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? :-)

@AnnaPr1992 Those tests are looking good! Congratulations 🎉

Hey Ladies- still lurking on this thread watching all your updates daily. Just wanted to wish you all that at PUPO lots of good luck! I hope your waits to OTD aren't too painful @countrypunk @Hopefulfirstround @laurapop @Purrrrr @Fourfrosties @Frosty91 @JuliaIVF83
great that a few of you have similar OTD.

Goodluck for your collections/transfers @Laur0606 @Claireabella05 @Sunshinedreaming1987 @Laura23FE

Congrats on your BFPs @AnnaPr1992 - so frustrating that GPs won't provide a blood test. I asked my GP for some medication that I was on previously but they were so funny about it since my fertility clinic originally prescribed it. If you really want to pay for a blood test I know medichecks you can order at home finger prick tests. Might as well save your pennies for a 6 week scan though if that's what you feel like will put your mind most at ease.

I have my 7 week scan on 3rd Feb (next Fri) and I am absolutely petrified. I think a few of you have OTD on the 2nd so I will be praying for us all to have positive news! xx

@Jane1284 so pleased for you! It’s such a nerve wracking time isn’t it. Every time I go for a wee I am praying there’s no blood. I have my scan 9th feb, so fingers crossed for you the week before xx

@Lucy5yearsttc So glad it's worked for you. I can't believe someone has spent 5 years ttc, and I really feel for your situation. It makes me feel very spoilt.
I've just had the results of my blood test, and been told I'm "very pregnant"(!). Hoping that doesn't mean triplets!
Thanks for starting this @Jane1284. I'm going to drop off this thread now, but hopefully see you some of you on some of the other threads.
Good luck to those still waiting for positive news, or in need of it luck for next time xx

Sending you all the luck for your viability scan @Lucy5yearsttc - I hope the wait doesn't feel too long and we both get good news! I feel your pain on checking for blood each wee. So bloody stressful!

Great news on your bloods @IVFbeenverylucky - I hope your viability scan goes well and you don't have to wait too long. Let us know if it is triplets! :o)

Take care and good luck @IVFbeenverylucky - very pregnant sounds like the best kind!

Thank you @Jane1284, good luck to you and @Lucy5yearsttc on your scans.

Thanks @countrypunk hope you’re surviving the 2ww as well as can be. I found just listening to my body helped so if I fancied watching tv all day that’s what I did!x

@Lucy5yearsttc 😆 I'm a bit alarmed by people saying they're eating healthily. I just had a doughnut. And I have ZERO symptoms. It's so hard not to be negative because there's so much further to fall if you're too positive!

@countrypunk totally agree. It’s so hard not to symptom spot, I’ve not concentrated on work ever since. I just keep googling stuff. But you’ll never know so just got to wait. And I’ve never craved healthy food at this stage, I just want beige snacks!!! Do whatever you need to do! I have watched a lot of friends as that always takes my mind off things! X

@Lucy5yearsttc Haha, Friends is also my go to whenever I need a comfort watch! It's got me through a lot 😁

@countrypunk don't worry about zero symptoms! My first IVF pregnancy the only sympton I had was cramping one night. That was it. I didn't get any pregnancy symptoms until week 7 which is quite common. Some people go the whole pregnancy with none.

@IVFbeenverylucky huge congrats !!!! I also have been eating terribly , I found I gained about 4kg from IVF and not exercising due to pain etc , worth it for sure so I’m jaunt relaxing about it and enjoying the donuts

Hi all

I had my second scan today and was really disappointed to find out that I’ve only got 4 follicles on my left side and none on my right. I am 29 and this is my first cycle. We have now been advised to switch to full ICSI to better our chances. Having heard that IVF is a numbers game, I’m not feeling very positive today. Has anyone else been in this situation? My next scan is Friday with estimated egg collection on Monday.

Sorry your scan didn't go as well as you were hoping@Laur0606 - You are still early in the process so hopefully some more follicles respond to medication.
Hopefully with being young your eggs will be great quality and a lower number won't matter so much. I only had 3 follicles visible on my first round of IVF at 35 and when I went for egg collection they got 4 eggs so there's always the chance of more popping up. I did regular IVF both rounds despite my low number of eggs since my partner had no issues with his sample. My second round I had 4 follicles respond but only 2 eggs were collected and only 1 fertilised normally. That resulted in my son so it does really only take 1 good egg sometimes!
Good luck to you xx

Anyone been feeling out of breath day after embryo transfer?

Trying to fight the urge to test tomorrow.... Day 3?? Trying to convince myself that if it's negative then at least I will know that any future tests will def not be the trigger. Gosh these two weeks are painful. No willpower!!!

Anyone else tested this early??! I know its just going to drive me mad ... but I just cant help myself!

@JuliaIVF83 is this your first IVF? I think Test from day 5. Day 3 is way to early. I am on day 1. Had cramping yesterday, sore boots today and been out of breath alot. I will be testing from day 5 which is Sunday then every 3 days after. Good luck. Just keep yourself busy so time goes fast x

@JuliaIVF83 sorry boobs not sore boots lol

@Laur0606 don't be to deflated with numbers although it's easier did than done...i felt like that all the way through with this round of ivf as I was on a low dose and only had 4 follicles, but looking back on those rounds where I had 20+ I never had any left to freeze and not so good quality with only 1 that would make it to day 5, where as on this round all 4 fertilised all excellent quality on day 3, and in day 5 I have 3 blastocysts left so 2 for the freezer, all though I haven't got my bfp yet, I definitely feel closer than I ever have got before!

@countrypunk everyone is different and we just never know, I've had symtoms and been so certain to get a bfn so it really can go either way....ivf is so cruel at times

As for eating healthy, I do eat good meals but then with the addtion of cakes and chocolate haha, so not sure I can call my diet healthy really lol, but I'm sure it won't do no harmif it makes us happy and takes our mind of the awful 2ww

Transfer now confirmed for 2.30 tomorrow eeek, having a few last minute nerves and don't know what to do with myself tonight 😳

I hope my progesterone is working, it's strange as I don't feel any symptoms ...do your clinics usually check your levels? As I don't think they do at mine.

@Claireabella05 My Clinic don't check levels. Before transfer I was using progesterone for 5 days and I didn't feel no symptoms at all. Also when I get my period I don't get no symptoms. So it's the first time be experiencing all these the sore boobs, cramping, and constantly being out of breath. Some people get no symptoms. Every body is different. Don't worry to much when is your official testing date x

@Claireabella05 Thank you ♥️ I am also a cake fiend, no way I'm giving that up for the TWW. I need it! Good luck for your transfer tomorrow. I don't have any progesterone symptoms either, except for maybe some mood swings... although that could be me or the drugs. My clinic don't check levels either.

@JuliaIVF83 I am firmly on the side of not testing early! I did last time and it was upsetting and stressful. I kept retesting, hoping for a BFP that never came. I know how difficult it is to resist the urge.

@JuliaIVF83 Thank you ♥️

Thanks guys, it's just felt strange as I remember last time having sore boobs, pms symtoms etc even before transfer and haven't this time...I moan when I have symtoms and when I don't lol

@Frosty91 sounds promising, keeping everything crossed for you.

I'm not sure of my OTD, I presume 2 weeks from tomorrow .

@Claireabella05 I have the same worries about my progesterone!! I was so nervous about starting it and I'm just always worried I'm not pushing it in far enough! I was warned of gas, bloating etc but nothing so far!! I started mine on Sunday 22nd. Transfer Friday 🤞

I feel suuuupeeerrr bloated like a balloon 🎈 and hungry all the time 😬
Also I have noticed I have developed heartburn since I started them.
I take 1200mg of progesterone 😪 very high dose!