Anyone post-transfer/in 2WW?

[Janefx40]

Hello!

I'm currently 4dp5dt with our last ever embryo. Already have a 3 year old DD from our second round of ICSI and it's been a long road since.

Just wondered if anyone else was out there in the 2WW and fancied keeping each other company?!!

Xxx

Hi @Janefx40 I remember you from various other threads :) I'm also in the TWW, though it feels like it should be over already since I'm at 12dp5dt. My clinic said test at 15dp and going to stick to that, mainly as I'm scared to test.

This is transfer 9 of solo IVF for me, no baby yet, and it's the last embryo I had in storage - also the lowest graded at a 4BBC. It's been a tough and unlucky road. I was worried at the weekend by a little pink bleeding (would've been 10dp) but think it must've been irritation from pessaries. Can't say I've noticed anything else so not holding out much hope.

How are you feeling?

Hi!

I had my first IVF transfer on Saturday so guess im 2dp5dt, and despite telling myself I wouldnt obsess, I totally am, and wishing time away!

We have a 5 day hatching blastocyst from ICSI as we have MFI.

Wishing all the good luck for bfps this month! X

@lucymills1234 hellooo! Yes I remember you. Sorry you've been through so much. I've never been a big believer in embryo grading really - my daughter wasn't even a blastocyst on day 5. Really hope this is your time 🤞🏼

I totally understand about waiting to test. Personally I'm in no hurry to destroy this bubble of possibility!

@Imisscoffee2021 best of luck. I think it's impossible not to obsess. Every twinge makes me hope and then despair.

This is my 6th transfer and I've had pretty much every possible result. 2 x chemicals, 1 live birth, 1 miscarriage at 9 weeks (but it was a healthy positive to start with) and 1 x BFN. My body behaves pretty consistently when I'm pregnant so obviously I'm looking out for signs and then panicking when I don't have them!

Hi Ladies, I’m 10dp5dt (fresh) but began bleeding yesterday. It started as brown discharge that went on to become more pink in the evening. I was in such a state last night I did a test this morning and it was a BFN :,( The clinic have told me to still test Wednesday (day my PT was due) and to increase my pessaries. The discharge today is dark again, no fresh blood but I’m convinced it’s the start of my period and the progesterone is keeping it at bay. Surely the PT is not miraculously going to turn into a positive result. I think it’s just formalities.

I don’t think it’s worked for us this time unfortunately.

Sorry, not a positive post, but I’m wondering if anyone has heard or experienced anything similar. I’m starting to think I should have been kept on the progesterone injections, not just the pessaries.

Wishing you all the best with yours. It’s an emotional rollercoaster :(

xx

Hi all, I’d love to join.
I had my transfer on Friday so I’m 3dp5dt , this is our first transfer and also has ICSI. I’m already starting to go crazy even though been trying my best not too. I’ve had back pain which started yesterday but other than that I feel totally normal, not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

Sorry to hear that @Staceyttc , no advice with it being my first transfer. Did they test your progesterone on transfer day? They tested mine and said they’d be in touch today today if I needed injections adding too.

When is everyone test day?

Hi @Staceyttc I'm sorry you've had a stressful few days. I think you are right that it is more to do with progesterone than anything else. Ideally you shouldn't bleed on your meds even if it hasn't worked.

I've had a BFN before and it is really tough.

@MariaMc1 welcome! My transfer was Friday so I am just one day ahead of you. I've not felt anything much other than the odd twinge which could be anything. I had cramping last night which I was quite pleased about but then realised I needed the loo 😳!!! It's crazy how we convince ourselves that every little thing means something.

I've been on these boards for years and there isn't any pattern to what you should be feeling. There are loads of people who felt literally nothing and had BFPs. Personally I get cramps if something is happening but for others cramps can mean the opposite.

That's what drives us mad....there is no way of knowing!

@MariaMc1 oh my official test day is 15th Sept which is 14dp5dt but at my old clinic test day was 10dt5dt so I will probably test on 11th.

How about you ?

Hi both, thank you for coming back to me. I too think it’s my progesterone and feel so disappointed, and somewhat angry about it.

@MariaMc1 this was my first cycle too, also ICSI, and no they did not check my progesterone :( I had a top quality blastocyst transferred so I can’t help but think the lack of progesterone is the issue here. I can’t say I’m overly impressed with my clinic tbh. We opted to pay private to avoid the NHS wait but I’m wondering if I should have done more research now. You read so much, it’s hard to know what to do for the best, but I’ve seen quite a few people referring to their clinic checking progesterone levels before or on the day of transfer, even after.

@Janefx40 did you have yours checked before transfer?

Honestly, wishing you both so much luck that it works for you xx

Sorry @Janefx40 @MariaMc1 i meant to also ask, when you refer to meds, what are you both taking post transfer? Ive just been on Cyclogest pessaries 400mg twice a day. Xx

@Staceyttc I've been around the block and been to 3 different clinics so I have had different experiences.

My current clinic checked my progesterone levels at transfer, yes. My previous clinic used to check every couple of days post transfer too. Because I know that sometimes my levels drop during the 2WW, I have insisted my current clinic monitor my progesterone every 3-4 days post transfer but I had to add that to my protocol as it wasn't standard.

The clinic told me to take 2 x 400mg pessaries but my blood test at transfer showed levels were a bit low. The clinic wanted me to stay on the same meds but as I have meds at home I insisted on adding an extra cyclogest and a Lubion injection. I had bloods done today so I may increase the dose depending on what they say.

At this point, I've pretty much gone rogue and just do what I like but it's my last cycle so I've nothing to lose!!!

I do know (honestly) how awful it is when things don't work out but it's really hard to know the reason. A top quality embryo just means that it looks good on day 5. It may have a slightly higher chance statistically of doing well but without testing the embryo there's no way of knowing if it was viable even if it looked good. Even testing isn't that reliable. My daughter didn't even make blastocyst on day 5 - she was still at morula stage. And I've had other good looking embryos not work. It is a bit of a lottery.

Sending hugs.

Bless you. Thank you @Janefx40 Sounds like you’ve had a rough ride.
I honestly baffles me that the clinics don’t do everything possible to give all women the best chance. Why do some test, some don’t. It’s so bad. It also shouldn’t come down to us having to tell them what is needed. Incredibly frustrating. It’s like the first time around they think ‘let’s go with the basics and see what happens’ :(

I agree with you on the blastocysts. I think it’s easy to get wrapped up in that, but as you say, it’s so varied.

I really think I needed more progesterone. Not saying it would have resulted in a positive result, but it would have at least made me feel better about the situation, knowing they tried and checked everything along the way.

Thank you so much! Keep me updating on your result. Keeping everything crossed for you xx

@Staceyttc thank you. I agree with you completely. Why not just give women loads of progesterone because it doesn't hurt and it might just help!!??

I saw your other post. My old clinic tested Hcg levels every day from 10dt5dt. They prefer women to have levels over 100 BUT I do know quite a few women who had super low levels (4 or 5) and went on to have healthy pregnancies. I don't want to give you false hope because in most situations you would get a positive by now. But it is possible. I hope that helps you get to test day.

Thank you @Janefx40. I’ll retest Wednesday but I’m prepared for another BFN. A day of tears but I know I have to keep trying.

Thanks for you support today xx

@Staceyttc I’m on 3 x 400 cyclogest a day, they said if my levels came back low they’d add the Lubion injections. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you but if it is a BFN at least you know what to push for on your next cycle and make sure you get more progesterone.

We also went private to avoid the waitlist, but it seems to be totally pot luck as to how each clinic operate. We also did PGT-A and had all our embryos tested, our 2 top graded embryos a 5AA and a 4AA came back as abnormal and one was low level mosaic (some abnormal cells). If we’d not done the testing we’d have transferred them first and probably got BFN’S so I think sometimes it just is that the embryo was never meant to be and it’s not us or our bodies.

@Janefx40 I know it’s so hard isn’t it, I’m analysing every little thing but there’s no way of knowing what anything means. The clinic said I may have some spotting afterwards but I’ve had absolutely nothing, so that has panicked me a bit. They’ve told me to test on the 13th, it feels like forever so hopefully we can keep each other sane in that time. I want to test early but my husband is being really firm that we stick to what they’ve told us. He’s probably right I hate to admit 😅.

@MariaMc1 I don't think spotting is either a good or bad sign to be honest. Of my 2 BFPs (both of which were perfectly healthy at the beginning even tho one did later end in miscarriage) I had a tiny bit of spotting with one (11dp5dt) and none with the other.

Weird how your test day is earlier than mine.

My progesterone test came back and levels have dropped which is making me think this hasn't work. Of course I will up my dose but surely if the embryo had implanted it would be producing progesterone so level should be stable. I did a natural cycle FET btw so slightly different in terms of meds.

@MariaMc1 we were never even told about about PGT-A. Would have opted for that had we known. Was that something you had to opt for at the point of egg collection? We did pay for the embryoscope, but tbh I don’t think that would have changed anything if we hadn’t. You just want to know they’re offering you the best chance. Especially the cost of it all. If people opt not to choose certain tests that should be up to them, but they should be up front about what options there are.

As you said, at least we know for next time now. It’s just disheartening to think there may have been more they could have done to improve our chances. It seems it’s literally pot luck with the clinics.

Will be thinking of you and Jane next week. Hope it’s good news for you both xx

@Staceyttc to be honest PGTA isn't usually recommended by any clinic unless there's a reason. It is really expensive, not always accurate and risks damaging the embryo.

We did it because I was well into my 40s and the chances of a healthy embryo were really low - I didn't have time to risk continually transferring the wrong embryos.

But even with a euploid (chromosomally normal) embryo there is no guarantee. I had a chemical with our first euploid and now this cycle isn't going that well either!!!

It's really really hard when cycles don't work out and your mind spins round and round. IVF is horrendous but when it works, it is worth it! Sending you extra love tonight x

Hi everyone

@Staceyttc sorry that this cycle hasn't gone how you'd hoped. My clinic doesn't test progesterone levels either - they do very few tests full stop, during fresh cycles or FETs. Everything is determined by scans and only once did I have a blood test in 4 ECs and 9 transfers. I think some people have the misconception that if you go private (as I have been for all treatment) you get far more monitoring but it depends on the clinic, not the financing route I've found. After transfer there's nothing at all until you phone in with your HPT result.

I just had 2x 400mg Cyclogest daily until one transfer when I bleed a day before OTD and from the next transfer onwards, Lubion was added. Worth asking about it for sure. I'm now on 3x 200mg Utrogestan daily plus the injection. Have you got a full bleed now?

@Janefx40 I hope this one has a chance but I'm disappointed by the lack of anything tangible in the way of symptoms. I keep hoping for the symptoms from my chemical (major tiredness and breast tenderness which I'd not had on prior BFN goes). I know it's silly, especially as on that transfer I was only on 2x cyclogest pessaries and 1x Clexane injection - this time I'm on 3x Utrogestan, 1x Lubion, 3x Progynova, 20mg prednisolone and Clexane, so I'm not comparing like with like! I'm definitely tired, but in a more general background way than the sudden 'could fall asleep at the laptop' on my chemical round, and have had the same low-key fatigue on previous BFN transfers.

I'm sleeping badly and up for the loo but again, same can be said for BFNs. My Fitbit also tells me my resting heart rate is above my normal range but that can be explained away by the unsettled sleep and stress. As you said above you want every little thing to mean something, but the reality is if you weren't in the TWW you wouldn't even register the twinge/ sensation/whatever it is. It really does a number on your brain. Am just glad that the pink bleeding from Saturday didn't last long. Terrified of test day and the implications of this being my last embryo.

On your progesterone results, wouldn't it be a bit early for your body to be producing it? Great that you can up the dose to give yourself the best chance. Have you noticed anything else going on or as confused as I am?!

Hi @lucymills1234 yes unfortunately the bleeding is worsening, so an unsuccessful first round for us. I know this could be one of many.

Wishing all of you all the positive vibes and baby dust!! Xx

@lucymills1234 it's so tough. In your situation tho there is no way of knowing what you would feel like if you were pregnant so hopefully it means nothing.

I am really struggling today. As I said for me personally I have really clear symptoms when I'm pregnant and I don't have those symptoms now. Well I do have one but I had it since transfer so don't think that can mean anything this time!!!

So you test day is Thursday? Will you do a home test or bloods?

Sending love x

@lucymills1234 re-read my post and it was insensitive. Sorry. I just meant that I really hope you have a good result. Loads of people have no symptoms. Xxx

Hi @Janefx40

Yeah, I know the reality is that I've never had a successful pregnancy so it's all guesswork. My chemical was transfer 3 and it felt different to the previous two BFNs so it's all I have to compare to (I also had really sharp cramps a couple of days after those symptoms which I am sure is when it ended). But since then transfers have become more medicated, and what I've felt has clearly been down to the meds only because it's been BFN every time.

I sort of wish I'd written notes each time (especially when I got the short-lived BFP) because it all gets a bit confused. I'd love to think that the tiny pink bleed I had at the weekend was a good sign. It's certainly something I've not had before, but I know realistically 10dp is too late for implantation so it must have been the pessaries.

Sorry you're struggling. You will obviously know your body better than anyone else and how you felt in your prior pregnancy. I know people say symptoms can vary from one time to the next, but I am also aware that's little consolation when you're trying to find reasons to hold on to hope. You said you usually get cramps when it's successful - were you expecting to have had them by now? I've had none, really, or at least only around utrogestan time which is definitely meds.

I'll test at home. My clinic doesn't do bloods. I am feeling so so anxious about testing. Last embryo, no baby yet, aged 43, and out of money. It's horrible.

@lucymills1234 I'm sorry. It's a horrible position to be in. I definitely have a bit of trauma around testing too. Do you have anyone that you will share the results with? Or who will be there with you?

Yes I would normally get cramps on and off from about 3 days post transfer plus cervical mucus. That's just me though - loads of people don't get symptoms.

I was awake half the night and I was desperately reading old chat threads with women saying they had no symptoms and still getting BFPs. I actually swore out loud at one thread where the women kept saying "I got no symptoms at all except for a few cramps"!! I think I actually said out loud "those are symptoms!!". Anyway am clearly going mad if I'm swearing at old threads!!!

I've decided to try to enjoy being PUPO and pretend I am pregnant. If this is my last time then i may as well try to delay the end!

Sorry am not very cheery. Happy to chat any time. I've been signed off work so am just sitting here dwelling!!!

Xxx