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 @HJen22 Glad the hear, you've got a plan 🤞

@Coops0406 interesting you've mentioned your AMG, mine is also in my 20s and I'm 39. My last round I was on long protocol and endeded up with only 6 eggs. This round I'm on short one and should have EC mid next week, so will see what the result will be. I'm on 2 stims this time.

Thank you ladies 💕

@SamTTC oh do they want two, I wasn't sure how IUI worked! I haven't heard anything more so I don't think they are going with that option. But thank you for letting me know it was a possibility, and you were right, it can be! It's hard to for me see through the clouds sometimes and not just massively panic, I'm a major catastrophizer these days! Talk about it a lot with my counsellor.

I'm so sorry you're having one of those days/weeks/cycles. It's tough when you go in hoping for a better response, and when on higher stims too. I really hope you get a good amount of great quality eggs, when do you trigger?

@EasterBunny7 hey 👋🏻 I think we've been on a thread before together! How are you? Sending all the luck for this cycle 🤞🏻

@Babydust2u I did exactly that, had an early night. I just wanted this morning over and done. Going to try and destress this weekend. How are you doing? Xxx

@BlueSilver23 @SamTTC I’ve been on the “meh” scale for at least two of my cycles… and have come to the conclusion that it’s just completely random! I had 2 cycles same dose menopur (300) and got 6 eggs/4 mature and 9 eggs/3 mature, then 2 cycles same dose Pergoveris (300) and got 12 eggs/10 mature and tomorrow looks like 2 eggs 🤷🏻‍♀️ I also heard the older you are the less consistent the cycles are (I’m 40)… it’s all just dumb luck I think… which means we’re all in with a chance of good luck no matter the numbers 😉

So please for you today @HJen22 !! I think that sounds like a really good outcome… I even understood that anything 12-19 on the day of trigger was pretty solid, so by Monday you’ll be flying!!

@LuckyNovember i suppose that is a good way of looking at it!

@HJen22 triggering in a few hours :) I totally know the feeling, this process really is taking such a toll, I was not expecting it at all. Here we think we are making this monumental decision to have a baby when really we are signing up for years of uncertainty and disappointment and failure. It’s good you have a counsellor to talk it through with…maybe I should look into that too.

@LuckyNovember "meh" is a good word for it isn't it. It does seem to be random, the nurse said to me no two cycles are the same. I really hope your collection goes well tomorrow and you may come away with more than expected 🤞🏻what time is collection at? Hope you're feeling ok and rested! Thank you - I'm trying not to be pessimistic and worry about the two bigger we're chancing for the smaller one, and see it as a good thing we're still in the running.

@SamTTC good luck with trigger and then a day off injections tomorrow for you! It's so hard isn't it. The waiting, the disappointment and the failure hurts more and more each time doesn't it. I highly recommended a counsellor if you have access to one. I've spoken to mine since last September through the clinic and I really really like her. I was so upset at the thought of NHS giving up on me as I'd not be able to speak to her if I wasn't a patient. She makes me remember I'm not bad or crazy or silly for feeling my feelings xx

I had my ivf transfer on 3rd June (day 3 frozen embryo) and I’ve felt a lump on my right side of my stomach not that far from my belly button you can’t see it but you can feel it this happen to anyone else?

@HJen22 awww I'm so happy they are letting you stim extra 2days good luck for your scan on Monday! From now till Mon take it easy I know it's easier said than done.. I'm doing well thank just trying to keep busy till the 22nd for my follow up appointment x

HELP any questions I need to be asking or suggesting in my follow up appointment for my ec getting canceled die to not enough growth of follicles I'm new to ivf so unsure what to ask thank you for the help in advance xx

@Coops0406 @HJen22

Thank you for the welcome! Good luck with your current cycle. How far are you both this time? A lot to scroll through.

What a brutal introduction @Babydust2u !

it seems they often treat the first cycle as a test, they start with a pretty generic stimulation and see how you respond. In some ways your dramatic response is a good thing; when it’s just “meh” they tend to keep the same protocol for a second cycle… in your case I guess you can skip that part and ask them already what they should change!! I would ask them if they have a theory about why it didn’t work - mine never really has much to say on this, she just tells me it’s a bit random and it might be different next time (it has been VERY different for me each of four times), but maybe you’ll have more luck!

apart from trying again, same or different protocol, i hope they can shed a bit of light for you that will help you to manage your expectations. I found that the hardest; I thought ivf would just work, and it hasn’t yet, and it’s a bit brutal and takes a few goes… it took me a while to understand that, but it’s much less stressful now that I do. I hope that your silver lining to this upset it that you arrive more quickly in a similar less-stress place, but that it works next time for you anyway and you don’t need to stay in that place too long!!

@Rachie205 I can’t help you there, never had a lump in 2WW, always just felt very PMS-y from the progesterone.. and hyper-aware of every little twinge, which I think is expected! If you feel ok, I would give it a few days and see how it goes, but if you’re in pain I’d get in touch with your clinic to see what they say…

AFM they expected only two at EC, but found three… I have to wait and see if they’re all mature/fertilise tomorrow. Three more chances I didn’t have otherwise 😊

@Babydust2u thank you ☺️ yes dog walks and chilling until Monday and knowing I'm off work is a bit of a weight off my mind too. I agree with @LuckyNovember speak to them about protocol and the options, if there is anything else they recommend to do etc. its so hard cos we and the Drs just never know how it's going to go. I really wish it was simpler than it is, there are way more hurdles than I had ever imagined. I was on the exact same protocol as I have low AFC/AMH and on the max dose. What stims were you on again?

@LuckyNovember that's fantastic you got three! How are you feeling? I have everything crossed that they are mature and fertilise 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@SamTTC I hope you are enjoying an injection free day! What time is EC for you tomorrow? Xx

@LuckyNovember 3 is great news. Fingers crossed for a good update!! Will you hear tomorrow or will it be Monday now??

@SamTTC good luck for tomorrow

Thanks @HJen22 🧡 actually this is weird to say but I kind of like injection days…I feel like I am actively working to improve my chances. So it’s weird going without them today 😅
I have to come in bright and early at 8.00 😬 last time I had to wait until noon (with a drop in my arm the whole time that made me sooo nauseous) so I’m mentally preparing for another long wait…

thanks @LT103 i am trying not to get my hopes up too much

that’s exciting @LuckyNovember ! When will you know tomorrow?

Thanks guys, they’ll call me tomorrow 😬 but it’s ok, I’m prepared for the not-great odds this round. The time we had 9 eggs but only 3 mature, I was devestated!! This time the only option is low numbers, so there won’t be the same shock element 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’ve already told my doc I want to take 6 weeks off and then do another duo-stim before thinking about any transfers… I need a break from the drugs and scans and need to get back to the gym, but I also really need to maximise the cycles I have left before I turn 41 in November!!

Good luck to all of you still stimming, you’re nearly there 💪🏻

@LuckyNovember that sounds like a really good plan. Since I’m not having a transfer (regardless of egg/blast outcome) until my cyst has been removed I’m going to try to focus on exercise too over the summer. I find it really hard to build a routine when you’re constantly in the roll of stimming/taking hormones, transferring and tww’ing, I have maybe taken like three fitness classes that happened to fit with my ivf + busy work schedule since February!! So if I know I am “off” until August, with no need to take extra care, maybe I can actually do something about my physical shape. Which won’t hurt the chances for pregnancy !! It’s tough though when you also want to maximise your time, but I don’t think six weeks will make a huge difference in terms of egg quality?

@Coops0406 I found it easier to be busy after my AF arrived last time.
Hope your doing ok?

Hope your Dog is ok too- they are our babies aren't they 🐾

@LuckyNovember lovely to see your name again. Hope ET goes well. I have been dipping in and out inconsistently trying to keep up to date with everyone but not been a participant as such.
I have had a long wait bit Long protocol stims start Monday/ the dreaded injections again but lots more.

@Frostie84 @popcornbella congruent being PUPO- hope you have some things planned to keep you busy?

@SamTTC hope all goes well tomorrow, and hope you have the polyp removal date soon.

@LT103 how are you, where are you at atm?

@HJen22 I'm ok thanks- start long protocol stims on Monday so Burselin injections for 2 weeks- they are hoping that by switching the protocol they will get more eggs and a better quality. 🤞🏼 This is out last NHS cycle and then we will look at other clinics.

Glad your stimming a little longer did they switch up your protocol much this time?

@EasterBunny7 one failed transfer in March no Frosties, start long protocol Monday.

X

(Cyst, polyp, fibroid…I can’t keep the terms straight)

@PMAmostofthetime nice to hear from you again and exciting that you’re starting so soon.

im having a nightmare here. Had transfer on 21st and got a negative at 8dpt but a positive on otd at 10dpt however hcg was only 32
since then I’ve had it checked another 3 times
10dpt 32
12dpt 56
16dpt 180
18dpt 330

so it is going up but they are concerned the numbers are low and not rising as they quikly as they would like. Keep telling me unlikely to progress and to expect to miscarry. Mentioned possible ectopic too.
ive been cramping and spotting since 8dpt continuously (I mean I spot all the time anyway outwith period so maybe that’s my polyp which they noted at transfer)

basically we have been in limbo for almost 2 weeks. They aren’t doing any more bloods but I’m booked in for a scan on Friday which will be 6+4 to see if there is a viable pregnancy there or not. The waiting is awful!!!

@SamTTC I know what you mean, last time as soon as we started stims I cheered up cos I was actively doing something. Oh I hope you don't have a long wait tomorrow and get taken quickly! How are you feeling?

@LuckyNovember I have everything crossed for your update tomorrow 🤞🏻🤞🏻 that sounds like a good plan and it's a positive thing to listen to your body and take that break when needed.

I am the same with fitness, as soon as I knew last cycle wasn't leading to transfer I joined the gym, tried to get healthy etc. It didn't last long though! If this cycle doesn't go well I don't think we'd be going again for a while whether it's NHS or private as we've a holiday booked at the end of August. I've been putting off buying much but if I'm not pregnant I'm def going to full my finger out and lose some weight before we go!

@PMAmostofthetime glad to hear you are doing ok 🥰 that's great they are trying a different protocol this time, I have everything crossed for you 🤞🏻 same protocol and stims for me, as I was on max last time. Back for a scan Monday and really trying not to think the worst! I fear we're prolonging the cancelled cycle but that's the way pessimist in me.

@LT103 I was thinking about you today and the limbo you've been in for a while now 😞 how are you doing? I hope as well as you can be xx

@SamTTC @HJen22 its impossible (for me!) to recover a pre-Covid/WFH figure thanks to IVF; it’s like having a second part-time job going on most of the time for the last year 😂 up early for blood tests and scans before work, running to the chemist to get drugs on my lunch hour, not wanting to “diet” while stimming/2WW, getting home in time for my nightly jabs, feeling bloated from the injections and taking it easy with pounding ovaries and 2WWs 😰

… and, as we’ve been TTC now for 2 years, I’ve had the excuse for way too long that I might as well buy big sack shaped clothes as I’ll soon need them for pregnancy, I’ve gained a whole (generous) dress size since we’re TTC 😬 the next few weeks are surprisingly welcome 🏋🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🧘‍♀️ 🥗, and I love having a plan in place as consolation for a not-great cycle!

what’s also exciting is that I’ll cut back a bit on the supplements; I’ll go down to one pre-natal, maybe 1 ubiquinol (instead of FOUR a day), and I’ll keep 25mg DHEA since that one’s a bit of a long term investment… all the rest (mainly various probiotics and antioxidants) can take a break too 😂

@PMAmostofthetimegood luck with this cycle!!

@LuckyNovember tell me about it! I have and still am WFH too! I managed to keep the weight down ish at the start of Covid but since this time last year I've gained around a stone and a half / two stone and also have just bought a size up clothes for the last wee while. I'm such an emotional eater too and sometimes just think, what else is there fun than food ha. It's really not helped my self confidence and want to socialise etc and I've far too often just been like "give yourself a break you're having a rough time".

Funny you should say that; I may cut down on all the expensive supplements too. They've cost so much and to what advantage I'm really not sure!

@LuckyNovember @HJen22 that is exactly my experience too! I was so active pre TTC, and I actually stayed active doing lots of yoga especially through my first few IUI cycles, but I did a yoga class during a tww and felt kind of like a 'pop' that I convinced myself was the embryo breaking free from the endometrial lining -- it definitely wasn't haha but that feeling just stayed with me and since then I've been very cautious about exercise during the tww, even cycling to work which is my bare minimum exercise regimen. And stimming/on hormones I've been worried about damaging my growing ovaries. AND I've felt super sorry for myself and semi depressed and anxious while waiting between each cycle. It's awful isn't it!!