245 sorry the scan felt a bit deflating... but those numbers still sound really good, and they're similar sizes which is really important. It's normal that all the follicles don't grow, and probably a bit lucky in your case or you'd have definitely been on track for OHSS with those numbers!! My first scan, one of my ovaries was a bit lazy, and it was fine on my second cycle, I think it's kind of random 🤷🏻‍♀️

Another twist for me... just spoke to my doctor, she thinks I can start again immediately 😳 I'll text her when AF starts, and if the scan is clear, I should squeeze another EC into this month!!! She'll change my drugs; Pergoveris instead of Menopur (anyone have experience of this?), stim for slightly longer, and we'll skip the pre-treatment entirely 🥳

I'm sure there's a misunderstanding involved, but pretty happy if not 😂

@LuckyNovember Oh that's quick! Good news to be getting started again so soon

@Autumn245 Those numbers all sound pretty good. You should get a good amount of eggs with those.

@SamTTC I absolutely hate it when medical professionals tell you conflicting information. I don't think it's very fair.
How thick is your lining?

I had another strong BFP. So that's 3 tests, all 48 hours apart. There is no line progression because I can't see how the line can get any stronger. So I can't really ask for more at this stage.
I'm going to ignore symptoms now. They come and go clearly.

@AliceAbsolum I ended up doing a clear blue digital at the weekend to check that my HCG levels had raised sufficiently to get to 3+. I know exactly what you mean about worrying if you don't feel nauseous every day, I think it's normal after a miscarriage. I certainly never managed to relax in my last pregnancy the way that I did in my first - I was just always waiting for something to go wrong.

@ginandtonicformeplease It robs you of the joy and half-calm doesn't it.
Do you mean 3+ weeks? On a CB?

When are you "out of the woods" for a chemical? Like I know it's arbitrary cut off dates but when wouldn't it count as a chemical anymore?

That’s so reassuring @AliceAbsolum, so happy to hear it!

They only said my lining was more than 7mm, and that it probably wouldn’t get much thicker..? It seems so unserious.

@AliceAbsolum chemical is under 5 weeks. I lost nausea symptoms in the pregnancy that went to term at around 5 weeks and the nausea picked up again at sometime around week 6 and stayed a bit more constant until I started dropping my progesterone meds. Fairly sure symptoms come and go in the early weeks, although the worry is understandable esp with previous loss.

@AliceAbsolum so glad to hear still a strong line. And sorry you're not quite able to enjoy the positive as much as you'd like, totally understandable and such a shame that yes ivf and miscarriage robs of that. Stay strong. I just watched your vlog and happy tears came to my eyes. So very happy for you and I am sending all the positivity going forward x

@LuckyNovember that would be great! I hope there isn't a misunderstanding, you are private yes? And in France, I hadn't realised that!

@SamTTC I'm sorry, not an added worry you need. I would hope that they are used to taking into consideration things like closures and holidays etc and they have some leeway with dates? Totally understand where you are coming from, perhaps you could call them and just say you had some concerns for them to reassure you?

@Autumn245 I was on menopur and cetrorelix too and found the second a bit stingy too! Hope you're coping ok. Sorry you're a bit disappointed but as the ladies say, try to focus on those that are growing at a good rate. Quality over quantity. I can't say for numbers of follicles as I started with not many, but they did struggle to even find my left ovary at baseline scan! It then appeared later on. 10 is still a great number x

Hi everyone, I've been lurking in the background as I was to start my next cycle. I've had three cycles, two transfers both BFN. One 5AB in the freezer but we've opted to leave it there and complete three rounds of embryo banking starting next month. Has anyone else done this? I'm looking for some advice on when you start the next one ie whether you have to wait for a bleed and northisterone is taken or you go straight to stims. Any help appreciated. We forgot to ask the consultant.

I'm currently at home with Covid as well and the consultant advised not having EC until 6-12 weeks after Covid as there is come evidence it affects egg quality. Anyone else's clinic advise this?

@SamTTC yes I guess the meds are just being eaten up by the bigger follicles, and I might see a change at the next scan. How frustrating for you for your tranfer! Mine has been penciled in for Easter Monday but I wasn't 100% sure the clinic would even be open. It's a constant waiting game isn't it? You would think there would some staff in over the weekend that could do the transfer especially seeing as you'll be ready for it on Saturday.

@LuckyNovember Great news on starting again so soon!

@AliceAbsolum I also watched your vlog and had tears in my eyes when you looked at your results, what a lovely time for you both! Wishing you a healthy pregnancy x

@Hjen22 Last nights injection has been the worse so far as I bled a bit after. I normally do my Gonal first then Cetrorelix after but did it the opposite way last night and both hurt whereas I haven't really had pain from the Gonal before. My husband is even more of a wimp than I am when it comes to needles so I've been doing them all solo. Hope your not feeling too rough with Covid.

You're right ladies 10 is still a great number so I am happy, just a bit shocked to see such a drop. God help me when it comes to drop in numbers after egg collection!

@AliceAbsolum yes, sorry, I meant 3+ weeks! CB dates from conception - according to the ivf calculator I used, I'm 5+5, so I think out of CP time. And yes, it does rob you of joy - and I look at miscarriage data too much now. The internet has too much information on it

@MollyVanDer hi there 👋🏻 I've not any experience with embryo banking sorry! But hopefully someone else can help.

Sorry to hear you're also got Covid, how are you feeling? My clinic hasn't said, I haven't told them yet but when I spoke to the nurse before our first round and spoke about my worries she didn't say anything specific like that, and just that as long as we were well and didn't have Covid during. My EC won't be til like 10 weeks anyway (ugh that made me a bit sad counting it, didn't seem that far away before!) but I really hope it doesn't effect egg quality!! And here was me thinking it was better to have it now and give me a little less worry nearer the time!

@HJen22 feeling ok just full of cold like symptoms. Day 2 of testing positive.
AF is due in 10 days then we were hoping to start northisterone and then stims but we are wondering whether to leave it another month. Although the reason we are doing embryo banking is because my AMH is 6.4 and I'm 38 next week so thought best to collect x3 rather than do another full fresh cycle

How are you feeling? With 10 weeks you'll be out of the woods so that's good

@MollyVanDer my timeline is kinda similar in that AF is due in around 10 days then start norethisterone cycle day 21 which should be 10th May but to fit in with their scheduling of starting stims 1st June ish; I might have to take norethisterone for 16 days rather than the 10 I did last time. The prep beforehand with cycles and the pill and AF is the long drawn out part isn't it!

I'm the same, cold like symptoms, my ears are really bothering me today! Still WFH so did a little as nothing else to do haha. I tested positive Saturday so still a while to go for me in isolation too.

@HJen22 I had Covid just before my period started back in Feb and I had similar symptoms particularly my ears. I hope you’re able to rest and it’s not taking it out of you too much

@Nutrinerd thank you my own bed was a delight! I’ve been going through assisted fertility for nearly a year now as started with IUI so my boss is fully up to speed with what’s going on and has given me the next 2 weeks off to recover which is so kind! Hopefully I won’t need to full 2 weeks but it’s a relief to know it’s there if I need it

@PMAmostofthetime I’m glad I’m home too. I’m not sure if you’re taking a break yet as you said you might but I’m thinking of you and hope you’re hanging in there

@SamTTC I was emotionally fried at the beginning but as soon as gyny got involved I felt I was in safe hands and accepted the help that they were recommending. Being home and back with DH and seeing how he really is has taken a weight off too. How are you? It’s so frustrating waiting and having to fit around a clinic’s calendar! Hopefully your uterus will be super thick and comfy for your embryo by next week. Have you got a confirmed appointment yet?

@AliceAbsolum so pleased your line is still doing well. I don’t think the worry is ever really going to end but I’ve never managed to conceive at all so it’s going to be 100 times worse if you have before and had MC. I have an embryo yes and our OTD is this Wednesday! I’m pretty nervous, part of me is like just don’t test and you’ll be none the wiser! But i need more pessaries if it’s good news so that’s not really going to work.

@Autumn245 oh no please don’t get disheartened with the follicles! I know it’s so easy to say but you have a good number and all really good sizes so far! You may have said but do you have your EC date yet? Are you going straight into a transfer or are you freezing them all first? Remember to keep well hydrated so those follicles are nice and plum and well watered

@LuckyNovember wow! That’s great you can start straight away. How do you feel about that? Have you had time to process this cycle?

@MollyVanDer hi! I hope Covid isn’t taking it out of you too much. I haven’t had any experience egg banking but keep us in the loop, we are good listeners and great at supporting each other

Xx

@AliceAbsolum so pleased to hear you got a positive. I am AnnaSteen from the TMI thread.

Don’t worry about symptoms. They do come and go. Mine disappeared by week 4 up to week 11. I was so stressed and crying to DH why wasn’t I sick etc. well from week 11 onwards I’ve been sick everyday to the extent I’m on tablets. So enjoy your positive lines and that you feel good. Wishing you lots of luck with your pregnancy xx

@Steph2345 I suppose it was just a bit gutting today seeing the numbers drop but I need to change my attitude and think positive for the 10 I do have at good sizes. Some people would kill to have that amount so I know I am very lucky. At the end of the day as long as I have an embryo to tranfer then it's all worth it. As far as I'm aware I will be doing a fresh tranfer, and egg collection was penciled in for Easter Monday next week but will need to see what they say after my next scans on Wednesday & Friday.

How have you not tested yet?! I don't think id be able to hold off until OTD! Keeping my fingers crossed for you 🤞

@AliceAbsolum I'm so pleased about your line. I loved the vlog. Your reaction was so sweet I watched it several times 😳

@Autumn245 I have 10 follicles too and I was disappointed but I'm OK with it now. Hopefully we'll both have good egg collections!

I'm having EC on Thursday. I'm very tired today and felt a bit down for no reason in particular.

@Jampot36 @Steph2345
I feel a lot better thank you. I decided to stop moping and enjoy what I have in life so been spending some quality time with loved ones. Especially the little ones who I realised I am missing out on by moping. It's done me the world of good.
Mood swings and dreams are still unreal and I can not wait until this time tomorrow to take my last pessary of this cycle and say good bye. We are going to plant out new plants Wednesday too. To mark out lost Embryos and say good bye to what could have been @HJen22 gave me the idea.

@AliceAbsolum
great news about the line still being strong. Amazon have a deal on FRER if you need more.

@SamTTC I would call and ask to discuss it with them ask them outright if it would be better to freeze and do it next month? Or any questions worrying you? I regret not asking more. Write them all down and give them a ring.

@Autumn245
I have a massive needle phobia I cried through most of my Stims. The name of my second stim currently evades me but it started with a C, it stung, bruised and bled. I iced the area over my top for 10 mins before and it didn't sting nearly as much and bled less.
It's hard not to be disappointed and worried but mine were measuring the same at my first scan on day 6 and I only got to a day 8 scan because I was ready to trigger. I know it's cliche but it's quality you want over quantity.

@LuckyNovember wow that's amazing news- I hope it's right for you. When will you hear more? I didn't realise you were in France either.

@ginandtonicformeplease great news on your clear blue- very exciting 

Welcome @MollyVanDer my clinic asked me and OH about Covid in the last 90 days but as we haven't had it to our knowledge they said no more sorry. I've heard it effecting sperm quality but that makes sense as it renews- all our eggs we already have. Have you asked more about it? Good luck with embryo banking.

@Steph2345 @TommieNC
Good luck for OTD Wednesday I have my fingers crossed for you

🍍 x

This two weeks appears to have 462 days in it…

I’m ok just impatient!

@PMAmostofthetime thanks!! Like a dumb dumb I reschedule my beta for 3pm and only realised that I won’t get the results until later the next day.

@Iwouldlikesomecake I have to agree the first week felt like two years too me and I was out due to AF on day 8dp5dt.
How you guys are still holding up I'll never know.

@TommieNC awwww that's unfair are you going to POAS?

I have to again Wednesday as a formality for the clinic which just seems cruel!

@Somatronic good luck for Thursday that's exciting news.

X🍍