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

@Summerishere83 @JustBePositive thanks so much for your comments! Create have just put the hysteroscopy price up from £1.5k to £2.5k!! On top of the egg collection, PGT-A testing, egg freezing then FET its become so unaffordable 😫 I've booked a call with the Dr on Monday as yesterday's call brought up so many more questions once we had time to digest everything. There's a part of me that thinks we're already throwing so many new meds into the mix we didn't have for the first 2 pregnancies, this along with the embryo testing perhaps we're already doing enough?!

@JustBePositive I hope you have your feet up and you're chilling after your dizzy spell! Take it easy x

Hi @VioletCookie that's a hefty bill!
I did my hysteroscopy on my private insurance, if you've got this from work you should absolutely use it. But if you don't have one then guess it's just too much for something that you don't even know it's there. Of all the tests, I'd probably do the genetic testing but not sure what your situation is really... hope you get all your questions answered on Monday and take your time to think it over xx

@JustBePositive you made me laugh :) look after yourself!!

@JustBePositive you need to make sure you're looking after yourself! That increase in progesterone really can make you dizzy and light headed, just be careful ❤️

@Purplemichelle it's the best secret to have 🥰

@VioletCookie the costs are just ridiculous, it really gets me that it's different in different clinics and in different parts of the country. You even get more rounds free in different areas, it's despicable. Like, why is it if you could naturally fall pregnant 20 times you could have NHS treatment but if you need help falling pregnant the rules are totally different.

We just spent my husbands inheritance he received because his dad passed away on this round and im feeling so much pressure for OTD - I just know I'm going to blame myself if it's negative. Sorry I always feel like im being such a misery on here, I think it's just the closer OTD gets the more anxious and hopeless I feel.

@West8690 i couldn’t agree more… and it’s even worse that chances are better when you’re younger and probably not as ready to start a family, by the time you are for it can be so much harder or even impossible for some people… like you say people could endlessly cost the nhs yet just even having one child with some help is only funded based on red tape.

Why would you blame yourself if it doesn’t work? It could easily be so many other factors outside of your control, including the sperm quality! Be kind to yourself xx

@Boofimus how are you doing? I went through this at the weekend so I really feel for you. Make sure you look after yourself xx

@browneyedgirl626 yes we didn’t waste anytime in registering at another clinic. And we have our first tests booked in for three weeks, so I’m pleased we’ve acted now as it sounds like we may have longer waiting times. Its frustrating to have to go through the initial tests again but at the same time it will give us a chance to get a second opinion and see what our options are. We have an appointment with the old clinic tomorrow to see what the situation is about egg storage and if we can get any money back for the third cycle we had paid for.

Your update yesterday sounded super positive, hope this is still the case?xx

@West8690 I echo @JustBePositive comments, be kind to yourself, it is so much outside of your control and it’s too easy to feel like it’s all on you but it’s really not. Hope you’re holding up during your TWW. How have you found acupuncture? I tried it for a couple of months but I didn’t find it particularly relaxing, the therapist was in and out of the room jabbing the needles within 30 seconds and I was always so cold during the session. I’ve never done it before so wasn’t sure what to expect and what’s ‘normal’. I’m considering trying somewhere else as I’ve heard such positive things, particularly alongside IVF xx

@Oasis12 @JustBePositive thank you for being so kind. I know it's irrational to place blame but because our fertility issues lie with me I think I just naturally blame myself for any failure.

@Oasis12 my acupuncture experience has been great, I've had it every round. Sounds like you've just been to a bad practice! Each time we have a consult before we start where she assesses mood, symptoms, has a general chat and checks my tongue and pulse. Then I lie on a heated bed while she does the needling, then sometimes puts heat lamps on my feet/stomach. I usually end up napping 😂

Just wishing I could fast forward the next 24 hours xxx

@Oasis12 That's good you're booked in with another clinic, annoying about having to repeat initial tests again though, more money! Was your last clinic good with monitoring you throughout your cycle? And did you get enough progesterone do you think? (Just thinking with the spotting). Maybe you'll get a fresh pair of eyes with your new clinic 😃

Yeah I feel like it's quite positive that I got 6 blasts but I'm still not letting myself get too hopeful as PGT-A is another hurdle to get through! Never bloody ending!

I've had 3 losses and I worry too about the staying pregnant part rather than getting pregnant part. But maybe I should just worry about one thing at a time 😂

Can I ask if any of you ladies have had steroids/intralipids as part of your treatment for elevated nk cells? A previous consultant originally put me on hydroxychloroquine to deal with potential immune issues (I didn't get any tests done at that time) but I read about hair loss being one of the side effects and decided to stop them so now I'll take prednisolone and have intralipids. Does anyone else sometimes feel like a human Guinea pig on this journey?!

Oh and @West8690 wishing you the best of luck for the next 24 hours xxxx I honestly don't know how I will cope if/when I get to transfer and OTD 😵‍💫

@West8690 sending you the willpower and best of luck for the next 24 hours!

I feel your pain.

Need your advice girls. My test day is Sunday. And technically already late for my period according to my app but obviously not going off that with ivf cycle.

Just went to toilet now. And 1p size red loss? Maybe start of AF...😕
Normally have cramps on day 1 of my cycle but no pain or anything so far.

I'm currently 12dp2dt.
Any hopeful stories?

Another update...it's now more of a brown type discharge...

Feeling a little sad that it's likely not worked...

@TTCRose I haven’t had a transfer yet to be able to give you and advise or hope but maybe ring your clinic tomorrow? Thinking of you

Little update from my end ladies - got my BFP this morning. Beta HCG was 585, I'm in absolute shock!!! Although explains why I've felt so sick the last few days. I think that few hours between getting bloods done and getting the phonecall was harder than the TWW.

@TTCRose have you spoken to your clinic at all? I hope you're ok, be kind to yourself ❤️ xxx

@West8690 huge congratulations!

No not contacted clinic as believe they are closed on weekends. Assuming they will just tell me to wait till test day!

Thanks!

Just wondering if anyone tested negative before official test day, and told their clinic early? I'm testing negative on day 12 after 5day transfer so I'm definitely out - but official test day isn't till day 16!
Just want to get the next round booked in but don't want to be told off by the clinic for testing early!

@West8690 congratulations!!! Amazing news 😁

@blueskies94 there’s no harm telling the clinic now but I expect they won’t do anything until after OTD. Xxx

I'm out...BFN.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Congratulations to those with positives.
Good luck to all those still in limbo.

X

@TTCRose so sorry. Please take some time for you and take care of yourself. Xxx

@TTCRose so so sorry to hear that x

@TTCRose I'm so sorry, please take care of yourself xxx

@West8690 slightly late replying as I'm struggling with energy at the moment, but yes it's so frustrating the difference across CCGs! Also.... congratulations on your BFP!! So pleased to have seen this. How do you feel?

@Summerishere83 we've decided to have the PGT-A testing over the hysteroscopy, all the Dr's previously have said I don't need it and it feels like now we keep miscarrying they've said we can try it, but £2.5k is an expensive try! We're throwing all the drugs we can at the next transfer so we're hoping for a better outcome 🤞🏼

@browneyedgirl626 I've just seen your msg re steroids... I'm in a similar situation to yourself, 3 miscarriages (all through IVF). Last round I took inhixa for hughes syndrome and had a chemical. This time they're going to give me Lubion, Inhixa and steroids, plus we'll do PGT-A testing. No idea if I have NKC as they don't test for it, but they've suggested we try it! So yes feeling very much a human guinea pig 😅 it's costing a small fortune for all the add ons too!

@TTCRose I'm so sorry to be reading this and know you won't be in a good place. Take the time you need to prioritise yourself this week xx

@VioletCookie @West8690 @LF82 @Purplemichelle Thanks for your kind words.

It hit me harder than I expected and don't know what the future holds!
Will be updating the clinic today.

@TTCRose I am thinking of you, its so difficult. I'm meant to be calling the clinic today to confirm my BFN but I really cant face that call so will do it later this week.
Look after yourself x

Morning ladies, I'm looking for a bit of advice. Just tested BFN after the third transfer and losing the will to live. We are lucky enough to have another 3 frosties but I'm reluctant to transfer if the same previous routines are followed.
Any advice on what/if any additional tests I can request before agreeing to the next transfer. I personally think there is more of an issue with myself than the embryos. My periods are extremely light only lasting a day or so, however, I do ovulate regularly. The last 2 transfers, my period came before my due date and also while taking suppositories (maybe progesterone is too low, any thoughts?) . I've also previously had prolactin issues which I'm now successfully being treated for so have 4 monthly bloods for this and thyroid, last bloods were done just before the last transfer and were apparently all OK.
I'm having treatment via the NHS so I'm not sure what additional tests they offer, if any at all. Would they automatically offer these tests after 3 transfers (first ended in an 8 week miscarriage, other 2 transfer failed to implant) or would I need to push for these tests.
If the NHS doesn't offer additional testing, am I able to request and pay for these tests? If so, any idea of costs.
Any advice would be much appreciated x

@SH998 I'm so sorry this transfer hasn't worked for you 😔 how are you? I'm not sure what the NHS offer in terms of add ons as we only had 1 attempt with our CCG, however I can recommend some tests/issues that we had. I did ask my GP for some of these tests but they were adamant we needed 3 miscarriages to have them 🤦🏼‍♀️ Although opinions may well vary and its always worth asking!

Progesterone - mine is low. We were told I didnt need more than the pessaries but we've requested Lubion for the next transfer. The private blood test was about £80 I think so well worth having.

Blood clotting - I have Hughes syndrome which can affect implantation and cause miscarriages. Would definitely recommend this blood test as I had no idea! It's also fairly common with recurrent losses and very treatable. Was expensive though, around £600! Inhixa and baby asprin to treat.

Karyotyping - I think it's rare to get an abnormal result but it's good to know! My partner and I both had this. About £200 each

Nature killer cells - my clinic don't test for these but as I've had 2 miscarriages and 1 chemical I'll take steroids on my next transfer. Worth asking about I think!

Hysteroscopy - our clinic have just increased the cost from £1.5k to £2.5k. We're throwing so many more drugs at the next transfer as we've found new issues that we've decided not to have this yet. Plus we can't afford it on top of the other add ons 😅

We're having another egg collection in April with the PGT-A testing added on. It's expensive, £1,350 for the first embryo and £350 for each extra, but with all the losses we feel it's worth it.

I don't know if any of this is helpful, but I'm wishing you so much luck for the future xxx