December IVF

[Eggling]

Hi 👋 I can't see a thread for December IVF so thought I'd start one for those squeezing in treatment before the Christmas cut off.

Backstory from me: one toddler DD from previous IVF ICSI in 2020. Trying for baby 2, have lost our 3 frozen embryos from our first round over the last few months (2 failed FETs and one didn't survive thaw) so heading into a new round. Aiming for a fresh transfer if possible after a freeze all cycle last time due to OHSS risk so I'm starting on low dose bemfola 112.5. AF due next week so just waiting for my meds to arrive the back to being a pin cushion for the next few weeks!

Good luck tomorrow @Eggling and @Brit22 for collection and transfer!
looking forward to the scan tomorrow finally and seeing if we can get a transfer date!

@22Mama hope your headache went!! Sorry for short message this eve - pooped and need to sleep - have also had this cold/ cough that seems to be doing the rounds!

@22Mama Egg collection went good, I was absolutely out for the count. The women kept going can you feel anything yet and I was like no so she injected me more. Then the next thing I knew I was in recovery.
I’m booked in for transfer at half 1 today. I dunno how I’m gunna cope with the full bladder as i usually go to the toilet a lot even when I don’t drink much.
Oh god I can imagine you’re always catching everything from the little ones. Hopefully you’ll manage to dodge it all.
I hope your ultrasound goes okay today and how did you find mixing the cetrotide? The first one I done was a nightmare but we soon become pros at it.

@TheGlitterFairy Thank you 🙂. I hope that you get a transfer date today.

@Eggling I hope your egg collection went well and your feeling good after it.

good luck today with the transfer!

annoying news for me this morning. The lining is 7.4mm and they need it to be over 8 so some more time needed - have to carry on with the buserelin and estradiol tablets and have another scan booked on 6th…..potential transfer date of 13th which seems an age away argh

Ahh @TheGlitterFairy sorry to hear that, hopefully all progresses quickly now!

I'm just out of the clinic, unfortunately we only got 2 eggs so I'm feeling a little deflated. There is also some fluid in my endometrium so it's still touch and go if we can do a fresh of frozen transfer, if we are lucky enough to get an embryo I'll need a scan before transfer to make sure the fluid has gone. Kind of wishing I'd gone for the option of high stims and getting loads of eggs like last time if it's going to end in frozen anyway, think I need a good cry. Feeling a little let down by my body tbh, I have so so many eggs as don't ovulate naturally so not sure why they haven't bothered to do anything this time!

@TheGlitterFairy Im sorry it’s not the news you wanted but what’s an extra few days. I’m sure the 13th will soon come round.

@Eggling Just remember that it only takes 1 and it’s better have quality over quantity. Fingers crossed they fertilised and when you go back for a scan the fluid is gone aswell.

Thanks ladies - I guess just a bit irritating as I’d managed to convince myself that it would be the 6th. I have in my head that it won’t thaw properly so if that’s the case then I’d rather we just know as soon as possible so can move forward - and now have to wait another week - well, more than that, to find out. Not feeling v patient with it all today.

@Eggling totally understand your frustration. Think on our first round we only had 4 though one did go to a transfer (then didn’t take); really hoping that you get good news from the clinic on your two and you can move forward to a transfer in a couple of days.

@Brit22 hope the transfer went well today for you and you’re home soon to rest up!

Just heading home after the transfer. It all went really well and they even give us a little scan picture of it after it was transferred.
I really couldn’t recommend the clinic enough. All the staff have been brilliant and made me feel comfortable 😃.

Hi all,

Well I’ve just had my final consultation and results from NK cells tests. Some of my levels are abnormal so my protocol will now involve steroids for my immune system (I have been personally blaming my immune system for all my miscarriages).

The consultant did say I need to be emotionally prepared for the negative outcome of not collecting any eggs with my reserve so slow with amh at 4 and follicles at 7.

I’ve just gone into a negative spiral thinking, are we wasting time and money going for a multi cycle… if they don’t get anything on the first round then theres not much luck for the second round! Why didn’t we go for a single embryo transfer and if unsuccessful go straight to egg doner.

Is there a way I can change my whole plan before actually starting my protocol?? 😢😢 I feel so low now and just preparing to fail now 😞

@Brit22 thats great news - hope the next wait goes quickly!!

@Leo1stpregnancy oh no - sounds like the consultant has a plan in place with the steroids though? Maybe worth a call with them again tomorrow to see what’s what with the protocol etc?

@Leo1stpregnancy Welcome to the group 😃. I couldn’t really tell you tbh about your situation but I think your best speaking to the clinic as soon as you can. Just so you can put your mind at rest.

@TheGlitterFairy Thank you. Hopefully I can hold out for the whole 2 weeks.

Hello may I join in? I'm due to start my first round of IVF next week.
I'm not particularly hopeful as my AMH is 4.9 and I only had 7 follicles at my scan. But we're giving it a go and seeing how I respond. I'm doing a flare protocol apparently but I don't know a huge amount about it all yet and I'm googling away (but also trying not to freak myself out with negative things!)

Hi all, welcome @Leo1stpregnancy and @MuppetTime! Glad all went well with transfer @Brit22.

Had a call this morning that only 1 egg fertilised, provisionally in for transfer on Sunday but not holding out much hope tbh. It's been an awful morning (after an awful few months!), I think this round is over for us but know we have to keep hoping this little embryo makes it. I've never had a day 3 transfer before but the clinic say as there's just one they prefer it to go in sooner rather than later, I suppose it still depends on the fluid in my endometrium though. This cycle has been a disaster tbh, not gone at all to plan and I'm not sure what to try next time.

@Leo1stpregnancy I don't have any advice either I'm afraid but just to say I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious and you're totally not alone! I've found every stage I'm asking myself why we didn't do things differently. You do the best you can with the information you have at the time, and that's all you can do x

Hi everyone

Hope your all doing ok.

So the spotting was fine they aren’t concerned. Had my first scan this morning and honestly I’m a bit shocked, I only had 10 follicles, only 4 were at 12mm and the rest were around 6–10 . As this is my first cycle I’m not sure what is normal but I excepted a lot more… could the others catch up? She said it’s likely we will get 4 at the moment but things can change. They are upping my ovaleap dose and egg collection is booked for next Friday. I feel so deflated, worried and upset as I know that I’m not even guaranteed the 4 and then some might not fertilise and some might not make it to transfer. I just thought this was our time and we were due a Christmas miracle and I’m and trying to stay positive but I just feel like luck isn’t on our side.

Girls. I feel with you. Went for my ultrasound and I have only 2-3 eggs developing. And they are also too small. Last time I made 19 and we had like 8 at the first scan. They lowered my dose because of how bad my OHSS was. So last time was like 5 days 150mg ovaleap then 5 days of 200 mg of the Ovaleap. This time we had like 5 days 125 mg and now upping to 150mg. I hope it's enough. I'm so nervous. It feels like it's all slipping away.
I know better this time around though, since not a single egg fertilized last time, then to be too hopeful. What a bummer.

@ZAMichelin1994 - so my first time I had 8 and when they upped my dose to 200 I ended up more than double at 19 eggs. So it could still be that a few more will develop in the time. I know I'm also hoping (although I feel a bit shit about it all). I am very hopeful for you!

@Eggling- sorry to hear only 2 eggs came out and now only one fertilized. (I realize rereading I made a mistake and the 7/15 was Brit22 answering you- sorry to mix it up)
I am told it only takes one, so I'll give that advice on and then also say, I felt so awful when none were fertilized - and I know how bad it feels.
So I have so much empathy for what you are going through it just feels dark I guess. I was also like I made so many--- WHY won't you fertilize. Why won't even one do it. I was beyond upset with my eggs and my body. I had many good cry's so I hope you got one, it helps get out all those feelings so you can feel somewhat normal again.
Do you have an OHSS symptoms are you ok body wise. Mentally I know it's a struggle to stay in the happy rosey place, for me I was mentally and physically a wreck so I hope you are at least feeling well.

@TheGlitterFairy- so I have never gotten that far. So what exactly is the linings numbers accounting for? Is this for them to implant your embryo? So glad you have a date you must be thrilled. Yes, the wait is never fun though !

@Brit22- so the cetrotide was so scary first time. I told my husband, "I am now also a nurse" 😂! But now this is our second round of IVF well this time will be ICSI but same process to begin, and so I did one cetrotide and then when I went in for the ultrasound and she said it wasn't enough eggs this time, she said, "Ok, Stop cetrotide tonight you'll go back on tomorrow."
I was like 🤷‍♀️ok! I am not a doctor so sometimes I feel I am following blindly and hoping it is all the right thing! So as I mentioned above, I haven't gotten as far as you are now, meaning I had no embryos to get the transfer stage- so what do you mean about the full bladder? Also so nice they sent you home with a little picture and all! Fingers crossed for you and your family!

@Leo1stpregnancy - first off welcome! I think I don't understand enough about your situation. When you say multi-cycle do you mean implanting 2 embryos? Also I really mean it when I say I super understand the anxious part. It's def. A hand over of all control in these situations, very difficult for a control freak like me, so I really relate. I hope you were able to call the clinic or your doctor's to get some answers

@Muppettime- what is a flare protocol. (me googling after this lol) - also 7 eggs at first scan seems promising I think. When I had 8 eggs my first round the doctors were happy and then upper my dosage and this time I'm wayyy low. So as far as I can tell that's not a bad place to be. You don't want too many although good for numbers and odds- right shit for OHSS!

Anyways. Thanks for always listening girls. I'm writing this after a very long day of school, training home, and it was just a very long day and week. Can I get an AMEN ?! Lol 🤣 hope you are all hanging in there. Thinking of you

Welcome @MuppetTime. You need to have some faith 🙏🏼. Google is probably the worse thing you can do. If you’ve Google a headache it will probably tell you your dying.

@ZAMichelin1991 At least they not worried about the spotting that you were, so you can put your mind at rest about that.
I’m sure they others will catch up with upping your dose. Next Friday will soon come round.
Don’t be to hard on yourself and stay positive.

@22Mama i took videos doing mine and I’ve had to speed them up as they went on for far to long 😂.
Sorry to hear 😔 stay strong 💕.
I just meant that I have a weak bladder at the best of times and having to have a full bladder for transfer was hard.
Yeah I found that it was lovely of them to do it. Plus I wasn’t expecting my OH to be allowed in to watch it get put back in.
Thank you means a lot 🥰.

@Eggling this whole process is so hard isn’t it - you feel you’re a step forward then something happens and you’re back a step again. Rooting for your embryo and for transfer tomorrow. 🙏🙏 See what happens with this round then maybe frank convo with the consultant about options going forward. Mine always said they learn so much about how you respond when you’re going through a round which doesn’t seem helpful at the time but I suppose with hindsight it is. Hang on in there.

@22Mama hope your next scan goes well and you have some more/ they’ve grown and caught up!
Yes - they need the uterine lining to be at least 8mm before transferring otherwise it won’t take so need a few more days of the estrogen pills to build it all up. I think this happened last time in that it took about 2 weeks or so for it to get to that point then on transfer day it was 11 or 12 and they were v pleased with that.

if it’s any consolation - out of 5 rounds previously, we’ve only got to a transfer stage twice - all rounds were ICSI.
1- 4 eggs, one 3 day embryo that was transferred and didn’t take
2 - 7 eggs no embryos
3 - no eggs
4 - we had to stop the round half way though as I wasn’t responding. And decided after this point to go to donor eggs (consultant had discussed this after round 2 but I’m stubborn and wanted to be sure there was absolutely nothing we could do with me hence preserving for 2 further rounds).
donor round - 17 eggs whittled down to 3 blasts that were frozen. They expected there to be more but ?!
FET 1 - they thawed two and one thawed ok and is DS; the other didn’t and was a great surprise to all that it didn’t given it was a blast.
FET 2 - is what we’re on now so who knows?? I wish I felt confident that it would thaw out ok but as we’ve had one of each I just don’t know if it will.
This will be our last roll of the dice regardless so 🙏🙏

Hope everyone is hanging in there today 💪💪💪

Hi everyone, thank you all for sharing your stories, so good to hear about everyone’s journeys.

I’m 32 F and going through my first round of IVF with my partner and we seem to have male factor at play. I am day 8 of stims with CRGH, and not getting huge amounts of details on my progress but have been told im responding really well and they are continuously bringing me in for blood tests every day (arms both badly bruised now) and have stopped me taking anymore growth hormone.

im starting to feel incredibly bloated and really hoping for trigger and egg collection soon (I saw from a chart yesterday that my follicles are mainly 14-16mm and there are about 8 at this stage) but I’m a bit worried that as it’s the weekend by Monday they may have grown too much or I may have OHSS (this may be me just over worrying but the nurse did say they need to monitor closely.

Ah what a journey - so great to have somewhere on the internet to hear about other peoples stories.

@AM08 Welcome to the group. Good luck with your journey and hopefully soon you’ll have a date for egg collection and transfer. 🤞🏼.

@TheGlitterFairy - wow you have been through a long, and hard journey it seems. Did I understand right that FET 1 with donor egg brought DS - Dear Son?
I'm so hopeful for you that this next FET will work! I'm hoping and praying and thinking of you.
Thank you for explaining the lining bit. I understand now. So before they transfer any embryos they look for a specific lining amount. I will be sure to ask about all of that if anything comes out of the next step!

@Eggling- it's Sunday and you are in my thoughts heavy! Heres to hoping it works for you!!!

@AM08- sounds like things are going well. I'll say this I had a pretty hard OHSS and now with time behind me, I'm reflecting and it wasn't so bad, just had extra shots to prevent thrombosis for 10 days and some extra check ups.
I think I feel it was worse than it was because I also caught a stomach bug from the kids at school and it was not a great time to say the least.
After the egg retrieval they told me it could be a a few days before I could go poop and it was 2 days after I couldn't stop going, and couldn't eat due to nasuea - but if I didn't eat something bland my stomach would start pinching etc... And at my checkup on the Monday they said that is not a symptom of OHSS--- so actually if I take out the stomach bug part, the OHSS was just uncomfortable and annoying, not so much horrifying. The stomach flu at the same time made it horrible. Luckily it was only a 24 hour bug and for the next 8 days it was just lots of swelling and like I said being uncomfortable. (It was about 10-11 days total for me) I felt better by the time the shots stopped as well.

@Brit22- how goes the 2WW? What are you doing to keep busy?

Thank you Brit22, I think 22Mama mentioned your in your 2ww - hope that’s going well?

22Mama sounds like you went through so much with OHSS and the tummy bug - so glad your through the other side - are you stimming again now?

Argh I am so bloated now, feeling like I can only waddle and be in bed - feel very much like what I imagine being pregnant feels like without being pregnant 🥲 hoping for some news on the trigger shot today!

@22Mama @AM08 Well, I'm feeling very deflated this morning :(. We've just found out that we haven't got any suitable for freezing. So out of the 15 that got collected not a single one made it to freeze. I've just lost hope that this one isn't going to work now. I was doing fine with the waiting but now this is going to drag like hell now knowing that.

@AM08- when I did my first round by the end I also felt crazy uncomfortable with 19 eggs just swollen belly and all! Now I'm hoping for some more swelling

@Brit22 - Well goodness. I can very much understand the deflation. I'm so sorry. Well a few good cries and some cookies helped me feel a bit better, also I went to IKEA and at meatballs after my news last cycle.
But you are still in the running, you have one that they placed so I'm crossing all my fingers and toes for you. I'll help keep the hope for you, lord knows I can understand why you feel you have lost it. I think the hope is still there but you are guarding against the worst case scenario and honestly you are smart to guard your heart! Sending big hugs! Hope you can stay busy. Any books or movies you plan to watch read?

Hi everyone! New to the group. Reading everyone's stories is helping so thank you!

I had my first egg collection yesterday and had the call this morning that out of 13 they've managed to fertilise 6 so 🤞🏻. Im provisionally booked in for transfer tuesday but we'll see how it goes. Trying to relax in the mean time...but its hard 😂

@Brit22 that is so difficult, I can imagine it feels like the odds are against you but I’m hoping with the one you’ve transferred that things work out? They say it only takes one… whatever happens you will get there in the end, you just have to keep hope.

@22Mama ah fingers very much crossed for you and hopefully hear some updates from you on how your processing shortly.

@LuC22 that sounds very promising, eek Tuesday will be a big day but very exciting!

I had my appointment at the clinic this morning and I have around 20 follicles and they said I should be getting the call to trigger today - phone is on loud and awaiting that call.

@22Mama Thanks for your kinda words 🥰. I just pray that this little one sticks. Otherwise it’s back to the beginning again and it’s more money we need to fork out that we don’t really have.
luckily I’m at work everyday till test day so that will keep me busy.
I hope you’re doing well?

@LuC22 Welcome to the group. At least Tuesday isn’t that long away now and I wish you all the best for it.

@AM08 Yeah it really does. I just pray this 1 makes it’s. 🙏🏼. Did you end up getting your phone call this afternoon then?