IVF March 2023

[Katie12444]

Wanted to start a group for those who are due to start treatment in March.

@MrsWatson84 still feeling tired/ a bit rough and I've had a headache for the past couple of days. I think I've really not agreed with the progesterone. How about you?

@Irisjj that's great news!
No experience of genetic testing it's about £500 an embryo at my clinic so thought we would just try it. I wouldn't rule it out though in future. X

@Irisjj That is great news 😀

Hi everyone- been on Northesterone until last Friday - first meriofert injection tonight. Really scared about the OHSS because a friend of mine has had it. How have the symptoms of the drug been for anyone else using it? The comments I’m reading through make me feel so less alone with it!

Hi there - I’m not that far ahead of you - starting my meriofert today after starting my period after northesterone. I’ll try to keep here updated- comments are really settling my mind! I can’t find any other advice when googling - so finding this was a god send!

@Irisjj great news on your frosties

@Irisjj amazing news on your frosties! I have no experience of genetic testing I'm afraid.

@LittleDoveLove I honestly don't know how I feel. I think progesterone is causing most of my symptoms too, but I definitely thought I was getting my period this weekend. The cramping continues off and on (very low down), and definitely more discharge (TMI I know). Just very anxious, and over thinking everything I suppose.

@ESWill I was on meriofert and as I had 22 follicles was under observation for OHSS, but didn't actually develop it, and they allowed me to have a transfer. I felt a bit uncomfortable on meriofert, but not too bad, and definitely got used to the preparation side. Good luck!

How did those of you having transfers get on yesterday?

Transfer was ultimately done, but it was very tricky (I have a dodgy layout internally and they really struggled to get it in the right place). Feeling wobbly about it as the nurse explained that they do the first catheter because the embryos are 'so fragile'... and then when they did the bit with the actual embryo she went in and out like 5 times?! The embryologist was holding onto the actual embryo I think as at one point the lady doing the transfer said 'please don't let go' to her (very calmly!). I burst into tears when it was finally done and they did say that embryo would be fine, was in the warmth of my cervix etc........ I'm just not convinced and also not convinced they'd actually say if they thought that they'd damaged the embryo. If it's going to fail I'm going to be convinced its because of the transfer...

Having said that - I'm choosing to be a positive, not-obsessive-anxiety-fuelled person, so I trust the clinic and I'm choosing to trust that they would have said if there was an issue.

OTD isn't until the 2nd which is ridiculous (13dp5dt), there's no way that I can wait that long!

So it’s looking very likely that they are going to have to cancel my fresh transfer and go ahead for a FET. I then need to get the polyp removed and return in a couple of months. Feeling very deflated and disappointed. I’ve read that quite a few of you are going through the FET process at the moment. Any words of wisdom? It is less invasive than the stims for fresh ivf? This is so hard.

@Katie12444 hey! I underwent stims and had EC on 20th Jan, I developed OHSS so they did a freeze all and said would carry out an FET on next cycle. I was due to start my period on 1st March and had everything booked in based on that but then my period was 13 days late which was so frustrating as it delayed everything! I read a lot of forums with people saying their second period after EC was delayed. I was so disappointed too after EC, you get yourself all psyched up for it all and then it feels like another huge speed bump but you will get there, I reassured myself that it would do me good to have a month without any medication

@Katie12444 I'm so sorry for your news. I can hopefully reassure you that a FET is soooooo much easier than a fresh cycle. Obv each process for each person is different but this cycle I've done: a week of injections (easy ones!), then two weeks of tablets and now two weeks of pessaries. I've had one scan and one transfer, that's it! Soooo much easier. I know that's no consolation when you have to wait but please be reassured that the process is nowhere near as gruelling (in my experience) x

@MaybeBabyTwo sorry to hear it wasn't straightforward at transfer. I'm sure it's really hard to damage the embryo as they are well protected in the fluid and the tube itself. And its in the right place now which is the main thing. That test day does sound far away!

@Katie12444 sorry your fresh transfer has to be cancelled, such a blow. To reassure, my FETs have been so much less involved than the fresh cycle. I've had between 2 - 4 monitoring scans each time and not taken any medication in the first half of my cycle, simply a trigger shot to time ovulation and a few days after that I've started progesterone suppositories (plus blood thinning injections but that's because I've a history of blood clots not part of my IVF protocol itself.) I also think that your body having time to recover from the stims and egg collection is only a positive.

@MaybeBabyTwo sorry it's been a difficult transfer, I think the embryo is literally the last thing they do so I am sure it will all be fine and definitely right to stay positive! Fingers crossed for you x

@Katie12444 I hope you're ok, I know that must be really disappointing as I was told I may not be able to due to water in my uterus which if it didn't go I would have had to do FET. At least when you do transfer you will know everything's in right condition for the embryo. X

@Katie12444 just echoing what everyone has said, I know it’s so bitterly disappointing but once resolved it will be the best time for your transfer. Sending love x

Thank you for those that replied ❤️ Really appreciate it and it’s so lovely to feel so supported by you all.

This journey is so hard, we all deserve medals!

It is a disappointing situation but I’m trying to hold on to the fact that they are still doing the egg collection which is positive. They have given me the option to go ahead with a fresh cycle but not sure if it’s a good idea with a polyp. Do any of you know someone that has done this? It’s such a tricky balance because I feel like we are all monitored so much at these stages whereas someone who gets pregnant naturally just rocks up at 12 weeks without any checks and could easily have a polyp or any other health issue.

Hi all - had one meriofert injection so far - second tonight. Bled heavily today- is that normal? Thank you x

@Katie12444 what a news. Honestly I would listen to their advice. If they think its best to do FET - go for it. You def don’t want to risk implantation failure and going thru a miscarriage. I know the wait is hard .. but my clinic doesn’t even do fresh transfers because they think the pregnancy rates are lower.

To all the rest in TWW, im rooting for you.

@MaybeBabyTwo wow.. thats super stressful. I really hope this one takes and you have a good story to tell when the little one is in your lap ❤️ Hang in there. Don’t think all is lost.

At all: apparently today is one of the biggest new moons in 200 years - im usually not a believer but at this point Im taking anything to help - so do positive affirmations my work team is saying its a very special day in history. To all of our BFP successes in 2023 😘

@Irisjj thank you ❤️ That’s so interesting. Not heard that before. That somehow makes me feel a bit better 😂

How long do they advise that you wait in between collection and FET?

@Irisjj that's interesting! Hopefully it will send some good luck for my test day which I am dreading! X

@Katie12444 I think my clinic says it takes 2 cycles. One cycle prep and then half way the 2nd cycle the FET. But im unsure about the timelines myself. I have the genetic testing component as well which takes another 2 weeks. I know more hopefully by next Thursday. My clinic wants to first have me a month on birth control is what they said, but not all clinics do that is what I understood. Im waiting on my period next week and hopefully can then start the birth control!

Maybe the other ladies can chip in with their experiences of time between retrieval and FET.

@MaybeBabyTwo I'm so sorry it was such a stressful transfer. In case it helps, my first one was plain sailing (and failed) and my second one sounded EXACTLY like yours and I got a BFP from it. Afterwards he said it was a "perfect transfer" and I really, truly had my doubts. But here I am. I am thinking really positive thoughts for you right now and keeping you in mind. x

@Greenlee this is reassuring, thanks. I've had a small brown bleed today which I imagine is from all the poking and prodding! Trying not to worry until we need to worry.

@ESWill no experience of that drug I am sorry. I didn't bleed with any of my drugs though. I would ring the clinic and check if I was you. X

@Irisjj thank you lovely. Hope your period turns up on time. I found it so weird wanting it to come when I’ve hated it for 2+ years!

@MaybeBabyTwo I’m so sorry you had to go through that. This process is stressful enough as it is, without adding another layer of worry. ❤️

@ESWill i was on meriofert but started on day 2 of my period so I did have bleeding, as on short protocol. No bleeding at any other time though. As others have said, call the clinic and check.

@Katie12444 i have no experience of either a polyp or a FET, but I would have thought better to remove any obstacle (even for your own mental sake), before going down this process x

Hi all, I've been following your messages and noticed some similar ages on this group.
I have an egg collection on Friday and obviously depending on if we have any embryos... my question is:

How many embryos have you decided to transfer?

I know they say best to do 1 due to possible complications

This is our 3rd round and after 2 unsuccessful ones (1st ivf resulted with no blastocysts, 2nd ivf - transfer wasn't successful, none to freeze) I was advised that I could try with 2 embryos.
I'm 38 with low amh... so not hoping for too much.