FET/IVF - January 2023

[Jane1284]

Hey

I would love to get a group together of some of us who are undergoing IVF or FETs in Jan. I found it really helpful to have the support of those going through similar last time (Nov 2020).

My story: I am due to start my first FET in January of my one and only frozen embryo. The embryo is from a cycle in Nov 2020 when I was almost 36. I have low AMH and AFC and it was my first and only NHS round. I got 4 eggs all which miraculously fertilised, 1 made it to day 5 and was put back in with a fresh transfer. Sadly it did not stick. 1 egg was left until day 6 and it finally made it to blastocyst. It has been frozen. Rather than having a FET back then they advised me to do a banking package of 3 cycles due to my low AMH/AFC so in Jan 2021 we started our first private IVF cycle with the same clinic (Kings). Once again I was on max stims (gonal f and menopur) and it looked like we would get 4 eggs again but when I woke from EC they told me they only got 2. I had a bit of a breakdown. I was so upset going through all that including over £2k worth of drugs injected to only get two eggs. It felt even worse as I had let myself hope it would go well. Out of the 2 eggs only 1 fertilised normally. On day 3 the embryologist told me it was average quality and she wasn't sure it would be good enough to freeze on day 5 if it even made it that far. I couldn't handle the thought of going through all that mental anguish to not have anything to freeze so I made a last minute decision to go in for a day 3 fresh transfer. I had zero expectations but somehow that average embryo stuck. I was so stressed all pregnancy and worried about everything but amazingly I gave birth to my first baby in Sep 2021. He is now 14 months and I am turning 38 in 2 weeks.

Now it is time to get back on the IVF/FET train. I have been for my initial scan and blood tests. The scan was fine. Still not many follicles but not significantly worse. Waiting for a consult with the Dr next week for an update on my AMH (can't wait.... ) where she'll also decide on our protocol. I am leaning towards a medicated FET just so we can plan it a bit better. If that doesn't work then it is back to a 3 cycle package of IVF.

I hope I haven't bored anyone reading this to tears. Would be great if anyone else out there would like to be a cycle buddy? :-)

@PimlicoMum4 omg this is amazing!! Sending lots of positive vibes xxx

@PimlicoMum4 got my fingers crossed for you!

@Jane1284 @torypops oh my gosh this is amazing news !! The biggest congratulations to you both 😍❤️

@Jane1284 @torypops and @PimlicoMum4 , huge congratulations to you all! Fingers crossed everything works out perfectly for you all!

I had my lining scan today...measuring 9mm and triple lined. I'm clear for FET on 27th Jan. Very excited!! Any transfer date buddies?

@ali2021 I had another scan yesterday too. Also 3 layer lining 8mm and leading follicle 17mm! Trigger shot this afternoon (in the office, sure that will be fun) and transfer in a weeks time, so just a couple of days ahead of you!

@Jane1284 @torypops congrats! So exciting we've had lots of natural pregnancies in this tread. @PimlicoMum4 hope you get another positive test this morning

@Claireabella05 I wouldn't be surprised if the difference this month is due to the meds

@Piapea sorry it happened again, so frustrating. I'm doing natural modified / semi medicated which does seem to create a bit more certainty over ovulation so hopefully will be what you need to get to transfer

After a lot of back and forth with my local hospital and having to get another blood test at my clinic, my blood thinners have been prescribed and I'm off to collect them this afternoon. Got a phone call as I was at the clinic yesterday waiting to be told when to trigger - really came down to the wire which hasn't helped with the stress of it all. Hopefully won't be any issues when I get there as i think that might tip me over the edge😬

MASSIVE congratulations to @torypops @PimlicoMum4 @Jane1284 ♥️♥️♥️ Amazing news and it gives me hope that it can happen even when you've been struggling for years. Over the moon for you all!

I had my LH surge this morning so I'm having my FET on Saturday. I keep reminding myself that the embryo might not survive the thawing process. I know it's a small risk but I don't want to be blindsided if it does happen.

Hope everyone else is doing OK.

Sorry I've not been contributing much!! But so happy to read such good news from a few of you this morning!! 🎉

My period started today so I should be starting my oestrogen tablets soon (date tbc from clinic). FET will be early Feb I think! Feeling nervous again now 😬.

Anyone else having a FET at a similar time?

Congratulations to @torypops @Jane1284 @PimlicoMum4 What wonderful news ❤️

Hope everyone is doing ok. I’ve got my FET today. I’ve barely slept so my husband and I are going to head out for breakfast on the way to clinic to keep us busy 😂

Thank you all for your lovely kind words.

@Piapea I am so sorry to hear about your missed ovulation. Must be so frustrating when you are tracking you cycle so closely. It must be so frustrating waiting for another month. I really hope a semi medicated cycle works for you. Are you able to start next cycle?

@torypops - amazing news! Congratulations. If my pregnancy carries to term I will be due in September too xx

@Claireabella05 wishing you lots of luck for your FET.

@PimlicoMum4 WOW! Another positive. How exciting. The first test i did was one of those cheap little strips you can buy in bulk off amazon cheap. It barely showed a smudge but the first response and clear blue are all dark lines so I would definitely get one of them! Please let us know how you get on :-)

@ali2021 great work on the lining! On countdown for your FET date. Sending you lots of luck xx

@Fourfrosties good luck for the trigger shot! Hope it all goes well. Your lining sounds perfect too :-) Glad you finally got your blood thinners but so annoying it had to be so stressful! Good luck with the pick-up.

@countrypunk - sending you lots of luck for your FET this weekend! I had the same worries about my 1 embryo but most info I found said it was quite unlikely for them not to thaw so try not worry (easier said than done)

@laurapop - lots of good wishes for your FET. Hope all goes well with the meds and lining!

Wow @Jane1284 that must've been such joy! 😃 congratulations xx

@Piapea I've just read your latest update. That's so frustrating. Do your clinic do any scans leading up to ovulation or just the one when you get your surge? I've had two in the days leading up to my surge which was good because my clinic could monitor my follicle and lining development. They don't do one once you get your surge. (Not sure if that's a good thing or not.)

@Jane1284 Thank you! ♥️

@Purrrrr Loads of luck for your transfer today, so exciting! I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve the night before my first one in November. Breakfast out sounds like an excellent idea.

Good luck @Purrrrr - hope it all goes well and you have a nice tasty breakfast xx

just had my day 2 scan this morning and finally start injections for my very first round tonight and 7 follicles one side 11 on the other. Lets see what the injections bring now but happy im finally starting after all the waiting

Just got a call from the clinic - my transfer date will be the 3rd Feb hopefully!!

My period was 4 days late so I thought I'd be having the transfer earlier - my problem is I've got 2 'nights out' that weekend..I obviously wasn't planning on drinking anyway but the day of the transfer I'm supposed to be going out with some nursery mum's, and on the day after transfer I'm supposed to be driving 1.5 to see a friend, do a bottomless brunch (where I'll make excuses) and then go to a Florence and the machine concert 😂😂.

Do you all rest after transfer or just carry on as normal?? I don't know whether to just be honest and cancel or whether it will be a nice happy distraction xx

Had my scan today and lining was 8.3mm! The estrogen patches must have done their job. My transfer is booked for Weds 25th and I start progesterone on Friday!

Great news @acaciabluebell I also start my progesterone Friday which I am not looking forward to.

@laurapop so pleased you've got a date. It's personal choice really, but I have always gone on as normal after transfer as I like the distraction, but only you know what's right for you and if it doesn't happen to work this time whether you'd blame it on yourself for going out etc.

@zarascan47 well done on getting started, it's such a relief! And a great number of follicles already too.

@Purrrrr hope all went well at your transfer and breakfast was nice! Congrats on being PUPO.

I have my blood thinners! All went ok at pick up. Trigger was fine as well, although felt v weird walking into a meeting room and undoing my trousers 😂

Hope everyone is managing to stay warm and toastie, so cold out!

@countrypunk I'm sure we had a chat on another thread and we are at the same clinic. How are you finding the experience with them? When is your transfer?

They told me to come in on day 10 for a scan to make sure everything looked ok. Everything was fine and I and a 14mm lead follicle. I tested for ovulation everyday from day 10 and got my surge on day 16. I came in for another scan as I had told them that my last round was cancelled when they couldn't pinpoint ovulation. When I was scanned by the sonographer she was concerned that my follicle had almost totally collapsed and it looked like a follicle that had ovulated 3 to 4 days ago. My ovulation tests (3 different types) picked up nothing on days 12 - 15. Just so strange. If anyone else has experience of this I would love to hear it.

So the clinic have said that starting from day 10 on my next cycle, they will see me every second day so that we don't miss ovulation again. I really can't ask for more from them.

I can only wish the rest of you the very best of luck with transfers, fresh and frozen over the next few weeks - I truly hope I don't see any of you over on the February thread :)

@Fourfrosties For my last transfer I had food poisoning/a stomach bug and couldn't keep any food or drinks down for days! I was so worried but it worked! So it does kind of make me feel what will be will be, as that obviously wasn't the best start for a transfer 😱. But, I also think maybe lying down and resting all week may have helped?? Who knows. I am that type of person that would probably blame myself, but deep down I know it won't make a difference as I'm not drinking or anything.

I'm glad you've got your thinners and the trigger went okay - all heading in the right direction!! When will your transfer be? Sorry if you've already said recently, I find it really hard to keep track on these forums!

@Piapea haha, I've been on a lot of IVF threads! I'm with the BCRM. Great that they have a plan for next month for yo and they'll be keeping a closer eye on your follicles. I really rate the nurses, haven't seen much of the doctors, and it feels a bit rushed sometimes. Plus they messed up my progesterone for this transfer. I think if this transfer doesn't work out I'll explore other options for our next cycle. How about you? My transfer's on Sunday, all being well 🙂

@Piapea Sorry about your situation. I find the way you are being treated very odd. My clinic, CRGH, always checks you every other day from day 10 onwards. I have ovluated late each time and as it's got nearer, I've often being going daily.
@Greenlee Hi cheating buddy, I'm going to think no new update for a while is not good news? Sorry about this. I tested today (day 8) and was positive. Very thin line, but defo there. I think this is reliable as I didn't have a trigger shot. Actually decided I was pregnant yesterday when I started getting a tingling pre-cold sore feeling on the side of my mouth!

Wonderful news @IVFbeenverylucky - When is OTD? Will your clinic scan you at 7 weeks? Hope it all progresses well :)

@IVFbeenverylucky that's amazing news! I'm planning on testing on day 9, which with a day 5 embryo is actually the equivalent of day 14 if we were natural! That's my thinking anyway 😂