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 had my natural FET after failed fresh transfer. My second FET had to be natural as well, but unfortunatelly appeared some issues with my lining (too thin to transfer), FET was cancelled and my clinic decided to try medicated one. I had 3 medicated FET's with different combinations of estrogen tablets, progesterone pessaries and injections, different immunosupressants and stil nothing, never had a BFP... So, if my fresh transfer won't work, I will ask for a natural FET again if possible, I would be happy to keep this proccess as natural as it possible in circumstances of IVF. Trust your clinic and hopefully it will be the only FET you have to go through 😊

@Babydust2u Yes, water is really important, I do really struggle with loads of licuids but try to have 2-3 liters a day. I was told today, that my ovaries are still to big and I have to drink even more, it will help medications to leave your body faster and prevent OHSS. You don't have to stop having pineapple before EC, pineapple is generally good for fertility so just have itwhen you want some 🙂

Hi all.
@Babydust2u very jealous of your AMH 😆I had no idea it could even be that high! I would really recommend listening to the podcast All IVF ever wanted.
There is an episode where she speaks to Melanie Brown who is a fertility nutritionist.
It was very interesting.
My Acupuncturist also recommended reading it begins with the egg (2nd edition) there is a chapter on supplements apparently. But she has me rattling now. I have a list! She told me to swap CQ10 for Ubiquinol.
I have just starting listening to The Egg Whisperer podcasts to that's very informative.

@HJen22 so glad your pup is ok. I love a GSD, I'm a dog walker so spend my days over the downs with my fur family. They bounce back so quickly x

@VO27 I have everything crossed for you. Hoping the 2WW goes quickly and sending positive thoughts your way.

@Banoffeepie91 You have had such a tough time, your happy ever after is around the corner I'm sure.

I saw my acupuncturist yesterday she honestly gives me so much info could chat to her for days about IVF, she gives me questions to ask, stuff to read, listen to, supplement advice. We both agree the basic sperm test just doesn't drill down far enough as DNA fragmentation can still be high in 'normal' sperm which can be such a massive factor, I'm getting the husband fully tested by a virologist, as ultimately you get a gyne treating a man in IVF clinic's ! So much is put on the woman about egg health. A 'normal looking embryo' can also be genetically wrong. I learnt that from the podcast, she ended up with 2 blastocyst embryos but she had them tested as she had to terminate a previous pregnancy due to her baby having edwards syndrome. And it came back the strongest looking embryo wasn't actually compatible with a pregnancy and being the most normal looking they would have used that first, so her transfer would have failed! As it happened the 2nd one that took some time to catch up was totally fine. SO i think if we ever get that far I will be genetically testing, and hubby is getting a full MOT! I am trying to absorb as much info and educate myself at the moment it's my little project, it keeps my brain busy.

I have stopped telling people about our journey, finding it all a bit overwhelming and find I end up educating them that this is far from easy and you don't just mix stuff in a dish and 9 months later you walk back in the door with a baby!! I know they mean well but it's draining. My best friend is amazing and totally gets it, she just listens and offers support with no expectations. I hope those who are doign this alone at least have 1 or 2 people outside of your partner to chat to. xx

Thanks for the welcome everyone

@Thornbird80 the embryo we transferred for our son who we lost looked perfect and was a good grade 4bb , we even have a video of it but obviously he wasn’t as there were so many things wrong with him so yeh even the good looking ones could have problems.
We went to see a male fertility specialist who was really good. His name is Dr Ramsay and he’s in London. He wasn’t cheap but would really recommend him if you haven’t already found someone. My partner also takes Impryl which has really improved his sperm.

Ive spent the evening already symptom spotting and convinced it hasn’t worked even though I’m 0dp5dt! It’s going to be a long few weeks!!

@VO27 gosh I struggle with 2 litters a day and of you having 3liters inst still enough I don't know how I'm going to manage like 4liters it's crazy ill be drinking one min then peeing the other min 🤣 have they said how long it will take for your ovaries to go back to normal size?

@Thornbird80 Hiiii hope your doing well haha! Your more than welcome to take some of my amh to bring it down lower im so scared of ohss i shall be keeping a water bottle everywhere i go nowoooo thanks! I will have a listen to it and will see if I can read the book I spoke to clinic today and they said pregnacare is enough and I don't need to take anything else so I'm in to minds what to do..

Ee if only it has easy having a baby like going to tesco and picking your shopping

Hope you guys don't mind me asking when starting your jouney and stimming does it make you put on weight?

Hi all, hope you are all well! So much catching up to do on here!
Welcome to everyone who had joined in the last few days!

@HJen22 how's your lovely pup doing? Is she okay after her op? And how's you teeth doing? Have the antibiotics kicked in yet?

@BlueSilver23 I think what you are doing is amazing and I wish I'd have known to do something like that too...unfortunately no doctors would listen to do any tests when I was pushing until I was ready for TTC...and even then the GP said I was still so young and had plenty of time! (I was nearly 37!) I also would be like you and doing another round to try and get extra, definitely while you're this age than try later and regret not having done two rounds!

@Courtjobby I never heard of dental health link to fertility but read about it now!! Literally had no idea! It's very interesting! Now being over the top with my teeth 😂

@LT103 wow! £250 for a prescription! That's a joke! I've heard that my place do free prescriptions for FET but I don't know if that was the case for me

@Babydust2u that's a really high AMH! Keep you with the fluids! I'm sure someone on another thread got over 40 eggs and managed without OHSS and went for fresh transfer, I was so shocked! But it can happen.

@VO27 welcome! Such a good outcome from egg collection and congrats on being PUPO! What made you change your mind to putting 2 in? Fingers crossed you also have some for the freezer!

@Banoffeepie91 how are you doing? So sorry for all you've gone through but good you have got yourself into a good headspace to try again. Congrats on being PUPO, I have everything crossed for you!

I also have a full unopened packet of ubiquinol if anyone here wants/needs some posting. I know they're expensive but happy to give them away for anyone who may be running out or not got them. I was on the since May last year and stopped after my 3rd EC.

So last night I looked after my nephew and niece (3 and 1)...first time with both of them for a night shift! I have to say, I am so glad OH was with me! One was clingy and knackered, the other hyper and loud! It made me panic about actually managing if we're even lucky enough to get that far! But luckily they were both bathed and fast asleep by 8pm, I thought we did well!

Got my scan coming up on Monday! Oestrogen is making me so tired, I feel drained! Oh, and I'm also pretty snappy! Has anyone had oestrogen before and noticed side effects?

@Babydust2u since last May I have gradually put on approx a stone! 🤦🏾‍♀️

@Coops0406 hiya hope your well will deffo be drinking loaaads of water while on norethisterone to get my body use to it and when I'm on stims it will be hopefully easier with the water intake.. when was your egg collection how did it go? Have you had your transfer? Sos I'm new to ivf so not too sure about the steps and order x

@Babydust2u I'm rubbish with the whole water drinking. From barely anything I have recently managed a bottle a day, but it's that flavoured sparkling stuff! I just never feel thirsty!

I started ivf last May, have had 3 egg collections, 2 failed fresh transfers but have had PGT-A testing on 7 very good embryos which gave us 3 genetically good embryos, they we frozen away. The other 4 wouldn't have worked, either failed or miscarriages so I'm glad we paid the add on for that. Then just had biopsies of my womb to make sure that all is good there. So finally again now in a better position for a fresh transfer...I think even though I'm nearly 40, they say using a euploid embryo and having had the biopsies, the chances of a live birth go to above 65%! So hopefully one of the 3 will work, and really hoping that we will have at least 1 spare for later in life 🤞🏾we just chucked everything at it as only has one nhs round which was an utter fail! So currently on meds for frozen transfer, scan to check lining on Monday then they will tell me when to start progesterone and when the transfer will be, I'm hoping transfer will be 27th May (my place only do them on a Friday!)
How long are you on norithisterone for? I found that bloated me up more than stims, I really didn't like norithisterone!

@Coops0406 so sorry for your loss 😔 with all the testing done your definitely at a better position aww wow that's amazing I'm positive you will get your sticky baby in May sending you lots of prayers have they said how many embryos they'll be transferring? Omg imagine if they put in 2 and you could have twins or even triplets eeek! How exciting make sure your taking it easy and keep hydrated what's about dilute drinks? Are you alright with them? Monday isn't far got my fingers and toes crossed for you let us know how you get on.. I'm on norethisterone till next Sunday they told me to take it for 10days.. you know on your day2 scan isit internal? X

@Babydust2u they will only transfer one euploid embryo, I had to sign paperwork to say that, with the PGT-A testing I think because they have only got good, genetically stable embryos, it's a stipulation at my place that only one goes in. I spoke to someone I know who got 3 eggs, 2 got fertilised, only one made it to go in then they are about to have twins! First cycle of ivf, the only embryo they had and it's giving them twin boys! Yes day 2 will be internal, I know it sounds horrible with AF but they do it all the time so I wouldn't worry. I think I had mine on day 3 so i was very light by that point.

@Thornbird80 that podcast is fantastic isn't it! They are the best I've listened to in terms of good information. Although I picked only certain ones to listen to...I like that she warns that the following one could be sensitive too.

@Coops0406 Yes, I want to try and get two rounds done while I’m ‘under 35’ since they say that’s the best time (something like 40% chance of live birth from an embryo for this age group?) and before my amh gets any lower. It’s no guarantee of course but at least it’s a chance.

I also asked my GP to check but they refused as I wasn’t ‘actively trying’……. Exactly how was I supposed to be doing that without a necessary appendage available?! 🤣

@Babydust2u I put on weight but I'm not sure if it was from stimming or the fact I comfort ate a lot 😂 but weight gain does seem to be pretty common, a lot of us have experienced it. I'm trying to shift some lbs and am really going to be conscious of what I'm eating during the next cycle!

@Banoffeepie91 welcome ❤️ I'm so sorry to hear of your tough journey, I really wish you all the best and congrats on being PUPO!

@VO27 yes it was a complete drama! We both panicked so bad and I had to call the emergency number. The one medication they don't give you a spare of! Hoping this time it goes smoother!!! And congrats to you being PUPO! How are you ladies feeling?

@Thornbird80 how lovely that you are a dog walker 🐶 what a fab job! Oh I totally know what you mean, people don't understand the process at all; which I get cos neither did I before this. But my friend last time was all like ah so you've loads of eggs so all good sort of thing? One; I didn't have loads of eggs and hadn't even done EC at that point and two; I was like we need embryos and they need closely watched for days. Absolutely nothing about ivf is easy I don't think, really we need to be educated more. Although since being referred for IVF I can't get away from it on tv 😂 it's on everything!!

@Coops0406 pup is recovering well thank you ❤️ she's been quiet and sleepy but a bit better today. Ended up the cat got an operation yesterday so he too has a bit bald bit and battle wound. Came home and burst into tears! Not a good week for the fur babies. Today actually is the first day I've not been in loads of pain with my tooth so I'm hoping the antibiotics have kicked in! Well done with Auntie duties! Sure they loved having you look after them! I feel the same after watching my nephews; I'm like wow I'm tired 😂 sorry to hear you are tired and snappy, but understandable when on meds. How are you feeling about scan on Monday?

Good evening, ladies!
Hope you all enjoy your weekends.

@HJen22 Thank you, trying to enjoy being PUPO 😊I once passed out after injection as I was so afraid that something can go wrong and I do not have spare, totally understand the panic.

@Coops0406 Thank you! As it was my 6th transfer, my doctor reccomended to have 2 transferred as it will give me better chances to achieve pregnancy. Ofcourse there is a 10% chance of twins, which is terryfying but I decided to trust my clinic anf it is ment for me to have twins, then I will.
I had oestrogen during my 3 failed FET's, felt tired like you but it wasn't too bad. Good luck with your scan on Monday! 😊

@Babydust2u It 's like some kind of challenge every day 😂I'm not too good at drinking, can barely manage 2-3 l a day. And yes, you will pee a lot! This time I do not feel as good, my left ovarie causes me a lot of pain, last time it wasn't so bad. I think it takes about 3-4 weeks for ovaries to go back to normal size. I although have Clexane injections for 20 days (to prevent thrombosis), they are really bad.
I actually didn't gain any weight during my IVF journey (maybe because I work like crazy and do not have time to eat 😅), but I become really bloated every cycle, can't even wear too tight clothes.

@Thornbird80 Thank you 😊So sorry to hear about your cyst, must be so painful.. When is your next appointment?

@Coops0406 awww tlwow that's what I call a miracle 1 embryo and now they have twins just goes to show you only need that one good embryo xx

@HJen22 if you have any tips.let me know honestly I can look at food and I feel like ove put on like 1stone no matter what I try I just can't shift it hate my pcos xx

@VO27 haha we can be drinking buddies we both struggle with water 🤣 oh no have they said anything about your left ovary hurting you or said what to take or isit the normal over the counter painkillers, please look after yourself and don't overwork yourself make sure your eating on time too xx

Hope everyone is ok.

@Banoffeepie91 so sorry to hear that. Got everything crossed for you in this 2WW.

@VO27 I had 2 transferred last time, I asked on day of EC & they said they would see & unfortunately they were low quality so they said on day of transfer we could do the 2. Unfortunately it was a BFN. I wish you luck in your 2WW.

@Coops0406 good luck with your scan tomorrow, hope lining is nice & thick!

@Babydust2u welcome, I think I'm a little ahead of your as I finished my Norethisterone on Tuesday evening, I've been on 2 a day. Good luck with the cycle.

@HJen22 hope the toothache is easing & glad you have appointments for root canal.

@BlueSilver23 I think it's a great idea what you are doing, well done!
Hope you get lots of eggs!

@Reefy thanks! Have they said if your going have a a frozen and fresh transfer? When are you due to start your stims? How do you feel about it? I'm so nervous I'm going to have to d them on my own as my partner isn't too good with needles he gets light headed when he sees one haha! Are you on overleap too? I'm so glad with overleap and fyremadel there's no mixing and it's pre filled sending you loads of baby dust your way xx

@Babydust2u we are going to be a fresh transfer if course if it all goes
Ok. This is our 4th cycle so I'm used to it now lol. I've done every injection myself as my OH pretty much runs away as is scared of needles 😂. I'll be on Menopur again which I've been on each time & then Fyremedal. Stims should start next Sunday 22nd!
You will be absolutely fine! I know it's scary & overwhelming but remember why you are doing it! Sending baby dust your way too 🤞 💫 x

Also a heads up to anyone who has to buy meds I just got a quote from Asda (they say they are the cheapest) as was in there for what I've just ordered from the clinic & it was the same price so if you have to pay for prescriptions as I know some clinics charge then it isn't any cheaper. Maybe better to ask around bye thought would mention it.

Hello ladies, jumping in. Also starting Norestisterone on Tuesday. It's our second round, had unsuccessful IVF in Feb, and having ICSI this time with short protocol instead of long one.
Wishing all a good luck on your journeys x

@Reefy omg my partner was so funny when we had our viral bloods he nearly passed out the nurse couldn't stop laughing cos you'd think it would be us that's the nervous ones but instead it's the opposite.. with it being your 4th cycle have they said if they are going to put 1 or 2 embryos? I've heard after 3 rounds they try and put 2 back in x

@badassmum22 hiiii your not too far behind me! I started my norethisterone 2days ago I'm new to ivf can I ask how long is a short protocol? Mine is 11days from 28th May and egg collection hopefully 8th June sending you lots of baby dust x

@Babydust2u I know you will think it wouldn't you. I'm going to ask for 2 again but I think if the quality is low again they will if it's high then maybe they will only say 1 so I won't know till the day. Is this your first cycle?

@badassmum22 sorry to hear your first cycle didn't work. Hope you are feeling ok about this cycle. We had 2 cycles with ivf then last time we needed ICSI so we have paid for ICSI again this cycle just incase we need it! X