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

@MsSandyToes that's lovely news! The 1st won't be long now!! You'll have to let us know how you get on!

Good luck for today @Sj2505 let us know how you get on!

Hope you're doing ok @User491 xx

@MsSandyToes hi its friday march 3rd another nerve wracking wait just trying to stay busy i test everyday with hcg strips and they are getting darker apart from the odd twinge i have no other symptoms which im taking as a good sign. Just trying to stay busy and not google everything . worried about next friday but fingers crossed all goes ok

@zarascan47 fingers crossed it all goes well for you! Let us know how you get on!!

Just had a call back from CRGW. Tests booked for the 6th March and consultation booked for 20th March. But WFI (who we are already using) just sent over there price list and now I'm confused who to use they are quite reasonable. We may just be able to have a review as it'll be within three months and it's only £100 so we may pay for that and see what both clinics say maybe. I'm so confused. Still not rushing though. Happy to wait until late spring/early summer.

@zarascan47 I hope the scan goes well for you, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. When do you think you'll stop testing? I think I would be the same and keep testing! We can't help but worry can we.

@Autumbreeze You know I'm team CRGW haha, but you have to weigh up everything and do what's best for you and DH. Perhaps search topics for WFI and see what other people say. Your experience may have been an anomaly.

I'm just back from my scan, they had some trouble seeing my left ovary because I've been a little constipated (TMI), so I've been and bought some Senakot. From what she can see, it looks like I have about 7 dominant follicles that are 10-12mm, around 10 that are 7-10mm and several other little ones that aren't expected to do anything (I have PCOS so expected). There could be more hiding in the left behind the bowel but hopefully we'll have a better view on Wednesday.
She did note that she would be surprised if I'm ready for EC on Friday and said it's more likely to be early next week - which I'm fine with, actually works out better haha!
So continue as normal until Wednesday :)

@Sj2505 thank you. Most probably stop testing after the scan when i know if its viable or not but until then im just doing the pre mom stick ones not the expensive ones anymore

@MsSandyToes Your scan will be here before you know it! Do let us know how you get on!

@Sj2505 It sounds like your scan went well.

@Autumbreeze I think you just have to pick the clinic you feel most comfortable with. It’s difficult, but maybe a fresh set of eyes will help. Getting a sounding board off both clinics seems like a good idea.

@zarascan47 Your scan will be here soon! I totally get checking progression lines, but it sounds like a good idea to stop after viability scan.

I told work today, not about the failed round, I hadn’t shared IVF at all, but that I have an IVF consultation appointment on 27th. Which isn’t a lie, they just don’t know it’s for the failed cycle. I think for future rounds I might need a bit more time off work, especially after egg collection and telling them means I don’t have to worry about last minute holidays. They have a whole page about fertility treatment and support to I think I might take advantage of that.

@Lauralozzle sounds like a good plan. If the stress of work can be lifted a bit I think you should absolutely try it.
Not long before your review! Are you hoping for a bit of a break, or moving quite quickly?

@Sj2505 I’d like to move quickly. I don’t have the patience for long breaks. We want to know the cost of multi-packages, I have a few questions and what extra tests are needed/advised. We’ll fit in a break around it. I imagine they’ll probably want me to have another bleed before I start, I also expect I’ll be on long protocol again so there will be waiting involved with that. I’m hoping around April time we can start again.

@Lauralozzle hopefully time will fly by for you! But it's good that you might be able to fit in a break. Have you been looking at TUI anymore?

I had my second stims scan today. They still don't have a great view of the entire left ovary, they measured 5 follicles but said there's likely to be more, they were 15-21mm. They're not sure if they'll be able to reach it at EC, just trying to scan it was quite uncomfortable 😕
I have 10 dominant follicles on the right which are 12-16mm and other smaller ones which could continue to grow.
I have another scan for Friday as I'm not quite ready for EC, they're predicting that for Monday.
They've warned me I am at risk of OHSS, so I'm now drinking tons of water and a high protein diet, but the consultant might still decide on a freeze all on the day.
I'm feeling tender around my ovaries, uncomfortable bloating and extremely tender nipples. Just a hormonal mess at the moment haha.

Morning

how are you all doing?

I've felt so awful since last week, yesterday and today I actually feel like myself again!
The 2nd lot on Sunday morning didn't work straight away either, but eventually Monday I started to pass everything and I'm pretty sure I have now, bleeding has tailed off and I feel loads better!
The cramps, nausea and dizziness were awful.
I woke up yesterday and the sun was shining, and for the first time in weeks I felt like a weight had been lifted... think it was just because everything was so up and down.

I also got a letter yesterday afternoon and have a video call appointment with my clinic in just under 2 weeks, so hopefully we can get back booked in ☺️ not sure how far in advance they are booking, but hopefully we can get something in the diary 🤞🏻

@Sj2505 good luck for today!

@User491 I'm so pleased you are feeling better physically and mentally. I hope you get some good news in your appointment. Let us know how it goes.

@Sj2505 Hope you're not too uncomfortable and that today goes well. Good luck x

@Sj2505 We’ve not looked at anything properly holiday wise. We’ll know more come Monday though.

Fingers crossed for your scan today

@User491 I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better now. Hopefully you can get booked in quickly after your review.

Including the spotting before official test day and this period, I have been bleeding some form or other for 13 days. Urgh. I just want it to stop now! It’s just dark brown now, but when I think it’s going away, it seems to start back up again.

@MsSandyToes thank you!
I really hope so, they did say it might be summer time, but I am hoping that they said that as they didn't want me to get ahead of myself when I had the miscarriage to go through first!
How are you feeling? Do you have many symptoms? The 1st cannot come quick enough 😊

@Lauralozzle thank you 😊
that's awful for you, I bet you feel drained! I've got myself some beroccas yesterday to hopefully give me a bit of a boost. Hopefully this is the end of it now, that's a long time to bleed.
I bet you are eagerly waiting for mondau to come now.
I read back there from when we were talking about weight, I weighed myself this week and I'm a stone heavier than what I was beginning of December 😱 I think a little will be bloat, but I have been eating a lot of biscuits these last few weeks 🙈🐷 so I will be aiming to get that off which won't take long I hope; and might try and get it down a bit further to make myself feel better 🤣
Gives me something to focus on. I didn't think I would have put that much on 😬

Hi,
Hoping you don’t all mind me jumping in, I’ve been reading all your stories (took me since yesterday to get through the huge thread!) but have found it so helpful and informative.
I’m a little behind most of you but at about the same in my cycle as SJ2505 so was just hoping to carry on following your journey and sharing mine to hopefully give a lottlw
support to each other.

I’m so sorry to read some of you didn’t have the success you wanted and find it so inspiring how strong you have all been, gives me hope that if this doesn’t go how I am hoping that I will be able to pick myself up and carry on!

also so happy to read the positive outcomes and those of you who have got your PFP - really helps me stay optimistic reading success stories.

A little about me - on first round of ICSI due to MFI, he has Azoospermia so surgical sperm removal required, they managed to get 11 vials back in august that is now sitting on ice, not great quality or quantity but I have no known fertility issues, just fairly low amh for my age (34, amh 14) so I’m hopeful my eggs will be healthy enough to overcome sperm quality issues.

I had my 7 day scan today and have 11 follicles, one at 18mm which they aid would probably drop off as it is too far ahead of the rest, 10 others at 10-14mm, hopefully doing ER next Friday.

Sorry for the long post - this thread had just been a great read so wanted to join in 😊

Morning all!
@User491 so pleased you're feeling better and looking ahead towards the next steps. Keep us updated on how your consultation goes. I have everything crossed for you.

@MsSandyToes thank you, I hope you're feeling ok, not long until your scan!

@Lauralozzle your appointments come round quick! 13 days is awful 😣 hopefully it eases up for you now.

Had my scan and EC is booked for Monday!!
The left is still being very awkward and is sitting very high, hopefully they'll be able to see/reach it during EC.
Apparently it is more likely to be decided to go with a freeze all cycle as I have lots of follicles. They measured 17 sizeable ones just on the right.
The freeze all will be a bit disappointing but I understand the importance of it so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi @Brown269 and welcome!
Great that we are so close in cycles. Look forward to sharing our updates ☺️

How are you feeling on stims? Sounds like you will have a good egg collection next week 🤞🏼

Thanks @Sj2505 ☺️

17 on just one ovary is a lot! 🤞🏼 that means lots of nice eggys for you ☺️ what’s the reasoning behind freezing all if there is a high amount do you know?

I’m actually finding the stims ok, I did short protocol so only been injecting since Saturday and I’m on 187.5 Menopur which looking at others dosages seems to be fairly low?
Headaches and heavy feeling tummy get worse each day but not as bad as my monthly AF so can’t complain!

How about you?

I hope so 🤞🏼
They'll do a freeze all for more eggs/follicles because you're higher risk of OHSS, so they freeze all to give your body time to recover to improve the chances of success.
They'll judge symptoms along with how many follicles/eggs. But because I've been really bloated already they're thinking I'm high risk of OHSS. With any luck I'll be fine after EC and will proceed as normal, but it's sounding unlikely.

My consultant right at the start said I had about 30% success chance with a fresh transfer and 40% success chance if we end up with a frozen transfer. I'm sure with even mild symptoms of OHSS that 30% is likely to be less.. so it'd be for the best I think.

To avoid OHSS I've been told to drink 2-3 litres of water a day and eat/drink around 100g protein a day.

I've been on Ovaleap 225 and Meriofert 75, and then Fyramadel since day5, and I was told that's a medium-high dose.

Ahh ok, that makes sense doesn’t it, give your body a chance to go back to normal before putting anything back in there. Like you say, it’s disappointing but needs must if it improves your chances ❤️

I’ve been ok with drinking 3 litres of water as I generally have that much anyway, but my diet has gone right out of the window, I’ve been treating myself with a cake every night as a reward for getting through another injection and my hubby gets me a chocolate every time we go for a scan as a ‘well done’ 😆

I’ve been on Frymedol too since Wednesday and definitely fine that needle worse than the stims one 😬 not sure on the dosage of that one though to be honest….

How are you feeling now about having your EC Monday? Hopefully you’ve got some things planned in for the weekend to keep you occupied ❤️

@User491 I’ve been exhausted the past couple of days. I’m betting this super long bleed has something to do with it. Luckily, I can have super hot baths again 🛁 which make me feel more relaxed overall.

Yes, Monday. Hopefully we have answers then. Fingers crossed! I want it to come quickly, but I also don’t want the weekend over in a flash because I need the break.

I’ve decided to give up chocolate for lent (I’m not religious though) to help with the weight gain. I reckon some must be bloat but not all of it. I think these 2 days so far without chocolate is the most I’ve ever done! I’m allowing other sweet treats but I never want them the same as chocolate!

@Brown269 Welcome! Do keep us updated with how you’re getting on. We’re not male factor (as of yet) and did ICSI due to length of time we have been trying and unexplained diagnosis. Just need to understand why our fertilisation rates were so poor now.

@Sj2505 Yes. The review has creeped up on us! Egg collection for Monday sounds great! I have my fingers crossed for you!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend planned. I’m fed up of living like a recluse so I want to go walking this weekend. I’m fine physically now, spotting doesn’t hurt at all, I just want to get away and enjoy myself. I’ve not been happy, like carefree happy, even for a few hours, since egg collection. I’ve either been in pain, uncomfortable, bloated, anxious, angry or upset. I think I need something to blow away the cobwebs so I can focus on being myself.

@Brown269 I feel ok about it. Last time I had EC, I really suffered in recovery, but hopefully it won't be too bad this time.
My sister, brother-in-law and niece are on their to ours for the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing them although I don't think I'm going to be much fun, I just have no energy at all.

Yes the Fyramadel is a little tougher than the others isn't it! I've started doing it more to the side of my tummy where the skin is a bit softer.

@Lauralozzle that's so refreshing to read that! I'm so pleased you feel ready to get yourself back again ♥️

Thanks @Lauralozzle ☺️
I’ve read ICSI is better for fertilisation rates but has the same overall ‘success’ as standard ivf as it can still be unhealthy eggs or sperm fertilising so would still not make it either way, just got everything crossed it does help with the low quality sperm 🤞🏼

sorry to hear you’re struggling so much 😞 hopefully getting out for a walk will help, I know fresh air and a bit of gentle exercise usually helps me if my head feels a bit full.
Going through fertility treatment makes it really hard to try and get an ‘escape’ doesn’t it, as the only things I ever do to let my hair down include alcohol or unhealthy food so makes you feel a bit like you’re missing out on any joy sometimes doesn’t it!

Hope you feel better after a weekend of giving yourself a bit of well needed tlc ❤️

@Sj2505
I haven’t tried the frymedol in my tummy as the leaflet said to do it in your leg but the clinic did say it can go in either, I’m just being ridiculously over cautious I think 🙈

Hopefully your recovery will go a bit smoother this time, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Hi @Brown269 welcome! Sounds like it's all go for you. We just did our second round. Also MFI so we had ICSI both times. Unfortunately we didn't have any luck but I have an appointment on 6th with a private clinic to hopefully go again.

@Lauralozzle I'm the same! Still bleeding and having cramps. Been about a week now. Just want it over. My clinic never did call me back. Is it this Monday you have your follow up? I've given up cups of tea for lent and most chocolate... I am allowing myself chocolate biscuits though.

@Sj2505 good luck for Monday! Very excited for you! If they can't get to left it sounds like the right is making up for it anyway. But hopefully they manage to get to both!

@User491 I'm so glad your feeling a bit better now! It's awful what you've through! Nice for you have your next round to focus on to though! Our appointment is going to be on the 20th March. Still hoping we can go May or June time. Be lovely to share the journey with you and @Lauralozzle again.

@MsSandyToes and @zarascan47 how you both feeling? Not long until your scans now!

I'm using this time now to get my health better! I've started new vitamins after doing research and still drinking loads of water. I'm actually enjoying it to 😂 looking forward to our appointment on the 6th and 20th now. Just got loads of paper work to send back though before.... bloody paper work!!