IVF warriors - the journey continues 2

[Imisscoffee2021]

@Decaffe
@seekingbabyk
@MinBins
@acaciabluebell
@MammyandAva
@Spin101
@1stcycle
@KLM25
@ralno2
@acaciabluebell@Tinkerbell098

Another thread needed ladies! Please tag if I've forgotten someone! :)

Hi ladies, thank you for the well wishes! I'll catch up on everyone's messages soon but just to update, Reuben arrived this morning at 3;30, in dramatic style of an emergency c section after 8 hours labouring with a half failed epidural and not progressing enough, plus meconium in fluid. Turned out he was back to back so was agony and didn't want to come round the birth canal. A blessing in disguise because he was born weighing 10lbs!!

Agony for me not him btw 😅

OMG what amazign news!!! huge congratulations @Imisscoffee2021 sounds traumatic 🙈 But very well done!! and such a lovely name 😍💙

Oh @Imisscoffee2021 congratulations! What an entrance but I'm glad you're both ok now. Wishing you a speedy recovery too x

@Imisscoffee2021 aww congratulations - so happy for you! Sounds like an eventful delivery and ouch on the half working epidural! Hope you and little Reuben are recovering well and enjoy all of the baby cuddles x x

@Imisscoffee2021 That’s wonderful
news ❤️ So happy to hear that baby Reuben is here and such a healthy weight. Massive congratulations and well done, sounds like it was an arduous few days! Hope you’re both home soon and you can have lots of baby cuddles with your feet up 🥰 I took the paracetamol and ibuprofen at regular intervals after my section (I wrote it down and ticked it off to remind myself, in an IVF medication style!) and they did work wonders. Hope you have a quick recovery x

@seekingbabyk oh nooo don't worry about taking time off online fora. you can dip in and out of it whenever you feel like it can't you. I would never think like that anyway and I'm sure no one else on here would. I only knew too well that you need a break once in a while.
i can image you're not able to build a good routine when moving house and kitchen! Hope you can get yourself organised very soon now. interesting that they're decreasing the menopur dose again. but yeah trust what worked best.
Yeah there is no chance i can fit another round in before Christmas. If I'm lucky i start my first FET mid-Sept. So that takes us to mid-Oct, then there's always a month break, so start with the second FET mid-Nov and then it's Christmas. But i've accepted that fact now. I'll see how it contiues with the delays and how the service is until then and then I'll make a decision as to whether to move to a private clinic. I had a look at what the three offer. They are massively more expensive - ouch. But you can get started straight away, and have one round after the other. one is offering what you are doing - three consecutive cycles to collect. But yeah it's quite pricey and medication and FETs aren't even included. Well I will see when the times comes. I guess there is still a chance one of my low grade frosties makes it. I'm just of a more pessimistic disposition 😕x

Hey @KLM25 Mallorca was absolutely amazing. We had the best time. Can highly recommend it to anyone. The most beautiful island with crystal clear blue beaches all around. yeah the weather wasn't too hot yet, which was great. Glad you had a great time in Devon too. Bet it was nice to spend time with the fam and esp your bro. We're actually going on another holiday with my family tomorrow. I booked it just two weeks ago when i realised the next transfer is miles off. thought you only live ones and I've not seen them since January. they acutally don't know that we are coming hehe. I just knew which hotel they're staying and when, so booked us on haha. gonna be a hell of a surprise 😅
glad you didn't have crazy side effect or puffed up during the mock cycle. that's good to know :) great you don't need another biopsy! all results sound very good to me! but what does pre-receptive mean? never heard of that. so these tests are all on the lining aren't they? so all is good with it if I understood correctly?
glad the transport is moving along quickly! haha yes it is quite funny to think of a few straws of sperm travelling around Europe 😅
yes be nice to be cycle buddies in September. let's keep our fingers crossed :)
what more blood test does your new clinic ask for? x

Congratulations @Imisscoffee2021 !! ❤️ hope you’re loving every moment of having Reuben in your arms!

@seekingbabyk I’m sorry you’re having a rough journey. With regards to clinic I went to a create branch for a scan and thought they were terrible. Their standard protocol was mild stimulation which doesn’t work for everyone. You want a clinic that will consider your individual case and tailor treatment specifically for you. I hope you’re able to find the right clinic x

@Honeybunie @KLM25 i hope you’re both doing ok and relaxing before starting your cycles in a couple of months x

@Honeybunie yes its definitely pricey but if it works it's kind of what price do you put on that. I have every faith one of your embryos will stick. There are so many success stories with lower grades.

We have two 4 bc grades which we should be happy with BUT after the last rubbish round I want one more crack at it with the lifestyle changes for three months. In 39 in March and I would love more than one child. I am just thinking it's better to bank as much as possible now. If there are quality issues i feel like that won't get better the more years go by so trying to do all of the stims/collections now.

Funny story for you all actually. When we had our consultation after no embryos could be kept the consultant (male) was talking about options to improve embryo quality. He suggested if my hubs sperm was fragmented, they could go in with a needle instead to retrieve them. Both hun and my husband were discussing how ridiculous an option that was and how it would be very worst case and hopefully wouldn't be needed. An I'm there like 🤷🏼‍♀️ do you know how many bloody needles I have had in me in the last 6 months? All those hormones, three ECs and the impact on your physical and let's be honest also mental health! And they were both outraged at the concept of him possibly needing to be sedated and a needle go near his balls. Obv explained to hubby after and he was like yeah you're right but honestly men!!!!

Anyway we completed on house yesterday, owner still there with all his stuff, managed to get him out by 7pm but still stuff around. Having to claim back clearance costs! Luckily we are staying in rented place whilst we clear/clean/Reno so weren't waiting with our furniture lol!

Hope you are home now @Imisscoffee2021 with your munchkin x

@seekingbabyk men can be so precious about that cant they! Never mind us having our vagina walls pierced and follicles aspirated during egg collection, let alone injections!

Home now, 9 days into it all and my god is it harder work than I ever thought. The birth was slightly traumatic in hindsight so I've been having the occasional hormonal flood of tears and then feeling terribly guilty because I'm so lucky to have what I wanted after IVF, but 6 days on wards with a mismanaged induction, failed epidural with him back to back so agonising contractions, 8 hours of labour ending in emergency c section as he was in distress has left DH and I a tad shell shocked! So happy that Reuben is healthy though, that's the main thing.

Hope you're all well ladies x

@Imisscoffee2021 oh my that's really traumatic. I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's actually amazing the way our bodies just go into autopilot and keep pushing through the exhaustion and stress. Your hormones are all over the place I know lots of women who were tearful after birth for a few weeks. You're doing amazing 🥰 How's your recovery going?x

Hi ladies, hope you’re all doing ok. @Imisscoffee2021 I’m not surprised you’re both shell-shocked, that’s a lot to go through.
As @seekingbabyk says, your hormones are all over the place and you won’t have had a proper nights sleep for ages, so of course you’re tearful. I remember one of the midwives coming round and saying to me, you’re doing amazing, you’ve had an organ removed remember - I’m still not completely sure what she meant, I think she must have meant the placenta? I was so tired, it’s all a bit of a blur! I remember it being very stressful at first with constant visits from HCPs and weigh ins, plus the pressure of people wanting to visit and the lack of sleep. My SIL told me that when she had my niece, she cried every day for 2 weeks ❤️ Things will get easier and hopefully you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel soon.
@Honeybunie Your holiday sounds fantastic, I bet it was just what you needed. Where did you go with your family?

Pre receptive just means that you need another day of progesterone so apparently I need to start it 135 hours before the transfer. The new doctor seems happy to start it then. I’m not totally convinced by it all as opinions on the Era seem to differ but I suppose I’ve got nothing to lose by trying something new. I’m going to say I want to start the Lubion at the same time as the pessaries too as I feel like I need it to boost my progesterone levels.
Yes the other tests were to check for inflammation and infection of the lining but they’ve all come back clear.

I think I might need Vitamin D, HIV, Hep B, Syphilis blood tests but I’m not sure if those are if you’re having a new donor cycle or just across the board. I haven’t heard from the Spanish clinic for almost a week now which is worrying me a bit. I’m not sure if I’m being impatient, but they’ve been very responsive up until now 😏 I’m not sure if some of them are on holiday? It would just be nice to know what’s happening.
The transport guy said they could move our embryos last week of Aug/first week of Sept if they get the okay from the new clinic. I just really want to be able to make some plans, you know how it is 😏

@seekingbabyk really glad you’ve completed on your new house 👍 Can’t believe the seller was still in there, what are people like?!

Thanks so much @Spin101 Hope everything is going ok ❤️ Xx

@Imisscoffee2021 I’m so sorry you had a traumatic birthing experience. I hope Reuben is settling in at home and you’re able to get some sleep!

@KLM25 It sounds like the Spaniards might be on summer break. I hope they get back to you soon. If you need the extra progesterone, starting lubion at the same time as pessaries makes sense. Do they do bloods before transfer?

I had an FET last month and ruled it out based on what happened with my first FET. I was so surprised to get my first ever BFP. I had my 6 week scan yesterday and everything seems to be ok. They advised me to stop estrogen pills, patches and progesterone pessaries after 8 weeks gestation. @Imisscoffee2021@MinBins what were you advised to do? 8 weeks seems too soon for me x

OMG! Congrats @Spin101 so very happy for you!!

I was advised to keep taking progesterone till 12.6 weeks. However I wasn't on oestrogen or patches so can't advise there!

How are you feeling?

@Spin101 That’s wonderful news, I’m so very pleased for you 😊 I know it’s probably anxious times still but seeing that heartbeat is such a milestone to get past ❤️
I know this was almost 3 years ago for me and maybe things have changed, but I stayed on the estrogen and progesterone until 12 weeks. I think it was just after I had had the NHS scan. I was told to stop the Clexane and prednisolone at 7 weeks but to continue those other two until 12 weeks.

Thankyou. I heard from the Spanish clinic last night, just when I had given up for the day! It was such a relief. I feel quite a bit happier as I have a new contact now (I think the precious coordinator has left) and she said we could aim for a transfer in late Sept. We’ve been invited to a wedding on Sept 23rd but we’ve both agreed that we need to crack on with it and hopefully we can do both and avoid that date.

I think they do test bloods for progesterone. My previous clinic didn’t do that. I asked for a test just after the biopsy and Mr Lower said the results were fine, so I feel like that dosage would be better rather than starting the Lubion on transfer day as previously.

Are you feeling ok? Have you registered with the midwife yet? It’ll start feeling really real when you do that ❤️😊 x

@seekingbabyk ooff that would have annoyed me too. My OH has a similar tendency too at times.

But glad he understood when you explained it! Congrats on completing the house too! We finally moved in early June and the new build had 140 snags 😱 so we've been intermittently prepping for the baby while getting the issues sorted with builders on an ongoing basis. But we're overall happy with the house and relocation (I still miss big city life though 😭). I seemed to have stepped back in time with my hospital care - it was all digital in my previous city and here all paper based and no communication between doctor and hospital.

@Imisscoffee2021 I'm sorry to hear about the traumatic birth - I had a failed epi in my first and it's rubbish. I've heard inductions can be a long process or incredibly short - it must have been so emotionally nerve wracking for you.

I've been scheduled for a c-section in Sept. Glad the little one is well, and hope you're enjoying all the cuddles and (hopefully) coffee!!!

I meant *previous coordinator. I wasn’t accusing him of being precious ☺️ x

@KLM25 ah glad you heard back from the clinic and are set for the end of September! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

There's so much prep work, time and effort involved from your end and must have been frustrating to not hear from them while the coordinator left. Will you now wait till September? Or do you have to take meds in between? X

Thanks so much @MinBins Yes my mood immediately lifted when I got that email last night. My mind had been racing to all sorts of different places, thinking they weren’t able to treat me any more and all sorts of crazy things 🤦‍♀️ Our doctor had been pretty communicative until last week so I wonder if she is on holiday, but it’s good to feel like we have a proper coordinator contact.
I imagine I’ll just start meds when we’re starting the FET cycle. I’m just waiting to hear if they want me to have any more blood tests. I had a routine 3 year smear on Fri although they haven’t actually asked for that. They’ve asked about my last period and my next expected one. If they do want more blood tests, I’m going to try my luck at the GP. She’s been pretty helpful in the past and tried to request as many as she’s able to. I suppose it depends on timing, as it inevitably takes longer that way, doesn’t it.

Really glad to hear that you’re getting settled in your new house ❤️ Fantastic to be in there before the new baby comes. How old is your eldest? Also great to know you’ve got a c section date planned. I can still remember the relief when I saw the consultant and that was all signed off. Hope you’re feeling ok and managing to get some sleep x

Awww congratulations @Spin101 - so happy for you! I have only ever heard of it stopping at 12 weeks and my clinic said if I was to get pregnant that would be the case too. Definitely worth querying it.

@MinBins we toyed with the idea of a new build but ended up with a 20 year old doer-upper - saved quite a bit doing that which is handy! 140 snags is a lot! But how lovely to be bringing up your little one in a nice new house soon

@KLM25 I'm glad you have now heard back from the clinic. If the last person was on count down to leaving they probably weren't being 100% responsive! You know what it's like when you have handed your notice in! Hopefully everything will move a bit quicker now.

I'm a week into these supplements now. Hoping for our next round end of October. Both cut alcohol, I only have occasional caffeine anyway and now about to do a big low carb food shop. I want to give it this last go throwing everything at it. If embryo quality is still an issue with all of that, I think we're going to call it a day unfortunately.

If any of you followed the ISWTE food plan/diet, can you help me out with some meal ideas or staples to have indoors? I feel completely out of my depth with it!

Also if anyone was taking the naturelo multi vitamin, are you meant to take all three together or 3 times per day?

Thanks for your help 🥰

@Spin101 OMG I just read your news! how amazing is that??!!! I am sooo happy for you. After all the worries about your lining and negative experiences you finally got a positive. Gives us all hope ❤I can sense you're being very caucious and i totally understand and would most likely be the same. but i hope you get to enjoy these first weeks nonetheless and i really really hope it all goes well for you ❤my clinic also said to take progesteron until week 12 if pregnant, sounds like most advise that! I think only after that can the placenta produce sufficient levels by itself?

@KLM25 glad all the test came back okay. I'm also guessing that people in spain might be on holiday too. glad they finally got back to you. i bet that was a relief! and to have an idea about the next transfer date. great stuff!
yes the holiday was so nice. we had the best time with my family. we went to the french riviera. stayed in Menton, and visited monaco, nice, antibes and cannes. it's soooo pretty down there and the food omg 😋

@MinBins omg 140 snags in the new build?! what on earth. honestly it's near impossible to get a good builder in the UK isn't it. they're all cowboy builders and just want to make a quick pound. I've never been 100% happy when we had anything done around the house. It can be so upsetting. but i hope it's only little bits for you and that the builders do correct them for you! it must be tough with builders around all the time and being preggers. can't believe your date has come around so quickly too! exciting!

@seekingbabyk hope the renovations are going well in your new house! glad you have an idea for your next round not too :) it must be tough implementing all these lifestyle changes but like you said it's now or never. I turn 39 just before you so I'm with you.. and i hear what you are saying. I was thinking i'd give us two more rounds after this and if it hasn't happened by then call it a day. I've no idea about the ISWTE diet, so can't help sorry. I'd probably spread the tablets over the day if you can, that would make most sense to me. with every main meal like.

i surprisingly got a quick appointment for my follow up consultation tomorrow over the phone! they rang me this week and recognised i've been waiting for a while and said some last minute appointments had become available by one consultant. So that was really nice. so I'm thinking we might be able to start with my next priod in two weeks now! I'll see what they say tomorrow but generally after the consultation I'd just need to pick up my meds before next day 1 I think. so that's great and very unexpected. so could have a transfer early sept. Let's see...

@MinBins @KLM25 @seekingbabyk @Honeybunie thank you ladies ❤️ I might need to get a private prescription for the additional progesterone but will definitely make sure I take for 12 weeks.

@KLM25 i registered with the hospital after my scan which was exciting and got my initial appointment dates through the following day. Glad to hear the clinic responded to you!!

@MinBins I’ve been feeling ok thank you. I feel nauseous at the same time I get hungry so need to eat small portions often.

@seekingbabyk i started the naturelo pre natal supplements yesterday and I took all 3 together after breakfast. They’re massive so I made sure I took them with a whole glass of water! I’m sorry I don’t know anything about the diet. I’m generally not great at cooking up anything 🙈 making the lifestyle changes can be tough but I really hope all of this helps along with the supplements!

@Honeybunie thank you ❤️you may not believe this but my lining was 4.2mm and trilaminar pre starting progesterone. Most people I spoke to convinced me it wouldn’t work so I had ruled the cycle out.
How exciting you get to start your next cycle soon!

Were any of you ladies advised to take aspirin following a positive pregnancy test?

@Spin101 wow that is absolutely incredible! Isn’t it just amazing how the body and embryo can still make it work?! So happy for you 😊 it must be so exciting registering for the midwife. it must also be reassuring to feel nauseous 🤭 Have you been recommended those particular supplements? @seekingbabyk i had a quick look at the ingredients and it looks well dosed and good quality.

we had our telephone consultation today and I’m really pleased how it went. We had three failed transfers now and they want to do additional tests to see if there’s anything we can improve at my end to help implantation. I thought they’d just do one transfer after the other so am pleased they’re starting to interrogate a bit more first. So I have to ring on Monday to make an appointment for tests. They’re testing my thyroid, vitamin D levels, for antibodies in the uterus/lining and they’re going to do a 3D scan of my uterus. Sounds very thorough. So won’t be starting our next FET cycle until we have results and addressed anything that might come out of it. She also said I should take high dose of vitamin E (1,000iu) to improve the thickness of my lining in preparation for the next transfer, as I had issues last time.
she also assessed our overall situation after the two rounds now and said great egg count and fertilisation rate but embryo development is poor. Probably due to sperm quality combined with egg age. She said my eggs are probably too old to repair any dna breaks in the sperm. I guess that‘s why most of them don’t make it. But at least a few make it to day 5 so they want to improve the maternal environment to help implantation now. So all sounded good to me 😊

Thanks @Spin101 - hope you're feeling ok x

@Honeybunie that's great news they are making sure everything's good before your next transfer. The supplements are one's recommended in the book and on the website- it starts with the egg - so just following it as they recommend tbh. It's a LOT of tablets each day as you know and I'm feeling a bit rubbish with it but I'm hoping after a couple of weeks my body will get used to everything and it will settle down.

How many embryos do you have frozen at the moment?x