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? :-)

I wish I never started testing now , I don't even have any egg frozen 😫 spent nearly £8000 and I wish I chose a different clinic that speaks the same language....

@AnnaPr1992 I looked at the NIPT/Harmony for my first IVF pregancy but my doctor at the time said if he was me he would save the £500 to spend on the baby as my 12 week NHS tests showed low risk. In my area you have your 12 week scan and bloods taken and they give you a number of how high risk you are. If you are medium or high risk they offer you the NIPT test on the NHS. Do you know if your area offers this too? No point paying if it may be offered.
This time I am 38 so I presume my risk will be higher. Still contemplating the NIPT as you can have it at 10 weeks I think.

For those of you sympton spotting I just wanted to share I had zero symptons until week 7 with my first pregnancy and then I just felt awfully nauseous for 6 weeks or so. I am 6 weeks now and no symptoms yet. Boobs are normal.
So you may have no symptoms but try not worry (easier said than done!)

@SusanTurner If you had a 3 day embryo transfer and it is only 5 days later then you are effectivley at the same point as day 3 after transfer of a 5 day embryo (if that makes sense). You wouldn't expect to see anything this early but I can see the start of a line. I know it is so hard to wait but can you wait a few days and test again? My first transfer was a day 3 embryo and my testing date was 14 days after transfer. It felt like a milion years but there's a reason the wait is so long xx

@SusanTurner don't stress yourself out. I think it being a day 3 it will take a little longer anywhz. So I would say wait a few days and then test.

@Jane1284 yes some people get no symptoms and there are loads that do get every symptom. Every body is different. Hence why they give you a date to test and testing early can give false hope. I think keeping yourself busy with work or family and friends is the best way. Try and continue your normal living and time will fly by x

@Jane1284 thank you for the information x I will ask my midwife if they offer it in the nhs if something isn't looking great.
Is a lot of money my husband wants to do it but I am not sure yet. We had a genetic testing done on our embryos anyway so I don't see the point to do all these extra things and I was 28 when they collects my eggs .
I guess we are worrying so much and isn't right x 😅

Ps. This is the test I was looking into *

@AnnaPr1992 - I wonder what the value of the NIPT is if you have already had genetic testing of your embryos. A question for the midwife like you say. If you were 28 when your eggs were harvested I would think that should mean they are top quality and less likely to have issues.
Part of me wants to get the NIPT so I can find out the sex of the baby early and be confident it doesn't have any underlying issues but then the other part of me thinks £500 is a lot of money for something. I guess when we have already shelled out thousands on IVF though so what's another £500!

Thank you

Am not testing any more 😫

@SusanTurner there is no right or wrong. If people want to test day by day they can. Some people rather wait until official testing. Do what your body tells you. Everyone will go through different symptoms. Some people will get loads Some people none at all. But don't let it put you down. Every symptom you get just think postive. Whatever is meant to be in your life will come nothing will get in the way of that. Good luck. Stay busy. Go for walks, shopping, play board games with your partner, go see family or friends and trust me time will fly. Good luck xx

Thank you hun

I had period type cramps throughout the day on 1dp5dt. Is that normal? It's too early to be anything but effects of speculum/cervix irritation from transfer right?

@acaciabluebell I think so yes. My clinic said that would be normal along with a bit of spotting (which I had).

@acaciabluebell yes totally normal. I have been having mild cramps and twinge feelings currently on 3dpt. X

My lines are no longer there on any test . But like you said it's too early. Apart from my boobs hurting on and off and not sleeping properly that's about it

Thank you all so much for your messages ❤️ I’ve had my beta today and my HCG is 193 which seems to be ok at day 10! I’m going to carry on lurking on this thread to cheer you all on if that’s ok though.

@SusanTurner If you had a fresh transfer you’ve likely tested out your trigger, so if you get a line again that will be pregnancy related. Good luck!

@acaciabluebell Cramping is definitely normal, and the progesterone can also cause some cramps. Hope you’re feeling ok.

@Purrrrr thats great! Please do stick around!

I had my final scan today. 8 follicles on my left ovary, they didn’t really check the right as it’s just not doing anything.

Stims/buserelin Injections as normal tonight, tomorrow buserelin as normal and then trigger at 9:45 pm

Egg collection 9:45 Monday morning.

I can’t wait for Sunday! No injections Sunday!

@Lauralozzle mines been pushed to wednesday now i have 3-4 follicles on the border of becoming more viable due to the size so they want me to do the meds for few more days now and trigger monday instead . i still have the 17 follicles but some are small so dont really count lets hope these ones loitering in the middle catch up.

Hi Ladies, just want to say hi and ask how you deal with pregnancy or new baby announcements? Just found out one of my friends gave birth today, I'm happy for her but so sad and depressed for myself 😭😢 help

Hi Ladies, just want to say hi and ask how you deal with pregnancy or new baby announcements? Just found out one of my friends gave birth today, I'm happy for her but so sad and depressed for myself 😭😢 help

@NaomiNatNat ahh that bitter feeling.. is totally normal to feel like this .
I felt like that after I lost my baby 😪 I couldn't recognise myself and the weirdest thing is that I couldn't even control myself feeling like that .
I was sooo angry, sooo frustrated and maybe jealous of others being pregnant that easily, having babies everyone around me , and myself struggling and waiting on the list when they will call me for my next transfer
Is very frustrating and painful 😣
It takes so much courage to go through what we go through.
My husband and I we have decided to not tell to anyone that we are doing ivf - is something so personal and we did it because Iam a cancer survivor - I didn't want anyone to know so we have been through this just by ourselves and is our little secret..
Everyone around us where asking us why you guys don't have babies yet - question that hurt me each time but I don't care anymore iam much stronger and I can't wait to create my own family with our rainbow baby 🌈🙏

Another thing I can't forget is a few answers I got from a few people when I had the miscarriage "aww come on is okay guys you are young and you will have another one "
That answer made me loose my mind

@NaomiNatNat It’s difficult. I recently found out my sister is pregnant, completely unexpected. It’s difficult to know how you feel about it, happy for them yes, but it’s awkward.

To be honest, I’m not sure I am dealing with it effectively! There have been people going on Mat leave at work, luckily not in my team so I didn’t ever really talk to them. Didn’t even wish them luck, didn’t mention mat leave or pregnancy, just ignored it!

My neighbour had a home birth last year, that one was pretty tough because I heard it. But they’re a lovely family and so whilst I felt sad for me, I was happy for them.

My sister is a bit different. Completely unexpected, couldn’t have come at a worse time for her. Handholding was hard, she’s older than me, already has kids, approaching 40. My heart aches for her situation, I most certainly wouldn’t want to be in it, but I felt so angry at the universe at the same time.

so yeah, apart from ignoring everyone and turning into a bit of a recluse that’s bitter and angry I’m not sure how to deal.

BUT, what you’re feeling is valid. You can be happy for them and hate the situation and unfairness of it all at the same time.

I’m really unsure and scared of what’s going on. I should be 6 weeks tomorrow (post FET on 5th) and today (the day of my dad’s funeral of all days!) I have had period cramping pain and bleeding. It’s now turned brown but I’ve lost my pregnancy symptoms - nausea, sore boobs etc so I think I’m losing my pregnancy. I don’t know if stress and upset can cause this but I’m praying it’s not bad news. I don’t know whether to go for an early scan, scan is planned for the 9th feb anyway. What would people do? X

@Lucy5yearsttc iam so sorry about your dad 🥺
I would totally recommend you to ring the early pregnancy unit which is an emergency line ( I believe each hospital has one ) or you go to ED straight for the gynaecology on call to examine you and to do
A scan of possible tonight , at least they can see your cervix if it is closed then isn't a pregnancy loss
I will pray for you 🥺

@Lucy5yearsttc I'm so sorry, this must be really frightening, and especially upsetting today.

I hope it's helpful to know that there is absolutely no evidence to show that stress causes miscarriage.

I echo Anna and would say phone either the EPU or your clinic out of hours number and insist they see you as soon as they can.

I'm hoping and praying that everything is OK. We're all here for you. Take care of yourself Lucy x

Great news sounds promising @Lauralozzle how are you feeling about it?

@zarascan47 ahh it’s frustrating all the waiting but it sounds as if it could be worth the extra few days if you can get a few more lovely follicles!

I had my final scan today, I’ve now got 6 follicles on my left side and none on the right. The nurse said to still only expect 3-4 eggs as the 2 newer follicles are too small currently to be much use. Hoping they continue to grow this weekend by some sort of miracle. I’m booked for EC at 8:30 Monday. It’s starting to feel very real now.

No real advice @NaomiNatNat other than it can feel so shit and you are not on your own. I really struggle with the thought that everyone else’s lives seem to be progressing and I seem to be static.

ohh @Lucy5yearsttc I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I can’t imagine how you are feeling today. Could the bleeding be stress related? Hope you can get some reassurance soon and that everything is ok with baby.