ICSI January 2023

[Infertilitylife]

Hello,

My partner and I need IVF due to MFI. We are hoping to start treatment in January 2023.

I had my fertility ultrasound scans today and these are my results:

AFC -

Left Ovary - 13 follicles
Right Ovary - 14 follicles

My Endo thickness was 7.3mm (cycle day 10).

I have no masses, cysts, fluid etc - everything looked smooth and normal.
How do these results seem?

I was also told I have a retroverted uterus - will this affect IVF?
Thank you

@User491 I'm so sorry you're going through this. Try to rest and be kind to yourself. Sending big hugs, it's such a hard process.

@FrostedFlake I had four on day 1 and transfer confirmed for tomorrow (day 5) at 10:30. I'm pleased because it's a three and a half hour drive. (We had to leave at 4am for EC so this will be much more civilised). 😅 The embryologist update today was interesting. One stopped maturing after the day 3 check so they think it's arrested. 😢 Of the other 3 one is a morula and the other two are still changing. He said he hopes for a blastocyst(s) tomorrow and will then decide. There's a chat with doctor and the embryologist tomorrow morning to talk about the quality and to make a plan. If there's a top quality embryo they strongly advise a single embryo transfer but if the quality isn't so great then they can transfer a max of two embryos. I didn't realise that was even a possibility until today.

@Lauralozzle I'm completely with you with the stretchy pants. Between drinking all the milk and protein pre EC, the hormones and everything else I'm constantly bloated. I was so pleased after EC my tummy went back down but now the progesterone is making me bloat too 😅

@Autumbreeze I hope you feel better today. This might make you laugh. I bought a rose quartz which was delivered today - it's supposed to relieve tension and be good for fertility. I opened it and promtly dropped it smashing it in two! 😱 I have googled thinking it was bad luck but thank goodness it doesn't appear to be! Anyone else got or been doing anything a bit 'out there'?

I'm excited but also nervous for tomorrow. I have the transfer booked for 10:30 and then I've got an accupunture appointment at 14:30. Please keep everything crossed it goes well. 😊

Oooh @User491 I am so sorry! I know it is not easy at all! Take some time for yourself now! It'll be hard for a while but it will get better!! Thinking of you!

@FrostedFlake when is day 3 and 5 for you! I have everything crossed! I know waiting for those phone calls are so hard! We did a day three transfer last time! Hoping we can hold out for day 5 this time... but if we are lucky enough to get a day three I'll still be super happy!

@MsSandyToes how are you? Did you get an update today? Good luck for tomorrow!! Be thinking of you, let us know how you get on!

@Lauralozzle not long until your scan now! I got my second one tomorrow. I've been feeling very twingy the last few days... I didn't notice it this much last time, so I'm hoping it's a good sign! I think most follicles were measuring about 13 on Monday... they are hoping they'll be 16/17 tomorrow I think. I can't remember if that's good or bad though.

@Sj2505 feeling better today... but scan tomorrow and being at the hospital beings it all back more I think! 9 days and counting for you! Woop!! Another early start tomorrow.

@MsSandyToes sorry must have been typing when you posted!!! Have everything crossed for you tomorrow!! Be thinking about you! This is a hell of a ride isn't it?

Funny you should say that about the crystal as I was just given a candle with rose quartz in it... I think when you burn the candle the crystal becomes free. I've not done anything to major... I'm downing the milk and water and using slat or the earth deodorant now, but that's about it really. But I'm definitely open to any suggestions! Very open minded me 😂

@Autumbreeze aww that's nice! I am the same, I realise when I type it all down it makes me appear like a mad women but... don't judge me! I've got all the supplements drank the milk, took whey protein, avocados, pomegranite juice, brazil nuts, Dr Organic shampoo, shower gel and deodorant, accupunture, the failed rose quartz 😂 If it doesn't work this time I'm not going to bother with it all next time but everything I've read I'm just like, sure why not... I'll give it a go! My other half just rolls his eyes at me now 😂

@MsSandyToes I've heard Brazil nuts and pineapple is good after transfer. Anything is worth a shot I say!! You doing the pessaries now? How often do you do them?

Well I'm hoping tonight will be out last injections 🤞🏻🤞🏻 with trigger shot tomorrow all being well!

@Autumbreeze Fingers crossed for your scan tomorrow!

I had planned to be all low carb/no sugar/high protein but yeah, that’s not happened. We still have Christmas chocolates in the house and I may have had one or two in the evenings.

I have limited my caffeine intake massively (although today has been a bit horrendous). I haven’t given it up completely though because I don’t think I could cope with the headaches with limited pain relief options. I generally have a maximum of 2 milky coffees (well below pregnancy caffeine limits).

I suppose if my scan on Thursday is terrible I’ll be on it, but I’m so exhausted by all the stabbing and hormones that I just don’t want to eat like a chicken and steamed veg body builder! Lol 😂 Carbs are my friend and make me feel better! My protein intake is usually pretty good (easily get to 60g a day) as I drink a fair amount of milk and only really eat chicken/fish. Veggies with dinner. I’ve switched to full fat dairy as I read something about that, and it tastes better too! It’s not a horrendous diet, but I’m keeping my treats for now.

I need to be better with my water intake though. I’ve not been great with that and it’ll probably help with the twinges.

Oooh my god I feel you @Lauralozzle I can't do healthy... like at all! If I don't have sugar and a lot of it get the major shakes! I don't drink coffee but love tea! It's hard though...
I wanted to try and be 'better' this time around with my diet but Lordy it ain't happened!! I don't really drink though and my fave drink is actually water (yes I'm boring 😂) so at least I have that going for me! I do a lot of walking though with the dogs.

Thanks. Hope so! I have to go back to work after this one and last time they called me later in the day to tell me what time to take trigger shot... super awkward in work when I run off with my phone to take a call off them 😂

I've not heard about milk...
I started counting calories, but that has its good days and bad days! But I am eating more consciously at least. I've been getting out walking with the dog more. I also take Pregnacare conception, Omega 3 and Folic Acid. I've cut out caffeine for a week now. I had cut out alcohol but caved into a bottle of wine after a stressful day a few days ago. I'm trying to drink more water too - well weak squash.

Nearer the time I'm going to try some IVF specific meditation.. I've never meditated in my life, but a vlog I watch said it was really helpful for stress and positivity and 'manifestation'. I'm starting the warm womb theory too.
I've seen some ideas for pineapple core teas/juices too, and of course I'll be getting McDonald fries after transfer 😂

Good luck @Autumbreeze for your scan today and good luck @MsSandyToes for your egg collection this morning ✨

Sorry if I missed anyone's update for today but baby dust to everyone!

@MsSandyToes Good luck for your egg collection!

I might end up doing the pineapple, pomegranate juice and Brazil nuts after egg collection. Someone said something about bone broth on another thread, but honestly, the thought of that makes me want to gag!

I’m finding as I continue stims my appetite is decreasing. I have pretty constant low level nausea all day and I just don’t want to eat much. Probably related to the bloating and very mild cramps I’m having.

Good luck @MsSandyToes for today!! Be thinking of you!

I'm sat in the waiting room now! 😬

Yeah don't think I could do bone broth to!! Bloated to at the moment. Can't wear my jeans lol

Scan went ok.... definitely doing better than last time apparently 🤷🏼‍♀️ but they want a few more days of meds (typical lol) soooo another scan on Friday and egg collection will be one day next week.... which is fine... I'd rather them push it back and get it right than rush and be like my first round!

Thank you everyone for all your lovely messages.

Feel completely deflated 😢 but I need to pull myself round and think positive!
Been for second bloods today, so should get those back by the morning, then I've to ring the clinic to see what the next steps are. There is a waiting list, hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the next round.. need to just get back to it and then I have something to focus on 😢 hearing all your updates will keep me going 👏🏻👏🏻

@Sj2505 that will be here before you know it, it's so exciting to get a start on it all isn't it 😊

@Lauralozzle when is your scan to see how your doing? Sorry I can't remember 🙈

@FrostedFlake the waiting for updates is stressful, but hopefully you find out tomorrow and hopefully it will be good news 🤞🏻

@MsSandyToes good luck for your transfer today!

@Autumbreeze good luck for today, and yey for the last injections 🤞🏻 Minus the trigger obvs, but that one's a more exciting one 🤣

@Autumbreeze ahhhh posted that after I seen yours, yes 100% better this way! On the final stretch of them now 😊

I mean before 😅🤣

@Autumbreeze A few more days! Hopefully scan on Friday will be perfect and egg collection Monday maybe? Fingers crossed 🤞

@User491 Hopefully the clinic will be able to set up a review appointment soon. It’s normal to feel deflated. You’ve had a loss. hugs

My scan is tomorrow. Anyone else feel like they have no appetite on stims?

Hiiii can I join? Starting stims for my second round of IVF this week. Had one failed cycle of normal IVF last year with almost total fertilisation failure, so this time we’re going for ICSI. All I want out of this is some healthy frozen embryos!!!

@Frenchwindows Hello! Sorry to hear about your previous round. Are you long or short protocol?

Thank you, it was so devastating because there was no indication of any sperm/egg issues. Short protocol which I’m very grateful for !

Is this your first/second/third cycle? How are you finding the stims?

@Frenchwindows Oh, that’s a shame! Have they figured out what it was - why there was no fertilisation? You’re lucky with short protocol!

This is our first cycle. I’m long protocol and been in this cycle since 9th December with a very long down regulation!

I just feel a bit bloated on the stims, I’ve been having twinges, which means it must be working a bit. Other than that my appetite has gone down a lot.

I just feel a bit frustrated with it, I’ve been having daily injections since 9th Dec and I’m sore from them all. It’ll be nice when/if I get to egg collection so I don’t have to inject anymore!

When do you start?

Literally no reason?? Like totally normal sperm and I’m 30! I’m hoping it’s just a simple enzyme thing with the sperm getting into the egg and ICSI will be the answer. And yes so lucky, last time start to finish was literally 10 days so I’m hoping this will be the same.

Oh wow that’s so long, you’re such a trooper! It’ll all be worth it in the end though. I totally get the frustration with the injections, they’re a pain - do you use ice? I find that helps a lot, and also counting down until the end!! Hopefully you haven’t got much longer to go.

I’m starting on Friday providing the baseline scan doesn’t show any surprises. When is your egg collection?

@Frenchwindows Hopefully you start Friday and your scan is all good! If it’s just sperm can’t penetrate the egg, and ICSI can solve that, at least you have an answer too!

Yes, I use ice. It does help a lot! I mark off each injection on the calendar so it’s quite nice feeling that we’re getting somewhere.

Re egg collection, I have enough stims medication until Monday, so I’m guessing provisionally egg collection Wednesday next week - ish. I’ll find out more tomorrow, if it has gone like my down regulation I expect I’ll need more meds! Hopefully I’ve responded enough to not have to cancel my cycle. My AMH isn’t great, I have a high-ish dose (300 iu) and follicules appear to be on my left side mainly, so it’s hoping that ovary has responded well enough and I’ll be happy to get anything on my right side!

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all of your lovely messages today. I can't figure out how to respond on the app on my phone. (Does anyone know?

The transfer of our blastocyst is complete! We also have a cool photo of it. 🥰 We have to wait until tomorrow to see if one of the others will make it to the freezer. 🤞 The other two are too far behind. 😢

@Autumbreeze so glad your scan went well. A couple of extra days will be completely worth it, if you get a better outcome. Yes, I'm on cyclogest pessaries twice a day. Do you know what you will have yet?

@User491 I hope you get a review appointment and a date to focus on soon. Hugs.

@Lauralozzle good luck for your scan tomorrow. Hope you get some good news for egg collection.

@Sj2505 thank you. I have been using Circle and Bloom IVF meditations and really like them. They are only 15/20 mins long which is good.

@Frenchwindows welcome! Sorry to hear about your previous round. The whole thing is such a rollercoaster isn't it! I hope this round is much better for you and ICSI will be the answer for you.

@Lauralozzle aw my right ovary is more responsive but it also lifting again like last time... but not as much this time so hopefully we will have more luck! Good luck for tomorrow let us know how it goes!!!

@Frenchwindows welcome!! I'm also on short protocol and my second round, had ICSI last time and also this time as well. We did long protocol last time. Hope Friday goes ok for you!!

Amazing @MsSandyToes how you feeling! Hope you have good news about the others as well! Yeah I am on cyclogest pessaries twice a day as well.. or I will be... although last time they told me to do three times a day... when I asked about it today sounds like the messed up as apparently you only do three times a day on a frozen cycle 🤷🏼‍♀️ so they gave me the wrong dose last time! We had photos of our last one and I filmed a little video on the scanner of it being placed. Lovely to have the memories.

Morning everyone,
My story continues 🙈
So my first HCG was 47, second one is 73... I now have to have another tomorrow, if it's risen again, I then need another Monday!
I've to watch for signs of an ectopic pregnancy now 😬
I just wanted it to have dropped and then I could move on 🙈

@Lauralozzle I don't think my appetite changed, apart from when I went on the pessaries and then I lit could not stop eating 🐷 it's maybe the bloating you have that's making you not feel like eating much?

@Frenchwindows so sorry to hear about your last round, hopefully the ICSI will work for you this time round 🤞🏻

@MsSandyToes that's brilliant, congrats on being PUPO!! Let us know how the other eggs are when you hear 🙏