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! :)

@Honeybunie ❤️ x

@KLM25 how was your weekend? How're you feeling? xx

Hey @Honeybunie, I’m ok thanks! I’ve done 2 more tests since Fri and the line on the FRER was darker this morning so that calmed my nerves briefly ☺️ I’m going for a beta blood test tomorrow morning and if I can get there on time (it’s a bit of a drive away) then the results should be back the same day. Had a quiet ish weekend, my OH is on nights. Went to see my Mum and Dad ystdy and we went to the M&S cafe for lunch, so nothing too crazy!
How are you doing? Is it your scan this week? Xx

@KLM25 Oh that's fab news that the line got darker. I'm very pleased to hear 😊Hope the test tomorrow will confirm everything 😊be great to get the results tomorrow evening! Did you tell your parents or will you wait until after tomorrow's test or longer?
We had quite a chilled weekend too. bit of cleaning and tidying, saw friends, went for a walk, netflix and take away hehe. Yes, baseline scan on Wednesday. then hopefully start the oestrogen tablets and get some dates in the diary for possible transfer so i can plan fingers crossed xx

Thanks so much @Honeybunie The beta results came back so quickly, I got the email just before 1pm so that was great. They confirm it’s a positive so we’re cautiously happy about that 😊 I’ve sent the results off to Barcelona. I’m going to go for another test on Thurs to see if the numbers are going up, just for my own peace of mind really. Although I’m not sure peace of mind is possible 🤦‍♀️☺️
We’ve told both sets of parents already as they knew I’d been for the transfer. It adds to my anxiety having to break the news so early, but luckily they’re all quite measured, knowing what’s happened up to now.
Your weekend sounds lovely! Hmmm takeaway, that sounds good, I might plan in one of those next time Chris is off.
Will be thinking of you tomorrow for your scan! That’ll be fab if you can start getting some dates in the diary and get planning 👍😊 x

Aawww wow so happy for you that the blood test was positive too ❤keep the good news coming 🤗
Yeah I would have a follow up test too I think. Is there a range for each day after implantation for example of what the HCG level should be? or is it more about whether it doubles from day to day at the beginning?
I thought you might've told your parents since they know everything and with the travelling.. It must be difficult having to share it early when you're still not sure yourself how it is going. But nice to have the family support and understanding and being able to talk about it at the same time I guess 😊
Yes fingers crossed for tomorrow. I'm curious to see how thin my lining is after my nearly non existing bleed 😆I feel totally normal with the injections at the moment too which is interesting. no more mood swings or tiredness. The only symptom seems to by total dryness down there, which i guess means my system has successfully been shut down 🙈😅x

Well, six months after I was put into medical menopause and three months after my endometriosis surgery, I found out this afternoon that I apparently ovulated for the first time at some point in the past week! 😅 It has been so stressful; I was told it would take 4-6 weeks for ovulation to start again after the injection wore off and instead it took 12. Which isn’t what you want at my age! It’s been so worrying.

A shame I totally missed it 😂 as we didn’t DTD at all last week - and I had dropped down to doing the PreMom tests only every four days as I was so convinced it wasn’t going to happen, and of course it seems I totally missed the surge.

Blood test results will come back tomorrow to confirm progesterone/oestrogen levels but hopefully they all look ok.

The original plan after surgery was to have 4-5 months of trying naturally before doing an embryo transfer in January if no joy. Now I imagine this will be shifted back a few months. Although I suppose it depends on how my cycles come back - will they be 27/28 days as usual or will it take a while for them to get established?

Anyway it’s lovely to be back! Back on track and back on the thread! I don’t feel able to read/catch up on it for a while as I was so stressed but it’s lovely to read all the good news 🥰

Thanks so much @Honeybunie ❤️ The range seems to be quite wide so I think the most important thing is if it’s increasing at a certain rate. The nurse who took my blood yesterday said 66% every 48-72 hours. I could probably have done with waiting to go on Friday but I can’t make it on Fri, so tomorrow will have to do! If it’s ok then I’ll try to hold out until I have a scan I think.
Yes you’re right, I really don’t like sharing it so early but don’t feel like I can leave people hanging if you know what I mean! Some of my friends know too (I’ve never been very good at keeping things to myself 🤦‍♀️☺️) but they’ve all been quite balanced about it too so that’s lovely.
Hope your scan went ok today? Really glad you feel alright on the injections now, it’s amazing how quickly you can get used to them.

@Decaffe That’s wonderful news 😊 Really good to hear from you. I can only imagine how tough the waiting has been 😏 It’s so difficult when it’s something that you have absolutely no control over. It’s just typical isn’t it that you missed it this month! But I suppose the main thing is that you’re back on track again ❤️ Hope your blood test results have all come back ok too x

@KLM25 uuhhh another test today. all fingers crossed everything is as it should 🍀let us know! when is your scan again? It's just one waiting game after the other isn't it 🙈but I was thinking every passing day is a step in the right direction isn't it 😊
I saw a lady in the clinic yesterday with an ultrasound picture and a form which read expected date of delivery 30/6/2024 (I was just peeking over I didn't ask her lol). I was like wow.. how must it feel to reach that stage! must feel unreal.
I'm exactly the same, I tell my family and closest friends everythings, so they'd also always know. although all of them live far away so they're not always up to speed. apart from my mum haha she is rooting in the background for her first grandchild haha. she's probably more excited than me 😂

@Decaffe aawww nice that you're back on track after such a long wait. it must have been super worrying. but yay it's back and you can continue with your journey 😊how did you get on with your blood test results? So will you do ovulation tests for a few months and wait until it's regular again, and then start an FET cycle? how many do you have frozen?

My scan went well yesterday yay. The lining was nice and thin at 1.7mm and my ovaries super quiet and she said the uterus looks nice and healthy which was nice to hear too. so all good at my end of the bargain. now we just need the little embryos to perform lol. they said the clinic would ring me today to give me all the dates, but they rang yesterday already too. So I have to start the oestrogen tablets this Saturday, 2 three times a day. The next scan to check the lining is on 30th November. and I'm booked in for 6th December for the transfer. so the dates are great, as we miss the weekend (1-3 Dec) for which we have planned a weekend away for OH's middle daughter's 18th birthday. His girls don't know so it would have been tricky to explain me not coming...
I also asked the lady who did the scan if it was possible to transfer the two embryos we have left. she said I can asked the embryologist on the day of the transfer, they would then advice me of all the risks involved bla bla, but she said at the end of the day it's my treatment and my decision. So I've kinda already decided for myself to transfer two. It's just taken sooo long to get to this stage, so if we make it to transfer day, we may as well. I doubt both would make it, so in my eyes there is no risk of twins. I'm just doubling my chance to get pregnant, which is slim anyway. and then we can move on and start a third round more quickly. if we had another FET, we'd have to wait for a follow up consultation again, 4-6 weeks, then the long FET cycle takes ages, I need to travel to work a lot more again in the new year which would make it near impossible to squeeze appointments in and we're going to Germany for Easter and Singapore for work again in April. So i thought if i do not become pregnant I have that time to have my follow up consultation and then make a decision of whether i want to stay at my current clinic or go private, and then we'd be all set to start the third cycle come May xx

@Honeybunie That sounds like everything went perfectly yesterday, I’m so pleased 😊
That’s fantastic too that you’ve got all the dates and you can make a plan. Logistics are just one of the stresses with all of this, so I’m sure it’s a big weight off your mind that you’re avoiding the weekend away!

I think you’re doing the right thing asking if you can transfer two. You’ve obviously given it a lot of thought and it sounds like the right decision. We actually transferred two embryos on my first ever transfer and that resulted in our son. Both were described as very good embryos and only one made it, which I think is often the case when transferring two. And if both of them did make it, and it was twins, then that would be wonderful too. Personally, I was willing to take that risk given the circumstances. I think they have to advise you of all the risks like you say, but it sounds as if they’re happy to do it if that’s what you decide upon ❤️😊

Hopefully you won’t have to worry about the next steps if it doesn’t work, but I’m the same, I find it comforting and helpful to have a vague plan! I’m really excited for you and it goes without saying that I’ve got everything crossed ❤️

I had the second blood test this morning, these results won’t be back until tomorrow. The nurse was horrified when she saw the massive bruise on my arm and said ‘oh no, did I do that to you?!’ ☺️ I said I was just pleased she’d been able to get some blood and at least she hadn’t had to go into the back of my hand which has happened on more than one occasion elsewhere.
I also saw two single magpies on the way there so that didn’t help my crazy mind!
Anyway, hopefully the results will be back early ish tmrw and I won’t have to keep refreshing my emails all afternoon 🤦‍♀️ x

Sorry for the radio silence ladies, we just got a puppy - a miniature dachshund- and it's completely turned out lives upside down with sleepless nights, etc! Starting to come out of the other side now though! Attached a photo if anyone is interested 🥰

Awww that's great news @KLM25 - hopefully you'll get some peace of mind tomorrow!

@Honeybunie I'm glad your scan was all good and 6th December is so soon! You must be excited! I don't blame you with transferring 2 - I would like to do that too!

@Decaffe I'm so glad things are getting back to normal for you. It's probably your body just telling you it needed a little break after everything but it's ready to go again. Be interesting to see if you are regular again now!

We had our follow up meeting with our consultant yesterday and it was great. Firstly hubbys results have improved massively he couldn't believe the difference so he said no need for sperm retrieval now. He is putting my dose down to 225 which was our best round where we got 4 blasts although only 2 worth freezing! And they have now opened a new clinic in Eastbourne so we can do our next retrieval there which is much better as means no trains etc. even though the travel time will be similar I am all for a blanket in the car on the way home in my pjs rather than tubes and trains. Plus the consultant will do the retrieval himself and he is very experienced so I'm glad about that. We are going to be doing round 4 around end of January. Could have done sooner but Xmas and new year we just wanted to get that out of the way first!

@KLM25 thank you ❤yes planning the treatment around work and life can be so stressful. very glad it worked out. it's good timing before Christmas too. If it does not work, I'll drown my sorrows in mulled wine! Oh that's interesting to know that you transfered two and that resulted in your son 😍
It is just seems like a logical decision to me considering all factors. Our embryos aren't highly graded, after 3 transfers not even one implanted, and time is ticking. My gut also tells me to do it, and it's always right. And yes even if it were twins, two is better than none 😂I hope the embryologist won't want to talk me out of it. I will need to go in with a strong mind and tell them what I want 💪
Oohhh let us know when the results are in 😊Funny the nurse saw the bruise she created - that's good feedback for her lol. aaahhh i hate when they put the needle in the hand too. i have a massive vein on my arm which makes every nurse happy. but for my sedation at the second EC they could not get into the one on the back of my hand so they tried on the side just under the thumb 😩i didn't even know there was one. horrible..

@seekingbabyk aawww your little dog is so adorable! that must be lovely to have a little addition in the new house. OH is allergic to dogs and cats to we can't have any. OH's mum just got a mini sausage dog too though. they are sooo cute aren't they.
Great news about the consultation and results! What exactly about your husband's results has improved and by how much, if you don't mind me asking? We're in the same boat, so be interesting to hear. so pleased you have a clinic opening which you can reach by car too. I could not imagine stepping on a train after EC. That's great! 😊End of January is not long now either! When will the meds start do you think? Good job on going with the best protocol from the past too! xx

@Honeybunie so they did a fragmentation test and I'm not sure what the numbers mean but the range of 2-7 is normal. He was 7 on the first test but is now 2 so none at all. He had been taking all the supplements from the book in the men's section, lost around a stone and cut down drinking (not stopped though). Also stopped hot baths and wearing cotton underwear loose fitting - reminds me of my dad as a kid def not a turn on! lol! Consultant is now using him as an example to other patients he's made up!

Two other things they are doing. 1. We are doing PICSI which means they put hyalouronic acid in with the sperm when he gives his sample which helps the best ones clump together or something. 2. The fertilised eggs will be grown in a calcium solution which can improve quality too.

We have really good fertilisation rates it's just a quality issue for us.

24th January is our predicted start date but my cycles are a little shorter since taking all the supplements so we will confirm with them after Christmas

They want to give me a different trigger this time too which apparently can have a higher risk of OHSS but can improve quality too so we will see how that works but I am a bit scared about that tbh after getting mild OHSS on our second round

@seekingbabyk Your puppy is gorgeous! Lovely to see the photo ❤️ Ha ha, yes I’m sure they’ve been keeping you very busy, well worth it though.
That’s amazing news about your husband’s results! It just goes to show that all that hard work paid off, I’m so pleased for you both. Plus I bet he’s pleased they don’t have to do the sperm retrieval ha ha. It all sounds very positive anyway and fantastic that you’ve got a date in mind in January. That will fly by with Christmas in the meantime.

@Honeybunie I think you’re so right in saying that you need to go with your gut instinct. I’m sure it’ll be very clear to the embryologist that you’ve thought it through very carefully. Our previous clinic did say no to us when we wanted to transfer two again earlier this year, but that was only because I’d had a c section. If it was a first pregnancy then I’m sure they would have been ok with it.
Oh no, I didn’t know that there was a vein there either! Sounds painful. The things we have to go through 🤦‍♀️

I got my results back and they’ve more than doubled so that was a relief ❤️ I’m going to step away from the pregnancy tests this weekend now! I’ve actually booked a scan for a week on Tues when I’ll be 6+5. I’m not sure whether it’ll be too early but my clinic said after 15 days so I’ll just go with what they say, plus it fits around Chris’ shifts so we decided to go with that date.

Hope everyone has fun/relaxing weekends planned and it’s as sunny with you guys as it is here today ☀️😊 x

@KLM25 I had all my fingers and toes crossed for you then! fantastic news 😃❤that is sooo good and reassuring. so happy for you 🤗hope you'll manage to relax a bit for now and enjoy the positive news. Hopefully you'll have some early pregnancy symptoms soon too to put your mind at ease hehe.

@seekingbabyk thanks for the info! that's really interesting to know. Like I said before, OH had a fragmentation test too but i can't remember the result for the life of me. It was just done on the side as we agreed to take part in a research project at our clinic. I'll try to remember to ask again what his result were next time. that really is a massive improvement from one end of the spectrum to the other. Well done you guys! Sure he's happy to feature in a success story and his balls will be left alone 😂lol about the cotton undies - I just double checked OH's - when we did all those changes in spring this year, I bought him the Next boxershorts which are 100% cotton too and quite nice looking. Sounds like you went for loose white briefs? soo funny 😂
so interesting to read about the hyaloronic acid and calcium stuff too! I'll keep that in mind if we need another round! I really hope all these things will help and you end up with lots of beatiful little embryos 😍
the trigger that may improve quality sounds good too! what is that one called? i do understand your worries about changing that one too. are you going for a fresh transfer after your next round or will you freeze again and then start transfering? if you freeze then OHSS would not be such a big issue as you have time to recover? x

@KLM25 yay that's amazing news you must feel relieved! The scan sounds like a great idea next week. I had an ectopic years ago which was at 5 weeks and they could see that so I'm sure you'll get to see your little peanut 😁

@Honeybunie I can't remember the name but I'll find out. No we will freeze all to recover and hopefully look at a transfer in spring/summer. I'm not in a rush with the transfer I just want to get some more in the bank as quality will only get worse now as I'm 39 next year. Oh no these are full blue checked cotton boxers - so funny he hates them! But after hearing it's all working obviously it's worth it. And by end of jan/early feb he can go back to normal!

What you up to to celebrate @KLM25 ?

Thanks @Honeybunie and @seekingbabyk, hope you’re both doing ok. How’s that gorgeous little dog settling in?

I’ve had a bit of a rollercoaster week. I had a massive bleed on Monday afternoon. I was in the kitchen, I felt a gush and then there was quite a lot of bright red blood, sorry tmi. I was beside myself, luckily Chris was at home on days off. It tailed off after a few hours, I wouldn’t say it filled a pad, but whilst sitting on the loo, it was pouring out. That night it was then just a very faint brown when I wiped, and up until now I haven’t had any more.
My clinic got in touch to tell me to increase the Cyclogest and to use the pessaries rectally whilst I was bleeding. Well that was a new experience for me, the first attempt failed but then I used a bit of KY jelly and managed to do it 🤦‍♀️😂 They also told me to take an extra one orally at night - I had to double check that in case I’d misunderstood but no sure enough, that was the advice. For someone who’s not very good at swallowing tablets, it was a bit of a worry, but it was surprisingly easy fortunately!
I decided to have another beta Hcg yesterday but I’m not sure if it was the right thing to do or not. It came back as 19940, just under 6 days previously it was 4419. We did a bit of googling and calculating and thought it seemed ok as the rate of increase is supposed to slow down after 4000, but then my doctor emailed and said although it was good, she would have expected it to be higher 😏 She said it should double every 48 hrs and be 36000 by now. We’re not sure what to think really, as information online contradicts that, but then she is our doctor 🤷‍♀️ She did caveat it by saying it’s not an exact science and she would keep everything crossed for the scan which we’ve booked for next Tues. I don’t think there’s any point having another blood test, people seem to say that scans are more conclusive once you get to this stage. My clinic don’t even ask for them, I’m hoping that means they’re not overly familar with them 😬

So it’s become an anxious wait until we have the scan. I honestly don’t know what to think and I’m googling like a madwoman. I’ve got a few things planned over the next few days so hopefully that will keep me busy and I’m praying I won’t have any more bleeding. I can’t even tell you how often I’m checking for it 🤦‍♀️ x

@KLM25 how stressful for you! I know how it feels, I had bleeding two or three times at your time of pregnancy and was so scared, a proper gush of fresh red blood. Had about 5 private scans before he was 12 weeks just for reassurance! Still don't know why but he was fine, my sister has same and was a subchorionic haematoma for her but again was fine. xx

Also I'm sure it's 48 to 72 hrs for doubling range?

It’s so frightening @Imisscoffee2021 isn’t it? Thanks so much for letting me know your experience, it does help to reassure me a little. I never even had a drop of blood with my pregnancy with my son so it came as quite a shock.
Yes you’re right, they do say 48-72 hours and there are a lot of different sources online saying the rate slows down as it gets higher, so I’m trying to focus on that!
Hopefully the days will go quickly until the scan. If we’re lucky enough to have good news, I think I’ll be the same as you with booking scans 😊
Hope all good with you guys up in Scotland, so exciting that it’s going to be little Reuben’s first Christmas ❤️ x

@KLM25 omg I’m so sorry to hear about your bleed. It must be so terrifying when that happens. I can’t imagine. You hear of so many ladies that have a bleed early on in their pregnancies that turn out to be just fine. My best friend had it too and she was fine thank god. Having conceived naturally she never knew about hcg levels which must be a bliss! I hope the days will fly by until you get your reassurance on Tuesday! ❤️ how are you feeling apart from that? Did they say you should take it easy or rest more? Cyclogest to swallow - wait what? That greasy stuff? I can’t imagine 😱 does it say in the leaflet it’s okay? 😆 xx

Oh no @KLM25 I'm so sorry you had that scare. I remember @Imisscoffee2021 having that actually and I've seen lots of people on insta have the same. You can always call your EPU too for a scan they will likely just book you in if you are worried. Has it completely stopped now?

Yes the pup is great thanks - sleepless nights and clearing up sh*t it's like we're preparing for something one day 🙈

Thanks so much @Honeybunie and @seekingbabyk ❤️ Yes I’ve found it really comforting to hear that lots of other people have had the same thing and it’s been ok.
Yes it stopped on Monday early evening and I haven’t had any more since, although I keep imagining that I have 🤦‍♀️ I’m constantly checking. It won’t be long until the scan anyway. I hope I’m not imagining this but I do feel a bit more nauseous every day, so I’m really praying that’s a good sign, but I suppose you never know. I keep thinking oh maybe it’s the extra progesterone.

Ha ha @Honeybunie, yes I was horrified at the thought of swallowing the Cyclogest but with a bit of food, it was easier than I was expecting ☺️ I’m obviously far too trusting as I didn’t read the leaflet! Mind you it’s in Spanish so it might have caused more confusion 😂 They told me to rest but now Chris is back at work that’s a bit trickier, but I’m just trying not to overdo it.
We’re going to a Christmas market with my Mum and Dad tomorrow so I’m looking fwd to that. Then I’m out for Sunday lunch for a friends bday, I’ve just got to time the 1.30/2pm Lubion/Cyclogest around it! These meds do take over your life don’t they - I’ve got timers on my phone, a tick chart on the fridge and a little weekly pill box!

That’s great practice @seekingbabyk! My ex next door neighbour swore it was very wise to get a dog before having a baby, she got a dog and then went on to have 2 babies in quick succession! My brother and sis-in-law did the same!

How are you feeling on the meds @Honeybunie? Hope all ok. I just had a look back and saw that you’ve got another scan coming up next week, have I got that right? That’s great, it all seems to be coming round quickly now ❤️😊 x

@KLM25 today's the day! I hope you've been keeping well over the weekend and I keep everything crossed for you! 🍀❤
Sounds like you had a nice weekend planned which hopefully kept you busy! I know what you mean with the timers and meds taking over your life! I didn't need a timer when I had one injection a day, now the injeciton and tablets three times a day, so timers. and I take the tablets almost automatically and then i wonder later if i did take them 🙈haha
I'm feelin pretty normal these days which is great. I think my body is glad to have hormones back after it was stripped off them. Just been keep myself busy with getting christmas presents sorted, mainly for myself lol. so time has flown by really. yes scan this Thursday 12.30. fingers crossed the lining is doing well and we can go ahead with the transfer next Wednesday x

Thanks so much @Honeybunie, I’m very happy to report that there was a heartbeat ❤️ I cried when she told us, I was so relieved. She tried an external scan to start with and couldn’t see anything, although she did say she could see the sac. Anyway, I then had to go to the loo before she could do an internal one (most nerve wracking wee ever) and then she tried again, and could see much more clearly. She said it was a strong heartbeat and the baby was measuring 6+6, and I’m 6+5 according to dates, so that was a relief too, as it seemed to take an age before she told us. So we feel like we’ve crossed another hurdle! Still a long way to go and I’ve booked another scan for 2 weeks time, but lots to be happy about today 😊

You made me laugh about the timers and the tablets, that’s exactly what I’m like ☺️ I think I just take them on autopilot and then can’t remember. That’s why I had to get the little pill box so I can check how many were left in there! Problem is, the aspirin, Vitamin D and once the blue progynova pills have run out - those ones too - all look identical so I’m going to have to find a different system I think 😂

Really glad to hear that you feel ok on the medication. Not long until your scan, that’s brilliant! Will be thinking of you on Thursday and keeping everything crossed x