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 yes I went for a scan... they said I still wasn't quite there so I went back a few days later for another scan and they said all good and I collected my trigger shot that day and they told me what time to give it. It all got very real then. It's a hell of a journey. Loads in my work has it and I avoided it but I came down with it Christmas Day. Was supposed to be back in work today but stayed off! Just glad it's not covid otherwise they'd make me wait three months before doing our second round. Hope your husband is better soon to.

I’ll catch up later but argh!!

I haven’t down regulated properly. My lining is borderline too thick and I have a follicule on my left that is also borderline too big.

Ive had a blood test and now I’m waiting on them to call me back. There’s a distinct possibility this cycle will be cancelled, I’ll have to trigger to start ovulation and wait for another bleed. Typical!

we will wait and see what they say when they call. I was sure I had a tiny bit of EWCM yesterday so it’s not looking good.

@Autumbreeze I Hope you’re feeling better now. This cold seems to have done the rounds a bit! A few people I know have been horrible with it.

No big walk planned today, on the one nice day we have! Hopefully we’ll do something on the weekend. I do love a good walk, it’s my main form of exercise!

So, the clinic have called.

Firstly, I have to take a pregnancy test 😂 😂 😂 😂 So we have to pop down to the shops to buy one because all of mine are like, 2 years out of date. There is no chance I am pregnant it seems like a waste of time and money but hey ho.

When the test shows negative, which it will, I then I have to take half of my trigger injection. When I bleed, I have to call again for a down regulation scan. Must continue taking the buserelin as usual. So, looks like January cycle will turn into a Feb cycle at this rate. We will see, I’m guessing after trigger a bleed in approx 2 weeks.

@Lauralozzle
Aww I am so sorry to hear that, such a shame. Have you done the test etc?
Wish it was because you were pregnant ☹️

Hope you are feeling ok?

It's awful, after waiting so long to be put back, but at least they have a plan of action even in these circumstances, and the month will fly by 😘

I'm now back the 3rd, with the potential egg collection being the 5th.. my concern now is what if I over stimulate. Since leaving the clinic I've had so much bloating and discomfort mainly yesterday, and that's got me worried now. The clinic said to just monitor it and as long as I'm not in alot of pain to class it as normal.
I think I'm more worried due to the bank holidays etc. hopefully all will be well.

I must admit, it is so complex this whole journey, but so interesting at the same time, it's amazing what they can do!

@Autumbreeze thank you for the info, hopefully it will be ok next week when I go back 🤞🏻

Hope you are feeling a bit better now? I woke with a sore throat and not feeling 100%, but I have seemed to get a bit better as the days gone on, really hope I fight it off, I'm cooking for family NYD 🙈

@User491 I did take the test. Stark white negative. It’s frustrating, I didn’t know how I felt about it yesterday, obviously disappointed and frustrated. However, it can’t be helped and I just have to go with the flow of it all. They have a plan, hopefully this down regulation will work. I just need to take it one step at a time.

I think, a lot of progress has been made in 2022. We finally got referred to fertility clinic, my tubes are clear, I’m clearly ovulating. OH SA is fine. I’ve been diagnosed as hypothyroid which screwed my hormones and that appears to be ok. We made it far enough to get a diagnosis (even if it is the non diagnosis of unexplained). The endocrinologist has basically said I’m good with no concerns of a tumour at present. I’ve started IVF, I’m just going to have an extra long down regulation.

That’s a lot of progress.

Plus, extra weeks means I don’t need to feel guilty about the drinks I’ve had over Christmas. My thoughts are, anything pre my next bleed is fine in moderation. It also gives me time to get back to normal, non Christmas related food and the calories that come with it.

Hopefully everything will be fine with stims. If it gets too bad then call them and drink plenty of water! Not long to go now.

It’s a hard journey, but you’re right, it’s also amazing what they can do. Hopefully it’ll work, or we’ll at least get a good number of embryos for FETS.

Im trying to remain hopeful, yet optimistic.

@Lauralozzle 100% I am completely with you!
2022 has been the first year we have any progress after 4+ years.
2023 can be both our year 😊

I've still had a couple drinks over Xmas, in all these years of ttc, I've never got OTT and we have always took it in our stride and tried to remain calm.. still does my head in when people plan to be pregnant and it just works... but it's life it doesn't go to plan always!
We will both get there 🥰

Make the most of your extra weeks, and do not feel guilty!

I feel ok cramp wise today! It's a strange one.

I am the same, a friend who knows about it all asked how we Both were yesterday, I was like seriously we are fine. Yes it takes its toll in certain ways, and we are just at the start of what could be potentially a long journey, but hoping tentatively it works. but actually I feel ok right now.. we are doing our hardest to not put pressure on ourselves. Let's just both think positive 🤞🏻❤️

Happy New Year all!! Let get this started.... praying for lots of baby dust for us all!

Sorry @Lauralozzle that you may have to wait another month.... but if you do it's still only just around the corner and like you said... it gives you more time to prep.

Got our appointment on Wednesday and going to collect meds 😬 NOW I am starting to get nervous. I'm nervous to start again and nervous this is our last round in the NHS. Don't know what we will do next if it doesn't work out.

Happy new year everyone!

@Autumbreeze Oh, that came around quickly! Keeping my fingers crossed for you. I know how you feel about wondering what you will do if NHS round doesn’t work. It’d leave us in an awkward financial situation.

I ended up thinking screw it yesterday! Had two large-ish baileys last night. Back on track with everything today though.

I don’t know what that trigger shot has gone to me but I’ve had period cramps pretty much all day but without any bleeding. I mean, it must be doing something for me to have these cramps all day.

@Lauralozzle aw sorry, that's rubbish, the cramps! When do you go back for another scan? Are they definitely pushing you to Feb? Ours egg collection and/or transfer will be Feb depending when my period falls. I did bleed for two days mid-cycle this week.... best not mess up our round! I will tell them, but hopefully it won't effect anything!

@Autumbreeze I have to wait for another bleed, it was a hcg trigger so I’m guessing it’ll show up in about 2 weeks after googling it. Then have to arrange another down reg scan which will be 7 days later and then hopefully we can start stimming. I’m guessing an extra 3 weeks which would mean stims starting back end of Jan. I’ll know more when AF shows up. Still on the buserelin though it’s just turning into a super long down regulation.

Yeah, the cramps are weird. Definitely feel like period cramps rather than usual twinges. Hope I don’t have 2 weeks of this!

Hopefully your mini bleed shouldn’t be a problem.

Happy new year!
Hope you all had a good one, and hoping for good news for us all.

@Autumbreeze how are you feeling about tomorrow collecting those meds?

@Lauralozzle hoping the cramps have settled now? Hope af arrives for you soon and you can get cracking with the stims 🤞🏻

I was in the clinic today, all set for Thursday EC 😱 when the dr told me I actually felt really emotional! It really is a rollercoaster of a journey isn't it.

I had 12 follicles, and 7 of a good size, 5 smaller ones. Got to do the trigger tonight. And planning on a chilled day tomorrow to get myself all set. Feel really nervous tbh 🙈🤣

@User491 good luck for Thursday. Have you done the trigger yet? I'm sure mine was at 8pm. You find it ok? Yes relax tomorrow. Do you know what time you are on Thursday? I was first in which I was very glad of! Be thinking of you! Yeah feel good about it tomorrow but our appointment is at 8.15 in the morning! So we will have to leave here at about 6.30.

@Lauralozzle the extra time is good to though. You feeling ok about having to wait another month?

@Autumbreeze thank you ☺️ my app Thursday is 9am, so trigger is 9pm tonight, just got it out before and read the instructions, I'm actually a bit nervous about doing that now haha, it seems way more complicated than i expected 🤣 it will be fine I'm sure!
That's an early start but all worth while 🥰
We will be on the road 6.30 on Thursday too 😅 not great after Xmas holidays! Not used to it haha.

@Autumbreeze I've also got to get my gel nails off tomorrow now, they told me today! Didn't even think about it previously 🙈🤣

Happy new year all! Hoping 2023 brings us all lots of baby dust ✨

@Lauralozzle hoping AF behaves for you and arrives when she should! Sounds like you're keeping in good spirits and taking it in your stride though!

@User491 yay! Our threads first EC (I believe??) we will be thinking of you! Can't wait to hear how you get on.

@Autumbreeze great news! The ball is rolling for you ☺️ do you know when you're due to start meds?

My clinic had predicted today as my CD1 but there is no sign yet. I get very symptomatic for about a week or more before but I'm not really feeling anything. Maybe the tiniest dull ache but it's usually horrendous, so I don't know if I'm imagining it.
However, I did call them and pay for my meds so apparently I should get a call from Stork soon to arrange delivery. I also mentioned about my lack of AF and they said to call back Thursday 5th afternoon if it's not arrived by then...

@User491 Cramps have gone, thank goodness! Good luck for egg collection!!! Will be thinking of you!

@Autumbreeze I’m still a bit peeved buy the whole thing but there’s not much I can do about it. Just taking each day as it comes!

@Sj2505 Hope AF arrives soon for you!

So, cramps have gone. I’ve now got a lot of creamy cm. More than usual. Starting to have local reaction to the injections now as well, can see where I’ve been jabbed with raised itchy bump but it’s not too bad.

Im still guessing AF will come around next week. Lots of waiting still for me!

@Sj2505 thank you, will let you all know how it goes 😊 feeling majorly full and achy.
All exciting getting your meds soon too! Hope af arrives soon then you know when your starting 🤞🏻☺️

@Lauralozzle so pleased they have gone!
Ahh I did get the same sometimes, I would wipe where I injected with a cool damp flannel/baby wipe and usually it would settle it down a little. I found with mine it was when there was a tiny little drop of fluid on the end of the needle that reacted with my skin, but I can't be totally sure.

So nervous for tomorrow... got my lorazepam to take and hoping it settles my nerves and helps me sleep. Had my tea and gonna chill with a cuppa and head to bed soon I think 😊

@Lauralozzle pleased to hear the cramps are easing!

@User491 good plan, stay nice and relaxed as much as you can.

What is everyone planning for the 2ww? Are you taking time off work? Distracting yourself?

Still no AF today but I have started getting pains and my cervix has gone very hard and shot right up, so I'd hazard a guess at the next 5-7 days but could be wrong 😅
I arranged delivery of meds today!! Decided to wait until 17th as we have family staying next weekend for my birthday and don't want them seeing them in the fridge haha

@User491 with my first egg collect it was just after my wedding and I couldn't get my gel nails off for the life of me so at my last scan I told the nurses they wasn't coming off 🤣 they said that it was ok! This time I'm prepared... got my nails to be removed the 14th Jan. good luck for tomorrow. Be thinking of you!!

Glad cramps are getting better @Lauralozzle ! It is rubbish pushing it back... but at least it's still to come.

Collected meds today. Start stims on the 15th Jan as long as my period comes on time. Then egg collection the end of Jan... it's so fast compared to last time. I got four... FOUR injections to do from the 21st Jan!! I'm dreading it!!

@Sj2505 I'll probably be working my TWW. We are a small team and it's hard to get time off... I will try and get my test day off though and the day after if I'm lucky enough to have one. We get paid a few days fertility leave as well which is good plus I carried a week over to this year. I was unwell after my egg collection last time... always have a reaction to the sedation... so I'll have some time off after that to.

I won't be taking time off either, just because I work from home and manage my own workload, so I'll do some prep before to give me an easy week or so.
So exciting that you have some dates, FX AF arrives on time for you. I have to call the clinic this afternoon to tell them that AF has not arrived - but I do feel like it's on it's way so I might request that I wait another week as I'd rather it came naturally.
I also struggle with sedation - full general anaesthetic I recover fine from, but I've always take ages to come round after sedation.

Been thinking of @User491 today 🤗

Hello everyone,
Thank you for all the well wishes!

EC went smoothly, was quite calm, the lorazepam obvs done the trick. The whole nursing team were fantastic and kept me informed etc.
I was given a sedative, painkillers and the nurse must have seen me grimacing as she gave me the gas and air too 🙈🤣
It was quite uncomfortable but totally fine.

I'm really crampy following it and got home had something to eat, pjs on and dozing on the couch, feel exhausted!

@Autumbreeze wow 4, poor you!! However, least you have those guideline dates, will fly in 😊

@Sj2505 I'll be carrying on as normal as best as I can, I will the the distraction I think. Going to try and plan some things on weekends etc too just to keep busy, hope af is on its way 🤞🏻

Ohh meant to say we got 6 eggs, and will find out about if they have fertilised etc tomorrow morning🤞🏻🙏

Happy New Year everyone! 🥳 Wishing everyone lots of baby dust for 2023 🌱

@User491 I'm so glad they got 6 eggs and you're OK, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you overnight. 🤞 Hope you're relaxing now and not too sore.

@Autumbreeze I also love walking - I've got four dogs! I was also quite unwell over Christmas and completely lost my voice which was annoying on Christmas day. 😂 Hope you're right as rain again now. 😊

@Lauralozzle sorry to hear about your setback but hopefully the time will pass quickly. Like you said it gives you longer to prepare and get your body prepared.

@Sj2505 any sign of AF? I started today but was late and had to rearrange my baseline scan from today to tomorrow. The nurse said it's normal if stressing about starting IVF! 🙃

I'm 3 hours away from the clinic so it will be an early start tomorrow. I'm hoping I'll get more information tomorrow as this is my first round and I still really have no idea what to expect! 😅 I'm a freelancer so I think I'll try and take a week off around egg collection/transfer but I can't afford anymore than that especially with needing so much time off for multiple 6 hour round trips for scans.

@User491 that is fantastic news!!! FX for lots of mingling and fertilising tonight and more good news tomorrow.
How are you feeling?

@MsSandyToes ah that's great that you got AF! So will you start down regulation on CD21 now?

I feel like AF isn't far away, maybe a week I'd guess. The clinic are happy for me to wait for it to start naturally, but anymore than a week then we'll need to look at starting it. But I still have a very mild dull ache, PMT like mad today and constipation (TMI but tell tale sign for me).
Can't wait to get going though 🤩