IVF warriors - journey continues

[Tinkerbell098]

Have created this as our old one has maxed out. Let's continue to support each other in this challenging journey of IVF.

@Imisscoffee2021
@Decaffe
@seekingbabyk
@MinBins
@acaciabluebell
@MammyandAva
@Spin101
@1stcycle

Ah I will do! @Imisscoffee2021 😊

I've asked my clinic. I've checked my multivitamins too and noticed there's lower iron than other brands. Definitely should have done more research 🙈

@MinBins I only take folic acid and vitamin D. I was on loads of supplements during TTC so it's quite nice to just be on two things now. My bloods were all normal.

@MinBins glad you got your scan mix up sorted! That would’ve been a hell of a longer wait 🙈 I know how time drags when you’re waiting for something. It must be crazy for you guys. You’ve already done so far which is amazing 🤩 I’m sure you’ll all be fine at your next scans 😊 @Tinkerbell098
yeah I’m still travelling a lot. I’ve been on strike a few days and managed to come home mid week but that also meant double the driving. Think I’ve been on the road four evenings in the past eight days. I didn’t even know what week day it was yesterday 😂 only next week now and then it’ll be getting less again 😊
had some lovely news from an old school friend yesterday. She told me she was pregnant and due in 6 weeks. I was surprised as we’ve been to her wedding last June and she was definitely drinking wine then 😅 I told her about our struggles and she said they were trying for a while too and already had tests done which weren’t great. But then she had a burnout last May and got married in June and they were gonna start fertility treatment after that but then she fell pregnant naturally 🥰 I love hearing stories like that

Haha I also had so many, think about 8 per day, it's nice to just have a few now @Tinkerbell098!

Thanks @Honeybunie - I remember travelling and the weeks blurring by in my previous job. It was fun but also very tiring. Hopefully not too long until less travel after next week! Ah that's lovely news for your friend 😊

Hi everyone, hope you don’t mind me joining the thread. I had my latest embryo transfer on Feb 8th, I haven’t reached OTD yet but after two HPTs it seems it’s a BFN. I’m having the blood test on Tuesday so not long to wait.

I’m with a clinic in the Czech Republic, we were extremely lucky to have success with them first time round and have a beautiful 21 month old boy. I’ve been reluctant to post on here as I know how fortunate we are already, it’s just that the urge for a sibling for him is so strong.

We’ve used donor eggs from the start as I didn’t meet my fiancé until I was over 40.

April 22 - FET #2 - CP at 5/6 weeks
July 22 - FET cancelled - suspected hydrosalpinx
Sept 22 - Laparoscopy confirmed left sided hydrosalpinx - Fallopian tube removed.
Nov 22 - FET #3 - BFN

I’ve always felt a huge time pressure due to my age but it’s particularly relevant now as my clinic can only treat me until May 31st as I will turn 49 then. After the transfer of our last frostie from the first cycle failed, they said we had time for one more cycle which has just happened (with a new donor - we initially hoped for the same one but were happy just to be able to try again). As I said, that fresh cycle has just ended in a BFN which is obviously always crushing, but particularly so as it was a 5AA, which makes me feel there is something wrong inside me that’s undiagnosed. I had a c section with my son and I can’t help but worry that it’s because of that (probably irrational!).

The irony is that we have 4 frosties from this latest cycle, all 4AA (again extremely fortunate) but obviously we only have 3 months to be able to use them. What would people do? We transferred two embryos first time round and that resulted in our son but since then have only transferred one. My gut feeling is to transfer two despite the risks. I also feel that I don’t have the luxury of time to take a break between cycles. Am I being foolish going straight into another FET, presuming my doctor agrees? I feel like I don’t have the time to do any more tests, and surely the laparoscopy would have flagged up any other major problems? The surgeon told me that ‘everything else looks great in there’ - those words keep ringing in my ears. I can’t help but feel that’s not the case as I’ve had two BFNs since then.

Sorry it’s such a long saga! I’d really appreciate anyone’s thoughts. Also want to say, congratulations on everyone’s BFPs and lots of positive thoughts to everyone still waiting for one.

@KLM25 Welcome to the thread and sorry for your BFN.

I had my FET on Monday and my 5AA didn’t thaw and I had a transfer of what should have been a 4AB but was probably a 3 as it hadn’t fully expanded by the time they did the transfer. My OTD is on Friday but I caved and tested today (6dp5dt). I got a BFN which didn’t surprise me. I will test again on OTD but am not expecting a change.

I too am wondering if I go straight into another FET cycle but then wonder if my body needs the break. I have thin lining issues so would like a different approach this time so am most likely to be forced to take a break due to clinic availability.

I know when we get BFNs we want to try and pinpoint what the specific issue is. As sad as it is, IVF doesn’t have a high % chance of success and it can be any combination of things that can cause implantation failure. We all want to give ourselves the best chance and with limited time left for transfers, I can only imagine what a tough decision you have. I feel we know our bodies best and what feels right or wrong for us. I hope you’re able to come to a decision that you’re comfortable with x

@Spin101 Thank you so much. I’m sorry to hear about your BFN too. I really hope it’s just a case of it being too early. Hope I’m not saying the wrong thing as I know it’s the hope that kills you! I caved early too and tested on 7dp5dt and 9dp5dt this time round, both with FRERs. I just kept reading about so many people getting BFPs by then and I wanted to be out of the limbo.

It sounds like you’ve had a really tough time of it with this FET, it must have been a shock to find out that your 5AA didn’t thaw. I’m so sorry to hear that.

You’re spot on about wanting to pinpoint what’s gone wrong - I suppose there are so many different variables that it’s impossible. We tried really hard this time to do the things we could control as ‘perfectly’ as we could - my partner took 2 weeks off work so I could minimise any heavy lifting, I’ve had alarms set for all the medication etc etc. Then last Sunday (4dpt) I woke up feeling sick and then had some kind of vomiting bug all day 🤦‍♀️ I’m still not certain all of the oral medication was absorbed properly, although my doctor didn’t adjust my protocol once she knew what had happened. So I suppose no matter how hard you try to do everything right, some things are just in the lap of the gods.

Thankyou for your wise words. I expect things might become a bit clearer once I’ve heard what the doctor has to say this week x

@ralno2 just wanted to say good luck for OTD today. Do you have to go for a blood test? Thinking of you X

@Spin101 Sorry about the BFN, but could be too early? I would definitely wait for OTD before you rule it out completely.

@KLM25 I'm so sorry, this journey is so so cruel. Glad you've still got a few frosties left though. I understand the time pressure, but are there any more tests they could do for implantation failure like the ALICE/ERA tests? Are you due a review appointment with the consultant? Really hope you are able to make an informed decision. All the best X

@ralno2 hood luck for OTD, fingers crossed for you!

@Spin101 i didn’t get a positive until 9DPT last time so don’t rule out until OTD!

@KLM25 welcome to the chat! Sorry your journey has been hard, it can be very frustrating and you second guess everything! But when it happens it will all be worth it and you wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!

I caved and did a test this morning I’m only 5DPT so really early, but I’ve had cramps on and off from 2DPT and just felt like little flutters on Saturday. And this morning I had a faint line on an easy at home test so then I did a first response and that also had a faint but slightly darker line. Very very faint though so not getting too excited yet as I’m also worrying the same thing will happen again. I also had a little bit of brown spotting today, hoping this is either implantation bleeding or from the pessaries. I just want to fast forward to Sunday for OTD!

@1stcycle oh how amazing! I know the worry as I was the same. Remember each pregnancy is different. Definitely enjoy the moment and try not to be too anxious (I know easier said than done). The spotting could be implantation. Roll on OTD!

I had the same thing @1stcycle! Bit of light spotting and faint frer on 4dp5dt and then a slightly less faint on 5d, fingers crossed for your next test being darker :) also had cramps too!

@Tinkerbell098 @Imisscoffee2021 thanks both, I couldn’t concentrate on work today! I’m just hoping they get darker now but going to try not to fixate too much on it. Just so hard not too!!

Thanks for checking in @1stcycle @Tinkerbell098

I got my BFP this morning!

Super excited - I go for bloods on Wednesday and then they will book me in for my first scan.

The relief of BFP but also the new worries and stresses that comes with!

@ralno2 massive congratulations!! Hope the bloods go well on Wednesday! X

@ralno2 awww congratulations! Try to stay positive - glad you haven't got too long a wait for bloods!

@1stcycle also sounds really positive- keeping everything crossed for you that they get darker tomorrow 🤞🏻

@KLM25 - welcome to the thread! I'm sorry you didn't get your positive but lots more chances and great egg quality!

@Spin101 - it's still super early for you! Keeping everything crossed you'll get a BFP in a few days 🤞🏻

Congratulations @ralno2 !! That's fantastic news! Xx

Thank you @seekingbabyk @Tinkerbell098 @1stcycle. I will test again on Friday. Clearly don’t have any patience 🙈

@ralno2 @1stcycle congratulations! That’s great news!! 🥰 I hope your bloods go well @ralno2. @1stcycle i hope you’re able to keep yourself occupied.

I’ve been having stomach issues and am worried I’m not absorbing the extra progesterone so thought I should do a test as soon as possible. I doubt my clinic will do one for me. Have any of you done a Superdrug progesterone test? Would you recommend it?

@Spin101 thanks, I’ve done todays test and it’s darker, still faint though. I kept putting it off this morning as just so worried it’s going to turn into a chemical again! I haven’t used the Superdrug one but I used the medicheck one that I got from Holland and Barrett which was good. I did it for a 21 day test though.

@1stcycle @Tinkerbell098 @seekingbabyk Thank you for your kind words and positivity. I’m going for the blood test this morning so at least there’s not long to wait now for confirmation and I might be able to take a break from the medication alarms on my phone!! @Tinkerbell098 From what I understand of the Alice/Era tests, it would take a couple of cycles to get them done so I’m not sure I have time, especially as I can never guarantee my period will come bang on time. Thank you for the suggestion and I have asked if my doctor would be suggesting more tests if we weren’t on such a tight timeframe.

I did find out yesterday through my coordinator that my doctor has confirmed that we can start again with my next period, presuming this blood test comes back negative, so I’m happy about that. I just hope I can put my mind at rest and not worry that we’re rushing into it out of necessity.

@1stcycle @ralno2 So pleased to hear you’ve had BFPs, congratulations, hope the coming days go quickly. @Spin101 I completely agree that it’s still so early for you and I’m keeping everything crossed that you have some good news x

@1stcycle Wow that sounds so very promising. I hope it keeps getting darker every day now.
@ralno2 aawww congratulations on your BFP. Fantastic news 😊 and bloods tomorrow wow 👏 how exciting
@Spin101 it was probs too early. I cross all my fingers and toes for you 🤞 OTD was Sunday was it? And you’re planning on doing another early one Friday? If you don’t cave in earlier 🙈 how’re you feeling at the moment?

Wonderful news @ralno2 and @1stcycle, blimey I think I'm going to be the only one left actually TTCing on here at this rate!

Hey everyone, I have been lurking here for a while and reading all the posts. So pleased to hear of everyone's successes! For me, I finally did my frozen embryo transfer last month of my only embryo and amazingly it worked. It really only takes one!

Aww that’s fantastic @acaciabluebell I remember your posts!

😅

@Spin101 ah it's still a little early, hoping it's good news for you later.

@KLM25 welcome to our chat and I'm sorry you've had this experience so far. Best of luck on your next transfer!

@1stcycle congrats on the faint positive! Keeping everything crossed for you! Sunday will be here before you know it! Also a good sign it's getting darker!

@ralno2 congrattssss ah that's great news! And also @acaciabluebell - it's really heart warming to hear the news in this thread recently.

Also on a side note / in other news it's pancake day - how do you like yours? Lemon and sugar for me - and I've been craving mine for a while (gonna have one tonight 😋)

@acaciabluebell aawww that's wonderful news. congratulations 🤗

@MinBins haha happy pancake day! Defo lemon and sugar. Had some for breakfast! OH is the best at pancakes. I had so many pancakes recently - for my birthday, valentines, every Saturday morning - I'm all pancaked out lol