First cycle - IVF / ICSI - Day 4

[Koalie]

My hubby and I are on day 4 of stims - our first IVF cycle. Just wondering if there's anyone else in the same boat who might want to share the journey? :)

Hey everyone, how are you all doing?

My roller coaster of a journey goes on again, so my 3rd HCG has come back at 130, the out of hours dr has said to try and keep positive but look for any bad symptoms, and if I bleed or get pain to get checked out. I left a message for the clinic and they have come back to me just now and said, it's still very low for where I should be, and that I've to get another blood done Monday and go for a scan on Thursday. So at least either way we should know on Thursday!
I don't know how I feel about it all now 😬😬

@User491 Hi lovely. Have you now been seen by EPAU? Mine looked after me so well when I was being monitored by them! One thing I do remember is that hcg levels need to be above 1,500 for a fetus to be big enough to be visible on an ultrasound so I’m sorry to say you may not get a definitely answer on Thursday if your hcg levels are still low :( it is positive that they seem to be going up though! I’ve got everything crossed for you that it’s viable 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 please do keep us posted? X

@Koalie ahhh no way 🙈 I wonder if the scan will show if it's in my tube or not?
What was your HSG like when it was classed as PUL?
With the other miscarriages did you know your HSG?
So sorry to bring back the memories of it all, and only answer if you feel up to it. Just wondering whether to be at all optimistic or whether just to write it all off 🙈
Was planning on sacking it all off and having a wine when they said ectopic, now I'm on the non alcoholic cider instead hahaha 🤣

@User491 i don’t think they will be able to see where it is if your hcg is below 1,500 :( I don’t mind telling you about my miscarriages at all. My first was a MMC at 10 weeks, I never knew my hcg with that one and had to have an ERPC. The second was a PUL and was never seen on ultrasound, as my hcg didn’t get above 43. It was expected to be in my tube but never confirmed. I was monitored for a few weeks and my levels just fluctuated so I had to have the methotrexate injection in the end. Glad you’re on the non alcoholics 😆 better to be safe than sorry! Hope you get some answers soon. xx

@Koalie bless you, you've really been through it! Such a difficult journey! Thank you for the help and advice ❤️

I have the bloods in the morning, I should get the result tomorrow night. I will let you know what it comes back as.

I've had on and off cramps/tightening feelings and after last week, just keep expecting to go to the toilet and be bleeding 🙈 I'm trying to remain calm and not get too hopeful 😅

Hey ladies!!

So sorry I’ve been so quiet, tried to take a step back and stop googling stuff lol! I’m 6 weeks on Wednesday, and so far feeling good still! Almost threw up at DH eating Aioli yesterday though lol! I’ve got 1 test left I’m hoping to save for Wednesday to get a 3+! I’ve been too scared to do it too early and still see 2-3 and worry myself! 😩 but saw on Google lots of ladies didn’t get there 3+ till mid 5 weeks!!

@User491 oh girllll, I’m so sorry you don’t have any proper answers yet!!! How did your blood test go this morning? Do you get results in the eve? I really wish they’d do betas here in the uk!!! Would make me feel so much better rather than just waiting for an early scan. I hope everything works out for you🤍🤍

Hows eveyone else? Hope you’re all getting on ok xx

@Izzie94x amazing news that all is going well. Super exciting. Feeling sick is a great sign!

@User491 any news today?

@Izzie94x @Strawberry08 thank you for asking!
I know in a normal pregnancy, it would 100% put your mind at ease and it's such a simple check ☹️ Can you not request them?
Mine have obviously been done with everything going on, it's reassuring to see them going up, but also nerve wracking as my numbers are still so low for where I should be 😬😬

The Googling stuff is horrendous isn't it, but it's so hard not to, even before all this I was checking all sorts 🤣

Fridays was 130, todays 278😊 still slow I suppose as that's over 3 days... but just hope it's a little bit of positive news. I'll ring the clinic again tomorrow 😅 they will be sick of me haha!

Pleased your doing well @Izzie94x when is your scan?

@Strawberry08 how are you doing? 😊

@User491 ahhhh the wait to know what’s going on must be so hard!! There is still hope though as that did double over those days. Just definitely watch out for an ectopic as that can cause low hcg but still rising.

Im good thanks, I am back in the clinic on Monday for a mid cycle scan. They did say it my ovaries are settled they can do the transfer this cycle but it’s unlikely they would have so then it would be starting next cycle but the time is gradually ticking by so it won’t be long! It’s nice being medication free for a while

Hi ladies

@User491 I have everything crossed for a positive outcome for you! 🤞🏼🤞🏼

@Izzie94x glad to hear your symptoms are going strong and you’re feeling sick haha 😆 I also used to think it would be good if they did hcg monitoring in the UK but then realised that they don’t actually really tell you anything conclusive. They’re big on them in the US because it’s just another way the clinics can make 💰

@Strawberry08 sounds like your clinic are definitely planning a natural cycle for you then - did they tell you what the protocol would be?

So my clinic said they’d be happy to discuss the option of a natural cycle with me but that the next appointment with a consultant to do that is in March/April so would delay my transfer by months! Their standard protocol is to down regulate with Zoladex on day 21, wait for a bleed a week later and then start with estrogen patches & progesterone. Their natural cycle will literally involve no drug support apart from progesterone pessaries after transfer which I think would make me nervous. I have read of some clinics doing a natural cycle with estrogen and progesterone support on top which would have been my preference but I don’t think my clinic offer that as an option. I’m just going with what they’re used to doing and what they’ve perfected their success rates on so I expect my transfer will be second week of March.

@ScottishRach how are you doing? Xx

@User491 Hi lovely! Have you had anymore hcg tests? How’s everything going? It’s so bloody crap being left in limbo 🤍 and it’s so normal to still be hopeful. I bet your Google searches are full of low rising hcg searches!! 🤣 and it can happen, but you just want answers now and I get that! Least you get your scan tomorrow. How far are you meant to be? Is it nearly 6 weeks? I think you were just a few days behind me!

My 8 week scan is on 14th Feb 🤞🏼 I really hope all goes well, a lovely day to have it! But definitely a little anxious!!

@Strawberry08 ahhh how did the scan go? Are you excited to transfer!? ☺️ it was my favourite bit out of it all, but also, the most longest time waiting anxious part haha!! It feels like forever ago I was medication free!!

@Koalie nausea and light heady ness has absolutely hit me with full force this morning!! Felt ok until I tried having a cup of decaf…. Absolutely did not agree with me 😂 that’s so true isn’t it. It’s a bit like pregnancy line progression, I’ve had friends who’ve had MMC and line progression was obviously amazing when things weren’t actually progressing 🙁 it’s such an anxious time, but I’ve found peace in knowing that if anything happened now it’s because baby wouldn’t make it full term and it’s horrible to think that but it almost helps me slightly 🤍 I must admit - there’s something about being pumped full of drugs which makes me feel less nervous too! Lol! When will you get to down reg? Eee not long now hopefully!! I bet you just can’t wait to transfer now. The months are flying by aren’t they, get us our little autumn / winter babies 💗💗

@User491 let us know how you scan goes lovely 🤍

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all well?

@Izzie94x what a date for the scan ❤️ hopefully everything is still going well for you, and it will fly in 😊 the symptoms are a great sign, even if feeling sick isn't the best way to feel 🙈🤣

@Koalie that's great news about the transfer, not too long to wait now 😊

I got yesterdays bloods back this morning, my level had only rose from 278 to 343... so thought that it was all over, and went in expecting ectopic tbh!
However... everything's looking fine! It's still very early and it's teeny tiny but in the correct place 🥰 they couldn't tell me any more than that for today, but I'm booked back in next Thursday for another scan, and the dr is hopeful that if all goes to plan they will be able to detect a heartbeat 🥰 🙏🙏

@User491 OH MY GOD THAT IS AMAZING!!!!! I have been refreshing mumsnet alllll bloody morning to see whether you’d posted an update. I know it’s not completely out the dark yet, but that is honestly such good news 🥹 you may just have a really late implanted!!! Please keep us updated.

I feel like I’ve woke up with no symptoms today, my slight nausea after coffee wasn’t as bad this morning but I defo didn’t fancy it! And my boobs hurt slightly less, but they seem to keep hurting really bad one day and not the next! (I blame the progesterone lol!!)

Do you have any symptoms yet? I have so many friends that didn’t have anything or only slightly. So that’s me holding onto hope, and enjoying the days when I feel really good!!

Hope everyone else is ok? Xx

@User491 oh my gosh !! So they saw something on the screen? What lovely news !! You must be relieved 🤍 No idea why I was told HCG had to be 1,500 🤯 fingers crossed for a sticky little bean 🤞🏼

@Izzie94x that’s a very real truth about symptoms continuing with a MMC. I had strong symptoms for 10 weeks and they kept progressing but my baby had stopped growing at 7 weeks 😢 it was so cruel ! Symptoms being stronger some days over others is completely normal though. I remember being so fed up and upset with the constant nausea and all I can think now is that I‘ll never moan again if we’re ever lucky enough to be pregnant again 😆

@Koalie @Izzie94x thank you both so much, honestly I feel like a weight has been lifted, them HCG's were stressing me out in the end too 😅
I seriously said to my husband this morning 100% it's ectopic and we spoke all the way to the clinic about what we would say if they said about that injection etc 😱
It's definitely good news, but my levels are still low, however the consultant said this can be completely normal, and I have as much a chance as anyone else now, so just got to hope for more positive news 🥰
He also said the same about 1500! I wasn't sure if he meant at that level though for a developing baby and heart beat etc!
This was just a little blob tbh... but it's our little blob 🥲🤣

I don't really have any symptoms at all apart from slight cramps/pulling/twinges, my boobs have just started to get sore since yesterday and they have grown! My stomach kind of feels like I've done an an workout but low down 🤣 but I have started back at the gym and not sure if it's that, but it does feel different ha! I also randomly got such a strong metallic taste last Friday, but I put down to anxiety after all the stress.

I wouldn't worry about your symptoms @Izzie94x hopefully everything will be fine. Make the most of those good days haha!!

Ohh and I am sooooo hungry!!
I also put that down to the gym, as I weight train so could be that too I suppose 😊

@Koalie sorry just read the second part of your message.
Aww gosh that is so so awful for you. I have everything crossed that everything will work out for you ❤️

@User491 oh my goodness!! What a whirlwind. So so exciting

@Koalie sorry I totally missed your prior message! Yes definitely on natural cycle but not sure of my procotol. I will know on Monday so I will let you know.
There is a chance they may do the transfer this month if my ovaries have settled and the lining is looking thick and healthy. Will know lunch time Monday! She said it’s unlikely though, will have to be next cycle.

@User491 how are you getting on?

@Strawberry08 sorry just catching up. I'm all good for now thank you 😊 on and off cramps a little but no bleeding and just trying to plod on until Thursday again 🤣
My resting heart rate has gone up 10bpm, apple watch has just informed me, so hoping that's defo a positive!

How are you getting on? Is it tomorrow you're back for another scan?

@User491 ah so happy for you. All the waiting is awful but fingers crossed Thursday will be the additional reassurance you need.
yes scan is tomorrow, day 11 of my cycle. If my ovaries are settled and my lining is good they can do the transfer this cycle! If not, will wait one more

Hi everyone - had my scan. Everything looks good and everything has already settled down almost back to normal.
So they are happy to do a natural cycle for transfer. HOWEVER, my endo thickness was 5mm and I potentially had a dominant follicle at 11mm but I am supposed to be on cycle day 11. So nurse thinks could be a really long cycle. Have to go back in Friday to see if that dominant follicle is growing any the thickness is going up. based on todays assesment I would have lh surge on Sunday/Monday and then embryo transfer the following Saturday/Sunday.
there is a good chance this cycle isn’t a go though as the thickness may not go up enough or I may not ovulate as normal.
we will see! More waiting..

@Strawberry08 ahhh, all the waiting around must be sooo hard! 😩 but it’s definitely best to have your body in the best shape possible. What time is your scan today? Update us as soon as possible to let us know if you get to transfer this cycle!! 🤍

@User491 how did your scan go lovely?

hope everyone else is getting on ok? 4 days until our scan and i’m just an anxious mess lol!!!

Hey,

So sorry I haven't updated on here!

Was in yest and it hasn't grown like it should have unfortunately, I had bloods done and HCG has gone up but only too 700, so they said it wouldn't be viable, they are concerned that as my levels risen that I could have another one maybe in my tube too, but that's highly unlikely, they just can't rule it out due to the HCG going up and don't want me to miss any possible signs of it.
They couldn't see anything on the scan in my tube though, so hopefully not!

So I'm back on Wednesday to check again, and discuss options of whether to see if I pass it naturally or whether I will need/want intervention. I'm a bit on the fence about it at the moment.

So so rubbish, but it obviously wasn't meant to be!

How are you keeping @Izzie94x not long until your scan now 😊

@Strawberry08 so sorry I didn't reply to you, really hope you get some good news today and that your transfer can go ahead. Let me know how you get on, and really hope this cycle is good to go 🤞🏻🤞🏻