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

Update from the embryologist: 4 of the 5 eggs they retrieved were mature, and they've managed to fertilise all of them, which is amazing (in previous cycles we've had a maximum of 2 fertilised). Fingers crossed now some of them DO something. (We've managed to transfer a couple of 5 day ones before, but they've been poor quality with limited expectation of success, so I'd really like to actually get a proper blastocyst this time!!!)

@VioletCookie sorry to hear this. Hopefully it’s just too early and HCG doubles every 2-3 days so you’re not out yet. Bloods are more helpful with levels. Keeping everything crossed for you. Xxx

@Boofimus @Purplemichelle thanks for your kind words, I've not told any friends or family about this transfer as it causes so much pressure, so I'm leaning on these comments so much.

I hope this isn't triggering for anyone, but I've attached a picture of the tests. Yesterday AM at the top, followed by this morning and then lunchtime. The two AM ones were tested the moment I woke up.

As you can see the top image is positive, then the bottom two from today are so faded I can't even work out if there's a line. I can't understand why it would only show as positive for 1 day then disappear again?!

My previous two FETs showed strong positives at 6DP5DT. They also became darker day on day which is why I'm having a panic. I've had to sneak home from work as a colleague has just announced they're expecting so it all got a bit much! X

@AM08 I'm so sorry to hear this, sadly I think we might be in the same boat. It seems a silly thing to say but I hope you're OK (or as OK as you can be right now..) xx

@Purplemichelle is your transfer today or Weds of next week? Xx

@Purplemichelle ignore me, its tomorrow. I don't know what day I'm on this week 😅

@VioletCookie just a thought but have you tried first response tests as they are more sensitive? I don’t trust that specific clear blue one as have had positives before while trying naturally only to get a period the next day. Yes my transfer is tomorrow, work has been manic today so hoping to finish on time and chill out before tomorrow. Wish we didn’t have to work.

It is awful when someone announces a pregnancy whilst you are struggling to conceive. I had 3 friends in one weekend tell me a few years ago and although I was super happy for them, a piece of me died that weekend. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s honestly how I felt. Xxx

@Purplemichelle I actually had a very faint postitive on FRER yesterday AM! But wasn't as strong as the first clearblue line you saw. I've actually just had Amazon deliver 2 more FRER so I'll try one tomorrow AM! I'm not getting excited though 😔 am very worried there's something wrong with my eggs if we keep implanting then losing them. We only had 20% collected that made it to blastocyst! Karyotyping normal, progesterone normal, recently diagnosed with Hughes syndrome so have been taking Inhixa and asprin this time. We have one left in the freezer but will do another egg collection and pay for genetic testing on each embryo to give a better chance. I've asked Create about transferring 2 embryos and they said they don't advise it, but I'd really like to so might push for that!

I've got a good feeling for tomorrow! Do you have your transfer time yet? The transfer process is so magical - if you can class magical as having your legs in stirrups and 4 drs/nurses standing downwind 🤣 but its so exciting to feel optimistic that something wonderful could be coming! Absolutely everything crossed for you 🤞🏼 let us know how you get on!!

Yes work does get in the way... I could do with a month off but need to earn money to pay for IVF 🤣 and not dramatic at all, I completely agree with you! Its bittersweet, you're happy for them but you feel like you're being left behind. Every year that passes i feel like I lose myself more and more xx

@VioletCookie definitely test again in the morning with a FRER and let us know how you get on. FRER do give indents if you read the test after 3 mins. My consultant recommended a range of unproven supplements following our last unsuccessful round. This is our last go so hoping for the best. Looking forward to tomorrow, it really is the best bit of this process. I will also hold off testing too as was so down last time with negative tests. Never ever got a positive, so hoping this time it works. Transfer is at 11am so will drink loads of water on the journey as it’s a half hour drive.

Work is a necessary evil, particularly when you don’t tell work about the IVF and randomly have to take annual leave. Luckily I have a nice boss who never asks any awkward questions. I think I worry more about what they think I might be doing and imagine they don’t give it a second thought. Agree on finances, it’s so expensive to do it. The drugs are extortionate.

I would recommend you read “It starts with the egg” - a very interesting read and gives some good pointers.

And yes it is bittersweet, particularly as you see the children grow up. You love them but wish it was you. One of my best friends is desperate for me to have a child just so I can see how hard it is 🤣 xxx

@Purplemichelle Oh no, maybe that's what is was! 😱 I checked it straight away but it was 6am and I was half asleep so it could have been slightly longer than that! Strange that a few others have incredibly faint lines but most of them no lines. I've had such a bad couple of days so I've decided to stop obsessing until I know for sure on Thursday! I'm doing interviews tomorrow and don't want to be an emotional wreck 🤣

My boss doesnt have kids and has cracked the 'you better not leave and have children' joke 😅 but I told him and he's been incredible! You're right though I don't think anyone notices or cares as much as we do, we're so sensitive to what's going on.

I will think of you at 11 and am sending so many good luck vibes your way ✨️ I hope this is the succesful round you have been waiting for 🙏🏼 you're right not to obsess over tests, I've managed to ruin the last 4 days and make an already intense experience much more draining! Now is the time to relax and enjoy being PUPO. You've got this embryos!! 💪🏼

I'll have a look at that book now, thank you xx

@VioletCookie its really difficult with these tests and I’ve done hundreds over the years (we have been trying since 2018 and then did a round in 2021). Bloods will confirm either way. Good luck with work tomorrow and hope it helps to distract you for a bit.

That’s so good that your boss is supportive. I think mine would be too but he has a loose tongue and the whole team would find out so I chose not to share. It’s been easier to hide as thankfully my scans and appointments have all fallen on working from home days so I have been able to catch up when I get back and just work a little later. I took the EC off as leave which took the pressure off massively and I want to enjoy the transfer tomorrow so took another days leave. Who knows, we might even go for lunch afterwards. I rarely have time with my hubby due to work patterns so going to fully use this time together with no other distractions.

Thank you so much for your support and I wish the best for you also. The book is really good, I would highly recommend. A lot of it you will no doubt already know, but I found it very helpful as a guide and knowledge is also power! Xxx

@Purplemichelle
i've been lingering in the background of this thread but I just want to wish you loads of luck for your transfer tomorrow!

@SophieW32 thank you so much. Hope the group can help you too. Xxx

Hello ladies 👋🏼 can I join please?

I had my first ever menopour injection this evening! A bit about me, I'm 37, partner (31) and I have been ttc for 2 years and have had 1 MMC and 2 chemical pregnancies in that time. All of our tests have come back good- hormones, DNA fragmentation, I have good amh and afc. It makes no sense that we can't conceive naturally :(

We are doing a 3 cycle access package with freeze all so that we can do pgt-a testing. Am very nervous about potentially not getting any embryos to test or them all being rubbish due to my age.

So yes, this cycle will just be an egg collection but no transfer. I have mixed feelings about this, but with previous losses I'm keen to genetically test first. Oh, I also did the immune tests last week, not the Chicago ones but a version of them with my clinic, I have asthma and I'm very allergic to everything and I never get ill so I've always wondered if my immune system is playing a part in all of this.

Anyway, it's good to be amongst women who get how hard this all is x

@Purplemichelle good luck today x

@browneyedgirl626 welcome! Ivf is such a hard journey isn’t it. I started my first round last month - similar to you a 3 round freeze all. It was a bit strange after egg collection, embryo development updates when everything kind of stopped!

@browneyedgirl626 best of luck for your journey ❤️ Ive had all FETs, no fresh, and it was still quite exciting the month between EC and transfer. Hopefully you get some great quality em-babies! I think getting the embryos tested is a great idea and what we'll do if this latest transfer hasn't worked, that way you've done everything you can! Really good luck to you xx

@Purplemichelle best of luck for today, I'll be crossing everything for you!! Xx

@LF82 @VioletCookie thank you. I have proper butterflies this morning. Xxx

welcome @browneyedgirl626 this is a fab group and there’s lots of support. Fingers crossed your cycles go well and keep us updated. Xxx

@Purplemichelle all the best with your transfer

@Sj2505 good luck with your scan today!

Got my second scan today! Eek!

@TTCRose thank you and good luck with your second scan 😁

@TTCRose thank you, and good luck with yours! Hopefully you'll be ready for trigger 🤞🏼

@Purplemichelle best of luck today! Transfer is a magical day ✨🤞🏼

@SophieW32 fancy seeing you here ☺️ hope you're doing ok!

@Sj2505 good luck with your scan today and thank you! Xxx

Awh hello @Sj2505..so many different threads..🙈..it's hard to keep on top off

My journey for everyone else..so I'm 32, this is my second round of doing ICSI..first failed last April! I'm currently on day 6 of injections.,going good..will have my first scan on Friday..excited but nervous about how I'm responding

I'll try to keep up with everyone's progress!

Good luck to all those who have scans and transfers today ✨it's comforting to connect with others on the same boat!

2nd scan...

Right - 22, 12
Left - 24, 13, 1 Les than 10.

So bigger ones continued to grow well. Smaller ones didn't really grow much since Mondays scan.

Plan is for trigger tonight.
Egg collection Friday! 🤞🏻

@Purplemichelle good luck today! Xxx

@THISISIT23 thank you. All done. The second embryo has started to degrade so they think it’s going to die off today. One put back in. It stayed in the tube on the first attempt so they did it again, cheeky monkey already.