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! :)

Have a predicament this morning.

The clinic sent through paperwork for a jan cycle this morning with a total of over £7k plus meds. They said this is because of PICSI and prices have gone up too. This is a lot more than we were expecting and we would need to postpone a couple of months to pay this.

Other option is that the consultant extended our free transfers until feb 24 and then we have to pay for them. So now we are thinking should we think about a transfer in February instead and see how we get on.

So much to think about but also thinking is it fate and we should just go with it?

@KLM25 @MinBins @seekingbabyk Thank you ladies 🥰❤️ I cross my fingers too 🤞🤞
I managed to pack everything with little stress and we made it to Munich without any trouble. I was quite organised in the end, I was surprised. I feel like it’ll take me a few days to completely switch off and relax. I had so much on my mind recently I didn’t sleep well before going. It’s nice to have this time to wind down. And this trip is a great distraction, I keep forgetting about the transfer (apart from all the stuff I’m not allowed to eat now 😫 lol) and it’s already Thursday so test day will be here in now time 😊 speaking of Thursday - it’s your scan today @KLM25 isn’t it? 😃 I hope everything is perfect ❤️

Oh wow @seekingbabyk that must’ve come as quite the shock 😳 does the Picsi add quite a bit more? I thought you had a package of three cycles and this would be your last one? I must’ve totally gotten that wrong?
So you’d have to pay for a cycle now, or get one free transfer and if needed pay for another cycle later anyway? I would probably do one transfer now if you have to save money first anyway. But in the end it’s whatever you feel is best for you. And what your gut tells you? I feel for you.. seems like quite a bombshell after all your lifestyle changes in prep for the next cycle 😕 hope you can make a decision that you’re both happy with xx

Morning ladies. Aw@seekingbabyk that must have been a shock. I’m sorry if I’ve got this wrong - have you got some embryos frozen? I would agree with @Honeybunie, if they’re offering you a free transfer before Feb and you need a few months to save anyway, then I’d go for the free transfer I think. It’s shocking really how they put the prices up, I was reading about it on an Instagram post the other day.

@Honeybunie Really glad that you’ve made it to Munich 😊 What’s the weather like there? Are you getting the train to somewhere else after a few days there? I knew it would be the perfect distraction, just a shame you can’t have a gluhwein ha ha.

We went for our scan at Ultrasound Direct yesterday, still really nervous beforehand but it was lovely because the sonographer and reception lady greeted me like an old friend ❤️☺️ I must have been in there about 15 times in the last 18 months for various IVF scans so it was quite surreal but wonderful to be there for a pregnancy one, and they genuinely seemed really happy for us ❤️
Everything was fine, measuring 9 weeks as it should be and the baby was moving around loads with a strong heartbeat. They printed off loads of pictures for us. It’s terrible really as part of me is thinking don’t get too attached in case there is something wrong 🤦‍♀️ but I know I should stay positive and enjoy it.
I had an internal scan to get a clearer look and then back at home, I started worrying, should I do another pessary as it was an hour previous to the scan, would it have been wiped away?! Anyway I decided not to, but then realised at about 8.30 last night that I’d completely forgotten the 2pm estrogen dose 🥴 I was so annoyed with myself as I’ve been really on top of things up until then. Anyway I decided to take it there and then, and then an hour later carried on with the evening dose as normal. Not sure if that was right or not but I couldn’t contact the clinic at that time of night so I just had to google it. I’m less worried this morning as I’m back on track but I hope I haven’t scuppered anything x

@Honeybunie sorry I completely forgot to ask about your trip! I'm glad you made it there safely and with everything you need. How are you feeling? Are you waiting until OTD?

@KLM25 awww I'm glad your scan all went ok. Yes the staff at the clinic we are at are always lovely too. I wouldn't worry too much about the doses. I'm sure they would have mentioned if you needed another pessary. And seeing the difference between all of our doses/times of the day on here I think there's definitely not an exact science!

We had originally purchased a 3 cycle package but have used all of those. First one we got one blast and did a fresh transfer which failed, second round we got two blasts which we froze and third round we didn't get any. Our plan was to do one more round to hopefully get two more frozen. The issue with us is quality so I think because I'm 39 next year and OH is 43 we were trying to future proof. The 3 cycle package includes unlimited transfers within a year but the consultant extended that because of our house renovation.

Anyway the outcome now is that we are going to do a transfer in feb. So end of jan period we will be starting any meds and hopefully transfer in feb. We could do earlier but next cycle falls over Christmas and we want a bit longer to finish house bits so stress levels are lower. I really believe in fate and it feels like this is meant to be our path right now so we will see what happens and if it doesn't work we can look at options for more rounds next year.

It's funny because even though we have been going through this IVF journey I've always seen it more as future proofing than trying to get pregnant and have always been more concerned with more blasts than actually getting pregnant but right now I feel like transferring is what I want to do. I actually think getting the dog has done that just because we've lost our freedom to just do whatever we want and it feels like we have responsibilities now anyway. Also the village and house we are in now is so perfect for a family too. Maybe subconsciously I just needed everything to be right!

@KLM25 Oh I’m so glad the scan went well! It’s so great that the baby was moving and has a strong heartbeat 💓 absolutely amazing. I’m sure everything will be fine from here on 🥰 ah cute I bet the scan people are so over the moon for you too after a long 18 months of scans. I understand you’re still cautious with your joy but like I said I’m sure you’ll be okay esp as baby has a strong heartbeat yay.
Oh dear it’s so easily done to forget the tablets isn’t it! Esp when you’ve got stuff on and aren’t at home. I’m sure this won’t have had an effect on anything and there was still a little in your body from earlier doses. I would’ve double dosed it too as you did 😊 and don’t worry about the pessary. The progesterone gets absorbed within half an hour so you would’ve gotten the full dose before the scan.

@seekingbabyk Ah yes I remember now. Gosh that is a lot of money for just one cycle 🙈 I think it makes sense to transfer one now and if you need the next cycle I’m sure a few more months won’t make a massive difference to your egg quality. Esp since you’ve been so good recently. How exciting you’ll be having a transfer soon. Got all my fingers and toes crossed for you. it’s nice that you feel settled now and ready to get pregnant in your new home and village. It would just be perfect ✨

I’m feeling very good thank you. I feel as always really. I’ve had two good and long nights sleep now so feel fully recharged after the packing stress and travelling which is nice. The first few days after the transfer I felt like I had to be so careful not to do/walk too much or carry anything heavy etc but I feel a little more carefree now. Thinking if it has worked it would be implanting nicely by now. I think I’ll be waiting until OTD. Or at least day 9-10. I think I’ve always tested by day 9 in the past with an early test. I’ve got two early tests with me so maybe I’ll do that again if I feel like it next week. I’ll see how it goes. Maybe I’ll be busy and occupied enough to make it to day 11. It would be nice to wait.. and be rewarded with a positive test 😄
We’re on the train from Munich to Nuremberg now for two nights. The weather is cold, grey and a bit wet so not very nice. But at least it’s not raining. And the Christmas markets just light up the darkness and they are sooo christmasy. Yeah gutted about the mulled wine lol. It’s quite a different holiday to what we normally have. We’re in bed by 8/9 watching Netflix lol but it is very nice and relaxed ☺️ x

@Honeybunie awww have a lovely time I think resting and relaxing is a great way to spend your time there and take your mind off of everything! It's probably exactly what you need.

Yeah we're excited now just hoping it works. Yes it's a lot. Another 3 cycle package is around £10k so it's worth us taking that again if we need to. We will see how the transfers go first. When you have bad news through the process it kind of makes you wonder if enough is enough so if the two transfers don't work we might end up feeling like it's not meant to be but right now we are happy with our decision x

Thanks so much @seekingbabyk and @Honeybunie ❤️ and thanks for your reassuring words about the timing of the meds 🤦‍♀️ You’re completely right, it can’t be an exact science, I think it’s just a control thing in my crazy mind! We’ve got so little control over any of this, I always feel like if I take my meds at the right time then things are more likely to be ok ☺️ Madness I know.

@seekingbabyk Ah yes, I completely understand, I thought that might be the case. Up until now, it would have made complete sense to freeze as many embryos as you can, so I can understand how that has been your priority. But it sounds like everything has come together now to make it the perfect time for an embryo transfer ❤️ That’s really exciting. And like @Honeybunie says, I don’t think a couple of months would make any difference to egg quality if you still wanted to go down that road. I’m really pleased and excited for you!

@Honeybunie Glad to hear you’re feeling good! I really think this was the perfect trip at the perfect time 🎄😊 No, I’ve never been an early tester, I think you know when the time is right and for me it’s always been around day 10ish. You’ve got so many distractions too, you might lose track of the days. The Christmas markets sound wonderful. Where will you be for Christmas Day? Did you say you’re visiting family? We took our little boy on a special Santa steam train in the Peak District this morning 😝 We weren’t sure how it was all going to pan out but fortunately Santa didn’t scare him this year and it was magical. It’s all run by volunteers and they did such a good job. I had originally ordered a mulled wine with my ticket (or so I thought) but it turned out to be a plastic container of white wine so that was less of a disappointment to have to turn down! We all had a mince pie instead ☺️ x

@KLM25 it c was more future proofing if we ever wanted another baby we were hoping to bank some but we will just cross each bridge as we get to it. How you feeling now? How many weeks are you?

@KLM25 @Honeybunie @Imisscoffee2021 ladies what supplements did you take to prep for transfer? I could see in the book just a pre-conception multivitamin, vitamin d and e - that doesn't seem a lot compared to what I was taking. Anything else you recommend?

@seekingbabyk That makes complete sense. Yes exactly, that’s how we’ve always dealt with it, just taking one day at a time 😊
I’m 9 weeks 4 days, I feel more and more nauseous every day but haven’t been sick yet thankfully. I’m just keeping it at bay by eating really often and really badly 🤦‍♀️🤣 I’m thankful for the symptoms tbh, as rightly or wrongly, they do make me feel slightly reassured.

For supplements I’ve always just taken one Pregnacare Preconception tablet a day and more recently I’ve added extra Vitamin D. There’s Vitamin D and Folic acid in the Pregnacare already, but my GP mentioned to me a few months ago that she personally takes a high amount of Vitamin D, so I thought I’d add more. I’m taking 70 micrograms a day of Vit D now, apparently as long as you don’t go over 100, it’s fine, so I figured it wouldn’t do any harm, especially in the winter. Both clinics have never really advised me, have just said that the Pregnacare is fine, so I just made my own mind up really x

@seekingbabyk I was taking very high dose vit D for my successful transfer, and ferrous sulphate but thats cos I'm a vegetarian and needed it prior anyway. I think I also took wellwoman or some multivit also but the high dose vit D was what I took differently across the two transfers, first unsuccessful fresh and successful first frozen x

@seekingbabyk yes I think it sounds like a good plan to test the waters with another transfer and see how it goes. Having said that many couples need many transfers before one works don’t they. Looking at the stats and all that. That’s how I see it anyway. But yes see how you feel when you get there. Hopefully you won’t need another cycle. But yeah may as well pay for a three cycle package if one costs 7k already. I think in our clinic a two cycle package (which we’ll consider if needed) used to be 7,750. I tried to check if the price had gone up and the price list has disappeared. I dread to think what it costs now 🙈
Very good question about the supplements for an FET! I’ve only been taking pregnacare max recently, and high dose vitamin e to increase blood flow to uterus for my lining (doc recommended), and microbiomes for the vaginal flora. No idea yet if any of it helps. Damn I forgot about the vit d! I have drops at home which I could’ve taken too. Oh well.

@KLM25 aw so good to hear you’re feeling increasingly nauseous hehe. Very reassuring. Week 9 already 🥳 yes 🙌 and your midwife appointment next week 🙌 amazing so pleased for you. Aw the trip with your son sounds lovely. I bet he was super excited!

I think I’ll hold out with the test until Friday. It’s Monday already wow and you are right the trip was a super good distraction. Can’t believe it’s only 4 days away now.
We are at my parent’s house now until 29th. Near Berlin. We travelled here from Nuremberg by train yesterday. Went to the Christmas markets again today. Probs go watch wonka tomorrow. So it doesn’t get boring.
And if it doesn’t work I’ll have many other distractions being around my family and with Christmas coming up. Having said that it does feel a bit weird or exposed having to do the test here because they all know and will be waiting for the result Friday morning 🙈 it might be weird or awkward if it’s negative 😳 and I’ll probs feel like I need to put on a brave face but will break into tears anyway when I see my mum (you know how you just start crying when you see your mum when something happened to you even though you don’t wanna cry..). Oh well we shall see. So yes we’ll be spending all of Christmas here with my parents and siblings. Always nice. How are you ladies spending your Christmas this year? 😊 xx

Thanks @Honeybunie @KLM25 and @Imisscoffee2021 - have ordered some extra pills so hopefully that works although they always tell me my lining is great so hopefully it will stick 🤞🏻I think it's more the quality issues with us

How are you feeling @Honeybunie - are you nervous about tomorrow? Any symptoms making you think one way or the other?

@Honeybunie That all sounds lovely and very Christmassy, I love going to see a Christmassy film in the run up, not that we’ve done that for a while! Yes I’m the same, you can’t help but cry when your Mum’s there, but that’s so nice that she’ll be there for support whichever way it goes ❤️
We’re going to my in-laws on Christmas Day and then to my parents on Boxing Day. Chris has got annual leave from the 25th until the 3rd so I’m looking forward to relaxing during the in between part 😊 We might go for a walk in the countryside one day. Have just done the Christmas shop so should be all stocked up now!
@seekingbabyk No worries at all. That’s great about your lining, that’s half the battle isn’t it.

Hope you ladies and everyone on this lovely thread has a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for all of your support this year, I don’t think I’d ever written on a forum until this year but I’m so glad I did, as you’ve all been such a massive support ❤️ x

@seekingbabyk That is brill that your lining is always top notch. One less thing to worry about. Fingers crossed your little embryo will make it 🤞
I’m not nervous but I’m kinda dreading tomorrow a bit. It feels like I’ve been in a bit of a bubble of hope and I quite enjoyed it and tomorrow that could be over again if it’s negative 😕 and I have to start over again. The last two transfers I didn’t think it had worked or was pessimistic. This time I’ve been positive and hopeful for a change but it also means I could be disappointed. I don’t feel any different or don’t have any unusual symptoms so I feel it could go either way. But then you don’t have any symptoms until weeks 6-7 anyway right? Oh well we shall see..
I also remembered that when I tested early in the past I got my period on my test days! Maybe I’ll get cramps before tomorrow as a warning sign. But then maybe I won’t yet get my period because I’ve been on a long protocol cycle where my ovaries have been shut down first. Just speculating 😆 we’ll see

@KLM25 it’s so nice to have quite a substantial amount of time off as a family around Christmas isn’t it. Such a nice break to recharge the batteries and spend time together 😊 wow you sound very well prepared. We still need to wrap presents hehe. It’s quite funny here in Germany the supermarkets will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday so the run on the supermarkets until Saturday evening will be absolutely mental 😂 and if you don’t shop early enough they’ll run out of what you need/want 😂 it always feels a bit apocalyptic haha.

Yes it is so nice to support each other through this tough journey. It is a massive help to share the experience with you ladies that understand and to root for each other 😊 x

@Honeybunie it's really good you are being optimistic. I think a lot can be said for manifesting what you want m. Keeping everything crossed for you x

@seekingbabyk @KLM25 my test this morning was negative 😕 still processing it. Had a little cry earlier but I don’t want to be upset so trying my best to keep it together. Would be easier if I was at home by myself I could just get it out of my system. But I don’t want everyone to feel sorry for me so trying to move on. Having said that I feel like giving up at the moment. Don’t think the last embryo will be any better. Sure we’ll transfer it anyway. But don’t feel like doing it all over again at the moment. Just fed up with the whole process and time and energy spent on it, arranging our lives after it and not getting anything out of it. Feel like I need a mental break from all this and just live my life again

@Honeybunie I'm so sorry sweetheart- thinking of you today. You're not alone and if you want to offload we're all here for you xx

I’m really sorry @Honeybunie, it’s so hard 😔 It’s very tough having to put on a brave face as well, I think you’re doing amazingly 😘 Today will be the worst day but hopefully you’ll feel a little bit brighter tomorrow and then it might be a nice distraction to have all of your family around.
As @seekingbabyk says, we’re all here if you want to offload. Just get through today and tomorrow things might feel a little bit different. Sending lots of love and thinking of you xxx

Thank you @seekingbabyk @KLM25 I really appreciate your kind words and support 🥲 xxx

Sending you lots of love @Honeybunie. It’s all so very difficult at this time of year, isn’t it. My periods have come back now and they are keen for me to have a transfer ASAP but I just couldn’t face it around my Christmas and birthday. It can be so overwhelming. I hope your family are being kind and supportive. ♥️

@Honeybunie sending love and hope, I'm so sorry. You're working so hard for your dreams, bravely, its such a hard process xxxx

Thank you @Decaffe @Imisscoffee2021 ❤️
I’ve managed okay so far today. It’s been quite good talking about it with my mum and sister. I’ve called the clinic earlier after I missed a phone call from them. I was surprised that they rang me as last time they didn’t. The lady was very nice. But it was a little odd as she asked me whether I would have the next FET straight away or whether I’d need a consultation first. I told her that the nurses I last saw said I’d defo need a consultation first as they tried so many different approaches now and nothing had worked. Funny as I could have just said yes let’s start the next one straight away 🤪 You’d think they’d make a note in my folder. anyway I’m back working away from home again until late February so can’t start a cycle until then anyway so may as well have a consultation.
@Decaffe fab news that you can now go ahead with your next transfer 😃 yeah it is a bit of a bummer when you do it around Christmas and it doesn’t work. Would’ve been too perfect.. when do you think you’ll be starting the next cycle? Xx

Hi ladies. Happy new year to you all. Did you all have a nice Christmas? I hope all of you get everything you want in 2024!

That's great news @Decaffe - when are you looking at transferring?

How are you feeling @Honeybunie ? Are you still in Germany?

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you were all able to have a bit of a rest over the past couple of weeks, and I also hope 2024 is kind to us all.

I have a phone call consultation tomorrow morning with my IVF consultant, I am going to ask if we can do a natural transfer in my February cycle, so transfer day would be very early March. I desperately do not want a medicated cycle (I am simply so 'over' all the injections!), so I really want him to agree with me.

My endometriosis surgeon encouraged me to have a transfer as soon as my cycle came back, but I spent all of last Nov/Dec/Jan completely consumed with egg retrieval and transfers and I simply just don't want to go through it again in these cold, dark nights. I feel I need some sunshine and optimism!

I'm on my second cycle now after the surgery and coming out of the medical menopause. DM had decided that we were going to conceive on the first cycle - due to the endo being removed - I got a comment within hours of arriving for Christmas that she was 'expecting some good news in a few days,' which was a bit awkward 😏Then on Christmas Day evening, I'm there relaxing on the sofa with a glass of bubbly, and DMIL turns to me and asks if we're doing a transfer soon! Ugh! The very last thing I wanted to talk about.

I guess I am just feeling a bit hopeless about it all really. It turns out my thyroid levels are skew-wiff as well. I have an appointment with the endocrinologist later this month but apparently there's nothing they would be able to give me to sort it. Ho hum!