IVF February 2023

[HJen22]

Haven't seen a thread for February cycles so if anyone is waiting to start in the next few weeks and fancies some cycle buddies ❤️

Little about me, 34yo TCC #1. Low AFC/AMH. After two disastrous NHS cycles (NE Scotland) which resulted in no transfer, we went private and are away to start our second mild IVF cycle at Create in Manchester x

@Jennie154 I have been ok, the antibiotics have made me a bit grotty- just want it to be next week so I can test 😂

@JustBePositive that sounds very promising, I remember that feeling from my round in December just wanting to know when EC would be

@Carly05 Im so sorry to hear that happened but your totally doing the right thing by speaking to the councillor and exploring other options - do you mind me asking, why did they think it’s your eggs?

@Purplemichelle I didn’t have that but I did have a ‘tendernesses’ in my ovaries constantly, really not nice. Let us know what your clinic says and hoping that stops asap for you

@AM08 thank you. Will update when I’ve spoken to the clinic. Seems to have stopped overnight so will see what today brings!

@Purplemichelle thsnk you, am very nervous about getting the call from the embryologist today. I know everyone has said but I would definitely call your clinic today about those pains x

@Carly05 so sorry for what you have been through. I would definitely pursue the counselling option. I had a few sessions just in the run to starting treatment and it was so helpful x

hope everyone else is doing ok x

@LF82 I bet you are. It seems like you just stare at your phone for hours on end waiting for the call. Good luck!! Xx

AM08 only collected 3 eggs as I have low number follicles anyway as I'm 41. They looked mature but when they tried to fertilise them they tried to split into cells but the walls of the cells were leaking. Said it was v.unusual but likely due to poor egg quality ( due to age) but they can't say for certain. So I either try one more ivf round to see if anything changes with another batch of eggs or go down donor route now..... Such a difficult decision 🥺

Congrats to everyone just having successful egg collections and transfers 🤞🤞🤞🤞 xxxx

@Carly05 are you having conventions ivf? I am a similar age to you and have had mild ivf. It’s my first round so no idea how it’s going to turn out but so far so good and they say it’s perhaps better for older women x

@Purplemichelle they rang! All 8 eggs were mature but only 4 have fertilised. The embryologist said that was a good number for what they expected and they would call again on day 3 🤞x

LF82 i had IVF - short cycle. With icsi . But I only have AMH of 6 with Antral follicle count of 5. What was yours? Collecting 8 eggs with 4 fertilizing is amazing news😃... so the mild stimulation has obviously worked well for you , keeping everything crossed for good embryo development and transfer 👍👍🤞🤞🤞 xxx

@Carly05 I had issues with producing more than 2 eggs which never passed day 3. I tried short protocol with standard drugs, short protocol with max drugs and then a mild protocol with minimal drugs. We then made the decision to use donor eggs. It was a tough decision at first but definitely the right one. It may be worth you trying a different protocol before moving to donor eggs.

@Carly05 if you want you can contact me in private, i have been through what you are going through. I am not on a donor-donor ivf with mild medication. Been through all decision making and I would support the idea of talking to a psychologist. My clinic offers these sessions and they have been invaluable. In fact i just came back from the session :)

@Carly05 the clinic didn’t test my AMH levels - said it wasn’t needed. I had all my other tests done though. We needed ICSI as well. Am not sure what the difference is between mild ivf & short protocol (I had gonal f from the day after my AF and the cetrocide to stop my ovulating until they were ready to do trigger) So far so good but am nervous about what will happen between now and day 3 and then day 5 and if we actually get some eggs to freeze! We aren’t doing a transfer this round - they said best chances of getting good eggs is to do 3 rounds of egg collection and then a transfer

on my experience so far I would recommend my clinic - Create

x

@Carly05 that must have been a difficult call, it sounds like some others in the group have similar experiences, it’s so good to have a community of us here all going through similar things! Keep us updated on how you get on xx

@LF82 congratulations on your 4 fertilised eggs ♥️♥️♥️♥️ keep us post with the update on day 3 xxxx

Thank you @TW6 Trying not to worry too much but it’s so hard!

@LF82 try and just keep yourself distracted best you can. Have some nice outings over the weekend ♥️♥️

@LF82 that is so amazing!!! First hurdle over. Try and arrange some lovely things to do until the next call, I know the egg development will be on your mind but it’ll take the edge off.

I’ve be had no pain today so ovaries (touch wood) are behaving currently. Super nervous for my first scan on Monday. The last round didn’t go well at all, so hoping and praying for a miracle this round as we all are. Xx

@LF82 4 fertilised is fab!

@Purplemichelle @Lauralozzle thank you! I think it’s all mind blowing to me as it’s my first round so no idea what is ‘good’ x

@Purplemichelle glad the pain has stopped! Lots of rest & relaxation before your scan on Monday is in order x

@TW6 going to do my best to be distracted over the weekend! X

@LF82 the clinics usually say that a 50% drop off is normal and the fact that 4 fertilised gives you a great starting point. They will monitor the growth and select the best one for transfer. Just know they are in the best place right now for observation. Days 3 and 5 are critical for determining the best chance of use for a transfer so just relax if you can and wait for the updates. I remember my heart being in my mouth every time I got the call and you feel like words escape you but they absolutely know what they are doing.

Just finished work so going to relax with a hot water bottle as apparently that’s good for growth and I’ll try anything at this stage. Grateful it’s winter and not summer with a hot water bottle on my tummy! Xxx

Hi all. Hope everyone is doing ok. I’m due to start downregulating in a couple of weeks and my mind is in overdrive a bit. I feel like having as much information as possible is helpful (within reason) so I’m prepared as this is my first round of IVF so feeling quite apprehensive.

Are there any foods that are particularly good to take or avoid during treatment? Hearing lots of things about pineapple and pomegranate juice…

How many tablets do you think you take in total during treatment? Looks like it can be like 8 or 9 a day… or does it vary person to person?

@Purplemichelle hope you are enjoying that relaxing tonight! X

@Katie12444 welcome! I am just trying to eat healthy but not stopping the occasional treat (chocolate is my weakness) and am taking pregnacare vitamins plus omega 3 x

@Katie12444 I was told no coffee, no fizzy drinks, alcohol, smoking, processed food and sugar.

Good to eat - fresh food, warm food like soups porridge for breakfast with berries, nuts, avocado, pineapple juice.

I struggle with sugar, have scalled down on biscuits/cakes but still enjoying chocolate. I have headaches otherwise. Also drinking lots of tea and water.

My transfer is in 2 days so trying to stick to the good stuff as much as I can but it has been really difficult re: sugar and processed food (pizza, salami etc. Work lunches are particularly challenging as I bring sandwiches with me. I now try to make chicken sandwich or egg sandwich instead of a pepperoni).

@LF82 thank you! X

@peonygirl thank you! Lots of luck with your transfer x