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? :-)

So sorry to hear it hasn’t worked this time @Fourfrosties.

Be kind to yourself, you did everything you could have but no one has control over this journey. It’s just unfair.

Hoping the clinic can give you answers of when you can try again, how many embryos do you have left?

@Fourfrosties I'm really sorry to read your update. Take care of yourself, this is such a hard process.

Sending lots of love.

@Fourfrosties I'm sooo sorry it didn't work 😔 you did eveything that you could have done. It's a difficult journey. But don't give up I really hope it works out for you Sometimes IVF doesn't work and people try naturally after and it has worked I know some people like that x

@JuliaIVF83 Hey I have my blood test today too. My official testing was suppose to be Monday but they have called me in as I have been testing early and getting a postive as 4dpt and on a digital 5dpt. Maybe it wasn't a strong urine? I always recommend doing the clearblue digital if you been testing and it's postive it will really show up on there. I would say don't worry too much and wait until your blood results x I think my blood results may come back tomorrow she said x good luck x

@Fourfrosties So sorry to read your result ☹️. I hope you can spoil yourself at least a little today.

I did my 5th and final Ovaleap injection this morning and it stung and bled for some reason. My first one bled slightly but none of the others did. Has anyone else experienced this? To clarify, it didn’t bleed a lot, but more than any of the others and it’s still stinging a little 45 mins later…

@BertLiv most ovaleap injections I had resulted in a little bleeding.

@BertLiv Mine had a little drop of blood sometimes and then bruised xx

@Fourfrosties Big hugs ❤ Take care of yourself xx

Hey lovely, I got 4 days till testing and not even the slightest bit of a line there. I think it is game over for me too. I had two embryos 9A cells transfered.

I think am just going to accept it and not testing any more cause I just keep upsetting My self .

I know how you feel . Nearly £8,000 down and not more money to try again any time soon . Am just going to have to just finding things to do to keep my mind going 🙃

I hope your OK sweetie and am here if you nThat's chat .

That's My embryo but they only gave me a photo of one ans said they are both the same That's why I only got the one photo

I’m so sorry @Fourfrosties Sending love xx

So sorry @Fourfrosties - sending lots of luck for the next round. I really hope it works xx

@Lauralozzle and @NaomiNatNat Thank you 🙂it's a relief to know it's normal!

@Fourfrosties I’m so sorry it didn’t take. What are your next steps?

@Fourfrosties sorry it wasn’t positive. There’s so much out of our control. Be kind and maybe treat yourself tonight.
Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long before trying again.

Really sorry @Fourfrosties 😩. Like you say, giving your little one extra hugs today will make you feel a bit better ❤️

I've got my FET tomorrow! Feeling nervous but excited to actually get going - feels like this cycle has been going on for ages.

Friday is my day off with my little girl, so we have no childcare as we aren't telling anyone this time! So I'll be going in for it alone.. not the end of the world but does make me a bit sad my husband won't be there.

Anyone else got their transfer soon?

@laurapop That's very exciting 😊 I'll think of you tomorrow! Will you go straight home afterwards? We went for a dog walk and fish and chips after mine, which was a nice distraction.

@countrypunk that's sounds lovely! I'm not sure whether we will bring my daughter and all drive there/drive home or if I'll just drive on my own and go straight home. Theres a great soft play near by so maybe we can go there before hand and then I can dip off for my transfer 🤣. Not quite the same as a relaxing walk haha

How are you feeling? What are your next steps now? Congratulations by the way if I haven't already said it!! Did you test day 9/10? Xx

@laurapop Haha, soft play sounds just the ticket! Great distraction and any movement will get the blood pumping to your womb!

I feel OK! Just a bit nervous about the next few weeks. I have a scan booked on 21 Feb. Also really want to tell my mum but partner and I have agreed that we'll wait until after scan. I don't believe that tempting fate is a thing, but still...

I did my first (stupid) test on day 9 with really diluted pee and wasn't sure what to make of the faint line. Then another yesterday morning and this morning. Today is actually OTD. Don't do what I did - test on your first pee of the day!

Lots of luck for tomorrow. Xx

Hi Ladies, rando question. Has anyone used embryo glue for their FET? Or other add ons? I used embryo glue for my fresh transfer, not sure if it helped but got bfn for that one xx

@countrypunk I think we will set a testing date then stick to it, so I'll deffo be testing at like 5am 😂😂.

I'm a bit unsure what to do after transfer.. I know bed rest isn't advised but they did tell me to take it easy for a couple of days last time. Is light exercise advised afterwards? I guess nobody really knows the correct answer and everyone is different!

@NaomiNatNat our clinic uses embryo glue as standard and not an add on! So I think it must help? Not sure on the exact stats though! If there are any

When is your transfer?

@laurapop I was planning on resting but we went out for dinner straight after transfer and then wandered around a shopping centre for a few hours unplanned lol. I was worried but I think it's fine to be doing your regular activities.

Anyone else really struggling with work during this time? I'm 8dp5dt and my mind is consumed with thinking about testing, my body aches so much from the progesterone injections so it hurts to walk and I feel tired and in a miserable mood constantly. I'm definitely not working as efficiently as I would like. Wondering if I should just take some more time off.

@acaciabluebell My doctor is amazing he gave me 3 weeks off. Now I have the next 12 weeks with altered hours. Instead of 9 till 5 i will now be doing 9 till 1 and the rest as sick pay. Work for the NHS so sick pay is covered Which is amazing. Off to pick up my fit note right now. Reason being cuz I'm still inserting progesterone capsules and my work is super stressful and I'm constantly been out of breath. So doctor said 12 weeks are very important during pregnancy the first trimester so advised me of this. Try speaking to your GP I would highly recommend if you are able to get time off during the first 12 weeks to do so x

@SusanTurner I am so so sorry 😞 its so sad to here that. You spent so much and done all that you can. I hope you have someone supportive at home to take your mind of things. But still don't give up hope wait until your period is due you never know. X

@Frosty91 omg that's amazing. I work for the NHS too. Thanks so much I will look into this!!