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? :-)

@Frosty91 did you tell your work that you're pregnant? I know that ta pregnancy sickness is recorded differently to normal sickness so I was wondering if I should tell them.

@acaciabluebell no problem. Defo speak to your GP. 12 weeks are the most important and always been on your feet and working isn't always good during the 12 weeks as this is the crucial time especially when miscarriages happen. So my mum told me to speak to me GP and GP agreed straight away. They will just put on the fit note altered hours on going medical treatment or pregnancy x

@acaciabluebell my GP gave me a fit note as well for 3 weeks so I will go back to work when I will be around 7weeks.
And that's true pregnancy related sickness isn't monitored and doesn't go to the HR for sickness management 😎
I work in the hospital too and only my manager knows so far about my pregnancy and I really don't mind others know nothing to be ashamed of.

I don't know when my period is due or when to stop taking the progestan

@Frosty91 you are amazing !!! What a great idea !!!
You are soooo right we go through so much for this baby and been on our feet all day isn't ideal
I will contact my GP as well and asked for altered hours or phase returned hours .
My nausea has already kicked in and I haven't managed to eat anything from yesterday morning
Unfortunately I developed hyperemesis with my previous pregnancy from week 5 I was vomiting 5 or 6 times a day
So on top of everything I have to deal with this nausea too 😭😭
I can't imagine working 12hrs shifts like this and having to insert the pessaries- is too much to take in and till I have the scan I don't want to risk anything.

@laurapop Good luck and loads of baby dust for you tomorrow 💗 💙
My FET cycle starts on 7th Feb so about 6-8 weeks from that I think (ages away!) Looking at my plan and there's no mention of embryo glue and thought maybe to ask the clinic to use it or anything else that helps implantation 🤷🏻‍♀️

@SusanTurner if you can't speak to the clinic you had the transfer I would say either speak to your GP or give a ring to the early pregnancy unit for advice.
Period won't come while you are on progesterone and might take some time for you to bleed after you stop them but speak to the specialist and they will advice you what to do.
Iam so sorry 😞🥺

@AnnaPr1992 it's been a journey to get to here. So we need to take care of ourselves especially in the first trimester. Yes some people work all the way and good for them. But when miscarriages can happen during the first 12 weeks we need to all be more careful during this time. So if your sble to take time of work or change hours I would say go for it👍💗 during this time less work less stress. Bit more sleep bit more relaxing on the sofa will do us and the baby good x

@SusanTurner you really need to contact your ivf clinic even if it's in the other country or your GP. They will advise you x

@acaciabluebell yes my line manager knew I was doing IVF. So I will be telling her Monday about my pregnancy as its my first day back in 3 weeks with my fit note with altered hours up until end April x

@Frosty91 my miscarriage happened on week10 to 12 😞 end of October so is still so raw for me still grieving 🥺 I remember going to work so sick so pale coz I wasn't eating or drinking anything all day but iam a nurse you would expect me to be more careful with myself but I never thought this would happen and of course wasn't work related but I should have given to myself more time to heal.
With this baby Iam determined to not let anything go wrong and some extra self care isn't going to harm me 😘
Of course work is going to struggle coz you are in the nhs too and you know the situation but they will understand hopefully...

@AnnaPr1992 thank you soo much. I will be getting a sick note for sure. I'm in so much pain from the PIO injections it's so hard for me travelling into work. If I was able to work from home some of the time that would at least help me a lot. When did you contact your GP?

@acaciabluebell I contacted my gp the day of the transfer-that week I was in annual leave and then he gave me extra 3 weeks is off sick .
Now I will call them again as @Frosty91 and asked for the phase returned hours - there is a policy for that I think you do 20% of weekly working hours and but you get paid for 100% and this is up to 6weeks or something.

@AnnaPr1992 yes it's so so busy at work always on our feet running around it can get stressful and you know with the NHS sometimes you don't even get to go on lunch at the right time. So altered hours is perfect. I have done mine till end of April. But if I do feel.o can go back full earlier I will but I know I got that option. Also, we have to do the progesterone capsules for 12 weeks so hence why. And I would defo reccomend since you have had a miscarriage before also its good to change the hours and look after your health more x

@Frosty91 so glad I have someone who understands ♥️ ah lunches haha that's another story, my lunch time isn't till 5pm or 6pm which is ridiculous for a pregnant women

I will definitely do that and I don't know why i didn't think of this earlier

Leaving house at 6:30am and coming back 20:30pm is just a no no especially for the first 12weeks.

My clinic is in germany and they don't speak English trying to communicate is so hard and sometimes reception lady put the phone down some are rude.

I have been getting lower back pains Only on and off yesterday and today and sharp stab pains on my left side only

Sorry to hear @SusanTurner. Hope you have people around you.

Goodluck @laurapop sending you sticky vibes. I hopefully have my transfer on Saturday! Really nervous at the moment that we will get a call to say our embryos haven’t made day 5. These last few days have been so horrible waiting.

My little girl will be going to my parents for the day so luckily my husband can attend too. Not sure what to do afterwards other than eat McDonald’s fries, I’ve been told that’s a must😂

@SusanTurner contact your local GP they will help you and advise you x

My gp said as I have had private treatment outside the UK they can't help me . I have to look for a private place that can do scans and blood work . Usless

When is your OTD @SusanTurner If you’re 9dp3dt there’s still a chance you’re just too early. I’d keep taking medication until your OTD and then I’d contact your clinic again.

@SusanTurner is it possible to email your clinic for advice? That way you can use google translate. I would definitely wait until your official test date before stopping the progesterone.
Is there a local epu you can call for advice? It’s so weird that the gp say they can’t help you. It shouldn’t matter where you had treatment.
And if all else fails maybe see how much it would be just to have a blood test privately. It was £55 at my clinic.

@laurapop From what I know, some light exercise like a walk is good. But definitely just do whatever feels right to you.

I woke up at 5:30 this morn and immediately tested again! Hope the craziness dies down at some point... (doubt it)

@acaciabluebell Im in the same boat as you! Currently 10dp5dt and really struggling with concentration and my mood, I keep going down the negativity path thinking what are the chances of this working 😣 I was so excited by seeing everyone’s positives at 5dt that I had also decided to test this morning but unfortunately it was just one stark red line. I’m going to hold off now until next Tuesday when I get my bloods.
I think if you are struggling and can take some time off that would be amazing! My worry is that I’d be even more preoccupied if I wasn’t being distracted by work things.

Hi Everyone, I started my first cycle of treatment mid Jan and my egg collection was yesterday. They managed to get 9 mature eggs and 4 have fertilised. I’ll have an update on Saturday and if i’m doing a day 3 or day 5 transfer but finding the whole process so stressful and I just have a million questions x

My BETA came back at 205 on Day 10- so happy ! Going back in on Saturday to check its risen OK again... starting to believe! Team no symptoms . Hope everyone else is doing OK. xxx