IVF/FET March/April 2022 thread 3

[Autumn245]

New thread, I'm trying to tag everyone but it's not letting me! I will try add as many as I can x

@Nutrinerd @AliceAbsolum @LT103 @Steph2345 Thanks for the birthday messages was a lovely evening!!

My scan was mostly good, baby was measuring perfectly, moving, and had a strong heartbeat of 173. However, my SCH has grown a bit, but the tech said that it's still considered small and will hopefully resolve and not grow anymore. I can't help but be nervous though and trying my hardest to take things as easy as possible. I did join a Facebook group for SCH and trying to see if there is anything I can do to help it resolve.

@AliceAbsolum I am so happy to hear your scan went well and everything is progressing beautifully.

@ginandtonicformeplease I'm so sorry to hear that you're still testing positive for Covid. Hopefully it clears soon so that you can get back to your regular life. Hopefully your scan isn't scheduled too far out.

@Steph2345 It's cool that we are at the same place in this. I was put of blood thinning injections at my booking in appt since I'm old and overweight.

@Herewegoagain881 I'm glad that the bleeding started so that you don't have to go through an additional trauma like you experienced with your erpc. I just hate that you're having to go through all of this. My thoughts are with you.

@SamTTC I'm so sorry to hear about the issues you've been having. Keeping everything crossed that you get good news today and that the cycle can go ahead.

Re the thread being quiet, I haven't been commenting much because I'm not sure about discussing early pregnancy on this thread, and anyway I haven't had a scan or a blood test or anything so I have nothing to report.

It's so nice to hear all your scans are going well! Totally understandable that it's getting quieter, as I said I think our thread was uncommonly lucky and so many of you are pregnant now. It's a luxury problem. 😊

I just wanted to give an update about my very weird clinic experience yesterday.

I obviously went in fully expecting that my cycle would be cancelled, because either ovulation would have occurred or my lining wouldn't have thickened enough - but to mine and the doctor's surprise, my lining had thickened 5mm in one day! And my follicle had only grown 1mm. So I can in fact go ahead with the transfer this month.
However, it's a little dodgy. My doctor didn't know why my lining had thickened so much but mentioned that one explanation could be that ovulation had already started (as a steep estrogen increase would indicate, and that would explain why the follicle had stopped growing too). But he still instructed me to take the trigger shot at 10pm yesterday, with the transfer planned for Monday, based on the assumption that ovulation will occur 36 hrs after trigger. That seems... like an odd decision? I don't have any EWCM this morning, so I'm guessing ovulation happened yesterday like he said, meaning my transfer is potentially scheduled for a full 7 days after ovulation, when it should be 5? I feel like they should do more to monitor ovulation or give an antagonist to prevent it from starting before the trigger shot is administered, but they just don't seem that bothered about timing it correctly.

But honestly I'm just relieved. Whatever happens this cycle, I am still on track to get another retrieval in before the clinic break, and I get to have a month's break from all the hormones before that happens.
Having said that, I might decide to stick with medicated transfers after this one... too much drama. 😅

@SamTTC hopefully everything will work out for you! That sounds very stressful though, all the uncertainties and second guessing everything. I hope you're OK. Can you call the clinic to query the timing again if it's stressing you out? And try to channel serious amounts of positivity in the next few weeks xxx

@SamTTC that's great news.

Sorry I have been MIA. We went away for a few days and now I have Covid :(.

Luckily my next appointment is virtual and not until 24th so hoping it won't affect anything. OH is miraculously negative atm.

I'm waiting for second AF to arrive. My first one arrived before OTD and now I'm on day 41 when I'm usually around. 28-33 and more recently regularly day 33- anyone who has unfortunately had a failed had experience of this?

X

@Somatronic it's reminding me a lot of when I did the IUIs honestly. Same principle really, they check your follicle and trigger you and kind of just ho-hum about whether you actually hit the ovulation window. The frustration comes from knowing that other clinics have strategies that are more accurate (like blood tests for LH surge), but then, other people on this thread have reported not having their lining checked and things like that, so really, we are all at the mercy of our individual clinics' practices.
It's just hard to lean back and trust the process when you feel like they're not being thorough enough. But I'm fine and definitely going into this cycle with an open mind. I know I keep harping on about my next retrieval like it's a given, but it's just a coping mechanism. I need to be prepared for what my next steps will be and plan ahead for that to get through the so far endless disappointments. Especially after a year and a half of fertility treatments...you can't keep being blindly optimistic going into cycle after cycle. So you just find another way to keep yourself in the game.

Anyway, thanks for checking in! You've been quiet otherwise, how is everything going for you? Have you had a scan yet?

@PMAmostofthetime Oh noooo not you as well?? Everyone seems to be getting COVID again these days. Is it your first time getting it?

Remind me, is this your pause cycle after retrieval and you're waiting for a FET? Or where are you at?
They can do something to bring on the period if necessary, maybe discuss that with them. But when would you have to come in physically if it does start in the next few days?

@SamTTC thst does sound stressful but glad it’s going ahead and fingers crossed all ok.
i had estradiol,LH and progesterone checked every 48 hrs. I also checked urine opk just for interest. I had estradiol peak last week and now it’s dropped. Oh had started to go up on Friday and must have peaked by yest as I had a positive opk. So my transfer is on sat which is prob 5 dpo. But I don’t get any lining checks or any further bloods. I don’t get it but just have to trust them I guess.it’s crazy how different clinics have such different protocols. I mean I’m enjoying this natural FET as there is zero stress but I can’t help but worry if I couldn’t get pregnant naturally how will this work when we’re doing nothing different other than start growing it outside 🤷🏻‍♀️

@LT103 yeah see it sounds like the opposite approach from mine, and I just wonder why they don't seem to do ALL the things at any clinic? Monitor exact ovulation time with bloods, check lining and do an ultrasound to confirm ovulation has happened. I suppose it's to cut costs, but then I wonder if it really does cut costs, if they end up with more failed cycles as a result.

Like you I'm also really enjoying this natural cycle, so I'm wary of going back to the medicated. 😆But now that I've tried it out and know how blasé the clinic is about timing, I suppose it's a bad idea for me to choose natural in future.

Even though you don't get hormone support there's still a better chance of this working than natural, if for no other reason than because they've ensured a blastocyst has actually formed. Trying naturally you risk that fertilisation never happens or that the fertilised egg never develops properly. If the timing is right (which it seems to be with your clinic's strategy), then the blast has a good chance of implanting I think, unless there are undiagnosed issues that ideally your clinic would start considering after a certain number of failed transfers.
If you don't have something like luteal phase deficiency or depleted estrogen/progesterone numbers, then I'm not sure there's a clear benefit (other than the timing) to doing medicated over natural. That's how I've understood it at least.

@SamTTC Yeah I'm quiet enough I suppose because I have no news! They didn't give me a blood test or an appointment after I tested positive and my scan isn't until the 26th when I'll hopefully be 8 weeks. I'm not sure why they made me wait til 8 weeks but hopefully it gives us a good chance of seeing everything we should be seeing if that makes sense. I sent a form to the public maternity hospital last week and still waiting to hear back from them too. I'm having all the usual anxieties about whether or not I'm still pregnant etc. I expected symptoms to ramp up at 6 weeks but the opposite happened.

@PMAmostofthetime I'm so sorry to hear you've been sick! I hope you feel better soon x

@PMAmostofthetime ive heard this happens a lot. They can give you a pill to quick start it.
Sorry to hear about covid. Overall a good time to get it, but not what you want!

@Herewegoagain881 How you coping hun?

@hjen22 What's your next step? Are you waiting for AF?

@TommieNC Most SCHs stay small, resolve and cause no problems.

I'm 10 weeks tomorrow. Got my 12 week scan booked in in 15 days. Literally counting down the days. I can feel a tiny bump now which is mental.
Had the tiniest amount of brown spotting yesterday which didn't amount to anything, but that's what I had the day before the big bleed, so have had another scary 24 hours.

I know I keep repeating myself! But I just want to get to this 12 week scan. From a statistics point of view you're in such a better place, and I really do think I'll relax more.
Longest 2 months of my life. IVF is a frickin breeze compared to this 😫

First beta results are in. I'm 4w5d today and beta was 1800

@AliceAbsolum i am totally with you on this being a real tester waiting for the 12 week scan. I’ve caved and booked a private scan for reassurance tomorrow. I need it to keep my head on the right way.

@Thirdtimesacharm1 so pleased your beta has confirmed everything for you. I don’t know anything about the levels (I didn’t have blood tests) but the confirmation is great news. Have they booked you in for an early scan?

@Somatronic dont quote me but I think they wait until 8 weeks to make sure they can definitely see a heart beat

@PMAmostofthetime and @ginandtonicformeplease how are you both doing with Covid? Hope you’re ok and it passes soon

@LT103 and @SamTTC are you ready for your transfers?

@AliceAbsolum I completely agree that this wait feels so long. I'm sorry things have been so stressful for you, bleeding and spotting causes so much anxiety. It's great that they've booked your 12 week scan for 12+1. They originally had me booked for the last day they would do a NT scan for me 13+4, but I called and had my scan moved up to 13 weeks on the dot.

It's also good news about the SCH. I wasn't worried at the first scan when they found it, but when it grew a bit and I joined a FB group for SCH and started reading all of these horror stories, that's when my anxiety kicked in. I've been taking it super easy and hoping it resolves soon.

@Steph2345 Good luck with your scan today!! 12 weeks is such a long wait. I originally planned on doing a private reassurance scan @ 8 weeks, but due to bleeding had one at 5+6, 7+1 and 9+1 to check the SCH. I'm fighting the urge to book a scan for 11+1 and trying to hold out until 13 weeks when I have my 12 week scan.

@Thirdtimesacharm1 Congratulations on the bfp!!!

@Somatronic I didn't have any real symptoms with my son, only 1 hour of nausea on a long car ride once, then nothing. Early pregnancy causes so much anxiety.

Congrats @Thirdtimesacharm1 !

@Nutrinerd Hows the sickness?

@Steph2345 Good idea on the scan, we all need a bit of assurance. Let us know how it goes.

@TommieNC Its hard isn't it, because scans don't actually change anything. I wish there was a more treatment for SCHs but like you said just got to take it easy. Statistically you're much more likely to have no problems with it.

@Steph2345 How did the scan go?

I tested negative for covid in time to go to my booking in appointment on Tuesday thankfully. I'm exhausted this week though - I'm not sure how much is pregnancy exhaustion and how much is left over from covid. I managed to avoid it for two years, only for it to strike me when I'm pregnant @PMAmostofthetime How are you feeling with it?

@AliceAbsolum and @TommieNC great to have your 12 week scans booked in. I have to wait for my appointment to arrive through the post.

@Thirdtimesacharm1 Congratulations on the BFP!

@ginandtonicformeplease so pleased you’ve tested negative in time! What a relief for you. How far along are you now?

my scan went well, was such a relief. I just need to remember that my pains are most likely still my ovaries giving me grief and nothing to worry about but it’s hard. I also have my 12w scan booked now too so feel like everything is moving along now 🙂

@Steph2345 I'm 11+1 now. I'm hoping against hope that my scan appointment will come through for next week as we're on holiday the week after, but I think I'll end up having to come back for it - it's a UK holiday so not impossible, just a pain!

@AliceAbsolum today is day 6 of norethisterone! Half way there and baseline scan a week on Monday 😱

How are you doing?

I hope all you lovely ladies waiting for scans are keeping well ❤️ and those who haven't had a successful round this time, I wish you all the best for the next 🤞🏻

@Thirdtimesacharm1 that's amazing! :)

@HJen22 I'm only just understanding that you're on the long protocol? I've been scratching my head at how long it's taken you per cycle! Do you know why they've chosen that for you? My clinic offers short protocol by default. I'm considering asking for long protocol for my third and final round if I get as few eggs out in my #2 retrieval as I did in my first.
That's so exciting about your baseline scan Monday. Finally!! :)

@AliceAbsolum Thankfully the first round of medication seems to have done the trick! I had a follow up scan on Monday as I didn't bleed as much as expected but they think the pregnancy cleared, I have adenomyosis which can make it a bit harder for them to be sure, so doctor was confident but not 100%. I've continued bleeding since the scan so it's looking good that everything is clearing out.

I'm going to book in a follow up consultation fairly soon just because if we do have another I don't want to widen the age gap too much, although I'm feeling pretty ambivalent about it all at the moment, I was going back and forth about whether to try for another before the last round and it seems I'm back at that point again!

@SamTTC oh no I'm short protocol! Last time I was on norethisterone for 10 days (I think it's only 2 days longer cos last time it was February that only had 28 days!) and I stimmed last time for 11 days. Just with their scheduling I guess it's taken til now to get to my second cycle! I had a period, next period I called and then on day 21 I started the pill, I think that's right! Yeah end of March period, end of April period and day 21 was last Sunday xx

@Herewegoagain881 I hope your doctor is right and you're almost through this nightmare. And I understand your uncertainty about how to continue. How old is your first? Do you have a cutoff in your mind in terms of how big the age gap should be?

@HJen22 that's what they call long protocol in my clinic! Starting norethisterone on CD21, then baseline scan on CD 2/3, and then stimming for 10 ish days until EC. Whereas I am on short protocol, which is the same except you just start on CD2/3 with stims, so you don't have to wait for CD21 of a new cycle to start. If that makes sense.
It doesn't make it easier for us to figure out what's going on when the clinics use different terminology haha.

@SamTTC oh is it really! Yeah that makes sense. My clinic call my protocol short antagonist! It is so confusing! I really do wonder why they aren't just consistent throughout! I actually think they just do it for scheduling purposes so they don't have to fit in to your cycle and they control it! Last time I went for baseline scan the Monday then cycle day 1 was the Tuesday and I started stims xx

@SamTTC he's 2yrs 5mths, I wanted a 3 year gap which is what we would have had if the IVF had worked, so I guess if we try again within the calendar year we'll have a max of 3 years 9 months. We only have 1 embryo left and I'm not going to do another collection so if it doesn't work we'll be done. He's an amazing child and we're totally fine with just having him, it's more the mum guilt of him not having a sibling when he really gravitates towards kids, and us not really having much family otherwise, so I worry about him when we're gone. But what will be will be, it's quite unlikely the next transfer will work as it's the same quality as the one I just lost, unless they find something wrong with me that we can do something about in the meantime.

I've totally lost track, are you transferring soon?