IVF/FET May/June 2022

[Coops0406]

Hi,

I'm just starting this thread as i've kept joining previous ones in hope that I would be at the same time but got left behind with the ups and downs of ivf.
After 3 cycles, 2 failed fresh transfers, PGT-A testing to give us 3 euploid embryos and just now getting our results from the ALICE/EMMA/ERA tests, I am now finally in a position to hopefully start FET on my next cycle with a transfer likely to be end of May or early June!! 😍. Would love to have people to chat to who are following a similar timeline.

Hi all,

Hoping I can join you, please. I recognise a few names on here but for those I've not come across before, my history - single, started IVF at 41 with own eggs & donor sperm. Now 43. I respond well and have had four ECs, about 50 eggs total creating 10 blasts and a total of 7 transfers to date, three fresh and four FETs, with a single blast each time (one blast didn't survive thaw). Mix of grades but several AAs and the 'worst' so far was a BA. Except for one that the clinic transferred wrongly (!) after my 3rd EC which was lower quality - I'm not even sure what it was.

I had a chemical after my 3rd transfer (FET, 4AA) so I've seen a BFP once, but nothing since. I'm currently on meds for my 8th transfer which will hopefully be next week. I have two embryos in the freezer, a 4BA and a 3BB/C so assume they'll transfer the 4BA. I am proof that grading doesn't mean everything as AA transfers haven't worked for me, but can't help feeling that the remaining embryos are unlikely to work given that others judged 'better' haven't. I know 4BA isn't a bad grade but at my last transfer the embryologist didn't feel it was as good as the 3BA they did use (which actually developed to a 5BA by the time it went in).

Three of my FETs were natural but my last one, and this one, have been medicated to try something different. I've been on Clexane since my 3rd transfer - it was added 'just in case' even though clotting tests were ok. Lubion got added after transfer 5 because I started bleeding a little early. I also had a scratch a couple of weeks ago. I had one before my only BFP so maybe it helped, but I also a scratch before a BFN FET so who knows.

Struggling to retain hope given my age now and all the failures. It's been about 21 months of constant IVF and huge expense. If this go doesn't work, I'm not sure what to do. Another EC with my eggs seems futile if I've not be able to create one sticky blast from 50 eggs so far...

Sorry for the long post. Will catch up on everyone's news and as you can see I've been round the block so will answer any questions if I can help!

@Frostie84 @popcornbella welcome and congrats on being PUPO! Wishing you both the best of luck 🤞🏻❤️

@PMAmostofthetime thank you lovely. How are you doing?

@LuckyNovember hope you're doing well 💕 good luck for your EC on Saturday. Thank you for all of your info, I have a friend doing duostims too and it's interesting to hear about it. I hope you get lots of great eggs this collection! Keep going, you've got this!

@SamTTC I have no idea if they ever offer that! Would be sad to waste eggs but who knows!

@Coops0406 thank you ☺️ next scan is first thing tomorrow morning. So I just have to try and be positive and see what tomorrow brings. I'm sorry AF is here and with such pains too 😔 I hope you are ok and looking after yourself. Sounds like lots of distractions and Ed will be great, I seen him a few years ago! Bert kind and selfless of you to still be babysitting too x

@SamTTC I'm so sorry, we're not doing so well with these hurdles being thrown at us are we!! I really hope you've some great quality eggs collected and yeah it is positive that they are removing the polyp prior to any transfer. I hope you are ok 💕 stay positive and take comfort in your clinic looking after you and doing their best to give you the best chance x

@Babydust2u so rubbish 😞 I spent all day yesterday sad and crying on and off. I by good chance had my counsellor this morning so it helped talking things through with her. I'm Aberdeen NHS clinic. I have no idea if they'll cancel, let me stim longer, count it as a cycle, no clue but my counsellor assured me they will look at my case closely. I need to just wait and see tomorrow and then ask all these questions. I'm so sorry your cycle has been cancelled this time, sending hugs back and positive thoughts for the weeks ahead x

@Reefy good stuff! Enjoy being PUPO!

@Rachie205 it's only 4dp what would have been a 5 day transfer so definitely far too early I imagine.

@SamTTC having delays is never great but at least you know they are wanting to do their best for you.

@LuckyNovember it's so true that it's a long journey! I don't understand how it ever works first time round for people!

@Babydust2u what is your AMH? I don't understand how you may not have enough at the right size now but they're worried that increasing the dose you'll get OHSS? Would they consider just slightly increasing the dose but stimming for longer? It's so hard!

@LT103 I can understand! There is so much we have to go through with ivf even just to get to that definite positive! It honestly sounds like you are really being dragged through it so I hope that this embryo is fighting to stay all the way!!

@lucymills1234 sorry you have had such a tough journey! It's so hard as we get older just because the quality in terms of having the right number of chromosomes isn't as good as in the early 30s. I just wish doctors had taken things more seriously when we were younger!
Have your place recommended PGT-A or the Emma/alice/era tests? We did PGT-A to rule out the embryos that would never work so aside from the 2 previous BFN's we got rid of 4 others that weren't genetically right. They suggested it from the start for me because my AMH was good for my age but also because at this age only about 30% of the embryos would be genetically stable. Also, after having 2 fails they recommended the Emma/alice/era to check my womb. We only had 3 euploid embryos out of our 9 very good embryos in total so they recommended it to make sure the womb was all good and we didn't waste any...even though one of those now hasn't worked!

@HJen22 it so hard going through it all, and with all the hormones heightening everything it's almost impossible not to be so up and down with the emotions. Really hoping for some good news for you tomorrow.

I haven't ended up going to babysit...instead had to rush my dog to the vets this morning as he was yelping and doing this weird thing with his head (he did similar 2 years ago when he woke up paralysed on his back half so I really panicked!!) Anyway, all okay with a little painkiller injection...just pain apparently that he will keep getting randomly from his previous operation on his back. Probably too much chasing of squirrels or something but he didn't half give me a fright!

@Reefy I meant to reply specifically to this. It's Access Fertility I contacted a while ago for Glasgow GRCM. I have low AMH and AFC so think it would only be the 2 multi cycle I'd be eligible for. Do you pay for all required tests and consultations etc direct with the clinic and just the actual IVF cycle with Access? Xx

@Coops0406 oh your poor wee pup! I'm so glad he is ok! Sounds so scary! I hope the pain stays away for him xx

@Coops0406 oh noo I hope your dog is okay??? 🧡🧡🧡

@LT103 I don’t dare hope that it could explain anything, as I’m pretty sure it’s come as a result of the hormones, but definitely would rather have it removed than not! Especially since the nurse noted it two cycles ago and dismissed it, and only now two failed transfers later will they actually do something about it…seems sus to me.

@HJen22 I know it’s honestly just getting to be too much. I had a cry about it too when I got home from the clinic. I’m so tired of feeling like time is slipping away from me.

@HJen22 oh and yes converting IVF to IUI in case of poor response or early ovulation is definitely a thing that many clinics do- but you would rather have those two embryos retrieved obviously if that is in any way an option.

@SamTTC so mine wasn’t noticed on any previous exam either smear or my hycosy or on any scans but just noticed as she went to do the trial catheter on FET. From what I read if they’re big they can block cervix which I don’t think mine is but depending on how high up they originate from they can interfere with implantation so def best removed!
move obviously had some sort of implantation despite mine but not sure what it will affect down line

Anyone know roughly how long after EC your period should turn up? It’s only been four days since EC but it’s looks like it might be making an appearance? Seems too early? Just wondering whether I should be treating this as possible bleeding or as a period?? It’s not like a normal start to my period but then that could just be because it’s the first one since EC. Bit whether I should be a bit concerned? Ive had no bleeding at all since EC so it’s new

Ok so I rang the clinic 🤣 They said that because I used buserelin as a trigger and that I’m not on progesterone etc that it’s not unusual to get a period about a week later and not to worry. Just in case anyone else has the same question!

@Coops0406 glad pup is ok! Just want to say enjoy Ed tomorrow!

@HJen22 I think you do have to pay for tests on top but as mine was within 2 Years & o stayed with the same clinic I was lucky enough not to need to pay for any of it as would of been an extra £350 for scan & bloods (receptionist said this) and but when I spoke to the doctor he said I didn't need to do it. I think there is another company calls Gaia Family or something that do packages too but haven't looked as only just heard of them.

@HJen22 @SamTTC doggo is fine! Honestly he hates the vets so much that I think he put on a front in there! Anyway, had a painkiller injection and all seems fine. I think he must either have a bit of nerve damage or his muscles tighten every now and then but it's scary to see them like that!!

@Reefy so excited about seeing Ed! I hope it doesn't rain!!

@HJen22 I'm so glad the counciling helped today please don't get yourself down there's still time they might even say tomorrow you could stim for extra 2days that's what they done for me but unfortunately I wasn't where they wanted me to be as all my follicles where too small sending you lots of babydust for tomorrow keep us updated try not to stress I know it's hard have a early night and put your feet up x

@Coops0406 my amh is 59 and I'm 31yrs old so it's pretty high for my age I know it's crazy about the follicles in my last scan think I had like 15 at 8mm and 2 at 10mm on one ovary and I can't remember the other one but unfortunately they weren't big enough 💔 😔 x

Hello! Back on an ivf thread again with trepidation. Fingers crossed, will begin my fifth attempt sometime this month. Had two failed cycles in February and March this year. Getting myself geared up to start again and meet my new comrades 😉

Anyone else still trying from Feb/Mar threads?

@HJen22 good luck today 🤞❤️ x

yes! @HJen22 Hoping for good news for you this morning 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@HJen22 all the best for your scan this morning, really hope you get some good news 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Good luck for today @HJen22 !!!! Hoping it’s good news

@HJen22 good luck for your scan. Thinking of you and really hope that 3rd one has made it 🤞🏾

@Babydust2u it's annoying having that egg reserve and them not managing to get them to size! I really hope they can sort this out. Also, could they increase dose and try to manage the OHSS? What dose have you been on? My AMH is in the 20s and I'm 39 which they say is slightly higher than normal but first round on 225ui they expected OHSS but only just got 2 eggs from 3 follicles at the right size, the rest were too small. They then moved me up to 450ui as they decided my follicles were very resistant and got 17 eggs. Have you got a review with them to chat through things?

Hi @EasterBunny7 I think I've been on every thread going hoping that I was going to get to ET but it only happened this month! Wishing you luck this time round

@HJen22 good luck for the scan today hope you get your ec dates x

@Coops0406 I know it's crazy isn't it I have my review on the 22nd out of curiosity were you on ovaleap? Anything I should ask in my follow up appointment? Mt heads just all over the place x

Thank you all lovely ladies for your luck and kind words ❤️

The scan went ok, in that it's not yet been cancelled. Two follicles of good size and one still too small at 12 (and others not worth measuring). The nurse spoke to the Dr and we're going to continue stimming with another scan Monday AM. She also mentioned IUI as an option but she thought unlikely. When it was explained to my OH re potential multiples when there are a few big follicles his face 😂🙈 she said they'd have their meeting at 12 and she'd call me if it was decided IUI. If I don't hear, carry on with stims. I'm glad it's not cancelled but not out the woods yet. Need to hope the big one doesn't get too big and the smaller catches up. A lot riding on the next few days. I cried as soon as the nurse asked how I was! I've spoken to my boss and am going to self cert next week as there's just too much going on / things being up in the air to have work stress too. I'd decided either way that today i'd speak to her.

How is everyone else doing?

@Coops0406 hope your pup is feeling much better and I'm sure enjoying lots of cuddles. Is it tonight that is Ed? Have a fantastic time!!

@Reefy thank you! I'd expect we'd need to go through all the testing. Oh yeah I did see that name on some of the fertility show stuff on Instagram, I will take a look. There is so much info last time I just emailed for them to send me stuff instead of me having to figure it all out online!

@HJen22 that's a good idea getting it emailed rather then the stress! Glad it isn't cancelled yet & I hope they grow! X

@HJen22 glad it all went well and you have a plan!! Hoping it all moves in right direction for Mondays scan

@HJen22 I would say I am cautiously relieved on your behalf - very happy to hear that they are still fighting for you and this cycle, it seemed completely out of order that they would dismiss you out of hand. Hoping for retrieval, but I think (in my completely unprofessional opinion) an IUI is a fair backup, especially seeing as they actually aim to develop two follicles when doing IUI many places.

I'm feeling very meh about my cycle this time, really can feel my disappointment that being on a larger stim dose hasn't yielded better results. Actually my numbers are almost identical to last cycle now basically down to the size of the follicles - I had one measuring 21mm, 3 measuring 15-18 and a handful more measuring around 10mm that are unlikely to catch up. The only difference is that I'm likely to get more from my right ovary this time whereas last time there was one dominant follicle on my right that ate up all the stims, so nothing else grew on that side. I feel like my clinic uses the fact that some embryos will be chromosomically abnormal as a catchall reasons why the transfers keep failing, and so if I get less than 3 embryos this cycle, I'm unlikely to receive any additional help or tests to look into my implantation issues. So just kind of want this over with so I can hopefully have that polyp removed soon and carry on to transfer in August...

@HJen22 Glad it’s still moving ahead, and that there is a contingency plan as well. 🤞

@SamTTC I know what you mean, I was on higher stims this time round, yet ended up worse off than the previous round. So was also a bit disappointed. Hope you get some decent results and are able to get that polyp removed asap!