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? :-)

Hi ladies, I'm so glad things are getting underway for you. Just an update that after the whole drugs saga I am on pause with my IVF as I got a positive pregnancy test a few days ago!

I thought I would do a test to make sure I was safe to have some wines before it all began.

Very happy but obviously also very worried about miscarriage having had 2 before. Every cramp and twinge I'm on edge and thinking the worst.

I've still got all my drugs ready for if that happens X

Hi everyone! Hope I can join this thread. I started my FET cycle on 29th December - I'm currently on estrogen tablets (8mg per day) until my lining scan on 10th January. Transferring our one and only blastocyst. Would love to find some cycle buddies!

For background info, I'm 27 and been TTC over 3 years.

@LittleDoveLove massive congrats! Completely understand how anxious you must be, hoping this is the one that sticks for you 🙏

Welcome @acaciabluebell a few of us just started / about to start a FET so you are in good company 😀

Wonderful news @LittleDoveLove - Sorry if you are feeling worried. It can be so scary and hard not to overthink things. Will be sending lots of positive vibes your way. Will your clinic give you a viability scan at 7 weeks or are you on your own since it is a natural pregnancy?

Welcome @acaciabluebell - I'm in a similar position with 1 embryo and a medicated FET cycle. Not sure when I will start my round as my cycle seems out of whack unfortunately this month. Typical!

My short protocol meds being delivered thursday arghhhh Af should start next week friday/sat this is all getting very real now and my first time with it all so excited but also nervous for whats to come

Thank you @Fourfrosties and @Jane1284🥰
I'm not sure on the scan, I think I would have to pay for it if so but the NHS will give me one as I have already had 2 miscarriages. After my last one they said I need to call them at 5 weeks to book on for 7 weeks for reassurance.
Still in a bit of shock tbh as we've paid in full for IVF but hopefully all will be well and the clinic said we get back the money for treatments we haven't had. Hopefully things will go well X

Congratulations @LittleDoveLove! How amazing. I have heard of a few falling pregnant just before IVF. Having had two losses myself, I can imagine the fear you must have. Wishing you all the best.

Got through to the hospital today re my blood thinners and I need to be referred to their clinic, so left a message for my consultant - no idea when I'll hear back but hopefully will be relatively straightforward once I've spoken to him. The hospital said they deal with it same day once the referral is done, so hopefully can get it sorted before my trigger shot.

Hi Zara!
Exciting... clinic/pharmacy called today - my meds being delivered on Friday, then it's a waiting game until cycle day 1 (hopefully 21st Jan!) sending us all lots of luck for a successful fet.

Also congratulations @LittleDoveLove I'm delighted for you. X

Thank you @RMS0209 and @Laur0606 🥰.
I will still stay on the thread as I would love to see the successes. Wishing you all lots of luck x

@RMS0209 fingers and toes crossed just want to get started now

That's amazing news @LittleDoveLove congratulations!!

Looks like a lot of us will be similar timings as long as our AF is good this month and doesn't play us up! Don't think I have ever wanted my cycle to arrive before haha.

I'm feeling excited but also nervous to go through it all again, as I dont seem to get much luck :( I keep waking up at night panicking it won't work.
Does anyone else find they are up and down? One minute excited and feeling happy, the next having dread and panic.

Welcome @acaciabluebell ! I’ve started my oestrogen and have my lining scan on 6 January so we are at a similar place.

Spoke to my consultant this evening, he is happy to write the referral but slightly sceptical that a private referral will be accepted by the NHS clinic. Worth giving it a go though, so I've had to email his secretary to request the referral (despite the fact he had just agreed to do it). Also warned me there is a big backlog of emails so might take a while. Grrr.

Working on rough cycle dates and a transfer day of cd19, I've got a couple of weeks to try and get it sorted. Just rather not have this hanging over me.

Thanks for listening!

Morning everyone, and happy new year to you all. Hope the waiting game isn't too hard for everyone.
I've had my downregulation scan (long protocol FET here) this morning and have gotten the go-ahead to start my oestrogen tablets. Yay! So next is a lining scan 16th and transfer between 24th-31st Jan. Very exciting but am already willing the days to pass faster :)
Any other transfers happening around the same time? Best of luck to everyone!

Great news @ali2021 I'm doing a natural FET (trigger shot and progesterone after that) and period due any day, so will hopefully be transferring around the same time as you if all goes smoothly. Hope the days pass quickly for you and the oestrogen doesn't cause you too many side effects.

@LittleDoveLove Congratulations excellent News!! 🎉

Hi ladies, hope I can join!

I have a very silly question first though if anyone could shed some light please…

I am due to start my first round of IVF this month. Day one of period started yesterday and I informed the clinic. They said the nurse will call me back to arrange the delivery of my medication. I asked a rough idea of what medication and timeline I can expect, and she said I’ll be taking notheristerone from Day 18 of my cycle, and then at my nurses appointment on 16th Jan, they will go through the protocol (I still don’t know which one) and my exact medication plan.

now this is my silly question - is the chance to conceive naturally out the window now that I start notheristerone on CD18? I ovulate re around day 14/15 so wondered, probably stupidly, if we should still be trying, or if conception is now in the IVF gods hands?!

we are unexplained infertility. TTC 2 years, no pregnancies and all tests good/normal, except my AMH is on low side at 11.6. I’m 36.

appreciate any insight!

@Claireabella05 I feel the same. Some days I’m hopeful and then other days I feel we are doing all this for it just to fail then the panic sets in.

Hi @whomoon I had to start norethisterone on day 21 of my cycle but was told from the day 1 (when I rang clinic) that we were to not try naturally any longer otherwise the cycle would be cancelled. I imagine it’s the same but others on here might have been told differently?

Thanks @Laur0606 that’s really helpful.
where are you in the process? I hope you’re well. I wonder why I’m CD18 and you’re 21, perhaps due to cycle length? I’m
generally 28 days, but it can vary month to month.

I haven’t been told anything atm, only that my viral blood test is next week and nurses appointment the following week where we have our list of questions. I will call the clinic tomorrow just to follow up I think.

I’m certainly not wanting sex this month, but have gotten so used to tracking and timing sex, it actually feels a little odd not needing to
now.

Best of luck, @Fourfrosties ! Hope the month flies in for you too.

@whomoon when I started Northisterone I was told to use protection that month for the same reasons mentioned above. Very best of luck with your cycle 😃

Hey @whomoon

If you try to conceive (now that you have entered your down regulation month) you risk treatment being cancelled.

In my contract my clinic tell us in bold letters not to try and conceived in the month of down reg and the month of stims as our treatment will be cancelled and we will lose a NHS round and maybe liable to pay the costs of any tests already done (we’re at a private clinic as NHS patients)

I started Provera (Norethisteron’s cousin - it’s just another form of down reg) yesterday, and my nurses appointment to go through my protocol for stims is Friday morning (the nurse will also put through my prescription on Friday and hopefully delivery will be the following week). This is my second cycle so I know the protocol I will be on as this was discussed with the fertility consultant at the follow ip appointment for my first cycle where we had no viable eggs. The medication for stims is different at every clinic but I will be doing Meriofert-Fostimon as my daily stims (done in the evening), Cetrotide as my 7am injection from day 6 and I believe I will be triggering with Gonasi-Superfact (they will tell me what day and time to do this).

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks @ali2021 for the double confirmation! That’s one less question to ask the nurse.

going to be weird using condoms, if we do have sex, it’s been sooooo long!

thank you for the good luck wishes. Can’t believe it’s finally here. How are you getting on on your journey?

No viable embryos **

@whomoon As you're taking Norethisterone to induce a bleed, you should use protection throughout that cycle to avoid any complications. Although weirdly enough my clinic never told me this and we had to research it ourselves!

@ali2021 Best of luck 😊 I think my FET is due to be around 16th/17th if all goes well with my lining. I had my fresh transfer cancelled due to a thin lining which makes me quite nervous. My scan is on the 10th!