IVF March 2023

[Katie12444]

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

@amoobaa yes the estrogen from day one because is builds up the womb lining to a sufficient level. You should go for a scan and they'll measure it before they transfer :) I'm just on tablets as they worked great last time so the consultant thinks it was the progesterone that let me down so having lubion injections this time!

@Lyrabee that’s reassuring, I was a bit nervous about that as it was different last time… and I feel like it’s affected my period. my period was definitely shorter than usual and I’m not sure if it’s because I started the oestrogen so soon.

Do you think starting oestrogen day one made your period lighter?

I keep worrying that my lining won’t be nice and fresh! I keep thinking my short period means it hasn’t shed properly from the last month and will interfere with the quality of the lining for my embryo. but obviously they do this all the time and know what’s best.

My period last month was a bit shorter, so maybe it’s not connected at all. I’m probably just worrying about that!

I hope the lubion injections work their magic and everything goes smoothly 😊

@Irisjj congratulations, what’s an incredible journey! I’ll definitely keep posting here and please let us know how you’re getting on- how are you feeling in yourself?

Hi ladies glad to see everyone is still going strong and supporting each other. I haven't posted in a long time. I first started my treatment in March but due to overstimulation at collection date I didn't do my transfer until 30th April. This all went well and am now 16 weeks pregnant. The fear is still there of anything to go wrong it was a rocky start I had cramps and brown clots and spotting pretty much up until week 10 and although I heard a heart beat at week 6 you feel so happy at the moment but as soon as you leave every ache or unknown pain is so so scary. I just want to say to all please keep on going strong this was my 5th round and went through womb cancer from 2018 to get to this point so please just persevere us women are so strong!!! Its been difficult I feel I have gone through every symptom possibly possible and I was told early on I may need to have an op to stitch my cervix as the baby gets heavier as it's dangerous for miscariage if it opens up below 30 cm. Glad it's being monitored as I have heard horror stories of some clinics not monitoring this and women losing the baby at 4 months and 5 months which I can't even imagin3 after everything we go through to get to that point!!

If anyone needs anything please do reach out it's just a weird time phychologicaly I only just told my parents last week am.pregnant and don't want to tell anyone else although I now have a belly. Am on bed rest so luckily can hide away but it's like I feel I don't want anyone to feel sad why its happening to one person and not them selves and its made me introvert abit into my self and without really enjoying something I have waited for 8 years to happen and dreamed of. Although deep down I know we're all here to support each other. I guess you never know how things will affect you until your in the situation directly!!

@amoobaa I just wanted to say my period was light each time I started on day one and try not to worry because I assume your clinic will be monitoring your womb lining anyway every other day or so and if it needs to thicken they will increase the oestrogen tablets your on. The only thing I will say is make sure you increase your protein to 65g per day without fail. I was originally told to just eat alot of protein and cut out red meat and unhealthy foods for 3 months before treatment and for the first time in March I managed out of 30 eggs to keep 5 embryos of which 4 were AA so diet and being strict on my protein per day is the only thing I see actually made difference in my 5 cycles.

@Lyrabee I used lubion in each of my cycles and they really work although their quite painful to use!! I was stopped the lubion at week 10 and told to continue utrogestan which is again progesterone in tablet form so maybe ask your clinic about this as well? They are much cheaper than lubion as w3ll if your paying private for them!

Thanks @Vallef ! So nice to hear your good news, I hope everything goes well for you. It sounds like your doctors know what they're doing!
With the protein, what kind of food did you eat to increase that? I've not had any guidance on my diet!

@amoobaa yes my period was definitely lighter but I don't think it has a negative effect on the lining as the estrogen will build it up and thicken it with fresh

@Lyrabee so I started measuring my protein daily which helped keep track of everything. An egg for example has 8g so I would have an egg a day boiled/poached or an omelet with 2 eggs. Unless you have cholesterol you don't need to worry I was told during pregnancy eating 1 to 2 eggs a day even is fine. There's something I the yellow bit that's really gd during pregnancy. If your worried however then have one full egg and then egg whites for the rest. Then I would add cheese slices so I could monitor again how much protein was in it and I added turkey slices which also have protein and i made sure I got a gd one like 90 or 100% turkey. Tescos turkey slices are very gd and are 2 packets for £5. I also made sure to add tomatoes and some.spinach or asparagus. Avocado is also great. Another thing that's high in protein is chickpeas. There as some Greek recipes you can do with lemons and tahini again you can buy from tescos and its a really really high source of protein. Lentils and green beans. But the things I could control mostly was cheese, turkey and eggs if am honest. Before you do your transfer beef liver although may sound nasty is an extremely high source of iron if you soak it in milk for 30 min and then fry it with lots of lemon it's really nice and very gd. Due to high levels of vitamin A though do not have this after transfer as its poisonous for embryos. There's so much stuff I have learnt that clinics don't always tell you and it makes the different between being successful or it not working. For example round 1,2 and 3 after transfer with that particular clinic I was told within 5 min to get dressed and be on my way and to continue normal. On round 4 and 5 which was successful and at a diff clinic abroad I was told the first 48 hours were most important. I was kept.laying down at least 20 min after transfer and then told to go straight home and take it ease lay down no lifting no nothing other than rest and eating. I chose to be off work for the 2 weeks and just prioritise myself for a change because its your mental state as well not stressing at work etc. Another example after transfer they say your technicaly pregnant. Avoid any fish that sre big which contain metal salmon, tuna, cod etc. Grapes are a no no. No hot baths. There's just so so much. I think sometimes how lucky other women are without triying or even doing any of this and everything is OK but with everything we go through its so much more important to stick to doing these things because when I miscaried last week at 6 weeks I coulndt stop blaming my self. The truth is you just never know if it'd the embryo or something you did so we do the human thing and blame our selves as its our body letting us down. This time I am triying to do everything even if its excessive to some people so there's no doubt I did absolutely everything within my power to be OK. From what I experiences its understanding that we can't think for our selves we need to say what does this baby need. My brother is getting married in Italy at the end of this month and I won't be going. Its killing me but I just can't risk anything happening away for those 5 days am putting my baby first and everything second. Sorry for the long story!!

@Vallef wow there's so so much, thank you! The only bit I was aware of was after transfer sticking to a pregnancy diet but I didn't know to avoid grapes!
I'm going to plan my diet better around this transfer and I'm thinking of taking the time off work as well if I can get it

@Lyrabee im not doing any special diet but I eat healthy in general and my BMI is normal, so I think it also depends a bit on your circumstances. I just don’t eat things that I’m not supposed to during pregnancy . But im definitely not checking my protein intake or anything like that - and I eat grapes. Your body will tell you what you need. Normally im not a big fan of fruit but I’ve been craving apples 🤣

and during TWW just take it very easy. No heavy lifting/bending/sex

My pregnancy had been very smooth so far, very little symptoms which also terrified me at the beginning but my doc called me lucky and said my journey to get here has been hard enough.

I try to stay focused on that this time the embryo was tested and genetically correct and with all my previous losses we didn’t know what was going on (3 losses of which 1 ectopic).

good luck ❤️🍀

Hi all - just wanted to check back it and see how everyone is doing and it looks like there have been amazing updates since I last looked. I needed to take some time after my ectopic - but we have are starting our FET cycle for our 4AA on ice in two weeks. Decided not to tell any friends or family this time because it was just SO exhausting having to explain it them and keep them all updated! did anyone else find that?

@Sd183 hey lovely I know exactly what you mean! I'm in my tww and have told minimal people because I don't want the questions. I've limited how many of these chats I'm involved in as well purely from a selfish perspective.

Are you waiting for your period to start? What medication have you got?

Good to hear from you, wishing you all the luck! 💜

Hey @Lyrabee ! Yes just waiting for my period to start then we’re off and away. I’ve got Progynova tablets and then on to cyclogest pessaries ☺️ how far in to your TWW are you?

@Sd183 is that the same as you had last time? Its a good sign that you managed implantation previously - you can do it again! Its something I dont know if I'm capable of!

I had my transfer last Tuesday so my test date isn't until next week. I've been taking progynova and have cyclogest and lubion.

@Sd183 good to hear you are back ❤️ I’ve had an ectopic in March ‘22 so I know how difficult it is. Wish you a lot of good luck this time and hopefully the baby will settle in the right spot 🥰🍀✨

Hey everyone, been thinking of you all. @Sd183 it sounds like we have similar timeframes! I agree… I’ve definitely been a lot quieter this time around. So nervous and hopeful. This is our last embryo.

@Lyrabee really hope everything goes well. Are you testing at home or waiting for the results from your clinic?

I can’t help but test at home because last time I had a positive test (I tested every day in the TWW) I noticed it faded a bit for a day or two during the TWW, then got darker again… the clinic test was positive and the line got really dark. However, we now understand that the days when the line faded, was actually A missed miscarriage. So now I feel compelled to test every day to watch out for any fading… I know it’s stupid because it will be what it’ll be, but I can’t bear the idea of getting to 7 weeks again, thinking I have a positive test when the heartbeat scan was always going to reveal a missed miscarriage- and I’d feel a bit more able to hope if I don’t see any fading. To be honest, the official clinic test did show lower HCG so that was another sign too. But I just want to test for the fading. The reason it got dark again and kept getting dark (I even got a 3 weeks plus result in digital) is because the placental tissue was growing even though there was no developing embryo…

My lining prep had to be cancelled halfway through as it didn’t thicken. One hysteroscopy later, where they found one adhesion, which they treated, and I’m back on the medication to prepare my lining… estimated transfer 18th September.

@Lyrabee - this is my first FET so not had this drug protocol before. Although I’ve had the pessaries last time - they’re THE WORST lol. My fingers and toes are crossed for you!

@Irisjj I think of you often as we were on extremely similar timings - so glad you’ve had good news ☺️

@amoobaa I just find that because other people aren’t aware of all the details of how it all works they just asked stupid questions that frustrate me - I know they’re just trying to understand, but when I was explaining that I had an ectopic pregnancy and all they’re doing was asking questions about how and why rather than offering comfort or support it just pissed me off to be honest 😂

and I totally understand the constant testing. To be honest, I’m weirdly thankful that I was having bloods every two days from my positive result and that they told me within a day or two that my levels weren’t good - I only had about 5 hours of joy and then I was preparing for the worst so I never got my hopes up. I think if I’d got to 7 weeks thinking it was all good and then found out it was ectopic I’d have been a total wreck. I can only imagine how that was for you and I’m so so sorry it happened ❤️ IF godwilling I get another positive I’ll be testing daily and I’ll be straight to the EPU for bloods to manage my own expectations more than anything. X

@amoobaa my clinic doesn't book in a test its all at home. I assume if I get a positive on the home test they've given me that they'll ask me to go for a blood test.

My previous transfers I've tested early but this one I'm not tempted, I don't want to know in a way!

Hey all, everything you’ve written above really resonates… being quieter… not testing at all… testing constantly- it all resonates!

I go for my scan tomorrow to find out if my lining has thickened the way it needs to. It feels like such a big deal. First time round I just assumed it’d all be fine.

I feel weirdly calm. Maybe it’s because I’m not telling so many people! It feels more manageable and I’ve also experienced a lot of loss already so I feel more able to survive whatever the outcome.

Just thought I’d check in here and hopefully I’ll have good news tomorrow.

Thinking of you all 😊

Aw fingers crossed @amoobaa !

I got a bfn this morning. It definitely kind of gets easier but maybe that's because I don't put as much expectation into it anymore!

@Lyrabee ugh. Im so sorry, it never gets easier. ❤️

@amoobaa good luck ✨🍀

Thanks lovely @Irisjj 💛

@Lyrabee I’m really sorry, and definitely agree about the expectation… maybe it’s not such a shock but it still hurts so much.

We were going to have similar transfer dates until my cycle was cancelled. I’ve lost all track now- was this your first test? Sending hugs. And thank you for the crossed fingers.

@Irisjj thank you so much for the good luck… I’m nervous this morning. Hardly anyone knows about it or the significance of the lining thickness today…

Sending you both hugs and hope this can be a place to drop by any time you want to share x

Nervously waiting in the clinic now…

Same thing. My lining is too thin to progress with transfer and they are giving me another week on the current medication, with a view to transferring a week later than planned but I worry they’ll cancel the cycle again (that’ll happen if we don’t get the thicker measurements needed next week.)

Rescan is on Tuesday 19th…

Last time they said my lining has started to consolidate after we gave it an extra week… so even if it had reached the necessary thickness, they would have cancelled anyway.

It’s hard all this.

They said they’d change the protocol and try again if that happened.

Anyone have any tips for a thicker lining??

I never got a thick lining before but they recently change the minimum measurements. I got pregnant with 6.5mm scan previously.

I’m wondering if I’m just naturally on the thinner side when it comes to my lining!

Sending hope and hugs to all x

@amoobaa owhh nooo that’s shitty news. Which dose are you on? I had to take estrogen vaginally bc my body didn’t absorb the pills orally that well. I can look up the details about doses etc when Im back home. Wish you the best of luck, this is so unfair.. but you have the best chances with a thicker lining it def lowers risk of miscarriages.

@Irisjj thank you so much… I’m on three tablets a day plus two patches which I change every other day… I think the patches are 75 something and the tablets I need to check. Maybe if I took them vaginally it’d work better so I’ll definitely ask my clinic about that. Argh it’s so tough. Thank you so much for the advice.

I had a surgery to remove out the contents of my womb when I miscarried, due to an uncontrollable haemorrhage and I’m worried it has done irreversible damage. It wasn’t a D&C, it was a vacuum procedure. But I would have died it they hadn’t operated so I can’t really blame myself for the lack of discussion about everything that was done. It was all a big emergency. Still… I’m incredibly sad about it.

There’s still a small chance the lining will grow enough in a week. But I can’t really hope too hard.

Then again, we always hope don’t we? I’m sure I’ll end up hoping like crazy. But I’ll prepare for the worst too.

Nothing can really prepare you for this, can it.

Sending hugs… and hope x