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

Thanks @User491 im currently snuggled up on the sofa watching the lion king so I’m definitely we’ll rested 🤭
How are things with you?

@User491 It’s a sperm test for oxaditive stress. My understanding is that it’s a pre-curser to DNA frag test. If it comes back as stressed, they might then suggest DNA frag test and will certainly suggest zymot chip.

Hey all, sorry I've been AWOL, I've been in hospital the last few days - still here now. I have OHSS and developed fluid on my lungs and abdomen, my ovaries are also still over double the size of what they should be. I'm in quite a lot of pain and still very bloated.

I had an embryologist call on Saturday and my cycle resulted in 4 top quality frozen day 5 blasts. I'm so happy and can't wait to get myself better and ready for frozen embryo transfer 🤞🏼✨

Sorry, I've not been able to keep up with the chat, I've read the odd message but I hope everyone's doing ok ♥️
@Brown269 hope you're feeling better
@User491 @Lauralozzle @Autumbreeze hope planning for your next rounds are going well. Happy to be sharing the journey with you all again.
@MsSandyToes @zarascan47 so pleased that your pregnancies are going great! I hope you're both feeling well

@Sj2505 Ouch!! Hope you start to feel better soon. Great news about your blasts though. Rest up and take care of yourself.

Sorry to hear you’ve been so poorly @Sj2505 😞
I hope it makes it easier to handle knowing it has given you 4 strong embryos in the freezer, that is a great number 😍
Hope you feel better soon ❤️

@Sj2505 feel better hope you recover quickly.

Sorry that I disappeared. I was struggling with the whole process so much.
We flew to Prague last week and had egg collection today. We were hoping for a fresh cycle but I was too high risk of OHSS having over 30 big size follicles so we moved to a freeze all.

Unfortunately this morning I knew something wasn’t right as the pain I had in my stomach was unbearable, I could hardly walk and only 4 eggs were able to be retrieved as the rest had all ruptured.

Not the news I wanted at all. Just a waiting game now to see if those 4 fertilise well and if they can be frozen on day 5.

I hope everyone is ok :)

@Infertilitylife sorry to hear you didn’t get the results you were hoping for but 4 still gives you hope and I’ll keep everything crossed for you 🤞🏼
Also hope you feel better soon, that does sound very painful 😞❤️

@Brown269 that sounded like the perfect day, how are you today?

Ahh well we are booked back in, but the earliest dates 10th august for egg collection. I can ring for cancellations but think it will be unlikely, but I'll try for the next 6 weeks or so, if nothing comes up we are going to book a holiday for May/June 🤣 something else to look forward to. I'll start my meds beginning of July.
I have contemplated the private option tbh, but then feel we should make use of the rounds we get free as so many people don't get that option... my husband says stay nhs for now, but I've been Googling 😬😂
It just seems so long away 😞

@Lauralozzle wow, well this all sounds very technical for me, I've never looked that deep into that side, is that due to the fertilisation that your doing your research on? I'm gonna knuckle down and do some more research as ours fertilised but only 1 was good enough for day 5, need to be looking into things to improve it. I did come across something online about a male supplement called profertil (apologies if it was on here that someone mentioned it, I can't remember 🙈😂) I need to look into it more but we may give it a go. I also need to look at my own supplements I'm only on high dose folic acid and vitamin d really. I'm back on the high protein diet and in full swing at the gym, so feeling so much more positive and better in myself. I'm gutted as I feel almost ready for another round now, I really don't want to wait.. 😞

@Sj2505 aww you poor thing, I really hope you are ok ❤️ your in the best place until your back on your feet!
Although 4 top grade blasts, that's wonderful news ☺️ and 100% worth how you must be feeling right now.. hopefully you are back to normal soon and can get a transfer date booked in 🤞🏻

@Infertilitylife poor you too, that sounds so awful, how long are you over there for? Hope you have time to recover!
Such a shame the others ruptured, but hopefully them other 4 are the perfect ones and all goes well. I will keep my fingers crossed for you ☺️

@User491 I feel much better today thank you 🥰 still got a bit of a sore belly and a bit nauseous but much better than the last couple days 🙌🏼

@Infertilitylife I’m sorry your follicles ruptured. Fingers crossed for the 4 they managed to retrieve. I hope you’re feeling better soon.

@User491 Yes, it’s mainly due to the poor fertilisation rate as both egg and dowry looked good. So, tests to see if something that normal SA doesn’t check for. I’ve done a lot of reading about poor fertilisation, main causes are either DNA frag, oocyte not activating properly or poor egg quality.

stress test should help identify if we need further SA for DNA frag test, the AOA should help if oocyte didn’t activate properly and I’m working on my diet for egg quality but really, if it’s that, not much I can do I don’t think.

I had such a bad diet day yesterday. I lost the plot in the evening and ate so much sugar!!! Think like, 3 tbsp chocolate peanut butter, about 8 brownies (they’re now in the freezer), a share size packet of haribos and 2 treat size Kit Kats and 4 slices of ham (not wafer thin ham). I felt sick afterwards. It was awful, proper binge. Line drawn, back at it today. On a plus side, I managed to hit my protein goal. I can’t let it defeat me though. One bad day , all I can do is go better today.

@Lauralozzle thanks for the info, it's really interesting, I've been trying to research more. 5 of ours fertilised but only one made it to blast. I'm trying to see what vitamins etc would be ideal.

Is it your private clinic that are doing these extra tests?

Aww bless you, we all have them days! I hope you are feeling much better now.
If you don't mind me asking how many cals and grams of protein are you aiming for?

I’ve just had a follow up call with the Doctor who asked if I wanted to do natural FET or the one controlled with drugs, I’ve said natural as she said the likelyhood of it working is the same with both so I’d rather not have my hormones played with any more if I don’t need to but just wondering if any of you have experience with either or both options and your opinions?

@Brown269 I’ve never had a FET, though I imagine natural would be nicer for you if you’re regular and what not!

@User491 Yes, private clinic are doing the tests. We’ve got the sperm test on 20th. So, have something each week now - Monday coming I’m going to rant at GP about my thyroid! Hopefully he’ll increase it! Then following Monday SOS test.

I’m much better now, thank you. I’ve linked it to lack of carbs. I’ve upped my carbs (and calorie goal) and feel much better for it.

Before I was aiming for 1,400 calories a day. 140g protein, worked out like 40% then about 30% fats and 30% carbs.

I’ve upped it now to about 1,680 (roughly). Still 140g protein but split is much more 33.33% across carbs, fats, protein. So pretty balanced. But more cals = more carbs. I’m having two carby meals, one low carb meal. Added sugar pretty limited. I’m getting the hang of protein goal now, it’s not that difficult. I went over it today lol! But there are days where I’m under. For example, today I had:

Breakfast: Latte (I have one a day and plenty of protein in the milk). Porridge (not made with water because otherwise I honestly believe it tastes like gruel). 14.8g protein

Lunch: Chicken salad with peanut sauce thing. 64.7g protein. Our chicken breasts from butchers are huge!

Snack: Protein bar. 20g protein.

Dinner: Jerk chicken rice dish with kidney beans and salad. 74.2g protein.

Yesterday was fairly similar. No massive sugar binges but more carbs. Seems to be working. Weight loss will be slower, but overall, I think it’ll be better for the eggs.

@User491 I've not yet decided weather to wait until July to start our next cycle! Think I'm going to see how our next lot of appointments go on Tuesday and the week after. I know it's gutting though when you want to jump straight back in to it. Hopefully you'll get a cancellation and yes, definitely use your free NHS goes first as we learnt a lot from our two so when we go to the clinic I know what I want to do now! How many rounds do you get free?

@Brown269 a natural one sounds better. Not sure if you're on Facebook but there is private IVF U.K. group on there which is really helpful. I left it after our failed transfer but just joined back and you can post anonymously as well. It's good to ask questions. How was your day 5 update? Sorry if you've already said... I scanned through quickly. How are you feeling now?

@Lauralozzle your doing really good with the research... much better than me. Also your diet is good! I need to start getting my butt in to gear.

I'm still having awful cramps every day and bleeding slightly on and off. It's doing my head in now. Speaking the doctor in WFI on Tuesday so I'll mention it then.

Thanks @Lauralozzle & @Autumbreeze I think I would go for natural if we get there, definitely seems the calmer of the 2. I’m not on any social media - strange for age I know 😆

They called yesterday and said none had made it to blastocysts yet :( they said they’ll give them another 24 hours to today for them to get there so I’m just keeping everything crossed 🤞🏼

All 4 made it to the freezer 😱😱 I’m so shocked and relieved 😅
This ivf stuff really is a rollercoaster isn’t it 🙈

Hey all. I'm still in hospital 😔 getting better but slowly. The clinic have been amazing and have been calling me every day to check in. They told me this wouldn't necessarily delay FET because as soon as I'm feeling myself again we can crack on. Although there will be an inevitable delay as I've still not put in the consent forms because I've not been able to get them to work properly.
We've been thinking about delaying things for a an extra month anyway, but will see how things pan out with timings etc. I've also started bleeding, not full flow but it's coming 🙂 I'm happy to mark the start of a new natural cycle.

@Brown269 great news about the blasts!! You must be so relieved. We have four too. Have they said when you might be able to start the FET cycle? Sorry if you've already said it.

@Lauralozzle I've followed your Instagram page too, hope you don't mind.
Great to see you are focusing well on your diet plan. I'm hoping to shed a few lbs once I'm discharged too.

@Autumbreeze so sorry to hear that you're still crampy and bleeding! How awful for you! Hope you're doing better today. I joined a couple of IVF groups on Fb after reading your post. I think I'm on an ICSI one and the IVF UK one.

@User491 wow August is quite a way but I would definitely stick with NHS whilst you can. A holiday sounds like a great use of your time. Perhaps plan a few little activities etc in the meantime, I find breaking down the wait really helps.

Oh @Sj2505 thats awful 😞 I can’t believe you’re still in there, you must have been really poorly ❤️‍🩹
Glad to hear you’re starting to feel better now though and hopefully you’ll be able to go home soon ❤️
We have an appointment on 6th April and should be able to start on my next cycle which would be mid April providing this month doesn’t end up coming late with all the extra hormones!
Do you know if you’ll be doing natural cycle FET or a drug controlled one?

Hope you’ve all had a good weekend 💜💜

@Brown269 I know! Everytime someone says I might be able to come home they have another reason to keep me in. It's getting so difficult as I can only see my son for two hours in the evening! I really hope I can go home tomorrow.
I'm not sure if my cycle would be medicated, I'd prefer it not to be but I very rarely ovulate, I've only had two positive ovulation tests in my whole life.
Im going to test throughout this cycle to see what happens.

They told me mine would take around 2 months which would bring us to the end of April, so around the same time. But as I said, we're thinking of delaying it another month, but we'll see. When I'm better I'll probably feel that urge to get moving asap again haha!

@Sj2505 I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you to be able to come home today 🤞🏼🤞🏼 I bet it is awful being in there that long especially with missing your son 😞

Ah ok, they had said to me that natural was o ngl recommended if you had regular cycles as it delta on you getting the timing of ovulation right for implantation so I imagine they would probably suggest controlled for you then? They seemed to prefer medicated where I am to be honest but I said I’d prefer natural so they just advised it’s more risk for if you don’t time it right but I’d still like to try it first I think 😬

Keeping everything crossed for you today 🤞🏼🤞🏼

@Brown269 That’s great news they’re frozen! April time for FET sounds perfect.

@Sj2505 I hope you’re feeling better soon! It sucks you’re still in hospital.

I was supposed to have a GP phone appointment at 9:20 today. No-one has rang. Pretty irritating to be honest. If they don’t call later (they’ve been late to call before) I think I’ll just get a blood test done at the clinic, rather than fight with GP about my thyroid, and see what it is now and ask the clinic for a prescription because my doctors are bloody useless! I was trying to get this bit done cheaply as I’m already on Levothyroxine but I’m just getting really frustrated with them.

Spoke too soon! They just called me, prescription increased.

Oh no @Sj2505 I hope your home soon! Yes you much be missing your son. So nice if the clinic to keep in touch and check up on you. One week until our consultation with them now ☺️

@Lauralozzle glad they got back to you. Mine are the same! Had a meds review phone appointment last week on meds I've been on for years and he wouldn't give them to me until he talked to my consultant. Finally called me back days later saying it's all confirmed you can have them... I've had them off my doctors before so it's definitely already in the notes!! Useless mun. Glad they've changed your dose for you as well.

@Brown269 excellent news on the Frosties! Also not to long to wait until you get to transfer. I think we are going to wait until July now. We got such a busy year it's May or July and I don't think I'll be ready May time.

Been to the vets today with older beagle. She had some lumps checked. All good! Then we did a nice long walk to make up for it! AF is due this week so be interesting to see if it comes on time. Cramps are already starting... definitely my usual cramps! Can't wait 🙄😂

@Lauralozzle that's great, least you have things booked in now 😊 hopefully you don't have to wait too long for the results, just seen about your thyroid too, least they have upped your medication!

That's a defo better number to be hitting I was going to say your calories are maybe too low, I'm sat at the moment on 1800 with protein 140g but usually i eat 130-150 a day. Your defo better to get the carbs in, I have something sweet after lunch even just a yoghurt or fruit, then a low cal pudding on a night 😂 I can't not have something or I don't stick to it 🙈🤣

That's a good days food aswell, and jerk chicken sounds delish 🤤 could I have the recipe please?

I have followed your page on Insta, but I hope you don't mind, I'm gonna set a private one up for IVF stuff, not many know and I don't want people to find out 🤣 (I'm sure people have better things to do than search my followers tho.. I'm just paranoid🙈)

@Autumbreeze yeh defo see how you feel maybe, it's difficult to know what to do isn't it. We've been talking over the weekend, and we might just stick with the dates.. they are maybe the ones that are meant to be.. if the cycle went to plan, the OTD would be my birthday, and my husband thinks that's a positive thing 🤣 I'm like it could potentially be the worst bday ever!
We get 3 rounds covered, so I know how lucky we are!

@Brown269 that's brilliant news ☺️

@Sj2505 poor you, I'm so sorry your so poorly! I really hope you get out soon and home to your little boy ❤️