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! :)

@acaciabluebell Many congratulations and a massive well done on the birth of your baby girl 🩷 What a traumatic story.. I’m so sorry that you had to go through all of that.
Really glad to hear you’re both home now and wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery x

Holy moly @acaciabluebell bless you! 80% of your blood 😱thank god that it all went well and you and the little one made it home okay in the end 💝it’ll probably take some time to bounce back from that. But so glad you’re okay and get to enjoy your little baby girl x

@KLM25 is it tomorrow you’re off to Barcelona? Bet you’re super excited. Hope your travels will go smoothly. Be nice to set foot into your new clinic too I guess and meet everyone 😊 yeah I guess it can’t harm to take the vitamins right. And some vit D now that winter is approaching.

We’ve had our telephone consultation today. As I expected all test came back ok which is great, but also doesn’t give us any more explanations. So what they suggested now is to do a long protocol FET. I didn’t even know that existed. Has anyone done one before? She said I start injections on day 21 and continue during my bleed. Start oestrogen tablets after Day 1 and then the usual. Just these additional injections until I start the progesterone. And they’ll increase my oestrogen dose. All to improve the thickness of my lining I guess which is great 😊 and she suggested to do an endometrial scratch! I think that happens before the bleed. So yeah we’ll be doing that too. Very interesting to try new things and give it all we can 😊

@girljulian best of luck and fingers crossed 🤞 for your transfer outcome. Hope the wait isn’t too bad x

@KLM25 hope everything is going well for you in Barcelona 🍀❤

BFP today!!

@girljulian omg!!! What amazing news!!!! Soooo chuffed for you 😍🤗 how’re you feeling?? Did you test early or waited until yesterday? X

Thank you! I waited until yesterday!

@girljulian wow well done! And you got more than rewarded for it 🤗

@Honeybunie aww that's great you have a plan together now- keeping everything crossed for you x

@girljulian wow congratulations that's amazing news!

@KLM25 hope everything went well in Barcelona! Keeping everything crossed for you too!x

@seekingbabyk thank you 😊 I hope everything is going well at your end too! X

@girljulian Congratulations! That’s fantastic news, I’m so pleased for you ❤️

@Honeybunie @seekingbabyk Thank you so much, everything went to plan and I have one little embryo onboard! We got back yesterday. Everyone was lovely at the clinic, I went in on Tuesday first of all for a progesterone blood test and also the missing Hep B test, so it was nice to get my bearings the day before. It was about 15-20 minutes walk from the hotel I had booked, beautiful blue skies and sunshine every day so that was great. There’s musical notes hanging from the ceiling everywhere as apparently they play music to the embryos (Sharon Corr has been there to play the violin to them ☺️) so I quite liked that.

Everything was fine with the blood tests so I went back on Wed morning for the transfer. It turned out that my treating doctor was there (she’s British) which I wasn’t necessarily expecting as she wasn’t doing the actual transfer, but I had a consultation with her beforehand which was great. She asked if I wanted to meet Luca (who arranged the transportation) so that was another lovely surprise and he gave me a hug ❤️

It all felt quite personal, there was a screen with our names on it in the little room I got changed in saying Welcome (like some hotel TVs when you check in ☺️) and the room for the transfer had our names in a big heart projected onto it! They projected a picture of the embryo onto the wall and the embryologist came in and talked about it. She said it was a good 4AA embryo so that was great really to have confirmation from someone else (not that I didn’t trust my other clinic).

I think I could have drank more water 🤦‍♀️ I didn’t want to overdo it, as normally my bladder fills up so quickly and I’m really uncomfortable. Anyway the doctor said it could have been fuller, but it was ok and they could see. And then that was that, it all went to plan. I lay there for 5 mins and then went back to the little room, got dressed and went back to the hotel. One thing that was different was that they told me to do another pessary afterwards as they cleaned out the progesterone from the morning pessary.

I then went to meet Chris from the station. The bus from Barcelona Reus left without him so he had to get a taxi to a train station and then get the train instead. He couldn’t buy a ticket as it was one of those tiny stations with just a platform and then no one on the train to buy one from. When he arrived in the big city he couldn’t get through the ticket barriers 🤦‍♀️😂 Anyway, the man let him through without one and it was all ok, but he was pretty stressed ❤️
He only came really to carry the bags so I didn’t have to do any lifting, and the ironic thing is, my doctor said it probably would have been ok, but at least we’d have a nice evening in Barcelona.
Her advice was completely different from my previous clinic in terms of lifting heavy things, which was actually very reassuring. She said to think of all those women who get pregnant without knowing it and have to lift their toddlers. So she basically told me not to worry about it, which made me feel much better. I’m trying to minimise the lifting as much as I can but Chris is back at work tomorrow so I’m just going to carry on as normal then.

So that was that! We had a lovely walk around Barcelona in the afternoon. I’m just trying not to worry that I walked too far! It was a couple of hours I suppose with some breaks. We then went out for dinner and I accidentally ordered some cod which arrived and looked like sushi (I think it was baccalao that’s cooked in maybe lemon juice?). So my next fit of paranoia was that I shouldn’t eat it as advice from the previous clinic was not to eat anything which wasn’t thoroughly cooked 🤦‍♀️😂 Poor Chris swapped with me and forced some of it down although he doesn’t really like that kind of thing ❤️ (We had already had quite a few tapas starters so we didn’t go hungry!). You have to laugh really. There are so many things you can worry about, thinking you’ve jeopardised everything but I’m going to just try to relax and think what will be will be.

Sorry it’s a saga! Hope everyone else is doing ok. @Honeybunie Great to hear that your clinic has suggested some new things, that’s really positive. I don’t know much about long and short protocols as they don’t seem to call them that in Prague or Barcelona, I’ve just always started estrogen on day 1 and gone on from there. But I think it’s brilliant to try something new and it sounds like they’re looking into everything really well x

Wow this sounds amazing!! Good wishes for the emby!

and thank you @seekingbabyk and @Honeybunie too!

Hey @KLM25 sorry about the radio silence! We had our trip to Corfu and I tend to not look at my phone at all when on hols to get a proper break for the brain and enjoy my time away. Anyway... I am so glad everything went perfectly to plan!! It's been more than a week now! how are you feeling?? have you started testing early or will you wait? when is your test day? I love how romantic your clinic in Barcelona is!!! that is super cute. all the little touches that make it so much more special wow ❤funny your husband only came to carry the bags hehe. bless him. i really like their advice on lifting things too. it makes so much sense. most people get pregnant, will not know about it and carry on living their lives. it's just we know, so we think we need to guard our valuable freight esp after all the hoops we had to jump through to get to this stage.
My mum also keeps saying to me if I get pregnant I shouldn't be flying or not do this or that and take it easy. I said to her either it sticks or it doesn't! which is exactly what she said to me when she got pregnant at 42 with my sister! At the time we went on a road trip holiday which must have been exhausting for her. And she even decided not to go to the doctors until I think week 12, because she said either it sticks or it doesn't. she was very scared after her previous miscarriage at 16 weeks, and that was her last chance. so she sat it out and she was lucky it stuck 💞and when i told her her own advice now she admitted I was right haha.
As for me, I'm currently waiting for my period to arrive so I can book myself in to pick up my drugs ready for day 21 and book the endo scratch around the same day. I googled long and short protocol for FETs. With the long one you start Buserelin on Day 21 to swtich off your ovaries producing hormones, so I guess it is a more controlled cycle. and then start oestrogen as with the short cycle on day 1 x

Hi @Honeybunie, not at all, really glad to hear you had a good time in Corfu! Very wise to switch off your phone to maximise the relaxation! Fantastic that you’ve got a plan for your next transfer too. That makes sense about the long and short protocols, sounds really positive to be having the long one, more precautions really I suppose, to make sure everything is how it should be.

I’m ok, I’m trying not to read anything into every little twinge 😏 Tbh I feel the same as all the times when it didn’t work and I thought I had symptoms! I can’t actually remember how I felt when it did work. I won’t test until OTD which is Monday. I’ve tested early before and it was negative, but it just made me crazy, trying to find any example online of someone testing negative and then it turning into a positive 🤦‍♀️ So I swore I’d never do it again.

I’ll have to keep taking the meds until I have a blood test anyway so I figured I’d rather just hold out. I’m trying to see it as a process and think about what we’ll do next if this one doesn’t work. Anything to try to lessen the upset! Impossible really, but I’m trying to stay on a level if that makes sense, and not get too excited or too despondent, whatever happens.

Thanks for the pep talk about the lifting too ❤️ You’re so right and that’s lovely that you can remember your Mum getting pregnant with your sister. It’s so true, I think it’s mostly out of our control so there’s no point getting worked up about things. That’s why I really liked our new doctor’s philosophy as it made me feel so much more relaxed. Ha ha, yes Chris just came to carry the bags and eat some raw fish 😂 I don’t think it’ll be up there in his top ten mini breaks ☺️

Hope your period comes soon and you can get some dates in the diary. Exciting to think you’ll be having your FET before Christmas! Xx

Hiya @KLM25 yes I think the longer FET cylce makes sense given my history. When we started our first medicated FET cycle attempt with the standard dose of oestrogen, my ovaries still decided to ovulate haha, so it's good to switched them off i guess. And with your second FET cycle attempt and a double dose of oestrogen i didnt ovulate but the lining was still very thin. So it'll be interesting to see how this protocol goes for me. Hopefully we'll make it to the FET before Christmas with a nice thick lining :)

Ah I know it's such an awkward stage of the process the TWW isn't it! you notice everything your body does and examine it hoping for the best. You try and find comfort in positive stories on the internet. You re-read the same things mulitple times. It is difficult. But stay strong and it's only a few days left now until you can test. I think it's a good approach you're taking. And remember that everthing was perfect, your lining and your embyro, now it's just up to the gods isn't it. and yes looking ahead and thinking about next steps always helps to distract a little and keep the spritis up :) I'm rooting for you and the little bean 🍀

No period as of yet, but I'm thinking tomorrow or Sunday. I can feel my boobs a little since yesterday which is always a sign it's near haha xx

@Honeybunie Thanks so much for your wise words. I was feeling a bit downhearted when I read your post the other day and you really cheered me up.

You’re absolutely spot on, it is in the lap of the gods so you just have to try to chill out. However, I’ve been doing every one of those things, looking for positive stories 🤦‍♀️ I’ve got those familiar symptoms which could equally be over imagined! I feel like I can smell things more and my nipples are tender if my little boy bangs against me sitting on my knee, but I definitely thought I had those symptoms for my last three failed transfers too! I’ve got the old period pains here and there too, but I know those can go either way.
I didn’t want to test this weekend as Chris is on nights and that’s miserable enough already without adding a BFN into the mix ha ha. I’ll test tomorrow and then we can do something nice on his days off to cheer ourselves up if needs be.
An old friend of mine has been visiting a mutual friend of ours this weekend so have seen her yesterday and today which has been a lovely distraction. Then I’ve had a couple of early nights watching the Beckham documentary on Netflix!

Hope your period has come, I’m sure it won’t be long if not. Then the countdown can begin! Always very heartening to be trying a different protocol, so lots to feel positive about! Xx

@KLM25 glad I could help cheer you up 🤗thinking of you this morning 🍀❤

Thanks so much @Honeybunie ❤️ I’m afraid it was a BFN 😏 Another one! I’m not sure if I’m getting used to it but I haven’t cried so far this time. I actually feel ok, I’m not sure if I was more prepared for it and I just keep reminding myself that we’ve got a lot to be thankful for already. I am pissed off of course and feeling frustrated, like I’m crazy for thinking it’s ever going to work again. I just can’t imagine seeing a positive test after all these negative ones.
The clinic want me to do a blood test and have said to stay on the meds until then, which I was expecting. I’ve found a clinic near Birmingham that can do a same day result for £73, cheaper than the previous place I’ve used where it comes back the next day, so I’m going there tmrw at 9am.

I’m hoping we can just try again as soon as possible but I feel so conflicted between ‘is it a numbers game’ and ‘is there something wrong and they just haven’t diagnosed it’ 🤦‍♀️ I’ve had all these tests and two different experienced consultants over here tell me that there’s nothing wrong and I should do well, so I just don’t know what to think.
I’m also not totally convinced by the ERA test as we changed the timing of the progesterone and I had already had success with the original timing. Things to ask the doctor in Spain I suppose. Aarghhh… It’s just all so tiring isn’t it but I know we have to just keep on going.

I’m planning on a large gin and tonic tonight so it’s not all bad ☺️ Hope you’re ok and you had a lovely weekend x

@KLM25 I'm so sorry my lovely. It's never easy seeing a negative especially after all you've gone through to get to today. Sending big hugs and definitely treat yourself to a g&t tonight xx

Thanks so much @seekingbabyk ❤️ It really helps to hear such kind words from people who completely understand. I’ve also bought myself some jam doughnuts so I’ll be properly treating myself today 😊 x

@KLM25 I am sooo very sorry ❤sending lots of love and a big hug to you too. I totally understand the numb feeling. I was balling my eyes out for days after my first BFN and after my third BFN I didn't shed a tear. I feel I've just gotten a lot harder to protect myself. It's probably the same for you? survival mode isn't it. but you are right to keep appreciating what you have already, and another one would just be a bonus wouldn't it. but it is hard of course because you want it so much. Don't beat yourself up over trying it again and again either. You wouldn't be happy if you didn't give it your all either. So just keep on going as long as you can so you won't regret anything. try not to wreck your brains over the medical side of things either. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with you if they haven't found anything. I mean the progesteron timing is defo something to discuss with your consultant. but other than that I think it is a numbers game. so don't lose hope yet. How many BFNs have you had in total now if you don't mind me asking? And how many more frosties? i really hope you get what you wish for eventually ❤and hell yes to a G+T this evening! and you can stuff your face again with raw fish! it's the little things that can cheer us up again isn't it.

I'm a bit under the weather after the weekend. OH was a bit ill Friday/Saturday. I decide to do some sanding and painting on Saturday. We had the painters in but I wasn't happy with the finish at all. So I decided to correct whatever I can before your carpets arrive. So i was on a hell of a mission without OH being able to help me much and I worked myself to the bone for like 6h straight. and then we went to a birthday party even though my body was broken already. so now i guess I've caught whatever OH had, have a full body muscle ache and my period came on yesterday/started properly today. So feeling rather sorry for myself lol. but i was able to ring the clinic this morning. the appointments team will ring me back within 48hrs. So I'm guessing i can pick up my meds and have the endo scratch around Monday 30th now. nice to be able to plan 😊

Thanks so much @Honeybunie One of the lovely things to come out of this ‘journey’ 🤦‍♀️ is the support I’ve found from you guys on here ❤️ It’s really a great help and comfort to me. It’s been 4 BFNs now, Nov, Feb, April and now this one. We’ve got 2 frosties left so we are very lucky. I think you’re right, it does harden you up and you try to protect yourself each time by thinking the worst. Then I worry I’m being too negative ha ha!

Sorry you’re under the weather - fluey cold and period - double whammy 🫤 Well done for getting the DIY done, I bet you got on a roll with it and didn’t want to stop, I’m the same. But great news that your period came kind of as expected and you can start to plan. Mon 30th will be here in no time so that’s brilliant 👍😊 x

Hi ladies, I haven’t caught up on the messages properly.
@KLM25 I’m so sorry to hear about your BFN. Sending you lots of love ❤️ x

Thanks so much @Spin101 that’s so kind of you ❤️ I hope you’re doing really well and you’ve had your scan.
We’re moving forward again, my period started on Sat so I started the meds. I’m happy it’s happening again so quickly, we’ve got 2 frosties left. I’ve asked to go back to the protocol which worked for my one successful transfer, plus I want to go back to the original timing for the progesterone as I’ve got my doubts about the ERA test in July which said I was pre-receptive. My doctor’s happy with that. She wants me to have a hysteroscopy (Mr Lower said I didn’t need one when I asked him after his 3D scan) but I’ve said I’ll think about that if this transfer doesn’t work.
I’ve got no idea if I’m doing the right thing or not. The more you do this, the more you read, and the more doctors you see with different opinions, you start questioning everything, don’t you? I’m just trying to keep it in mind that it’s a numbers game and maybe there’ll be a little bit of magic and luck this time ❤️ If not, we’ll keep ploughing on x

@KLM25 good to hear that you are in good spirits and amazing that you are starting straight away again. I wish my clinic was that efficient! so you've started on the oestrogen now? when do you think the next transfer will be? I would have also gone back to the protocol and timing which worked for you in the past. makes total sense. why change a winning formula. what would they check for with a hysteroscopy - just to see the lining and uterus more up close?

I ended up being very poorly last week, just been on the sofa all week. luckily I'm better now and it didn't go on my chest which it usually does. the clinic eventually rang me on Friday. So I'll have my endo scratch on Friday 27th and then I start my meds on Sunday 29th, which will be my day 21. still feels like a while away but I guess it'll all come around quickly

@Spin101 I also hope you're doing really well!

xx