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

Hi @SH998 I'm sorry your transfer didn't work out ❤️

I would second @VioletCookie with getting a full Thrombophilia screen - I got this through the nhs after my third natural loss. It includes Anti phospholipid antibodies and autoantibodies screen and factor v Leiden. Depending on the results you may need aspirin, clexane or other blood thinners to combat clotting factors. You can get the thrombophilia screen done at any time of your cycle.

You won't be able to get Nk cells testing on nhs. Would you clinic treat you with steroids empirically on the next transfer do you think?

I'd also second getting Pgta testing however if your embryos are frozen I think the thawing/testing/refreezing process is not always 100%, it's better to do pgta just before they freeze fresh embryos.

I'd definitely get your progesterone checked, have you done the day 21 test? It should give you an idea of your natural progesterone levels.

Xx

@VioletCookie @browneyedgirl626 Thank you for commenting, its been extremely helpful. I've spoken to them today and the Dr was great. He agreed instantly to up my progesterone, put me on blood thinners if needed and is also putting me down for a series of additional blood tests (hopefully this will be done in the next week or so). He did mention a hysteroscopy but there is a waiting list of approx. 6/7 months, I didn't want to wait that long to proceed with the transfers due to age but I still might ask to be put on the list as maybe a cancellation will come up.
He has arranged a follow up call in 4 weeks to discuss all results and go from there.
I already feel better knowing that I've been listened too and more is being done. I really cant fault the NHS, they have been great throughout the whole process :) x

its been a bit quiet on here this week, hows everyone getting along? @Purplemichelle is everything still ok with you?

Hello @JustBePositive all is good with me thanks. Still getting strong cramps and had some bleeding last week. The clinic did a viability scan as thought the pains could be due to an ectopic. Baby is in the uterus exactly where they implanted it. It was too soon to see a heartbeat so I have another scan booked for 29th March. I thought I would feel calm after getting the positive test but it’s a long road! The last week has been a whirlwind and work has been intense so haven’t been on here. How are you doing? Xxx

Heyy, well I got my PGT-A results last week (they only took 1 week amazingly) and I got 2 euploids, 3 aneuploids and 1 no result. I was pretty pleased because it gives us a go at two transfers 🤞🏻🤞🏻 I have a consultation this Thursday to hopefully put together a protocol for a FET including steroids and intralipids and hopefully it will be on my next period.

Emotionally though I've been very up and down. I found Mother's Day quite difficult yesterday, I have never found it hard but this year because I'm turning 38 the grief of it all just really hit me. I also read Elizabeth Day's article on her fertility experiences and it really really affected me, its just all felt quite overwhelming this last week. I thought I would feel relieved at the genetic testing results but it's only made me feel more afraid of the next bit because the stakes feel so high. I'm trying to keep things in the day otherwise I tend to obsess and go into 'what if' thinking which is no fun 🤦🏻‍♀️ xx

Hey everyone! Sorry for my lack of response/conversation, I've been struggling more so than normal and like @browneyedgirl626 mothers day hit hard. We've got our first due date coming up mid April and works been manic so I'm feeling pretty drained!

@SH998 I'm so pleased your Dr has been good, we had an OK experience with the NHS but wait times were so long. There was only one fertility nurse looking after half the county so she was run ragged! Poor thing. I'll keep everything crossed for you next time, hopefully the extra drugs will work! 🤞🏼

@browneyedgirl626 that's a fantastic result! 2 beautiful embabies waiting to be transfered 🥰 I'm so nervous about the PGT-A testing, Create have said it will be a 4-5 week wait for results. Not sure how I'll stop myself from going loopy! Do they destroy the aneupliods or keep them incase they correct in the womb? Each time I speak with Create I have so many questions and just realised I don't know this 😅 Waiting for AF now to get started with the next egg collection 😬🙏🏼

@Purplemichelle that must have been worrying for you but I'm so glad your mind was put at ease. I'll be hoping for a healthy heartbeat on your next scan!

@JustBePositive I hope you're getting on OK, what are the next steps for you?

@VioletCookie thank you. So sorry to hear you are struggling, it’s a very difficult process and Mother’s Day particularly is a really tough one. Sending you lots of luck for the next round. Xxx

@VioletCookie I hear you, SO much waiting in this process! 😫 4/5 weeks feels particularly long though?!

In the UK they are legally not allowed to put aneuploid embryos back in, so yes they do get destroyed. No results or mosaics can be implanted though, I think they make you do some genetic counselling if that's the case. I'd like to retest our no result, will see what the consultant says tomorrow.

I'm really hoping I can have a natural FET next month. Reason being that with medicated cycles my understanding is that they can potentially get the window of implantation slightly off, unless you to an ERA test. I do not want to do more tests, we've spent a scary amount of money urgh!

I also happen to be moving house mid May which is potentially the week my transfer could fall on 🙃

@Purplemichelle the anxiety never ends, I really hope it works out for you. Have you been getting hcg blood tests?

@browneyedgirl626 thank you so much. I had one HCG done the day before the scan and was at nearly 10,000 so they said there’s no need to retest and the scan confirmed baby is in the uterus. Just anxious about the cramping but have been told it’s normal.

I really hope you get some clarity on your treatment soon. The worst part is the waiting and the process is all consuming so you feel powerless. Xxx

Hi everyone,

Going through ICSI first time due to male factor really poor motility. Had egg retrieval yesterday and was so delighted at getting 15 eggs, 13 of these were mature but devastated today receiving phonecall that only 2 of these have fertilised. I’ve just lost all hope, can’t stop crying. I felt so good about everything yesterday and utterly hopeless today. Infertility is so rough

@Jcl22 it’s so hard, so sorry that you are feeling like this. Ivf is a constant battle each day. Allow yourself time today to be upset. Have everything crossed for you that the 2 that have fertilised will progress well over the next few days.

Thanks for your kind words. I am just so crushed after being so full of hope yesterday. I know it only takes one but can’t stop thinking the drop off rate was so massive for day 1 there’s no hope for reaching day 5. Dreading tomorrows phonecall

@Jcl22 i hope you are feeling ok physically after collection yesterday. Will be thinking of you tomorrow. It’s so very tough. You only need one, people said that to me and I disregarded it as you want lots of chances. I had two on egg collection and one survived to day 5 which they transferred and am now pregnant so all is not lost. Take care of yourself this evening and do something nice just for you. Xxx

@Purplemichelle I still feel sore from yesterday which I don’t think is helping things either 😞

I definitely have been disregarding everyone saying you only need one, like you say - you just want as many chances as possible.

congratulations!! That is so amazing, so happy for you. Thank you so much for sharing your story and kind words, it really has made me feel so much more hopeful xx

@Jcl22 of course, that and the cocktail of hormones, you are bound to feel emotional. Just take each day as it comes and be kind to yourself. Thank you for the congrats, this was over last chance due to age and egg quality so am feeling very blessed. Everyone on this group is so lovely so if you need to vent, it’s the perfect place. Xxx

Morning ladies, I have been on the chat before but after a failed IVF cycle in February haven't been back on.

Just wondering for ladies who have been through a few cycles before. Did it take a while for your periods to go back to normal? I've had a bleed since the failed IVF but currently about 7 days late for this month.

Putting it down to IVF hormones still being in my system. But yeah a little confused, as I was told I should be back to normal by this cycle.

@LF82 @Purplemichelle thank you for your kind words!

I just had a call from the embryologist to say we are now down to 1 fertilised egg but it’s fragmented already on day 2 so not great news. Just so crushed with it all

@TW6 yes it took a while for my periods to go back to a normal pattern back in 2021 when my cycle failed. Stress also takes its toll so keep an eye on the next 2 cycles and then see your doctor if they are still irregular. Are you waiting to start a new IVF cycle as sometimes the stress of that affects it?

@Jcl22 sorry to hear this. When’s your next update and will they look to do a 3 day transfer? Xxx

@Purplemichelle thank you hun was staring to think there was something wrong. Just a little reassurance goes along way. Im booked back in for July for my 2nd IVF ♥️♥️ so not stressing over it yet lol xxx

@TW6 no worries, just keep doing the things you love. Cycles which are 7 days early or late are normal in natural cycles even without doing IVF. Xxx

@Purplemichelle they said they will call me with daily updates so nothing now until tomorrow morning. I’ve just called the clinic about a day 3 transfer as we have only ever been given the option of a day 5 transfer and waiting on the embryologist calling me back. Is the logic behind a day 3 transfer that hopefully your own body would fix any fragmentation issues and give it a chance?

@Jcl22 that’s great you get daily updates as we only got the day of EC, day 3 and day 5 when we actually turned up for the transfer. There’s mixed reviews on day 3 transfers, some doctors say that if the embryo is going to continue to degrade, there is little use transferring it but some have other views. Hopefully the clinic can give you a steer on this when they call you back. Xxx

@Purplemichelle i think she could hear how upset I was yesterday when she told me only 2 eggs fertilised so said daily updates would be best.

I’ve just watched such an interesting video of a fertility doctor looking at a case study of day 3 transfers and it sounds like if you’re young enough and only have 1 embryo to work with, day 3 transfer is the best option so really hoping my clinic has that view too. I know it might sound silly but I think I would feel better knowing my body at least had a go with some form of embryo rather than waiting until day 5 in the lab and having nothing.

@Jcl22 oh bless you. I really hope you have physical support around you too. Hopefully the clinic call you shortly so you have a plan. Xxx

@Purplemichelle thanks!

the embryologist called me and said it was my decision if I wanted to go with a day 3 transfer but they would only do so if the embryo looked good enough. At the moment on day 2 it has split into 2 cells which I think is the minimum of what it should be doing. They will call me tomorrow morning with an update on how the embryo has progressed and if I want to, I can come in same day for transfer. I’m just scared even that option will be taken away from me if it hasn’t progressed enough overnight. Just in a constant state of worry