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.

@LT103 I’ve been in these forums long enough to know that bleeding in early pregnancy is common in ivf pregnancies and it often doesn’t mean anything bad- but I’m sure that fact gives very little comfort when you’re experiencing it. I’m so sorry this continues to be such a harrowing experience for you. x

@SamTTC i really hope so and I haven’t had any more since that one episode this morning so I’m really hoping it was just from my cervix. I’ll be happier having hcg checked tomorrow rather than waiting it out until Friday so hoping it tells me something. I’ve worked out I need it to be over 1500ish to be at same doubling rate it had been.
this whole experience has been horrible. I thought after getting a positive I’d be over the moon but it’s just constant worry

I hope you don't mind me jumping on...

It's my first round of IVF which we're paying private for as I can get pregnant naturally.
Unfortunately, I have a really sad story so far. No living children. I had my first born baby daughter who was born at 29 weeks due to a placental abruption but she passed away the next day. It took me 18 months to get pregnant with her. Since, it took me 12 months to get pregnant again, which ended in a MMC at 9 week. Then in April just gone I had another MC.

I'm not very lucky and have been trying for a family for 4 years.

I had a 3 day transfer last Tuesday with a 10 cell embryo. Unfortunately, all the other embryos were abnormal 😳

I'm already symptom spotting... It's so bad and can't stop thinking about it!

Sending everyone lots of love and hope xxx

@SamTTC great news on the 5 eggs, really hoping you get some good fertilisation numbers tomorrow 🤞🏾How are you feeling?

@HJen22 good luck for your scan tomorrow! Fingers crossed all is well for you to have EC! 🥰 pup is absolutely fine! We've just noticed that he yelps slightly when he jumps up. But I think that he will always have some issues after his op a couple of years ago.
Ed Sheeran was amazing! Not gonna lie, I had a major headache yesterday, thought it was the few alcoholic drinks the night before but had a headache today too...and have had afternoon naps most of the week, so I think it's the sudden drop in hormone levels!

@Reefy how are you doing? How are you feeling in the 2WW?

@BlueSilver23 what are your plans now?

@Babydust2u your review is the day after mine!
Yes, I started on meriofert with nhs on 225ui then for my paid cycles was on ovaleap 450ui (would have been a pain mixing 6 vials of meriofert every morning!!)

@EasterBunny7 I'm just waiting for a review after a failed FET, so only just over a week until that appointment

@PMAmostofthetime pup is okay, they are definitely our babies! 🥰 I'm doing okay, just taking it one day at a time. I think now the hormones are gone and it's had a week to sink in I'm feeling better. I just don't let myself get too deep into the thoughts of it or I'd be a crying mess all the time!
Where are you up to? Sorry the thread has got so busy and I've lost where you are in your journey.

@LuckyNovember great news you have one in the freezer! As well as your other one! I hope you are feeling okay after EC

@LT103 how are you doing? It still sounds like you're having a stressful time. Did you say you are having a blood test tomorrow? I hope it's all still positive for you

@Dobcaty I'm so sorry you're going through this. And it sounds like no one is really being much help to you! What sort of things do you want to get checked out for? The only thing I had done was the Alice/Emma/era to check good/bad bacteria and when my endometrium is receptive. Did they check your progesterone levels for transfer too?
I'm waiting on a review...I think the main issue was the embryo was fully hatched which significantly reduces chances, but am also thinking my progesterone levels were too high which can affect implantation!
Funny you pay to have PGT-A to improve your chances, then that process has potentially led to the embryo to be fully hatched which then takes you back! Feels like we have wasted our money slightly!

@Hhdxx so sorry to hear about the tough 4 years you have had. Wishing you all the best with this one. When is OTD for you?

I hope everyone else is okay, I've been scrolling back and forth to try and not miss anyone!! 🥰

@SamTTC great news on the 5 eggs, really hoping you get some good fertilisation numbers tomorrow 🤞🏾How are you feeling?

@HJen22 good luck for your scan tomorrow! Fingers crossed all is well for you to have EC! 🥰 pup is absolutely fine! We've just noticed that he yelps slightly when he jumps up. But I think that he will always have some issues after his op a couple of years ago.
Ed Sheeran was amazing! Not gonna lie, I had a major headache yesterday, thought it was the few alcoholic drinks the night before but had a headache today too...and have had afternoon naps most of the week, so I think it's the sudden drop in hormone levels!

@Reefy how are you doing? How are you feeling in the 2WW?

@BlueSilver23 what are your plans now?

@Babydust2u your review is the day after mine!
Yes, I started on meriofert with nhs on 225ui then for my paid cycles was on ovaleap 450ui (would have been a pain mixing 6 vials of meriofert every morning!!)

@EasterBunny7 I'm just waiting for a review after a failed FET, so only just over a week until that appointment

@PMAmostofthetime pup is okay, they are definitely our babies! 🥰 I'm doing okay, just taking it one day at a time. I think now the hormones are gone and it's had a week to sink in I'm feeling better. I just don't let myself get too deep into the thoughts of it or I'd be a crying mess all the time!
Where are you up to? Sorry the thread has got so busy and I've lost where you are in your journey.

@LuckyNovember great news you have one in the freezer! As well as your other one! I hope you are feeling okay after EC

@LT103 how are you doing? It still sounds like you're having a stressful time. Did you say you are having a blood test tomorrow? I hope it's all still positive for you

@Dobcaty I'm so sorry you're going through this. And it sounds like no one is really being much help to you! What sort of things do you want to get checked out for? The only thing I had done was the Alice/Emma/era to check good/bad bacteria and when my endometrium is receptive. Did they check your progesterone levels for transfer too?
I'm waiting on a review...I think the main issue was the embryo was fully hatched which significantly reduces chances, but am also thinking my progesterone levels were too high which can affect implantation!
Funny you pay to have PGT-A to improve your chances, then that process has potentially led to the embryo to be fully hatched which then takes you back! Feels like we have wasted our money slightly!

@Hhdxx so sorry to hear about the tough 4 years you have had. Wishing you all the best with this one. When is OTD for you?

I hope everyone else is okay, I've been scrolling back and forth to try and not miss anyone!! 🥰i

Just wrote a really long post and it wouldn't let me post! Will try again shortly (luckily when it started failing to post I have copied and saved it somewhere!!)

Hope you're all okay!

@Coops0406 I finally had my appointment after my failed March appointment on Friday and I start stims Monday. Burserelin for 2 weeks before adding Meriofert 225iu. Long protocol this time instead of short. TBH it's the same time time but Burserelin instead of Norethisterone. I hate needles though so not looking forward to the next money of injections.

Hope your appointment goes well, and the time to it doesn't drag x

@Dobcaty so sorry 💔. It's so hard, but not your fault. Your GP sounds completely dreadful. What tests do you want redone? Where are you based?

@Hhdxx that sounds so traumatic, I'm so sorry. Everyone's experiences are so different and life feels unfair when some people have such trouble free experiences in comparison to that sort of terrible loss. Hugs and hope everything goes okay this time.

@PMAmostofthetime just curious - I've seen this a lot. Do you know why my protocol is 3 weeks of buserelin - it's sooooooo long 😢. I haven't begun yet.

Hi @LuckyNovember - improving sperm can't be guaranteed and by this point I'm assuming your OH is doing the obvious things. Supplements wise, Proxeed and Impryl have clinically proven results and lots of research behind them. My OH also takes Vital DHA from Zita West, Pycnogenol and ubiquinol. think, from my research, that's a pretty good combo for cell energy and health.

@Hhdxx welcome. I’m so sorry to hear about your losses, it is really a stark reminder of how automatised and impersonal the system really is. Surely someone with your experience would have a right to help, at the very least to figure out what goes wrong. I think it’s good to have the pgt testing done and crossing fingers for this cycle. Symptom spotting is unavoidable, even having gone through it multiple times and it always ending in bfn regardless of what “symptoms” I’ve felt, I still do it!

@PMAmostofthetime sounds like a good idea with long protocol. I’ll ask for that in my third cycle I think. I have now twice experienced them having to leave a lot of small follicles behind because of one dominant one growing much faster than the rest…long protocol should help ensure more equal growth. Do you have a timeline for when you’re retrieving?

@Coops0406 glad to hear the concert was good!! Remind me where you are in terms of cycles etc?
and thank you, I’m feeling alright. I honestly didn’t have much pain yesterday and today it’s just a dull ache, I think maybe when they take so few eggs out it’s not that hard on the body- even though they had to really jam that needle through my ovaries, the skin was almost impenetrable apparently! But yeah just waiting for tomorrow when I hear an update on fertilisation. Not much point in being hopeful/disappointed until I know what the outcome is.

Good news is though that whether they squeeze in my polyp removal before or after the holidays, I don’t have to wait to have a transfer/new retrieval after, so the only thing I’m losing out on is a fresh transfer really (which might or might not have been compromised by the polyp anyway), and then I can get back to cycling in late August/mid September. Got the summer “off” regardless which means I can focus on health/exercise, and I’m choosing to view that as a positive thing.

@FlyOnTheWall89 I'm based in Berkshire but my clinic is in Wiltshire so it's an easy access for any South West or even London clinic. My clinic did a fertility blood test last year (before my IUIs) but they didn't check anything during any cycles regardless of being natural or medicated. I had progresterone supportive which were increased cycle to cycle as I spotting between ovulation/IUI/ET and OTD/af. Interesting what @Coops0406 said that too much progesterone can lead implantation failure, didn't know that. This time I was on daily 2 Crinone gel and daily Lubion injection, maybe is it too much? But this time I had no spotting at all...it's a minefield and who knows the answer? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was lurking loads of website yesterday and one of the clinics requirement was the trust. I might just need to trust in my clinic and trust in my body as finally I had a BFP and it was just an unlucky selection. As you see my emotions are all over the place probably just better to wait and see what the consultant will say in two weeks time.

@Coops0406 I was thinking on Hormone Health and Era/Emma/Alice test. Where did you do yours? Does your clinic do these? How much did it cost? If you don't mind to share.

@LT103 I've just realised that you are going to a blood test again this morning. Hope todays result will gives you reassurance. 🙏

@Dobcaty I'm so sorry 💔 for everything you are going through and the severe lack of help from your GP. I hope that your clinic is able to help you today with some advise for testing. Sending lots of hugs 🥰

@LT103 good luck with your bloods today. I'm so sorry you've had more bleeding, you really have been through a lot this past week. I have been thinking about you and I am praying for good news for you x

@Hhdxx welcome! I am so sorry for the heartache you have had; I cannot even begin to imagine. I am sending all the luck and positive vibes for this cycle for you x

@Coops0406 Glad pup is all good! And I'm so glad to hear you had an amazing time at Ed, and let your hair down with some much needed and deserved drinks 🍹 sorry you had a sore head though! You're right, could just be the hormones.

@PMAmostofthetime good luck starting injections today lovely! You've got this 💪🏻 you did amazing last time and will again! Deep breaths and one day at a time.

@SamTTC thinking of you and sending good luck for your call re fertilisation today 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I really hope they have all fertilised. You have a great attitude to your time off and although we're always keen to be "doing" I di think a break is sometimes needed mentally and physically.

We are making it to egg collection ☺️ thank you ladies for all your luck and kind words amongst my panic and catastrophizing. We had the same nurse today as Friday which I was so glad about as she was sensitive to my feelings and knew I was nervous again. We've a 21, an 18 and a 16-18mm (it changed each time it was measured) so collection is Wednesday morning. Waiting for the call this afternoon to let us know when to trigger. I really couldn't have gotten through the last week without you all, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart ❤️ trying to take each day as it comes, I really pray we get to transfer this time 🙏🏻 xxx

@HJen22 what a relief! I’m so glad the follicles caught up 🥰

@SamTTC thank you 🥰 the smaller one has caught up and the other two have grown but not too big so we've the three we need. How are you feeling today? Xx

I had my 3 day frozen embryo transfer on 3rd June still getting negative tests got my blood test on Wednesday and OTD is 2 days later do
you think I’m out?

@HJen22 sometimes these little miracles do happen! how are you feeling about Wednesday? You did do the retrieval last time, right? I found it so much easier the second time, it wasn't a big scary unknown and I was just in the mindset of getting it over with. I'm fine today, I barely feel anything. I might have overdone it slightly with a 5k walk (I'm terrible at sitting still) but it's mostly my feet that hurt! Call is tomorrow morning, so I get to live in blissful ignorance a bit longer...

@SamTTC I am so glad 🙂 I'm feeling ok, happy to be getting to do it and trying not to think too much about it haha seeing as I was very awake last time 😂 yeah we got to retrieval last time but just one egg probably because of our trigger issue, it did fertilise but we didn't make it to transfer. At least I know what to expect and it wasn't that bad really in the grand scheme of things! We went a long walk after my collection last time, so I know how you feel, you just want out don't you! Ah that's good you get a day break, some time to recover xxx

@HJen22 yay! So happy you get to have the collection! Good luck!

@Coops0406 yes I'm ok just trying not to think about it too much. I've had some cramping, headaches & tiredness but could be AF symptoms but also progesterone symptoms so who knows 😂. Hope you enjoyed Ed at the weekend!

@FlyOnTheWall89 it's down regulation drugs so it stops your ovaries working and puts you in a temporary stat of menopause there could be 2 reasons for 3 weeks- 1. They think your ovaries need a longer rest ( have you a cyst or anything) 2. You have endometriosis- as it helps to stop the lining growing in places it shouldn't.

@SamTTC so Burserelin starts today for 14 days ( just had the first one- not as stingy as Meriofert but still not nice but I'm a baby.
Then I have to do a pregnancy test on day 15 and call the clinic and they will confirm I can take Meriofert and Burserelin from there. They want me in for a scan day 6 and day 9. They have said EC around 11th July so 4 weeks from now 2 weeks down ref then 2 weeks of stims, I'd heard some people are 6 weeks.

They have told me this protocol can help egg quality and quantity ( none of mine made it to day 5 blasts last time). I had 2 put back 1 early blast and one cavatating Morula. They are hoping one to put back and 2 to freeze this time.

@HJen22 1st one done, I did say I don't know if I can do this and had a little tear before it- but I know I'll sit there screaming in pain if there's a chance it will work.
Sooooooooo pleased that you are going to collection! Exciting. Don't forget to take something to read and a light snack. I took cereal bars and mini cheddars and a bottle of water I was soooo thirsty.
I was 3rd in line for EC so was there a long time stressing so a new magazine or book will help. Bought a thin dressing gown too. OH is allowed on if we make it to ET this time.
How are you feeling? X

@Reefy thank you 😊 I hope you had a nice weekend, and are coping ok with the tww. Remind me again when is OTD?

@PMAmostofthetime well done! It is overwhelming and I've not enjoyed the injections this time round either but the days will go past quickly hopefully and I'm glad the first one didn't sting too much. Thank you!I'm glad it's a little later this time so we don't have to leave the house so early. So glad your OH is allowed in, I had mine for EC last time too. To be honest I'm just so unbelievably thankful and happy that they stuck with me and let me stim longer and I've made it to EC that I'm happier than I've been all week. Xx

@HJen22 yes I had a relaxing one thank you. Yes trying not to think about things! It's annoying as AF & progesterone are all similar symptoms too! Talk about mess with your head! It's on Friday! X

@PMAmostofthetime exciting that's you started....well done on first injection!!

@HJen22 that is amazing news!!!! so glad collection is going ahead and fingers crossed for 3 lovely eggs!!

I don't know how Im feeling today. Bloods haven't really helped much which I really shouldn't be shocked at so my consultant wants me to go back on Wednesday for more bloods to see if scan going ahead Friday. will be hcg number 6!! think I'm going for a record here! They still haven't said I'm pregnant. I still don't get to be excited.
HCG was 330 last wed which was 18dpt then today which is 23dpt its up at 1281 but its another slow rise. so to start with it went up 75% in 48hrs then last rise was up at 83% but this is like 72% or something so I guess they're thinking maybe its gone up and then down. still in limbo for another 48hrs.

my other worry is that when I google it, you need hcg to be a certain level to see yolk sac and then even higher again to see heartbeat so concerned that if we make it to scan on Friday they won't see much and I still won't know either way.

still spotting a lot but all my cramps have gone in last few days which has worried me in case that means its over. I guess ill find that out on Wednesday.

@LT103 may I ask why they are having you go in for bloods so frequently? It seems to be doing more harm than good to keep you in such an intense limbo. Hoping the scan on Friday will be more definitive.

@PMAmostofthetime oh that's not too bad of a wait then! Exciting :)

I had my call, 5/5 fertilised 😊 I won't get another update now until Saturday, when they tell me how many/if any of them have become blasts good enough to freeze, so I suppose I best try to put it out of my mind until then... somehow. But so far so good!

So good @SamTTC - hoping they make it! Xx

@HJen22 amazing news that you have EC tomorrow! How was the trigger? What time is EC tomorrow? So pleased for you 🥰

@SamTTC 5/5 is brilliant!!! Great news! And hopefully you can just chill until your next update on Saturday 😊
Just waiting for review after 3 ECs, 2 failed fresh and 1 failed frozen transfer.

@Reefy ed was great! A fab distraction too!

@PMAmostofthetime I hope the injections are going okay for you

@LT103 I'm sorry you're still in limbo, sounds like a nightmare. Sending you lots of love

@Dobcaty the progesterone thing is just what I read on dr Google so don't take it as gospel. My clinic recommended the Alice/Emma/era tests, was £1500 plus cost of meds (what you would take for FET).

I got a guest pass for the gym yesterday to do a body combat class...I used to love it and although I wasn't as good, I still love it! Got so much out of me with every punch and kick and I honestly feel like a new person today! So I have joined the gym and going to try a few classes every week to get back to myself!
Still got headaches but now thinking it's my age and whether I need glasses!! 🤦🏾‍♀️

@LT103 Im sorry you’re still in limbo. Let’s hope it’s all for a good reason 🤞

@SamTTC Thats fab news! Five fertilized is great.

@HJen22 best of luck for tomorrow!

@Coops0406 im still struggling to make a decision about when to go ahead with FET. Currently in an upheaval part of my life with moving jobs (to a very physical and stressful job) and possibly moving in the near future. And I’m doing this by myself so need to ensure I have a plan in place as there isn’t anyone to fall back on financially or otherwise.